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Life in the Scriptures or Not?

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newgene87:
noticed something while I was thinking of the importance of The Scriptures and just how important they are. The first thing that came to me was what Jesus said about the Scriptures himself; "Search (Gr. seek, investigate) the scriptures; for in them you 'THINK' you have age-abiding 'Life (Zoe): and they are they which testify of me" (John5:38). Okay, from that I see Life or Zoe is found in Christ (obviously) and that's not the problem at all. Now to what Paul says about the Scriptures, well honestly my interpretation so, "what advantage then has the Jew...much every way: chiefly, because that UNTO THEM were committed the 'ORACLES', (Logion, utterance) of God" (Romans 3:1-2). Now from my taking, that's the Scriptures and just a simple accordance search for the usage of that word, its first found in Acts in Stephens Sermon, saying, "this is he (Moses)...who received the LIVELY (Zao) ORACLES TO GIVE UNTO US" (Acts7:38). Okay now, here, it's called Lively Oracles, and my question is what is the difference between Zoe life and Zao life?? And when I do a search for "Zoa" life it seems to mean the same thing as Zoe life but that leaves me with the question why did Jesus say that in Scriptures is not "Zoe" (or Life), yet the Scriptures are the LIVELY Oracles of God? I hope my question is pretty clear. I would really appreciate some pointers. Thank you

Kat:

Hi Gene,


--- Quote ---my question is what is the difference between Zoe life and Zao life??
--- End quote ---

Well look at who Jesus was talking to in John 5: Jesus had just healed a man who told the Jews that it was Jesus who healed Him. So the Jews...

John 5:16  And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him,

Jesus is speaking to them all the was down to verse 39, so Jesus is saying this to the Jews...

John 5:39  You (Jews) search the Scriptures, for in them you (Jews) think you have eternal life. And they are the ones witnessing of Me,
v. 40  and you will not come to Me that you might have life.

Now when you come to Stephens in Acts 7, he is talking about Moses "who did receive the living oracles (Scripture from the finger of God) to give to us (believers)." The difference that I see is that Jesus was speaking to the Jews who were spiritually dead and Stephen was speaking about believers who had the Holy Spirit indwelling and are spiritually alive. Hope this helps a bit.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

Gina:
Hi, Newgene87:

Those are excellent questions.  The answer to the first one is, to borrow from Ray, the noun "Life" does not change meaning when turned into an adjective--"Lively."  


--- Quote ---"No adjective can take on a greater or totally different meaning than the noun from which it is derived."
--- End quote ---
-Ray Smith
Source:  http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11924.msg103228.html#msg103228

liveˇly adj
adj \ˈlīv-lē\
liveˇliˇerliveˇliˇest

Definition of LIVELY

1 obsolete : living
2 briskly alert and energetic : vigorous, animated
3 active, intense
4 brilliant, fresh
5 imparting spirit or vivacity : stimulating
6 quick to rebound : resilient
7 responding readily to the helm
8 full of LIFE, movement, or incident

Source:  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lively

You asked:

why did Jesus say that in Scriptures is not "Zoe" (or Life)]

I can see how a person would think that that's what Jesus said, but from my perspective He didn't say:  "There's no Life in the scriptures," because that would be a lie:

"For the word of God IS living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  (Heb 4:12)

He said, "You pour over them thinking you have life."  It sounds to me like what He's saying is, "You're pouring over the scriptures and you think because you do that, that you have life, when there's a little more to it than that.  Like, you have to actually believe them--hello?"   ;D  

And, of course, believing them takes an act, or no less than a miracle, of God -- it takes the Spirit opening up our understanding.

I hope that helps.

I'll be looking forward to the others' replies.

Gina

Gina:
Kat, that's a very good explanation.

cheekie3:
newgene87, Kat & Gina -

Great Question and very good Scriptural answers.

I believe that Jesus was also making a Significant Statement that Zoe Life was in The Messiah, and He is The Zoe Life Messiah.

Regards, George.

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