| Author | Message | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Hello Everyone, Although I'm new here on the forum I wanted to share what I found. We hear all through the new Testament the words; power, strength, miracle and might. I'm not sure I really paid much attention to these terms until something happened to me recently that is compelling me to preach the Gospel. In my wondering what had come over me, I began some research and here are the results. Greek word=DuvnamiB Transliterated word=Dunamis 1-Strength power, ability a. Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or a thing exerts and puts forth. b. Power for performing miracles c. moral power and excellence of soul. d. The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth e. Power and resources arising from numbers f. Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, host. It in the KJV new testament 120 times. 77 times as power 11 times as mighty work 7 times as strength 7 times as miracle 4 times as might 3 times as virtue 2 times as mighty 9 times miscellaneously I looked up in Websters dictionary the word 'dynamite' and guess what. Right, the root word is none other than 'Dunamis' Definition of Dynamite: from greek word dunamis 1. Powerful explosive 2. Something highly effective, outstanding or wonderful. 1. To blow up, shatter or destroy as if with dynamite. 2. To charge with dynamite. Now I don't know much about theological terms or intellectual reasoning but, I do know there is power in the Gospel. There is a Dynamite force in the Gospel. There is something to all this and it's BIG! Well, at least to me it is BIG. Here are some scriptures to take a look over. I will not put them all here unless requested. So, read now these Scriptures and realize, there is a Dynamite behind the Gospel, a Miracle in the Gospel, a Might in the Gospel, a Strength in the Gospel. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written. "The righteous will live by faith." Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overlfow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 1:4,16,20 Romans 8:38 Romans 9:17 Romans 15:19 Galatians 3:5 (miracle) Ephesians 1:19,21 Ephesians 3:7,16,20 Hebrews 1:3 Hebrews 2:4 Hebrews 6:5 Hebrews 7:16 Hebrews 11:11,34 2 Corinthians 1:8 2 Corinthians 4:7 2 Corinthians 6:7 2 Corinthians 8:3 Acts 10:38 Acts 2:22 Acts 3:12 Acts 4:7,33 Acts 6:8 Acts 8:10,13 Acts 10:38 Acts 19:11 Colossians 1:11,29 Those are a few. Isn't this a great thing the Lord has given to us?! :) God Bless all, Denise | ||
| Patti |
Amen, Denise! Funny you should post that text: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written. "The righteous will live by faith." You do know that it was when this text struck home with Luther, that the Reformation was born. I had read this text for years, but always concentrated on the last statement, but there are several wonderful aspects of the Gospel mentioned here. First, it is the power of God, as you pointed out, for the salvation of everyone who believes. So many people disparage faith and claim that we are not saved simply by believing in Jesus Christ. But there are too many texts that state otherwise. Then look at the next phrase: For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed. Notice this righteousness is from God, not in ourselves. This righteousness is nothing less than the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. This is the real power of the Gospel: Our salvation is based upon nothing less than the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. It is a completed, finished, accomplished, perfect work. "For in the gospel a righteousness that is by faith from first to last The righteousness that saves us is, on our part, by faith from first to last. We had no part in accomplishing it; we can only believe in the One who did it for us. From first to last, all of our salvation is based upon our trusting in the sufficiency of the obedience of Jesus Christ that is imputed to all who believe on Him. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we have all of the blessings of God right now by faith. There is no greater or higher or deeper or more profound spiritual experience we can achieve than merely trusting in Jesus that He is able to keep His promise and save us to the uttermost. "The just shall live by faith." I really like how the RSV translates this text. For me it is much clearer: "He who through faith is righteous shall live." The only way that we can obtain life, (and have it abundantly) is through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Likewise, when we believe in Jesus Christ we have eternal life. Pretty amazing, isn't it? The power of the Gospel as presented in those two verses sparked the entire Reformation. Thank you for bringing them to our attention. May God truly bless your ministry! Grace and peace, Patti | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Hello Patti, I thank you for your added post. What a wonderful God we have. I mean, think about it, He loves us! For me, it's so profound that lately inside and out, I've been a lunatic... This God of ours is really AWESOME! Now, finally, after over a year of reading the Bible, I'm understanding Paul when he said with aweness something to that same point. I don't know what text it is but I'm going to look for it. It's amazing I know that. At the time I read that I didn't quite know how he could be so profoundly astonished and in awe. But, something has been happening and I'm understanding Paul a whole lot more. Funny I could relate to his saying about the things he didn't want to do, these he kept doing and the things he wanted to do, these he didn't do. Of course I could relate and still can to that. But this other statement he made, I've gotta find it now, about the wonderment (if that's a word) of God. As for your telling me that the reformation was started with this same verse, I had no clue. That was a real shocker to read that from you. Also, you called my posting a ministry? Yikes! That's a pretty big word don't ya think? No, you might be confusing me with someone else. As a matter of fact, I am just learnin myself. God Bless you, Denise | ||
| Patti |
Dear Denise, Of course you are ministering! You are ministering to the JWs, and you are ministering to me, because your words are such a blessing to me. You know that old song, "I love to tell the story for those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest"? Once we understand the Gospel, \b(nothing else will satisfy). I think you are looking for Romans 7:14-25. Also, here are a couple of links you may find useful. I use them many times a day. The first one is a quick and easy-to-use concordance using 9 different English translations as well as a host of other languages. You will find it at: Bible Gateway The second link is a powerful study guide for the Scriptures, including 7 or 8 English translations, concordance, Bible dictionaries, commentaries, lexicons, etc. It is very good. The reason I generally use the first is that because this site is so powerful, it takes quite a bit longer for it to load. Here is that link: Bible Study Tools at Crosswalk.com Enjoy! God bless! Patti | ||
| Max |
And ministering to others is a good work, a gift, a fruit and a result of salvation and of the Holy Spirit's action in our lives, is it not? | ||
| Max |
Patti, Thanks for the Bible Study Tools at Crosswalk.com reference. I didn't have it in my favorites, but do now. |
