DIFFERENT: CHAPTER 6, TELL ME WHAT'S ON MY MIND
DIFFERENT
CHAPTER 6
TELL ME WHAT'S ON MY MIND
John 3:7-9 King James Version (KJV)
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
DISCERNMENT
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Brethren,
Like Jesus was, I am often baited in conversations, with a statement or question, to see what my response or reaction will be. Usually, to try to trick me. People have tried to trick me into saying something that will prove that what they believe is true, or, to disprove my own beliefs. The topic could be about me or something else. At times, their intent may be more malicious and malevolent, seeking to prove me guilty, so that they can judge and condemn me. We all have experienced this at one time or another from prideful, deceptive people, people playing mind games, or, using psychological techniques to manipulate our behavior. It sounds more complicated than what it actually is, which is simply--focused deception. Sometimes, for various reasons, depending upon the person or situation, I take the bait. At other times, the Holy Spirit directs me to be silent.
There is much that science and medicine have to learn about the spiritual realm. Meanwhile, they expect people to behave within the boundaries of their understanding.
Upon one occasion, I was baited with the statement that WE CAN'T READ OTHER PEOPLE'S MINDS. I paused momentarily and debated whether or not to answer, as we are often tempted to prove our point to others. However, it was not a battle that I was to fight, at that given time, so, I remained quiet.
You see, there are times when people aren't ready for what you have to tell them. Especially, when their mind is already set upon the answer and they have preconceived opinions about you. Then, instead of doing what you feel is right for you, or, trying to defend your pride, you must do what is right for the other person. This is a stance in our relationships that we are not used to taking and that we often resist. We are postured to see things within our own point of view for our own benefit. However, we must remember that our mind is not like God's mind. Yet, we have been given someone whose mind is like God's and if we follow Him, we can't go wrong. Hence, I didn't take the bait with this person, although, I realized they had much to learn about the spiritual realm.
Think about it. Can we read other people's minds? The Word of God says that the mind follows the heart, which is the spirit. The Mind of Christ is a spirit. When we follow Christ, we are following the Mind of Christ. How do we do this? Can every Christian do this? Do they?
Well, if everyone who called themselves a Christian could read the Mind of Christ, then I would have never been presented with such a blunt and definitive statement proclaiming that we can't read other people's minds. The individual would have understood and it would had been very clear to them that we, as spiritual beings, fellowship with one another, being on one accord (like-minded) with Christ, and God, by reading one another's mind, because we are spiritual beings.
Am I misinterpreting the word, 'read', or am I broadening it's meaning? Have I missed something in the translation, or was the other person blinded to the Truth? If we think about it, reading goes beyond the translation of sight to the mind. It is a multifaceted process which involves all of the senses, arousing and awakening us physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. What I am trying to say is that WORDS aren't the only thing that we READ. EYES aren't the only thing that can SEE. EARS aren't the only parts of our body that can hear. HANDS aren't the only part of us we touch and feel with. God has made us in His IMAGE and we are so much more than meets the eye.
Nonetheless, people see instability in such beliefs, because they have not found true stability in God. Therefore, there must be something WRONG with YOU, because, if not, then there must be something inadequate about them. Their beliefs are proven wrong and you have removed their foundation. You have pulled the rug out from beneath their feet and they may feel they have nothing to stand upon. They may not know how to incorporate this new thought process into their lives. Their profession may seem flawed, antiquated, or obsolete; and their living may seem in vain. Their pride may obstruct them from moving forward and becoming part of the Truth.
If we limit our understanding of the senses to carnal knowledge, we cannot understand the spiritual world. Yes, Christ could read the minds of others. The Bible gives us many examples of His doing so. Is it just luck, a trick, or a study of habits and human nature? As Believers, we understand that luck and chance are an erroneous way of thinking and believing. Luck and chance are a rejection of faith and belief in the power of God. Everything happens for a reason, which is why man didn't just simply evolve.
Is having the ability to read hearts and minds just discernment or intuition? If reading the hearts and minds of others is discernment, then, we need to know exactly what discernment is. Does discernment have limitations and boundaries? Is discernment part of loosing and binding? Hmmm...that's a good question. Why does God want us to be able to discern? How does it help us and help us to help others? We know that discernment gives us knowledge to be cautious and to protect and discernment is given through God's Holy Spirit, which is God. God has no limitations or boundaries. And above all, GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS! So, if discernment is part of God's Holy Spirit, then of course what His Holy Spirit wants us to know and tells us is exactly what we need to know, even word for word.
Definition of discernment
(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discernment)
1 : the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning
2 : an act of perceiving or discerning something
YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
Science contradicts itself in its feeble effort to attribute events to chance and luck. You can't have it both ways, by looking for cause and effect, postulating theories, principles, and hypotheses, proving laws, then, to say that something as significant as life is created and evolves due to sheer chance or luck is beyond reason. We simply lack an explanation. There is endless, infinite knowledge that is beyond our reach. However, God, who created the physical world, knows exactly why things happen. He shares knowledge with us when and as He pleases to do so.
So, to say that we cannot read people's minds is to simply set oneself up for failure and remain chained to the bondage of being carnally minded. We witness people finishing one another's sentences and contribute it to them being familiar with one another, or just a coincidence. But, is it? Why those exact words at that exact time? What was in alignment to make that happen? What and whose plan?
Yet, to think about it, what benefit do we have in knowing one another very well? Does it allow our spirits to become more in tune? Are we reading the hearts of others and since the mind follows the heart, we also can read their mind? Relatives, who are far apart often know when the other is sick, worried, in danger, or when they have died. Our thoughts and feelings can bring someone to us or compel them to call us on the telephone. Is it because the spirit, like God has no boundaries and can come and go like the wind, or reach out over vast spans of terrain, or even time? As Believers, do we really believe in the Day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of God rushed into the room like a mighty wind and fell upon the Disciples of Christ?
Acts 2 King James Version (KJV)
2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Yes, we are spiritual beings and if we truly believe in God and His Word, then we believe that with God, anything is possible. Where is your faith?
There was another situation that occurred within this year, where someone forgot a name they wanted to use as an example to support their opinion and I gave them the name that they were thinking about. Well, that doesn't sound too difficult or unusual really. Anybody could do that. But, could just anybody do that at random, or does the spirit choose? Well, this person looked at me and marveled. They were astonished--astounded. "How did you know I was going to say that?" They said. Well, this was another instance in which, I said nothing. Had I said that the Holy Spirit whispered it to me, they wouldn't have believed me because they had little understanding of such things. Some people might think, "Why would God take time to whisper such a trivial thing?" People of little faith, want to believe, however, they are still bound by carnal thinking.
Perhaps, this is why children are more perceptive and open to the unknown and the spiritual world. Their minds are still full of imagination and wonder, full of questions and open to exploring unknown worlds.
It is amazing how the same people who reject the power of God's Holy Spirit will put their trust in chance and luck, horoscopes and astrological signs, psychics, and fortune tellers, believing there is a method to the madness, or, some magical or mystical power, which can be conjured up and exploited. However, the only method to the madness, is the intent to lead people into darkness, which kills, steals, and destroys.
So, how does it work? Once we receive God's Holy Spirit, do we all of a sudden become Mind Readers? Do we go around believing we can read EVERYBODY'S mind like a psychic? Why does a psychic do that anyway? Is it really to help other people? Who is really benefiting from their psychic abilities? Who is the glory going to? Are psychics any different from today's commercialized prophets and apostles?
All gifts from God are good gifts. Many people have the gift of sight, that is seers and prophets. How you use your gift determines if you are false and not guided and directed by God. God allows the false in many forms, in order that we may seek and know Truth.
If God wants us to discern, then, He wants us to use it for good. There are many reasons why God's Holy Spirit discerns to us the hearts and minds of others. Sometimes, He wants others to know about us and see us in a different light. In other words, there is a spiritual battle going on. God is letting the adversary know that He is present within us and protected by Him. Remember? He promised to never leave us alone, therefore, the manifestation of discernment is God acting on our (His Children's) behalf.
So, if I tell you that, or, behave like, there is no way in the world that people can read minds, then, that means that I don't believe God is in you. We must always factor in pride, which corrupts, when we talk about the use of spiritual gifts. There are always people who can't stand the thought of someone being more than what they are. Their pride tells them that if they don't have what you have then, you can't have it either. They must corrupt it, take it away, or make it less than what it is in whatever way or manner that they possibly can. The corruption of their flesh and their carnal mind tells them that some people are better than others. Therefore, they must tear people down, or, become better than them.
Now, we know as believers, that we are all created equally and God has no preference of man. However, the adversary knows that those who are within the Light are better off , because they are close to God. That is what the adversary can no longer have and jealousy provokes him. We who have chosen Light, instead of darkness, have God's favor. Within God's favor, we have access to His character, through His Holy Spirit, to become like Him, living abundantly for eternity.
On the other hand, we have those who are gifted, who have fallen to corruption, using their gifts unwisely, misleading, confusing, and provoking others to sin. They may not even know that they have been corrupted because they are doing as they see others do, or, they have not been told. Many people follow the mind of man and prevent God working through them and using their gift as He chooses. Then, they may be of little or no faith, making their gifts of little or no use. Ananias and Sapphira considered themselves to be Believers and Followers of Christ because it benefited them to do so. Having no true belief, they erred by believing people can't read other people's minds. Let's see how that worked out for them...
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
(I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME, Chapter Four DEATH: Part Two, THE ATTITUDES OF LIARS)
Within the Book of Acts 5, God gives us an example of selfish Believers clinging to the world, believing they can deceive God's Holy Spirit. I have inserted an excerpt from my previous book, which helps to explain the account of Ananias and Sapphira.
Acts 5 (KJV)
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ...
You Can't Change Me: Unraveling the Lie, Part 4 DETAILS
CH 19
I ❤ YOU: Prove it!
Ananias and Sapphira, like many people who claim to be Believers, thought they were entitled to their privacy, when it came to their finances and private lives. Clearly they had something to hide, but, why do people cherish and protect their privacy so, even when they have nothing to hide? Usually, they are afraid of what others might think about them and how they will be judged. Some people automatically compare themselves to others and judge themselves. And what drives these compulsions, making us think highly of ourselves or underrate ourselves? --Pride.
Ananias allowed pride to breed a sense of entitlement and greed within him. He thought more highly of himself than he did of God and His Kingdom. Clearly, he underrated and underestimated God's Power and saw Peter as just another man he could lie to, cheat and deceive. Ananias was already dead in sin.
Knowing what her husband had done, like Abigail, who brought supplies to David and his men to save her household (1 Samuel 25), Sapphira could have redeemed her household by telling Peter the truth. Would she have been seen as betraying her husband or being faithful to God? Where should her loyalty lie first? Should she allow her husband to lead her into sin and death? Should she put her love for him above God, Truth, Holiness and Righteousness?
Because Sapphira followed after her husband in sin, she followed him in death. Was this punishment or death coming to claim it's own? Since it happened immediately and was so fearfully shocking and abrupt, we might see it as God striking them down in wrath. However, the couple had already claimed their wages and the wages of sin is DEATH! THEY chose death over eternal and abundant life in God's Kingdom. God simply removed His HANDS of SALVATION, MERCY AND GRACE and ALLOWED Death to claim them.
It is only by God's HANDS that we are spared and live to see another day. Ananias withheld from God's HANDS what rightfully belonged to Him. Therefore, God withdrew His HANDS OF MERCY. We cannot esteem ourselves more worthy than God.
Ananias and Sapphira didn't KNOW God. Had they known Him, they would have known better than to think that they could deceive His Holy Spirit within Peter. Had they known God, they would have shown it by OBEYING Him.
They had no intention of knowing God; for they loved the things of this world and esteemed themselves better than God and everyone else. They idolized SELF and put self first at any cost, so, God withdrew His hands, because they were already dead.
In writing to Timothy, Paul warns Timothy about others who, having lost the faith, have fallen into blasphemy. He charges Timothy to hold fast to his faith and fight the good fight, not being swayed by false doctrine. Hymenaeus and Alexander, were Believers who were in opposition to Paul; who denied the resurrection of man after death, instead, claiming that resurrection occurred when one is awakened, or in other words, became aware of sin.
1 Timothy 1 King James Version (KJV)
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Now that I am BORN AGAIN, living abundantly and eternally, my walk must be a selfless walk,
if I am to be WORTHY to walk in my Saviour's Footsteps! I must see
others with NEW EYES, through God's eyes. If I truly BELIEVE, then, I am
able to discern false doctrine because I recognize my Master's Voice.
Ananias
and Sapphira were not aware of the Holy Spirit's manifestation of
DISCERNMENT through Peter. Ananias and Sapphira Believed, but, had not
received God's Holy Spirit, because they were lovers of themselves.
Hymenaeus and Alexander also lacked discernment. As Believers, they lost
their way and strayed from their faith, because they did not follow the
MIND OF CHRIST!My Brothers and Sisters,
Where does your faith and belief lie? Can you tell me what's on my mind? Do you believe God is within me as He is within you? Do you see others as not worthy of having God inside of them? Do you want to appear to be more godly than others? Do you believe that God has limited power within us and will not use us to speak for Him or see into the minds and hearts of others?
As Believers we need to know how far our faith goes. At what point do we stop believing and rely on the mind of man instead of the Mind of Christ? At what point does God's Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) truly become an imaginary figure or imaginary ghost in our minds?
The Christmas Season is upon us and we need to know what we are actually celebrating. Are we hypocrites? Is the birth and resurrection of Christ no more real than Santa Claus traveling in a magic sleigh, pulled by flying reindeer, landing on rooftops, while Santa climbs down chimneys to deliver toys to each girl and boy? Did man create a story about Jesus, just to give himself hope?
God is looking for TRUE WORSHIPERS; not just once a week, or, during holidays. As we celebrate, the Father and Son have their eyes upon our hearts. Our actions will speak volumes of words. You have read my words and seen into my heart. As true worshipers, on one accord, we reverse the process. We look past the flesh to read into the hearts of others. The Holy Spirit helps us to interpret their spirit (heart). We can identify those who are on one accord with us. We know one another by the love we have for one another. We follow the Mind of Christ.There are benevolent feelings shared between us. And, when the Holy Spirit within is manifested...you may even tell me what's on my mind.
Now, along with the questions within this chapter, I'll leave you with these last thoughts to contemplate:
- If God created everything and all knowledge comes from Him, then, what science and medicine are really about is the study of God.
- If God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Then, when a scientist is experimenting or a doctor is practicing medicine, then they are waiting on God's decision.
- If God is our Healer, then, the difference between someone with the gift of healing and someone who just sees themselves as a doctor practicing medicine, is that a healer knows that no matter what the outcome is, GOD NEVER FAILS.
All Glory be to God for His Wondrous and Precious Gift--His Son, Christ Jesus!!!
your servant and soldier,
mishael
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REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Acts 2 King James Version (KJV)
2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
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5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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John 3 King James Version (KJV)
3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
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