Wie Ein Kropf

On the True Method of Ministry and the Supremacy of God’s Word – Part 2 – Excerpts from the Epistles of Paul

2012-02-09T15:52:00.002+02:00

The Apostle Paul is an interesting study in his doctrine in that he was never a hearer of Christ or a follower of the disciples. However he was taught by the resurrected Christ and received his gospel by revelation. As his epistles are studied they are seen to be consonant with the teachings of Christ in the gospel. How much was revealed supernaturally to him and how much he learned of the life of Christ from sources that Luke also availed himself of is impossible to pinpoint.In addition to his use of the gospels, Paul made great use of the Old Testament, as all the apostolic writers did. So much so that even many passages that are not direct quotes from the Old Testament should be understood in light of those Scriptures since these writers lived and breathed the Old Testament Scriptures from childhood. Thus Colossians 2:19, Ephesians 1:22-23, and Ephesians 4:15-16 should be understood in light of Psalm 133, where it is from the anointed head (Christ) that the anointing flows down to every part and where unity of the brethren is.I would now like to look at a few passages from the writings of Paul to show kindred thoughts and expressions with the teachings of Jesus. This comparison is not exhaustive by any means. Being accepted in the BelovedEph 1:5-6 having predestined us to the adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Joh 15:7-9 If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. In this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you shall be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; continue in My love. Concerning Marriage1Co 7:1-11 Now concerning what you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. But, because of the fornications, let each have his own wife, and let each have her own husband. Let the husband give to the wife proper kindness, and likewise the wife also to the husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. And likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. Do not deprive one another, unless it is with consent for a time, so that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer. And come together again so that Satan does not tempt you for your incontinence. But I speak this according to permission, not according to commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself am. But each has his proper gift from God, one according to this manner and another according to that. I say therefore to the unmarried and the widows, It is good for them if they remain even as I. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn. And to the married I command (not I, but the Lord), a woman not to be separated from her husband. But if she is indeed separated, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to leave his wife.Mat 19:3-11 And the Pharisees came to Him, tempting Him and saying to Him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And He answered and said to them, Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning "made them male and female", and said, For this cause a man shall leave father and mother and shall cling to his wife, and the two of them shall be one flesh? Therefore they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. They said to Him, Why did Moses then command to give a bill of divorce and to put her away? He said to them, Because of your hard-heartedness Moses allowed you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, Whoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is put away commits adultery. His disciples said to Him, If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not good to marry. But He said to them, Not all receive this word, except those to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs who were born so from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of Heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it. Paul continues with giving his judgment concerning those married to unbelieving idolaters, something Christ had never specifically addressed because of His Jewish audience (1 Cor. 7:12-17). In this he does not allude directly to the Words of Christ, but instead lays down rules of conduct in agreement with God’s original institution of marriage and Christ’s teaching. In this he gives a pattern for handling similar situations where there is no exact Scriptural parallel, that is drawing out principles from what is taught and applying them. He did not lay down a rule of conduct on his own authority without reference to what Christ taught.It should be mentioned as a side note for those who noticed that Paul though clearly alluding to Matthew 19 (note the parallel between celibacy as a gift and Christ saying it is given) he does not mention the exception clause. This means that either he was unaware of it, or he did not interpret it in the way most commonly received today. It is highly unlikely that he would have been unaware of it, and yet been aware of the words that follow immediately afterwards concerning celibacy being given, so it follows that he must not have interpreted it in the way it commonly is interpreted. Were that clause the main part of Christian teaching concerning divorce it would be mentioned several times and omitted in an instance or two rather than the reverse.Obedience to Secular AuthorityRom 13:1-8 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.Mat 22:15-22 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. Mar 12:28-34 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. On the true source of defilementRom 14:14-23 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.Col 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Mar 7:14-23 And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." [If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.] And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."On Unity1Co 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.Joh 17:9-11 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. Undoubtedly Paul had heard something of Christ’s High Priestly prayer found in John 17, though it was not yet put down in a Gospel nor would be until after Paul’s death. Not only was the need for unity greatly emphasized by the apostle in other places as well but here in 1 Cor. 1:8-9 he refers to the keeping power of God immediately before mentioning the need for unity, almost as if he is thinking of John 17, which contains both themes interwoven. This casts an interesting possibility on how much of John’s material was available to the other Apostles and early disciples and perhaps the reason why he never wrote it earlier when there were more living witnesses and second-hand reporters of it.Exhortation to Desire the Gifts of the Spirit1Co 12:31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1Co 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. Luk 11:5-13 And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Our Heavenly Tabernacle prepared for us2Co 5:1-8 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.Joh 14:1-4 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Necessity of Being Born AgainGal 6:15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." One Fold One ShepherdEph 2:14-18 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Joh 10:14-16 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. ConclusionIn this post I desired to show just how much Paul relied upon Christ for his own teaching and conduct. I hope I was successful in that. It should also be noted that if I had included all the Old Testament Scriptures quoted or alluded to we would have the majority of his doctrinal teaching. Anything he brought out that was not specifically found either in the Words of Christ or the Old Testament was drawn forth from these by deduction. To show how He viewed his charge in this way and how he would not state things merely on his own authority, we look now at 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, “Now these things, brothers, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, in order that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if you did indeed receive what you have, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?” Here Paul makes the source of parties in the Church to consist in going beyond the Scripture, and this is very true. It is amazing but no one ever contends with as much earnestness as when they are trying to force something not in Scripture on someone else. Often people can say any old thing without upsetting someone, but if you touch their pet doctrine, which often is not in Scripture, they are up in arms. When we stay in Scripture and bind our thoughts to it, we have no room for parties, because all that we see is what God has put there and if we see more than another it is only because He has opened our eyes to understand what we read. He could do the same for any one else, so what can we boast of. May God help us all to rightly divide His Word! Amen.

On the True Method of Ministry and the Supremacy of God’s Word – Part 1 – James

2012-01-28T16:30:00.002+02:00

As we look at the Epistle of James it becomes clear that James had heard the sermon on the mount and likely other teachings of Christ. As the brother of the Lord he had not believed in Christ prior to His resurrection, but yet Christ’s words must have had quite an impact on him, because roughly 30 years later he is drawing from these words. In this post I would just like to compare a few of James words with Christ in the Gospels.On the impermanence of richesJas 1:9-11 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Mat 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. On God’s goodness in His giftsJas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Mat 7:7-11 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?On the TongueJas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Jas 3:2-12 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Mat 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. On judging othersJas 2:12-13 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Jas 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. Jas 4:12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? Jas 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. Mat 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Mat 7:1-5 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.On our attitude in trialsJas 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Jas 5:10-11 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Mat 5:10-12 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. On being doers of the WordJas 1:21-27 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. Jas 2:17-26 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. Jas 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. Mat 7:21-27 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." Mat 5:13-32 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.On OathsJas 5:12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.Mat 5:33-37 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil. ConclusionThese are a few passages which show the parallel thought of James with Christ’s teaching and the sermon on the mount in particular. This is the essence of true ministry to take what God has said to think upon it and to draw out from it practical applications. While we are looking at James it would be fitting to briefly look at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). That council is interesting in that Peter and Paul both gave witness of the miraculous work among the Gentiles, but it was when James showed that this was to be expected by quoting Scripture from the Septuagint that the issue was settled (Amos 9:11-12). Here it was shown that the remnant of the gentiles who called upon the name of the Lord should both belong to Israel and seek after God. Since they were to come as Gentiles James concluded that they were not required to become Jewish in manner and custom, and thus all that was required was an obedience to the Noahic covenant which is in force for all men as long as rainbows appear (Gen. 9:1-17). Therefore the council was not legislative, but rather acted as a witness to what God had already declared both by His works and in His Word. In closing this post I will remind us all of Christ’s words to the Saducees, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt. 22:29). Every true work of God will bear both of these stamps His Word and His power. Even so Lord come quickly! Amen.

On the True Method of Ministry and the Supremacy of God’s Word - Introduction

2012-01-28T16:27:00.002+02:00

The more I read the Bible the more aware I am that much of the New Testament epistles are reiterations of the teaching of Christ, and of the Old Testament. This is worthy of note because sometimes we have a conception of the apostles as people with authority to lay down laws and institute doctrine, yet it was never so. In the great commission the apostles were told to teach their disciples all that I have commanded you which tacitly excludes enjoining anything which Christ has not commanded (Matt. 28:20). The apostles imparted in their teaching and writings what they had learned of Christ as the Holy Spirit brought it to their remembrance (John 14:26), something that He continues to do in our days as He takes what we have read and applies it to our situations and actions. Interestingly enough the Holy Spirit Himself does not teach of His own, but instead imparts what He hears, even as Christ did while on earth (John 7:16-18). It is also worthy of note in John 7:18, the Christ says that the one who speaks of himself seeks his own glory. Yet too often in the church more of human opinion, current fad and tradition is propagated than the Word of God. What is worse is that it is so well tolerated.One instance that I remember well is when a certain pastor I know was talking to me about a certain doctrine began by saying, “Well, there isn’t exactly a Scripture that states this, but…” That man said more against his doctrine right there than I ever could. Yet I was expected to not only assent but perhaps even teach the same. This is preposterous! There are 66 books in the Bible by common reckoning, thousands of topics, and hundreds of thousands of truths to be gleaned from it, yet I should consider very important to God something which He never even muttered and devote more time to that than what He thunders throughout! Thank God, I won’t do it. It is the Word of God that creates the spiritual new man in us when we are born again (1 Peter 1:23), and continues as food for that new man ever afterwards. If the church is an ecclesia – a called out assembly – it is the Word of God which calls us out. It is the Word of God that cleanses and sanctifies us (John 15:3;17:17). If it is by His Word that the bride that Christ redeemed to Himself by His death is made clean and prepared for Him (Eph. 5:25-27), then it is essential that His people receive this Word. If we take up pulpit time with things other than the Word – entertainment, human opinion, useless matters, then at best we are wasting washing time, and possibly we are actually befouling the bride with the smut of human opinion instead of washing her. There is no higher privilege than to deliver the Word of God to His people, it will prepare the Bride for the Bridegroom, so that He can see the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Consequently to fill up this time with trivialities is a great travesty. Even in the case of supernatural experiences and divine revelation, it must always be remembered that these illuminate that which is already stated in the Word and cannot, if they are true, run contrary to it. To show just how much the apostle’s writings were explanatory rather than asserting anything novel I intend to look at a few of the New Testament Epistles starting with James and see how the writers were actually drawing from Christ’s teaching in the Gospels. May God’s word run swiftly. Amen.

A Quick Thought on All Things Working for our Good

2012-01-10T15:40:00.002+02:00

Recently I was studying another topic, and came across something that changed my thinking concerning how all things work together for our good. I am sure we all know Rom. 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” I had always seen the working together in a passive light, but the word is an active one – sunergeo. That same word is used of God working miracles on behalf of the apostles preaching (Mark 16:20), of faith co-operating with works, and a couple of times in the sense of fellow worker or auxiliary (1 Cor. 16:16; 2 Cor. 6:1). So not only are all things passively going to work out for our good, but they are actively working to achieve God’s goal. In the same way that the tension of a bow gives and arrow more force, or the turbulence of the air the eagle more height so the distresses of this world propel the Christian forward. In a certain sense it is not in spite of these things that we triumph, but because of them. What message would George Fox and John Bunyan have had had they not known the dark nights of searching? Their struggles were both personal doubts they had to wrestle with, and God appointed trials to bring them and others into the light of day. God’s strength is and always had been made perfect in weakness. In whatever you are facing now, remember if you love the Lord and called according to His purpose, He has ordained every struggle you will face as a training ground to make you stronger than you could ever be without. Trials are not a necessary evil they are an indispensible tool to form you into what God intends you to be, and they will take you higher than you could ever go without them. May God lead us ever on! Amen.

Thoughts on 2 Timothy 2:2 Part 2 - Training up leaders

2011-12-28T16:13:00.002+02:00

2Ti 2:2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. God is interested in the next generation and in the passing on of His gospel from one generation to another. One of the reasons why Abraham was a friend of God and God chose him to bear the promise He gave him is found in Genesis 18:17-19, “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” It would not have served the eternal purpose of God to call Abraham, give him the promises so that he would be a blessing to all nations unless He knew Abraham would be faithful not only himself, but also that he would pass on the promises to the next generation so that the promise could continue. God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - the God of the generations. Both Isaac and Jacob received the promise because of Abraham, yet it was also necessary that they enter into their own relationship with God to receive and pass on the promise. Actually the promise was not fulfilled in their lives, but only in the lives of their descendants since the only land they actually possessed in Canaan was what Abraham purchased as a burial place. This is what Hebrews 11:39-40 refers to, “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” These are only completed or made perfect when they receive the promise they lived and died for through those who follow after and enter into that promise. Abraham only receives the fulfillment of the promise and inherits Canaan through his descendants. Many times we reap where another person has sown, perhaps even unknown to us (John 4:35-38). Multitudes were reaped later where William Carey sowed yet he had almost no fruit himself for most of his life, but it was his ground-laying work especially in Bible translation that enabled the fruit to follow. Both the sower and reaper rejoice together in that the reward is shared between them the completion of the work not being possible to either by themselves. This is why the cloud of witnesses surrounds and looks upon the church militant awaiting for it to complete the work that was begun by those already passed on to be perfected and completed.Not only was passing on the promises and faith important in the life of Abraham, but in the Life of Christ one His major works was to train the disciples to follow after Him. It is in this sense in John 17:1-4 that Christ could say, “I have finished the work” even though the work of the cross was still before Him. Indeed the training of the disciples was one of the main things which made His work on the cross effective. Had He come and died for the sins of the world, but left no one as a witness of it the sacrifice would have had no effect on those for whom it was made. The Apostles received His message, bore Him witness and passed on all they had learned as the Holy Spirit brought it back to the memory. This is why Paul could refer to himself as a co-worker of God (2 Cor.6:1), and refer to the Church as the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 1:23), since as we are joined to Christ out of Him flow His works through us completing His work in the world in the absence of His bodily presence. Much more could be written on this, but it would be a digression here.Moses on realizing that God would not allow him to personally complete his life’s work of leading Israel out of Egypt and into Canaan, carried a deep burden to God that He would not leave Israel shepherdless, “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.” God then supplied Joshua (Num. 27:16-20).King David having a deep desire to see a temple built for the Lord, but being forbidden to build it himself prepared the plan for it and laid up much of the provision for it and passed it on to Solomon (1 Chron. 28:9-21). This was a rich inheritance which David left for his son.Unfortunately not all men have the same attitude. Even righteous men such as Hezekiah sometimes take no thought for the following generations. Hezekiah on making a serious error, due to being lifted up in pride, was told by Isaiah that as a result his children would be carried to Babylon, but he was unmoved, as long as his own days were happy (2 Kings 20:16-19).This same attitude perhaps not as overtly can be seen in ministers who grow the church entirely around their own persona. One example of this is seen in ministries that have multiple congregations which have a service transmitted from the one auditorium into the other locations. The fact that one can do this shows that they are an effective speaker, but there is far more to ministry than effective speaking. If the leader passes on there will be almost no way anyone could take over such a work and it will disintegrate. A true leader’s fruit is not only seen in the response he gets in the pulpit, but more in who he trains to work with him. It would be far better to have congregations ministered to by other men under his periodic supervision than making himself an indispensible part of them. The irony is that it is possible to gain a huge following and have people view as a great success by being an actual failure in laying up nothing that will remain when you are gone.Some reasons why young leadership is not raised up1. They cause problemsYoung up and coming ministers can cause more problems for a head pastor than anything else and the more potential the young minister has the greater the problems he might cause. In the gospels we see more of Peter than any other disciple. He always seems to open his mouth at the most inopportune times, tries to correct Jesus on one occasion, and when Christ’s intention is to surrender Himself he starts swinging his sword to defend Him, and then later denies Him. All of these actions created problems for Christ. They denied His message and ran counter to His purposes, yet He was still able to work with Peter. Had He not allowed Peter to develop He would have lost thousands of converts in the first years of the Church at the very least. Peter was a hard man to have as a disciple, but to not have him would have been far worse. Proverbs 14:4 tells us, “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” A barn with immaculately clean stalls and no noise is perhaps more pleasant to enter than one filled with cattle, but the one is like a ghost town, whereas the other is healthy and normal even if sometimes unpleasant. Cleaning up after cattle is not a fun job, but having no cattle to clean up after is doom for a farm. In the same way though young ministry creates problems lack of it is a far greater problem.2. Friction and contentionA strong leader can be a very difficult person to work under, especially for an emerging strong leader. In the time of the reformation Luther and Zwingli influenced many young men toward reform, but for every one they were able to channel into their movements they drove away dozens. Most of the stronger men whom they impacted they became antagonistic towards, in Zwingli’s case murderously so. Men like Grebel, Carlstadt, Denck were thrust out, and energy that could have been better spent in other endeavors was wasted in strife among brethren. There are countless other instances in history of these things. The problem between these leaders was somewhat doctrinal, but it also had a lot to do with jealousy. Luther especially was sensitive to an disagreement with him on anything, because he felt that since he had gotten the ball rolling in the reformation everyone should pay deference to him. There was wrong on all sides. Every one of these leaders, as well as we today, could learn from Philippians 2:3-5, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” There is much that is done through strife and vainglory and it cripples the Church and produces needless contention. In many cases organizations become caricatures of their leaders having their faults and peculiarities in a greater measure. This is because it is far easier to copy these than to learn the internal and too often outward conformity is substituted for unity of spirit. It is hardly possible to have two people more dissimilar in outward form then John the Baptist and Jesus, yet the same Spirit motivated them. The locusts are listed as wise because they are able to follow each other, without having any leader or king, when one begins to move they all follow as one (Prov. 30:27). In the same way every believer should be willing to listen to any other believer and submit to them if what they say is right (Eph. 5:21). Jan Hus pointed this out to his accusers who were angered that he continued to preach after he was forbidden, and showed that he as a superior was willing to change his judgment when his students showed him that he had misjudged a situation. 3. Inability to release controlOne of the most wonderful things that God has created as an expression of Himself is the heart of a mother. A mother will give of herself to ensure the survival of her offspring. One Scripture where this is seen very clearly is in 1 Kings 3:16-27 where Solomon decides the case of the two women claiming the same child. The true mother was willing to see her child grow up never acknowledging her as its mother, and even to give the love which would be her due to another just so long as it lived! The life and growth of the child was all that really mattered, not who got the credit, nor who was in control. It was that attitude that won her back her child. A healthy living child can be a handful to keep in order, but the alternative is much worse. Juana la Loca is a tragic figure in history. A Spanish queen and mother of Charles V she had the misfortune to be married to a philandering husband. When he died she had the opportunity to have what she had always wanted - him by her side, and she had his coffin carried with her everywhere she travelled. However, there is a vast difference between winning your husband’s heart and carrying his coffin around. Something dead is easy to control, something living is impossible. God gives commands yet He also allows a large measure of personal freedom. He told Adam and Eve that they could eat of all the fruit but one, He did not micromanage which one they were eating of at which particular time. There are many things which God can command which no man can. When He imposes a burden He also gives grace to bear it, when man imposes a burden man must supply the strength. If God gave grace for every man-made burden imposed by a superior than the Catholic Church would not have the problem they have always had with clerical celibacy! The Apostle Paul, while enjoining obedience to those who were slaves, forbid Christians to become slaves of men (1 Cor. 7:21-23), so that instead we can be slaves of Christ. There are three basic facets of slavery, and if a leader crosses these he is overstepping God’s law. 1. Vows of perpetual obedienceIt is one thing to submit to leadership, God requires that, but if leadership requires a vow of absolute and perpetual obedience in all things, we have become a slave of man and are no longer free to be a slave of Christ. This is one of the greatest sins of the monastic system. Submission is not mindless obedience, and God will hold us accountable for what we do, we cannot do as the Jesuits and say, “as long as I obey I am fine and if I do evil because it is commanded than the guilt is on the superior.”2. Renunciation of propertyForbidding ownership of property is another attribute of slavery. This is also another evil of monasticism. When God made Adam and Eve He gave them dominion over the earth. Dominion implies right of ownership. It also bears responsibility. God desires man to own what He gives them, to use it as they choose, and He will hold them accountable in the end. Those who have more will be judged more severely.3. Disposal in MarriageSlaves as the property of their masters were given in marriage as the master saw fit. It is wise for a Christian to seek godly counsel before entering into marriage. Counsel, however, is not command. It is giving what the person believes is the mind of the Lord. It is up to the one receiving counsel to judge for himself whether it is or is not the mind of the Lord, and to act accordingly. Some might think that this destroys counsel and that none will listen without some compulsion. The opposite is true. If a man will not listen to God speaking to his own conscience, why should he listen to a man saying he is giving the mind of the Lord. If he is willing to listen to the one he will listen to the other. Compulsion and manipulation will never hold anyone. Even if they put up with it, if they are not hearing God’s voice and obeying out of a forced compliance, are they really His sheep? His sheep hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27). If you do not believe that a person can hear from God for guidance unless you tell him and perhaps compel him, do you really believe he is one of Christ’s sheep? If he is than he will hear the shepherds voice and obey it, if he is not nothing will keep him anyway. It should also be mentioned that counsel is not generally the origin of a course of action, but either a confirmation or check on it. There are certainly many other issues relating to training leaders but these are the ones that I personally see and am convinced of.May God grant that we all learn of Him, the Good Shepherd, how to lead!

Thoughts on 2 Timothy 2:2 - Part 1

2011-12-22T16:56:00.000+02:00

2Ti 2:2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. This verse is Paul’s charge to Timothy for the preservation of Christian doctrine and leadership in the Church for succeeding generations. He is to preserve it by passing on what he has learned from Paul onto others who will also pass on the truth that they have learned. This is the essence of discipleship, and is what Christ was commanding when He commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). With this in mind I would like to look at a few points on the doctrine to be taught and Paul’s ministry in teaching it, so that we can see how the early Church operated with so much success and learn from them.1. Timothy was to teach what Paul had taught in the presence of many witnessesThe doctrine which Timothy was to teach was that which Paul had taught openly with many witnesses. Christianity unlike pagan philosophy and cults has no esoteric and exoteric doctrine. It does not teach one thing to the masses and then another different thing to its inner circle. While Christ used parables to test the hearts of His hearers, these parables taught essentially the same things found in His open teaching and He could say to the high priest at His trial, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said” (John 18:19-21). Truth can go about openly and overcome, it is falsehood that has to enter stealthily in the side-door like a gossiped rumor – the ill-omened caterpillar requiring many a silk thread of deceit until it can morph into a moth. The truth is a hardier being – the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).This verse also has reference to pretended apostolic traditions. What Paul passed on was publicly taught and given over and was in consonance with if not identical to what he wrote in his epistles. Thus anything at variance with his plain writings can have no authority as a tradition. What Timothy was to pass on (our word tradition means what is passed on or delivered – the thought of delivering over also gave us another word from the same root – traditor, or traitor) was what is found in the public writings and discourses of the apostles which we have in our Bible. 2. Paul’s pattern he gave to TimothyThe pattern of life that Paul followed can be clearly seen in his address to the elders at Miletus. This was a crucial time in Paul’s life where he would soon be facing the possibility of death in Jerusalem and on the way there he shares his own burden for ministry with the elders of Ephesus, and reminds them of his own conduct.Act 20:17-36 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them: "You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. In order to see how Timothy was to lead others and pass down what he had heard, we will look at a few points from this speech. Points of Paul’s conduct: Humility in his conduct (v.19)The sine qua non of Christian leadership is humility. Christ, Himself, contrasted the worldly leadership with Christian leadership saying, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45). Peter having heard this repeats it in his charge to his own leaders using the same word Christ used - katakurieuō, to domineer or subdue, reminding them that that is not the way to lead the flock (1 Pet. 5:3). The virtue of humility is not a natural one for man and in the Gospels we see the apostles struggling with it, but as they saw the example of Christ something of His character began to transform them.Paul ministered in humility, perhaps not perfectly in that perhaps some blame would attach itself to him over his rupture with Barnabas (Acts 15:37-40), yet in another disagreement with his fellow-worker Apollos he showed that he had grown in humility by responding with grace (1 Cor. 16:12). He also showed great humility in his opening address to the Corinthians in calling them saints even though at the time of his writing they were not acknowledging his authority (1 Cor. 1:1-2). In 2 Corinthians he also contrasts his own humble behavior with the arrogant behavior of other so called ministers which was tolerated and even encouraged by the Corinthians, “For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!” (2 Cor. 11:19-21). Not only did Paul not exalt himself in the ministry, but he apparently was surprised that any church would even allow it.  Constant teaching in Public meetings and house meetings (v.20)Paul took every opportunity he could make to teach from the Scriptures in public and private places. During the reformation, many of the reformers took similar steps by having public Scripture readings with an explanation of them not only on Sundays but every morning for all who wished to attend. Willingness to lay down everything for the Gospel (v.24)Paul was willing to go to Jerusalem without regard to the danger. It was holding nothing back from Christ that was the source of his joy. One of the attributes of those who overcome the devil is that they do not love their lives even unto death (Rev. 12:11). Sharing everything necessary (v.20, 26-27)Paul held nothing back that people needed to hear he was a faithful watchman and so could say he was innocent of the blood of his hearers (Ezek. 33:1-9) Drawing disciples after Christ not himself (v. 30)One of Paul’s heartaches as he was saying goodbye to the elders at Miletus was knowing that even some them would eventually depart from the faith. Not only would wolves come from without, but former friends would bring in division. The reason was that they desired to draw disciples after themselves. John the Baptist showed the attitude of a true minister in John 3:28-30, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease." The friend of the bridegroom was used as a go between among the couple to exchange messages and facilitate their relationship. This is precisely the purpose of Christian ministry to pass on Christ’s messages to His bride-to-be and do our utmost to see her fall in love with Him. If you can imagine how a man would feel if his friend betrayed his trust and used his position as a go between to win the bride’s affections for himself, then you will begin to see how Christ will view ministers who draw people after themselves instead of Him. One simple test of a ministry is in how its adherents operate. If all of them have an attitude that if you doubt their leader you are not of God, then something is wrong. Paul contended neither for himself, nor for Apollos, nor for Peter but for Christ (1 Cor. 3:4-7). Count Zinzindorf was a great man of God, and the revival at Herrnhut sparked the world missions movement, and had a hundred year unbroken 24 hour prayer chain. Yet both John Wesley and George Whitfield had a falling out with the Moravians and even wrote against them – partly because they believed some second hand information that was false. Wesley came to realize his mistake and in his later years became a friend of the Brethren again, Whitfield probably would have had he lived longer. All three of these men were mightily used by God and yet were at one time at outs with each other, today we see all three of them as part of a greater holiness movement, but at the time their differences seemed greater than their similarities. If a follower of one of these men had thought that since the other two were not with his leader they were not following Christ, he would have rejected 2 other great ministries which God mightily used. When this attitude of my leader is the only one is combined with miracles that serve no purpose but to exalt the minister performing them, and is further coupled with questionable doctrine, a Christian should seriously question the source of the ministry. One example of this sort of minister in church history is Martin of Tours. Thankfully God is the ultimate judge, but there are some people I have no desire to emulate.  Not preaching with a motive of financial gain (Ezek. 34; 1 Pet. 5:2; Titus 1:11; 1 Tim. 3:3,8; Titus 1:7)One of the qualifications that Paul gave to Timothy and Titus for both deacons and elders was that they be free from covetousness (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:3,8). Peter also exhorted his elders not to bear rule for the sake of money (1 Peter 5:2). This is one of the big pitfalls for ministry and was one of the things God reproved the shepherds of Israel for in Ezekiel 34. This sin leads to other sins and can lead to teaching false doctrine (Titus 1:11). This is especially seen in the life of the prophet Balaam.This is only a brief sketch of Paul’s leadership practices. May God grant that we learn these lessons from him even as he learned them from Christ! Amen.

A Quick Look at Jeremiah 32:6-8 as it Regards Guidance

2011-11-30T15:51:00.001+02:00

This post is more intended as a thinking-out-loud post rather than a dogmatic one, but recently as I waslistening to a preacher mention these verses and read them I was struck by a thought of how these verses can overturn some misconceptions people sometimes have concerning God speaking to us.Jer. 32:6-8 Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me: Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, 'Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.' Then Hanamel my cousin came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance with the word of the LORD, and said to me, 'Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. It should be noted that this all took place in the tenth year of Zedekiah that these events took place and thus it was near the end after more than 20 years as a prophet that this happened. Jeremiah receives a word concerning an event that would happen that day, and the impression that he should buy this field. It was a sign because at the time of this purchase the city was in the middle of a siege which the next year would result in its total ruin. Jeremiah’s purchase was showing his own faith that what he had foretold concerning the return after 70 years would be fulfilled, literally putting his money where his mouth was. What I would like to focus on in this portion, though, is the way he handled this word. Jeremiah had a word come to him which he believed was from God. It contained specific details of what would happen. Having received the word the details then occurred, and Jeremiah was confirmed in the course of action he should take, and also knew beyond all doubt that the word was from God, writing, “Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord.” This shows us that even experienced prophets do not always know that every impression they feel is from God is from God. Jeremiah received what he believed to be a word from God and yet he waited to see the details line up before he said anything to anyone. If you read this portion of Scripture it seems that Jeremiah is alerting Baruch to this event right after the fact. It was only after the prediction came to pass that Jeremiah knew (infallibly) that this was the word of God. Thus even prophets should wait and ponder words of personal guidance to see if events match their impression and then they will know what is God’s word, which is tried seven times, and what is mere human impression. People sometimes think that prophets have an automatic infallible ear, but Jeremiah only knew that it was God’s word to him when he saw it coming to pass. Practically this should be a test that we subject our own things we feel God speaking to us to, namely, if it contains certain events or details, do they come to pass? It is wise to hold our peace when we feel something and lay it before the Lord, if it is of Him it will work out, if not we can be sure it was our own idea. Afterwards we can mention it to others even as Jeremiah did. May God guide us until death and receive us to glory! Amen.

Lips overflowing with Grace

2011-11-21T16:34:00.001+02:00

Psalm 45, one of the Messianic Psalms written for Solomon but looking beyond him to Christ reads in verse 2, “You are the fairest of the sons of men; grace is poured into Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.” The thought is contained that not only is grace poured into the lips of the Messiah, but that this grace overflows and pours out from His lips. Christ was able to answer all people at all times with grace, He was able to bridle His tongue and was thus truly the perfect Man (James 3:2). In this post I would like to look at just how Christ showed lips of grace, so that we can see how far we often fall short of it and learn to be like Him.Since what a man is truly like is most often manifest in times of difficulty – George Washington was a man of very guarded temper, yet he forgot himself at Monmouth and when first hearing of St. Clair's debacle and these two instances are the only times when he was ever known to swear. Even the Apostle Paul did not always respond perfectly in his tests as we will see later here, but Christ shows His divinity in that the harder the trial the more admirable was His speech. I would like to look at a few instances in Christ's life now and if nothing else we will learn why the inhabitants of heaven cannot help but cry, “worthy is the Lamb!”1. How He handled betrayalChrist's response to Judas in the garden is amazing. While He had spoken strong words of warning to him in the upper room prior to the betrayal (Matt. 26:21-24) perhaps as a last measure to save his soul or at least leave him without excuse, yet in the garden His response could not be more mild. He does not revile him, but instead gives the most mild expostulation possible, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Judas is that really what you are capable of, to use the closest sign of friendship as a sign of betrayal? There was no vindictiveness or rancour in Christ's behavior to Judas, but rather sorrow for who Judas was – what he had willingly become.2. How He responded to gross injusticeThe trials of Jesus are interesting if for no other reason than that they show a total and complete disregard for law. The two legal systems that antiquity passed on to modern society and are recognized as most just are the Jewish and Roman, and both legal systems were entirely set aside by the judges in Christ's trial. Roman law required strictness of accusation. If a man was tried it had to be for a specific offense, at a specific time, yet when Pilate asked what charge was to be brought against Christ he received a reply that would have been grounds for dismissal in any ordinary trial, “If he were not an evildoer, we would not have brought Him here” (John 18:30). Other anomalies of this Roman trial include but are not limited to: pronouncing a not guilty verdict but not releasing the prisoner but instead offering Him in an exchange; followed by another not guilty verdict, and a flogging; and finally a third not guilty verdict resulting in the crucifixion. Christ's demeanor through all of this was outstanding. Actually He was not the one on trial, it was the whole world system and all its hypocrisy and time serving that was on trial and it and its ministers were found sorely wanting as the came up close to the Judge of all who brings forth His righteousness every morning.Prior to the Roman trial (in this small post we will not be examining the minor trial before Herod, which was really Pilates first hand-washing attempt) were the Jewish trials. These were likewise highly improper by Jewish law. The most notable irregularities involve the timing and secrecy of the trial (night time trials and secret trials were unheard of, because it was necessary that witnesses be able to come forward, this was especially true in regard to capitol crimes). Another major irregularity involves Christ being asked directly concerning His doctrine. All legal proceedings in following Mosaic law required two or three witnesses, and unlike in Roman law, torture and intimidation could not be used to extort a confession. It is from this Mosaic legal basis that the United States gets its fifth ammendment in the bill of rights. Yet Christ was directly questioned concerning His teachings in a deliberate attempt to trap Him in His words, was given no advocate, and had the judge also playing the part of prosecutor. When He brought attention to the illegality of the proceedings and requested that witnesses be produced to His words since He had never taught secretly, He was struck on the face. At this point Christ shows His divine dignity, rather than becoming rightly indignant, as even the Apostle Paul later did in a similar situation (Acts 23:1-3), He merely asks that if He had said something wrong let it be shown Him. After the false witnesses had been produced and had contradicted each other without suffering the ordinary consequences, Christ as the faithful and true Witness indicted Himself by His response to the oath of the High Priest, because to not come forward at that point would have been sin (Lev. 5:1). Through all of His trial He shows Himself to be above reproach in everything He did. While Paul had to apologize for his outburst, though it was honestly deserved, Christ kept His composure throughout His longer and even more unjust ordeal.3. His Words to the Mourning WomenAnother amazing outflowing of grace from the lips of Christ is found in His address to the women who were customarily mourning for His death, because He was dying without offspring. He looked beyond His own suffering of the time, which had included a merciless flogging and beaten face, and plucked out beard, and had compassion for what His people who had rejected Him would endure, saying, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (Luke 23:28-31).Furthermore Christ while on the cross asked for forgiveness for those who killed Him, and welcomed the first penitent sinner, who had formerly reviled Him into His kingdom. All of these acts of grace flowed out in His time of greatest anguish. May God grant that we also are able to show a small measure of the grace that poured from Christ's lips in our own speech. Amen.

Hannah

2011-11-06T16:26:00.002+02:00

Hannah was a remarkable woman, who became the mother of an even more remarkable son – Samuel, who carried the nation of Israel from the end of the time of the judges into the reign of their first king and the anointing of the second king. The story of Hannah does not start with a promise instead it starts with a problem.1Sa 1:1-2 “There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.”Hannah was barren. This was a horrible reproach in those times, and in Hannah’s case one made worse by the behavior of her husband’s other wife. Hannah’s character is seen in that instead of retaliating at the insults, she went to the Lord. Yet emotionally this trial was very difficult for her, and she was so vexed that she would not eat. Clearly this was a problem and a need. Yet there is a greater need here than may be readily apparent. God had a need. He needed a prophet. The word of the Lord was rare in those days and the priests were leading the people into sin instead of into the knowledge of God’s ways. God’s burden was for the whole nation and carried into account the succeeding generations, at this point all Hannah was interested in was a son. Scripture tells us that God had closed Hannah’s womb (v. 6). So this trial was not caused by sin or the devil or anything else. It was brought about by God to bring Hannah into a place where instead of just carrying her own burden she begins to catch a glimpse of God’s burden.As the years pass by Hannah becomes more desperate, eventually she is so overcome with her need that she vows to give the son back to the Lord and have him consecrated as a Nazarite from birth. This is what God was waiting for. Hannah did not say these things lightly, she was actually so emotionally wrought as she was praying that the high priest, Eli thought she was drunk. Again Hannah’s character is shown in how she handles being misunderstood. When she could have been very angry at what happened, and even offended, she mildly explains herself to Eli (v. 15-16). Eli then pronounces a blessing upon her.At this point Hannah manifests a rest of faith, having received the word of God from the priest, she went home with a cheerful face and ate. Emotionally she came to peace by resting in God’s promise even though nothing had changed at all. Lastly Hannah fulfilled her vow to the Lord after Samuel was born. After she did that, God granted her even more children.To sum up the points I see in Hannah’s life to emulate if we want to see our prayers answered:1. Take you burden to God2. If He requires something from you give it, don’t just ask for your own needs, meet His and others needs3. Do not become offended if you are misunderstood4. If God speaks rest in His Word5. Fulfill what you have promised unto the Lord in your distressMay God give us all hearts like Hannah’s. Amen

A Few Thoughts on the Kenosis of Christ

2011-10-17T16:37:00.002+02:00

The Kenosis of Christ is a theological term referring to His emptying of Himself to assume humanity. It is based on Philippians 2:5-9 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…” Sometimes people wonder how this emptying affected the divine attributes, especially omnipresence and omniscience. I at one time had a misconception myself, or at least had never fully realized Christ’s continual omnipresence as to His Godhead, until I was reading and saw John 3:13 quoted and saw that my understanding had been somewhat vague before (this is the difference between error and heresy, anyone can have an honest error, it is the holding to that error when the truth is straightforwardly shown that makes heresy). John 3:13 "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” Having read this it became apparent to me that Christ was saying to Nicodemus that while He was talking to him, He was also in heaven! Clearly this emptying of Himself had nothing to do with His omnipresence, though of course He was present in a special sense in His physical body. The attribute that people wonder about the most though is the omniscience of Christ. Christ clearly showed superhuman knowledge in much of His life, with His conversation with the woman at the well (John 4:17-18) and His knowledge of Nathanael (John 1:47-51). This is consistent and easy to understand. The question arises when we encounter some other Scriptures, most especially in Matthew 24:36, where Christ says concerning His second coming, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” If Christ does not know this was He therefore not omniscient when He was in the flesh? At first glance it might appear so, but that may rest on a faulty understanding of omniscience. God is omniscient and yet the fact that He does not remember our sins is not said to prejudice His omniscience. This is because His forgetting of sins is an act of His will based on our repentance and not a diminution of His faculty (in the same shutting my eyes may cause not to see, but it does not make me blind). In the same way could it not be said that there were some things which Christ chose not to know without prejudice to His omniscience, just as He only did what He saw the Father doing, though He remained all-powerful. This act of the will makes sense in that we all know that there are times that we are aware of things and yet choose to not focus on them and even remove them from our mind. That this was the state of Christ in the flesh is hinted at in Isaiah 42:19-20, which refers to Isaiah first as the servant, but beyond him looking to Christ, “Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the LORD? He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear.” Christ apparently willed to only know what the Father revealed to Him.This particular attribute of the kenosis has practical value, because in placing His understanding and knowledge entirely under what the Father desired to give Him, Christ overcame the natural human temptation which lead to the fall – the seeking of forbidden knowledge apart from God and in competition with Him. It is this perverse curiosity that causes people to dabble in the occult, and become involved in all sorts of evil. It also leads many Christians astray as they desire to know what God has not revealed and become open to anything that seems to be a revelation. We as humans desire to know, whether it is worthwhile knowledge or not, this is why tabloids sell. Yet there are many things in life we do not really need to know. Christ showed Himself to be the consummate man if for no other reason than that He was able to rely totally on the knowledge of His Father, and in this as in all things He is our pattern. May we cultivate the attitude seen in Psalm 131 “ A Song of Ascents. Of David. O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.” O Lord You know and that is enough!There are many questions I have in my own life right now, and while I believe God will supply some of the answers in His time, for now I can only say, “Lord You know and that is enough.” May God grant us all contentment in what we do not understand and a solid trust in Him in all things. Amen.

Thoughts On How Solomon's Court Case Applies To Our Own Ministries

2011-08-22T16:22:00.000+02:00

The story of Solomon's court case is very well known, even by unbelievers. I would like to look at it again though and perhaps draw out applications of it to our own lives and ministries.

1Ki 3:16-28 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. The one woman said, "Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne." But the other woman said, "No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours." The first said, "No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine." Thus they spoke before the king. Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; and the other says, 'No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'" And the king said, "Bring me a sword." So a sword was brought before the king. And the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other." Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, "Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death." But the other said, "He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him." Then the king answered and said, "Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother." And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

This story is interesting for several reasons. It shows many things about human nature in general but also shows us something of the true heart of a mother, which is actually a reflection of the heart of God.

Initially there is the dispute over whose child is the living one. Both women desire the living child. One desired it because it was hers by natural birth, the other also desired the child probably to assuage the grief caused by the loss of her own and to remove the reproach of having lost her child from her by placing on someone else. In the same way if we are Christians, especially Christians with a ministry, we desire to see blessing and fruit for our labours. This is natural and not wrong, those who sow should do so in hope, but often God requires a certain attitude before He will give the blessing.

When the case came before Solomon, he used his God-given wisdom to show which claim was just. In his command to divide the child he was bringing out the strongest motive of each heart. The false mother wanted the child alive as long as it would be hers, but if it could not be hers she would have her half and see it destroyed. The true mother would have the child live, she wanted it to be hers, but it would be better to have it live, even if it never owned her as its mother, but instead considered itself another's. It was this attitude that showed Solomon who the true mother was and gained her the child.

Many times Christians pray for revival, for multiplication, and for the extension of God's kingdom. This is good, but often the motive is not as much God's glory, but that we might ourselves be vindicated and blessed. The difference in the two women was not what they desired, but why they desired it. The false mother desired the child for her selfish motives. The true mother desired the child for a mixture of motives, but when push came to shove the only thing that mattered was the life of the child, even if she lost it, so long as it lived. This is the attitude that God blesses, a desire to see Him move even if He uses others and not us, even if on this side of eternity our prayer and efforts remain unnoticed. This is the heart of a mother, to put the child first. It is also something deep in God's heart, the God who gives breath to all, even those who do not acknowledge Him and even fight against Him. He sends His rain on the good and the evil, for their benefit, not for His own.

It is this attitude that was in the heart of David when he fled from Absolom, and refused to let the ark go with him, because he placed his fate in God's hands, but regardless of what happened to him, he would not have the people deprived of God's presence (2 Sam. 15:24-26). This is also an attitude seen in those whom God has used in past revivals, one notable example, by no means unique, is Count Zinzendorf, who was determined to benefit the Church of Christ as a whole and not his own enclave. He often sent converts of the Moravians into other local churches. If anything his fault was in trying so hard to encourage other groups that his own did not grow as much, and yet the God alone knows all the good that was accomplished through the Moravians, specifically because of their willingness to grow God's kingdom and not their own segment of it. May God grant us the same heart!

Why Christ will not return on May 21st

2011-05-12T15:32:00.000+02:00

I don't usually do too much teaching on the Second Coming of Christ. This is not because it is not an important subject or because I do not believe I know at least some of the answers to the questions that must be answered. Mostly it is because I feel that personal preparedness is more important than exact doctrinal understanding. Doctrinal understanding can encourage us to be prepared, but there are many who may have right understanding and yet still be unprepared, also there may be some who lack correct doctrinal understanding, but whose relationship with Christ still makes them prepared for whatever may come. Having heard a friend of mine asking about Christ returning on May 21^st I decided it was time to show why this is not possible, and hopefully to prevent young Christians from being shaken in their faith when yet another prediction fails.

As we look at this the most important thing is to remember is that it is not just doctrinal knowledge that we need but a relationship with Christ. This is true not only in light of the end-times, but in everything. Our understanding can be flawed in many ways and yet we can still be saved by Christ. Indeed when I look at some men, such as Charles Finney and George Fox, I see some really strange ideas that could have totally made a shipwreck of their lives, yet even some of their wrong ideas were held in check to a large degree by their relationship with Christ. We should never mistake the light given in doctrine for the source of light. We can all err in many things, but the Light of the World can show us and even restrain us in spite of our miscomprehension. So our focus should be on pleasing Him and He can handle the future, even if we misinterpret it.

With that written I would like to look now at events which must take place before Christ's second coming and the rapture.

1. Wars, Earthquakes and other calamities

We see these calamities happening now, and they will intensify. They are prelude to the end, but Christ specifically prophesied that they would come, but that the end was not yet.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. (Matt. 24:6-8).

And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:8-11).

As we see these earth changing events unfold, we should remember two things. First they are not a surprise to God. Second they are not the end that is still to come. The judgments we have seen in the last decade have been enormous, and yet if we believe Christ we must say that worse is still to come.

We need to seriously take stock of ourselves as we view these things. We are surprised at the multitudes that are destroyed in one disaster, the tsunami in Sumatra for example, many of whom were eternally lost. Yet we forget, or choose not to acknowledge, that on a normal day without any high profile disasters, thousands still die and slip into hell. If these events actually mobilize Christians to be serious about our mission, and result in salvation to many who otherwise might perish eternally than even these disasters will be worthwhile in the ultimate end, and whatever disruption, discomfort, suffering and even danger they cause to Christians will be actually a blessing.

2. Wide spread persecution and apostasy

This has yet to happen. How far it is in the future only God knows, but it is coming. There are nations where Christians are being persecuted now, but Christ referred to world-wide persecution.

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matt. 24:9-13).

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion (apostasy) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? (2 Thess. 2:1-5).

The apostle Paul elaborates more on what form this falling away will take in 1 Tim. 4:1-3, 2 Tim. 3:1-5, and 2 Tim. 4:3-4. This corruption of Christian life and doctrine is necessary to bring the iniquity of the false church to completion. In addition to declension from the faith, the false church will also be actively involved in the persecution of the true church (Rev. 17:3-6).

Yet Peter encourages the true Christians to continue to fervently love each other even in the midst of this cooling of the love of many (1 Pet. 1:22, 4:7-8). In the midst of all the defection and sin abounding it will be easy to let our love grow cold and to cease to care for others, but as Christians our love must come from God, and continue to pour out in spite of the failings and faults we see.

3. The preaching of the Gospel in all the world

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations (ethnos), and then the end will come. (Matt. 24:14).

Lest we think that the end times will be all gloom and doom, it is important to remember that the best times are yet ahead as well. It when the church suffers that the glory rests upon her (1 Pet. 4:12-14). It is God's sworn intention that His glory will fill the earth (Num. 14:21; Hab. 2:14). This will be done through the church. The glory will exceed by far anything seen in the Old Testament in the same way that a permanent building is far more valued than a temporary structure (2 Cor. 3:7-11). If the Old Testament which was temporary and intended to be superseded saw dramatic miracles and wonders, shall not the New Testament church which is to remain. Haggai prophesied that the glory of the latter house (the second temple) would be greater than the former (Solomon's temple) (Hag. 2:9), this referred to the presence of Christ in that temple and the raising up of the Church which must supersede all the glory manifest in Solomon's temple.

Before the return of Christ the fullness of the Gentiles must come in (Rom. 11:25). This will take place after the former and latter rain have come (James 5:7). The former or early rain softened the ground for planting, the late or latter rain ripened the crop for harvest. Joel prophesied that both would be given in the first month, together (Joel 2:23). Thus you would have a rapid sowing and maturing of the crop, this is prophesied in Amos 9:11-13, and verse 11-12 was specifically quoted as applicable to the church in Acts 15:16-17. There have been scattered instances of some of these things in certain locales at certain times in history, but it must happen on a global scale to prepare the Church for Christ's return. The fact that Christ is returning for a Bride without spot or wrinkle (2 Pet. 3:9-15; Eph. 5:26-27; Rev. 19:7-8) tells us that His return is not yet, to give us time to prepare, and we desperately need a fresh outpouring of His Spirit to iron out our wrinkles and remove our spots.

4. The appearance of the antichrist and rebuilt temple

"So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. (Matt. 24:15-20).

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? (2 Thess. 2:1-5).

The Bible has a lot more to say about the antichrist, which might be a subject of a later post, but for now I will only mention that he is not here now. Revelation tells us that he is a man who has lived before and will return from the pit.

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come (Rev. 17:8).

And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. (Rev. 13:2-3).

It is thus folly to predict that any living man is the antichrist. There are many antchristian leaders in the world, but the antichrist won't sneak in, he will very visible when he comes.

Another indicator given by Christ which is important in regards to the appearing of the antichrist is the rebuilding of the temple. This has not yet happened, but the 2004 reconvening of the sanhedrin, with one stated goal as rebuilding the temple shows that times are drawing closer. One note on this temple, it may not require the demolition of the dome of the rock, because there is some ambiguity as to where the Holy of Holies actually stood on the Temple Mount. Things will become clearer as events progress. Things may take decades or years, but all in God's timing it will unfold.

5. The Great Tribulation

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matt. 24:29-31).

I realize this is not a popular teaching in the Church today, but Christ is unambiguous here. His elect are gathered to Him after the tribulation. The noun form of the verb used for gather in Matt. 24:31 is what Paul uses in 2 Thess. 2:1 for our gathering unto Him at His second coming. These are referring to the same event.

The fact that Christians will be on the earth during the tribulation can be shown by several Scriptures:

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, and that Day come upon you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, praying always that you may be counted worthy to escape everything that is about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36).

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those that dwell upon the earth. (Rev. 3:10).

If all Christians are to be kept from the great tribulation than these promises and warnings make no sense. Furthermore both Daniel and Revelation state as plainly as possible that the antichrist will kill Christians.

And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. (Daniel 11:33-35).

Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. (Daniel 12:10-12).

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" (Rev. 14:9-13).

Notice these saints are specifically said to have faith in Jesus! These are not Jews. This is seen again in Revelation 12, where the language is symbolic, but it is clearly taught that there is one company caught up to the throne of God (v5 – the male child), another that is hidden in the wilderness (v6 the woman), and a third group that are persecuted (v17 the rest of her offspring).

Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. (Rev. 12:17).

Notice that these cannot be Jews, because the Jews do not have a Testimony of Jesus until they are restored at His Second Coming. Clearly these are Christians!

To finish this long post I should mention the element of the pre-tribulation rapture theory that bothers me the most. That is the interpretation of 2 Thess. 2:6-7 as the removal of the Holy Spirit from the earth along with the Church for the duration of the tribulation. This interpretation is seriously flawed. If the Holy Spirit is gone from the earth, then in what power are these saints enduring martyrdom? Even assuming, as the theory demands, that these are special "tribulation saints" and not ordinary Christians as an unbiased reading of the passage would indicate, do you honestly believe that man unaided by the empowering Spirit can withstand a persecution far worse than anything that pagan Rome ever perpetrated? We know and have seen in history what the Spirit of God can do in His people in the midst of persecution and it is what Christ promised in Luke 21:12-15, "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict." However there never has, and I can confidently say, never will be anyone overcoming the devil in his own power and strength, during the tribulation or at any other time. If we can only stand in our minor struggles now in the power of the Holy Ghost do we honestly believe that others will be able to overcome the devil in his greatest time of power in their own strength? To think so is borderline blasphemy!

Since I clearly reject the Pre-tribulation rapture interpretation of those verses I should offer my own. First let me give two versions of the Bible that translate them in a slightly different way from the majority.

And now you know the thing holding back, for him to be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness already is working, only he is holding back now, until it comes out of the midst (2 Thess. 2:6-7 LITV).

And now you know that which is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will continue until one comes out of the midst (EMTV).

Notice that in both these translations, there is one restraining until something comes out of the midst, not until something is removed out of the way. The Greek could be rendered either way. If this translation is allowed then it is the Holy Spirit restraining the mystery of lawlessness, until it is time for it to fully come forth. Lawlessness has been working for centuries, but it has been set back many times. The Wesleyan Revival brought England back from the abyss of anarchy in its day. The evil of the roaring '20's was met by the great depression and WWII which effectively recalled nations to God for a time. Yet there will come a time when the mystery of lawlessness will be fully allowed to manifest itself and once it has the antichrist will come. Even now lawlessness is accelerating in the world. People call for liberty but many of them really want license, and lawlessness. It is not tyranny they oppose, but any moral restraint at all. God may restrain this again, but if He does not this spirit will result in the manifestation of the antichrist. When it does, may God's people endure and overcome in His strength and power! Amen.

Being Sent

2011-02-14T15:33:00.000+02:00

Recently I was teaching on the book of Romans and coming to chapter 10, I was struck by the importance of being sent.
For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:13-17

Many times we use this passage to emphasize the importance of preaching to spread the Gospel and that is valid and important. Really, though, to start at preaching is to forget the first link in the chain – which is being sent. John the Baptists ministry begins as stated in John 1:6, “there was a man sent from God…” The message He preached which opened the hearts of many to receive the coming Christ – so much so that many of Christ’s disciples started by following John and some of the seeds he sowed were still bearing fruit 20 years or more after his death (Acts 18:24-19:5). All of this was made possible because he was sent from God.

In order to be sent from God one must first be with God. John’s message was received in his time with God and he went in God’s power because in a real sense he was sent from God. Isaiah’s largest portion of ministry followed his having an encounter with God and being sent from Him (Isaiah 6). It is as a message is received from God in our time spent with Him that we can be sent with it out into the world.

Looking at history even secularists see fitted men with tailor-made messages for the times that they lived in. The Reformation was the result of a man with a message – Luther with justification by faith – prepared for his age and with circumstances to aid in its spread all prepared by God – in this case the invention of the printing press and the invasion of the Turks are the two main ones.

In the midst of the dissolution of the Roman Empire and barbarian invasion, men like Salvian were sent to reprove the sins that brought God’s judgment, and to bring a message of hope that as the Gospel was planted in these new nations it could bring more fruit than it had in the Roman Empire. In so doing he not only fulfilled a need in his own day, but supplied pulpit material for generations of French preachers, including Bossuet and Saurin.

In his youth, John Wesley was the inheritor of two previous generation’s prayers and burden for revival, and strove to preach and live rightly, but it was only after his own personal experience of the saving power of Christ that he was made fit to be sent in the true sense and when he was sent the results began to follow. It is also worth noting that shortly before his conversion experience his father had told him on his deathbed to seek for the assurance that is God’s gift to the saved and to seek until he had it, he then told Charles Wesley that though he would not see the revival he had long prayed for, yet Charles would. Sometimes the hopes and prayers of several generations can be awaiting the man who will meet with God and be sent from Him.

The word we often translate as “sent” is apostello in Greek, which has the thought of not only being sent out but also being separated. Paul could write In Romans 1:1 that he was set apart for the Gospel of God. To be sent in the fullness of the meaning of that word, implies a wholehearted giving of oneself to the mission with which one is entrusted. John’s sending involved not only preaching, but also a lifestyle unique to him (not prone to be imitated either) that reinforced the message he preached. Paul’s lifestyle also opened doors for him as he was willing to be a Jew to Jews and a Gentile to the Gentiles. To be truly sent thus involves more than even obtaining the right message from God and being willing to speak it, but also living in a way that drives the message home and opens the hearts of the hearers. The Hebrew prophets of old, especially Hosea, Isaiah and Ezekiel, were their message in many instances, and more modern men like Hudson Taylor have done similar things in comparatively recent times.

Let us be sent so that we may preach. As we preach people may hear, and as they hear they may believe. As they believe they will respond, and we will see a harvest. May God send forth labourers into His vineyard! Amen.

Maturity found in being lead by God

2011-01-26T16:09:00.000+02:00

When Jesus restored Peter at the sea of Galilee, He told him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go" (John 21:18). In saying this Jesus showed among other things that one of the marks of Christian maturity is found in a pliable yielding to the leading of the Lord. We are lead by another yet, we stretch out our hands to acquiesce to the leading.

This same thought is repeated by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons (huios – mature sons) of God.” The more we are lead by the Spirit of the Lord and the more we easily yield to His influence the more mature we are in the Christian walk.

Again this can be compared to Ezekiel’s vision of the river (Ezekiel 47:1-5) with the water to the ankles being analogous to salvation, the knees to water baptism and a beginning to walk in the footsteps of Christ, the waters to the waist could be compared to the baptism of the Holy Spirit where the current and flow of the river is more felt than before, the final phase is waters to swim in which will take you along with them even as you swim in them. This is one of the promises of the New Covenant as see in Ezekiel 36:26-27, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

May God grant that we each day grow more and more pliable in His hands as we are lead by His Spirit! Amen.

Thoughts on Romans 5:10

2011-01-11T15:38:00.001+02:00

"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."

As I was reading through Romans again in preparation to teach on it this coming February, I came across this verse which somehow had never fully caught my attention before. Often as believers we have a good focus on what happened at the death of Christ and on the atonement that was accomplished there, but not only is the fact of the resurrection crucial in showing that Christ was indeed the Son of God, but His life saves us.

It is as the ever-living High Priest that He can continually intercede for us before the Father and by virtue of this and His once-for-all offering make us perfect and present us so before the Father (Heb. 7:24-25; 10:14; Jude 1:24).

We all have received physical life because of our descent from the first Adam who was made a living soul. By our natural birth we have a life like his enabling us to think, talk, move, and act. More importantly though, when we are born again we receive life form the second Adam who is a life-giving spirit (1 Cor. 15:45) - Our spiritual nature is made alive through Him and the whole of our being is enlivened. Even as we indisputably bear the marks of descent from Adam as seen in our actions being like his, in the same way we will also one day bear the image of the second Adam (1 Cor. 15:49).

Christ has received from His Father the power of having life in Himself, life independent of all external supports or requirements, and He has the power to enliven whomever He will (John 5:21-26). It is this life, an eternal life that He has had in the past and which will continue forever into the future, which He imparts to us. He laid His own life down for us on Calvary, but having power to take it back up, He did and out of His life we receive ours, even as He said to the disciples, "Because I live (present tense), you shall live also." Truly Christ is our life and as His life manifests in us we will know His truly great salvation! Amen.

Seeing Him as He is

2010-12-15T15:32:00.001+02:00

This post will be somewhat related to my previous post on being a faithful and true witness. Where that post was related to speaking though, this post will relate to being and doing.

First John 3:2 says, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." This verse tells us that in the end we will be like Christ, because the sight of Him in His totality will transform us to be like Him. Thus we could say that to the degree we see Christ as He is to that same degree we will be like Him. It is impossible for us to emulate something we have never seen, or to manifest a virtue we unless we have an idea of how that virtue would look in a given situation. This is one reason why we often fall short of our calling as Christians, sometimes we know what we should do and don't do it, but many times even when we want to follow Christ and be like Him, we miss it because our idea of Christ falls far short of what He really is like. Often we tolerate and even condone all sorts of little things that are not Christlike, and accept it as the norm.

This why discipleship is important, so that younger believers can see what Christianity really looks like. There are a few instances I remember of people I know reacting with grace in trying situations and as I saw it I knew I was seeing "The Way." I was seeing Christ in that person living His life through them in that situation. It gave me something to strive for. Sometimes, though, we can be in a situation where we do not have someone to emulate in our vision. It could be that we are the ones that are to disciple others, and yet we realize that we know so little ourselves.

Thankfully even without a human role-model we still have the God's Word. Scripture and especially the Gospels show us so much of Christ that if we properly study and apply it, we will become more and more like Christ. In the Gospels we see Jesus in all sorts of situations which can be applied to our lives if we are willing to make the effort.

Another way we see Christ is through our direct encounters with Him in His presence. We can learn a lot from these. It was in personal times of worship that I was first struck by the graciousness of God and how He is so humble that we often do not realize how much He humbles Himself to be around us, and sometimes we even take Him for granted. To me that graciousness became a goal to aspire toward. Other times I have had the Lord give me kind words in spite of my bad attitudes at the time, and learned how kindness can sometimes cut far deeper than a sever rebuke ever could. When God reveals Himself to us it is not just that we should know it, but that we might become it.

There were two apostles specifically that I think saw attributes of Christ and then manifested them. The first one was John, who was the apostle of love because he was first the apostle that Jesus loved. It was as he received of this love and saw its workings in his own life that he was able to give it out to others. The second apostle was Paul who in 1 Timothy 1:16 refers to himself as a pattern of longsuffering. Paul manifested the longsuffering of God throughout his many shipwrecks, beatings and other trials, but first he had been a recipient of the longsuffering of God who had waited for the right moment to appear to him on the Damascus road as he was persecuting the believers. It was likely Paul's own realization of all that Christ had borne with in him that enabled him to bear so much himself.

May God grant each of us a greater realization of Himself that we may be it to others! Amen.

The Faithful and True Witness

2010-12-03T18:11:00.001+02:00

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: "The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation..." (Rev. 3:14).

A while ago, I wrote on how it was interesting how when Christ addressed the seven churches in Revelation that the title He chose for Himself showed Him to be what was needed in each specific situation. I was going to post a link to that post here, but I am unable to find it myself. In this post, I would specifically like to look at the title Christ gave Himself when addressing Laodicea. To the blind and naked church which felt it had need of nothing, because of its material prosperity He addressed Himself as the Amen and faithful and true witness. In other words what He said was true reality which the church needed to hear and align itself with. The Laodicean church had deceived itself and had doubtless had teachers with itching ears who had told them what they wanted to hear, but Christ was the Amen, the So-be-it, whose word was final, and the faithful and true witness who would tell what was needful regardless of what they wanted to hear. Not only in regard to this church but in His earthly ministry and even as He relates to us in our lives Christ is the faithful and true witness. He told Pilate that the reason He was born was to bear witness to the truth, and He desires to also form us into faithful and true witnesses. To better prepare us to be faithful and true witnesses we should examine what is required to be a witness.

Firstly, we have to see something to be a witness. I realize that is very basic, but sometimes we can forget that to bear witness we have to have witnessed something first. Christ could bear witness to the Father because He saw Him and knew Him (Matt. 11:27). Christ could also judge situations and people rightly as Isaiah prophesied because He did not rely on His own sight and understanding (Isa. 11:3-4).

What we see is very important, and it is very much effected by what is in our hearts. The heart is the window through which we interpret what we see, this is why even though the twelve spies sent into Canaan all saw the same things, they still saw different things – ten had evil hearts of unbelief and two had hearts of faith. It is also interesting to note that the evil report given by the ten spies was not exactly false, it was basically factually accurate, but had a perspective of no faith in the power of God to overcome the giants (Num. 13:25-33). Having God's perspective is very important or we could state facts, and yet still bear a false witness.

Another example of this is Moses' tirade against the children of Israel, which kept him out of the Promised Land. It was very understandable, frankly, very deserved, but when struck the rock instead of speaking to it, he failed to bear witness to type God was bringing out, and in calling the rebellious people, "rebels" he forgot temporarily that they were also the called ones of God in spite of their wayward character. It would be hard to imagine as vexing a situation as Moses was in, but I think the apostle Paul shows a right response to similar situation in his Corinthian epistles. When he was faced with carnal bickering believers who questioned his authority challenged his leadership and allowed blatant sin in their midst, he still began his epistles by addressing them as saints - considering their greatly unsaintly conduct at the time that must have required grace on his part. Then having reminded them of who they were he proceeded to truthfully point out their faults and bring correction. Moses in losing his temper lost balance of perspective, Paul managed to see both the faults and also remember the good and the call given to these wayward Corinthians. In the letters to the seven churches, Christ not only addresses faults but also gives whatever commendation He could, as humans we tend to go to extremes, and see only people's faults or their good qualities at a given time, but Christ is able to weigh all at once, and we need to learn more balance in what we see.

Having seen something we then need to be faithful to share it at appropriate times. Christ did not indiscriminately spout off everything, but specifically taught in parables, and through much of His trial remained quiet. It was only when an oath by the High Priest forced Him to bear witness or be guilty of withholding truth that He plainly claimed to be the Son of God. The man born blind in John chapter 9 is another good example of a faithful witness, and interestingly enough right after he bore witness and was cast out of the synagogue Christ came looking for him. He found him and revealed Himself as the Son of God to him and received worship from him – a very rare privilege this man had to worship the pre-resurrection Jesus. This was given to him because he was faithful to witness what he knew and had seen and God trusted him with greater knowledge because of that. May we also bear witness faithfully that we might be found worthy to bear greater witness and please our Lord! Amen.

The wisdom from above as seen in the life of Christ – Part 7 – without hypocrisy

2010-11-29T16:28:00.001+02:00

"But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

I think it is fairly apparent that Christ's ministry was totally without hypocrisy. As Luke wrote in the beginning of Acts his first book showed what Jesus did and taught (Acts 1:1). Christ's teaching was phenomenal, so much so that even many atheists have praised it, but more remarkably He lived what He taught. He not only told us to love our enemies, but He loved His, He prayed for forgiveness for those who crucified Him and wept over the coming destruction of the city that rejected Him. Studying His actions is the best way to understand what He meant when He spoke things, because with Him His actions were never at variance with His words. Jesus told His generation that a greater than Solomon was with them, Solomon had been renowned for his wisdom and yet an even cursory comparison of his proverbs with his life, shows a great variance in what He said and what he did (Compare Proverbs 25:16 with Ecc. 2:10 for example). One problem that we often have with the truth is that when we first hear it and it enlightens us we rejoice, but yet when it comes to really assimilating it, it can be difficult. This is much like the scrolls given to Ezekiel and John sweet to the mouth, but bitter to the stomach (Eze. 2:8-10, Rev. 10:9-10).

There are two basic types of hypocrisy to which humans are prone. The one is to think that because we know something we can get away with not actually doing it. That is what could be called blatant hypocrisy. The other type is perhaps more common and is a hypocrisy caused by ignorance of how we are contradicting what we say with our lives. This second sort of hypocrisy is the type that even good Christians can get caught in, like Peter did before Paul took him publicly to task (Gal. 2:11-18). This hypocrisy can often be caused because we want to be well received or we want to avoid persecution. Christ was true because He sought not His own glory but the glory of the One who sent Him. Public opinion had no hold on Him.

Christ was the way (how He walked is the way we should walk), the truth (The reality of what things are), and the life (the ability and source for all we do). As the embodiment of Truth He did not lie or evade even when it would have saved His life, when the high priest adjured Him to say whether He was the Christ, He replied in the affirmative (Matt. 26:63-65). When He stood before Pilate He acknowledged His Kingship, but not as an earthly ruler, even in His darkest hour He was true and bore witness to the truth. May we be a faithful and true witness even as He was the Faithful and True Witness. Amen.

The wisdom from above as seen in the life of Christ – Part 6 – without partiality

2010-11-26T17:51:00.001+02:00

"But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

We will now look at the impartiality of God's wisdom as see n in Christ. By impartiality, we do not mean a strict equality, since even among the disciples of Christ, there were three who were His most constant companions (Peter, James and John), and even of those John was specifically known as the one Jesus loved, yet the reasons for this are impartial, not arbitrary (John was special both in his love to Jesus and in his faithfulness during the crucifixion). One of Christ's greatest battles in His day was with the Jewish mindset that placed more value on the covenant that God had made with Israel than any real individual fellowship with the God who made the covenant. This was a problem even among Christ's disciples who in spite of all that Christ had said to them were still shocked when the way of salvation was opened to Gentiles several years after Christ had ascended. God was never partial to Israel even though He had made a covenant with them, if they did not have personal faith in Him. The most conclusive proof of this in the Old Testament is seen with Rahab, who was allowed to remain in the land of Canaan because of her faith in God even though as a Canaanite she was under the ban, while shortly before this the whole first generation of Israel was excluded from the land because of their lack of faith in spite of the promise they had received. God has always been good to those who have believed His Word and trusted Him, but those who do not believe His Words and promises, even if they were the recipients of the promises do not see them.

Jesus showed the impartiality of God's love in many ways. When He healed the ten lepers, it was the attitude of the one who returned to give thanks for his healing that brought on him a further blessing especially since he was apparently the only non-Jew among them (Luke 17:11-19). It was the faith of the centurion that caused Christ to marvel, especially since he was again a non-Israelite (Matt. 8:5-13). It should be noted that the fact that Christ marveled at his faith probably has more reference to his having so much less to base his faith on than a Jew who had been raised in the Word of God, and yet what he had learned he had spiritually grasped and applied. In a sense God is almost surprised when in the midst of His followers that only barely listen to Him someone hears the things He hides deeply within His own heart, such as David seeking to build the temple, and this centurion realizing that it did not matter whether Christ came or spoke His word carried authority.

Jesus also proved in opposition to the prevalent nationalistic notions of His day that God had always been a God of Gentiles as well as Jews. He did this by pointing out that in the days of Elijah, God sent him to a widow in the territory of Sidon, and there provided food for her and the prophet. He further mentioned the healing of Naaman the Syrian by Elisha, when there were many other lepers in Israel that could have been healed but were not, yet the attitude that Naaman manifested when he was healed and his turning to follow the God of Israel showed that God know whose heart is for Him in any nation.

Because God is without partiality, we draw as near to Him as we really want. He will give us opportunities to see what really is in our hearts and to choose to draw near to Him or turn away. We all come from different backgrounds and circumstances with different struggles to overcome, but if we come to the Lord with the right attitude He will bring us into the plan He has for us. This is the God that could say even to a Cain who was about to kill his brother, "If you do well will you not be accepted?" If we seek Him no matter who we are He will lead us into a deeper relationship with Him if we respond to His Word. May God grant us obedient hearts! Amen.

The wisdom from above as seen in the life of Christ – Part 5 – full of mercy and fruits

2010-11-24T15:34:00.001+02:00

"But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

One of the primary attributes of Christ in His life on earth was mercy. On two separate occasions Christ quoted Hosea 6:6 to His Pharisee opponents showing that what God really desired of His people was mercy (Matt. 9:13, 12:7). Christ's life mission was one of mercy to reconcile a wayward creation to its Creator. He came to call the sinners to repentance. The self-righteous Pharisees were shocked that Christ would allow a sinful woman to touch Him and wash His feet with her tears, yet that was only because they did not realize how sinful they themselves were and how much it cost the sinless Son of God to come down from heaven and walk in a sin-filled world (Luke 7:36-50).

Of all the cries for mercy given by afflicted and sick humanity to Christ we never see a single instance of His refusal to show mercy. He was truly full of mercy. This wisdom of mercy resulted in multitudes of sinners repenting of their sinful ways and becoming people who loved God and sought to please Him. That was something that hardhearted Pharisaism never produced, but wisdom is justified by her children. Zacchaeus had been a burden and drain on his community, but having been shown mercy he restored fourfold of all he had wrongfully taken, which in itself would help those he had afflicted, but even more above that he gave half of his goods to the poor. Thus a man, who had been a curse to his community through his oppression, became a blessing and joy to it!

Not only did Christ show mercy to those who came to Him who had never known Him, but He continually extended mercy to His disciples as they required it in their faltering faith. It was mercy that calmed a storm when out of shaken faith they woke the Saviour and questioned His caring for them, an attitude unfortunately all too human in life's storms (Mark 4:36-41). It was mercy again that first called to Peter to come out of the boat and then extended a hand when he faltered. It was mercy that overlooked the humanness of the disciples and their misapprehension of things He said and spiritual immaturity, which thankfully He continues to show to His similarly afflicted saints today. It was mercy that caused Him to restore Peter and the wisdom of this restoration is seen in Peter's subsequent life. It was mercy that provided the proof which Thomas had requested of the resurrection, when by his attitude he could have been lost. It was mercy that resulted in a post-resurrection appearance to His brother, James, which resulted in his conversion and untold good to the church at Jerusalem and even us today.

Thank God that He is merciful, because we all need mercy. It may be the mercy of picking us up after we have utterly failed and restoring us, it may be the mercy which keeps us from wandering where in our ignorant feet might take us, or even the interposing of a firm hand when we knowingly want to do wrong, but we all need mercy. It is not of him that runs or him that wills, but of God that shows mercy. Amen.

The wisdom from above as seen in the life of Christ – Part 4 – Easy to be entreated

2010-11-19T16:09:00.001+02:00

"But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

The wisdom from above is easy to be entreated – compliant, willing to yield, persuadable. One of the ironies of life is that God who truly knows all is very approachable and willing to listen, whereas we who know far less than we even realize can often be very stubborn and difficult. Jesus in manifesting the Father showed Himself to be very approachable and compliant, often in contrast to His disciples, who were learning just as we learn.

One of the first things noticeable in the life of Christ on earth is that there is no recorded instance of His ever turning away someone who came with a need and brought that need to Him. No time was too inconvenient for Him, on the way to Jairus house, He paused to address the woman who had been healed by touching His garment and speak peace to her (Luke 8:41-56). She was afraid when He first called for her, but His desire was not to reprove but rather to put His blessing upon her "stolen" healing.

When the two blind men called out for Christ, the crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but Jesus responded by healing them (Matt. 20:29-34). Desperation causes people to do things that they would ordinarily not do, it can be a beautiful thing, because it takes no thought for custom, which helps everything flow smoothly by making sure everyone does little things that don't matter as long as they don't do anything really important. Queen Esther was desperate that is the only reason she was willing to come unbidden before the king. It involved great risk, but even her willingness to take the risk gained more favor for her in the eyes of the king. Many times our greatest hindrance to spiritual progress is our lack of desperation.

Christ also showed Himself to be very approachable to the children who were brought for His blessing. The disciples saw only an added burden of inconvenience and a seemingly unimportant one, and so rebuked the ones who brought the children. This apparently caused Christ to come as close to losing His temper as He ever did with His disciples (Mark 10:13-16). Christ showed that not only was He willing to receive those brought to Him, but it was His delight to do so. We should never fear our feelings of unimportance, unworthiness, or any other impediment when approaching the Lord, because He is always more than willing to be approached and to be imposed upon. Let us draw near to Him. Amen.

The wisdom from above as seen in the life of Christ – Part 3 - gentle

2010-11-16T16:31:00.001+02:00

"But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

The wisdom that is from above is gentle. There are several words used in Greek which are sometimes translated gentle in English, essentially they all bear the thought of mildness, kindness, and moderation. Gentleness is a controlled strength, it applies what is needed in the mildest way possible, and in a kind way.

Christ is not specifically called gentle in Scripture, yet He must have been well known for His gentleness, because the apostle Paul entreated the Corinthians by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Cor. 10:1). Christ's meekness is well known and He even invited all to learn of Him who was meek and lowly, but His gentleness must have been also have struck those who were with Him and left a deep impression on them so that the Corinthians who would never have known Christ in the flesh still would have heard of His gentleness.

Gentleness is also an attribute of a shepherd, so among other things when Jesus said I am the Good Shepherd, He was claiming to be gentle. The shepherds of that time would bring their flocks into folds and stand in the door way as they came in (they would also sleep there as the door) as the sheep came in they would cause it to pass under the rod – that is he would place the rod on them to make them pause, and then inspect them for wounds or disease individually as they came in. Shepherds also would follow or lead their sheep, but not drive them, which is again a mark of gentleness, if the flock moved at too fast a pace it could cause the young in the flock to die (Gen. 33:13). With all this in mind it is worthy to notice that one of the favorite early Christian decorations of the first 3 centuries was the Good Shepherd (usually seen holding a lamb) with His flock. When the Church was enduring persecution, and had no settled place in the world, it took hope in the fact of having a good Shepherd who was watching over them and leading them through difficulties into greener pastures.

We see the gentleness of Christ shown in the way He reproved His disciples when necessary. To those who were not His sheep such as the Pharisees He could at time be severe, because even the gentlest of shepherds is fierce towards the wolves, but to His disciples His reproofs were in gentleness. His words to Martha in reply to her agitation with Mary vindicated Mary, but with such gentleness towards Martha that He showed that far from being uncaring towards her predicament He pointed the way to release from the anxieties she was carrying (Luke 10:38-42). In general all of His reproofs given to the disciples were done in a gentle manner, the most gentle of all being perhaps the one given to Peter as he uttered the third denial, were the reproof was a mere look, yet a look which brought the consciousness of guilt to Peter far more than any "I told you so" ever could.

The gentleness of Christ was also seen in the miracles He performed, as it spring to my mind most especially when He reached out to touch the leper (Mat. 8:2-3) and when He raised Jarius' daughter from the dead (Luke 8:51-56).

Probably His greatest manifestation of gentleness and care for others though is shown in His commending of His mother to the care of John at the crucifixion (John 19:26-27). This was an act of utmost care and kindness toward His mother, done in the most gentle way possible, showing Christ's thoughts for others even in His own intense agony. Pain tends to bring out the worst in people and yet out of Christ even on the cross flowed out gentleness and mercy. Behold the Lamb of God!

The wisdom from above as seen in the life of Christ – Part 2 - Peaceable

2010-11-11T15:39:00.001+02:00

"But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

The second attribute of the wisdom from above is that it is peaceable. Christ's life was a life lived out of peace and bringing peace. Even His birth was announced by angels singing peace on earth and goodwill to men. He came to restore peace between sinful men and sin-offended Deity. Not only that but the cost of the restoration was not to be born by the offender, but rather by the One who had a right to be offended. Yet, we read, "…in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:19). The cross showed God's willingness to overlook human sin and Christ's willingness to suffer on the cross was really only possible by a sort of provisional forgiveness, prior to His actually paying the price of sin. It would have been impossible for Him to actually suffer on behalf of sinners if there had not been some sort of shutting His eyes to their guilt against Him so He could actually pay the price. In light of the tremendous gulf that the cross thus bridged between man and God it is no wonder that it also brought down the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles (Eph. 2:13-16). Since then the whole of Christ's coming was really a mission of peace from God between God and man, as well as, man and man, we see why peacemakers are in a special sense called the children of God, because they manifest something that was so dear to God's heart that He gave His Son to bring it about.

To further see just how peaceable Christ was I would like to highlight a few times where I see it especially manifested.

One instance of Christ's peaceableness was in His meek response to rejection by a Samaritan village. He merely went on to another village. His response is highlighted by the very different response of James and John who wanted to exact severe revenge on the place for its lack of hospitality (Luke 9:51-56). Jesus here, as well as in the case of Gadara (Matt. 8:28-9:1), showed the peace of leaving meekly when refused.

Another very revealing incident is found in Matthew 17:24-27. Here Christ works a miracle to pay the temple tax, after having showed Peter that as the Son of God the maintenance of the temple could not with propriety be expected of Him. His reason for paying the tax was simply not to offend the authorities. When we consider that these authorities were greedy men, who did not particularly need this extra source of income which they pressed out of the people, and more than that these very funds were going to go into the pockets of the ones who would soon crucify Him, we can perhaps see just how far it depends on us to live peaceably with all men (Rom. 12:18). Often we say we have done our part long before we really have.

The last episode I would like to look at in this all to brief view of Christ's peaceableness is the Last Supper. Here we see Him bringing peace into a situation where peace had been destroyed through ambition and self-seeking. Only a short time before James and John had produced displeasure in the other disciples by requesting special honours in Christ's Kingdom (Mark 10:35-45). Christ had told them then that the greatest in the kingdom was the one who was the servant, but He knew they needed another practical illustration of what He meant. So He took upon Himself the one task that had He requested it of any of His disciples they would have felt belittled. He directed the disciples away from their own position seeking when they saw the One who truly had preeminence take the place of the lowest servant. It must have shamed them all when they considered it in retrospect. It certainly made a deep impact on John, who begins his account of the footwashing by a realization that Christ knew full well His own divinity and all that was due to Him, and in full knowledge of this stopped to wash their feet (John 13:3-5). Christ here showed what it means to esteem others better than yourself in lowliness of mind (Phil. 2:3). In this act of humility Christ brought peace to His disciples, because contention comes only by pride. He also showed a way of peace which mankind has so little used in history, the wisdom of the locust (Prov. 30:27), which is able to work together without jostling for position and power. Even a cursory glance at history will show us just how much mankind has suffered because of striving for power and position to the detriment of any real progress. At best it results in a lot of effort that could be better used elsewhere, more often it results in actual destruction and infighting which not only hinders progress but actually brings destruction. By being willing to take the low place Christ showed Himself to be beyond any earthly king or ruler and indeed to be truly beyond human.

I hope that in this post we have seen just a little bit of the peaceable Christ. He first had peace and then He could say, "My peace I give to you." May we too know the peaceableness of wisdom. Amen.

The wisdom from above as seen in the life of Christ – Part 1 - Pure

2010-11-09T15:48:00.001+02:00

"But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

The first attribute of the wisdom that is from above is purity. Our motives for what we do are of primary importance. Bad motives turn even the best of deeds into worthless things (1 Cor. 13:3). It is motive that provides spirit to every action. Christ was totally free from self-seeking, because He came to do the Father's will not his own, and His actions flowed out of love to others (John 6:38).

The Pharisees could not understand Christ because they were not pure in their motives, it was with them as Paul wrote Titus, "To the pure all things are pure. But to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled" (Titus 1:15). They could not understand how Christ could eat with sinners, because their motives for doing everything were essentially either financial gain or popularity (Luke 16:13-15, John 5:44), thus assuming Christ to be like themselves they could see no reason for His eating with sinners but a bad one. When the world questions the motives of true believers for the self-sacrifice they do they really condemn themselves. Christ's motive was merely to call the sinners to repentance, and because wisdom is justified by her children in many cases it worked.

Even Christ's brothers did not at first understand His motives, and thought that He was seeking popularity (John 7:3-5). Only later did James and Jude come to a realization of who Christ was and what He actually was doing in His earthly ministry. Far from seeking popularity or power, He actually fled when He knew the people would try to crown Him king (John 6:15).

The ministry of Christ was actuated by an earnest desire to please His Father and a deep compassion for people. If He had been motivated by selfish motives He would never would have worked some of His healing miracles, because they often caused Him serious inconvenience through provoking opposition and jealousy, and also by causing throngs of people to surround Him everywhere He went. Many times in the Gospels we read that Jesus worked miracles because He was moved with compassion. Faith works by love, the greater our love for God and others the more the faith of God will be able to flow. It was not with the lifeless rod of authority, but only by real contact that Elisha was able to raise the child of the Shunammite from the dead. In the same way unless the plight of people moves our hearts deeply, we cannot expect our prayers to move God's heart and bring down a miracle.

Some of the hardest things Christ ever spoke to a man, were spoken to the rich young ruler, a young man who was very respectable and was trying hard to keep God's commands. These words though were spoken out of love (Mark 10:21). Jesus never tried to conciliate people at the expense of their true good.

One of the ways in which we Christians often fall far short of God's wisdom is in purity. Especially in Western churches where we tend to be very goal orientated, people tend to be viewed in a utilitarian manner. God looks at things differently though. If we compare Ephesians 4:8-13 with Psalm 68:18, where verse 8 is taken from in a modified form, we see that God's purpose in receiving gifts from people (and giving ministerial gifts to people) is to establish relationship. If God only desired to have work done He could do it Himself or have angels do it. He uses men and women so that in their working for Him they can develop a relationship with Him. If churches become to focused on the work side, and forget the relationship part, people feel used, and people who feel used do as little as is necessary and that grudgingly. However when people feel loved they will be willing to do amazing things very willingly and sometimes without even being asked to do them. Much effort is often wasted because we try to encourage people who feel used to get more involved (and consequently they feel more used), and the reason we do this is often because we are building our own kingdoms instead of really seeking what is best for God and others. When we have pure motives like Christ, we will also be able to accomplish great things like Him. Paul could write to the Corinthians, "I seek not yours, but you." May God grant we can say the same. Amen.

The wisdom from above as seen in the life of Christ - Introduction

2010-11-08T15:40:00.001+02:00

Many times we can gain a better practical perspective on Scripture by studying Scripture in unconventional ways. In the next few posts I would like to look at the life of Christ through the lens of James 3:17, and see how He manifested in a practical way these attributes of the wisdom from above. In doing this I hope to gain insight for myself and those reading of what God's wisdom really looks like in a practical sense. Christ is the best person to study in this sense because He is the embodiment of God's wisdom.

When John declared that Christ was the Logos (John 1:1-5), he was stating two allied things:

He was showing that Christ was the internalized thought of God, the logic of the Godhead, if you would put it that way. This is actually the first meaning of logos, the thought, reason and motive as it is internally expressed to the thinker. This is how Christ is shown in Proverbs chapter 8, the all-pervading Wisdom of God which enables proper government of the world and which was with God in His forming of the world. It was by Him that He made the worlds (Heb. 1:2).
He was also showing that Christ was the thought vocalized or expressed – the Word. Every word that comes from our mouth first began as an inward thought and came out of our hearts (Luke 6:45). What we say is a very real reflection of what we are thinking, and also of who we are. In the same way Christ is a concrete expression of what is in the heart of God, vocalized to make the intentions of God's heart clear to us. This is why He could say He that has seen Me has seen the Father, because He was such a full expression of all that God is.

It is further interesting to note, when looking at thoughts and words, about the beauty of communication – that is not only are words born of thoughts, but when given utterance they plant thoughts in others, which can then give birth to more words or further thoughts. In this way, Christ Himself, His life as seen in the gospels, and all of Scripture carry the logic of God within them. They bring God's way of thinking and His motivations and feelings down to us so we can respond to them. In this way through Scripture reading and personal encounters with Christ – either in our times of prayer and worship or as we encounter Him in His people – we begin to reason as He reasons and see as He sees. It is my hope in this study for me personally to see more of how Christ flowed in the wisdom from above in His earthly life, so that I can better imitate Him in this. I further hope that it may produce a similar effect in any reading this. May God grant us all to see and follow Christ more fully! Amen.

Wisdom is full of mercy

2010-10-30T17:05:00.001+02:00

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Recently I was considering how the wisdom that is from above is full of mercy. What brought this about was meeting a young man who is hoping to study in our next Bible School term. The problem is that he has had to major instances of instability and backsliding in the past three years. He is however back in a good church now, and will be talking to my father about what he will need to do to be accepted back.

He may have to meet some stringent requirements for admission because of the past, but there are things that give me hope for him. 1. He was noticeably ashamed to talk to me. Many times people are caught red-handed and yet will still deny and be totally unashamed of what they have done. However it is those whose heads are hung in shame for what they have done that can know God as the lifter of their head (Psa. 3:3). 2. He seems to still have a heart for the Lord in spite of everything. 3. His life has potential, if only he will meet with God and obtain the ability to walk straight from Him.

Mercy makes sense. It is an attribute of wisdom. When someone fails perhaps our first attitude is to replace them, but a replacement would require all the effort and training that was placed into the first individual to be placed into the replacement to prepare them for the same work. Having done that then that person would also be tested and could very possibly fail in the same way as the previous person starting a new cycle. If the one who has failed can be restored – really restored – then the effort, time and training spent on that person are not wasted. This makes sense even for us, but imagine how much God has spent on this person. First consider whatever ministry he has received through the local church and how all of that was really God's investment in him. Then going further back think of all the times the person has responded to the drawing of God's Spirit directly, and all the grace received up to this point to get where they were. If the person is lost all that becomes wasted, if there is some sort of restoration then God will receive something for all that He has poured in.

Restoration is thus very desirable, but it requires a wisdom of its own to accomplish properly. Joseph showed remarkable wisdom in how he dealt with his brothers to see – both for his own and their sakes – if they still were jealous of a favored brother as they had been of him. They showed a marked change, especially Judah who was willing to lay down his own freedom for his brother Benjamin. This is the key of real restoration, not only ascertaining that the person has truly repented and changed but showing them so that they can realize that they are not the same person either. Jesus required a three-fold confession publicly of Peter to atone for his three-fold denial, but also included a three-fold commission to show His acceptance of Peter (John 21:15-17). It also appears to me that one reason for the inclusion of 1 Kings 1:1-4 in Scripture is to show to David and to others that David had changed as a result of his fall and restoration.

Truly the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost and to change wasted, purposeless lives into joyful, productive ones that are filled with Him and His love. To Him be glory forever!

Some Thoughts on Col. 2:18-19

2010-10-16T16:52:00.001+02:00

Let no one defraud you, delighting in humility and worship of the angels, intruding into things which he has not seen, without a cause being vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head, from whom all the body, having been supplied through the joints and bands, and having been joined together, will grow with the growth of God.

In the book of Colossians, Paul confronts false teaching that had been spreading among the church. There was a false humility that they engendered and a severe asceticism that they practiced. In these two verses Paul goes to the root of the whole problem. Essentially it is the same problem seen in Jeremiah 2:13, where God's people had forsaken the fountain of living water and hewed out their own broken cisterns of water. Paul's way back from this waywardness begins by abandoning the broken cistern and then returning to the fountain.

The broken cistern

The false teachers were having the people effect a humility and a worship of angels. While it is likely that this referred to spiritual beings, the word angel means messenger (see Mark 1:2), and it is possible that the people were also worshipping these supposed messengers. This resulted in their being defrauded of true spiritual benefit which only flows from the living fountain.

Ironically, while these men taught humility to others they were puffed up in their own minds with their own ideas. The sort of humility they enjoined among their followers can be seen in 2 Corinthians 11:20-21, "For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast of that." The Apostle Paul never exalted himself in that way, but apparently these other ministers did and what is worse the church in Corinth, and perhaps Colosse too, endured it.

Unfortunately this is by no means a first century problem, and recently there have been notable instances of ministers who exalt angels or themselves to such a degree that they cease to be a conduit for God and are in effect making themselves the source that is to be sought whatever needs people have. This is a sign of false ministry – drawing away disciples after yourself (Acts 20:30). The antidote to this is found in Holding to the Head.

The True Fountain

It is from the Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, that we all receive the nourishment that we need to grow and thrive and produce fruit. We are to abide in Him (John 15). Apart from Him we are and can do nothing. He is and ever remains the source, and we are merely conduits. There are two wrong ways of thinking that Paul also incidentally touches on as he encourages believers to hold to the Head.

Firstly, while we hold to the Head we are not isolated from the rest of the body. As we hold to the Head we will be joined with the other joints that are also joined to the Head and will promote mutual growth. Christianity is a religion of personal relationship with God, but from that flows relationship with others. This is seen even in the Lord's prayer which begins by saying "Our Father" expressing both relationship to God and others at the same time.

Secondly, there is another tendency to gauge the degree of a person's holding to the Head by their denominational loyalty and connectedness. Yet, we are not to hold to the Head through others, but directly. It is from the Head, both directly and indirectly that the whole body is supplied. As we are joined to the Head, we will have grace to be joined to the body. In all honesty we need a direct source of grace to put up with the humanness of our fellow believers. If we are looking to them as the source rather than the Head, we will never have the grace we need to stay connected to them. However as we all hold to the Head, we are enabled to keep together as well. True Christian unity is always found in uniting under the one and only Head. To Him be glory forever! Amen.

A Few Thoughts on Hebrews 13:12-14

2010-10-10T15:32:00.001+02:00

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

The book of Hebrews is a book that covers a lot of doctrinal subjects and which gives an exposition of the New Covenant and how it is superior to the Old Covenant. That is however not the purpose of the book. Too often as Christians we view Christianity as a series of doctrines to be learned, but in the early church doctrine was taught to promote godly living. The whole purpose of showing the superiority of the New Covenant is to bring the recalcitrant Jewish believers to this conclusion – go outside the camp. What did this mean to them and how does it apply to us?

The Jews could boast in many ways of their society and culture. They were the only nation in antiquity that did not abandon unwanted children or practice abortion. They had a high literacy rate especially among their male population, because of their synagogue schools. They could even boast as no other culture could that much of their cultural framework was from God, because it was based on the law. The superiority, on the whole, of Jewish morality and their just claim to having received their cultural framework from God made it very hard for them to break with their traditions.

Peter told God, "No" three times when he saw the vision of the sheet with unclean animals come down and was commanded to kill and eat one (Acts 10:9-16). Even after that when he preached to Cornelius and the Holy Spirit fell on him and those with him, Peter and the Jews still had reservations, but they knew it was of God. Peter then had to make a defense of his conduct in Acts 11. All of this shows just how difficult it was to break with the Jewish culture and traditions for even the most godly of men, who had already given up so much for Jesus.

Yet in spite of all the good things that could have been truthfully said of the Jewish culture at the time there were serious problems with it. It majored on minor details and neglected what God considered very important. While it forbade polygamy and other flagrant forms of immorality, it was very lax concerning divorce and remarriage. It also tended to place the welfare of the Jewish nation above its proper place and above the glory of God. As can be seen in the prophets, especially Jeremiah, this was something that the Jews had repeatedly done (Jer. 7:4).

For Jewish Christians the danger was that they could avoid much persecution if they outwardly conformed to Jewish tradition while at the same time they remained Christians. They had endured persecution before (Heb. 10:34) and it was understandable that they would want to avoid further persecution. Yet this attitude of desiring to fit in with Jewish culture placed them in danger of backsliding as they were continually warned in Hebrews.

Here is where this message becomes applicable for us. No matter where we are or what culture we are in Christianity will run counter to it in some way. In rural places in Malawi there is great pressure put on mothers to have their children where charms from witchdoctors to prevent disease. Even many Christians do this because if they don't and the child becomes sick the family all converges on the parents and applies pressure on them. In the 1850's and 1860's in America, while there was what could be called a godly culture in some ways, yet it tolerated slavery in the South and sweatshops in the North, and little was said about it in the churches. Victorian England for all its supposed piety fought a war so that they could continue to sell opium in China. The mixture of Christianity with culture and national pride has seriously disrupted the testimony of the Church many times in history. Nietzsche wrote that one could only be a German or a Christian not both, and the rise of Nazism was only possible because many Christians decided that being German came first.

As an American who has spent his life from the age of nine outside of America with the exception of two years I have a different perspective on culture than most people. As I see it now in the American churches there are two main groups, the one group goes along with the current American culture fads and desires to fit in as much as possible, the second group wants to return America to the way it was in the fifties. It is my belief that neither of these groups truly please God in these endeavors. The one group ends up watering down the Gospel in the name of tolerance, the other group though more conservative often also substitutes American culture for the Gospel - it's just the American culture of yesteryear. The problem with that is that if the Church in America in the fifties was doing so well, we wouldn't have gotten into the mess we are in now anyway. True Christians will follow Christ in their generation. There are different battles in each national culture and each generation, but a true Christian will never really be at home in any culture or generation of the world. The Booths were outcasts in the work they began, Spurgeon died outside of the denomination he had been with for years, Wesley was an Anglican that most Anglicans didn't want. Hudson Taylor was considered very odd in his day too.

These people all saw that Christ was outside the camp, and they were willing to forsake all for the Gospel. It is in forgetting our father's house that we win the heart of our heavenly Bridegroom (Psa. 45:10-11). We will only have a shallow and superficial Christianity unless we take this lesson deeply to heart. Let us go outside the camp. We do not go because we are mavericks, but we go because the One we love is already out there, and He is being mocked in this world and we want to be with Him even in His shame and sufferings. To Him be glory forever!

A Few Thoughts on Sonship and Training

2010-10-04T15:31:00.001+02:00

In all relationships there are levels. There are some things we readily share with people, and other things that we say little of, and then only to those very close to us. The things we speak little of are important to us, however, that is precisely why we don't share them with everyone, because they are so near to our heart. For someone to learn of these things they must first be near to our heart, it is no coincidence that it was John as he was leaning on Jesus breast that heard who the traitor was at the last supper. Some things are only heard if we are near enough. One thing that is very near to the heart of God is His Children and His plans for them.

Isaiah 45:9-11 shows us something of the nearness to God's heart of God's plans for His children, "Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles'? Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' or to a woman, 'With what are you in labor?' Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: 'Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands?'" This passage written in a somewhat ironical tone shows that among the things God does not readily share with everyone, especially not with His critics, are His plans for His children and the way that He works and governs the world.

Yet, God does share something of the plans that He has for His children with His people. Abraham was told concerning the coming Egyptian captivity and Exodus (Gen. 15:13-14). Jacob was given prophecies concerning each of his twelve sons revealing the council of the Lord for them and their descendants (Gen. 49). God's progressive revelation of His plans for His children continued throughout the Old Testament as prophets received promises concerning the Babylonian captivity and return, and also the final deliverance of Israel and millennial reign of peace following the second coming of Christ. Yet even all these plans are not a full exposition of God's plans concerning His children, because Paul quoting Isaiah writes, "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'" (1 Cor. 2:9).

We are the sons of God and it does not now appear what we shall be. We don't usually consider it this way, but long before he developed his theory of relativity, Albert Einstein crawled on the ground. He also likely made a mess trying to feed himself, and wet his diapers. If I were a betting man, I would also wager that long before he learned to articulate his desires and wants in an understandable manner his cries filled his family home.

Mankind starts with a rather unpromising beginning both naturally and spiritually, but as a man is born again within him is placed the very nature of Christ. This nature will grow and mature to produce the full stature of Christ in the believer. The whole reason why God ordained the fivefold ministry in His Church is to bring this about (Eph. 4:11-13). Not only that but God intends to reveal in some manner His power and glory in the Church not only now but in the ages to come (Heb. 6:5; Eph. 3:21). With this in mind every triumph that believers experience on earth is the acquisition of skills and attitudes that fit them for their eternal position. Conversely, even a failure is only a momentary setback which if remedied by God will not inhibit the final victory of becoming a mature child of God who walks as Christ walked. This is Christ in us the hope of glory, and when we see Him we shall be like Him! Amen.

A Look at the Foundational Doctrines of Hebrews 6 – Part 8 – If God permit

2010-09-25T16:58:00.001+02:00

Heb 6:1 Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.

To complete this series on the foundational doctrines I want to look briefly at this last phrase, "If God permit." At first it may seem strange, because if it is God's desire as expressed here in Hebrews that His people go on from these elementary doctrines then why would He not permit them to go on? The same could be asked of a teacher – what teacher desires to fail one of their students, and yet as much as they would love to pass a student if the work does not merit it they will fail the student. It is God that gives light, it is God that continually leads us on in Him. If we are willing to learn we will learn and go on. However if we refuse to go on we can eventually be no longer permitted to do so.

The first generation of the children of Israel were promised the land of Canaan. God's part had already been done, and indeed the whole journey was provided for by God from the foundation of the world (Heb. 4:3). Of that generation, though, only two men actually entered into what was promised, prepared and provided for them. The others who were all equally delivered, called and lead by God died in the wilderness having failed the ten tests that God had lead them through. After the last test God forbade any of that generation other than Caleb and Joshua to go in. Some tried the next day anyway and were utterly defeated in battle. Having failed all the tests God had set for them, they were not permitted to go into the land (Deut. 1:39-46).

The permission of God is very important to understand. We can study the Scripture for years, but unless God opens our minds we will not really grasp it. This is also why we should not look down on others who we might think have less understanding of the Scriptures, because if God gives them light they could excel us, and God could even withhold further light from us or even take away what we have because of a prideful attitude. This is also why it is so important to obey what God speaks to us, because Jesus said in Mark 4:24-25, "Take heed what you hear. With that measure which you measure, it shall be measured to you. And to you who hear, more shall be given. For he who has, more shall be given to him; and he who has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has." What are we willing to hear God say? God told Balaam not to go curse Israel, then because he would not heed that He told him he could go if the messengers came to get him in the morning. When the messengers left without speaking to him in the morning, he went anyway, which angered the Lord who was going to kill him. After the talking donkey incident Balaam offered to go back, but God told him to go ahead and go. In a certain sense Balaam could say that God told him to go. God did, but only because it was what he wanted to hear. Balaam uttered some awesome prophecies and earnestly desired to die the death of the righteous, but yet he actually died in the camp of God's enemies.

Paul wrote to Timothy concerning the various vessels that are present in a household, and that purging is necessary so that a vessel can be used for every good work (2 Tim. 2:20-21). God uses His people and calls them higher in Him by His upward call, but if they do not respond to the upward call they may disqualify themselves from some of the works that God has for them. God needs people to expose errors in His church, and sometimes a bitter, and vindictive person is the best one to do that because they have the desire. However, as long as they are bitter and vindictive they cannot be of use in building up the body of Christ in a way which requires gentleness. Martin Luther was mightily used of God to bring in the Reformation, and yet as his life progressed he became a very angry person. By his own confession in his later years he could hardly pray without cursing the pope, and he once expressed the desire to be a ghost when he died so that he could give all the prelates a thousand times more problems dead then he could alive. His later years make for sad reading with much of them being spent attacking other reformers. Let this be a warning to us that we allow God to purge us so that we are fit for the tasks He has for us and we are not relegated to other lower though still good uses. Amen.

A Look at the Foundational Doctrines of Hebrews 6 – Part 7 – Eternal Judgment

2010-09-22T15:31:00.001+02:00

The doctrine of eternal judgment is a foundational teaching of the Christian life. The early Church lived in a state of constant consciousness of the Day of Judgment – so much so that they referred to it as "that day." It is the only day on earth of any real importance. Paul prayed that one who had assisted him would find mercy of God on that day (2 Tim. 1:18). It was on "that day" that Paul expected to receive what had given to Christ and Christ was keeping for him (2 Tim. 1:12). The book of Hebrews encourages its readers to meet together and exhort each other continually, especially as the day approaches (Heb. 10:25). James reminded his readers that they should not grumble because the judge stood at the door (James 5:9). From all this we see the emphasis that the early church placed upon eternal judgment. Now let us look at what they taught concerning eternal judgment: what will be judged; when will it be judged and how will it be judged?

What will be judged

All of our works done in our body will be judged and will be either rewarded or punished according to their merit (2 Cor. 5:10). We will be judged for every word we speak, even the idle chit-chat we engage in (Matt. 12:36-37). When those who fear the Lord speak together that is noted and written down by God (Mal. 3:16). Even our consciences will bear witness either for us or against us in what we have done, and then every secret of our hearts will be revealed (Rom. 2:15-16). Since both our attitudes and actions toward God and man will be judged, Paul strove to always have a conscience that was without offense towards either (Acts 24:26). As we see that absolutely everything will be judged, we should also remember that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Without forgiveness from God through the merits of Christ no one could stand in this judgment.

When will it be judged

These things will all be judged on the day that God has appointed (Acts 17:31). This is the day of the Lord – a great and terrible day. It is the day for which we all must prepare. This life is the stage rehearsal for that day. It does not matter how much we may look like a failure now, nor how successful we appear now, what matters is how do we appear when the curtain opens on the final day and we are seen as we really are. The date of this day is not known to man. God has reserved it for Himself. In the same way we do not usually know the day of our approaching death, but we know that after that day will come the judgment.

How will it be judged

When a person dies they are immediately taken to one of two intermediary states to await the final judgment. The first place is for the souls of those who have died in the Lord - that is in a saving relationship with Christ Jesus. This place is known as heaven. Heaven is not the final destination of the saints, because they still await the redemption of their bodies as well as their souls (Rom. 8:23). The final destination is the new heaven and the new earth which the saints will enter after the second coming of Christ, the millennium and the White throne judgment. For now however we know that for a saint to be absent in body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-8).

The second state is the state of the lost, who go to an intermediary place called hell. Here they experience all sorts of mental and physical anguish (though not corporeal because their bodies are not yet present with them). Descriptions of this suffering are found in many places in the scripture some of the most vivid being Ezekiel 32:17-32 which shows how people are grouped in hell with those they were associated in life, and remain as they were in life to their eternal shame – the warriors still have their weapons with them, but it only shows their powerlessness; and Luke 16:19-31 which gives the story of Lazarus and the rich man and shows the difference in the state of the righteous and the wicked as it was before the time of Christ's resurrection when He led captivity captive and took the Old Testament saints from Abraham's bosom into heaven. On the final day, all the wicked dead will be reunited with their bodies and cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15). This is the final doom of all the wicked.

As we are closing this brief look at eternal judgment I would like to notice a few things. In the story told by Jesus, the rich man is not named, but Lazarus is. The righteous have an everlasting name and everlasting remembrance, but in the new heaven and new earth the former things will not be remembered (Isa. 65:17). In the same way the number of years of life are given for all of the godly line of Seth (Gen. 5), but not the number of years for the line of Cain (Gen. 4:17-24). The righteous may have had falls, and may have wasted some of their earthly years, but in the end even those wasted years were used by God to form some character in them which remains for all eternity. However Cain's descendants who were ungodly had wasted lives, we are not given the length of them, but ultimately the length does not matter because their lives were spent apart from God and ended apart from God. Let us have lives that count for eternity!

Before closing this series I would like to do one more post looking at the Phrase "if God permit."

A Look at the Foundational Doctrines of Hebrews 6 – Part 6 – The Resurrection of the Dead

2010-09-20T15:47:00.001+02:00

The doctrine we will be examining in this post is the resurrection of the dead. This doctrine was understood though dimly in the Old Testament. Indeed many pagans had some understanding of this doctrine though polluted through their rejection of the true God. This is why in Mesopotamia and Egypt and elsewhere even in the Americas dead rulers were interred with food, tools, and sometimes servants to serve them in the next life. In the inner most part of man is a knowledge of the eternal and a recognition of good and evil, and even the most hardened atheist has knowledge of this at sometime though they fight against it and sear their own consciences to remove its effects.

The Resurrection as seen in the Old Testament

Job in the time of the patriarchs stated as clearly as possible a belief in a resurrection. "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!" (Job 19:25-27). Job knew that one day his physical eyes would look upon God, even if his body had long since decomposed.

In Psalm 22:19 another hint at the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is given with the promise that all that go down to the dust (ie. die) will bow before Christ. This is mentioned again in Isaiah where it is confirmed by God's own oath (Isaiah 45:23). All will one day bow before Christ whether as willing servants or powerless prisoners.

By the time of the exile in Babylon, the doctrine of the resurrection of the just and unjust to stand before God and be judged is fully seen. Daniel teaches this in Daniel 12:2-3. He was also promised that he would have a specific place appointed to him after his death (Dan. 12:13).

Ezekiel saw a vision of a resurrection of the valley of dry bones which typified the return of Israel to their land (Eze. 37). Indeed Israel's history as a nation is a continuing proof of God's power and a sign that the resurrection of individuals will take place. Ezekiel's vision seems to go beyond the return from Babylon and point to the return of Israel as well as Judah. This event still to come is also foretold by Zechariah (Zech. 10:6-10), and Jeremiah (Jer. 23:6-8) which mentions how this deliverance will surpass even the deliverance from Egypt in the Jewish national consciousness. That hasn't happened yet, but it is amazing how Jews, even secular and atheistic Jews will remember the deliverance from Egypt, even if it is in a mocking or irreverent way. They still await the final conversion which will be as life from the dead (Rom. 11:15).

The Resurrection as seen in the New Testament

Jesus confirmed the fact of the resurrection against the Sadducees who opposed it by quoting from the Pentateuch (Luke 20:34-38). He also stated that those who are in this resurrection will have bodies that surpass the ones we lose with death. His own resurrection and subsequent appearances to His disciples showed something of the body that we can expect. He was touchable and ate with them, yet He apparently was able to pass through locked doors (Luke 24:36-43, John 20:26)!

Our resurrection follows as a consequence of the resurrection of Christ. He is the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20-23). His resurrection showed in its preeminence the power of God. He overcame death and hell because they had no power to hold Him back (Acts 2:24). This is the power of His resurrection - The power that gave Him the keys of death and hell, and overturned the hold that the fear of death had always had upon man. If the same Spirit dwells in us He shall also enliven our bodies – on the last day, but also even now as required.

The resurrection is a critical Christian doctrine. Paul wrote that if the resurrection is not true than all of what we do is worthless (1 Cor. 15:12-17). It was the resurrection from the dead that shows that Christ's Sonship and thus that His sacrifice was accepted by God (Rom. 1:4). We now await the day when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and will awaken to His tribunal (John 5:26-29).

In both the Old and New Testaments it is shown that there will be a resurrection of both the good and evil for judgment. As we study Scripture it appears that there will be two separate resurrections – the first consisting of those who will rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years, the second one following after the thousand years (Rev. 20). It seems to me that not all Christians will necessarily be part of the first resurrection, since Paul was striving very hard so that he could obtain it near the end of his life (Phil. 3:11). He also taught that there will be different levels of glory in the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:38-43). In the faith chapter of Hebrews we see that some chose to be martyred rather than escape torture so that they could obtain a better resurrection (Heb. 11:35). There is a promise with a condition that IF we suffer with Him we will reign with Him. Christians who follow Christ from a far and do not share in His sufferings may very possibly miss the privilege of reigning with Him in the millennium, though they will still be saved and go into the New heavens and New earth.

We now begin to touch on eternal judgment which we will cover in the next post.

A Look at the Foundational Doctrines of Hebrews 6 – Part 5 – The Laying on of Hands

2010-09-18T17:10:00.001+02:00

The doctrine I would like to examine in this post is the laying on of hands. This doctrine is important and foundational, yet is not widely understood by the church. The laying on of hands is a means of impartation, which dates back to the Old Testament times, and continued in the New Testament. What was imparted depended on the circumstances. A brief survey of both Testaments will show us the uses of the laying on of hands.

Laying on hands for blessing

This is what Jacob did to Joseph's two sons (Gen. 48:13-22). In doing this he was receiving them as his own children and placing the blessing and promise he had received from God upon them so that they would also be included in it. He laid the right hand of stronger blessing upon Ephraim, the second-born, which initially displeased Joseph, but was done under the influence of prophecy. In the history of these tribes we see the fulfillment of this prophecy which also attests to the reality of impartation in the laying on of hands.

Laying on of hands to impart sin

In the sin offerings of the Old Testament the offerer laid his hands upon the victim so that it would bear away his sin with it. This was also done with the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:21). Interestingly enough in the case of blasphemy all the witnesses who heard the blasphemy were to lay their hands on the head of the offender before he was stoned, as if they were putting away the utterance which had polluted their ears back upon the one who uttered it (Lev. 24:10-16). The transfer of sin by laying on of hands is not done in the church today, because our Sacrifice has been offered once and for all, but it still should be remembered that sin can be imparted through the laying on of hands and we should know the character of the one laying hands on us, and if we are going to lay hands on others we want to be in the right frame of mind to do that. Paul warned Timothy against laying hands on people suddenly (1 Tim. 5:22). While perhaps someone sick or in need may ask for prayer and we should lay hands on them, we should never do it in a flippant manner as though it is just the thing to be done. If we have reason to believe we will be praying for people and laying hands on them, we should do most of our praying, and perhaps even fasting, beforehand.

Laying on of hands for healing

This ministry of laying hands on the sick for their healing belongs to all believers. It is specifically given by Christ as a sign for those who believe (Mark 16:18). This differs from the anointing with oil by the elders which is linked to their office and includes a promise of forgiveness as well as healing (James 5:14-15). Ananias, who is designated as merely a disciple, was sent by God to the blind Saul of Tarsus to impart sight to him (Acts 9:10-18). In addition to receiving healing Saul also received the infilling of the Holy Ghost at this time, which brings us to the next point.

Laying on of hands for imparting spiritual gifts

Usually, the baptism of the Holy Ghost is received by the laying on of hands. In general it is Church leadership that lays hands on the one desiring to receive. Philip the evangelist preached and baptized converts, but did not lay hands on them so that they could receive the Holy Spirit. Peter and John specifically came out to do that (Acts 8:5-23). Whether Philip could have laid hands and imparted the Holy Ghost to the people is not known. He apparently did not try. The importance placed upon the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is shown by the fact that early church specifically sent out Peter and John to make sure the converts received the Holy Spirit. People sometimes criticize Pentecostals for focusing too much on getting people to receive the Baptism of the Spirit. To this we can only reply that this was the feeling of the earliest of the early church – they did not leave their converts saved, baptized and yet without the Baptism of the Spirit. Dare we do less?

Some would say that the impartation of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is apostolic, but Ananias is an exception to that. Thus I would say that God is able to use any Spirit-filled believer to impart the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to others, but usually God uses those in the five-fold ministry.

Other spiritual gifts can also be imparted through the laying on of hands. Timothy had received a spiritual gift through the laying on of Paul's hands (1 Tim. 4:14, 2 Tim. 1:6). Often as in the case of Timothy, prophecy can tell what gift is being imparted and therefore gives guidance to the recipient as to what they should focus on. Spiritual gifts establish believers by giving them an outlet for ministry and a place of service in Christ's body (Rom. 1:11-12). When we have received a spiritual gift we should focus on using it for God's glory and the edification of the Church. This prevents us from being a mere pew-warmer. Often gifts are imparted at the same time as the person is set apart to God's service, which is the last attribute of laying on of hands we will look at.

Laying on of hands for service

In this case hands are laid upon an individual to set them apart for the ministry to which God has called them. This is sometimes called ordination. It was done to Joshua so that he would be able to assume the leadership of Israel after Moses' passing (Num. 27:15-23; Deut. 34:9). It should be noticed here that Moses did not choose Joshua, he called to God to choose and God told him to lay hands on Joshua. The five-fold ministry is set in the church by Christ (Eph. 4:11-12). When man lays hands in ordination they are not making that person into a member of the five-fold ministry, they are merely recognizing what God has already done and releasing the person into what God has already called. Often as this is done gifts to aid in the work to be done will be imparted as it was with Timothy and with Joshua. Paul and Barnabas are prime examples of sending people into the work that God had for them (Acts 13:1-3). They were called already by God, but the leadership acknowledged the call and set them apart so they could fulfill it. They were sent off in fasting with prayer and the laying on of hands.

This concludes our study of the doctrine of the laying on of hands next we will look at the resurrection of the dead.

A Look at the Foundational Doctrines of Hebrews 6 – Part 4 – Baptisms

2010-09-12T15:46:00.001+02:00

In this post I would like to look at the doctrine of baptisms. This passage has caused some people to wonder because in Ephesians 4:5, Paul stresses unity in the body of Christ by writing "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." Thus some are inclined to place all of these foundational doctrines in a Jewish context and translate baptisms as washings (which is one meaning of the word). Fatal to this theory though is the fact that the first two foundational doctrines are Christian and clearly not Jewish – repentance and faith. Actually the following doctrines, especially the resurrection and eternal judgment, can hardly be construed as specifically Jewish either. Thus these must be Christian doctrines.

How do we reconcile this with Ephesians 4:5 then? In that passage there is pronounced to be only one baptism. There is also said to be only one faith, because we all have the same object of faith – Christ, yet we see that there is both a fruit and a gift of faith (1 Cor. 12:9, Gal. 5:22). The gift is not common to all as is clear from the context of 1 Corinthians, one receives the word of wisdom by the Spirit, another receives faith. This faith cannot be the same faith mentioned in Ephesians because that is common to all believers. Thus in Ephesians, Paul is highlighting unity in what we all receive from Christ – we have one Lord to obey, we have faith in Him, and we identify ourselves with Him in Baptism. We are one in His body, not by virtue of what we are but what He is. God is our Father, not my Father exclusively, but all His children are my siblings if He is my Father. The one baptism is thus not to be exclusively understood, because John the Baptist specifically noted two baptisms – the second one having perhaps a subset (Mark 1:8). The Apostles received both of these baptisms – at least as far as we know, since some of them were John's disciples prior to becoming Christ's disciples, also they baptized others, which would be odd if they were not baptized themselves, especially after the example set by Christ in being baptized Himself. It would be hard to argue that they were not water baptized. Therefore I believe that the passage in Hebrews is referring to two distinct baptisms which the apostles experienced and which we also as Christians should understand and experience, since they are foundational.

Water Baptism

The first baptism is baptism in water. According to Philip the evangelist belief in Christ with all the heart was the prerequisite requirement for this baptism (Acts 8:37). This is implied also in those who responded to Peter's preaching on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-41), since they were baptized in the Name of Jesus which implies belief in the Name. The jailer in Philippi and all his house first heard the word and believed and then were baptized (Acts 16:30-34). It should be noted that while some argue immersion would have been impossible in these circumstances, the jailer bathed (as opposed to merely washed) their wounds, so immersion was clearly possible here. Lydia was baptized with her family and some would claim this for infant baptism since believing is not mentioned in this passage (Acts 16:14-15). However, how far do they want to take this? If Lydia was married, was her husband baptized on the basis of her faith apart from her own? I don't know of anyone who argues for that. If she was widowed and thus the head of the family, then quite likely any children present there were old enough to have faith themselves.

While paedobaptists can argue that infant baptism dates back along time in the Church, yet believer's baptism was certainly numerically superior in the first three centuries as converts from heathenism all renounced idolatry and other evils and stated their faith in Christ prior to their baptism (as seen in Tertullian and Cyril of Jerusalem). To guard against laying too much stress on testimony of the early Church fathers, it should also be noted that since Justin Martyr (d. c. 165 a.d.) notes that even in his day there were some amillenialists in the Church as well as millenialists, so clearly some in the Church quickly departed from apostolic teaching, whichever eschatological system you want to argue for, and if they departed so quickly in eschatology, can we be certain they were not somewhat aberrant in baptism as well? The Didache (c. 120 a.d.) also allowed for pouring instead of immersion, but only in the case of lack of any other way (Didache 7:3-4). Whether the writer had the authority to alter the Sacrament of Christ is another matter altogether. If it was given by Christ then only Christ could alter it.

Some might think that differences in method and custom are allowable, or merely minor, and it might seem so. Yet Moses when he disobeyed God by striking the rock to procure water a second time rather than speaking to it was kept out of the promised land (Num. 20:8-12). Interestingly, even though Moses moved in disobedience water still came out of the rock, showing that God can still use, if He desires, a wrong method. That does not negate the fact that there will be consequences, perhaps serious ones. Moses being stopped short of the end of his journey seems a little severe for the offense, but he destroyed the type that God was setting forth, Christ the Rock was struck only once, and after that as we speak to Him the water of life flows forth.

Water Baptism is among other things a symbolic act. It shows our union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-11). This is why immersion is important. While baptism is symbolic, it is not merely a symbol. When we realize that by joining with Christ in His death we also join in His life and resurrection, we see that we have power over sin. There is a power in water baptism to overcome our old sin nature and its sins, and to walk as new creatures. Baptism is not the means of regeneration, because in at least one instance – Cornelius – it followed the receiving of the Holy Spirit, which was taken as evidence of conversion so that baptism could not be forbidden him even though he was a Gentile (Acts 10:44-48). Since Jesus said that the world cannot receive the Comforter, Cornelius must have been born again prior to his baptism (John 14:17). This is not negate the importance of baptism which Christ included in the great commission and to which He Himself submitted though He had no sin to confess. Baptism should not be delayed and be undertaken at the very beginning of our spiritual walk, even as the Israelites crossed the Red Sea almost immediately on partaking the Passover and having the blood applied to their homes (1 Cor. 10:1-2). The New Testament pattern is clearly for believer's baptism following as soon as possible after faith in Christ is ascertained.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a mere side doctrine of the Christian life. It is foundational. John the Baptist's ministry was to prepare the way and testify to the coming Christ. His testimony to Christ was twofold – that he was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and also that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). Often our focus in churches is on the first and very important ministry of Christ as the Lamb of God, which of the evangelists only John mentions, and we totally neglect the second aspect of Christ's ministry which was noted by all four evangelists. Might I suggest that this baptism is somewhat important if it was mentioned by all four evangelists.

That Christ considered it important is equally clear from the fact that He commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem, until they had received it (Acts 1:4-8). It was this baptism that gave them power to bear witness to Him. Christianity is a life that began as a plan in the mind of God, is begun in us by the power of the Spirit working in our hearts and is completed in the power of the Spirit enabling us to do the works which God foreordained for us to do (John 1:12-13, Gal. 3:3, Phil. 1:6, Eph. 2:10, Rom. 11:36). The great problem in the Church today is man – man's ideas, methods, and leadership instead of God's. Human bodies function best when all parts receive their needed instruction from the head, Christ is and always will be Head of His body and it will prosper to the degree it is willing to listen to Him. When God's power was on Peter in such a way that men were healed when his shadow fell on them, he didn't sell tickets to where he was going to be walking, and he didn't write a book on shadow healing technique. In this way he was very different to us today, we focus more on technique than relationship with Christ and character. Technique has its place, but separated from relationship and character it is mere showmanship. Paul certainly didn't have pulpit personality (2 Cor. 10:10), yet he did far more to change his and succeeding generations than a million flamboyant preachers with feel good messages and platitudes ever could. Technique is dangerous because it can give apparent results with little cost. It costs to get a hold of God in prayer. It costs to really see yourself and see others as they are before God and then declare it, but the results will be everlasting. The Church today barely holds its own against the tide of sin, the early Church changed their world. Even as the glow of the apostolic Church was beginning to fade Justin Martyr could still write of the numberless deliverances from evil spirits worked by the Christians. As the power continued to fade, sacramental ceremonies began to replace the inward life of the Spirit. There is good reason to believe that confirmation originated in the laying on of hands to impart the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, after the actual impartation of the baptism became rare. In the same way extreme unction was originally given in line with James 5:14-15, but as the power of healing began to leave only the hollow form remained.

For more information on the baptism of the Holy Spirit and its evidence – speaking in tongues please see my series here.

Before moving on to the next foundational doctrine I should mention something about the baptism of fire. Fire accompanied the first Pentecost of the church and there is no reason to think it is gone now. Personally I had an experience where I felt the power of God come upon me and I felt hot as though I was burning up, it was at an evening church service. Later that night as I still felt warm I continued to pray as I was lying in bed and in the dark I saw a tongue of fire, it was about 8 inches high, and looked like a wavering blue gas burner flash in front of me twice. Not only do we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, but we also need God's fire to continually burn in our hearts. Amen.

A Look at the Foundational Doctrines of Hebrews 6 – Part 3 – Faith

2010-09-06T15:31:00.001+02:00

The second foundational element of Christianity is faith towards God. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). The path of sin was begun when Eve first began to listen when the serpent said, "Did God really say…?" It is our faith that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). If we doubt that God really commanded something or if we doubt that He will be faithful to reward us for our obedience we will be far more likely to disobey than if we trust these two things. The world lives for this life because they have no hope in the next, but Christians through faith can live an eternal life now - a life which looks beyond temporary happiness, prosperity, and enjoyment and is willing to forgo it for greater eternal rewards. Even now by faith we build our relationship with the living God that we will continue to develop through all eternity, this is eternal life to know the Father and the Son.

For faith to be valid the object of faith must be right. Weak faith in a strong tree limb might keep you from falling, but strong faith in a weak tree limb is downright hazardous. Throughout their history Israel had faith in many wrong places. Sometimes it was in false gods. Sometimes it was in their own power, wealth and abilities. Sometimes it was in foreign nations. Worst of all sometimes they had a faith in the presence of God's temple in Jerusalem rather than in God Himself (Jer. 7:3-4). Even today people can have a faith in many things other than God, even in things of God rather than God Himself. Church attendance, ministry, good deeds are all good things, but bad things to rely on. In the Church today, people sometimes have more faith in the minister than in God. If a miracle is needed they run to a certain well known minister to be prayed for, or buy some special anointing oil. Their faith is more in the method than in the God who can use whatever method He wants to bring about His purposes. Often the problem is that God has requirements that must be met for His working, but all that the snakeoil-peddlars, by whatever name they go by, want is money. God meets with people in spite of this, but some of what goes on in the Church now is bordering on relic worship, and invocation of the saints. There is only one Mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ.

It is also not enough for the faith to be in God, but the faith must be in God through Christ. It is not necessary to understand or have a doctrinal grasp of the Trinity to be born again. It is however essential to have some realization that Jesus is God, who came and died in our place, bore our sins and rose again. This realization is not only a head-knowledge, but it is a knowledge made real by the Spirit of God. This is saving faith. It is believing into the Son, where somehow our faith joins us with Christ in His death and resurrection as we realize that He bore not just sins, but our sins, died not just for the world, but for us. It is the Spirit that imparts this knowledge and as we believe it we are saved. Salvation and all blessings are in Christ and when we are dwelling in Christ by faith these become ours.

From our identification with Christ's crucifixion for our sins also comes the next doctrine we will study, which is baptisms, because as we accept His death for our sins, we also desire to follow Him in the likeness of that death and into the new resurrection life.

A Look at the Foundational Doctrines of Hebrews 6 – Part 2 – Repentance

2010-09-03T15:31:00.001+02:00

The first foundational doctrine listed in Hebrews 6 is repentance from dead works. This is the beginning of our Christian experience. In our sinful nature we are only too happy to do all sorts of evil things that produce death, alienate our mind from God, and what we won't personally do we often will laugh at in others (Rom. 6:23; Col. 1:21; Rom. 1:32). Many even glory in their ability in sin. Some also attempt to gain favor with God by all sorts of man devised practices, but these too are dead works. Prior to his conversion the Apostle Paul excelled all his peers in all sorts of outward exercises, Bible knowledge and zeal for God, even to the point of persecuting those who opposed what he thought was right. When he met Christ he cast it all aside as refuse so that he could win Christ (Phi. 3:4-15).

Repentance is a change of mind. It is reconsidering of our former ways a dislike even to hatred of them and a turning to God. In order for repentance to take place we must first have reference point. We are born with a conscience, but we have the ability to silence it, and things that initially trouble us, no longer do so as we continue to practice them. Society places some constraints of culture, social norm and law upon us, but compared with God's Word it becomes apparent that no culture or society measures up to what God requires of mankind. The Word of God and the life of God as lived in the God-Man Christ Jesus shows what God truly requires of us. This reference point is given us when we are brought into contact with true Christianity. It can be given us as we see godly character manifested in the life of a believer, we see true righteousness, that is above all social and cultural norms and contrary to some of them or more commonly we hear the Gospel of Christ's life and death for us presented.

In any case conviction begins. This conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit which He works in the world (John 16:8). Repentance is only possible under the gracious ability given by the Spirit, He is the one that brings home the law of God in a personal way showing us it's righteousness, fitness and good and then personalizing its application so we see our personal failures to live up to God's standard. He also brings personal assurance of God's just anger with us for our sin and the judgment that will follow if we continue down this path.

Conviction is a work of God's grace and under the influence of this grace we are given something we did not have before, an opportunity to change. We receive the enabling ability of the Spirit to turn from our path of sin and to walk in another path that pleases God. We then have a choice. The path of righteousness will always involve some sacrifice and loss every sinner under conviction sees this. People either respond to the drawing of God or resist for reasons that are as unique and common as each man is to another.

A man with a reputation for piety may decide that his reputation is worth more to him than a real right standing with God and resist exposure (religious spirits especially work in and through people who value the praise of man as is seen throughout Christ's conflict with the religious of His day – John 5:41-44, Mark 12:14).

Haeckel renounced his earlier religious beliefs to gain notoriety as a scientist and was willing to falsify evidence having cast off the truth to support evolution and his own theory of recapitulation which earned him short scientific fame (which has been lost due to discovery of his fraud), but eternal reproach in the only history that really matters.

Judas sold Christ for a paltry sum, and then in regret never even used it but cast it away. The Spirit's drawing was no longer upon him however and repentance he never found, only the bitter remorse of the damned for the short time he remained.

Abe Lincoln was said to have replied at a revival meeting on being asked if he wanted to go to heaven, "I would rather go to the White House."

Henry of Navarre renounced his own religious convictions saying, "Paris is worth a mass." In so doing he began the reign of the Bourbon line of French kings which through their supreme selfishness, vanity and egotism brought odium not only on themselves but on the monarchy itself when their sins had reached their climax which resulted in the revolution. The notable exception in this degenerate line was the grandson of Louis XIV, who under the tutelage of Fenelon showed much promise and whose death before he could reign was perhaps God's keeping to Himself one of whom the world was not worthy.

The soldiery having crucified Christ turned their back to the cross and looked down on the ground as they cast dice for the clothes of the Saviour.

Some allow the hypocrisy of others to silence the voice of their own conscience as the Cherokee chieftain who on being read the sermon on the mount by a missionary who had recently rendered Matthew into Cherokee and being asked if he thought it was a good book replied, "it is a good book, I wonder that the whites lives are not better since they have such a good book." Condemning others for their failure to live up to God's standards never will justify our own failings however.

Others, praise God, do not silence the voice of the Spirit when it calls to them and through His enabling the renounce their sin, turn from it and turn to God. They repent. They save themselves from their own perverse generation. Rather than judging themselves unworthy of everlasting life, they see that since they are so unworthy they had better accept the offer of mercy the see, and forsake all that they can obtain it. This is true repentance. It is more than mere sorrow for sin, especially a sorrow that we will be punished, but a deep sorrow and turning from sin. It is accompanied not only by a sorrow for our state, but a just acknowledgment that we deserve judgment from God, and would have no cause for complaint should He send us to hell for our sins. From this comes a cry for mercy and a petition for help to change. All of this is entailed in repentance. Repentance does not end with being born again but it should flow in various degrees every time our failings are brought to our mind by the Spirit of God. Many times we sin in ignorance and can only repent when our sin is revealed to us. Sometimes only years later do we realize just how bad some of our behavior was and in shame we confess to the one who is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we had the full depth of our perversity revealed to us – every seed of sin that will germinate or could given the right conditions – we would fall into despair.

Molinos in his Spiritual Guide mentions the false humility of some who confess more to justify themselves than to actually repent, and one sign that we are not truly repentant is our anger when others tell us our faults. It is amazing, but we can tell God that we are nothing but miserable sinners, and appear as contrite as we will, but let another treat us like a miserable sinner or tell us what we would freely say to God and we instantly take umbrage. David's true repentance even accepted the cursing of Shimei so long as it would result in his restoration to God. True repentance walks hand in hand with faith, it being very hard to see which precedes the other, because faith accepts all that God says and thus agrees and repentance forsakes all so that we may be filled with faith. We will look at faith in the next post.

A Look at the Foundational Doctrines of Hebrews 6 – Part 1 – Introduction

2010-09-02T15:31:00.001+02:00

In the next few posts I would like to look at Hebrews 6:1-3 and study the foundational doctrines of Christ. It is important that we know these doctrines and move on from them. Some commentators see these doctrines as Jewish ceremonies that were to be moved away from and some versions of Scripture influenced by this translate baptisms as washings (ie. ceremonial ablutions), but this cannot be the case for two very good reasons.

The elemental doctrines are not said to be of the Jews but of Christ. Christ did not come to put new wine into the old wineskins of Jewish tradition, but rather to raise up new wineskins for His new wine. Christ never gave any doctrine of ceremonial ablutions, He did however preach a Baptism of Repentance and also promised a later Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire to His disciples who had already received water baptism from John (some of them were John's disciples previous to their calling by Christ, and since they baptized others I conclude that they must have all been baptized themselves – see John 4:1-2). More will be written on this in later posts.
The first two foundational or elementary doctrines listed are repentance and faith towards God which are not elementary to the Old Covenant, but are of essential and basic import to the New Covenant as can be seen in Acts 2:38, 1 Thess. 1:9, and Acts 20:21. These two doctrines of repentance and faith were and are the first doctrines proclaimed to unbelievers and result in their conversion. They are only dimly seen in the Old Testament and were virtually unknown in Israel before John the Baptist and Christ began their ministries.

Thus these doctrines are doctrines we should know as believers, but they are not doctrines of maturity but of infancy and we should advance from them. This is done in the same way a child learns to move around. Usually they begin by crawling, but as they get stronger they learn to stand and walk, they still crawl, but as their skill improves they begin to prefer the better mode of locomotion. The ability to crawl is not lost, even adults can do that if need arises, but we do not find it comfortable anymore. In the same way we need to progress in our Christian maturity beyond these elementary doctrines. The doctrines are not bad, they are essential for the first stage of Christian development and without them we will lack the skills needed to advance. To remain in them and make no progress is, however, a great tragedy. 2 Peter 1:5-11 gives believers things which should spring from and add onto their faith and warns of the consequences of their lack, but also shows the stability and reward which will accompany their acquisition. God desires us to grow up to the full stature of Christ (Eph. 4:13). This is only possible if our diet includes the meat of God's Word as well as the milk of these elementary truths. Hebrews contains many warnings of apostasy because the Jewish believers in not progressing in their walk were in great danger of it. In the Christian walk the saying non progredi est regredi is very true if we do not advance we will go back.

Before we can go on from these doctrines we must first learn them so in the next post we will look at the first doctrine which is repentance from dead works.

Some Thoughts on Moses’ Flight from Egypt

2010-08-20T15:47:00.001+02:00

Last Sunday night I was considering some aspects of the life of Moses and especially concerning his flight from Egypt. Since we had one of our frequent power outages then, I had some time to consider it. What I find interesting is that in this story is a key to seeing how God judges our own actions at times. There are three basic accounts of this period of Moses' life found in Exodus 2, Hebrews 11, and in Acts 7. I would like to compare them now and see what we can learn from them.

One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, "Why do you strike your companion?" He answered, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid, and thought, "Surely the thing is known." When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well (Exo. 2:11-15).

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible (Heb. 11:24-27).

At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. "When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?' But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons (Acts 7:20-29).

Looking at these two passages together we see some apparent differences. At first glance it appears that Moses fled Egypt out of fear and yet Hebrews says he did it out of faith not fearing. How could it be said to be by faith? I think the key lies in the fact that the path was begun in faith. Clearly it was only faith that would enable Moses to abandon all his privileges and go down to his own people, and identify with them even in slavery. This is more than mere patriotism, because his people were not just any nation, but were heirs of Abraham's promise. It took something extraordinary for him to be willing to do this. We call that something faith.

It was faith that caused him to go down to his brethren. However, it was a mistaken belief that caused him to kill the Egyptian. He was zealous for his people and angry at the wrong he saw done. In the back of his mind was the knowledge that he would deliver Israel and he thought this was the best mode of bringing it about. In this he was bitterly disappointed. He did not receive a medal of commendation from his people, perhaps not even a thank you from the one he rescued, but what he did receive was rejection, "Who made you a ruler…" At this rejection he was afraid and he fled. In a certain sense he was afraid of Pharaoh, and certainly that was his initial reaction, but Hebrews tells us that he left by faith, not fearing the king's wrath. The way I see it is that God is showing the deepest motive in Moses in Hebrews. He had abandoned a life of ease and comfort and came to the aid of his brethren because of faith. There was a mistaken zeal and misunderstanding of God's way mixed in with it, but it was still faith. Thus his flight was brought about by faith even though the immediate cause might have seemed to have been fear. God looks at things differently than we do. Later it became apparent that forty more years were required to complete the time God had promised to Abraham that the children of Israel would be in Egypt (Gen. 15:13; Exo. 12:41).

This has bearing on our lives today. There are times when we must make a major decision, sometimes a decision which will affect the rest of our lives. We pray about it, and we act according to what we believe God is requiring of us. The consequences can be hard sometimes. I am certain Moses was very discouraged when he sat down at the well. His bid to become deliverer of his people had been cast down, trampled on, and torn to shreds. Yet God saw faith. The very fact that he had tried to deliver Israel showed a hold on the promises of God, even if it was premature.

Another example of this sort of faith is seen in the life of the Apostle Paul. There is much debate as to whether Paul actually should have gone to Jerusalem. He felt bound in heart to go, his friends opposed it, and a prophet told him what would happen if he did. True prophecy will at times say what will happen in a given course, but that does not mean of itself that the course is wrong. Paul was determined to go. Scripture seems somewhat ambiguous as to whether he actually should have. This is actually comforting in a way, because there are times when we may make a choice to do what we believe is pleasing to God. Unfortunately, we may miss it. Sometimes we can look it over and wonder if we made the right choice, and others may wonder the same as they did with Paul. Paul's choice was not made for wrong motives though, he sincerely was going to Jerusalem to proclaim Christ. It was not out of selfish-ambition or other wrong motive that he went. So when he was in prison Christ appeared to him and encouraged him (Acts 23:11). In the end whether it was best for him to go to Jerusalem or not is a moot point since God used this imprisonment to fulfill the purpose He had for Paul when He called him, and Paul could write at the end of his life that he had finished his course. May God grant that the same may be said of us! Amen.

Make me Yours, O Christ

2010-08-12T15:35:00.000+02:00

Make me Yours, O Christ! Wholly completely
O draw me, Christ! Tenderly sweetly

Lead through dark valley of shadowy night
Yet lead forth from darkness and into the light

Break, Christ, break for I broken must be
Then make O remake what I should be

O to hear Your voice if only in rebuke
Blessed be whatever whip that drives me on toward you

My sweet Sin Offering to you I’m betrothed
To bear your name and character my Beloved

O in that day in You let me be found
Not with my own, but your righteousness girt round

Then may the capstone of this work be laid down
As cries of , “grace, grace” forever resound

How Christ and the Apostles Used Scripture

2010-08-10T15:42:00.001+02:00

Almost as important as our love for Scripture as Christians is the way we use it. It is my belief that every problem we face and many struggles we have in our own lives are because we do not let the Word of God go down deep enough, either because we do not know what it says with reference to our situation, or because we know it, but do not actually apply it in a practical way. Most of us will confess, myself included, that we wish we had a more thorough knowledge of Scripture, but if we are really honest we will also admit that there is a great disconnect between what we know and what we actually apply to our lives. The more clearly we see what is required of us, the better we will be able to enter into it, and where it is difficult as often it is, seeing it clearly spelled out in Scripture drives us to prayer so that we can be enabled to do what is beyond us.

In order to clearly see our duties we must first rightly divide the Word of truth. This is only possible as God gives us light on the Word, so it is imperative for us to pray for understanding in His Word. Also required is a correct application of God's Word. Sometimes people do not apply God's Word because it is viewed as something God spoke to a specific person at a specific time. While it is true that some scriptures are specifically for a specific situation (for example both Hos. 1:2 and Jer. 16:2 were clearly for those individuals in particular, and are not applicable to all believers), yet there are many that are applicable to everyday situations. I am writing this post not to give an exhaustive study of them, but simply to promote thought and I would appreciate other examples if anyone has them. I intend to give a few examples of how Christ and His apostles used Scripture and drew applications from it so that we can emulate them through God's grace and be ourselves strengthened by His Word.

Some might object that Christ as the Son of God, and the apostles as inspired men who wrote Scripture, could use Scripture in a way that would be wrong for us. I would answer that if they are not out pattern who is? If our pattern is not found in the Scriptures themselves than where are they found? Also if you look closely you will notice that even Christ Himself gave very little that was not previously in the Old Testament, far more of His ministry was involved in opening concealed truths from the Old Testament than in adding new doctrine. The few exceptions had to do with His distinct avowal of His Divinity (such as John 3:13) and even these He elsewhere proved from the Psalms, especially ones that were acknowledged as Messianic even by His opponents. Now I would like to take a look at the way Christ used Scripture.

In the Temptation

One interesting to note about the temptation of Christ is that He not only met each snare of the devil with Scripture, but that strictly speaking they were not Scriptures used in context. They were however well applied. Thus while the context of Scripture is very important in its correct use for understanding doctrine, yet in application context is not entirely necessary. This fact has application to the objection of cessationists that when Pentecostals give prophecies which are quotations of scripture passages that they are not good, because they are not given in context. Let's take a closer look at the temptation in Matthew 4:1-10.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

The first temptation is answered by a partial quote of Deut. 8:2-3, "And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." In quoting it the way that He does Christ takes the following into consideration: 1. This was to be remembered by the children of Israel 2. This remembrance was not for Moses' generation only 3. The wilderness experience was not only to teach and humble them but to teach the same lessons to those who follow 4. The lesson taught was that man needed more reliance on the Word of God than on daily bread 5. I do not need bread as much as I need God's Word, and I will not put the temporal above the spiritual.

The second temptation actually began by the devil quoting a messianic Psalm himself. Christ replied by quoting Deut. 6:16, ""You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah." He thus compared the demanding and complaining for water by Israel to force God to move on their behalf with any attempted coercion of God, even to do something He has specifically promised. The Apostle Paul also later condemned the attitude of let us do evil that good may come (Rom. 3:8).

The third temptation is more straightforward then the others, being directly against a clear precept of God, so I won't cover it here.

Christ's appeal to the Historical Books

When those in His hometown were expecting Him to work great works there He went to the historical books of the Bible and said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian" (Luke 4:24-27). This was a masterful use of Scripture. He showed that in the Old Testament the prophets did not have inherent power to do as they wanted but were reliant on the will of God. Not only did God not heal all those in Israel, but to add insult to injury, instead He sent His prophets to heathens! The logic was inescapable and made the Jews who prided themselves more on natural descent than spiritual relationship hopping mad.

Another example of Christ's use of the historical books is seen when He was challenged because of His disciples plucking and eating grain on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-8).

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."

Jesus shows them a precedent in what David did, and how his was even far greater a breach. Yet he was not called a sinner for doing so, because it was done in a time of need and God desired mercy more than a ritualistic observance of the Law. He then further points out that if anyone works on the Sabbath, the priests do, because the Law required double sacrifices on that day. From these examples I think we can see that there are many practical things we can learn concerning the ways of God from the historical books.

Jesus' Proof of Life After Death and a Resurrection

After the Sadducees had tried to test Jesus with a sophistical question concerning the resurrection, which they rejected, Jesus used a few short words from the Pentateuch (the Sadducees doubted the prophets) to show that there is a hereafter (Mark 12:24-27).

Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong."

When God said, "I am" rather than "I was" He showed a continued relationship with the patriarchs who had passed on. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were still alive to God though their bodies were buried. He is their God today as they even now adore Him in heaven awaiting their return with Christ. Christ shows us the importance of event the smallest phrases in Scripture by this example.

Paul's use of the Scripture

Paul's use of Scripture is a study in itself (Christ's even more so), but I would like to look at a few examples. He uses the law of firstfruits to show that if the elect of the remnant of Israel are saved though Christ, then the believers in the Gentile nations will also be so (Rom. 11:16). He also uses the same law to show how Christ's resurrection implies our resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20). This also proves our acceptance by God, since the firstfruits was accepted God has accepted the entire harvest to follow. This is the basis for Paul's often repeated phrase of "in Him" comes from. If Christ is the firstfruits than what happens to Him is credited to us.

Another interesting example, the way he uses a law concerning animal husbandry, to show that ministers can justly expect pecuniary benefits (1 Cor. 9:7-11).

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

He points out that if God was concerned that oxen were rewarded for their work, how much more should ministers of the Gospel be rewarded for theirs.

On a side note I might mention that I have used this verse often when reprimanded for sampling cookie dough I have been stirring. However, once when I quoted it in defense of someone else, it got ugly. I was the only male present and the female consensus was that I had insulted the person. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth and I had to beat a hasty retreat. I was only a little more fortunate then the sons of Sceva.

In all seriousness though, as we see how Christ and the apostles used Scripture we can see a glimpse of how rich a treasure Scripture is and how little we actually know even of what we are familiar with. With that I commend my readers to God and to the Word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among those that are sanctified. Amen.

A Few Thoughts on Original Sin

2010-08-07T15:55:00.000+02:00

We live in an age that prides itself on being “tolerant.” It is an age that will abide almost anything, except a man of convictions. It is an age that promotes license in the name of liberty. In this age Christians are often unwilling to state even plain gospel truths. I can think of a few evangelical preachers who when interviewed by unbelievers and asked if a non-Christian can go to heaven replied with words to the effect, that they didn’t think so, or that the person had no guarantee. I should also state that of those ministers at least one apologized to his evangelical brothers afterwards, but we can only hope that he sought forgiveness from the One whose doctrine he was ashamed of.
In bygone eras it was spoken against the doctrine of justification by faith that it pardons wicked people. In this age, we would rather God not be allowed to damn the wicked, but should pardon everyone freely and at no cost. This in spite of the contrast of their own behavior who are only too willing to at least professedly curse their fellow men for the most paltry of reasons, such as minor traffic violations, and any little thing that causes them inconvenience. Any inconvenience or even unintentional thwarting of our desires earns our avowed anger, but we will not allow the One who sits in heaven and who by right of creation has right of ownership any anger at our repeated and willful attempts to thwart Him. The funny thing about the world is that while in every age its objection might be different, its opposition will remain the same. The truth of God’s Word will prevail eventually. In eternity we will learn exactly how God’s ways were higher than our ways and His thoughts than ours. Until then we can always rest in knowing He will do right.
One of the reasons for the difficulty we can have in understanding why God would condemn an unbeliever, especially one who has not heard the gospel is because we lack an understanding of original sin. This results in our looking only at sinful actions and not dealing with the source of all those actions. Even as Christians we become angry with people because of their sins, but don’t realize that they sin because they are sinners and can do no better without a Saviour.
Unless we understand the depth of our sinfulness, we can never understand the depth of our salvation. Jesus said that unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, and then shows Himself to be referring to a spiritual birth (John 3:3-6). Paul wrote that if any man is in Christ he is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Why is it necessary for us to be born again and by that birth to become a new creation? It is necessary because we are born with Adam’s sinful nature.
About a year ago I was doing some studying in Romans 5 and was wondering how God could in justice condemn men before the men had actually sinned. Yet we know that they were under the penalty because they all died, even those who did not sin against a specific divine precept as Adam did. I was somewhat unsettled by this thought, because I know God is just and yet I failed to see how one who has not actually committed a sin could be judged guilty, and yet clearly since death had power over them they were. How could God in justice hold us guilty for Adam’s fall? Then after some prayer it dawned on me, it had to do with natures.
Take a male Siamese fighting fish for example, let’s say that this particular one was a young one that had never shown any previous aggressive behavior, now let’s take another innocent male Siamese fighting fish and put him in the tank so they can become friends. What will happen, they will kill each other. Why? That is their nature. The fact that neither one has killed in the past does not change the fact that as Siamese fighting fish they will fight given the opportunity to do so. So in fact, many people who own Siamese fighting fish and own more than one keep them in separate tanks, even if the fish have never been in a fish fight before, because they know that if they were placed in the same tank they would fight. It would not be wrong to say that the behavior of the original Siamese fighting fish is imputed to his descendants. It is justly imputed, because as anyone who has one knows, the innocence would end the moment opportunity came. Likewise people do not place a young kitten in a canary cage with a canary inside, because even if the kitten has never before killed a canary it still has the canary-killing nature.
In the same way God justly imputes Adam’s sin to us, not because we have actually eaten forbidden fruit, but because being given that command we would also act the same way. Thus because Adam was worthy of death and we would do the same given the opportunity we are treated as worthy of death even before we have actually added our own transgression to the original one. It is this sin nature that keeps us out of heaven, because were we to go there as we are born, we would import discord, disunity and war there. God’s will would be done no better in heaven by unconverted men than it is done on earth by them. Some people think they can attain heaven by doing various good works and outward ceremonies, but that never deals with the root issue which is the sin nature. That is why Paul wrote, “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation” (Gal. 6:15). Only a new man can go to heaven, one with the nature of the second Adam. However when we are born we are born with the old Adam’s nature so how can we go to heaven?

The good news is that when we believe on Christ and in his death and resurrection the righteousness of Christ is imputed unto us, even as Adam’s sin was. Since Christ is a new creature we are viewed as having potential for the boundless goodness found in the Original. Adam’s sin ruined himself and resulted in countless sins of others following him, Christ’s righteousness not only overcame the guilt of Adam’s and all following multitudinous transgressions, but also opened up a way for multitudes of other righteous acts. Since we all have born the image of the earthly man, we also in Christ will bear the image of the heavenly. This is also why Peter tells us that we can be partakers of the divine nature in 2 Peter 1:4, because we are joined to Christ and from Him flows His good nature into us causing us to do through Him what we could never do in ourselves. Truly the free gift is far greater than the offense! Amen.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Part 7 – A Few Personal Experiences As Well As Some of Others

2010-07-29T16:51:00.001+02:00

In this post I will relate some experiences that I have personally had as well as a few others related to me by those who witnesses of them.

Before writing this post I should mention that I by no means speak for all or even a few Pentecostals in this writing. A man's perspective and view of the world and his experiences are all personal. They may be generally shared with others, but yet are also as individual as a snowflake. I write this as a person who is inclined when his contemplation of a wrong action or unkind thought towards brothers or sisters in Christ is interrupted by stubbing his toe to thank God for the interruption. I view it as a mercy, if it happened more often I would have sorer feet but a better walk. Thus compared to many brethren I know I am a little peculiar. I think some of my somewhat peculiar world view may have to do with my ancestry, particularly the Kentucky Irish/Native American received from my mother. All I know for certain is that I firmly believe that the spiritual world is not only real, but more real than the tangible.

One example of what I mean comes from two visits I made to Rwanda. The first visit was last year and though I had heard of the genocide there I did not really know much about it. This journey was taken with my cousin who is also a missionary though in another country. The pastor we were visiting had wanted to take us to the genocide memorial, but the day we scheduled to do it was a public holiday and it was closed. The one night though I had a vivid dream in my hotel room there. In my dream I was a black man and I was running and trying to hide from men in the genocide. Waking up from this I panicked at seeing the mosquito net lying over me and gave it as stout a kick as possible, waking up, and probably scaring my cousin who was sharing the hotel room. He knew I had had a nightmare, but I wasn't able to talk much about it. The dream came before I had heard much about the genocide, but because of the dream I had more of an understanding of the trauma it inflicted in the country. This year I went on a second visit to Rwanda and went to the genocide memorial. Frankly I was a little scared because having a good memory, there are some things I'd rather not plant in my head. Still I felt I should go, if for no other reason than to know some of the burden carried by the church in that nation and the obstacles they face. The odd thing was, that though the photos and things shown were all disturbing, it didn't really drive home the awfulness of what had happened there. For me that happened when we went to the mass graves just outside the memorial. When I was there, I could sense death and the whole indescribable sadness of what had happened. For me while a picture may be worth a thousand words, an impression upon the soul is even more talkative. Of course with so many people buried there, many unsaved with their iniquity lying on their bones (Ezek. 32:27), I would be more surprised if I felt nothing at all.

If anything I write seems a little odd, eccentric or even foolish I only beg the prayer of the reader that I might by God's grace be found in the end to be a harmless eccentric fool. There are few experiences I have had which encourage me not to totally shrug off my feelings.

Some Examples of Spiritual Sense
In one case when I was in Singapore for a 6 month stay, I had one night where my sleep was really badly disturbed my nightmares and I had a real sense that something bad was going on in the spirit. That morning I awoke to see that the night had inaugurated Hungry Ghost Festival, something I had never heard of, but consisting of basically a one month long Halloween where joss sticks are burned under most trees, paper effigies of gifts being burned and offerings of fruit all for people's departed relatives. Since I had no idea of any of this yet felt something was going on it confirmed me in trusting my spiritual sense.
The second case I will mention was a prayer meeting I was invited to attend at a certain place. It was a spur of the moment thing on my part, and I had no idea of anything except that it was an interdenominational prayer meeting. When the praying began, two ministers began by opening in prayer. The first man brought an immediate sense of the presence of God to my spirit and I knew he was a man of God and was heard of God. The second man also prayed and I felt a sense that it was all show for him. Without saying anything to anyone, one of my friends who was there told me who men were a little later. The first man was a man whom I had never met but was well respected among the churches of that area, confirming what I had felt. The second man was a pastor that had taken to performing card tricks (literally) and other antics in the pulpit to bring people into his church so he could preach to them. I do not usually consider, or even want to consider someone's spiritual state when they pray, but in this case without my having any possible prejudice one way or another, not knowing who these men were, my spirit bore witness with what the known facts of their lives also spoke.
One Example of Someone Speaking a Known Human Language While Speaking in Tongues
I currently assist my parents in a work which they pioneered in Malawi, one of the main parts of which is a Bible School. For a few years I was absent from the work here, serving on other fields. During this time there was a student who when he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues spoke the praises of God in Shona. Shona is a language spoken in Zimbabwe, but not in Malawi. Of the class at that time of 20-30 students only one actually knew Shona and he informed the leadership that the man was praising God in Shona. There is no reason to believe that we are aware of that the man speaking in tongues had ever heard or learned Shona. I was informed of this incident by my parents and their testimony was corroborated by Rev. Mario Manyozo who acts as interpreter in the Bible School.
An Example of a Word of Knowledge
In one case while we were praying for a certain pastor in the Bible school, my mother received a vision of a women hiding something. She asked him if that meant anything to him, and he said that it did not. Mom still felt it strongly and asked him if he was sure. He denied it again, but then as we were about to begin to pray for someone else he came forward and confessed that his wife was practicing witchcraft, she had been doing it openly, and then had stopped for a while before starting again but secretly. This is one incident I witnessed, but I know of another similar one. In our early days at the Bible school we had many pastors and elders from rural areas who were involved in witchcraft come to the Bible School. Some were delivered, some decided to remain in it. The Bible school has been going for 8 years now, and we see less of these sort of problems now.
The Reality of the Enemy
There are many times I have experienced spiritual attacks during my life. Two are worth noting here.

When I was 16 years old and living in South Africa, I began to pray for the neighborhood I lived in and took regular walks while quietly praying. After I had been doing this for a short time, one night I was awoken by a very heavy knee pressing down right on my solar plexus. It was heavy enough I could not breathe. I could not see anyone, but I felt the evil presence. I managed to gasp out, "Jesus, help." Immediately, the weight removed, but the evil presence was still in the room. I continued to pray and after a while it left.

Another time on a trip out to a village in Malawi for ministry, me, my brother Justin, and my then-friend-now-brother-in-law were sharing a sleeping quarters. They were both soundly sawing logs, but every time I would shut my eyes, I would see a picture in my mind of a face leering at me or later a cobra rearing up. Feeling my fair share of self-pity since the others were apparently undisturbed I prayed through. It was more than an hour before I could sleep though I don't know how much longer. There was still some opposition in the service the next morning but we felt something got through. Later I found out part of the problem, this church was the one where the pastor's wife was practicing witchcraft. After this time she stopped, until later when she went back to it secretly as previously mentioned.
Experience Involving a Young Man with a Tatoo
When I was in South Africa there was a young man I knew who had known the Lord but then had walked away. During this time he had gotten a few tattoos. When he got them they told him that they were African tribal symbols. After a time he came back to the Lord, and a few weeks after that he told us that the one night he woke up and he felt a burning where the tattoos were, and when he looked they had faded, not completely gone, but they were much less visible than before. We encouraged him to keep on praying that they would be totally removed, but unfortunately he later went back into the world. I firmly believe that had he continued following God the tattoos would have totally disappeared.

While on this subject I should just mention not only are tattoos forbidden by Lev. 19:28, but if you study the origins of it is often linked with spiritism, the designs being put on in accordance with a vision given to a shaman, or to the one receiving the mark. Also included in this would be ritual scarring like the Sioux did in their sundance and is done in a multitude of different ways in other religions as well. A mark is a symbol of ownership. Having a mark on your person that is a symbol of another spirit gives that spirit the right to you. That is the main reason pagan societies used tattoos, warpaint, etc… Indeed, among some tribes such as the Sioux warriors specifically saught a spirit guide in a trance prior to putting on warpaint. The paint dictated by the spirit enabled that spirit to enter and energize them. Similar practices were found among the Picts and among Viking berserkers. With berserkers they were known to become so enraged they bit shields and other hard objects, and after snapping out of it had long fits of depression, a clear sign of the demonic possession and bondage involved in the whole thing.
An Experience Showing that God's Word Speaks to Every Situation
Once when I was in Bible School I was reading a book on Bible Archaeology, this particular one was by a skeptical man who tried to cast a lot of doubt on what the Bible said concerning certain events. As I was reading this it was as if a mental band came over my mind making it hard to reason against. I was very disturbed, put the book down, but still felt this band pressing in on my mind. Later that day as I was praying and reading Scripture, I came across Psalm 101:3, "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." Realizing that this was precisely applicable to my case, I repeated it several times out loud, especially the last part. The band broke. I have had similar experiences since. It is very important what we read and watch, especially if it is something made by one who has backslidden and forsaken God it can cleave to us and produce unbelief in us.

Those are some experiences I have had and seen. They will prove nothing to anyone who does not desire to see, but with a clean conscience I cannot pretend I don't feel things I feel or see things I see. Also if I am making a decision and weighing evidence and looking at Scripture to determine a course of action, I must consider all evidence I have before me, unless wish to make an ill-informed decision.

I should add in closing that sometimes we can be confused by things that happen to us, but if we cast ourselves on Christ He will show us the way out. Often we will realize that there are Scriptures applicable to our situation even if the situation is odd in itself. This is as it should be, if spiritual things are real , and the Bible is a spiritual book, we should expect it to have answers in any spiritual experience we encounter. Some must be rejected, as the Bible has a long list of abominable spiritual practices – necromancy, etc... Christ will give us victory over the enemy and can also impart understanding of our situations as we trust in Him. Praise God!

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Part 6 – Revelation and in What Sense

2010-07-28T16:55:00.001+02:00

In this post I would like to show why some degree of revelation must continue, even if the canon of Scripture is closed and we know it is. Previously I already gave my reasons why I believe the "perfect" of 1 Cor. 13 refers to the second coming as the general agreement of the Christian Church has always been, not the canon of Scripture. Suffice it to say now, that unless I now know as I am known, perfection has not yet come. We still see through a glass dimly, and that no cessationist can argue. Some cessationists allow for some measure of God speaking even today, but my post will be directed towards those who deny any direct revelation of any sort, a semi-deism if you will.

Let me first state that it is impossible to deny all direct revelation consistently and be a born again Christian. Thus we know that many of these cessationists do not actually believe what they say they do. Why do I say this? Because the new birth experience is not only a creation of a new man within us made in the image of God, but is also accompanied by a revelation that we have been born of God, and a realization that Jesus is exactly as He claimed in Scripture – the Son Of God who died and has risen and who will return. What is The Spirit Bearing witness to our spirit, but a revelation that we have experienced the new birth as the Bible tells of it?

Further Christ specifically told his disciples that He would not leave them as orphans (John 14:18). If we are left with the law, but yet without presence of the Spirit within to instruct and remind us in the situations we face and instead must rely totally on our own understanding of it as imparted by elder brothers in the Lord, are we not much like a child-headed orphan family? A father not only chastens and corrects, and lays down a law, but he also listens and talks to His children, shows them how to do what He commands and when they are unable, assists them. Is our Heavenly Father less likely to do this than a sinful by nature earthly father?

Also Christ made a promise to manifest Himself to those who love Him and keep His commandments (John 14:21). By definition any manifestation is revelatory, and any revelation is a manifestation of what was previously obscure.

Now this is the point that should be made clear when I mention revelation. Notice that these examples are not revelations of new doctrines to be propounded but rather are an enlightening of the understanding of an already given Scriptural doctrine. Christ is Saviour already, but He is revealed to us as Saviour when we are born again. Thus these revelations are confirmations of Scripture by experience, and they cannot cease or Scripture would be of no effect.

It has been argued that the main purpose of the gift of prophecy was that what was prophesied could be added to Scripture and once Scripture was written there was no further need. Anyone who thinks thus has no idea of Biblical prophecy at all. There were many non-writing prophets in the Old Testament, compare the use of the term sons of the prophets, and also note how though Jonah's prediction of prosperity for Jereboam II was fulfilled the actual words are not given (2 Kings 14:25). These prophecies were important for those hearing them, but they were not included for the instruction of all times to come as the Scripture was. Also consider Corinth, Phillip's daughters and the other New Testament prophets, if the purpose of their ministry was to add to the canon and yet there is little evidence of any of the perhaps thousands of prophecies given being added to the canon were the gifts not complete, consummate and catastrophic failures? Thankfully, that is not what the New Testament says of prophecy. Prophecy is for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). It establishes a person in the path that God has ordained for his life. Timothy had received a prophecy and also a gift when the elders had laid hands on him (1 Tim. 4:14). We do not know what the gift was, but we do not need to know, Timothy knew and was the one that needed to use what was imparted and required a reminder to do so from Paul. Thus some prophecies are for specific situations either personal, congregational, or even national. They were intended to guide the receivers in their actions, and were never intended to be received into the canon of Scripture. Thus the whole argument for cessation of gifts due to the closure of the canon is, frankly, irrelevant.

In closing this post I would also add that I fail to see how it would be possible to believe in no direct revelation at all and yet to sing some of the hymns in any non-sophistical sense. Hymns such as "He lives" and "This is my Father's World" are examples.

In my next an final post, I intend to mention a few personal experiences I have had and also discuss a little on miracles and experiences in general.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Part 5 – Evidence for Continuance

2010-07-27T16:09:00.001+02:00

In this post I would like to look at some evidence for the continuance of the gifts of the Spirit. I would like to look at Scriptural evidence first and then proceed to historical.

The first passage I would like to quote in defense of the continuance of the gifts is a much contested one. That is Mark 16:17-18. This whole portion of Mark from verses 9-20 is questioned, because not only does it not occur in some manuscripts, but some have a shorter ending in its place and some have both endings showing that the copyist knew of both and unable to decide put both in. Clearly there was a papyrus roll of Mark floating around with no ending at all at some point which lead to problems for scribes. One Armenian manuscript ascribes these verses to Ariston, possibly Aristion the disciple of John. There is no way at this point in time to conclusively prove or disprove Mark's authorship. However, I submit this:

They are dated by almost all to at latest 100 AD and so fall within Apostolic times
We accept John 21:24-25, Numbers 12:3, and a few other verses believed to have been added shortly after the writer wrote the book to also be inspired. If this passage was not written by Mark, but was penned by someone like Aristion, or another one who had heard this portion of Christ's words from an apostle than there is no reason to reject it.
If it is the Word of God it will stand whether we reject it or not. The children of Israel's unbelief did not make God's promise of no avail but it did keep them out of the land. The disbelief of any portion of God's Word will not damage it, but it will shut us out from the promises and comfort contained in it.

With that in mind here is Mark 9:17-18:

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

May I suggest that if it were not for what this portion of Scripture teaches it would have been much more readily accepted. Now I inquire do these signs really follow those that believe? For those that believe it, they do. In the instance of laying hands on the sick and their recovery there are scores of men throughout church history who saw this. I will mention a few examples of this and other miraculous manifestations later.

Looking at a few more passages, we come to Peter on the day of Pentecost.

And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." (Acts 2:38-39). The promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all who are called of God. This is the promise of the Father Christ told the apostles to wait for that was manifested by their speaking in tongues.

As we already saw in our post on 1 Cor. 14, Paul desired all the believers to speak in tongues, but even more he desired them to also enter into prophecy (1 Cor. 14:5). He also wrote to the Thessalonians to not despise prophecies, but to test all things and hold fast to the good (1 Thess. 5:20-21).

Reading these verses alone you would find no hint that the gifts of the Spirit were ever to cease. The only passage of Scripture which alludes at all to the cessation of prophecy and other gifts is 1 Cor. 13:8-13.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The bone of contention in this passage lies with what the perfect is in this passage – the canon of Scripture or Christ's return in glory. Applying this portion Scripture to the canon of Scripture is probably one of the sorriest pieces of eisegesis done in modern times. It is equivalent to doing to this text what God threatened to do to Jerusalem in 2 Kings 21:13 – wiping it clean and turning it upside down! Why do I say this?

Do we now see Him face to face? If we do not then we are still in partial knowledge not full.
Do we know as we are known now? Then we are not yet in the time of cessation.

That these verses were understood of the second coming of Christ and not the canon of Scripture until comparatively recently is clear from even a cursory glance at the writings of those who have gone before from a wide spectrum of believers. Gill, Wesley, Clarke and Barnes all refer this to the saints in heaven and second coming not the canon. Going back to the earliest possible commentary on this passage we come to a lost work by an anti-montanistic write quoted by Eusebius, the Church historian:

And again after a little he says: "For if after Quadratus and Ammia in Philadelphia, as they assert, the women with Montanus received the prophetic gift, let them show who among them received it from Montanus and the women. For the apostle thought it necessary that the prophetic gift should continue in all the Church until the final coming. But they cannot show it, though this is the fourteenth year since the death of Maximilla."

The editor of the translation of the fathers I took this from (Philip Schaff) confesses ignorance as to what passage this writer refers to, but notes that the term "the apostle" without a name following referred to Paul in the early church. Clearly though this writer interpreted the perfect of 1 Corinthians 13 as referring to the second coming and argued in essence that since the Montanists had lost the gift they were not the true Church. It should be noted while we are on the subject of the Montanists, who are often claimed as the forerunners of Pentecostals by our opponents, that the Montanists were not condemned for prophesying, but for their manner of doing it. They gave their prophecies often in ecstacy, involuntarily, under compulsion. The Church condemned this because as Paul had written, "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (1 Cor. 14:32). The Church at this time had some prophets of its own and clearly believed that there would be some in it until Christ returned.

Having thus shown I from Scripture why I believe the gifts should continue, I would like to look at a few examples of some of the gifts in history. Before I do this I should mention a little concerning how I evaluate miracles that I read of in history. There are many tales of miracles in some of these early works, some of which are, frankly, incredible and absurd. Miracles if done by the Spirit of God must be governed by Scripture. This is as true for ones done a thousand years ago as for ones done today. So here are my criteria for evaluating miracles.

Since the Comforter does not bear witness to Himself or to the one working the miracle, but rather to Christ any genuine miracle should do so. Peter and Paul both refused any honor for the miracles they worked and pointed to Christ (Acts 4:10; Acts 14:8-18). Any miracle done in the name of a saint or another god, is a lying wonder. Also if the result of the person's miracles tend to produce a cultish following of him rather than of Christ which he does nothing to correct then the source should be questioned.
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyman for his profit. The miracles recorded should be done for a specific good reason. Healings may glorify Christ and vindicate the Gospel, but that is not the primary purpose. The purpose of a healing is seeing one afflicted by disease recover. This is why the gifts flow from love. Many of Christ's miracles were wrought specifically out of compassion. On the other hand He steadfastly refused to work miracles as a proof of His ministry. His miracles validated His ministry, but that was not the primary purpose. True miracles should always be worked for the good of the recipient. Flashy, showy manifestations that do little good to anyone, but draw attention to the one doing them are not of God.
Does it seem plausible or is it a fabulous and absurd miracle which is likely legendary? This one is subjective and thus the least reliable of my criteria. I do try as reading various accounts of men to discern if the said miracle is plausible on many I doubt it and on many others I merely cannot state with any confidence one way or the other.

I will try in this following section to state a few that I believe meet both my criteria and which I also consider plausible. Of course if someone is convinced that miracles have ceased, they will not find them very plausible, but I leave it up to the reader to weigh each case I give himself.

Examples of Prophecy

I quote my first from the Life of St. Columban written by the monk Jonas in the 7^th Century.

In the meantime the compact of peace which Theuderich and Theudebert had made was broken, and each one, priding himself on the strength of his followers, endeavored to kill the other. Then Columban went to king Theudebert and demanded that he should resign his kingdom and enter a monastery, in order not to lose both earthly crown and everlasting life. The king and his companions laughed; they had never heard of a Merovingian on the throne, who had voluntarily given up everything and become a monk. But Columban said, if the king was not willing voluntarily to undertake the honor of the priestly office, he would soon be compelled to do it against his will. After these words the holy man returned to his cell ; but his prophecy was soon verified by events. Theuderich immediately advanced against Theudebert, defeated him near Zülpich, and pursued him with a great army. Theudebert gathered new forces and a second battle was fought near Zülpich. Many fell on both sides, but Theudebert was finally defeated and fled.

At that time the man of God was staying in the wilderness, having only one attendant, Chagnoald. At the hour when the battle near Zülpich began, Columban was sitting on the trunk of a rotten oak, reading a book. Suddenly he was overcome by sleep and saw what was taking place between the two kings. Soon after be aroused, and calling his attendant, told him of the bloody battle, grieving at the loss of so much human blood. His attendant said with rash presumption: "My father, aid Theudebert with your prayers, so that he may defeat the common enemy, Theuderich." Columban answered: "Your advice is foolish and irreligious, for God, who commanded us to pray for our enemies has not so willed.. The just Judge has already determined what He wills concerning them." The attendant afterwards enquired and found that the battle had, taken place on that day and at that hour, just as the man of God had revealed to him.

Theuderich pursued Theudebert, and the latter was captured by the treachery of his followers-and sent to his grandmother, Brunhilda. She, in her fury, because she was on Theuderich's side, shut him up in a monastery, but after a few days she mercilessly had him murdered.

I leave the plausibility of this to the reader, but just to help those who are unfamiliar with the events I will state that politically and personally Columban was far more disposed to the king killed than the victor. There is more in the life relating to Columban's prophetic ministry but I leave only this sample. Notice that he is not presented in this tale as one who can change what God has ordained should he wish it, but only as a messenger of what God has already decreed, that is a large part of the prophetic ministry. Sometimes they can intercede, but at other times the decree has already been set.

Next I would like to consider the case of Savonarola. He is a fairly controversial figure who clearly had his faults. He prophesied repeatedly that he had seen judgment coming upon Italy and Rome. After Florence tired of him they had him executed in 1498. In the next 30 or so years following took place the Italian wars, including the sacking of Rome in 1527. This particular sacking is viewed by historians as a far worse one then Rome had seen even by the Vandals and Goths. The whole of Italy was thrown into turmoil during this period. Micah's prophecy that Jerusalem would be like a plowed field, was not fulfilled far later than 30 years after it was given, so the time frame can hardly be used to discredit Savonarola.

Last in my sample, which is by no means exhaustive, is mentioned in George Fox's auto biography concerning the fire of London:

The people of London were forewarned of this fire; yet few laid to heart, or believed it; but rather grew more wicked, and higher in pride. For a Friend was moved to come out of Huntingdonshire a little before the fire, to scatter his money, and turn his horse loose on the streets, to untie the knees of his trousers, let his stockings fall down, and to unbutton his doublet, and tell the people that so should they run up and down, scattering their money and their goods, half undressed, like mad people, as he was sign to them; and so they did, when the city was burning.

Examples of Healings

Without going into too many details as my post is getting fairly long now a few men who were noted for laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover were. St. Anskar (also spelled Ansgar), and St. Bernard (very interesting in that he mentions his own miracles as apparently provoking amazement in himself as well as on lookers) are two candidates for the continuance of healing.

Examples of Speaking in Tongues

There are several possible references to speaking in tongues in the lives of various men of God, but usually they are vague enough that it is hard to state with certainty. John Calvin wrote to Beza concerning his having awoken and found himself speaking in a barbarous language. Charles Finney had an experience in which he felt infilled the Holy Spirit and bellowed unutterable gushings from his soul. Both of these could easily refer to tongues though proof is another matter.

Time and space constraints limit me somewhat in this work on miracles in history. Let me merely add for those willing to do more searching, Charles Spurgeon several times manifested what Pentecostals would call words of knowledge in his pulpit ministry. Speaking in tongues and prophecy were sometimes reported among early Methodists, Quakers, Anabaptists and others.

I intend to write another post soon on why every Christian must logically believe in some measure of divine revelation to an individual, but I'll close this post with a quote from my namesake who was executed as an Anabaptist heretic at Graz in 1534, as his confession of faith he gave the Apostle's Creed with this addition, "We believe also, that there is a Christian church, in which the Holy Spirit has His work." To which I say, "Amen."

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Part 4 – A look at 1 Corinthians 14

2010-07-26T16:34:00.000+02:00

One passage that is of importance in understanding the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the use of tongues is 1 Corinthians 14. I would like to devote this post to a study of this chapter and explain, at least I hope so, the difference between speaking in tongues in delivering a message to the Church which requires interpretation, and praying in tongues which does not.

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up (v. 1-5).

Paul starts out first continuing from the previous chapter which emphasized love without which everything we do or say is worthless. He never gives an either or proposition for character and gifts, but instead affirms both. Pursue love and also desire the gifts. He then goes to show why prophecy is superior to tongues. Tongues are spoken to God who understands them, and edify the speaker, but not the hearers. Prophecy edifies, encourages and consoles the church. The gift of prophecy is not really involved in foretelling future events, that belongs to the Ministerial office of prophet that Christ sets in His Church. Paul never wrote that all should desire to be prophets but that all should desire to prophesy. In practice in the Pentecostal churches I have been in, prophecies are usually quoted scripture, sometimes with an application, not given with anyone in mind but addressed to the congregation in general. As such it fulfills the conditions edification, encouragement, and consolation. Often it has often spoken to me personally concerning things I was considering and had mentioned to no one. In order for a message in tongues to have a similar effect it must be interpreted.

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church (v. 6-13).

Paul continues to explain why interpretation is necessary, and again encourages that gifts be used to edify the Church, not show off or used in a way to the detriment thereof.

Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue (v. 14-19).

One accusation often brought against Pentecostals is that our tongues are not Biblical because we do not pray to interpret them. Our distinction between the prayer tongue which is received initially as a evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the gift of tongues is then held to be a fiction to justify our error. Let’s look at this section closely then shall we? We are enjoined to pray for interpretation if we speak in a tongue with the thought again of considering others as the reason. Then Paul says that he excels them all in speaking in tongues, but would rather speak in the vernacular in Church. Consider this closely:

1. The apostle Paul spoke much in tongues
2. Assuming he followed his own counsel here, he didn’t do most of that in church
3. that leads me to believe that he did it in prayer to God privately
4. Since he previously stated that the one praying in tongues edifies himself and speaks mysteries to God, is he required by this passage to interpret what he prays to God? No, because the interpretation was for the sake of the others.

This is what we refer to as our prayer language, and it doesn’t usually require interpretation. Occasionally we may pray for interpretation that we might understand what we are praying, but whatever we pray we know it is the mind of the Spirit, who can readily say that when they pray in the vernacular? There is a difference between the gift of tongues, which is like a prophecy in a foreign language and requires interpretation, and the speaking in tongues Paul was doing before God. I would also say to our critics, what is your response when you here tongues, since you require all tongues to receive interpretation? Do you pray that you might interpret? Would to God you did, more likely you would silence them, but where is that found in Scripture?

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. (v. 20-28).

Paul writes more concerning the rationale in preferring prophecy to tongues. In the last verse in allowing the people to speak to themselves and to God I see an allowance for softly speak prayers in vernacular and tongues while waiting on God for a word or interpretation.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,(v.29-33).

This passage does not limit the number of prophecies in a meeting because he specifically writes all may prophesy one by one. He is basically telling them not to cut each other off by trying to all prophesy at the same time, and reminds them that the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. Meaning that it is possible to restrain and channel the unction given. Personally, I have at times felt a word quickened, but had to hold back until the service was quieter and it could be heard. Gifts must be exercised in such a way as to best edify the Church.

the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. (v. 34-38)

The context of this command to women is referring to asking questions of their husbands, and as will be remembered in eastern churches they likely sat separately which would create much confusion. It does not refer to being silent from prayer or prophecy, because Paul gives instructions concerning how women should pray and prophesy in Chapter 11:5. We also see from Acts that Philip’s daughters prophesied (Acts 21:9). I leave it to the judgment of the reader where they did this and which was more befitting of modesty to operate their gifts in the gatherings of the faithful, or in markets and byways of the world.

So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order. (v.39-40).

Again he exhorts them to desire prophecy. Cessationists violate both parts of this verse, because the both do not desire to prophesy and forbid to speak in tongues. He concludes by telling them in surmise that all things should be done decently and in order. Note there are two parts to this, all things should be DONE, these gifts should be used. How? They should be used decently and in order. May it be so. I intend to continue this series by next looking at why I believe the gifts have not ceased both doctrinally and historically.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Part 3 – Some Misconceptions of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

2010-07-25T16:47:00.001+02:00

In this post I would like to look at some misconceptions of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Unless someone speaks in tongues they are not saved

This is a very fringe position of a few Pentecostals. I would say roughly percentage wise it is equivalent to the percentage of hyper-Calvinists that believe that God is the author of sin. It is clear from Scripture that the disciples had already received the Holy Spirit (John 20:22) before the day of Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost Peter told those who asked what they were to do that after repenting and being baptized they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus speaking in John 14 specifically stated that the world cannot receive the Comforter, thus this baptism can only come on those already converted. It can come on those newly converted as it did upon Cornelius and those with him, and in that case it was done specifically to show that he had been converted as Peter knew the Comforter cannot be received by the world, thus he had no grounds for refusing baptism. At Ephesus, it appears that the former disciples of John received salvation, baptism in water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the same day in quick succession, but Paul had started by asking them if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed clearly referring to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Samaria under Philip's ministry many believed and were baptized, but only after Peter and John came and laid hands on them did they receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, so clearly someone can be saved without speaking in tongues. However it is also clear from Paul's first question to those at Ephesus, the response in Jerusalem to the revival in Samaria, and Christ's command to tarry in Jerusalem until they received the promise the need of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers.

Speaking in tongues is a sign of holiness

It is a common misconception that the gifts of God are a sign of holiness. This is not the case. In the Galatian church they had serious errors and were in danger of slipping into damnable heresy, yet Paul pointed to examples of miracles being worked among them and showed that the miracles flowed from faith, not the works of the law (Gal. 3:5). The Corinthians excelled in gifts and used them to show off but were hardly holy. Peter was reproved by Paul for his conduct long after he had begun to flow in the gifts of the Spirit. Working miracles in the Name of Jesus is not even proof of our ultimate salvation, let alone a superior holiness (Mat. 7:21-23). In the Old Testament the offering on the day of Pentecost that was offered to the Lord was singular in that it was the only offering which contained leaven (Lev. 23:16-17). In type then there can be a lot of sin still in someone who is flowing in the gifts. The children of Israel had miraculous provision for their needs not only at the beginning of their journey, but even for the extra 38 they gained through rebellion. The miracles were signs of God's provision, but not a sign of their holiness. The Lord both receives and gives gifts even to the rebellious that He might dwell among them (Psa. 68:18; Eph. 4:8-10).

Looking at Ezekiel's vision of the river we can see a certain comparison (Ezek. 47). At each point in the vision the waters are measured and then we are told the depth as he wades further into the river. The measure is always a thousand which could point to a certain fixed stage of Christian walk. The first one is ankle deep, which speaks of salvation, prior to that we never knew there was a river, but now we feel it's refreshing on our feet and enjoy it. The next could be compared to water baptism, we follow Christ in obedience into the waters of Baptism and it begins to affect our way of walking – knee deep. Then we come to waist deep, which I would compare to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, because once you are waist deep in water you feel the current far more than before. However, and this is the problem, you can still resist it. Many, many Pentecostals feel the moving of the Holy Spirit, but they often would rather do their own thing. The final depth is swimming depth, and when you swim in a river it carries you along the current even as you move. This is a sign of true Christian maturity and one which Christ specifically spoke to Peter, "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go" (John 21:18).

It should also be noted that nowhere are the gifts spoken of as bad or a sign of immaturity. The abuse of them was corrected. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, though men can taint them. We do not condemn the gift of marriage because people abuse it, and we should not condemn the gifts of the Spirit either. Paul believed that spiritual gifts established believers (Rom. 1:1). He also encouraged the Corinthians to covet the best ones – the ones that most edified the Church (1 Cor. 12:31; 14:39).

I am Spirit-filled but I have never spoken in tongues

Sometimes people believe that they are Spirit-filled because they have been used in healing, casting out demons, have an anointing to preach, or some other experience with God. Remember that the Apostles when sent out by Christ preached, cast out devils and performed healings, but they still were told by Christ to wait for the promise of the Father. The immediate effect of the reception of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost was speaking in tongues, though there were many side effects (Acts 2:4). Also this was seen as evidence of reception of the Spirit by Peter in the case of Cornelius (Acts 10:46-47). The men in Ephesus also spoke in tongues and also prophesied, which shows that prophecy can and should flow from us as we flow in the Spirit (Acts 19:6). The key to knowing if we have received the promise is whether or not we have spoken in other tongues.

These are probably the three most common misconceptions of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I intend to carry on in the series with more posts on this topic, looking at some side issues and also if I am able at some doctrinal and historical evidence for the continuation of the gifts.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Part 2 – the Effects of it

2010-07-24T16:36:00.001+02:00

As we look at the effects of the baptism in the Spirit it is perhaps first helpful to understand what the Word "baptize" means. I once read a Baptist archaeologist, whose name I would cite if I could remember it, state that while the Greek "baptizo" means "immerse", it means more than that. The ordinary Greek word for immerse is "bapto," and "baptizo" is a more emphatic form. Having written this he publishes an ancient Greek pickle recipe to demonstrate his point. In the recipe cucumbers were first dipped "bapto" in boiling water, then dipped "baptizo" in vinegar. The difference between mere dipping and baptism was baptism produced a marked change in the thing dipped just as the vinegar changed a cucumber into a pickle. The word was also used to describe the dying of a cloth, or sinking of a ship, or being overwhelmed in general. As this relates to water baptism I think this is apparent. As we choose to follow Christ in the waters of baptism we are buried with Him and begin a new life, we proclaim publicly our following of Him and it has an indelible effect upon us, whether we are true to the profession made there or not. Now in looking at the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we are referring to an immersion into the Spirit of God, like a cup thrown into a lake, where the water is in the cup and the cup is in the water, so we become vessels in the Spirit filled with the Spirit. Baptism in the Spirit must produce a marked change in our lives or it is not a true baptism. What are the effects then?

Speaking in other (foreign) tongues

Acts 2:1-4, "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." Notice here that while the entrance of the Spirit into the room was announced by the wind and fire, but the filling of the individuals was shown by their speaking in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to enunciate clearly (the meaning of utterance). Peter speaking later to the crown who wondered what was going on told them that this was the promise given by Joel. He also added that it was the promise of the Father that Christ had received on His ascension that they were seeing and hearing (v. 33). Further he promised them that they and all who were called of God could enter into this promise if they repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38-39). The tongues that they were hearing were an intimate part of the promise of the Father so much so that they are the initial evidence of this promise.

Looking now at Acts 8, we see that Phillip the deacon ministered in Samaria and many responded and were baptized (Acts 8:12). Yet later we see that the apostles in Jerusalem specifically sent Peter and John to Samaria to pray for these converts to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). Clearly this does not refer reception of the Spirit at salvation, it must refer to something else, the most obvious conclusion would be that it refers to receiving subsequently the promise of the Father with its intendant sign and this is allowed by many non-pentecostal commentators such as Gill, Barnes, and Clarke. If the early church felt it important enough to send a special mission out to ensure that the new converts were filled with the Spirit, do you not think that it is perhaps important for us as Christians to enter in to this same blessing?

In Acts 10, Peter was preaching to the Gentiles, much to his own initial horror, and the Spirit fell on them. They manifested this by speaking in tongues (Acts 10:44-48). This opened the door to the Gentile believers. Peter knowing that the Spirit had fallen on them because of their speaking with tongues could not forbid their baptism. This portion of Scripture shows us that Peter interpreted the speaking in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Spirit. It also presents a large obstacle to the doctrine of baptismal regeneration, but that is another issue.

Peter then defends his conduct to his Jewish brethren in the next chapter saying, "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" This again shows that he equated the speaking with tongues with the reception of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In Ephesus Paul met disciples of John the Baptist who he first baptized into Christ and then laid hands on them the received the Holy Spirit and spoke with other tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:1-7). Again we see speaking with other tongues linked with receiving the Holy Spirit.

I think it is clear from these Scriptures that we have looked at that this experience is subsequent to salvation. It is also clear from these passages that this experience is separate from water baptism. I also trust that it is clear that the one manifestation that is the distinguishing evidence of this experience is speaking in other tongues, though other effects also follow.

Boldness

Boldness is an effect of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The marked contrast in the Apostles conduct at the time of Christ's crucifixion and the day of Pentecost says volumes about the power of the emboldening Spirit. The religious leaders saw it and realized it came from Christ (Acts 4:13). Furthermore they prayed for more boldness in the face of persecution and were heard.

Guidance

It is interesting to note that after the Spirit fell we never see the use of lots for guidance any more in Scripture, but instead the believers were lead by the Holy Spirit. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit opens us up to receive His voice and prodding in a greater way than we have before.

Other miraculous gifts

The baptism of the Holy Spirit also resulted in a flow of spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, miracles, and healing. Jesus had promised rivers of living water flowing out of believers and the rivers can be various in manifestation, but flow from one source. It should be noted though that it is at least somewhat possible to move in healing and casting out devils without the baptism in the Holy Spirit because all the Apostles and the seventy did (Matt. 10:1;Luke 10:17).

These are not the only effects of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but I think they are a sufficient look at some of the main ones. In my next post I would like to look at some misconceptions of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and with God's help do what I can to clear them up.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Part 1 – the Promise of it

2010-07-24T15:42:00.001+02:00

In this series of posts I would like to look at the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I want to look at this doctrine fairly comprehensively, starting with this post by looking at the promise of it, when the promise was first given and how God later enlarged on it. Whenever we study a doctrine in the Word of God, we will see that it is first hinted at, then enlarged on, and lastly fulfilled and made openly available. This is true of redemption seen first vaguely in Gen. 3:15 before being enunciated more and more clearly until being seen and fulfilled in Christ. In the same way the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was first promised in the Old Testament, being gradually amplified and enlarged until poured out on the day of Pentecost.

The first seed of the promise is found, at least as far as I see, in Numbers 11. In this passage of Scripture Moses was weary because the people were constantly complaining and asked God for help. God took a measure of the Spirit that was upon Moses and placed it on the elders of Israel, including Eldad and Medad who had neglected to come when summoned. This angered Joshua who wanted to silence them. Moses replied in Verse 29, ""Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!" Moses shows the heart of God in desiring to place His Spirit upon all of His children, this is the promise in a seed form.

It is also worth noting here that while the Feast of Pentecost was not kept in the wilderness journey, because it was a harvest feast, the law was apparently given on the day of Pentecost as seen from Exodus 19. It was on that day that the mountain shook and the Law was given externally and the people were commanded not to draw near lest they die. On that same day many years later, there was a mighty wind and tongues of fire and many were called to draw near, that the law might be written internally.

Later in time we come to Joel, who having prophesied the removal of the current difficulties Israel was then facing upon the repentance and turning unto God, further promised, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit" (Joel 2:28-32). The "afterwards" is one of those little jumps in the prophetical timeline skipping several hundred years, as Peter pointed out at Pentecost. Again the promise was to all from the oldest to the youngest, regardless of sex or rank.

The prophet Isaiah begins chapter 28 by pronouncing woes upon Ephraim, specifically their rulers, and continues with a promise of His being in place of the rulers the crown of glory, the spirit of judgment, and the strength of those in battle. Then Isaiah carries on and referring firstly to the Babylonians yet looking beyond them as Paul shows us in 1 Cor. 14:21 says, "For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the LORD will speak to this people, to whom he has said, "This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose"; yet they would not hear" (Isaiah 28:11-12). In this chapter also this speaking in a foreign language is shown in contrast with the exterior law which was precept upon precept and was not heeded.

This promise is also alluded to in Jeremiah's promise of the New Covenant where the law be written on the heart and not on stones. A few years later, God speaking through Ezekiel reiterates the same promise, "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." The putting of His Spirit within us is the hall mark of the New Covenant. It is true that we all receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, but there is a greater depth of the Spirit than mere salvation spoken of here. We will look at this more in depth in the future.

Progressing to the beginning of the New Testament John the Baptist proclaimed Christ as the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16).

Jesus in John chapter 7 gave the promise of rivers of living water flowing out from believers speaking specifically of the Spirit who was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified (v.37-39). Jesus also encouraged men to ask seek and knock for the Spirit that the Father would give to those who ask (Luke 11:9-13).

In the last discourse He had with His disciples before going to the cross, He spoke concerning the coming Comforter. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:12-18). Then a little later He continues, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Notice that this portion of Scripture is an expansion of the promise of the New Covenant, with believers receiving the Spirit as indwelling, and teaching us the right way, and reminding us of what Christ has taught.

Looking now at the same discourse, but chapter 15, Jesus says, "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning" (v.26-27). He repeats some of the previous thoughts in John 16, and adds that the Spirit will convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Some reading these chapters would refer them to receiving the Holy Spirit at salvation, however, I refer this portion to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and not to salvation for several reasons. Firstly, Christ says that this will happen after He went to the Father, and the disciples received the Spirit prior to their baptism in the Spirit in John 20:22. Secondly, this reception of the Holy Spirit is specifically tied to the ability to witness which is related to the infilling in Acts 2 (compare Acts 1:8 with John 15:26-27). Also Christ specifically told them to await the promise of the Father after this which implies a previous promise that if not found here and in the continuing discourse is found nowhere at all in Christ's teaching.

The coming of this Comforter is important, so important that Jesus commanded the disciples to wait for it in Jerusalem. This is the promise spoken of first by Moses that all God's people would have His Spirit upon them, reiterated and enlarged on by Joel, and foretold as one of Christ's ministries by John. Christ is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. It is the Father that sends the Spirit through Christ, who is the Baptizer. So what are the effects of this promise? We will look at that in the next post.

More on Divine Rejection of Anything Originating in Man

2010-07-20T17:22:00.001+02:00

Since my last post touched on semi-pelagianism, I wanted to further elaborate on God's rejection of anything originating in man. I want to make this post more practical than the last one, if possible, because even if we are not and have never been semi-pelagian in our theology, we all tend to be so in our attitudes and actions. We often confess the truth, but only later does it really work its way into our hearts and begin to influence attitudes and actions.

The first portion of Scripture I would like to consider is Leviticus chapter 15, which was doubtless given to promote physical health among the Israelites but also could be summarized as saying that anything issuing from within man defiled him. One of the main complaints made by God against the false prophets to Jeremiah in Jer. 23:14-26 is their prophesying out of their own heart and own mind. Since the carnal mind is always at enmity with God, anything originated by it will have evil and not good consequences. The writer of Hebrews brings out the thought of the rest of God and writes in Heb. 4:9-10, "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." So this rest is essentially ceasing from our own (ie. self-initiated works). This passage compares well with Isaiah 58:13-14, "If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Notice the repetition of the phrase "your own." To delight in the Lord in the fullest sense we have to first forsake what is our own.

Next I would like to look at the Tabernacle of Moses. The tabernacle is important because it was the means which God ordained to meet with His people for a period of roughly 400 years. Also it had a heavenly counterpart into which Christ entered with His perfect sacrifice (Heb. 9:23-24). Since the Tabernacle had to show certain eternal realities, it had to follow the eternal pattern and thus both the idea of having a Tabernacle and the way it should be were given to Moses directly by God (Ex. 25:8-9, 40). Thus the tabernacle was of God. It is also worth noting that the making of the tabernacle and it's furniture was placed under the care of two men who specifically enabled by the Spirit of God to do it (Ex. 31:1-6). It is also interesting that those chosen did have natural skill in this area (v.6). It is not that natural skill is to be despised, on the contrary God gives us talents and abilities and we should develop them. However, to accomplish anything of true eternal value, such as the tabernacle, we cannot rely on human talents alone, but must have them enabled by God's Spirit. Thus the Tabernacle was made through God's power. It was made to God for His dwelling place and that having been done His fire fell and consecrated it. The tabernacle really epitomized Rom. 11:36.

Carrying on with the theme of human insufficiency, we come to the injunction of Exodus 20:24-26, which referred to altars outside the tabernacle and temple made out of stone. The stone had to be natural, as formed by God and the forces He created, not shaped by man, because that polluted it. It is good to remind ourselves often that in every offering of worship we bring to God it is only accepted if offered through the Spirit. The more we rely on the Spirit the more our worship will carry His anointing. Our offering can also only be accepted if we are first accepted (Gen. 4:3-5 – notice the order unto Abel and his offering… unto Cain and his offering), so we are in constant need of the blood of the Lamb to make us acceptable to draw near to God.

The Apostle Paul clearly felt insufficient for his task as a Christian. "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ" (2 Cor. 2:14-17). If as these verses imply we are carriers of Christ's fragrance and as such bring a separation in our lives between those who love Christ and those who do not, how can we be sufficient to do this? We are talking about eternal destinies of human souls. Only God in us can produce the fragrance of Christ, when that is in us then people's attitudes and actions towards us reflect their response to Jesus. May we be careful never to put people off of Christ by our bad conduct. May we also be careful never to lull them into a false sense of security. This is only possible by the aid of the Spirit.

If you feel unable now, good. Now let deep call out to deep. Only infinity can fill infinity, and only an infinite God can fill the infinite hell of the human heart and make it worthy of Him. Let the depth of your sorrow call out for the depths of His joy, the depth of your weakness call for His strength and the depth of your sin for the depth of His holiness. Let Him lift you up give you feet like a deer's and set you on your high places. Amen.

Arminian answer to John Cassian’s Semi-pelagianism

2010-07-16T15:32:00.001+02:00

John Cassian was one of the foremost founders of western monasticism. In his earlier life he had been a monk in Bethlehem and then had journeyed to Egypt with a friend to see the monks there. Later he was a friend of John Chrysostom in Constantinople, before settling in the area of Massilia (Marseille). From the instruction he had received in Egypt he published a series of conferences reproducing what he and his friend heard from the monks of Egypt.

Reading the conferences sheds some light on monasticism in Egypt and the ethos around it. They prided themselves on strictness and if your idea of piety is having your cook perform open penance (he was excluded from common prayers for a time and had to beg for prayers from his brethren as they assembled) for hurrying with the pot he was carrying and sloshing water and a few lentils on the ground then you would love monasticism. There were doubtless good Christians among these monks, and some of the things written by Cassian are very good, but monasticism has a great flaw. It is in direct contradiction of Paul's command in 1 Corinthians 7:23, where it is forbidden for Christians to become slaves voluntarily. Monks were not called slaves, but they were in the condition in that like slaves they could not leave without permission and if they did could be found and hauled back. They could not own property, but were effectively property of the monastery. They took a vow of perpetual obedience which is extremely perilous for the human conscience. All of this is slavery in essence if not in name.

Also found in the conferences in the third conference of Abbot Chaeremon chapter XII is a statement and some scriptural passages which he uses in support of Semi-pelagianism. Cassian was a contemporary of Augustine and though an opponent of Pelagianism, he believed that it is possible for man unaided by God in at least some cases to draw near to God. This is known as semi-pelagianism. Pure pelagianism denied any consequence of the fall but bad example, and praised the merits of human ability to such an extant that it practically denied the need of God's grace in redemption. Semi-pelagianism acknowledges God's grace in that it believes that without God's grace our best endeavors will not succeed, it differs from Arminianism and Calvinism in believing that the beginning of these endeavors can arise from ourselves.

In this post I will quote the fore-mentioned section of the conference and then try to show where I differ and why I think Cassian is in error. This section of the conference is the basic statement of his beliefs and in dealing with it I will be dealing with semi-pelagianism as a whole.

For we should not hold that God made man such that he can never will or be capable of what is good: or else He has not granted him a free will, if He has suffered him only to will or be capable of evil, but neither to will or be capable of what is good of himself. And, in this case how will that first statement of the Lord made about men after the fall stand: "Behold, Adam is become as one of us, knowing good and evil?" For we cannot think that before, he was such as to be altogether ignorant of good. Otherwise we should have to admit that he was formed like some irrational and insensate beast: which is sufficiently absurd and altogether alien from the Catholic faith.

This opening statement is the heart of semi-pelagianism. What exactly is the natural human condition in regard to good? Jesus brought out both total depravity and an ability to do basic natural goodness in Matt. 7:11, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" This goodness to children is part of the image of God in which man was originally created, it is present in even evil men and absent only in the most fiendish. However, this goodness is not true goodness, because it did not make these people any less evil in nature. Jesus also shows in Matt. 5:43-48, that even notorious sinners are capable of loving those who love them and repaying kindness with kindness, and that these things though they would appear good fall short of the goodness which God requires. Only true goodness can cry for the punishment to come on those who are bringing about your own death, only true goodness could give natural benefits to all whether they worship Him or not, and only true goodness could grant a man the very breath he uses to expel blasphemy against the one who gave it to him. This is true goodness, this is true righteousness. It isn't in any of us. We are only too happy to retaliate on others when we are slighted, or if better inclined to merely ignore them, not to love. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. In the tabernacle it was forbidden to offer honey with any sacrifice on the altar (Lev. 2:11). Honey like human goodness cannot abide the fire, but turns bitter in the heat. In the same way, whatever good we do as humans shows what a good God created us, but is in no way effectual in saving us or causing Him to give us grace.

As to Adam and his knowledge prior to the fall, he was able to enjoy the goodness of God, but that doesn't mean he had a knowledge of what that goodness entailed. Just as a child can enjoy and experience the care of a parent without really knowing it. As infants we become acquainted with good and evil the same way Adam was, it is driven into our consciousness when we cross over the line and first transgress. Until that time we had the nature of Adam, but it was only manifest when the command came and we transgressed. Adam was clearly a sensible and moral being that enabled him to fellowship with God, but though placed in a moral world, he had little idea of what morality meant. Also at this time there were no wrong foods for him to eat except the one forbidden, no thorns or noxious plants. Thus he would have been unable to discriminate between baneful and good, not because he lacked the faculty, but becasue only good was there.

Moreover as the wisest Solomon says: "God made man upright," i.e., always to enjoy the knowledge of good only, "But they have sought out many imaginations," for they came, as has been said, to know good and evil. Adam therefore after the fall conceived a knowledge of evil which he had not previously, but did not lose the knowledge of good which he had before. Finally the Apostle's words very clearly show that mankind did not lose after the fall of Adam the knowledge of good: as he says: "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things of the law, these, though they have not the law, are a law to themselves, as they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to these, and their thoughts within them either accusing or else excusing them, in the day in which God shall judge the secrets of men."

Yes, man has the knowledge, at least some knowledge, of good. The problem is man does not live according to that knowledge. He never will because his will is depraved. He may follow his conscience, which is a witness that God has given us and restrains us from a lot of things we would otherwise do, but he will never follow it perfectly. We all break the law of God whether it is known from His Word, or known by the law of conscience.

And with the same meaning the Lord rebukes by the prophet the unnatural but freely chosen blindness of the Jews, which they by their obstinacy brought upon themselves, saying: "Hear ye deaf, and ye blind, behold that you may see. Who is deaf but My servant? and blind, but he to whom I have sent My messengers?" And that no one might ascribe this blindness of theirs to nature instead of to their own will, elsewhere He says: "Bring forth the people that are blind and have eyes: that are deaf and have ears;" and again: "having eyes, but ye see not; and ears, but ye hear not." The Lord also says in the gospel: "Because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not neither do they understand."And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: "Hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand: and seeing ye shall see and shall not see. For the heart of this people is waxed fat, and their ears are dull of hearing: and they have closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart, and be turned and I should heal them." Finally in order to denote that the possibility of good was in them, in chiding the Pharisees, He says: "But why of your own selves do ye not judge what is right?" And this he certainly would not have said to them, unless He knew that by their natural judgment they could discern what was fair.

The Scriptures used here are applicable to the subject at hand, but what do they show? Firstly this blinding is judicial, but not unconditional. The blinding was in response to the Word of God received, but not believed. Secondly this blinding takes place not in the absence of grace but in the presence of it. They closed the eyes of their spirit to the truth, but first they had seen it or else they would not have shut them. They stopped the ears of their spirit, but first the voice must have resounded or they would not have felt the need. These verses thus show that grace is necessary to awaken us to the truth, but they also show that it is not irresistible. If the word had not penetrated they would have had nothing to reject by closing eyes and ears as they did. The truth is most of the Pharisees were already very hard of hearing spiritually before Christ came, because they had heard the Word over and over again, but not let it work in them, when Christ came very few of them would respond and the greatest grace God gave them produced the greatest hardening. Both the ones who repented on the day of Pentecost and the ones who stoned Stephen were deeply moved in the heart by God's Word, but the response was very different. The second group resisted the Spirit, which can only be done if He were present. Jesus promised that the Comforter when He came would convict (not judicial conviction – the same word is used in John 3:20, Matt. 18:15, Luke 3:19, and John 8:9&46) the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-11). The world has its faults exposed by the Spirit, but what it does with the exposure is a different matter.

Wherefore we must take care not to refer all the merits of the saints to the Lord in such a way as to ascribe nothing but what is evil and perverse to human nature: in doing which we are confuted by the evidence of the most wise Solomon, or rather of the Lord Himself, Whose words these are; for when the building of the Temple was finished and he was praying, he spoke as follows: "And David my father would have built a house to the name of the Lord God of Israel: and the Lord said to David my father: Whereas thou hast thought in thine heart to build a house to My name, thou hast well done in having this same thing in thy mind. Nevertheless thou shalt not build a house to My name." This thought then and this purpose of king David, are we to call it good and from God or bad and from man? For if that thought was good and from God, why did He by whom it was inspired refuse that it should be carried into effect? But if it is bad and from man, why is it praised by the Lord? It remains then that we must take it as good and from man. And in the same way we can take our own thoughts today. For it was not given only to David to think what is good of himself, nor is it denied to us naturally to think or imagine anything that is good. It cannot then be doubted that there are by nature some seeds of goodness in every soul implanted by the kindness of the Creator: but unless these are quickened by the assistance of God, they will not be able to attain to an increase of perfection, for, as the blessed Apostle says: "Neither is he that planteth anything nor he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase."

This Scriptural example is pertinent, but the writer does not fully look at all the options in my opinion. It's important to first note that David was a man after God's heart, and this desire to build the temple was after he had followed the Lord many years. We all tend to interpret Scripture within our own perspective. Here is how I see it. God commended the desire, because David was the first man who had drawn so near to Him as to feel for His honor in this way. It was deep desire that God had that He had not voiced to anyone, but was waiting to share with one who understood Him. A similar case is Moses in seeking pardon for the children of Israel when God expressed a desire to destroy them. Moses voiced God's deeper desire to show mercy and interceded for them. In neither case would I say that the desire sprung from the man as the source. Why then was David given the desire if he was not allowed to do it? Perhaps so that he could lay up the treasure for his son to be able to do it. It is doubtful if Solomon would have built it if David had not prepared. To look at another example, it is clear that Abraham's call was from God not his own desires and he was promised the whole land for his seed, but he owned none of it except for a burial plot he bought himself. Thus in his case especially, the promise and desire were primarily for those who would follow not himself.

The last verse quoted here is badly misapplied, because the planting is not the planting of man's thoughts, nor the watering thereof, but the planting of God's Word, and even in that God gives the increase. There are no remaining seeds of goodness in us for God to aid. Paul gave one of the marks of true circumcision as having no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3). In it dwells no good thing (Rom. 7:18). What is born of the flesh is flesh, it can never morph into spirit. Nothing done in the power of the flesh can please God (Rom. 8:7-8). The sweat of the brow was part of the curse inflicted on man, sinful man having rejected the sustaining provision of God would now have to exert himself to provide and God specifically forbade the priests in Ezekiel's temple to wear any garments that caused sweat (Ezek. 44:18). The sweat of human exertion is unacceptable to God, even as sweat has an unpleasant odor to us. Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden is light, it becomes difficult when we exert ourselves in our own paths. If we allow God to minister through us all is easy, when it is a slog, we must ask a few questions. Firstly, is it God's plan I am following or my own? Secondly, Am I trying in my own strength or relying on His grace? Thirdly, for whose glory am I seeking this? Remember, of Him and through Him and to Him are all things (Rom. 11:36). It is also pertinent while we are on this subject to remember that Christ Himself did not offer Himself in His own power as sinless Man to the Father, but He offered Himself through the Eternal Spirit (Heb. 9:14).

But that freedom of the will is to some degree in a man's own power is very clearly taught in the book termed the Pastor, where two angels are said to be attached to each one of us, i.e., a good and a bad one, while it lies at a man's own option to choose which to follow. And therefore the will always remains free in man, and can either neglect or delight in the grace of God. For the Apostle would not have commanded saying: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," had he not known that it could be advanced or neglected by us. But that men might not fancy that they had no need of Divine aid for the work of Salvation, he subjoins: "For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do, of His good pleasure." And therefore he warns Timothy and says: "Neglect not the grace of God which is in thee;" and again: "For which cause I exhort thee to stir up the grace of God which is in thee." Hence also in writing to the Corinthians he exhorts and warns them not through their unfruitful works to show themselves unworthy of the grace of God, saying: "And we helping, exhort you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain:" for the reception of saving grace was of no profit to Simon doubtless because he had received it in vain; for he would not obey the command of the blessed Peter who said: "Repent of thine iniquity, and pray God if haply the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven thee; for I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity."

If you have ever wondered where the popular consciousness got the idea of the little angel and devil on the shoulder often seen in cartoons, it was from the Shepherd of Hermes, a book written in the 2^nd century and widely read in the Church, though not accepted as inspired. With most of this passage I am in agreement provided it be understood that God's grace must first be present or we would have nothing to respond to. Some might enquire how is it possible for someone who's will is depraved to choose God. I would reply by asking how a woman with a sinful nature could bear a Son with a sinless nature. As Protestants we believe that Mary had the same nature as we and yet somehow that nature was not passed on to Christ. Is this not because the overshadowing of the Spirit made it possible? If this is possible when the Holy Spirit overshadows, can He not enable a sinner to choose good refuse evil when He probes the depths of his heart?

It prevents therefore the will of man, for it is said: "My God will prevent me with His mercy;" and again when God waits and for our good delays, that He may put our desires to the test, our will precedes, for it is said: "And in the morning my prayer shall prevent Thee;" and again: "I prevented the dawning of the day and cried;" and: "Mine eyes have prevented the morning." For He calls and invites us, when He says: "All the day long I stretched forth My hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people;" and He is invited by us when we say to Him: "All the day long I have stretched forth My hands unto Thee." He waits for us, when it is said by the prophet: "Wherefore the Lord waiteth to have compassion upon us;" and He is waited for by us, when we say: "I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me;" and: "I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord." He strengthens us when He says: "And I have chastised them, and strengthened their arms; and they have imagined evil against me;" and He exhorts us to strengthen ourselves when He says: "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and make strong the feeble knees." Jesus cries: "If any man thirst let him come unto Me and drink;" the prophet also cries to Him: "I have laboured with crying, my jaws are become hoarse: mine eyes have failed, whilst I hope in my God." The Lord seeks us, when He says: "I sought and there was no man. I called, and there was none to answer;" and He Himself is sought by the bride who mourns with tears: "I sought on my bed by night Him whom my soul loved: I sought Him and found Him not; I called Him, and He gave me no answer."

This last section is many Scripture quotations mostly relevant, but overlooking certain things. The word "prevent" is used in its original sense of go before, either to help or hinder as the case maybe, we use it more in the latter sense today. The main thing being overlooked is John's express statement, "we love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). It is God who first sought Adam in the garden after the transgression, not the other way around. It is God who first seeks us, but having found us and kindled love for Him in response to His love we seek Him. At times He withdraws from us to increase our seeking of Him, and to show to us how much we long for Him. This longing itself comes from Him. Draw me and we will run after you. Willing we are, but unless you first draw we can go nowhere.

I hope this has been helpful to someone. It is important that we see our dependence on God for everything that pertains to life and salvation. We are complete in Him. He is the author of our faith and the finisher of it. He not only enlivens our spirit but also keeps us. It was He who began the work and thus we know He will be faithful to finish it. To God be the glory!

Some Applications of 1 Corinthians 13 – Part 3 – As Applied to Courting/Dating

2010-07-06T15:36:00.001+02:00

This post will be somewhat different than the preceding posts on this subject, as I won't be doing a phrase by phrase application of 1 Corinthians 11, but will instead give my personal convictions of how I believe this chapter applies to our finding of true love. Some of my friends in reading this might wonder how someone with my limited experience in the area could offer helpful advice. My reply would be that this is not advice so much as a stating of mine own convictions on the subject and thus could be viewed as an apology for my life. Since I am soon approaching my 33^rd year I think I am at least qualified to state and apologize for mine own convictions. If my apology is shorter than Cardinal Newman's it could be that I have less to apologize for.

I hope my convictions are truly informed by God's Word. My purpose in writing this is not to bind anyone to my convictions, but rather to help them consider how to apply God's Word to their own life and situations. If I write something that you believe is wrong or even unwise, you can be thankful that you are not under any of my convictions. As it is reported that a young Winston Churchill replied when one of his mother's friends told him that she cared neither for his politics nor his moustache, "my dear lady, I see no earthly reason you should come into contact with either!"

Motives for pursuing a relationship

There are many reasons to begin a relationship. There are a few that I would say are precluded by the fact of love not seeking its own. It is wrong to enter a relationship to boost your self-worth. There is a concept in the world that single people are not as valuable in some way as one who are in a relationship. This particular reason is probably strongest in the teen years and then later if still single when people begin to wonder whether you ever get married. Remember That we are complete in Him. Again while physical attraction and need for companionship are valid reasons for entering a relationship, they can't be the primary reason. I would say the primary reason should be at least a belief in the possibility that together as a couple you can more effectively serve God and work together to present each other to the Lord. I realize this may sound too altruistic, but in my case especially as a minister, my first member of my flock will always be my wife, and above all others I will be required to present her to Christ. Unless I have some grounds of hope that I will be successful in this it would be unwise to pursue a relationship. The reasons for this hope would be personal and best judges by the one involved after laying it before the Lord in prayer. Of course less would be required to begin a relationship, than to progress further on it in preparation for marriage. If his actions reflected his convictions, then Charles Spurgeon must have had similar convictions because the first gift he ever gave his future wife was a copy of Pilgrim's Progress with a note wishing her much progress on her own spiritual journey.

Behavior in a relationship

In addition to not seeking its own, love also does not rejoice in evil, so clearly love would never seek its own gratification at the expense of another's character. Also since love does not behave unbecomingly it would never intentionally do anything that would bring suspicion, even unfounded suspicion upon another. The actual working out of these principles would vary somewhat, but it is my belief that in a Christian relationship there should some discussion about how the relationship can glorify God in the way it is conducted. Since if a dating or courtship ends in a marriage, the relationship formed in this time will carry over and form the basis of the marriage relationship, it is a good idea to begin considering these things fairly early on.

If you want a God glorifying marriage, it should begin with a God glorifying courtship. If you are pursuing a relationship for the right reasons and consider that you are laying the foundations for a life-long relationship it will affect how you act in that relationship. Proverbs 19:16 says that he who despises his ways shall die. If we do whatever feels right at the time we will get into trouble. Conversely if we allow others to determine all of our standards of behavior we will also be in danger. Many times in Scripture we are enjoined to consider our ways, to not be careless of them, etc. If we are laying the foundation for the rest of our life, surely we should prayerfully consider and discuss in what ways we can honor God at this time. The advantage of this way of doing things is that while other people are not always around, but Christ is, and so is your conscience. Also if we try to please people we may or may not be successful and might very well fail to please God. If however we strive to please God, then we have won, no matter what else happens. This applies not only to courtship, but to every area of our life. As Christians we want to please God. One hall mark of the Bride of Christ as seen in Proverbs 31 is doing good and not evil to the Beloved all the days of his life. It is easy to restrain someone from doing evil, but to have someone doing good requires a measure of willing service and freedom. Prisons are great at preventing criminals from harming society, but prisoners do no good for society, that requires freedom and a willingness to do good. It is my conviction to approach my life in this way judging things by Scripture and applying it to life trusting in God to open my eyes where they are closed. It is never hurtful to examine our conduct in light of Scripture, it can however seem odd even in Christian circles to really do so. It is easier to let others do your thinking for you, but then you lose the privilege of learning to please God for yourself and knowing His joy on your life.

Of course the patience, forbearance, kindness and other qualities of love are essential to make a relationship work.

As previously stated my goal with this post is to encourage an examination of our actions in the light of God's Word. God's Word is able to divide between our soul and spirit and reveal our intents and thoughts as we meditate on it. I hope that this post will help others to consider their own conduct in whatever area of life they are focusing on right now and ask themselves what part of God's Word can help them in this area. Many times it is a lack of application of Scripture that is our problem.

May God grant us to be doers of His Word and to be pleasing in His sight. Amen

Some Applications of 1 Corinthians 13 – Part 2 – As Manifested in Church Relationships

2010-06-29T15:31:00.001+02:00

1 Cor. 13:4-8, "Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, is not puffed up; does not behave disgracefully, does not seek its own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil; does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…"

Personally, most churches I have seen and been in fall into one of two sides of the love equation. There is on one side syrupy, saccharine niceness that is very shallow and superficial that is supposed to represent love is kind, but never addresses issues or shows genuine concern. On the other side is a view that sees that love corrects, but has a tendency to censoriousness and is more punitive than restorative. To bring a better balanced view of the love of God, since we are to love each other in Christ with a fervent heart more and more as His coming draws near (1 Pet. 4:7-8), I want to look at these attributes again and apply them to our church relationships.

Love is patient

Amazingly enough, while if we are honest we will admit that even when we see our own faults and desire to change our own progress can be slow, our natural reaction towards others is to expect instant transformation from them, especially if it is a problem that really irks us. Loving others as we love ourselves involves us being patient with them, if in spite of our desires we at times act worse than we wish, can we not believe that others also do so, or does failure on their part automatically constitute a lack of will? Patience will allow them time mature and perhaps change.

Love is kind

Perhaps this is the main attribute in the thoughts of Paul when he says "speaking the truth in love…" (Eph. 4:15). I personally must admit that many times I have said true things, but in an unkind manner. Unfortunately, some of them were not only unkind, but also humorous, which makes them memorable. The truth hurts, but not in an unkind way. Kindness comes from desiring to correct in goodness, not self-aggrandizement. Unkindness in speaking the truth springs mostly from vindictiveness or self-exaltation. Love desires to correct but in the most effective way for the good of the one being corrected. A good relationship and genuine concern can make the hardest things easy to take which would be impossible to take from another.

Love does not envy

If we loved each other as we should in the body of Christ there would not be all the political infighting and wrangling that often goes on, all of which flow from envy. Many times the first reaction when a new minister comes to notice is to question his faith or otherwise downplay him. While discernment is needed, sometimes that is just a mask for envy. If the Son has the right to quicken whom He will, does He not have the right to use whom He will, how He will, for what purpose He will. If we question another's ministry, first we should question if perhaps our reason for questioning is envy at another being used instead of us. Paul was able to rejoice even in the ministry of the insincere and even those hostile to his cause to the extent that Christ was preached.

Love does not boast

So much in the Church world today is based on self-promotion and self exaltation that it shows how lacking in love we really are. The widow's two mites were not given with a display, but were the greatest offering because of the motive of love and what she had left – nothing. Likewise it is not our deeds or giving that matters, but the motive. Boastful deeds done for the praises and applause of men receive their reward in that and are unrewarded in eternity, works done in the sight of God without reference to what man sees are rewarded by God.

Love is not puffed up

Because love is selfless, a superiority of any kind becomes not a means of exaltation in self-esteem, but an opportunity to share and uplift the other who is lacking. There are many things that cause natural men to look down on those who have less, be it education, wealth, power, intellect, or physical prowess. These things, while perhaps enhanced by our choices, are not given us by our choice. We could easily have been born in other circumstances and never had any of these things. Love lives by the rule that the greater our gifting the greater responsibility we have for them. Noblesse oblige – to whom much is given much will be required. Every advantage we have in this life should be viewed not as a source of self-worth, but rather as a responsibility that we must use well.

Love does not behave disgracefully

Mere civility and good manners can never make up for a lack of love, yet love will produce civility and good manners. Manners vary somewhat from country to country, but caring for others and a desire to please produced by love can overcome countless cultural hurdles. Love and doing unto others as you would have them do to you are the essence from which all manners are distilled.

Love does not seek its own

How many problems are caused in the church by our seeking our own way, putting forth our own opinion, or in some other way violating this precept of love. Many things which would be small in themselves are blown out of all due proportion because of seeking our own. As seen in First Corinthians, even the charismata were so abused as to be used to seek one's own rather than the edification of all. Prophecy was to be given one at a time since its purpose was to give God's message and edify the believers, the Corinthians were interrupting each other to show off the gift, which totally defeated the purpose of it (1 Cor. 14:29-33)!

Love is not provoked to anger

Rather than being provoked to anger by someone's actions, love covers a multitude of transgressions. The wrath of man cannot work the righteousness of God. Love enables us to so good seeds and produce the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of others. Wrath on one side will produce wrath on the other, but love on one side will also produce love on the other.

Love thinks no evil

Distrust and suspicion are not fruits of the Spirit. In the human body if a part is hurt than the whole body takes notice. For example if someone stubs his toe, the eyes go to investigate, the hands go to minister comfort, and the mouth utters cries on behalf of the voiceless toe. The other body parts do not snicker and think serves him right… If we are truly part of the body of Christ than the health of one member must effect other members, and by aiding them we are aiding our Head and also even ourselves. As much as possible we should think good things of people and give them the benefit of the doubt in their motives where possible.

Love does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth

This brings out the corrective power of love, as opposed to the thought that love is solely a niceness. Love hates unrighteousness, and loves the truth. It loves what will truly help someone. Love is performing a painful operation upon someone that will save them from a more painful death. It was with love that Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler and gave one of the hardest precepts He ever gave (Mark 10:21). It was love that addressed his real need though it was not well received.

Love bears all things

Being easily peeved by the behavior of others is a sure sign of needing growth in love. Christ laid down His life for His Church, and it is our privilege to add our own miniscule part to that great sacrifice by laying down of ourselves for our brethren. If we find it hard to lay it down for them, then look beyond them to the Lord who bought them and lay it down for Him.

Love believes all things

Unless we have very good reason to do otherwise we should accept people's apologies at face value. God delayed His judgment against Ahab, merely because he humbled himself with ashes and sackcloth at hearing the judgment pronounced. It is very doubtful that Ahab came to any real contrition, and was later killed by God's express design, but yet God took his partial repentance at face value, and in the Psalms encourages those who do not want to serve Him to at least feign obedience for their temporal (1 Kings 21:27-29;Psalm 81:13-16). Likewise we should make the most of signs of repentance when they appear even if perchance they are just feigned.

Love hopes all things

What else but love could have seen a hero in Gideon hiding from the Midianites as he threshed wheat? What else but love could have seen a bold apostle in the persecuting Saul, or a rock steady Peter in Simon? Love hopes and thus draws the best out of people. God is a God of hope. He subjected Creation to the curse in hope of a new creation to come and every death croak of every creature is a cry for that better place. He also divided mankind into nations, so that perhaps they would seek Him. Leaving them together at Babel would have ensured victory for Nimrod's apostasy so God divided them. Though there are sheep and goat nations, yet from every nation Christ will have kings and priests. Love will hope for people, and thus produce results. People will often fail of your expectations, but they will almost never surpass them, so it is good to hope and have high expectations of people. The confidence Christ had in His all-too-human followers was amazing, even more amazing was what they became because of it.

Love endures all things

Jesus said that unless a seed falls to the ground and dies it bears no fruit. Love makes us fruitful by making us willing to fall to the ground and die. This is the key to fruitfulness and multiplication. It was in the rock being struck that water flowed out, and it was from Christ's wounds that our healing has flowed. Love will make us willing to be struck to bring healing to others.

Love never fails

Even if our recipient is proven unworthy of the love we give, we are still learning of the character of Christ. It often hurts to love, but it is never wasted.

May God grant us more and more of His love! Amen.

Some Applications of 1 Corinthians 13 – Part 1 – Seen in the Life of Christ

2010-06-27T16:11:00.001+02:00

In this post I would like to look at the attributes of love as seen in the life of Christ on earth.

Love is patient

Christ manifested the patience of love on this earth especially towards His disciples. There were numerous times when He spoke and they did not understand what He meant. He spoke multiple times of His coming death and they were still totally blindsided when it happened. The sign of an excellent teacher is in how well He is able to be patient with the slow learners and see them through to understanding. Christ proves His superiority by His patience. He is still waiting even now for that which He intended for mankind from the beginning to be fulfilled. He is also still waiting for the Father's time for His full vindication in the eyes of the world for all of the calumny He has and still receives. It may seem that it should be easier for an eternally existent Being to be patient, because what is 2 or even 6 thousand years to eternity, but though we humans do not have an eternal past, yet we have an eternal future and that realization should produce patience in us.

Love is kind

Jesus' multitudinous miracles testified not only to His power, but also to His kindness. There are enough times in the gospels where it states that Jesus worked because He was moved by compassion to form a whole study in itself. Faith works by love, and the kindness and compassion of love should be the motive in our praying for sick and needy people. When we can pray for their needs with as much fervor as if they were our needs, because we feel with them, then we will also begin to see far greater results than we do now.

Love does not envy

Not only was Christ not envious of others or what they had, but He relinquished what was His own by right. He also lived not for His own glory but for the glory of the Father. He never begrudged the Father the smallest part of the glory which was gained through Him, nor was He envious of the temporal power exercised by the men He was subjected to, but committed all to His Father.

Love does not boast

Christ's favorite title was His most lowly – the Son of Man. He was the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and many other things, but the title He most used was the one of His common humanity with us. He refused to work miracles which would have been solely evidences of His Deity. All His miracles were worked on behalf of others, with perhaps only the exception of temple tax. That miracle showed His humiliation in allowing Himself to be so poor that He was unable without the aid of the Father to pay the temple tax from which really He should have been exempt as a Son. Even most of His avowals of His Messiahship were low-key and extorted from Him by His enemies.

Love is not puffed up

It was with a full knowledge of who He was and all His rights and privileges as God, that Jesus took the towel and performed the part of the lowliest servant in washing His disciple's feet. It would have been beneath the dignity of any ordinary teacher to do that for his followers, but Jesus did it in full knowledge of His divine origin and destination as John realized when he reflected on it in writing his gospel.

Love does not behave disgracefully

Christ manifested the most self-control possible to be seen in a man. He never was undignified even when He was arraigned before the travesties of Justice that constituted His trial. He never rendered railing for railing. Even the Apostle Paul didn't fully attain to this mark when in his trial he called the unjust officiating high priest a whitened wall, but when he was informed of his error he responded meekly.

Love does not seek its own

Christ showed this especially when He silenced the weeping women who were bewailing His death and told them to weep for their own sons and daughters. He did not come in His own name, and on more than one occasion refused to be crowned as a king.

Love is not provoked to anger

Whereas King David had to be dissuaded by Abigail from avenging his ill treatment by Nabal, and James and John were only too willing to call down fire and incinerate a village for rejecting Jesus. Jesus refused to be angry at the ill conduct of people towards Him. The times when He manifested anger were not for His own losses and rejection, but when His Father's house was profaned, and towards hypocrites who were injuring others.

Love thinks no evil

Rather than focusing on the magnitude of the offense which was committed against Him at the cross He cried out to God and pleaded for His murderers on the grounds of their ignorance.

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices in truth

Christ was anointed with the oil of gladness because He loved righteousness and hated evil. He showed mercy to many sinners, but it was in saying, "go and sin no more." His death was a logical consequence of His removing the blindfolds of self-congratulation and showing men just where they really stood before God.

Love bears all things

It was likely Christ's humble demeanor and attitude toward the mockers that lead the one thief who had also mocked Him earlier to repentance and thus eternal life.

Love believes all things

Christ knew what was truly in man, He saw Peter's and all the disciples weaknesses and that they would deny Him or flee at the crucial hour. Yet He also believed their genuine expressions of love for Him. It was with love that He foretold Peter's failure and denial so that he would know that restoration would be possible. Cynicism towards the professions of people is a sure sign of a lack of love towards them.

Love hopes all things

Shortly before His death at the most trying time of His life, Christ pours out His hope. He tells His disciples of the Comforter to come, the mansions He is preparing and gives little glimpses of all the wonderful things in store for us that would be purchased by His death and resurrection. His hope kept Him buoyant in spite of the abysmal reception He endured from most of Israel.

Love endures all things

It is difficult to fathom all that Christ endured for us. The physical torture alone shows us how much more of a Man He was than we are. The whipping He received was enough to drive some to insanity, yet He maintained His wits, and was so composed that He was able in the act of dying to utter His seven sayings on the cross and thus fulfill ancient prophecies. We cannot comprehend well the endurance required in His soul to endure all the mockery, and have not even the slightest idea of His anguish at being abandoned by the Father whom He had delighted and was delighted in from eternity past.

Love never fails

This will ring out through all eternity as we see the trophies won by the Saviour's love. Truly He will see the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Finally after all the years that mankind has disappointed Him, because of His sacrifice we will be able to please Him as we were created to do because of His sacrificial love. Glory be to Him!

Some Applications of 1 Corinthians 13 - Introduction

2010-06-27T15:33:00.001+02:00

I think most Christians are aware that we are supposed to love people. Even unbelievers are aware that Christians are supposed to love people. Christ summed up the law of God in Mark 12:30-31 as loving God and loving our neighbor. The Apostle Paul repeated this in Galatians 5:14.

This command to love is clear and unambiguous. However one difficulty we can experience is in the meaning of love. Many things pass for love in the world that are nothing like the love of God. Even worse much passes for love in the Church that has little to do with real love.

The Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians that they might know the love of Christ which passes knowledge so that they could be filled with the fulness of God (Eph. 3:19). If we are to know what passes human intellect we must have a beyond human experience in some way. Several years ago I had a small experience of this.

It happened totally unexpectedly at a youth group I was attending at the time. I was about 18 years old and a typical self-centered youth more interested in trying to fit in myself than in seeing others accepted. Because of the insecurity associated with the teen years, people tend to be less accepting of others at that time. We are still discovering ourselves and trying to find where we fit. At this service the youth leader lead us in singing "I love you with the love of the Lord." It isn't a song I usually look forward to, because most of the time when people sing it they are lying, but as I sang it at this time, I felt a love come into my heart for everyone there in the service. I knew it was a love beyond any that I could have in myself. It was a love that could look beyond all the differences in personality and all the pettiness that so often is in churches and receive and except everyone who was there. It has haunted me ever since, and ruined me for anything less, though I have failed to walk in its ways often afterwards. It embraced all, even many that I barely knew and had never taken the time to try to know. It is hard to describe this love.

Because of the way that the word "love" is misused, I believe it is important to study 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 which shows us the hallmarks of true love. This is the love we are to show, not only in word but in deed. I would like to do a few posts on this subject. The first one is comparing the life of Christ with this portion where we can see how He manifested this love on earth. Then I would like to apply it as a touchstone to our behavior in certain circumstances we may face (currently I am thinking of 2 specific ones, but I might do more). The purpose here even if you don't agree with all my applications of these principles is to stir us up to test ourselves and our day to day actions by the law of love.

May God grant us grace to do so!

Better than that of Abel

2010-06-23T15:46:00.001+02:00

Heb 12:24 "…and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."

The blood of Jesus is much better than the blood of Abel. Abel's blood bore witness to his being a righteous man innocently slain. It testified that he was righteous and his brother, Cain, guilty. Christ's blood not only testifies to His righteousness and innocent suffering, but it also makes righteous the guilty who trust in Him.

Abel's blood made Him a martyr and Cain a murderer, but Christ's blood makes even murderers clean.

Abel's blood cried aloud to God for justice and recompense for his unjust slaying, but Christ's blood cries out for mercy even for those who were His enemies.

Abel's blood gave a testimony to his faithfulness to God, and his life still speaks. Christ's blood not only testifies to His own life, but it pleads for ours and continually washes us from our sins.

Abel's blood was a testimony to his obedience. Christ's blood was also a testimony to His obedience to the Father, but even beyond that it produces obedience in those who are sprinkled with it.

Worthy is the Lamb!

Thoughts on 1 John 3:1-3

2010-06-04T15:55:00.000+02:00

“Behold what manner of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He shall be revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope on him purifies himself, even as that One is pure.”

The love of God is unfathomable. It is inconceivable to the human mind why God would want to call any men, even redeemed men His children. As the psalmist says, “What is man that You are mindful of him?” Yet we are accepted in the Beloved – that is in Christ, and joined to Him, we partake of what is His. Thus we are called the elect (chosen) of God, yet Christ is the ultimate Chosen One, the stone which the builders refused, but elect and precious. We are the light of the World, because we are joined to the Light of the world. We are the sons of God because we are joined to the only-begotten Son of God, the temporal joined to the eternal, the finite to the infinite, the sinful to the Sinless. By virtue of this we are called sons of God, not only that but we are made partakers of the Divine nature and receive His Spirit to comfort, encourage, correct and form us into the image of Christ that He might bring many sons unto glory.

We have obtained a great privilege without any merit of our own in being called the sons of God, but it is not a privilege which the world recognizes. The world does not know us because they did not know Him. It is interesting that almost invariably Hollywood portrays Christians and especially Christian ministers in a negative light, while there is some truth in the portrayals, because there are tares among the wheat, yet they ultimately condemn not Christians, but themselves. When the world attributes motives of money seeking and other baser motives to true Christians who are following Christ and working out of love for God and man they condemn themselves. They show that they would never personally do anything of the sort and cannot understand why anyone would. Because they do not know Him and understand Him, they cannot understand real Christian behavior.

Not only are we called children of God, but we are so in reality. In the bleakness of fallen humanity there shines forth the light of God in His people, sometimes even to the surprise of the ones actually manifesting it. Too often we walk as men, it does not appear what we are, but at times something of the Christ nature shines forth, causing us to act in a way that is contrary to our own nature which we know so well. It is Christ in us the hope of glory.

When we look at our own shortcomings it is easy to be discouraged. Recently as I was pondering some of my own, I had this thought. Recently I acquired a new puppy. He is going to grow up to be a watch-dog. Currently he is still learning to bark and requires much training. However, I am not disappointed in him. I can look on some of his misdeeds with correction, but also with hope because I know that he will not remain a puppy forever. As he grows up, he will grow out of some things, and he will be trained out of others. In the same way God can look at us and our failings and because of the divine nature within us, He can accept us. He sees our failings and He corrects us, yet He knows that these failings will not remain forever, we have been predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son. When we see Him we will be like Him.

This is the great hope that we have as believers, because of this hope we can purify ourselves. We know that it is possible to live a holy life, because Christ lived a holy life. We know it is possible to have victory over sin, because we have been buried with Christ and are risen with Him. Though these things are obscured sometimes at present, still we work to purify ourselves knowing that when Christ returns the work will be completed. Even so come Lord Jesus. Amen.