Sharing insight into Bible passages

Each week the Village News now features a different Bible passage (or other thought-provoking message relating to faith) so that community members can share their insight and/or opinions.

This new, interactive section allows those of various denominations and faiths to participate equally and respectfully, sharing their individual thoughts, commentary, viewpoints and/or insight on particular Biblical verses and themes.

In addition, the Bible passage selected for the following week will be publicized so that readers can e-mail their comments to be included.

All comments and insight shared will also go on the newspaper’s Web site (www.thevillagenews.com) so it can be reviewed and commented on further.

If you would like to recommend Bible passages for this discussion venue, please e-mail us at [email protected].

Faith

Hebrews 11:5-7

“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Christians are told to live their lives by faith. Faith is such a commonly used term in all denominations, but it is such a hard concept to grasp, even if one is raised as a Christian. What does faith bring into a person’s life?

Faye Hall

Of the Christian Science Church says:

“The first verse of Hebrews 11 defines faith as ‘the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.’ This kind of faith, which is strong enough to be called ‘substance,’ is learned through experiences where we’ve prayed and received answers which were unexplainable by the evidence of what was seen.

“It goes beyond just having confidence that God hears our prayers to the spiritual understanding that all good desires are rewarded by the One Infinite God. True faith is not just believing that God is good, but by knowing that God is good, and that we are the recipients of God’s tender mercy. This kind of faith, which is substance, is not just blind faith or hope, but spiritual understanding.

“When we gain this understanding, we have a faith which demonstrates Love triumphant such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses and many others in the Bible experienced. They all walked with God and so can we.”

Rudy Verdin

Of the Apostolic Church says:

“In Hebrews 10:35, faith is considered an attitude that is ‘God-ward.’ Faith is what keeps us excited, and reminds us that we will have a great reward in heaven (Matt. 5:12). And while faith cannot help us escape trials and tribulation, if we are not moved, we are able to receive the promise God has for us (1 Th 3:3, 1 Jo. 2:25).

“Continuing to exercise our faith is what helps us understand that our suffering on this earth is only for a little while (Psa 30:5), and helps us continue on our trek to being more like God.”

Pastor Art Blodgett

Of the Community Baptist Church says:

“The faith of Scripture was never intended to be a difficult concept to understand; rather, it has always been a way to express both the measure of one’s belief in the existence of God and the measure one’s relationship with and response to God. Lack of faith is never commended in Scripture. This denies God.

“The Bible says that without faith – without even the smallest measure of belief in God’s existence – it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). What then does even the smallest faith bring into a person’s life? The knowledge of God and His existence, presence, grace, and love.”

Next week’s passage for discussion

Divinity of Jesus

John 1:1-3

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

This particular Bible verse has a lot of emphasis on how the Word was an influence on the World from the very beginning. Theologians believe the Word is Jesus Christ, so what does this say about Christ and his divinity?

To comment on any of the above, e-mail [email protected].