[Soton Iselobhor]

Replying to @Prettyruth

Very remarkable to point out the fact that faith always receives the victory. Irrespective of the interpretation that men may have of life, victory is always certain when we act in faith and this is the truth of God’s word. Jesus references the mountain-moving power of faith, even the size of a mustard seed. I also align with the truth that we cannot always determine how and when exactly our victory manifests. In other words, we cannot dictate the “how” and “when” but one thing is certain, the answers show up at the right time.
Having said all that, one may be tempted to tilt toward your conclusion which is that “they received the promise” and this conclusion you have rested on the fact that the same promise that they had was eventually fulfilled in Christ. While this thought brings a balance in defense of the character of faith as being capable of producing victory always, I will, however, insist that in line with the way the scripture puts it in Hebrews 11:39, the heroes of faith who experienced numerous and wonderful victories in their walk with God did not receive, experience and partake of the promise of the new covenant which was manifested in Christ Jesus.
The fact that they did not experience or receive the promise was not because the promise was faulty, no. I believe that the promise, which was made available in the dispensation of grace could not have been accessed by the saints in the dispensation of the Law. Faith accesses what has been made available by grace. Romans 5:2.

[Soton Iselobhor]

Faith is powerful and produces results. Faith ALWAYS receives the victory. These truths can be deduced from several scriptures. Jesus speaking in Matthew 17:20 -21 says that whoever has faith, the size of a mustard seed, can move a mountain. Jesus goes on to say that nothing shall be impossible for such a person possessing faith. In Mark 11:23 Jesus also reveals that when we speak in faith, we shall have what we say. Several other witnesses in the bible such as the woman with the issue of blood and the Centurion amongst others who displayed great faith had undeniable results of their faith. All these from the New Testament, support the truth that faith always receives the victory.
For testimonies of faith in the Old Testament, we have the Hebrews 11. A powerful chapter that recounts the faith of numerous Old Testament figures. The author lists examples of individuals who demonstrated remarkable faith in God, even in the face of great challenges and uncertainties. These include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and many others.
The chapter emphasizes that these individuals lived by faith, believing in God’s promises even when they could not see their immediate fulfillment.
According to Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, “…these all, having obtained a good report through faith, they were all commended and approved on account of their confidence in God.”
This discuss however seeks to highlight verse 39 of Hebrews 11. At first glance, Hebrews 11:39 might seem to contradict the idea that faith always produces victory. After all, it states that these faithful individuals “did not receive the promise.” That is, they did not receive the fulfilment of the promise or did not receive all that was promised. They all still looked forward to some future blessings;
They all heard of the promises made to Abraham of a heavenly rest, and of the promise of the Messiah, for this was a constant tradition; but they died without having seen this Anointed of the Lord.
To balance out the seeming controversy between the truth about faith and the fact that the heroes of faith in the Old Testament did not receive the promise, we need to understand what kind of “victory” faith produces and what “promise” is being referred to here.
The nature of faith’s victory is that it consists in what has been promised and what has been made available by God in grace. Pastor Nkechi Ene, in her book “My Faith Like My Father’s”, had this to say:
”The efficacy of your faith is revealed in the availability of Grace. In other words, we can say that faith like your father’s is only possible when there is a revelation of the grace supplied by the Father.”
The “promise” mentioned in Hebrews 11:39 refers to the ultimate fulfilment of God’s redemptive plan in Christ. The Old Testament faithful didn’t see the coming of the Messiah or the establishment of the New Covenant, but their faith was still counted as righteousness.
This is evident in Hebrews 11:10, which says of Abraham: “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
To put it simply and directly, the Old Testament saints walked in faith in believing in God, holding on to His Word, and experiencing victories in great deliverances and miracles. The ultimate victory of faith which came through the death and resurrection of Jesus however, was not seen by the Old Testament Christians because Christ was not manifest and redemption had not been made available by Grace.
Looking from a different perspective, we may also say that the saints old did not receive the promise experientially but received the victory associated because they believed in the coming Messiah even though they had not seen him.

[Soton Iselobhor]

Replying to prettyruth.
Indeed the love of God is supernatural. It is agape love and no one has the ability to express God’s kind of love except he or she is born again and knows God. 1 John 4 tells us that he that does not love, does not know God. I quite appreciate the perspective you bring to this discussion, especially with regard to the relationship between Peter and Jesus Christ.
Interesting for you to state that at the time when Peter and Jesus had that conversation in John 21: 15 -19, Peter did not have the ability to express agape love because he was yet to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. This begs the question; at what point did Peter get born again? At the resurrection or at Pentecost? Another question that comes to my mind as I ponder on this is whether it is possible for a human being to express God’s kind of love to another human being in the same intensity and nature as God expresses it simply because they are born again.
The example of Hosea and Gomer the harlot seems to paint a picture that portrays this possibility but in my opinion, while the ability to express the God kind of love is embedded in us as believers, we still have to continually renew our minds experientially to be able to scratch the surface when it comes to being able to fully express this unconditional and eternal love of God.

[Soton Iselobhor]

A true understanding of God’s love can profoundly impact a person’s life, offering a sense of purpose, security, and assurance. John 3:16 summarizes the intensity and purpose of God’s love without which, no one would be saved. Despite the varying expressions of God’s love as shown in the scriptures, there is still a tendency for people to lack true understanding of God’s love. I strongly believe that one main cause of this misunderstanding is that some people have not renewed their minds to accept what they cannot understand. They therefore equate God’s love with the love they express with friends.
Friendship love on the other hand is the love shared among friends. The Greek word “Phileo” is used to describe this kind of love in scripture.
Below are three key aspects of God’s love and how it differs from friendship love.
1. God’s love is unconditional.
God’s love is absolutely free. What this means is that there were no conditions God saw in us when he set his love upon us. God’s love is not based on our actions or worthiness. It is given freely and consistently, regardless of our failures or shortcomings.
Friendship love on the other hand is not free. As the name implies, it is love by friends for friends. It is not love between two parties in enmity. This presupposes that in friendship love, the parties must be doing something to qualify for that love. There must be an attraction or condition upon which that love is being expressed.
Romans 5:8 Tells us that God demonstrated His love in the sacrifice of Jesus while we were still sinners. Or worse still, while we were enemies of God.
Friendship love often depends on mutual interests and support. If one party fails to reciprocate, the relationship may suffer. In contrast, God’s love remains steadfast regardless of our actions.

2. God’s love is Sacrificial
God’s love is characterized by sacrifice. John 3:16 tells us that he sacrificed His only Son for the salvation of humanity, illustrating the depth of His commitment. The demonstration of God’s love came with a high price such that no man can ever express.
Friendship love might have some element of sacrifice in its expression, but none can compare to that of God’s love. No wonder John 13:15 declares boldly that no man has a greater love than that of Jesus, in that he laid his own life for us.
3. God’s love is eternal and infinite.
In Psalm 136, the psalmist invites us to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. The Bible also tells us that God is love. 1 John 4:8. It is therefore logical to conclude that if God is eternal and is forever then His love is also eternal and infinite.
On the other hand, human friendships are limited by time and circumstances. They can change or fade. Human beings are subject to time and therefore love expressed by man ceases to exist once that man dies. God’s love, however, is eternal and unchanging.
Secondly, while friendship love can only be expressed on an intimate and personal level, God’s love is universal, encompassing all of humanity. It invites everyone into a relationship with Him, transcending personal connections.
In conclusion, understanding God’s love can reshape our identity, provide hope, and foster resilience. While friendship love is valuable and enriching, God’s love stands apart in its unconditional, sacrificial, transformative and eternal nature. This deeper understanding can lead to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

[Soton Iselobhor]

When we understand and partake of the Holy Communion, in a posture of faith, we can experience the transformative power of Christ’s work in our lives, both spiritually and physically.
In Psalms 107:20, the bible tells us that “His Word” which was sent to us, healed and delivered us from all sickness and disease. The first chapter of the book of John does well to reveal Jesus to us as the Word.
A preacher once said, “If the bread is Jesus’ body, then partaking of it, means partaking of the body of a man who exuberated resurrection life and wellness.” I find this statement very profound. Jesus never fell sick. His body was so strong, that it could carry all our sicknesses and diseases Isaiah 53:4. We can boldly say that today when we partake of the bread, we are declaring that Jesus’ health and divine life flow in our mortal bodies. He himself broke bread and poured out wine declaring them to be His own body and His own blood. 1 Corinthians 11:24.
The Lord’s Table also represents the intimate fellowship and union that believers have with Jesus as we share in His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). This union empowers us to draw from His Christ’s life, strength, and resources for our own spiritual and physical well-being.
John 6:53-58 emphasizes the importance of partaking of Christ, the “Bread of Life,” for the sustenance and nourishment of our souls and bodies.
Another interesting and instructive truth is further down in 1 Corinthians 11:30 where Paul rebukes the people for not discerning the body and eating in an unworthy manner. He goes on to state that this is the reason many of them were sick and weak. On the flip side, we will be correct to say that when the communion is taken in a worthy manner, strength and health are expected. Surely, there is a link between the Holy Communion and our physical well-being.
Jesus instructed that we take the communion in remembrance of him. At the Lord’s table, we are reminded that Jesus’ sacrifice has cleansed us from all unrighteousness, giving us victory over sickness and sin.
The bread and the cup represent Christ’s body and blood, which were given for our redemption. This points to the atonement that Christ made for our sins, enabling our forgiveness, sanctification, justification, deliverance and restoration with God (Ephesians 1:7).
In Isaiah 53:5, the prophet prophesied that the Messiah would bear “our infirmities” and be “wounded for our transgressions,” implying that the healing and transformative power of Jesus’s sacrifice extends to both our spiritual and physical needs (1 Peter 2:24). Therefore, when we remind ourselves of that sacrifice, we are to remember that it was a full, complete and all-encompassing victory that the Jesus got for us. We are as healed as we are saved.
The Lord’s Table is a time of remembrance, where we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and its implications for our lives (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).
As we partake of the elements, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns, affirming our faith in His power to save, heal, and restore us (1 Corinthians 11:26).

When we come to the Lord’s table, we must be sure that we believe that He is there and that these elements bring the real power of His death and resurrection to our spirit, soul, and body

[Soton Iselobhor]

While I find some salient points in your discussion, that attempt to answer the question of the importance of praising God for answers before we see them, I am constrained to notice that for the most part, you seemed to be giving justifications for praising in advance rather than projecting the importance. I will try to convey my thoughts by considering your points closely.

Your first point says “Because I believe God’s Word, For God’s Words are His promises to me and they are ye and Amen.”
This comes across to me as an answer to a question like “Why do you praise God for your answers before you see them”. You are very right if you say that praising God in advance is a direct offshoot of believing in God’s Word but to say that it is the reason why praising God in advance is important does not quite seem fitting in my opinion.

Your second point says, “Because what I prayed for is in line with God’s Word/Will…”.
Again, I am of the opinion that this does not answer the question posed to us. On the contrary, this second response is best suited for a justification for praising God in advance and an expression of why the believer has the right and confidence to praise God before the answers are manifest.

In the same vein, I do not agree that your third point which states thus “I prayed in the Name of Jesus. The Name of Jesus is the guarantee for answered prayer”, is a fitting response for the question before us.

I believe the word “importance” in that question is the clincher. So that what is expected is an explanation of the advantages of praising God for your answers before you see them.

[Soton Iselobhor]

The concept of Praise and Thanksgiving is part and parcel of life. It is inherent in each and every one of us. From the cheering crowd for the winning team, to the applause for an entertaining performance, and even to the default expression of gratitude for a gift received, we can all agree that “Praise” by default follows a deserving action.
In this discuss however, we are considering the reverse which is praise before action or performance. Particularly, praising God for your answers before you see them. This kind of praise is one of the greatest expressions of faith in God.
As believers, it is important for us to praise God for our answers before we see them for a number of reasons and some of them are discussed below:
Praise shifts our focus from the problem to the solution. When we praise God long enough, we become numb to the problem. Our focus shifts from us to the object of our praise which is God, from pain to promise, and from hurt to hope. The bible tells us in Proverbs 23:7 that we are what we think about. For you to effectively praise God for an answer that you have not physically received, you have to imagine that answer long enough to express thanksgiving. This implies that the more we fix our minds on the answer, the more likely it is to become a tangibility.
Flowing from the above, when we praise God before we see manifestations we magnify the power of God and the Word at work in our lives. This is faith and faith pleases God. The praise does not make Him able to solve it, but it makes us more confident in His ability to solve it. By this, our faith is built up and we are able to boldly declare “it is already done” because in fact God has done all that He needs to do. Like Romans 4:17 says, we begin to call forth those things as though they were as we express our gratitude to God like we already have our answers.
Praise makes the waiting period easier. Like a chain reaction, we find that as our praise shifts our focus to the answers and builds our faith in God’s Word and ability, it automatically eliminates fear, doubt and worry. We find ourselves living in peace, joy and a confident assurance. The “waiting period” is therefore not a burdensome and gloomy time. This explains how someone who is trusting God for a certain manifestation, experiences the kind of peace that the bible describes as passing all understanding because that person has already begun to praise God even before the manifestation.
Praising God for answers before they show up ushers the miraculous. I have heard some preachers say “when prayer does not work, try praise.” With the benefit of a better understanding of God’s Word, I know that they actually should be saying “pray differently” or change your type of prayer from requests to praise. This praise is able to trigger a miraculous manifestation of answered prayers. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas lifted up their voices in praise unto God while they were shackled in prison and suddenly there was an earthquake that led to their freedom and that of others imprisoned with them. In John 6:11 Jesus gave thanks and ended up feeding over 5000 people miraculously. One of the most thrilling miraculous manifestations emanating from praise is the crumbling of the walls of Jericho on the heels of bountiful praise to Jehovah God.
God in His Word has shown us patterns and examples to learn from, teaching us to praise him as an act of faith for our answers even when we haven’t seen them physically manifest.

[Soton Iselobhor]

Replying to Paulpraze.

It is quite interesting that you have chosen to take a stand with the theory of Traducianism.

The traducianist view on the creation of the human soul suggests that the soul is generated or derived from the parents, along with the physical body, at the moment of conception.

This raises theological questions and challenges related to the nature of the soul and its relationship to God. If the soul is generated by the parents, it raises questions about the origin and ultimate source of the soul. The major question I would like to ask the proponents of traducianism is; If the soul is generated from parents, is God not directly involved in the creation of each individual soul, or was He merely involved in the creation of the first human souls?

Additionally, Traducianism assumes a particular metaphysical framework in which the soul is treated as a material or quasi-material substance that can be generated or transmitted through physical processes. This conflicts with other philosophical and theological frameworks that posit the soul as an immaterial and indivisible entity.

I strongly disagree with this stance as an immaterial part of man cannot be created by physical processes of procreation.

Consider God’s words in Jeremiah 1:5
Stating how He knew Jeremiah BEFORE he entered into his mother’s womb. While parents necessarily play a part in setting the birth a person in motion, the immaterial part of the person in my opinion comes from God.

[Soton Iselobhor]

Introduction:
Divergent views on the origin of the soul have been a subject of profound theological debate throughout history. While some derive their theories from the bible, others derive theirs from philosophical studies and science.
This situation of diverse views affects the very definition of the word “soul”. According to Mounce’s Complete…. the word soul which translates to “nepes”, in the Old Testament has a wide range of meanings. According to him, “the basic meaning is “breath”, but it can also mean “soul, life, entire being” To my mind, the lack of uniformity in definition is the beginning and root of deviations and disagreements.
Three views on the origin of the soul are explored below.

1. Creationism:
This theological view which is held by the Roman Catholics mostly, posits that the human soul is directly created by God at the moment of conception or birth. It teaches that each human soul is an immediate and individual creation by God. This perspective is rooted in the belief that God is the ultimate author of life and imparts a unique, eternal soul.
Paul Enns in his book, The Moody Handbook of Theology, states that there are two reasons for this view which are that, it maintains the purity of Christ, and that parents may propagate a mortal body but only God can produce an immortal soul. With this view, Christ could not inherit a sinful nature from his mother.
While I may be tempted to agree with the concept of Creationism for its correlation to the Bible’s truths and accounts. Chief among these is the fact that Mary, even though she gave birth to Jesus could not transmit the sin nature to Jesus because of birth. In Jeremiah 1:5, the prophet states that before God formed him, He knew him.
However, Paul Enns posits that this view has some problems in that it necessitates an individual fall by each person as God can only create perfection. It does not account for the problem of why all men sin. James 1:21 talks about the salvation of our souls. The soul which has been described as the centre of activity and constitutes the mind has a natural state which the bible describes as “desperately wicked”. The question posed here is that if God creates the soul, then at what point does the soul get corrupted? As God could not have created a corrupted soul.

2. Traducianism:
This view suggests that the human soul is inherited from one’s parents. That the soul as well as the body is generated by the parents. According to this perspective, the soul is transmitted in a manner similar to physical traits passed down through genetic inheritance. Traducianism proposes that the soul is propagated alongside the physical body, establishing a connection between generations.
This view may be supported as it confirms the biblical truth of Adam’s transmission of both physical and spiritual aspects to his descendants.
I however agree with Paul Enns, to disagree with this view because human beings cannot pass on their soul which is immaterial. To believe this view is to believe that Jesus must have partaken of the sinful nature of Mary and this is not true. Everyone’s soul is unique to them and it is impossible to inherit a soul. The mind again which is part of the soul is not a physical entity.

3. Pre-existence:
This view advocates that the human soul has existed previously and is taught in Hinduism and was also held by Plato, Philo and Origen. The theory teaches that in a previous experience, men were angelic spirits, and as punishment and discipline for sin, they were sent to indwell human bodies. Proponents of this view argue that the soul is eternal and pre-exists in a spiritual realm before entering the physical world. Pre-existence posits that the soul is on a journey of growth and development, and its embodiment on Earth is part of its spiritual progression.
The compelling problem with this view is that no scripture supports it even though the disciples in John 9:2 seemed to suggest a possibility of the blind man having sinned before he was born leading to his being born blind. In addition, no one has any recollection of such an existence.

Conclusion:
Conclusively, the views on the origin of the human soul are diverse, encompassing perspectives of religion, science and personal beliefs. Each viewpoint holds its unique position on the nature of the soul and its origin. It is essential to recognize that discussions on the origin of the human soul lie at the intersection of faith, philosophy, and personal belief systems.

[Soton Iselobhor]

Well said. Your point on the effect of an unbiblical view of the concept of sin, is quite profound. More critical is the fact that the adverse effect here not only affects the unbeliever but the believer too. The believer who is meant to know the truth. Unfortunately, our society today is littered with all sorts of false teachings that continue to keep believers bound in ignorance. Some tend towards determinism in believing that they are helpless when it comes to sin. Some will even quote the scripture in Romans 7:15-20 to show that nothing can be done to avoid sin. So as believers all they do is resort to confessing every morning for sins committed “knowingly and unknowingly”,and beleive that they have received the daily dose of forgiveness that will expire by the next day.
Another truth that is not emphasized is the efficacy and finality of redemption. Some beleivers have magnified the power of sin so much that they find it difficult to believe that God can forgive every sin. Having classified sin into big and small sin. They think that sinful acts like “little lies” are pardonable while rape for instance is too great a sin for God to forgive. It is for this same reason that some do not believe that God can forget their past and deal with them as brand new creatures upon salvation.

In conclusion, while it is extremely important for every Christian to have the proper biblical view of what sin is all about, it is also important to balance out with the more powerful force of God’s love and forgiveness,mercy and grace.

[Soton Iselobhor]

For a Christian, it is fundamental and foundational knowledge that sin is what separates man from God. Romans 3:23 tells us that man in his default state has fallen short of God’s glory. The bible goes on to reveal in Romans 8:2 that in Jesus, Christians are being set free from sin and death. On this premise, it is important to have a good understanding of the biblical view of the study and the fact of sin. A good appreciation of the concept of sin will help me as a believer to understand the default helpless state of man, having being born into the sin nature and thus appreciate and the need for the redemption and restoration that salvation brought to mankind. It reveals and magnifies the significance of God’s grace, forgiveness and the sacrificial work of Christ. A good understanding of sin, temptation and the risks of hindering spiritual growth will equip me as a Christian to live a victorious Christian life being aware of the schemes and tactics of the enemy and how to overcome them. Another important advantage of having a proper understanding of sin, is that it helps me as a Christian to share the gospel effectively. By explaining the concept of sin and its consequences, I can help unbelievers comprehend their need for salvation and the hope found in Jesus Christ with a heart of compassion and love. 3 facts about sin that are revealed in the study of sin are as follows: Sin has power: The power of sin over man is rooted in Adam’s disobedience which the bible says has made many sinners. Therefore, we see a situation where man is helpless with a nature of sin that exercises power over him and causing him to do evil. Thankfully, Romans 5:19 tells us that by Jesus’s obedience many are made righteous and as such delivered from the power of sin, having the ability to resist, rebuke and ignore the devil. Henry Drummund in his article “The Three facts of sin” stated that man finds that his natural bias is to break away from God and good. He is clearly conscious that there is an acting ingredient in his soul which not only neutralizes the inclination to follow the path which he knows to be straightest and best, but works continually and consistently against his better self, and urges his life onwards towards a broader path which leads to destruction. This is the power of sin. Sin has consequences: In Genesis 3, God clearly spelt out several consequences flowing from the fall of man which was as a result of sin. Besides those consequences or curses as recounted in Genesis. The bible says that the wages of sin is death. Rom 6:23. Thank fully the verse goes on to state that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. Sin comes with guilt and condemnation. According to Wikipedia, guilt is meant to motivate you to repair the damage you have caused to an important relationship but the devil uses guilt coupled with condemnation against some Christians as he constantly accuses them and keeps them from enjoying experiential fellowship with God. This was the case in Genesis 3 where Adam and Eve hid themselves from God. Conversely, the bible tells us that God forgives all our trespasses and when Jesus sets us free we are free indeed. The book of Hebrews 10:22 enjoins us to draw near to God with an assurance of faith, and our hearts cleansed from a guilty conscience. Personally, and flowing from the first fact about sin stated above, the knowledge of the fact that sin no longer has power over me, has been very liberating. At the same time, knowing that I have God’s Spirit and that I am equipped with His Word, are truths that assure me that I can live continually above sin. Psalms 119:11. With a constant renewal of the mind by the Word of God, I am able to build up stamina to withstand the enemy and His temptations.

[Soton Iselobhor]

I would like to respond to your 2nd point on what the Holy Spirit’s conviction proves, and by the way, I believe that the 3 things the conviction proves are in that point alone.
In John 16:8-11, Jesus not only gave the three-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit’s conviction, but He also gives further insight into them.
Firstly, He says “of sin because they do not believe in me”. This tells us that the Holy Spirit uses their unbelief to prove the gravity of their sin. This conviction is necessary because, on their own, the unbelievers do not believe in Jesus.
Secondly, He says, “Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more;” to my mind, the fact of Jesus’s absence means that the one who gives this righteousness would not be “visible” enough to convince them. Therefore, the Holy Spirit through the ministry of conviction, uses the triumphant work of Christ to prove the availability of righteousness.
Lastly, Jesus says “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” This simply reveals that the conviction of the Holy Spirit will use the defeat of Satan, who is the Prince of this world, to prove the solemn certainty of judgment.

[Soton Iselobhor]

The conviction ministry of the Holy Spirit was explicitly declared by Jesus in John 16:5-15.
In Jesus’ declaration to His disciples, He revealed a threefold conviction ministry of the Holy Spirit which is conviction of sin, conviction of righteousness and conviction of judgment.
For the purposes of this essay, I will be referring to an instance in the book of Acts where the Holy Spirit’s conviction ministry was manifested.
The promise of the Holy Spirit as seen in John 16, was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4. After the Pentecost, the bible tells us that Peter boldly declared the Word of God to the crowd who were confused by the different tongues that the disciples spoke in as the Spirit gave them utterance.
At the end of Peter’s sermon in chapter 2, the bible shows a very different response from the people who doubted Jesus’s ministry a while back.
Verse 37 of Acts 2 states that when the people heard the Word, they were “pricked in their heart” and their response was “what shall we do?”. We see right here a vivid example of the Holy Spirit’s work of conviction. The word translated “pricked,” in the Greek is “katenugēsan”, and is not used elsewhere in the New Testament. It properly denotes “to pierce or penetrate with a needle, lancet, or sharp instrument”. Such is the impact of the conviction the Holy Spirit.
According to commentaries by Barnes on Acts 2:37, their response shows how the Spirit operates in producing conviction of sin. It is not in an arbitrary manner; it is in accordance with truth, and by the truth. The response of the people showed “a readiness to sacrifice all to the will of God; to surrender the governing purpose of the mind, and to do what he requires. In this state the soul is prepared to receive the offers of eternal life; and when the sinner comes to this, the offers of mercy meet his case, and he yields himself to the Lord Jesus, and finds peace”.
The Conviction ministry of the Holy Spirit according to John 16: 5- 15, proves the following to the world:
1. The reality of sin: It is important to note that Jesus said the Holy Spirit shall convict the world of “sin” not “sins”. This is in reference to the sin nature inherited by all men which brings them to a state of spiritual death. The Holy Spirit convicts the world by revealing their falling state. The sin nature is then responsible for the sinful conduct that follows.
2. The availability of the gift of righteousness: The Holy Spirit reveals the gift of righteousness that is available to all in Christ and by reason of the finished work in Christ. As a gift, this righteousness is free and not earned.
3. Judgement of the enemy.

[Soton Iselobhor]

As much as I recognize the compelling facts, especially in relation to the mention of Timothy and his relationship to Paul, and the presumption that the writer was writing from Rome, it is important to note that Timothy had other close companions like Silas. The mere mention of “our brother Timothy” is insufficient in my view, to ground this argument. The greeting that refers to the people of Italy too is insufficient reason. The book does not name its author and there is no unanimity of tradition concerning his identity.
Paul may have ended his letters with warm greetings but this was not unique to him as we see in 3rd John verse 13 “Peace to you, our friends greet you…”, 1 Peter 5:14 “Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus”. It seemed to be the acceptable way to end epistles.
According to DA Carson and Douglas J Moo in 2005, “The last major defence of the Pauline authorship of the book of Hebrews was written more than half a century ago. Today virtually no one would repeat the effort” They went on to state further that the Greek of Hebrews is more polished than that Paul and the consistent quality of the rhetoric is quite remarkable.

[Soton Iselobhor]

Interesting thoughts on physical death being a resultant factor of the fall of man.
In my opinion, this presupposes two things worthy of further consideration. The first is that man was originally created to live forever physically while the second is that man was a spiritual being having a glorified human body that is incapable of physical death as we know it.
Both thoughts beg the following questions:
1. Did Adam and Eve have physical bodies with flesh and blood or did the fall cause a conversion that brought them to a physical state?
2. If the answer to 1 above is yes, then how come as new creations, we are not capable of living forever physically?
3. In what state will our bodies be at the resurrection?
4. Was the Garden of Eden a physical earthly location or a spiritual one?
While I would appreciate some insight from our lecturer if possible, on questions 3 and 4, I am minded to respond to questions 1 and 2 as follows:
Everything that the first Adam brought upon humanity was corrected and overturned by the last Adam -Romans 5:12-19. In other words, Jesus Christ COMPLETELY purged us of sin and its consequences which includes “death”- Ezekiel 18:20. S
So if physical death was a result of the fall, then as a result of resurrection life, a believer should not be expected to die physically. It is against this background that I may have to disagree with the point that physical death was a resultant effect of the fall.
Having said all that, I am still minded to accommodate the thought that the hope of resurrection for a believer is part of the benefits of being a new creation (even though the sinners also have to be resurrected for them to be judged and condemned) in other words, some parts of the victories accomplished on the cross are yet to be manifested?
Just thinking aloud in reaction to your post.

[Author]

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