...
Is it troublesome that this could almost indicate we can obtain God through a purchase?
Can we really give anything up and "sell" it to purchase a pearl of great value (salvation)? Or is the analogy simply that we must count all else as loss to pursue Christ?
The alternate view has the Son of God giving all He has (on the cross) to purchase the pearl (the salvation of mankind and the Kingdom).
in my opinion, we are bankrupt sinners and could not purchase salvation.
__________________
Sam also known as Jim Ellis
Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship
Only 1 interpretation to the "parable of the sower" Matt. 13:18
Only 1 interpretation of the "parable of the tares of the field" Mattew 13:37
There is never any evidence of any multiple parable interpretations by Jesus as far as I know. Therefore, IMHO, voting option #3 of multiple interpretations is an impossible option.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The treasure is the children of his Kingdom-
Ex. 19:5-6 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (vs.6) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation
1 Phil. 2:7 (Jesus sold all) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (so that he could make the purchase, cause if he didnt sell all, he could not have made the purchase)
The field is the world- Matt. 13:38
John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.(He also purchased the world, which is the field that contained the treasure)
1 Cor. 6:20, 1Cor. 7:23 For you were bought at a price (he also purchased the children of the Kingdom, which is the hid "treasure" that he got when he purchased the field)
Here is the Shag version of the parable:
Again the Kingdom of heaven is like treasure (children of the Kingdom), hidden in a field (world), which a man (son of God- Jesus Christ) found and hid(in world but not of it); and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has(Phil. 2:7) and buys (acts 20:28) that field (the world) which held the treasure- (the children of the Kingdom)
The "man" had to purchase the field, in order to get the treasure that he hid in it.
Therefore:
We "sinners" cannot sell enough to: buy/purchase anything (the world, the gospel, or Jesus Christ,) to obtain the "treasure" (be it the gospel or Jesus Christ, or salvation) because our righteousness is valueless filthy rags.
The parable of the "Pearl of great price" is not much different except it intensifies into a specific merchant who is deliberately seeking "Goodly Pearls" rather than just treasure. But goes on to say in vs. 46, that he sold all for the one pearl. I believe its saying he'd have given all for 1 lost sinner, cause that 1 is priceless treasure to him. He probably intensified it to intensify the message he was trying to get across to the disciples.
__________________ If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart...
Abraham Lincoln
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Eph. 4:29
Furthermore, If a "sinner" finds Jesus Christ,salvation, or the Gospel, he's not suppose to go hide any of them, he's suppose to go proclaiming them before men and tell the world, which is just the opposite of hiding any of them.
__________________ If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart...
Abraham Lincoln
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Eph. 4:29
Only 1 interpretation to the "parable of the sower" Matt. 13:18
Only 1 interpretation of the "parable of the tares of the field" Mattew 13:37
There is never any evidence of any multiple parable interpretations by Jesus as far as I know. Therefore, IMHO, voting option #3 of multiple interpretations is an impossible option.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The treasure is the children of his Kingdom-
Ex. 19:5-6 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (vs.6) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation
1 Phil. 2:7 (Jesus sold all) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (so that he could make the purchase, cause if he didnt sell all, he could not have made the purchase)
The field is the world- Matt. 13:38
John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.(He also purchased the world, which is the field that contained the treasure)
1 Cor. 6:20, 1Cor. 7:23 For you were bought at a price (he also purchased the children of the Kingdom, which is the hid "treasure" that he got when he purchased the field)
Here is the Shag version of the parable:
Again the Kingdom of heaven is like treasure (children of the Kingdom), hidden in a field (world), which a man (son of God- Jesus Christ) found and hid(in world but not of it); and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has(Phil. 2:7) and buys (acts 20:28) that field (the world) which held the treasure- (the children of the Kingdom)
The "man" had to purchase the field, in order to get the treasure that he hid in it.
Therefore:
We "sinners" cannot sell enough to: buy/purchase anything (the world, the gospel, or Jesus Christ,) to obtain the "treasure" (be it the gospel or Jesus Christ, or salvation) because our righteousness is valueless filthy rags.
The parable of the "Pearl of great price" is not much different except it intensifies into a specific merchant who is deliberately seeking "Goodly Pearls" rather than just treasure. But goes on to say in vs. 46, that he sold all for the one pearl. I believe its saying he'd have given all for 1 lost sinner, cause that 1 is priceless treasure to him. He probably intensified it to intensify the message he was trying to get across to the disciples.
Thank you for the response. This is why I started this thread, since there appears to be at least two views of the parables of the Kingdom.
As you mention, God does treasure the church, and thanks be to the cross where he gave the ultimate to purchase us.
Scripture also speaks of Christ in our hearts as the treasure:
II Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
It has been said much of scripture has several layers of meaning. So the third poll option was given for those who would say both interpretations can be possible or could be reconciled with all of scripture, not so much that the original intent was twofold.
I do like the type of Jesus giving His ALL to purchase the church. Greater love has no man...
However, I find the analogy of the sinner, rather than Jesus, being the pearl and the treasure somewhat problematic in the setting of the parables in Matt 13.
Our value is minuscule in contrast to Him. Since Christ is the head of the body, it is our dependence on Him that gives us any purpose or meaningful value. The one lost sheep was most valuable because he could be consumed in a sacrifice and then produce a sweet smelling savor. The sheep has no great value or virtue in and of himself... It is only when consumed by and for the Chief Shephard that we have any value at all.
After the parables were given Jesus asked whether the disciples understood, "Have ye understood all these things?" and they said, "Yes". Of course that does not mean they actually did... certainly it is doubtful they understood Christ's mission of the cross at that time.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
You mentioned scripture also speaks of Christ in our hearts as the treasure: 2 Cor. 4:7
Yes it does, in which he is deffinately the"treasure of treasures"!
I just personlly can't see him as being the "treasure in the parable" because we can't sell enough to purchase anything that is him, or contains him. And once we find him, we're not suppose to hide him, but rather proclaim him.
__________________ If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart...
Abraham Lincoln
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Eph. 4:29
Again the Kingdom of heaven is like treasure (children of the Kingdom), hidden in a field (world), which a man (son of God- Jesus Christ) found and hid(in world but not of it); and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has(Phil. 2:7) and buys (acts 20:28) that field (the world) which held the treasure- (the children of the Kingdom)
The "man" had to purchase the field, in order to get the treasure that he hid in it.
Therefore:
We "sinners" cannot sell enough to: buy/purchase anything (the world, the gospel, or Jesus Christ,) to obtain the "treasure" (be it the gospel or Jesus Christ, or salvation) because our righteousness is valueless filthy rags.
The parable of the "Pearl of great price" is not much different except it intensifies into a specific merchant who is deliberately seeking "Goodly Pearls" rather than just treasure. But goes on to say in vs. 46, that he sold all for the one pearl. I believe its saying he'd have given all for 1 lost sinner, cause that 1 is priceless treasure to him. He probably intensified it to intensify the message he was trying to get across to the disciples.
Shag, looks like we see those parables the same way.
Oh, say "Hi" to Scooby-Doo for me.
__________________
Sam also known as Jim Ellis
Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship
Shag, looks like we see those parables the same way.
Oh, say "Hi" to Scooby-Doo for me.
I would but pore ol' Scoob got the rabies so I had to put him down
I'll pass it on to Scrappy- Doo in his stead
__________________ If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart...
Abraham Lincoln
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Eph. 4:29
You mentioned scripture also speaks of Christ in our hearts as the treasure: 2 Cor. 4:7
Yes it does, in which he is deffinately the"treasure of treasures"!
I just personlly can't see him as being the "treasure in the parable" because we can't sell enough to purchase anything that is him, or contains him. And once we find him, we're not suppose to hide him, but rather proclaim him.
Right. If it is veiwed as a purchase of salvation it becomes very problematic.
Following Christ does have great ramifications for many though...
Some forsake all - literally, counting not even their own life precious. It is the "cost" of conversion, whether in willingness to do so, or the actual abandonment of houses, lands, mother and father... they are "hated" for his names sake.
There is a total abandonment of ALL for Christ's sake. In that sense the cost is huge... giving all in pursuit of Jesus.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
I would but pore ol' Scoob got the rabies so I had to put him down
I'll pass it on to Scrappy- Doo in his stead
...he gave it all...
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
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