WTW 2021
15 July
From the Personal Records of Kepha called Simon Peter
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 1 Peter 5:1, 12
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Open conversations with muslims (and other students of other scriptures) who do not believe in Jesus God’s Son are invaluable. Such discussions will always give followers of JESUS both the challenge and the opportunity to examine our own faith and scriptures more fully and more honestly and in ways such as we would never otherwise consider.
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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
John 1:14, 18
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Muslims do not believe or accept the message or the 4 Evangels we have, preserved from the first century eyewitnesses. Many do not even want to accept any written copies of the Evangels or biblical scripture. The reason is noble; it’s simply faulty. The reason they give is that the 4 Evangels are not the 1 Injeel given to JESUS. Their information is wrong but their reason is understandable. Like others, I do not accept Watch Tower materials from JWs either.
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Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
John 1:32-36
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It is indeed interesting that most of our new testament scriptures are written by the one apostle who was the last one to see JESUS. That fact is true. With this is mind it may be a useful study to track down the records we have preserved which are directly from the original physical eyewitnesses. Nevertheless, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
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Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:29-31
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As we noted yesterday, even understanding the similarities between 2 Peter 2 and Jude may be informed by considering the koinonia partnership between Peter and JESUS’ 4 earthly brothers. It is also instructive to consider more closely exactly all the powerful first hand eyewitness testimony and insight we have preserved directly from the companions of JESUS, specifically Peter, James, John, Matthew & his brother Jude.
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Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9
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For 2 Peter (Simon) & Jude (Iouda) as well for James (Iakobos), Mark & Luke, this can take some closer study. As you reread yesterday’s post and that linked article more closely, here are some expressly italicized direct quotes from our records which can help us understand those references and also help continuing to track the trail of all the irrefutable first hand eyewitness records.
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Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the brothers of Kyriou kai Kephas ? 1 Corinthians 9:5
Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this the son of Marias and the brother of Iakobou, Iosetos, Iouda and Simonos? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:3
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mariam, and aren’t his brothers Iakobos, Ioseph, Simon and Ioudas? Matthew 13:55
Symeon Petros, a servant and apostle of Iesou Xristou, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Iesou Xristou have received a faith as precious as ours… 2 Peter 1:1
Wisdom in the WORD 