Grace Fellowship Visited by Pastor Ken "Max" Parks, 11/18/2018

It was a typical cold day in Connecticut, and then there is the weather!

The decision was made to visit a quaint little church facility in a quaint little town. North Stonington provided the scenery, snow on the ground, most of the leaves had changed colors and died, and then descended to the hardness of the nearby surface to be scattered about by the wintry winds.

I arrived early and started to take photographs before making entry into the church building. This mysterious photographer apparently caught someone's attention, and I obliged by waving at him and approaching the small facility. He introduced himself as Bob (pastor?) and he made mention from the onset how beautiful the church building is in comparison to others in the region. I told him I was visiting from the deep South and kept quiet about having previously lived 20+ years in Mystic/Groton area.

I asked, “Why is there not a Cross on the steeple?” He responded, “That's the way the steeple came, with no Cross.”

I then inquired, “What is that thing up there? Is it a cell antennae?”

“No! That's a lightning rod.”

“I see!” was my response. Thinking internally... no Cross... but a lightning rod. I wonder if they preach the message of the lightning rod?

 

Another person greeted me, Richard Lowe, a somewhat familiar face of the past. We had grown up in the same neighborhood and I also knew his younger brother, Mike, of whom I had known while in Jr. High School and Sr. High School. We chatted for a few minutes and I asked about their Sunday School class. I sat in.

The Sunday School class was doing a study on the Gospel of John, chapter 9. For the most part, I listened to their talk, which made me believe that they were also into “churchianity” (the love and devotion for church business and the leaders thereof). The reasoning was based on the following statements:

“I'm glad to be here today to listen to Pastor Bob's sermon.”

“I grew up in 'church'... and I 'accepted' Christ (I noticed no mention of repentance).”

On the discussion of the Jews, the Pharisees (religious righteous of the time of Christ dwelling among us), the leader of the Sunday School class mentioned that they had a residential Jewish family called the “Abrams.” I recognized the name and knew who they were. A photograph in the hallway revealed one of the family members.

I had been led by the Spirit to understand the reason for “fellowship” and that is to stir up love and good works (see Hebrews 10:24-25). But that was not the case here. The small Sunday School class consisting mostly of senior citizens, appeared to be more concerned about the natural study of John 9 and not so much about the spiritual element. I recognized the pride and the religious spirit of the members, but held back my tongue.

And at the end of the study, I brought up the meaning of this story about the blind man, and it was not so much about the natural healing but rather what Jesus pointed out as a spiritual healing. The Pharisees had asked, “Are we blind also?” And the final verse (v. 41) sums it all up with Jesus' answer. However, the religious righteous spirits in the room did not comprehend what was expressed.

I did not bother to stay around, but quickly made an exit. The quaint spirit of churchianity filled this quaint church business. It was just another place of the “many” involved in church business!

Greek Word Warnings by Pastor Ken "Max" Parks

In the New Testament (NT) there are a few Greek words used for warnings.  For the most part, these words are not taught within the confines of brick-n-mortar buildings of dead stones.  And because of that, it is imperative to know the words, the meanings, and the placement in Scripture.

I have compiled a good portion of these Greek words of warnings and even the corresponding Strong's number all color coded.

 It is my fervent hope and prayer that you learn these Greek words and how to apply them into your daily spiritual war against the devil and his followers.

Tabernacle - by Pastor Ken "Max" Parks

I was told, “Without having a tabernacle, one is not saved.”  I was actually taken back and paused; I could not believe my ears!  This set me off into researching the Tabernacle.

Moses as described in Exodus 26 built the first Tabernacle.

First, the tabernacle is seen as a tented palace for Israel’s divine king. He is enthroned on the ark of the covenant in the innermost Holy of Holies (the Most Holy Place). His royalty is symbolized by the purple of the curtains and his divinity by the blue. The closer items are to the Holy of Holies, the more treasured items are the metals (bronze→silver→gold) of which they are made.

The other symbolic dimension is Eden. The tabernacle, like the garden of Eden, is where God dwells, and various details of the tabernacle suggest it is a mini-Eden. These parallels include the east-facing entrance guarded by cherubim, the gold, the tree of life (lampstand), and the tree of knowledge (the law). Thus God’s dwelling in the tabernacle was a step toward the restoration of paradise, which is to be completed in the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21-22).
The tabernacle represented Yahweh’s house among the Israelites —He would soon encamp in his large house in their midst, and they would encamp around his house according to their tribes in concentric circles (Numbers 2).
He Himself was symbolically represented as dwelling in the “back room” of his house by means of the ark.
In the tabernacle’s “front room” were several pieces of furniture, the sorts of things that represented the furniture of a home, though on a grander scale. The first of these pieces of household-style furniture to be described is the table. It was primarily for food—a dining table of sorts, symbolizing the fact that Yahweh really did live among his people and inhabit his house in much the same way that they inhabited theirs.
And as the storyline of redemptive history progresses, we see that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of these shadows:

Jesus is the true tabernacle.
John 1:14 tells us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt [Gk. σκηνόω] among us,” and the Greek translation of “tent of meeting” is σκηνὴ μαρτυρίου (Ex. 33:7). In other words, when Jesus became the God-man he “tabernacled” among us. (And of course Jesus spoke about “the temple of his body” [John 2:19, 21], and Paul taught that because we are united to the risen Messiah “we are the temple of the living God” [2 Cor. 6:16].)
Jesus’ body is the curtain ripped in two that brings us to the holy presence of God.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh. . . .” (Heb. 10:19-20). (See also Matthew 27:51: “the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”)
Jesus is the great high priest over the house of God.
“. . . and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:21-22)
Jesus is the full and final sacrifice.
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
“. . . We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. . . . Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins . . . By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Heb. 10:10, 12, 14)
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In my place of residence, there is no physical veil, ark, lampstand, altar of incense, or for that matter anything representing a Tabernacle. The Messiah Y'shua (Jesus Christ) represents my Tabernacle and anything else made of gold, silver, wood or whatever is simply a form of an idol.

Ekklesia, that which Jesus is building, is the spiritual house of living stones (see 1 Peter 2:5), and I am a member thereof, chosen by Him before the very foundations of the earth were laid.
In the Book of Romans, Paul spoke out against the Jews who were trying to force the Gentile believers to become Jewish in order to be followers of Christ, taking on their traditions, feasts, and even circumcision. But we are no longer Jews, no longer Gentiles, but rather all in Christ.

Mercy by Pastor Ken "Max" Parks

PRAYER:

Father God, Your wisdom excites our admiration,
Your power fills us with respect and honor,
Your omnipresence turns every spot of earth into holy ground;
But how shall we thank You enough for Your mercy which comes down to the lowest part of our need to give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and for the spirit of heaviness a garment of praise? We bless and magnify Your mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

QUESTION: What is Mercy?

There are several Hebrew words that are associated with God's mercy: 

             Kapporeth – means "ransom," "propitiatory," or "the mercy seat."
            Racham – means "to love," "to have compassion," or "to show mercy."
           Chesed – means "goodness," "kindness," "mercifulness," or "loving-kindness."

These Greek words are associated with mercy in the New Testament: 

Eleemon – means "to show mercy," "to pity," "to have compassion," or "to be merciful."

Oiktirmos – carries the concept of "compassion" or "pity."

What is mercy? Theologians have described mercy this way:

"God's mercy is his tenderhearted, loving compassion for his people. It is his tenderness of heart toward the needy. If grace contemplates humans as sinful, guilty, and condemned, mercy sees them as miserable and needy." – Millard Erickson

"This is the first work of God—that He is merciful to all who are ready to do without their own opinion, right, wisdom, and all spiritual goods, and willing to be poor in spirit." – Martin Luther

"God is pleased to show mercy to his enemies, according to his own sovereign pleasure. Though he is infinitely above all, and stands in no need of creatures; yet he is graciously pleased to take a merciful notice of poor worms in the dust." – Jonathan Edwards
"Mercy is kindness exercised toward the miserable, and includes pity, compassion, forbearance, and gentleness, which the Scriptures so abundantly ascribe to God." – Charles Hodge


Mercy is an attribute of God, an infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate. Both the Old and the New Testaments proclaim the mercy of God, but the Old has more than four times as much to say about it as the New.


We should banish from our minds forever the common but erroneous notion that justice and judgment characterize the God of Israel, while mercy and grace belong to the Lord of the EkklesiaChurch. Actually there is in principle no difference between the Old Testament and the New.

In the New Testament Scriptures there is a fuller development of redemptive truth, but one God speaks in both dispensations, and what He speaks agrees with what He is. Wherever and whenever God appears to men, He acts like Himself. Whether in the Garden of Eden or the Garden of Gethsemane, God is merciful as well as just.

He has always dealt in mercy with mankind and will always deal in justice when His mercy is despised. Thus He did in antediluvian times; thus when Christ walked among men; thus He is doing today and will continue always to do for no other reason than that He is God. If we could remember that the divine mercy is not a temporary mood but an attribute of God’s eternal being, we would no longer fear that it will someday cease to be.

Mercy never began to be, but from eternity was; so it will never cease to be. It will never be more since it is itself infinite; and it will never be less because the infinite cannot suffer diminution. Nothing that has occurred or will occur in heaven or earth or hell can change the tender mercies of our God. Forever His mercy stands, a boundless, overwhelming immensity of divine pity and compassion.

With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;	2Sa 22:26  (ESV)
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.	Mat 5:7
With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;	Psa 18:25
Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”	Mat 9:13
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.	Pro 3:3
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.	Mat 23:23
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.	Pro 14:21
Luke 6:36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.	Luk 6:36
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.	Pro 21:21
1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (v.4) to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (v.5) who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.	1Pe 1:3
So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love (chesed, pron “hhesed”) and justice, and wait continually for your God.	Hos 12:6
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate (oiktirmos) hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (v. 13) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.	Col 3:12
James 2:12-13  So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.	Jas 2:12

Images – by Ken “Max" Parks, 08/08/2018

You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;”

(Exodus 20:4, NKJV)

Anyone who knows me also knows that I enjoy photography, or to put it eloquently “make images.” I have been making images since I was 6 years old with my newly acquired Kodak Instamatic 104 camera.  Film photography was my start of another form of art.  This has carried on even to the advent of Digital photography.  I still shoot some film, black and white, with my old 35mm cameras, Hassleblad, and Bronica medium format cameras. I then have to convert to Digital by scanning the negatives.

But for the most part, I shoot Digital for the convenience and, avoid the film photography chemicals and the hassles of then having to convert to Digital.

Most recently, I made images of my 45^th class reunion. It was a wonderful event, having seen old classmates for the first time in 45 years who never attended previous class reunions.  The made images were posted on the High School FB page and my personal FB page.  I received accolades for my created images.

However, the above verse, Exodus 20:4 had been quoted to me in the past in response to my liking in making images.  Basically it has come to this: I was making images and disobeying one of the Ten Commandments of God.  And I understood from this to mean that making any images or “likeness of anything" is a sin.  At first, I ignored this.  But it was introduced to me again.  So, I decided to do some research.  I did not have to look very far!

Taking the verse Exodus 20:4 alone, as is, and without looking at any other Bible verses, this appears to be a sin for making images, any images of anything.  Verse 5 follows:

”you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,” (Exodus 20:5,  NKJV)

What or who is this verse telling us?  “Not to bow down to them (the images) nor serve them (the images).  These images God is referring to are “graven images” or rather made images that are made out to be other gods to whom one worships.

So, when you go on vacation, take photographs of things that you have seen, family members, the dog, the car, the food, the hotel that you stayed and etc. that is a sin?  Or, you have a photograph taken for the purpose of an ID, Passport, or driver’s license, that’s a sin?  Or you have photographs of your children, grandchildren, parents, or other relatives and friends placed around the home, that’s a sin? God is a jealous God and does not want other gods to replace him, be worshiped and admired… or have images made of the same so as to be worshiped, admired, and served.

So, the extreme to Exodus 20:4, taken as is, alone, is not to have any images made, regardless of what they may consist of, how the image is created, or who made them and disregard the additional part of the sentence in Exodus 20:5.  If that be the case, then:

We are not allowed to have any mirrors, because looking into them makes an image;
We are not allowed to have most any books that contain images on the covers or inside;
We are not to watch any TV programs, any movies, or anything that is in a video image;
We are not to have any photographs, paintings, art of any form, or statues of angels (or anything) in our homes;

We are not allowed to have canned food, boxed food or any food because it has images on them;

We are not allowed to create any form of art, such as paintings, photographs, sculptures;
We are not allowed to draw crosses, angels, images of Christ, or anything in our Bibles;

We are not allowed to have Bibles that have the image of the cross or any image on the cover;

We are not allowed to have a T-shirt or any clothing with any images on it;
We are not allowed to have a created logo (image) for one’s ministry or business or any activity;
We are not allowed to create an image of anything in our minds;

I will maintain creating images with my cameras, draw images in my GoTo Bible as long as I don’t worship them nor serve them as stipulated in Exodus 20:5.

Nave's Topical Bible - My review by Pastor Ken "Max" Parks

 This is an oldie but goodie from years past, first copyrighted in 1896 and first full print publication in 1921, and it was written by Orville J. Nave. Other publishing houses have published the book over the years, and now the Hendrickson Publishing Company has put out the 15^th printing in hardback.

 It is in the Nave’s Topical Bible that it presents subject matter in a cyclopedic form and headings familiar on particular subjects. 

Orville Nave served as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army, and it was during his military career he prepared his Topical Bible and a later published Nave’s Study Bible.

Nave prepared this book as a means to analyze topically each verse of the Bible, each series of verses, and each chapter and series of chapters.  From this, Nave was able to group the subject headings of all the Scriptures found in the analysis.  This was a Herculean task that took several years to accomplish.  Nave’s work is based solely on the King James Version (KJV) and it is quite a work.

Some folks have seen this book as similar to the Thompson Chain Reference (TCR) Bibles, but it seems to cover Scripture subject material in greater detail.  This book is a definite must in anyone’s library.  I’m an advocate of the KJV TCR, and I use the rare 1988 wide-margin Bible.  It is the Nave’s Topical Bible that is being used to enhance the notes added to my wide-margin Bible.

On the major subject of the “Righteous” it is broken down into sub-topics, such as “Contrasted with the Wicked,” “Described,” and “Promises to, Expressed or Implied.” All of this is covered in 20 pages, followed by “Righteous – Unity of Christ.”  There are no notes, only Scripture.  So that leaves out any biases of denominations, including but not limited to their own teachings, practices, doctrines, and traditions of men.

Nave’s Topical Bible allows a pastor or even a layperson the ability to prepare a sermon or write a paper on a topic in short order.  As a pastor, this book is always at my side when I write articles on Bible issues and preparing to doing video mini-sermons, teachings, and helping others of the faith to grow in the grace and knowledge in Christ.

If there were a situation where I can choose only two books to live by, it would be my Thompson Bible, inclusive of all my notes, and the Nave’s Topical Bible.  They are the Gold and Silver of God’s word, and one can never have the full life in knowing Christ without these two treasures.

We are very lucky to be living in a free country, where the Bible can easily be available to us in our public libraries, in our private collection of books, and not be under the scrutiny of a dictator government against Christianity.  Nave served in the military to ensure our freedom of religion and wrote this marvelous book as a tool and treasure to enhance our walk in faith in Christ.  God surely blessed us with a man such as Nave and his Topical Bible

Mostly Devotional A.W. Tozer Bible

A W Tozer Bible – by Pastor Ken “Max” Parks 03-23-2018

Without having a formal theological education or a degree in business and seminary study,  A.W. Tozer was one of the most prolific writers of the Christian faith. However, he did receive an honorary doctorate degree from Wheaton College.

“The A.W. Tozer Bible,” is presented in the King James Version along with several excerpts of Tozer writings from his books, such as the popular “God’s Pursuit of Man” and “The Pursuit of God” (to be reviewed at a later date).  The Bible is composed of more than 1600 pages, and the paper thickness is sufficient in that the ghosting (lettering from the behind printing) is not that noticeable.  It is a red-letter Bible with all the Scriptures in non-paragraph style.  The font size is about a 10 and easy on the eyes.  Although the black print is well done, the red lettering could be a brighter red color.  There are no ribbons, but one can purchase a set of Bible ribbons and add it to this Bible.  There is an imitation leather Bible with golden gilding by Hendrickson Publishing.

The A.W. Tozer Bible dust-cover-sleeve is well done with raised letters and the image of a white-toped mountain.  Hedrickson Publishing has done well in the presentation of Tozer’s materials in color and design of “On Scripture,” “Reflections,” and “Challenges.”

One of the styles of Tozer’s writing is that some of the excerpts are similar to prayer, which makes this a thought provoking Bible.  If one is not saved, this Bible will at least give that person room for thought.  Tozer has a tendency to prepare the ground and do some planting, while God does the watering. 

In one of Tozer’s excerpts, he expounds upon how God uses water as a theme for restoring man back to God as shown in Isaiah 8:6, whereby he states, “There are in the Bible, many references where God has used the precious, reviving, and life-sustaining qualities of streams and of water to give us a true and adequate figure of the gracious, life-giving salvation which he offers to all mankind.  He has promised. ‘I will give you streams of living water’…” – Tozer Speaks II.

There are many types of Bibles in publication, some meant to instill certain types of studies of Scripture, and others to provide theological biases, and some of daily devotional readings, but The A.W. Tozer Bible allows even for the seasoned veteran of the faith to read his excerpts of particular Scripture so as to give thought of an account of one’s faith and become a much better presenter of the message of the cross through the power of the Holy Spirit.

If I had my choice in the matter of redesigning this Bible, I would add a table of content for all of Tozer’s excerpts.  I would add more references to the side columns, and explanation of Scripture through some definition of Greek and Hebrew words for that time period when written.  It could be changed from a devotional type Bible to that of a study Bible.  Call it “The Tozer Study Bible.”

Prison Ministry: Why Pastors don’t get Involved

By Pastor Ken “Max” Parks 03-18-2018

There is a concern among most pastors concerning visiting prisoners, but they are too busy and involved with their church businesses. Some of them claim that they simply don’t have the resources (financial), training, and the time to get involved. So they usually leave it to a member or two of their congregation to task themselves informally.

 LifeWay Research had done a survey among 1,000 pastors. The research found widespread support among pastors in favor for the idea of prison ministry. Four out of five pastors (83%) have visited a correctional facility. And almost all believe churches should help the families of those incarcerated (97%) and provide care for those getting out of jail (95%).

However, many pastors have little contact with those who have been incarcerated. Half of pastors say no one from their congregation has been jailed in the past three years. A third have seen one or two people from their church go to jail. One in six say three or more attendees have been jailed in that time (17%).

The research showed that about a third of the pastors say no former inmates attend their church (31%), one or two former inmates attend (36%), or three or more former inmates attend (33%).
However, many pastors have little contact with those who have been incarcerated. Half of pastors say no one from their congregation has been jailed in the past three years. A third have seen one or two people from their church go to jail. One in six say three or more attendees have been jailed in that time (17%).

About a third of pastors say no former inmates attend their church (31%), one or two former inmates attend (36%), or three or more former inmates attend (33%).
Overall, few pastors have contact with current or former inmates as a normal part of their ministry. So prison ministry is not a priority. When half the pastors haven’t had someone from their church sent to jail, then prison ministry isn’t on their ministry radar.

Incarceration rates in the United States remain at record levels. More than 2.2 million Americans are held in state and federal prisons or local jails, according to the Institute for Criminal Policy Research. That’s more than any other nation in the world.

Though about 13% of Americans are black, more than a third (36%) of inmates in state and federal prisons are African American, according to the Department of Justice. Those statistics have led to concerns about the high number of black inmates and charges of racial disparity. Half of pastors say the racial disparity among inmates is unjust. Four in 10 disagree (39%). One in 10 is not sure (11%).
It has been stated that pastors often don’t know how to start ministering to inmates. Other ministries, like distributing school supplies to kids or volunteering at a food pantry, are relatively easy to start. But ministering to inmates and their families is more difficult, requiring special training and often a long-term commitment from volunteers.

About two-thirds of pastors cite a lack of training (62%) or volunteers (65%) as barriers to their churches helping inmates and their families. Others say they don’t know where to start (40%), their church is involved in too many other ministries (39%), such as music ministry, sports ministries, children and women ministries and other biblical ministries, or they don’t see a need for it (21%). Money is an issue as well. Half of pastors say a lack of finances is a barrier to ministry (48%). A recent report from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability found donations to prison ministries declined 6 percent from 2011 to 2014.

When churches do have a prison ministry, it is often run on an informal basis.
+ 61% of pastors say individual church members minister to families of inmates.
+ 58% say church members help people leaving correctional facilities.
+ 45% say church members minister in correctional facilities.

It appears to be an uphill battle. Other organizations, such as Prison Fellowship, rely upon “holistic” methods, philosophies and psychology of men, and a liberal approach to prison ministry such as the teachings of Rick Warren (the same who supports Chrislam: the belief that Christians and Islamic supposedly have the same God) to instruct prisoners on the ways to adapt to regular life outside of prison.

My findings show that these are messy, long-term ministries. You really have to demonstrate biblical faithfulness to be involved with them. It’s a lot easier to pick an unbiblical ministry where there are quick rewards, but you would miss out on the opportunity to impact the prisoner’s life, their families and communities.

The Complete Jewish Study Bible REVIEW - by Pastor Max

Yeshua (Jesus) was Jewish, born under the lineage of David.  He was brought up in the Jewish culture.  It is believed he spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.  He fully understood the Torah (Moasaic Law) and he fulfilled the Law as prophesied by the prophets.  The Complete Jewish Study Bible is a compilation of these things along with many Jewish words spelled out in the English pronunciation.  This Bible fills in the gaps of Jewish understanding concerning the Messiah (Christ), the Anointed One.

Albeit, it is not in the traditional versions of today, such as KJV, NASB, NIV, and etc., the contributors of this version created a unique English written Bible through Jewish and Christian writers.  And, it allows for a serious student of the Bible to become very familiar to Jewish traditions, such as the famous “Born Again” among the Jews.  Jesus used this phrase because it was used among the Jews as six different levels of being “born again” in one’s growth and maturity among the Jewish men.  This Bible explains the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, and the thought process of this rabbi (teacher).  I found the article very interesting, the content of which clarified the reason Yeshua referred to the phrase of being “born again.”

The Complete Jewish Study Bible comes in three different publications, a Hard Cover (under this review), the Blue Flexisoft, and a Black Calfskin Leather.  The Hard Cover is one of the best constructed I have encountered of various Bibles in my collection.  It seems to have something similar to a Smyth sewn binding as opposed to a glued-in pages.  The Bible has two ribbons, something one does not often see with other hardcover Bibles.  There is no outer index and no gilding.  The Blue Flexisoft and Black Calfskin Leather have gold gilding. Hendrickson published this Bible as all black lettering and no red-letter (sayings of Yeshua).  There are pros and cons to this approach, although I prefer the red-letter in my Bibles.  The font size is a good estimated 9.5 or 10. And the bottom notes are about a 6.5 or 7 font of a different style.

This Bible does not have any reference columns, but the bottom notes and articles are sufficient in the subject material on a particular page.  There is no concordance.  But this Bible is unique in that there is a Glossary of Hebrew words with the English pronunciation and a Glossary of English words with Hebrew pronunciation.  I found both Glossaries quite helpful and a nice touch for those who may want to learn Hebrew from the English language perspective.

The layout in this Bible is mostly in paragraph style.  The poetic portions are set in the same style as most Bibles, single line separation from verse to verse, such as found in Psalm and Proverbs.  The paragraph style is good for general reading but is difficult to find a verse within the paragraph even though the number of the verse is present with a smaller font.  The Old Testament is laid out in the same manner as the Tanakh with the books separated in divisions, and is not in the same order as the Christian Bible. The word “Tanakh” is an acronym made from the first letters of the three main divisions of the Hebrew Bible: the Torah or the Law (Pentateuch), the Prophets, and the final part is called the Writings.  The New Testament book order remains the same as all other Christian Bibles.

What I envisioned after reading and studying The Complete Jewish Study Bible is that this can be used for witnessing to one of the Jewish faith, those who don’t believe that Yeshua is the Messiah. Employing the Hebrew words concerning the Messiah, especially the prophecies and His announcement in Luke 4:18-19, whereby He read from Isaiah 61:1-2.  Again, The Complete Jewish Study Bible is very good for serious Bible students, those interested in learning some Hebrew, Jewish traditions, their fasts and feasts, culture, and other traditions and special days.

As we all well know Paul wrote in Galatians that we do not have to become Jewish and follow all their ways, such as the laws and more than 600 mandates of the Law and all the traditions of Jewish customs in order to become a follower of Jesus Christ.  May the God of Peace abide in you all (see Hebrews 13:20). שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם (shalom aleichem).

Pastor Ken "Max" Parks writes reviews for Hendrickson Publishing, established ETC Ministries so as to provide instruction to the saints of Ekklesia, Training so as to become prepared, and offers Courses soon to be on Vimeo and Youtube.  He is a Stephen Minister, and he's involved with Church of Christian Truth.

Principles of Interpretation

Primary:  Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in all truth.  Do not rely upon the teachings, practices, doctrines, traditions and false hope of men.

1.  Where the Bible speaks literally, accept the teachings literally.  Do not make assumptions, speculations, and suppositions.

2.  Consider to whom any given Scripture is addressed.

3. Consider the contents of the verse surrounding the verse and/or passage being interpreted.

4.  Consider the context of any statement trying to interpret.  By context, I mean the verse(s) around any particular statement.  What did Jesus mean? For instance, Jesus stated, "He that believes on me... out of his belly will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38).  The best way to find out the meaning is to read the surrounding verses.  In this text case, the next verse, "But this He spoke of the Holy Spirit, which they believe on Him should receive..." I would estimate 85-90% of all false teachings that spring from portions of the Bible can be shown false by a careful study of the passage surrounding the verse(s) under consideration.

5.   Discover the exact meaning of every word and the proper grammatical connection.  In the case of the NT, use of the Greek-English Interlinear Bible can be used to obtain the best Greek meaning and then applied to the best English word(s).  For example: in 2 Timothy 2:15 the KJV uses the word "study" and the Greek word used was spoudazo, meaning "be diligent"  Today's definition of study, even as far back as the 1611 version of the Bible, does not come close to the Greek meaning.

6.  In connection with this, consider all the passages dealing with the subject under study (cp 1 Cor.2;13; 2 Peter 1:20).

7.  Never interpret a clear statement with an unclear statement, but do the opposite; unclear with a clear verse. E.g., in Acts16, the Philippian jailer who was on the verge of committing suicide asked the following question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  Paul and Silas replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved."  This is a clear statement on the subject of how to be saved, and what God says plainly in one place of the Bible. He will not contradict elsewhere.  Another example: when Paul said in Acts 27:31, "Except these abide in the ship, we cannot be saved."  Obviously, he was not referring to the salvation of their souls.  The subject matter in the 27th chapter is being save or delivered from drowning.

There are men of corrupt minds who will attempt to change the meaning of a clear statement of Scripture by the use of an ambiguous verse(s) elsewhere.  It is very common for someone to interpret Acts 16:31 where God says that the salvation of a man's soul is conditional upon a man's faith in Christ, and make it mean something else by forcing another verse upon it, such as 2 Thes.1:8 where God says, He will take "vengeance upon them that... obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."  And so according to these men, there is no longer one condition for salvation; there are now two conditions, belief and obedience.  Therefore, they conclude if a man says he has faith and does not obey every command in the Bible, he is not saved.

8.  Try to avoid all personal prejudice and biases, and to be honest in the use of Scripture (2 Cor. 4:2).  Do not force the word of God to support any theories of men (e.g., whether it be the pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, or mid-tribulation rapture theories of men).  Do not interpret Scripture by means of personal experiences, but interpret your personal experiences in light of Scripture.  One of the major causes of false doctrine is a subjective approach to the word of God, then test the spirits do determine whether they be of God or the father of lies.  Satan has many deceptive ways to make things appear right.  Test the spirits! (1 John 4:1)

9.  Do not act in haste, foolishly make quick reasoning by interpreting Scripture, especially difficult Bible passages.  God has given us a sound mind, and I pray to God for proper interpretation (exegesis).

10.  Always... Always ASK in prayer believing God through the Holy Spirit to give you the knowledge and wisdom to guide you into all truth in all things, and proper interpretation of His word.  These 10 principles should assist you in discovering the truth, inclusive with the reliance upon the Holy Spirit.

Purpose of the Ten Commandments

When asked what is the purpose of the 10 commandments given to us in Exodus 20:1-17(?) during a Bible study, I remarked, "the primary purpose was for God to reveal our sins." I should have added, "... in order for us to come to Christ" (see Galatians 3:24)

But this question solicits many assumptions, speculations and suppositions. One of which I heard was that the 10 commandments brings unity to the 12 tribes of Israel and then to all mankind. What unity?

Paul told us that the work of the Law is a curse and quoting from Deut. 27:26. He didn't say that the law was bad... but it's the "works" of the law that brings us a curse. (see Galatians 3:10)

Paul goes on to claim that the curse was taken on by Jesus Christ for all of us so that we are no longer under the law, but fulfilled by Christ our freedom of the law so as to abide in the law through Him (see Galatians 3:13). This may be difficult for some to understand. Living in Christ is the fulfillment that goes well beyond the law and all the 613 mandates and allows us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so as to PROVE that which is His good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. (see Romans 12:2b).

One can view it this way: The 10 Commandments is a curse to those who abide not in Christ, and yet it is a blessing for those who abide in Christ... because He was and is the fulfillment of the Law.

My Mission Statement

Too often we hear how a pastor is going to do such and such, generally having to do with the well-being of their church facility, how they are going to do better and bigger things for their church business.

The way I am doing things is based upon the mission statement of Jesus when he went to the synagogue in Nazareth, and as a priest, he was allowed to have any of the OT scrolls open and read any passage from them. He chose Isaiah 61:1-2 and He is quoted in Luke 4:18-19.

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel (good tidings) to the poor (meek; poor in spirit); He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD (Year of Jubilee)."

This is also my mission statement if I desire to go after Him. In so doing, it is denying myself, picking up my cross daily, and following Him.

Jesus Christ has become for me the preeminence in all things.

There are no goals of large buildings, various mission types (not found in the NT, such as sports missions, children missions, young college student missions, coffee and tea missions)... the useless missions list goes on and on.

Jesus' mission statement is exactly what He did. No money was involved, no brick-n-mortar buildings of dead stones (cp. 1 Peter 2:5), and no mission types that we see today delegated in the church businesses. His mission statement was simple and clear.

The world and the fake christians (see Matthew 7:21-23) view the Bible and true preachers of the Word as morons, idiots, believing in something that is not tangible and does not exist. The preaching of the cross (Him crucified) is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us (His elect) who are saved, it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18)