Did Jesus Die a Ransom for Many or a Ransom for All?

“Who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all- this is what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times.” (1Ti 2:6 NWT_)

“Just as the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many.”” (Mt 20:28 NWT_)

The Bible does not contradict itself.  Why did Paul say, that Jesus gave himself a ransom “for all,” but Jesus said “for many?”  The simple answer is that “many” means “all” as demonstrated in Romans.

“But it is not with the gift as it was with the trespass. For if by one man’s trespass many died, the undeserved kindness of God and his free gift with the undeserved kindness by the one man Jesus Christ abounded much more to many.” (Ro 5:15 NWT_)

In Romans 5:15, the “many” are ALL of Adam’s posterity, just like those who receive Jesus’ free gift.  Just as Adam’s posterity is ALL mankind, so those who will benefit from the free gift on Paradise Earth is ALL Mankind.  Yes, ALL Mankind will have the future opportunity of a trial for life under favorable conditions on Paradise Earth.  This is what the Society taught in the early days at the time of Pastor Russell.

Paul clearly explains what this free gift is for many (ALL) is:

“For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ro 6:23 NWT)

Where are we told in the Bible to confess our sins to God and not to a priest?

The concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in either the Old or New Testaments. In fact, the New Testament teaches that all true believers are priests. 1 Peter 2:9-10 describes believers as a “holy priesthood” and a “royal priesthood,” “a people belonging to God.” In the Old Covenant, the Jewish nation could only approach God through its priests who offered sacrifices to God for the forgiveness of sins of the entire nation of Israel. This practice is no longer necessary because of Jesus’ one time all-encompassing sacrifice, which fulfilled the Law, thus granting Christians direct access to God for forgiveness of individual sins through Jesus Christ. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

The New Testament teaches that the organization of Christ’s church would have elders, deacons (1 Timothy 3), overseers (Titus 1:6-9), and pastors (Ephesians 4:11).  There is never any mention of priests. Believers are told to confess their sins to God (1 John 1:9) and God is faithful and just to forgive sins as they are confessed to him. Although James 5:16 speaks of confessing trespasses to one another, this confession is in no way linked with God’s forgiveness of the trespass.

The Roman Catholic Church bases its practice of confession to a priest primarily on John 20:23, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Because Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins, Catholics claim that that authority was passed on to their successors, i.e., the bishops and priests of the Roman Catholic Church. There are several problems with this interpretation. First, John 20:23 nowhere mentions confession of sin. Second, the scripture nowhere promises, or even hints, that the authority to forgive sins would be passed on to the successors of the apostles. Jesus’ promise was specifically directed to the apostles. Lastly, the New Testament nowhere states that the apostles would even have successors to their apostolic authority.

Therefore, should we confess our sins directly to God or do we need to confess them to a priest? We are to confess our sins to God.  He has the power to forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) A priest does not have the power or authority to forgive sins. No man living on earth in this day and age has that authority. This fact does not negate the need we have as individuals to confess our sins openly to other believers. That practice is encouraged in James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Although God hears the prayers of the righteous, a righteous individual has no power to eradicate the sin of another. However, and most importantly, we Christians are admonished to always forgive others for transgressions against us. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

What is a Christian?

Today the term “Christian” is typically used to name a person who is a believer in Jesus Christ, usually in the sense of distinguishing that person from people of other religions.  However, the true meaning of “Christian” is to be a follower of Christ. “Jesus said, ‘My sheep listen to my voice… and they follow me.’ ”  (John 10:27) 

To become a Christian, a person must first recognize he is a sinner, believe Jesus died for his sins, and give his whole life and heart to God to obey His will. (I Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:7, Proverbs 23:10)

A few of our Lord’s instructions are as follows: 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24); “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44); do good deeds in secret (Matthew 6:1-4); forgive others (Matthew 6:15). “Seek first [God's] kingdom and his righteousness” and God will take care of your necessities. (Matthew 6:33)

Additionally, Christians “correctly handle(s) the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15) and accept that “all scripture is God-breathed” (II Timothy 3:16). Christians “resist the devil” and do their best to “purify [their] hearts” (James 4:7,8). 

Christians have special promises which will be fulfilled at their resurrection:

Jesus said, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me…"  (John 14:3)  “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne…” (Revelation 3:21)

Christians will be “co-heirs with Christ, if indeed [they] share in his sufferings” They will share in His glory (Romans 8:17).  They know that "the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed" and look forward to the time when "the creation itself will be liberated… and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:19-21).  If faithful, the consecrated Christian will reign in the resurrection, blessing those raised to life on earth.  (Revelation 5:10)

Who is Melchizedek in the Bible?

There is no scripture that specifically identifies Melchizedek.  However, in Psalm 110:4 (NIV)God speaks to His Son saying, "Thou art a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." Again in Hebrews 7:1-3, Paul teaches that Melchizedek pictures Jesus, “For this Melchizedek…by translation of his name, ‘King of righteousness,’ and then he is also king of ‘Salem,’ that is, king of ‘Peace.’ He is without father or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest for ever.”  This means that Melchizedek is a title – not a name, and that we are specifically kept unaware of both his parents and his children. 

This lack of knowledge is by God’s direction and the lesson for us is that what Melchizedek, or the “King of Righteousness” does is where we should focus our attention.  When our Lord Jesus Christ takes up his great authority as both King and Priest he will indeed be the king of “Peace” of the order of Melchizedek.

Respecting the historical figure, we read in Genesis 14:18-20, “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” From this we learn that Melchizedek was Abraham's superior, deserving of his tithes. 

Many Biblical scholars also speculate that Melchizedek may have been the builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza. As leader of the peaceful Hyksos kings, he was in the area during the time period when the pyramid was built. However this thought, like nearly everything surrounding this remarkable man, is something we can not now know with certainty. 

What was the main reason Moses was not permitted into Canaan?

Deuteronomy 34:4,5: "Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord."

The story context for God’s judgment begins in Exodus 17:1-7 when the people of Israel were quarreling and wanted Moses to give them water to drink. Moses went to the Lord, and God told Moses to "'Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it that the people may drink.' And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel."

On the second occasion of the request for water (Numbers 20) God again instructed Moses saying, “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.” This was Moses' response: "So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank." However, God was displeased with Moses' response, and states, “Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

The Lord particularly directed that Moses should speak to the rock, and that in response to the word waters would rush forth. In the Mt. Sinai experience (Exodus 17), Moses had been instructed to smite the rock; but in this case the rock was not to be smitten. While smiting the rock on the second occasion may seem like a small deviation, we later understand that this rock pictured Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:4. Hence it was important to show that Christ was not to be smitten (or sacrificed) a second time to provide life to the people.

Here Moses and Aaron sinned. Thus they were not permitted to see the Promised Land.

Why were Mary and Joseph chosen to be the parents of our Lord?

The Messiah was to be of the tribe of Judah and of the lineage of David. Both Mary and Joseph were descendants of Judah from King David’s line. Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7:16, Matthew 1:1, Luke 3:31

Joseph was tenderhearted and kind.

When he heard that his betrothed was pregnant, he was willing to divorce her privately, a way to shield her from public humiliation.  Matthew 1:18-19 

He was promptly obedient to the will of God, even when obeying His will could damage his reputation.

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife, that she had conceived by the holy Spirit, that she would bear a Son to be named Jesus.   His response:  “And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife.”  Matthew 1:20-24

He showed respect and Godly restraint.

“…and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son…”  Matthew 1:25

He was a law abiding citizen even when it posed personal difficulty.

He took the long trip from Nazareth to Judea with Mary who was close to bearing the child, in order to register according to the decree from Caesar Augustus.   Luke 2:1-7

Joseph was willing to uproot his life and lead his family to a foreign land because God said so.

God warned him and directed him in two dreams regarding where he should lead his family, away from Herod and into the foreign land of Egypt.  “And he arose and took the Child and his mother by night, and departed for Egypt…”  Matthew 2:12-14

Mary was favored of God.  The LORD was with her.   Luke 1:28

She trusted and surrendered to the will of God even though its fulfillment would threaten her reputation and perhaps her life in the society.   Luke 1:35-38  She believed the seemingly impossible promise that God would plant the Son of the Most High in her womb, and she was blessed because of her deep faith.  Luke 1:45

She praised God for His blessing on her.  She was familiar with the book of the Prophet Samuel, and she quoted from those writings.  Luke 1:46-55

Mary meditated on and thought deeply about the events overruled by her God. The shepherds made known the statements which had been told them about the child Jesus:  ‘Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people…’

“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  “  Luke 1:8-19

As a couple, Mary and Joseph respected the Law of God and went every year to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover.  Luke 2:41

Mary had the courage to stand by the cross of Jesus.  John 19:25

She became a devout follower of Christ, and became a partaker of the Pentecostal blessing of the holy spirit.  “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers…”  Acts 1:14, 2:1-4

Joseph and Mary were descended from the line of David and were two ordinary people who loved God. They sought to do His will regardless of the consequences.

An ordinary, willing heart and life can be used by our Amazing God for extraordinary ends.

What is the role of character in Christian ministry?

Isaiah 61:1-3 describes the ministry and the purpose of the anointing of Christ, (Luke 4:16-21) and of his followers.  (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)  We are anointed, as Christ was, to preach, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance! Our place in this ministry, in this work of deliverance begins with our own deliverance, which certainly includes every thought being brought into the servitude of our Precious Anointed Savior!  Thoughts and character surrendered to the authority of Christ equip and prepare us to be part of the work of the Deliverer by being a light and encouragement now, and in the future through the privilege of blessing all the families of the earth from heavenly glory!  2 Corinthians 5:20,  6:1-3; Revelation 1:6; Romans 8:17-21

“Giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God…”  2 Corinthians 6:3-4  If our way of life does not match the values of our ministry and service to Christ, we can discredit that ministry.

 “Therefore if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:21-22 

Our privilege of ministry or service is not real or effective unless we are being molded into the image of Christ in our hearts.   We are prepared to be of use to our Master as we pursue faith, love and peace, and as we cleanse ourselves from our old habits.  

“You are the light of the world.”  Matthew 5:14  We are not to just shine the light of the Gospel, we are to reflect the light of the Gospel in our hearts.  

Remember the saying: “Preach the Word. Use words if you have to.” Our ministry is powerful in Christ when the Word of God that we desire to share is consistent with how we live our lives.

What does Proverbs 13:22 mean? "A good man leaves an inheritance for his childrens children, but a sinners wealth is stored up for the righteous."

This verse is so encouraging! It shows that a person who seeks and follows God’s ways does have a valuable inheritance to pass on to generations to come.  In contrast, the wealth of one who does not live according to principles of righteousness will not have something of value to pass on.  “Ill gotten gains do not profit…”  Proverbs 10:2; Job 27:13, 16-17.

The complete fulfillment of this verse is not now, but in a future time.  “Now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up, but they also test God and escape.”  Malachi 3:15  God’s principle that ‘we reap what we sow’ is still in place. Now, however, the full consequences of behaviors are delayed. Galatians 6:7-10  

In Christ’s Kingdom, unjust gain will be no more and all who seek righteousness will be blessed.   We have so many promises of a time when justice and accountability will be in place during the reign of Jesus and his Bride. Isaiah 11:9, “the word of the Lord will cover the earth like that waters cover the sea.”  “With righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth.”  Isaiah 11:4  It will be said in that day, “how the oppressor has ceased, and how fury has ended!  The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers which used to strike the peoples in fury with unceasing strokes…The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; they break forth into shouts of joy.”  Isaiah 14:4-7

The harvest of consequences can also affect future generations for good or for evil in our lifetime as well as into eternity.

Think of someone righteous and Godly, who is no longer with us in this life.  Think of the rich legacy of example and love for God they have left their family and friends for generations to come.

Sometimes there are people in our lives who are like road signs. (See Jeremiah 31:21 NIV)  Their characters over years of testing have been set firmly in the concrete foundation of faith. The message that they have lived is a message of true hope, true direction and true instruction. Their example speaks to us now, and if they were part of the Bride of Christ, their triumph in Christ will speak throughout all generations.”

“So we Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture will give thanks to Thee forever; to all generations we will tell of Thy praise.”  Psalm 79:13

O LORD, work in our lives so that we can leave a beautiful legacy for generations to come.  

I am a Christian, so can I marry a Hindu girl?

No. When a Christian and a non-Christian marry, that couple is considered unequally yoked. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NIV) “do not be yoked together with unbelievers”.  

Deuteronomy 22:10 tells us, “do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together”.  A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull. When two animals of unequal strength are yoked together, the stronger one will need to bear more of the burden and the weight will not be evenly distributed. 

In God’s sight, a man and a woman become one (or yoked) when they marry. Emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and financially, the couple will need to work through the challenges of life together. It is especially important for the couple to pull together spiritually. 

So why does the Apostle Paul admonish us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers? Apostle Paul warns us in Romans 12:2saying, “do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” As the saying goes, “be in the world, but not of it”. Christians are to live as new creatures in this unrighteous world while simultaneously not allowing it to influence us or lead us astray from the path of self-sacrifice. 

A non-Christian spouse will not be willing to sacrifice all to follow in Jesus’s footsteps. Remember Jesus’s words in Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” The natural spouse will appropriately want the good things of the world. But Jesus told His followers, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…” (Matthew 6:19). 

Therefore, a Christian believer should only marry another Christian. Jesus’s followers consecrate to do the Lord’s will in all aspects of their lives and that certainly involves choosing an appropriate life partner.

Why is the Bible written in parables ?

Mark 4:10-12, “When Jesus was alone, some of those who had heard him came to him with the twelve disciples and asked him to explain the parables.  ‘You have been given the secret of the Kingdom of God,’ Jesus answered. ‘But the others, who are on the outside, hear all things by means of parables, so that, They may look and look, yet not see; they may listen and listen, yet not understand. For if they did, they would turn to God, and he would forgive them.’”

Mark 4:33-34, “Jesus preached his message to the people, using many other parables like these…but when he was alone with his disciples, he would explain everything to them.”

Mathew 13:10-16,  “Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, ‘Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?’  Jesus answered, ‘The knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them…The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand. So the prophecy of Isaiah applies to them: ‘This people will listen and listen, but not understand; they will look and look, but not see,   because their minds are dull, and they have stopped up their ears and have closed their eyes. Otherwise, their eyes would see, their ears would hear, their minds would understand, and they would turn to me, says God, and I would heal them.’ As for you, how fortunate you are! Your eyes see and your ears hear.’”

We will break it down.

1. God’s Word as not intended to be understood by the world at large.
2. God only revealed His plan to a select few people whose minds and hearts were opened to understand.
3. Jesus did not want the whole world to be converted.

Jesus’ answer should make us want to ask a whole lot more questions.

Most Christian churches teach that you have to accept Jesus now or you will go to hell. If that were true, then why did Jesus purposely not want people to be converted? Didn’t he want people to be saved? Of course he did! So then you have to reexamine many of the main stream doctrines to see if they square with this reasoning of Jesus.

In will be during Christ’s glorious reign on earth that the whole world will taught of Jesus. Then, “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD…” Isaiah 11:9. “…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God…and no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least…to the greatest…I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:33, 34.

What is the importance of worship and what are its benefits?

Worship is defined in Webster’s Dictionary, 1828 as to “Worship is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission.” Many honest and sincere Christians think that if you love God and give glory to God, that this is enough. Some quote the Apostle Paul: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) and believe that when you are baptized you will now fully enjoy the benefits arising from being His child. 

However, our Lord explained to be a true disciple is to follow in His footsteps. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)  Thus, the act of worship involves adoring God above all else and submitting to His will in every aspect of our lives. Worship involves active choices not merely passive subjection. As the Apostle Peter exhorts, “be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15).

Consider Jesus’ example. He so adored and honored His Father’s will that all of His words and actions glorified God. “…The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works,” John 14:10. Therefore our hearts’ devotion and worship will be reflected in all we do and say.

How did the world respond to Jesus’ ministry? Our Lord incurred the hatred of the world. “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you,” John.15:20. The Apostles met the same fate. In fact, all sincere Christians will be hated because they do not embrace worldly values. “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you,” John 15:18.

Yet, our suffering develops our characters by teaching us to obey even under extreme persecution. Hebrews 5:8 explains that even Jesus, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” So, we too endure disciplines in order to be developed into His character likeness. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it,” Hebrews 12:11. Therefore, one result of worship is becoming transformed into His character image. (See Romans 8:29.)

A wonderful benefit of true worship is our heavenly reward. When resurrected, we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2) and be co-heirs with Him. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” Romans 8:17.

Why did King Saul hate David so much?

The Bible records many accounts of Saul displaying jealousy and hatred toward David – who was his personal musician, armor-bearer, army captain, son-in-law and successor. Saul saw that David was “a man after God’s own heart”, and it made him all the more aware of his own failings and weaknesses.

Early on, Saul was described as “a man without equal” (1 Samuel 9:2). The whole book of 1 Samuel chronicles the changing character of Saul’s heart. Chapter 10:6-9 tells us that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Saul and he was given a new heart. As long as he served, feared and obeyed God, he and his kingdom would be blessed.  If he rebelled against God’s commandments, God’s judgment would be against him and the nation (12:14). In the beginning, Saul was a popular, humble, strong leader and warrior. He honored God and followed the prophet Samuel’s counsel. He did not have evil intentions, but lacked proper respect and reverence for the Lord and His provisions. While he might have been desirous of serving God, he was also desirous of serving himself. Sadly, he began to assert his own will and disobeyed God’s instructions. Saul was always a free-will agent in full control of his choices, but we know that "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."(James 1:8)

When David was anointed, the Lord’s spirit filled David and departed from Saul. “And the Spirit of Jehovah turned aside from Saul, and a spirit of sadness from Jehovah terrified him” (16:14-Young’s Translation). This distressing spirit was permitted by the LORD. Thereafter, Saul viewed David with suspicion- rage so intense that he attempted murder. Viewing David as his enemy, he did everything he could to dishonor David (18:7-15; 20:34). Perhaps he feared David because he knew the LORD was with him.

Saul became increasingly isolated, arrogant, attention-seeking (22:8); and “spiritually blind”. Samuel was forced to advise him twice that his kingdom would not endure and that he had been replaced as King: “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord” (13:8-14) and “…The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou…” (15:10-31).

In the meantime, David was prospering because the Lord was with him. David went wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely (18:14). Even Saul’s righteous son, “… Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself” (18:3).  Because Jonathan was surrendered to God he could see the hand of the LORD upon David and was perfectly willing to set aside his own ambition to honor the LORD's choice.  “… David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed” (18:30). Twice, David spared Saul’s life – in the cave and in the wilderness!

Saul forgot that “…to obey is better than sacrifice” (15:17-22). He did not properly receive the lessons the Lord provided and neglected his opportunity to be used in God’s service. King Saul hated David because David’s character exemplified everything Saul’s character did not.

What are the gifts of the spirit?

The Apostle Paul records a lengthy explanation regarding the gifts of the spirit in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14.  Paul specifically names the gifts of the spirit in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-11, “To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 0 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” 

Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19, 20 “to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all things…”  Gifts, such as speaking in foreign languages, were necessary to spread the gospel into foreign lands and establish the early church. In 1 Corinthians 14:22 (HCSB), Paul specified that  “…speaking in other languages is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers,” so that they would believe the message was from God. Then they could report with confidence that the power of God was at work. In the same manner, gifts of healing, wisdom, and prophecy provided strong evidence of the power of God to those unbelievers who witnessed them.

This word “gift” is translated from the Greek word, and it refers specially to a miraculous gift. In 1 Corinthians 12:27,28, Paul emphasized that the different miraculous gifts given to some members of the early church did not make one member better than another. Therefore they should not be boastful or proud when they were the receiver of a gift. The glory should go to God who made these distinctions in the church for the promotion of the Gospel.  

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle warns about possessing these gifts without producing the fruits of the spirit, i.e, FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. These fruits of Christian character are of superior value in comparison to the gifts.  In verse 8, he instructs that love never fails, but the other gifts of the spirit will eventually cease.  Additionally there is strong evidence that only the Apostles could impart these gifts to others and after their death, these gifts did cease.  See Romans 1:11; Act 4:30,31; Acts 19:6.

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul continues to counsel  to “excel to the edifying (spiritual instructing) of the church” (vs 12).  None in the church had these miraculous abilities greater than Paul and yet he states in vs 19, “I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousands words in an unknown language.”  Paul ends his letter to the Corinthians by teaching the doctrines of the ransom and the resurrection.

Please explain Psalms 51.

In Acts 13:22, the Apostle Paul declares David was "a man after [God's] own heart" (Acts 13:22).

When David became Israel's reigning king, he obeyed God, "and he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him."  (2 Samuel 5:3,4,10)  However, one spring evening David saw the naked Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, and lusted after her.  David should never have acted on his lust, but he let his fleshly wishes overpower his righteous heart.  Soon he committed adultery and conceived a baby with Bathsheba. As a cover-up, he arranged for Uriah's certain death on the battlefield.

Thus David was guilty of adultery and murder. To address these sins, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David. The confrontation is recorded in 2 Samuel 12. David suddenly felt the full horror of his deeds.

Psalm 51 records the process of David’s repentance and subsequent restoration to fellowship with God. In a broader application, this psalm was written for our benefit, as well. Psalm 51 teaches us that even when we may commit terrible sins, these verses provide comfort and instruction for how to recover our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

In verses 1-4 David confesses his sin and begs for God's mercy. He knows God is a God of forgiveness and love. By acknowledging our sins, we develop a deeper, more heartfelt appreciation of God’s righteous judgments.

In verses 5 and 6, David acknowledges he was “sinful from the time my mother conceived me."  But he also recognizes God will teach him truth and wisdom.

Verses 7, 8, 9 –  The hyssop referred to in verse 7 was used in ceremonial cleansing (Leviticus 14:4), and the plant was known to have antiseptic properties.  David saw  sin’s contamination and wanted it washed away completely.  He refers to how the realization of his sin weighed on him so much, that he felt "crushed" and now begs for God's returned favor to lift that weight and give him "joy and gladness."

Then David sees that he must reconfirm his complete devotion to God, and he cries out, "Create in me a pure heart, O God."  He asks for a renewed, steadfast spirit, and the joy of the LORD to sustain him.  (Verses 10-12)

In verses 13-15, David acknowledges that God is his only salvation, and he desires to tell others about God’s grace and love.

Verses 16 and 17 are vital to all who want to please God.  Our Father is not interested in ceremonies performed only out of duty; what God wants is "a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart."  This means we must give up trying to justify ourselves; we must realize that we can't be righteous in our own strength.  We must rely completely on God's grace (which in this age means accepting the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf).  And then we must fully accept God's forgiveness and love, and lean on His mighty power to help us follow His Son.