QUESTIONS/ANSWERS FROM THE QUESTION FORUM
Group Number 107
Husbend & wife with
oral sex -- sin or not sin?
The Scriptures do not speak on this subject. It is a matter of conscience that
will have to be settled between you and God.
How
do I
break bad thinking?
By replacing it with good thinking. That is what Philippians
4:8 tells us to do.; "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be
any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
This means you must subject your mind to the Word of God, for you cannot think about things concerning which you have no knowledge. Once the truth of God, as stated in the Bible, is in your mind, the Lord will assist you in thinking about it. In the meantime, you should pray as David did: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psa 139:23-24). God will answer your sincere and earnest prayers.
Can
you tell me when and why most of the christian churches go to church on Sunday
instead of Sat?
The "First day of the week" is frequently mentioned in Scripture, and always
with a note of approval. This is specifically said to be the time when Jesus
rose from the dead. "Now when He rose early on the first day of the week . . ."
(Mark 16:9). This is also the day on which Jesus, following His resurrection,
first appeared to His disciples. "Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled,
for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them,
'Peace be with you'" (John 20:19). It is also the day on which He appeared the
second time to His disciples. John refers to it as eight days following the
first appearance, which would put it on the first day of the week. "And after
eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came,
the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!'" (John
20:26).
In addition, the day of Pentecost occurred on the first day of the week. This
feast took place 50 days after the high Sabbath of the paschal week (Lev
23:15-16). The Sabbath from which the count was made occurred the day after
Jesus was crucified, and was the reason why His body was taken down from the
cross (John 19:31; Mark 15:42). It was also the Sabbath honored by the women who
came to anoint Jesus' body (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:54-56). Fifty days from that
Sabbath day was the first day of the week – the Day of Pentecost, on which the
Spirit was poured forth.
We are categorically told that the early disciples came together to break bread
"on the first day of the week" (Acts 20:7). When instructing the Corinthians on
setting aside special monies for the poor saints in Jerusalem, Paul specified
that it be done on "the first day of the week" (1 Cor 16:2). As the church
progressed, from Ignatius (A.D. 30-107) onwards, we "have a complete chain of
evidence that The Lord's Day became the regular Christian name for the first day
of the week."
Suffice it to say, there is solid ground for perceiving "the Lord's Day" as the
first day of the week. This was the day on which natural light was created (Gen
1:3-5). It was the day on which Christ Jesus arose from the dead (Mark 16:9).
His two recorded appearances to His disciples occurred on this day (John
20:19,26). The day of Pentecost took place on this day (Lev 23:15-16), and the
early church is said to have gathered together on the "first day of the week"
(Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2). This is not simply another day! The events that took
place on the first day of the week are conducive to godly recollections that
sanctify the soul.
In addition to this, the Sabbath day is nowhere bound upon those in Christ. In
fact, they are solemnly admonished not to allow any person to judge them in
regards to Sabbath days, which are among a category of things classified as
being "a shadow of things to come" (Col 2:16-17).
Add to this the fact that Hebrews 4:1-11 categorically states that the rest into
which we enter is not the seventh day – and that Israel never did enter into the
rest of God. The text clearly states that the seventh day, while commanded under
the Law, never did allow for the entrance of men into the rest of God – and its
sole relation was to ceasing from work and resting (Ex 20:10; 31:15; 25:2; Deut
5:14). In this regard, it was a shadow, or depiction, of a greater rest that
would be realized in Christ Jesus. It was not the ultimate rest, and is
therefore not bound on believers. In fact, there is really nothing about it that
is compatible with faith. The Law in its entirety was completely independent of
faith. It did not require faith, and it did not produce faith. Paul said, "The
law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will
live by them" (Gal 3:12, NIV).
This is the whole subject of the fourth chapter of Hebrews, together with 3:11
and 18. In that chapter there are two different Greek words used for "rest." The
first (katapausis) means reposing or resting. It is used in 3:11,18;
4:1,3,4,5,8,10,11). Verse eight states that Joshua never gave the people rest,
even though he led them into the promised land. It then states that God was
really speaking of "another day" when he spoke of entering rest. The second word
for "rest" is then used to refer to the other "day" that is identified with
resting. It is "sabbatismos," and is translated "Sabbath-rest" in the later
translations (NASB, NIV, NRSV). That is a Sabbath that has a greater glory than
the seventh-day Sabbath day, and it is associated with Jesus Christ who rose
from the dead on that day, appeared to His disciples, and inaugurated the church
on that day.
What possible reason can be cited that will adequately justify believers
choosing to gather together on the seventh day? Precisely what is it that is
tied to the seven-day Sabbath that speaks of justification, the new covenant,
newness of life, or Divine acceptance. Why would it be appropriate to remember
Jesus on the Sabbath day, when it is associated with the creation, not the Lord
Jesus and the re-creation? (Ex 20:11). This does not mean that it is sinful to
meet on the Sabbath day. It does, however, mean there is nothing particularly
commendable about it. Why should we ignore the day God chose to raise Jesus from
the dead? – the day Jesus chose to meet with His disciples? And the day when
Jesus poured forth the Spirit on the day of Pentecost? Why should we follow
Israel rather than the disciples at Troaz (Acts 20:7, and the church at Corinth
(1 Cor 16:2)?
In my judgment, those who choose to meet on the seventh day instead of the first
day of the week require a lot more to justify that preference than what they
have presented. It is not possible to tie the Sabbath day to Jesus, or
salvation, or the New Covenant. Much more could be said on this subject, but
this should suffice to confirm that sound reasoning does buttress the choice to
gather together and observe the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week.
Help
me. My appetite for glory and my desire for the presence of God is making the
world very dim. I am longing for the coming of our Lord Jesus to rescue me from
this infernal Ground Hog Day of never ending battle with right and wrong. Is it
possible for me to be in this glorified state while I am living in this
corruptible body? Can I be in the presence of God and God be in my presence as
I walk through this side of eternity? I want to and I have been seeking God
with all my heart, but I am still in the same position I was when I started. I
am just not getting anywhere. There seems to be so many distractions that
interrupts my falling into my heart. I want to find that narrow gate that leads
to the kingdom of God, but when I get there I don't know how to get in. It
seems to be locked and I don't have the key or maybe the key is out of reach. I
see the key but I can't reach it and it's the key that opens the gate to eternal
Light and Truth. I miss God and I want to be together with Him again."
No, you cannot be in a glorified state while you are in a corruptible body. That
is precisely why you have the heavenly treasure in an earthen vessel, in order
that God might be glorified by that very condition (2 Cor 4:17). As long as we
are in this world -- and only that long -- we are dwelling in an unredeemed body
that seems to inhibit everything we do. That is the warfare described in Romans
7:15-25. The body is called a "vile body," and that condition will be changed
with Jesus appears in His glory (Phil 3:20-21). The body has been purchased and
redeemed, but has not yet put on incorruption or glory (Rom 8:23; Eph 1:14).
In the meantime, the just live by faith and are saved by hope (Rom 1:17; Gal
3:11; Heb 10:38; Rom 8:24-25). Salvation is an economy that conforms us to the
image of God's Son (Rom 8:29) while we are in the enemy territory journeying as
strangers and pilgrims in a place where we do not feel at home (1 Pet 2:11; Heb
13:14). While we are here, there is a sense in which we experience feelings of
great deficiency -- like you are feeling. We have contradicting experiences, as
described in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. All of this is intended to show the
superiority of faith and the stabilizing effects of hope. This has a twofold
purpose. First, it teaches us to rely upon the Lord, and requires that we live
by faith. Second, in all of this the Lord is teaching angelic hosts of His great
wisdom -- the wisdom that has purposed and is carrying out His great salvation.
Paul referred to this in the third chapter of Ephesians. There he said his
purpose was to "make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which
for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was
that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to
the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal
purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph 3:9-11).
No person who has received Christ can possibly be at home in the presence of the
Lord if they have not first learned to live by faith, and be taught by Him while
in a hostile realm. This is why God does not just take us home to heaven as soon
as we are baptized into Christ.
You are in the presence of God by faith, just as everything you have received
from Him is by faith. If you are in Christ, you have already entered the narrow
gate -- that is precisely why you are experiencing the chaffing effects of there
being no room for the flesh. The objective is to grow up into Christ in all
things (Eph 4:15) -- and that must be done in this world, by faith, amidst
temptations, distractions, and things that irritate the soul. That is how Jesus
had to "increase in favor with God and man" (Lk 2:52), and it is how you must do
it also.
As a believer Jesus is both dying and living in you -- there is a part that is
waning, and one that is advancing. Here is how Paul stated the case. The text is
right after the verse that said he was struck down, but not destroyed., "We
always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus
may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given
over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal
body" (2 Cor 4:10-11). I like the KJV version that puts the matter in the active
tense, which is proper: "always bearing about in the body THE DYING of the Lord
Jesus."
Sister Bernie, somewhere along the line you have bought into a misconception of
the nature of spiritual life. It is described as "the GOOD fight of faith" (1
Tim 6:12), running a race while looking to Jesus (Heb 12:1-2), and waging war (2
Cor 10:4-5). It requires putting on the whole armor of God so you can "stand"
(Eph 6:10-18). In a sense, it is like running uphill, or in a storm -- but faith
is equal to the challenge. In this life knowing the Lord is the whole point --
being acquainted with Him and familiar with His ways. That includes being able
to recognize Him, and see Him working with us in the circumstances of life. In
fact, eternal life IS knowing God (John 17:2; 1 John 5:20).
You are in precisely the same position described by Paul: "Not as though I had
already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may
apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:12-14). Paul then admonished those who are mature to have
that kind of mindset.
Now, do as Peter admonishes and "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober,
and HOPE to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:13). Another admonition of the same sort is
found in Hebrews 3:6: "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are
we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the
end" (Heb 3:6).
When it comes to living in this world, you must master the art of living unto
the Lord. That is why Jesus died and rose again. As it is written, "And he died
for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him
who died for them and was raised again" (2 Cor 5:15). That involves such mundane
things as eating and drinking, or whatever you do: "Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31). Even in
marital life, it is to be "as unto the Lord." In the meantime, as you hope for
the appearing of the Lord and your complete transformation into His image,
purify yourself as First John 3:1-2 says those who have the hope do: "Behold,
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall
be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall
see him as he is" (1 John 3:1-2).
This exhortation everyone who is experiencing the oppositions that accompany
life in this world: "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the
will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Heb 10:36).
If I can be of any more assistance, let me know.
"What
is the Lord's revealed purpose and how does one embrace it while still in the
body? What is exactly is the Lord's agenda? I know that my purpose is to
serve the One and Only true God. Although Jesus Christ has ascended to heaven,
He left us with His Holy Spirit to help us cope until He comes again. The Holy
Spirit drives me in accomplishing my purpose in serving the Master even when He
is absent and in being faithful to serve His interest. As a mother of 6, a wife
of 1, a real estate broker and sole proprietor of a small real estate and
mortgage loan business, homemaker, working as a professional out of my own home,
surviving in this world only by the grace of God...I serve Him by sharing what I
know of Him with others. The more I know of Him the better I will serve Him and
that's why I ask these questions."
First, I read the book you sent, and it is really nothing
more than psychological babble. It generated confusion because it is stated in
philosophical terms. Take, for example the following quotation. "Parables
transcend the physical limitations of the body and enter the infinite realm of
your heart." Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. This represents
Jesus as stating truth in a mystery so that it can enter the heart, and then be
opened up independently of what was said. However, Jesus said that parables
OBSCURE the truth, and were spoken because the people hearing them had NOT been
given the privilege of knowing the truth. Here is what He replied in answer to
His disciple’s question about WHY He spoke in parables to the multitudes (He did
not speak in parables to His disciples, which provoked their question). “He
replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given
to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an
abundance. Whoever does not have, EVEN WHAT HE HAS WILL BE TAKEN FROM HIM. This
is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though
hearing, they do not hear or understand” (Mat 13:11-13). The author quotes this
text in her introductory material, then proceeds to write in total contradiction
of it, declaring that parables transcended the physical limitations of the body.
Of course, the body has no intellectual capacities at all, for it is independent
of the spirit and the soul. Thus she has Jesus speaking past the body and
dropping the truth into the heart. But Jesus said the parables were TAKING AWAY,
not giving. They were rendering the truth inaccessible, NOT depositing it in the
secret part of man to be later disclosed. Before Jesus went back to heaven, He
told His disciples of the new era that would commence with His ministry from
there. “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will
no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father”
(John 16:25). The King James Version reads “proverbs” instead of “figuratively.”
The New Revised reads “figures.” The Amplified Bible reads “parables (veiled
language, allegories, dark sayings).” This saying, of course, uproots the entire
postulate of Jill Warner’s book, for Jesus does not even speak to His people in
a way that sidesteps their minds. In fact, one of the pillars of the New
Covenant is that in Christ the laws of God are written on both the heart and the
mind (Heb 8:10; 10:16).
In summation, I recommend throwing the book away, or using its pages to line cake tins. She introduces confusing language about the heart, referring you planting things there, transferring them from your mind, etc. Her speech genders confusion, as your own experience attests. Jesus stated the facts in the case succinctly. “For where your treasure is, there your heart WILL BE also” (Matt 6:21). That is, whatever you value will dictate the involvement of your heart. If you want to be like Jesus, then YOUR desire must not be your focus. Rather, it is Jesus Himself that is to be your focus – and the ONLY things we know about Him are contained in the Gospel, which is the “record God has given of His Son” (1 John 5:10-11).
That will be all I say on the subject of the book. It irritated me to read it because there was more of Jill in it than Christ. It also irritated me because it had not yielded good fruit in you, my beloved sister in Christ. Now, to the matter about God’s agenda or purpose.
First, this is an “eternal purpose,” as stated in Ephesians 3:11. That purpose was not dictated by the human condition, nor does it center in humanity itself. It is something God “purposed in Himself,” or, as some versions state it “in Christ” (Eph 1:9). That is, Christ determined the nature and extent of the purpose, not man. It ultimately concerned what JESUS would have, and the glory that would be brought to God because of it. Mankind would be involved, to be sure, but the purpose does not revolve around humanity. A purpose centering in men and women cannot be termed “eternal.”
While, for a short time this purpose does involve the world, it extends beyond it. In fact what God is doing in Jesus Christ really has to do about the condition of men AFTER the present heavens and earth pass away (2 Pet 3:10-12), AFTER we die (Heb 9:27), AFTER the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:52-55), and AFTER the judgment (Matthew 25:24,41,46). If, when we confront the glorified Christ – and “every eye shall see Him” (Rev 1:7) – we are not ready, or are unprepared, our lives have been lived in total vanity, and have been pointless. Paul said the thing that drove him involved being “found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith” (Phil 3:9). The finding of which he speaks is when he stands at last before the Lord, to “give an account of himself to God” – as we all will do (Rom 14:12).
These things being true, this world is not the main world, we are not the main persons, and our experience in this world is not the primary experience. It means that those in Christ are, in truth, “aliens and strangers in the world” (1 Pet 2:11). It means the saved ones have a desire to be out of this body, and into the body that has been prepared for them in heaven (2 Cor 5:1-5). Accenting life in this world, then, cannot be right. This is because in this world we will “have tribulation” (John 16:33). Here we will have contradicting experiences (2 Cor 4:8-9). Here we must subordinate our body (1 Cor 9:27), subdue sinful inclinations (Col 3:5-6), and fight to keep our faith (1 Tim 6:12). These things can only be done by focusing on the Lord, not ourselves. Furthermore we do them in anticipation of the time when all of these experiences will cease.
This is where the Divine agenda,
or God’s “eternal purpose” comes in. When comprehended to some measurable
degree, what God is doing will gender hope in the soul, thereby enabling us to
be anchored in a shifting world. God IS doing something, and it is dictated by
His purpose, not our condition. Here are some of the statements concerning God’s
purpose, agenda, or what He is doing.
1. CONFORMING US TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29)
2. CHANGING US FROM ONE STAGE OF GLORY TO ANOTHER. “But we all, with open face
beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image
from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor 3:18)
3. SHOWING HEAVENLY POWERS HIS MULTIFACETED WISDOM THROUGH THE CHURCH. “And to
make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning
of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To
the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might
be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal
purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Eph 3:9-11)
4. BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY. “For it became him, for whom are all things, and
by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of
their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Heb 2:10)
5. DEMONSTRATING THE EXCELLENCY OF HIS POWER. “But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
(2 Cor 4:7)
6. DELIVERING US FROM THIS WORLD. “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might
deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our
Father.” (Gal 1:4).
7. TO FINALLY GATHER EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN CHRIST. “Having made known unto us
the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed
in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on
earth; even in him.” (Eph 1:9-10).
8. BRINGING US TO GOD. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just
for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,
but quickened by the Spirit.” (1 Pet 3:18)
9. DESTROYING THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL. “He that committeth sin is of the devil;
for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
10. PREPARING A PEOPLE FOR A PREPARED PLACE. “But now they desire a better
country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their
God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Heb 11:16)
This should suffice to confirm what the Lord is doing. Any
work or ministry that tends to obscure these realities, or not in some way
contribute to their realization, cannot possibly be from God.
So far as our involvement in this is concerned, we have been called into the fellowship of God’s Son. As it is written, “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Cor 1:9). It is within the context of that fellowship that any and every blessing is realized. The fellowship is effected by actually living for Christ. As it is written, “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Cor 5:15). And, how is a person to do this? From one point of view, it is quite simple. Yet, from another perspective it will require everything we have to get it done. It means that Jesus Himself becomes THE REASON for what we are doing. Putting it in practical terms, if you are a mother, you are to be the kind of mother who could raise Jesus, like Mary did. If you are a wife, you are to be one Jesus would be pleased to have. If you are a real estate broker, you are to be the kind that Jesus would use. If you are the sole proprietor of a small business, you are to let Jesus be the CEO and run the business as though you were providing Him with the goods you market. If you are a homemaker, you are to maintain the kind of home Jesus would be pleased to live in. If you are surviving the world, you are to do it like Jesus did – among people, working, confronting challenges, etc. If you are serving His interest, you are to do it like He served His Father’s interest.
All of this is to be done without being unduly distracted by yourself. Jesus must be brought into what you are doing – that is the secret of both survival and confidence.
Now, I have taken considerable
time to state these things because I feel as though I have a vested interest in
your welfare. I also know that you have inadvertently subjected yourself to some
very flawed thinking. I do not need to know what it was, but I know of its
corruption by what it has done in you. Confusion, near despair, and overmuch
sorrow are not the legacy of the saints of God. There is a peace that will keep
both the heart and the mind (Phil 4:7). There is a hope that effectively anchors
and stabilizes the soul (Heb 6:19). There is a faith that overcomes the world (1
John 5:4-5). However, they are only possessed while we live only unto the Lord,
in fellowship with Him, and by faith. There are no procedures, outlines, or
secret tips that will enable you to accomplish them.
May the Lord bless you!
A
very disturbing statement was made by the guest on a local Christian radio
program that emphasizes the family, and agreed upon by the host. He said it
would not have changed a thing if Jesus would have been married and had children
meaning it would not have diminshed what he came to do in saving mankind, but
might have even enhanced his humanity being that he would have been a husband
and a father. My reason for red flags is based on the fact that.
The statement to which you have referred confirms
the erroding effects of an undue elevation of any earthly relationship -- even
the most precise of all, which the husband and wife becoming "one flesh."
In addition to the statements you made, which are all very true, the Messiah would not have been "cur off" out of the land of the living, as Isaiah prophesied (Isa 53:8). He then could not have been likened to the barren woman," who had more offspring than the married (Isa 54:1-3).
He also would have had fleshly children who could have traced their lineage back to Abraham, and even Adam -- which means He could not have been the promised "Seed," for that "Seed" presumed the cessation of another birth from that lineage.
The reasoning of the man also presumes the superiority of earthly marriage, for he said such a relationship would have possibly enhanced Christ's spiriitual ministry, and it is always the superior the assists the inferior -- never the oposite. Were that scenario true, then Jesus did not require the Father for every aspect of His ministry, and a marriage could have made Him a better Intercessor and Helper -- which postulate is absoutely preposterous. The Scriptures declare that His perfection in the crucible of temptation was what qualified Him to be a High Priest that can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Heb 4:15-16).
If what this man said was even possible, then, with the matter of redemption in the balance, it would not have been good for Jesus to be alone (like Adam) -- which would mean His communion with the Father was not sufficient. Of course, even though this man presented Jesus as though He was in some sense "alone," Jesus emphatically said, "I am NOT alone" (John 8:16; 16:32). Adam was "one" with Eve -- Jesus was "one" with the Father. He said, "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30), which contrasts with the oneness that Adam had with Eve. It is that holy Oneness that sanctifies our oneness with Jesus.
Additionally, if Jesus did have children, they would have been required to be perfect, else His offspring could not possibly have brought Him glory. If they were perfect, then His death would not have been necessary, for their fleshly association with Him would have sanctified them. If they did sin, they also would have required a Savior, which would have confirmed there was no advantage to being related to Him in the flesh. Of course, the one fleshly relation that He had was that of Mary, and the fact that she too required a Savior (Luke 1:47), devastates the man's thinking about any advantage in any sense coming from a mere fleshly identity with Jesus.
Jesus having a wife and family would be like Adam having a church
and spiritual children -- it is not even possible. The statement this man made
was not simply a mistake. It was a betrayal that he has no legitimate idea about
what salvation involves. Salvation involves extrication from the world (Gal
1:4), not settling down in it. Precisely in what sense did Jesus save the world,
if marrying and having children would not have changed anything He did? And
exactly what could have been done to enhance His humanity -- in any sense? Does
that mean He was not spotless? -- for how is it possible for a spotless
sacrifice to be enhanced or improved? In other words, this man actually thinks
that he has something up on Jesus because he has a flesh and blood wife and
children. Well, perhaps the hard strike of a hammer between his eyes might
loosen up his thinking apparatus, for it certainly was not functioning when he
made those statements. You are not off, but this man is right in the center of
Carnalville. I must admit his statement ranks up there with the most ignorant
statements I have ever heard.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. They were good. If every
false prophet was as obtuse as this man. fewer would be deceived.
Hi
Given, Chuckled at your comment to Buff Jr. I enjoy his comments. I tried the
home church thing and we are not sorry we did. My oldest son Phillip married
one of the daughters of the Green family in Vermont. Now they have 5
daughters. I do not know if they all "prophesy" in the fullest sense of the
word though. We are serving as an elder with the North Christian Church in
Cheyenne, WY now. Have watched and aided it to grow to over 300 in the time we
have been here. Interestingly we use what are called "Care groups" to help
develop the members of the body. Some of these groups are more interested in
certain areas such as music that others. It has not caused any divisions and
the whole body continues to grow. We support several mission groups and praise
God for the expanded scope He has given us. I am always happy to discover
thinking, believing, working christians every where. Even on the Internet.
I was glad to hear from you, and to learn of your continued involvement in
the good will of God. Things are progressing well here. We have 50-60 people
that meet 4-5 times a week in our home. Our meetings are lengthy, and there are
opportunities for everyone to speak what they know of the Lord. We also hold
three week-end meetings a year, with 7-15 preachers developing a key theme of
Scripture.
I am very familiar with the "care group" approach, which was created only a few
years ago. Although I do not sit in judgment upon those who engage in such
efforts, I am personally persuaded it is not an innovation that was birthed
from heaven. Too often, it tends to promote division, and creates a sort of
sub-set church. The intention of the body of Christ is to meet together and
profit from one another. The thought that supposes this can be accomplished by
dividing into groups with similar interests is foreign to the thrust of
Scripture. The very idea of differing interests and emphases within the body of
Christ is never reflected in Scripture, and seems to me to conflict with what
God is doing. The body has One Head, One Spirit, and is itself one body. It has
one Gospel, one faith, and one hope. Given the facts in the case, I do not know
how it is possible to validate special interest groups. The salvation of God
addresses a common condition, provides a common salvation that is obtained by a
common faith, and holds out a single hope to everyone in Christ Jesus. I do not
believe there is anything in Jesus or the Gospel of Christ that will promote
differing groups within Christ's body that have differing interests. If there is
such an allowance, someone with understanding should step forward and provide
satisfactory justification for such a postulate. In my view, the average "care
groups" are approaching the things of God with a worldly mind-set -- not one
that is seeking to justify sin, but one that leads people to think like the
world. Oh well, these are things to think about. When any person or group of
persons takes it upon themselves to care for the people of God, they are
immediately in an arena where there is absolutely no room for mistakes. It is
also an arena concerning which God has delivered considerable instruction. The
church is "the flock of God," which is to be fed and edified, and that without
exception.
The Lord has opened extensive ministries to us in Burkina Faso Africa, Kenya,
Ghana, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, and several other countries. We have
made two trips to Pakistan and one to India in which extensive crusades and the
teaching of several thousand preachers and leaders were accomplished. We also
have an extensive audio and video media ministry, and a daily radio program out
of Neosho. If you have not visited my website, it will provide further
information on what we are doing.
wotruth.com
Just
wondering. Since you quote the old King James Version dialect, have you given
any thought to writing your columns—your
comments and explanations—in
that dialect?
I suppose you are serious, and meant for this to be an intelligent question. You
might pose the same question to the Lord Himself. When He inspired the
Scripture, He employed Hebrew and Greek -- and both are static languages. They
have never changed in any way -- not so much as a syllable. Foreign nations that
have the Scriptures translated into their language generally insist that it be
in the classical form of their language, for that is unchanging. They do not
want the Word of God to be adjusted to reflect the culture, which is constantly
changing. It is the role of preachers and teachers to expound the Word of God,
not translators.
I have preached in many foreign countries, and recently returned from India.
That is an English speaking country, but they speak classical English -- what
they call British English. They say that is English in its purest form. It is
very difficult for them to understand Americans because, from their point of
view, they speak very corrupted English,. Whether you agree with the assessment
of these people, and others, or not is really inconsequential to me. However,
when you embark on a campaign against the use of the King James Bible, you have
entered a much larger arena than you suppose. Of the 2.5 Billion professing
Christians in the world, a considerable number are English speaking. Some
estimate it to be as high as 1 Billion. The vast majority of these people use
the King James Bible -- not because they have any inordinate admiration for it,
but precisely because of it uses a static language.
The English used in the King James Version is also used in the following:
Wycliffe New Testament (1382), Tyndale's Bible (1526), Bishop's New Testament
(1595), The Webster Bible (1833), Young's Literal Translation (1862), English
Revised Version (1885), Douay Rheims (1899), American Standard Bible (1901). I
have not heard you speak disparagingly of those versions. However, to be
consistent, you should do so.
The English language was fairly static for about 500 years, with the only
difference being in spelling. So far as I know, there has been no known scholar
who has ever successfully established the advantages of a changing language. In
fact, it is generally acknowledged by linguists that a changing language tends
to deteriorate. It is this perception that has led some to prefer that the
Scriptures themselves remain in some kind of fixed form, with explanations being
provided by insightful teachers, not translators. This does not require that our
communication with our peers be in that form of speaking also, as every
Shakespearian and reader of classical literature also knows.
I have never advocated the King James Version alone. This is my personal
preference for a number of reasons. I see no cause for that preference to elicit
sarcasm from one of my brethren -- particularly since the issues involved are
much larger than personal preferences. I ask that you not suggest my preferences
are driven by some kind of religious predilection.
Reply to the above:
"Thanks for responding. The truth is, my brother, is that
Jesus and His apostles did not speak the King James dialect. It didn't even
exist then. The oldest Greek and Hebrew manuscripts were not composed in the
King's dialect—thou, hearest, believiest, and so on. If Jesus were here today,
it is highly unlikely He would, when quoting from scriptures, use the King's
dialect. He would, in all probability, speak the dialect of the day.
Furthermore, I see the KJV as containing more errors than all the other
versions I have in my files—errors such as "Easter," "church," "bishop,"
"baptize," and many, many others. My initial point was that if you're going to
speak as the KJV speaks in your quotations, why not adopt the King's dialect in
your explanations of those scriptures? I cannot see the necessity, or
consistency, or speaking two dialects in the same feature. Anyway, no big
deal. God bless."
The above response was of such a nature that it did not
justify a reply.
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