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  • Translation philosophy, continued:
    • Paraphrases such as The Living Bible or The Message are dangerous to use for Bible study.
      • Compare I Timothy 3:4 and Titus 1:6.
    • Literal (word-for-word, formal equivalence)
      • Provides a window to original words chosen by the Holy Spirit
      • Communicates doctrinal points that may be based on single words
        • Matthew 22:42-46 (Psalm 110:1)
        • Galatians 3:16
        • Romans 13:4; Proverbs 13:24
        • I Timothy 2:12
      • Retains nuances and richness of meaning inherent in the original words
        • II Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 5:16
        • John 13:21
        • I Kings 2:10
        • Luke 22:31-35 (KVJ) – “thee” and “thou” are singular, “you” and “your” are plural
      • Aids study with more consistent translation of words
        • (Sophos, wise, in I Corinthians 1:19ff and 3:10ff)
      • Avoids modern gender-neutral trend
        • Sometimes the original words just mean person (Matthew 16:24).
        • Other times, the meaning is changed by removing the gender (Psalm 34:20).
        • Luke 17:3
        • Nahum 3:13
    • Dynamic (thought-for-thought, functional equivalence)
      • Attempts to retain the meaning of the text, including idioms
        • II Samuel 18:25
        • Amos 4:6

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  • Mark 1:1
  • John Mark is widely believed to be the writer.
  • Acts 12:12; 13:5, 13; 15:37-39 – History of Mark in Acts.
  • The writing is especially suited for people like us.
    • Mark 7:2-4 – Mark wrote from Rome for Gentiles. He explained many Jewish customs.
    • Mark also translated Aramaic. (Mark 5:41; 3:17)
    • Mark rarely quotes Old Testament prophets.
    • This is the shortest gospel.
      • Mark leaves out or shortens many things covered in more detail in other gospels.
  • Mark is the gospel of action!
    • Mark records about 20 specific miracles, and about 18 examples of Jesus displaying omniscience.
    • Mark 1:27; 3:11; 12:13-17 – Mark records many cases of people being amazed at Jesus.
    • Mark often uses the word “immediately” (40 times)
    • Mark uses the word “and” 800 times!
    • The original Greek was written in historical present tense. Mark 15:16
    • Mark 9:1-9

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  • Inspiration and translation, continued:
    • Acts 22:16
    • What is the original meaning of the text?
      • II Peter 3:14-18 – If God wants each of us to just come up with his own interpretation, there would be no such thing as distorting God’s word, which Paul warns against here.
    • There is an ongoing need for translations.
      • Matthew 14:15 (KJV): “victuals”
      • II Corinthians 12:1
      • I Thessalonians 4:15
      • English changes over time.
        • Matthew 6:9-10 – original KVJ vs current KJV and ESV
  • Translation philosophy
    • No translation is inspired or perfect.
    • The pros and cons of different translation philosophies.
      • Word-for-word (formal equivalence or literal)
      • Thought-for-thought (functional equivalence, dynamic equivalence, or idiomatic)

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  • The man Christ Jesus makes prayer possible as the mediator between God and man. I Timothy 2:5
  • We need our intercessor to help when we pray. Romans 8:26-27
  • Who has the right of prayer? I Peter 3:12; John 9:31
    • Ephesians 1:3
  • Prayer is an important part of the Christian’s life. Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; I Thessalonians 5:17; Psalms 119:164; Daniel 6:1
  • Prayer is also an important part in assembly worship. Acts 2:42
  • Elements of acceptable prayer:
    • To God – Matthew 6:9; Acts 7:59
    • Through Jesus – John 14:13; I Timothy 2:5
    • In faith – James 1:6
    • If it be God’s will – I John 5:14
    • With forgiving heart – Mark 11:15-26
    • With right motives – James 4:3
    • Be a doer of His will – I John 3:22
  • In the assembly:
    • One who leads, lead so that others can say, “amen.” – I Corinthians 14:19
  • How do we know Go answers prayer?
    • One word is the answer: FAITH. James 1:6; I John 5:15
  • How does God answer prayer?
    • Deuteronomy 29:29
    • Relative to spiritual things, He answers through His laws governing spiritual things. Luke 23:34
    • Relative to material things, He answers through His laws concerning material things. Romans 15:30-31
    • If there is more beyond this, God knows.
  • Jesus prayed:
    • At the beginning of His ministry. Luke 3:21
    • At the beginning of His day. Mark 1:35
    • At meal time. Matthew 15:36
    • At close of His day. Mark 14:23
    • The night before selecting apostles. Luke 6:12-13
    • At His transfiguration. Luke 9:28-35
    • At Gethsemane. Luke 14:32-35
    • He closed His life on earth in prayer. Luke 23:34, 36

For further study, see also:

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