[Biblemat] Bible Truths and Bible Questions update notice

[Don Martin]

Don Martin with our update notification:

Our new material to www.bibletruths.net is, "A Study of Sorrow" (see
excerpt below).

     "...We should be interested in what the Bible says on every subject.
The Bible is not just another book, it rather originated with God (2 Tim.
3: 16, 17).  Therefore, the teaching of the Bible and all it says relative
to every conceivable subject is truly accurate and factual. By "sorrow,"
we have reference to, "Distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment,
etc.; grief, sadness, or regret: (Random House College Dictionary). I
might suggest at the outset of this study, that the Bible presents sorrow in
a very challenging way. Consider Paul's statement:

"10: As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich;
as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2 Cor. 6).

     Biblical sorrow is such that both sorrow and rejoicing can
simultaneously be experienced on the part of the Christian. Sorrow as
experienced by many in the world usually controls, removes, and
precludes such emotions as rejoicing. The Christian has a hope that is
static and looks beyond the momentary happenings of this life (Heb. 6:
19).  Sorrow can be debilitating, unjustified, caused by sin, and even
justified, I submit...."

The New Featured Question for www.biblequestions.org  is, "What is
apostasy?"  (Below.)

We encourage you to make use of all our study materials and tell others of
our sites.

     Question: What is apostasy?

     Answer: "Apostasy" is from the Greek apostasia. Apostasia is defined
as, "A defection, revolt.. to forsake" (W.E. Vine). The New Testament
prophesied and gave detail identification relative to apostasy (I Tim.
4:1-3, 2 Thes. 2:1-9, Acts 20:28-30).

    The original apostasy was to begin within the eldership. Paul said to
the elders. "Also of your ownselves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:17-30). This falling
away initially involved a perversion of authority and power. Elders of
bishops began to assume authority which did not belong to them. ". little by
little they (bishops, dm) made high pretentious, and maintained that power
was given them by Christ himself to dictate rules of faith and conduct the
people" (Ecclesiastical History, vol. 1, pgs. 116, 117, by Mosheim).
Mosheim points out that from a select group of bishops who had more
power that other bishops, a single man was selected to exact total power.
"Hence came the Patriarchs, and ultimately the Prince of Patriarchs, the
Roman Pontiff" (ibid).

    Paul's description to the Thessalonians. Paul explained that there was
to be "a falling away" (apostasia, 2 Thes. 2:3). Paul identifies a
particular man who would characterize this apostasy (vs. 3). He describes
him as sinfully elevated, ". he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing
himself that he is God" (vs. 4). Worship would be associated with this man
(vs. 4). There would also be "lying wonders" (false miracles, vs. 9). Some
of the teaching would by, "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain
from meats." (I Tim. 4:1).

    Beloved, before the falling away there was truth (Eph. 4:1-6).

Cordially,
Don Martin  dmartinbtbq at comcast.net

Check out our Web sites:  http://www.bibletruths.net
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Simply click on the URL to visit these sites.  You may print out the
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page of Bible Truths.