The Trinity
1 Timothy 3:16
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
One of the hardest to understand and confusing doctrines in the bible is the doctrine of the Trinity. Although it is not specifically mentioned as the word "Trinity", it is implied throughout scripture. The word Trinity is a theological word that is used to describe the Godhead. The word Trinity is from the Latin word Trinitas which means a triad or number three. Just as the word bible is not specifically mentioned in the bible, it still exists. The Trinity is found from Genesis to Revelation and is implicit truth that is found throughout the scriptures. The word rapture is not directly stated in the bible but it is from the Latin word rapio which means “to snatch away” from 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
The word Godhead is found in the scriptures three times: Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20 and Colossians 2:9. But there are many more references to the Godhead found throughout the bible.
In the bible there are two kinds of doctrines; explicit and implicit. Explicit doctrines come from explicit truths that are shown in verses and are fully revealed in the text. These truths are direct and leave no question about the meaning. Implicit doctrine comes from implicit truths that are implied through the text, though not specifically expressed. Although implicit truths leave no doubt as to the meaning of or the subject in question. Implicit doctrine is not formed by one verse, but by many verses independent of each other throughout the entire bible that clearly show the nature of the doctrine. As long as it doesn’t contradict explicit truth or doctrine, then it can be accepted as implicit truth. The Doctrine of the Trinity is implicit doctrine that fully explains the explicit doctrine of One God.
The teaching of the Trinity is not a new teaching, it has been around since the second century. The first recorded use of this Greek word in Christian theology (though not about the Divine Trinity) was by Theophilus of Antioch in about 170. He wrote:
"In like manner also the three days which were before the luminaries, are types of the Trinity, of God, and His Word, and His wisdom. And the fourth is the type of man, who needs light, that so there may be God, the Word, wisdom, man."
Tertullian, a Latin theologian who wrote in the early 3rd century, is credited with using the words "Trinity", "person" and "substance" to explain that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are "one in essence—not one in Person".
About a century later, in 325, the First Council of Nicaea established the doctrine of the Trinity as orthodoxy and adopted the Nicene Creed, which described Christ as "God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father".
The Doctrine of the Trinity is an essential doctrine for Christians. And although it is essential, it is the greatest mystery in the scriptures. God has revealed to us who He is in the form of three distinct personages that form one God. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in unity form the eternal Godhead. Although they are all three God and all three share the exact same characteristics, nature and attributes; they are each distinct in their roles. The name Godhead is referred to times throughout the bible and is the fullness of God which consists of the personages which serve different roles within the Godhead. Each person of the Godhead is able to work independently of each other in their roles, but do not exist or act independently apart from each other.
Each person of the Godhead has been active since creation and has remained active through the scriptures. Each has been active in God's dealings with man throughout man's history. In Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The Hebrew word for God is plural intensive in this sentence but implies a singular meaning, as in one consisting of more than one. The scriptures never refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as separate gods.
In Genesis 1:2 we also see that the Spirit of God was active in the role of creation. " And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Further in Genesis 1 in verse 26 "And God said , Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:" God is still in the plural form as before and is speaking as plural.
Throughout the OT we can see the Trinity as God is active in peoples lives. Genesis 11:7-8 "Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city."
Isaiah 48:16-17 "Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go."
Isaiah 44:24 "Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself."
Throughout the new testament the Triune God is even more established through the words of Jesus and through the New Testament writers.
John 1:1, 14 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made“. And in John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me."
1 John 4:1-3 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."
Matt 3:16-17, 28:19
Luke 1:35
John 3:6-16; 14:16-17,23-26
Acts 2:32-33, 5:29-32
1Cor 12:4-7
2Cor 1:21-22
Eph 1:1-14, 4:4-6
1Thes 1:2-5
1Peter 1:2
Jude 20-21
It is possible to come to an understanding of the teaching of the Trinity if we accept the word of God as truth, although we may never understand completely the complexities of the Triune Godhead. Our understanding can only come through an acceptance of the scriptures and what is written. Many things God has left as a mystery for us. Many things we believe and know to be true we will never be able to comprehend fully, because we have enough trouble understanding the things in this world.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Importance of the Bible
The Importance of the Bible
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.
Concerning the presence of scripture in these verses we can conclude that ALL scripture, old and new Testaments have been given by the inspiration of God to men through the Holy Spirit. Men wrote according to that which was revealed to them by God. These writings have been compiled into what we now have as the Holy Bible. A total of 66 books, 39 OT and 27 NT is the revealed word of God to His creation.
Lets look at this verse closely:
All scripture is profitable for doctrine. Which is to say that it is beneficial for instructional teaching. Doctrine is a body of principles in a system of belief. These principles are founded upon scripture and sets the foundation for our beliefs as Southern Baptists. These are recorded as the Baptist Faith and Message. This foundation is based on the fact that the scriptures are true and correct.
All scripture is profitable for reproof and correction, which is not always criticism for a fault or a
rebuke; it can be instruction as a form of correction. This is not meant to be a verse dedicated to a harsh judgment of people and a sharp criticism, but is meant to be provided in a kind way in the spirit of meekness to an erring brother or sister either knowingly or unknowingly. The need of
correction doesn't always fall to people that are erring through a disregard of scripture, but also
those that have an ignorance of scripture. Many people that follow other beliefs can fall within this area also. Many times it is from a lack of understanding who Jesus was. For them it is the Gospel they need to hear, not a lecture on doctrine or condemnation.
And also for instruction in righteousness. In this verse instruction means the training and
education, for the development of mind and morals through doctrine and tenets and also through
reproof and correction. This verse sums up pretty well what scripture is used for; knowing what to believe, knowing how to act in that belief, and why you are to believe it and apply it to your everyday life. In verse 17 we are given the reason why. It is so that the man of God can be complete or fitted, and according to the Strong’s it references to special aptitude for given uses, which would be unto good works. These good works only come through the working of the Holy Spirit through us and this comes through maturity and maturity comes through not only the knowledge of the word of God, but by allowing the Spirit to work in us.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Hebrews 1:1-2 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
The Bible that we have is not only a book of history or a book of wisdom, it is a spiritual book that contains the very words of the living God. It is a precious gift that is second only to the Triune God Himself. It contains in its pages the revelation of God to us, first through the prophets and then through His Son. Through the bible we have the very words from the mouth of God to His creation. The lives of people throughout the OT are laid open before us and we see their
relationship with God and how God dealt with them as individuals and as a people. We see God's character and nature in these dealings as He has revealed His plans for them and for us. Through the NT we have God's revelation of His Son and His plans for us given through Jesus and then the NT writers.
The focus of the bible from Genesis to revelation is not about man, is not about Israel or about
believers. Although they are in the pages and recorded for us to see. It is about God, It is God
revealing Himself to people through the ages. It is about who He is, what He wants and what He
expects. God has revealed Himself as a triune God, reveals to us God the Father, God the Son
and God the Holy Spirit. These three with separate personages are explained in the pages of our
bibles. Each revealed to man in their fullness and how They have worked throughout time in the
lives of man. In the NT God has revealed His Son to us and His plan of Salvation, it is focused
upon Him alone and through Him is God's will for mankind. Look at Paul’s testimony, it’s no
focused on Him but how God has used him.
2 Peter 1:20-21 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The study of the scriptures is one of most important things you can do as a Christian. The benefits it provides are tremendous. By studying the word you develop knowledge. you develop maturity as a Christian and you develop a closer relationship with God. You also have a responsibility as a Christian to make sure that what you accept, lines up with scripture. This can never be stressed enough over the course of your studies. You are ultimately responsible for what you accept as truth. Since the bible is accessible to everyone there is no reason not to have one available to study from. There is no reason not to have one in order to follow along during a sermon or bible study. There is nothing wrong with checking the scriptures in context with a preacher or a teacher, you should feel encouraged to research for yourself the text used. Not just to know what was said lines up with scripture but also to gain a deeper understanding of the study or the sermon. It is your responsibility and you will be held accountable for what you believe. The Bereans did just that with Paul. Paul was preaching Jesus and they checked the only scriptures they had, the OT (Acts 17:11). As pastors, preachers and teachers there is a great responsibility to expound upon the scriptures without error. They are held at a higher account for what they preach and teach (James 3:1). Even so it is up to you to know the scriptures for your own sake.
2 Peter 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
The doctrines of human infallibility, implicit faith, and blind obedience, are not the doctrines of the Bible. Every Christian has and ought to have, the judgment of discretion, and should have his senses exercised in discerning between good and evil, truth and falsehood, Hebrews 5:13-14
And proving all things must be in order to holding fast that which is good. We must not always be
seekers, or fluctuating in our minds, like children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say .
1 Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to
this life?
Ephesians 5:8 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh
the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is
acceptable unto the Lord.
What is acceptable to the Lord? What does God have to approve? His word. We have His word
written in the form of the bible, our most sacred and holy treasure. In order to find ourselves
acceptable we must conform to the word. Not just in our minds but in our hearts. We should try to bring our character, nature and being into submission to what is written in the word, But as with Paul I believe it will be impossible to attain. We must protect ourselves and cling to sound
doctrine. Sound doctrine that comes from the scriptures. Sound teaching that comes from the
word and not ideas of men.
The Importance of Bible Study
The Importance of Bible Study
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In Paul's second letter to Timothy, while he was in Ephesus. Paul exhorts Timothy to study, a workman grounded in the truth of the word of God not ashamed of that truth, and to teach the truth without error. Notice Paul doesn't say "Study to be approved unto God" He tells him to study to show thyself approved unto God. It is active, not the act of study but the act of obedience in spreading the truth from the word of God. Not only did Timothy's study benefit him, it benefited the church and it benefited the unbelievers. Our study benefits us individually, benefits the church corporately and can benefit unbelievers eternally.
Study is a very important part of maturity and spiritual growth. Through study we receive knowledge, and through study we receive insights as to who God is and how He operates.
We can listen to our pastors, preachers and teachers and glean some knowledge, but it is always better when we get it first hand from the word of God. Through study we learn the truths that are important for salvation, sanctification, and our future glorification. We learn to discern the truths from the lies around us. We learn when to rebuke and how, we learn when to correct and we receive our instructions for righteous living.
Paul also tells Timothy what to avoid. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. I love to use the word profane because it means secular or worldly. Like Timothy we must avoid these things, the things of the world has no part in our spiritual understanding and study of the bible. We have seen the corruption of the church through compromise trying to bring the church to a worldly level, and we have seen ungodliness running rampant through the churches. Paul called it a canker, an erosive and spreading sore, and then he named names and what they said.
As believers and members of the body of Christ we are all ministers of the Gospel. We are workmen that have a particular job to do. To be able to do that job we have to know the truth without error. We have to know the word of God apart from the propane babblings because they corrupt the Gospel of Christ. How do you know who is spouting these corruptions. Anyone who's words and teachings do not line up with the written word.
I mentioned before that through study we gain knowledge. Knowledge in itself does not cause maturity and spiritual growth. Study is the beginning of maturity, just as the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Many people are full of knowledge and still are far from being pleasing to God. This is because God looks upon the heart. Many people have knowledge and still refuse the truth.
What pleases God is when knowledge is applied. When you, after receiving the knowledge that can be gained through God's word, make that knowledge active in your life. Then is God pleased. I can know that God wants me to be faithful, but I can only please God by applying His word and being faithful.
James 1:22-25 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way , and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was . 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified .
Luke 11:28 But he said , Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
1 John 2:3-6 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith , I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected : hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk , even as he walked.
One thing that people confuse is reading and study. Most people can read through the bible in a very short period, for many just a few days or a couple of weeks. But a serious study can take days for just a couple of verses. There are many courses that can take you through the bible in a year, but these are for reading not for study. Study involves the verses chosen or a particular topic, prayer and tracing references through many other verses throughout the bible to gain insight for the verses you are studying. Serious personal bible study takes commitment, faithfulness and time. I study at night and many times just read in the mornings. Many times my studies are on specific topics. Some people find it better to study in the mornings. Studying topics or studying for lessons.
Classes such as this one are designed not only for learning but to encourage study, for both the members and the teachers. Questions bring about study for all involved, for answers and for checking the answers.
There are many resources available as bible study aids. These we have to be careful about because a commentary or writing, when it doesn't pertain to sound denominational doctrine, is one mans opinion or interpretation of the scriptures. In the links page of our church website is good study and informational links which are Baptist in nature, all of them checked for content.
What is suitable for you depends on your personal preferences and maturity. I use mainly the Strong's Concordance and the Matthew Henry's Commentary as well as the bible. But I also have access to many other works such as Jewish History Books, Greek and Hebrew Lexicons. I also have dictionaries and encyclopedias, papers written by Southern Baptist Scholars and books that cover Theology. Many of the study materials that I use can be found on the website.
Many times we purchase bibles that have study guides in them or study bibles. They can be beneficial, depending on who wrote the study notes for the bible. Interpretations and opinions change from one person to another depending on their beliefs and denominations. It is best to check the person out before purchasing either by an internet search or by asking someone familiar with their beliefs. Probably the best aid for study is to use a bible with a center reference. Using it can keep you studying and referencing one verse for hours.
Study should be beneficial but we must remember that with all the study we can do, with all the knowledge we can gain. Our main goal is to bring the Gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world. That takes simplicity, it takes the basic message of Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In Paul's second letter to Timothy, while he was in Ephesus. Paul exhorts Timothy to study, a workman grounded in the truth of the word of God not ashamed of that truth, and to teach the truth without error. Notice Paul doesn't say "Study to be approved unto God" He tells him to study to show thyself approved unto God. It is active, not the act of study but the act of obedience in spreading the truth from the word of God. Not only did Timothy's study benefit him, it benefited the church and it benefited the unbelievers. Our study benefits us individually, benefits the church corporately and can benefit unbelievers eternally.
Study is a very important part of maturity and spiritual growth. Through study we receive knowledge, and through study we receive insights as to who God is and how He operates.
We can listen to our pastors, preachers and teachers and glean some knowledge, but it is always better when we get it first hand from the word of God. Through study we learn the truths that are important for salvation, sanctification, and our future glorification. We learn to discern the truths from the lies around us. We learn when to rebuke and how, we learn when to correct and we receive our instructions for righteous living.
Paul also tells Timothy what to avoid. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. I love to use the word profane because it means secular or worldly. Like Timothy we must avoid these things, the things of the world has no part in our spiritual understanding and study of the bible. We have seen the corruption of the church through compromise trying to bring the church to a worldly level, and we have seen ungodliness running rampant through the churches. Paul called it a canker, an erosive and spreading sore, and then he named names and what they said.
As believers and members of the body of Christ we are all ministers of the Gospel. We are workmen that have a particular job to do. To be able to do that job we have to know the truth without error. We have to know the word of God apart from the propane babblings because they corrupt the Gospel of Christ. How do you know who is spouting these corruptions. Anyone who's words and teachings do not line up with the written word.
I mentioned before that through study we gain knowledge. Knowledge in itself does not cause maturity and spiritual growth. Study is the beginning of maturity, just as the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Many people are full of knowledge and still are far from being pleasing to God. This is because God looks upon the heart. Many people have knowledge and still refuse the truth.
What pleases God is when knowledge is applied. When you, after receiving the knowledge that can be gained through God's word, make that knowledge active in your life. Then is God pleased. I can know that God wants me to be faithful, but I can only please God by applying His word and being faithful.
James 1:22-25 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way , and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was . 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified .
Luke 11:28 But he said , Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
1 John 2:3-6 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith , I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected : hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk , even as he walked.
One thing that people confuse is reading and study. Most people can read through the bible in a very short period, for many just a few days or a couple of weeks. But a serious study can take days for just a couple of verses. There are many courses that can take you through the bible in a year, but these are for reading not for study. Study involves the verses chosen or a particular topic, prayer and tracing references through many other verses throughout the bible to gain insight for the verses you are studying. Serious personal bible study takes commitment, faithfulness and time. I study at night and many times just read in the mornings. Many times my studies are on specific topics. Some people find it better to study in the mornings. Studying topics or studying for lessons.
Classes such as this one are designed not only for learning but to encourage study, for both the members and the teachers. Questions bring about study for all involved, for answers and for checking the answers.
There are many resources available as bible study aids. These we have to be careful about because a commentary or writing, when it doesn't pertain to sound denominational doctrine, is one mans opinion or interpretation of the scriptures. In the links page of our church website is good study and informational links which are Baptist in nature, all of them checked for content.
What is suitable for you depends on your personal preferences and maturity. I use mainly the Strong's Concordance and the Matthew Henry's Commentary as well as the bible. But I also have access to many other works such as Jewish History Books, Greek and Hebrew Lexicons. I also have dictionaries and encyclopedias, papers written by Southern Baptist Scholars and books that cover Theology. Many of the study materials that I use can be found on the website.
Many times we purchase bibles that have study guides in them or study bibles. They can be beneficial, depending on who wrote the study notes for the bible. Interpretations and opinions change from one person to another depending on their beliefs and denominations. It is best to check the person out before purchasing either by an internet search or by asking someone familiar with their beliefs. Probably the best aid for study is to use a bible with a center reference. Using it can keep you studying and referencing one verse for hours.
Study should be beneficial but we must remember that with all the study we can do, with all the knowledge we can gain. Our main goal is to bring the Gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world. That takes simplicity, it takes the basic message of Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected.
Tribulation Saints
Tribulation Saints
Will people able to be saved after the rapture and during the tribulation?
The book of Revelation can be a confusing book for many people to understand. It deals with future events that were shown to John in a vision. These events are not figurative but a literal text of what will transpire at the end of times.
Today there are many prophecy type teachers and preachers that try to explain what revelation really means. We have heard twisted words, added ideas and reading between the lines to try fit scriptures into their ideas and teach their interpretation. Arguing that it is a symbolic language that is open to interpretation according to the times that we live in, they fit the most bizarre ideas into their teachings. Although I do not doubt that in the tribulation period that there will be helicopters and tanks, because on many fronts it will be man against man. Although this paper only covers one specific point, from a scriptural point of view, it doesn't fit with some of the popular teachers or denominations.
I was asked the question above during a class and felt that it would be good to comment on it here. "Will people be able to be saved after the rapture and during the tribulation?"
From my understanding through study of the scriptures; yes, some will become believers after the rapture during the tribulation.
Many people now have a basic understanding of what salvation is. Salvation is the deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. According to scripture one of the things that we are saved from is God's wrath.
Romans 5:8-10
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
We have heard and quoted Romans 5:8 many times but the next two verses shows what the blood of Christ has done. It has reconciled us with God and saved us from His wrath. God's wrath is not only recognized now but will also be poured out upon the world after the rapture comes, and is shown clearly throughout the OT. The beginning of getting right with God has always been and will begin with belief, you must believe.
Now, there is a difference between the time before Christ, Now and after the rapture comes. In the OT times people believed in God and were saved from many perils because of that belief. They believed the words of the Prophets and had the Law that was given through Moses. Many people believed because of evidence seen and testified of. It is easy to believe when confronted with great evidence these people were blessed with the presence of God and His benefits.
In this time that we live in we have an even greater blessing. We live after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We believe without seeing and serve God through very little evidence. Jesus said that we were more blessed than those that see and believe. Our salvation includes; not just having complete justification through Christ Jesus and His sacrifice, but we are also indwelled with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. He leads us into understanding, truth, and testifies of Jesus. Through the Spirit we are sealed until that day when Jesus calls us to come to Him.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed , the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work : only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed , whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish ; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved .
The Holy Spirit not only works within us and through us, but He also works as a restrainer against the coming of the anti-Christ. Until the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth the anti-Christ can't be revealed. I say can't because the Spirit will reveal him for who and what he is. The Holy Spirit here on the earth dwells inside of believers so when the rapture occurs and the saved which have been sealed are taken away, the Holy Spirit will be removed. This starts the tribulation.
Living in the time we do we understand that, once we believe and are sealed, our salvation is secured and can't be removed from us. Even if we stray from God and turn to sin anyone that is truly saved will be with God, because God is faithful. The retaining doesn't depend upon us or our actions but upon God and His word.
After the rapture and during the tribulation period there will be believers that will come to know God through His word and through great evidence that He exists. But unlike us where the Spirit of God draws us toward salvation through the conviction of our sinful state and our need of a Savior. Those after the rapture won't have that opportunity because of the absence of the Holy Spirit. What this means is that those after the rapture will believe through their own understanding. They will have to believe against the flesh and against what is referred to as the "natural man".
Now believing against the flesh and a sinful nature will be a challenge because man is not inclined come after God because of worldly desires, but during this time there will be great evidence pointing toward God. The Rapture and the disappearance of multitudes of professing believers. The prophecies being fulfilled written thousands of years before. The wrath of God being poured out upon the earth. All these will persuade man against his nature that there is a greater power and authority than those men here on earth. Even in light of great evidence I believe that those who come to believe will be just a small percentage of those that remain on the earth. Very much as it was in the OT and even now.
Revelation 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held : 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying , How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled .
During the first part of the tribulation period the seals are opened. John from Patmos wrote that after the fifth seal was opened, He saw the souls of those that were slain for the word of God and their testimony. These asked God how long he was going to tarry before avenging their deaths. God told them to rest for a little time until their fellow servants also and their brothers that were to die as they did was fulfilled.
These that were under the alter died for their belief in God and there were others like them that would also die the same as they had, for the word of God and their testimonies. During the tribulation, After the anti-Christ has been revealed. These are believers that had turned to God after the rapture. This is evidence from the fact that they didn't get taken in the rapture but were left behind.
Revelation 7
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east , having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying , Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed : and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After this I beheld , and, lo , a great multitude, which no man could number , of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying , Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying , Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered , saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they ? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest . And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
John saw four angels restraining the winds from blowing on the earth. And then another angel having the seal of the Living God. He shouted to the other angels that restrained the winds, not to loose them until he had sealed all the servants of God. Among these will be the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel. After this he saw a great multitude of people that no man could number of all nations, tongues before the throne of God and before Jesus in white robe. One of elders told John that these were the ones that came out of the great tribulation and washed their robes in the blood of the lamb. They were before the throne to serve God day and night in the temple. These people that no man could number and stood before God came out of the tribulation, and were appointed to serve God.
Revelation 9:1-4
1 And the fifth angel sounded , and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
When the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, John saw a star fall from heaven to the earth. A key was given to the bottomless pit. When it was opened a smoke rose and darkened the sky. From the smoke came locusts that had the power to sting as scorpions do. They were commanded to only hurt the men that did not have the seal of God. These are those that believe and witness for God during this time.
Revelation 9:20-21
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see , nor hear , nor walk : 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
According to this verse there will be repentance after the rapture. During the plagues man refuses to repent for their sins against God and mankind.
Revelation 13:4-10
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying , Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear . 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
These verses show that men will worship Satan and the beast as gods. And the beast will make war with the saints. Another testimony of saints being on the earth. And all men will worship the beast whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life.
Revelation 14:9-13
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write , Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
An ultimatum is proclaimed that however worships the beast, a representative idol. or receives the mark will face the wrath of God. The will be tormented with fire and brimstone day and night being under the watch of the angels and Jesus. Here the saints that have died are rewarded for their patience because God's wrath is being executed against those that caused their death. Then John heard a voice from heaven telling him to write, Blessed are those that die in the Lord from this point forward. And they will rest from their works and their works will follow them. They will be judged according to their works and their testimonies because they never caved into the beast. They followed God, kept the commandments and maintained their faith in Jesus.
Revelation 20:4-6
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image , neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished . This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
With two chapters left John records that he saw the souls that were beheaded for their witness of Jesus, for the word of God and refused to worship the beast, his image and refused the mark. These lived and reigned with Jesus for the millennium. This is the first resurrection, Those that have a part in it are called blessed and holy. These believers and followers of Christ could only have died during the tribulation after the rapture.
We must remember that this is the first of two resurrections after the rapture, the rapture of the church is not included even though there was a resurrection at that time. This first resurrection, after the rapture, includes only those which had believed in Jesus and endured in that belief till their end. They are not subject to punishment that is reserved for those that worshipped the beast or received the mark, which is eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Those that do not take part in this first resurrection will be raised up after the 1000 years to stand judgment, be condemned for their works in the flesh and receive their punishment from a just and righteous judge.
I use the word "endure" because believers have to remain loyal without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, without His presence man must follow God through his own will. This will be very trying without the joy, peace and comfort that He provides to believers now. Even a professing believer can condemn himself by receiving the mark of the beast, even to feed his family. To deny Christ to save your own life or your families can have eternal consequences.
I don't believe that this is considered a second chance. I believe that there is a difference between someone that rejects Jesus and someone that has yet to believe. Those that reject Jesus will not ever believe and never make a commitment.
Will people able to be saved after the rapture and during the tribulation?
The book of Revelation can be a confusing book for many people to understand. It deals with future events that were shown to John in a vision. These events are not figurative but a literal text of what will transpire at the end of times.
Today there are many prophecy type teachers and preachers that try to explain what revelation really means. We have heard twisted words, added ideas and reading between the lines to try fit scriptures into their ideas and teach their interpretation. Arguing that it is a symbolic language that is open to interpretation according to the times that we live in, they fit the most bizarre ideas into their teachings. Although I do not doubt that in the tribulation period that there will be helicopters and tanks, because on many fronts it will be man against man. Although this paper only covers one specific point, from a scriptural point of view, it doesn't fit with some of the popular teachers or denominations.
I was asked the question above during a class and felt that it would be good to comment on it here. "Will people be able to be saved after the rapture and during the tribulation?"
From my understanding through study of the scriptures; yes, some will become believers after the rapture during the tribulation.
Many people now have a basic understanding of what salvation is. Salvation is the deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. According to scripture one of the things that we are saved from is God's wrath.
Romans 5:8-10
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
We have heard and quoted Romans 5:8 many times but the next two verses shows what the blood of Christ has done. It has reconciled us with God and saved us from His wrath. God's wrath is not only recognized now but will also be poured out upon the world after the rapture comes, and is shown clearly throughout the OT. The beginning of getting right with God has always been and will begin with belief, you must believe.
Now, there is a difference between the time before Christ, Now and after the rapture comes. In the OT times people believed in God and were saved from many perils because of that belief. They believed the words of the Prophets and had the Law that was given through Moses. Many people believed because of evidence seen and testified of. It is easy to believe when confronted with great evidence these people were blessed with the presence of God and His benefits.
In this time that we live in we have an even greater blessing. We live after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We believe without seeing and serve God through very little evidence. Jesus said that we were more blessed than those that see and believe. Our salvation includes; not just having complete justification through Christ Jesus and His sacrifice, but we are also indwelled with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. He leads us into understanding, truth, and testifies of Jesus. Through the Spirit we are sealed until that day when Jesus calls us to come to Him.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed , the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work : only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed , whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish ; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved .
The Holy Spirit not only works within us and through us, but He also works as a restrainer against the coming of the anti-Christ. Until the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth the anti-Christ can't be revealed. I say can't because the Spirit will reveal him for who and what he is. The Holy Spirit here on the earth dwells inside of believers so when the rapture occurs and the saved which have been sealed are taken away, the Holy Spirit will be removed. This starts the tribulation.
Living in the time we do we understand that, once we believe and are sealed, our salvation is secured and can't be removed from us. Even if we stray from God and turn to sin anyone that is truly saved will be with God, because God is faithful. The retaining doesn't depend upon us or our actions but upon God and His word.
After the rapture and during the tribulation period there will be believers that will come to know God through His word and through great evidence that He exists. But unlike us where the Spirit of God draws us toward salvation through the conviction of our sinful state and our need of a Savior. Those after the rapture won't have that opportunity because of the absence of the Holy Spirit. What this means is that those after the rapture will believe through their own understanding. They will have to believe against the flesh and against what is referred to as the "natural man".
Now believing against the flesh and a sinful nature will be a challenge because man is not inclined come after God because of worldly desires, but during this time there will be great evidence pointing toward God. The Rapture and the disappearance of multitudes of professing believers. The prophecies being fulfilled written thousands of years before. The wrath of God being poured out upon the earth. All these will persuade man against his nature that there is a greater power and authority than those men here on earth. Even in light of great evidence I believe that those who come to believe will be just a small percentage of those that remain on the earth. Very much as it was in the OT and even now.
Revelation 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held : 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying , How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled .
During the first part of the tribulation period the seals are opened. John from Patmos wrote that after the fifth seal was opened, He saw the souls of those that were slain for the word of God and their testimony. These asked God how long he was going to tarry before avenging their deaths. God told them to rest for a little time until their fellow servants also and their brothers that were to die as they did was fulfilled.
These that were under the alter died for their belief in God and there were others like them that would also die the same as they had, for the word of God and their testimonies. During the tribulation, After the anti-Christ has been revealed. These are believers that had turned to God after the rapture. This is evidence from the fact that they didn't get taken in the rapture but were left behind.
Revelation 7
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east , having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying , Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed : and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After this I beheld , and, lo , a great multitude, which no man could number , of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying , Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying , Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered , saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they ? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest . And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
John saw four angels restraining the winds from blowing on the earth. And then another angel having the seal of the Living God. He shouted to the other angels that restrained the winds, not to loose them until he had sealed all the servants of God. Among these will be the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel. After this he saw a great multitude of people that no man could number of all nations, tongues before the throne of God and before Jesus in white robe. One of elders told John that these were the ones that came out of the great tribulation and washed their robes in the blood of the lamb. They were before the throne to serve God day and night in the temple. These people that no man could number and stood before God came out of the tribulation, and were appointed to serve God.
Revelation 9:1-4
1 And the fifth angel sounded , and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
When the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, John saw a star fall from heaven to the earth. A key was given to the bottomless pit. When it was opened a smoke rose and darkened the sky. From the smoke came locusts that had the power to sting as scorpions do. They were commanded to only hurt the men that did not have the seal of God. These are those that believe and witness for God during this time.
Revelation 9:20-21
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see , nor hear , nor walk : 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
According to this verse there will be repentance after the rapture. During the plagues man refuses to repent for their sins against God and mankind.
Revelation 13:4-10
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying , Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear . 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
These verses show that men will worship Satan and the beast as gods. And the beast will make war with the saints. Another testimony of saints being on the earth. And all men will worship the beast whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life.
Revelation 14:9-13
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write , Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
An ultimatum is proclaimed that however worships the beast, a representative idol. or receives the mark will face the wrath of God. The will be tormented with fire and brimstone day and night being under the watch of the angels and Jesus. Here the saints that have died are rewarded for their patience because God's wrath is being executed against those that caused their death. Then John heard a voice from heaven telling him to write, Blessed are those that die in the Lord from this point forward. And they will rest from their works and their works will follow them. They will be judged according to their works and their testimonies because they never caved into the beast. They followed God, kept the commandments and maintained their faith in Jesus.
Revelation 20:4-6
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image , neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished . This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
With two chapters left John records that he saw the souls that were beheaded for their witness of Jesus, for the word of God and refused to worship the beast, his image and refused the mark. These lived and reigned with Jesus for the millennium. This is the first resurrection, Those that have a part in it are called blessed and holy. These believers and followers of Christ could only have died during the tribulation after the rapture.
We must remember that this is the first of two resurrections after the rapture, the rapture of the church is not included even though there was a resurrection at that time. This first resurrection, after the rapture, includes only those which had believed in Jesus and endured in that belief till their end. They are not subject to punishment that is reserved for those that worshipped the beast or received the mark, which is eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Those that do not take part in this first resurrection will be raised up after the 1000 years to stand judgment, be condemned for their works in the flesh and receive their punishment from a just and righteous judge.
I use the word "endure" because believers have to remain loyal without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, without His presence man must follow God through his own will. This will be very trying without the joy, peace and comfort that He provides to believers now. Even a professing believer can condemn himself by receiving the mark of the beast, even to feed his family. To deny Christ to save your own life or your families can have eternal consequences.
I don't believe that this is considered a second chance. I believe that there is a difference between someone that rejects Jesus and someone that has yet to believe. Those that reject Jesus will not ever believe and never make a commitment.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
What is Essential Doctrine?
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.
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.
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.
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