The Outcome of the Rains in the Bible:

1) The Lord Commands:

2) I will command the clouds not to rain

3) I will send a plague among my people

4) I also withheld rain from you

5) I will rain down bread from heaven

I will command the clouds not to rain

Isaiah 5:6

I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.”

Send a plague among my people

2 Chronicles 7:13

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,

I also withheld rain from you

Amos 4:7

“I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up.

I will rain down bread from heaven

Exodus 16:4

Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.

The Lord says: you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame.

Jeremiah 3:3

Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame.

Say to the land, ‘You are a land that has had no rain

Ezekiel 22:24

“Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has had no rain or showers in the day of wrath.’

The Rain and Fire, Burn, destruction and the Lord’s anger

I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on many nations! Why many nations?

Ezekiel 38:21-22

21- I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother.

22- I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Deuteronomy 11:17

Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you.

Deuteronomy 28:24

The LORD will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder; it will come down from the skies until you are destroyed.

Luke 17:29

But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

Isaiah 28:2

See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong. Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind, like a driving rain and a flooding downpour, he will throw it forcefully to the ground.

Ezekiel 13:13

“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury.

Rain down his blows upon him

Job 20:23

When he has filled his belly, God will vent his burning anger against him and rain down his blows upon him.

It fell with a great crash

Matthew 7:27

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Without fruit

Jude 1:12

These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.

The Effects of the Rains on the Earth:

The rain made the trees grow

Isaiah 44:14

He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.

Regular weeks of harvest

Jeremiah 5:24

They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’

Because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.

Jeremiah 14:4

The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it

Hebrews 6:7

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

He gave them the grain of heaven.

Psalm 78:24

He rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.

Let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide

Isaiah 45:8

“You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

2 Chronicles 6:27

then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

He gave them the grain of heaven.

Psalm 78:24

He rained down manna for the people to eat; he gave them the grain of heaven.

Let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide

Isaiah 45:8

“You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

It yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Isaiah 55:10

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons

Acts 14:17

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

The heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

James 5:18

Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

The Fear and Terror

1 Samuel 12:18

Then Samuel called upon the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in fear of the Lord and of Samuel.

They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining

Acts 28:2

The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.

Be patient

James 5:7

[Patience in Suffering] Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time

Revelation 11:6

These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Tender plants

Deuteronomy 32:2

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

Rained meat

Psalm 78:27

He rained meat down on them like dust, flying birds like sand on the seashore.

Honor is not fitting for a fool

Proverbs 26:1

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.

Driving rain that leaves no crops

Proverbs 28:3

A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

North wind brings rain

Proverbs 25:23

As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.

The Outcome of the Rains in the Quran:

The Rain is a great blessing.

Surah 50:9

And we send down from the sky rain charted with blessing, and we produce therewith gardens and grain for harvests;

The Rain has certain measure.

Surah 13:17

SHAKIR: he sends down water from the cloud, then watercourses flow (with water) according to their measure, and the torrent bears along the swelling foam, and from what they melt in the fire for the sake of making ornaments or apparatus arises a scum like it; thus does Allah compare truth and falsehood; then as for the scum, it passes away as a worthless thing; and as for that which profits the people, it tarries in the earth; thus does Allah set forth parables

Surah 39:21

do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud, then makes it go along in the earth in springs, then brings forth therewith herbage of various colors, then it withers so that you see it becoming yellow, then he makes it a thing crushed and broken into pieces? most surely there is a reminder in this for the men of understanding

The Rain is for Drink and Plant formation

Surah 16:10

He it is Who sends down water from the cloud for you; it gives drink, and by it (grow) the trees upon which you pasture

The Rain makes the Earth Green

Surah 22:63

Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud so the earth becomes green? Surely Allah is benignant, aware

The Rain Produces Plants, Fruits, and Trees etc.

Surah 2:22

Who made the earth a resting place for you and the heaven a canopy and (Who) sends down rain from the cloud then brings forth with it subsistence for you of the fruits; therefore do not set up rivals to Allah while you know

Surah 6:66

And He it is Who sends down water from the cloud, then we bring forth with it buds of all (plants), then we bring forth from it green (foliage) from which we produce grain piled up (in the ear); and of the palm-tree, of the sheaths of it, come forth clusters (of dates) within reach, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike; behold the fruit of it when it yields the fruit and the ripening of it; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe

Surah 14:32

Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth and sent down water from the clouds, then brought forth with it fruits as a sustenance for you, and he has made the ships subservient to you, that they might run their course in the sea by his command, and he has made the rivers subservient to you

Surah 20:53

He Who has, made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels); and has sent down water from the sky.” with it have we produced diverse pairs of plants each separate from the others.

Surah 27:60

Nay, He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sent down for you water from the cloud; then we cause to grow thereby beautiful gardens; it is not possible for you that you should make the trees thereof to grow. is there a god with Allah? nay! they are people who deviate

Surah 31:10

He created the heavens without pillars as you see them, and put mountains upon the earth lest it might convulse with you, and he spread in it animals of every kind; and we sent down water from the cloud, then caused to grow therein (vegetation) of every noble kind

Surah 35:27

Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud, then we bring forth therewith fruits of various colors; and in the mountains are streaks, white and red, of various hues and (others) intensely black?

The Rain gives life to the Dead Earth; this is for people who would listen and understand.

Surah 16:65

And Allah has sent down water from the cloud and therewith given life to the earth after its death; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who would listen

Surah 29:63

And if you ask them who is it that sends down water from the clouds, then gives life to the earth with it after its death, they will certainly say, allah. say: all praise is due to Allah. nay, most of them do not understand

Surah 30:24

And one of his signs is that he shows you the lightning for fear and for hope, and sends down water from the clouds then gives life therewith to the earth after its death; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand.

Allah is capable to give life to the Dead, the same way as the Rain gives life to the Dead Earth! You may notice that the Quran always makes link between the scientific facts and the religious notions. You may also notice that the Quran always reminds us with the Revival of the Dead, the Afterlife and the Day of Judgment.

These meaning are not found in the Bible.

Surah 43:11

And he who sends down water from the cloud according to a measure, then we raise to life thereby a dead country, even thus shall you be brought forth;

Back to the main issue of my series of articles (1-36); this is my question to you smart readers: “Is the Quran quoted from the Bible “?

Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil
http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/what-do-the-bible-and-quran-say-about-the-outcome-of-the-rains-126136.html

The Outcome of the Rains in the Bible:

1) The Lord Commands:

2) I will command the clouds not to rain

3) I will send a plague among my people

4) I also withheld rain from you

5) I will rain down bread from heaven

I will command the clouds not to rain

Isaiah 5:6

I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.”

Send a plague among my people

2 Chronicles 7:13

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,

I also withheld rain from you

Amos 4:7

“I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up.

I will rain down bread from heaven

Exodus 16:4

Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.

The Lord says: you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame.

Jeremiah 3:3

Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame.

Say to the land, ‘You are a land that has had no rain

Ezekiel 22:24

“Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has had no rain or showers in the day of wrath.’

The Rain and Fire, Burn, destruction and the Lord’s anger

I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on many nations! Why many nations?

Ezekiel 38:21-22

21- I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother.

22- I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Deuteronomy 11:17

Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you.

Deuteronomy 28:24

The LORD will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder; it will come down from the skies until you are destroyed.

Luke 17:29

But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

Isaiah 28:2

See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong. Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind, like a driving rain and a flooding downpour, he will throw it forcefully to the ground.

Ezekiel 13:13

“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury.

Rain down his blows upon him

Job 20:23

When he has filled his belly, God will vent his burning anger against him and rain down his blows upon him.

It fell with a great crash

Matthew 7:27

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Without fruit

Jude 1:12

These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.

The Effects of the Rains on the Earth:

The rain made the trees grow

Isaiah 44:14

He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.

Regular weeks of harvest

Jeremiah 5:24

They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’

Because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.

Jeremiah 14:4

The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it

Hebrews 6:7

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

He gave them the grain of heaven.

Psalm 78:24

He rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.

Let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide

Isaiah 45:8

“You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

2 Chronicles 6:27

then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

He gave them the grain of heaven.

Psalm 78:24

He rained down manna for the people to eat; he gave them the grain of heaven.

Let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide

Isaiah 45:8

“You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

It yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Isaiah 55:10

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons

Acts 14:17

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

The heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

James 5:18

Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

The Fear and Terror

1 Samuel 12:18

Then Samuel called upon the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in fear of the Lord and of Samuel.

They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining

Acts 28:2

The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.

Be patient

James 5:7

[Patience in Suffering] Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time

Revelation 11:6

These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Tender plants

Deuteronomy 32:2

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

Rained meat

Psalm 78:27

He rained meat down on them like dust, flying birds like sand on the seashore.

Honor is not fitting for a fool

Proverbs 26:1

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.

Driving rain that leaves no crops

Proverbs 28:3

A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

North wind brings rain

Proverbs 25:23

As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.

The Outcome of the Rains in the Quran:

The Rain is a great blessing.

Surah 50:9

And we send down from the sky rain charted with blessing, and we produce therewith gardens and grain for harvests;

The Rain has certain measure.

Surah 13:17

SHAKIR: he sends down water from the cloud, then watercourses flow (with water) according to their measure, and the torrent bears along the swelling foam, and from what they melt in the fire for the sake of making ornaments or apparatus arises a scum like it; thus does Allah compare truth and falsehood; then as for the scum, it passes away as a worthless thing; and as for that which profits the people, it tarries in the earth; thus does Allah set forth parables

Surah 39:21

do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud, then makes it go along in the earth in springs, then brings forth therewith herbage of various colors, then it withers so that you see it becoming yellow, then he makes it a thing crushed and broken into pieces? most surely there is a reminder in this for the men of understanding

The Rain is for Drink and Plant formation

Surah 16:10

He it is Who sends down water from the cloud for you; it gives drink, and by it (grow) the trees upon which you pasture

The Rain makes the Earth Green

Surah 22:63

Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud so the earth becomes green? Surely Allah is benignant, aware

The Rain Produces Plants, Fruits, and Trees etc.

Surah 2:22

Who made the earth a resting place for you and the heaven a canopy and (Who) sends down rain from the cloud then brings forth with it subsistence for you of the fruits; therefore do not set up rivals to Allah while you know

Surah 6:66

And He it is Who sends down water from the cloud, then we bring forth with it buds of all (plants), then we bring forth from it green (foliage) from which we produce grain piled up (in the ear); and of the palm-tree, of the sheaths of it, come forth clusters (of dates) within reach, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike; behold the fruit of it when it yields the fruit and the ripening of it; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe

Surah 14:32

Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth and sent down water from the clouds, then brought forth with it fruits as a sustenance for you, and he has made the ships subservient to you, that they might run their course in the sea by his command, and he has made the rivers subservient to you

Surah 20:53

He Who has, made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels); and has sent down water from the sky.” with it have we produced diverse pairs of plants each separate from the others.

Surah 27:60

Nay, He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sent down for you water from the cloud; then we cause to grow thereby beautiful gardens; it is not possible for you that you should make the trees thereof to grow. is there a god with Allah? nay! they are people who deviate

Surah 31:10

He created the heavens without pillars as you see them, and put mountains upon the earth lest it might convulse with you, and he spread in it animals of every kind; and we sent down water from the cloud, then caused to grow therein (vegetation) of every noble kind

Surah 35:27

Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud, then we bring forth therewith fruits of various colors; and in the mountains are streaks, white and red, of various hues and (others) intensely black?

The Rain gives life to the Dead Earth; this is for people who would listen and understand.

Surah 16:65

And Allah has sent down water from the cloud and therewith given life to the earth after its death; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who would listen

Surah 29:63

And if you ask them who is it that sends down water from the clouds, then gives life to the earth with it after its death, they will certainly say, allah. say: all praise is due to Allah. nay, most of them do not understand

Surah 30:24

And one of his signs is that he shows you the lightning for fear and for hope, and sends down water from the clouds then gives life therewith to the earth after its death; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand.

Allah is capable to give life to the Dead, the same way as the Rain gives life to the Dead Earth! You may notice that the Quran always makes link between the scientific facts and the religious notions. You may also notice that the Quran always reminds us with the Revival of the Dead, the Afterlife and the Day of Judgment.

These meaning are not found in the Bible.

Surah 43:11

And he who sends down water from the cloud according to a measure, then we raise to life thereby a dead country, even thus shall you be brought forth;

Back to the main issue of my series of articles (1-36); this is my question to you smart readers: “Is the Quran quoted from the Bible “?

Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/bible-versus-quran-versus-sciences-36-the-outcome-of-the-rains-126137.html

Thanks for all your questions!! Yes i will be competing in tennis soon so just wanted to know if it’s legal or not but i’ll probably go to GNC and get the right stuff or just eat a nutritional meal before my matches. Thanks!!!

Ahhh I think that’s what they were intended for.

Church doctrine

We run across the word “church” 114 times in the New Testament. So what can we learn from the scriptures about the original church (the church we read about in the New Testament)? Here are the essentials:

Jesus established the church. (Matthew 16:13-18)

Jesus purchased the church with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

Jesus is the head of the church. (Ephesians 1:22-23) (Ephesians 5:23)

Jesus is the foundation of the church. (1 Corinthians 3:11)

The church was a part of God’s eternal plan before creation. (Ephesians 3:9-10)

The purpose of the church was to: “display [God's] wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 3:9-10)

The church is not a building but saved people. “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)

The church is not a denomination. (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)

The Gospel and teachings of Christ (church doctrine) are not subject to change. (Galatians 1:8-11) (2 John 1:9-11)

Scriptural names of the church:

the body of Christ (Colossians 1:24) (Ephesians 1:22-23)

church of the living God (1 Timothy 3:15)

church of God (Acts 20:28) (1 Corinthians 1:2) (1 Corinthians 10:32) (1 Corinthians 11:22) (1 Corinthians 15:9) (2 Corinthians 1:1) (Galatians 1:13) (1 Timothy 3:5)

churches of God (1 Corinthians 11:16) (1 Thessalonians 2:14) (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33)

church of the first-born (Hebrews 12:23)

churches of Christ (Romans 16:16)

Scriptural names for members of the church:

Members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15)

Disciples (Acts 6:1,7) (Acts 11:26)

Believers (2 Corinthians 6:15)

Saints (Acts 9:13) (Romans 1:7) (Philippians 1:1)

Priests (Revelation 1:6)

Children of God (Galatians 3:26-27) (1 John 3:1-2)

Christians (Acts 11:26) (Acts 26:28) (1 Peter 4:16)

How to become a member of the original church:

Hear the Gospel, “for faith comes by hearing the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

Believe in Jesus Christ, “for without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6); Also see: (Acts 16:31) (Romans 1:15-17) (1 John 5:1-6)

Repent of your sins, “for [God] commands all people everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30); Also see: (Luke: 15:10) (2 Peter 3:9)

Confess Jesus as Lord, for he said, “Whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32 NKJV) Also see: (Romans 10:9)

Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, for Peter said: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) Also see: (Mark 16:16) (Romans 6:3-4)

Church organization:

Elders

Elders (also called presbyters, bishops, overseers, pastors, or shepherds, without distinction of office or rank) were men (always men) chosen from the members to oversee and set an example for the congregation. Also they are to encourage the congregation with sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (1 Peter 5:1-4) (1 Titus 1:9) For the requirements for this position see: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

Deacons

Deacons were men chosen to serve the congregation (overlook the daily distribution of food or wait on tables.) (Acts 6:1-7) For requirements for both the deacon and his wife, see: 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Paul also mentions deacons in his address to the church at Philippi. (Philippians 1:1) At least two men, Stephen and Philip, chosen as deacons in the Jerusalem church also preached or evangelized.

Evangelists

Evangelists (preachers, ministers) are preachers of the Gospel. (Ephesians 4:11) (1 Timothy 4:13-16) (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Those three positions were the only ones created for Christ’s church. Notice that no singular person was placed in charge of any congregation. And there was no higher organization than the local congregation. Synods, Councils, Conventions, Popes, Ecclesiastical Legislative Bodies, Associations or Conferences with delegates from different congregations are nowhere to be found in the Bible. They didn’t exist in the church you read about in the New Testament.

Church worship:

Over the past two thousand years, Christians have worshipped God in various ceremonies and rituals including: baptism, the Lord’s Supper, fasting, foot washing, prayers, reading scriptures, reciting creeds, singing, miraculous powers, prophecies, healings, and speaking in tongues. You may wonder what lies behind these traditions. Are they merely customs of the church? Or is there something more to it?

Let’s start with a definition of church. Our English word “church” is based on the Greek word “ekklesia” which means an assembly. Sometimes “church” refers to a local congregation; at other times the word is used in a universal sense including all believers in Christ. Christ is the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11), and head of the church. (Ephesians 1:22-23) (Ephesians 5:23)

But Jesus himself had very little to say about the church. In Mark, Luke and John, Jesus never utters the word “church.” Matthew, and Matthew alone, gives us our only two quotes. In one passage, Jesus says the church should resolve disputes between its members. (Matthew 18:15-17) In the other reference, Jesus says: “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Outside of Revelation, these are the only two instances where Jesus directly refers to his church. Even so, he did introduce the two sacraments of the church — baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Baptism

We have mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. The resurrected Jesus ordered his apostles to make disciples in every nation “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Jesus says baptism is essential for salvation. (Mark 16:16) And Peter says it is required for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38)

The book of Acts records much of what we know about the history of the early church. Here we find a series of sermons, teachings, and baptisms. Who was baptized? Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:13), the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:38), Saul, who was later called Paul (Acts 9:18), Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth (Acts 16:14-15), the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:33), Crispus, the synagogue ruler (Acts 18:8) (1 Corinthians 1:14), twelve disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19:1-5), and men and women at city in Samaria. (Acts 8:5-12)

What did all of these people have in common? They were all believing adults. Were children also baptized? Some claim there were, and they cite these passages to support their position. Acts 16:15 states that “[Lydia] and members of her household were baptized.” Acts 16:33 reads: “[The jailer] and all of his family were baptized.” And Acts 18:8 says that Crispus and “his entire household” were baptized.

The question is: Does “members of her household,” “all of his family,” and “his entire household” imply that children and infants were also baptized? Probably not. Notice that the jailer “and his whole family” had come to believe in God. (Acts 16:34) Similarly, Crispus “and his entire household believed in the Lord.” (Acts 18:8)

In both instances, all believed, and all were baptized. Clearly we are not speaking of infants or very small children in this context. Those who were baptized were mature enough to believe in Christ.

How were these believing “adults” baptized? Romans 6:3-4 speaks of baptism as a symbolic burial with Christ. And in Acts 8:38 Philip took the Ethiopian eunuch “down into the water” to baptize him. Baptism was and is emersion. Throughout the first century baptism and emersion were synonymous.

Lord’s Supper; The Eucharist; The Holy Communion

In Matthew we read: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’

“Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Matthew 26:26-28)

In the Gospel according to John, the significance of this act becomes clear. Jesus: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

He repeated and emphasized his words: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:53-54)

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, explained where this custom originated. He says: “The tradition which I handed on to you came from the Lord himself: that on the night of his arrest the Lord Jesus took bread and after giving thanks to God broke it and said: ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in memory of me.’

In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said: ‘This cup is the new covenant sealed by my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this in memory of me.’ For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes.’” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 REB)

Paul informs us that the early church carried on this tradition and tells us when they did it. “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.” (Acts 20:7)

The apostle again speaks of the Lord’s Supper when he warned the Corinthians: “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29)

Such respected historians as Eusebius of Caesarea and Johann August Wilhelm Neander tell us that Christians in the early centuries of the church took the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.

Fasting

Jesus to John the Baptist’s disciples: “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15)

And Jesus issued instructions on fasting. Don’t put on a show when you fast like hypocrites do. Let your fasting be a secret between you and God. He knows, and he will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)

Luke speaks of the Antioch church worshiping the Lord and fasting. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” (Acts 13:2) In the next chapter we read, “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in each church [in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch] and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord.” (Acts 14:23)

We find no command in the New Testament to fast. However, in Acts chapters 13 and 14 we discover instances in which the early church did fast.

Foot Washing

“[Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:4-5)

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:12-15)

“Washing the feet of the saints” is also one of good deed qualifications Paul lists for widows seeking support from the church. (1 Timothy 5:9-10)

Even so, washing feet is nowhere declared a part of the church’s worship service.

Prayer

Prayer is our way of communicating with God. Jesus offers us an example. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

Notice that the Lord’s prayer is simple, short, and to the point. It asks for daily help, guidance, and forgiveness.

He tells us to pray for those who persecute us; (Matthew 5:44) pray to God privately, don’t make a spectacle out of it; and don’t babble on. God already knows what you need. He’s not impressed by the length of your prayer. (Matthew 6:5-8)

So what are we to pray? Paul tells us to give thanks in all circumstances; (1 Thessalonians 5:18) for God’s help; (1 Timothy 5:5) for each other; (James 5:16) for whatever we want to request; (Philippians 4:6) for rulers, officials, and everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

James says we don’t get what we want because we don’t pray for it. Or if we do pray for it, our request is denied because of our wrong motives. (James 4:2-3) Pray whenever you are sick or in trouble, advises James. (James 5:14)

Prayer was a part of the New Testament church’s worship. (Acts 2:42) (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Giving

Paul tells us of the collection taken for God’s people in the Galatian and Corinthian churches. “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)

Reading Scriptures

By the early part of the first century, Jews had established the tradition of reading the Law and Prophets in their synagogue services. Paul told Timothy to devote himself to the “public reading of scriptures, preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13) Thus the Jewish custom was carried over into church worship.

In Colossians we find Paul instructing the Colossians and the Laodiceans to exchange letters he had written and read both. (Colossians 4:16) And in Thessalonians, he tells the church to read his letter to all the brothers. (1 Thessalonians 5:27) Thereby, what was to become portions of the New Testament was already being read in the church along with the Law and Prophets of the Old Testament.

Reciting Creeds

A creed is a compact statement of faith recited by the congregation during the worship service. Creeds, however, are nowhere to be found in the New Testament. No common human creed, no catechism, no confession of faith are authorized in the scriptures. They were all added later.

It’s true, the Lord’s Prayer is frequently quoted word for word. Did Jesus intend for that prayer to become a creed? Evidently, he did not. Jesus introduced his prayer saying, “Pray, then, in this way.” (Matthew 6:9 NRSV) That sounds very much like general guidance – “Do it in this fashion” rather than, “I want you to repeat every word of this verbatim.”

Singing

Here are all the New Testament references to hymns, songs, and spiritual songs.

After Jesus and the apostles’ Passover meal, “they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30 NKJV)

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)

Paul: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19)

Paul: “I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” (1 Corinthians 14:15)

Paul: “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Paul encourages us to: “admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

James: “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13)

Notice musical instruments, choirs, and solos were not mentioned in church worship. Like human creeds, they were later additions not authorized by the scriptures. Historically, the first appearance of instrumental music in church worship was not until the sixth century A.D., and it was not widely accepted until the eighth century. A number of religious leaders including: John Calvin, John Wesley, and Charles Spurgeon strongly opposed the use of instrumental music in worship because of its absence in the New Testament.

Miraculous Powers, Prophecies, Healings, Speaking in Tongues

Jesus preformed miracles; the apostles preformed miracles; members of the early church performed miracles.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul lists nine spiritual gifts of the infant church: “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

What was the purpose of these miracles? Jesus confirmed his deity with his miracles. “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’

“Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.’” (Matthew 11:2-5)

Likewise, Jesus gave his apostles the power to perform miracles to confirm their message. “In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:17-20)

Those gifts to the early church Paul lists: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, different tongues and interpretation of tongues were all necessary for the revelation and the confirmation of the unwritten gospel message. When the gospel was completely revealed and confirmed, the purpose for miracles, tongues, healings, and prophecies ceased.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul provides us with this explanation: “As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10)

In the original Greek, “perfect” in this verse means “completeness” or “fulfillment.” So, those miraculous gifts ended in the early church when the revelation of God’s word was complete or fulfilled. That is why you don’t see authentic miraculous events in churches today.

Permit me to conclude this church worship section by mentioning three practices found in some modern churches which are nowhere to be found in the early church: alter calls, pleas to “just accept Jesus into your heart,” and repeating “the sinner’s prayer.” Those are all man-made traditions, not supported by scriptures.

Questions to Consider:

1. Since Jesus established his church, and the New Testament describes his church, do you think it might be a good idea to follow the biblical example: in church name? in what we call our church members? in the requirements to enter the church? in church organization? in doctrine? in church worship? in baptism? in the Lord’s Supper? in prayer? in reading scriptures? in preaching? in singing?

2. Why would Luke, Paul, Peter, James, and John provide us with such extensive details of the original church, if they did not intend for us to follow this pattern?

Quote of the Day: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.” G. K. Chesterton (1874 -1936) English author

Note: All Scripture References are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.

NKJV – New King James Version

NRSV – New Revised Standard Version

REB – Revised English Bible

Jerry Richard Boone
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/whatever-happened-to-the-church-christ-built-138662.html

I know that these drinks cant replace water but I’m just cuious as to which ones would be almost as good for you, during a workout, as water.

the problem with sports drinks is the amount of sugar in them. to be honest, if you’re lacking energy during a workout then you need to look at your diet and see if you’re getting enough carbs.

When you think of nutrition and eating healthy, most likely you are more concerned about the food you eat than the beverages you drink. You may think having a diet drink could not do any harm at lunch or dinner, but if you indulge too much it could add up to trouble in the long run.

But it’s a diet drink…

Perhaps you have seen on television or film a sketch where a person orders a fattening, fast food meal with a diet soda to even everything out. A diet soda has zero calories compared to as many as 300 per serving of regular soda, so you are actually doing yourself a good service, right?

Not exactly. Regular sodas are highly caloric because they contain sugar, whereas diet sodas are manufactured with artificial sweeteners – one of the most popular being aspartame. The validity of aspartame as a health risk has been debated for many years – some claim the sweetener may contribute to increasing toxicity levels and risk of various illnesses, while other dismiss such charges.

What we do know for certain is that aspartame contains phenylalanine, an essential amino acid that does occur naturally in certain dairy foods and green vegetables. On the other hand, one byproduct of aspertame is formaldehyde!

When you shop for “diet” foods it is always a good idea to check for this ingredient on the labels so you know exactly what you are eating and how much.

Too much caffeine?

Just because a diet soda is free of calories, doesn’t mean it is devoid of other questionable ingredients. For example, not all calorie-free, sugar-free sodas are caffeine free, check the labels! Did you know, for example, that there is more caffeine in one can of Diet Coke than in regular Coca-Cola? There are almost 46 milligrams of caffeine in this diet soda, and while it’s not as much as coffee (which can top 200 milligrams), the tendancy to want to drink more diet soda can contribute to a caffeine overload. You will have energy yes, but will be driven on empty calories and sweeteners instead of something nutritious. You may lose sleep, and suffer incredible headaches through caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine is highly addictive as well, and could lead you on a cycle that is difficult to break without some good will power.

Water, the best “diet” drink

A good percentage of our bodies are water, so it would make sense to constantly replenish your body with the very same substance. Imagine, if you replaced a glass a water for every soda you drink, think of all the calories you save, the less toxins in your body, and the greater improvement to your health. It’s the best diet drink there is.

Eight glasses a day…no doubt you’ve heard it from everybody – your parents, your doctor, talk show professionals. The road to wellness is actually a river of pure, clean water, and while to drink sixty-four ounces daily seems like an impossible task, it is actually one of the simplest steps you can take to starting a sound weight loss program. After all, our bodies are approximately sixty percent water, so it is only natural that we constantly replenish ourselves in order to feel good.

Kathryn Lively
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/is-diet-soda-good-for-your-diet-76284.html