Bible Study - New Beginnings - John 8:1-11 - December 28, 2025 (I think you will be blessed)

 

Bible Study – New Beginnings – John 8:1-11 – December 28, 2025

As we approach a New Year, many of us look back and assess the past year and make New Years resolutions. We may think about our lives over this past year and resolve to do better in the coming year.

It is always good for us to review and evaluate our past and resolve to do better. When JESUS healed/forgave a person’s sin, HE often told the person “to go and sin not more.”

Let’s consider John 8 ¹ But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

An Adulteress Forgiven

² At dawn he went to the temple again, and all the people were coming to him. He sat down and began to teach them.

³ Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. ⁴ “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. ⁵ In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So, what do you say?” ⁶ They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him.

The Law required both the male and female caught in adultery to be: “The Torah, in prescribing the death penalty for adultery, required that both the adulterer and the adulteress be put to death. It was not lawful to slay one and spare the other.”

Also, by claiming that the woman had been caught in the very act, they affirm that the adultery was not established by some other basis of evidence. Nor did they claim that the man, having been caught, had escaped, so they had no excuse for failing to bring in the man with the woman into Jesus' presence for judgement.

How would JESUS respond?

Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 

Here, I speculate: Many people think JESUS was writing various sins for the religious leaders to read and self-evaluate but we speculate. Whatever JESUS wrote got their attention which resulted in their self-examination and action.

Do you think JESUS was praying and asking HIS FATHER how HE should respond? Likely! When we are confronted with questions, we, as Christians, need to pause and pray, seek guidance from JESUS before responding.

JESUS took HIS time to respond, which gave HIM time to ponder and pray. Often, when we are faced with demands to give an answer, pausing gives us time to pray, ponder, think, and seek GOD’S wisdom.

JESUS knew they were trying to trap HIM. Likely the absence of the man who was also committing adultery.

After writing on the ground, JESUS stood up and spoke and then HE stooped down and continued to write on the ground.

⁷ When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. ⁹ When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center. ¹⁰ When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

After JESUS spoke to the men, HE returned to writing on the ground. The accusers began to leave starting with the oldest men. JESUS stood up and spoke to this lady. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ “No one, Lord,”^[a] she answered.

WOW!!! Notice what this dear lady said, “No one LORD!!!”

What do we read in 1 Corinthians 12:3

Therefore, I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Do you think that JESUS writing on the ground and telling this lady’s accusers to cast the first stone opened the Spiritual eyes of this dear lady and she saw truth and forgiveness in JESUS?

The key is she called JESUS “LORD” and that revealed her heart.

How do you see JESUS? Is HE a good religious man who lived or do you see JESUS as LORD, THE TRUE SON OF GOD?

This lady saw JESUS as LORD and what did that mean to her?

In the words of JESUS ---------

“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

This dear lady was caught in the act of adultery. A sin which demanded by Jewish Law for her to be stoned to death.

What about the male who was having sex with her???

Sin is sin and adultery is sin and according to Jewish Law both the male and female are guilty, and both are to be stoned.

Our study begins very early in the morning. JESUS went to the temple to teach those who also came to the temple to pray, worship, and possibly listen to JESUS teach. We do not know what JESUS had planned to teach that morning, but what we do know is JESUS taught a profound lesson.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

This is why all people need to confess their sins and ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and ask JESUS to come into his/her heart.

Confession is to acknowledge and come into agreement with GOD.

John 8 ¹ But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

JESUS went to the Mount of Olives first, then HE went to the temple.

We speculate. We know that JESUS’ desire was to do only what GOD, HIS FATHER, showed or revealed to HIM. JESUS knew the importance of having alone time with HIS FATHER, GOD before HE started HIS day.

So, what lay ahead of JESUS with the dawning of that day?

Let’s explore!!!

An Adulteress Forgiven

From the Mount of Olives to the temple ----

² At dawn he went to the temple again, and all the people were coming to him. He sat down and began to teach them.

As JESUS had been doing, JESUS had early morning followers. So, a group of worshippers came to listen to JESUS teach. The scribes and Pharisees knew JESUS would be teaching and they came to test and trap HIM.

³ Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. ⁴ “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. ⁵ In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So, what do you say?” ⁶ They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him.

Notice – It was scribes and Pharisees insisting that JESUS be the judge about this woman they caught in adultery. Was she set up? YES!

What we know is the scribes and Pharisees needed an example to trap JESUS. The scribes and the Pharisees knew the law. This act reveals the true heart of the religious leaders of that time. Jewish Law required both the male and the female caught committing adultery to be stoned to death.

JESUS did not respond to them. Instead, HE:

“Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger.” 

We speculate on what JESUS wrote. Many believe it was various sins that those accusing this woman were guilty of committing. JESUS knew the Biblical basis for all people as revealed in Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; That is why all of us need salvation, through faith in JESUS.

Let’s continue reading John 8:7

⁷ When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

JESUS paused, stood, and then spoke to the religious leaders. Was HE giving them time for each accuser to go to GOD and ask for truth? Did JESUS pause for them to reflect and ponder their sin? JESUS then:

⁸ Then he (JESUS) stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.

It was time for these men accusers to pause and reflect, which they did based upon their action------

⁹ When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he (JESUS) was left, with the woman in the center. ¹⁰ When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

Notice, “the older men left first.” Those who have walked with JESUS know that they are sinners saved by GOD’S grace, through faith in JESUS. Often, the older people of faith/Christians are examples for others.

Notice this precious ladies’ reply ------

¹¹ “No one, Lord,”^[a] she answered.

NOTICE her statement “No one LORD” WOW!!! Why is her statement so vital? Let’s read:

1 Corinthians 12:3

Therefore, I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

That was this dear lady’s statement of faith. Accepting JESUS as your Savior is not complicated. She expressed her heart and what did JESUS tell her? Read on -----

[“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”] WOW!!!

This dear lady was caught in the act of adultery. A sin which Jewish Law demanded for her and her male companion to be stoned to death. Of course, her male companion was not mentioned.

What about the male who was having sex with her, where was he??? Was he involved in their plot???

The Jewish Law applied to both the male and the female, but the male is absent from the scene. Sin is sin, adultery is sin, and it takes two to tango.

Do you know what the GOOD NEWS IS?

JESUS willingly gave HIS physical, sinless life to pay, in full, for all sin. JESUS gave HIS sinless life and shed HIS blood, but each person must acknowledge and accept what JESUS did for him or her as his or her Savior. Sin is individual, personal, and so is forgiveness.

JESUS was willing to give up HIS sinless life upon the cross by the shedding of HIS Blood to pay, in full, for the sins of all who will place their faith and trust in JESUS as their Savior.

When a person places his or her faith in JESUS, that person’s sins are forgiven and that person is cleansed from all his/her sins and he/she becomes whiter than snow. When a person is cleansed by the shed blood of JESUS, he or she stands before GOD and JESUS without a blemish.

Just like the dear lady caught in adultery in our study. All of us will stand before JESUS in the middle, all alone, just as this lady did before JESUS, what will HE tell us?

All of us will stand before JESUS when we transition from earth to Heaven, when we die. What will we hear JESUS say to us?

Will it be, “welcome home my son or daughter, you have been redeemed by the shed blood of the LAMB!!!

The person of faith in JESUS is set free from his/her sins and is Spiritually born into GOD’S eternal family – never to be Spiritually unborn.

What better gift to all people of the world than redemption from sin through faith in JESUS….. Spiritual Birth into GOD’S eternal family; giving each person of faith confirmation of his/her salvation in JESUS as evidenced by the confirmation of THE HOLY SPIRIT within him or her; citizenship in Heaven.

There is a new name written in Glory and it is mine!!! And yours when you place your faith in JESUS!!!

The late singer Burle Ives put it to music “There is a new name written glory and it is mine.”

What better gift from GOD at this time?

Prayers with blessings to all who prayed to receive JESUS as their Savior and made JESUS THE LORD OF THEIR LIFE.

Merry CHRISTMAS!!!

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - When Was JESUS Actually Born? - December 21, 2025

Bible Study - When Was JESUS Actually Born? - December 21, 2025

I was in my early twenties before I knew the facts surrounding December 25 as Christmas Day, the date Christians in America and some other areas celebrate the birth of JESUS.

Let’s explore through the words of Candice Lucey…… I will underline or highlight her work as lead. Enjoy!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR JESUS HAS RISEN AND REIGNS. Faith in JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD!!!

Caution: Often, when we try to document a certain event and we fail, it can spawn doubts about the event. DO NOT CHASE THIS THOUGHT. The BASIS TO DOCUMENT THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE PROMISED MESSIAH’S BIRTH, LIFE, DEATH, RESURRECTION and ASCENSION OF JESUS ARE CAPTURED IN THE BIBLE AND CONFIRMED BY THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT. AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE RETURN OF JESUS, SATAN WILL DO ALL SATAN CAN DO TO CONFUSE THE ELECT. DO NOT BE A VICTIUM OF CONFUSION. GOD’S WORD, AS RECORDED IN THE BIBLE, HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME AND is CONFIRMED BY THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT.

When Was Jesus Actually Born?

Christ’s birth is traditionally celebrated in the West on December 25th, but many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. Neither date is likely correct in light of several clues uncovered by historians and information in the Bible itself.

I read many years ago, that the Emperor Constantine established December 25 as JESUS’ birthday. December 25 was a pagan holiday. The pagan’s celebrated on December 25, so Emperor Constantine, becoming a Christian himself, decided to make December 25 the date JESUS was born.

One thing sure and two things certain, JESUS WAS BORN. Although we do not know the exact date, it does not discount the authenticity of HIS Birth as the promised Messiah. Let’s consider the writing of Candice Lucey --------

Candice Lucey

Contributing Writer

Many have researched and attempted to answer the question, "When was Jesus actually born?" The birth of Jesus Christ was a pivotal moment in history and has long been a subject of scholarly debate and theological contemplation. The Nativity of Jesus Christ is traditionally celebrated on Christmas Day, December 25th, but let's look into whether this was actually Christ's birthday.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide accounts of Jesus's birth, including facts such as - the location of Bethlehem, the names of Mary and Joseph, fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod, and the angels who appeared to shepherds - yet they do not offer a specific date for this momentous event. 

As a result, the question of when exactly Jesus was born has given rise to a multitude of theories and hypotheses throughout the centuries. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of dating Jesus's birth and explore the various historical, astronomical, and theological perspectives that have emerged in an attempt to pinpoint the elusive date of the nativity. The biblical account does not give the year Jesus was born (Luke 2). So how was the date of Christmas decided, and when was Jesus really born?

When Was Jesus Born?

The Bible gives no specific date of Jesus' birth. However, the date can be estimated based on when Hebrew shepherds historically tended their flocks in open fields and according to the biblical account of Mary and Elizabeth's pregnancies.

The Bible says in Luke 2:8-9. “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.”

According to Bible commentator Adam Clarke, it was traditional for the Jews to send their sheep to pasture from the spring until early October. As the cold winter months began, the flocks would return from the fields for protection and warmth. Since the shepherds were still tending their flocks in the fields around Bethlehem it can be deduced that the angels announced the news of Jesus’ birth no later than October.

To determine the approximate month of Jesus' birth, we can look at the birth of John the Baptist as described in Luke 1. Zacharias, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth, who was barren, became pregnant with John the Baptist after Zacharias' temple service. Gabriel visited Mary when Elizabeth was six months pregnant and announced that she would give birth to Jesus. By counting from the date of Zacharias' priestly service to the birth of Jesus, we can find additional clues to answer the question of when Jesus was really born.

In those times, Jewish priests were divided into 24 courses that served in the temple throughout the year. The order of Abijah was the eighth priestly course (1 Chronicles 24:6-19) which served in the temple during the 10th week of the priestly cycle. The 10th week started on the second Sabbath in the month of Sivan, which falls approximately from mid-May to mid-June. After Zechariah returned from his priestly duties, Elizabeth became pregnant with John the Baptist.

Luke 1:24-28, 31 chronicles these events, “Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, ‘Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.’ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’...And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”

Based on the Bible text and knowledge of the priestly courses, we can estimate that Jesus was born around the time of Tishri, which falls in mid to late September. This approximation is reached by starting at the conception of John the Baptist, which occurred in Sivan (June). Then, we count forward six months to arrive at Gabriel's announcement of the conception of Jesus, which happened in Kislev (December). Finally, we count forward nine more months, which is the average time it takes for human gestation, to reach Tishri (September) when Jesus was born.

What Year Was Jesus Born?

While many scholars believe Jesus was born sometime between 4 BC and 6 BC, there is no definitive historical evidence that pinpoints the exact year of his birth. The commonly used Christian calendar, which designates Jesus' birth as the starting point, traditionally places it at 1 BC or 1 AD, although these dates are approximate and may not align precisely with historical records.

Confusion in Historical Calendars

Several factors are involved in establishing the year of Christ’s birth. There were two dating systems at the time of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. One was his new Julian calendar, and the other calendar began with the year Rome was established: 753 BC. To complicate matters, Julius Caesar also determined that a year would be calculated beginning with the start of complete authority by the reigning emperor at that time.

About 500 years later, a mathematically-minded monk, Dionysius Exiguus, invented the concept of AD. His purpose was to establish when Easter should be celebrated by working backward using a complicated system of his own. He decided that Christ was born in AD 1, and his system was adopted in Europe around 200 years later.

Date Evidence in the Bible

Bible scholars work from what Scripture tells us regarding the history of Jesus. The events took place within the living memory of the writers or their families, such as the reign of Herod, during which time Matthew tells us Christ was born.

We know there was a celestial event that alerted the Magi, and this can also be dated. John the Baptist’s preaching took place during “the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius” (Luke 3:1). Jesus’ approximate age at the start of His ministry (30) is also supplied in the book of Luke, so we can determine that Christ was likely born around 2 or 3 BC.

"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness." (Luke 3:1-2)

What Month Was Jesus Born?

One hypothesis suggests that Jesus may have been born in the month of December. This idea is largely based on the mention of shepherds in the Gospel of Luke who were tending their flocks at night when the angelic announcement of Jesus's birth occurred. Some argue that this activity would have been more likely in a warmer month, implying that Jesus might have been born in a mild Mediterranean climate during the winter. Additionally, the early Christian church established December 25th as the date to celebrate Jesus's birth, possibly to coincide with existing pagan festivals, such as the Roman celebration of Sol Invictus. This choice could have influenced the association of Jesus's birth with December.

However, it's essential to note that this evidence is circumstantial and inconclusive. Other scholars argue for alternative months or even different years for Jesus's birth based on historical and astronomical data. The uncertainty surrounding the precise month of Jesus's birth underscores the challenge of dating an event that occurred over two thousand years ago and the various factors that have influenced the development of Christmas traditions over time. Ultimately, while December 25th remains the widely accepted date for celebrating Jesus's birth, the exact month of his birth remains a mystery.

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25th?

The day and month of Jesus’s birth are even more challenging to establish. Theologians typically agree that December 25 is far from likely. In the late Roman Empire, there was a festival called "Sol Invictus" (the Unconquered Sun) that celebrated the sun god on December 25th. Some have suggested that the choice of this date for Christmas was influenced by the desire to Christianize or replace this pagan holiday - conceived as an effort to establish a pagan substitute for a date that already held a degree of importance for Roman Christians. 

Another argument takes a different view. December 25th falls close to the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which is the shortest day and longest night of the year. In many pagan traditions, the winter solstice was a significant event associated with the rebirth of the sun and the return of longer days. Some festivals, like the Roman festival of Saturnalia, were celebrated around this time, often involving feasting and gift-giving. Saturnalia, in particular, is often cited as a possible influence on the dating of Christmas. Saturnalia was a Roman festival that celebrated the god Saturn and included various festivities, including gift exchanges and feasting. Some argue that the early Christians chose December 25th to celebrate Jesus' birth to co-opt or replace Saturnalia with a Christian holiday. 

When Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, it was easier for the newly formed church to repurpose the pagan observance of the winter solstice between December 17-25 since citizens were already prepared to celebrate the day. Thus, a celebration and festival filled with family and friends exchanging gifts meant these traditions would continue as Christmas.

Another intriguing theory proposes that December 25 was officially designated as Christmas Day by Sextus Julius Africanus in AD 221. This assertion is rooted in meticulous calculations that Africanus undertook, embarking on a historical journey that began with his estimation of the world's creation in 5499 BC. With an unwavering dedication to precision, Africanus meticulously traced the lineage of biblical figures and significant events, meticulously aligning them with historical and astronomical data. His goal was to pinpoint the most appropriate date for commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, a task that required an intricate web of chronology and celestial observations. Africanus's determination to find this date led him to December 25, marking it as the momentous day when Christians should celebrate the birth of their savior. His extensive calculations and scholarly dedication have left an enduring legacy, contributing to the rich tapestry of theories surrounding the birth date of Jesus Christ.

Dating of Jesus' Birth Based on King Herod

Dating the birth of Jesus around the death of King Herod is a historical puzzle that involves a combination of biblical and extra-biblical sources, along with some scholarly interpretations. Here's how it's typically done:

1.    Biblical Accounts: The primary source for dating Jesus's birth in relation to King Herod comes from the New Testament, specifically the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 2:1, it mentions that Jesus was born during the time of King Herod. It also describes Herod's attempt to have Jesus killed by ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem, commonly known as the "Massacre of the Innocents."

2.    Herod's Reign: King Herod the Great is a well-documented historical figure. His reign is generally believed to have started around 37 or 36 BC. Historical records also indicate that he died around 4 BC, which is a crucial reference point.

3.    Astronomical Data: Some scholars have suggested that the "Star of Bethlehem," which guided the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus, might have been a celestial event. Astronomical calculations and computer simulations have been used to try to identify potential astronomical occurrences around the time of Jesus's birth. Some theories suggest conjunctions of planets or other celestial phenomena around 6-4 BC.

4.    Luke's Gospel: While the Gospel of Luke doesn't mention King Herod, it provides additional clues for dating Jesus's birth. Luke 2:2 mentions a census ordered by Caesar Augustus. Historically, such censuses were conducted periodically, and there is evidence of one occurring in 6-4 BC.

5.    Scholarly Consensus: Taking into account all the available evidence, many scholars place Jesus's birth between 6 and 4 BC, with the death of King Herod serving as a significant anchor point. This allows for the events described in the biblical narratives to align with the historical context of Herod's reign and the Roman census.

This is for you to ponder and not to confuse or cause doubt. JESUS is the promised Messiah and by asking JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart results in a miracle. You are born-again in your human spirit by the Holy Spirit, and you are born into the eternal family of GOD!

Welcome Home, my brother, or sister!

Blessings!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Bible Study - Clay Jars - 2 Corinthians 4:7 - December 14, 2025

 

Bible Study – Clay Jars – 2 Corinthians 4:7 – December 14, 2025

2 Corinthians 4:7 - Treasure in Clay Jars

Now, we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

Have you ever considered yourself as a clay jar?”

The Apostle Paul did, as we read in 2 Corinthians 4:7.

What is the treasure in these clay jars? THE TREASURE is beyond human imagination and that treasure can only come from The ONE TRUE GOD, YHWH, as the result of placing our faith in GOD’S only SON, JESUS and HIS passion.

That treasure is the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Let’s consider what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians in Ephesians 1:3-14 - God’s Rich Blessings

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

When did GOD choose us to be adopted into HIS eternal family?

“Before the foundation of the world!”

The question is, “Do we choose HIM through faith in HIS only SON, JESUS?”

GOD chooses all humans to BE IN right relationship with HIM, but GOD gives all humans the freedom of choice.

The question is “How do you choose?”

GOD breathed into the nostrils of the first human, the breath of life and finished completing earth for HUMANS to sustain human life upon earth.

GOD focused not only upon earth life, which is finite but also eternal life, which is infinite, like The Trinity (GOD, THE FATHER, THE SON, JESUS, and THE HOLY SPIRIT).

GOD PROMPTS HUMANS TO LOOK AROUND. WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? Your parents or via insemination. You were given human life. So, what is next? Death? That does not seem fair.

GOD created the heavens, earth, and all that is in it, including humans.

What next? Life has a limit and the next step is death, but GOD offers eternal life, through faith in HIS only SON, JESUS.

THE CHOICE TO ALL HUMANS.

First GOD gave the Law and then at the right time, HE sent HIS only SON, JESUS, who did not sin but lived a sinless life and HE gave HIS sinless life upon the cross to pay, in full, for all sin.

Did JESUS accomplish HIS mission? YES!!!

How do we know that HE did?

GOD, HIS FATHER, raised HIM from being dead on the third day to eternal life. JESUS revealed HIMSELF for 40 days to prove to those alive then that GOD resurrected HIM from the dead.

This is a foreshadow of the eternal assurance for all who place their faith in JESUS as their SAVIOR.

THE QUESTION is, “Is there life after death for humans?”

JESUS replied to such a question as recorded before HS Passion as recorded in John 3:1-21:

Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

¹⁰ “Are you a teacher^[b] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. ¹¹ “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man.^[c]

¹⁴ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him may^[d] have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

We are to come to JESUS, WHO is the LIGHT.

Doing so takes a step of faith, and all humans have an enemy – Satan, who desires to confuse and capture humans, is active in our world. Satan will become more active as we get closer to the second coming of JESUS.

Based upon world events do you think things are waxing worse?

But as Spirit born Christians keep in your minds as recorded in

1 John 4

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every

spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world. ...

In Ephesians 1:7-14:

⁷ In him (JESUS) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him (JESUS) we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him (JESUS) you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Keep in mind that the Apostle Paul studied under the Jewish teacher, Gamaliel before he encountered JESUS on the road to Damaskus to arrest and kill, if necessary, these new followers of JESUS called “THE WAY.”

Acts 22:3: He (Paul) continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of our ancestral law. I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.

Did the Apostle Paul get the idea of “Clay Jars” form Genesis 2:7?

Let’s read in Genesis 2:7:

Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man (Adam) became a living being.

What did GOD use to make the first human? “Dust from the ground.”

So, we have the ingredients for clay jars that makes all of us humans “dust from the ground.” When we ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins and for JESUS to come into our hearts that is the power that can change the human from a clay jar to a Born-again eternal Child of GOD.

GOD breathed the “breath of life” into his nostrils! WOW!!!

I have heard of some obstetricians saying that the first breath of a newborn baby is a special, powerful, exhilarating moment.

When we, who are “born again” Spiritually and breathe our last breath, we will be face to face with JESUS and in the presence of GOD! YES!!!

If you care to read about an encounters I had with a lady leaving earth and walking with JESUS before the doctor pronounced her body dead, while I was driving on I 85. Look up actsclass.blogspot.com and in the upper left corner of the blog there is a blank. Type in the name Mrs. Green.

Another special moment is written in my blog - Friday, December 04, 2020

Bible Study - Emotions (1) - Walking in Grief - Psalm 116:1-9. 15-17 - December 6, 2020

Or when you access my blog – actsclass.blogspot.com – in the left blank typed in the words I hate death.

Back to our study ----

Earth was rich with building rich and special material suitable for GOD to use to create what was needed to make, create and sustain all forms of life upon earth. Forming Man/Adam was GOD’S joy.

But hold on ladies, let’s stick with Adam and the other inhabitants of earth for the moment ----

GOD took a part of Adam and made a masterpiece----

Adam -is Singler, thus is the first male human. Then what? GOD made livestock, wild animals, birds – Adam named them all.

Do you think GOD was keeping Adam busy? I think so, however when GOD had completed HIS work to make all the animals, Adam had a need that the animal world did not provide.

In Genesis 2 ²⁰ The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man^[k] no helper was found corresponding to him. ²¹ So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. ²² Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³ And the man said: WOW!!!

-- then GOD took a body part from Adam’s side, not his head or his feet but his side. GOD had made man complete, but GOD chose to make Adam a helpmate. GOD did not use another batch of dust! NO!

GOD took a body part or a section from Adam’s side, a rib and used it to make Adam a helpmate – Woman.

How did Adam react when he laid eyes on GOD’S handiwork?

In essence, “It was WOW!!! This is what I have been wanting. HIS excitement was like a number of men who have expressed when their bride begins her walk down the aisle.

Most men need companionship and Eve was just what Adam needed to be complete. Ladies, we need you to make us complete, as humans but we both need YOU, through faith in JESUS to make us complete as YOUR CHILDREN, through the miracle of Spiritual Birth.

Adam said, This one, at last, is bone of my bone
and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,”
for she was taken from man.

Notice GOD did not use more dust to make Eve but a body part from Adam. We cannot say “GOD used something else to make woman.” Woman is a special part of man with the intention of unity.

We now have two humans: One male and one female, the origin of the human race designed, by GOD, for the male and female to be made complete in marriage. The two are ONE!!!

²⁴ This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. ²⁵ Both the man and his wife were naked yet felt no shame.

When I first read about GOD taking Adam’s rib, I asked the obvious question, “Does man have one less rib than woman? The answer was and is “NO,” but it does raise the question, “What body part did GOD use to form woman?” It was a rib. It was from the side of Adam.

What can we learn from that fact?

GOD intended for woman to complete man and to be man’s help mate. The body part taken from the first man, Adam, was taken from Adam’s side. This gives us a clue regarding GOD’S intent for taking a body part from man to make woman. Woman is to come along by the side of man – not his head, neck, or foot. Woman is to help complete man, and both are to be used for GOD’S purposes.

The two are to act together as one.

GOD did not make Adam and Eve robots, but HE gave them freewill to choose. The question is, “How do you choose?”

What choice do we have? Heaven, through faith in GOD’S only SON, JESUS and HIS Passion or follow other paths such as following the Evil One, Satan/the devil. Satan entices us to follow our flesh desires.

Keep in mind that GOD made humans to be free thinkers. Think wisely. I pray for all who read this. It does take a step of faith.

I pray for all who read this to choose wisely and place your faith in JESUS.

Sorry, I took a side trip.

GOD used dust to form man. GOD’S plan was that man and woman would be made from identical dust. The same dust was used to form man also became woman.

GOD had already breathed the breath of life into man. It was GOD’S breath that brought or breathed life into man. Adam became the first living and breathing human. Eve was the second human person GOD formed. Man was elated that GOD made Eve.

I have been blessed with a God fearing and loving wife for 66 years and four wonderful GOD loving children, 10 grands, 8 great grands.

Now, onto the rest of our study ----

In essence, all humans are Jars of Clay and need the breath of GOD for them to go from Jars to Spirit Born persons for GOD.

The Apostle Paul’s life reveals what a life committed to serving JESUS looks like serving GOD as a born-again believer.

It is the presence of the Holy Spirit, through the miracle of Spiritual birth makes a JESUS follower a ‘Born-again” person, which results in “Eternal life.”

How does a “Spirit born” person know that he or she has been “born again” Spiritually and is an eternal child of GOD?

John 14:26

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. This takes place the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for all of their sins and for JESUS to forgive him/her of his/her sins and for JESUS to come into his/her heart.

That is salvation and changes a person’s eternal destination from Hell to Heaven. Their citizenship is in Heaven, and they are Ambassadors for GOD.

At physical death, the “born-again” or “Sprit-born” person will never experience the death of his/her physical body but will be in the presence of GOD and JESUS moments before the physical body dies.

Now, that is good news and available to all who pray to receive JESUS as their Savior. It is not complicated ----

Dear JESUS, I have done things in my life that did not measure up to YOUR teachings and have disappointed GOD. I ask YOU to forgive me for all of my sins and for YOU to come into my life. FATHER, I want to be YOUR SON or DAUGHTER and live eternally in Heaven with YOU and JESUS. I ask YOU to fill my heart with YOUR presence and teach me the wonders of being Born again in my Spirit and learning from the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Welcome Home. I pray for each person who prayed this prayer or something similar. It is not saying the right words. It is all about a person’s heart.

If you are not already in a Bible believing and teaching fellowship or church, then pray and ask JESUS to lead you to a fellowship or church that teaches HIS WORD.

YES!!! It is done!!!

Blessings!!!