Spiritualgifts

Dov Avnon • July 7, 2022

The gifts in the dispensation of the Grace of God

Let’s talk about 1 Corinthians 12!

The gifts in the dispensation of the Grace of God

Let’s talk about 1 Corinthians 12!

By: Dov Avnon


The gifts in the dispensation of the Grace of God - download versie



“Gifts, given by the Spirit of God as a supernatural manifestation, sign gift, supernatural appointment, or empowerment for service (as described in I Cor. 12, Rom. 12, Eph. 4) have ceased with the completion of the written revelation of God's perfect Word.”

This part of What We Believe about the Gifts you will find in many churches that understand the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. Yes, God’s word is indeed perfect. Paul fulfilled the Word. His letters Romans-Philemon contain the message and doctrine for the dispensation of Grace.


After I came to understand the truth of woman's head covering as Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians chapter 11, a study in Chapters 12-14 showed me that there is a great difference between the signs that God gave the believers during the preaching of the kingdom gospel and the gospel to the circumcision Mark 16:16-17 and the gifts that God gave to the church the body of Christ. Those gifts had nothing to do with the Jew, Israel or the so-called “acts period or transition period theory”. They were part of the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was given to Paul.


I invite you to read this study and pray that Christ will give us that spirit that believes in what is written in the Word for this dispensation of Grace.

Signs and wonders. Someone told me “if I just will get a sign from God or see a little wonder then I surely trust Christ as my savior” Well, even with a good sign of wonder you can still not be saved. Salvation is not based on signs or wonders but on trusting what God says in His word:

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 cor. 15

Talking about signs and wonders, the key to understanding their place of them in God’s plan is the word rightly divided which means to divide between the signs that will follow the believers during the preaching of God’s earthly kingdom and the spiritual gifts that God gave to His Church the body of Christ.


Did you know that the signs that we are reading in the gospel of Mark 16:17-18 are part of the gospel of the kingdom on earth? I am sure you know it!

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Did you know that there is a difference between the signs of the kingdom and the spiritual gifts that Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14? I hope you do!


Did you know that the spiritual gifts that Christ gave to the church the body of Christ are not part of His plan with the nation Israel or because of the “acts period” but they are part of the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery? I think it will be better to start with the words of the apostle Paul.


1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Many believers are ignorant when it comes to the spiritual gifts. I say this because they are not making any distinction between the signs of the kingdom and the spiritual gifts which are part of the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. Let’s talk first about the signs of the kingdom.


Matt 4:23 Jesus preaches about the kingdom and healing 11:4-5 they have to tell John: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hears, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. So when we are speaking about preaching the gospel of the kingdom we can expect to see signs. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe Mark. 16:16-17. During the time that Christ was on earth, God used signs to show Israel certain things. 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Heb. 2


Please note that God gave signs according to His will, His purpose, and not in the way that many Charismatic theologians explain it. If you want to see how God gave signs and until when just follow some of the scriptures that I am using.

So when we are speaking with our so-called Charismatic fellow believers. We should try to see if they understand the difference between the signs that belong to the gospel of the kingdom and the gifts that God GAVE to the church the body of Christ in this dispensation of Grace.

The 12 apostles, and the signs of the kingdom


When we speak about signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, we should rightly divide the word of truth, which means to distinguish between the working of God’s Holy Ghost when Christ was on the earth and in the period after the day of Pentecost until the conversion of the apostle Paul and the dispensation of God’s grace as Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 12.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe – We know that what the Lord Jesus Christ promises the believers (see Mark 16:17) was still at work even after the day of Pentecost.


29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. Acts 4:29-31

Even after the great persecution (Acts 8:1) we still read about miracles and signs as part of the same kingdom preaching or the gospel to the circumcision.


Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. –

Acts 8:5 seeing the miracles which he did. Acts 8:6 and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. Acts 8:7 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, Acts 8:12 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8:13

Read Acts chapters 1-12 and see how the apostles from Jerusalem are working fewer miracles. Please do remember that it was God who did it according to his own will?


According to His earthly purpose, which soon He will replace with the dispensation of His Grace and the preaching of Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.


Tabitha, arise - Acts 9:40 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.

Peter vision 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Acts 10:19-21


hand of the Lord 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed,and turned unto the Lord. 11:21 light shined in the prison 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. Acts 12

when and for how long did God say in His Word that the signs and wonders for the Kingdom Gospel would cease?

We know that after the rapture the Kingdom program will continue. Peter indicated that he would die 2 Peter 1:13 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle...


13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.


In Acts 15 (Galatians 2:7-9) they still were to take the gospel to the circumcision so it would still necessitate the signs and wonders?

James 5:14-16 If any sick...call for the elders...the Lord shall raise him up...pray...that ye may be healed.

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another... 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.


HEBREWS - signs and wonders according to his will HEBREWS 2:4 God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

There is an important principle that we should understand, the gifts of the Holy Ghost worked according to God’s will. It is far from how Charismatic theology teaches about it. All the signs and wonders in the Bible happened because they were God’s will. After all, they were at that time part of His plan. It was not a show like in our days.


I mention this because today many say: “but I saw it” It happened to me” etc. you can, of course, argue with someone about his imagination or experience but it will not help him to get the truth. So it is more important to explain to someone how God works and what was the real purpose of the signs and wonders. 


HEBREWS 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham.


The letters to the Hebrews is a continuation of the gospel to the circumcision where Christ became part of the seed of Abraham.

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Who are we? What were the things that they heard? Those are the seed of Abraham that heard the gospel for the first time when Christ was on earth. The letter to the Hebrews like the name says is written to the Hebrews (people who came "across the river"). 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Yes “how shall we escape” He is not talking about the body of Christ but about Abraham’s seed in the future.


which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord = The gospel as we read it in Matthew,Mark, Luke, and John.

was confirmed unto us by them that heard him = The witness of the 12 apostles and later the apostle and prophets from Jerusalem.

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? So now we understand that God used signs and wonders according to His will when Christ was on earth preaching to Abraham’s seed, the nation of Israel


Paul and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God;

Dear reader, do you understand that there is a difference between the gospel of the kingdom, the gospel to the circumcision, and the gospel of the grace of God? I hope you do! So the next point is that there is a difference between the working of the spirit of God under the kingdom gospel and under the dispensation of God’s grace.


The signs that I mentioned before had to do with Israel, the circumcision, and God’s earthly purpose.

But let’s now speak about Paul. When we come to Paul we find also mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; People will probably say: “Yes it is because of acts period”. “It is because of the transition time”. “It is because Paul went first to the Jew”, “Because he had a special gospel for them”. No this is not the correct answer. I too used to for years answer in that way and only now do I realize how far I was from rightly dividing the word of truth in that matter.


So I speak now about mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God as part of the dispensation of God’s grace and not as part of God’s earthly purpose for Israel and the world according to prophecy.

The signs of an apostle


Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:12

When we come to Paul, we deal with one gospel. From the time he was saved it was about the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. The whole purpose in saving Paul was to preach Christ to the world as Christ was revealed to him from Heaven. Galatians chapters 1-2 is sufficient evidence to anyone who reads it to understand 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul received from the Lord only one gospel and the signs were part of the signs of an apostle and not something which had to do with the signs of Mark 16:16-17 or the nation of Israel.


Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. ROMANS 15:19


It is the Spirit of God who worked in Paul to do all those mighty signs and wonders. Paul was preaching the gospel of Christ when the Spirit of God worked in him to perform wonders. Not because of Israel, Jews of the earthly kingdom but because they were the signs of an apostle.

by the power of the Spirit of God. Did Paul teach or mention in any place about the power of the Spirit of God like God did with his disciples during the time that Christ was on earth or in the day of Pentecost? No! This power of the Spirit of God is part of the special revelation that God gave to Paul.


From Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum – When Paul went the first time to Jerusalem

ACTS 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples and when he went the last time, see Acts 25:24.

ACTS 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem… ACTS 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there.


I am writing just a little about it so we will not lose the main point when Paul was traveling between Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum – The Bible account tells us which gospel he was preaching, the gospel of Christ, the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles Acts 15:12.


When Barnabas and Paul told them what happened among the Gentiles, about what Gospel they were talking? The gospel of Christ.

3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Acts chapter 14


To which word the Lord give testimony by doing signs and wonders? The word of his grace! Are the gospel of Christ, the Word of His Grace, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation different gospels or ministries that God gave to Paul? Of course not. Let’s trust God’s word and believe what is written. Let’s not put our theology before the written word of God.

Signs, miracles, and wonders in Paul’s ministry are signs of an apostle and not because of the Jews or Israel.

Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom


For years I used to teach that Paul had the power to perform sign because Jews require a sign. We see that this is not the correct answer. The signs under the dispensation of Grace were because he was an apostle. When we read the context, we see that while the Jew wants a sign or the Greek wisdom, Paul gave both of them only:


23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; It is strange. God gave people what they want SIGNS and WISDOM. No instead God gave them the preaching of the cross.

But there is another important point here. When Paul was visiting the Jews at the synagogue, the dispensation of Grace with the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery already began. The signs that God performed through Paul were not part of what Christ said while on earth. 17 And these signs shall follow them that belief; Mark 16:17-18.

Jews require a sign – It is about the unbelieving Jews who were part of the already rejected nation of Israel. We should first understand terms like JEWS, JEWISH RELIGION, and Synagogue before we go and teach that the signs that God performed through Paul were from Mark. 16:17 (see on the internet my study: Paul, the Jews and the Synagogue).


Dear reader, please remember The power of the Spirit of God that worked through Paul from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum was because he was preaching from the very beginning the gospel of Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. ROMANS 15:19


A different name for the same gospel.


Some teach that Paul preached different gospels. Those are the same Bible teachers who will tell you that it is important to divide Paul’s Letters between early and prison letters.If we will stay close to the word of God, we will understand that rightly dividing the word of truth means dividing between the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery – Romans through Philemon and the gospel of the kingdom and later the gospel of the circumcision – Hebrews through Revelation.

You do not need Greek or Hebrew to understand that Paul teaches in all his letters the same gospel. What you need is to take God at His word and just listen to what Christ wants to tell you in Paul’s letters.

Paul was teaching in all his letters to the same group of people, Jews and Gentiles, that the Holy Spirit baptizes them into one body, the church, the body of Christ.


GALATIANS 2:2 And I went up by revelation and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles

Paul was preaching the gospel among the Gentiles and not gospels. He was chosen by the Lord to testify the gospel of the grace of God Acts 20:24.


He says from the very beginning that he was separated unto the gospel of God Rom. 1:1 to preach the gospel of God or of Christ Rom. 15:16, 19, 29 and he calls it also my gospel Rom. 16:25


Yes different names for the same preaching the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began Rom. 16:25. Paul himself tells us that he was separated unto the gospel of God, separated from the gospel where God prophets in the Holy Scriptures spoke.


1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; Romans 1

This gospel of God declared that Christ was the son of God and also the resurrection from the dead:

This is why Christ separated him. This is why he received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

So Paul was on one hand separated from the Gospel of God to preach another gospel of God which is the same in all his letters.

My gospel


2 TIMOTHY 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel

While Paul said to Timothy to remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David, Paul preached and teaches a truth that the risen Christ was revealed to him from HEAVEN in different revelations. So whether we read Christ’s words through Paul in the letter to the Romans or Christ’s Words to Paul in the letter to Philemon. We speak about the same “my gospel” “the gospel of God” “the gospel of your salvation” “the gospel of the blessed God” etc.

ROMANS 1:9 gospel of his Son - ROMANS 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of

Christ. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:12 ….gospel of Christ 2 CORINTHIANS 2:12 ……Christ's gospel

2_CORINTHIANS 4:4 the glorious gospel of Christ GALATIANS 1:7 ….the gospel of Christ.

PHILIPPIANS 1:27…. the gospel of Christ 1-THESSALONIANS 3:2 …. the gospel of Christ - 1

THESSALONIANS 1:8 the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.


It is most important to say over and over that while Paul uses different names, he preached Christ only in one away, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:25.

 All about this gospel, we can find in the scriptures of the prophets …. Romans 16:26. ROMANS 2:16 In the day when God….to my gospel. ROMANS 10:15 them that preach the gospel of peace


2 CORINTHIANS 11:7….the gospel of God GALATIANS 2:7 gospel of the uncircumcision the gospel of the circumcision EPHESIANS 1:13 …..the gospel of your salvation


EPHESIANS 6:15…. the gospel of peace; EPHESIANS 6:19 …. the mystery of the gospel,

COLOSSIANS 1:5 … truth of the gospel; COLOSSIANS 1:23 the hope of the gospel 1-

THESSALONIANS 2:2 the gospel of God 1 TIMOTHY 1:11 …… gospel of the blessed God


Paul and signs

Acts chapter 14


1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. ACTS 14

We saw that Paul's letters contain only one gospel. It is also important to understand the temporary character of Paul's signs. I am writing temporarily because today, under the dispensation of the Grace of God, after Paul the last apostle is not anymore and God's word is fulfilled, there are no more either apostolic signs or spiritual gifts.


When we speak about the term signs, we always should divide between the signs of the kingdom gospel (Marc. 16:17) and the signs that Paul had as the apostle for the Gentiles. Testimony unto the word of his grace


We read that in Iconium that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews. Please note those are the unbelieving Jews that are part of the Jews's religion. God at this stage already set Israel as a nation aside. The preaching here is about the Grace of God and not the earthly kingdom.

And so we read that the signs were testimony unto the word of his grace for both Jews and Gentiles.

 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Acts chapter 14


Please note that there is different between this testimony through signs ABOUT GRACE that the Lord gave in their hands and the one we read in Hebrews:


4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2 I will emphasize again.


In Paul’s preaching under the dispensation of Grace, the signs are a testimony unto the word of his grace for both Jews and Gentiles.

The witness, both with signs and wonders according to Hebrews 2:4 is part of God’s earthly purpose and not with the Church the body of Christ. miracles and wonders among the Gentiles


ACTS 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.So miracles and wonders were not only for Jews. It was among the Gentiles that God used miracles and wonders. Not because of Israel. Not because it was a transition period but because it was according to God’s will as a sign about the new apostle. Paul was preaching to them Grace when God still used miracles and wonders. See also what Peter says about it: 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.


But God did more special miracles by the hands of Paul And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; …. Acts 16:9

…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. Acts 16:18

….all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. Acts 16:26 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:6 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: Acts 19:11 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Acts 27:23


..And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Acts 28:5


Dear reader all I can say is that God used miracles and wonders also during the time that Paul preached Christ according the revelation of the mystery.


The Church and the spiritual gifts

1 Corinthians 12


1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Spiritual gifts under the dispensation of God's grace? Yes! It is something new that they did not know. It is part of the revelation of the mystery not because of Israel or the Jews but because of God’s will and plan. This is why Paul says “I would not have you ignorant”. You see Paul uses this term often because there is the truth that is part of the revelation of the mystery and it was not known before:

So if we do not understand the special Gospel that Christ gave to Paul we will be ignorant about the following truth.

…. should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until be come in. Romans 11:25


….should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 1 Cor. 10:1

…you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 1 Tess 4:13

Paul is writing to the brethren. Those are members of the Church the Body of Christ. As we said Paul received from the Lord only one gospel. Those brethren are Jews and Gentiles as it is written: 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.


Those brethren like you and me should know now the difference between the signs of the kingdom on earth (Marc. 16:16-18) and the spiritual gifts that God gave directly to the Church the body of Christ. When I am writing directly, I mean it was part of the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery and NOT because of Israel or the Jews. Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost

2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 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. I give you to understand – The spiritual gifts that Paul is going to talk about is when the church is coming together. It was during the time that God’s word was not fulfilled yet. It was the way how God made His will known by the Spirit.


So the first thing they must understand is that you can say that Jesus is the Lord only if you have God’s Spirit only if according to verses 12-13 you are a member of the Church which is the body of Christ.


Remember, also in Paul’s day were people who followed him just because of the wonders. Please look around and see how many charismatic people speak only about JESUS, and JESUS and are not using his title, LORD. I would not say it always but in many cases not all those who say JESUS HEALED ME can also say JESUS is THE LORD/GOD He died for my sins, He rose up fromthe dead for my justification.

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10


From reading this verse we will understand that through all the ages there were people (WITHOUT GODS SPIRIT) who miss used the name of the Lord for their purpose


13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. Acts 19:13

Even today many so-called Christian groups promote the name JESUS CHRIST but do not believe or teach that He IS GOD.

Again before we going to speak about the spiritual gifts for the Church the body of Christ let’s not forget: “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” …Ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols. Paul writes the letter to the Corinthians to Jews and Gentiles in one body. The Jews from the synagogue came from the Jews religion while the Gentiles came from worshiping dumb idols dumb idols = idolatry, false worship through logic, science, personal experience


20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and prays unto a god that cannot save. Isaiah chapter 45

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and

knit together, increaseth with the increaseof God. Colossians chapter 2


You see this is just an example of what kind of spirit worked behind those Romans/Greek Gentiles who heard now Paul preaching and believed the gospel. “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost”


Diversities of gifts


Same Spirit - same Lord - same God

God gave the Church the body of Christ “diversities of gifts, differences of administrations, diversities of operations”. We are not talking here about the Spirit that worked during the day of Pentecost but about the work of the Spirit during the dispensation of the grace of God. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to

every man to profit withal.


What we have here are special gifts directly to the Church as part of the revelation of the mystery. Not because of Israel not because a Jews wanted it but it is God who worketh all in all. The spirit gave it for special benefits for the Church.

diversities of gifts

differences of administrations

diversities of operations

gifts – administrations – operations

This was how God spread the revelation of the mystery during the time that the word was still not fulfilled. The fulfilling of God’s word means that Paul received the last revelation for the church. His last letter was written. Paul writes here also about: the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.


This is a very important truth. We are speaking here about the manifestation of the Spirit. When the Church came together and they were practicing those gifts–administrations– operations. The spirit of God was manifest. It was not men who made happening. It was not a manifestation through one man but given to every man to profit withal.


Today when we teach in our local church the word of truth we can not say that it is the manifestation of the Spirit.

If all the so-called pastors/teachers were working under the manifestation of the Spirit, they would all know and understand right from the beginning what Christ revealed through Paul. No, all we have today is only the written word of God and men who can teach that do not always know all the truth which Christ gave to Paul.


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 kind 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.

1 Corinthians 12:1-13 Romans 12:5-8 Ephesians 4:11


-Word of wisdom

-Word of knowledge

-Faith by the same Spirit

-Gifts of healing

-Working of miracles

-Prophecy

-Discerning of spirits;

-Divers kinds of tongues

-Interpretation of tongues

-Prophecy

-Ministry

-teaching;

-exhortation

-Apostles

-Prophets

-Evangelists

-pastors and teachers;


You see when those saints came together it was far from what happens today. Which tradition are you following? Are you going every Sunday morning to church and say that the worship start at 10:30? You might have some scripture reading, maybe some church announcement, singing and the Pastor will give his sermon. Many are following this kind of tradition but this is not what Paul is teaching us in 1 Corinthians 12.

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.


You see when they came together it was a work of a body. They needed each other to have the manifestation of the Spirit. It was far from what we see today that people in many places are worshipping their Pastors or their religious leaders.

The words of a teacher at the local church are not the manifestation of the Spirit. By one Spirit


12 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. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.


It is important to understand that Paul is writing here about the working of the Spirit under the dispensation of Grace. The same Spirit that baptizes Jews or Gentiles into the body of Christ worked those gifts in the church.

That which is perfect question that some may ask is “When did it stopped”? I mean those gifts that Christ gave to the church the body of Christ. Like I


already said, those gifts are part of the revelation of the mystery and did not come from the kingdom preaching.

The answer is that which is perfect is come. The charismatic theology teaches that Christ is this perfect. So it means that as long that Christ did not come back those gifts are still in operation. that which is perfect is come is the fulfilling of the word of God. 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1 Corinthians 13 So when was God’s words for the church fulfilled? The answer is when Paul wrote his last letter. 1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12


visions and revelations – Paul letters Romans – Philemon contain those revelations and when it was finished, God’s word was fulfilled. Paul did not write those letters just like this. It was according to visions and revelations. It was Christ who told him everything. It is also during that time that God gave those gifts to the church the body of Christ.

Perfecting of the saints


11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for theedifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the b knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

Apostles; - prophets; evangelists pastors and teachers;


Why God gave the church those gifts? Does he still give it? No, there are not today any apostles or prophets but also no evangelists, pastors and teachers. Of course every religion organization ordains its own pastor teachers. Many like to use this title but the scripture say that God gave it for special purpose in certain period, during Paul’s life. Paul was the last Apostle and the last ordained teacher from God.

2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 1 TIMOTHY Chapter 2 The period that Paul was fulfilling the word of God is the same period that God gave gifts to the church like we read in 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 or Ephesians 4:8-13


The perfect men of God


So now we come to the end of our study. We learned the difference between the signs of the kingdom, the signs of the apostle and the gifts to the church. We saw that God GAVE the church Apostles; - prophets; evangelists, pastors and teachers;


The question is who is going to teach us now while there are no people around with those gifts. The answer is:

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2


1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Timothy 3


You see from the moment Paul fulfilled the word of God till our days we depending on men of God who are able to teach. It is not about university education or bible school but learning the things that Christ gave to Paul for the Church. Those men who teach DO NOT have any of those gifts because God is not giving them any more. It is now the Holy Spirit through the written word of God and the gospel of Grace that give us the power and the light and even then we still do not know everything.


3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 1 Timothy 3

When Paul wrote it he said that what God revealed to him is by inspiration. Paul’s letters became now THE TOOL by which the man of God can be perfect. Yes through Paul letters we can get the whole picture in doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness: So when you do not have the whole picture it is because someone tries to take you away from the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. Present every man perfect in Christ


COLOSSIANS 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus COLOSSIANS 4:12 Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.


Am I perfect now because I know the word rightly divided? No! The word is perfect. Paul already fulfilled the word of God. The letters of Paul are the perfect, complete revelation that Christ gave to the Church. You see in the beginning, Paul had those people that he could sendto the churches to teach them but later he did not have them anymore. that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

In order to be in this situation we need all the time faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2


1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also

to testify the gospel of the grace of God acts 20:24

By Dov Avnon April 16, 2025
Jesus is God
By דב אבנון October 19, 2024
אחדות האל
By Thomas Bruscha. September 22, 2024
Fast Facts About Angels By Thomas Bruscha "Angel" means: Messenger: Angels are the servants of the Lord doing service to God - Hebrews 1:7,14. They have been used to deliver messages to people - Genesis 19:15. Holy Angels carry out God's will on earth or heaven - Genesis 28:12. They report to God and give account - Job 1:6; 2:1. They praise and worship God - Psalms 148:2; Revelation 5:11,12. They comprise God's army - the "Heavenly Host" - Daniel 8:10. Angels are called: "Sons of God" - Job 1:6; 2:1 "Heavenly Host" - Luke 2:13 "Holy Ones" or "Holy Angels" - Daniel 4:7; Matthew 25:31 "Watchers" - Daniel 4:17 Their Being: Angels are celestial (Heavenly) beings - I Corinthians 15:40. They are just one kind of race of many heavenly beings such as: Seraphim - who according to Isaiah 6:2-7 have six wings and praise God's holiness. Cherubim - who according to Ezekiel 10:1-15 have four wings and surround God's glory. The Four Beasts - of Revelation 4:6-8 who may or may not be one of the above; these also have six wings. There are many differing descriptions of demonic type beings - Zechariah 5:5-9. This is the only mention of winged women in the Bible and remember it's demonic! There are also heavenly animals mentioned in scripture such as horses - Revelation 19:11 Within the Angels are Ranks of Authority: Archangel (meaning: "Chief") As is "Michael" among the Holy Angels - I Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9 And "Beelzebub" prince among the devils - Matthew 12:24. Principalities - As above, an office held by a Prince, Chief among others - Ephesians 1:21. Thrones - An office held by one who would be a regional King - Colossians 1:16. Powers - An office held by one having legal jurisdiction - Ephesians 1:21. Might - An enforcer; as in military or police or judge - Ephesians 1:21. Dominions - Assigned governmental authority over a territory - Ephesians 1:21. These same offices of varying authority exist on the earth, visible to us as Kings or Presidents and Legislators and Governors and Judges and Police. The same exists in the heavens, invisible to us but just as real - Colossians 1:16,16. Heavenly counterparts to earth are warring the heavens - Daniel 10:12, 13,20,21. How Angels Appear: They are "Spirits" - Hebrews 1:7. They are not made of the earth as we are - I Corinthians 15:48. They are "Invisible" - Colossians 1:16, II Kings 6:17. They are spoken of as "Men"; never as women or as children - Mark 16:5; Daniel 9:21. They however, are not necessarily sexless: As men, fallen angels have procreated with "the daughters of men" - Genesis 6:1-4. They were and are created by God to be celibate: God did not create them to marry nor to be given in marriage - Matthew 22:30 They are "Wingless" i.e.: the Bible never says they have wings. So we assume they don't and there is no reason to assume otherwise. They are powerful; exceeding man in strength and ability - Psalms 103:20; II Peter 2:11. They possess the ability to appear as "ordinary men" - Hebrews 13:2. They sometimes appear as men and yet there is something that distinguishes them as Angels - Genesis 18:1-3...19:1. Perhaps they appeared larger than normal men - Genesis 6:4; Revelation 21:17. They also have the ability to appear as "supernatural men" with radiant glory - Luke 24:4. They are "Created" beings - not born - as is said of the Cherub Lucifer - Ezekiel 28:15. They were created in Genesis 1:1 because they viewed the rest of creation - Job 38:6,7. Because they are Spirit Beings they do not and cannot physically die - Luke 20:36. This is why God created hell - Matthew 25:41 Because they are Spirit Beings they never age. This is seen by the fact that the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel - Daniel 8:16 then approximately 500 years later he appears unaged to Mary - Luke 1:19,26,26. As Spirit Beings they do not take up space: In Mark 5:9 there were a "Legion"=6,000+ in one man. They are always viewing what happens on the earth - Daniel 4:17; I Corinthians 4:9. They have been wondering, trying to figure out the prophetic plan of salvation God promised mankind in the earth - I Peter 1:12. There is much joy among the Angels; over God's victories - Luke 15:10; Revelation 12:12. Their estate is Heaven - they are called "The Angels of Heaven" - Matthew 24:36 And yet some of them left - Jude 6 They are associated with the stars - Revelation 1:20; 9:1. Most likely they live on and rule territorially within the stars - Amos 5:26. They are not to be worshipped! - Revelation 22:8,9. They are not to be idolized! - Exodus 20:4,5; Acts 7:43. They are not to be prayed to! - II Samuel 24:17. Prayer in scripture is always directed to God - Matthew 6:6; Luke 11:2. They are not to be looked to for guidance! - Isaiah 47:13. God's Holy Spirit through His written Word leads and guides us - Ephesians 5:18. They are not sent, nor are we to receive a gospel message from Angels today! - Galatians 1:8. Our worship, our obedience, our trust and dependence which we owe to God aloone, is the desire of Satan and his Angels and is therefore the source and the reason behind all idolatry - Isaiah 14:12-14 Assignments of the Angels: They have been sent from God to bring messages to certain people - Daniel 9:20-23. Since Jesus Christ is called "The Word of God" - John 1:1; there were times in the Old Testament when He appeared himself as "The Angel of the Lord" - Exodus 3:2. Angels were also sent to assist certain people - Acts 12:7-10. They were sent to protect certain people at particular times - II Kings 6:15-18. They were also sent to inflict punishment at other times - I Chronicles 21:16. Angels were assigned to Nations - Daniel 12:1. Some were assigned to Children - Matthew 18:10. Angels will be assigned to Churches - Revelation 1:20; 2:8,12,18; 3:1,7,14. Angels are seen throughout the Book of Revelation executing God's wrath - Rev. 15:1. They will be used at the second coming of Jesus Christ to gather Israel back to their promised land - Matthew 24:31. The references to time in the above statements, alluding to the past and future days, such as "were" or "have been" and "will be" are deliberate. Since the Children of Israel were God's people and the heirs of Salvation; angelic ministry is especially associated with that Nation and God's Kingdom blessings promised to them upon this earth. Keep this point in mind as we consider this final question: Do Members of the "Body of Christ" have Guardian Angels? Paul's epistles are written to the "Body of Christ" which comprises all believers through the "Gospel of the Grace of God" (Jew or Gentile) from the beginning of his special ministry until a future day in which the "Body" (whether asleep in the grave or alive) will be called up into the air to meet our Lord Jesus Christ in the heavens. (Acts 20:24; I Corinthians 12:27; I Timothy 1:12-16; I Thessalonians 4:13-18.) This church called "The Body of Christ" is a "New Creature" distinct from God's people of Israel who were called "An Holy Nation." The church which is Christ's Body was brought into being for God's secret purpose called "The Mystery" - "Which He kept hid from ages and generations but now is made known..." as Paul writes; "To the intent that now unto the principalities and power in the heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold witness of God." (Ephesians 1:22,23; II Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; I Peter 2:9; Ephesians 3:1-10) In other words, God's purpose in saving us today in this "the dispensation of the grace of God" is for the prpose of teaching the angels in heaven, things that even they never knew concerning the many sides of God's wisdom. Most importantly it teaches the Angels how God's wisdom in the Cross has defeated Satan and openly displays Satan's ignorance as God reveals the triumph of His wisdom and powever over him. (I Corinthians 2:7-9; Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 2:13-15) In God's grace to us, He is using us to teach the Angels, and He will display us in the Heavens forever to demonstrate to the Angels "the riches of His kindness in His grace toward us" - Ephesians 2:4-7. Since God's program for us involves teaching the Angels, and since this truth exposes the defeat, failure and doom of the devil and his angels, this truth and those who know it are in a spiritual warfare with "spiritual wickedness in high places" - Ephesians 6:10-12. The armor God has given us is not "guardian Angels," but is the "truth," "righteousness," "peace," "faith" and "hope" found in our position in Christ. Furthermore, II Corinthians 10:4 tells us that the "weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." They are not carnal (fleshly), but spiritual, for we do not fight against flesh and blood. Our weapon is spiritual. It is the Word of God. Therefore Jesus Christ through Paul, his Apostle to us, warns us over and over not to be deceived; nor lured into the worship of Angels; nor to be spoiled of our rewards through Angels appearing to teach us another gospel or any other doctrine not found in Paul's epistles for us. (Colossians 2:18; Galatians 1:8; II Corinthians 11:13-15; I Timothy 4:1,2) Interestingly, Colossians 2:18 implies that those who would have you believe a message from an Angel or to adore the Angels in worship, they have never even seen an Angel, though they may testify that they have seen an Angel. To the contrary, the Apostle Paul says much about Angels observing, listening and learning of God's grace from us: "We are made spectacles to the Angels..." - I Corinthians 4:9. "We shall judge the Angels" - I Corinthians 6:3. We ought to obey the authority God has established "because of the Angels" - (perhaps because they are watching our obedience) - I Corinthians 11:10. Our position "in Christ in heavenly places" is a show of the kindness and grace of God to the Angels who never had seen such grace - Ephesians 2:4-7. And it was God's intent in forming the Body of Christ to teach the Angelic Host about His "manifold wisdom" - Ephesians 3:10. Paul acknowledges that his words are heard before "the Elect Angels" - I Timothy 5:21. Today, we have the privilege and the ministry of using "the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God" (particularly "the Word of His grace" to us;) and by using it we can assist God in "spoiling principalities and powers" by the preaching of the Cross and thereby, through faith, save those (Jews or Gentiles) who were part of the kingdom of Satan - "the power of darkness" and "translate them into the Kingdom of God's dear Son." (Ephesians 6:17; Acts 20:32; Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 2:8,9; Colossians 1:12-14) As God's purpose for Israel centers around His kingdom in the earth, so God's purpose for us - the Body of Christ centers around His kingdom in the heavens. Angels were used to help Israel by informing them and protecting them as a nation, in fulfillment of God's intent for the earth. However, today God is using the church which is His Body to help the Angels by informing them and warring against the spiritual wickedness in high places in fulfillment of God's intent for the heavens. The more one understands the uniqueness of the age in which we live and how it is that we battle in a spiritual warfare for the heavenly places the more insight is gained as to the ministry of Angels today. We the Body of Christ are teaching and warring in their behalf in the heavenly places. We accomplish unseen victories as we "stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might" using as the weapons of our warfare "the sword of the Spirit" and "praying always" for "boldness" to proclaim "the mystery of the gospel." From that point of view, why would we have guardian Angels? Rather than Angels helping us, God has given unto us something much more comforting and powerful. He has given to us His Holy Spirit who strengthens us with "power" and "might in the inner man" and "seals" us as God's possession unto the day of our redemption; all to His glory. (Ephesians 3:14-21; Ephesians 1:13,14) Instead of protecting us from all the evils that may befall us in life we are instructed to be "filled with the Spirit" and to learn that God's grace is sufficient. In fact we begin to understand that in our weakness God is made strong in us so that while we may suffer need, go hungry, be afflicted with pain, or suffer loss; we "can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us!" What a testimony this is to the power of God's grace in us, both unto man and the Angels. (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22,23; II Corinthians 12:7-10; Philippians 4:11-13)  There is an amazing truth which can only be received by faith. We are told in scripture that our afflictions in this life are working for us. As we walk by faith, motivated by grace, strengthened by God's Spirit, guided by His Word through all the difficulties of life we will be rewarded "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." If guardian Angels prevented such afflictions, they would be working against you, robbing you of rewards, and the glory God receives through His working in your life. (II Corinthians 4:16-18; Romans 8:16-18; II Timothy 2:9-13; 4:6-8)
By דב אבנון August 2, 2024
תקווה המבורכת אנחנו מאחלים לאנשים שנה מבורכת , או מקווים שבשנה הבאה יהיה יותר טוב. זה נקרא תקווה. הרבה אנשים חיים היום ללא תקווה. בארץ ישראל אנחנו עדים למלחמות, הרוגים והרבה סבל. הרבה אנשים פשוט חיים רק את היום, אין להם תקווה. האמונה בישוע המשיח היא לא דת למרות שהרבה אנשים מאמינים קשורים לאיזה אירגון דתי. ה לָכֵן אַחֲרֵי נִצְדַּקְנוּ בָאֱמוּנָה שָׁלוֹם לָנוּ עִם־הָאֱלֹהִים בַּאֲדֹנֵינוּ יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ׃ 2 אֲשֶׁר בְּיָדוֹ מָצָאנוּ בָאֱמוּנָה גַּם־מְבוֹא הַחֶסֶד הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר אֲנַחְנוּ עֹמְדִים בּוֹ וְנִתְהַלֵּל בְּתִקְוַת כְּבוֹד הָאֱלֹהִים׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים פֶּרֶק ה האמונה המשיחית עוסקת בצדקה. מי צודק ? אלוהים או בני האדם. אדם צדיק הוא לא אחד שעוסק בגמילות חסדים. אדם צדיק הוא זה שבאלוהים אומר עליו "אתה צודק". אלוהים מצדיק היום אנשים אך ורק על סמך האמונה שלהם באדון ישוע ומותו על הצלב. אחרת אף אחד לא היה יכול לומר "אני צודק" מכוון שכולם נחשבים לחטאים. אז אם נִצְדַּקְנוּ בָאֱמוּנָה יש לנו שלום עם האלוהים. בעולם אין כרגע שלום. אנשים לא שלמים עם עצמם. אם נסתכל לנעשה היום במזרח התיכון נראה עד כמה השלמות והשלום חסרים. בכל אופן אם אנחנו מאמינים שישוע הוא האדון שמת עבור החטאים שלנו ןקם לתחייה בעבור הצדקה שלנו . אנחנו יכולים להנות משלום עם האלוהים כבר היום כבר עכשיו. שלום עם האלוהים לא אומר שמרגישים כל היום טוב. ישנם הרבה מאמינים שלא מבינים את ההבדל בין מה שקבלנו בחסדו של האלוהים לבין ההתנסות היום יומית וההליכה ברוח. 6 אַל־תִּדְאָגוּ כִּי אִם־בִּתְפִלָּה וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים עִם־תּוֹדָה תָּבֹאנָה מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֵיכֶם לְכָל־דָּבָר לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהֵינוּ׃ 7 וּשְׁלוֹם אֱלֹהִים הַנַּעֲלֶה עַל־כָּל־שֵׂכֶל יִנְצֹר אֶת־לְבַבְכֶם וְאֶת־מַחְשְׁבוֹתֵיכֶם בַּמָּשִׁיחַ יֵשׁוּעַ׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הַפִּילִפִּיִּים פֶּרֶק ד הפסיכולוגים מדברים על מצב של "דאגת יתר". דאגות בחיים לא חסרות. מצב בטחוני, כלכלי, בעיות אישיות ועוד. אצל המאמין המשיחי, דאגת יתר יכולה לגרום לאובדן של פרי הרוח. לכן נתנה לנו האפשרות לשאול את אבינו שבשמים. איך שואלים "בתודה" כלומר במקום רק לבקש אנחנו צריכים דברים ראשון להודות לאלוהים אבי אדונינו ישוע המשיח על עושר חסדו שכבר ניתן לנו. כלומר המטרה היא לא רכב חדש או ביגוד וכו גם אם אנחנו חושבים שזה לכבוד האלוהים. אלוהים תחת הנהגת חסדו, אינו מבטיח לנו תשובות. התשובה הכי טובה שנקבל היא שלום האלוהים – יש את השלום "עם האלוהים" שזאת הישועה שניתנה לנו אך ורק על ידי חסד דרך האמונה. יש את "השלום מהאלוהים" שזה תוצר של הליכה ברוח ופרי הרוח (אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הַגָּלָטִיִּים פֶּרֶק ה 16-26) וְתִקְוָה הִיא לֹא תָבִישׁ וְלֹא־עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁנִּתְהַלֵּל בַּצָּרוֹת מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיָּדַעְנוּ כִּי־הַצָּרָה מְבִיאָה לִידֵי סַבְלָנוּת׃ 4 וְסַבְלָנוּת לִידֵי עֲמִידָה בְנִסָיוֹן וַעֲמִידָה בְנִסָּיוֹן לִידֵי תִקְוָה׃ 5 וְתִקְוָה הִיא לֹא תָבִישׁ כִּי הוּצְקָה בִּלְבָבֵנוּ אַהֲבַת אֱלֹהִים עַל־יְדֵי רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ הַנִּתָּן לָנוּ׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים פֶּרֶק ה ישנם היום הרבה אנשים שחיים בלי תקווה. ישנם לפעמים מאמינים שמאבדים את התקווה. אני זוכר את הימים הראשונים בשנת 1979 שקבלתי את ישוע בתור האדון והמושיע. חשבתי שלהיות מאמין משיחי זה רק שמחה והרגשה טובה. משהו כמו סם להמונים. הייתי שמח בחלקי. רק יותר מאוחר התחלתי להבין את המשמעות האמיתית. שישוע הוא לא רק המשיח או מלך היהודים אלא דבר ראשון האדון שמת עבור החטאים שלי. אנחנו לא יכולים לאבד את התקווה גם אם אנחנו מרגישים אחרת או משהו לימד אותנו אחרת. התקווה המשיחית לא בנוייה על רגש אלא על האמת. צרות הן חלק מהחיים המשיחים. אם אתה מחפש חיים קלים בלי צרות "תעשה מה שכולם עושים" תאמין מה שהרוב מאמין. תתחבר עם אלו שרק מדברים על ישוע בתור איזה עושה נפלאות ולא מאמינים שהוא האלוהים שמת עבור החטאים שלנו. צרות, עמידה בנסיון רק מחזקים את התקווה. את התקווה עצמה שהיא האדון ישוע המשיח אנחנו לא יכולים לאבד מכוון שנחתמנו ברוח הקודש. 13 וַאֲשֶׁר גַּם־אַתֶּם שְׁתוּלִים בּוֹ אַחֲרֵי שָׁמְעֲכֶם דְּבַר הָאֱמֶת אֶת־בְּשׂוֹרַת יְשׁוּעַתְכֶם וַאֲשֶׁר בּוֹ כְּשֶׁהֶאֱמַנְתֶּם גַּם־נֶחְתַּמְתֶּם בְּרוּחַ הַהַבְטָחָה רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הָאֶפְסִיִּים פֶּרֶק א אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים פֶּרֶק יב 12 שִׂמְחוּ בַתִּקְוָה הוֹחִילוּ בַצָּרָה שִׁקְדוּ עַל־הַתְּפִלָּה׃ 25 אֶלָּא אִם־נְקַוֶּה לְמַה־שֶּׁלּא רְאִינֻהוּ נְחַכֶּה לוֹ וְנוֹחִיל׃ 26 וְכֵן גַּם־הָרוּחַ תֹּמֵךְ אֹתָנוּ בְּחֻלְשׁוּתֵינוּ כִּי לֹא יָדַעְנוּ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל כָּרָאוּי אָכֵן הָרוּחַ הוּא מַפְגִּיעַ בַּעֲדֵנוּ בַּאֲנָחוֹת עֲמֻקּוֹת מִדַּבֵּר׃ 27 וְהַחֹקֵר לְבָבוֹת יוֹדֵעַ אֶת־מַחְשְׁבוֹת הָרוּחַ כִּי כִּרְצוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים יַפְגִּיעַ בְּעַד הַקְּדוֹשִׁים׃ 28 וְהִנֵּה יָדַעְנוּ כִּי אֹהֲבֵי אֱלֹהִים הַקְּרוּאִים בַּעֲצָתוֹ הַכֹּל יַעֲזֹר לְטוֹב לָהֶם׃ 25 אֶלָּא אִם־נְקַוֶּה לְמַה־שֶּׁלּא רְאִינֻהוּ נְחַכֶּה לוֹ וְנוֹחִיל׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים פֶּרֶק ח 6 כִּי הַמָּשִׁיחַ בְּעוֹדֵנוּ חַלָּשִׁים מֵת בְּעִתּוֹ בְּעַד הָרְשָׁעִים׃ 7 לֹא בִמְהֵרָה יָמוּת אִישׁ בְּעַד הַצַּדִּיק אֲבָל אֶפְשַׁר שֶׁיִּשָׂאֵהוּ לִבּוֹ לָמוּת בְּעַד הַטּוֹב׃ 8 וּבָזֹאת הוֹדִיעַ הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת־אַהֲבָתוֹ אֵלֵינוּ אֲשֶׁר מָשִׁיחַ מֵת בַּעֲדֵנוּ וַאֲנַחְנוּ עוֹד חַטָּאִים׃ 9 וְעַתָּה אֲשֶׁר נִצְדַּקְנוּ בְּדָמוֹ עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה שֶׁנִּוָּשַׁע בּוֹ מִן־הַקָּצֶף׃ 10 כִּי הִנֵּה הֻרְצִינוּ לֵאלֹהִים בְּמוֹת בְּנוֹ בִּהְיוֹתֵנוּ אֹיְבִים אַף כִּי־נִוָּשַׁע עַתָּה בְּחַיָּיו אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר הֻרְצִינוּ׃ 11 וְלֹא־עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁמִּתְהַלֲלִים אֲנַחְנוּ בֵּאלֹהִים עַל־יַד אֲדֹנֵינוּ יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ עַתָּה הָיָה לָנוּ הָרִצּוּי׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים פֶּרֶק ה לֹא תֵּעָצְבוּ כַּאֲחֵרִים אֲשֶׁר אֵין־לָהֶם תִּקְוָה קורא יקר, התקווה המשיחית לא בנוייה על רגשות. האמונה המשיחית היא לא תוצר של פרי הדמיון או מכוון שאמרו לך ככה וככה באיזו קהילה. אמונה אמיתית בנוייה על הנאמר בדבר האלוהים. אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים פֶּרֶק י 17 אִם־כֵּן הָאֱמוּנָה בָאָה מִתּוֹךְ הַשְּׁמוּעָה וְהַשְּׁמוּעָה עַל־יְדֵי דְבַר־הַמָּשִׁיחַ׃ הרבה אנשים חיים תחת עצבות מכוון שלהרבה אנשים אין תקווה. קשה מאוד להסביר למשהו שלא מאמין את המשמעות של התקווה המשיחית. איבדנו בן בשנת 2014 . אנשים אומרים לי " אתה נראה טוב או לא רואים עליך ועוד" . אני רק יכול לומר שהתקווה המשיחית נותנת הכוח. רוח הקודש שבו נחתמנו, הוא האלוהים שעובד בתוכנו. 13 וְעַל־דְּבַר הַיְשֵׁנִים אֶחָי לֹא־נְכַחֵד מִכֶּם דָּבָר לְמַעַן לֹא תֵּעָצְבוּ כַּאֲחֵרִים אֲשֶׁר אֵין־לָהֶם תִּקְוָה׃ מאמין משיחי שמת נקרא בכתוב "ישן" (לא לערבב עם תורת שקר שמסתובבת בין המאמינים שמלמדת שהמתים הם ללא הכרה וכו") שאנחנו מתים הגוף בקבר אבל הרוח עם האדון. לכן נאמר לנו לא להיות עצובים כמו אחרים שאין להם תקווה. התקווה שלנו זה הרגע שבו האדון יבוא לאסוף את הקהילה על מנת שניהיה יחד איתו. 14 כִּי אִם־נַאֲמִין אֲשֶׁר־מֵת יֵשׁוּעַ וַיֶּחִי כֵּן יָבִיא הָאֱלֹהִים גַּם אֶת־הַיְשֵׁנִים בְּיֵשׁוּעַ אִתּוֹ׃ 15 כִּי אֶת־זֹאת נֹאמַר לָכֶם בִּדְבַר יְהוָֹה כִּי אֲנַחְנוּ הַחַיִּים הַנּוֹתָרִים עַד־בֹּא הָאָדוֹן לֹאֹ נְקַדֵּם אֶת־הַיְשֵׁנִים׃ 16 כִּי הָאָדוֹן הוּא יֵרֵד מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם בִּתְרוּעָה בְּקוֹל שַׂר הַמַּלְאָכִים וּבְשׁוֹפַר אֱלֹהִים וְאָז יָקוּמוּ רִאשׁוֹנָה הַמֵּתִים בַּמָּשִׁיחַ׃ 17 אַחֲרֵי־כֵן אֲנַחְנוּ הַחַיִּים הַנּוֹתָרִים נִלָּקַח אִתָּם יַחְדָּו בַּעֲנָנִים לִקְרַאת הָאָדוֹן לָאֲוִיר וּבְכֵן נִהְיֶה תָמִיד עִם־הָאָדוֹן׃ 18 לָכֵן נַחֲמוּ זֶה אֶת־זֶה בַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הָרִאשׁוֹנָה אֶל־הַתַּסְלוֹנִיקִים פֶּרֶק ד כי אם נאמין – כלומר התנאי היחידי להיות יחד עם האדון זאת האמונה שלנו ולא המעשים. השליח פולוס מדבר פה על אסיפת המאמינים. וְהִנְנוּ מְבַקְשִׁים מִכֶּם אֶחָי עַל־אֹדוֹת בִּיאַת אֲדֹנֵינוּ יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ וַאֲסִיפָתֵנוּ אֵלָיו׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשֵּׁנִית אֶל־הַתַּסְלוֹנִיקִים פֶּרֶק ב יש הבדל חשוב בין ביאת אדונינו ואסיפת המאמינים. ביאת אדונינו מדברת על הזמן שהאדון ישוע יחזור לארץ על מנת לכונן את מלכות 1000 השנים ( מעשי השליחים א 9-11) . אסיפתנו אליו. – תיהיה לפני שהאדון מכונן את מלכות אלף השנים. אסיפתנו אליו. נקראת גם בפי הרבה מאמינים "ההילקחות" מכוון שנאמר אַחֲרֵי־כֵן אֲנַחְנוּ הַחַיִּים הַנּוֹתָרִים נִלָּקַח אִתָּם יַחְדָּו בַּעֲנָנִים לִקְרַאת הָאָדוֹן לָאֲוִיר וּבְכֵן נִהְיֶה תָמִיד עִם־הָאָדוֹן׃ מדובר בחלק מהתגלות הסוד שנתנה לשליח פולוס ומדברת על תקוות מאמיני הקהילה "גוף המשיח" שאנחנו מדברים על "חלוקת דבר האמת" הכוונה בין השאר לדעת להבדיל בין התקווה של עם ישראל לבין התקווה של מאמיני גוף המשיח. 18 כִּי רַבִּים הַהֹלְכִים אֲשֶׁר אָמַרְתִּי לָכֶם פְּעָמִים רַבּוֹת וְעַתָּה גַּם־בִּבְכִי אֲנִי אֹמֵר כִּי־אֹיְבֵי צְלוּב הַמָּשִׁיחַ הֵם׃ 19 אֲשֶׁר אַחֲרִיתָם הָאֲבַדּוֹן אֲשֶׁר כְּרֵסָם אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וּכְבוֹדָם בְּבָשְׁתָּם וְקִרְבָּם הַבְלֵי חָלֶד׃ 20 כִּי אֶזְרָחוּתֵנוּ בַּשָּׁמַיִם הִיא וּמִשָּׁם מְחַכִּים אֲנַחְנוּ לְמוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ אֲדֹנֵינוּ יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ׃ 21 אֲשֶׁר יַחֲלִיף אֶת־גּוּפֵנוּ הַשָּׁפֵל לִהְיֹתוֹ דוֹמֶה לְגוּף כְּבוֹדוֹ כְּפִי־פְעֻלַּת יְכָלְתּוֹ לִכְבּשׁ הַכֹּל תַּחְתָּיו׃ אִגֶּרֶת פּוֹלוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ אֶל־הַפִּילִפִּיִּים פֶּרֶק ג קורא יקר, אנחנו חיים בזמנים לא קלים וביחוד לאור המצב בארץ ישראל. למרות שאני כותב מהולנד ואולי יותר קל לי. אני מדגיש שאסור לנו לאבד את התקווה. אין צורך גם שנאבד את התקווה אם אנחנו מסתכלים לעבר האדון ישוע המשיח ואושר חסדו. בשורת חסד האלוהים שהאדון ישוע הפקיד בידי השליח פולוס עבור קהילת המאמינים, יש בכוחה לחזק אותנו ולבנות אותנו גם אם בחוץ הכל סוער. יום טוב לכולם והתחזקות באדונינו ישוע המשיח.
By dov avnon April 27, 2024
"I like to write about the Bible, about God's word. Today, I want to talk to you about 'water baptism.' I am not going to argue about whether you should participate in any religious ritual or not because I am not concerned with what millions are doing. I care more about letting people know about the Gospel of God's grace that Christ from heaven gave to the apostle Paul." 1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” Whether we will go through the ritual of water baptism or not, we cannot change the truth that Christ did not send Paul to baptize. Would Paul be able to be a member of the "Baptist or reform organizations" of our days? Maybe yes. Paul himself was baptized in water and he baptized others. Acts 9:18 “And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” 1 Corinthians 1:16 “And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. I have been living in the Netherlands for the last 42 years, a lifetime. I will soon be 67 and have spent most of my life in the Netherlands. Why? Maybe because of the easy life. However, I have used my time here very well to preach the Gospel of God's grace. No, we do not have large church meetings. After I started teaching the truth of women's head covering for this dispensation of grace in 2009, based on 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, many left. No, they did not leave the gospel of God's grace. They just chose not to follow Paul in this matter. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3But 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. I wanted to talk to you about water baptism, the ritual, and standing for the truth of "one baptism" as mentioned in Ephesians 4:5 - "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." There is a significant difference between knowing the truth, agreeing with any truth, or standing for it. Standing for the truth is far from easy in our days. I was 22 years old with a Jewish background in the land of Israel when I stood for the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Years later, when I learned about the dispensation of Grace and the gospel of God's grace, I took a stand for this truth once again. I married a woman whom I knew would stand with me for God's truth. It was not easy, but we have been together for 42 years. I am writing these words not because I care to argue about what others teach or believe. We do not engage in such discussions in the Netherlands. I have spent my life presenting the truth of the gospel to those who are willing to listen. Nowadays, most people use the internet to follow my video preaching. They choose not to visit the fellowship for various reasons, such as distance or not standing for the truth. There is a lady whom I know. She was a child when I spoke with her parents or mother about the gospel of God's grace. She lives not far away and follows the online studies, if I am not mistaken, she also visits a large local charismatic church. She knows the truth, but she does not stand for it as I would. Some try to justify it by saying “but I talk about it with other members etc” "Water baptism" is not just water; it has become a religious system. Compromising with the truth does not always happen because you don't believe it. It is often because people want to be part of the majority and avoid persecution. Galatians 6:12 “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.” Many are teaching salvation by grace alone. Many will say that Paul is the apostle to the gentiles. It does not say that the same “many” are willing to stand with Paul for the truth of one baptism see Romans 6:1-11. Last Sunday, I learned new things. We had a visitor, an old member whom I met when he was 25 years old. Now he is a grandfather. 1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular .” We are in one body with everyone who is saved and has been baptized by the one spirit 1 corinthians 12:13. members in particular will be when the church comes together. 1 Corinthians 11:20 “When ye come together therefore into one place, - today with many using only the internet to learn about God's word. Not many know what is “” members in particular”. I did not see this brother for some years. They left for some reason but sometimes he still followed the teaching through the internet. His wife is joining another church that is not teaching the gospel of God's Grace as I do. Some people will say “I want to have fellowship with fellow believers” Others say “When it is Sunday I want to join a church service”. Sometimes when you are living In a small community this is the place where you will meet other members of the same body. Some need say that they need social contact. We spoke about our children his children, they learned in the past about the Gospel of God's grace in Sunday school. He left the fellowship in 2008. During our conversation, this brother mentioned his children. He said, "My daughter is more focused on the world." In our place, when someone is not interested in a spiritual life with Christ, we say they are more worldly. Yes, even those who grew up with sound doctrine can later choose not to read the bible, have a fellowship, or simply walk in the spirit. Most people care only if they are saved. In our small village, some will say “I am happy that I baptized my child as a baby” or “ I know he is a member of the covenant” The conversation was mainly about his son. They live in a small Dutch reform town with about 20 churches. Although it used to be a village, with families having 5-10 children, it has grown into a town. Some churches have more than 1000 people on Sunday mornings. Years ago, I led their Bible study group, but it was challenging for them economically to stand for the truth, especially if they had a small business. People were hesitant to buy from them once they knew they no longer part of the Dutch reform theology. Sometimes even the preacher would support this attitude. Do not buy from those who are not coming to our church building. In some villages with Roman Catholic and Protestant populations, it was common to have two bakeries, each serving a different group of people based on their religious affiliation. Many young people want to get married, have children, and build their homes. There are not many who are into the teaching about the dispensation of grace. Some have found their beloved ones, who may be non-believers or come from different religious backgrounds. In my life, I have witnessed people entering and leaving relationships. I have seen marriages end in divorce because one partner wanted to stand for the truth while the other not. Being married to an unbeliever is a different story. 1 Corinthians 7:2 “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” Read chapter 7 When your partner is an unbeliever, it can be challenging or even impossible to raise your children in the ways of the Lord. It may also be difficult to maintain a home fellowship like we had all those years. Romans 16:5 “Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.” I began writing about "water baptism" not because of the water itself, but because of the principle of standing for what you believe in. Are you willing to stand for anything in your life? Our lives are built on those who have stood for the truth in the past. Imagine how different my life would be if Brother C.R. Stam had not stood for the truth of the gospel and if I had not known https://bereanbiblesociety.org/ this just a sample. Last Sunday we had visitors at our small home fellowship. Old fellow brethren that I have known for more than 30 years. They were young people when I met them and told them about the gospel of God’s grace. Now they are fathers and grandfathers. Like always, we ask first about the children. Like in every family, some will continue in faith, some not. Some will stand for the truth of the gospel, some not. Last Sunday I learned new facts. While talking about the children, some of them choose to marry an unbeliever, and some of them get married to a person from another church organization. We know that today people get divorced, even saved people, so I do not want to say that just getting married to a saved person gives any advantage. You will always need to work on your marriage and walk in the spirit as much as possible. 21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Ephesians Chapter 5 So here we are again. A young man or woman who understands that Christ gave Paul the dispensation of grace gets married to a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. They stand for infant baptism, and if you want to participate in the Lord's Supper, you have to be a church member. This involves going through the church confession procedure. The Dutch Reformed Churches confess Infant Baptism. It is not just about water. It is a large system. If you live in a small village with many Dutch Reformed churches and you want to be part of the majority, you need to join this church. You don't need to do anything if you choose to stand for the truth, but in many situations today, young people just don't want to be alone. There are hardly any so-called grace churches today, and not many people will start a church at home like it used to be. They are in love with someone, and this is what matters to them. I was surprised to hear that those children who grew up in the grace teaching and now have a Dutch Reformed partner. Some of them became a church member to please the wife or the man or for the future of the children in this village. In order to be member of those churches and if you was not baptized as a child. You will need to go through Dutch reform adult water baptism ceremony. Like I said before, I don't care what others are doing. It is just sad to hear how far people can go. 1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” No effect - infant baptism sounds reasonable for millions of people. It is a rigid religious system. It is not easy for people to leave their religious system because in many cases, it means having conflicts with their natural family. "Why Does It Take So Long to Explain Infant Baptism?" - "I Will Be A God To You And To Your Children" helps many to understand and accept infant baptism. In reality, the biblical and Reformed view on infant baptism can differ. But who really cares in our days about God's words to the apostle Paul? "God promised to be a God to believers and to their children. He gave a sign to Abraham to illustrate that promise, and he repeated the promise in the New Testament and gave a new sign to illustrate that promise." This is a brief explanation that millions in the world are following. I know all about it because of my Jewish background. I still remember the first days in 1979 after I heard about the Lord Jesus Christ. I was so happy to go home and tell my parents the good news in my life. For them, it was a sad day. Philippians Chapter 3 2Beware of dogs, …. 3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, no confidence in the flesh. 4…. have confidence in the flesh….. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; It is not easy to criticize others. Most people on earth never hear the truth of the gospel or are not willing to follow it. I thank the Lord today that I was able to build my life with the truth of the Gospel. I thank the Lord today that I was able to be an instrument in His hand and to share with people the greatness of the Gospel of God's grace under the dispensation of grace. 1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” To all those who know the truth and for some reason starting to compromise just remember that those “spiritual wickedness in high places” will do anything to prevent you from telling others the truth of the gospel of God’s grace. 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places . Ephesians 6:10
By דב אבנון February 9, 2024
האיש העשיר ולעזר משל או מעשיה מאת דב אבנון אִישׁ עָשִׁיר הָיָה וְהוּא לָבוּשׁ אַרְגָּמָן וָשֵׁשׁ וַיִּתְעַנֵּג וַיִּשְׂמַח יוֹם יוֹם׃ 20 וְאִישׁ אֶבְיוֹן וּשְׁמוֹ לַעְזָר מֻשְׁכָּב פֶּתַח שַׁעַר בֵּיתוֹ וְהוּא מָלֵא אֲבַעְבֻּעוֹת׃ 21 וַיִּתְאָו לִשְׂבֹּעַ מִן־הַפֵּרוּרִים הַנֹּפְלִים מֵעַל שֻׁלְחַן הֶעָשִׁיר וְגַם הַכְּלָבִים בָּאוּ וַיָּלֹקּוּ אֲבַעְבֻּעוֹתָיו׃ 22 וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר מֵת הָאֶבְיוֹן וַיִּשָׂאוּהוּ הַמַּלְאָכִים אֶל־חֵיק אַבְרָהָם וְגַם־הֶעָשִׁיר מֵת וַיִּקָּבַר׃ 23 וַיְהִי בִשְׁאוֹל וּכְאֵבוֹ גָּדוֹל מְאֹד וַיִּשָׂא אֶת־עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא אֶת־אַבְרָהָם מֵרָחוֹק וְאֶת־לַעְזָר בְּחֵיקוֹ׃ 24 וַיִּצְעַק וַיֹּאמֶר אָבִי אַבְרָהָם חָנֵּנִי וּשְׁלַח־נָא אֶת־לַעְזָר וְיִטְבֹּל אֶת־רֹאשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹ בַּמַּיִם לְקָרֵר אֶת־לְשׁוֹנִי כִּי נֶעֱצַבְתִּי בַּמּוֹקֵד הַזֶּה׃ 25 וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם בְּנִי זְכֹר כִּי־אַתָּה לָקַחְתָּ טוּבְךָ בְּחַיֶּיךָ וְלַעְזָר לָקַח אֶת־הָרָעוֹת וְעַתָּה הוּא יְנֻחַם וְאַתָּה בְמַעֲצֵבָה׃ 26 וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁגֵּיא גָדוֹל מַפְרִיד בֵּינֵינוּ וּבֵינֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יוּכְלוּ לַעֲבוֹר הַחֲפֵצִים לָלֶכֶת מִפֹּה אֲלֵיכֶם וְגַם לֹא יַעַבְרוּ מִשָּׁם אֵלֵינוּ׃ 27 וַיֹּאמֶר אִם־כֵּן אָבִי שֹׁאֵל אֲנִי מֵאִתְּךָ לִשְׁלֹחַ אֹתוֹ אֶל־בֵּית אָבִי׃ 28 כִּי חֲמִשָּׁה אַחִים לִי וְיָעֵד בָּהֶם פֶּן־יָבֹאוּ גַם־הֵם אֶל־מְקוֹם הַמַּעֲצֵבָה הַזֶּה׃ 29 וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם יֵשׁ לָהֶם משֶׁה וְהַנְּבִיאִים אֲלֵיהֶם יִשְׁמָעוּן׃ 30 וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא־כֵן אַבְרָהָם אָבִי כִּי אִם־יָבֹא אֲלֵיהֶם אֶחָד מִן־הַמֵּתִים אָז יָשׁוּבוּ׃ 31 וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אִם־לֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־משֶׁה וְאֶל־הַנְּבִיאִים גַּם כִּי־יָקוּם אֶחָד מִן־הַמֵּתִים לֹא יַאֲמִינוּ׃ לוקס טז 19-31 הנאמר על ידי לוקס, הוא לא מעשיה שנאמרה על סמך פרי הדמיון. מדובר פה במשל שמבוסס על האמת. הנאמר בפסוקים האלו הוא הבסיס ללימוד שמדבר על ההבדל בין ישועה לבין אבדון לעולמי עולמים. כל מה שקשור לישועה או אבדון לעולמי עולמים, הוא נושא שרבים מעדיפים לא לדבר על עליו או ללמד אותו. ישנן קבוצות שמרחיקות לכת ומלמדות שהאבדון הוא זמני ושבסופו של דבר הסוף טוב הכל יהיה טוב. זה מה שנקרא השליה שעוטפים אותה בפסוקים מכתבי הקודש. אף אחד לא אוהב לשמוע או לדבר על כך שישועה היא אך ורק דרך דם המשיח ומי שאנו מקבל את זה ילך לאיבוד. זה גם לא תמיד קל לדבר על זה מכוון שרבים מסבבנו לא שמעו את בשורת הישועה או שהם דוחים אותה כבר מראש. לכן בכל מה שקשור לישועה או אבדון, חשוב שנתייחס אך ורק לנאמר בכתוב ולא לרגש או ההגיון על פי הבשר. המשל הזה מדבר על אמת מסויימת. אלו שמלמדים שאבדון הוא עניין של זמן ובסוף כולם יוושעו, מלמדים שמשל הוא משהו רוחני ולא יותר. מדובר פה כמובן בתאורים מסויימים כמו - אֶל־חֵיק אַבְרָהָם אבל חשוב לדעת שהמשל מלמד אמת ולא עוסק במעשיות. פסוק 16 הַתּוֹרָה וְהַנְּבִיאִים נִתְּנוּ עַד־יוֹחָנָן וּמִן־אָז וָהָלְאָה בְּשׂוֹרַת מַלְכוּת הָאֱלֹהִים וְכָל־אִישׁ בְּיָד חֲזָקָה יָבוֹא בָהּ׃ המשל עוסק באיש עשיר ואיש אביון – לא מדובר פה שעשירים הולכים לאבדון ואילו רק אביונים יכולים להיוושע . מדובר פה במשל שקשור לבשורת המלכות על הארץ. המשל מתאר לנו את המקום שאליו המתים הלכו לפני שהאדון מת עבור חטאי העולם על הצלב. 8 כִּי גַם־הַמָּשִׁיחַ מֵת פַּעַם אַחַת עַל־חַטֹּאתֵינוּ הַצַּדִּיק בְּעַד הָרְשָׁעִים לְקָרֵב אֹתָנוּ אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים הוּמַת בַּבָּשָׂר וַיְחִי בָרוּחַ׃ 19 וּבְכֵן הָלַךְ וַיִּקְרָא לָרוּחוֹת אֲשֶׁר בַּמִּשְׁמָר׃ הָאִגֶּרֶת הָרִאשׁוֹנָה לְפֶטְרוֹס הַשָּׁלִיחַ פֶּרֶק ג כאשר האביון מת המלאכים לקחו אותו –לחיק אברהם – כאשר העשיר מת ונקבר הוא הגיע למקום שנקרא – שאול אל אותו בור שהוכן להילל בן שחר - השטן שְׁאוֹל , מִתַּחַת רָגְזָה לְךָ לִקְרַאת בּוֹאֶךָ עוֹרֵר לְךָ רְפָאִים כָּל־עַתּוּדֵי אָרֶץ, הֵקִים מִכִּסְאוֹתָם, כֹּל מַלְכֵי גוֹיִם׃ 10 כֻּלָּם יַעֲנוּ , וְיֹאמְרוּ אֵלֶיךָ גַּם־אַתָּה חֻלֵּיתָ כָמוֹנוּ אֵלֵינוּ נִמְשָׁלְתָּ׃ 11 הוּרַד שְׁאוֹל גְאוֹנֶךָ הֶמְיַת נְבָלֶיךָ תַּחְתֶּיךָ יֻצַּע רִמָּה , וּמְכַסֶּיךָ תּוֹלֵעָה׃ 12 אֵיךְ נָפַלְתָּ מִשָּׁמַיִם הֵילֵל בֶּן־שָׁחַר נִגְדַּעְתָּ לָאָרֶץ , חוֹלֵשׁ עַל־גּוֹיִם׃ 13 וְאַתָּה אָמַרְתָּ בִלְבָבְךָ הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶעֱלֶה , מִמַּעַל לְכוֹכְבֵי־אֵל אָרִים כִּסְאִי וְאֵשֵׁב בְּהַר־מוֹעֵד בְּיַרְכְּתֵי צָפוֹן׃ 14 אֶעֱלֶה עַל־בָּמֳתֵי עָב אֶדַּמֶּה לְעֶלְיוֹן׃ 15 אַךְ אֶל־שְׁאוֹל תּוּרָד אֶל־יַרְכְּתֵי־בוֹר׃ ישעיה יד 9 ראו אחד את השני וַיְהִי בִשְׁאוֹל וּכְאֵבוֹ גָּדוֹל מְאֹד וַיִּשָׂא אֶת־עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא אֶת־אַבְרָהָם מֵרָחוֹק וְאֶת־לַעְזָר בְּחֵיקוֹ׃ מהמשל הזה אנחנו למדים שהאיש העשיר ממקומו בשאול ראה את לעזר – המשל מלמד על הפרדה שקימת במקום שאליו הולכים המתים, בין השאול לבין המקום שנקרא חיק אברהם. לדוגמא שנאמר עַל־כֵּן הוּא אוֹמֵר עָלָה לַמָּרוֹם שָׁבָה שֶׁבִי וַיִּתֵּן מַתָּנוֹת לָאָדָם׃ 9 וְעָלָה שֶׁאָמַר מַה־הוּא אִם־לֹא שֶׁיָּרַד מִקֹּדֶם לְתַחְתִּיּוֹת אָרֶץ׃ 10 אל האפסים ד מדובר פה שהאדון ישוע ירד לתחתיות ארץ לחלק שנקרא חיק אברהם ולא לשאול מכוון שהוא לא ידע חטא 27 כִּי לֹא־תַעֲזֹב נַפְשִׁי לִשְׁאוֹל לֹא־תִתֵּן חֲסִידְךָ לִרְאוֹת שָׁחַת׃ מעשי השליחים ב נאמר את זה על המשיחץ הנפש שלו לא הלכה לשאול אלא למקום שנקרא חיק אברהם, מכוון שהוא לא ידע חטא. מקום חם ומלא עצבות וַיֹּאמֶר אָבִי אַבְרָהָם חָנֵּנִי וּשְׁלַח־נָא אֶת־לַעְזָר וְיִטְבֹּל אֶת־רֹאשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹ בַּמַּיִם לְקָרֵר אֶת־לְשׁוֹנִי כִּי נֶעֱצַבְתִּי בַּמּוֹקֵד הַזֶּה הפסוק הזה מלמד אותנו שאברהם עצמו לא יכול לחון אף אחד – כלומר ברית המילה שהיתה אות בין עם ישראל לאלוהים היא רק אות ואין באפשרותה להושיע אותנו. באותו הקשר יוחנן אמר להם 9 וְאַל־תַּחְשְׁבוּ בִלְבַבְכֶם לֵאמֹר אַבְרָהָם הוּא אָבִינוּ כִּי אֲנִי אֹמֵר לָכֶם כִּי מִן־הָאֲבָנִים הָאֵלֶּה יָכוֹל הָאֱלֹהִים לְהָקִים בָּנִים לְאַבְרָהָם׃ מתי ג וגם האדון ישוע אמר להם וַיַּעֲנוּ וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו אָבִינוּ הוּא אַבְרָהָם וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם יֵשׁוּעַ לוּ הֱיִיתֶם בְּנֵי אַבְרָהָם כְּמַעֲשֵׂי אַבְרָהָם עֲשִׂיתֶם׃ 40 יוחנן ח הדבר הראשון שאברהם עשה זה היה – להאמין – בלי אמונה אף אחד לא יכול להיוושע האיש עשיר הגיע לשאול כתוצאה של חוסר אמונה ולא מפני שהיה לו כסף. עצבות – אצבע – לקרר – לשון – מוקד אני אזכיר שוב ושוב לקורא שמדובר פה במשל שעוסק באמת – לא מדובר פה במטפורה או מעשיה אלא משל שמעיד על האמת. אני מדגיש את זה מכוון שקיים היום לימוד שקר שעוסק בריצוי כללי, שמשתמש בכל המושגים האלו על מנת שמאמינים לא יתיחסו לנאמר בכל הרצינות. שאול הוא מקום לא נעים. שמחת הישועה לא נמצאת שמה. וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם־מַיִם בְּשָׂשׂוֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה׃ ששון אמיתי הוא רק עקב הישועה דרך דם המשיח אין מעבר חזרה. וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם בְּנִי זְכֹר כִּי־אַתָּה לָקַחְתָּ טוּבְךָ בְּחַיֶּיךָ וְלַעְזָר לָקַח אֶת־הָרָעוֹת וְעַתָּה הוּא יְנֻחַם וְאַתָּה בְמַעֲצֵבָה׃ 26 וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁגֵּיא גָדוֹל מַפְרִיד בֵּינֵינוּ וּבֵינֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יוּכְלוּ לַעֲבוֹר הַחֲפֵצִים לָלֶכֶת מִפֹּה אֲלֵיכֶם וְגַם לֹא יַעַבְרוּ מִשָּׁם אֵלֵינוּ׃ מהנאמר בכתוב אנחנו למדים שגם העשיר הוא בנו של אברהם כלומר חלק ממה שנקרא בני ישראל – בניו של אברהם יצחק ויעקב. הכתוב מלמד אותנו שלפני מות האדון ישוע על הצלב, המאמינים והרשעים כאחד, הלכו למקום שנקרא שאולה. חשוב מאוד להבין שקיים הבדל בין ללכת לשמים בהקשר לזמן החסד וגוף המשיח, לבין לרדת שאולה 36 וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם יַעֲקֹב אֲבִיהֶם , אֹתִי שִׁכַּלְתֶּם יוֹסֵף אֵינֶנּוּ וְשִׁמְעוֹן אֵינֶנּוּ, וְאֶת־בִּנְיָמִן תִּקָּחוּ, עָלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּנָה׃ 37 וַיֹּאמֶר רְאוּבֵן אֶל־אָבִיו לֵאמֹר , אֶת־שְׁנֵי בָנַי תָּמִית, אִם־לֹא אֲבִיאֶנּוּ אֵלֶיךָ תְּנָה אֹתוֹ עַל־יָדִי, וַאֲנִי אֲשִׁיבֶנּוּ אֵלֶיךָ׃ 38 וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא־יֵרֵד בְּנִי עִמָּכֶם כִּי־אָחִיו מֵת וְהוּא לְבַדּוֹ נִשְׁאָר , וּקְרָאָהוּ אָסוֹן בַּדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר תֵּלְכוּ־בָהּ, וְהוֹרַדְתֶּם אֶת־שֵׂיבָתִי בְּיָגוֹן שְׁאוֹלָה׃ בראשית מב 38 נוֹדַע יְהוָה מִשְׁפָּט עָשָׂה בְּפֹעַל כַּפָּיו נוֹקֵשׁ רָשָׁע הִגָּיוֹן סֶלָה׃ 18 יָשׁוּבוּ רְשָׁעִים לִשְׁאוֹלָה כָּל־גּוֹיִם , שְׁכֵחֵי אֱלֹהִים׃ תהילים ט 18 שֶׁגֵּיא גָדוֹל מַפְרִיד וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁגֵּיא גָדוֹל מַפְרִיד בֵּינֵינוּ וּבֵינֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יוּכְלוּ לַעֲבוֹר הַחֲפֵצִים לָלֶכֶת מִפֹּה אֲלֵיכֶם וְגַם לֹא יַעַבְרוּ מִשָּׁם אֵלֵינוּ מהנאמר בכתוב אנחנו למדים שבאותו מקום שנקרא שאולה יש גיא שמפריד בין אלו שמאמינים והם בחיק אברהם לבין אותם אלו שנחשבים לרשעים. למרות שהם רואים אחד את השני ומבינים, אין אפשרות לעבור מצד אחד לשני. כמו שכבר ציינתי בתחילת השיעור, מדובר פה במשל ולא במעשיה. המשל מבוסס על אמת. המשל הזה מתאר לנו את השאול לפני שהאדון מת על הצלב עבור חטאי העולם כלומר גם עבור אלו שחיו לפני בוא המשיח ובר ירדו שאולה. בית אבא 27 וַיֹּאמֶר אִם־כֵּן אָבִי שֹׁאֵל אֲנִי מֵאִתְּךָ לִשְׁלֹחַ אֹתוֹ אֶל־בֵּית אָבִי׃ 28 כִּי חֲמִשָּׁה אַחִים לִי וְיָעֵד בָּהֶם פֶּן־יָבֹאוּ גַם־הֵם אֶל־מְקוֹם הַמַּעֲצֵבָה הַזֶּה בית אבא הוא בית של אנשים שומרי תורה כביכול והם חלק מעם הבחירה מכוון שהם בניו של אברהם יצחק ויעקב כלומר הם בני ישראל בבשר. האם זאת אומרת שכל מי שעבר ברית מילה הוא כבר מראש נושע ולא יגיע לאותו מקום המעצבת הזה? כמובן שלא ! ואת זה קשה לאנשים לקבל. 29 וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם יֵשׁ לָהֶם משֶׁה וְהַנְּבִיאִים אֲלֵיהֶם יִשְׁמָעוּן חשוב מאוד שנקשיב למה שאברהם עונה לו. אברהם הוא זה שעל סמך האמונה שלו אלוהים כרת איתו ברית 9 וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־אַבְרָהָם, וְאַתָּה אֶת־בְּרִיתִי תִשְׁמֹר; אַתָּה וְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ לְדֹרֹתָם׃ 10 זֹאת בְּרִיתִי אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁמְרוּ, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם, וּבֵין זַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ; הִמּוֹל לָכֶם כָּל־זָכָר׃ 11 וּנְמַלְתֶּם אֵת בְּשַׂר עָרְלַתְכֶם; וְהָיָה לְאוֹת בְּרִית, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם׃ בראשית יז חשוב לציין שאברהם אומר לו שמעבר לברית המילה הם צריכים לשמוע גם למשה והנביאים. אז מה כל כך חשוב במשה והנביאים שהם צריכים לדעת? הֵן משֶׁה אָמַר אֶל־אֲבוֹתֵינוּ נָבִיא יָקִים לָכֶם יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם מִקֶּרֶב אֲחֵיכֶם כָּמֹנִי אֵלָיו תִּשְׁמָעוּן כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר אֲלֵיכֶם׃ 23 וְהָיָה כָּל־הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא תִשְׁמַע אֶל־הַנָּבִיא הַהוּא וְנִכְרְתָה מֵעַמֶּיהָ׃ 24 וְגַם כָּל־הַנְּבִיאִים מִשְּׁמוּאֵל וַאֲשֶׁר נִבְּאוּ אַחֲרָיו כֻּלָּם הִגִּידוּ מֵרֹאשׁ אֶת־הַיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה׃ 25 אַתֶּם בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים וּבְנֵי הַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת הָאֱלֹהִים עִם־אֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְּאָמְרוֹ אֶל־אַבְרָהָם וְנִבְרְכוּ בְזַרְעֲךָ כֹּל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת הָאֲדָמָה׃ 26 לָכֶם בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה הֶעֱמִיד הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת־עַבְדּוֹ יֵשׁוּעַ וַיִּשְׁלָחֵהוּ לְבָרֵך אֶתְכֶם בְּשׁוּבְכֶם אִישׁ מֵרֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם׃ מעשי השליחים ג המשל הזה מלמד אותנו בפרוש שבני ישראל אינם משוחררים מהשאול רק מפני שהם זרע אברהם בבשר. על מנת להגיע לשאול ולהיות בחיק אברהם עליהם גם להאמין ולקבל את הנאמר במשה והנביאים בנוגע לאדון ישוע המשיח. אִם־יָבֹא אֲלֵיהֶם אֶחָד מִן־הַמֵּתִים 30 וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא־כֵן אַבְרָהָם אָבִי כִּי אִם־יָבֹא אֲלֵיהֶם אֶחָד מִן־הַמֵּתִים אָז יָשׁוּבוּ׃ 31 וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אִם־לֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־משֶׁה וְאֶל־הַנְּבִיאִים גַּם כִּי־יָקוּם אֶחָד מִן־הַמֵּתִים לֹא יַאֲמִינוּ׃ יש אנשים שאומרים "אם ישוע יבוא היום אז אני בטח האמין" דבר ראשון האימרה הזאת היא לא הכי נכונה. אמונה קשורה לנאמר בכתוב ולא מה שאנחנו רואים. גם שהאדון היה על הארץ לא כולם האמינו לדבריו הרי הנביא ישיעהו אמר " מי האמין לשמועתנו" או " וּכְמַסְתֵּר פָּנִים מִמֶּנּוּ, נִבְזֶה וְלֹא חֲשַׁבְנֻהוּ׃" כלומר אפילו שאלוהים התגלה בבשר, אנשים לא האמינו לדבריו לכן שוב כל הנביאים מדברים על המשיח ולכן גם אם משהו יקום מהמתים זה עדין לא אומר שיאמינו לו. לסיום – המשל על האיש העשיר ולעזר הוא לא איזו מעשיה – זהו משל שעוסק במציאות שאנו יכולים לקבל או לדחות. נכון לזמן החסד הבשורה שלנו היא מאוד פשוטה טו וַאֲנִי מַזְכִּירְכֶם אַחַי אֶת־הַבְּשֹׁוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר בִּשַּׂרְתִּי אֶתְכֶם וְאַתֶּם קִבַּלְתֶּם וַעֲמַדְתֶּם בָּהּ׃ 2 וְגַם תִּוָּשְׁעוּ בָהּ אִם־תַּחֲזִיקוּ בַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר בִּשַּׂרְתִּי אֶתְכֶם רַק אִם לֹא־הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם לַשָּׁוְא׃ 3 כִּי רֵאשִׁית כָּל־דָּבָר מָסַרְתִּי לָכֶם מַה־שֶּׁקִּבַּלְתִּי כִּי־הַמָּשִׁיחַ מֵת לְכַפֵּר עַל־חַטֹּאתֵינוּ כַּכָּתוּב׃ 4 וְנִקְבַּר וְהוּקַם 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