UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE: UNDERSTANDING GOD'S TIMING!

EXAMPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING THE BIBLE: 

WHAT IS TRUE FOR TODAY MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR TOMORROW!

Matthew 10:5-6 - These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power* is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (age).  Amen.

Acts 1:6-9 - When they therefore were come together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, will You at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?  And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power.*  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.**  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

[Notes:
* "Power" is from the Greek word exousia, meaning "to have total authority over something."
** To the Jews - "Jerusalem and in all Judaea," to the Samaritans - "Samaria," and "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (to the rest of the world - i.e. to the Gentiles.]

TO THE JEWS!

Acts 2:1-6 - And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,* and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,* and began to speak with other tongues,** as the Spirit* gave them utterance.  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

[Notes:  
* The same Greek word is translated "wind," "Ghost," and "Spirit" (pneuma).  It is used interchangeably in John 3:6, 8 where it is translated "Spirit" and "wind."
** "other tongues" is interpreted within the same passage as national languages.]

TO JEWS IN JUDAEA AND TO THE SAMARITANS!

Acts 8:1, 5 - And Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen's) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. - - - Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

TO THE GENTILES!

Acts 10:44-47 - While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word.  And they of the circumcision (Jews) who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.  Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Acts 13:46-47 - Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you:  but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be (the messengers) for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO 
UNDERSTANDING GOD'S PLAN FOR THE AGES!

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR,

2 CORINTHIANS 6:2 SAYS, BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME;

BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!

DO NOT PUT IT OFF; TIME IS RUNNING OUT!