MORE ANSWERS TO SUPPOSED CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE

 

43)22:34 ("And he said, I tell thee Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me") versus Matt. 26:34 ("Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice")

The wording is a little different, but it doesn't diminish the Truth of what was said and what happened. There is no contradiction here. If the issue is that Jesus referred to the day in one passage, and to the night in one passage, both are true when one understands the Jewish way of looking at time…

In the book of Genesis we can see how God reckoned time:

Gen 1:5 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. (KJV)

Unlike us Gentiles, the Jewish people reckon time from sunset to sunset. So we can see that there is no problem with this Scripture. The details are correct…

44) 24:40 ("And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet") versus John 20:20 ("And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hand and his side")

As I had pointed out a little earlier, these gospel accounts are written by different people who wrote with different perspectives. Just because the account written by Luke doesn't mention Jesus' side, doesn't mean that He didn't show them His side. Also the same applies for the account in John; it isn't difficult to believe that Jesus showed the disciples His feet, as well.

Note what John 20:30 says:
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

This certainly could AND MOST LIKELY DID include showing them His feet.

Luke 24:31-53
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (KJV)

John 20:18-31
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (KJV)

44) 20:23 RSV ("If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained") versus Mark 2:7 ("Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?")

Luke 20:23 records the words of the resurrected Christ, giving authority to His disciples.
Mark 2:7 records the words of the religious Pharisees, who were condemning Jesus for forgiving a sick man. See what Jesus answers them:

Mark 2:7-12
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. (KJV)

Just as Jesus had authority to forgive sins, so He bestowed this same authority on His disciples.

45) Acts 1:1-2 ("In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up....") versus John 21:25 ("And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written")

The key here is to see that Luke did not say "I have dealt with all Jesus did and taught &" the operative word is "Began". He dealt with all that Jesus BEGAN to do and teach.
Luke was not claiming that his former treatise was the definitive work on the matter &the word "began" implies that Luke touched on a little of everything He did. Luke is saying that his former treatise was just a summary of the things that Jesus did. Just knowing this and the passage cited in John 21:25 alone will help to clear up many "difficulties" a person may have concerning the gospel accounts.

46) 1:24 ("...Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men....") versus Deut. 8:2 ("...the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness...to know what was in thine heart....")

As a child of God grows in the Word, he or she begins to understand some of how the Lord operates. At issue here is an Omniscient (all knowing) Omnipotent (all Powerful) Omnipresent (ever present) God, who bestowed upon the human race a gift of grace called "free will".
Just as Jesus emptied Himself of His limitless divinity, and walked as a human being on the face of the earth He had created, so God is able to willingly limit Himself in the affairs of man. Not that He needed to find out what was in their hearts, but because He chooses not to interfere with the free will decisions of mankind, He allows them to go through trials to reveal what is in their hearts.
Verse three brings this point home:

Deut 8:1-20
1 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. 4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. 5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. 6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. The object was that they would know that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.

47) 16:6 ("Now when they...were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia") versus 19:10 ("...so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks") and 19:22 ("So Paul sent into Macedonia two of them...but he himself stayed in Asia for a season")

Having become a Born Again Child of God who has been blessed with a position of ministry from the Lord, I can certainly relate to this &the fact is that the Holy Ghost did not tell them to never go to Asia &They were just forbidden to pass into Asia at that time, because God had a different plan for them.

Later on, He released them to go. There is a time when things are done perfectly on the Lord's time. We are not to get ahead of God; we are to submit to Him and His Will.

Acts 16:6-12 6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. (KJV)

48) 20:22 RSV ("Iam going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there") versus 21:4 RSV ("And finding disciples...who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up t

AGAIN IF A PERSON JUST READS THE CONTEXT OF THE SCRIPTURE, HE CAN GET A RIGHT UNDERSTANDING.

In Acts 20:22, Contextually, we can see that Paul is bidding farewell to the elders of the church. He bears witness that he is being led of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing the things which would befall him, except that the Holy Spirit revealed to him in every city that bonds and afflictions were awaiting him. According to Acts 20:23, Paul is going, fully aware of the danger that awaits him.

Verse 21:4 finds Paul in another place, being warned just one more time of the danger. Paul went into Jerusalem, fully aware that the circumstances would be grim.

Acts 20:17-27 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (KJV)

49)27:10 RSV ("And Paul said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo...but also of our lives") versus 27:43-44 RSV ("but the centurion, wishing to save Paul...ordered those who could swim to throw themselves overboard first and make for land...And so it was that all escaped to land")

The record shows that Paul gave his opinion that the voyage would result in the loss of lives. He did not say that God told him this, although he probably had some inner witness of calamity to come.
Verse 9 indicates that it was pretty much common knowledge that time of year was dangerous to sail in. But in verses 21-25, Paul mentions the fact that an angel had appeared to him right in the midst of the storm, and told him that none of them would lose their lives. I will include the entire account, because it is such a wonderful testimony of God's Grace:

Acts 27:9-44 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. 13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. (KJV)

50) Romans (Heading=The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans) versus Rom. 16:22 ("I Tertius, who wrote this epistle....")

Tertius was a scribe. Paul cited the words, and Tertius wrote it. The same thing happens today. This certainly isn't a contradiction.

51) 3:10 ("As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one") versus James 5:16 ("...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much")

Romans 3:10 is a quotation from a passage of Scripture in the Old Testament. It is quoted to show man's state without Christ. Then we see in verse 21-26 that God sent a remedy for man's unrighteousness, and that was the righteousness of Jesus, being imputed unto us.
So the righteous man that James 5:16 is speaking of is that man who has the righteousness of Jesus imputed unto him.

Rom 3:10-26
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (KJV)

The very next passage of scripture demonstrates how blind a person can be to the Truth of the scripture: "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." The person who sent me these alleged "contradictions" cannot see the scriptures that would open his eyes of understanding, if he really wanted to understand.

52) 4:5 ("But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness") versus Prov. 17:15 ("He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord").

God justifies the ungodly; yet, considers those who justify the wicked to be abominable. The difference is that He is God, and we are His creation, mere men. His Grace Justifies the ungodly. If we justify the ungodly, we put ourselves in God's place, and approve of those things that He Himself condemns.

53) 5:14 ("...death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression....") versus Heb. 11:5 ("By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him...")

Both Enoch and Elijah were caught up to God, but this fact does not diminish the truth that is spoken in Romans 5:14. Death still reigned over mankind, even those who had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression.

54) 9:18 RSV ("So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills") versus 11:32 RSV ("For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all")

The point being made in Romans 9:18, is that God is Sovereign over all mankind. Verse 16 tells us that it is not man that moves the Hand of God, it is God Who directs the affairs of men.
The Scripture uses the example of Pharoah, who thought that his power came from himself. Pharoahs considered themselves to be gods over Egypt, and were esteemed as gods in Egypt, but God put down his pride and used him to show all the people that there was an Almighty God who is above all that are called "gods".

Rom 9:15-16 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. (KJV)

Today there are many false teachers who say we are gods, or that we will become gods. According to verse 22, we are told that God is longsuffering toward these people so that many can experience His salvation.
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

There comes a time when those who consistently resist God are given up for their hardness of heart and rebellion against God. According to Romans 1, God gives such persons over to a reprobate mind.

Rom 1:28-32
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (KJV)

When God gives someone over to a reprobate mind, their hearts become hardened to the Truth. That is exactly what the passage in Romans 9:18 is speaking of. Romans 9:18 is speaking more of God's mercy on an individual, and Romans 11:32 is speaking of God's mercy on Humanity as a whole.
Rather than contradict, the so-called conflicting passage in Romans 11:32 explains more fully what we have learned in Romans 9.

Rom 11:28-36
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (KJV)

God in His infinite Wisdom chooses to pour out His mercy on all mankind, and He does it in a way so that both Jew and Gentile alike would be saved. To fully understand all that Romans is talking about, the Book must be read as a whole, contextually. When that is done, a lot of the confusion will be eliminated. Again, though, in order to truly understand the Word of God, a person must have the Spirit of God dwelling in him.

55) 11:26 ("And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written...") versus Matt. 8:12 ("But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth") and Zech 13:8-9

Again, there is a collective Judgement spoken of here. "All Israel" does not necessarily mean every individual in Israel &remember there were 12 tribes. 144,000 individuals of those 12 tribes are mentioned in Revelation. This comprises a remnant of people out of all Israel.
Notice also that Romans 2:28-29 defines what a true Jew is.

Rom 2:28-29
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (KJV)

Rom 11:22-26
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (KJV)

Actually Zechariah 13 bears out the truth of what I had said concerning that it would be a remnant out of all the tribes of Israel that would be saved:

Zech 13:8-9
8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. (KJV)

56) 15:33 ("Now the God of peace....") versus Ex. 15:3 ("The Lord is a man of war....") and Psalm 144:1 ("Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war....")

Inward Peace rules in a Born Again Christian.

Gal 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (KJV)

Nations rose against Israel, and God defended His people. There will be a time when there will be no more war, when Jesus comes and sets up His Throne, but as long as there are Heathen who would fight against the God Who created them, and against His people, God will strengthen His people to overcome their enemies. Indeed, the Bible speaks of a final war, when all the nations will gather themselves against Israel and the God of Israel. God Himself will defend His people. God gives His children peace in the midst of tribulation. He truly is the God of peace, to those who love Him, and obey His commandments, but to those who resist Him and rebel against Him, He is a Mighty God of war and vengeance.

57) 1 Corinthians 2:15 ("But he that is spiritual judgeth all things") versus Luke 6:37 ("Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not....")

I believe we dealt with this issue earlier when addressing Matthew 7:1. I WOULD JUST PASS THIS UP AND REFER THE READER TO MATTHEW 7:1, BUT IT IS INTERESTING THAT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS PASSAGE IN WOULD SEE THIS AS A CONTRADICTION.
IN CONTEXT, 1 Cor. 2:14-16 EXPLAINS WHAT THIS PERSON'S PROBLEM IS.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (KJV)

BECAUSE I HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST, I HAVE NO DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING THE WORD OF GOD, BUT THIS PERSON DOES NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLING IN HIM, SO HE TRIES TO WRESTLE WITH THE SCRIPTURES IN HIS OWN ABILITY, AND HE FAILS MISERABLY.

When we go to the Greek, we can readily understand what this passage is saying. Even without the Greek, we can see what it is saying if we read it in context. Let's look at verse 14, where we are told that the things of God are spiritually discerned:

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

This passage shows me that the judging that verse 15 is speaking of is discernment. And sure enough, when I look at the Greek, I see the same word in verse 14 and 15. The words translated as "discerned" and "judge" are the same Greek word:

350 anakrino (an-ak-ree'-no); from 303 and 2919; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine: KJV-- ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search. Again, the Bible Compliments and interprets itself, rather than contradicting itself.

58) 3:11 RSV ("For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ") versus Eph. 2:20 ("And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone")

The difficulty is taken away when we read the scripture which this refers to:

Isa 28:16
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (KJV)

It is to this foundation stone, this first stone which was laid in the building of the temple or any other structure, that all the rest of the building is fitly framed. Jesus Christ is known in the scriptures as the Prophet of God, and as the Chief Apostle.

These verses are where you can find Jesus referred to as a prophet:
Matt 21:11, Matt 21:46,John 7:40, Acts 7:37;

This verse shows that Jesus is our Apostle:
Heb 3:1
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (KJV)

So in the Scripture found in Ephesians 2:20, we can see that Jesus is the chief of the apostles and the prophets, and we can see that He has laid the foundation, and those who came after Him, built on that Chief Cornerstone, the sure foundation. There is no contradiction to these passages. Again, it is discerning spiritually as to what it is saying.

59)7:23 ("...do not become slaves of men") versus Eph. 6:5 ("Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters....") and 1 Peter 2:18

1 Cor 7:17-24
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. 18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. (KJV)

Contextually, we see that Paul is exhorting the Christian to walk in that which he has been called to. He says that just as it is impossible to become uncircumcised once you are circumcised, so if you are called to the Lord when you are uncircumcised, don't worry about getting circumcised.
He is showing the readers that it is not our CIRCUMSTANCES that hinder or enable us &rather, we are to be all that we can be right where we are. He says that if we are called being a slave, we aren't to be overly concerned about it, but we are to use our circumstances to the Glory of God, and herein lies true freedom.
It's not our physical state, but rather our spiritual state that determines how free we are. If we are in Christ, the slave is the Lord's freeman. There are brothers and sisters around the world who are shut up in prison because of their faith, but there are thousands of testimonies from these same brothers and sisters that give evidence to the freedom they had in Christ even while they were imprisoned.
Verse 23 is saying to the free man not to become entangled as a servant of men, and verse 20 is saying if you are a slave to someone, don't worry about it. Hence, we can now read Eph. 6:5 with the right understanding of the Word.

60) 11:14 ("Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him") versus Num. 6:5 RSV ("All the day of his vow of separation no razor shall come upon his head; until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy; he shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long")

In 1 Cor. 11:14, Paul was addressing the Corinthian people, who were not of Jewish descent. While Paul was writing to them, the chances are that he himself had a beard which was not rounded at the corners, and locks on the side of his head. You can see this in the Orthodox Jews even today.
The nature of the Jew is different than the nature of the Corinthian. If you see the busts of Romans and those in Corinth, you can see that the men of that time had short hair. Paul was teaching a spiritual truth in 1 Corinthians 11, and was using an illustration to bring that spiritual truth to light.
I don't have time to do a study of 1 Corinthians 11 here, but if one reads the entire chapter in context, with the aid of the Spirit of God, he could see the meaning that Paul was trying to convey. The issue isn't hair at all. It is order in the church. He who does have the Spirit of God dwelling in him should consider the key verse to this passage of Scripture in order to understand what Paul is teaching regarding order:

1 Cor 11:3
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (KJV)

61) 12:10 ("To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy...to another divers kinds of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues") versus 14:2 ("For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him...")

1 Cor 12:8-11
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 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: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (KJV)

There is no difficulty here &the tongues and the interpretation of tongues comes from the Spirit of God. It is the Spirit of God which understands the tongues and gives that interpretation to men through a person. Without the Spirit of God, no man can understand the unknown tongue.

Just an aside, FYI: The Scripture says here that there are various kinds of tongues. In 1 Corinthians 13, we see that there are tongues of men and of angels. Tongues of men are known. We see this type of tongues spoken in Acts chapter two when the multitude beheld the disciples speaking in their languages:

Acts 2:1-12
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (KJV)

The unknown tongues are the tongues of angels, which no man knows except the Spirit of God. It is with these tongues that the child of God prays to God.

1 Cor 14:2-4 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. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (KJV)

In line with rightly dividing the Word of Truth, I must point out that the word "Unknown" does not exist in the Greek. The translators supplied the word "unknown" to carry the sense of the Scriptures, and I don't believe they made an error in doing this.

Again, I would refer the reader to 1 Corinthians 13, where reference is made to tongues of men and of angels, and to 1 Corinthians 12, where reference is made to various kinds of tongues. Interpretation could be made by the Spirit of God of either the angelic tongues or the tongues of men.

 

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