The doctrine of pre-tribulational rapture has been under attack for many years and it seems the more successful the theory the harsher the attacks. I was warned very strictly against such doctrine at my Bible college. Yet as I worked out my doctrine I felt convicted to take the Bible more literally. Slowly but surely, my convictions for this truth grew. I do not feel that this is an issue that by itself demands separation since one could honestly believe the Bible and still be confused. Yet, this is the teaching of scripture and if there is any doubt then a student should consult the scriptures and do continual dialogue with both sides. But in the end if you really take the Bible literally this is the best if not only destination.
What is the rapture?
rap·ture (r²p“ch…r) n. 1. The state of being transported by a lofty emotion; ecstasy. 2. Often raptures. An expression of ecstatic feeling. 3. tr.v. rap·tured, The transporting of a person from one place to another, especially to heaven. --rap·ture rap·tur·ing, rap·tures. To enrapture.
Means literally to be “caught up” or snatched away. Based on the Greek word Harpozo.
Strong’s Lexicon
726 harpazo {har-pad'-zo}
from a derivative of 138; TDNT - 1:472,80; v
AV - catch up 4, take by force 3, catch away 2, pluck 2, catch 1, pull 1; 13
1) to seize, carry off by force 2) to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly 3) to snatch out or away
Is the rapture in the Bible?
A: Yes!
Rapture comes from the Latin word “Rapturo” which in English translates caught up
From the Latin Vulgate and old Itala Bible (the Latin translations of the Bible)
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Isn’t the rapture a historically new belief?
It has only been popular for the last 200 years. However, there have been others who held to this belief. Several in the 1700’s one in the 1600’s and a teacher in the 6oo’s named “pseudo Ephraem” in Syria.
Why hasn’t the rapture been popular most of church history?
The early church had to lay a lot of the groundwork to move towards a pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. (Most had teachings of Premillenialism, they taught Jesus imminent return, the epistle of Barnabus teaches the 7 Dispensations, and The Apostle’s Creed teaches that Jesus will come for the quick [living saints]). Yet early on many Christians began to believe in Platonism and Gnosticism. Teachers such as Origen and Clement disliked prophetic literature for having God show emotions. So they did what the pagan writers did and interpreted it as mythological allegory. Basically, removing any original doctrine from it. Augustine was Platonic professor before becoming a Christian and he liked this idea so he adopted Origen’s Amillenial system. Augustine’s authority as a theologian and Bishop and loyalty to the Pope helped get the system favor and soon it was enforced all over Christendom. Luther and Calvin perhaps could have revived the rapture but they were both still followers of Augustine and his philosophy. The Anabaptist spent too much time in constant persecution to really develop this specific of eschatology. Plus, their fierce independence was making them concentrate on establishing orthodoxy as some were given to heretical thought and ideas. Therefore, it was only natural for the idea to develop in the 1800’s. The fact that this idea has increased and dominated is a testimony to its truth. Not only does the idea easily become popular, but it is actually highly evangelistic. We look at the success of the first major pre-trib. Evangelist D.L. Moody. Then the dominance of the Scoffield Study Bible. The incredible rise to prominence of dispensational schools Moody, Dallas, Liberty etc. The astronomical sales and evangelistic reaction to books such as “The Late Great Planet Earth” and the “Left Behind” series. Years ago I had a non-Christian friend who testified that people would enter the secular book store he worked at and buy “Left Behind” and several weeks later buy a bible! Yet we do not find such evangelistic zeal from other eschatologies. When we look recent history the pre-trib. rapture has a powerful testimony.
Biblical passages describing the rapture
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.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
This parable is obviously dealing with the Second Coming of Christ. The bridegroom is obviously Christ. The virgins are members of Christian churches. The oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit and regeneration. The five wise virgins represent church members who knowing the Second Coming. The five foolish virgins are those who were members of the church but never became born-again. Just as the foolish virgins look to the wise for new-birth, these nominal Christians may have look to sacraments and church membership for salvation. However the coming of the bride groom was too quick for them to be born-again, much like the pre-trib. rapture will be too fast in the second coming. If this was a post-trib scenario the foolish virgins would have 7 years to ask Christ into their hearts. Surely they could have done so if this were true. Also, unlike Tim Lahaye’s scenario the foolish virgins have no chance escaping their punishment.
Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luk 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
Luk 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
Luk 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Luk 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Luk 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
Luk 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
In verse 32 we see the reference to the little flock which is normally interpreted as the universal Christian church. However, the Old Testament always refers to the flock as Israel. (Psalms 77:20, 78:52, 80:1, 107:41, Isaiah 63:11, Jeremiah 13:17, 23:2-3, 31:10, 34:6-31, 36:37-38, Micah 2:12, Zechariah 9:6) The reference to “Little” indicates that Jesus had Jewish Christians in mind. In our age messianic Jews have always been a small remnant. There is a promise that we will inherit the future kingdom. (millennial kingdom) This will be the restored Jewish kingdom where Jesus will reign and rule the world from Israel. (Psalm 2:6-12) They are instructed to give up earthly treasures for the Kingdom of Heaven. This would make no sense if they where to provide their own millennial kingdom like as in Post-millennialism. They are then told to wait for the coming of the Lord when he returns from the wedding. Remember that the ten virgins were waiting for the wedding, but now the wedding is over. The church is the bride of Christ and it has gone through the process of marriage. This is a different group. This is the group of Jewish Christians who will be gathered in Israel who are waiting not for Jesus in the rapture, otherwise they would have also been married but are instead waiting for after the marriage. The Lord then seductively moves the topic over in verse 37 to “those servants” who are waiting for the Second Coming. We are told to keep watching for an immanent return. Yet once again how could that be in a post-trib scenario.
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Verse one indicates that this passage is directed toward believers. We are affirmed to have heavenly dwelling in verse 2. Verse 3, focuses on Jesus returning in the Second Coming. He says that will receive us unto himself. Two things must be noticed. If this were after the tribulation the angels would gather believers. Here, Jesus personally gathers believers. Secondly, He makes room for the believers in heaven. But after the Tribulation Jesus will reign upon the earth. One may argue that they will be in different places. The problem with this argument is that Jesus affirmed that he would do this so that we would be with Him! Therefore, this must be a reference to a pre-trib rapture.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here we see Paul’s discussion of the resurrection moving towards the resurrection of the saints. In the Second Coming we must be resurrected, because mortals can not inherit an immortal kingdom. Therefore upon the resurrection we will receive immortal bodies at the Second Coming.
This begs the questing will there be mortals in the Millenial Kingdom?
According to Isaiah there shall be.
Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
The question is who will be the mortals in the millennial kingdom? It can not be unbelievers, since according to the scriptures, they are totally annihilated.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Rev 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
It cannot be resurrected saints sense, they will never see corruption. (hence incorruptible) But if there is a pre-trib rapture and a revival of messianic Jews with tribulation saints then we have mortals to populate the millennial reign.
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent[precede] them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Here we see, description of the rapture. Those who are in Heaven will be physically resurrected to be with Christ just before the rapture. It is obvious that this means the body of Christ will be unified at the rapture. Which leads us back to the previous challenge over “who are the mortals to populate the Millennial kingdom?”
Verse 4:18 states that we are to comfort others with the doctrine of the rapture. What comfort would the rapture bring if we are going go through the great tribulation? Especially, if they wind up dead; the rapture would only matter to a small minority. Most would need warning of the great tribulation first.
It appears that in Chapter five there is discussion of the tribulation after the rapture. This implies that the tribulation is after the rapture. These times are supposed to come as a thief. The destruction will be unpredictable. (vrs.2) However, without the rapture could we not foresee the destruction? This time will be a special trap, which according to (vrs.3) is inescapable. Because Christians are not in darkness they are incapable of this punishment. We must watch ourselves and arm ourselves with faith and salvation. (vrs. 8) Yet, how can our spiritual state guard us from the physical curse of the Great Tribulation? If Jesus raptures all those who are saints, and by implication are armed with salvation, then this is possible. Finally Saints are granted immunity from the wrath of God. (vrs. 9) Jesus was our propitiation who took away God’s wrath. The tribulation is described to be a time of God’s wrath. (Revelation 6:16-17, 11:18. 14:10, 19, 15:1, 7, 16:1, 19:15)
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:
2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
1:6 shows us that the tribulation is about God’s vengeance on unbelievers, not believers. The account of the Second Coming portrays Jesus accompanied by angels as opposed to coming privately in the rapture passages. At the time of this saints are in a process of glorification. This requires resurrection. In a post-tribulational scenario, the glorification would be after the tribulation and all saints would be punished all over the earth with the wrath of God. According to verse 2:3 the Anti-Christ must be revealed prior to the rapture. In a post-trib scenario not only is the Anti-Christ revealed but he exalts himself as Giving a clear time-line to the second coming of 3 ½ years.
Yet the bible clearly states that Christ will come unexpectedly.
Mat 24:36-42 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
In 2:7 we have a statement that the spirit of antichrist is active but someone is stopping him. Yet they will let him go. So who is this person? Not a nation for Satan has authority over all the world system. The spirit of antichrist enemy is the Holy Spirit.
1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
If Holy Spirit lets him go then he will be abandoning the saints. Unless they are raptured away to be with Jesus. Therefore, he will not come back until the repentance of Israel.
Tit 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Why would we focus on the appearing of Christ if the great tribulation and wrath of God is immediately next? It is unnaturally to think of the hell on earth that is the great tribulation and know that you must go through it and be entirely optomistic because eventually Jesus will come after it’s over. Yet Paul mentions this nonchalantly implying that this not the case.
Pretrib rapture pillars
The pre-millenial second coming)
literal tribulation
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Jesus says that the Great tribulation will be a great catastrophe than any in history. Most a-& postmillenialists argue this happen at the destruction Jerusalem in AD 72. Yet there are many other catastrophes that are superior in damage even to the Jewish people.
Plus, the Old Testament Prophets have mutliple prophecies of the “Day of the Lord that matches the great tribulation. It is very obvious and sensible that the Lord will come back and take vengeance upon those of the earth.
Literal Millenium
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:13 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.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
During the millennial reign there are two resurrections. Christian apologists will agree that the use of the word resurrection should be taken literally. Why? Because as soon as we are able to taken some references to the resurrection figuratively, then we can do the same with the doctrine of Christ. Therefore, since there is a resurrection of the saints prior to the millennial reign it is obvious that the millennium is a future event. After all, we do not see physically resurrected saints on earth today.
The imminent return
The fact that the second coming will be immanent and unexpected is commonly except in Christian biblical scholarship. Ironically most eschatology’s do not have this in their doctrine. Post-millennialist expect a millenial kingdom first. While mid, pre-wrath and post-tribbers at least half the tribulation. Some consist Preterist believe the second coming already happened. Yet, only Amillenialist and Pre-tribulationalists actual have an understand of imminent coming of Christ. However, that’s about the eschatological doctrine of second coming that the amillinialist really has.
The restoration of Israel
Traditionally only the Pre-trib position has room for the restoration of Israel. Though, lately some are trying to adapt it so. However, if you take the millennium seriously, then you must have pre-trib scenario to avoid a replacement theology interpretation.
Now some do have this theology but the Bible does not.
Psa 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Psa 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
Psa 105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
Psa 105:10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
Psa 105:11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Take an honest read through Zechariah 12-14 and you’ll find it obvious.
Believers free from wrath
Many a post-tribulationalist, including theologians will joke. “I think I’m right, but I hope your right.” There is something unsettling about the tribulation post tribulation scenario. It goes a lot farther than just the old ploy of all Christians having to suffer persecution. Because the tribulation is a period of high temptation and the unleashing of God’s wrath. Biblically God does not tempt the saints nor does he unleash His wrath upon those who are propitiated.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
We may endure the trials of this age, but how could face the wrath of God?
The Wedding Supper of the Lamb
In the Jewish Wedding it is the Bridegroom who comes to pick up the bride, as oppose to the bride coming to the groom. Therefore, the Bride waits for the groom to get “caught up” to the wedding feast. (Just as many women still dream of being swept away by handsome Prince to save them.)
Towards the end of the tribulation the Bible repeatedly refers to Christ coming after the wedding.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Is Christ going to desert part of his bride that is living? This is not the scenario in 1 Thess. 4.
The nature of the Tribulation
The point to this period is not to save the lost, but condemn them.
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Two Judgements) Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
This point is chronologically before the Great White throne of Judgement. Yet the elders, who are representatives of the rest of the saints have thrones crowns and white raiment symbolizing that they have already went through the Judgement process.
Yet in a post-trib scenario along with the other systems, there is only one judgement.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
In a post trib. scenario the sinners are judged first. Yet Peter is clear.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat[bema] 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.
968 bema {bay'-ma}
from the base of 939;; n n
AV - judgment seat 10, throne 1, to set (one's) foot on + 4128 1; 12
1) a step, pace, the space which a foot covers, a foot-breath 2) a raised place mounted by steps 2a) a platform, tribune 2a1) of the official seat of a judge 2a2) of the judgment seat of Christ 2a3) Herod built a structure resembling a throne at Caesarea, from which he viewed the games and made speeches to the people
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment[krises] unto the Son:
2920 krisis {kree'-sis}
perhaps a primitive word; TDNT - 3:941,469; n f
AV - judgment 41, damnation 3, accusation 2, condemnation 2; 48
a separating, sundering, separation 1a) a trial, contest 2) selection 3) judgment 3a) opinion or decision given concerning anything 3a1) esp. concerning justice and injustice, right or wrong 3b) sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment 4) the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at Jerusalem) 5) right, justice.
It is obvious that there are two judgements. If there is not 2 then does god judge works or not?
Anti-pre-tribulation passages
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
A Preterist Amillenialist loves this verse. They say they take it literally. The problem is they take the rest of end-times scripture symbolic and way out of context! Look at the very next verse.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Why would Jesus assure us of the eternal nature of God’s word if he was concerned about one prophecy which would happen before the closing of the canon?
So was he falsely prophesying the end-of the world in that century? No.
Then what does that “generation” mean?
It the generation that would endure the Great tribulation!
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
This never happened because it was prophesied for the end-times. We know this because he made an intermediate prophesy.
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.
Therefore they were talking about the end-times.
But was there a rapture?
A: Jesus was not concerned about spelling out the pre-trib rapture in this speech because he was focused on the destiny of the Israeli Jews. Remember Matthew wrote His gospel with the Jews in mind
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
But did not the passage speak of the rapture after the tribulation?
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The rapture shall take place secretly like a thief in the night. It would be quick or secretive, if there was a great sign in the heavens. Nor does Christ use his angels. This is the end of the Second Coming
What about the last trump?
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Isn’t their several angelic trumpets at the end of the tribulation?
Paul is not concerned with independent uses of a trumpet. The subject is day of resurrection and the coming of Christ. He briefly uses the phrase “last trump” much like we use the phrase “end-times”. Christians don’t believe the end-times means “end of time”, it just means the end of our dispensation when Jesus comes back. Revelation was not even written at the period so the origenal audience wouldn’t know what Paul was referring to. However with Old Testament Backgrounds they would know what numbers has to say about the trump.
Num 10:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
Num 10:3 And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 10:4 And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
Num 10:5 When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
Num 10:6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
Num 10:7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
Num 10:8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.
Num 10:9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
Num 10:10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
It is obvious the use of the trumpet was to give directions. Most importantly the trumpet call was a time of assembly. Secondly this is the trumpet of God, not angels.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Therefore, the last trumpet is the final assembly of the church which obviously happens in the rapture. As the King of kings is announced by the shout of the archangel and the trumpet of God is blown to gather all saints.
Other issues:
Pre-wrath/mid-trib
Many have a softened version of the post-tribulational views. Some are mid-trib, believing the rapture to take place in the middle of the tribulation. While others are pre-wrath and argue a third quarter tribulation rapture.
However, the tribulation is a single instrument in which the first half is a period of temptation designed to trap the lost and prepare them for the punishment that awaits them.
While true believers are capable of overcoming temptation the biblical model is that God is not a tempter of his people.
I also find that there are several mid-trib, advocates who have legalism tendencies. Not all of course, I do know many orthodox evangelicals who believe the doctrine. Yet of major advocates I have found an emphases on what has been nicknamed “Protestant purgatory” where the church is so sinful that it must purge itself of sin in order for Jesus to come. This may be consistent with Judaizing cults. But it is not consistent with Bible believing protestant salvation by grace through faith.
Partial rapture (?) This view states only elite Christians will be a part of the rapture. While others are “Left Behind”. This view is seriously problematic in that it assumes a divided body of Christ.
Once you have multiple levels of the church then you evidently have multiple layers of salvation. This then begs the question of works based salvation.
Thankfully, no major Bible scholars have advocated this position.
Ecumenical rapture) Tim Lahaye is the most popular pre-trib. advocate in contemporary times. Sadly, he is theologically a poor example of the biblical pre-trib position. For a few reasons:
Heretics and people who do not repent of their sins will not take part in the rapture.
In Lahaye’s Worldview the Pope was raptured. However the Pope is naturally apostate. Since he believes in evolution, works based salvation, worships Mary, denies a literal virgin birth*, denies the innerrancy of scripture, believes he is infallible sets himself up as a false Messiah, determines non-Christians to be saved and prays with them, kisses the Koran etc.
The Bible declares non-born-again religious people will miss the rapture.
*Catholics believe that Mary did not have a natural childbirth and that Jesus floated through the womb. This takes away from the humanity of Christ.
Babies will not go in the rapture
While I believe that Christ will save babies at the Great While throne Judgement. The Bible says nothing of them having membership of the church. Therefore, we do not baptize babies. Not only that but they will not be a part of the rapture. This is why Jesus warns against having infants during the great tribulation.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
If the Babies were Raptured that would be a good thing. But many infants will die during the tribulation period. Though, once again, they will be saved at the great white thrown of Judgement.
All those who reject the gospel will become Apostates and not get a second chance during the tribulation.
In the Left behind series a pastor can deny the gospel he preaches and have a second chance. Yet the scripture clearly teach that this is false. The tribulation is designed to punish those who reject the gospel therefore there is no second chance. Many in the tribulation who did not previously receive he gospel will be saved during the tribulation. However all those who heard and rejected the message will succumb to the delusion.
Many of the critics of the pre-tribulation rapture find there critiques, in Tim Lahaye. While the Bible does not pain this loose of a rapture. Lahaye indeed paints a pre-trib. philosophy of Escapism. His hermeneutic seems to keep watering down the Judgement of the Biblical eschatology. Though I agree with the rapture I would never, water down other doctrine in order to make it popular.
There you go.
Feel free to comment.
In Christ,
Brother Matt
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
A letter to John Piper about drinking
This is a letter, which I attempted to send to the famous preacher John Piper. I e-mailed it but am not sure if he received it. The subject is drinking, our culture is vastly becoming more pagan and alcoholic, as a results many church are running to compromise there ethics on the subject as quickly as possible. The former values of alcoholic abstinence are being rapidly replaced. Therefore, I wrote this letter responding to John Pipers scathing article against abstinence to alcohol, in which he equated abstinence to a Judaizing false gospel. Those of you who are against, or have not made up your mind on the subject need to search the scriptures.
Dear John Piper
Hello, my name is Matt Singleton. I am a Southern Baptist Minister from Louisville Kentucky. I would like to say that I have appreciated your work in the past. Specifically the book “Counted Righteous in Christ”.
Today however, I would like to write you in regards to an essay you wrote in your book “Brothers, We are not Professionals”. The article was entitled “Brothers, Don’t fight flesh tanks with pea-shooter regulations.”
In this book, you have taken what I believe is an extreme view of moderation on the issue of alcohol consumption. The reason I state this is not simply because you believe in moderate drinking but that you have made the position abstinence from alcohol morally equivalent to alcoholic abuse. Your reasoning for this charge seems to be that many abstinence believing churches have a pledge in their church covenants to stay away from alcohol and the alcoholic industry.
Your argument follows as such.
1. Drinking in moderation is not prohibited in scripture.
“The second meaning of legalism is this: the erecting of specific requirements of conduct beyond the teaching of scripture and making adherence to them the means by which a person is qualified for membership in a local church. This is where unbiblical exclusivism arises.”
2. You should not add rules to the scripture.
“The second meaning of legalism is this: the erecting of specific requirements of conduct beyond the teaching of scripture and making adherence to them the means by which a person is qualified for membership in a local church. This is where unbiblical exclusivism arises.”
Putting this rule in excludes moderate drinking Christians
“I am persuaded that such a regulation for church membership falls into the category of legalistic exclusion and stands under the judgement of the apostolic word in Scripture.”
3. Therefore it puts division in the Body of Christ.
“In principle, therefore, these churches exclude all persons except teetotalers from church membership.”
4. Therefore it is like the same as the legalism of the Gnostics and Judaizers in Scripture. And is a false gospel of salvation.
“In what follows I will try to show what legalism means and why the requirement of total abstinence for church membership falls into this category and is therefore wrong.”
“First, legalism means treating Biblical standards of conduct as regulations to be kept by our own power in order to earn God’s favor.”
“It seems beyond doubt that God hates legalism as much as he hates alcoholism.”
“And it is clear from the New Testament that both will result in the tragic loss of eternal life, if there is no repentance.”
At this point I must go on to refute you thesis.
Many in the Bible are prohibited from alcohol.
Prohibition on drinking is not a man-made doctrine, many in the Old and New Testament were prohibited from drinking. Specifically the Nazirites were to keep away from all alcoholic substances.
Num 6:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:
Num 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
Num 6:4 All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.
This effectively destroys you first thesis. Why? Because you have made the claim that abstinence is an entirely man-made rule, and that it is unbiblical. You then build the case from there. You may still have a case in regards to Interpretation but you can not claim that teetotalers are unbiblical any longer.
Certainly, you would argue that this was an Old Testament regulation, and no one in the New Covenant would hold himself or herself to this vow.
John the Baptist
Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Mat 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
The Apostle Paul
Act 21:24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
Act 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
Both New Covenant Christian leaders had no problem with a nazirite vow. Not only this but that many Christians who were Jews were free to live under this vow. It was not to make one superior to the other it was to show their devotion to God.
This begs the question, why should groups of churches be penalized for making a church covenant with the inclusion of sobriety to God?
Your next claim is in regards to the regulative principal
This line of reasoning is that we should only follow what the Bible directly says. If the Bible does not directly say something then, it is against the scriptures to do this. While I do find the regulative scripture superior to the normative principle which teaches that we should only never contradict the scripture, because the Bible forbids adding to God’s revelation. However, there are serious flaws in the regulative principle as stated. In the since, that not only should the meaning of scripture be followed but also the implications of scriptures as well.
In the beatitudes, Jesus argued not only for the following of the commandments but their implications as well. For instance the idea that to look lust fully is adultery of the heart. He was not arguing this as the meaning of the text. Other wise women would divorce men every time their eye wandered. He was simply arguing that we should not even desire to break the commandment. And if an activity involves that desire then it is implicitly breaking that commandment.
Another problem with emphasis on silence is that it easy leaves out obvious issues. The Bible does not specifically address injecting heroin or snorting cocaine. So can a person be a crack-head and a Christian church member in good standing?
Therefore, it seems obvious that if the Bible implies that Christians should practice abstinence over casual drinking then we should follow the implication.
Another problem with this line of reasoning is where does the bible directly teach that moderate drinking is ok?
So how does the Bible imply that moderate drinking is wrong?
Drinking is unwise
Pro 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
The practice of drinking weaker wine(definitely weaker than our liqours) is a mocker, (this practice is not holy). The practice of stronger drinks which are common sold in America is raging which is almost criminal. Therefore drinking is unwise.
Drinking is fleshly
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
This verse makes drinking anti-thetical to the practice of being filled with the spirit.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
We must put ourselves at war fleshly practices.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
We do not worry about the flesh when we are in the spirit. However if we are engaged in the practices of the spirit we’d better be concerned!
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings b, and such likec: 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.
Obviously, the lifestyle of drinking is a fleshly lifestyle.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance a: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
In order to live a spiritual lifestyle, we must have self-control. The practice of drinking weakens our self-control.
a temperance
Strongs Lexicon
1466 egkrateia {eng-krat'-i-ah}
from 1468; TDNT - 2:339,196; n f
AV - temperance 4; 4
1) self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites)
2970 komos {ko'-mos}
from 2749;; n m
AV - b revelling 2 , rioting 1; 3
1) a revel, carousal 1a) a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honour of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry
3664 homoios {hom'-oy-os}(such like) c
from the base of 3674; TDNT - 5:186,684; adj
AV - like 47; 47
1) like, similar, resembling 1a) like: i.e. resembling 1b) like: i.e. corresponding to a thing
We are not to be drinking with any desire for intoxication
Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
Pro 23:32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
We are not encourage others to be intoxicated
Hab 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
Hab 2:16 Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
The Bible clearly teaches that we should avoid temptations and flee sin.
Moderate drinking is not avoiding sin but becoming dangerously close to sin in order to express freedom.
Avoid temptations
1Pe 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
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.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
The concern of moderation advocates freedom in Christ. Yet a strict principle which they ignore is the principle of avoiding temptations. We are not to glide ever so close to sin. (especially since we have an inclination to it.) Instead we are to steer away from temptation.
When faced with the temptation of evil the Bible teaches that we are to separate ourselves from evil.
Pro 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Pro 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
But what about our freedom in Christ? Does not that have greater weight than avoiding sin?
Paul says…1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Co 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1Co 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
…No.
We are to honor the convictions of the our godly ancestors like the rechabites.
Jer 35:5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.
Jer 35:6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:
Jer 35:13 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.
Jer 35:14 The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.
Jer 35:16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:
Jer 35:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
Jer 35:18 And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:
Jer 35:19 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me forever.
“The trial of the Rechabites' constancy was for a sign; it
made the disobedience of the Jews to God the more marked. The
Rechabites were obedient to one who was but a man like
themselves, and Jonadab never did for his seed what God has done
for his people. Mercy is promised to the Rechabites. We are not
told respecting the performance of this promise; but doubtless
it was performed, and travellers say the Rechabites may be found
a separate people to this day. Let us follow the counsels of our
pious forefathers, and we shall find good in so doing.”Matthew Henry
The spirit behind moderate drinking is ultimately a spirit of rebellion. As a Baptist, as you claim you should have considered the wisdom of your spiritual forefathers.
Dealing with your passage in Colossians.
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Col 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Col 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Col 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
From verses 18-19 it is obvious that Paul is dealing with Gnostic type teachers and . Who worshipped angels and downplay the deity of Christ. Yet the group of which you have aimed your critiques are usually fundamental Baptist and Anabaptist in heritage. These have historically had a good reputation of standing for orthodoxy and against idolatry. Yet you appear to be making the parallel anyhow.
From verses 11-14 we understand Paul to refer to judgements in regards to salvation. Baptist prohibitionist have historically held that our justification is not of works. Therefore, we may be saved regardless whether we have drunk alcohol yet. Yet the Apostle Paul teaches in 1 Cor. 6 that we are to give judgements over moral issues. Therefore this is not pharisaical judgement.
Verse 21 shows that this is a particular type of abstinence, which is ascetic. This view would say that we should not handle these substances. Abstinence does not have to be monastic in form and commonly isn’t. Alcohol may be used for medicinal purposes and if it is at microscopic levels that a person could not get drunk with then it is acceptable. So one could be a teetotaler without necessarily having ascetic ethics. ( like myself)
From verse 16-17 we see that Paul is referring not to the subject of alcohol, but Old Testament regulations like clean and unclean clean food. Now intoxicated drinks are unclean yet their danger goes beyond the regular consequences of unclean meat. And the New Testament is very clear about their results (drunkenness).
Finally, in verse 23, the goal of Paul’s passage at the end is not to satisfy the flesh. Yet moderate drinking is what satisfies the flesh.
The church has the duty and authority to be concerned over such matters.
Earlier in the letter I mentioned that New Covenant Christians were free to make this vow. But would a local church have the authority?
A. It should be knowledgeable enough to judge.
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1477 hedraioma {hed-rah'-yo-mah} ground
from a derivative of 1476; TDNT - 2:362,200; n n
AV - ground 1; 1
1) a stay, prop, support the truth
4769 stulos {stoo'-los} pillar
from stuo (to stiffen, properly akin to the base of 2476); TDNT - 7:732,1096; n m
AV - pillar 4; 4
1) a pillar 2) a column 2a) pillars of fire i.e. flames rising like pillars 3) a prop or support
In other words, it is the duty of the local church to protect the truth. Not Seminaries or TV preachers! (that’s why they stink so bad at it!) Therefore, through the scriptures, the church must identify for itself, God’s Will. You may argue that this is the “invisible” church. However why would Paul be away from the invisible church? Isn’t it supposed to be the body of all believers?
Was the church of Macedonia wrong for giving more than their regular giving? (2Cor. 8) Was it legalistic for the church to go beyond the Biblical expectations? To go beyond what other local churches were doing. To expect from each other giving that was not required? (After all, someone had to come up with the idea of giving extra.)
In discerning God’s will, it is obvious that God Wills his children to be set apart form sin.
B. It is a ministry goal to help in sanctification
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
1Th 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
C. The minister is to concentrate on being an example
1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1983 episkopeo {ep-ee-skop-eh'-o} (oversight)
from 1909 and 4648; TDNT - 2:599,244; v
AV - look diligently 1, take the oversight 1; 2
1) to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for 1a) of the care of the church which rested upon the elders 1b) to look carefully, beware
5179 tupos {too'-pos}(ensample)
from 5180; TDNT - 8:246,1193; n m
AV - ensample 5, print 2, figure 2, example 2, pattern 2, fashion 1, manner 1, form 1; 16
1) the mark of a stroke or blow, print 2) a figure formed by a blow or impression 2a) of a figure or image 2b) of the image of the gods 3) form 3a) the teaching which embodies the sum and substance of religion and represents it to the mind, manner of writing, the contents and form of a letter 4) an example 4a) in the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made 4b) in an ethical sense, a dissuasive example, a pattern of warning 4b1) of ruinous events which serve as admonitions or warnings to others 4c) an example to be imitated 4c1) of men worthy of imitation 4d) in a doctrinal sense 4d1) of a type i.e. a person or thing prefiguring a future (Messianic) person or thing
A church may not have to discipline, based on such a covenant, but simply require that they make the covenant, and follow it to their own ability. The idea of a church covenant was never to put requirements on to salvation they were simply there to encourage membership accountability and help a young believer. Besides there are many other churches to go to if one does not like this.
Philosophical problems
Where in the Bible is teetotaling against the gospel?
If you can not sight a passage you would be adding to God’s Word.
How moderate drinking can attack the gospel…
Essential to the gospel was Jesus is a sinless, spotless, lamb. OT Law states that one may not help others to get drunk. If the wine in the wedding of Cana was intoxicating wine like the wine we have today, then two rounds would have been enough to get the party drunk. For Jesus to encourage the drinking party into drunkenness would break Old Testament Law. (Hab.2:15)
Your proposal “we engage to abstain from all drugs, food and drink, and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another’s faith.”
This puts the interpretation entirely in the hands of the members’ persuasion. What is harm to the body? Weed smokers will easily argue that they are therefore free to privately smoke since they don’t interpret their drug to be dangerous. The same goes across the board. What you say is freedom in Christ is actually freedom outside of Christ. When a member of the church becomes a raging alcoholic how can you hold them to accountability unless they admit that they’re an alcoholic? So what if it’s radical!?
Witness
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
I would like to give a personal illustration of this fact. When I first started college I remember an interesting conversation among my youth group. A boy named “E___” brought up his opinion about drinking. His Father was a deacon at the church and very well respected. They were a traditional Christian family with lots of children (6). They were very well respected at my church. He brought up the fact that his father was a moderate drinker and smoker. He testified how his father never in his memory ever abused these substances and that he was allowed to moderately drink at a certain point as long as he didn’t get drunk. His speech was very inspiring and convincing but it never swayed me. In fact this young man as far as I know has never practiced this. However there was the little brothers. As his younger brothers have grown up three out of four have been involved with alcoholism and drug abused. (only one or two are over twenty)
The second oldest boy not went to rehab but 3 years ago went to a party with a girl in the youth group. He was drunk and crashed into a tree. He ended up maimed and disfigured. He had to serve some time in Jail. She is dead. Luckily her parents who were members of the church did not press charges. However she will never receive a second chance. Because the father and oldest son were selfishly only concerned with there freedom in Christ they ignored the obvious weaknesses of the younger brother. How many younger brothers and sisters have been dying for the sake of freedom in Christ?
Covenants are to be honored
Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
Wouldn’t you have had to been under the church covenant if you were pastor? How could you change the church covenant without breaking your own vow?
If you are to throw away the whole concept shouldn’t we throw away other covenants like marrige? Wouldn’t they be legalistic?
Aren’t you being legalistic by judging Christians with church covenants as legalistic heretics?
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Dear John,
I hope you were intellectually honest when you wrote this article. I hope you are not reading with prideful eyes that assume pastoral infallibility. (Which all us minister can be guilty of.)
I hope you read this. I also hope consider this the next time you preach on the subject. Although I know your popular and this may be ignored a while or forever. But I wish you well.
May draw closer to the Lord and His Holy Will,
In Christ,
Bro. Matt Singleton
Dear John Piper
Hello, my name is Matt Singleton. I am a Southern Baptist Minister from Louisville Kentucky. I would like to say that I have appreciated your work in the past. Specifically the book “Counted Righteous in Christ”.
Today however, I would like to write you in regards to an essay you wrote in your book “Brothers, We are not Professionals”. The article was entitled “Brothers, Don’t fight flesh tanks with pea-shooter regulations.”
In this book, you have taken what I believe is an extreme view of moderation on the issue of alcohol consumption. The reason I state this is not simply because you believe in moderate drinking but that you have made the position abstinence from alcohol morally equivalent to alcoholic abuse. Your reasoning for this charge seems to be that many abstinence believing churches have a pledge in their church covenants to stay away from alcohol and the alcoholic industry.
Your argument follows as such.
1. Drinking in moderation is not prohibited in scripture.
“The second meaning of legalism is this: the erecting of specific requirements of conduct beyond the teaching of scripture and making adherence to them the means by which a person is qualified for membership in a local church. This is where unbiblical exclusivism arises.”
2. You should not add rules to the scripture.
“The second meaning of legalism is this: the erecting of specific requirements of conduct beyond the teaching of scripture and making adherence to them the means by which a person is qualified for membership in a local church. This is where unbiblical exclusivism arises.”
Putting this rule in excludes moderate drinking Christians
“I am persuaded that such a regulation for church membership falls into the category of legalistic exclusion and stands under the judgement of the apostolic word in Scripture.”
3. Therefore it puts division in the Body of Christ.
“In principle, therefore, these churches exclude all persons except teetotalers from church membership.”
4. Therefore it is like the same as the legalism of the Gnostics and Judaizers in Scripture. And is a false gospel of salvation.
“In what follows I will try to show what legalism means and why the requirement of total abstinence for church membership falls into this category and is therefore wrong.”
“First, legalism means treating Biblical standards of conduct as regulations to be kept by our own power in order to earn God’s favor.”
“It seems beyond doubt that God hates legalism as much as he hates alcoholism.”
“And it is clear from the New Testament that both will result in the tragic loss of eternal life, if there is no repentance.”
At this point I must go on to refute you thesis.
Many in the Bible are prohibited from alcohol.
Prohibition on drinking is not a man-made doctrine, many in the Old and New Testament were prohibited from drinking. Specifically the Nazirites were to keep away from all alcoholic substances.
Num 6:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:
Num 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
Num 6:4 All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.
This effectively destroys you first thesis. Why? Because you have made the claim that abstinence is an entirely man-made rule, and that it is unbiblical. You then build the case from there. You may still have a case in regards to Interpretation but you can not claim that teetotalers are unbiblical any longer.
Certainly, you would argue that this was an Old Testament regulation, and no one in the New Covenant would hold himself or herself to this vow.
John the Baptist
Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Mat 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
The Apostle Paul
Act 21:24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
Act 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
Both New Covenant Christian leaders had no problem with a nazirite vow. Not only this but that many Christians who were Jews were free to live under this vow. It was not to make one superior to the other it was to show their devotion to God.
This begs the question, why should groups of churches be penalized for making a church covenant with the inclusion of sobriety to God?
Your next claim is in regards to the regulative principal
This line of reasoning is that we should only follow what the Bible directly says. If the Bible does not directly say something then, it is against the scriptures to do this. While I do find the regulative scripture superior to the normative principle which teaches that we should only never contradict the scripture, because the Bible forbids adding to God’s revelation. However, there are serious flaws in the regulative principle as stated. In the since, that not only should the meaning of scripture be followed but also the implications of scriptures as well.
In the beatitudes, Jesus argued not only for the following of the commandments but their implications as well. For instance the idea that to look lust fully is adultery of the heart. He was not arguing this as the meaning of the text. Other wise women would divorce men every time their eye wandered. He was simply arguing that we should not even desire to break the commandment. And if an activity involves that desire then it is implicitly breaking that commandment.
Another problem with emphasis on silence is that it easy leaves out obvious issues. The Bible does not specifically address injecting heroin or snorting cocaine. So can a person be a crack-head and a Christian church member in good standing?
Therefore, it seems obvious that if the Bible implies that Christians should practice abstinence over casual drinking then we should follow the implication.
Another problem with this line of reasoning is where does the bible directly teach that moderate drinking is ok?
So how does the Bible imply that moderate drinking is wrong?
Drinking is unwise
Pro 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
The practice of drinking weaker wine(definitely weaker than our liqours) is a mocker, (this practice is not holy). The practice of stronger drinks which are common sold in America is raging which is almost criminal. Therefore drinking is unwise.
Drinking is fleshly
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
This verse makes drinking anti-thetical to the practice of being filled with the spirit.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
We must put ourselves at war fleshly practices.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
We do not worry about the flesh when we are in the spirit. However if we are engaged in the practices of the spirit we’d better be concerned!
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings b, and such likec: 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.
Obviously, the lifestyle of drinking is a fleshly lifestyle.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance a: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
In order to live a spiritual lifestyle, we must have self-control. The practice of drinking weakens our self-control.
a temperance
Strongs Lexicon
1466 egkrateia {eng-krat'-i-ah}
from 1468; TDNT - 2:339,196; n f
AV - temperance 4; 4
1) self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites)
2970 komos {ko'-mos}
from 2749;; n m
AV - b revelling 2 , rioting 1; 3
1) a revel, carousal 1a) a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honour of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry
3664 homoios {hom'-oy-os}(such like) c
from the base of 3674; TDNT - 5:186,684; adj
AV - like 47; 47
1) like, similar, resembling 1a) like: i.e. resembling 1b) like: i.e. corresponding to a thing
We are not to be drinking with any desire for intoxication
Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
Pro 23:32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
We are not encourage others to be intoxicated
Hab 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
Hab 2:16 Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
The Bible clearly teaches that we should avoid temptations and flee sin.
Moderate drinking is not avoiding sin but becoming dangerously close to sin in order to express freedom.
Avoid temptations
1Pe 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
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.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
The concern of moderation advocates freedom in Christ. Yet a strict principle which they ignore is the principle of avoiding temptations. We are not to glide ever so close to sin. (especially since we have an inclination to it.) Instead we are to steer away from temptation.
When faced with the temptation of evil the Bible teaches that we are to separate ourselves from evil.
Pro 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Pro 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
But what about our freedom in Christ? Does not that have greater weight than avoiding sin?
Paul says…1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Co 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1Co 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
…No.
We are to honor the convictions of the our godly ancestors like the rechabites.
Jer 35:5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.
Jer 35:6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:
Jer 35:13 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.
Jer 35:14 The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.
Jer 35:16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:
Jer 35:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
Jer 35:18 And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:
Jer 35:19 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me forever.
“The trial of the Rechabites' constancy was for a sign; it
made the disobedience of the Jews to God the more marked. The
Rechabites were obedient to one who was but a man like
themselves, and Jonadab never did for his seed what God has done
for his people. Mercy is promised to the Rechabites. We are not
told respecting the performance of this promise; but doubtless
it was performed, and travellers say the Rechabites may be found
a separate people to this day. Let us follow the counsels of our
pious forefathers, and we shall find good in so doing.”Matthew Henry
The spirit behind moderate drinking is ultimately a spirit of rebellion. As a Baptist, as you claim you should have considered the wisdom of your spiritual forefathers.
Dealing with your passage in Colossians.
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Col 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Col 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Col 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
From verses 18-19 it is obvious that Paul is dealing with Gnostic type teachers and . Who worshipped angels and downplay the deity of Christ. Yet the group of which you have aimed your critiques are usually fundamental Baptist and Anabaptist in heritage. These have historically had a good reputation of standing for orthodoxy and against idolatry. Yet you appear to be making the parallel anyhow.
From verses 11-14 we understand Paul to refer to judgements in regards to salvation. Baptist prohibitionist have historically held that our justification is not of works. Therefore, we may be saved regardless whether we have drunk alcohol yet. Yet the Apostle Paul teaches in 1 Cor. 6 that we are to give judgements over moral issues. Therefore this is not pharisaical judgement.
Verse 21 shows that this is a particular type of abstinence, which is ascetic. This view would say that we should not handle these substances. Abstinence does not have to be monastic in form and commonly isn’t. Alcohol may be used for medicinal purposes and if it is at microscopic levels that a person could not get drunk with then it is acceptable. So one could be a teetotaler without necessarily having ascetic ethics. ( like myself)
From verse 16-17 we see that Paul is referring not to the subject of alcohol, but Old Testament regulations like clean and unclean clean food. Now intoxicated drinks are unclean yet their danger goes beyond the regular consequences of unclean meat. And the New Testament is very clear about their results (drunkenness).
Finally, in verse 23, the goal of Paul’s passage at the end is not to satisfy the flesh. Yet moderate drinking is what satisfies the flesh.
The church has the duty and authority to be concerned over such matters.
Earlier in the letter I mentioned that New Covenant Christians were free to make this vow. But would a local church have the authority?
A. It should be knowledgeable enough to judge.
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1477 hedraioma {hed-rah'-yo-mah} ground
from a derivative of 1476; TDNT - 2:362,200; n n
AV - ground 1; 1
1) a stay, prop, support the truth
4769 stulos {stoo'-los} pillar
from stuo (to stiffen, properly akin to the base of 2476); TDNT - 7:732,1096; n m
AV - pillar 4; 4
1) a pillar 2) a column 2a) pillars of fire i.e. flames rising like pillars 3) a prop or support
In other words, it is the duty of the local church to protect the truth. Not Seminaries or TV preachers! (that’s why they stink so bad at it!) Therefore, through the scriptures, the church must identify for itself, God’s Will. You may argue that this is the “invisible” church. However why would Paul be away from the invisible church? Isn’t it supposed to be the body of all believers?
Was the church of Macedonia wrong for giving more than their regular giving? (2Cor. 8) Was it legalistic for the church to go beyond the Biblical expectations? To go beyond what other local churches were doing. To expect from each other giving that was not required? (After all, someone had to come up with the idea of giving extra.)
In discerning God’s will, it is obvious that God Wills his children to be set apart form sin.
B. It is a ministry goal to help in sanctification
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
1Th 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
C. The minister is to concentrate on being an example
1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1983 episkopeo {ep-ee-skop-eh'-o} (oversight)
from 1909 and 4648; TDNT - 2:599,244; v
AV - look diligently 1, take the oversight 1; 2
1) to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for 1a) of the care of the church which rested upon the elders 1b) to look carefully, beware
5179 tupos {too'-pos}(ensample)
from 5180; TDNT - 8:246,1193; n m
AV - ensample 5, print 2, figure 2, example 2, pattern 2, fashion 1, manner 1, form 1; 16
1) the mark of a stroke or blow, print 2) a figure formed by a blow or impression 2a) of a figure or image 2b) of the image of the gods 3) form 3a) the teaching which embodies the sum and substance of religion and represents it to the mind, manner of writing, the contents and form of a letter 4) an example 4a) in the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made 4b) in an ethical sense, a dissuasive example, a pattern of warning 4b1) of ruinous events which serve as admonitions or warnings to others 4c) an example to be imitated 4c1) of men worthy of imitation 4d) in a doctrinal sense 4d1) of a type i.e. a person or thing prefiguring a future (Messianic) person or thing
A church may not have to discipline, based on such a covenant, but simply require that they make the covenant, and follow it to their own ability. The idea of a church covenant was never to put requirements on to salvation they were simply there to encourage membership accountability and help a young believer. Besides there are many other churches to go to if one does not like this.
Philosophical problems
Where in the Bible is teetotaling against the gospel?
If you can not sight a passage you would be adding to God’s Word.
How moderate drinking can attack the gospel…
Essential to the gospel was Jesus is a sinless, spotless, lamb. OT Law states that one may not help others to get drunk. If the wine in the wedding of Cana was intoxicating wine like the wine we have today, then two rounds would have been enough to get the party drunk. For Jesus to encourage the drinking party into drunkenness would break Old Testament Law. (Hab.2:15)
Your proposal “we engage to abstain from all drugs, food and drink, and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another’s faith.”
This puts the interpretation entirely in the hands of the members’ persuasion. What is harm to the body? Weed smokers will easily argue that they are therefore free to privately smoke since they don’t interpret their drug to be dangerous. The same goes across the board. What you say is freedom in Christ is actually freedom outside of Christ. When a member of the church becomes a raging alcoholic how can you hold them to accountability unless they admit that they’re an alcoholic? So what if it’s radical!?
Witness
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
I would like to give a personal illustration of this fact. When I first started college I remember an interesting conversation among my youth group. A boy named “E___” brought up his opinion about drinking. His Father was a deacon at the church and very well respected. They were a traditional Christian family with lots of children (6). They were very well respected at my church. He brought up the fact that his father was a moderate drinker and smoker. He testified how his father never in his memory ever abused these substances and that he was allowed to moderately drink at a certain point as long as he didn’t get drunk. His speech was very inspiring and convincing but it never swayed me. In fact this young man as far as I know has never practiced this. However there was the little brothers. As his younger brothers have grown up three out of four have been involved with alcoholism and drug abused. (only one or two are over twenty)
The second oldest boy not went to rehab but 3 years ago went to a party with a girl in the youth group. He was drunk and crashed into a tree. He ended up maimed and disfigured. He had to serve some time in Jail. She is dead. Luckily her parents who were members of the church did not press charges. However she will never receive a second chance. Because the father and oldest son were selfishly only concerned with there freedom in Christ they ignored the obvious weaknesses of the younger brother. How many younger brothers and sisters have been dying for the sake of freedom in Christ?
Covenants are to be honored
Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
Wouldn’t you have had to been under the church covenant if you were pastor? How could you change the church covenant without breaking your own vow?
If you are to throw away the whole concept shouldn’t we throw away other covenants like marrige? Wouldn’t they be legalistic?
Aren’t you being legalistic by judging Christians with church covenants as legalistic heretics?
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Dear John,
I hope you were intellectually honest when you wrote this article. I hope you are not reading with prideful eyes that assume pastoral infallibility. (Which all us minister can be guilty of.)
I hope you read this. I also hope consider this the next time you preach on the subject. Although I know your popular and this may be ignored a while or forever. But I wish you well.
May draw closer to the Lord and His Holy Will,
In Christ,
Bro. Matt Singleton
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Why Genesis 1 is essential
In contemporary evangelicalism the age of the earth and the nature of Genesis one are no longer thought worthy of real debate. They are considered minor issues. Thinkers like Hank Hannengraff argue that Genesis is not even concerned with the history of the earth, but is a poetic expression of monotheism. Therefore for Hannengraff the age of the earth is a useless debate.
But any time read any great work, we are supposed to study the 3 main parts: the introduction, the climax, and the conclusion. Plus, anytime I have to write a research paper I have to focus the very beginning with a theses statement. Why do we think the beginning of the greatest book, the Bible would not be essential?
Many Christians look at this debate and only think on a shallow level of understanding. (like Hank!) But if we give up the history in genesis one, what are the effects of our understanding of world history? Then what will those effects have on the rest of our worldview. I will show here after learning from critical scholarship the implications of getting rid of genesis one is a logical inevitable path towards apostasy.
If Genesis chapter one is not a historical narrative, then Bible history is not objective.
The history of the Bible no longer provides a complete world view. Whereas a fundamentalist can look at the Bible and declare that this is history and anything else has to conform to it. The Old-earth advocate now must understand that the Bible is really just a history of the Hebrews. The Bible no longer provides the context for Jewish history. Because it is really only Jewish history.
The Bible’s history is insufficient, therefore secular history is valid
If the Bible cannot explain world history and it is just a history, then what is the context? The histories of other groups are valid. Whether, the history of ancient ethnic groups (Egypt, china, Aborigines, Assyria etc.) Even more staggering is that scientific speculations on the origins of the universe are valid. Because, the Bible no longer competes with them. ( after all what do they have now?)
Since secular history is valid, evolutionary history is valid and ordained
The secular history assumes naturalism. Naturalism assumes evolution. Therefore history is arrange in a way that things evolved.
This history already had logical problems of evolutionary gaps. Therefore, evolutionist had to come up with evolutionary leaps. Intelligent design scientist just changed the language so that God had to miraculously make these leaps. Therefore evolution becomes a divine plan and God then endorses evolution.
*I have personally talked with an Old Earth theorist who believes that science is an extension of natural revelation. Therefore, science is divine.
The theistic evolutionary/Intelligent Design picture
Theory: prior to the Bible God started evolution and filled in gaps along the way.
The universe started in the big bang 15 billion years ago.
The earth was naturalistically formed 3 billion years ago
Geology follows a naturalistic scale of dinosaurs and billions of animals who died prior to Adam and Eve. Death suffering are then natural processes unaided by the fall of man.
Man is a product of divine evolutionary leaps as oppose to a true special creation.
The nature of man evolves, (after all God creating man in his image was not historic event, but a poetic declaration) Therefore even though this a divine evolutionary leap, it is still evoplutionary
Therefore, social life is a divine evolutionary process Religion then evolves.
Man starts out polytheistic
Judaism is polytheistic then it has an evolutionary leap into monotheism
Therefore, revelation is subject to evolution
God is behind this evolution.
When he inspires the prophets he also lets his revelation evolve by handing it over to man.
He lets it evolve through oral tradition
God must let evolve through other editors
He then lets it evolve through manuscript transmission (variant changes in manuscripts)
Therefore, divine religion is subject to change
Christianity is an evolution of Judaism
Revelation is no longer immutable or unchanging
The canon of scripture is not static but still open
Religious changes are not apostasy but an unfolding evolution
Catholicism, Islam, Mormonism and New Age are all equally valid divine religions
Henceforth, the end of the Christian worldview.
But any time read any great work, we are supposed to study the 3 main parts: the introduction, the climax, and the conclusion. Plus, anytime I have to write a research paper I have to focus the very beginning with a theses statement. Why do we think the beginning of the greatest book, the Bible would not be essential?
Many Christians look at this debate and only think on a shallow level of understanding. (like Hank!) But if we give up the history in genesis one, what are the effects of our understanding of world history? Then what will those effects have on the rest of our worldview. I will show here after learning from critical scholarship the implications of getting rid of genesis one is a logical inevitable path towards apostasy.
If Genesis chapter one is not a historical narrative, then Bible history is not objective.
The history of the Bible no longer provides a complete world view. Whereas a fundamentalist can look at the Bible and declare that this is history and anything else has to conform to it. The Old-earth advocate now must understand that the Bible is really just a history of the Hebrews. The Bible no longer provides the context for Jewish history. Because it is really only Jewish history.
The Bible’s history is insufficient, therefore secular history is valid
If the Bible cannot explain world history and it is just a history, then what is the context? The histories of other groups are valid. Whether, the history of ancient ethnic groups (Egypt, china, Aborigines, Assyria etc.) Even more staggering is that scientific speculations on the origins of the universe are valid. Because, the Bible no longer competes with them. ( after all what do they have now?)
Since secular history is valid, evolutionary history is valid and ordained
The secular history assumes naturalism. Naturalism assumes evolution. Therefore history is arrange in a way that things evolved.
This history already had logical problems of evolutionary gaps. Therefore, evolutionist had to come up with evolutionary leaps. Intelligent design scientist just changed the language so that God had to miraculously make these leaps. Therefore evolution becomes a divine plan and God then endorses evolution.
*I have personally talked with an Old Earth theorist who believes that science is an extension of natural revelation. Therefore, science is divine.
The theistic evolutionary/Intelligent Design picture
Theory: prior to the Bible God started evolution and filled in gaps along the way.
The universe started in the big bang 15 billion years ago.
The earth was naturalistically formed 3 billion years ago
Geology follows a naturalistic scale of dinosaurs and billions of animals who died prior to Adam and Eve. Death suffering are then natural processes unaided by the fall of man.
Man is a product of divine evolutionary leaps as oppose to a true special creation.
The nature of man evolves, (after all God creating man in his image was not historic event, but a poetic declaration) Therefore even though this a divine evolutionary leap, it is still evoplutionary
Therefore, social life is a divine evolutionary process Religion then evolves.
Man starts out polytheistic
Judaism is polytheistic then it has an evolutionary leap into monotheism
Therefore, revelation is subject to evolution
God is behind this evolution.
When he inspires the prophets he also lets his revelation evolve by handing it over to man.
He lets it evolve through oral tradition
God must let evolve through other editors
He then lets it evolve through manuscript transmission (variant changes in manuscripts)
Therefore, divine religion is subject to change
Christianity is an evolution of Judaism
Revelation is no longer immutable or unchanging
The canon of scripture is not static but still open
Religious changes are not apostasy but an unfolding evolution
Catholicism, Islam, Mormonism and New Age are all equally valid divine religions
Henceforth, the end of the Christian worldview.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Israel and Palestine
In the last few years there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the Palestinian Israeli conflict. But the conflict to me tells us more about the world and ourselves than it does about Israel and Palestine. On one hand we want to act like we are indifferent to the whole dilemma but on the other there is not a single world leader that does not put their noses into it.
First, we like to become ignorant of world history and pretend that Israel didn’t have a right to the land. The Bible very clearly teaches that God had an eternal covenant with Abraham giving the rights of the land. (Psalms 105:8-11, Rom. 9:3-4) It was the world that kicked them out and tortured them more than any other society. The “Palestinians” didn’t even exist before the 20th century. The United Nations finally let Israel have rights to the land because of the horrors of the holocaust. They knew that if the Jews had their own nation they would have a better chance at survival. Yet even then Israel had to constantly fight in order to defend its survival. Like in the six-day war where Israel ended up defeating the rest of Arabia in combat. (They gave the Arabs back their countries so long as they were left alone.)
The differences of the rights of survival, concerning Israel and Palestine are literal life and death. The worlds most advanced medical technicians (Israel) verses the world’s largest breeding ground for terrorism (Palestine). Some say we need to protect Palestine because of the innocent children. Yet how can leaving children with madmen, who teach them to blow themselves up, be helping children, not to mention the years of indoctrination of hatred.
Modern conservative Americans and the Bush administration state that they are having a zero tolerance policy towards the terrorist. Yet while this philosophy is used towards most of the war on terror. They encourage Israel to reward Palestinian terrorist with there hard-earned land. The U.S. had given a great deal of money over the years to Palestine to help them feed their children. They never used it for such a cause. Instead they use it on their military. So how does this affect us? Simply, when our troops are in Iraq fighting Al-quaeda most of the terrorist are not Iraqi but foreign. Many of these are Palestinian like the leader Zarqawi. Therefore we are indirectly funding the terrorist for our sympathy for Palestine.
America used to stand up for Israel, yet now we push them aside. This is what Britain did at the beginning of the 20th century, but look at Britain now? Could America be next? Yet none of this is surprising, open up your Bible to Zechariah chapters 12-14. You will find that Israel is prophesied to be hated by the entire world, and that the world will try to destroy them. Yet in the end they will repent of their sins and except the Messiah.
How should we treat the situation? If we did what we ought, we would support Israel. They are a morally good society while Palestine is a very sick society, which has an insane view of the situation. We should stop funding Palestine. Plus, we should start encouraging Israel to stand up for itself. And if there are any more Israelis attack charities should start trying to help them instead of excluding them. (Like Samaritan’s purse cough! Cough!)
First, we like to become ignorant of world history and pretend that Israel didn’t have a right to the land. The Bible very clearly teaches that God had an eternal covenant with Abraham giving the rights of the land. (Psalms 105:8-11, Rom. 9:3-4) It was the world that kicked them out and tortured them more than any other society. The “Palestinians” didn’t even exist before the 20th century. The United Nations finally let Israel have rights to the land because of the horrors of the holocaust. They knew that if the Jews had their own nation they would have a better chance at survival. Yet even then Israel had to constantly fight in order to defend its survival. Like in the six-day war where Israel ended up defeating the rest of Arabia in combat. (They gave the Arabs back their countries so long as they were left alone.)
The differences of the rights of survival, concerning Israel and Palestine are literal life and death. The worlds most advanced medical technicians (Israel) verses the world’s largest breeding ground for terrorism (Palestine). Some say we need to protect Palestine because of the innocent children. Yet how can leaving children with madmen, who teach them to blow themselves up, be helping children, not to mention the years of indoctrination of hatred.
Modern conservative Americans and the Bush administration state that they are having a zero tolerance policy towards the terrorist. Yet while this philosophy is used towards most of the war on terror. They encourage Israel to reward Palestinian terrorist with there hard-earned land. The U.S. had given a great deal of money over the years to Palestine to help them feed their children. They never used it for such a cause. Instead they use it on their military. So how does this affect us? Simply, when our troops are in Iraq fighting Al-quaeda most of the terrorist are not Iraqi but foreign. Many of these are Palestinian like the leader Zarqawi. Therefore we are indirectly funding the terrorist for our sympathy for Palestine.
America used to stand up for Israel, yet now we push them aside. This is what Britain did at the beginning of the 20th century, but look at Britain now? Could America be next? Yet none of this is surprising, open up your Bible to Zechariah chapters 12-14. You will find that Israel is prophesied to be hated by the entire world, and that the world will try to destroy them. Yet in the end they will repent of their sins and except the Messiah.
How should we treat the situation? If we did what we ought, we would support Israel. They are a morally good society while Palestine is a very sick society, which has an insane view of the situation. We should stop funding Palestine. Plus, we should start encouraging Israel to stand up for itself. And if there are any more Israelis attack charities should start trying to help them instead of excluding them. (Like Samaritan’s purse cough! Cough!)
Monday, April 2, 2007
The American Dream:"Deliver us from the evil one"
In order to attain the American dream of life liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, Americans must re-establish the foundation of the American society in the form of Judeo-Christian ethics.
I know that people are not like to talk about two things: religion and politics, You may already be uncomfortable with this entire subject. But as, Americans, we have been guaranteed freedom with both, so I think it is important to talk about both. I was not raised to speak on these publicly myself. I do not particularly like politics because one can always find flaws. I would like to tell people about my faith in Jesus but I hate people giving me those ugly looks that we all dread. But the more I have studied these two subjects, the stronger I feel about them. They consume the two most vital pieces of our identity. Who are we in this life and who we are in the next? Without God and country we are empty.
I am truly proud and grateful to God to be an American. I thank God that I was raised in Kentucky in a free country. America has never been just “free”. America stands for giving people freedom and justice for all, believing that all people have the right to pursue happiness. The pilgrims settled our land in order to worship Jesus Christ in the way they thought most biblical. Others settled our land in order that they obtain the opportunity to provide their families things they could never before possessed. Many paid the price of their own lives for their families to live here. Surviving famine, disease, Indian attacks, and the wilderness, the pilgrims fought on and thanked their God for their survival. Today we celebrate this day on thanksgiving, a day when we thank God for all he has given us. In the American Revolution we were part of the miraculous as we became independent from the most powerful nation in the world at that time, in order to posses the impossible dream of freedom. We set about a dream of government that was made by the people and for the people. We had our own freedom, but we would not stop there. Through brave men such as Abraham Lincoln, we resolved that not only should our country be free from tyranny not only for some but all people as well. Through the Civil War no longer would freedom be an issue of race. Later we granted all races and sexes the right to vote in our government. The United States would go on to save the world from the godless regimes of Nazism and Communism.
I have often thought about what a gift living in Americais. I was a boy cub scout and would wear the American patch on my sleeve, when I was a football player and we would salute the flag, even when watching movies like Rocky four and Wrestle mania as the heroes would fight for their country; especially working as a security guard, protecting businesses with the flag on my shield during the time of 9-11. I have always been proud of where I came from. That doesn’t mean that there are things that America has not always done perfectly. Nor does it mean that an American is necessarily a good person. However when we act according to the values that make us “American” (loving freedom, Justice and hard work for ourselves and all others) then we become the most righteous country our world has to offer.
The second piece of my identity that is even stronger than my identity as an American is my identity as a “Born-again” Christian. I grew up with Baptist parents but one major thing that my faith has different from my nationality is that I was simply born American, however it was my responsibility to become a Christian. I made that decision when I was 7 years old. Oddly it was not until I was 17 that I was Baptized. My growth as a Christian has several zigs and zags. I knew more Christianity outside of the local church than inside it. My extended family on my father’s side was highly involved in church. I believed in Jesus and I believed in what Jesus stands for. At the same time when I looked at church I felt that I didn’t fit the mold. I was not as holy as the image that I received from people at church. However, years later I learned how the power of Jesus could change my life. It taught me to forgive and love others. From then on I saw the church as an instrument that Christians use to spread his love. At the heart of both the American dream and Christianity is where I found what I needed.
1. The purpose of Governments according to the Bible
Where did countries come from? When did people start making them? How do they relate to God? Governments are the constructions of nations. Whatever the structure of “government” that a group of people decides to use to govern themselves is the nation.
The origin of nations according to the Bible is that they in fact came out of ultra large families.
Gen 10:32 “These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.”
The first group that God had ever made was the family. The 1st family was Adam and Eve.
Gen 2:20-24 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The nations were granted by God the right to reign over the earth.
Gen 9:1-3 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Nations are accountable to God and specifically Jesus Christ
Psa 2:10-12 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
All nations are ordered to protect and respect human life.
Gen 9:5-6 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whosoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
This implies that nations are to support the family and those without in each society
Lev 18:26-27 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
Lev 18:28-30 That the land spew not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spewed out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.
Psa 82:2-4 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
The world rejected God in it’s sinfulness. Therefore God let it splinter in confusion
Gen 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
Gen 11:4-9 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Psa 2:1-3Why do the nations rage, and the people imagine a vain(empty) thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
God is Sovereign and will easily conquer all the nations giving power to Jesus Christ
Psa 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shall inherit all nations.
Psa 2:4-5 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Psa 2:6-9 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shall break them with a rod of iron; thou shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Mat 25:31-32 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
2. The Christians relationship to the government
Recognize authority
Rom 13:1 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.
Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4 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 execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Kingdom of Heaven
Although we know that Jesus will rule all the nations his Kingdom is currently in Heaven.
John 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.
Our concern is not in obtaining the kingdom of this world. That will be taken care of later.
Psa 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
Psa 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
Adherence to Law
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
It is very important that Christians understand the Laws of their Governments. Since we understand that God has given them authority we also understand that they can indeed work for us since they are at least attempting to work for good. Many want to take an ‘us against the world’ mentality. We would say were not the apostles and Jesus against the government? However, when we read the Bible we find many examples of believers who were under pagan governments and yet through submission and Judeo-Christian ethics toward them they became successful. In the Old Testament we see this of Joseph and to a point with Moses (under Jethro). We see this with Daniel as well. All of which Obeyed God’s law and being respectful became successful. When the Jews tried to slay the Apostle Paul He was saved by defending his right because of His Roman citizenship. Therefore, he had the right to a trial and have the Caesar judge him. Paul used this occasion to not only save him from persecution but witnesses Jesus Christ before the ruler of the Roman Empire. Christians all across History have discovered the benefits of working with the government. We can’t help if Satan uses the government to persecute us. However we are foolish if we do not fight back with the government that God has Providentially set up.
Moral Accountability
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
We must remember our effect on society means nothing if we do not show love in our actions. I remember a famous story where a Chinese foreign exchange student would work at a fast food restaurant on Sundays and the Christians who came in on Sunday afternoon were so rude that this foreign exchange student would have nothing to do with Christianity. That foreign exchange student would grow up to be known as Mao Zedong the Communist dictator of China who has since persecuted literally millions of Christians.
3. The Biblical roots of America
Pilgrims
The Pilgrims were a people that took the Bible to be inspired at its core. Their goals for society were to make a Christian nation that would copy a biblical model like Israel. The whole reason they had left England was not due to the fact that England wasn’t a Christian nation. It was the fact that the English government was not Biblical enough. In fact these pilgrims who founded New England had a stauncher view of Christianity in Government than the traditional American government.
They strictly based their laws off of the Old Testament. It is both ironic and sad that the historic Puritan state of Massachusetts has grown to have some of the most anti-Christians legislation in our country today. The founders of Massachusetts would be more tempted to war with these renegade Judges than to agree with their interpretations.
Declaration of Independence
America’s freedom is based on belief in God. Americans traditionally believe that “all men are created equal”. That we are “endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights”. In order that we have equal rights we must have a God who gives us these rights. It should be noted that only a biblical God surely give us these rights. After all if God never revealed himself we can not be sure if he gives us rights or not. Then the truths of human rights could not possibly be any longer “self-evident”
Many people forget that the majority of the founding fathers claimed Christianity. What also little known is that out of the 56 signers, 23 of them were seminary trained ministers.
Constitution federal and state
Many people forget a slight reference to Jesus Christ starting off the United States Constitution.
The dating system used for recording the document was Christian. The year was 1789 “in the year of our Lord’s reign” (anno domini) which Lord could these independent people have but the Savior, Lord Jesus the Christ.
When it comes to State Constitutions it should be noted that every state constitution acknowledges God. Many different phrases have been used most usually “Almighty God” whom they thank for the right to established human rights.
Religious liberty
“The Virginia Baptist, having suffered recent physical persecution for their faith, were even more concerned about the national protection of religious liberty than were the brothers in Massachusetts. Most Virginia Baptist favored the proposed Constitution, but they determined to approve it only if it would protect religious freedom. Realizing that Virginia’s support would be crucial to a successful launching of a new national government, they chose their course of action carefully. With the help of their most influential leader, John Leland (1754-1841), they won assurance from James Madison that he would support the adding of a bill of rights to the proposed constitution. Having done this, they gave both the proposed Constitution and James Madison their full support.
“With the crucial support of the Baptist voters, James Madison was elected to the first session of the House of Representatives under the new Constitution. During the first session of Congress, Madison proposed the Adoption of a bill to protect basic individual freedom, including religious freedom. That Bill began.
“ ‘Congress shall make no Law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.’ ”
United States History: Heritage of Freedom 2nd edition
Founding Fathers (and other American Heroes)
Of the 56 signers of the declaration of independence 23 were Seminary educated ministers.
1. “George Washington added the phrase ‘so help me God’ to his inaugural oath, and he later said ‘It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.’”
2. “Thomas Jefferson the primary Author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote “The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty; therefore student perusal of the sacred volume will make us better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.”
3. “John Adams made no secret of the fact that he studied the Bible often and with diligence. “Our constitution,” he said, “was made only for a moral and religious people. So great is my veneration of the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectful members of society.’”
4. “Even Ben Franklin wrote ‘A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know the price of the rights which God has given them, cannot be enslaved.’” And “Young man, my advice to you is that you cultivate an acquaintance with and firm belief in the Holy Scriptures, for this is your certain interest. I think Christ’s system of morals and religion as he left them with us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.”
5. William Penn, founder and governor of the Pennsylvania colony, said, “If we will not be governed by God, we will be ruled by Tyrants.” (Btw Pennsylvania was the most pluralistic of all American colonies)
6. “Andrew Jackson referred to the Bible as “the rock on which our republic rest.”
7. Abraham Lincoln in light of a national fast which he called for “We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.” He felt America had become “too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proudly to pray to the God that made us.” In light of the Civil War “fondly do we hope-fervently do we pray- that this mighty scourge of war might speedily pass away,” “Yet if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-mans two hundred years of unreqited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid with another drawn with the sword, as said three thousand years ago so still it must be said, ‘the judgements of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.’”
8. “Ulysses S. Grant, the nations eighteenth president, urged his fellow citizens to “hold fast to the Bible as the sheer anchor of your liberties; write it’s precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future.”
9. Garfield “While the young James A. Garfield was serving as a teacher and lay minister, the people of chagrin falls Ohio, called upon him to defend the Bible against vicious attacks of an influential professor in that community.”United States History in Christian Perspective After extensive scientific preparation he was able to best the professor “…while he claimed that with further research he could yet establish his theories, he manfully admitted that he was surprised and defeated for the time, by the apparently inexhaustible learning of his opponent. He said it was the first time he had met so gifted an adversary and learned an adversary.” The life, Speeches, and public Services of James A. Garfield by Russle H. Conwell
10. Evangelist James Robison once privately asked President Ronald Reagan “I want to ask you something very personal, and the only way I know to ask it is to phrase it in this manner: Is Jesus real to you? Is He real in your life?’ Mr. Reagan paused and then said in inimitable style, “Well, the only way I know how to answer is to share that my father was an alcoholic. I never really knew him. The strongest influence in my life was my mother. I want you to know that Jesus Christ is as real to me as my mother.” The Absolutes by James Robison
Judeo Christian base
Our laws have historically been based off of Judeo Christian ethics. Many laws that forefather’s historically practice and enforced were Bible based. Our laws concerning sexual conduct. Our laws respecting the Sabbath. (In fact there are a few Sabbath laws left.)
“Probably at the time of the adoption of the Constitution, and the Amendments to it… the general, if not universal, sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as it was not incompatible with the private rights of conscience, and the freedoms of religious worship.”
Justice Joseph Story(1812-1845)
“There is a universal language pervading them all, having one meaning; they affirm and reaffirm that this is a religious nation.” Justice David Brewer
“In 1892, the Supreme Court issue a unanimous decision in the case of Holy Trinity v. United States is a ‘Christian Nation’.” Pat Robertson. Brewer would argue this to be obvious with the following.
“The form of oath universally prevailing concluding with an appeal to the Almighty; the custom of opening sessions of deliberative bodies and most conventions with prayer; the prefatory words of all wills, “In the name of God, Amen;” the laws respecting the observance of the Sabbath, with the general cessation of all secular business, and the closing of the courts, legislatures, and other similar public assemblies on that day; the churches and church organizations existing everywhere under Christian auspices; the gigantic missionary associations, with general support, aiming to establish Christian missions in every quarter of the globe…” Justice David Brewer
“The secular application of the Ten Commandments is clearly seen in it’s adoption as the fundamental legal code of Western civilization and the Common Law of the United States.” Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist
Christian heritage
When we look at the most popular patriotic songs, we see that they are very religious in nature. In fact most of these songs our so strongly religious that they have doubled as hymns in most mainline protestant churches.
America the Beautiful: verse3
O Beautiful for pilgrim feet, whose stern impassioned stress A thorough-fare for fredom beat across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.
Mine Eyes have seen the glory: Verse 4
In the beauty of the lillies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His Bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men Holy, let us live to make men free, while God is marching on”
My Country tis of thee: Verse 4
“ Our Fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, In Thee we sing: Long may our Land be bright with freedom’s holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King!”
The Star-Spangled Banner: Verse 2
O thus be it ever when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the wars desolation; Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just; And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!” and the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
“Under God” in our Pledge Allegiance has sunk into our culture through the school system. The phrase find’s its origin in the Gettysburg Address. The only thing that could unify a country divided into a civil war was the power of Almighty God.
We see the phrase “In God we trust” that is printed on all our money. Many have used this intending to make a distinction between the American society and the Communist. Communism developed an atheistic state religion. The Government literally becomes the god of the people. America is a free society made free through trust in God.
We also can look at 2 of our national holidays. 1st we have Christmas which celebrates the virgin Birth of Jesus. Then we have thanksgiving regarding the pilgrims who came here for their religious freedom and their thankfulness to God for their survival. There have been many minor holidays throughout American history respecting Christianity such as the recent national day of Prayer.
Christian majority
We must remember the simple fact of the consistent majority of Americans has always been Christian. That means that most of the blood spilt for our freedom was Christian. This means that Christians paid the vast majority of American government money. The majority of American business has been done by Christians (Rockefeller is a good example). If we are a democratic nation that means that are nation is for the people and by the people. If our nation is mostly Christian then our government should be mostly Christian.
4. The American dream of Christian freedom
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator certain unalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Excerpt from Declaration of Independence
Most Americans would agree that the American dream is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The non-Christian Thomas Jefferson along with the founding fathers believed that these were rights. But not rights that had been given to them by the government. They were rights given to them by God. First of all there was no government that was necessarily giving them these rights. Even a government like the United States does that government could one day fall away.
The God of the Bible pursues to bring us all these things and more
Life
Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
It is with this that we should respect human life. This command makes it clear that being created in the image of God gives humanity a unique right to life.
Liberty
Deu 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
When God sets out a distinction between good and evil man is made responsible for his actions. The more we are held accountable we are the more responsible and therefore free.
Pursuit of Happiness
Gen 9:7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
Deu 30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goes to possess it
Since God gives us a conscious he shows us that by doing the right things he will bless us. If do what is right/good we will be happy. God all distinguishes what will curse us and therefore not make us happy. Therefore God invites us to pursue happiness.
As we look across the following passages we notice the God of the Bible instituting all three. In his covenant with Noah God holds all humanity responsible to preserve life. After all people are created in God’s image and therefore their lives ought to be respected. The penalty of taking human life was death. While people may not respect the life of another person almost everyone would want to save there own lives. God gives people liberty by giving them responsibility. We have freedom to choose Good and Bad and therefore have liberty over our lives.
Now we should notice that is only with responsibility that we are able to choose right from wrong that we are capable of pursuing happiness. Anywhere that we don’t have freedom we will not be capable of the pursuit of happiness.
What is happiness?
hap·py (h²p“) adj. hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est. 1. Characterized by good luck; fortunate. 2. Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy. 3. Being especially well-adapted; felicitous. 4. Cheerful; willing. 5.a. Characterized by a spontaneous or obsessive inclination to use something. Often used in combination. b. Enthusiastic about or involved with to a disproportionate degree. Often used in combination. --hap“pi·ly adv. --hap“pi·ness n.
Another way to say happiness is to pursue joy, pleasure and satisfaction. Happiness is a piece of all three. We are not guaranteed happiness however. But we are given the opportunity to pursue it.
When people pursue this goal with their lives they have to be careful to seek out true happiness. Many people throughout America’s history have sought out lifestyles that were alternative to God’s plan. However God’s plan as the Bible shows us is the only way to find true happiness. Many have turned to money, alcohol, drugs and sexual promiscuity in search of happiness. But while these things bring temporary pleasure they never satisfy. In fact quite often these very habits lead to death. They have destroyed lives and families for decades. Only when we pursue the good things of God do we find happiness.
5. What is America’s future? “A tree without roots is an accident waiting to happen”
What is freedom?
I had a standard definition of freedom and an intellectual argument to discuss what is freedom. Ultimately freedom is not found in this world. We grow up all our lives without real freedom. Some people think that freedom just means power. But it is so much better and it is as rare and as sweet as honey pouring down from a beehive without Bees. Freedom means that shackles of this life will be gone. Freedom means that we will no longer have to find acceptance because it will always be there. Freedom means we will no longer a slave to those evil things tortures our past. Freedom means that we will be have all that we need and not be slaves to all those things we spent so many wasted years craving. All the evils of this world… gone. All the suffering of this world… gone. This freedom I can only find in the presents of Jesus my Savior.
Joh 8:33-36 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
How can America keep it’s freedom?
“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the government upon the capacity of each and every one of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, in accordance with the Ten Commandments of God” James Madison(president)
“The nation has a much bigger bill to pay than a paralyzing budget imbalance; it must face the cost of defection from the Deity.” Dr. Carl F.H. Henry
God’s grace and blessing is the only reason we enjoy the freedoms we have today. When we follow his law we find freedom. When we disobey God’s law we find sin which leads to death. Of course there will always be sin and sinners who want to rob us of our freedoms. So again how can we keep our freedoms?
America is free when it’s citizens our willing to sacrifice their freedoms to
Preserve it. Just as Jesus was willing to sacrifice his life for our freedom, We need to be willing to become living sacrifices for others.
The question is not whether that will happen all over, instead it is whether you are willing. Will you make those sacrifices to help others find freedom? Do you really care or like the feeling of speaking your mind? How does Jesus bring freedom?
A. Jesus frees us from evil (the devil)
Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
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.
We must recognize that there are forces of evil out there and that Jesus is the only true Savior from them. When the church comes together under his name and fights these evils we will begin to see victory.
B. Jesus frees us from our sins.
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The reason that we cannot fight evil is because in the end we are evil as well. Religion can be a very good thing in the life of the community. But religion will ultimately fail unless it has the power source of the forgiving blood of Jesus Christ.
C. Jesus frees us to free others.
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:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
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
The greatest gift of God is the opportunity to become more like Him. When we find freedom in Christ we seek freedom for others as well. America has not only stood up for it’s own freedom, it stands to free others. Many of the countries that America has conquered are now more free and reformed than before they attacked America. Some have gone so far as to Joke that being invaded by America is a good thing. This is a shadow of the power of Christ to change lives. Living in light of this passage if we embrace Christ we will embrace the American heritage of freedom. If we however do what we want, we will sacrifice the freedoms that men died to give us. More importantly we spit on the Blood that not only gives us freedom here, but freedom from bonds of sin and death.
If you are a Christian, you need to encourage other’s follow God’s law. Jesus wants us to love our neighbor. If you refuse to tell them right from wrong then you are letting the devil invade their lives and you must not really love them. If you are not a Christian; I ask you to at least try following God’s law as laid out in the Ten Commandments and see if it does not change your life. I know it will.
May God bless you and His face shine upon You,
Matt Singleton
I know that people are not like to talk about two things: religion and politics, You may already be uncomfortable with this entire subject. But as, Americans, we have been guaranteed freedom with both, so I think it is important to talk about both. I was not raised to speak on these publicly myself. I do not particularly like politics because one can always find flaws. I would like to tell people about my faith in Jesus but I hate people giving me those ugly looks that we all dread. But the more I have studied these two subjects, the stronger I feel about them. They consume the two most vital pieces of our identity. Who are we in this life and who we are in the next? Without God and country we are empty.
I am truly proud and grateful to God to be an American. I thank God that I was raised in Kentucky in a free country. America has never been just “free”. America stands for giving people freedom and justice for all, believing that all people have the right to pursue happiness. The pilgrims settled our land in order to worship Jesus Christ in the way they thought most biblical. Others settled our land in order that they obtain the opportunity to provide their families things they could never before possessed. Many paid the price of their own lives for their families to live here. Surviving famine, disease, Indian attacks, and the wilderness, the pilgrims fought on and thanked their God for their survival. Today we celebrate this day on thanksgiving, a day when we thank God for all he has given us. In the American Revolution we were part of the miraculous as we became independent from the most powerful nation in the world at that time, in order to posses the impossible dream of freedom. We set about a dream of government that was made by the people and for the people. We had our own freedom, but we would not stop there. Through brave men such as Abraham Lincoln, we resolved that not only should our country be free from tyranny not only for some but all people as well. Through the Civil War no longer would freedom be an issue of race. Later we granted all races and sexes the right to vote in our government. The United States would go on to save the world from the godless regimes of Nazism and Communism.
I have often thought about what a gift living in Americais. I was a boy cub scout and would wear the American patch on my sleeve, when I was a football player and we would salute the flag, even when watching movies like Rocky four and Wrestle mania as the heroes would fight for their country; especially working as a security guard, protecting businesses with the flag on my shield during the time of 9-11. I have always been proud of where I came from. That doesn’t mean that there are things that America has not always done perfectly. Nor does it mean that an American is necessarily a good person. However when we act according to the values that make us “American” (loving freedom, Justice and hard work for ourselves and all others) then we become the most righteous country our world has to offer.
The second piece of my identity that is even stronger than my identity as an American is my identity as a “Born-again” Christian. I grew up with Baptist parents but one major thing that my faith has different from my nationality is that I was simply born American, however it was my responsibility to become a Christian. I made that decision when I was 7 years old. Oddly it was not until I was 17 that I was Baptized. My growth as a Christian has several zigs and zags. I knew more Christianity outside of the local church than inside it. My extended family on my father’s side was highly involved in church. I believed in Jesus and I believed in what Jesus stands for. At the same time when I looked at church I felt that I didn’t fit the mold. I was not as holy as the image that I received from people at church. However, years later I learned how the power of Jesus could change my life. It taught me to forgive and love others. From then on I saw the church as an instrument that Christians use to spread his love. At the heart of both the American dream and Christianity is where I found what I needed.
1. The purpose of Governments according to the Bible
Where did countries come from? When did people start making them? How do they relate to God? Governments are the constructions of nations. Whatever the structure of “government” that a group of people decides to use to govern themselves is the nation.
The origin of nations according to the Bible is that they in fact came out of ultra large families.
Gen 10:32 “These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.”
The first group that God had ever made was the family. The 1st family was Adam and Eve.
Gen 2:20-24 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The nations were granted by God the right to reign over the earth.
Gen 9:1-3 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Nations are accountable to God and specifically Jesus Christ
Psa 2:10-12 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
All nations are ordered to protect and respect human life.
Gen 9:5-6 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whosoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
This implies that nations are to support the family and those without in each society
Lev 18:26-27 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
Lev 18:28-30 That the land spew not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spewed out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.
Psa 82:2-4 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
The world rejected God in it’s sinfulness. Therefore God let it splinter in confusion
Gen 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
Gen 11:4-9 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Psa 2:1-3Why do the nations rage, and the people imagine a vain(empty) thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
God is Sovereign and will easily conquer all the nations giving power to Jesus Christ
Psa 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shall inherit all nations.
Psa 2:4-5 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Psa 2:6-9 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shall break them with a rod of iron; thou shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Mat 25:31-32 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
2. The Christians relationship to the government
Recognize authority
Rom 13:1 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.
Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4 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 execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Kingdom of Heaven
Although we know that Jesus will rule all the nations his Kingdom is currently in Heaven.
John 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.
Our concern is not in obtaining the kingdom of this world. That will be taken care of later.
Psa 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
Psa 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
Adherence to Law
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
It is very important that Christians understand the Laws of their Governments. Since we understand that God has given them authority we also understand that they can indeed work for us since they are at least attempting to work for good. Many want to take an ‘us against the world’ mentality. We would say were not the apostles and Jesus against the government? However, when we read the Bible we find many examples of believers who were under pagan governments and yet through submission and Judeo-Christian ethics toward them they became successful. In the Old Testament we see this of Joseph and to a point with Moses (under Jethro). We see this with Daniel as well. All of which Obeyed God’s law and being respectful became successful. When the Jews tried to slay the Apostle Paul He was saved by defending his right because of His Roman citizenship. Therefore, he had the right to a trial and have the Caesar judge him. Paul used this occasion to not only save him from persecution but witnesses Jesus Christ before the ruler of the Roman Empire. Christians all across History have discovered the benefits of working with the government. We can’t help if Satan uses the government to persecute us. However we are foolish if we do not fight back with the government that God has Providentially set up.
Moral Accountability
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
We must remember our effect on society means nothing if we do not show love in our actions. I remember a famous story where a Chinese foreign exchange student would work at a fast food restaurant on Sundays and the Christians who came in on Sunday afternoon were so rude that this foreign exchange student would have nothing to do with Christianity. That foreign exchange student would grow up to be known as Mao Zedong the Communist dictator of China who has since persecuted literally millions of Christians.
3. The Biblical roots of America
Pilgrims
The Pilgrims were a people that took the Bible to be inspired at its core. Their goals for society were to make a Christian nation that would copy a biblical model like Israel. The whole reason they had left England was not due to the fact that England wasn’t a Christian nation. It was the fact that the English government was not Biblical enough. In fact these pilgrims who founded New England had a stauncher view of Christianity in Government than the traditional American government.
They strictly based their laws off of the Old Testament. It is both ironic and sad that the historic Puritan state of Massachusetts has grown to have some of the most anti-Christians legislation in our country today. The founders of Massachusetts would be more tempted to war with these renegade Judges than to agree with their interpretations.
Declaration of Independence
America’s freedom is based on belief in God. Americans traditionally believe that “all men are created equal”. That we are “endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights”. In order that we have equal rights we must have a God who gives us these rights. It should be noted that only a biblical God surely give us these rights. After all if God never revealed himself we can not be sure if he gives us rights or not. Then the truths of human rights could not possibly be any longer “self-evident”
Many people forget that the majority of the founding fathers claimed Christianity. What also little known is that out of the 56 signers, 23 of them were seminary trained ministers.
Constitution federal and state
Many people forget a slight reference to Jesus Christ starting off the United States Constitution.
The dating system used for recording the document was Christian. The year was 1789 “in the year of our Lord’s reign” (anno domini) which Lord could these independent people have but the Savior, Lord Jesus the Christ.
When it comes to State Constitutions it should be noted that every state constitution acknowledges God. Many different phrases have been used most usually “Almighty God” whom they thank for the right to established human rights.
Religious liberty
“The Virginia Baptist, having suffered recent physical persecution for their faith, were even more concerned about the national protection of religious liberty than were the brothers in Massachusetts. Most Virginia Baptist favored the proposed Constitution, but they determined to approve it only if it would protect religious freedom. Realizing that Virginia’s support would be crucial to a successful launching of a new national government, they chose their course of action carefully. With the help of their most influential leader, John Leland (1754-1841), they won assurance from James Madison that he would support the adding of a bill of rights to the proposed constitution. Having done this, they gave both the proposed Constitution and James Madison their full support.
“With the crucial support of the Baptist voters, James Madison was elected to the first session of the House of Representatives under the new Constitution. During the first session of Congress, Madison proposed the Adoption of a bill to protect basic individual freedom, including religious freedom. That Bill began.
“ ‘Congress shall make no Law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.’ ”
United States History: Heritage of Freedom 2nd edition
Founding Fathers (and other American Heroes)
Of the 56 signers of the declaration of independence 23 were Seminary educated ministers.
1. “George Washington added the phrase ‘so help me God’ to his inaugural oath, and he later said ‘It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.’”
2. “Thomas Jefferson the primary Author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote “The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty; therefore student perusal of the sacred volume will make us better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.”
3. “John Adams made no secret of the fact that he studied the Bible often and with diligence. “Our constitution,” he said, “was made only for a moral and religious people. So great is my veneration of the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectful members of society.’”
4. “Even Ben Franklin wrote ‘A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know the price of the rights which God has given them, cannot be enslaved.’” And “Young man, my advice to you is that you cultivate an acquaintance with and firm belief in the Holy Scriptures, for this is your certain interest. I think Christ’s system of morals and religion as he left them with us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.”
5. William Penn, founder and governor of the Pennsylvania colony, said, “If we will not be governed by God, we will be ruled by Tyrants.” (Btw Pennsylvania was the most pluralistic of all American colonies)
6. “Andrew Jackson referred to the Bible as “the rock on which our republic rest.”
7. Abraham Lincoln in light of a national fast which he called for “We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.” He felt America had become “too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proudly to pray to the God that made us.” In light of the Civil War “fondly do we hope-fervently do we pray- that this mighty scourge of war might speedily pass away,” “Yet if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-mans two hundred years of unreqited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid with another drawn with the sword, as said three thousand years ago so still it must be said, ‘the judgements of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.’”
8. “Ulysses S. Grant, the nations eighteenth president, urged his fellow citizens to “hold fast to the Bible as the sheer anchor of your liberties; write it’s precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future.”
9. Garfield “While the young James A. Garfield was serving as a teacher and lay minister, the people of chagrin falls Ohio, called upon him to defend the Bible against vicious attacks of an influential professor in that community.”United States History in Christian Perspective After extensive scientific preparation he was able to best the professor “…while he claimed that with further research he could yet establish his theories, he manfully admitted that he was surprised and defeated for the time, by the apparently inexhaustible learning of his opponent. He said it was the first time he had met so gifted an adversary and learned an adversary.” The life, Speeches, and public Services of James A. Garfield by Russle H. Conwell
10. Evangelist James Robison once privately asked President Ronald Reagan “I want to ask you something very personal, and the only way I know to ask it is to phrase it in this manner: Is Jesus real to you? Is He real in your life?’ Mr. Reagan paused and then said in inimitable style, “Well, the only way I know how to answer is to share that my father was an alcoholic. I never really knew him. The strongest influence in my life was my mother. I want you to know that Jesus Christ is as real to me as my mother.” The Absolutes by James Robison
Judeo Christian base
Our laws have historically been based off of Judeo Christian ethics. Many laws that forefather’s historically practice and enforced were Bible based. Our laws concerning sexual conduct. Our laws respecting the Sabbath. (In fact there are a few Sabbath laws left.)
“Probably at the time of the adoption of the Constitution, and the Amendments to it… the general, if not universal, sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as it was not incompatible with the private rights of conscience, and the freedoms of religious worship.”
Justice Joseph Story(1812-1845)
“There is a universal language pervading them all, having one meaning; they affirm and reaffirm that this is a religious nation.” Justice David Brewer
“In 1892, the Supreme Court issue a unanimous decision in the case of Holy Trinity v. United States is a ‘Christian Nation’.” Pat Robertson. Brewer would argue this to be obvious with the following.
“The form of oath universally prevailing concluding with an appeal to the Almighty; the custom of opening sessions of deliberative bodies and most conventions with prayer; the prefatory words of all wills, “In the name of God, Amen;” the laws respecting the observance of the Sabbath, with the general cessation of all secular business, and the closing of the courts, legislatures, and other similar public assemblies on that day; the churches and church organizations existing everywhere under Christian auspices; the gigantic missionary associations, with general support, aiming to establish Christian missions in every quarter of the globe…” Justice David Brewer
“The secular application of the Ten Commandments is clearly seen in it’s adoption as the fundamental legal code of Western civilization and the Common Law of the United States.” Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist
Christian heritage
When we look at the most popular patriotic songs, we see that they are very religious in nature. In fact most of these songs our so strongly religious that they have doubled as hymns in most mainline protestant churches.
America the Beautiful: verse3
O Beautiful for pilgrim feet, whose stern impassioned stress A thorough-fare for fredom beat across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.
Mine Eyes have seen the glory: Verse 4
In the beauty of the lillies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His Bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men Holy, let us live to make men free, while God is marching on”
My Country tis of thee: Verse 4
“ Our Fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, In Thee we sing: Long may our Land be bright with freedom’s holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King!”
The Star-Spangled Banner: Verse 2
O thus be it ever when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the wars desolation; Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just; And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!” and the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
“Under God” in our Pledge Allegiance has sunk into our culture through the school system. The phrase find’s its origin in the Gettysburg Address. The only thing that could unify a country divided into a civil war was the power of Almighty God.
We see the phrase “In God we trust” that is printed on all our money. Many have used this intending to make a distinction between the American society and the Communist. Communism developed an atheistic state religion. The Government literally becomes the god of the people. America is a free society made free through trust in God.
We also can look at 2 of our national holidays. 1st we have Christmas which celebrates the virgin Birth of Jesus. Then we have thanksgiving regarding the pilgrims who came here for their religious freedom and their thankfulness to God for their survival. There have been many minor holidays throughout American history respecting Christianity such as the recent national day of Prayer.
Christian majority
We must remember the simple fact of the consistent majority of Americans has always been Christian. That means that most of the blood spilt for our freedom was Christian. This means that Christians paid the vast majority of American government money. The majority of American business has been done by Christians (Rockefeller is a good example). If we are a democratic nation that means that are nation is for the people and by the people. If our nation is mostly Christian then our government should be mostly Christian.
4. The American dream of Christian freedom
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator certain unalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Excerpt from Declaration of Independence
Most Americans would agree that the American dream is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The non-Christian Thomas Jefferson along with the founding fathers believed that these were rights. But not rights that had been given to them by the government. They were rights given to them by God. First of all there was no government that was necessarily giving them these rights. Even a government like the United States does that government could one day fall away.
The God of the Bible pursues to bring us all these things and more
Life
Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
It is with this that we should respect human life. This command makes it clear that being created in the image of God gives humanity a unique right to life.
Liberty
Deu 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
When God sets out a distinction between good and evil man is made responsible for his actions. The more we are held accountable we are the more responsible and therefore free.
Pursuit of Happiness
Gen 9:7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
Deu 30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goes to possess it
Since God gives us a conscious he shows us that by doing the right things he will bless us. If do what is right/good we will be happy. God all distinguishes what will curse us and therefore not make us happy. Therefore God invites us to pursue happiness.
As we look across the following passages we notice the God of the Bible instituting all three. In his covenant with Noah God holds all humanity responsible to preserve life. After all people are created in God’s image and therefore their lives ought to be respected. The penalty of taking human life was death. While people may not respect the life of another person almost everyone would want to save there own lives. God gives people liberty by giving them responsibility. We have freedom to choose Good and Bad and therefore have liberty over our lives.
Now we should notice that is only with responsibility that we are able to choose right from wrong that we are capable of pursuing happiness. Anywhere that we don’t have freedom we will not be capable of the pursuit of happiness.
What is happiness?
hap·py (h²p“) adj. hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est. 1. Characterized by good luck; fortunate. 2. Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy. 3. Being especially well-adapted; felicitous. 4. Cheerful; willing. 5.a. Characterized by a spontaneous or obsessive inclination to use something. Often used in combination. b. Enthusiastic about or involved with to a disproportionate degree. Often used in combination. --hap“pi·ly adv. --hap“pi·ness n.
Another way to say happiness is to pursue joy, pleasure and satisfaction. Happiness is a piece of all three. We are not guaranteed happiness however. But we are given the opportunity to pursue it.
When people pursue this goal with their lives they have to be careful to seek out true happiness. Many people throughout America’s history have sought out lifestyles that were alternative to God’s plan. However God’s plan as the Bible shows us is the only way to find true happiness. Many have turned to money, alcohol, drugs and sexual promiscuity in search of happiness. But while these things bring temporary pleasure they never satisfy. In fact quite often these very habits lead to death. They have destroyed lives and families for decades. Only when we pursue the good things of God do we find happiness.
5. What is America’s future? “A tree without roots is an accident waiting to happen”
What is freedom?
I had a standard definition of freedom and an intellectual argument to discuss what is freedom. Ultimately freedom is not found in this world. We grow up all our lives without real freedom. Some people think that freedom just means power. But it is so much better and it is as rare and as sweet as honey pouring down from a beehive without Bees. Freedom means that shackles of this life will be gone. Freedom means that we will no longer have to find acceptance because it will always be there. Freedom means we will no longer a slave to those evil things tortures our past. Freedom means that we will be have all that we need and not be slaves to all those things we spent so many wasted years craving. All the evils of this world… gone. All the suffering of this world… gone. This freedom I can only find in the presents of Jesus my Savior.
Joh 8:33-36 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
How can America keep it’s freedom?
“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the government upon the capacity of each and every one of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, in accordance with the Ten Commandments of God” James Madison(president)
“The nation has a much bigger bill to pay than a paralyzing budget imbalance; it must face the cost of defection from the Deity.” Dr. Carl F.H. Henry
God’s grace and blessing is the only reason we enjoy the freedoms we have today. When we follow his law we find freedom. When we disobey God’s law we find sin which leads to death. Of course there will always be sin and sinners who want to rob us of our freedoms. So again how can we keep our freedoms?
America is free when it’s citizens our willing to sacrifice their freedoms to
Preserve it. Just as Jesus was willing to sacrifice his life for our freedom, We need to be willing to become living sacrifices for others.
The question is not whether that will happen all over, instead it is whether you are willing. Will you make those sacrifices to help others find freedom? Do you really care or like the feeling of speaking your mind? How does Jesus bring freedom?
A. Jesus frees us from evil (the devil)
Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
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.
We must recognize that there are forces of evil out there and that Jesus is the only true Savior from them. When the church comes together under his name and fights these evils we will begin to see victory.
B. Jesus frees us from our sins.
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The reason that we cannot fight evil is because in the end we are evil as well. Religion can be a very good thing in the life of the community. But religion will ultimately fail unless it has the power source of the forgiving blood of Jesus Christ.
C. Jesus frees us to free others.
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:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
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
The greatest gift of God is the opportunity to become more like Him. When we find freedom in Christ we seek freedom for others as well. America has not only stood up for it’s own freedom, it stands to free others. Many of the countries that America has conquered are now more free and reformed than before they attacked America. Some have gone so far as to Joke that being invaded by America is a good thing. This is a shadow of the power of Christ to change lives. Living in light of this passage if we embrace Christ we will embrace the American heritage of freedom. If we however do what we want, we will sacrifice the freedoms that men died to give us. More importantly we spit on the Blood that not only gives us freedom here, but freedom from bonds of sin and death.
If you are a Christian, you need to encourage other’s follow God’s law. Jesus wants us to love our neighbor. If you refuse to tell them right from wrong then you are letting the devil invade their lives and you must not really love them. If you are not a Christian; I ask you to at least try following God’s law as laid out in the Ten Commandments and see if it does not change your life. I know it will.
May God bless you and His face shine upon You,
Matt Singleton
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