What is Essential Doctrine?
As it is used here: Doctrine is a belief or tenet in theological matters. Doctrine in any particular belief, whether a denomination or whether a religious belief apart from Christianity. Christian doctrine is the truths revealed to us in the word of God through the scriptures. Essential means that it is of utmost importance, for us it means that they have to be believed.
Just because a person claims to be a Christian doesn't make them a Christian. Many people and groups will claim Christianity but deny the most essential beliefs of Christianity.
In Christianity, essential doctrine is the basic beliefs from scripture that are necessary to be a Christian. It is doctrine that is found in all true Christian denominations. To deny or to change any of these biblical truths is to deny the truth taught through scriptures.
1. Monotheism - There is only one true God that exists. Isaiah 43:10 - 44:6 - 45:5,14,18,21,22
2. Deity of Christ - Belief that Jesus is God in the flesh. John 8:24
3. Salvation by Grace - Salvation is by grace alone, through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ and not by our works. His sacrifice was sufficient for the sins of the world. Eph. 2:8-9
4. The Gospel - The Gospel of Jesus Christ, or the Good News contained in the scriptures. The Good News tells or the redemptive sacrifice for our sins through Jesus Christ. Included in the Gospel is His sacrificial death, burial and bodily resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:1-4
5. The Resurrection of Christ - Although part of the Gospel it also stands alone. The resurrection is of utmost importance because without it our faith is in vain and we are dead in our sins. 1 Cor, 15:14-18
6. Trinity - Belief that even though there is only one God, He exists in three distinct personages. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each is an individual and each is divine in nature, the three form the triune Godhead. Each person of the Trinity is distinct in actions and yet identical in attributes. Matt. 28:19
7. Jesus is the only way to salvation - Jesus stated that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. Salvation is found only through Jesus and can not be obtained by any other means. John 14:6
Each of these will be explained in more depth and detail as each is covered alone.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
How soon we forget...
Next Sunday is the anniversary of the most devastating attack to ever occur on our shores. Thousands lost their lives, innocent men and women that had only showed up for work that day or happened to be in the vicinity. American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon. American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 targeted the World Trade Center. United Airlines Flight 93, which was presumed to be headed for the Capitol, was forced to crash in a field in Pennsylvania when the passengers fought for control of the plane. Families of the innocent people whose lives were taken that day turned toward others for comfort.
There to support and comfort others were the ones that have been called into the ministry. Not just the pastors and preachers, but all those that have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Those that were directly in contact to family members, ministering to them one on one, at ground zero. Clergy offering to help at the site and the surrounding areas. And countless others praying from around the world as the events unfolded. People praying for God to comfort and give peace to the families and survivors of the devastation. Not because it was the Christian thing to do, but because they were led by the Spirit to intercede through prayer and in presence.
On this anniversary, the clergy are not invited to speak. There will be no prayer, only moments of silence. Politicians will give speeches about how this was a blow to the world, along with some campaigning.
In 2001 when this tragedy happened, America was united through faith. In 2011 faith has been removed from this tragedy. Our prayer this year shouldn't just be for the families that are still grieving but also for the officials that want to remove all presence of God from this country.
There to support and comfort others were the ones that have been called into the ministry. Not just the pastors and preachers, but all those that have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Those that were directly in contact to family members, ministering to them one on one, at ground zero. Clergy offering to help at the site and the surrounding areas. And countless others praying from around the world as the events unfolded. People praying for God to comfort and give peace to the families and survivors of the devastation. Not because it was the Christian thing to do, but because they were led by the Spirit to intercede through prayer and in presence.
On this anniversary, the clergy are not invited to speak. There will be no prayer, only moments of silence. Politicians will give speeches about how this was a blow to the world, along with some campaigning.
In 2001 when this tragedy happened, America was united through faith. In 2011 faith has been removed from this tragedy. Our prayer this year shouldn't just be for the families that are still grieving but also for the officials that want to remove all presence of God from this country.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Ronald Reagan and the King James Bible
This is a transcript of an radio address by Ronald Reagan:
What would you say if someone decided Shakespeare's plays, Charles Dicken's novels, or the music of Beethoven could be rewritten & improved?
I'll be right back. . .
Writing in the journal "The Alternative", Richard Hanser, author of The Law & the Prophets and Jesus: What Manner of Man Is This?, has called attention to something that is more than a little mind boggling. It is my understanding that the Bible (both the Old & New Testaments) has been the best selling book in the entire history of printing.
Now another attempt has been made to improve it. I say another because there have been several fairly recent efforts to quote "make the Bible more readable & understandable" unquote. But as Mr. Hanser so eloquently says, "For more than 3 1/2 centuries, its language and its images, have penetrated more deeply into the general culture of the English speaking world, and been more dearly treasured, than anything else ever put on paper." He then quotes the irreverent H. L. Mencken, who spoke of it as purely a literary work and said it was, "probably the most beautiful piece of writing in any language."
They were, of course, speaking of The Authorized Version, the one that came into being when the England of King James was scoured for translators & scholars. It was a time when the English language had reached it's peak of richness & beauty.
Now we are to have The Good News Bible which will be in, "the natural English of everyday adult conversation." I'm sure the scholars and clergymen supervised by the American Bible Society were sincerely imbued with the thought that they were taking religion to the people with their Good News Bible, but I can't help feeling we should instead be taking the people to religion and lifting them with the beauty of language that has outlived the centuries.
Mr. Hanser has quoted from both the St. James Version & the Good News Bible some well known passages for us to compare. A few thousand years ago Job said "How forcible are right words!" [Job 6:25] The new translators have him saying "Honest words are convincing." That's only for openers. There is the passage [Eccl. 1:18], "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow". Is it really an improvement to say instead, "The wiser you are, the more worries you have; the more you know the more it hurts."
In the New Testament, in Mathew, we read "The voice of the one crying in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way." [Matthew 3:3] The Good News version translates that, "Someone is shouting in the desert. Get the road ready." It sounds like a straw boss announcing lunch hour is over.
The hauntingly beautiful 23rd Psalm is the same in both versions, for a few words, "The Lord is my shepherd" but instead of continuing "I shall not want" we are supposed to say "I have everything I need."
The Christmas story has undergone some modernizing but one can hardly call it improved. The wondrous words "Fear not: for; behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy" has become, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you."
The sponsors of the Good News version boast that their Bible is as readable as the daily paper – and so it is. But do readers of the daily news find themselves moved to wonder, "at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth"? Mr. Hanser suggests that sadly the "tinkering & general horsing around with the sacred texts will no doubt continue" as pious drudges try to get it right. "It will not dawn on them that it has already been gotten right."
This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.
What would you say if someone decided Shakespeare's plays, Charles Dicken's novels, or the music of Beethoven could be rewritten & improved?
I'll be right back. . .
Writing in the journal "The Alternative", Richard Hanser, author of The Law & the Prophets and Jesus: What Manner of Man Is This?, has called attention to something that is more than a little mind boggling. It is my understanding that the Bible (both the Old & New Testaments) has been the best selling book in the entire history of printing.
Now another attempt has been made to improve it. I say another because there have been several fairly recent efforts to quote "make the Bible more readable & understandable" unquote. But as Mr. Hanser so eloquently says, "For more than 3 1/2 centuries, its language and its images, have penetrated more deeply into the general culture of the English speaking world, and been more dearly treasured, than anything else ever put on paper." He then quotes the irreverent H. L. Mencken, who spoke of it as purely a literary work and said it was, "probably the most beautiful piece of writing in any language."
They were, of course, speaking of The Authorized Version, the one that came into being when the England of King James was scoured for translators & scholars. It was a time when the English language had reached it's peak of richness & beauty.
Now we are to have The Good News Bible which will be in, "the natural English of everyday adult conversation." I'm sure the scholars and clergymen supervised by the American Bible Society were sincerely imbued with the thought that they were taking religion to the people with their Good News Bible, but I can't help feeling we should instead be taking the people to religion and lifting them with the beauty of language that has outlived the centuries.
Mr. Hanser has quoted from both the St. James Version & the Good News Bible some well known passages for us to compare. A few thousand years ago Job said "How forcible are right words!" [Job 6:25] The new translators have him saying "Honest words are convincing." That's only for openers. There is the passage [Eccl. 1:18], "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow". Is it really an improvement to say instead, "The wiser you are, the more worries you have; the more you know the more it hurts."
In the New Testament, in Mathew, we read "The voice of the one crying in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way." [Matthew 3:3] The Good News version translates that, "Someone is shouting in the desert. Get the road ready." It sounds like a straw boss announcing lunch hour is over.
The hauntingly beautiful 23rd Psalm is the same in both versions, for a few words, "The Lord is my shepherd" but instead of continuing "I shall not want" we are supposed to say "I have everything I need."
The Christmas story has undergone some modernizing but one can hardly call it improved. The wondrous words "Fear not: for; behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy" has become, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you."
The sponsors of the Good News version boast that their Bible is as readable as the daily paper – and so it is. But do readers of the daily news find themselves moved to wonder, "at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth"? Mr. Hanser suggests that sadly the "tinkering & general horsing around with the sacred texts will no doubt continue" as pious drudges try to get it right. "It will not dawn on them that it has already been gotten right."
This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.
— aired September 6, 1977
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Been Awhile
Its been awhile since my last post but I've been pretty tied up. I will be posting again real soon with a series on Doctrine and on Christianity in schools.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Morality
What happened to Morality?
We live in a world that is changing, and not for the better. Morality has been replaced by character qualities. Character is not a bad thing, but where, how and why we develop that character can be considered bad.
Everyone is defined by their character. The way that other people perceive you as a person is defined by your character. People judge you according to what they see in you, your actions, your speech, your attitude and your temperament to name a few. Your character, as it defines who you are, also defines your nature and can be used to render judgment upon actions attributed to you good or bad to determine if they are within or out of character with your normal actions.
Modern society has tried to move beyond faith based morality into a secular based character trait teaching. As part of a progressive initiative, based upon liberal ideas which reject or minimize biblical teachings, character building through secular based instruction tries to inject a type of secular based copy of morality into society.
The most perceivable differences between morality and character is from the teaching and the focus.
Psalms 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt , they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
When we think of a fool, we tend to define it as people that do foolish things. Those that partake in foolish ventures, act up or even take risks normal people would consider hazardous. But in this verse the word fool is used in a different meaning, The word in Hebrew is nabal from the root word nabel. When used in this verse it means vile or ungodly, morally wicked. The foolishness or folly of this fool is because they have rejected God and show no reverence to him. The world we are living in has become profane and secular, teaching contempt and irreverence for the things of God. This includes the bible and the teachings of God. Morality is only found through the pages of our most sacred text, the word of God. Morality is more than a conditioning or teaching that shows on the outside, but is issued from the heart. True morality, that comes from within, is not something that we have to train ourselves to do in order to act that way, but is the work of the Holy Spirit being active in our lives as we study the word, accept it and surrender ourselves to God.
Character is being taught in schools and businesses and has been since first introduced as training by Kimray Inc. for their manufacturing plant, in 1992. Since then their program has been made available to schools and businesses and is now used worldwide. The company felt that their problems had to do with lack of character of the employees and if character was instilled on a individual basis, then the problems that plagued the company would disappear. The popularity of the program and others like it has grown and has been seen as a way to solve problems in businesses and other organizations because of problems within the companies. Schools have adopted the program because of problems not only in the schools but in society away from the campuses. By instilling character traits in the students they feel that students will live better lives away from the school setting and will in turn improve society.
Why are character traits being taught in the schools? Because of the lack of morality based upon the bible in the past few decades. If biblical based morality was instilled in children and adults like it was in times past then we would have no need for character training away from the church or family.
There are problems with character based teaching in schools. Character based teaching is secular and can only be effective as to your self worth. Morals, biblically based, is not based on self importance but upon pleasing God.
Many of the terms used in the secular based character teaching and in biblical based morality are the same but with different meanings.
Secular based
Faith - Confidence that actions rooted in good character will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how
Compassion - Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others
Discernment - Understanding the deeper reasons why things happen
Honor - Respecting others because of their worth as human beings
Loyalty - Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve
Patience - Accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it
Bible based
Faith - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For a Christian, our faith is rooted in God and his word.
Compassion - True compassion is more than just pity or empathy toward others who are suffering. Compassion can be given to every man in all circumstances, not just the hurting and brokenhearted but also to the point of loving your enemies. God's compassion was shown toward us, not because He pitied us or felt sorry for us but because He loved us. When we were without God, we weren't in a state to be pitied in our eyes, we were happy in our sins. God's Love was shown through the sacrifice of His Son. True compassion can only be shown to others because of God's Love for us.
Discernment - Is the judgment of actions, teachings or interpretation of scripture. It is basically judging whether something is good or bad, right or wrong, true or false. Discernment is a gift and we are able to discern through the Spirit according to the word of God.
Honor - is bestowed upon those to whom honor is due. Honor is given to those who have shown themselves worthy of the respect of their authority or position. Honor can also be bestowed because of someone’s character. Honor is only made complete by attention or obedience. We honor God and are obedient to Him because of His great love for us by granting salvation, and we honor Him through our obedience and service.
Loyalty - Faithfulness to God and placing no other above or equal to Him. According to Jesus you can only serve one master. Loyalty is to be undivided and we are to serve God, only.
Patience - is mentioned in the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and is of the Spirit and manifest through us as we allow the Spirit to work in our lives. It is enduring through all situations without allowing sin to enter in.
As with all secular, progressive or liberal based teachings it focuses on self importance rather than the importance of someone else. It deals with conditions that you have been trained to follow to market yourself as a valuable member of society. And as a valuable member of society you can gain status because of your good character. In biblical based teachings the focus is on God. Our character which is grounded in the word of God shows in me because of who God is and because He is active in my life.
God has been removed from the places of learning and replaced with a myriad of teachings which encourage growth in society apart from spirituality. Under the disguise of "separation of church and state" biblical based teachings have been removed from the classroom, and secular teachings have entered in; changing definitions and meanings of biblical virtues. If you note the different meanings to the same words above you can see the difference between the biblical and the profane teachings.
In the secular world, men focus upon who they are according to their abilities to prosper in society. The number one goal is to be all they can be at whatever the cost, to elevate themselves beyond others and to achieve a place in society of some importance. Sometimes to achieve that goal involves self-sacrifice, and sometimes the sacrifice of others. In the Christian world, we should focus upon Christ and through Him we become who we are. Our goal should be to glorify God through our actions, our speech and our testimony. The most important place we can be, is in the service of God.
Biblical morals are not dead, but they are being replaced. Replaced by teachers and trainers that want to try to mend a broken world where people have no regard for themselves or others. Morals can only be taught in the church or the home by people that understand what true character is and how it can affect the world. Sound teaching from the word of God that instills virtue and character and sets the nature of a person. Wisdom and knowledge that prepares a person to face any problem or situation and knows that anything is possible through God. a person that allows the Holy Spirit to be active in their lives and to discern what is false and not of God. People that place their faith in God and not their confidence in actions rooted in good character.
We live in a world that is changing, and not for the better. Morality has been replaced by character qualities. Character is not a bad thing, but where, how and why we develop that character can be considered bad.
Everyone is defined by their character. The way that other people perceive you as a person is defined by your character. People judge you according to what they see in you, your actions, your speech, your attitude and your temperament to name a few. Your character, as it defines who you are, also defines your nature and can be used to render judgment upon actions attributed to you good or bad to determine if they are within or out of character with your normal actions.
Modern society has tried to move beyond faith based morality into a secular based character trait teaching. As part of a progressive initiative, based upon liberal ideas which reject or minimize biblical teachings, character building through secular based instruction tries to inject a type of secular based copy of morality into society.
The most perceivable differences between morality and character is from the teaching and the focus.
Psalms 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt , they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
When we think of a fool, we tend to define it as people that do foolish things. Those that partake in foolish ventures, act up or even take risks normal people would consider hazardous. But in this verse the word fool is used in a different meaning, The word in Hebrew is nabal from the root word nabel. When used in this verse it means vile or ungodly, morally wicked. The foolishness or folly of this fool is because they have rejected God and show no reverence to him. The world we are living in has become profane and secular, teaching contempt and irreverence for the things of God. This includes the bible and the teachings of God. Morality is only found through the pages of our most sacred text, the word of God. Morality is more than a conditioning or teaching that shows on the outside, but is issued from the heart. True morality, that comes from within, is not something that we have to train ourselves to do in order to act that way, but is the work of the Holy Spirit being active in our lives as we study the word, accept it and surrender ourselves to God.
Character is being taught in schools and businesses and has been since first introduced as training by Kimray Inc. for their manufacturing plant, in 1992. Since then their program has been made available to schools and businesses and is now used worldwide. The company felt that their problems had to do with lack of character of the employees and if character was instilled on a individual basis, then the problems that plagued the company would disappear. The popularity of the program and others like it has grown and has been seen as a way to solve problems in businesses and other organizations because of problems within the companies. Schools have adopted the program because of problems not only in the schools but in society away from the campuses. By instilling character traits in the students they feel that students will live better lives away from the school setting and will in turn improve society.
Why are character traits being taught in the schools? Because of the lack of morality based upon the bible in the past few decades. If biblical based morality was instilled in children and adults like it was in times past then we would have no need for character training away from the church or family.
There are problems with character based teaching in schools. Character based teaching is secular and can only be effective as to your self worth. Morals, biblically based, is not based on self importance but upon pleasing God.
Many of the terms used in the secular based character teaching and in biblical based morality are the same but with different meanings.
Secular based
Faith - Confidence that actions rooted in good character will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how
Compassion - Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others
Discernment - Understanding the deeper reasons why things happen
Honor - Respecting others because of their worth as human beings
Loyalty - Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve
Patience - Accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it
Bible based
Faith - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For a Christian, our faith is rooted in God and his word.
Compassion - True compassion is more than just pity or empathy toward others who are suffering. Compassion can be given to every man in all circumstances, not just the hurting and brokenhearted but also to the point of loving your enemies. God's compassion was shown toward us, not because He pitied us or felt sorry for us but because He loved us. When we were without God, we weren't in a state to be pitied in our eyes, we were happy in our sins. God's Love was shown through the sacrifice of His Son. True compassion can only be shown to others because of God's Love for us.
Discernment - Is the judgment of actions, teachings or interpretation of scripture. It is basically judging whether something is good or bad, right or wrong, true or false. Discernment is a gift and we are able to discern through the Spirit according to the word of God.
Honor - is bestowed upon those to whom honor is due. Honor is given to those who have shown themselves worthy of the respect of their authority or position. Honor can also be bestowed because of someone’s character. Honor is only made complete by attention or obedience. We honor God and are obedient to Him because of His great love for us by granting salvation, and we honor Him through our obedience and service.
Loyalty - Faithfulness to God and placing no other above or equal to Him. According to Jesus you can only serve one master. Loyalty is to be undivided and we are to serve God, only.
Patience - is mentioned in the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and is of the Spirit and manifest through us as we allow the Spirit to work in our lives. It is enduring through all situations without allowing sin to enter in.
As with all secular, progressive or liberal based teachings it focuses on self importance rather than the importance of someone else. It deals with conditions that you have been trained to follow to market yourself as a valuable member of society. And as a valuable member of society you can gain status because of your good character. In biblical based teachings the focus is on God. Our character which is grounded in the word of God shows in me because of who God is and because He is active in my life.
God has been removed from the places of learning and replaced with a myriad of teachings which encourage growth in society apart from spirituality. Under the disguise of "separation of church and state" biblical based teachings have been removed from the classroom, and secular teachings have entered in; changing definitions and meanings of biblical virtues. If you note the different meanings to the same words above you can see the difference between the biblical and the profane teachings.
In the secular world, men focus upon who they are according to their abilities to prosper in society. The number one goal is to be all they can be at whatever the cost, to elevate themselves beyond others and to achieve a place in society of some importance. Sometimes to achieve that goal involves self-sacrifice, and sometimes the sacrifice of others. In the Christian world, we should focus upon Christ and through Him we become who we are. Our goal should be to glorify God through our actions, our speech and our testimony. The most important place we can be, is in the service of God.
Biblical morals are not dead, but they are being replaced. Replaced by teachers and trainers that want to try to mend a broken world where people have no regard for themselves or others. Morals can only be taught in the church or the home by people that understand what true character is and how it can affect the world. Sound teaching from the word of God that instills virtue and character and sets the nature of a person. Wisdom and knowledge that prepares a person to face any problem or situation and knows that anything is possible through God. a person that allows the Holy Spirit to be active in their lives and to discern what is false and not of God. People that place their faith in God and not their confidence in actions rooted in good character.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Separation of Church and State
Separation of Church and State
Federal Judge Prohibits Prayer at Texas Graduation Ceremony
This is the headline for the news story I read. I was shocked by several statements I read concerning the case and of the outcome.
The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by Christa and Danny Schultz. Their son is among those scheduled to participate in Saturday’s graduation ceremony. The judge declared that the Schultz family and their son would “suffer irreparable harm” if anyone prayed at the ceremony.
What started as a complaint by the parents of one student has escalated into a ban of prayer by a district judge which is now being fought against by the school district and the Texas Attorney Generals office. The consequences for violating the order is incarceration and other sanctions for contempt of court.
The Texas attorney general called the ruling unconstitutional and a blatant attack from those who do not believe in God -- “attempts by atheists and agnostics to use courts to eliminate from the public landscape any and all references to God whatsoever.”
“This is the challenge we are dealing with here,” he said. “(It’s) an ongoing attempt to purge God from the public setting while at the same time demanding from the courts an increased yielding to all things atheist and agnostic.”
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/06/02/prayer-prohibited-at-graduation-ceremony/#ixzz1OBRTxU1X
This is not a new problem, it has been happening all over the country for many years. People that oppose Christianity, and therefore oppose Jesus, have been using the Bill of Rights and a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to place a gulf between the US government and the church. It has been interpreted that any institution that is city, state or federally supported can not be tied to any religious organization. Schools, court houses, state parks, federal grounds, city owned properties and many others have been targeted by individuals to ban or remove any religious references from them. It is just a matter of time before sharing the gospel on a city street will become illegal.
The name that is given to this term or idea, which has been misconstrued, is "The Separation of Church and State". Many organizations have been created over the years to further the chasm between the government and the church. Through the media and progressive tactics, justices on the district level and supreme court level accept a misrepresented view of a separation and vote according to this information.
Can we expect a different outcome from people in a country that have lost their morality. According to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott “Part of this goes to the very heart of the unraveling of moral values in this country,”
In Thomas Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, he mentions the term "separation between church and state". From this court rulings have been made to remove God from the government. Freedom of religion and the free exercise thereof is in the hands of the same government that claim they want no part of it. Control of our freedom is in the hands of those in judicial authority, chosen by the government and given the right to rule as their beliefs dictate.
All decisions which pertain to religion are decided by judges which are representatives of the U.S. government, and almost all are decided against religious institutions and religious beliefs. These decisions are made based upon false interpretation of laws which deal with an individuals freedom. History has been misrepresented to interpret laws therefore individual liberties are compromised because when religion is involved those that support it are not seen individually but as a group or organization.
The judge above decided the case based upon his beliefs and according to the freedom of one individual which protested against prayer because he didn't believe in God. The judge, ignoring the individual freedom of all those that supported prayer, decided in favor of one individual and removed the first amendment freedom from all others. This in effect caused the government to go against the first amendment by prohibiting the free exercise of their religious beliefs.
According to the Bill of Rights the First Amendment: written 3/4/1789
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The first part of this is the part that we are concerned about:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
This, which seems to be the simplest to understand and to interpret, has caused the biggest problem for Christianity. This clause has been interpreted by many liberal scholars according to another text which was written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association.
Below are both letters. The first written to Thomas Jefferson by the Danbury Baptist Association concerning religious liberty and his reply.
The Danbury Baptists' letter to Thomas Jefferson
The address of the Danbury Baptists Association in the state of
Connecticut, assembled October 7, 1801. To Thomas Jefferson,
Esq., President of the United States of America.
Sir,
Among the many million in America and Europe who rejoice in your election to office; we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyed in our collective capacity, since your inauguration,
to express our great satisfaction, in your appointment to the chief magistracy in the United States: And though our mode of expression may be less courtly and pompous than what many others
clothe their addresses with, we beg you, sir, to believe that none are more sincere.
Our sentiments are uniformly on the side of religious liberty--that religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals--that no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious opinions--that the legitimate power of civil government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbors; But, sir, our constitution of government is not specific. Our ancient charter together with the law made coincident therewith, were adopted as the basis of our government, at the time of our revolution; and such had been our laws and usages, and such still are; that religion is considered as the first object of legislation; and therefore what religious privileges we enjoy (as a minor part of the state) we enjoy as favors granted, and not as inalienable rights; and these favors we receive at the expense of such degrading acknowledgements as are inconsistent with the rights of freemen. It is not to be wondered at therefore; if those who seek after power and gain under the pretense of government and religion should reproach their fellow men--should reproach their order magistrate, as a enemy of religion, law, and good order, because he will not, dare not, assume the prerogatives of Jehovah
and make laws to govern the kingdom of Christ.
Sir, we are sensible that the president of the United States is not the national legislator, and also sensible that the national government cannot destroy the laws of each state; but our hopes are strong that the sentiments of our beloved president, which have had such genial effect already, like the radiant beams of the sun, will shine and prevail through all these states and all the world, till hierarchy and tyranny be destroyed from the earth. Sir, when we reflect on your past services, and see a glow of philanthropy and good will shining forth in a course of more than thirty years we have reason to believe that America's God has raised you up to fill the chair of state out of that goodwill which he bears to the millions which you preside over. May God strengthen you for your arduous task which providence and the voice of the people have called you to sustain and support you enjoy administration against all the predetermined opposition of those who wish to raise to wealth and importance on the poverty and subjection of the people.
And may the Lord preserve you safe from every evil and bring you at last to his heavenly kingdom through Jesus Christ our Glorious Mediator.
Signed in behalf of the association, Nehemiah Dodge
Ephraim Robbins
Stephen S. Nelson
To mess. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.
Gentlemen
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful & zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.
Th. Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.
The Danbury Baptists started their second paragraph telling the president they believe that at all times and places religion is a matter between God and individuals, that no man ought to suffer because of his religious opinions and that the legitimate powers of the civil government extend no further than to punish the man who works ill toward his neighbor.
The question that the Danbury Baptists had, dealt with the constitution not being specific and seeming that freedom was granted as a favor by the government and not as an inalienable right of freedom. Which was a valid question then and still is today. If religious freedom was a privilege granted by the state or country and was freedom based upon a favor granted and that that freedom was only received through proclamation or by law and not because it is the inalienable right of an individual to have religious freedom. If religious freedom was granted to individuals then there is no freedom apart from what is allowed by the government, and can be controlled or removed as seen fit by government agents or representatives.
Thomas Jefferson’s answer in his second paragraph agrees that religion is a matter which lies solely between a man and his God, that man owes no account to none other for his beliefs, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, and that the American people declared that no legislature be passed respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.
This last statement, "thus building a wall of separation between church and state", has been used to interpret the first amendment. These 10 words taken from a letter and not used in context has been misinterpreted. In order to understand and to interpret the true meaning of the statement by Jefferson you have to research when the term was first used and in what context, and the beliefs of the writer to know the meaning of the term.
It has been established that the civil government is limited to actions only and not to opinions, according to Jefferson, when answering about the legitimate powers of the government. In the context of the Danbury letter, which deals with religion and the government, man is not accountable to no one but God for his beliefs not to the government or even to his fellow man.
Religious freedom in America started with what was called the "lively experiment". The colonies originally were not separated from the Church of England and were still under its control. In 1663 Roger Williams obtained a charter from King Charles to start a colony with the intention of creating a civil state which had full religious freedom.
Within this colony there was a separation of church and state which Williams called a "wall of separation", this term coined by Roger Williams was later used by Jefferson. He believed that soul liberty freedom of conscience, was a gift from God, and that everyone had the natural right to freedom of religion. Religious freedom demanded that church and state be separated. Williams was the first to use the phrase "wall of separation" to describe the relationship of the church and state. He called for a high wall of separation between the "Garden of Christ" and the "Wilderness of the World." He also called for separatism, which was the complete separation from the Church of England for true and pure worship of God.
Because of these beliefs; separatism, freedom of religion and separation of church and state, he was labeled a heretic and found guilty of sedition and heresy by the General Court for spreading new, diverse and dangerous opinions. His biggest complaint was against the state church and believed that the state had no business in religious matters and that the state should only concern itself with civil matters.
Many ideas have been proposed concerning Jefferson and his response to the Danbury Baptists. In order to understand Jefferson and his ideas and convictions. Whether or not he was Christian as some have suggested, whether he was devout in his worship of God or if he worshipped a false god is of no consequence. What matters is what he believed according to religious freedom when he answered the letter. This is important because a term he used has been quoted to determine what religious freedom is and how much liberty there is concerning the exercise thereof.
In order to understand with more clarity what Jefferson meant when he used the term “wall of separation” we must establish what Jefferson believed concerning the church and state.
Written in 1777, introduced in 1779 and adopted in 1789 by the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was written by Thomas Jefferson and sets the standard for religious liberty in Virginia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Statute_for_Religious_Freedom
Jefferson included in this statute concerning his opinions.
“Whereas, Almighty God hath created the mind free;” (emphasis mine)
“that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil incapacitations tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and therefore are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, who being Lord, both of body and mind yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do,” (emphasis mine)
“that the impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time;” (emphasis mine)
“that to suffer the civil magistrate to intrude his powers into the field of opinion and to restrain the profession or propagation of principles on supposition of their ill tendency is a dangerous fallacy which at once destroys all religious liberty because he being of course judge of that tendency will make his opinions the rule of judgment and approve or condemn the sentiments of others only as they shall square with or differ from his own;” (emphasis mine)
“that it is time enough for the rightful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere when principles break out into overt acts against peace and good order;” (emphasis mine)
The entire text can be read at the link above.
Jefferson didn’t intend for the government to sit as judge over matters of religious freedom. This intrudes his powers into the field of opinion and in turn destroys religious liberty, which is against the first amendment. For a court judge to rule against a religious expression of faith, no matter the location, is against what Jefferson believed in and had expressed in this document. For a court judge to assume that an expression of faith or a profession of faith would have ill tendencies is a hazardous and mistaken idea. The decision will be based on opinions only and according to the beliefs of the magistrate. This is mainly because all decisions regarding this topic is according to the interpretation of the First Amendment by the sitting judge.
The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, heavily influenced later documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. It was the first constitutional protection of individual rights.
“XVI That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.”
This article of the Declaration of Rights promises freedom to exercise your religion and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards one another. A standard was set for all people in Virginia to practice as Christians and to express Christian virtues towards each other.
When this was drafted and accepted Thomas Jefferson was a delegate from Virginia to the Second Continental Congress and helped to draft the Virginia Constitution. He also served in the legislature and also as Governor of the state of Virginia, upholding the documents that were adopted by the state, many he helped to write.
A thorough search through documents and letters of Jefferson’s, it is easy to see that his ideas do not match the ideas of the civil authorities today. Jefferson stated that civil authorities provide actions and not opinions, but today we have civil authorities violating the letter of the amendment and changing what the American people wanted.
The first amendment does not provide for non-religious groups or beliefs, but only for those with a religious view; whatever that religion may be. It is only natural for non-religious people to oppose rights for those with a religious view. The first amendment provides individual freedom for Christians by not supporting another religion as a state sponsored religion. It provides freedom for a Christian to exercise their beliefs as is the normal manner for them, between them and God. It gives a Christian freedom of speech without fear of persecution or prosecution as long as it doesn’t promote illegal activities. Freedom of the press to report with truth or with bias without fear of reprisal. Christians the right to assemble peacefully, for any reason, without fear of government interference. It doesn’t specify where or when or for how long, for example it doesn’t say, except of government property. And a Christian has the right to petition the government when their rights have been violated.
We have sat idle while our freedom is being taken from us. It seems as if what the Danbury Baptist Association had worried about is true. That our religious freedom was just a favor granted, by the government, and it is being taken away from us. Separation between Church and State, which meant to keep the state from having control and sponsoring a religion, has been used to try to keep the church out of civil affairs. Federal and state properties have been declared separated from any expression of religious belief or exercise, in the confines of private offices. Prayer is condemned between co-workers of like beliefs in public buildings or public grounds.
Separation of church and state is not meant to protect the state from the church, but to protect the church from the interference of the state.
Federal Judge Prohibits Prayer at Texas Graduation Ceremony
This is the headline for the news story I read. I was shocked by several statements I read concerning the case and of the outcome.
The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by Christa and Danny Schultz. Their son is among those scheduled to participate in Saturday’s graduation ceremony. The judge declared that the Schultz family and their son would “suffer irreparable harm” if anyone prayed at the ceremony.
What started as a complaint by the parents of one student has escalated into a ban of prayer by a district judge which is now being fought against by the school district and the Texas Attorney Generals office. The consequences for violating the order is incarceration and other sanctions for contempt of court.
The Texas attorney general called the ruling unconstitutional and a blatant attack from those who do not believe in God -- “attempts by atheists and agnostics to use courts to eliminate from the public landscape any and all references to God whatsoever.”
“This is the challenge we are dealing with here,” he said. “(It’s) an ongoing attempt to purge God from the public setting while at the same time demanding from the courts an increased yielding to all things atheist and agnostic.”
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/06/02/prayer-prohibited-at-graduation-ceremony/#ixzz1OBRTxU1X
This is not a new problem, it has been happening all over the country for many years. People that oppose Christianity, and therefore oppose Jesus, have been using the Bill of Rights and a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to place a gulf between the US government and the church. It has been interpreted that any institution that is city, state or federally supported can not be tied to any religious organization. Schools, court houses, state parks, federal grounds, city owned properties and many others have been targeted by individuals to ban or remove any religious references from them. It is just a matter of time before sharing the gospel on a city street will become illegal.
The name that is given to this term or idea, which has been misconstrued, is "The Separation of Church and State". Many organizations have been created over the years to further the chasm between the government and the church. Through the media and progressive tactics, justices on the district level and supreme court level accept a misrepresented view of a separation and vote according to this information.
Can we expect a different outcome from people in a country that have lost their morality. According to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott “Part of this goes to the very heart of the unraveling of moral values in this country,”
The ruling was overturned by an appeal court judge that ruled the original court ruling was unconstitutional. The student was allowed to pray during the graduation ceremony.
In Thomas Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, he mentions the term "separation between church and state". From this court rulings have been made to remove God from the government. Freedom of religion and the free exercise thereof is in the hands of the same government that claim they want no part of it. Control of our freedom is in the hands of those in judicial authority, chosen by the government and given the right to rule as their beliefs dictate.
All decisions which pertain to religion are decided by judges which are representatives of the U.S. government, and almost all are decided against religious institutions and religious beliefs. These decisions are made based upon false interpretation of laws which deal with an individuals freedom. History has been misrepresented to interpret laws therefore individual liberties are compromised because when religion is involved those that support it are not seen individually but as a group or organization.
The judge above decided the case based upon his beliefs and according to the freedom of one individual which protested against prayer because he didn't believe in God. The judge, ignoring the individual freedom of all those that supported prayer, decided in favor of one individual and removed the first amendment freedom from all others. This in effect caused the government to go against the first amendment by prohibiting the free exercise of their religious beliefs.
According to the Bill of Rights the First Amendment: written 3/4/1789
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The first part of this is the part that we are concerned about:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
This, which seems to be the simplest to understand and to interpret, has caused the biggest problem for Christianity. This clause has been interpreted by many liberal scholars according to another text which was written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association.
Below are both letters. The first written to Thomas Jefferson by the Danbury Baptist Association concerning religious liberty and his reply.
The Danbury Baptists' letter to Thomas Jefferson
The address of the Danbury Baptists Association in the state of
Connecticut, assembled October 7, 1801. To Thomas Jefferson,
Esq., President of the United States of America.
Sir,
Among the many million in America and Europe who rejoice in your election to office; we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyed in our collective capacity, since your inauguration,
to express our great satisfaction, in your appointment to the chief magistracy in the United States: And though our mode of expression may be less courtly and pompous than what many others
clothe their addresses with, we beg you, sir, to believe that none are more sincere.
Our sentiments are uniformly on the side of religious liberty--that religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals--that no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious opinions--that the legitimate power of civil government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbors; But, sir, our constitution of government is not specific. Our ancient charter together with the law made coincident therewith, were adopted as the basis of our government, at the time of our revolution; and such had been our laws and usages, and such still are; that religion is considered as the first object of legislation; and therefore what religious privileges we enjoy (as a minor part of the state) we enjoy as favors granted, and not as inalienable rights; and these favors we receive at the expense of such degrading acknowledgements as are inconsistent with the rights of freemen. It is not to be wondered at therefore; if those who seek after power and gain under the pretense of government and religion should reproach their fellow men--should reproach their order magistrate, as a enemy of religion, law, and good order, because he will not, dare not, assume the prerogatives of Jehovah
and make laws to govern the kingdom of Christ.
Sir, we are sensible that the president of the United States is not the national legislator, and also sensible that the national government cannot destroy the laws of each state; but our hopes are strong that the sentiments of our beloved president, which have had such genial effect already, like the radiant beams of the sun, will shine and prevail through all these states and all the world, till hierarchy and tyranny be destroyed from the earth. Sir, when we reflect on your past services, and see a glow of philanthropy and good will shining forth in a course of more than thirty years we have reason to believe that America's God has raised you up to fill the chair of state out of that goodwill which he bears to the millions which you preside over. May God strengthen you for your arduous task which providence and the voice of the people have called you to sustain and support you enjoy administration against all the predetermined opposition of those who wish to raise to wealth and importance on the poverty and subjection of the people.
And may the Lord preserve you safe from every evil and bring you at last to his heavenly kingdom through Jesus Christ our Glorious Mediator.
Signed in behalf of the association, Nehemiah Dodge
Ephraim Robbins
Stephen S. Nelson
To mess. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.
Gentlemen
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful & zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.
Th. Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.
The Danbury Baptists started their second paragraph telling the president they believe that at all times and places religion is a matter between God and individuals, that no man ought to suffer because of his religious opinions and that the legitimate powers of the civil government extend no further than to punish the man who works ill toward his neighbor.
The question that the Danbury Baptists had, dealt with the constitution not being specific and seeming that freedom was granted as a favor by the government and not as an inalienable right of freedom. Which was a valid question then and still is today. If religious freedom was a privilege granted by the state or country and was freedom based upon a favor granted and that that freedom was only received through proclamation or by law and not because it is the inalienable right of an individual to have religious freedom. If religious freedom was granted to individuals then there is no freedom apart from what is allowed by the government, and can be controlled or removed as seen fit by government agents or representatives.
Thomas Jefferson’s answer in his second paragraph agrees that religion is a matter which lies solely between a man and his God, that man owes no account to none other for his beliefs, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, and that the American people declared that no legislature be passed respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.
This last statement, "thus building a wall of separation between church and state", has been used to interpret the first amendment. These 10 words taken from a letter and not used in context has been misinterpreted. In order to understand and to interpret the true meaning of the statement by Jefferson you have to research when the term was first used and in what context, and the beliefs of the writer to know the meaning of the term.
It has been established that the civil government is limited to actions only and not to opinions, according to Jefferson, when answering about the legitimate powers of the government. In the context of the Danbury letter, which deals with religion and the government, man is not accountable to no one but God for his beliefs not to the government or even to his fellow man.
Religious freedom in America started with what was called the "lively experiment". The colonies originally were not separated from the Church of England and were still under its control. In 1663 Roger Williams obtained a charter from King Charles to start a colony with the intention of creating a civil state which had full religious freedom.
Within this colony there was a separation of church and state which Williams called a "wall of separation", this term coined by Roger Williams was later used by Jefferson. He believed that soul liberty freedom of conscience, was a gift from God, and that everyone had the natural right to freedom of religion. Religious freedom demanded that church and state be separated. Williams was the first to use the phrase "wall of separation" to describe the relationship of the church and state. He called for a high wall of separation between the "Garden of Christ" and the "Wilderness of the World." He also called for separatism, which was the complete separation from the Church of England for true and pure worship of God.
Because of these beliefs; separatism, freedom of religion and separation of church and state, he was labeled a heretic and found guilty of sedition and heresy by the General Court for spreading new, diverse and dangerous opinions. His biggest complaint was against the state church and believed that the state had no business in religious matters and that the state should only concern itself with civil matters.
Many ideas have been proposed concerning Jefferson and his response to the Danbury Baptists. In order to understand Jefferson and his ideas and convictions. Whether or not he was Christian as some have suggested, whether he was devout in his worship of God or if he worshipped a false god is of no consequence. What matters is what he believed according to religious freedom when he answered the letter. This is important because a term he used has been quoted to determine what religious freedom is and how much liberty there is concerning the exercise thereof.
In order to understand with more clarity what Jefferson meant when he used the term “wall of separation” we must establish what Jefferson believed concerning the church and state.
Written in 1777, introduced in 1779 and adopted in 1789 by the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was written by Thomas Jefferson and sets the standard for religious liberty in Virginia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Statute_for_Religious_Freedom
Jefferson included in this statute concerning his opinions.
“Whereas, Almighty God hath created the mind free;” (emphasis mine)
“that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil incapacitations tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and therefore are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, who being Lord, both of body and mind yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do,” (emphasis mine)
“that the impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time;” (emphasis mine)
“that to suffer the civil magistrate to intrude his powers into the field of opinion and to restrain the profession or propagation of principles on supposition of their ill tendency is a dangerous fallacy which at once destroys all religious liberty because he being of course judge of that tendency will make his opinions the rule of judgment and approve or condemn the sentiments of others only as they shall square with or differ from his own;” (emphasis mine)
“that it is time enough for the rightful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere when principles break out into overt acts against peace and good order;” (emphasis mine)
The entire text can be read at the link above.
Jefferson didn’t intend for the government to sit as judge over matters of religious freedom. This intrudes his powers into the field of opinion and in turn destroys religious liberty, which is against the first amendment. For a court judge to rule against a religious expression of faith, no matter the location, is against what Jefferson believed in and had expressed in this document. For a court judge to assume that an expression of faith or a profession of faith would have ill tendencies is a hazardous and mistaken idea. The decision will be based on opinions only and according to the beliefs of the magistrate. This is mainly because all decisions regarding this topic is according to the interpretation of the First Amendment by the sitting judge.
The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, heavily influenced later documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. It was the first constitutional protection of individual rights.
“XVI That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.”
This article of the Declaration of Rights promises freedom to exercise your religion and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards one another. A standard was set for all people in Virginia to practice as Christians and to express Christian virtues towards each other.
When this was drafted and accepted Thomas Jefferson was a delegate from Virginia to the Second Continental Congress and helped to draft the Virginia Constitution. He also served in the legislature and also as Governor of the state of Virginia, upholding the documents that were adopted by the state, many he helped to write.
A thorough search through documents and letters of Jefferson’s, it is easy to see that his ideas do not match the ideas of the civil authorities today. Jefferson stated that civil authorities provide actions and not opinions, but today we have civil authorities violating the letter of the amendment and changing what the American people wanted.
The first amendment does not provide for non-religious groups or beliefs, but only for those with a religious view; whatever that religion may be. It is only natural for non-religious people to oppose rights for those with a religious view. The first amendment provides individual freedom for Christians by not supporting another religion as a state sponsored religion. It provides freedom for a Christian to exercise their beliefs as is the normal manner for them, between them and God. It gives a Christian freedom of speech without fear of persecution or prosecution as long as it doesn’t promote illegal activities. Freedom of the press to report with truth or with bias without fear of reprisal. Christians the right to assemble peacefully, for any reason, without fear of government interference. It doesn’t specify where or when or for how long, for example it doesn’t say, except of government property. And a Christian has the right to petition the government when their rights have been violated.
We have sat idle while our freedom is being taken from us. It seems as if what the Danbury Baptist Association had worried about is true. That our religious freedom was just a favor granted, by the government, and it is being taken away from us. Separation between Church and State, which meant to keep the state from having control and sponsoring a religion, has been used to try to keep the church out of civil affairs. Federal and state properties have been declared separated from any expression of religious belief or exercise, in the confines of private offices. Prayer is condemned between co-workers of like beliefs in public buildings or public grounds.
Separation of church and state is not meant to protect the state from the church, but to protect the church from the interference of the state.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Women Pastors
Can a woman be a Pastor of a church?
Here is my thoughts on the matter. It is rather long, preachers seem to do things long sometimes. If it seems like I am getting off topic, be patient, it deals with the subject or one of the topics. If it seems that I am trying to argue, please understand that I am not. Just stating my opinion according to my interpretation of scripture.
Many today have not understood the roles of women according to the scriptures. And like many other things in the churches today, it has become decided upon according to the world and what is acceptable to the world.
I do not want to be accused of being a chauvinist or being sexist in what I am writing. And is not just things that I haven't said before to others in churches and in classes. I feel that women are the glory of a man and through the wife a mans character can be assessed and his nature can be seen. A women’s place is a place of honor because through marriage she completes a man when the two become one flesh. A wife should be shown the utmost respect by the husband and not be placed in a position where she feels threatened or like she is a slave to her husband. I have been married 28 years and our marriage has lasted, first because of God being first in our lives and also because even though I am the head of the home I understand how she is to be treated. She also understands her role as she ministers with me, and my role in the ministry and the home.
First as we discuss the word of God on this, as Christians, we have to keep in mind that we are in two different worlds; one spiritual and the other secular. We have to live in the secular world but we have to abide in the spiritual one. The bible is a collection of spiritual writings that have been conveyed to man through the Holy Spirit by God. Many times we get the two confused and try to interpret the word of God according to today’s society. People may not see it but the world is on a downhill run out of control and headed for a tree. We have lost the morals that were in place for so long because we have ignored the word of God, and now we try to fit God and His word in our lives instead of placing our lives in it. Is it the women's fault? no, the blame can't be placed on the woman. Society has taken the women out of the home and placed her in the work force. Now it takes more than one salary to make it. Now a new pickup costs what a house would cost 20 years ago. Many women work because that is what they have to do to make the family survive. Do the children suffer? yes, they also suffer because their dad goes fishing when he's off work, or when he gets home he's watching TV instead of being with his children.
In the secular world I have worked for women as my boss. I have sat in seminars and conferences where there were women speakers. If a women ran for president that held the same views I do and I felt would be a good choice according to the issues, I would vote for her. But this is in the secular world and not in the church. The scriptures deal with the church and the spiritual part of our lives as well as how we should live our lives in the secular world.
Galatians 3:28-29
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
According to the scriptures, man and woman were created in the image of God. Not man after the image of God and woman after the image of man. We have the same worth to God because we were both created in the image of God. Because of that we both are equal as heirs of salvation. Neither receives anything different because of their gender but are both the same in the eyes of God in that respect. Just as the Jews didn't receive a better type of salvation that the gentiles, they are equal in Gods eyes as heirs of the promise.
1 Corinthians 14:33-35
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
I once heard a women televangelist say that this shouldn't be in the bible and should be ignored because Paul was a crusty old bachelor and didn't like women. But we have to look at it for what it says and what it means. Even Peter said that Paul's writing should be held as scripture. (2 Peter 3:15-16)
From what it states in 1 Corinthians, which is taken by many to mean asking questions in the church, Paul refers to the law which had to be a reference to the Mosaic law. No matter the reason the verse still stands today. Does this mean a women is to remain quite in church. No, but her role is to be modeled after scripture and she is to be under obedience while in the service. Paul himself has even said that women can prophesy in the church, but the verse deals with confusion in the congregation that can be from their actions, speech, manner, or even against the scriptures or the law. If something may cause confusion or trouble it is best, in the church, to avoid it altogether.
The verse in 1 Timothy relates to spiritual things and the church. And gives the reason why, because woman was deceived and transgressed. Because of this women are restricted in their role in the church. Women are not to teach men or to be in authority over a man. This includes pastors, and teachers of groups that puts them in a authorative position over men. To say that this doesn't apply to the church today because times have changed, is invalid because Paul went to creation and the fall of man to show the reason why.
We must remember that more than a few of the cults have been started by women:
“It is one of the strange historical peculiarities of the saga of cultism that some cults were either started by women or were influences in a major way by the allegedly weaker sex: Christian Science, Mary Bakker Eddy; the Unity School of Christianity, Myrtle Fillmore; Spiritism, the Fox sisters; Jehovah's Witness, Maria Russell; Theosophy, Helena Blavatsky and Annie Besant; the Peace Mission Movement (Father Divine), Sister Penny and Faithful Mary (Viola Wilson)
Walter Martin - Kingdom of the Cults - (p. 284)
Where is a women’s place in the ministry of the church?
Titus 2:3-5
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Women have a role of teaching in the ministry of the church as well as in life. To teach women and children. Women can minister to others according to what the bible says. In teaching the bible all the things above will come into play in their lives. Teaching children the word of God will develop morals and character in them that they will also teach others. And carry into their future in the secular world and as Christians. Women have a very important role in the ministry because through them people are shaped and their lives are formed. Women are taught how to be biblical wives that will enhance a marriage and will make it last. Boys are taught what is expected of them as men of God and how they are to treat their wives and how to perform the work of the ministry. Pr 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." This training is provided by the women that care for not only the child but also the future. Am I saying that women can't ever minister to a man? no, many times a women can be the only one that can effectively minister to a man. But it is not in a position of authority, and can't include doctrine or other topics that lead the woman into a teaching role during the ministering. But advice and other topics that are affecting them in life. Women can spread the gospel message to others; men and women. But this is not a position, but is commanded for all to do so. Women did have roles in the bible where they heard from God and did relay a message to men, this was in the role of prophetesses, which can't be denied because of scripture but that was not an authoritive role in any ministerial calling. Even Phoebe in the NT was active in the ministry but in a servant position as many men were, as other women were also.
What about the role of a wife?
Proverbs 31 describes the model for a perfect wife. The first place a woman should be able to minister is to her husband.
Ephesians 5:21-33
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
1 Peter 3:1-7
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
This is the woman’s role as a wife according to the scriptures. It gives specific guidelines to women on how they should be in the homes, and with their husbands. Submit and be in subjection, to your husbands. But if we look into the verses even further we see that men or the husbands are to be to their wives as Christ was to the church. The main responsibility in the wives behavior to the husband is not due to her actions alone but according to the husbands actions toward her. He is to love her so much to be willing to give himself for her. He is to cherish, nourish her and honor her. He is to treat her with respect and dignity befitting the position she is in. But it starts with the two of them placing God first in their lives, then all else comes into place. But one thing that is important to remember this is about Christ and believers. Non-believers can't be subject to or understand the way a believer understands the scriptures, but can act in the same respect.
The largest amount of blame can't be placed on women alone. Many have been forced into a position of leadership in the homes and the churches by the lack of men participating actively. The economy and 6 day work weeks are a partial reason, as well as many men placing other interests ahead of God. Men have been falling out of attendance and out of the ministry because of not just confusion of what God expects. But goes back to bass boats and campers, Sunday football and other sports games, being the only time to rest after a long week. These have placed women into positions that they were not to be scripturally. What of men sitting under women pastors and teachers? Many men have placed themselves willingly under a woman's authority, it wasn't forced on them. that they will be held accountable for. I myself have never sat under a woman’s teaching, even under any of my wife’s teachings.
Here is my thoughts on the matter. It is rather long, preachers seem to do things long sometimes. If it seems like I am getting off topic, be patient, it deals with the subject or one of the topics. If it seems that I am trying to argue, please understand that I am not. Just stating my opinion according to my interpretation of scripture.
Many today have not understood the roles of women according to the scriptures. And like many other things in the churches today, it has become decided upon according to the world and what is acceptable to the world.
I do not want to be accused of being a chauvinist or being sexist in what I am writing. And is not just things that I haven't said before to others in churches and in classes. I feel that women are the glory of a man and through the wife a mans character can be assessed and his nature can be seen. A women’s place is a place of honor because through marriage she completes a man when the two become one flesh. A wife should be shown the utmost respect by the husband and not be placed in a position where she feels threatened or like she is a slave to her husband. I have been married 28 years and our marriage has lasted, first because of God being first in our lives and also because even though I am the head of the home I understand how she is to be treated. She also understands her role as she ministers with me, and my role in the ministry and the home.
First as we discuss the word of God on this, as Christians, we have to keep in mind that we are in two different worlds; one spiritual and the other secular. We have to live in the secular world but we have to abide in the spiritual one. The bible is a collection of spiritual writings that have been conveyed to man through the Holy Spirit by God. Many times we get the two confused and try to interpret the word of God according to today’s society. People may not see it but the world is on a downhill run out of control and headed for a tree. We have lost the morals that were in place for so long because we have ignored the word of God, and now we try to fit God and His word in our lives instead of placing our lives in it. Is it the women's fault? no, the blame can't be placed on the woman. Society has taken the women out of the home and placed her in the work force. Now it takes more than one salary to make it. Now a new pickup costs what a house would cost 20 years ago. Many women work because that is what they have to do to make the family survive. Do the children suffer? yes, they also suffer because their dad goes fishing when he's off work, or when he gets home he's watching TV instead of being with his children.
In the secular world I have worked for women as my boss. I have sat in seminars and conferences where there were women speakers. If a women ran for president that held the same views I do and I felt would be a good choice according to the issues, I would vote for her. But this is in the secular world and not in the church. The scriptures deal with the church and the spiritual part of our lives as well as how we should live our lives in the secular world.
Galatians 3:28-29
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
According to the scriptures, man and woman were created in the image of God. Not man after the image of God and woman after the image of man. We have the same worth to God because we were both created in the image of God. Because of that we both are equal as heirs of salvation. Neither receives anything different because of their gender but are both the same in the eyes of God in that respect. Just as the Jews didn't receive a better type of salvation that the gentiles, they are equal in Gods eyes as heirs of the promise.
1 Corinthians 14:33-35
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
I once heard a women televangelist say that this shouldn't be in the bible and should be ignored because Paul was a crusty old bachelor and didn't like women. But we have to look at it for what it says and what it means. Even Peter said that Paul's writing should be held as scripture. (2 Peter 3:15-16)
From what it states in 1 Corinthians, which is taken by many to mean asking questions in the church, Paul refers to the law which had to be a reference to the Mosaic law. No matter the reason the verse still stands today. Does this mean a women is to remain quite in church. No, but her role is to be modeled after scripture and she is to be under obedience while in the service. Paul himself has even said that women can prophesy in the church, but the verse deals with confusion in the congregation that can be from their actions, speech, manner, or even against the scriptures or the law. If something may cause confusion or trouble it is best, in the church, to avoid it altogether.
The verse in 1 Timothy relates to spiritual things and the church. And gives the reason why, because woman was deceived and transgressed. Because of this women are restricted in their role in the church. Women are not to teach men or to be in authority over a man. This includes pastors, and teachers of groups that puts them in a authorative position over men. To say that this doesn't apply to the church today because times have changed, is invalid because Paul went to creation and the fall of man to show the reason why.
We must remember that more than a few of the cults have been started by women:
“It is one of the strange historical peculiarities of the saga of cultism that some cults were either started by women or were influences in a major way by the allegedly weaker sex: Christian Science, Mary Bakker Eddy; the Unity School of Christianity, Myrtle Fillmore; Spiritism, the Fox sisters; Jehovah's Witness, Maria Russell; Theosophy, Helena Blavatsky and Annie Besant; the Peace Mission Movement (Father Divine), Sister Penny and Faithful Mary (Viola Wilson)
Walter Martin - Kingdom of the Cults - (p. 284)
Where is a women’s place in the ministry of the church?
Titus 2:3-5
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Women have a role of teaching in the ministry of the church as well as in life. To teach women and children. Women can minister to others according to what the bible says. In teaching the bible all the things above will come into play in their lives. Teaching children the word of God will develop morals and character in them that they will also teach others. And carry into their future in the secular world and as Christians. Women have a very important role in the ministry because through them people are shaped and their lives are formed. Women are taught how to be biblical wives that will enhance a marriage and will make it last. Boys are taught what is expected of them as men of God and how they are to treat their wives and how to perform the work of the ministry. Pr 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." This training is provided by the women that care for not only the child but also the future. Am I saying that women can't ever minister to a man? no, many times a women can be the only one that can effectively minister to a man. But it is not in a position of authority, and can't include doctrine or other topics that lead the woman into a teaching role during the ministering. But advice and other topics that are affecting them in life. Women can spread the gospel message to others; men and women. But this is not a position, but is commanded for all to do so. Women did have roles in the bible where they heard from God and did relay a message to men, this was in the role of prophetesses, which can't be denied because of scripture but that was not an authoritive role in any ministerial calling. Even Phoebe in the NT was active in the ministry but in a servant position as many men were, as other women were also.
What about the role of a wife?
Proverbs 31 describes the model for a perfect wife. The first place a woman should be able to minister is to her husband.
Ephesians 5:21-33
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
1 Peter 3:1-7
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
This is the woman’s role as a wife according to the scriptures. It gives specific guidelines to women on how they should be in the homes, and with their husbands. Submit and be in subjection, to your husbands. But if we look into the verses even further we see that men or the husbands are to be to their wives as Christ was to the church. The main responsibility in the wives behavior to the husband is not due to her actions alone but according to the husbands actions toward her. He is to love her so much to be willing to give himself for her. He is to cherish, nourish her and honor her. He is to treat her with respect and dignity befitting the position she is in. But it starts with the two of them placing God first in their lives, then all else comes into place. But one thing that is important to remember this is about Christ and believers. Non-believers can't be subject to or understand the way a believer understands the scriptures, but can act in the same respect.
The largest amount of blame can't be placed on women alone. Many have been forced into a position of leadership in the homes and the churches by the lack of men participating actively. The economy and 6 day work weeks are a partial reason, as well as many men placing other interests ahead of God. Men have been falling out of attendance and out of the ministry because of not just confusion of what God expects. But goes back to bass boats and campers, Sunday football and other sports games, being the only time to rest after a long week. These have placed women into positions that they were not to be scripturally. What of men sitting under women pastors and teachers? Many men have placed themselves willingly under a woman's authority, it wasn't forced on them. that they will be held accountable for. I myself have never sat under a woman’s teaching, even under any of my wife’s teachings.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Conviction and the Holy Spirit.
Conviction is the first work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Before God can use you in others lives, you have to allow Him to work in your life. If you ignore conviction, you are not allowing God to work in your life. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict of sin. And when the Holy Spirit is working in men’s lives and brings them into the presence of God, it's not his relationship with men that bothers them, but they're relationship with God. But they try to shift the blame to man.
John 16 : 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
It is no surprise that when the Spirit convicts, people who want to remain in sin will start to get uncomfortable around those that follow Christ; that we will be accused of being "judgmental", and that in general we are disliked and avoided for the sake of His name. Others will be attracted because of the same exact reason. This is sure proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the following of Christ. If this does not happen, can anyone rightly claim to have a measure of the Holy Spirit? Conviction by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, illuminates sin with a bright light. When that happens those that reject the conviction look for a place to hide.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
Most churches now are in the business of "solving the guilt symptom"--which destroys a person spiritually. We pay to have someone make us feel good without repentance; to give us an illusion of God's approval of our sin; they smooth over our guilt with smooth words. But unless the sin which caused the guilt is dealt with, any relief is only a false hope in the minds of the sinner.
1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Before God can use you in others lives, you have to allow Him to work in your life. If you ignore conviction, you are not allowing God to work in your life. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict of sin. And when the Holy Spirit is working in men’s lives and brings them into the presence of God, it's not his relationship with men that bothers them, but they're relationship with God. But they try to shift the blame to man.
John 16 : 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
It is no surprise that when the Spirit convicts, people who want to remain in sin will start to get uncomfortable around those that follow Christ; that we will be accused of being "judgmental", and that in general we are disliked and avoided for the sake of His name. Others will be attracted because of the same exact reason. This is sure proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the following of Christ. If this does not happen, can anyone rightly claim to have a measure of the Holy Spirit? Conviction by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, illuminates sin with a bright light. When that happens those that reject the conviction look for a place to hide.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
Most churches now are in the business of "solving the guilt symptom"--which destroys a person spiritually. We pay to have someone make us feel good without repentance; to give us an illusion of God's approval of our sin; they smooth over our guilt with smooth words. But unless the sin which caused the guilt is dealt with, any relief is only a false hope in the minds of the sinner.
1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Giving Thanks
What does the Bible have to say about the topic and importance of giving thanks?
I could sit here and copy and paste most of Psalms and half of the NT. But I will add just a few verses, knowing that I could add to them indefinetly.
Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Ephesians 5:18-20
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Paul wrote in many of his letters that we should give thanks, he gave thanks for the people, his situations and that God had chosen him to be His messenger. He also exalted Christ and gave thanks that He died for the sins of the world. But we sometimes overlook giving thanks for the things that afflict us. Paul writing above to give thanks in all things in Ephesians also wrote in 2 Corinthians that he would rather glory in his infirmities. He took pleasure in the beatings and the confrontations and even in the infirmities that he could know the power of Christ Jesus even more.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
And also in Romans 5, that we glory in tribulations. Who would have a better reason to walk away from a ministry than Paul. But he rejoiced even in the tribulations that were brought upon him, always looking to where it was for the betterment of the Gospel and would always bring glory to God.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Many people ask for Gods will to be made known to them. They search the scriptures and pray that God show them what He would have them to do. Many ask that for personal guidence and I have heard many say that they don't know what God has for them to do. Two of the basic things that we as Christians can do is to give thanks and pray. For everyone that reads the verse below it should be apparent that we are to give thanks, and it should be incorporated into our lives. Not just because we feel greatful at times or when it seems that things are going out way. But we are to give thanks because that is Gods will for our lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
As a Christian, giving thanks to God should come naturally for us. God has given more for us than we would ever give for others. No matter who you are or how many, I know I could not give my son for anyone, I'm sorry but I couldn't. God has extended blessings to each one of us that we should be able to write volumes that would rival the Psalms. Could you just imagine what David could pen if he was alive now. I only have to read the Gospels and the letters of Paul to see why we should be thankful. Knowing that Jesus loved me enough to suffer as He did so that I could have fellowship with the Father. To know the peace within through the Holy Spirit, and to know of the hope that I have received, not because of me but because of the work of someone else. What do we not have to be thankful for.
I am thankful for; My God and Savior Jesus Christ, My family, my church family (not just in the congregation I belong to, but everywhere), that God has given me a chance at life again so I can serve Him, All the good things and even all the bad things. I know that all things will work together for good in my life, so even what I see as the bad things are there for a purpose, and they will turn to bring glory to God.
I could sit here and copy and paste most of Psalms and half of the NT. But I will add just a few verses, knowing that I could add to them indefinetly.
Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Ephesians 5:18-20
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Paul wrote in many of his letters that we should give thanks, he gave thanks for the people, his situations and that God had chosen him to be His messenger. He also exalted Christ and gave thanks that He died for the sins of the world. But we sometimes overlook giving thanks for the things that afflict us. Paul writing above to give thanks in all things in Ephesians also wrote in 2 Corinthians that he would rather glory in his infirmities. He took pleasure in the beatings and the confrontations and even in the infirmities that he could know the power of Christ Jesus even more.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
And also in Romans 5, that we glory in tribulations. Who would have a better reason to walk away from a ministry than Paul. But he rejoiced even in the tribulations that were brought upon him, always looking to where it was for the betterment of the Gospel and would always bring glory to God.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Many people ask for Gods will to be made known to them. They search the scriptures and pray that God show them what He would have them to do. Many ask that for personal guidence and I have heard many say that they don't know what God has for them to do. Two of the basic things that we as Christians can do is to give thanks and pray. For everyone that reads the verse below it should be apparent that we are to give thanks, and it should be incorporated into our lives. Not just because we feel greatful at times or when it seems that things are going out way. But we are to give thanks because that is Gods will for our lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
As a Christian, giving thanks to God should come naturally for us. God has given more for us than we would ever give for others. No matter who you are or how many, I know I could not give my son for anyone, I'm sorry but I couldn't. God has extended blessings to each one of us that we should be able to write volumes that would rival the Psalms. Could you just imagine what David could pen if he was alive now. I only have to read the Gospels and the letters of Paul to see why we should be thankful. Knowing that Jesus loved me enough to suffer as He did so that I could have fellowship with the Father. To know the peace within through the Holy Spirit, and to know of the hope that I have received, not because of me but because of the work of someone else. What do we not have to be thankful for.
I am thankful for; My God and Savior Jesus Christ, My family, my church family (not just in the congregation I belong to, but everywhere), that God has given me a chance at life again so I can serve Him, All the good things and even all the bad things. I know that all things will work together for good in my life, so even what I see as the bad things are there for a purpose, and they will turn to bring glory to God.
Faithfulness
Faithfulness
Faithfulness is importance coupled with commitment. A person is faithful only to what he/she feels is truly important. His commitment can only extend to what he/she sees is worthy of his/her time. Usually we are committed to something in our lives that we see as important and are faithful to it. And even though we do have to have a certain commitment towards things like our spouse or girlfriend, our job or school and our families, we have to be careful what we place in that number one position. What we place as the most important thing in our lives will show everything about us. If it is our spouse then people see us as a devoted husband or wife, if our job then we are seen as a loyal employee and if in our families then we are seen as a committed family man or woman. If we place our importance on any one of these things, then we can find other areas lacking and this can lead to trouble, as most have experienced first hand.
If you put your spouse as the most important thing in your life, then your job can suffer. If you place your job as most important, then your marriage and family can suffer. If you place sports or other outside activities, such as video games or hanging out above school work, then your grades can suffer. We can destroy areas in our lives by placing one area above another, by making it our one focus and devoting our time to it. Lives have been shattered, families left in ruins, marriages torn apart and jobs lost because of a commitment in another area.
As Christians the most important person in our lives should be Jesus Christ. If we place Him above all else, are faithful to Him and make a commitment to Him then it will effect other areas of our lives. We will be devoted, loyal and committed to our spouses, jobs and families. If we place Jesus first, then we can allow the Spirit to work in our lives; then it will change the way we think, the way we act and the way we speak. When we allow the Spirit of God to be active through us, then we will present ourselves in the manner that is pleasing unto Him in all other areas of our lives. But it has to start by being committed to Jesus Christ. It starts with faithfulness to the One that has given us life eternal. It starts with getting your priorities straight and placing Jesus first.
Faithfulness is importance coupled with commitment. A person is faithful only to what he/she feels is truly important. His commitment can only extend to what he/she sees is worthy of his/her time. Usually we are committed to something in our lives that we see as important and are faithful to it. And even though we do have to have a certain commitment towards things like our spouse or girlfriend, our job or school and our families, we have to be careful what we place in that number one position. What we place as the most important thing in our lives will show everything about us. If it is our spouse then people see us as a devoted husband or wife, if our job then we are seen as a loyal employee and if in our families then we are seen as a committed family man or woman. If we place our importance on any one of these things, then we can find other areas lacking and this can lead to trouble, as most have experienced first hand.
If you put your spouse as the most important thing in your life, then your job can suffer. If you place your job as most important, then your marriage and family can suffer. If you place sports or other outside activities, such as video games or hanging out above school work, then your grades can suffer. We can destroy areas in our lives by placing one area above another, by making it our one focus and devoting our time to it. Lives have been shattered, families left in ruins, marriages torn apart and jobs lost because of a commitment in another area.
As Christians the most important person in our lives should be Jesus Christ. If we place Him above all else, are faithful to Him and make a commitment to Him then it will effect other areas of our lives. We will be devoted, loyal and committed to our spouses, jobs and families. If we place Jesus first, then we can allow the Spirit to work in our lives; then it will change the way we think, the way we act and the way we speak. When we allow the Spirit of God to be active through us, then we will present ourselves in the manner that is pleasing unto Him in all other areas of our lives. But it has to start by being committed to Jesus Christ. It starts with faithfulness to the One that has given us life eternal. It starts with getting your priorities straight and placing Jesus first.
Compromise
Compromise
Most of us in here know about compromise. According to the dictionary one of the meanings is: a settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions. Many of us have dealt with a car dealer or some similar person to reach an agreement of some type.
Here is a good example of compromise. When we find a car we want, a process starts where we try to get the price to where both parties agree. As the buyer we want the dealer to take what we will pay, and the dealer tries to get the most he can for the vehicle. If a compromise can't be reached then there is no deal. We face compromises everyday of our lives. We settle for what someone offers, even though it isn't what we really want. But sometimes it swings our way and we get more than we wanted.
People try to compromise because we want things our way, its part of our nature. It doesn't have to be exactly what we want because we are flexible, and we expect others to be flexible also.
Probably where we compromise the most as Christians is in our relationship with God. Most of us are more committed to marriage relationships or our jobs more than we are to God.
We can learn a lesson from the scriptures found in Exodus.
Exodus 8:25-32
25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. 26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? 27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. 28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me. 29 And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD. 30 And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. 32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
Exodus 10:8-11
8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. 10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
When Moses went to Pharaoh, He was sent by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, to a land that God had promised. God sent word through Moses of what He wanted and the demand was simple, "Let my people go". We all know of the plagues that were sent when Pharaoh refused to obey God, and we remember the Passover and what it represents. But overlooked are these few verses where Pharaoh tries to compromise with God.
1. "sacrifice to your God in the land." Pharaoh was not only the ruler to the people, but he was their god. They worshipped him as the lord of the universe. Pharaoh didn't want to let the people go, so he decided that he would allow them to worship God in the land of Goshen in front of the Egyptians. He would still have kept control of the people and even their worship of God. Many of the people that were slaves to the Egyptians still held onto their beliefs, but at the cost of remaining under control of Pharaoh. It showed that he was in control, even of their gods.
Today many Christians still worship God, but do it in the world. They want to serve God, but they let the things of this world interfere and dictate when and where they worship God. Its not as obvious as with Pharaoh, but it is still there. They want to compromise with God about their worship and their service. They want to remain in the world, and worship God while still being a part of the world. As Christians we are to be separate from the things of the world. We will still be in the world, but not a part of it. Many of the things of the world conflict with Christianity and the word of God. But a worldly Christian will compromise his belief, in the word of God, to accept the things of the world. Why? because they are still living in the world and trying to fit Christianity into it.
2. "only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me." His second compromise was that the people could go, but not go very far away. He would give them some freedom but not much. He still wanted them under his eye, and control. He wanted the people to stay within his reach.
3. “go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD;” Pharaoh tried to specify who would be able to go to serve the Lord. Moses told Pharaoh that everyone would go, taking their flocks with them. Pharaoh wanted to hold a majority of the people in the land to reassure that the others would come back. In today’s terms we call it “holding hostages”.
Pharaoh tried to compromise with God through Moses in order to remain in control of the situation that had formed in his lands. That’s what the world wants today from Christians, “You can be a Christian but…you have to conform to the world. In order to conform you must compromise.
God is not a God of compromise, and He doesn’t want us to be a people of Compromise.
Most of us in here know about compromise. According to the dictionary one of the meanings is: a settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions. Many of us have dealt with a car dealer or some similar person to reach an agreement of some type.
Here is a good example of compromise. When we find a car we want, a process starts where we try to get the price to where both parties agree. As the buyer we want the dealer to take what we will pay, and the dealer tries to get the most he can for the vehicle. If a compromise can't be reached then there is no deal. We face compromises everyday of our lives. We settle for what someone offers, even though it isn't what we really want. But sometimes it swings our way and we get more than we wanted.
People try to compromise because we want things our way, its part of our nature. It doesn't have to be exactly what we want because we are flexible, and we expect others to be flexible also.
Probably where we compromise the most as Christians is in our relationship with God. Most of us are more committed to marriage relationships or our jobs more than we are to God.
We can learn a lesson from the scriptures found in Exodus.
Exodus 8:25-32
25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. 26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? 27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. 28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me. 29 And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD. 30 And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. 32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
Exodus 10:8-11
8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. 10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
When Moses went to Pharaoh, He was sent by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, to a land that God had promised. God sent word through Moses of what He wanted and the demand was simple, "Let my people go". We all know of the plagues that were sent when Pharaoh refused to obey God, and we remember the Passover and what it represents. But overlooked are these few verses where Pharaoh tries to compromise with God.
1. "sacrifice to your God in the land." Pharaoh was not only the ruler to the people, but he was their god. They worshipped him as the lord of the universe. Pharaoh didn't want to let the people go, so he decided that he would allow them to worship God in the land of Goshen in front of the Egyptians. He would still have kept control of the people and even their worship of God. Many of the people that were slaves to the Egyptians still held onto their beliefs, but at the cost of remaining under control of Pharaoh. It showed that he was in control, even of their gods.
Today many Christians still worship God, but do it in the world. They want to serve God, but they let the things of this world interfere and dictate when and where they worship God. Its not as obvious as with Pharaoh, but it is still there. They want to compromise with God about their worship and their service. They want to remain in the world, and worship God while still being a part of the world. As Christians we are to be separate from the things of the world. We will still be in the world, but not a part of it. Many of the things of the world conflict with Christianity and the word of God. But a worldly Christian will compromise his belief, in the word of God, to accept the things of the world. Why? because they are still living in the world and trying to fit Christianity into it.
2. "only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me." His second compromise was that the people could go, but not go very far away. He would give them some freedom but not much. He still wanted them under his eye, and control. He wanted the people to stay within his reach.
3. “go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD;” Pharaoh tried to specify who would be able to go to serve the Lord. Moses told Pharaoh that everyone would go, taking their flocks with them. Pharaoh wanted to hold a majority of the people in the land to reassure that the others would come back. In today’s terms we call it “holding hostages”.
Pharaoh tried to compromise with God through Moses in order to remain in control of the situation that had formed in his lands. That’s what the world wants today from Christians, “You can be a Christian but…you have to conform to the world. In order to conform you must compromise.
God is not a God of compromise, and He doesn’t want us to be a people of Compromise.
A Catholic Question and comment
“Why do people have problems understanding that the Catholic Church was founded by Peter? Catholics don’t teach that the only way to understand the bible is through the church.”
Lets deal with the second statement first.
This is paragraph 100 of the Catholic Catechism;
"The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him."
This is what they are taught as children and grow up believing, along with many other things that deal with the pope and the church authority. According to this the pope has the sole authority of interpreting the scriptures according to the way he see's fit. Who gave him this authority? The Pope. He had the final authority over the draft that was to become this document. Even though this document gives him the authority to interpret scripture, the bible argues otherwise. Two other religious beliefs also believe and teach that you have to have the scriptures interpreted for understanding; Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.
The bible says this about the word of God,
Acts 17: 10-11
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
They searched the scripture daily, as the gospel was brought to them, to check what they heard as being the truth or not. Now keep in mind that as the brought the gospel to the Bereans the only scriptures were the OT writings. They searched the OT writings to check that the Gospel was true. Not accepting the message until it was researched. Many people today, in all churches, lack in this and believe what is told to them by the church leaders. They accept what is told to them without question because they feel that it needs to be interpreted in order to understand the scriptures. Why read or study the bible when you are told that you can only understand it through one mans interpretation?
2 Timothy 3: 16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Paul didn't mention "as it is interpreted for you". Scripture is given to all men and is interpreted according to scripture through the Holy Spirit. And this scripture is for our benefit as to growth and being equipped for the ministry.
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
“When the light of the Scripture is darted into the blind mind and dark understanding, by the Holy Spirit of God, it is like the day-break that advances, and diffuses itself through the whole soul, till it makes perfect day. As the Scripture is the revelation of the mind and will of God, every man ought to search it, to understand the sense and meaning. The Christian knows that book to be the word of God, in which he tastes a sweetness, and feels a power, and sees a glory, truly divine. And the prophecies already fulfilled in the person and salvation of Christ, and in the great concerns of the church and the world, form an unanswerable proof of the truth of Christianity. The Holy Ghost inspired holy men to speak and write. He so assisted and directed them in delivering what they had received from him, that they clearly expressed what they made known. So that the Scriptures are to be accounted the words of the Holy Ghost, and all the plainness and simplicity, all the power and all the propriety of the words and expressions, come from God.”
Matthew Henry
“The verse he used was in Matthew, somewhere after chapter 20... the verse where he tells Peter that he is the rock and a pillar of the church and of truth, and he gave him the "keys to heaven", and that whatever he locked would remain locked and vice versa. This shows the authority Peter had for starting the church in Rome”
This is how Peter describes himself:
1 Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Peter didn't think himself anything other than an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Not the Apostle, not the leader of the church, not the pope. He considered himself an apostle, one of many, of our Lord and Savior. If he would have been anything more his letter would have carried more credibility if it contained a leadership title.
1 Peter 5:1-3
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Peter once again says that he is not over the elders, but considers himself as one of them. He puts himself on the same level of leadership as the elders in the churches that the letter was written. And he in these verses calls them not to be Lords over God's heritage to the flock. But to be examples. It sounds as though even Peter understood that the elders, of which he was one, was not to be Lord over God's heritage, which the pope is set up to be.
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
I have heard a lot about these verses, even more than you have asked.
Peter answered this question for not only himself but for the group. The question was directed to the group: first, who do men say that I am; second, who do you say that I am. The rock that he is talking about was that of himself and who he was, not upon Peter, but the declaration of what had been revealed not only to him but to the whole group. The foundation that Jesus was the Christ, or the messiah and promised one, and the Son of God. That was the rock that the church was built upon.
The Catholics say that they follow an apostolic succession and that the authority given to Peter is passed down through the generations unto the current Pope. This apostolic succession is not mentioned in the bible and would have been recorded if it had been so, and would have been mentioned by Paul if it was to make up the church. According to the bible you are an apostle only if you had seen the risen Savior, Paul became one on the road to Damascus when Jesus appeared to him. And would have been surely mentioned by Peter if it had been revealed to him that some power that he had was to be passed down through the ages. If we look further in the bible then we will see that while Peter was just an apostle, he was present when the Holy Spirit fell upon three different groups of people. The Israelite's who believed, the Samaritans and the Gentiles. And it is noted that when he saw that they had believed, the Spirit came upon them. I believe, as I have been taught, that this was in reference to the keys that had been given. The Catholics have taught and still teach that this power has been passed down and that the Pope has authority over heaven and who is admitted. According to the word of God the only one who has the power over who is admitted into heaven is God and entrance is gained only through Christ Jesus.
The Catholic church places Peter as the leader and the greatest over all the Apostles and use these verses in Matthew to do it, but two chapters later the apostles ask who is the greatest among them. If it would have been Peter they would have known and Jesus would have said.
All the Catholic Bishops and Bishops of other systems which have their roots based in Catholicism claim this Apostolic succession from Peter being transferred to them by the laying on of hands. Through it they claim to have the power appointed to Peter transferred to themselves. The Pope is chosen from these Bishops by the Bishops. But Peter could not have been chosen as the first Pope over the Roman Catholic Church because the bible disputes this on many fronts.
One, He was appointed a minister unto the Jews and not the Gentiles. Paul was appointed minister to the Gentiles. It was Paul’s appointment to bring the Gospel to them and to form the church among them. Gal. 2:7-8
Two, Peter didn't write the letter to the Romans, Paul did while Peter was in Jerusalem. Paul told the Romans that he had been chosen as their Apostle. Rom. 15:16-18
Three, Paul told the Romans that he was to form the church among them. Rom. 1:11
Four, There was no church already in Rome when Paul wrote his letter or got there, Paul said he wouldn't build upon another mans foundation. So Peter couldn't have had a church established there. Rom. 15:20
Five, Peter was never mentioned in Paul’s writings either in Romans or in the epistles sent from Rome. In 2 Timothy, it is written that only Luke is with him, if Pater had been there then he would have mentioned him.
Six, When Paul got to Rome he went to the leaders of the Jews there and brought and explained the Gospel to them, If Peter would have been there they would have known already. They had received word from Judea about Christianity by letter, that’s how they had heard. Not through another Apostle that had been in Rome for 14 years. Acts 28:17-22
Seven, Peter had changed and refused to be associated with the gentiles out of fear of those of the circumcision. Even Barnabas had joined in with them over this fear. Paul said they "didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel". Galatians 2:11-20
Eight, Peter taught a Gospel that was perverted by fear of the Israelites, that the Gentiles had to become Jews in order to become Christians. One point that Paul brings up in Galatians and also Luke in Acts. When it was brought in front of the church in Jerusalem, it was found that the Gentiles didn't have to follow after the laws and customs of the Jews to be Christians as Peter taught. A false Gospel taught by Peter and corrected by Paul, and decided upon by James in Jerusalem. If Peter was who the Catholic Church claimed he was then, James wouldn't have been sitting in judgment over this. Acts 15
To follow after the bible only without the added texts and the stipulation that it can only be understood when enlightened by the thoughts and interpretation of the Pope and the Bishops in Rome, would dispute many of the teachings that the Catholic church has today. It has become a collection of rituals that is added to and taken away from at the whim of the Pope. If God spoke through the Pope only for enlightenment for the people, There would never be changes made according to what the scripture means.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sabbath
Why was the Sabbath changed? Why don't we have church on Saturdays?
The Saturday Sabbath was never replaced by a Sunday Sabbath. Sunday is considered the Lord's day and is the day that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples. The first day of the week is the day that was chosen for the services of the church, from the early church to the modern church. But everyday should be a day of worship for the God that granted us salvation through Jesus Christ. We should wake every morning with a heart set to praise Him and to bring glory to His name.
Saturday was a day set aside by God to rest from work. We are to remember the day and to keep it holy. To keep it holy would be to honor God through His commandment to keep the day of rest. The Sabbath commandment requires rest and prohibits work. The Sabbath being part of the Law was required of the Jews as a commandment and there were other laws written expounding on what was required on that day. One such law prohibited lighting a fire on the Sabbath. ( Exodus 35:3 ) Another prohibits a person to carry anything from out of a domain. More than just prohibiting work it prohibits any activity that is creative. ( Jer. 17: 21 )
Since the law was given to the Israelites through Moses, it was for them as God's people to follow and obey. The letter of the law was fulfilled and done away with through Christ. Because of that we are not required to follow that letter of the law, which with me being a Gentile was never bound by the law because the law didn't pertain to the Gentiles. Praise God for His grace that is given freely to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Colossians 2:14-16
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
All occurrences of that deal with Jesus and Christians happened on the first day:
Jesus rose on the first day of the week not the Sabbath: Mk 16:9
All 6 appearances of Jesus happen on two Sundays, none on Sabbath. Mk 16:9; Mt 28:5-9; Lk 24:34; Lk 24:13-15; Lk 24:33,36 + Jn 20:19; Jn 20:26
Christians are recorded assembling three times on Sunday after resurrection and before ascension, never on the Sabbath. Jn 20:19 Jn 20:26 Acts 2:1
The only time Christians are recorded to have assembled together was on a Sunday in Acts 20:7, never does it say the disciples assembled on the Sabbath.
The only day ever mentioned when Christians broke bread was on Sunday: Acts 20:7
Christians are commanded every Sunday to give into a common treasury of the church: 1 Cor 16:1-2
Jesus was declared the Son of God on Sunday: Rom 1:4
Ps 2:7 "Today I have begotten thee" was fulfilled on Sunday when he rose: Acts 13:33
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
Jesus was crowned king on a Sunday: Acts 2:33-36
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
The disciples reception of the promise of the Father on Sunday: Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit first fell upon the apostles on a Sunday: Acts 2:1-4
Salvation first preached by Peter on Sunday: Mt 16:19; Acts 2:1,38,40-41
The Keys to the Kingdom of God were first used on Sunday: Mt 16:19
The great "Triumphal entry" (also called "Palm Sunday") happened on the first day: Luke 13:32
The time between the Lord’s resurrection (sheaf waving day) and Pentecost was Sunday to Sunday counting of 50 days. The starting and stopping time was on the first day
First time Jesus worshiped after resurrection was on the first day by Thomas (Jn. 20:26).
The first time we could be born again to a living hope was on a Sunday: 1 Pet. 1:3
The first time Jesus had communion after his resurrection with His disciples, was on a Sunday: (Lk. 24:1, 13, 28-35)
Pentecost was a Sunday - Sunday duration of 50 days. The starting point and stopping point of counting the 50 days was a Sunday - Sunday.
Also I might add: That in the early church that some went forth and taught that in order to become Christians that you had to be circumcised and keep the law. It was not a commandment from the church that you had to convert to Judaism in order to be a Christian. The church in Jerusalem sent a decree to the gentile believers with a list of things required but not a burden. These are found in the verses below. It is not mentioned that we are to keep the Sabbath as gentile believers, as a matter of fact according to the verses the church said that there is no such commandment from them for the believers to follow the law. And the Sabbath is a part of the law.
Acts 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
But I also add that the day of worship should not be set to a debate or argument. Even though I present my case, and could write more on the subject, for the reason that I worship on Sunday. If there is a time that you set aside to worship, it doesn't matter if it is on Saturday, Sunday or even on a Tuesday or Friday. I would that you worship God every day of the week and set aside a time everyday to spend with Him in study and prayer. I will place these verses.
Romans 15: 4-6
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
The Saturday Sabbath was never replaced by a Sunday Sabbath. Sunday is considered the Lord's day and is the day that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples. The first day of the week is the day that was chosen for the services of the church, from the early church to the modern church. But everyday should be a day of worship for the God that granted us salvation through Jesus Christ. We should wake every morning with a heart set to praise Him and to bring glory to His name.
Saturday was a day set aside by God to rest from work. We are to remember the day and to keep it holy. To keep it holy would be to honor God through His commandment to keep the day of rest. The Sabbath commandment requires rest and prohibits work. The Sabbath being part of the Law was required of the Jews as a commandment and there were other laws written expounding on what was required on that day. One such law prohibited lighting a fire on the Sabbath. ( Exodus 35:3 ) Another prohibits a person to carry anything from out of a domain. More than just prohibiting work it prohibits any activity that is creative. ( Jer. 17: 21 )
Since the law was given to the Israelites through Moses, it was for them as God's people to follow and obey. The letter of the law was fulfilled and done away with through Christ. Because of that we are not required to follow that letter of the law, which with me being a Gentile was never bound by the law because the law didn't pertain to the Gentiles. Praise God for His grace that is given freely to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Colossians 2:14-16
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
All occurrences of that deal with Jesus and Christians happened on the first day:
Jesus rose on the first day of the week not the Sabbath: Mk 16:9
All 6 appearances of Jesus happen on two Sundays, none on Sabbath. Mk 16:9; Mt 28:5-9; Lk 24:34; Lk 24:13-15; Lk 24:33,36 + Jn 20:19; Jn 20:26
Christians are recorded assembling three times on Sunday after resurrection and before ascension, never on the Sabbath. Jn 20:19 Jn 20:26 Acts 2:1
The only time Christians are recorded to have assembled together was on a Sunday in Acts 20:7, never does it say the disciples assembled on the Sabbath.
The only day ever mentioned when Christians broke bread was on Sunday: Acts 20:7
Christians are commanded every Sunday to give into a common treasury of the church: 1 Cor 16:1-2
Jesus was declared the Son of God on Sunday: Rom 1:4
Ps 2:7 "Today I have begotten thee" was fulfilled on Sunday when he rose: Acts 13:33
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
Jesus was crowned king on a Sunday: Acts 2:33-36
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
The disciples reception of the promise of the Father on Sunday: Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit first fell upon the apostles on a Sunday: Acts 2:1-4
Salvation first preached by Peter on Sunday: Mt 16:19; Acts 2:1,38,40-41
The Keys to the Kingdom of God were first used on Sunday: Mt 16:19
The great "Triumphal entry" (also called "Palm Sunday") happened on the first day: Luke 13:32
The time between the Lord’s resurrection (sheaf waving day) and Pentecost was Sunday to Sunday counting of 50 days. The starting and stopping time was on the first day
First time Jesus worshiped after resurrection was on the first day by Thomas (Jn. 20:26).
The first time we could be born again to a living hope was on a Sunday: 1 Pet. 1:3
The first time Jesus had communion after his resurrection with His disciples, was on a Sunday: (Lk. 24:1, 13, 28-35)
Pentecost was a Sunday - Sunday duration of 50 days. The starting point and stopping point of counting the 50 days was a Sunday - Sunday.
Also I might add: That in the early church that some went forth and taught that in order to become Christians that you had to be circumcised and keep the law. It was not a commandment from the church that you had to convert to Judaism in order to be a Christian. The church in Jerusalem sent a decree to the gentile believers with a list of things required but not a burden. These are found in the verses below. It is not mentioned that we are to keep the Sabbath as gentile believers, as a matter of fact according to the verses the church said that there is no such commandment from them for the believers to follow the law. And the Sabbath is a part of the law.
Acts 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
But I also add that the day of worship should not be set to a debate or argument. Even though I present my case, and could write more on the subject, for the reason that I worship on Sunday. If there is a time that you set aside to worship, it doesn't matter if it is on Saturday, Sunday or even on a Tuesday or Friday. I would that you worship God every day of the week and set aside a time everyday to spend with Him in study and prayer. I will place these verses.
Romans 15: 4-6
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Judgment
Can we judge others?
Seems to me that one of the areas where we fail today as Christians, is that we are lacking in our judgment of others. And when we do judge we judge according to areas that we have no right, and call it righteous. How can we protect our families if we don't judge, and in the same measure, ourselves. Today the world has spiraled downward into chaos where people that are confessing Christians are convicted of abuse and murder, and we have entered into a new age of apostasy. We can call this lack of discernment, or ignoring the Holy Spirit; but the bottom line is still that we misinterpret the scripture to exclude judging others.
Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Very seldom do I hear verses 1 and 2 coupled together. And never verses 3-6 added to it. All that is harped on is that we are not to judge others, period. But how do we make it through life without judging others. We have to be careful in the judgment, because when we judge others we will be judged in like manner. If I judge someone as a false teacher, I will be judged according to my teachings. If I judge someone as an adulterer, I will be judged likewise. Whatever criteria and standards I set in my judging, will be the criteria and standards I will be judged. We have to be careful in our judging, but to say that we are not to judge; would be to not follow the scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I order to hold this verse to be true and useful we must judge. For every point made in this verse we must judge others according to doctrine, teachings and actions. But this holds only for judgment on the inside and not the outside. We are to be careful about judging those that are without and our dealings with them, but this judgment concerns things of God. We can't judge an unbeliever the same as we do a believer because they do not have the Holy Spirit within. Our dealing with the world should be to spread the Gospel message to a dying people.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
We know we can judge an unbeliever by world standards. But we can't always say that a Christian has no place to judge an unbeliever according to a righteous judgment. When an unbeliever moves into the realm of spirituality, they open themselves to a spiritual judgment. Today there are more "religions" that call themselves Christians and deny many of the essential doctrines of Christianity. Without naming names I believe a few have popped into your heads. They deny the deity of Christ, His death and some His resurrection. They add to the work of the Cross and the sacrifice for sins. Some have pointed to Christ being a state of being and deny his coming back. And these are here today. We have certain criteria, according to the word of God, that makes us believers and unbelievers. Even though they confess they still, according to their statements and their beliefs, are not Christians. Am I judging? yes, according to the word of God. Should we judge these unbelievers according to the standards set forth by the Bible? yes. Why? because they put themselves in that position and to protect others. And not only do we judge them but we are to expose them.
Most of the time when you hear the words "do not judge" it should be a flag that someone needs to. Many people that are involved in questionable ministries use that term repeatedly. And many of these have even concocted their own sayings and condemn anyone that try to compare their teachings to scripture. We have even seen them pray openly and through letters that the people and their families that judge them die. This is how serious people get when you judge them... About 17 miles from where I live is a small town. Inside this town is a "ministry" that seems to be following some of the most infamous cults of our time. One of the things that Tony Alamo harps on is that its not mans place to judge him. That anyone that judges him is subject to the wrath of his god. That what he teaches may not be backed up in scripture, because he has a direct line to God. Alamo says that he shouldn't be judged for the child abuse, the beatings, the imprisonment or the torture of the kids and adults in his compound. And the worse part is that many Christians have not judged him according to biblical standards and still refuse to do so because they have been convinced that judging is prideful.
We are to judge others, as mentioned above, to hold them accountable for their actions. To keep them from error, and to be sure that the word of God is preserved. But we can't judge people according to their salvation, their motives (unless voiced), their sincerity or their appearance. But we can judge according to their works, their teachings, what they confess, their actions. We shall know them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
We are to judge according to what we know, what we see, not by what we have heard from others. And to judge we must, if we are to protect what we hold most dear. Before we judge others, according to their teachings, we have to know that they are teaching falsely. This involves a certain level of maturity, immature Christians must go to someone that they know is grounded in doctrine and ask, before they are judged and confronted. Many times we remember the verse (Matt. 7) and the condemnation that seems to go with it and refuse to judge them, not only does that allow them to continue but also brings us in as partakers of their wrong doing.
2 John 7-11
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
When we first heard the Gospel, we judged it. When we first looked at a bible, we judged it. When we first hear a preacher, we judge him. When we first read a text, we judge it. In our lives we judge everything every day. Judgment is good and beneficial to our lives as Christians, but we have to judge by a standard set by the scriptures and not by our own views. Then we find ourselves in sin and in danger of a harsh judgment. I would rather be judged according to God's standards instead of some of mine, but alas I know I have failed and will be judged according to some of the things I have judged others for.
We do not judge anyone unto condemnation, but for correction, rebuke and instruction. These things should be done in love, with the goal in mind for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ, and to bring others into maturity.
Seems to me that one of the areas where we fail today as Christians, is that we are lacking in our judgment of others. And when we do judge we judge according to areas that we have no right, and call it righteous. How can we protect our families if we don't judge, and in the same measure, ourselves. Today the world has spiraled downward into chaos where people that are confessing Christians are convicted of abuse and murder, and we have entered into a new age of apostasy. We can call this lack of discernment, or ignoring the Holy Spirit; but the bottom line is still that we misinterpret the scripture to exclude judging others.
Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Very seldom do I hear verses 1 and 2 coupled together. And never verses 3-6 added to it. All that is harped on is that we are not to judge others, period. But how do we make it through life without judging others. We have to be careful in the judgment, because when we judge others we will be judged in like manner. If I judge someone as a false teacher, I will be judged according to my teachings. If I judge someone as an adulterer, I will be judged likewise. Whatever criteria and standards I set in my judging, will be the criteria and standards I will be judged. We have to be careful in our judging, but to say that we are not to judge; would be to not follow the scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I order to hold this verse to be true and useful we must judge. For every point made in this verse we must judge others according to doctrine, teachings and actions. But this holds only for judgment on the inside and not the outside. We are to be careful about judging those that are without and our dealings with them, but this judgment concerns things of God. We can't judge an unbeliever the same as we do a believer because they do not have the Holy Spirit within. Our dealing with the world should be to spread the Gospel message to a dying people.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
We know we can judge an unbeliever by world standards. But we can't always say that a Christian has no place to judge an unbeliever according to a righteous judgment. When an unbeliever moves into the realm of spirituality, they open themselves to a spiritual judgment. Today there are more "religions" that call themselves Christians and deny many of the essential doctrines of Christianity. Without naming names I believe a few have popped into your heads. They deny the deity of Christ, His death and some His resurrection. They add to the work of the Cross and the sacrifice for sins. Some have pointed to Christ being a state of being and deny his coming back. And these are here today. We have certain criteria, according to the word of God, that makes us believers and unbelievers. Even though they confess they still, according to their statements and their beliefs, are not Christians. Am I judging? yes, according to the word of God. Should we judge these unbelievers according to the standards set forth by the Bible? yes. Why? because they put themselves in that position and to protect others. And not only do we judge them but we are to expose them.
Most of the time when you hear the words "do not judge" it should be a flag that someone needs to. Many people that are involved in questionable ministries use that term repeatedly. And many of these have even concocted their own sayings and condemn anyone that try to compare their teachings to scripture. We have even seen them pray openly and through letters that the people and their families that judge them die. This is how serious people get when you judge them... About 17 miles from where I live is a small town. Inside this town is a "ministry" that seems to be following some of the most infamous cults of our time. One of the things that Tony Alamo harps on is that its not mans place to judge him. That anyone that judges him is subject to the wrath of his god. That what he teaches may not be backed up in scripture, because he has a direct line to God. Alamo says that he shouldn't be judged for the child abuse, the beatings, the imprisonment or the torture of the kids and adults in his compound. And the worse part is that many Christians have not judged him according to biblical standards and still refuse to do so because they have been convinced that judging is prideful.
We are to judge others, as mentioned above, to hold them accountable for their actions. To keep them from error, and to be sure that the word of God is preserved. But we can't judge people according to their salvation, their motives (unless voiced), their sincerity or their appearance. But we can judge according to their works, their teachings, what they confess, their actions. We shall know them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
We are to judge according to what we know, what we see, not by what we have heard from others. And to judge we must, if we are to protect what we hold most dear. Before we judge others, according to their teachings, we have to know that they are teaching falsely. This involves a certain level of maturity, immature Christians must go to someone that they know is grounded in doctrine and ask, before they are judged and confronted. Many times we remember the verse (Matt. 7) and the condemnation that seems to go with it and refuse to judge them, not only does that allow them to continue but also brings us in as partakers of their wrong doing.
2 John 7-11
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
When we first heard the Gospel, we judged it. When we first looked at a bible, we judged it. When we first hear a preacher, we judge him. When we first read a text, we judge it. In our lives we judge everything every day. Judgment is good and beneficial to our lives as Christians, but we have to judge by a standard set by the scriptures and not by our own views. Then we find ourselves in sin and in danger of a harsh judgment. I would rather be judged according to God's standards instead of some of mine, but alas I know I have failed and will be judged according to some of the things I have judged others for.
We do not judge anyone unto condemnation, but for correction, rebuke and instruction. These things should be done in love, with the goal in mind for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ, and to bring others into maturity.
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