Do the two loaves of the Day of Pentecost represent the Jews and the Gentiles?

Do the two loaves of Levticus 23:17 represent Jews and Gentiles?

And why were they “baken with leaven,” which speaks of what is evil?

The feast of Leviticus 23:15-21," TARGET="_blank">Leviticus 23:15-21, called in Deuteronomy 16:10," TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 16:10, etc., “The Feast of Weeks”; in Acts 2:1," TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:1, etc., “The Day of Pentecost”: and in Numbers 28:26," TARGET="_blank">Numbers 28:26, “The Day of the First-fruits”; is doubtless, as C. H. M. expresses it, “a type of God’s people, gathered by the Holy Ghost, and presented before Him in connection with all the preciousness of Christ.” This being so, the presence of leaven in the two loaves is, as he further says, “because they were intended to foreshadow those who, though filled with the Holy Ghost, and adorned with His gifts and graces, had nevertheless evil dwelling in them.” But the leaven was not burnt on the altar to God, either in this case or any other (see v. 20). That the number “two” may represent the elements, Jew and Gentile, out of which the Church is formed, seems reasonable enough.

W.R.

Other pages in this section

About this site

Online Bible Concordance

In the online Bible concordance section of this site, you will find several free online Bible Concordances that you can use to search for phrases or keywords in the Bible.

Click here for the concordance.

Instructions for the Free Online Bible Concordance

1. Click the link to the Online Bible Concordance here or on the left margine of the page.

1. Choose a Bible version to read online (ASV -American Standard Version, BBE - Bible in Basic English, DBY - Darby "New Translation", GFR - God's Word for Readers, KJV - King James Version, WEB - World English Bible, YLT - Young's Literal Translation, or the ESV - English Standard Version) The online bible commentaries are based on the King James Version except for Darby who used his own Darby Translation in his commentaries.

3. Optionally, you may select one of the online commentaries (Barnes Notes on the New Testament, Darby's Synopsis of the Entire Bible, William Kelly's Notes on the Bible, Jamison Brown Faucett, or Robertson's Word Pictures on the New Testament). Some of the online commentaries are only for the NT. Others include both the OT and NT.

The concordance is to be used online, it is not a download for use on a computer. Your computer must be connected online in order to access the concordance.

Other pages in this section

About this site

How can I understand the Bible book of Revelation?

Can you give some helps for understanding the book of Revelation?

(1) Remember it is a revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Look for Him everywhere.

(2) The book is divided into "the things which thou hast seen", "the things which are" and finally "the things which shall be hereafter" (1:19). This three-fold division of the book is helpful to gain an overview. Chapter 1 is the "things which thou hast seen," chapters 2 and 3 the "things which are," chapters 4-22 the "things hereafter."

(3) Care needs to be practiced not to take all events as occurring one right after the other. The book is made up of seven seals, trumpets and bowls. The seventh seal contains the seven trumpets; the seventh trumpet contains the seven bowls. Parenthesis dot the book: 7:1-17; 10:1-11; 14:1-13; 16:13-16; 19:1-6.

(4) Four great scenes occur in heaven and four on earth.

(5) Only interpret symbols by use of other portions of Scriptures. Most symbols in the Revelation appear elsewhere in Scripture. Their interpretation is given there. Interpret literally whenever possible and reasonable.

A. Higgins

Other pages in this section

About this site

Does God need to be reconciled or only man?

It has often been stated, and generally accepted, “That God did not need to be reconciled.”

Now Trench, in his “Synonyms,” points out that katallage has two sides :—(ist) God laying aside His holy anger against our sins and receiving us with His favour; (2nd) The daily depositions under the Holy Spirit of the enmity of the old man toward God. Did God need to be reconciled?

No question is raised as to God’s love to sinners, nor as to His willingness that all should be saved (the death of Christ does not make God love sinners. He “so loved that He gave”). But whether EFFECTIVE “reconciliation” is made in Scripture simply to depend on the sinner’s willingness to “make it up” with God, it is certain that our Lord by His atoning death has fully met POTENTIALLY all the claims of God on account of sin. This, however, only becomes ACTUALLY true for those sinners who individually acknowledge their guilt, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and until they do, God’s attitude toward them is not one of complacency, but of righteous displeasure. As the late Dr. Moule puts it—”Reconciliation (katallage) habitually points to the winning rather the pardon of an offended king, than the CONSENT of the rebel to yield to his kindness.” “Be ye reconciled to God,” would then mean, “As the offending party, secure while you can His acceptance through the atoning work of Christ.” This is borne out by Matthew 5:23-24," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:23-24, where it is the offender who is told to go and be reconciled to his brother, ostensibly by confession and amends. We, too, are the offenders: in order to be reconciled we must come to God, confess our sinfulness, and believe the Gospel, and then we have peace with God. As Trench (Syn. p. 292) writes of reconciliation: “To make the secondary meaning (that is the breaking down of the enmity of the carnal mind to God), the primary, is based . . . on a foregone determination to get rid of the reality of God’s anger against the sinner” (i.e., Psalm 7:11," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 7:11, “God is angry with the wicked every day”).

W.H.

Other pages in this section

About this site

Is there a difference in the treatment of those put away from the assembly and those who leave the f

Is there a difference in the treatment of those put away from the assembly and those who leave the fellowship?

Those put away from the assembly have the additional stipulation "with such an one no not to eat" (1 Corinthians 5:11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:11). Social interaction with them must cease. This is not the case with one who voluntarily leaves the fellowship. Social interaction may, however, decline because he begins to form associations that are spiritually detrimental. When every spiritual effort has been made to encourage a believer to remain in the assembly and still he persists in leaving, the assembly should be sadly informed of this decision. This, though, is different from his being put away. Both an individual put away and one who leaves the fellowship should always be treated with courtesy and kindness. The concern of all the assembly should be for the spiritual restoration and recovery of both. Consistent public and private prayer to this end is appropriate. Every contact with such individuals should be influenced by a desire that they will submit to the Lord and His Word for their own spiritual benefit.

These cases differ somewhat in their return to the assembly. Greater caution may be suitable for those put away. In both cases, their attendance as they "sit back" at assembly meetings indicates some degree of recovery. Also, before either is received back into the fellowship, he should give evidence that his spiritual strength has been restored, that the reason for his leaving has been judged before the Lord, and that his motivation for returning is spiritual. Appropriate questions about the person’s life and doctrine must be asked by the elders, although in a considerate manner.

D. Oliver
Other pages in this section

About this site

Bible Games for a Group

Bible games for a group that are online here include:

1. Lost Bible Searchers Game . This small group Bible game requires players to traverse the map of the Bible world collecting pages from books of the Bible.

2. Books of the Bible Game . This collection of six Bible games for a group uses cards with information from the books of the Bible to help students learn their order and some facts about each book.

3. Criminal Suspects of the Bible . This Bible game for a group requires students to identify the bad guy based on a police record of his/her crime.

4. Tribulation Survivor Game . This is Bible game for a group that should be used after teaching about the Great Tribulation in Revelation. Participants are living the Great Tribulation with the goal of surviving great disasters, persecution of the Antichrist and famine.

For some other Bible games for a group, browse the 350 Sunday school worksheets that contain a coloring page, crossword puzzle and other activities to review a Bible story.

Use one of the puzzle makers below to create your own Bible Games for a Group.

Word Find

Word Scramble

Crossword Puzzle Creator

Cryptogram Puzzle Creator

Fallen Quotes

Other pages in this section

About this site

Must an assembly act with unanimous consent?

Must an assembly act with unanimous consent?

The assembly should act with unanimous consent. Godly overseers know that their leadership does not flow from official power but from spiritual weight (1 Peter 5:3)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 5:3). A shepherd's consistent character, honesty, and concern for the Lord and His people gains the confidence of God's flock. His own humble submission to God's Word sets the pattern that leads others to submit to God's Word (Acts 20:28)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:28).

The ideal is for a well-fed flock to recognize the care of those who feed it, to gladly follow their servant leadership (Mark 10:42-45)," TARGET="_blank">Mark 10:42-45), and to unite around its shepherds in crisis. To our shame, wherever human responsibility is involved, the picture is less than ideal. Both shepherds and sheep have the liability of the flesh within (Romans 7:18)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 7:18). A lack of assembly unanimity may reflect the limitations of either the shepherds or the sheep, or, more likely, both.

In Hezekiah's times, God prepared the hearts of the people and, from their low spiritual condition, brought them to a united spirit of worship (2 Chronicles 29:36)." TARGET="_blank">2 Chronicles 29:36). Wisdom waits on God to so work that His people will be united around His Word. Men who force their way rather than waiting on God to open the way give evidence of self-will. This cost Saul his kingdom (I Samuel 13:11-14)." TARGET="_blank">I Samuel 13:11-14).

The sad condition may arise in which a united, humble oversight must move forward in dependence on God and guide the assembly to act when some in the assembly still dissent. Such a condition should lead all in the assembly to a spirit of brokenness before God. Something is wrong and each should be asking, as the disciples did (Mark 14:19)," TARGET="_blank">Mark 14:19), "Is it I?"

D. Oliver
Other pages in this section

About this site

Is the purpose of marriage only to bear children?

Did God establish different roles for man and woman merely for the purpose of their bearing children?

Forming Eve (Genesis 2:22)" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2:22) was God's climactic act in creation. This anticipates giving Christ His Bride (John 17:24;" TARGET="_blank">John 17:24; Ephesians 5:32)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:32). Nothing is dearer to the heart of the Son. No work of the Godhead will ever surpass this. Differing roles not only enable procreation, but also display the relation of Christ to His Church. Also, the headship of man over woman parallels the headship of Christ over man (1 Corinthians 11:3)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:3). Since this relates to the eventual subjection of all things to God (1 Corinthians 15:28)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:28), the roles of man and woman express very precious truths. We do well to cherish and uphold these in an unbelieving world.

D. Oliver

Other pages in this section

About this site

Should the Scriptures be read at the meeting to remember the Lord?

Should the Scriptures be read at the meeting to remember the Lord?

The Scriptures should be prominent and opened in all assembly gatherings (I Tim 4:13" TARGET="_blank">I Tim 4:13 – "public reading"). The Spirit will dictate what is appropriate on Lord's Day morning, whether continued thoughts about His Person, work, or coming, or a devotional or practical Word. The nature of Paul's discourse after the Breaking of Bread in Troas is not recorded (Acts 20:7)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:7). When would we be more likely to respond to ministry that challenges our lives than after being occupied with His body given and blood outpoured? The Lord "expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 24:27). What an exposition that Lord's Day by the greatest Teacher! He found them with hearts broken and left them with hearts burning! We too need our hearts warmed and zeal renewed to face a hostile world.

Opening the Scriptures before the bread is broken needs qualification: the remembrance of our Lord is preeminently occupation with Christ, especially His death (1 Corinthians 11:26;" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:26; Luke 22:19, 20)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 22:19, 20). It is NOT for teaching. Reading the Scriptures about the Lord Jesus with a few brief comments can lead the saints to worship our Lord. As appropriate hymns lead us in worship so likewise do appropriate Scriptures.

A.Hull
Other pages in this section

About this site

What is Confirmation?

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is one of seven sacraments performed in some churches including Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches. In some instances the sacrament of confirmation is a ritual where a youth becomes a full member of the church. Sometimes a person is given a special name, often of a saint. Confirming one’s faith is a way of declaring that the person is a Christian who understands and accepts the beliefs of the faith.

One would look in vain to find anyone in the Bible practicing the ritual of confirmation as seen in many churches today. We don’t begin life as a Christian and then confirm it at a ceremony. Instead of CONFIRMING someone as a Christian, the Bible’s message of salvation begins with CONDEMNING us as sinners. Romans chapter one two and three making it quite clear that nobody is righteous – that is nobody is a Christian as they begin life, regardless of how religious of a heritage they may have. Therefore, the only fact that can be confirmed in a person is that they did NOT begin life as a Christian – they are sinful and need to be saved.

Romans 3:9-23" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:9-23 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, (10) as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; (11) no one understands; no one seeks for God. (12) All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." (19) Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. (20) For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin… For there is no distinction: (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

There are plenty of people found in the Bible who declare their faith in Christ receiving Him as their savior. These people acknowledge their guilt and then trust Christ as a Savior. The confirmation of one’s salvation that is Biblical is found in the fact that trusting Christ is sufficient to know that one has eternal life.

1 John 5:9-13" TARGET="_blank">1 John 5:9-13 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. (10) Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. (11) And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

Shad David Sluiter

Other pages in this section

About this site

Main Menu

Online Bible Concordance