God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

Elijah: 1 Kings 19:8. Jesus: Matthew 4:2. Paul: 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27. Cornelius: Acts 10:30. Anna: Luke 2:37. Ahab: 1 Kings 21:27 (even this wicked king found favor with God through fasting). 7. ON OCCASION, WHOLE GROUPS PARTICIPATED IN JOINT FASTING. Israel before Sinai: Exodus 19:10, 11. Israel before Jordan and Circumcision: Joshua 3:4. Jehoshaphat called a fast: 2 Chronicles 20:3. During time of restoration: Ezra 8:21, 23; Nehemiah 9:1. Nineveh's repentance: Jonah 3:5. Note these references: Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12; 1 Chronicles 10:12; Esther 4:3, 16; 9:31; Jeremiah 36:6, 9; Joel 1:14; 2:12, 15. 8. WAS FASTING ONLY FOR OLD TESTAMENT TIMES? It is a timeless principle. If anything, it has been amplified and given new significance since the Cross. Isaiah 58:3-6. 9. FASTING IS TAUGHT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT AS A PART OF THE NEW COVENANT. A. JESUS' TEACHING: Matthew 6:16 - One of the key thoughts in the Sermon on the Mt. Matthew 17:21 - Overcoming Satan by fasting and prayer. Matthew 9:15 - His answer to John's disciples. Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35 - His answer to scribes and Pharisees.

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