Religious Superstitious Awe (φαρμακεία)

One of the works of the flesh is very religious. Often translated as “sorcery” or “witchcraft”, it actually is referring to a religious superstition brought on by a place, experience, or person through which someone feels closer to God.

And the works of the flesh are manifested, which are: Adultery, fornication, uncleanliness, licentiousness, idolatry, religious superstitious awe … Galatians 5:19-20.

We find in Revelation this type of work of the flesh is related to religious matters. The harlot, Mystery Babylon the Great, will deceive the nations through her religious superstitious awe (Revelation 18:23).

All world religions use this type of work of the flesh to manipulate their followers. Whether it is through spectacular buildings, separation of clergy from the people, worship services that focus on getting an emotional response, or individuals that claim to be able to heal, speak in tongues, teach gain is godliness and many other methods, it is all about the awe imposed on a person to manipulate them to think that they are closer to God.

Christianity is actually not a religion, it is Christ. A Christian is one who is a disciple of Christ (Acts 11:26). Religions come from the flesh, not from God. Through manifesting the fleshly work of religious superstitious awe, buildings, idols, denominations, and people are setup to satisfy the conscience to serve a supposed higher power that pleases the fleshly desires rather than the one true God.

True believers worship God in spirit and truth. Worship is giving God credit for what He has done (Revelation 4:10-11), spirit is our rational part (1 Corinthians 2:10), and truth is seeing things as they really are. Superstition has no part in Christianity for it requires ignorance. Rather, we are to come to a […]

Religious Superstitious Awe (φαρμακεία)Luther Walker2023-11-25T08:05:11-08:00

2 Corinthians Not Being Cowardly

We Are Not Cowardly, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

The Ministry Paul Has, 2 Corinthians 4:1

The Ministry of the New Covenant, 2 Corinthians 3:6

A Covenant That Surpasses the Glory of the Mosaic Law, 2 Corinthians 3:7-8

Not the New Covenant for Israel, Jeremiah 31:33

We Are Not Cowardly, 2 Corinthians 4:1

Cowardly (Do Not Lose Heart [NASB]; We faint Not [KJV])

Comes from a word meaning, “to behave badly”

Often translated as “grow weary” or “be weary”, but not the same

Weary from sin and heavy-laden, Matthew 11:28

Weary from a Journey, John 4:6

Cowardly and Weary, Galatians 6:9

Not being cowardly because of Paul’s tribulations, Ephesians 3:13

In that which is bad (lacking in character) – one who turns out to be of those who are bad; hence, to behave badly or loose courage or faint

Renouncing the Hidden Things of Shame, 2 Corinthians 4:2

The Walk of Those Who Are Enemies of the Cross, Philippians 3:18-19

Those in the Church Who Have Crept In, Jude 4,13

The Doctrine of the Laodicean Church, Revelation 3:18

In Standing Against the Hidden things of Shame We Are Not Judging Others, 1 Corinthians 4:5

The Hidden Things of Shame are Done in the Darkness

Darkness is a way of life, Romans 2:19

The works of Darkness, Romans 13:12

It is a darkness of the heart, Romans 1:21

Comes from rejecting the truth, 1 John 1:6

We walk in the light, Ephesians 5:8

Not […]

2 Corinthians Not Being CowardlyLuther Walker2023-12-14T08:18:46-08:00

Apostasy (ἀποστασία)

Apostasy means “to stand away from”. It is created by taking the Greek preposition ἀπὸ (from) and adding it to ἵστημι (to stand). Unfortunately, often times the English definition of this word is implied to Scripture, rather than its proper translated meaning.

This is especially prevalent in 2 Thessalonians where some imply that before the coming of Christ there will be a departure from the faith. However, what is being departed from must be defined by context because apostasy (ἀποστασία) only means “to stand away from”. The English definition adds “from the faith”. This is one of the issues that is caused by not translating a word. The transliterated word begins to take on a definition of its own that does not reflect the meaning of the original word. This new definition is then applied to the original, perverting its meaning.

Apostasy (ἀποστασία) is used for departing from a religious system, but what is being departed from is defined by the context. In Acts 21 James is speaking with Paul as he tries to outwit the Jews in Jerusalem because they have been told that Paul teaches the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses.

And it has been reported to them concerning you, that you teach departure from Moses, all the Jews according to the Gentiles saying, do not circumcise their children nor walk in the customs – Acts 21:21.

However, apostasy is also used of departing from the earth. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul is writing of the day of the Lord when we will gather together with Him. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, where Paul gives more details on what happens at this time, our meeting is in the air.

Now I request you, brethren, concerning the coming of […]

Apostasy (ἀποστασία)Luther Walker2023-11-25T08:05:59-08:00

2 Corinthians The Certainty We Have in Christ

Our Boast in the Day of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 1:14

Our Crown of Rejoicing, 1 Thessalonians 2:19

It is Not About the Crowns, it is About the People

Incorruptible Crown – for exercising self-control in all things, 1 Corinthians 9:25

Crown of Life – for enduring a temptation, James 1:12

Crown of Evangelism, Philippians 4:1

Crown of Righteousness – for those who love His appearing, 2 Timothy 4:8

Crown of Rejoicing – for Preaching the Gospel, 1 Thessalonians 2:19

Crown of Glory – For Pastors, 1 Peter 5:4

Not Boasting of Bad Conduct, 1 Corinthians 5:6

Not Boasting About Our Works for Salvation, Romans 4:2

Examining Your Own Works, Are They Worthy, Galatians 6:4

Holding Fast in the Word of Life, Philippians 2:16

Christ is our Confidence and Boast, Hebrews 3:6

Assisting In Paul’s Ministry, 2 Corinthians 1:15-16

Coming to them in Confidence, 2 Corinthians 1:15

They Have Turned again to Paul

A Second Grace

Paul giving them a benefit by working with them

Not another blessing, there is no add-on to the faith

Often Used to Imply the Holy Spirit is Given After Salvation

Misunderstanding of the Progression of the Gospel

First to the Jews, Acts 2:5

Speaking in Tongues Was a Sign to the Jews, Acts 2:8

God Showing Peter the Gentiles are Being Accepted along with the Jews, Acts 10:44-46

Then Unto the Samaritans – Who are Mixed Jews

Philip Preaching the Gospel in Samaria, Acts 8:5

2 Corinthians The Certainty We Have in ChristLuther Walker2023-12-14T08:21:01-08:00

Angel – (ἄγγελος; מַלְאָךְ)

An angel is a spirit being; however, since the word “angel” actually means “messenger” it can also be used for humans. When it is not translated correctly, the meaning of a passage can be changed by implying it is a spirit being rather than a human messenger, such as with the seven churches in Revelation. Context clearly shows it is the human messenger (pastor) of the assembly being addressed, not an angel (spirit being).

Angels only appear to men in the likeness of men (Daniel 9:21, the man Gabriel). They appear in person, in visions (Daniel 8:15-16), or in dreams (Matthew 1:20, an angel appearing to Joseph in a dream).

John the Baptist is referred to as a messenger in Matthew 11:10, which is a quote of Malachi 3:1.

There are different ranks of angels: Archangel (Michael), who is the single highest-ranking angel (Jude 9), Thrones (Colossians 1:16), Dominions (Ephesians 1:21), Principalities (Ephesians 3:10), and Powers (Ephesians 6:12). Demons are from the lower ranks of the angels (Ephesians 6:12 Principalities and powers. The world powers of darkness and spiritual malignant evil in the heavens). They are angels who followed Lucifer (Satan) in his attempt to put his throne up in the third heaven with God (Isaiah 14:13; Revelation 12:4). Therefore, the word “angel” is not exclusively used to describe this type of spirit being.

For the sake of understanding a passage in Scripture, it is important to distinguish between whether a spirit being is referred to or a human, who both can act as messengers. In addition, Lucifer can also disguise himself as a messenger. Therefore, who the messenger is can also be important to identify.

The laws received by Israel were not from angels, but human messengers (Moses and […]

Angel – (ἄγγελος; מַלְאָךְ)Luther Walker2023-11-25T08:06:37-08:00

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