tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176739888477233742024-02-08T14:01:59.820-06:00Anabaptist JohnTo learn more about the gospel of the kingdom, please visit <a href="http://www.scrollpublishing.com">Scroll Publishing Co.</a> or <a href="http://shippensburgchristianfellowship.org/wp">Shippensburg Christian Fellowship</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-79040065399815385832018-08-27T10:23:00.000-05:002018-08-27T10:25:55.564-05:00Circumcision and Baptism<span style="color: white;">The case can be made from the New Testament that there is a connection between the circumcision of the old covenant and the baptism of the new covenant. The degree of their correlation can be debated, but the following is a key passage that seems to indicate a link.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: <span class="text Col-2-12" id="en-KJV-29507">Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Colossians 2:11-12</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">If circumcision and baptism are connected, then there could be some significant implications for the belief that we receive forgiveness of sins through baptism, as opposed to the position that we are baptized as a testimony to forgiveness of sins that has already happened. As an exercise, I am going to quote some New Testament passages, starting in Romans, that talk about circumcision and then see what happens if I replace references to circumcision with references to baptism.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. <span class="text Rom-2-26" id="en-KJV-27989">Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? </span><span class="text Rom-2-27" id="en-KJV-27990">And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? </span><span class="text Rom-2-28" id="en-KJV-27991">For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: </span><span class="text Rom-2-29" id="en-KJV-27992">But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.</span></span><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Romans 2:25-29</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Next, I will insert baptism in place of circumcision, and for this particular passage, I will also make a substitution for the word Jew. Just to be clear, the above passage is Scripture, and the following is my little "experiment."</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For baptism verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy baptism is made un-baptism. </span><span class="text Rom-2-26" id="en-KJV-27989" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Therefore if the un-baptism keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his un-baptism be counted for baptism? </span><span class="text Rom-2-27" id="en-KJV-27990" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">And shall not un-baptism which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and baptism dost transgress the law? </span><span class="text Rom-2-28" id="en-KJV-27991" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For he is not a Christian, which is one outwardly; neither is that baptism, which is outward in the flesh: </span><span class="text Rom-2-29" id="en-KJV-27992" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But he is a Christian, which is one inwardly; and baptism is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.</span></span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Now, I am not saying that these substitutions are automatically valid, but they do provide some food for thought. Let's try another verse.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.</span><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Romans 3:30</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the baptism by faith, and un-baptism through faith.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">From here, we turn to a section of Scripture where Paul is discussing the faith of Abraham, and how this faith counted as righteousness.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. <span class="text Rom-4-10" id="en-KJV-28033">How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. </span><span class="text Rom-4-11" id="en-KJV-28034">And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: </span><span class="text Rom-4-12" id="en-KJV-28035">And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-4-12" id="en-KJV-28035" style="color: white;"><i>Romans 4:9-12</i></span><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Cometh this blessedness then upon the baptism only, or upon the un-baptism also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. </span><span class="text Rom-4-10" id="en-KJV-28033" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">How was it then reckoned? when he was in baptism, or in un-baptism? Not in baptism, but in un-baptism. </span><span class="text Rom-4-11" id="en-KJV-28034" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">And he received the sign of baptism, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being unbaptized: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not baptized; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: </span><span class="text Rom-4-12" id="en-KJV-28035" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">And the father of baptism to them who are not of the baptism only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet unbaptized.</span></span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">It seems clear to me that in this passage from Romans, Paul is explaining that Abraham was made righteous because of his faith, and then he circumcised himself as a sign of this righteousness. He didn't become righteous because of his circumcision; he already was. Given that, I realize that it might be a stretch to consider baptism and circumcision fully interchangeable in these verses. On the other hand, <i>if</i> this is a valid comparison, it would be a clear indication that baptism is a sign that demonstrates that a person is already righteous, not the means by which a person becomes righteous. From here, let's check out what Paul has to say in some of his other letters.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. <span class="text 1Cor-7-19" id="en-KJV-28507">Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">1 Corinthians 7:18-19</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Is any man called being baptized? let him not become unbaptized. Is any called in un-baptism? let him not be baptized. </span><span class="text 1Cor-7-19" id="en-KJV-28507" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Baptism is nothing, and un-baptism is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">At this point, I want to clarify that I believe that baptism is required for Christians. After all, it is a commandment of God. So, why is Paul making a distinction between circumcision (or baptism) and the commandments of God? Aren't circumcision and baptism commandments? This is definitely open to interpretation, but perhaps the apostle is referring to "commandments of God" by which we become righteous (excluding circumcision/baptism). I think a similar idea might be at play in the following passage from Galatians. I don't think Paul is telling us that any person who is circumcised cannot be a Christian but rather that it is false to be circumcised (baptized?) with the purpose of becoming righteous.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. <span class="text Gal-5-3" id="en-KJV-29166">For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.</span></span><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Galatians 5:2-3</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be baptized, Christ shall profit you nothing. </span><span class="text Gal-5-3" id="en-KJV-29166" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For I testify again to every man that is baptized, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.</span><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Galatians 5:6</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">For in Jesus Christ neither baptism availeth any thing, nor un-baptism; but faith which worketh by love.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. <span class="text Gal-6-13" id="en-KJV-29202">For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. </span><span class="text Gal-6-14" id="en-KJV-29203">But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. </span><span class="text Gal-6-15" id="en-KJV-29204">For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Galatians 6:12-15</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be baptized; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. </span><span class="text Gal-6-13" id="en-KJV-29202" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For neither they themselves who are baptized keep the law; but desire to have you baptized, that they may glory in your flesh. </span><span class="text Gal-6-14" id="en-KJV-29203" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. </span><span class="text Gal-6-15" id="en-KJV-29204" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For in Christ Jesus neither baptism availeth any thing, nor un-baptism, but a new creature.</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">The idea of being constrained to be baptized is striking, especially if you consider the history of certain institutional churches and their penchant for compulsory infant baptism. The next verse immediately follows the widely quoted Bible verses from Ephesians 2 that inform us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;</span><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Ephesians 2:11</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Un-baptism by that which is called the Baptism in the flesh made by hands;</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.</span><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Philippians 3:3</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">For we are the baptism, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:</span><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Colossians 2:11</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">In whom also ye are baptized with the baptism made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the baptism of Christ:</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.</span><br />
<i><span style="color: white;">Colossians 3:11</span></i><br />
<i></i><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, baptism nor un-baptism, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Fascinating results. Has this exercise been worthwhile? I hope so, but as with many things, that probably depends on your point of view. Soli Deo gloria.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-22795026960197106492018-05-02T12:54:00.000-05:002018-05-02T17:08:08.578-05:00What Does Baptism Mean?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There are many different views on the meaning of baptism, so let's take a look at what the Bible has to say on the subject. We know that in Acts 2:38 that Peter tells the people to be
baptized for the remission of sins. One observation I would make about this
verse is that it follows the question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” So,
Peter’s answer is repent and get baptized—because that is what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> can do. Remission of sins and the
gift of Holy Spirit come from God; we can’t get these things ourselves. One position holds that being baptized “for the remission of
sins” means to be baptized with the purpose of remission of sins. “With the
purpose of” is certainly one way in which the preposition “for” can be used—but
not the only way. However, if you look up “for” in the Merriam-Webster
Dictionary, there are 10 different definitions for this word. For instance,
“for” can also mean “in place of” or “representing” or “because of.” We can
easily see examples of this. If I read the Bible for more wisdom, that means I
am reading so that I get more wisdom. On the other hand, let’s say you want to
stand up for truth in a society that increasingly rejects God. In this case,
you would not be standing up to get truth, but rather you would be standing up
to signify the truth that you have from God. We can also notice this
distinction in the Scriptures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a
man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him,
saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his
hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the
leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew
thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses
commanded, for a testimony unto them.<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>Luke 5:12-14</em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After healing the man, Jesus told him to go to the priest
and make an offering for his cleansing. Was the cleansing a result of the
offering? Clearly not, because the man was cleansed by Jesus before he made the
offering. Rather, the offering was in response to his cleansing, to signify his
cleansing. In like manner, consider the possibility that baptism <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for</i> the remission of sins means baptism <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to signify</i> the remission of sins. Similarly,
we can think about 1 Corinthians 11. Verse 15 says that a woman’s hair is
“given her for a covering.” Many people read this and think that this verse is
telling them that the hair is the only covering. However, based on my
understanding of the head covering, it is evident from the context of the chapter
that this is not the way “for” is being used in this case. Instead, it might be
more accurate to explain this verse in the sense of a woman’s hair being given
her because of a covering, or representing a covering. As I mentioned, context
is the key, whether studying the Bible or any other type of writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I think different viewpoints on baptism are in part due to a
different understanding of when the new birth takes place. Under the perspective that your sins are forgiven through water baptism, it would follow that we are born again through water baptism.
I, on the other hand, would hold that the new birth and the washing of our sins occurs prior to
water baptism. To consider what the Bible says about the new birth, we of
course need to look at the third chapter of John. In verse 5, Jesus tells
Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God.” Being born of water refers to baptism, right? Well,
not necessarily. Many times in the Scriptures, the Word of God is referred to
as cleansing or life-giving water. Here are a few examples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now ye are clean through the word which I
have spoken unto you. </span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>John
15:3</em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But whosoever drinketh of the water that I
shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be
in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>John 4:14</em></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">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.<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span><em>Ephesians
5:25-27</em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.</span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>1
Peter 1:23</em></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In this last verse, Peter clearly tells us
that our new birth is accomplished by the word of God. We cannot be regenerated
through water, because water is corruptible. Therefore, the water from John 3:5
must be incorruptible water—the word of God. In 1 Corinthians 6:11, we learn
that we who were formerly unrighteous have been washed, sanctified, and
justified “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in</i> the name of the Lord
Jesus, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by</i> the Spirit of our God”
(emphasis added).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">What if, even though the actual cleansing
is accomplished by the word of God, it can only take place during water
baptism? Let’s consider what we know. Peter said in Acts 2:39 that the promise
he just mentioned in the previous verse, which includes the gift of the Holy
Spirit, was for everyone that the Lord would call. In Romans 8:9, Paul informs
us that any person who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to
Christ. It is obvious from this verse (among others) that all believers are
filled with the Spirit. Conversely, if any person who has not been filled with
the Spirit does not belong to Christ, then this person has not been washed of
their sins or born again. So we need to ask, are there any occasions when receiving
the Holy Spirit clearly occurs separately from water baptism? In Acts 8, when Phillip
preached to the residents of Samaria about the kingdom of God, the people responded
“with one accord” and were baptized.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who,
when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received
the Holy Ghost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>Acts
8:14-17</em></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If the Samaritans were born again through water baptism, why
didn’t they receive the Spirit until the apostles laid hands on them? We can
see something similar in Paul’s conversion. The Lord told Ananias to put his
hands on Saul for the recovery of his sight. When Ananias came to where Saul
was staying, he put his hands on Saul and told him that he had been sent so
that Saul would get his sight back and so that Saul would be filled with the
Holy Spirit. After these things had taken place, only then was Saul baptized
(Acts 9:10-18).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also, let's talk about the conversion of Cornelius and his
household in Acts 10. As Peter preached, “through his name whosoever believeth
in him shall receive remission of sins,” the Holy Spirit fell on his listeners.
In response, Peter remarked to the Jewish believers that had accompanied him
that these Gentiles should be baptized, since these Gentiles had received the
Spirit just as they, the Jews, had. Is Peter referring to the events in Acts 2,
when he and the other apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit? Well, his
companions in this case are not his fellow apostles, but believers from Joppa
who had decided to go with him. What happened to the apostles in Acts 2 is
described as both being filled with the Spirit and as the baptism of the
Spirit. The possibility has been suggested that these are two different occurrences,
instead of the same thing being described in different ways, and also that Acts
2 and 10 are the only occasions that definitively show the baptism of the Holy
Spirit. If this is the case, then baptism of the Holy Spirit doesn’t apply to
the believers who went with Peter. Yet, Peter said that Cornelius and his
companions had received the Holy Spirit in the same way as both Peter himself
and the brethren from Joppa had received. As soon as there was clear evidence
that the Gentiles had received the Spirit, then it was time for them to get
baptized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Next, let’s look at Romans 6. In this passage, Paul explains
that “we are buried with him by baptism into death.” This may seem like a silly
question, but here it is: when was Christ buried? Obviously, after He was dead.
Jesus was crucified, He died, and then He was buried in the tomb. You don’t
bury someone who hasn’t died yet. There are several Bible verses that show that
we also have to be crucified and die to sin, such as Galatians 5:24. Furthermore,
Paul tells us that, “if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin”
(Romans 8:10). Death does not happen during the burial but rather precedes it.
If baptism is a burial, then it must happen after we are dead to sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is clear that the New Testament teaches that we are
washed from our sins by the blood of Jesus, but I gather some believers would differ on how
this blood is applied. I presume that those Christians that believe in forgiveness of sins through baptism would hold that washing in the blood
of Jesus happens when we are baptized in water. Let’s consider a few Bible
passages that talk about the cleansing power of Jesus’s blood. In 1 John 1:7,
the cleansing blood is associated with walking in the light and fellowship with
other believers. Two verses later, the apostle explains that forgiveness and
cleansing are results of the confession of sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other verses that describe how the blood of
Jesus makes us right with God include Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 10:19, 1 Peter
1:2, and Revelation 1:5. I don’t doubt that you could point out many more such
verses. Many different aspects of our faith are associated with the blood of
Jesus in these verses, but can anyone show me which ones demonstrate that washing
in the blood takes place during water baptism? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To find a passage that does in fact talk about baptism, one
place we can go to is 1 Corinthians 10. Here, Paul lets us know the Israelites “were
all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” This occurrence from the
Old Testament is an example for us (verse 11), so let’s see what we can learn
from it. In the book of Exodus, when did the children of Israel apply the blood?
Did it happen while they were passing though the baptism in the Red Sea? No,
they applied the blood to their doorposts in anticipation of the Passover,
before they left Egypt. The Passover sacrifice of the Israelites was a perfect
lamb, which is a type of our Passover sacrifice, Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7).
First was the death of the lamb, then the application of the blood, followed by
the baptism in the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Are there other types of baptism in the Old Testament? Baptism
is associated with the Great Flood in 1 Peter 3. Verse 21 indicates that
baptism saves us. Is this proof that we are forgiven of our sins through baptism
in water? Well, perhaps not. One of the key words here is “figure.” Noah and
his family being saved by water is a “like figure” as being saved by baptism. A
figure of a concept is not the same as the concept itself. Peter clarifies what
he is talking about in the rest of verse. Salvation is “not the putting away of
the filth of the flesh” (which is what literal water does), “but the answer of
a good conscience toward God.” Does a person who is still in their sins have a
good conscience toward God? The good conscience comes first, from which follows
baptism as the answer. Water baptism, a physical washing, is a symbol of our
salvation, a spiritual washing. There are other Biblical examples of a
spiritual truth being testified to via a physical event. When we keep the
Lord’s Supper, the bread and the grape juice are symbols; they are not
literally the body and blood of Christ, as some would believe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There is one final point I want to consider. For the sake of
argument, let’s say that all of my above points are wrong and that I am
misunderstanding the Bible on this topic. Then we have to ask, does having a
wrong understanding of baptism prevent someone from being saved? To put it
another way, is the essence of Christianity having correct theology? I’m not
denying that theology is important—but then, so is how we live. The Scriptures
mention many things that will keep people out of the kingdom. During the Sermon
on the Mount, Jesus said you can judge a tree by its fruit (Matthew 7:16-20)
and that the people who practice iniquity will not enter the kingdom (7:21-23).
In Matthew 25, Jesus describes the Judgment where He will separate the sheep
from the goats. Is the separation based on sheep=baptized for the remission of
sins and goats=not baptized for the remission of sins? According to Jesus (and
His perspective is the only one that matters), the sheep inherit the kingdom
because the fruits of their lives demonstrate their love for the Lord, while
the fruits (or lack thereof) of the goats show otherwise. Before His ascension,
Jesus said (Mark 16:16), “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but
he that believeth not shall be damned.” Jesus did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> say, “He that is baptized for the wrong reason shall be
damned.” The Lord tells us that condemnation is a result of unbelief, not the
result of an incorrect view of baptism. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul indicates
that “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God,” and then he
proceeds to make a list of who he is referring to when he mentions “the
unrighteous.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, the kingdom is
barred to people whose lives show that they are not following Christ—not to
people who have the wrong belief about baptism. We have another depiction of
the Judgment in Revelation 20:12, where we see the dead judged according to
their works, not according to their doctrinal beliefs. These examples (and I could
list more) illustrate why I believe the essence of Christianity is
discipleship, not theology. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Jesus also said that we will be judged in the
same way that we judge. Does this mean we don’t use discernment? Does this mean
we overlook sin in people’s lives? Of course not! We are clearly instructed to
admonish anyone who calls himself a brother but is engaged in sin. I want to
indicate clearly that nothing I have said is meant to imply that I doubt the
salvation of any Christian who believes that sins are forgiven during baptism. I believe that two Christians can have a doctrinal disagreement and
still be brothers. However, considering the consequences of wrong judgment, it
behooves us to be very careful how and why we condemn any individuals who,
while being flawed, do not have obvious sin in their lives and have expressed
their desire to conform their lives to the example of Jesus.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-11329901647784380822018-01-01T21:03:00.001-06:002018-01-01T21:03:09.565-06:00The Failure of the Holy ExperimentIn my last post, I looked at William Penn's attempt to establish a colony based on the teachings of Christ, which he called his Holy Experiment. For the sake of thoroughness, I did want to point out that, despite the overall Christian character of the Pennsylvania colony, slavery was permitted. (Later on, the Quakers became one of the first Christian groups to oppose slavery.) Nevertheless, Penn's colony was very enlightened regarding fair treatment of the Indians as well as granting religious freedom. William Penn's descendants continued to be proprietors of Pennsylvania after his death, and the Provincial Assembly was composed mostly of pacifist Quakers until the time of the Revolution. So why did the experiment fail?<br />
<br />
By establishing religious freedom, as demonstrated in the Charter of Privileges of 1701, Penn created a haven for persecuted, non-resistant religious groups such as the Amish, the Mennonites, and the Moravians, in addition to his fellow Quakers. However, the freedoms and opportunities offered by Pennsylvania also attracted larger numbers of other groups--including many German Lutherans, Irish Catholics, and Scottish Presbyterians--who had no qualms with fighting. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania was open to all these settlers, unlike more restrictive colonies that did not tolerate residents who did not conform to the official church of the colony. Consequently, the Pennsylvania that had been founded on the principles of toleration and non-resistance had become the home of many people who were not inclined to be either tolerant or non-resistant.<br />
<br />
In the spring of 1776, after fighting had already broken out between Britain and the colonies, the Quaker-led Assembly of Pennsylvania was still opposed to breaking with the mother country. In fact, the anti-war Quakers were victorious in an election in May of that year, keeping their majority in the legislature. However, this result was not acceptable to many non-Quaker agitators who vehemently supported armed insurrection against British authority. Therefore, since democratic methods had not secured the desired outcome, these radicals completely circumvented the lawful governing body of Pennsylvania. Individuals who supported independence had formed extralegal organizations, such as the Committees of Correspondence, to foment opposition to Britain. With support from the Continental Congress, these committees usurped governmental power in Pennsylvania, calling for a state constitutional convention to create a pro-rebel state government. Having lost all authority to this coup, the Assembly disbanded. Ironically, it was the magnanimity of William Penn in allowing people who didn't share his Biblical convictions to settle in his colony that paved the way for these same people and their descendants to wrest control of his Holy Experiment from the peaceful Quakers. I believe the Pennsylvania that was founded by William Penn might be the closest example in history of a truly Christian state, but it failed because an earthly state that is governed according to Christian principles cannot endure in such a condition. Either (1) the rulers will be corrupted by power and depart from following Jesus, or (2) the rulers will maintain their convictions but get shoved out of power by people who do not share their principles--which is exactly what happened in Pennsylvania. The Quakers were pacifists, so they would be violating their beliefs if they fought to retain their power. (Of course, groups like the Anabaptists believed that Christians had no business being in government in the first place.)<br />
<br />
During the colonial period, Britain allowed German and other foreign settlers to come to Pennsylvania on the condition that they swore loyalty to the British crown. The non-resistant churches were opposed to swearing oaths, since the practice had been forbidden by Jesus (Matthew 5:33-37). However, grateful for the chance to escape the persecution they faced in Europe, these churches affirmed their loyalty to the king--as long as this loyalty didn't conflict with the teachings of their King, Jesus. The non-resistant Christians largely lived in peace--until the revolutionaries took control of the Pennsylvania government. One of the first actions of the new government was to require the following oath from all Pennsylvania residents.<br />
<br />
“I, [name], do swear (or affirm) that I renounce and refuse all allegiance to George III, king of Great Britain, his heirs and successors; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a free and independent State, and that I will not at any time, do or cause to be done any matter or thing that will be prejudicial, or injurious to the freedom and independence thereof;....as declared by Congress, and also, that I will discover and make known to some justice of the peace of said State all treasons or traitorous conspiracies which I now know or hereafter shall know to be formed against this or any of the United States of America.”<br />
<br />
Perhaps the rebels felt they were being generous by allowing the option to "affirm" rather than "swear." Regardless, for the non-resistant Christians, affirmation of this oath was still impossible. They said they were going to be loyal to the king, so they were loyal to the king. In other words, their yes meant yes and their no meant no. This was not the case for most of the other professing Christian foreigners who had settled in the Quaker colony, who had outright sworn loyalty to the British crown and then turned around and swore loyalty to rebelling Pennsylvania. Even without the issue of competing loyalty oaths, the New Testament makes it clear, most notably in Romans 13, that believers are to obey the government, which has been granted its authority by God. The only exception is if the government tries to compel its citizens to violate Scripture. Having studied the history of the period, it is my personal view that the British rule of the American colonies was not the great tyranny that the revolutionaries made it out to be, but this is the topic for another essay. For the sake of argument, let's say that all the colonial complaints were valid, and the British government was horribly oppressive. Even in this situation, the non-resistant Christians would still honor the government, seeing how the New Testament lacks an exception that allows believers to disobey the authorities if they are unjust.<br />
<br />
Sadly, these Scriptural considerations were not a concern for the professing Christians who were actively engaged in overthrowing British rule, not to mention the teachings of Jesus that tell His followers to love their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). And if they weren't worried about violating the Bible, then others couldn't be worried about it either. In addition to enacting the above oath, the Pennsylvania revolutionaries imposed strict penalties for those who refused to take it, which included bans on buying and selling property, voting or holding office, possessing weapons, or even travelling away from one's local area. This persecution was instigated by the same folks who were claiming to fight for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." And if some of these restrictions sound familiar to you, you're not alone; many of the non-resistant Christians in Pennsylvania found their predicament far too similar to those who refused to take the mark of the beast in Revelation 13.<br />
<br />
Unsurprisingly, the revolutionary Pennsylvania government initiated conscription to support the insurrection, and just as unsurprisingly the non-resistant churches refused to comply. As a result, the Christians who were just trying to follow Jesus saw even more hardships, ranging from jail time to exile to confiscation of property. For example, there would be families where the husband was thrown in prison and the wife and children would be left in a house stripped off all possessions, including the stoves that would be the only source of heat in the coming winter. In a few extreme cases, there were even executions of people who opposed the war, including an old Quaker man. Just to reiterate, most, if not all, of the individuals who were responsible for these heinous acts would have professed Christianity, but they persecuted those Christians who were trying to conform their lives to the principles of Christ's kingdom.<br />
<br />
After the revolutionaries succeeded in defeating the British, the persecution against the non-resistant Christians gradually died down, and some repayments were made for confiscated property. However, a very dangerous pattern had been established, where Christians who are opposed to violence would be persecuted whenever the U.S. was fighting a war. For instance, during World War I, a number of Hutterites (an Anabaptist group that practices communal living) were drafted and essentially tortured for refusing to cooperate with the military in any way. On one occasion, two Hutterite brothers were left in a cold, damp prison cell in their underclothes (because they would not wear a uniform) long enough that they contracted pneumonia and died. (The story of these Hutterite brothers, Joseph and Michael Hofer, can be read here: <a href="https://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/anabaptists/the-martyrs-of-alcatraz" target="_blank">The Martyrs of Alcatraz</a>.)<br />
<br />
"It's a good thing you live in a country where many people have died to defend your freedom not to fight." I have lost count of the number of times I have heard statements similar to this one when I attempt to explain why, based on my understanding of what Jesus taught, I believe followers of Christ should not be involved in war or any other type of violence. It is true that, in the present day, the United States and many other countries recognize conscientious objectors. However, this present reality follows a long history of suffering by believers who refuse to fight for the kingdoms of this world, including good ol' "Christian" America. In conclusion, is it the right course of action for today's Christians to combat our culture's growing ungodliness by attempting to restore the country to its "Christian" foundation? I would say no, because no such Christian foundation exists. Penn's Holy Experiment was established on much nobler principles than the United States, where one of the strongest motivations for independence was a bunch of hot-headed colonists who didn't want to pay their taxes. Yet, Penn's vision failed because of the actions of people who were being disobedient to several Biblical teachings. Instead of repeating Penn's well-intentioned mistake--diluting the kingdom of God by mixing it with an earthly government--let our spiritual efforts be focused on calling souls to the only kingdom that will endure forever.<br />
<br />
Sources:<br />
<br />
Dr. Roland M. Baumann, <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/pennsylvania/birth2.html" target="_blank">The Pennsylvania Revolution</a>, 1989.<br />
<br />
K. D. Keane, <a href="https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=symp_grad" target="_blank">Persecution of Christians During the American Revolution</a>, 2015.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-87525966603878285982016-09-19T11:52:00.001-05:002016-09-19T11:52:48.231-05:00The Good Ol' Days of "Christian America"In a presidential election year, it is common for candidates to have slogans such as, "Make America Great Again!" Statements like this play on the tendency of many people to think that conditions in the past were better than what they are in present. I think this mindset is similar to the idea of "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence." In particular, many Christians bemoan the deteriorating morals of America, pointing at issues like abortion or non-traditional sexuality. "We need to bring back Christian America!" goes the cry; if only we can get back to our country's supposedly Christian foundation, all will be well. Near the end of his life, King Solomon made an observation that may offer some insight on this subject. "Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this." (Ecclesiastes 7:10). Why did Solomon think that it is unwise to dwell on the alleged superiority of the past? To possibly answer this question, it might be worthwhile to examine briefly the track record of "Christian America." (Most of my information comes from the exhaustive research of David Bercot for his book, <em>In God We Don't Trust</em>.)<br />
<br />
Most Americans are familiar with the arrival of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, the Pilgrims were preceded in America by the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia (1607). The Jamestown settlement had a very rocky beginning, with the settlers suffering periods of starvation. The original purpose for the establishment of Jamestown was for profit, but after a few years, the colony was almost abandoned for being an economic failure. However, Jamestown was saved by growing a popular new product: tobacco. I don't think I need to go into detail about the harmful effects of tobacco, which are common knowledge in the present day. Back in the 17th century, on the other hand, could tobacco farmers claim ignorance of the negative aspects of their crop? Well, as early as 1604, King James of England wrote vehemently against the use of tobacco, even calling it a sin for damaging the health of the user as well as that of innocent bystanders. Tobacco quickly became the dominant industry of Virginia. You may recall from American History classes that the Virginia House of Burgesses was noted for being the first elected legislative assembly in the English colonies. However, your history textbook probably overlooked the fact that the first law passed by the House of Burgesses was aimed at regulating tobacco prices. If the tobacco industry wasn't bad enough already, the moral shortcomings of the enterprise were compounded in 1619 when the first black slaves were brought to Virginia in order to work on the tobacco plantations.<br />
<br />
"Christian" America is off to a great start so far, but we haven't even talked about the Indians yet. The charter for Jamestown had claimed that evangelizing the Indians was one of the purposes of the colony, but later events clearly demonstrate that this was lip service. At first, the Powhatan tribe in Virginia was willing to coexist with the English settlers. Unfortunately, the colonists took advantage of the Indians' hospitality, with the English's increasing numbers steadily pushing the Indians off their land. By 1622, the Powhatan had had enough, and they attacked the English. In response, the English--the invaders of the Indians' territory--waged war on the Powhatan until the tribe was almost wiped out. So, on our list of accomplishments for the first English settlement in America, we have a burgeoning tobacco industry, the introduction of slavery, and the virtual annihilation of an Indian tribe. <br />
<br />
Alright, so Virginia's origins aren't exactly a shining example of Christ's teachings in action, but surely the devout Pilgrims had a more godly start in Massachusetts. As we discuss the Pilgrims, I want to clear up some common misconceptions about them. First of all, the Pilgrims did not come to America for religious freedom. While it is true that the Pilgrims were persecuted in England, the group had found freedom of worship in the Netherlands. They came to America for a better economic situation, and so that they could live with other Englishmen. Moreover, the Pilgrims had no intention of granting religious freedom to other groups in their settlement. Indeed, it was against the law for Quakers to live in Plymouth. They certainly didn't come to America to start a new nation or to be independent from England. The Pilgrims had meant to settle in already established Virginia but the <em>Mayflower</em> got blown off course and ended up in Massachusetts accidentally. If you look at the text of the famous Mayflower Compact, it is clear that the colonists (who weren't all Pilgrims, by the way) wanted to emphasize that they were still loyal subjects of King James.<br />
<br />
We've all heard the stories about the first Thanksgiving, with the Pilgrims and the Indians sharing a feast. Like in Virginia, the local Wampanoag tribe initially had peaceful relations with the settlers. Unfortunately, also like in Virginia, more and more settlers kept coming and seizing Indian land. The Pilgrims definitely weren't interested in turning the other cheek, for their hired military officer Myles Standish launched a preemptive strike that killed many Indians, after he had invited them to a feast under false pretenses. When word of the massacre got back to the Pilgrims in the Netherlands, even their pastor thought they had gone too far. In his response, John Robinson wrote, "How happy a thing would it have been if you had converted some before you had killed any." Like a broken record, the Pilgrims' actions eventually led to open conflict with the Wampanoag, and superior English military might resulted in a disastrous outcome for the Indians.<br />
<br />
The Pilgrims were the first religious group to come to Massachusetts from England, but they were followed a few years later by the Puritans. The Puritans had a lot in common with their Pilgrim neighbors. Both groups were staunch Calvinists, and they followed the typical Calvinist behavior of persecuting any other faiths that they didn't agree with. In particular, the Puritans couldn't stand the Quakers and actually hanged many of them until the English government told them to knock it off. Also, not to be outdone by the Pilgrim wars on the natives, the Puritans slaughtered the majority of the Indians in Massachusetts and neighboring Connecticut. Perhaps their Bibles were missing a few verses, such as Matthew 5:9. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." <br />
<br />
As time went on, the Puritans, and the Congregationalists that came after them, devised a very clever (and yet despicable) way of filling their pockets. In the first step of the so-called Golden Triangle, molasses imported from the West Indies was distilled into rum. (No, the Puritans and Congregationalists had no problem with drinking alcohol.) This rum was taken to Africa where it was traded for slaves. From there, the slaves were shipped to the sugar plantations in the Caribbean. The conditions on slave ships during this step of the process (also referred to as the Middle Passage) were disgusting, and many of the slaves didn't survive the journey. Nevertheless, sale of the slaves to the sugar plantations was very profitable. Completing the Triangle, the ships returned to New England with great wealth and more molasses to perpetuate the cycle.<br />
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Should we give the Pilgrims and the Puritans a pass because of the times they lived in? "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8). We don't get to ignore the teachings of Jesus for the sake of expediency, or because society around us is doing it. An excellent example of upholding the principles of Christ amid darkness is the Quaker, William Penn. This interesting man founded the colony of Pennsylvania in 1682, establishing complete religious freedom not just for his fellow Quakers, but other persecuted faiths such as the Mennonites and the Amish. In fact, anyone who believed in God was welcome to settle in Pennsylvania, which was certainly much more generous than the colonies started by the Pilgrims or the Puritans. Penn also treated the Indians fairly, seeking permission to bring over settlers and actually <em>paying</em> for their land. Another contrast with all the other colonies is that Pennsylvania under the leadership of the peaceful Quakers had no militia, as well as a distinct lack of Indian revolts until long after Penn's death. It should come as no surprise that evangelism of the Indians bore more fruit in Pennsylvania than in the rest of the American colonies.<br />
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Penn referred to his colony as "a holy experiment." He had endeavored to establish a colony that was in harmony with the words of Jesus. This can certainly not be said for the settlements started by the Pilgrims and the Puritans, not to mention the colonies with more secular origins. Despite its promising beginning, the holy experiment in Pennsylvania ultimately failed. Why? I intend to examine the reasons in my next post. In short, the downfall of William Penn's vision was the result of the armed insurrection against a lawful government that we like to call the American Revolution.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-87206124687792095742015-05-03T15:34:00.001-05:002015-05-03T15:34:44.416-05:00The Kingdom of God in DanielI mentioned at the end of my essay about the Kingdom of God that there were many things I didn't cover. Later on, I realized that I was remiss in not discussing the Kingdom message in the book of Daniel. I wrote the following to correct that oversight. If you were reading my original article, this section could be inserted directly before I begin my discussion of the New Testament.<br />
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Some of the most important references to the Kingdom of God in the Old Testament occur in the book of Daniel. The first passage I want to look at is in the dream of Nebuchadnezzar that Daniel interpreted. The king of Babylon had seen a statue with a head of gold, arms and breast of silver, stomach and thighs of brass, legs of iron, and feet of mixed iron and clay. The statue was destroyed by a stone cut without hands, and this stone grew into a mountain that covered the whole earth. Daniel then describes how the different metals refer to different earthly kingdoms (Daniel 2:31-43). There may be some parts of the statue that can be interpreted in different ways, but a common view is that the gold is Babylon, the silver is Persia, the brass is Greece, the iron is Rome, and the mixed iron and clay is the division of the Roman Empire, or possibly the union of the Empire with the institutional church. In every case, each kingdom is defeated and taken over by the succeeding kingdom. Now I will quote Daniel's explanation of the stone.<br />
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And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.<br />
(Daniel 2:44-45)<br />
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This is the Kingdom of God. Unlike the kingdoms of the world, which exist temporarily and at their demise are taken over by others, God's Kingdom will never be defeated, and consequently never "left to other people." Instead of a new government replacing it, the Kingdom of God eventually will be victorious over all the nations on the world--but not through the sword.<br />
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I would next like to examine the fourth chapter of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar's experience of losing his reason and living as a beast of the field, and then being restored as king of Babylon, prompted him to make some powerful declarations.<br />
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I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.<br />
(Daniel 4:2-3)<br />
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And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned to me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation... Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.<br />
(Daniel 4:34, 37)<br />
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Unfortunately for King Belshazzar, he did not learn this important lesson as did his predecessor, and Babylon was left to the Medes and Persians. The next heathen ruler to be impressed with the supremacy of God's Kingdom was the Persian king Darius. After Daniel survived the lions' den, the king made this pronouncement.<br />
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I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.<br />
(Daniel 6:26)<br />
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Finally, we have Daniel's vision in chapter 7. It is not my intention to consider all the meanings this prophecy could have, but I would like to highlight the important place it gives the Kingdom.<br />
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I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.<br />
(Daniel 7:13-14)<br />
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But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.<br />
(Daniel 7:18)<br />
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I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.<br />
(Daniel 7:21-22)<br />
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And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.<br />
(Daniel 7:27)<br />
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These passages describe how the Kingdom of God in its fullness will cover the earth. Until that time comes, the Kingdom is limited in its extent in this world, but it does have a present existence. I endeavor to demonstrate the validity of this statement in my original essay as I consider the ministry of Jesus.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-6808546981547642652014-04-29T22:53:00.000-05:002014-04-29T22:53:02.057-05:00A Kingdom ConcordanceA project I have been working on recently is a collection of any verses that refer to the Kingdom of God or the role of the Father or the Son as King. I have attempted to organize them by the specific reference in the verse, as well as dividing between the New and Old Testaments. My two primary goals are to emphasize the significance of the Kingdom of God by the sheer amount of times the Scriptures discuss it and to provide a sort of concordance for researching what the Scriptures say about it.<br />
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<b>Kingdom of Heaven</b><br />
<br />(Mat 3:2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.<br /><br />(Mat 4:17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.<br /><br />(Mat 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 5:10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 5:19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 5:20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 8:11) And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 10:7) And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.<br /><br />(Mat 11:11) Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.<br /><br />(Mat 11:12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.<br /><br />(Mat 13:11) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.<br /><br />(Mat 13:24) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:<br /><br />(Mat 13:31) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:<br /><br />(Mat 13:33) Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.<br /><br />(Mat 13:44) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.<br /><br />(Mat 13:45) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:<br /><br />(Mat 13:47) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:<br /><br />(Mat 13:52) Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.<br /><br />(Mat 16:19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 18:1) At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?<br /><br />(Mat 18:3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 18:4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 18:23) Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.<br /><br />(Mat 19:12) For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.<br /><br />(Mat 19:14) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 19:23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 20:1) For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.<br /><br />(Mat 22:2) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,<br /><br />(Mat 23:13) But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.<br /><br />(Mat 25:1) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.<br /><br />(Mat 25:14) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.<br /><br /><b>Kingdom of God</b><br /><br />(Mat 6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.<br /><br />(Mat 12:28) But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.<br /><br />(Mat 19:24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Mat 21:31) Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.<br /><br />(Mat 21:43) Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.<br /><br />(Mar 1:14) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,<br /><br />(Mar 1:15) And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.<br /><br />(Mar 4:11) And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:<br /><br />(Mar 4:26) And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;<br /><br />(Mar 4:30) And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?<br /><br />(Mar 9:1) And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.<br /><br />(Mar 9:47) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:<br /><br />(Mar 10:14) But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Mar 10:15) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.<br /><br />(Mar 10:23) And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!<br /><br />(Mar 10:24) And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!<br /><br />(Mar 10:25) It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Mar 12:34) And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.<br /><br />(Mar 14:25) Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Mar 15:43) Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.<br /><br />(Luk 4:43) And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.<br /><br />(Luk 6:20) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 7:28) For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.<br /><br />(Luk 8:1) And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,<br /><br />(Luk 8:10) And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.<br /><br />(Luk 9:2) And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.<br /><br />(Luk 9:11) And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.<br /><br />(Luk 9:27) But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 9:60) Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 9:62) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 10:9) And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.<br /><br />(Luk 10:11) Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.<br /><br />(Luk 11:20) But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.<br /><br />(Luk 12:31) But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.<br /><br />(Luk 13:18) Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?<br /><br />(Luk 13:20) And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?<br /><br />(Luk 13:28) There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.<br /><br />(Luk 13:29) And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 14:15) And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 16:16) The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.<br /><br />(Luk 17:20) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:<br /><br />(Luk 17:21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.<br /><br />(Luk 18:16) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 18:17) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.<br /><br />(Luk 18:24) And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!<br /><br />(Luk 18:25) For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 18:29) And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,<br /><br />(Luk 19:11) And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.<br /><br />(Luk 21:31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.<br /><br />(Luk 22:16) For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Luk 22:18) For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.<br /><br />(Luk 23:51) (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Joh 3:3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Joh 3:5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Act 1:3) To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:<br /><br />(Act 8:12) But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.<br /><br />(Act 14:22) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Act 19:8) And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Act 20:25) And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.<br /><br />(Act 28:23) And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.<br /><br />(Act 28:31) Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.<br /><br />(Rom 14:17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.<br /><br />(1Co 4:20) For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.<br /><br />(1Co 6:9) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,<br /><br />(1Co 6:10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(1Co 15:50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.<br /><br />(Gal 5:21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.<br /><br />(Eph 5:5) For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.<br /><br />(Col 4:11) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.<br /><br />(2Th 1:5) Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:<br />
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<b>Other Kingdom Verses</b><br />
<b>New Testament</b><br /><br />(Mat 4:23) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.<br /><br />(Mat 6:10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.<br /><br />(Mat 6:13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.<br /><br />(Mat 8:12) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.<br /><br />(Mat 9:35) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.<br /><br />(Mat 13:19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.<br /><br />(Mat 13:38) The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;<br /><br />(Mat 13:41) The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;<br /><br />(Mat 13:43) Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.<br /><br />(Mat 16:28) Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.<br /><br />(Mat 20:21) And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.<br /><br />(Mat 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.<br /><br />(Mat 25:34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:<br /><br />(Mat 26:29) But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.<br /><br />(Mar 11:10) Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.<br /><br />(Luk 1:33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.<br /><br />(Luk 11:2) And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.<br /><br />(Luk 12:32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.<br /><br />(Luk 19:12) He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.<br /><br />(Luk 19:15) And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.<br /><br />(Luk 22:29) And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;<br /><br />(Luk 22:30) That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.<br /><br />(Luk 23:42) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.<br /><br />(Joh 18:36) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.<br /><br />(Act 1:6) When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?<br /><br />(1Co 15:24) Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.<br /><br />(Col 1:13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:<br /><br />(1Th 2:12) That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.<br /><br />(2Ti 4:1) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;<br /><br />(2Ti 4:18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.<br /><br />(Heb 1:8) But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.<br /><br />(Heb 12:28) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:<br /><br />(Jas 2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?<br /><br />(2Pe 1:11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.<br /><br />(Rev 1:9) I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />(Rev 12:10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.<br /><br /><b>Old Testament</b><br /><br />(Exo 19:6) And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.<br /><br />(Num 24:7) He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.<br /><br />(2Sa 5:12) And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.<br /><br />(2Sa 7:12) And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.<br /><br />(2Sa 7:13) He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.<br /><br />(2Sa 7:16) And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.<br /><br />(1Ki 9:5) Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.<br /><br />(1Ch 14:2) And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.<br /><br />(1Ch 17:11) And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.<br /><br />(1Ch 17:14) But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.<br /><br />(1Ch 22:10) He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.<br /><br />(1Ch 28:5) And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.<br /><br />(1Ch 28:7) Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.<br /><br />(1Ch 29:11) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.<br /><br />(2Ch 7:18) Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.<br /><br />(2Ch 13:5) Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?<br /><br />(2Ch 13:8) And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.<br /><br />(Psa 22:28) For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.<br /><br />(Psa 45:6) Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.<br /><br />(Psa 103:19) The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.<br /><br />(Psa 145:11) They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;<br /><br />(Psa 145:12) To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.<br /><br />(Psa 145:13) Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.<br /><br />(Isa 9:7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.<br /><br />(Dan 2:44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.<br /><br />(Dan 4:3) How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.<br /><br />(Dan 4:34) And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:<br /><br />(Dan 6:26) I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.<br /><br />(Dan 7:14) And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.<br /><br />(Dan 7:18) But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.<br /><br />(Dan 7:22) Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.<br /><br />(Dan 7:27) And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.<br /><br />(Oba 1:21) And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.<br /><br />(Mic 4:8) And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.<br /><br /><b>King<br />New Testament</b><br /><br />(Mat 2:2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.<br /><br />(Mat 5:35) Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.<br /><br />(Mat 21:5) Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.<br /><br />(Mat 25:34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:<br /><br />(Mat 25:40) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.<br /><br />(Mat 27:11) And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.<br /><br />(Mat 27:29) And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!<br /><br />(Mat 27:37) And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<br /><br />(Mat 27:42) He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.<br /><br />(Mar 15:2) And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.<br /><br />(Mar 15:9) But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?<br /><br />(Mar 15:12) And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?<br /><br />(Mar 15:18) And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!<br /><br />(Mar 15:32) Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.<br /><br />(Luk 19:38) Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.<br /><br />(Luk 23:2) And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.<br /><br />(Luk 23:3) And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.<br /><br />(Luk 23:37) And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.<br /><br />(Luk 23:38) And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<br /><br />(Joh 1:49) Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.<br /><br />(Joh 12:13) Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.<br /><br />(Joh 12:15) Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.<br /><br />(Joh 18:33) Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?<br /><br />(Joh 18:37) Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.<br /><br />(Joh 18:39) But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?<br /><br />(Joh 19:3) And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.<br /><br />(Joh 19:14) And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!<br /><br />(Joh 19:15) But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.<br /><br />(Joh 19:19) And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.<br /><br />(Joh 19:21) Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.<br /><br />(Act 17:7) Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.<br /><br />(1Ti 1:17) Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.<br /><br />(1Ti 6:15) Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;<br /><br />(Rev 15:3) And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.<br /><br />(Rev 17:14) These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.<br /><br />(Rev 19:16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.<br /><br /><b><br />Old Testament</b><br /><br />(Num 23:21) He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.<br /><br />(1Sa 12:12) And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.<br /><br />(Psa 2:6) Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.<br /><br />(Psa 5:2) Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.<br /><br />(Psa 10:16) The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.<br /><br />(Psa 20:9) Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.<br /><br />(Psa 24:7) Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.<br /><br />(Psa 24:8) Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.<br /><br />(Psa 24:9) Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.<br /><br />(Psa 24:10) Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.<br /><br />(Psa 29:10) The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.<br /><br />(Psa 44:4) Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.<br /><br />(Psa 45:11) So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.<br /><br />(Psa 47:2) For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.<br /><br />(Psa 47:6) Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.<br /><br />(Psa 47:7) For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.<br /><br />(Psa 48:2) Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.<br /><br />(Psa 68:24) They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.<br /><br />(Psa 74:12) For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.<br /><br />(Psa 84:3) Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.<br /><br />(Psa 89:18) For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.<br /><br />(Psa 95:3) For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.<br /><br />(Psa 98:6) With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.<br /><br />(Psa 145:1) David's Psalm of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.<br /><br />(Psa 149:2) Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.<br /><br />(Isa 6:5) Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.<br /><br />(Isa 33:22) For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.<br /><br />(Isa 41:21) Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.<br /><br />(Isa 43:15) I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.<br /><br />(Isa 44:6) Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.<br /><br />(Jer 10:7) Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.<br /><br />(Jer 10:10) But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.<br /><br />(Jer 23:5) Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.<br /><br />(Jer 30:9) But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.<br /><br />(Jer 46:18) As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.<br /><br />(Jer 48:15) Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.<br /><br />(Jer 51:57) And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.<br /><br />(Dan 4:37) Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.<br /><br />(Hos 3:5) Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.<br /><br />(Zep 3:15) The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.<br /><br />(Zec 9:9) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.<br /><br />(Zec 14:9) And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.<br /><br />(Zec 14:16) And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.<br /><br />(Zec 14:17) And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.<br /><br />(Mal 1:14) But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.<br /><br /><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-19015541619769448742013-10-04T15:50:00.002-05:002013-10-04T15:50:37.942-05:00The Kingdom of God<span lang="EN">If I were to ask you what was the most fundamental theme of the Bible from beginning to end, what would you say? In all likelihood, your answer would consist of God's plan of salvation or something similar. To be sure, this plan is very important, with the first mention of it occurring in Genesis 3:15. However, there is another idea, even more foundational in the revelation of God, that stretches all the way back to the first chapter of Genesis. <br />
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And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.<br />
(Genesis 1:28)<br />
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In the first recorded words God spoke to Adam and Eve, He gave them authority to rule the earth and all it contained. This is the first manifestation of the Kingdom of God, in which the Lord chooses people to express His rule by their submission to His Kingship. In my perspective, this is the key aspect that permeates all the Scriptures. (Given the scope of what I'm going to discuss, this article will be somewhat longer than average. Please bear with me.) After the Fall, only a very small minority have been willing to have God as their King. Rejection of God's rule became so systemic that He had to purge the whole world with water and start over with one faithful family.<br />
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Sadly but predictably, Noah's descendants also rejected the Lord's dominion, and He compelled them to fill the earth when they wouldn't do it willingly. However, with the call of Abraham, God commenced the sequence of events that would lead to the creation of the nation of Israel as a visible expression of the Kingdom of God on earth. Shortly before delivering the Law to Moses, the Lord told him:<br />
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Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.<br />
(Exodus 19:5-6)<br />
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Under the Law, the role of the priesthood was to mediate God's covenant to Israel. Also, we see here that Israel itself is to be a kingdom of priests, expressing God's rule to the other nations of the world. God would bless the children of Israel when they obeyed His commands, and by reaping these blessings Israel would in turn display the glory of having the God of Heaven as their King. Moses pointed this out in his messages to the children of Israel before they entered the Promised Land.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? <br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Deuteronomy 4:6-7)<br />
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And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.<br />
(Deuteronomy 26:18-19)<br />
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Consequently, the Israelites were supposed to keep themselves pure from any intermingling with the surrounding kingdoms, but they were unable to maintain this purity with much consistency. They even wanted to worship these other nations' idols! Additionally, there was another significant way Israel wanted to be like the heathen nations.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.<br />
(Judges 8:22-23)<br />
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Despite some other shortcomings, Gideon understood the importance of having no King but the Lord. However, Abimelech, the son of his concubine, did not heed Gideon's words. After Abimelech slew all of Gideon's sons except Jotham and was consequently made king, Jotham shared an insightful parable (Judges 9:7-15) with the new ruler and his followers. The olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine all refuse to be king of the trees because it would require them to give up the bearing of fruit. However, the bramble is willing to accept the offer. What is the "fruit" of the bramble? Thorns. There are obvious similarities with the imagery of good fruit and thorns in the teachings of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 7:16-20). Eventually, Abimelech and his supporters turned on each other. After this debacle, the Israelites temporarily dropped the issue of having an earthly king, but they returned to their idea in time of Samuel.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And [the elders of Israel] said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.<br />
(1 Samuel 8:5-9)<br />
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Just like the rest of humanity, the people God had chose to be His Kingdom of priests had rejected His Kingship. Nevertheless, by telling Samuel to warn them, God gave Israel one more chance to reconsider.<br />
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And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.<br />
(1 Samuel 8:18-20)<br />
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As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for--you may get it. Israel became just like all the nations in having one of their own as king, instead of God. Some of the kings of Israel, and later Judah, had a genuine heart to serve the Lord, but eventually both of the divided kingdoms descended into widespread idolatry. That we also may be like all the nations. When Israel's rejection of the Lord's dominion was complete, God wiped it out as a physical nation.<br />
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I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.<br />
(Hosea 13:10-11)<br />
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Israel briefly reestablished independence as a nation during the Maccabean period between the Old and New Testaments, but it had been thoroughly subjugated by Rome by the time of Jesus. However, some of the messengers sent to Israel by the Lord had left prophecies of another King yet to come who would be a superior expression of God's rule.<br />
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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.<br />
(Isaiah 9:6-7) <br />
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Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.<br />
(Zechariah 9:9)<br />
<br />
As I indicated earlier, God had offered Israel the chance to show the world what it means to have the Lord as their King. For the most part, Israel failed. Despite this, God's declaration of His Kingdom not only continued but grew more pronounced in the New Testament, in fulfillment of the prophets' words. Preparing the way for his Lord, John the Baptist declared:<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.<br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Matthew 3:2)<br />
<br />
Jesus confirmed this with the opening statement of His ministry.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Matthew 4:17)<br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">This is why Jesus had come--to preach the Kingdom of God, which He succinctly defined in the Lord's Prayer: "</span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">"</span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">He spoke more about the Kingdom than any other subject in His teachings. Most of His parables described what the Kingdom was like. This was to be a spiritual Kingdom, not a physical one, and Jesus was to be the only King. Now, Jesus was not an earthly king, forcing people to obey Him. He refused such a position when offered (John 6:15). Jesus offered the Kingdom of God to any who would receive it, but He used no compulsion. His Kingdom is manifest <i>now</i> in the willingly obedient hearts of those who acknowlege Him as King (Colossians 1:13). The Kingdom is a present reality, not some future time period. The following verses, although comprising a sizeable list, are only a fraction of references to the Kingdom of God in the Gospels.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.<br />
(Matthew 4:23)<br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Matthew 6:33)<br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Matthew 7:21)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.<br />
(Matthew 9:35)<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Matthew 10:7)<br />
<br />
But Jesus said, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Matthew 19:14)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.<br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Matthew 24:14)<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Mark 1:14-15)<br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Mark 10:15)<br />
<br />
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> And no man after that durst ask him </span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">any question.</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;">(Mark 12:34)<br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. <br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 4:43)<br />
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And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve </span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">were</span></span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> with him,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 8:1)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">And he said, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 8:10)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 9:2)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">And the people, when they knew </span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">it,</span></span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 9:11)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">And Jesus said unto him, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 9:62)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 10:9)<br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 11:20)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.<br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Luke 12:32)<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The law and the prophets </span></span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">were</span></span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 16:16)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 17:20-21)<br />
<br />
And he said unto them, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Luke 18:29-30)<br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Jesus answered and said unto him, </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(John 3:3)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">My goal here with all these verses is to demonstrate how important is the subject of God's Kingdom. Jesus would not have emphasized it so much (to the tune of about a hundred references in the Gospel accounts) if it were not vital for us to grasp its significance. He was still discussing it with the apostles after His resurrection (Acts 1:3). The Kingdom of God <i>is</i> the Gospel. The word grace only appears in four verses in all of the Gospels, and Jesus never used the term in any of His teachings. Jesus talked about the Kingdom far more than even His death for our sins. I'm not saying these doctrines are not essential, but I'm trying to show how the Kingdom is the central message. God's rule had to come to earth in bodily form in the Lord Jesus, and His death on the cross was the culmination of His submission to His Father's will. Jesus could have gotten Himself crucified by leading a glorious military revolution to free Judea from foreign rule like the Maccabees did. That's not what He did. He got crucified for insisting that He was King! <br />
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Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, <span style="color: red;">Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?</span> Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, <span style="color: red;">My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.</span> Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, <span style="color: red;">Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.</span>
(John 18:33-37)<br />
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Just like in the Old Testament, the majority of the Jews had rejected God's Kingship over them. As the embodient of that Kingship, Jesus had to die.<br />
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And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.<br />
(John 19:14-15)<br />
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When we repent and put our faith in Christ, we are saved from our sins, but more than that, we acknowledge that Jesus is our King. Then can we truly say the Kingdom of God is within us. Jesus suffered many trials, including death, to offer the Kingdom to us. If we are serious about extending this offer of the Kingdom of God to the nations of the world, we must be prepared to face persecution as well (2 Timothy 3:12). This is no "health and wealth" gospel.<br />
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There are two parables in particular about the Kingdom that I want to look at. They are both in Matthew 13, and Jesus has fully explained what both of them mean. The first is the parable of the sower. What is the seed that was sown?</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth</span></span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">it</span></span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">not, then cometh the wicked</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">one,</span></span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Matthew 13:19)<br />
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The sower's seed is the word of the Kingdom of God. The second parable concerns the wheat and the tares. Once again I ask, what is the seed that was sown?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked <em>one</em>;</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Matthew 13:38)<br />
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Children of the Kingdom! Is the message of God's Kingdom getting a hold of you? Israel having rejected the role, the Kingdom of priests and the holy nation are now the followers of Christ (1 Peter 2:9). </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">What the nation of Israel failed to show the rest of the world about the glory of our God, it is our responsibility, as the holy nation, to demonstrate, thus enlarging the Kingdom of God on earth. You will also notice what category those who are not children of the Kingdom fall into.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For the sake of thoroughness, I will mention that the theory of dispensationalism teaches that everything I quoted above about the Kingdom does not apply to followers of Jesus. As I understand the theory, the gospel of the Kingdom of God was meant for the Jews, and when they rejected it, God replaced it with the "gospel of grace" which was preached to the Gentiles by the apostles, especially Paul. Another explanation I've heard is that the Kingdom teachings of Jesus were just an extension of the Law. Supposedly, by setting an "impossible" standard, Jesus would drive us to accept God's grace. In response to this, let's go to the book of Acts to see just what gospel the apostles were teaching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.<br />
(Acts 8:12)<br />
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Confirming the souls of the disciples,</span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">and</span></span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Acts 14:22)<br />
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And he [Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.<br />
(Acts 19:8)<br />
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And now, behold, I [Paul] know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.<br />
(Acts 20:25)<br />
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And when they had appointed him [Paul] a day, there came many to him into </span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">his</span></span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and </span></span><i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">out of</span></span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> the prophets, from morning till evening.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(Acts 28:23)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Acts 28:30-31)<br />
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Those final verses are the concluding words of the Acts of the Apostles. The Kingdom of God is also discussed in the epistles and Revelation. I know I have already listed a lot of Scripture, so I'll just give these references if you wish to check them: Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:20, 6:9-10, 15:50; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; James 2:5; Revelation 1:9, 12:10. As with the Gospels, this list is not exhaustive. If God intended for a different gospel to supplant the gospel of the Kingdom, then the Holy Spirit must have neglected to inform the apostles. Of course, Paul said:<br />
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But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.<br />
(Galatians 1:8-9)<br />
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He said it twice just to make sure we don't miss it. Now, lest I give the wrong impression, I do not believe we earn our salvation by our works. Our salvation would be impossible without God's grace. But does God save us just so we don't go to hell? Where we go when we die is not all there is to Christianity. Those of us who serve Jesus as King have been redeemed so that we may be vessels meet for the Master's use in expressing His rule to the nations.<br />
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Obviously, there are many practical applications to be made for living the life of the Kingdom. I think it was an accurate appraisal when one brother said that the Sermon on the Mount is the Constitution of the Kingdom of God. The words of Jesus should always be our starting point. Many of my other posts attempt to address these applications in a Scriptural manner. There are a few very important applications I would like to examine before I close. They have to do with the matter of allegiance. Who is our sovereign? If Jesus is our King, then obviously He is. Can we have more than one king? To put it another way, can Jesus and the federal government both be our sovereign? Both Jesus and the governing authorities want the absolute loyalty of their subjects. Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. Therefore, in my view, if we give our allegiance to Caesar, then Jesus is not really our King. <br />
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Before the cry of anarchy is heard, I'll let you know that I believe the governing authorities are given their power by God to keep order in society, and that followers of Jesus should obey their laws (Romans 13)--conditionally. We obey Casear not because he is our king, but because our King tells us to. At some point, it is inevitable that some of the laws of the earthly kingdom we inhabit will conflict with the laws of the Kingdom of God. In such cases, who we obey shows who our king is. Peter and John told the Jewish authorities that they had to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). <br />
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For example, Jesus taught that subjects of His Kingdom are to return good for evil and love their enemies (Matthew 5:44). Let's say that the nation we live in decides to settle its differences with another nation by killing as many of its citizens as possible. Naturally, Caesar cannot effectively wage war without a strong military. So, the governing authorities start rolling out the propaganda to convince folks to join the armed forces in order to defend our great country. If that doesn't produce enough recruits, conscription is always an option. If a draft card shows up in your mailbox, do you submit to Caesar's command to join the military, or do you submit to Christ's command to be as harmless as doves? Without doubt, you could find many people who profess Christianity, and very loudly at that, to tell you that fighting for your country is not only acceptable but a Christian duty. If you refuse, you could be called a coward, an ingrate, a traitor, or many other such epithets. Nowadays, the U.S. military usually recognizes conscientious objectors, but in times past followers of Jesus have been thrown in prison, had all their possessions confiscated, or even been subjected to such harsh treatment that it lead to their death for not participating in America's wars. But if Jesus is our King, all that doesn't matter. He is the Prince of Peace, not war. In fact, the early Christians (before Constantine) believed that it was their commitment to their King's teachings on peace that was responsible for the two-century period of peace now referred to as the Pax Romana. <br />
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The next step that seems clear to me is that followers of Jesus should abstain from becoming part of the governing authorities (Mark 10:42-45), just as our King did. We are not called to enforce order or righteousness for those outside the Kingdom. We are to invite people to join the Kingdom and help them to follow Jesus, while God deals with those outside (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). I would even venture to say that the selection of who is to wield earthly power in the nation where we physically reside should be of no concern to citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). No authority on earth can supersede the authority of our King.<br />
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I realize I have gone on for a long time, and I still feel like there are so many things I haven't covered. I pray that the Lord can use my feeble attempts to convey what I believe is the message of the Kingdom of God. I would like to acknowledge that I was inspired to write this treatment of the development of the Kingdom in large part by some excellent studies on this subject given by a brother named John D. Martin from Shippensburg Christian Fellowship. I appreciate his definition of the Kingdom as "what the whole world would look like if everyone obeyed the King." I am also grateful for the insights I received from a work by Peter Walpot, who was an early Hutterite servant of the Word. Any oversights or errors of course are mine. I welcome any comments or corrections from the Scriptures, from which I leave you with one final passage. <br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Matthew 13:41-43)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-54535883119566618542013-09-11T16:43:00.000-05:002013-09-11T16:43:02.549-05:00Christians and the Military<span lang="EN"><div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some time ago, I had an email discussion with another Christian on the subject of how a follower of Jesus should view military service. The other fellow holds the view that being in the armed forces is an honorable vocation for a Christian, while I believe that such service is incompatible with the teachings of Jesus. I thought it might be informative to post some of the dialogue. For clarity, I will indicate his points with a ^ and preface my responses with an *.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^Question: What does the Bible say about a Christian serving in the military?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">John, One of the first things we need to do as God’s people when we study a subject especially when it is a controversial one is to focus on God’s word only and not to our traditions or denomination we are a part of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*I can assure you that I do not believe anything just because a particular group or denomination says so. I follow the teachings of the New Testament as I understand them with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As you may know, I come from a Catholic background, which I have rejected. I do not believe in non-resistance because I identify with the Mennonites now. I identify with the Mennonites now because I believe in non-resistance and many other teachings common among them. However, I do not accept conservative Mennonite beliefs wholesale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^First of all, Christ’s teachings are repeating what was taught in the Old Testament, as he said "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*Christ did not destroy the law, but I believe that He did fulfIll it by His atoning sacrifice. "It is finished." As such, I view the law to be obsolete as a moral standard for Christians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">covenant</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second... In that he saith, A new </span><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">covenant,</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old </span><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">is</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> ready to vanish away. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Heb 8:6,7,13)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^Example:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">but that is found in the Old Testament</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But the meek shall inherit the earth Psalm 37:11</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*I consider Christ's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount to be more than simply repeating Old Testament teaching. They represent a higher moral standard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Example:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Mat 5:33-36)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The OT command was not to swear falsely. The NT command is not to swear at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Example:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Mat 6:19-21)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the OT, amassing wealth was acceptable. In the NT, Jesus tells us not to accumulate wealth. More examples could be given.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^When Jesus said "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy" He was not replacing it but correcting the abuses of the day because it had been distorted over the years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Actually the verses they were misquoting was Leviticus 19:17 & 18</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*In Leviticus, an Israelite's neighbors were defined as other Israelites ("the children of thy people"). The surrounding nations were outsiders from which God told the Israelites to separate themselves. A lawyer asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" The Lord's response was the account of the good Samaritan, a member of a nation traditionally hated by the Jews. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^Principals like "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head" Romans 12:20 The same things found in the Old Testament as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*I understand that Romans 12:20 is a reference to Proverbs. However, the practice of the principle was sporadic in the OT at best. This is understandable considering it was outside of the Mosaic law. In the NT it becomes binding for Christians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^What about Killing????</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well the Bible tells us not to Kill Exodus 20:13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Hebrew word for Kill is (</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="HE">רָצַח</span><span lang="EN"> ratsach) Which means not to Murder</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then there is Ecclesiastes 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hebrew word for kill is (<span lang="HE">הָרַג</span><span lang="EN"> harag) which is to protect in war and defense of one’s family, not to abuse.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The role of the institution of Government (Genesis 9 Noahic Covenant) is to take one’s life when they shed another’s blood (murder) – Capital Punishment which is commanded by God and was not done away with in the New Testament. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just like in any language there are words that are spelled the same and have different meanings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*I am aware that the word "kill" in the Sixth Commandment means "murder." However, my opposition to military service has nothing to do with the Ten Commandments or any other part of the Mosaic law. Yes, God has given the government the authority to use violence to punish evildoers as indicated in Romans 13. Israel was an earthly nation and as such its government like any other used force to defend itself and enforce order. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to make sure you understand one key aspect of my position. I am not a pacifist. I don't believe Christians shouldn't be in the military because war is inherently against God's will. However, I believe it is God's will that Christians should not be involved in the fighting of wars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This seems like an appropriate place to elaborate on my understanding of the two kingdom concept. A continual subject of Jesus's teachings was the kingdom of God. The reason the teachings of Christ raised the bar for morality is because Jesus was not interested in creating a new earthly kingdom, but rather something entirely new. When Pilate questioned Him about His kingdom, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:36). The kingdom of God is not some future state but the present membership of the body of Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">us</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> into the kingdom of his dear Son: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Col 1:12-13)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe the distinction between kingdom of the world and kingdom of God can be observed in Romans 12 and 13. Chapter 12 contains instructions for Christian living, and Paul speaks in the second person--you do this or you do not do that. Chapter 13 explains the enforcement role of the government, which Paul refers to in the third person. No man can serve two masters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Example:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">execute</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> wrath upon him that doeth evil. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Rom 13:4)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">^The Bible contains plenty of information about serving in the military. While many of the Bible’s references to the military are only analogies, several verses directly relate to this question. The Bible does not specifically state whether or not someone should serve in the military. At the same time, Christians can rest assured that being a soldier is highly respected throughout the Scriptures and know that such service is consistent with a biblical worldview.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*The NT does not say, "thou shalt not serve in the military." Neither does it say, "thou shalt not watch ungodly entertainment." However, it is an obvious application of Biblical principles. Also, to say that being a soldier is highly respected <i>throughout </i>the Scriptures is a bold statement. Consider, for instance, when God told David that he would not build the temple because he had shed so much blood in his wars (1 Chronicles 22:8).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For a Christian to <i>know</i> that any behavior, such as military service, is consistent with a Biblical worldview requires at a minimum a thorough examination of the teachings of Christ and His apostles. As a start, look at the Great Commission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">even</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">unto the end of the world.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Amen. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Mat 28:19-20)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is our job as Christians, in a nutshell. It is rather hard to accomplish these things if we are killing people on the battlefield. If unbelievers, those opposing soldiers need the Gospel too. If believers, those opposing soldiers should be our partners with all other believers in making disciples.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^The first example of military service is found in the Old Testament (Genesis 14), when Abraham's nephew Lot was kidnapped by Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and his allies. Abraham rallied to Lot's aid by gathering 318 trained men of his household and defeating the Elamites. Here we see armed forces engaged in a noble task—rescuing and protecting the innocent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Late in its history, the nation of Israel developed a standing army. The sense that God was the Divine Warrior and would protect His people regardless of their military strength may have been a reason why Israel was slow to develop an army. The development of a regular standing army in Israel came only after a strong, centralized political system had been developed by Saul, David, and Solomon. Saul was the first to form a permanent army (1 Samuel 13:2; 24:2; 26:2).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What Saul began, David continued. He increased the army, brought in hired troops from other regions who were loyal to him alone (2 Samuel 15:19-22) and turned over the direct leadership of his armies to a commander-in-chief, Joab. Under David, Israel also became more aggressive in its offensive military policies, absorbing neighboring states like Ammon (2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Chronicles 20:1-3). David established a system of rotating troops with twelve groups of 24,000 men serving one month of the year (1 Chronicles 27). Although Solomon's reign was peaceful, he further expanded the army, adding chariots and horsemen (1 Kings 10:26). The standing army continued (though divided along with the kingdom after the death of Solomon) until 586 B.C., when Israel (Judah) ceased to exist as a political entity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*Here I will simply reiterate my belief that Christ's teachings for the kingdom of God constitute a superior standard compared to what took place with earthly kingdoms in the OT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^In the New Testament, Jesus marveled when a Roman centurion (an officer in charge of one hundred soldiers) approached Him. The centurion’s response to Jesus indicated his clear understanding of authority, as well as his faith in Jesus (Matthew 8:5-13). Jesus did not denounce his career. Many centurions mentioned in the New Testament are praised as Christians, God-fearers, and men of good character (Matthew 8:5; 27:54; Mark 15:39-45; Luke 7:2; 23:47; Acts 10:1; 21:32; 28:16).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*Jesus did not denounce the centurion's career and neither did Jesus applaud his career. The reason Jesus marveled at his faith is because he was a Gentile, not because he was a soldier. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, she was living with a man she was not married to, but Jesus did not tell her leave him. It does not follow that Christ approved of her living in sin. As for Cornelius, the Bible does not say what he did after his conversion. For all we know, he may have left the Roman military. These examples simply illustrate that a soldier can receive the Gospel, just like any person no matter how sinful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^The places and the titles may have changed, but our armed forces should be just as valued as the centurions of the Bible. The position of soldier was highly respected. For example, Paul describes Epaphroditus, a fellow Christian, as a "fellow soldier" (Philippians 2:25). The Bible also uses military terms to describe being strong in the Lord by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20), including the tools of the soldier—helmet, shield, and sword.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">God’s word does address serving in the military, directly and indirectly. The Christian men and women who serve their country with character, dignity, and honor can rest assured that the civic duty they perform is condoned and respected by our sovereign God. Those who honorably serve in the military deserve our respect and gratitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*You mentioned above military references serving as analogies. I believe that is the case for these examples. Christians are soldiers in a spiritual battle. We are grappling with the devil for the souls of men. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">this</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(2Ti 2:3-4)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think earthly warfare would qualify as an affair of this life; it is contrary to the Great Commission. We are called to spread the kingdom of God. That kingdom is where a Christian's primary loyalty should be, not in the earthly kingdom he happens to be a citizen of. God will attend to the relations between nations. Things like civic duty or even the fates of different countries pale in eternal significance to the value of one soul. As such, our weapons and our battles are spiritual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">are</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(2Co 10:3-5)</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high </span><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">places.</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Eph 6:12)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">^Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him (John The Baptist), saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence (to extort from one by intimidation money or other property) to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">John did not tell them to get out of the military but not to abuse their occupation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*The ministry of John the Baptist was still under the Old Covenant. He was the last Hebrew prophet. Jesus had not yet introduced His teachings on the kingdom of God, and John was not a member of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.</span></div>
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</span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The law and the prophets</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">were</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Luk 16:16)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">^The Military has been used of God and there is nothing that forbids one serving in the Military, but like anything else we do, not to abuse the limited power entrusted to us and use it for his glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our family ultimately seeks peace and to love our enemy as Christ commands, but we also believe as the bible teaches to provide and defend our way of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*Just because God has used the military does not automatically justify Christian participation. God has the prerogative to use the most wicked person to accomplish His will if He so wishes. In the OT, God used Assyria and Babylon to carry Israel and Judah into captivity as a consequence of their transgressions, and those were pagan kingdoms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I see it, serving in the military violates the teachings of Christ on loving your enemies. I'm a visual person, so I will attempt to paint a picture of a scene. Your unit is deployed to the front lines of a battle. You spot the enemy's troops. You raise your assault rifle and line up your sights on an enemy soldier. You wait until he comes in range and then pull the trigger. When you opened fire on that person, were you loving him?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">is</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> the fulfilling of the law. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Rom 13:10)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">As for our way of life, it is not our role to defend it with force. Our shield and defender is God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">conversation </span><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">be</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> without covetousness; </span><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">and be</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord </span><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">is</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Heb 13:5-6)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">More food for thought: are we absolutely sure our way of life is totally pleasing to God? He chastens those He loves. How did Jesus indicate His followers should respond to opposition? When Jesus sent out the twelve apostles to cast out demons and heal, these were some of His instructions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.</span></div>
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</span><span style="color: teal; font-size: small;"><span style="color: teal; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Mat 10:16)</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If they were persecuted, the Lord instructed them to flee, not to fight back. Here's another example. Jesus was passing through a Samaritan village with the apostles, but the Samaritans did not want anything to do with them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And when his disciples James and John saw </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">this,</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;">them.</span></span></i><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> And they went to another village. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Luk 9:54-56)</span></div>
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</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">One more point I would like to consider is how the first generations of Christians looked at this subject. What was the original teaching of the Christian church? These writers were only a handful of generations removed from the apostles. The following quotes are drawn from <i>The Ante-Nicene Fathers</i>, as organized in <i>A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs</i>, edited by David W. Bercot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We who formerly murdered one another now refrain from making war even upon our enemies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">-Justin Martyr, c. 160, Vol. 1, page 176.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Christian does no harm even to his enemy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">-Tertullian, c. 197, Vol. 3, page 51.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now inquiry is made about the point of whether a believer may enter into military service. The question is also asked whether those in the military may be admitted into the faith--even the rank and file (or any inferior grade), who are not required to take part in sacrifices or capital punishments...A man cannot give his allegiance to two masters--God and Caesar...How will a Christian man participate in war? In fact, how will he serve even in <i>peace</i> without a sword? For the Lord has taken the sword away. It is also true that soldiers came to John [the Baptist] and received the instructions for their conduct. It is true also that a centurion believed. Nevertheless, the Lord afterward, in disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">-Tertullian, c. 200, Vol. 3, page 73.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet Christ nowhere teaches that it is right for His own disciples to offer violence to anyone, no matter how wicked. For He did not consider it to be in accord with His laws to allow the killing of any individual whomever. For His laws were derived from a divine source.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">-Origen, c. 248, Vol. 4, page 467.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These examples are representative, but there are many more. Even as late as the Council of Nicaea, the church prescibed excommunication for former soldiers who returned to the military. It was only after the fusion of church and state initiated by Constantine in the 4th century that it became acceptable for Christians to join the military.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-44184280359962619272013-07-12T15:31:00.000-05:002013-07-12T15:31:08.043-05:00Spiritual Pageantry or First WorksMy dictionary defines the word "pageant" as "an exhibition, a show, or a parade." In other words, a pageant is an event primarily intended to be for entertainment. Some time ago, my family was given an interesting children's book. The story focuses on a young girl who will be playing the part of an angel in a church nativity pageant. In the days leading up to the play, the girl notices a man on a street corner who plays an organ grinder in order to get donations from passers-by. When she realizes the man is homeless, the girl asks her mom if they could do something to help him. The mother is unconcerned; she is far more preoccupied with her daughter's upcoming performance.<br /><br />On the night of the pageant, this mother is only worried about getting to the church building on time for the performance, but the girl stops to give the homeless fellow her two mites and invite him to the play. Shortly thereafter, the performance is proceeding, and the girl steps onto the stage to recite her single line. She has spent much time memorizing it, but for some reason she cannot bring herself to say it. Then, the doors behind the congregation open, and in walks the poor man. Looking over the finely dressed audience, the girl knows it is time to deliver her line. "Behold! I bring you good tidings of great joy!"<br /><br />I imagine it was not the author's intention to write anything more than a touching children's tale. Beyond this, I took a few other ideas away from this story. For one, it is an excellent demonstration of why the Lord said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14). Furthermore, I believe the book constitutes a sad commentary on the state of the modern church. So many people in America profess to be followers of Christ, but how many of us are proclaiming the good tidings of great joy? Quoting Isaiah, Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19). <br /><br />Now I pose a question: is today's church renowned for preaching the gospel to the poor and helping the needy? Or does she spend more time and resources entertaining its members? I recall a time when I visited a contemporary church because a conference on creationism was being held there. As I was waiting for things to get started, I surveyed the host of props on the church stage to go along with the exciting sermon series the pastor was engaged in. Unknown to me, one of the scheduled sessions included a typical time of "worship" for this church. The lights went down, and the performers took their places on the stage. This was followed by what I would describe as a "Christian rock concert," complete with cheering fans and special effects such as a fog machine. My young daughter afterwards referred to it as "the show church." Out of the mouth of babes... Spiritual pageantry at its most sophisticated. Why feel burdened for lost souls or physical suffering when church is so positive and enjoyable? The mother in the story did not stop to think, it would seem, whether or not God would be pleased to see her snub a poor man in favor of a pageant depicting the birth of Him Who said, "...in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me." (Matthew 25:45). Are we likewise guilty of being "...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:4-5)?<br /><br />As the church in general becomes more engaged in spiritual pageantry, she seems to be less and less relevant to much of American society. Is perhaps a reason that the American church's salt is losing her savor is because she has fallen into the same trap as the church at Ephesus? Has she left her first love (Revelation 2:4)? The Anabaptist preacher, Menno Simons, wrote:<br /><br />For true evangelical faith is of such a nature that it cannot lay dormant; but manifests itself in all righteousness and works of love; it dies unto flesh and blood; destroys all forbidden lusts and desires; cordially seeks, serves and fears God; clothes the naked; feeds the hungry; consoles the afflicted; shelters the miserable; aids and consoles all the oppressed; returns good for evil; serves those that injure it; prays for those that persecute it; teaches, admonishes and reproves with the Word of the Lord; seeks that which is lost; binds up that which is wounded; heals that which is diseased and saves that which is sound.<br />-Complete Works, p. 246 (pub. by John F. Funk & Brother, 1871)<br /><br />There is quite a contrast between this description and the common "evangelical" faith in America. I aspire to the ideal described above, although I confess I fall short in many ways. We can so easily become absorbed with things of fleeting existence, at the expense of matters with eternal consequences. "And these are they which are sown among thorns: such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." (Mark 4:18-19). Kingdom work often takes a back seat to entertaining or otherwise satisfying the flesh. We dare not become too comfortable and hence complacent. After all, Jesus told us to strive to enter at the strait gate (Luke 13:24).<br /><br />There are so many "harmless" distractions for the Christian. I am not trying to point fingers at other people; I can certainly be affected by some of these diversions. All of us have weaknesses we must be vigilant to avoid. We can accumulate wealth in bank accounts or expensive properties instead of donating to help needy families. We can sit passively in front of a television instead of teaching our children the Word of God. We can go to an ear-splitting "praise and worship" session and have a group emotional experience instead of participating in a thoughtful Bible discussion with other believers. We can spend hours at a football stadium (literally or through a TV screen) on Sunday instead of visiting the widows and the fatherless. We can promote political agendas such as outlawing abortion instead of sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom of God with the poor women considering such an act, not to mention offering to adopt the babies or otherwise providing assistance. We can spend more time on looking sharp for Sunday morning than praying for the advance of the Kingdom.<br /><br />The list could go on and on. We are concerned in having our theology just right, but that doesn't automatically make us like Christ. The Ephesian church was not rebuked for any theological problems, but rather for a deficiency in her works. Jesus said, "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27). The modern American church has largely become anemic, I think, because many of us have drifted from our first love. Despite what we say about serving Christ, our actions can tell another tale with our patriotism, our withholding our hands from the poor, or the spiritual pageantry that constitutes "church" for many. Do any of these characteristics describe Jesus? Furthermore, these inconsistencies have not escaped the world's notice. The more the church becomes involved in worldly pursuits, the more anemic she is, and the the more society can brush her aside as unimportant. Why should the lost bother to flee the world for a church that acts the same way? <br /><br />Christ's admonition to the Ephesian church reveals the solution to this problem and the consequences for ignoring it. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." (Revelation 2:5). But God is merciful and long-suffering, and He gives many chances to repent. It is my plea that we do not waste these chances. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-70951251895017505492013-04-12T16:42:00.000-05:002013-04-12T16:42:14.051-05:00The Economics of ChristIn the United States, the more conservative elements of society tend to be much stronger proponents of capitalism with minimal restrictions imposed on free enterprise as compared to the more liberal elements. Also, there is a large overlap between these economic conservatives and conservative Christians in this country. Many Christians in the U.S. even seem to directly tie capitalism to their Christianity, while other economic systems like socialism are seen as inherently ungodly. Was Jesus a capitalist, a socialist, or something else entirely? If we desire to follow Christ, this is an important question to consider.<br /><br />Fortunately, I do not think Jesus was vague on the issue of economics, and neither were His apostles. Before we go to the Bible though, let us consider for a moment what the implications of a capitalist mindset entail. The point of capitalism is the accumulation of wealth and/or possessions. The harder you work, the more money you are entitled to receive, to do with as you wish. The more wealth you can accumulate, the better off you are. If other folks are poor, they are probably just lazy and need to work harder. Giving them financial assistance will just make them into mooches. I understand these are generalizations, but I have encountered similar sentiments many times, especially from socially conservative Christians. <br /><br />"God helps those who help themselves." Did Jesus say that? Absolutely not. That statement is nowhere found in the Scriptures. (I think it was Martin Luther who said that, actually.) However, the Lord did discuss financial concerns frequently. Let's look at what He taught briefly.<br /><br />For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. <br />(Mat 6:21)<br /><br />No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. <br />(Mat 6:24)<br /><br />And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. <br />(Luke 6:20)<br /><br />Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. <br />(John 6:27)<br /><br />These are just a handful of examples, but I think they summarize the views of Christ on the matter. They also seem to be forthright statements that do not require a lot of interpretation. Jesus opposed the storing of wealth, even if it was earned honestly, while calling the poor blessed. I am not suggesting that Jesus encouraged laziness. On the other hand, I also do not think He was in favor of putting the majority of your time and effort into making as much money as possible for your own use, which is the capitalist way. When the widow gave her last two mites, Jesus commended her sacrifice (Luke 21:1-4), although it was unwise from a capitalist standpoint. When the five thousand that had been listening to Jesus teach were hungry, the apostles wanted to send them away. Did Jesus suggest that they should go find work and not expect handouts? Hardly. He fed them. <br /><br />Am I suggesting that Jesus was a socialist? Let's think about this. Some of the principles Jesus taught have parallels in socialism, but what about the methods? In theory, socialism involves the redistribution of wealth by the government for the purposes of economic equality. Both capitalism and socialism have political components. By contrast, Jesus was completely apolitical. He went everywhere preaching about the kingdom of God and stayed out of earthly political affairs. For example, after Jesus fed the five thousand, the crowds wanted to grab Him and make Him a king, but Jesus wanted no part of it (John 6:15). Rather than advocating a particular political or economic system, Christ was interested in influencing the hearts of His followers. Jesus never forced anyone to do things His way. So, how did the earliest Christians work out His teachings on economics?<br /><br />And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. <br />(Acts 2:44-45)<br /><br />Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. <br />(Acts 4:34-37)<br /><br />So, the first Christians in Jerusalem practiced a community of goods. Jesus did not specifically command this sort of communalism, but I believe it was consistent with what He taught. I suppose this could be called voluntary or Christian socialism. Its successfulness, I believe, was due to the common cause of its adherents. I do not believe socialism is effective when it is imposed on large groups of people who are not committed to helping each other. I think the reason that capitalism has prevailed over socialism in most of the world is because the former utilizes the inherent covetousness typical in unregenerate humanity. In any case, not all of the believers in Acts made exactly the same application. When the Christians in Antioch sent aid to believers in Judea, the Bible indicates that each man individually decided how much to send (Acts 11:29). As such, the community in Antioch must not have been holding all things common. But, like in the church in Jerusalem, the principle of providing assistance for those in need was upheld. At this point, I would like to address the idea I have heard proposed that these community applications were temporary emergency measures due to the dire situation that the early church found itself in. Many of the epistles speak to this issue.<br /><br />For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. <br />(2Co 8:13-15)<br /><br />Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work... For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. <br />(2Co 9:7-8, 12-14)<br /><br />It seems clear that an important goal of the New Testament church was to provide for economic equality as much as possible, even if that required personal sacrifice. The early Christians were typically quite poor. I have read of a practice in the primitive church where food for the hungry was provided by fasting on the part of the believers. This equality was to be secured by giving that was voluntary, not a forced redistribution of wealth. Paul even suggests that supplying the needs of the saints constitutes evidence the church is obeying the gospel of Christ. <br /><br />Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. <br />(Eph 4:28)<br /><br />But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. <br />(Php 4:10-12)<br /><br />And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. <br />(1Ti 6:8-10)<br /><br />Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? <br />(Jas 2:5)<br /><br />The Bible does not promise that Christians will be better off economically than others. They are to be satisfied with the fulfillment of their basic needs (Matthew 6:31-33). Extra wealth can easily be the downfall of a Christian, and by contrast the poor inherit the kingdom. If we somehow obtain a surplus of funds, I believe that the purpose for this surplus is to help others who are needy, and this is to be done out of love and not compulsion. In his farewell message to the Ephesian elders, I think Paul sums up nicely the economics of Christ.<br /><br />I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. <br />(Acts 20:35)<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-34127063912215411012013-02-01T11:08:00.000-06:002013-02-01T11:08:03.015-06:00The Christian and SportsPicture a scenario with me, about a man devoted to his religion. An essential component of his religion is a period of worship that takes place on Sunday. Much of the man's week is centered on the upcoming worship. He spends much time discussing the focal point of his worship with friends, family, or even complete strangers. The man takes special care that his obligations are taken care of by Saturday evening so as not to interfere with the day of worship. After much anticipation, the day arrives. Long before the service commences, the man begins his preparations. The man may need to prepare food to enjoy in fellowship with other faithful worshipers as they await the beginning of worship. He arrives at the house of worship hours early for such brotherhood as well as to consecrate himself to render unreserved adoration to the focus of his worship. Finally the worship service starts, and for the new few hours the man's attention is completely absorbed with his devotion to his religion. No boredom here. In fact, the man could be described as a religious fanatic. The service ends, and the man departs the house of worship with his fellow believers. The man's worship experience engages his mind long after returning home, and he shares about it freely with others. Soon, the anticipation for next Sunday's worship begins to build. <br />
<br />In the above scenario, the object of the man's worship I was discussing was not God. It was football. I speak these things from personal experience, and they lead me to consider a question. What role should sports play in the life of a Christian? Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with sports. Problems arise, however, when folks start putting way too much emphasis on the simple act of a watching grown men play a game. The word "fan" to describe a devotee of sports comes from fanatic. Does such fanaticism help us seek first the kingdom of God?<br /><br />
My upbringing makes me very informed on this subject. As long as I can remember, my parents have been enthusiastic followers of professional baseball. Like them, I spent years devoting an incredible amount of time either watching baseball, reading about baseball, idolizing certain baseball players, and so forth. Yet, for all this baseball enthusiasm, I never once actually played baseball. Without doubt, I spent a lot more time in a given week thinking about baseball than about God. I could have told you the entire starting lineup of "my team," but I would have been clueless if you had asked me to name just one of the tribes of Israel. Based on the tens of thousands of people who typically attend a single major league baseball game, I was not alone in my devotion. <br /><br />
The trend only continued when I started college. At my university, football was king. On game day, the whole city came to a stand still, with almost all eyes focused on the stadium. I attended several of these games, and over time the behavior I witnessed both in the stands and outside of the stadium became increasingly alarming. For one thing, it was typical to scream insults and obscenities at not just the opposing team, but the opposing team's fans, the officials, or anyone else who provided a tempting target. In Ephesians 4:31-32, God's Word says, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." <br /><br />
During games like these that I have described, with attendance figures of 80,000 thousand fans, many of the spectators can get whipped into an emotional frenzy that often results in real hatred of the other team and its fans. Folks watching the games on television can of course be caught in this unloving spirit as well. In some cases, these feelings will subside after the game's conclusion, but I know first-hand that this is not always the case. Teams with long-standing rivalries will have die-hard fans who can, in extreme instances, become violent towards one another. At the least, there is a lot of simmering bitterness, which makes it rather difficult to show the love of Christ. "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20).<br /><br />
Beyond the wrathful feelings generated by the veneration of sports, there is the utter waste of money. You are not a real fan if you do not buy your team's clothing, memorabilia, autographs, athletic equipment, trading cards... The list goes on. Then there is the money spent on the games themselves. The ticket to one football game during my college days cost approximately thirty dollars, and that does not include parking. The biggest sports fans with money to burn buy season tickets, so they can have the chance to go to every single one of their team's home games for an entire year. Such season tickets can feature price tags of thousands of dollars per person. Why do they cost so much? Professional athletes being paid salaries of millions of dollars to play a game is a significant reason. All these resources are wasted on athletic entertainment when they could have been used for the work of the kingdom of God. How many people groups have never heard the Gospel? Or what about the worldwide tragedy of child starvation? The United States is the richest nation in the world, and a large percentage of the population professes to be Christian. Do we spend more money on helping those in need or on our sports? "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21).<br /><br />
Not only is the work of the kingdom neglected financially, it is also short-changed the gift of time. A typical professional baseball game lasts for three hours. In an entire season, each team plays approximately 80 home games. When you do the math, this means a season ticket holder could spend theoretically ten entire days doing nothing but watch millionaires throw a baseball around a field. When I was in college, I usually went to church meeting on Sunday evening. Because college students do not like to get up early, the service was typically crowded. However, on Super Bowl Sunday, the attendance would be drastically lower, so much that the minister would comment on it. The loyalty to football superseded the loyalty to the church. Why will some people spend so much time on sports while struggling to find time for Christian responsibilities? I believe the answer is that devotion to sports can be a surrogate religion for many, providing (temporary) fulfillment and purpose apart from God. It is of course one of Satan's goals to distract people from their need of a whole-hearted, obedient relationship with Christ, and he employs many deceptions to achieve this end. Is it possible that he who is transformed into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) can use something "harmless" like sports for this purpose?<br /><br />
I am largely able to avoid exposure to the permeation of our culture by sports since I do not watch television or follow the news. However, I still receive catalogs in the mail selling all sorts of items. In one of these catalogs, there was a shirt printed with the message, "Anyone who says money can't buy happiness never had season tickets." The product description elaborates on the "ecstasy of having season tickets to your favorite team." This is the spirit of the world. It would be wise for Christians to heed the warning of the Apostle John.<br /><br />Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. <br />(1 John 2:15-17)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-65081182441803939172012-09-16T14:12:00.001-05:002012-09-16T14:12:37.308-05:00The Most High Ruleth in the Kingdoms of MenIn the days of King Hezekiah, Judah was invaded by Sennacherib, king
of Assyria. Sennacherib blasphemed the Lord to the people of Jerusalem
through his servants, saying that the God of Israel could not save them
any more than the gods of the other nations conquered by Assyria.
However, Hezekiah bolstered the people with these words: "Be strong and
courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for
all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with
him: with him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to
help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon
the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8.)
Consequently, the Lord promised that Sennacherib would not shoot a
single arrow against Jerusalem. The angel of the Lord destroyed the host
of Assyria, and later the king was killed by his own sons in the house
of his god.<br />
<br />
This is a marvelous example of God's deliverance to those who trust in
the everlasting arms instead of the arm of flesh. I also believe it is a
challenge to us as Christians. We can be tempted to trust the arm of
flesh many ways in our daily lives. Regarding this, an area that has
caused me to ponder is Christian involvement in politics. Does it
glorify God for Christians to be politically active? It is my goal to
answer this question in the light of God's word.<br />
<br />
I believe consideration of this issue should begin with a foundational
point of Christ's teachings: the two kingdom idea. The Gospels are full
of the words of Jesus regarding the opposing natures of the kingdom of
God and the kingdom of the world. Christians have been delivered from
the world to the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13), so you cannot be
in both kingdoms. The methods by which members of each kingdom operate
are diametrically opposed. Under Pilate's questioning, "Jesus answered,
My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but
now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:36.) I am unaware of any
scriptural examples of Christ or one of his followers attempting to
influence the course of the Roman government, much less taking part in
it. Jesus eschewed all earthly power, whether offered by Satan (Luke
4:5-7) or the people around him. After feeding the five thousand, the
crowd wanted to seize Jesus and make him a king, but Jesus fled from
them (John 6:15).<br />
<br />
We should not lose track of the concept of God's total
sovereignty. All men have free will, but God has made it clear in His
word that the course of the nations of the world are ultimately under
His authority. One of the clearest examples of this principle is located
in the fourth chapter of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a
vision in a dream warning him of his future chastisement for pride. The
king's understanding was taken from him for his boast that he had
personally built the kingdom of Babylon. Considering verse 17 reveals
God's purpose: "This matter is by decree of the watchers, and the demand
by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know
that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to
whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." This
verse is rich with meaning regarding the relation of the Christian to
politics. I have lost track of how many times I have heard the plea that
Christians should vote individuals with godlier principles into office.
Assuming you could find a politician who fits this description, you
still would not know if this person is God's choice. He may have a
reason for bringing a wicked man to power. Consider the pharaoh who
contended with Moses. The Lord revealed that He specifically raised up
the pharaoh in order to demonstrate His power (Exodus 9:16). As a final
point in consideration of God's sovereignty, think about Christ's
response to Pilate's interrogation in John 19:11: "Jesus answered, Thou
couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from
above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."<br />
<br />
However, you may ask, "Why couldn't it be God's will to bring a
Christian to political office for His glory?" After all, Paul said in
Romans 13 that the higher powers are ordained of God, even calling them
God's ministers. An important question to answer. The words translated
as "minister(s)" in this passage have the basic meaning of "servant."
Now, let's turn to the book of Jeremiah briefly to observe someone else
the Almighty calls His servant. "Behold, I will send and take all the
families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar, my servant,
and will bring them against this land..." (Jeremiah 25:9.) The political
authorities are "God's ministers" insomuch as they are executing the
function God delegated for earthly government--whether they realize it
or not.<br />
<br />
I contend that a Christian could not hold political office
without violating Biblical principles. Jesus has commanded His disciples
not to take the sword (e.g., Matthew 26:52), but the government cannot
keep order in society without using the sword. The political process
involves fighting with your opponents to force your party's agenda.
Whether in elections or while in office, politicians typically strive to
make their rivals look bad while boosting their own images. How
different from how Christians should behave! "Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3.) <br />
<br />
Perhaps you will say, "I could not be a politician myself, but
there is nothing wrong with voting for them." When you cast a vote for a
political candidate, you are endorsing his behavior and all of his
political views. The teachings of Christ call for His disciples to be
non-resistant (see Matthew 5:38-48). However, we cannot seriously say we
are non-resistant while voting for the commander-in-chief of the army,
which is one of the president's duties. Christians have been denied
conscientious objector status in the past for this reason. Neither major
party in the United States has a platform consistent with the words of
Christ. Democrats are more likely to help the poor, but they support the
murder of unborn babies. Republicans oppose abortion but support wars
that bring untold death and destruction to other countries. A Christian
who casts his lot with either side is making a compromise with
ungodliness.<br />
<br />
Here is the bottom line: if Christians try to reform society by
political activism, they are trusting in the arm of flesh. Christ told
us to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), so we need to keep
our priorities straight. If we are not careful, we can end up like
Pharisees. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make
clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are
full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, clease first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be
clean also." (Mattew 23:25-26.) Does it make sense make sense to say we
do not believe in having rigid church rules because it is legalistic,
but then we campaign and vote for a law that imposes Christian morality
on the masses? No law ever changed a person's heart, but the power of
the Gospel can transform a sinner from the inside out. If Christians
agitate for laws against abortion or homosexual marriage (to name a few
hot examples), all we are trying to do is wash the outside of the cup.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations and every high
thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians
10:3-5.) Followers of Christ wage war against the god of this world
with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We do not use
the earthly sword of coercion, nor do we convince the state to use it on
our behalf. As Jesus prayed to the Father, "Sanctify them through thy
truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17.)<br />
<br />
If you still need convincing that Christians and politics should
not mix, just look at election campaigns. I have already mentioned how
rivals will smear each other's reputation. Also, so much time and money
is wasted. God knows how many millions of dollars are frittered away in
an attempt to get as many votes as possible. With the resources and time
Christians spend on these campaigns, how many unreached peoples could
be evangelized or poor people fed? The whole election process is a
distraction from the work of God. When I was personally grappling with
the issue of whether Christians shold be involved in politics, I moved
to another county and had to fill out a new voter registration form. One
of the requirements on that form was a loyalty oath to uphold the
Constitution and laws of the United States. On one hand, there was an
option to "affirm" instead of "swear" for those who have a conscience
against swearing oaths (see Matthew 5:33-37). On the other hand, I could
not even affirm this statement. If the Constitution and laws of the
United States at any point violate the Scriptures, I cannot obey them.
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey
God rather than men." (Acts 5:29.) The Bible instructs us to pray for
our rulers (1 Timothy 2:2), not to get caught up in the ungodly frenzy
of choosing them.<br />
<br />
It is true that government officials may be elected or laws be
enacted that interfere with the free exercise of the Christian faith. In
that case, take heed of Paul's advice to his son in the faith: "Thou
therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man
that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he
may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3-4.)
And do not forget this either: "Yea, and all that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12.) The world, and
possibly other Christians, will try valiantly to convince you that it
is every citizen's duty to participate in the political process.
However, "the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God. For it is
written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1 Corinthians
3:19.) Thus, let us as followers of Christ remain steadfast in the
simplicity of the Gospel and advance only His kingdom until He comes!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-67642754290642720812011-12-20T19:38:00.001-06:002011-12-20T19:49:38.938-06:00The Basis for Christian MoralityThe Old Testament fills a number of important roles. For one, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies by Jesus authenticate His identity as the Messiah. Also, the apostle Paul writes that the failures of the children of Israel "...were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." (1 Cor. 10:6). Other significant factors could be pointed out as well. However, the question I want to ask is, does Old Testament morality still apply to Christians?<br />
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When I refer to Old Testament morality, I am primarily talking about the Mosaic law. Do some or all of the commandments that the Lord gave to Moses still have validity in the Christian's life? One of the important Scripture passages concerning this subject is in the Sermon on the Mount. <br />
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"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."<br />
Matthew 5:17-18<br />
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What is Jesus saying here? One view would be that since Christ was not destroying the law, it is to some extent still applicable. Now, Christians obviously do not observe aspects of the law regarding, for example, animal sacrifices. Christ's atonement has made those sacrifices obsolete. In response, some students of the Bible have introduced the concept of the division of the Mosaic law into different categories. While there are some variations on this theme, the basic idea is that the commandments in the old law can be categorized as moral or ceremonial. The former category is still in place for Christian, and the latter is not. Hence the big emphasis placed on the Ten Commandments, which are classified "moral."<br />
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On the other hand, I subscribe to the opposing view. Namely, Christ's life and atoning sacrifice have fulfilled the law, and as such the law has passed away entirely. Fulfilling the law did not destroy it but rather made it unnecessary. Let's consider a few Scriptures that support this view.<br />
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"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second...In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."<br />
Heb. 8:6-7, 13<br />
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"Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."<br />
Heb. 10:9-10<br />
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The bottom line that we are dealing with here, I believe, is disagreement over how a believer in Christ is sanctified. It is my view that sanctification does not come through observing Old Covenant moral codes. The believer under the New Covenant is guided by the Holy Spirit in concord with the New Testament scriptures. Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. (John 16:13)<br />
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"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."<br />
Gal. 3:24-25<br />
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What about the supposed moral vs. ceremonial dichotomy in the Mosaic law? Honestly, I <br />
believe this idea is without Biblical basis. For one thing, how is the Christian to know for sure if a Mosaic commandment is moral or ceremonial? Consider the Ten Commandments, which would be typically viewed as the moral foundation of the law of Moses. "Thou shalt not steal" or "thou shalt not kill" are obviously moral in nature. However, what about keeping the sabbath? Is that command moral, ceremonial, or both?<br />
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Here's another point to consider. If God intended this division of the old law, it makes sense that the commandments would be organized by category so Christians would not be confued as to which commandments to follow. For a case study of this idea, I would like to turn to Leviticus 19. Verse 18 states: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." This principle would seem clearly moral in nature. Using the above logic, the other verses in this passage should also describe moral commands. With that in mind, let's look at verse 19: "Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee." Now, this command seems to be ceremonial. So, we have a moral rule and a ceremonial rule in consecutive verses! God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).<br />
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The New Covenant requires a higher moral standard than the Old. The reason I say this is because the Old Covenant regulated behavior, while the New Covenant is more concerned with the inward disposition (which of course affects behavior). For instance, in the law of Moses, the Lord forbid the act of adultery. However, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said just looking at a women with lust constitutes adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). In other words, observation of the Mosaic law would potentially clean the outside of the cup while leaving the inside full of wickedness. Just following the Ten Commandments is not sufficient.<br />
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Confusion regarding the relationship between the two Testaments has caused great tragedy in the history of Christianity. Christ said, "Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." (Luke 6:27-28). Despite these words and many more like them in the New Testament, professing Christians regularly fight in wars or even persecute other professing Christians with different beliefs. <br />
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Using the sword in the name of Christ is forbidden to believers. Nevertheless, ever since the time of Emperor Constantine, bloodshed in the name of Christ has been justified on the basis of the wars of the Old Testament. It was the same Constantine who was responsible for the fusion of the state and institutional church. Similarly, this concept is rationalized based on the theocratic nation of Israel in the Old Covenant, even though the church-state union violates New Covenant principles. <br />
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"But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."<br />
Mark 10:42-44<br />
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Much more could be said on the subjects of non-resistance and the separation of church of state. For the purposes of the matter at hand, they serve to demonstrate the importance of placing the New Testament in its proper place as a superior moral standard compared to the Old Testament. "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:4). The conclusion of the matter is: we do not follow the law of Moses. We only follow Christ.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-78504814412951748872011-09-04T20:43:00.000-05:002011-09-04T20:43:38.313-05:00Inspiration of the BibleThe concept of the inspiration of the Bible has been the source of much debate in modern times. Recently, I have been doing a small study of this subject. Specifically, I have looked at what the Scriptures say about their own nature and the resulting implications for Biblical inspiration.<br />
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I'll start with one of the most obvious verses, 2 Timothy 3:16, in which Paul says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" I have read that some other translations render this verse as "all scripture is God-breathed." This idea could be reminiscent of God breathing into Adam the breath of life in Genesis 2:7. Peter also weighs in on this subject: "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." (2 Peter 1:21). Peter is clearly referring to the Old Testament here. Also, Paul's reference to "all scripture" is usually interpreted to mean just the Old Testament, since the New Testament had yet to be compiled at the time of his writing.<br />
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So, what is the evidence for the inspiration of the New Testament? I have a few examples to consider. Speaking to Timothy again, Paul writes, "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward." (1 Timothy 5:18). Here the apostle mentions two references that he refers to as scripture. The first is from Deuteronomy 25:4. However, the second is from the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, namely Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:7. Now, let's return to Peter, who speaks of his brother Paul. "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16). The idea I want to pull out of this verse is that Peter identifies the writings of Paul as scripture. Moreover, the apostle John claims at the conclusion of Revelation that any man who takes away from the book forfeits his eternal life (22:19). This claim could only be valid if John believed he was writing scripture.<br />
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Just these few examples would account for the inspiration of the majority of the New Testament. However, Paul appears to claim in 1 Corinthians 7 that not all of his writings are inspired. In verse 10 he writes, "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord..." By contrast, he writes in verse 12, "But to the rest speak I, not the Lord..." Does this contradict the point I made in the previous paragraph? Allow me to explain why I think the answer is no. Here is more of the passage under discussion:<br />
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And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. <br />
(1 Corinthians 7:10-13)<br />
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When Paul refers to what the Lord commands, he is talking about teachings that Jesus gave during His ministry. Christ repeatedly spoke against divorce; see, for example, Mark 10:11-12 and Luke 16:18. On the other hand, when we get to verse 12, Paul is discussing an idea that Jesus did not directly address. So, when Paul says that he is speaking instead of the Lord, he is simply distinguishing between something that came straight from Christ's mouth and something he was inspired to write. After all, later in the same letter, Paul asserts, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." (14:37). Furthermore, the apostle indicates elsewhere, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12).<br />
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Another interesting concept that I looked at what the Bible says about the relationship between God and the scriptures. In particular, there are some thought-provoking ideas presented by some New Testament verses that make Old Testament references. In Psalm 16, which is a "Michtam of David," the king writes, "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (v. 10). In one of his evangelistic sermons, Paul quotes a number of Old Testament prophecies, including this psalm. "Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Acts 13:35). The antecedent of "he" in this verse is God (see v. 33). Psalm 16 was actually writted down by David, but Paul says it was spoken by God. Similarly, the believers in Jerusalem quote Psalm 2:1 when they pray, "Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?" (Acts 4:25)<br />
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There are other examples that seem to directly associate the scriptures with God. In Exodus 9:16, the Lord explains to Moses and Aaron the message they are to bring to Pharoah from Him. Paul references the incident in this way: "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." (Romans 9:17). So, what scripture says is equated with what God says. Even more striking is the reference to God's promise (Genesis 12:3) made in Galatians 3:8. "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." Did you know the scripture preached? I hadn't noticed that before. This seems to indicate the scriptures are like a living thing. Given these examples, it would be a hard thing to separate the scriptures from God.<br />
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This study has been informative for me. Not only are concepts like atheism and agnosticism prevalent in our society, but even many segments of the professing church commonly assail the inspiration of the Bible. Consequently, the Bible becomes increasingly irrelevant as a standard of Christian living. It is my prayer that we believers who are opposed to this trend are prepard to defend the authority of the scriptures. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-832154659462021442011-07-14T19:11:00.004-05:002011-12-21T18:35:16.053-06:00Loving Your EnemiesAhaziah, the king of Israel, was sick. The prophet Elijah declared the Word of the Lord: because of the king's idolatry, he would not recover from his illness. Ahaziah sent three groups of soldiers in turn to fetch Elijah. In response, the prophet called down fire from heaven that consumed the first two groups. The captain of the third group begged for mercy, and he and his men received it (2 Kings 1). Now, let's move forward to the time of Christ. On their way to Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples had to pass through a Samaritan village. Since Jews and Samaritans did not get along with each other, Jesus was not welcomed by the Samaritans. "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?" (Luke 9:54). From an Old Testament perspective, this was a reasonable question. However, the Lord's response was quite different. "But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village." (Luke 9:55-6).<br />
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Despite all their time at the Master's side, the apostles had yet to fully grasp the nature of the new kingdom that Christ was introducting. The earthly kingdom of Israel had used the sword in defense of its interests, just like the heathen nations surrounding it did. However, creating another earthly kingdom was not Jesus's plan; He was introducting something totally new. When Pilate questioned Him about His kingdom, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:36). This is the kingdom of God, which operates with fundamentally different rules than the kingdoms of the world. An obvious example of this is how citizens of the two kingdoms treat their enemies. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained how His followers should respond to those who oppose them. <br />
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"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."<br />
(Matthew 5:38-45)<br />
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Here, Christ quoted from the Law of Moses and then explained how His disciples are to follow a higher standard. This is the new spirit that James and John did not understand during the encounter with the Samaritans. Sadly, many professing Christians in the present day still do not understand this spirit. It is the mission of the Body of Christ to win lost souls to the Lord. However, this mission is harder to accomplish when Christians are not turning the other cheek to those who resist them. Paul wrote:<br />
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"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." <br />
(Romans 12:17-21)<br />
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If someone attacks me, and I fight back, I may well save my life. But what about the attacker's soul? I thank my pastor for explaining the situation in the following light. If in the process of defending myself I kill my attacker, I have just sent an unbeliever to his grave without Christ. On the other hand, I have peace with God, so my death would mean I go to be with the Lord. Also, this would give the attacker more opportunities to repent and be saved. Now, I realize that in most similar situations these are not the only two options. There's nothing wrong with fleeing for your life, given the chance. However, as Jesus said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:35).<br />
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Now, let's tackle some more controversial applications to Christ's teaching on loving your enemies. Although born-again Christians have been transported into the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13), they still physically reside in one of the kingdoms of this world. How should Christians respond to the demands of these two kingdoms? Immediately following the passage from Romans 12 I quoted above regarding the duties of believers, there is a discussion in Chapter 13 that outlines the duties of governments. Note the sharp distinctions between them. God has ordered earthly governments to maintain order in society, and to do this the governments have to use the sword. Is it wrong for a government to use force in this way? No, it is part of the authority granted to the government by God. The next question: is it right for a Christian to use the sword under the direction of his earthly rulers? I believe the answer to this question is an emphatic NO! If you kill an unbeliever on some foreign battlefield, this person goes to a Christ-less grave just the same as if you kill an unbeliever who tried to rob you as you were walking to your car. The Bible tells us, "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29). The Christian's obligation to be a law-abiding citizen ends when his nation asks him disobey Christ's commands. The primary allegiance should always be to the kingdom of God.<br />
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Furthermore, loving your enemies applies to more than just life-or-death situations. It is part of everyday Christian life. Jesus did not return evil for evil, whether it be physical violence, verbal abuse, or anything else (1 Peter 2:23). If we seek to get back at people who have wronged us, how are we different from the world? And how would the world see a benefit in coming to Christ? Instead, be gracious to the person who has wronged you, thus heaping coals of fire on this person's head. In other words, show the power of Christ to transform a sinner from the inside out by displaying love in response to a slap on the cheek. "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9).<br />
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Will practicing all of this be easy? Of course not. Believe me, I have had my share of failures. But, through the grace of God, it is possible. I will close with just one example of a believer who lived out these principles. In 1569, a man by the name of Dirk Willems was arrested in Holland. His crime? He was an Anabaptist Christian, which was a transgression deserving of death according to the state church. At one point, Dirk escaped from prison, but a thief-catcher was in hot pursuit. In the process, Dirk safely crossed a frozen pond, but the thief-catcher fell through the ice. This would seem like a perfect chance for Dirk to escape. However, Dirk Willems loved his enemy more than his own life. He turned around and pulled that thief-catcher out of the freezing water, saving his life. (This heroic event is depicted in the picture at the top of this page.) Consequently, Dirk was rearrested, and he was burned at the stake when he would not compromise his faith in Christ. This story has long been a challenge to me in my Christian walk. I hope that it may be for you as well. Let us walk according to the Lord's words in Matthew 10:16--"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-14270605794103908982011-05-29T14:38:00.003-05:002011-05-29T19:12:49.703-05:00Eternal Security?In August 2009, a man named George Sodini walked into a gym in Pittsburgh and started shooting people. He killed three women and finally himself. Usually, the workings of the mind that lead a person to commit such an act remain a mystery. However, George Sodini left behind an online journal that sheds some light on this tragedy. It turns out that a former pastor had convinced him that he could murder people and still go to heaven! Sodini wrote his last journal entry the day before his killing spree. Here is some of what he said:<br />
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"Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell. Christ paid for EVERY sin, so how can I or you be judged BY GOD for a sin when the penalty was ALREADY paid. People judge but that does not matter. I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them."<br />
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George Sodini was a very disturbed man, to put it mildly. However, it seems that his problems were exacerbated by the doctrine of unconditional eternal security. Basically, this doctrine expresses the idea that once you are saved, there is nothing you can do to throw away your salvation. Just believe Jesus died for your sins, and you are irrevocably bound for heaven. This idea is very dangerous, because it is used to justify sin. Most people would not use this idea to justify murder, but Sodini carried the idea to its logical end. This begs the question: what does the Bible say about the concept, "once saved, always saved"? In fact, the Word of God deals with this issue over and over again. Let us begin with some of the words of Jesus.<br />
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"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." <br />
(John 15:1-6)<br />
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Now, this is a rich passage from which many insights into the Christian life can be derived. For the purposes of this discussion, I would like to focus on how Christ's teaching bears on the nature of salvation. When we are cleaned from our sins by the blood of Jesus, we become branches on the true vine. Once that happens, does Jesus say, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he [the Father] leaveth on the vine"? Quite the contrary. However, that is the implication of unconditional eternal security. I do not believe that Christ is referring to people who have never been believers being cast into the fire because He mentions "every branch in me." A person who never accepted Christ could not logically be a branch on the true vine.<br />
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The imagery of branches appears again in the book of Romans as the Apostle Paul is discussing the future of Israel. In Chapter 11, Paul compares Israel to a natural olive tree, while Gentile believers are branches from a wild olive tree and have been grafted in with the natural branches (verse 17). Talking about Israel to the Gentiles, Paul writes:<br />
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"Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." <br />
(Rom. 11:20-22)<br />
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The message seems clear. God will not preserve a branch that is not bearing fruit. That would be bad gardening practice. Therefore, the Bible seems to be teaching that the security of the Christian is not unconditional.<br />
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Even if these were the only two Scriptural passages that speak to this issue, I believe "once saved, always saved" would be amply refuted. However, the Word of God does not end the discussion there. From several different authors, the teaching is always the same. I hope I am not overloading you with verses, but I want to demonstrate the thoroughness with which the Bible handles this doctrine. Next we could look at what Peter has to say. <br />
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"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. "<br />
(2Pe 2:20-22)<br />
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A valid point to consider: does this passage and others like it refer to people have never been saved, as opposed to people who were saved but turned their backs on the Lord? Peter says the people in question "have known the way of righteousness." Can that describe an unbeliever? But perhaps the apostle is referring to head knowledge. What I mean to say is, maybe Peter is discussing people who knew the way to be saved but never actually accepted Christ. In an attempt to clarify this point, turn with me to the letter to the Hebrews.<br />
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"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." <br />
(Heb 6:4-6)<br />
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For a person to be a "partaker of the Holy Ghost," he must have been a true believer. A individual who never knew Christ would never have received the Holy Spirit. So, this passage cleary indicates that a true believer can fall away from Christ. Is such a person still on the true vine? A few chapters later, the writer to the Hebrews addresses the idea of conditional security again.<br />
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"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."<br />
(Heb 10:26-27)<br />
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"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." <br />
(Heb 10:38-39)<br />
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After we are saved, we still have to choose between walking after the Spirit or walking after the flesh (see Romans 8). God created man with free will. We can choose to accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We can also choose to "draw back," thus throwing away our salvation. No man can pluck us out of the Lord's hand (John 10:29), but we have the free will to walk away from His hand if we so choose. <br />
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Both the Old and New Testaments make references to the "book of life." I believe the earliest mention of it is in the book of Exodus, after the children of Israel had worshipped the golden calf.<br />
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"And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."<br />
(Exo 32:31-33)<br />
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Of course, this took place under the Old Covenant, which could be summarized as, "this do, and thou shalt live." After the atoning death of Christ, the faithful are now under the New Covenant of grace. With that in mind, does God still blot names out of the book of life? Yes! <br />
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"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." <br />
(Rev 3:4-5)<br />
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"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." <br />
(Rev 22:19)<br />
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The messages to the seven churches in Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation are full of warnings to hold fast to your faith lest it is somehow lost. Why would any of these warnings be necessary if nothing a Christian did could endanger his salvation? For example, multiple times Jesus admonishes the churches to be faithful in order to receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10, 3:11). <br />
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Don't get me wrong; I do not live in constant fear of losing my salvation. I know that as long as I abide in Christ, I have eternal life (see 1 John 5:11-13). Jesus tells us, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love..." (John 15:10). I think one of the dangers of unconditional eternal security teaching is that it actually breaks down the fear of the Lord. If there are no eternal consequences for our disobedience, we can break the commands of Christ with impunity. In other words, there is no reason to fear God. As Christians, are our works valued by God? By way of answer, I leave you with an account of the Judgment. Remember, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). Determine for yourselves.<br />
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"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." <br />
(Rev 20:12-15)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-68569049639687861642011-04-30T11:46:00.000-05:002011-04-30T11:46:40.484-05:00A Better Country<span lang=""></span><br />
In light of the waves of patriotism that frequently flood through not just our society but Christian churches as well, I felt it would be useful to examine this matter through the lens of Scripture. Christians should be loyal to the country that is truly their home. After recounting the faith of godly individuals from the Old Testament, the writer of Hebrews tells us in Chapter 11, verses 13-16 that "these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." As Christians, do we make it obvious that we seek a heavenly country? If not, I think reevaluation of our Christian walk would be advisable, lest we return to that country from which the Lord called us out to be His children.<br />
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Peter tells us, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9). First of all, every human being who has ever lived has descended from one man. Further, all the believers worldwide comprise the holy nation. The Lord, after all, commanded us in the Great Commission to teach all nations—not just the one we were born into. On the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:5 reports—"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." Even though these people were from different countries, they had in common their faith in God Almighty—which is far more important than any national loyalty.<br />
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We are supposed to be strangers and pilgrims in this world, not feeling love for our current place of residence. Our patriotism should be as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Sadly, this attitude seems to be lacking in many American Christians. Some time ago, I received a catalog in the mail, offering conservative Christian products. A lot of the items were appealing, but there is some commentary that encapsulates this issue of Christian patriotism. Supposedly, one of the aspects of courageous boyhood is loyalty and patriotism. The catalog explains: "Behind the courage of a truly faithful boy is gratitude for his family, his nation, and for the tender mercies of God in his life, motivating him to demonstrate an unflinching loyalty. Therefore, he has the heart of a son and the spirit of a patriot." This spirit is reinforced by the sale of authentic-looking military uniforms for boys, complete with realistic replicas of hand grenades and other instruments of death. I do not understand what exactly the United States has done to earn such devotion from Christians, but I know from personal experience that this view is quite common among professing Christians in America. <br />
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I thought that a good way to illustrate the dangers of nationalism was to examine the Pledge of Allegiance. For any of you not familiar with it, the pledge involves a person facing an American flag, putting his hand over his heart, and reciting that he "pledge[s] allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." First of all, Jesus makes it clear in the Sermon on the Mount that His followers should not swear oaths of any sort (Matthew 5:33-37). Even worse, what is this loyalty oath being sworn to? The U.S. flag—an inanimate object, made with hands. To me, this sounds perilously close to worship of a graven image. Far above any nation, the Lord is just. As for any country being "under God," consider how Satan tempted Jesus: "And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it." (Luke 4:5-6). All earthly countries are part of the ungodly world system and thus are in Satan’s hand. This pledge of allegiance is commonly recited every day by children in government schools across the United States. They are being indoctrinated at an early age that their primary loyalty should be to their nation, not God. <br />
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I think a lot of Christians get hung up on the idea that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, thus making it worthy of our loyalty. I was raised to feel the same way. I have done a lot of studying of American history, both in college and personally, and I have to say this concept is far from the truth, despite what I used to believe. I do not think it would be wrong to say that some Biblical principles were important factors in early America, but such principles were primarily from the Old Testament. However, this falls short of New Testament Christianity. Many of the nation’s founders, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, were deists. Basically, deists believe in God as a great Clockmaker who wound up the universe in the beginning and now simply sits back and watches it run. This deity is a far cry from the God of the Bible who craves a personal relationship with us. Why else did He send His Son to die for us? A quote attributed to Franklin: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." I suppose having His Son dwell among us and suffer crucifixion for the remission of our sins was not good enough to make God’s love obvious. These are not individuals who deserve a Christian’s admiration. <br />
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Romans 13:1-2 instructs us, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." What does this say about the "Christian" founders of America who battled the British government for independence? In the U.S.’s early years of nationhood, the country did not exactly show Christ’s love for all men by stealing the land of the natives and basically destroying their whole way of life. The list can go on for the entirety of this nation’s history. The early Anabaptists well understood the concept that an earthly nation could not operate following Christian principles. Their belief in the separation of church and state was one of the main reasons for the virulent persecution they suffered at the hands of both Protestant Reformers and Catholics, who could not conceive of an alternative to the state church system.<br />
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The Bible instructs us to obey the government authorities, but only to a point. "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29). If our nation ever calls on us as Christians to do something that we know contradicts the Word of God, we are obligated to peacefully disobey. In a prophecy of the coming Messiah, Isaiah 9:6 tells us the source of authority for the government of the citizens of heaven—"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." <br />
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The Word of God tells us, for example, to leave peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). Despite this, many Christians, through use of nationalism (with all its love of fellow countrymen and hatred of the opposing nation), can be whipped into a murderous fervor when the government requires their services as cannon fodder in war. This is exactly what Adolf Hitler did in Germany in the years before the Second World War, filling the ranks of his army with professing Christians. Even in this nation, the government has tried to convince the citizens that attacking terrorist countries was for a "good cause," namely making the U.S. a safer place. So, Christians enlist in the military, going to foreign countries to kill people in the name of their country. Meanwhile, those on the home front offer prayers for the troops that God may be with them in their campaign of destruction.<br />
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The Bible’s teachings on loving your enemies are clear, and yet Christians can fall prey to excessive patriotism that makes it easier for them to justify in their hearts the killing of other human beings. Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." If a Christian is so patriotic that he is willing to die or even kill for his country, this patriotism is a work of darkness that deserves strong reproof. Hatred or distrust between citizens of different nations does not make much sense for Christians in light of Galatians 3:28—"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." If we are all one, it is clearly wrong for a Christian to be killing other Christians on the battlefield. On the flip side, if the enemies are not Christian, blowing them up does not exactly make a good witness of the Gospel. In fact, by killing them, the Christian has ended their opportunity to receive the Lord and be saved. <br />
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There is a poem with a Latin title: "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori." It means, "It is sweet and becoming to die for one’s country." No earthly authority should command this sort of fealty from followers of Jesus Christ. In contrast, the Lord tells us in John 15:13—"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." So, as Christians, should "friends" refer to the governmental authority or people who just happen to be living in the same geographic area, or should "friends" refer to the holy nation of the believers across the globe?<br />
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As a way of making sure that its citizens are ready to leap into war at their leaders’ command, the act of dying for one’s country is glorified, and people that do so take on the status of martyrs. National holidays are observed to honor these individuals who died for their country. It fosters the lie that these sacrifices for the nation’s sake are what preserve liberty for us all. A few years ago, I was driving through town on the weekend of Veterans Day. I passed a building with an electronic sign that said, "Enjoy your freedom? Thank a veteran." The edifice displaying this sentiment was a Christian church. Our freedom does NOT come from men, but from Christ. Jesus says in John 8 that "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," and also, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Many people in this country who claim to be followers of Christ have seemingly forgotten this core Biblical principle.<br />
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I believe Christians must stand guard that an issue such as love of country does not compete with our devotion to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We must remember that, all that we do must be to the glory of God. "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." (Mark 12:30). If we, as Christians, are devoted to any activity that detracts from or interferes with this love, it could very well be our personal false idol. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-12708227956621291472011-04-27T17:13:00.000-05:002011-04-27T17:13:22.092-05:00The Life of David as a Picture of the ChurchOne of the beautiful things about the Word of God is that it reveals new things every time you read it. Take, for example, the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel. I have read these books in their entirety more than once in the past. It is easy to breeze through them, since they are, on the surface, simply historical accounts. However, during my most recent reading through the books of Samuel, a totally new idea struck me: the periods in the life of David were like an illustration of different periods of the history of the church. The more I thought about the idea, the more connections I realized.<br />
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We can begin with the familiar story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. The whole host of Israel feared to stand before the giant, but the shepherd boy approached him with neither sword nor shield. From the point of view of the Philistines, David must have looked crazy. However, “then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied.” (v. 45.) His faith that the Lord would deliver him emboldened David to fight against the enemies of God. He knew well “…that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s…” (v. 47.) Through his faith and God’s grace, the son of Jesse prevailed.<br />
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Now let us turn our minds to the early church. In the first centuries after Christ’s resurrection, the known world was ruled by the Roman Empire. In this period, Rome was an almost constant adversary to the Christians. Paganism, with all the associated abominations, filled the Empire. To the first Christians, it must have seemed that the hand of Satan was everywhere. Despite all this, did the Christians hide in their tents like Saul and his army? Of course not! They boldly engaged the devil’s strongholds, and the only sword in their hands was the Word of God. Paul mentions believers in the emperor’s household (Philippians 4:22), and the generations after the apostles were just as courageous in fighting the good fight of faith.<br />
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The account of the martyrdom of Polycarp in the mid-2nd century has always been an inspiration to me, and it also serves as a good example of the early church’s fearless struggle. Polycarp had been personally instructed by the Apostle John, and he had been appointed overseer of the church in Smyrna. When he was in his 80s, he was dragged before a Roman proconsul to answer for the crime of being a Christian. Surrounded by an arena of Romans looking for blood, the Roman official tried to compel Polycarp to deny Christ. Polycarp responded by offering to explain the Gospel to the proconsul. The agitated official threatened the old man with wild animals and with fire; Polycarp was unfazed. This undaunted witness of Jesus Christ went to the stake warning that a greater fire awaits the unbelievers. Even in death, the adversary had no power over him.<br />
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Moving back to David’s experiences, King Saul became jealous of the young man’s victories. Fearing for his throne, Saul sought to kill David, and David consequently fled from Saul. Even though he was on the run, David attracted a following. In 1 Samuel 24, David and his men were hiding in a cave in Engedi from the forces of Saul. Unwittingly, Saul entered the same cave; his life was completely within David’s power. However, the most David was willing to do was cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe, and afterward even this act made him sorrowful. “And he said unto his men, the LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD” (v. 6). This is the man who had been seeking to kill David any chance he received. However, the humble son of Jesse must have recalled that the Lord does not save with sword or spear. After the hunted revealed that he had mercy on the hunter, Saul admitted, “…Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good whereas I have rewarded thee evil (v. 17). <br />
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Alas, Saul still had not learned his lesson. In Chapter 26, the king was once again combing the wilderness for David. And once again, God gave David an opportunity to smite Saul, and David refused to do it. In the first verse of Chapter 27, David started to think that Saul would eventually kill him. Still, there is no sign that David regretted his actions. Instead of retaliating, he opted instead to flee to the land of the Philistines.<br />
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These passages are rich with parallels to the persecuted church. Following the commands of Jesus, His faithful church has always loved her enemies. Over the centuries, the face of the enemy has changed. The Roman Empire persecuted the early church; the Catholic Church persecuted kingdom movements like the Waldensians throughout the Middle Ages; both the Catholics and the Protestant Reformers persecuted the Anabaptists in the 16th century; and so forth through history. In all these cases, the persecuted Christians, like David, followed Romans 12:19: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Despite what the devil threw at them, they would not return evil for evil. Their goal was to advance the Kingdom of God, even to their persecutors, if that was God’s will. At most, the hunted Christians would flee to another area as Jesus directed (Matthew 10:23), also echoing David. Their love made them powerful witnesses of the Gospel, and they won souls to Christ even amidst their sufferings.<br />
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At the close of 1st Samuel, the Lord rendered His judgment on Saul, who died in battle with the Philistines. As we move into 2nd Samuel, we begin to see the ascent of David into earthly power. After he became ruler of Judah and then all of Israel, the humble servant who had always walked with God started to change. This did not happen all at once, but gradually. In 2 Samuel 9, David showed mercy to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, demonstrating that he had no ill will towards the house of Saul. In the next chapter, however, David’s response was very different when his ambassadors were humiliated by the king of the children of Ammon. Now, David did not wait for the Lord’s vengeance, and he used the armies of Israel to smite the children of Ammon and their Syrian helpers. David became such a man of war that the Lord did not allow him to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:8).<br />
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Once David started to drift from wholly following the Lord, worse and worse sins were committed. The king stayed behind in Jerusalem while he sent his army out to battle (2 Samuel 11:1). In the midst of shirking his leadership responsibilities, he lusted after another man’s wife and committed adultery with her. This was the man who the Bible describes as a man after God’s own heart. Yet, his rise to worldly power began a downward spiral of transgressions that culminated in the murder of a righteous man.<br />
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I am sad to say that this phase in David’s life also mirrors a period in church history. In the early 4th century, Roman Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity after centuries of widespread persecution. In just a short time, the institutional church became intertwined with the state. Just like David, the attainment of worldly power brought corruption. There was a total departure by the institutional church from the early church’s position against joining the military or holding political office. This same institutional church fell further and further from the Gospel to the point of a pope in the Middle Ages promising total remission of sins to anyone who died fighting in the Crusades. However, like the words of the prophet Nathan that stood against David’s sin, there was always a remnant of the faithful church preserved by God.<br />
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The descent of professing Christianity into apostasy can be directly traced to the power and influence granted to it by Constantine. As earthly power increased, the church’s reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit inevitably declined. When Nathan rebuked David for his sin with Bath-sheba, he revealed David’s greatest transgression: “…by this deed thou hast given great occasion for the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme…” (2 Samuel 12:14.) When professing Christians allow involvement in this world’s kingdoms to pull them away from wholly following Christ, even the world sees the contradiction. I once saw a bumper sticker that saddened me because of its truthfulness. It consisted of a quote attributed to Gandhi: “I like your Christ. I don’t like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” This is not a problem that stayed behind in the Middle Ages. The enemies of Christ are being given occasion to blaspheme.<br />
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David was punished with the death of his son with Bath-sheba as well as continual strife with his family. The king repented of his sins, yet he faltered again in his later years. “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” (2 Chronicles 21:1.) David was even warned against this action by one of his men, but he insisted. Instead of depending on the Lord for protection from his enemies, the son of Jesse now trusted in his own military forces. He had placed his faith in the wrong place, and he realized it after the census. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalm 118:8.) All of Israel was forced to pay the price for David’s pride.<br />
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Historically, as churches expand in numbers and increase in affluence, they become more and more reliant on these things instead of relying only on Christ. In the Dark Ages, the fruit of this trend was massive, ornate cathedrals built by the professing church as the poor starved in the streets. In the modern age, the cathedrals have largely been replaced in America with a new invention: the mega-church. Church organizations will spend millions of dollars on state-of-the-art facilities featuring amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, internet cafes, and even tanning booths! The goal is to attract people to the congregation because it is so much fun. Large membership rolls, some greater than ten thousand, are viewed as signs of ministries blessed by God. Yet, around the world the poor are still starving in the streets, many never having heard the Gospel.<br />
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What did Jesus say about crowds flooding into the church? “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14.) The faithful church of Jesus Christ never has been and never will be large in number or rich in material goods. The way of the cross is foolishness to the lost, “but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18.) Watering down the cross will assuredly allow a congregation to fill the seats, but those seats probably will not be filled with disciples of Christ.<br />
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David always turned back to following the Lord after he transgressed. Likewise, when an institutional church departs from following Christ, a remnant will come out from it and turn back to Christ’s example—even if it results in persecution. This is the only way for the church to be after God’s own heart. After the census, God offered David, through the prophet Gad, a choice of three chastisements. It will be well for us always to remember David’s response. “…I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.” (2 Samuel 24:14.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517673988847723374.post-5097496110860708102011-04-27T16:02:00.000-05:002011-04-27T16:02:17.112-05:00HelloHello, my name is John. I am a follower of Jesus Christ of the Anabaptist faith. For those unfamiliar with the term "Anabaptist," our movement originated during the Reformation as an alternative to the Catholic and Protestant churches that were tied to the state. My intention for this blog is to post Biblical articles I have written for the encouragement and edification of fellow believers, Lord willing. If I write anything that is not in accordance with the Scriptures, I wish to be corrected. To God be the glory.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0