Excerpt Taken from "Pattern is Prologue" by Chuck Missler
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2003/449/
All through the Gospels, Jesus relied on the ancient Jewish wedding pattern for many of His parables, climaxing in His promise in the Upper Room in John 14 (as reviewed in our previous article). Many of us miss the full import of these allusions if we aren't familiar with the model of ancient Jewish wedding practices.
Jewish Wedding
The first step, the Ketubah, or Betrothal, was the establishment of the marriage covenant, usually when the prospective bridegroom took the initiative and negotiated the price (mohair) he must pay to purchase her.
Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was established, and the young man and woman were regarded as husband and wife. From that moment on, the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified - set apart - exclusively for her bridegroom. As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride drank from a cup of wine over which the betrothal had been pronounced.
After the marriage covenant was established, the groom left his bride at her home and returned to his father's house, where he remained separated from his bride for approximately 12 months. This afforded the bride time to gather her trousseau and prepare for married life.
During this period of separation, the groom prepared a dwelling place in his father's house to which he would later bring his bride. At the end of the period of separation, the bridegroom came - usually at night - to take his bride to live with him. The groom, the best man, and other male escorts left the father's house and conducted a torch-light procession to the home of the bride. Although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the time of his coming. As a result, the groom's arrival was preceded by a shout, which announced her imminent departure to be gathered with him.
After the groom received his bride, together with her female attendants, the enlarged wedding party returned from the bride's home to the groom's father's house, where the wedding guests had assembled.
Shortly after their arrival, the bride and groom were escorted by the other members of the wedding party to the bridal chamber (huppah). Prior to entering the chamber, the bride remained veiled so that no one could see her face. While the groomsmen and bridesmaids waited outside, the bride and groom entered the bridal chamber alone. There, in the privacy of that place, they entered into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the marriage that had been covenanted approximately one year earlier.
After the marriage was consummated, the groom came out of the bridal chamber and announced the consummation of the marriage to the members of the wedding party waiting outside. Then, as the groom went back to his bride in the chamber, the members of the wedding party returned to the wedding guests and announced the consummation of the marriage.
Upon receiving the good news, the wedding guests remained in the groom's father's house for the next seven days, celebrating with a great wedding feast.18
During the seven days of the wedding feast, the bride and groom remained hidden in the bridal chamber (Cf. Genesis 29:21-23, 27-28) for the seven days of the huppah. Afterwards, the groom came out of hiding, bringing his bride with him, but with her veil removed so that everyone could see her.
The Ultimate Bride
The New Testament portrays the Church as the Bride of Christ in Ephesians 5:22-33 (Paul even quotes Genesis 2:24 as the union at the Parousia of the Bridegroom in v.31!); cf. Romans 7:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2; James 4:4. In the opening verses of John 14, the marriage covenant is confirmed. Paul continually reminds us of the purchase price and the covenant by which we, the Bride, are set apart, or sanctified.
The Departure of the Bridegroom
The Bridegroom has departed, and His return to gather His Bride is imminent. He has gone to prepare a place for you and me. (He has been at it for 2,000 years! It must be a spectacular abode!)
This very doctrine of "imminence" is taught throughout the New Testament and is a cornerstone of the "pre-tribulational" view: there is no event which is a prerequisite condition for His gathering of His Bride.
Full article and references:
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2003/449/
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
I Thought I Knew My Bible
I THOUGHT I KNEW MY BIBLE
Yes, I thought I knew my Bible
Reading piecemeal, hit or miss
Now a part of John or Matthew
Then a bit of Genesis
Certain chapters of Isaiah
Certain psalms, the twenty third.
First of Proverbs, twelfth of Romans
Yes, I thought I knew the Word
But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read my Bible through.
You who like to play at Bible
Dip and dabble here and there
Just before you kneel all weary
Yawning through a hurried prayer.
You who treat this crown of writings
As you treat no other book
Just a paragraph disjointed
Just a crude impatient look.
Try a worthier procedure
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in awesome wonder
When you read the Bible through, and through, and through.
http://www.thebereancall.org/node/1031
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
Yes, I thought I knew my Bible
Reading piecemeal, hit or miss
Now a part of John or Matthew
Then a bit of Genesis
Certain chapters of Isaiah
Certain psalms, the twenty third.
First of Proverbs, twelfth of Romans
Yes, I thought I knew the Word
But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read my Bible through.
You who like to play at Bible
Dip and dabble here and there
Just before you kneel all weary
Yawning through a hurried prayer.
You who treat this crown of writings
As you treat no other book
Just a paragraph disjointed
Just a crude impatient look.
Try a worthier procedure
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in awesome wonder
When you read the Bible through, and through, and through.
http://www.thebereancall.org/node/1031
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
No Other Name
Acts 4:12
There is none other name under heaven given among me, whereby we must be saved.
There is none other name under heaven given among me, whereby we must be saved.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Poisoned Wells
A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
Proverbs 25:26
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
Proverbs 25:26
Thursday, December 02, 2010
reformation
I think it is laughable that so-called "reformed" thinkers accuse anyone who is not an hyper-five-point-calvanist of being an "un-reformed" promoter of a "man-centered" gospel.
These are folks who regularly demonstrate their ignorance of history and lack of understanding about what the reformation was about. Thier brand of theology would accuse even Calvin of not being "calvanist enough".
One of the "last straws" that kicked off the Reformation was about trying to reform the Catholic Church and stop practices such as people buying "indulgences" from priests (paying money for forgiveness of sin).
The reformation was a reaction against the abuses of the Roman Catholic church, and the writings of the reformers reflect this.
Here's a quick timeline to consider:
1384 - Wycliffe English Bible
1509 - John Calvin born
1517 - Martin Luther's "Nintey-Five Theses"
1536 - Calvin's reform work begins, publishes "Institues of the Christian Religeon"
1542-1546 - Calvin's Reign of Terror in Geneva
1564 - John Calvin dies
1610 - Five articles of Remonstrance
1619 - Five Points of Calvinism
The Five Articles of Remonstrance were a reaction to hyper-calvanism.
The Five Points of Calvanism were a reaction to the Five Articles of Remonstrance.
As with anything that is "a reaction to something", all to often exaggerated statements are used in order to emphasize distinction.
Typically this is not too much of a problem unless people baseline their reasoning on these exaggerated statements instead of on scripture alone.
Folks all too often veer away from one ditch only to land themselves into another ditch.
The best thing to do, is put away all pre-conceived notions and "traditions of men" and just read the Bible and follow what scripture says.
Mark 7:8-9
"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men-—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition."
Mark 7:13 "Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
[NOTE: Interestingly enough the Five Points of Calvanism did not come about until over 100 years after the start of the Reformation. Many modern "reformational thinkers" act as if Calvin (or at least their idealized understanding of Calvin) was the only reformer, when in fact there were many. Of course Calvin was the only one to become a theocratic dicator of his own city-state where he oversaw the execution of 58 people--many just for being critical of his "Institutes of the Christian Religeon". So, that may have something to do with it. Interesting that while other reformers were willing to die for what they believed, Calvin was willing to kill for what he believed...]
These are folks who regularly demonstrate their ignorance of history and lack of understanding about what the reformation was about. Thier brand of theology would accuse even Calvin of not being "calvanist enough".
One of the "last straws" that kicked off the Reformation was about trying to reform the Catholic Church and stop practices such as people buying "indulgences" from priests (paying money for forgiveness of sin).
The reformation was a reaction against the abuses of the Roman Catholic church, and the writings of the reformers reflect this.
Here's a quick timeline to consider:
1384 - Wycliffe English Bible
1509 - John Calvin born
1517 - Martin Luther's "Nintey-Five Theses"
1536 - Calvin's reform work begins, publishes "Institues of the Christian Religeon"
1542-1546 - Calvin's Reign of Terror in Geneva
1564 - John Calvin dies
1610 - Five articles of Remonstrance
1619 - Five Points of Calvinism
The Five Articles of Remonstrance were a reaction to hyper-calvanism.
The Five Points of Calvanism were a reaction to the Five Articles of Remonstrance.
As with anything that is "a reaction to something", all to often exaggerated statements are used in order to emphasize distinction.
Typically this is not too much of a problem unless people baseline their reasoning on these exaggerated statements instead of on scripture alone.
Folks all too often veer away from one ditch only to land themselves into another ditch.
The best thing to do, is put away all pre-conceived notions and "traditions of men" and just read the Bible and follow what scripture says.
Mark 7:8-9
"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men-—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition."
Mark 7:13 "Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
[NOTE: Interestingly enough the Five Points of Calvanism did not come about until over 100 years after the start of the Reformation. Many modern "reformational thinkers" act as if Calvin (or at least their idealized understanding of Calvin) was the only reformer, when in fact there were many. Of course Calvin was the only one to become a theocratic dicator of his own city-state where he oversaw the execution of 58 people--many just for being critical of his "Institutes of the Christian Religeon". So, that may have something to do with it. Interesting that while other reformers were willing to die for what they believed, Calvin was willing to kill for what he believed...]
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
where are these in the bible?
1. The eyes are the window to the soul.
2. The family that prays together stays together.
3. Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
4. A fool and his money are soon parted.
5. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
6. God helps those who help themselves.
7. Money is the root of all evil.
8. To thine own self be true.
(hint: they aren't!)
2. The family that prays together stays together.
3. Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
4. A fool and his money are soon parted.
5. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
6. God helps those who help themselves.
7. Money is the root of all evil.
8. To thine own self be true.
(hint: they aren't!)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
making merchandise of you
And through covetousness shall they, with feigned words, make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not
2 Peter 2:3
2 Peter 2:3
Monday, November 29, 2010
10 Commandments
1. Do not have any other gods before Me
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol
3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
5. Honor your father and your mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor
Exodus 20:2-17
Deuteronomy 5:6-20
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol
3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
5. Honor your father and your mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor
Exodus 20:2-17
Deuteronomy 5:6-20
Sunday, November 28, 2010
vision of hell
I propose that it is not so much the sinner that needs a realization of the everlasting punishment of hell...
It is the christian who needs a vision of what hell is, and a realization that possibly 7 out of 10 or up to 9 out of 10 people they know are going there when they die.
Enough of a vision to get them up and out there preaching the gospel to the lost.
It is the christian who needs a vision of what hell is, and a realization that possibly 7 out of 10 or up to 9 out of 10 people they know are going there when they die.
Enough of a vision to get them up and out there preaching the gospel to the lost.
Monday, November 22, 2010
love and tolerance
The contemporary definition of tolerance is that you are expected to agree with, validate, affirm, indulge, coddle, adopt, and consider as equally true the contradictory opinions of everyone around you.
This is particularly bogus, because the tolerant crowd is conspicuosly tolerant of everything except Biblical Christianity. Try it, just say "Jesus is the ONLY way" in a crowd and see what happens...
The classical definition of tolerance is: "I don't believe you should die or be imprisoned simply because we disagree."
People should be able to discuss, compare, and contrast their differing views and then still be able to go out to lunch together afterwards even if they never reach an agreement.
Unfortunately, in this post-modern culture, if you don't agree with and affirm someone's opinion, they get all huffy and take it as a personal attack on them.
Everyone is so used to having their egos stroked and their self-esteem built up by other people.
Teacher: Johnny, what is 2+2?
Johnny: 5?
Teacher: Oh, Johnny, spoke so well in your answer. Didn't he class? Why Johnny, you are such a smart little boy, here have a sticker.
BALONEY!
The whole self-esteem psychobabble has accomplished nothing but raise two generations of milktoast mamby pamby wimps who need constant coddling from an enabling nanny.
Instead, it would be far better--and far more beneficial to the person--to correct them when they are wrong.
People need to get their confidence from KNOWING THE TRUTH. Jesus said, "You will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free" (John 8:32).
It is the TRUTH that sets you free, anything else is BONDAGE.
The post-mods need have to have thier self-esteem artificially inflated because they are taught that everything is relative, that everyone's opinion is equally valid and true. Having no foundation of their own, they are enslaved to the need of someone else constantly around to affirm and build them up.
When challenged, they fall apart. They take it as "you don't like me", and as a personal attack directly on them.
They have no concept of: "I love you and care about you enough to tell you the truth".
There is a horrible misconception about what it means to love someone.
If you love someone, you want what is best for them. Sometimes what is best is not what that person wants, and can even be painful.
Love is NOT about:
- "whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy"
- avoiding making waves or offending people
- wanting people to like you
- supressing the truth because it might make them feel bad
- making people feel good about being wrong
- making people feel relaxed and comfortable on their roadtrip to hell
Love IS ABOUT:
- letting people know when they are heading in the wrong direction
- pulling people out of the fire
Speaking the truth in love is NOT about watering down the truth or sugar coating it.
It IS ABOUT speaking the truth motivated by love for that person.
You don't tell people the truth because you want to impress people, demonstrate how smart and holy you are, or bring attention to yourself. It is also not about being obnoxious for the sake of being obnoxious. Apply what is necessary to get the person's attention and make the point.
You tell people the truth because you care about them and don't want them to burn eternally in hell.
This is particularly bogus, because the tolerant crowd is conspicuosly tolerant of everything except Biblical Christianity. Try it, just say "Jesus is the ONLY way" in a crowd and see what happens...
The classical definition of tolerance is: "I don't believe you should die or be imprisoned simply because we disagree."
People should be able to discuss, compare, and contrast their differing views and then still be able to go out to lunch together afterwards even if they never reach an agreement.
Unfortunately, in this post-modern culture, if you don't agree with and affirm someone's opinion, they get all huffy and take it as a personal attack on them.
Everyone is so used to having their egos stroked and their self-esteem built up by other people.
Teacher: Johnny, what is 2+2?
Johnny: 5?
Teacher: Oh, Johnny, spoke so well in your answer. Didn't he class? Why Johnny, you are such a smart little boy, here have a sticker.
BALONEY!
The whole self-esteem psychobabble has accomplished nothing but raise two generations of milktoast mamby pamby wimps who need constant coddling from an enabling nanny.
Instead, it would be far better--and far more beneficial to the person--to correct them when they are wrong.
People need to get their confidence from KNOWING THE TRUTH. Jesus said, "You will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free" (John 8:32).
It is the TRUTH that sets you free, anything else is BONDAGE.
The post-mods need have to have thier self-esteem artificially inflated because they are taught that everything is relative, that everyone's opinion is equally valid and true. Having no foundation of their own, they are enslaved to the need of someone else constantly around to affirm and build them up.
When challenged, they fall apart. They take it as "you don't like me", and as a personal attack directly on them.
They have no concept of: "I love you and care about you enough to tell you the truth".
There is a horrible misconception about what it means to love someone.
If you love someone, you want what is best for them. Sometimes what is best is not what that person wants, and can even be painful.
Love is NOT about:
- "whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy"
- avoiding making waves or offending people
- wanting people to like you
- supressing the truth because it might make them feel bad
- making people feel good about being wrong
- making people feel relaxed and comfortable on their roadtrip to hell
Love IS ABOUT:
- letting people know when they are heading in the wrong direction
- pulling people out of the fire
Speaking the truth in love is NOT about watering down the truth or sugar coating it.
It IS ABOUT speaking the truth motivated by love for that person.
You don't tell people the truth because you want to impress people, demonstrate how smart and holy you are, or bring attention to yourself. It is also not about being obnoxious for the sake of being obnoxious. Apply what is necessary to get the person's attention and make the point.
You tell people the truth because you care about them and don't want them to burn eternally in hell.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
many will come in my name 2 of 2
Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, "I AM Christ"; and "the time draweth near": go ye not therefore after them.
An interesting take on this concerns the fact that the words in italics (or sometimes braces or parenthesis) in many translation signify words that did not appear in the original text, but were added for understandability.
Considering that Jesus referred to Himself several times as the "I AM"
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
"I AM" is reserved exclusively as the name of God. In Exodus 3:14, God refers to Himself as "I AM, that I AM" because He is the ultimate standard, there is nothing else for God to compare Himself with or describe Himself as other than Himself.
It is open blasphemy for anyone but God to refer to Himself as "I AM". Jesus could apply the name "I AM" to Himself because He is God.
A case could be made either way concerning Luke 21:8 whether Jesus was talking about others coming claiming to be messiah or others coming claiming to be god. Since there are other scriptures indicating that there will be many false messiahs as well as people seeking to become gods, both are end time indicators.
What we see happening before our eyes is the oldest temptation of man:
Gen 3:4-6 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Gen 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Also, what we are seeing is the one-world religeon of the last days that has been steadily on the increase, especially over the last 30 years. It is the New Age pantheism that proclaims the "god within all of us". It has crept into mainstream popular culture, and is now the "in thing".
Oprah Winfrey has been the leader in bringing the new age into the popular culture, particularly by promoting "The Secret" and the "law of attraction". Now, Joel Osteen has been introducing it into popular christianity. The fruit of this is now revealing itself in widespread blasphemy.
It seems rampant right now in popular music. A handful of examples include: Madonna's documentary "I AM because WE ARE"; Rapper "will.i.am"; Christina Aguilera has a song entitled "I AM"; Beyonce is currently promoting her 2010 "I AM" tour and also has a song "I AM" that has featured Lady Gaga. P-Diddy's twitter account is "iamdiddy", and he too has a song "I AM DIDDY".
Mormonism believes that it is possible for men to become gods. This concept of man being god or becoming god meshes nicely with new age thinking. Is it any wonder then when in Glenn Beck's monologue on October 29th, 2010 he starts out describing how "I AM" is God's name and should not be taken in vain, then immediately invites the audience to apply that name to themselves in self-affirmation:
Countless other examples can be found in everything from advertising, modern psychology, contemporary education theory, and liberal theology. I'm quite certain that you will begin seeing more and more examples.
Be on the look out, see that you are not decieved, and go ye not after them.
An interesting take on this concerns the fact that the words in italics (or sometimes braces or parenthesis) in many translation signify words that did not appear in the original text, but were added for understandability.
Considering that Jesus referred to Himself several times as the "I AM"
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
"I AM" is reserved exclusively as the name of God. In Exodus 3:14, God refers to Himself as "I AM, that I AM" because He is the ultimate standard, there is nothing else for God to compare Himself with or describe Himself as other than Himself.
It is open blasphemy for anyone but God to refer to Himself as "I AM". Jesus could apply the name "I AM" to Himself because He is God.
A case could be made either way concerning Luke 21:8 whether Jesus was talking about others coming claiming to be messiah or others coming claiming to be god. Since there are other scriptures indicating that there will be many false messiahs as well as people seeking to become gods, both are end time indicators.
What we see happening before our eyes is the oldest temptation of man:
Gen 3:4-6 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Gen 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Also, what we are seeing is the one-world religeon of the last days that has been steadily on the increase, especially over the last 30 years. It is the New Age pantheism that proclaims the "god within all of us". It has crept into mainstream popular culture, and is now the "in thing".
Oprah Winfrey has been the leader in bringing the new age into the popular culture, particularly by promoting "The Secret" and the "law of attraction". Now, Joel Osteen has been introducing it into popular christianity. The fruit of this is now revealing itself in widespread blasphemy.
It seems rampant right now in popular music. A handful of examples include: Madonna's documentary "I AM because WE ARE"; Rapper "will.i.am"; Christina Aguilera has a song entitled "I AM"; Beyonce is currently promoting her 2010 "I AM" tour and also has a song "I AM" that has featured Lady Gaga. P-Diddy's twitter account is "iamdiddy", and he too has a song "I AM DIDDY".
Mormonism believes that it is possible for men to become gods. This concept of man being god or becoming god meshes nicely with new age thinking. Is it any wonder then when in Glenn Beck's monologue on October 29th, 2010 he starts out describing how "I AM" is God's name and should not be taken in vain, then immediately invites the audience to apply that name to themselves in self-affirmation:
I want you to answer. "I am," what — fill in the blank. "I Am," the name of the God ... Why do I say you can do it? Because you say, I am worthy, I am strong, I am smart, I am loving, I'm charitable, I'm able, I'm creative, I'm peaceful. These are the things "I am."
Countless other examples can be found in everything from advertising, modern psychology, contemporary education theory, and liberal theology. I'm quite certain that you will begin seeing more and more examples.
Be on the look out, see that you are not decieved, and go ye not after them.
many will come in my name 1 of 2
John 6:51:"I AM the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;"
John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:23: And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I AM from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM (He), you will die in your sins."
John 10:9: "I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
John 10:11: "I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
John 10:36: "do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I AM the Son of God'?
John 11:25: Jesus said to her, "I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 15:1: "I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
John 19:2: Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I AM the King of the Jews."'"
Acts 7:32: Stephen speaking of Moses' encounter at the burning bush "saying, 'I AM the God of your fathers-- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses trembled and dared not look."
Acts 9:5: And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I AM Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
And in case there is any doubt at all...
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
"I AM" is reserved exclusively as the name of God. In Exodus 3:14, God refers to Himself as "I AM, that I AM" because He is the ultimate standard, there is nothing else for God to compare Himself with or describe Himself as other than Himself.
This principle can be seen also in:
Hebrews 6:13 (KJV) For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself
In any case, it is open blasphemy for anyone but God to refer to Himself as "I AM".
Jesus could refer to Himself as "I AM" because He is God. He is the Word, the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity made flesh.
John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:23: And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I AM from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM (He), you will die in your sins."
John 10:9: "I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
John 10:11: "I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
John 10:36: "do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I AM the Son of God'?
John 11:25: Jesus said to her, "I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 15:1: "I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
John 19:2: Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I AM the King of the Jews."'"
Acts 7:32: Stephen speaking of Moses' encounter at the burning bush "saying, 'I AM the God of your fathers-- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses trembled and dared not look."
Acts 9:5: And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I AM Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
And in case there is any doubt at all...
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
"I AM" is reserved exclusively as the name of God. In Exodus 3:14, God refers to Himself as "I AM, that I AM" because He is the ultimate standard, there is nothing else for God to compare Himself with or describe Himself as other than Himself.
This principle can be seen also in:
Hebrews 6:13 (KJV) For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself
In any case, it is open blasphemy for anyone but God to refer to Himself as "I AM".
Jesus could refer to Himself as "I AM" because He is God. He is the Word, the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity made flesh.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
foundation on the rock
Matthew 7:24-29
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and
does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
One thing that I never really considered before was that there is a prophetic element to Jesus' teaching on this.
Great storms are coming, even greater than those we experience now. Those who are offering strange fire in worship of a god of their own imagination will be washed away by the storms.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and
does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
One thing that I never really considered before was that there is a prophetic element to Jesus' teaching on this.
Great storms are coming, even greater than those we experience now. Those who are offering strange fire in worship of a god of their own imagination will be washed away by the storms.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Five "isms" that undermine faith
Five beliefs that undermine Biblical Christianity
1. Secularism - god is irrelevant
2. Relativism - no absolute truth, absolutely!
3. Selfism - the world revolves around me
4. Materialism - essence of life is accumulation of stuff
5. Mysticism - subjective experience is more valid than objective truth
1. Secularism - god is irrelevant
2. Relativism - no absolute truth, absolutely!
3. Selfism - the world revolves around me
4. Materialism - essence of life is accumulation of stuff
5. Mysticism - subjective experience is more valid than objective truth
Post-Election
Now we get to see how long it will take before this new crop of politicians get corrupted by the system. I reckon the only thing we can hope for "politically" is that there will be at least some gridlock to slow down the progressive's socialist agenda.
While we should and will continue to fight against the corruption, the one-world socialist machine will continue the long march toward disembowling the American economy. America represents two things to the globalists: 1) the globalist agenda cannot move forward as long as America stands as a superpower, it must be brought down and made to kneel; and, 2) a pile of wealth to be looted for the purpose of funding their agenda -- socialism works great until you run out of other people's money to spend...
Is this at all surprising? I've always been puzzled as to, if we are indeed in the end times, why a "superpower" like America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy.
There will be a world government, but it cannot come to power until America steps down and falls in line as one of the 10 regional governorships.
My hope is that the final straw will be the rapture of the church. America will likely be the one that is hit hardest from a loss of possibly 10-25% of its productive population. This, however, is not a requirement.
It is quite possible, and I believe likely, that we may have to live through some of the rough ride leading up to the tribulation. The tribulation, especially the second half, will be worse than anything that has ever happend in history. While we have the promise of being spared from the worst of the tribulation, the times leading up to the tribulation will likely be at least as "bad" as any that history records.
Today, evil is called good, and good is called evil. Coalitions never thought possible are joining together against Israel and biblical christianity (I recently learned a new term called "Syncretism"). The times are dark, and getting darker.
It is when evil is darkest that the light of truth shines brightest.
Regardless of how long we have left here, we must continue to hold on to the blessed hope that only we as believers have. Our job in the meantime is to be salt and light, to take a stand, stand firm, and speak the truth.
When we see these things begin to happen, we look up, for our redemption draws nigh. When people see that hope in us, our job is to be ready to give an answer to them.
While we should and will continue to fight against the corruption, the one-world socialist machine will continue the long march toward disembowling the American economy. America represents two things to the globalists: 1) the globalist agenda cannot move forward as long as America stands as a superpower, it must be brought down and made to kneel; and, 2) a pile of wealth to be looted for the purpose of funding their agenda -- socialism works great until you run out of other people's money to spend...
Is this at all surprising? I've always been puzzled as to, if we are indeed in the end times, why a "superpower" like America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy.
There will be a world government, but it cannot come to power until America steps down and falls in line as one of the 10 regional governorships.
My hope is that the final straw will be the rapture of the church. America will likely be the one that is hit hardest from a loss of possibly 10-25% of its productive population. This, however, is not a requirement.
It is quite possible, and I believe likely, that we may have to live through some of the rough ride leading up to the tribulation. The tribulation, especially the second half, will be worse than anything that has ever happend in history. While we have the promise of being spared from the worst of the tribulation, the times leading up to the tribulation will likely be at least as "bad" as any that history records.
Today, evil is called good, and good is called evil. Coalitions never thought possible are joining together against Israel and biblical christianity (I recently learned a new term called "Syncretism"). The times are dark, and getting darker.
It is when evil is darkest that the light of truth shines brightest.
Regardless of how long we have left here, we must continue to hold on to the blessed hope that only we as believers have. Our job in the meantime is to be salt and light, to take a stand, stand firm, and speak the truth.
When we see these things begin to happen, we look up, for our redemption draws nigh. When people see that hope in us, our job is to be ready to give an answer to them.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
new garments
Matthew 9:14-17
Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.
Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Our righteousness is as filthy rags, and just trying to patch it will not work.
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
If we attempt to enter into God's kingdom "wearing" the filthy rags of our own righteousness, then we will be cast out...
Matthew 22:11-14
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Like the woman with the issue of blood, we need to touch the hem of His garment and be made whole...
Matthew 9:20-22
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
Matthew 14:36
and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.
We are to put on the new garment of Jesus' righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness
Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.
Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Our righteousness is as filthy rags, and just trying to patch it will not work.
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
If we attempt to enter into God's kingdom "wearing" the filthy rags of our own righteousness, then we will be cast out...
Matthew 22:11-14
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Like the woman with the issue of blood, we need to touch the hem of His garment and be made whole...
Matthew 9:20-22
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
Matthew 14:36
and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.
We are to put on the new garment of Jesus' righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
condemed already
John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
Preachers of the Gospel get accused all the time of "judging" people. However, the fact of the matter is, folks are "condemed already". It is not my judgement they are judged by. They don't need me to judge them, they are already judged according to God's judgement. We are all measured against God's standard, and found wanting.
Imagine a fellow who is very generous, kind, and well thought of. He does all sorts of really great things for people and is an all around great guy. For whatever reason, one day he commits murder. When he is arrested and goes before the court for judgement, it won't be for the good things he has done, it will be for the crime he has committed.
The same is for us. We will not stand before God on Judgement day for all the good things we have done.
We will stand before God because we have broken His commandments.
We have lied, and so we will be judged as liars. We have stolen, so we will be judged as thieves. We have coveted, we have blasphemed, we are adulterers and murderers at heart.
There is no way we can save ourselves or ever be "good enough" to make up for our sins. We are utterly guilty and condemed.
However, there is GOOD NEWS. Our debt has been paid! Jesus took our place and died for our sins. He paid the fine for us. Because of who He is and as perfect, sinless sacrifice, He is the only one who ever could. He then rose again in victory over sin and death.
See, I'm not out saying I'm better than anyone else. No, I'm not in a place to judge. I'm just telling folks about God's standard and the fact is, I'm in the same boat and in need of the Savior as much as they are. I'm just telling folks about the truth I've found.
All I know is, I was blind, and now I can see.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
Preachers of the Gospel get accused all the time of "judging" people. However, the fact of the matter is, folks are "condemed already". It is not my judgement they are judged by. They don't need me to judge them, they are already judged according to God's judgement. We are all measured against God's standard, and found wanting.
Imagine a fellow who is very generous, kind, and well thought of. He does all sorts of really great things for people and is an all around great guy. For whatever reason, one day he commits murder. When he is arrested and goes before the court for judgement, it won't be for the good things he has done, it will be for the crime he has committed.
The same is for us. We will not stand before God on Judgement day for all the good things we have done.
We will stand before God because we have broken His commandments.
We have lied, and so we will be judged as liars. We have stolen, so we will be judged as thieves. We have coveted, we have blasphemed, we are adulterers and murderers at heart.
There is no way we can save ourselves or ever be "good enough" to make up for our sins. We are utterly guilty and condemed.
However, there is GOOD NEWS. Our debt has been paid! Jesus took our place and died for our sins. He paid the fine for us. Because of who He is and as perfect, sinless sacrifice, He is the only one who ever could. He then rose again in victory over sin and death.
See, I'm not out saying I'm better than anyone else. No, I'm not in a place to judge. I'm just telling folks about God's standard and the fact is, I'm in the same boat and in need of the Savior as much as they are. I'm just telling folks about the truth I've found.
All I know is, I was blind, and now I can see.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
cursed
Numbers 21:9
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
I've wondered "why a snake"? Then I remembered it was the serpent that was cursed "above all cattle".
Genesis 3:14
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
And "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree"
Deuteronomy 21:23
His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
John 3:14-15
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
I've wondered "why a snake"? Then I remembered it was the serpent that was cursed "above all cattle".
Genesis 3:14
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
And "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree"
Deuteronomy 21:23
His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
John 3:14-15
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Purity
I'm more in the category of one who loves much because he has been forgiven much.
My first kiss, my first experiences were not saved for marriage. In youth, ignorance, and foolishness, I wasted purity in an occassion for the flesh and was used as an instrument to ruin it for someone else.
Because of the work of Jesus on my heart, and through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I have repented, sought forgivness, and been forgiven.
Like the harlot who was brought before Jesus to be stoned to death, she was forgiven but commanded, "Go and sin no more."
I now am committed to purity in my life.
What I am left with is not so much as guilt as it is a mourning for loss. I mourn the loss of purity in my life as I would mourn the loss of a friend or loved one.
When I am in a position to encourage someone else to live a life of purity, I can speak from experience that it would be better to wait. When accused of "well, you didn't wait", I can reply "true, but had I had understood and counted the cost, I would have done different"
My first kiss, my first experiences were not saved for marriage. In youth, ignorance, and foolishness, I wasted purity in an occassion for the flesh and was used as an instrument to ruin it for someone else.
Because of the work of Jesus on my heart, and through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I have repented, sought forgivness, and been forgiven.
Like the harlot who was brought before Jesus to be stoned to death, she was forgiven but commanded, "Go and sin no more."
I now am committed to purity in my life.
What I am left with is not so much as guilt as it is a mourning for loss. I mourn the loss of purity in my life as I would mourn the loss of a friend or loved one.
When I am in a position to encourage someone else to live a life of purity, I can speak from experience that it would be better to wait. When accused of "well, you didn't wait", I can reply "true, but had I had understood and counted the cost, I would have done different"
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Understanding the fear of the LORD
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you
1. receive my words,
2. treasure my commands within you,
3. incline your ear to wisdom,
4. apply your heart to understanding;
5. cry out for discernment,
6. lift up your voice for understanding,
7. seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
My son, if you
1. receive my words,
2. treasure my commands within you,
3. incline your ear to wisdom,
4. apply your heart to understanding;
5. cry out for discernment,
6. lift up your voice for understanding,
7. seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
It's what sells...
It's a matter of what sells and what can be produced cheeply to get the biggest bang for the buck.
It is very costly to hire really good and talented writers for shows.
Whereas, it is does not take any talent or thought to appeal to the viewer's fleshly appetites. The more base, racy, and "edgy" a program, the more attention a program will get.
In a very competitive marketplace, programmers know that they have to keep pushing the envelope further and further to cut through the noise and get people's attention.
Additionally, people tend to gravitate toward entertainment that requires the least amount of mental involvement
This sets up a self-perpetuating spiral where the media pushes the "edge" (translated: lowers the values), viewers are "hardened" and their values lowered, then the media has to go down to the next level, and so on...
The majority of viewers just want to sit, turn off their mind, and absorb whatever garbage happens to be spewing out of the TV at the time.
It is our job as Christians to be salt and light and do everything we can to break this sprial.
First and foremost by not participating in this spiral in the first place.
Next, by shining the light of truth and calling people's attention to the fact that what is wrong and immoral is, well, wrong and immoral.
What we can also do is vote with our dollars and support family-friendly programming anywhere we can find it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
allies in culture war
Christians can be a very dissappointing bunch of people.
Thankfully, I know to keep my eyes on Jesus and my nose in the Bible. Otherwise, I would end up like most folks: turned off of Christianity by the shenanigans of those purporting to be "christians".
In recent news articles, it has been the Catholics and Mormons who were the most vocal in opposing the homosexual agenda. Where have the "evangelicals" been?
Consider that the U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union joined in alliance against the Axis in WWII. Just because these countries were allies, does not mean that they had to compromise their national distinctives in order to join together against a common enemy.
Similarly, there should be some way that Christians can stand in alliance with Catholics and Mormons to fight cultural, social, moral, and political battles without compromising what we believe.
I don't follow Glen Beck or the Pope when it comes to matters of spirituality or doctrine. But I do agree with them on many cultural, social, moral, economic, and political matters. It is on those matters that we can be allies without compromising our core beliefs.
The danger of course is that many not well grounded in their faith may think that if we are allies in moral issues, that it somehow legitimises these other religeons and they may be lured away into these false religeons.
A sad truth is that more Christians convert to Mormonsim than any other group. I can understand why, as most "evangelical christians" are at best convenient, sunshine christians whose behavior is wishy washy and hypocritical. So "works based" religeons such as mormonsim and catholicism, or the "mysticism" offered by the emerging church movement become very appealing.
At this point my only solution is to spend 2 hours studying the Bible for every 1 hour spent fighting the culture war.
Eventually, the real solution becomes more about preaching the gospel and making disciples. After all, that is what we are commanded to do.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”- John Adams
Thankfully, I know to keep my eyes on Jesus and my nose in the Bible. Otherwise, I would end up like most folks: turned off of Christianity by the shenanigans of those purporting to be "christians".
In recent news articles, it has been the Catholics and Mormons who were the most vocal in opposing the homosexual agenda. Where have the "evangelicals" been?
Consider that the U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union joined in alliance against the Axis in WWII. Just because these countries were allies, does not mean that they had to compromise their national distinctives in order to join together against a common enemy.
Similarly, there should be some way that Christians can stand in alliance with Catholics and Mormons to fight cultural, social, moral, and political battles without compromising what we believe.
I don't follow Glen Beck or the Pope when it comes to matters of spirituality or doctrine. But I do agree with them on many cultural, social, moral, economic, and political matters. It is on those matters that we can be allies without compromising our core beliefs.
The danger of course is that many not well grounded in their faith may think that if we are allies in moral issues, that it somehow legitimises these other religeons and they may be lured away into these false religeons.
A sad truth is that more Christians convert to Mormonsim than any other group. I can understand why, as most "evangelical christians" are at best convenient, sunshine christians whose behavior is wishy washy and hypocritical. So "works based" religeons such as mormonsim and catholicism, or the "mysticism" offered by the emerging church movement become very appealing.
At this point my only solution is to spend 2 hours studying the Bible for every 1 hour spent fighting the culture war.
Eventually, the real solution becomes more about preaching the gospel and making disciples. After all, that is what we are commanded to do.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”- John Adams
Absent from the Body
What happens to believers when they die?
Corinthians 5:6-10
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Philippians 1:23
For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
already judged
John 3:30-36
He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Yep, now when I get accused of "judging others" I can say, "too late, your already judged".
Last Days Scoffers
2 Peter 3:2-6
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished
Folks today are surrounded with the evidence of God's handiwork, however they are willfully ignorant--driven by their own lusts to ignore the truth and seek a lie.
Consider a child whose very clothes they are wearing, toys they play with, house they live in, protection from harm, and the very food in thier belly has been provided by a loving parent. Yet the child stands there shaking their fist at the parent screaming that they do not need them and they can take care of themselves.
We are the same way. Consider that the very oil, coal, and natural gas that powers our electric plants, moves our cars, and is a key ingredient to countless products was laid down during the global flood of Noah's time. They are so keen to deny the flood, however they cannot demonstrate any contemporary natural process that is replenishing these fossil fuels.
So far I've found no-one who better sums up today's post-modern attitude than the following from Aldous Huxley:
"I had motives for not wanting the world to have meaning; consequently, assumed it had none, and was able without any difficulty to find satisfying reasons for this assumption....
"Most ignorance is vincible ignorance. We don't know because we don't want to know. It is our will that decides how and upon what subjects we shall use our intelligence. Those who detect no meaning in the world generally do so because, for one reason or another, it suits their books that the world should be meaningless....
"The philosopher who finds no meaning in the world is not concerned exclusively with a problem in pure metaphysics; he is also concerned to prove there is no valid reason why he personally should not do as he wants to do....
"For myself, as no doubt for most of my contemporaries, the philosophy of meaninglessness was essentially an instrument of liberation. The liberation we desired was simultaneously liberation from an certain political and economic system and liberation from a certain system of morality. We objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual freedom; "(1)
(1) HUXLEY, Aldous, Ends and Means, Chatto & Windus, London; The Macmillan Company of Canada, Limited, Toronto, 1937, pp 270/272/273.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Religion
I really don't want to have much to do with religion.
Religion is:
Man creates god after man's image
Man decides what is right/wrong
Man reaches up to god, trying to impress god with his "goodness"
Instead we are to have a relationship with God who created us in His image.
God decides right/wrong
We can in no way reach up to God, our righteousness is "filthy rags"
God came down and dwelt among us, gave Himself for us so that we can have a relationship with Him.
Religion is:
Instead we are to have a relationship with God who created us in His image.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Repentance
Attrition - A feeling of regret for one's sins or misdeeds in the sense of "I regret that I've been caught"
Contrition - A feeling of regret for one's sins or misdeeds in the sense of sincere repentance and disgust for one's own behavior.
Contrition - A feeling of regret for one's sins or misdeeds in the sense of sincere repentance and disgust for one's own behavior.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
be fruitful and multiply
Concerning propagation of the human spirit/soul
We are to be fruitful and multiply.
Not divide, such as when God breathed into Adam's nostril's and he became a living soul, the decedents of Adam are not a dividing up of one big "soul-pie".
Also, it is not a distribution or allocation of pre-existing souls waiting in line for the next body to be birthed.
It is multiplication of life, much the same way that fire multiplies itself.
We are to be fruitful and multiply.
Not divide, such as when God breathed into Adam's nostril's and he became a living soul, the decedents of Adam are not a dividing up of one big "soul-pie".
Also, it is not a distribution or allocation of pre-existing souls waiting in line for the next body to be birthed.
It is multiplication of life, much the same way that fire multiplies itself.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
inalienable rights
Rights granted by government can be taken away by government.
The founders of American government rightly discerned that government should not have the power to take away rights granted by God.
The founders of American government rightly discerned that government should not have the power to take away rights granted by God.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
law of conservation of blessing
God blesses us to overflowing, out of the overflow we in turn bless others
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
being a servant
Servants
- make themselves available
- pay attention to needs
- do the best with what they have
- do every task with equal dedication
- faithful to minister
- maintain low profile
Servant's Attitudes
- think more of others than self
- think like stewards not owners
- think about own work not what others are doing
- base identity and confidence in Christ
- ministry is an opportunity, not an obligation
- make themselves available
- pay attention to needs
- do the best with what they have
- do every task with equal dedication
- faithful to minister
- maintain low profile
Servant's Attitudes
- think more of others than self
- think like stewards not owners
- think about own work not what others are doing
- base identity and confidence in Christ
- ministry is an opportunity, not an obligation
i'm offended
It never ceases to amaze me when I run across some religious weasel who jumps up and screams "I'm offended, I'm offended" when someone says or does something that rubs them the wrong way.
They get upset about something that offends their own moral and legalistic sensibilities or violates some rule they think everyone should follow.
Really, when a person says "I'm offended" consider where their focus is...
Yes, their focus is on themselves and they are upset about something that impacts them.
To me, this makes not only for a poor witness but also tells me that they are more worried about their own nitpick sensibilities than they are anything else.
If I'm at work or out in public and someone says or does something offensive, what I feel is grief.
I grieve knowing that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).
I grieve that a person could have such corruption and hardness of heart that they would say or do such a thing.
What to do then is ask God for an opportunity and a Word in due season to reach that person and plant a seed of hope into their life.
They get upset about something that offends their own moral and legalistic sensibilities or violates some rule they think everyone should follow.
Really, when a person says "I'm offended" consider where their focus is...
Yes, their focus is on themselves and they are upset about something that impacts them.
To me, this makes not only for a poor witness but also tells me that they are more worried about their own nitpick sensibilities than they are anything else.
If I'm at work or out in public and someone says or does something offensive, what I feel is grief.
I grieve knowing that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).
I grieve that a person could have such corruption and hardness of heart that they would say or do such a thing.
What to do then is ask God for an opportunity and a Word in due season to reach that person and plant a seed of hope into their life.
the future
I used to ask God to show me what I will be doing in the future.
I don't ask that anymore...
I came to realize that if I had known some of the things I would be going through years before I went through them, it would have scared the fool out of me.
What I realized is that God prepared and equipped me along the way to handle things that I never would have dreamed I could even survive.
Of course, it was not so much me handling it as learning to trust and rely on His strength and His wisdom.
Now I just ask God to let me know what my next step is to be.
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I don't ask that anymore...
I came to realize that if I had known some of the things I would be going through years before I went through them, it would have scared the fool out of me.
What I realized is that God prepared and equipped me along the way to handle things that I never would have dreamed I could even survive.
Of course, it was not so much me handling it as learning to trust and rely on His strength and His wisdom.
Now I just ask God to let me know what my next step is to be.
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
it might hurt
A teenage girl named Rebecca went out for a day at the mall with a few of her friends. While there, one of the girls got a text from a boyfriend inviting them to a party at his house while the parents were away. While the other girls decided to go, Rebecca said she would rather just go home.
The other girls teased and chided Rebecca saying, "What, are you afraid your dad might get mad and hurt you?".
Rebecca said, "No, I'm afraid I might hurt my dad."
The other girls teased and chided Rebecca saying, "What, are you afraid your dad might get mad and hurt you?".
Rebecca said, "No, I'm afraid I might hurt my dad."
Thirteen Heresies in The Shack
I had received The Shack as a gift for Christmas a couple years ago. When I started to read it, it was indeed a very emotionally moving and interesting story. However there were some things that did not sit quite right as I was reading. While I appreciate the heart of the person who gave the gift, there are several false doctrines of universalism and the "emerging church" hidden throughout the book. I found this article by Michael Youssef most helpful in sorting things out.
The Bible admonishes us not to join a fool in his folly, but instead to reveal the folly for the foolishness that it is (Prov 26:4) by being prepared to give a defense for what we believe (1Pet 3:15)
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph 5:11
Thirteen Heresies in The Shack
Michael Youssef
1. God the Father was crucified with Jesus.
Because God's eyes are pure and cannot look upon sin, the Bible says that God would not look upon His own beloved Son as He hung on the Cross, carrying our sins (Habakkuk 1:13; Matthew 27:45).
2. God is limited by His love and cannot practice justice.
The Bible declares that God's love and His justice are two sides of the same coin — equally a part of the personality and the character of God (Isaiah 61:8; Hosea 2:19). [It is God's Justice that makes His Grace and Mercy "significant"]
3. On the Cross, God forgave all of humanity, whether they repent or not. Some choose a relationship with Him, but He forgives them all regardless.
Jesus explained that only those who come to Him will be saved (John 14:6).
4. Hierarchical structures, whether they are in the Church or in the government, are evil.
Our God is a God of order (Job 25:2, Ex 18:25).
5. God will never judge people for their sins.
The Word of God repeatedly invites people to escape from the judgment of God by believing in Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3).
6. There is not a hierarchical structure in the Godhead, just a circle of unity.
The Bible says that Jesus submitted to the will of the Father. This doesn't mean that one Person is higher or better than the other; just unique. Jesus said, "I came to do the will of Him who sent me. I am here to obey my Father." Jesus also said, "I will send you the Holy Spirit" (John 4:34, 6:44, 14:26, 15:26).
7. God submits to human wishes and choices.
Far from God submitting to us, Jesus said, "Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life." We are to submit to Him in all things, for His glory and because of what He has accomplished for us (Matthew 7:13-15).
8. Justice will never take place because of love.
The Bible teaches that when God's love is rejected, and when the offer of salvation and forgiveness is rejected, justice must take place or God has sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for nothing (Matthew 12:20; Romans 3:25-26).
9. There is no such a thing as eternal judgment or torment in hell.
Jesus' own description of hell is vivid ... it cannot be denied (Luke 12:5, 16:23).
10. Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys to God, and it doesn't matter which way you get to Him.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will come to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).
11. Jesus is constantly being transformed along with us.
Jesus, who dwells in the splendor of heaven, sits at the right hand of God, reigning and ruling the universe. The Bible says, "In Him there is no change, for He is yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 11:12, 13:8; James 1:17).
12. There is no need for faith or reconciliation with God because everyone will make it to heaven.
Jesus said, "Only those who believe in me will have eternal life" (John 3:15, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40).
13. The Bible is not true because it reduces God to paper.
The Bible is God-breathed. Sure, there were many men through 1,800 years who put pen to paper (so to speak), each from different professions and different backgrounds, but the Holy Spirit infused their work with God's words. These men were writing the same message from Genesis to Revelation. If you want to read more about the place of Christ in the Scripture, read "We Preach Christ" (2 Timothy 3:16).
More Information:
http://www.leadingtheway.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sto_TheShack_13heresies - link no longer works
The Shack: Uncovered - https://vimeo.com/4479699
http://www.ericbarger.com/emailers/2008/update11-22-2008.htm
01 DEC 2016 - UPDATE: Just saw that there is now going to be a movie based on the book. Very important to get the word out about The Shack deception
The Bible admonishes us not to join a fool in his folly, but instead to reveal the folly for the foolishness that it is (Prov 26:4) by being prepared to give a defense for what we believe (1Pet 3:15)
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph 5:11
Thirteen Heresies in The Shack
Michael Youssef
1. God the Father was crucified with Jesus.
Because God's eyes are pure and cannot look upon sin, the Bible says that God would not look upon His own beloved Son as He hung on the Cross, carrying our sins (Habakkuk 1:13; Matthew 27:45).
2. God is limited by His love and cannot practice justice.
The Bible declares that God's love and His justice are two sides of the same coin — equally a part of the personality and the character of God (Isaiah 61:8; Hosea 2:19). [It is God's Justice that makes His Grace and Mercy "significant"]
3. On the Cross, God forgave all of humanity, whether they repent or not. Some choose a relationship with Him, but He forgives them all regardless.
Jesus explained that only those who come to Him will be saved (John 14:6).
4. Hierarchical structures, whether they are in the Church or in the government, are evil.
Our God is a God of order (Job 25:2, Ex 18:25).
5. God will never judge people for their sins.
The Word of God repeatedly invites people to escape from the judgment of God by believing in Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3).
6. There is not a hierarchical structure in the Godhead, just a circle of unity.
The Bible says that Jesus submitted to the will of the Father. This doesn't mean that one Person is higher or better than the other; just unique. Jesus said, "I came to do the will of Him who sent me. I am here to obey my Father." Jesus also said, "I will send you the Holy Spirit" (John 4:34, 6:44, 14:26, 15:26).
7. God submits to human wishes and choices.
Far from God submitting to us, Jesus said, "Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life." We are to submit to Him in all things, for His glory and because of what He has accomplished for us (Matthew 7:13-15).
8. Justice will never take place because of love.
The Bible teaches that when God's love is rejected, and when the offer of salvation and forgiveness is rejected, justice must take place or God has sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for nothing (Matthew 12:20; Romans 3:25-26).
9. There is no such a thing as eternal judgment or torment in hell.
Jesus' own description of hell is vivid ... it cannot be denied (Luke 12:5, 16:23).
10. Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys to God, and it doesn't matter which way you get to Him.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will come to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).
11. Jesus is constantly being transformed along with us.
Jesus, who dwells in the splendor of heaven, sits at the right hand of God, reigning and ruling the universe. The Bible says, "In Him there is no change, for He is yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 11:12, 13:8; James 1:17).
12. There is no need for faith or reconciliation with God because everyone will make it to heaven.
Jesus said, "Only those who believe in me will have eternal life" (John 3:15, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40).
13. The Bible is not true because it reduces God to paper.
The Bible is God-breathed. Sure, there were many men through 1,800 years who put pen to paper (so to speak), each from different professions and different backgrounds, but the Holy Spirit infused their work with God's words. These men were writing the same message from Genesis to Revelation. If you want to read more about the place of Christ in the Scripture, read "We Preach Christ" (2 Timothy 3:16).
More Information:
http://www.leadingtheway.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sto_TheShack_13heresies - link no longer works
The Shack: Uncovered - https://vimeo.com/4479699
http://www.ericbarger.com/emailers/2008/update11-22-2008.htm
01 DEC 2016 - UPDATE: Just saw that there is now going to be a movie based on the book. Very important to get the word out about The Shack deception
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Baptism
THE JEWISH BACKGROUND
OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM
BY Ron Moseley, Ph. D.
The following article is provided by:
Arkansas Institute of Holy Land Studies
9700 Highway 107 Sherwood, Arkansas 72120
or visit our site at: Arkansas Institute of Holy Land Studies
There is no question that the church is debtor to Judaism for its main structure including such items as Messiah, Scripture, canon, liturgy, altar, pulpit, church offices, songs, offerings, the Lord's Supper, as well as baptism itself. Dr. Merrill Tenney, the editor of the Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible said, "Baptism as a rite of immersion was not begun by Christians but was taken by them from Jewish and pagan forms...." Since early Christianity was a part of the Judaism of Jesus' day, it is without question that baptism in today's church was originally Jewish. Further evidence comes from Scholars like William Lasor and David Daube who tell us of the early church's practice of baptism by self immersion after the custom of the Jews.
History of the Jewish Mikveh
The term mikveh in Hebrew literally means any gathering of waters, but is specifically used in Jewish law for the waters or bath for the ritual immersion. The building of the mikveh was so important in ancient times it was said to take precedence over the construction of a synagogue. Immersion was so important that it occurred before the high Priest conducted the service on the Day of Atonement, before the regular priests participated in the Temple service, before each person entered the Temple complex, before a scribe wrote the name of God, as well as several other occasions.
The Mishnah attributes to Ezra a decree that each male should immerse himself before praying or studying. There were several Jewish groups that observed ritual immersion every day to assure readiness for the coming of the Messiah. The Church Fathers mentioned one of these groups called Hemerobaptists which means "daily bathers" in Greek. Among those used to regular immersion were the Essenes and others that the Talmud calls tovelei shaharit or "dawn bathers."
On the third day of creation we see the source of the word mikveh for the first time in Genesis 1:10 when the Lord says, "...to the gathering (mikveh) of waters, He called seas." Because of this reference in Genesis the ocean is still a legitimate mikveh.
The Mikvaot Around The Temple
The New Testament tells us that many of the early church's daily activities were centered around the Temple. Historically, we know that there were many ritual immersion baths (mikvaot) on the Temple Mount including one in the Chamber of Lepers situated in the northwest corner of the Court of Women (Mid. 2:5). Josephus tells us that even during the years of war (66-73 A.D.) the laws of ritual immersion were strictly adhered to (Jos. Wars, 4:205). The Temple itself contained immersion baths in various places for the priests to use, even in the vaults beneath the court (Commentary to Tam. 26b; Tam. 1:1). The High Priest had special immersion pools in the Temple, two of which are mentioned in the Mishnah. We are told one of these was in the Water Gate in the south of the court and another was on the roof of the Parva Chamber (Mid. 1:4; Mid. 5:3). There was an additional place for immersion on the Mount of Olives which was connected with the burning of the red heifer (Par. 3:7). A special ramp led to the mikveh on the Mount of Olives from the Temple Mount, which was built as an arched way over another arched way to avoid uncleanness from the graves in the valley below. Recent archaeological excavations have found 48 different mikvaot near the Monumental Staircase leading into the Temple Complex.
Three Basic Areas
According to Jewish law there are three basic areas where immersion in the mikveh is required.
1. Immersion is required for both men and women when converting to Judaism. There were three prerequisites for a proselyte coming into Judaism: Circumcision, baptism, and sacrifice (Maimonides, Hilkh. Iss. Biah xiii. 5). 2. Immersion is required after a woman has her monthly period (Lev. 15:28). 3. Immersion is required for pots and eating utensils manufactured by a non-Jew (Encyclopedia of Jewish Religion p-263).
Besides these, there are other times when it is customary to be immersed in the mikveh such as the occasion before Yom Kippur as a sign of purity and repentance and before the Sabbath in order to sensitize oneself to the holiness of the day.
The Six Descending Orders of Ritual Immersion
There are six descending orders of ritual baths in the Mishnah (Oral Laws of how to accomplish the written Law) and the highest order is that of a spring or flowing river. We see Jesus understanding and fulfilling this order in Matthew 3:16 as He comes to be baptized in the Jordan River "fulfilling all righteousness." This highest order was called Living Water and illustrated the forgiving of sins, therefore, we hear Jesus using this term concerning Himself (John 4:10-11).
The Water Restrictions
There were also six basic restrictions on the water used in the mikveh including such rules as:
(1) the mikveh can not contain other liquid besides water. (2) The water has to be either built into the ground or be an integral part of a building attached to the ground. (3) The mikveh can not be flowing except for a natural spring, river or ocean. (4) The water can not be manually drawn. (5) The water can not be channeled to the mikveh by anything unclean. (6) The mikveh must contain at least 40 sa'ah or approximately 200 gallons of water.
The term sa'ah is an ancient Biblical measurement equivalent to approximately five gallons. All six requirements come from the original Hebrew words found in Leviticus 11:36. Rabbi Yitzchok ben Sheshes said the amount of 40 sa'ah was derived from the idea that the largest normal human body has a volume of 20 sa'ah, therefore the amount of water needed to "nullify" this body is double this amount or 40 sa'ah.
Why Be Immersed?
To the ancient Jew, the mikveh was a process of spiritual purification and cleansing, especially in relation to the various types of Turmah or ritual defilement when the Temple was in use. Although God has not revealed all the meaning of the mikveh, it is obvious because of the amount of space given to it in Scripture, and the effort of Jesus to fulfill it, the command is of utmost importance. All commands of the Lord fall into three categories:
1. The moral or ethical laws that are necessary for man to live in harmony are known as Mishpatim and are literally translated judgments. 2. The rituals and festivals which reawaken us to important religious truths such as Sabbath, holidays, the Tefillin and the Mezuzah that remind us of God's presence are known as Edos and are literally translated witnesses. 3. The third group often has no explicit reason given for their existence except for Israel's identification as God's chosen people to the other nations (Deuteronomy 4:6). This group of laws are known as Chukim and are literally translated as decrees. Among the decrees of this group are the dietary laws as well as ritual immersion.
How Immersion Was Done
Jewish baptism has never been taken lightly, but in ancient times immersion was to be performed in the presence of witnesses (Yebam. 47b). The person being baptized made special preparations by cutting his nails, undressed completely and made a fresh profession of his faith before the designated "fathers of the baptism" (Kethub. 11a; Erub 15a). This is possibly where churches, sometime later, got the term Godfathers. The individual stood straight up with the feet spread and the hands held out in front. The candidate would totally immerse themselves by squatting in the water with a witness or baptizer doing the officiating. Note the New Testament points out the fact that Jesus came up straightway out of the water (Matthew 3:16).
The earliest drawing of Christian baptism was found on the wall of a Roman catacomb in the second century showing John standing on the bank of the Jordan helping Jesus back to shore after self immersion.
Ancient sages teach that the word mikveh has the same letters as Ko(v)Meh, the Hebrew word for "rising" or "standing tall," therefore we see the idea of being baptized "straightway."
Although it is the Jewish belief that repentance is necessary, purification from defilement is done primarily through water, while other effects of sins are covered by blood (Romans 4:7; note the "almost all things" in Hebrews 9:22). The concept of immersion in rabbinic literature is referred to as a new birth (Yeb. 22a; 48b; 97b; Mass. Ger. c.ii). Note six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion:
1.Immersion was accompanied by exhortations and benedictions (Maimonides Hilkh. Milah iii.4; Hilkh. Iss, Biah Xiv .6). A convert would reaffirm his acceptance of the Torah by declaring, "I will do and I will hear" which was a phrase from the oath that was originally taken by the priests not to forsake the Torah (Deuteronomy 29:9- 14). This ritual demonstrates the willingness of the convert to forsake his Gentile background and assume his Jewish identity by taking on the status of one who keeps the commandments.
According to a number of Jewish sages, mayim, which is the Hebrew word for water, shares the same root as the word "mah", meaning "what." This teaching points out that when a person immerses in water, he is nullifying the fleshly ego and is asking, "what am I?" in the same manner that Moses and Aaron did in Exodus 16:7 when they said to the Lord, "we are what?"
2. The Jewish baptism candidates were often immersed three times. The idea of total immersion comes from the Scripture in Leviticus 15:16 when it says, "he shall wash all his flesh in the water." One reason it was customary to immerse three times was because the word mikveh occurs three times in the Torah.
3. According to Jewish law the immersion had to have a required witness. Dr. William LaSor in the Biblical Archaeology Review says apparently the Biblical phrase "in the name of" was an indication of the required witness. In several New Testament references such as I Corinthians 1:13, 15; Matthew 21:25; Acts 1:22; and Acts 19:3 we see early baptism mentioned in conjunction with the name of individuals such as John and Paul. Further information on this can be found in Jewish literature concerning proselyte baptism where it indicates his baptism required attestation by witnesses in whose name he was immersed.
4. The immersion candidate was not touched by the baptizer in Jesus' day. Because Leviticus 15:16 says "He shall wash all his flesh in the water," Judaism stresses that the entire body must come in contact with the water of the mikveh. To insure the immersion was valid, no clothing or individuals could touch the candidate. Any such intervention that prevented the water from reaching a part of the body was known as Chatzitzah and rendered the immersion invalid. Although the mikveh was more spiritual than physical, often the bath had two sets of steps, one entering and another leaving so as not to defile what had been purified.
5. The baptismal water (Mikveh) in rabbinic literature was referred to as the womb of the world, and as a convert came out of the water it was considered a new birth separating him from the pagan world. As the convert came out of these waters his status was changed and he was referred to as "a little child just born" or "a child of one day" (Yeb. 22a; 48b; 97b). We see the New Testament using similar Jewish terms as "born anew," "new creation," and "born from above." According to Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum rabbinic literature uses the term "born again" to refer to at least six different occurrences. Note each of these life changing experiences: (a) When a Gentile converts to Judaism. (b) When an individual is crowned king. (c) At age 13 when a Jewish boy chooses to embrace God's covenant and be numbered with the believers. (d) When an individual gets married. (e) When an individual becomes a rabbi. (f) When an individual becomes the head of a rabbinical school.
6. Jewish law requires at least three witnesses made up of qualified leaders to be present for certain immersions (Yebam 47b). Ordinarily a member of the Sanhedrin performed the act of observing the proselytes immersion, but in case of necessity others could do it. Secret baptism, or where only the mother brought a child, was not acknowledged.
Repentance Without Baptism
One of the most important teachings in Judaism is that of repentance. According to both Scripture and rabbinic literature, no matter how great the sin, if a person repents and forsakes the sin before God he can be forgiven. As we see in the case of John, Jesus, and all New Testament writers, repentance was always involved. The Jerusalem Talmud states, "nothing can stand before repentance" (Yebamos 47b). According to Dr. David Flusser, the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the New Testament teach that water can purify the body only if the soul has first been purified through repentance and righteousness.
Water and Blood Both Illustrate God's Cleansing In Judaism
Both water and blood are used constantly in the Torah and the New Testament as the two main agents to illustrate God's cleansing. The Jews believe that uncleanness is not physical, but rather a spiritual condition as related in Leviticus 11:44 where it states by wrong actions one can make the "soul unclean." Therefore, the purification through ritual immersion, as commanded in Scripture is basically involved with the soul, rather than the body. Note how both water and blood are cited in Scripture: (1) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12). (2) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). (3) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Feast Offerings (Leviticus 23). (4) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the five Levitical Offerings (Leviticus 1-7). (5) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11-14).
(1) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the separation and the ashes of the Red Heifer (Numbers 19). (2) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the consecration to priestly ministry (Leviticus 8:6). (3) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the cleansing of the leper (Leviticus 14:1-8). (4) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the different washings of the Law (Hebrews 9:10). (5) Water is used in relation to the remission of sins (Acts 2:38); Titus 3:5; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3; I Peter 3:20-21; Ephesians 5:26; John 19:34; I John 5:6; Hebrews 9:19- 23).
Summary
A detailed study of the Jewish background of Christian baptism shows that it is vitally important, but God doesn't always tell us why. Obviously, the convert could repent and have a part in the life to come without it, but the emphasis seems to be pointing to the taking on of a new "believer" status illustrated as a "new birth" by immersion. In any covenant with the Lord the three items of God's Word, the blood, and a token are always present (Genesis 17:11). Jesus was always cautious to have three witnesses in everything He did (I John 5:7-8). In the Old Testament circumcision was considered the token of God's covenant, and in the New Testament we see the same wording concerning baptism as it is referred to as "circumcision made without hands" (Colossians 2:11-12). Whatever religious denomination, all believers should agree that immersion has its roots in the Jewish mikveh of Jesus' day, and it is of utmost importance for each of us to fulfill this righteous deed.
The Greek for the word ‘baptizo’ means to immerse, plunge, dip, or bury in water.
Matthew 3:13-16
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Ephesians 4:4-5
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Romans 6:3-5
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
I Peter 3:21
This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:12
and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
John 3:1-5
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 8:26-40
And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Get up, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert. And he got up and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near, and stay close to this chariot. And Philip ran up to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? And he said, How can I, except someone should guide me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.” And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I ask you, of whom is the prophet speaking? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came to some water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what keeps me from being baptized? And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stop: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and Philip baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more: but he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Galatians 3:26-27
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Mark 16:15-16
And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, and he that disbelieves shall be condemned.
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewal of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.
Acts 2:38-41
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 shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls
Acts 22:16
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
When Jesus died on the cross, He, who had no sin, paid the death penalty for our sins. Through baptism we are united, or joined with Christ in paying the death penalty for sin. We are baptized into His death, into the death penalty for sin. We, who are unable to return from death because we have sin, are joined to Christ—and since Christ is sinless and was victorious over death, we, now being united with Him through baptism, are made victorious being united with Christ in His resurrection.
Now if God allows us to participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (an event which occurred 2000 years ago), through baptism, it can truly be said we are saved through faith and God’s grace!
Baptism can be likened to the Israelites coming up out of the land of slavery, passing through the Red Sea and entering the Promised Land. Baptism can be likened to passing through the flood of Noah. Baptism is about leaving our old sinful, worldly ways behind and taking upon our shoulders the yoke of Christ. It is about lifestyle change and dying to ourselves and doing God’s will instead of ours. Our reason and purpose for living changes after baptism. Afterward is a new way of life. Baptism is about heart, faith, total commitment, surrender, self-denial, death, resurrection, repentance, and seeking God’s mercy through Jesus Christ and the work He did on that cross on that day of infamy 2000 years ago.
1. Baptism is for Believers
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
2. Baptism is by Immersion
Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him
3. Baptism Does Not Save (or help to save) Us
Mark 1:8 I baptized you in water; But he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
1st Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Ephesians 4:5 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism"
Galatians 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
4. Baptism is a Symbolic Act
A. It Symbolizes Identification with Jesus
Acts 19:1-5
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given. And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
B. It Symbolizes Christ's Substitutionary Work
Romans 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
C. It Symbolizes Cleansing from Sin
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.
D. Baptism Testifies of the Death Christ Has Made For Us
Romans 6: 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
5. Baptism is Required for Church Membership
Acts 2:41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.
6. Baptism is Not Dependant upon a Special Person to Administer It
Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
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