questions

questions

im not sure if this is the right place if not feel free to move it :)

i am rereading the four gospels and i have some questions about a few verses in Matthew that im having a hard time understanding. the first set of verses is Matthew 10:40-42 40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

verse 40 is simple enough to understand however i am having difficulty understanding what Jesus means in verses 41 and 42

along with Matthew 16:18-20 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed[a] in heaven.”
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ

once again the first verse is simple enough and the last verse i am having trouble understanding is

Matthew 16:28 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

to me when Jesus says this he makes it sound as if some of or one of the Apostles will live untill the second coming or certain people with Him at that point in time will live untill He returnes though as far as i can tell there were only three other people with Jesus when he said that. so it is my understanding that one of either Peter, James or John will live to see the second coming though i thought all three were killed so does that mean one of them will be reincarnated?
 
Let me try. Of course, these answers were just taught to me in church.

verse 40 is simple enough to understand however i am having difficulty understanding what Jesus means in verses 41 and 42

In verse 41, a prophet's reward and a righteous man reward are the same. The reward is in heaven:

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Luke 6:23

Now if you receive a prophet or a righteous man, you are receiving Christ, because whatever you do to a brother of Christ, ultimately, you are doing it to Christ:

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me
Mat 25:38-40

A true friend of the King is a friend also to the King's brethren :)

once again the first verse is simple enough and the last verse i am having trouble understanding is

Matthew 16:28 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

to me when Jesus says this he makes it sound as if some of or one of the Apostles will live untill the second coming or certain people with Him at that point in time will live untill He returnes though as far as i can tell there were only three other people with Jesus when he said that. so it is my understanding that one of either Peter, James or John will live to see the second coming though i thought all three were killed so does that mean one of them will be reincarnated?

Ah, no. Christ was talking to the members of the Church in general. And in these last days, there are members of the Church that truly won't see death:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord
1 Thes 4:16-17

Just tell me if you have follow up questions
 
Chris H... good questions and John gave you some very good info.

I'd just like to supplement what John said by offering you the same text as you mentioned, but from the New Living Translation - which is very close in detail to the King James Version, but in an English format that may be easier to understand for some Bible students. Throughout Matthew 10 (NLT), Christ is giving specific orders to His Apostles as well as giving them information as to how to conduct themselves and what to expect while they are out on their teaching trips

From the NLT:

Matthew 10:40-42 (NLT) - in the Words of Christ Himself:

40“Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me.41 If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. 42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

Chris H... I would ask that you click on the highlighted link below this paragraph and read the entire chapter of Matthew 10 (NLT) from the modern English text... it may give you some additional insight into how Christ wanted His message to be taught to all of Israel...

Please click on: Matthew 10 (NLT)

Blessings to you in your studies.
 
41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

verse 40 is simple enough to understand however i am having difficulty understanding what Jesus means in verses 41 and 42

As with most of God's word, the depths of insight to be taken are sometimes as limited as the stars.

41: Paul stated that the greater Gift would be the Gift of Prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:5). If I have not that gift, but serves, accepts and aid the one who has the Gift of Prophecy, I too will received the prophet's reward. This also implies that all gifts within the Body of Christ has its place and is valued.

42: This passage has tremendous applications, one of which is to serve those who are really in need; those who may or cannot return your favor in kind (Proverbs 19:17). This is consistent with most of the giving Christ taught during His earthly ministry (give to the poor and needy).


Matthew 16:28 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

This is only speculation. I think this was fulfilled at the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-6) when Jesus appeared with Moses and Elias. Peter, James, and John saw this and heard God words which glorified Jesus.

Also, this could have been fulfilled by Jesus ascension (Acts 1:9). Again, these are just my assumptions, I will wait for verification we I am glorified.


Good Day and God Bless
 
sorry its taken me so long to reply but thank you all very much. every thing that has been posted has been very helpfull but there is still my question about Mat 16:18-20
 
Chris H.

These verses were discussed in lenth a few months ago. Click here for the link. Also, below is my first comments to that thread:


As for Matthew 16:18.
Peter identified Jesus in verse 16 as being the Son of God. Jesus is the Rock (Numbers 20:10-11, 1 Corinthians 10:4) and His Church (the Body of Christ) is constructed on Him; which is the solid foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). If will build on this Rock, Nothing can prevail against us, not even the gates of Hell. This is why the works of Jesus is called the Gospel, because this is truly Good News.

This verse also speaks to eternal security, "upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". Paul ecohed the same:

Romans 8:31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

As for Matthew 16:20.

Had the People known Jesus was the Christ, they would have wanted Him to deliver them from the bondage of Roman rule. Jesus, during this mission, had a greater task; to deliver all from the Bondage of Sin (1 John 2:2).

Good Day and God Bless
 
sorry its taken me so long to reply but thank you all very much. every thing that has been posted has been very helpfull but there is still my question about Mat 16:18-20

Hi Chris, maybe if you could elaborate more on your questions and if you could give us the reason for your queries we might be able to help you better.
 
Matthew 16:28

It appears the previous posters have already given some great insight to the scriptures in question. I would only like to add the possibility that the “Son of Man’s kingdom” (discussed in Matthew 16:28) was established on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-39) as I believe the spiritual church/body of Christ is the kingdom being referred to.
 
I would only like to add the possibility that the “Son of Man’s kingdom” (discussed in Matthew 16:28) was established on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-39) as I believe the spiritual church/body of Christ is the kingdom being referred to.

Hi there Jaerod. Yup, I agree that the church is the kingdom, however, we could see in some verses that the church was established before Pentecost:

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican
Mat 18:15-17
 
thank yu jaerod for that insight and thank you to every one else who has posted and helped answer my questions wich im sure i will have ALOT more of as i read my way through my bible :)
 
Hi there Jaerod. Yup, I agree that the church is the kingdom, however, we could see in some verses that the church was established before Pentecost:

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican
Mat 18:15-17

Hey, good insight John_Jervis (as usual)! I see where you are coming from, got my brain going again :D!
 
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican
Mat 18:15-17

Wow...

Thank John_Jervis for your insight, you have spoken tremendous volume in so few words. To add to your statement:

Given all (descendents of Adam) are saved only through the body of Christ (His redemptive atonement/ His Blood). Are we not all (those who are saved) members of the Christ’s Church? Thus, we who are saved after Calvary are members (in part) of the REVEAL Church; a Church created in Eternity Past, concealed in time past, made manifest through our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

We must all keep in mine that man applied a timeline to the start of the Church. Jesus stated that "on this Rock (Matthew 16:18)" I will build my Church, we know that the Rock is Jesus and we know that the Rock has no beginning and no end (John 1:1-2).

Caution: The above are statements based on my opinion of scripture, stated not for the intent of conveying my faith to another. Faith in any matter, must be found on scripture; thus, in all matters, subject all things to scripture.

Good Day and God Bless
 
You guys really have me thinking tonight! Here is how church #1577 (from Matthew 18:15-17) is found in the Strong’s Concordance:

1577. ekklesia ek-klay-see'-ah from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.

*1537. ek ek or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

*2564. kaleo kal-eh'-o akin to the base of 2753; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).

**2753. keleuo kel-yoo'-o from a primary kello (to urge on); "hail"; to incite by word, i.e. order:--bid, (at, give) command(-ment).
 
Wow...

Thank John_Jervis for your insight, you have spoken tremendous volume in so few words.

Wow, never had that compliment before, hehe, but thanks :) I only learned that from Church.

Are we not all (those who are saved) members of the Christ’s Church?
A very, very good point. Stricly speaking, there will be people that would be saved outside the church,

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe
1 Tim 4:10

Those who believe are members of the Church. But God would save other people, there is just preference on those who believe.


Jesus stated that "on this Rock (Matthew 16:18)" I will build my Church, we know that the Rock is Jesus and we know that the Rock has no beginning and no end (John 1:1-2).
Yup, no argument here. This point's perfect, Christ is indeed the foundation of the Church. And Christ is the Alpha and the Omega.
 
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