From A to Zeal

[PATrobas]

Reminders Definitions - From Atonement to Zeal

            We have gone through the alphabet these last 6 months exploring Biblical definitions and concepts t0 help us in our spiritual growth. We finish the alphabet now with ‘Z’ for zeal, which means ‘fervent excitement.’ But zeal without correct knowledge and understanding of God and His will, only produces works of the flesh. Paul warned, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes.” ^{Romans 10:1-4} My heart’s desire and prayer is that not just Israel, but all religious groups would be saved and receive Christ’s righteousness. This righteous perfection only comes when the Holy Spirit gives knowledge and understanding of the Word of God by faith. ^{1 Corinthians 2:13-14}  

The Old Testament was penned in Hebrew by Moses around 1400 BC. It is commonly called the Torah or Pentateuch. Some unbelieving “scholars” argue against these facts, but we need only to look to the Word and at what Jesus said, to know the truth. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” ^{John 1:17} and Jesus affirmed, “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law?” ^{John 7:19} The Greek translation of the Old Testament (called the Septuagint) was written around 250 BC. It was commonly accepted as authentic OT Scripture by both Jesus and the Apostles. The NT was written in ‘Koine’ or ‘common’ Greek from about 49 to 95 AD. Though we have none of the original manuscripts of any Scripture, the oldest OT copies are from the Hebrew Dead Sea Scrolls dating from the second century BC. The oldest Greek NT copies date back to 125 AD, and we have thousands of newer Greek, Latin, and Arminian manuscripts. These all verify the authenticity of the Scripture we read today.

            Final Thoughts: When we say the phrase, ‘From A to Z,’ we are talking about a full complete package, from the beginning to the end, and everything in between. A similar idiom was used by Isaiah when quoting Jehovah God, “Thus saith the LORD, the King of Israel and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no [other] God.” ^{Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, 48:12} Moses also emphasized the oneness of the Almighty saying, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” ^{Deuteronomy 6:4} Yet we see all 3 members of the Godhead, the Father, the Spirit, and the Word, all manifested differently in the first 3 verses of the Bible! “In the beginning God [plural] created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” ^{Hebrews 11:3} Just as Isaiah quoted God as being the “first and the last,” Jesus identified Himself the same saying, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last:” ^{Revelation 1:8-11, 21:6, 22:13} Jesus is the Word of God, the fullness of the Godhead in human flesh. ^{Colossians 2:9} They that have Him, also have His life, His righteousness, and His zeal. ^{1 John 5:11-13}     _ph