Friday, July 31, 2015



A STUDY OF ACTS 13:47-48 in English, Greek and Latin
By John E Bristol, BA, ThB, MA
July 31, 2015

The texts of this study:
Act 13:47  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I HAVE SET thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Act 13:47  ουτως γαρ εντεταλται ημιν ο κυριος ΤΕΘΕΙΚΑ σε εις φως εθνων του ειναι σε εις σωτηριαν εως εσχατου της γης
Act 13:47  sic enim praecepit nobis Dominus POSUI te in lumen gentibus ut sis in salutem usque ad extremum terrae

Act 13:48  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ORDAINED to eternal life believed.
Act 13:48  ακουοντα δε τα εθνη εχαιρεν εχαιρον και εδοξαζον τον λογον του κυριου και επιστευσαν οσοι ησαν ΤΕΤΑΓΜΕΝΟΙ εις ζωην αιωνιον
Act 13:48  audientes autem gentes gavisae sunt et glorificabant verbum Domini et crediderunt quotquot erant PRAEORDINATI ad vitam aeternam

Act 15:2  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they DETERMINED that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Act 15:2  γενομενης δε ουν στασεως και ζητησεως συζητησεως ουκ ολιγης τω παυλω και τω βαρναβα προς αυτους ΕΤΑΞΑΝ αναβαινειν παυλον και βαρναβαν και τινας αλλους εξ αυτων προς τους αποστολους και πρεσβυτερους εις ιερουσαλημ περι του ζητηματος τουτου
Act 15:2  facta ergo seditione non minima Paulo et Barnabae adversum illos STATUERUNT ut ascenderent Paulus et Barnabas et quidam alii ex illis ad apostolos et presbyteros in Hierusalem super hac quaestione

Act 27:12  And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part ADVISED to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
Act 27:12  ανευθετου δε του λιμενος υπαρχοντος προς παραχειμασιαν οι πλειονες πλειους ΕΘΕΝΤΟ βουλην αναχθηναι εκειθεν κακειθεν ειπως δυναιντο καταντησαντες εις φοινικα παραχειμασαι λιμενα της κρητης βλεποντα κατα λιβα και κατα χωρον
Act 27:12  et cum aptus portus non esset ad hiemandum plurimi STATUERUNT consilium navigare inde si quo modo possent devenientes Phoenice hiemare portum Cretae respicientem ad africum et ad chorum

The unconjugated Greek word TASSO is only used 9 times in the New Testament (Lk 7:8=set, Ro 13:1=ordained; I Co 16:15=addicted themselves, and 16=submit yourselves; Ac 13:48=ordained; Mt 28:16=appointed, Ac 28:23=appointed; Ac 22:10=appointed; Ac 15:2=determined).  (Verse I Co 16:16 above is from Greek HYPOTASSO).  The Vulgate (Latin)  uses six different words to translate these nine Greek words: preordinare, STATUERE, opotere, constituere, and ordinare).   All these verses could be translated with only one English or Latin word.  It can be seen that the origin of the idea that TASSO should be translated as ‘preordination’ is not compatible with the others uses.  It is also the place where Augustine the propagator of the theology of PREDESTINATION for himself and later Luther (VERORDNET) and Calvin got their misleading information.

Another word, different in Greek, but with a similar meaning as TASSO, is TIThHMI (small h=English long a-e as in gate). This word is found only 15 times in the New Testament.  It is usually translated as ‘lay, put, or set’, but once as ‘purposed’ and once as ‘advised’.  In Latin the word is always translated as a form of ‘PONERE’, but in Acts 27:12 it is translated as ‘STATUERE’=ADVISED.  In Acts 15:2 (see above) the word ‘TASSO” is also translated as ‘STATUERE’ in Latin and ‘DETERMINED’ in English.

In Ac 13:47 the verb is in the Indicative active voice and Paul=Thee is the direct object.  In Ac 13:48 the verb can be either in the Middle or the Passive voice.  In the Passive it can mean we/they have been set/determined/appointed/ordained to eternal life.  It also does not mean that we/they had been ordained to ‘believe’.  In the Middle voice it can mean we/they have set/determined/appointed/ordained ourselves to eternal life, but not that we have done so to ‘believe.’

In English the most mobile part of any sentence is the adverb.  Unlike other parts of speech it can be moved around.  The Greek adverb in 13:48 is “ ‘OSOI “ (where the ‘ =English ‘H’).  Combine this fact with another, that in Greek, Latin, German and some other languages the significant verb of a sentence is found at the end of the sentence instead of in English where it has a fixed place.  Applying this knowledge and the fact that translators today use extreme liberty in how they translate as far as word order or meanings of words, we shouldn’t be too particular about a specific reading of an ancient text in English translation.

Using the following portion (clause) of 13:48 = “and as many as were ORDAINED to eternal life believed”, we can apply some of this knowledge:  1. and as many as (‘osoi)  believed were set/determined/appointed/ordained to eternal life [adverb re-located, passive voice, main verb following the adverb].  2. And as many as believed set/appointed/determined/ordained themselves to eternal life [adverb re-located, middle voice, main verb following the adverb].  Many are called, few are selected.  Election always follows a thorough examination [foreknowledge] of the candidates.

Throughout the New Testament the process of becoming a Christian is detailed in John 1:12 , to wit, John 1:12  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: John 1:13  Which were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Now the whole process was of God,  but it requires that one must first hear the word of the gospel, then must receive it as truth, after which
one receives the authority/right to become the son of God, having received this right and being convinced of its truth, the recipient has one
more step to take, he/she must “align himself tin the queue” of those who desire salvation, Romans 12:1,2, I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, THAT YOU PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO
GOD, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

So, get in the line-up of those who are going to heaven, join the formation, you are in God’s army now:
Attention! Salute your rightful King.  Take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and go forth to destroy the enemy and
save those who are victims  of his captivity.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The Kingdom Christ Promised Began after the Resurrection and was Sealed by the Gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost

KINGDOM PROCESS II Matthew Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Mat 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Mat 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Mark Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: Mar 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Mar 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Mar 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mar 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. Mar 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. Mar 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. Mar 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Mar 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Luke Luk 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Luk 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. Luk 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. Luk 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you Luk 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Luk 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. Luk 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. Luk 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Luk 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Luk 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. Luk 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. Luk 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Luk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luk 18:29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Luk 18:30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. Luk 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. Luk 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. Luk 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Luk 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. John Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Joh 1:12 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: Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Joh 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that Joh 3:3 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. Joh 3:4 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? Joh 3:5 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. Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Joh 3:8 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. Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Acts Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Act 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Act 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Act 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Act 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. Act 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Epistles Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Col 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 1Th 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 1Th 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.