What is the BEREAN way?

 Acts 17:11

King James Version

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, 

in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, 

and searched the scriptures daily, 

whether those things were so.

That's another thing Joseph shared with me in 2020.

As he noticed I was particular about Scripture.

Thus, he told me about the Bereans.

Believers must be that way.

That we:

-- receive the word with "all readiness of mind

-- "search the scriptures daily"

-- and check if "things were so"

We cannot be careless with the WORD of GOD.

We must honor it more than gold.

If anything, there is no comparison.

GOD's WORD is sacred.

Not up for argumentation, manipulation, or substitution.

Looking more into the Berean way, I found these:

About THE BEREAN CALL

Dave Hunt

The Berean Call latest posts

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How Accurate Is Bible Prophecy?

Republished material from 4 July 2020

What causes DIVISION in families?

Luke 12:49-53

King James Version

49 I am come to send fire on the earth; 

and what will I, if it be already kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; 

and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? 

I tell you, 

Nay; but rather division:

52 For from henceforth 

there shall be five in one house divided, 

three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, 

and the son against the father; 

the mother against the daughter, 

and the daughter against the mother; 

the mother in law against her daughter in law, 

and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Going back to verse 49, fire in this context refers to judgement. At times, it refers to punishment, purification, even division as in, wall of fire. 

In verses 52-53, it is about truth that divides even the closest members within the family. 

The Gospel divides. Those who believe in the Gospel become born again and belong to God’s family. Those who are not belong to their father, the devil. 

Mark 3:32-35

King James Version

32 And the multitude sat about him, 

and they said unto him, 

Behold, 

thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

33 And he answered them, saying, 

Who is my mother, or my brethren?

34 And he looked round about on them 

which sat about him, 

and said, 

Behold my mother and my brethren!

35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, 

the same is my brother, 

and my sister, 

and mother.

What is God’s primary will?

John 6:40

King James Version

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, 

that every one which seeth the Son, 

and believeth on him, 

may have everlasting life: 

and I will raise him up at the last day.

Why are non-believers children of Satan?

John 8:44-45

King James Version

44 Ye are of your father the devil, 

and the lusts of your father ye will do. 

He was a murderer from the beginning, 

and abode not in the truth, 

because there is no truth in him. 

When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: 

for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, 

ye believe me not.

Christians are called to be separate. 

2 Corinthians 6:16-18

King James Version

16 And what agreement 

hath the temple of God with idols? 

for ye are the temple of the living God; 

as God hath said, 

I will dwell in them, 

and walk in them; 

and I will be their God, 

and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, 

and be ye separate, saith the Lord, 

and touch not the unclean thing; 

and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, 

and ye shall be my sons and daughters, 

saith the Lord Almighty.

We can’t be equally yoked with unbelievers. 

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

King James Version

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: 

for what fellowship hath righteousness 

with unrighteousness? 

and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? 

or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? 

for ye are the temple of the living God; 

as God hath said, 

I will dwell in them, 

and walk in them; 

and I will be their God, 

and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, 

and be ye separate, 

saith the Lord, 

and touch not the unclean thing; 

and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, 

and ye shall be my sons and daughters, 

saith the Lord Almighty.

More articles here.

How do we become SANCTIFIED?

Once we become born again, all our sins, past, present, future, are forgiven! In that sense, we are justified and positionally pure, sinless, in God’s sight because Jesus paid the price for all our sins by His death. He died in our place so we may live! Here’s one supporting verse: 

Ephesians 2:1

King James Version

2 And you hath he quickened, 

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

On another hand, practically or experientially, we cannot completely free ourselves of sin for the rest of our lives. It can be minimized but not completely eradicated. In other words, one cannot attain perfect obedience everyday for the rest of our lives. The best we can do with the help of the Holy Spirit is to live a life of sanctification, where we undergo spiritual growth or maturity day by day until we leave this earth. The sanctification process is achieved by walking in step with Jesus, through God’s Word  The degree of one’s sanctification will depend upon one’s rate of obedience to God’s Word. 

For the rest of our lives as born again Christians, the challenge to stay away from sin will always be there. Paul himself had this challenge.

Romans 7:14-25

King James Version

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: 

but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: 

for what I would, that do I not; 

but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, 

I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, 

but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) 

dwelleth no good thing: 

for to will is present with me; 

but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: 

but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, 

it is no more I that do it, 

but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, 

when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, 

warring against the law of my mind, 

and bringing me into captivity 

to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! 

who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; 

but with the flesh the law of sin.

Of course, Jesus is the solution and verse 25 deals with one’s sanctification process. 

Unbelievers have only one nature, the sinful nature, mainly because they don’t believe in Jesus, the gospel, and God’s Word. 

1 Corinthians 2:14

King James Version

14 But the natural man receiveth not 

the things of the Spirit of God: 

for they are foolishness unto him: 

neither can he know them, 

because they are spiritually discerned.

Born again Christians have two natures, the sinful nature remains but we are now given a divine nature. Because the sinful nature remains, we can still sin, but now that the divine nature is there, we have the ability to defeat sin. This battle between these two natures remains! As Christians we must do our best to put to death our sinful nature during our lifetime. 

Note that these verses were addressed to the Colossians, a body of believers, a church. (Not to unbelievers.)

Colossians 3:2-10

King James Version

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, 

and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, 

who is our life, shall appear, 

then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, 

evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God 

cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, 

when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; 

anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, 

filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, 

seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, 

which is renewed in knowledge 

after the image of him that created him:

Note verse 5, the existence of an earthly or sinful nature. 

Colossians 3:5

King James Version

5 Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, 

evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

More articles here.

Republished content from 13 June 2020

How does one RECONCILE with GOD?

Joseph and I were in discussion in October 2019.

He cheerfully gave the Scripture verses, as he always does.

As fast as he could, too!

I merely wove them, in some order here.

The question?

"How does one reconcile with GOD?"

First, we must seek God and truly want Him in our lives:

Jeremiah 29:13

King James Version

13 And ye shall seek me, 

and find me, 

when ye shall search for me 

with all your heart.

Secondly, we must bow to Him in all humility and accept how sinful we are:

Romans 3:23

King James Version

23 For all have sinned, 

and come short of the glory of God;

Thirdly, knowing we were born of a sinful nature, we then must sincerely ask for repentance:

Isaiah 30:15

King James Version

15 For thus saith the Lord God, 

the Holy One of Israel; 

In returning and rest shall ye be saved; 

in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: 

and ye would not.

Fourthly, we acknowledge the wisdom of being "born again" in Christ and accept Him as our Savior:

You Must Be Born Again

John 3:1-15

King James Version

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.

For God So Loved the World

John 3:16-21

King James Version

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.

Fifth, we let God take over our thoughts, words, and deeds for He alone knows what is best for us:

John 3:30

King James Version

30 He must increase, 

but I must decrease.

And that takes complete faith in God:

Hebrews 11:6

King James Version

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: 

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, 

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

In truth, God chose us.

He saw what we have in our hearts and thus:

John 15:16

King James Version

16 Ye have not chosen me, 

but I have chosen you, 

and ordained you, 

that ye should go and bring forth fruit, 

and that your fruit should remain: 

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, 

he may give it you.

We become new in Christ and our lives will have the greatest meaning, in a way the world can never have achieved in us.

Our eternal happiness comes from Christ alone, the Son of the Only Holy Father:

2 Corinthians 5:17-20

King James Version

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; 

behold, 

all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, 

who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, 

and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, 

that God was in Christ, 

reconciling the world unto himself, 

not imputing their trespasses unto them; 

and hath committed unto us 

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, 

as though God did beseech you by us: 

we pray you in Christ's stead, 

be ye reconciled to God.

More articles here.

Republished content from 2 October 2019

What does it mean to be a CHILD of GOD?

First and foremost, a person who believes in the One True God must also believe His Word together with its proper interpretation.

A passage in Revelation says: 

Revelation 22:18-19

King James Version

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth 

the words of the prophecy of this book, 

If any man shall add unto these things, 

God shall add unto him the plagues 

that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away 

from the words of the book of this prophecy, 

God shall take away his part out of the book of life, 

and out of the holy city, 

and from the things which are written in this book.

So how does one become a child of God?

Jesus Himself said:

John 3:3-7

King James Version

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.

The moment we are physically born in this world, we also spiritually dead.

We have to go back to Genesis to find out why we’re born spiritually dead. (No true relationship with God, i.e. not a child of God).

Genesis 2:16-17

King James Version

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, 

saying, 

Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, 

thou shalt not eat of it: 

for in the day that thou eatest thereof 

thou shalt surely die.

God gave our first parents, Adam and Eve only one command and yet they blew it. The consequence was spiritual death and all mankind inherited such death, no exceptions.

Because we are spiritually dead, we must be spiritually born again to enter the kingdom of God. To be born again also means to belong to the Family of God, to be a child of God, to have Salvation, to have Eternal Life.

How?

John 1:12-13

King James Version

12 But as many as received him, 

to them gave he power to become the sons of God, 

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, 

not of blood, 

nor of the will of the flesh, 

nor of the will of man, 

but of God.

The formula is easy but many miss it and many even refuse to believe it because it is too simple. Man’s tendency is to add or subtract to God’s formula and that’s how new religions are created. Man wants to always interfere with God’s Word to their own detriment. But we must leave His Word alone because it is Truth.

Jesus said,

John 17:17

King James Version

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: 

thy word is truth.

To believe, to have faith in Jesus, for who He is and what He has done for you, is all it takes to have eternal life. No more, no less.

This popular verse says it all, the GOSPEL in its simplest form.

John 3:16

King James Version

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.

This verse and several others make Believing the requirement for Salvation and nothing else. Salvation is not earned, it is not worked for. It is given as a gift to those who believe.

Ephesians 2:8-9

King James Version

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; 

and that not of yourselves: 

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, 

lest any man should boast.

Here’s a version coming from AMPC.( Amplified Bible Classic Edition):

Ephesians 2:8-9

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

8 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) 

that you are saved 

([a]delivered from judgment 

and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) 

through [your] faith. 

And this [salvation] is not of yourselves 

[of your own doing, 

it came not through your own striving], 

but it is the gift of God;

9 Not because of works 

[not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], 

lest any man should boast. 

[It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, 

so no one can pride himself in it 

or take glory to himself.]

Salvation is 100 percent God’s business. He does everything. Our only contribution is believing or having faith and nothing else. Unfortunately, Roman Catholicism has tampered with this truth big time. They have tampered with God’s formula or requirement for Salvation. Keep in mind, Revelation 22:18-19 and the following:

Galatians 1:6-9

King James Version

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him 

that called you into the grace of Christ 

unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; 

but there be some that trouble you, 

and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, 

or an angel from heaven, 

preach any other gospel unto you 

than that which we have preached unto you, 

let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, 

so say I now again, 

if any man preach any other gospel unto you 

than that ye have received, 

let him be accursed.

That was written by Paul to the Galatian church. Here’s the pure Gospel which he reminded the Corinthians of and this is all what we must believe.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

King James Version

15 Moreover, brethren, 

I declare unto you the gospel 

which I preached unto you, 

which also ye have received, 

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, 

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, 

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all 

that which I also received, 

how that Christ died for our sins 

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, 

and that he rose again the third day 

according to the scriptures:

Of course, nobody can accomplish this but only Jesus, God the Son, Himself.

That’s the Gospel, the Good News!

 All that’s needed is a firm, honest, and sincere belief to the truth of the Gospel.

With that, you have Jesus in you forever. It’s a one-time happening just as it takes to be born only once physically. With that, you are a child of God and you KNOW that you are a child of His.

1 John 5:10-12

King James Version

10 He that believeth on the Son of God 

hath the witness in himself: 

he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; 

because he believeth not 

the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, 

that God hath given to us eternal life, 

and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; 

and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Align yourself with these truths if you haven’t yet and you’re a child of God forever!

And here’s a divine BONUS:

Daniel 12:3

King James Version

3 And they that be wise shall shine 

as the brightness of the firmament; 

and they that turn many to righteousness 

as the stars for ever and ever.

This is one of the rewards for those who lead people to righteousness, especially to believe in the Gospel and get saved.

Of course this reward is obviously figurative.

More articles here.

Republished content from 12 September 2019

SCRIPTURE guidance through Joseph

Matthew 18:20

King James Version

20 For where two or three 

are gathered together in my name, 

there am I in the midst of them.

I woke up early this morning, as I normally do.

What to write about?

SPIRIT guided me to create this 57th blog.

It was time to honor my friend.

Ever had a friend, who guides you through life?

Not through his words, or his thoughts, but through Scripture?

Well, I have such a friend.

A man of GOD.

Whose heart is for the LORD.

Long before GOD made me born again, Joseph would gently guide me.

I would make foolish statements about my beliefs.

My opinions caused warning flags in my friend.

And he would give me Scripture verses.

He was entirely Biblical.

He would actually do that with anyone, who he felt were in danger of eternal fire.

I was one of those, but didn't know it.

Mercifully, GOD gave me such a trustworthy friend.

Have such a friend, and you will FOREVER be blessed!

Most people are caught up in the things of the world, but only by being born again can anyone be saved.

John 3:3

King James Version

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.

The LORD JESUS explained:

John 3:5-7

King James Version

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.

That was the most important thing Joseph taught me.

To be born again.

Of course, I believed in GOD.

I believed in JESUS.

I was brought up Catholic.

Little did I know, there was so much more to learn about faith.

As Catholic, no one among the clergy, or even my teachers in school, led me to study the Bible.

That was the missing part of my education.

Of ALL education in the world.

We must know the Bible.

We must be born again.

We must be taught by SPIRIT.

Friendship means you care about each other.

Joseph, a born again Bible teacher, shared many verses with me.

He would patiently explain my errors, quoting from Scripture.

I had no understanding, for the HOLY SPIRIT wasn't in me yet.

Ah, but the day came, years after, when I made a pact with self.

I was sick of self.

I did not want to sin anymore.

I needed help.

Seems GOD was waiting for this declaration.

He waits for all of us to make such statements.

Wanting to repent, to know truth, to know His laws, to be guided by Him.

You have no idea the POWER in such personal declarations.

On 6 September 2019, five months after that declaration, GOD decided it was time to save his wayward daughter.

He made me watch two videos on Bible prophecy.

Then He turned me to Scripture.

My life, and work, had been His, since.

This blog will share with you the vital guidance I received from Joseph.

When GOD made me born again, Joseph only waited for my questions, and supplied me with verses and explanations.

He let me find my way around, for he knew I was mighty thirsty for the WORD of GOD.

I shall try to retrieve his work, from my many blogs.

I believe I know where those can be found.

The questions I asked him were the hard ones to answer.

As a baby Christian, I needed help.

Joseph was always on hand to answer those difficult questions.

Allow us to share with you our work together.

GOD bless us all!

NOTE: Joseph would teach me in New International Version (NIV), but for uniformity, I shall use my usual King James Version (KJV).

ALL verses from biblegateway.com

Funny, as I gave you that link of my source for Bible verses, here's their VERSE of the DAY:

Ephesians 5:1

King James Version

5 Be ye therefore followers of God, 

as dear children;

So very appropriate for our friendship, in CHRIST.

A friendship, built in CHRIST, through Scripture, guided by the HOLY SPIRIT, from a love for GOD, will be the STRONGEST friendship in the whole world.

May you have such friendships.

Now, on to the meat of this 57th blog:

REPUBLISHED articles

BIBLE teachers

2022 articles