Does the Bible ever limit social contact between believers?

Does the New Testament ever advocate limiting social contact with another believer?

Romans 14:1-15" TARGET="_blank">Romans 14:1-15:6 teaches the necessity of preserving unity among believers by receiving one another to eat meals together. If verses 5, 14, 15 in chapter 16 refer to three separate churches in Rome, then social contact among believers also preserves a right relationship among assemblies in an area.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-165" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3:6-165 in notably different. The apostle advocates limiting social contact with certain believers. The believers who were not working, using the Lords coming as their reason, were becoming busy-bodies, adversely affecting the heavier of others. If they would not obey Pauls teaching in this letter (verse 14), the believers were to withdraw from them (Verse 6) and have no company with them (Verse 14). This discipline within the assembly could be called "social discipline."

In addition, the words, "have no company," are the same as in 1 Corinthians 5:9" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:9 and 11. There in verse 11, "have no company: includes "with such an one, no not to eat." Both 2 Thessalonians 3" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3 and 1 Corinthians 5" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5 are assembly actions. Social division in the assembly is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament, but social discipline is not a decision by individuals, but by the assembly.

D. Oliver
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How to link to the Online Bible at Gospel Hall dot Org

GospelHall dot Org provides a free online Bible search service at http://www.gospelhall.org/bible You can use the Online Bible from your own web pages by linking directly to the search result pages. Once you learn how to set up these links you will be able to link Scripture references directly to matching passages and search items directly to search results.

Creating a Basic Link

An example of a basic link to the Online Bible.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php" mce_href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php">Read the Bible Online. Click here.</a>

Creating a link to a specific passage

An example of a link to a specific scripture.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5">Read Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5</a>

You may substitute your own choice of scripture instead of "Genesis 1:1-5" Here are some examples

Single verse <a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=John 3:16" TARGET="_blank">John 3:16 ">For God so loved the world...</a>
Entire chapter <a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Luke 19" TARGET="_blank">Luke 19 ">Read Luke 19" TARGET="_blank">Luke 19 online</a>
Range of verses <a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=John 3:1-16" TARGET="_blank">John 3:1-16 ">Conversation in John chapter 3</a>

Creating a link to a specific Bible version

A link to a specific scripture looks like this. Specify the Bible version with the parameter &ver1=

You may choose the following versions of the Bible. If you do not specify a Bible version, the default choice will be KJV.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5&ver1=kjv">Read Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5 in the King James Version</a>

KJV - King James Version
ASV - American Standard Version
BBE - The Bible in Basic English
DBY - John Nelson Darby Translation
ESV - English Standard Version
GFR - Gospels for Readers (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John only)
WEB - World English Bible
YLT - Young's Literal Translation

Creating a link to two Bible versions

Specify the second Bible version with the parameter &ver2= Use the list of abbreviation above.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5&ver1=kjv&ver2=bbe">Read Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5 in the King James Version and the Bible in Basic English.</a>

Create a link to a search phrase

An example search for phrase "heaven hell" in King James Version

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?search=heaven+hell">Search for the words "Heaven Hell" in the King James Version </a>

Commentary Explanations

An example of how to display commentary explanations of the passage.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Genesis 1" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1&commentary=jamison">Display Genesis chapter 1 and the Jamison Commentary</a>

You may use the following commentaries. Not all commentaries contain information for every verse, but all of the commentaries have comments for the first verse of every chapter in the New Testament.

commentary=jamison
commentary=barnes
commentary=darby
commentary=kelly
commentary=robertson

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What does an assembly lose when its sisters fall short of the involvement God intends for them?

What does an assembly lose when its sisters fall short of the involvement God intends for them?

Failing to properly enfranchise our sisters will have several deleterious effects. An assembly will lack warmth without the development of godly women. A generation of younger believers may be lost to the assembly because they have missed the gentle touch and advice of godly sisters. Women who view themselves as second-class Christians weaken the homes and the coming generation, their own children.

"In like manner" (1 Timothy 2:9)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:9) places the effective public prayers of the men (v. 8) beside the value of the modest godliness of the women (v. 9). An assembly cannot survive without effective prayer meetings or without godly sisters who adorn themselves with good works (v. 10). What an asset to testimony is lost when women fail to realize their value to the assembly!

Sisters’ failure to contribute to the assembly as the Lord intended hinders their spiritual development. All in the assembly suffer loss from this. In addition, sisters whose spiritual growth is stunted will likely rob the Lord of the glory He receives when headship is displayed as taught in 1 Cor. 11: 3-16." TARGET="_blank">1 Cor. 11: 3-16.

D. Oliver

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How should a man prepare for overseership?

How should a man prepare for overseership?

"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" is his concern. Love for Christ, His Word, and His people are his hallmarks. As God’s Spirit has His way in his life, His purpose and calling blends with the individual’s native capabilities. That man and his wife (or girlfriend, if he is courting) visit the sick or the widows, leaving some suitable Bible passage with them. He "naturally cares for" (Philippians 3:20)" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 3:20) the state of other believers. He prepares for and participates in the meetings, developing a deeper understanding of God’s Word. As he realizes how important the assembly and the spiritual welfare of the Lord’s people are to the Lord, a weight of responsibility settles in his soul. All of these interests integrate with his prayer life and he begins to ask the Lord specifically for the prosperity and preservation of the assembly. Overseers observe his consistency and encourage his interests. At some point, they may ask him to help them in their work.

Especially if he has a competitive spirit (is any man free of this?), he should confront this before the Lord and seek grace to be delivered from a desire for office, advancement, or recognition and to be motivated by a desire to serve.

When the overseers recognize that God has called this brother to the responsibilities of an overseer, he should be willing to serve with these overseers only if he is convinced that God has entrusted this work to him.

D. Oliver
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What does the phrase Sola Scriptura mean?

There is a fundamental disagreement between the Catholic Church and most Protestants in how one should read the Bible. For Protestants, the Bible is the only source of spiritual truth and the only place for authority in regards to understanding God, salvation, saints, eternity, sin, man, the practice of the church and the future. During the Protestant Reformation “Sola Scriptura” meaning “Only Scripture” was one of the mantras in the quest to reform what were perceived as abuses by the official church.

2 Timothy 3:16" TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16 teaches this idea of the “Sola Scriptura”

2 Timothy 3:16-17" TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16-17 (16) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

The Westminster Confession of Faith states:

VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.

Here the phrase "due use of the ordinary means" includes teaching from pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11-14)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:11-14). Sola scriptura maintains a balance between the clarity of Scripture and the need for it to be studied in context and expounded (Hebrews 5:12)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 5:12).

However, the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Churches all hold that the Bible alone is not the only trustworthy source of Christian teaching. To these groups the Holy Bible is only one of three sources of spiritual knowledge: first is the Scripture; second is Sacred Tradition; and the third is the Episcopacy – or Papal authority. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church has affirmed that since the Pope is inspired by the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for him to speak error when speaking about official matters of doctrine in the church, making his pronouncements equally authoritative as any chapter in the Bible written by a prophet or apostle.

Holding to such sources of authority, the Church sees itself as the only authenticated body to apply and interpret the Scriptures because, in part, it implicitly selected which books were to be in the biblical canon through its traditions. Protestants believe the Church merely recognized and received the books that were already widely considered to be inspired and therefore part of the canon of scripture.

It is not surprising to find then, that beliefs taught in the Catholic Church sometimes have no basis in Scripture. Purgatory, indulgences, sainthood, sacraments, confession to priests, and the office of the Pope himself are all based on church tradition rather than the Bible. This difference of belief about the Bible lies at the root of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

One of the most notable complaints from the reformers was the idea of the Church selling Indulgences. These were payments for sins in the form of money. While both Protestants and Catholics look in vain in the Bible to find such a practice, the Catholic Church sees no difficulty in this since the church itself has the authority to create doctrine not supported by Scripture.

Shad Sluiter

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What does "kill the soul" mean in Matthew 10:28?

Is it so that “Immortality in God’s Word has no reference to the soul”? If this be so will you kindly explain Matthew 10:28" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 10:28 “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul”

Immortality is immunity from death. Clearly man did not then possess immortality in that sense, when created, for he was warned he would die, if he ate the forbidden fruit. But what is death then? It certainly is not “annihilation” or a cessation of existence, for Adam and Eve Continued to exist after the fall. In fact no external change apparently took place in them. But a marked spiritual change occurred, for “They heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden. . . and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God” (Genesis 3:8)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 3:8). Death therefore is not cessation of existence, but separation of existence, that is existence out of harmony with God.

This spiritual death has been the condition of the whole human race ever since. When a man believes the gospel “he passes from death unto life” (John 5:24)." TARGET="_blank">John 5:24). He now possesses eternal life and has the assurance from God that “he will never perish” (John 10:28)." TARGET="_blank">John 10:28). This is immortaiity in the spiritual sense, “Verily, verily I say unto you, If a man keep my saying he shall never see death” (John 8:51)." TARGET="_blank">John 8:51). But the fall did not kill the body. To assure this, man was shut off from the tree of life and flow “it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 9:27). Even the body of the Christian “is dead, because of sin” (Romans 8:10)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:10). If he dies, his corruptible body will put OR incorruptibility at the Lord’s return, if he survives till then his mortal body will put on immortality. He has the immortality of the spiritual side of his being already included in the gift of eternal life, for that immortality is not only a bodily attribute is clear from the Words, “God Who only bath immortality” (1 Timothy 6:16)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 6:16) —that is in Flimseff, though, of course, He does communicate it. The special verse referred to, Matthew 10:28," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 10:28, merely states that the soul survives the body. Man may kill the latter, but cannot kill the former. This would be equally true of an Unconverted man, who will never cease to exist away from God, as of a converted man who will never cease to live with God.

W.H.

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What are the titles and names of Jesus Christ?

The Lord Jesus Christ has many titles and names. A person who is Almighty God cannot be described in just one name. Here are some of the names that describe his being...

Advocate (1 John 2:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2:1)

Almighty (Revelation 1:8;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:8; Matthew 28:18)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:18)

Alpha and Omega (Rev 1:8;" TARGET="_blank">Rev 1:8; Revelation 22:13)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:13)

Amen (Revelation 3:14)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3:14)

Apostle of our Profession (Hebrews 3:1)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 3:1)

Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2:2)

Author of Life (Acts 3:15)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:15)

Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 12:2)

Author of Salvation (Hebrews 2:10)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2:10)

Beginning and End (Revelation 22:13)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:13)

Blessed and only Ruler (1 Timothy 6:15)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 6:15)

Bread of God (John 6:33)" TARGET="_blank">John 6:33)

Bread of Life (John 6:35;" TARGET="_blank">John 6:35; John 6:48)" TARGET="_blank">John 6:48)

Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 9:15)

Capstone (Acts 4:11;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:7)

Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:20)

Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 5:4)

Christ (1 John 2:22)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2:22)

Creator (John 1:3)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:3)

Deliverer (Romans 11:26)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 11:26)

Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 1:2; 5:20)

Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:11)

Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:5)

Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3:14)

First and Last (Revelation 1:17;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:17; Revelation 2:8;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 2:8; Revelation 22:13)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:13)

Firstborn From the Dead (Revelation 1:5)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:5)

Firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:15)

Gate (John 10:9)" TARGET="_blank">John 10:9)

God (John 1:1;" TARGET="_blank">John 1:1; John 20:28;" TARGET="_blank">John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8;" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:8; Romans 9:5;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 9:5; 2 Peter 1:1;" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 1:1;1 John 5:20;" TARGET="_blank">1 John 5:20; etc.)

Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)" TARGET="_blank">John 10:11,14)

Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:20)

Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 4:14)

Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)

Heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:2)

High Priest (Hebrews 2:17)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2:17)

Holy and True (Revelation 3:7)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3:7)

Holy One (Acts 3:14)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:14)

Hope (1 Timothy 1:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 1:1)

Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:27)

Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:69)

I Am (John 8:58)" TARGET="_blank">John 8:58)

Image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 4:4)

Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 1:23)

Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:42)

King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 1:17)

King of Israel (John 1:49)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:49)

King of the Jews (Matthew 27:11)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 27:11)

King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:16)

King of the Ages (Revelation 15:3)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 15:3)

Lamb (Revelation 13:8)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 13:8)

Lamb of God (John 1:29)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:29)

Lamb Without Blemish (1 Peter 1:19)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:19)

Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:45)

Life (John 14:6;" TARGET="_blank">John 14:6; Colossians 3:4)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 3:4)

Light of the World (John 8:12)" TARGET="_blank">John 8:12)

Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:5)

Living One (Revelation 1:18)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:18)

Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:4)

Lord (2 Peter 2:20)" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:20)

Lord of All (Acts 10:36)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:36)

Lord of Glory (1 Corinthians 2:8)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:8)

Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:16)

Man from Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:48)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:48)

Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:15)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 9:15)

Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 9:6)

Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:16)

Offspring of David (Revelation 22:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:16)

Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18;" TARGET="_blank">John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 4:9)

Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)" TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:13)

Our Holiness (1 Corinthians 1:30)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:30)

Our Husband (2 Corinthians 11:2)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 11:2)

Our Protection (2 Thessalonians 3:3)" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Our Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:30)

Our Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:30)

Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:7)

Power of God (1 Corinthians 1:24)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:24)

Precious Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:6)

Prophet (Acts 3:22)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:22)

Rabbi (Matthew 26:25)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 26:25)

Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)" TARGET="_blank">John 11:25)

Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5)

Righteous One (Acts 7:52;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2:1)

Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:4)

Root of David (Revelation 5:5;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:16)

Ruler of God’s Creation (Revelation 3:14)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3:14)

Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Revelation 1:5)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:5)

Savior (Ephesians 5:23;" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:23; Titus 1:4;" TARGET="_blank">Titus 1:4; Titus 3:6;" TARGET="_blank">Titus 3:6; 2 Peter 2:20)" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:20)

Son of David (Luke 18:39)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 18:39)

Son of God (John 1:49;" TARGET="_blank">John 1:49; Hebrews 4:14)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 4:14)

Son of Man (Matthew 8:20)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 8:20)

Son of the Most High God (Luke 1:32)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:32)

Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Hebrews 5:9)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 5:9)

The One Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:5)

The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 4:11)

True Bread (John 6:32)" TARGET="_blank">John 6:32)

True Light (John 1:9)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:9)

True Vine (John 15:1)" TARGET="_blank">John 15:1)

Truth (John 1:14;" TARGET="_blank">John 1:14; John 14:6)" TARGET="_blank">John 14:6)

Way (John 14:6)" TARGET="_blank">John 14:6)

Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:24)

Word (John 1:1)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:1)

Word of God (Revelation 19:13)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:13)

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Should I seek marital counseling outside of the church?

Is it best to go for marital counseling outside the assembly.

Believing that the assembly is the Lord's flock (Acts 20:28)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:28) and that He provides shepherds to care for the sheep, we expect believer's spiritual needs to be met within the assembly. To find spiritual help outside the assembly, especially in a matter so important as resolving marital difficulties, does not allow the Lord to provide the care He desires for His sheep. This places a serious responsibility on the shepherds. "All the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:27) in assembly teaching will include scriptural teaching on marriage relationships. Watching for the souls of the believers (Hebrews 13:17)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:17) includes being aware when marital problems exist. Scriptural shepherding will give believers confidence that confidential, sensitive, and competent help is available. On occasion, shepherds may recognize that problems involved in a marriage go beyond spiritual problems. Physical, mental or emotional issues may require professional help outside the assembly. Where possible, such help should come from those whose principles are consistent with the assembly's. Any factor that causes a couple to hesitate in seeking help when needed is potentially disastrous and dishonoring to the Lord.

D. Oliver

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Printable Cryptograms

Printable Cryptogram Puzzle Maker

Printable Cryptogram Puzzle Maker is a program that allows you to turn a phrase, such as a verse from the Bible or a quote from a famous speech into a printable word cryptogram worksheet.

Click here to go to step one of the printable word search puzzle page.

Instructions for the Printable Cryptogram Puzzle maker

1. Type in a famous phrase or select a verse from the Bible to make into a cryptogram puzzle.
2. The Cryptogram Puzzle maker will automatically encode the message using a random letter substitution algorithm. You may also choose to modify word spacing to make the cryptogram harder.

3. The third step is simply to view the printable cryptogram worksheet and print it.

Hints:

If your phrase does not make a very good printable word scramble, try adding a few more words to the sentence. The cryptogram puzzle program needs between 5 and 15 words. Phrases that have common words such as "the" "is" "or" "an" "and" etc. are useful starting points for decoding a cryptogram.

In addition to the printable cryptogram puzzles, you can make

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What did the disciples understand by the phrase "gathered together unto My Name"?

What did the disciples understand by the phrase "gathered together unto My Name" (Matthew 18:20)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:20)?

The disciples did not lack acquaintance with the Old Testament. Their minds may have gone to the promise regarding Israel's future kingdom in Jeremiah 3:17," TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 3:17, "At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem." This is reminiscent of the Lord's words to Israel when they came to the promised land, "Unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose . . . to put His name there, even unto His habitation . . . thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings" (Deuteronomy 12:5, 6)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 12:5, 6). The Lord's name testifies to who He is.

It's reasonable to assume that the disciples understood that the place of public worship and of God's dwelling was now to be place of public testimony of which the Lord Jesus was the subject.

D. Oliver
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Main Menu

How to link to the Online Bible at Gospel Hall dot Org

Creating a Basic Link

Creating a link to a specific passage

Creating a link to a specific Bible version

Creating a link to two Bible versions

Create a link to a search phrase

Commentary Explanations

Printable Cryptogram Puzzle Maker