One afternoon, after our regular ladies’ Bible class, a sister put forward a question that had been bothering her for some time. She asked, “Is there a contradiction between Matthew 17:5 and John 5:37? The first scripture says that God spoke from heaven, but the other says that people had not seen his shape nor heard his voice.”
Women are to dress modestly.
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest (NT: 2887 kosmios (kos’-mee-os); from NT: 2889 (in its primary sense); orderly, i.e. decorous: KJV – of good behaviour, modest) apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
Our honesty shows itself in good works.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:11-12).
The elder must show himself to be orderly (modest) before men. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour (2887), given to hospitality, apt to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2).
The elder’s modesty must be seen by the world. “Moreover he must have a good (2570) report (3141 – witness) of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:7).
We should consider what is acceptable in both God’s and man’s sight. “Providing for honest (NT:2570 kalos (kal-os’); of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from NT:18, which is properly intrinsic) things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21).
Some Christians judge like the world. “For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart” (2 Corinthians 5:12).
We must consider every man, not just God’s children. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest (2570) in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).
The world is blind to true goodness, so, for the world’s sake, we should provide things beautiful in the sight of all men. All men includes God’s children who do not need to be encouraged to lust. Anything that would cause any man to sin cannot be beautiful in the sight of God or all men. “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust (NT: 1937 epithumeo (ep-ee-thoo-meh’-o); from NT: 1909 and NT: 2372; to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise)) after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:28).
We should not tempt a man with outward beauty. “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids” (Proverbs 6:25).
What was Jesus’ clothing?
•And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe (NT: 5511 chlamus (khlam-ooce’); of uncertain derivation; a military cloak: NT: 2440 himation (him-at’-ee-on); neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi (to put on); a dress (inner or outer) Why scarlet on a military coat?) And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him (Matthew 27:28-31).
•And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe (2440), And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe (2440). And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! (John 19:2-5).
Note that Jesus had more than one piece of clothing.
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments (2440), and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat (5509): now the coat (5509) was without seam, woven from the top throughout (John 19:23). NT: 5509 chiton (khee-tone’); of foreign origin [OT: 3801]; a tunic or shirt:
Jesus’ robe may have been long, but that is not specifically stated in scripture. Perhaps we assume it was because of the style of the Greek and Roman clothing of the day.
tu·nic
1Chiefly British. a coat worn as part of a military or other uniform.
2 a gown-like outer garment, with or without sleeves and sometimes belted, worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
3a woman’s upper garment, either loose or close-fitting and extending over the skirt to the hips or below.
They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment (2440) among them, and for my vesture (NT: 2441 himatismos (him-at-is-mos’); from NT: 2439; clothing) they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did (John 19:24).
The High priest may have had a long robe, but did the ordinary people? Who knows what Peter wore?
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat (NT: 1903 ependutes (ep-en-doo’-tace); from NT: 1902; a wrapper, i.e. outer garment) unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea (John 21:7).
Since many preachers’ definitions of heart do not include any scriptures, I have to believe they get that from psychology or at least some commentary. That bothers me. My first red flag popped up when one man said the heart is the emotional center. That would be a physical heart if I understand correctly. We ponder, think, and understand, etc. with the spiritual heart but not with the physical. A quick reference list shows that certain qualities (good or bad) are in the heart (Matt. 15:16-19). I am not sure how murder fits in, but it is a quality too. Look carefully at the Hebrew meaning of Prov. 23:7–as a man thinketh in his heart. That is strange, but necessary to understand.
What is the meaning of authority? Why do preachers and Bible teachers use that term to defend what they do? We can find several descriptions in the scriptures themselves.
Matthew 8:5-10 shows that the Roman centurion understood what the word meant. Authority was understood to mean the one holding that power has a right to say what should be done and that “law” or direction should be followed absolutely and without deviation. The centurion noted this was what his authority meant, and he understood Jesus had such authority too. When Jesus says, “Go,” we should go, and when he says, “Come,” we should come.
Keep in mind what our Heavenly Father says are miracles:
https://helpmeettohim.org/the-hand-of-god/
https://helpmeettohim.org/category/miracles/
THE HAND OF GOD—Part 1
The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein (Psa. 111:2).
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33).
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge (Psa. 19:1-2).
NOTE:
In this study, we want to distinguish between the miracles (witness of God) and His ordinary work in the world (John 15:23-24). Study each of the following scriptural accounts very carefully (making notes as you go). The following questions can be asked to discern God’s ‘unseen’ work.
Genesis 11:1-9
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Nothing about the confusion of tongues was explicable to anyone involved, but by faith in God’s own testimony we believe He caused it to happen.
MULIEBRAL VIEWPOINT 