MARY's mentioned in the Bible

Hi brother and sisters! It's been a while I was not able to update my blog but I glad I'm here again and I would like to share with you what I've learned from the church today. Do you know how many Marys mentioned in the Bible? Yes there are five names we can read from the New Testament.

Meet the 5 (FIVE) MARYs mentioned in the Bible.

1. MARY – mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Espoused to Joseph (Matthew 1:18)
Jesus birth fortold to her (Luke 1:26-38)

2. MARY of Bethany (Martha’s sister)

She was from Bethany, sister of Lazarus (John 11:1)
She was the one who anointed the Lord Jesus Christ before His burial.
(John 12:1-3, 11:1-2, Matt. 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9)

3. MARY Magdalene – seven demons cast out of her by the Lord Jesus.

Luke 8:1-12, Mark 16:9
John 20:16-18 – She saw the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

4. MARY – the mother of James; wife of Cleophas Alpheus

(John 19:25 Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:10)

5. MARY – mother of Mark (Acts 12:12)

Baptism in the name of JESUS CHRIST!

Our Lord Jesus Christ stayed on earth for almost 33 years teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of God and how could we become one His children and inherit everlasting life. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us but was raised from the dead and before He ascended to Heaven, this is what He told to His apostles, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

Now, let’s find out the fulfillment of this, when the day of the Pentecost came all the apostles are in one place and the Holy Spirit of God came all upon them and Peter which is also full of the Holy Spirit reminded the crowd what’s written on the Scriptures and Jesus crucifixion and resurrection and when the people understand those things, they asked what they should do and this was what Peter said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Act 2:38). This is the fulfillment of Matthew 28:19. We can’t say that Peter contradicts God’s commandment for the keys of the kingdom of heaven was given to him (Matthew 16:18-19).

On the scriptures who were baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST!

1. Acts 2:41 (three thousand)
2. Acts 8:12 -17 (Simon and others)
3. Acts 8:26-38 (eunuch)
4. Acts 9:17-18 (Saul)
5. Acts 10:1-48 (Cornelius and his household)
6. Acts 16:13-15 (Lydia and her household)
7. Acts 16:29-33 (jailer and his family)
8. Acts 18:8 (Crispus and his household)
9. Acts 19:1-7 (twelve believers at Corinth)

None from the Bible where you can read that the apostles baptized those who accept the word of God using “the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” but instead “in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST” because that’s the name Jesus referring to in Matthew 28:19. I hope this clears the one of the most controversies topic in the Holy Scriptures, the true baptism.

Tithes and Offerings! The Purpose

Like any organizations or group, church also needs financial support from its members in order to grow, and that's where enters the tithes and offerings. We use those money to build and maintain chapels and buy instruments for the church. We also need to support dedicated missionaries and pastors with their basic necessities like food and clothing. We need to have also budgets for the church programs and activities. One more very important purpose of these is to help members who are less fortunate. Look what did first apostles did with their properties to help their brethren (Acts 2:45, 4:34-35). There are really many purpose of the material things that each member is willing to contribute in order for one church to grow and if we don't neglect these obligations we do help in building the kingdom of God on earth.

God knows everything about these that's why He said on Malachi 3:10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." He even challenge the believers as we continued to read it.. "Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

There's also big warning to those who plan to lie infront of God. Read the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) who both died because they lie to God about about money. But great blessings awaits those who obey the word of God and do their obligations on tithes and offerings (Heb. 6:10).

Tithes Giving! From God or from men?

Every worship day, either it's Sunday or Saturday, member of the church (whatever church they belong) drop their tithes and offerings on their respective baskets (but honestly not everybody is giving). This act of giving to the church, where this came from? From men or from God? Well, as I always say, let the Bible speak. Open the Book of Malachi 3:8-10, it says, don't rub God but He said, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. So, we've proven that this is from God. Do you know that even Abraham and Jacob gave their tithes to God (Gen 14:19-20, Gen 28:20-22)? How about in new testament? What can we read? During the time of Jesus Christ on earth the Pharisees ask about paying taxes, read what Lord Jesus said to them on Luke 20:22-25; "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." So, if it's our obligation to give tax to the government, then we shouldn't forget our tithes to God.

You might ask what is the purpose of tithes and offerings, this will I answer on my next blog. Just always remember, Giving is an issue of the heart. You can give without love, but you cannot love without giving.

Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it!

Believer or non believer is always entitled to his/her opinion about his beliefs in life or about God but we should make sure that it’s always according to what is written on the Bible. There are many examples written by the apostles and done by the first disciples of Jesus Christ who first believe Him and His teachings during the time He was still in the flesh. He is from above (John 8:23) who came to earth (Phil. 2:6-8) and gave examples how we should live as Christians so we may inherit eternal life. God said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of His mouth” (Matt. 4:4). So, what this mean? That we should search the scriptures to know His commandments (John 5:39), and learn from the parables and story of first believers. I believe that there are many things we could learn from reading it and should be applied in our daily lives. We shouldn’t depend with our own knowledge and understanding. Why? Because, there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Prov. 16:25). It is not good enough that we say we believe in God, when infact we don’t follow His commandments. If we do this, we become liars. Remember, what God said on Matt. 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…”, but blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it (Luke 11:28).

True Church & Pure Religion

I really appreciate comments on my blogs, thanks cons. Anyway, I want to share to you this, I know this will help clear those doubts in your mind but I just hope you believe in Bible (better if you are using the King James Version). Since you’re a wide reader then I assume you are also reading the word of God. We should let the Bible speak and be not wise with our own eyes (Proverbs 3:7)

GOD BUILD HIS CHURCH ON EARTH

When God (Jesus Christ) humbled himself and became man like us (Phil 2:6-8), He choose twelve apostles to become His helpmates on His ministry on earth (Matthew 10:1-4). On Matthew 16:18, Christ build His church through Peter but Jesus Christ himself was the foundation of it (I Cor. 3:11). He even choose disciples to take care of it (Eph. 4:11-12) and Christ love that church which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). He even compared to it as “One Family” (Eph. 5:23-25, 29, Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 8:19-21). And before Christ return to His throne in heaven, what was one of His instructions? That we should not forsake the assembling (Hebrew 10:25)... and where it is to be done?? Of course in the church (which is called synagogue in the Bible), which Jesus also observed during Sabbath day when He is still in the flesh (Hebrew 4:9-11, Matthew 5:23)

From the verses I’ve mentioned above it is clear that “THERE IS A CHURCH” God left for those who want to be saved. And if you want to know if there is a religion, please read James 1:27 which says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”.

True Riches in Christ

There are still many verses in the Bible that God the Father in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ is only one (John 10:30), but let me share with you another important thing in life.

Life in this world can be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually challenging. There are a lot of competitions and pressures, and oftentimes we became so stressed that we forgot what is really important in this life. We become focused on earthly things like fame, wealth and good reputation, but what are the true riches in Christ??

Life on earth is just temporary; we may be here today and gone tomorrow, like the grass which was compared to us (James 1:10-11, I Peter 1:24-25). God told us to store treasures in heaven instead, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:19-20). Besides we can’t even carry these earthly things with us when we die. (Psalm 49:17) This is not to say that all income-generating activities or business goals should cease. Everything must be put in proper perspective. It cannot be above the pursuit of God. Do you not know that God greatly rewards those who seek Him and faithfully follow Him? If you put God’s business above yours, He will take care of your business. Always remember what God said that we should seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well (Matthew 6:33).

Now the big question is how do you store treasures in heaven?

For us to store treasure in heaven is to do good to our fellowman. Remember that parable of good Samaritan which is written on Luke 10:30-37? Also please read Matthew 25:34-45. These are examples of storing treasures in heaven and these are the true riches in Christ.