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Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.
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Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
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Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
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¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - St. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Escritura del día - San Juan 14,6
Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.
Bibelstelle des Tages - Johannes 14,6
Jesus spricht zu ihm: Ich bin der Weg und die Wahrheit und das Leben; niemand kommt zum Vater, denn durch mich!
Did Samson Commit Suicide? Was He Saved When He Died With the Philistines?
Thou Shalt Not Kill Or Thou Shalt Not Murder?
The scripture of Exodus 20:13 says, "Thou shalt not kill." Some have suggested that the word "murder" should be associated with this commandment of God. Why? Because there are numerous instances in scripture where the Lord himself commands his servants to kill in order to carry out his judgment. In our article, What Does the Bible Really Say About Capital Punishment? we learn how greatly king Saul sinned against God when he spared the life of Agag, king of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:2-3, 9-11).
Should "thou shalt not kill", figure among the scriptures that are used to answer the question: What does the Bible say about committing suicide? Suicide is the killing of oneself, so it certainly is logical to hold the belief that the command in Exodus 20:13 includes the prohibition of committing suicide.
Did Samson Commit Suicide When He Died With the Philistines?
When the Philistines finally captured Samson, they put his eyes out and put him in prison where he did forced labor. Later, the Philistines had him brought before them to be mocked. The blinded Samson asked a young boy who led him by the hand, to lead him to the pillars on which rested the building in which he and the Philistines were. He then said what is recorded as his last prayer--a prayer that included two requests to God (Judges 16:20-25).
His prayer certainly is among scripture that is relevant to the question: What does the Bible say about committing suicide? We read, "And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people that were therein..." (Judges 16:28-30).
Samson knew that when the Lord heard his prayer requests for strength, and to die with the Philistines, that toppling the building would not only end the lives of the Philistines, it would end his own life as well. So, should it be said that Samson committed suicide? No, Samson did NOT commit suicide and he did NOT die without salvation. How can we be sure of this, considering what the Bible says about committing suicide? We can be sure if we accept what scripture reveals about the death of Samson and about his relationship with God, even as he died with the Philistines.
Firstly, Samson prayed, asking God for strength. Second, scripture plainly reveals that he asked God to LET him die. He did not take his own life, of his own strength. The supernatural strength it required to die in the manner in which he died would have been impossible had God not heard and answered his prayer request to be strengthened only once more. The Lord's answer of these requests is proof that Samson was in right standing with the Savior. The Bible says, "Now we know that God heareth not sinners; but if any man be a worshiper of God and doeth his will, him he heareth" (St. John 9:31).
Did not God hear Samson's prayer for strength, and also for PERMISSION to die with the Philistines? Yes, God heard and he answered. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him because we keep his commandments..." (1 John 3:22).
So, what is the conclusion? That the last act of all who committed suicide was one in disobedience to God? That is not a comforting thought. But let us also keep in mind that, some people who took their own life, lingered before they died. If in their last moments, they truly repented, and asked God to forgive them, there is no reason to believe their soul is eternally lost. The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins..." 1 John 1:9.
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
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