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February 2022 Printable 163 KB .pdf

MOR-Bible, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, peace to you and grace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Father, I thank you for opening your Word to us so we can have a clear and exact knowledge of it so that we know what your Word is regarding any subject in this world. Father, as we meditate in your Word day and night, and do your Word, you shall make our way prosperous, and we shall have success. Father, thank you for healing, signs, and wonders that are done in the name of your son Jesus Christ. We pray for more boldness to speak your Word and do it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the January 2022 teaching, we defined the word "saved" which is the Greek word sozo which means to make sound, to save; to preserve safe from danger, loss or destruction. Jesus Christ made us sound; he saved us. He preserved us safe from danger, loss, or destruction both physically and spiritually! We read some examples of the Greek word sozo used for our English word saved. We increased our knowledge of the truth of our savior the Lord Jesus, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (see 1 Timothy 2:3-4). We learned what we must do to be saved (sozo). We must confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). We learned speaking in tongues is the proof in the senses' world that we are saved and have made Jesus Lord (see 1 Corinthians 12:3). We also learned we do not work to get saved or to stay saved as we are saved through God's unmerited divine grace! (see Ephesians 2: 8-9).

The Will of God is not for anyone to perish. But when people, by their free will, received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, they perish (see 2 Thessalonians 2:10). Jesus Christ is our savior; he is our salvation from sins! Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world (see Galatians 1:4).

In this month's teaching, we will define, search, trace, and track in God's Word the Greek word epignosis used for our English word "knowledge" documented in 1 Timothy 2:4.

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth? (Note: The word knowledge is bold to emphasize its use as epignosis).

In God's Word, the only way to come to the knowledge of the truth is by searching God's Word for the truth! John 5:39 tells us:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me [Jesus Christ].

The Greek word for "search" is ereunao which means to trace, track, scent, or smell it out. It compares to the way a hunting dog will trace, track, scent, and smell out game. To understand God's Word fully, we must start by tracing, tracking, scenting, and smelling out the scriptures daily to see that what we have been taught in God's Word is truth! In Acts 17:11:

These [Judeans in Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched [anakrino] the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Just like the Judeans in Berea, we must receive God's Word with all readiness of mind and search the scriptures daily to see for ourselves that what we have heard, read, or been taught is true according to God's Word. The Greek word for "search" in this verse is anakrino which means to divide up, to make a distinction, come to a decision, to judge, to sift. The people in Berea who heard the Word of God went above just tracing and tracking God's Word; they rightly divided it, made a distinction, and came to a decision that it was the Word of God!

Now let us define, search, track and trace in God's Word some of the usages of the Greek word epignosis used for our English word "knowledge and acknowledgement." An understanding of the use of epignosis will aid us as we rightly divide, make a distinction, and come to a decision that this is the Word of God!

There are twenty (20) occurrences of the Greek word epignosis and we will review all twenty usages over the next two months. Sixteen of the 20 occurrences of the Greek word epignosis are translated into our English word "knowledge" and four times it was translated into our English word "acknowledgement."

The Greek word epignosis means "clear and exact knowledge; a knowledge that has a powerful influence on the knower; full knowledge." The sources for all Greek-English words are The Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament (1975) and Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible (1982).

The first usage of the Greek word epignosis used for our English word "knowledge" is documented in Romans 1. Recall that Romans is a doctrine epistle as it sets God's standard for right believing. It is written in 2 Timothy 3:16:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. See March 2019 teaching. (Bold added for emphasis).

Romans is listed first among the Doctrinal Epistles in the Grace Administration because it contains the groundwork, the foundation, the beginning point, for the "all truth" documented in (John 16:13). Romans contains the knowledge which Jesus Christ said he would send after his ascension. Romans teaches us about humankind in the unredeemed state of Adam who fell from God's Grace into ungodliness and unrighteousness. Romans is a Doctrine Epistle as it holds the basic truths, the principles, or the standard regarding men and women who chose to be homosexual. God our Father wants His children to have clear and exact knowledge; a knowledge that has a powerful influence on the knower or epignosis. God wants us to have a full knowledge about people who identify as homosexuals. Let's review Romans 1:16,18-28. We will begin with verse 16:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel [good news] of Christ [the now glorified one]: for it is the power of God unto salvation [wholeness] to everyone that believeth; to the Jew [Judean - see Acts 2] first, and also to the Greek [Gentiles - see Acts 10].

Verse 18:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [suppress] the truth in unrighteousness.

In this verse, the wrath of God does not mean that God is causing pain on people; rather, it is people working in opposition to the truth of God's Word and receiving the consequences of their actions. God our Father is always loving, caring, forgiving, compassionate, and just. However, unrighteousness always suppresses the truth of God's Word. Our goal is to make known the truth of God's Word and live it according to God's righteousness documented in His Word.

We will continue with Romans 1:19-22:

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them [ungodliness and unrighteousness of men and women]; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him [God] from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his [God] eternal power and Godhead; so that they [ungodliness and unrighteousness of men and women] are without excuse:

Because that, when they [ungodliness and unrighteousness of men and women] knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

Verse 23:

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Because of verse 23 above, we get verse 24:

Wherefore God also gave them [ungodliness and unrighteousness of men and women] up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves.

God gave them, the ungodly and unrighteous men and women, up because they changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things (verse 23).

Verse 25:

Who [since they, the ungodly and unrighteous men and women] changed the truth of God into a lie [the lie that there is a God above the one true God] and worshipped and served [twofold emphasis] the creature [Satan, the adversary] more than the Creator [God, Elohim], who is [The] blessed [One] forever. Amen.

No one can change the truth of God's Word. However, according to the verses above, homosexuals exchanged the truth of God's Word for the lie, which is in the category of idolatry. The lie is to worship and serve anything ahead of or above the true God! Satan, the adversary, receives indirect worship out of all forms of the lie! He is the god of this world (see 2 Corinthians 4:4). The word "Amen" in verse 25 means "of a truth, thus it shall surely be."

Verse 26:

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.

Again, God gave lesbians up to vile affections, which are "passions of infamy." The word "vile" comes from the Greek word atimos, which means dishonor. Lesbians manifest passions of infamy and dishonor toward God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to God's Word, lesbian behavior is unnatural and against nature.

Verse 27:

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving [the Greek word lambano into manifestation or evidence] in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet [they are going to pay for their error].

According to God's Word, it is natural for a man to be with a woman! Therefore, it is unnatural for a man to be with a man or a woman to be with a woman! The cause of homosexuality is spiritual as it comes from Satan.

The Greek word epignosis is now introduced in Romans 1, as God wants us to read all the context of this chapter. Epignosis means a clear and exact knowledge; a knowledge that has a powerful influence on the knower, full knowledge. Verse 28 is the first usage of epignosis.

And even as they [homosexuals] did not like [or approve] to retain God in their knowledge [the Greek word epignosis], God gave them over to a reprobate mind [a mind void of judgment], to do those things which are not convenient [the Greek word for "convenient" is katheekon which means seemly, befitting, fit or proper].

Homosexuals, by their free will, refuse to retain a clear and exact knowledge of God's Word, which has a powerful influence on the knower. Through their choice, they refuse the full knowledge or epignosis of God who formed, made, and created the world and all things contained therein. Turn to Genesis 2:21-22:

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

God the creator of all things made who for a man? A woman! Then God brought her to the man Adam! Verse 23-24:

And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife [a woman]: and they shall be one flesh.

Colossians 1:16-17 tells us:

For by him [God] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him [God], and for him [God]:

And he [God] is before all things, and by him [God] all things consist.

Romans 9:20:

Nay [no] but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him [God] that formed it, why hast thou made me thus?

According to His Word, God gave homosexuals over to a reprobate mind void of judgment to do those things which are not seemly, befitting, fit or proper (see Romans 1: 28). Everywhere you look these days homosexuals are on most of the television shows, news programs, and shopping malls. They are even Pastors in churches in our country. Is this the Will of God who will have all people to be saved and come to a clear and exact knowledge or epignosis; a knowledge that has a powerful influence on the knower, the full knowledge of the truth? No!

Titus 2:11-12 tells us:

The grace of God that bringeth salvation [wholeness] hath appeared to all men [people],

teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

In this verse, the word "soberly" means with sound mind, prudently, discreetly.

When we searched God's Word in Romans 1, this is what is written in God's Word about homosexuals:

• They will endure the wrath of God (verse 18).
• They are ungodliness and unrighteousness men and women and hold [suppress] the truth in unrighteousness (verse 18).
• They are without excuse (verse 20).
• Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful (verse 21).
• And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things (verse 23).
• Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves (verse 24).
• Who [since they] changed the truth of God into a lie [The lie] and worshipped and served [twofold emphasis] the creature [Satan, the adversary] more than the Creator [God, Elohim], who is [The] blessed [One] forever Amen (verse 25).
• For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections (verse 26).
• God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (verse 28).

Three times in this chapter it says that God gave them up or gave them over. The number three (3) throughout the Word of God signifies divine perfection, wholeness, and completeness. The true God and Father of our Lord Jesu Christ and our Father, based on what is written in His Word, has completely given homosexuals up and over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient, seemly, befitting, fit, or proper. This is because, by their free will, they did not retain a clear and exact knowledge of God's Word, which has a powerful influence on the knower. They refused the full knowledge of God's Word in their minds; they refused epignosis.

As a consequence, God our Father completely gave them up or gave them over to another power - Satan. This is God's Word. God's Word tells us there are only two powers: the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 11:31) and the god of this world, the devil who has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:4). The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who chose to be homosexuals.

As believers, we do not hate homosexuals. Jesus Christ despised the sin but loved the sinner to the point of making a clear and exact knowledge of God's Word - epignosis - which has a powerful influence on the knower available, for spiritual and physical and mental deliverance. We do the same. We love people which is why we tell them the truth of God's Word about homosexual behavior so they can get deliverance if they want to. As it is written, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).

God wants us, His children, to know about homosexuals which is why Romans 1:18-28 gives us clear and exact knowledge (epignosis), that has a powerful influence on the knower. We have full knowledge of what the will of God is regarding homosexuals. Acts 5:29 says:

We ought to obey God rather than men.

Galatians 4:16 asks the rhetorical question:

Am I, therefore, become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

The genuine longing of every born-again believer person is to be forgiven from sin, guilt, fear, and judgment in the eyes of God. This is the Will of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ concerning homosexuals. God wants homosexuals to confess Jesus as Lord and believe in their hearts that God has raised him from the dead. They are then saved and are His sons and daughters and can come unto the knowledge or epignosis of their doctrinal error as presented in Romans 1. God is faithful and just to forgive their sins, and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness.

I exhort you to read the rest of Romans1:29-32 to see what behaviors homosexuals exhibit. The Will of God regarding homosexuals is fully documented in this first Doctrine Epistle listed in the Grace Administration. Remember, we love people, but not the sin that is manifested by them.

In this month's teaching, we defined and tracked in God's Word the first usage of the Greek word epignosis used for our English word "knowledge" as documented in 1 Timothy 2:4.

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth? [Bold added for emphasis]

The Greek word epignosis means a clear and exact knowledge; a knowledge that has a powerful influence on the knower; full knowledge. We learned from Romans 1 the basic truths, the principles, the standard regarding people that chose to be homosexual. God our Father wants His children to have clear and exact knowledge; a knowledge that has a powerful influence on the knower. God's Word presents this full knowledge about homosexuals in Romans 1.

We learned that the true God and Father of our Lord Jesu Christ and our Father has completely given homosexuals up and over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient, seemly, befitting, fit or proper because, by their free will, they did not retain a clear and exact knowledge of God's Word, which has a powerful influence on the knower. They refused the full knowledge of God's Word in their minds. So, their minds became corrupted, and God had to give them up and over to another power.

Romans 1:16:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel [good news] of Christ [the now glorified one]: for it is the power of God unto salvation [wholeness] to everyone that believeth; to the Jew [Judean - see Acts 2] first, and also to the Greek [Gentiles - see Acts 10].

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, do not go by what I say about God's Word. Study it and make it your own! God gave us His Word, so we can know His Will for us! Because we love God our Father with all our soul, heart, mind, and strength, we labor to master His Word which is His Will to demonstrate our love for Him. We have received God's Word with all readiness of mind, searched the scriptures, made a distinction, and come to a decision for ourselves that what we have read is true according to God's Word.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Father, thank you for your Word which tells us your Will for your children in your household. Father, thank you for the doctrine of your Word giving us clear and exact knowledge; knowledge which has a powerful influence on us your children. We now have full knowledge of what your Will is regarding homosexuals. Father, I thank you that by your mercies we can present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to you Father, which is our religious service and be not conformed to this world. Thank you, Father, that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yours regarding homosexuals. Father, your Word is truth and we have been set apart by the truth of your Word. Father, we have esteemed your Word more than our necessary food to live. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Bless your hearts. We sure do love you. You are the best!

In next month's teaching, we will trace and track the other nineteen occurrences of the Greek word epignosis used for our English word knowledge from 1 Timothy 2:4.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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