Matthew 28:18-20

     "And Jesus came to them and spoke to them saying, All authority in heaven

and  on the earth  has  been given to me. Therefore go and  make  disciples of

all  the nations, immersing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and

of  the  Holy  Spirit, teaching  them to obey everything I have commanded you.

and behold I am with you all the days, till the end of the world." (Mat. 28:18-20)

     These verses record a conservation that Jesus had with his eleven apostles

after  his  crucifixion  and  resurrection. (v. 16)  Now, as  the  risen  Lord  he

commissions them to take the good news to all creation.

     Jesus has "all authority." He has the right to give orders, to enforce

obedience, and to give people the right to act in his name. Neither the pope

of  Rome nor any other human being can claim to have "all authority." The

authority Jesus possesses was delegated to him by God the Father. Paul

said, "He put all things under his feet." (Eph.1:22) "Under his feet" is an

idiom. It is equivalent to saying he is over all things. If all things are "under

his feet," they are subordinate to him. His authority is indicative of the fact

that scripture says he is "at the right hand of God." This phrase is another

idiom and indicates a place of rulership and privilege. An array of scriptures

speaks of Jesus being at the right hand of God. (Acts 2:33, 34; Acts 7:55-56;

Eph. 1:20; Heb. 1:3; 1 Pet. 3:22) God the Father is not subject to the rule

of Christ, for it is he who put all things under him. (1 Cor. 15:27) Jesus must

reign  till  he  has put all his enemies under his feet. "The last enemy to be

destroyed is death." (1 Cor. 15:26)

     Jesus has been given authority   "in  heaven  and  on the earth." By

this we learn the authority he exercises is universal. It is unlimited as to extent

and place. Paul said, he is "far above all rule and authority and power and

dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also

in that which is to come." (Eph. 1:21) Peter wrote that he "has gone into

heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers

having been subjected to him." (1 Pet. 3:22) "In heaven and on the earth"

is a way of saying he is over angels as well as human beings! The writer of

Hebrews says, "Let all God's angels worship him." (Heb. 1:6) Again, "He

has become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more

excellent than theirs." (Heb. 1:4)

     Jesus' universal authority is the basis on which he ordered the apostles to,

"Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations." A person cannot

be a follower of Christ and live in a self-made bottle. There is a world that

needs saving. The apostles were not to wait for the world to beat a path to

their door. They were to go and make learners of all the nations. They were

to do so without any kind of partiality or favoritism.  It is not the color a

person's skin but the condition of the heart that determines whether he is a

worthy recipient of the gospel. The apostles were to preach the word and

God would give the increase. (1 Cor. 3:7)

     People would become disciples by "immersing them into the name of 

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The phrase "immersing

them into the name" is rich in meaning. The verb "immersing" identifies the act

that serves as the point of transition. The preposition "into" shows that it is

not "in the name" or by the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," but

it is "into" their name. This phrase "into the name" is found in the papyri

sources and it means "into the account of" or "into the possession of." Those

who are immersed into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit become

the possession of the deity. They enter union with the supreme three and as

the result  they become God's people. The people of Samaria were "immersed

into the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16) The men of Ephesus "were

immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 19:5) The believers in

Corinth had also been immersed into the name of Christ. (1 Cor. 1:13-16)

One is  "immersed into Christ Jesus" and "into his death." (Rom. 6:3-4;

Gal. 3:27) A person is also immersed "into one body" (1 Cor. 12:13)

Indeed, the New Testament teaches immersion is essential to fellowship

with God, to becoming a child of God, to entering the one body of Christ,

and to salvation from sin.

     The Lord told the apostles they were to be "teaching them to obey 

everything I have commanded you." The new converts were to be

nourished by the ongoing teaching and example of the apostles of Christ.

The apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit (Jno. 16:13) and they were

to guide the early disciples in God's truth. The early believers understood

this and they "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. (Acts 2:42)

The Lord taught the apostles about prayer, the Lord's Supper, the nature

of God, true worship, loving one another, and many other things. Let us

remember : every generation must be taught all the truth all over again!

     The apostles could receive no greater encouragement than to hear their

Lord say, "Behold I am with you all the days, till the end of the world."

It is reassuring to know that no matter how dark the night gets, how long the

day grows, or how numerous the trials of life are, the Lord is with his people

as they travel the road we call life. (2 Tim. 4:16-18) God is so good.

                                                                                                 RD

Copyright 2011

1 Timothy 2:11-12

     God, through the Holy Spirit by the pen of Paul wrote to Timothy, a young
evangelist and said, "Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. I do
not allow a woman to teach nor to have authority over a man; she is to be in
quietness." (1 Tim. 2:11-12) Various interpretations of these verses have been
the occasion of much controversy.

     It is an undeniable fact that the verses listed above limit a woman's role in
religion. It is God himself who has imposed restrictions on what a woman may
or may not do in her spiritual service. Let no human being loose what God has
bound through the apostles. One of the problems is, some people bind what
God has loosed and they loose what God has bound. To do either is a mistake
because it results in the impeachment of divine wisdom. (Mat.16:19; Jas. 4:12;
1 Pet. 4:11)

     Paul says, "Let a woman learn in quietness." Some take the word "quietness"
to mean that she can say nothing in a Bible class. They say that to do so is a
violation of the text. First, the word translated "silence" or "quietness" in some
versions (cf. NIV, TNIV,ASV; NASB-95 says "quietly") is hesuchia. It is used
to indicate a state of  keeping one's peace, giving calm attention; being silent.
So, the question becomes, does the text teach that a woman must say nothing 
at all; that she may not comment or ask questions even in a Bible class
arrangement?

     First, hesuchia does not necessitate total silence. In this very context, just
nine verses earlier Paul uses the cognate form hesuchion. He urges that
"supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people,
for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life." (1 Tim. 2:1-2) Is he saying that we should pray for those in
authority that we may be silent and say nothing? Based on the context, it is
apparent that absolute silence is not what the apostle intends, rather he enjoins
a quiet demeanor. 

     Second, it seems that Paul expands on the concept of "quietness" or "silence"
in the next verse. "I do not allow a woman to teach nor to have authority over a
man; she is to be in quietness." Paul's statement that "I do not allow a woman to
teach" must not be taken as a categorical denial of a woman's right to teach
anyone at any time. He did allow women to teach. One of the qualifications of a
"real widow" that Paul enjoins in this very letter is "she must be well attested for
her good deeds, as one who has brought up children." (1 Tim. 5:10) The
phrase "brought up children" implies any provisions she made for them including
teaching them about their duties to God. (Also see 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15; Titus 2:3-4)
Women even taught men in apostolic days. (Acts 18:26) It's a matter of how it is
done and the demeanor that characterizes the woman who teaches. When a
woman asks a question in a Bible class, or when she answers a question posed
by the teacher, she is not violating the statement "learn in quietness."

     Third, Paul does not forbid a woman to teach a man, but he does not allow
her to teach in a way that constitutes having authority of or over  a man. If she
maintains a quiet, humble, and unassuming demeanor she may ask questions
and make comments in a class setting without violating the scriptures. A woman
may not engage in any religious teaching that involves "having authority
over a man." She may not be a public preacher of the word, neither does she
have the biblical authority to serve as an overseer or elder within a local
congregation. To do so would be to "have authority" that God does not allow
her to have. (Titus 2:15; Acts 20:28)

    Someone may ask, "What about 1 Cor. 14:34-35, where Paul writes, "the
women should keep silence in the assemblies. For they are not permitted to
speak, but should be subordinate, even as the law says. If there is anything
they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful
for a woman to speak in assembly." This text speaks to what is done in a
gathering of the whole congregation. (v. 23) A Bible class arrangement is not
in view. Spiritual gifts were being exercised for the building up of the
congregation (verses 3-5, 12, 26, 31), and this necessitated all things to be
done decently and in order. (v.40) Therefore, Paul forbids interruptions as
they would tend to result in confusion. (v. 33) In the type of assembly that 
Paul discusses the women were to remain silent. Paul's statement, "Let
them ask their husbands at home" seems to imply that the women he
addresses had husbands, and that the husbands could supply the answers
to the questions their wives would ask.
                                                                                                      RD

Copyright 2011
 

Acts 20:28

     Luke wrote the following words that were spoken by Paul while he was in Miletus,
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has
made you overseers, to care for the congregation of God, which he obtained with his
own blood." We learn from the context that these words were spoken to the elders
of the congregation in Ephesus. (Acts 20:17) This text contains several key phrases
that instruct us in vital areas relative to our earthly walk with God.

     (1) "Pay careful attention to yourselves." God wants elders to be sure that
they are walking in the light. They cannot effectively lead until they effectively heed
the will of the Master. They are leaders of the sheep of God's pasture, and God
requires them to be honest, sincere, godly, studious, strong in faith, true to the
teaching, etc. They are not infallible; their judgment is not perfect; neither is their
knowledge boundless. They are human beings and are subject to any of the failings
that characterize other people. Paul told Timothy, "As for those who persist in sin,
rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear." (1 Tim. 5:20;
RSV) This teaches us that elders are not above God's law. It also teaches us that
one does not have to be an elder in order to rebuke an elder when necessary.

     (2) "And to all the flock." Their work is serious because they are leaders of
"the flock." The word "flock" is a beautiful metaphor. The people they are leading
are the sheep of God's pasture. The people of God in the Old Testament, the nation
of fleshly Israel, were described as sheep. (2 Sam. 24:17; Psa. 100:3; Ezek. 34:2)
The New Testament uses the same metaphor to imply the qualities that should
characterize God's people; innocence, humility, and the willingness to follow their
Shepherd. (Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25) Furthermore, one group of elders is to lead
one flock, or local congregation. God has not assigned "flocks" to one group of
elders. The work of elders begins and ends in the local assembly. God's will is
a plurality of elders in one flock. (Acts 14:23; 15:2, 22) Elders are to work with
"all the flock." They are not to show partiality to the rich and neglect the poor.
They are not to favor the poor and despise the rich. God says they are to work
with the entire congregation.

     (3) "In which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." The phrase "in
which" implies that they are a part of the flock they oversee. They are not a group
of straw bosses who rule with rods of iron from a location far away. Peter warns
elders not to domineer over the flock, but be examples to the flock. (1 Pet. 5:3)
Paul also informs the elders that the Holy Spirit made them overseers. A person
cannot believe the Bible without believing this statement. The question is how did
the Holy Spirit make them overseers? The answer is: he made them overseers in
the same way that he makes Christians; by instructing them through the word 
of truth as to the qualifications they are to possess before they are appointed to
the work. (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) The word "overseers" indicates that they
were to see that the things done by the flock (congregation) are done in a way 
that pleases the Great Shepherd.

     (4) "To care for the congregation of God." The care elders provide for
the congregation consists of doctrinal and moral nourishment. It is not always
easy to perfectly balance the two. Some elders are morally upright men whose
actions encourage others to be upright in life, but they lack the willingness and
courage to take a strong doctrinal stand against vicious wolves who threaten to
destroy the flock. There are also elders who are doctrinally strong but lack the
moral qualities of leadership. The congregation they care for is not theirs. They
did not purchase the flock. No descriptive phrase indicates that the flock is
named after them. It is God's congregation. Peter says the same thing: "Tend
the flock of God." (1 Peter 5:2)

     (5) "Which he obtained with his own blood." God obtained it with his
own blood. It isn't God the Father, for he did not come to the earth in a body.
He is spirit. (Jno. 4:24) The same is true of the Holy Spirit. So, the term "God"
must be a reference to Jesus the Son of God who is the "Word that became flesh."
(Jno. 1:1,14) His precious blood acquired the congregation of God. (1 Pet. 1:18-19)
Both the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ are affirmed by the words "the congregation
of God which he obtained with his own blood." Being God he could "rebuke the winds
and the sea," (Mat. 8:23-27) and as man he could say, "I am thirsty." (Jno. 19:28)

                                                                                                           RD

Copyright 2011

Does God Regulate Worship?

     Yes. If not, why would it not be acceptable to worship any way that one chooses?
If God does not regulate worship, it would be acceptable for one to worship according
to human precepts and doctrines. If not, why not?  But Paul says such is unacceptable.
(Col. 2:16-23)

     God has always required people to worship according to the regulations he has
prescribed. This was true during patriarchy, Judaism, and the current age of the gospel.
Cain and Abel lived prior to the law of Moses. They worshiped God, yet Cain's offering
was rejected and Abel's was accepted. The fact that one was accepted and the other
was rejected contains the very principle we are enunciating. Many theologians have said
that Cain's offering was rejected because he had the wrong attitude, or he offered less
than the best. The fact is, the writer of  Hebrews said Abel's offering was "by faith."
(Heb. 11:4)  This is proof  that Yahweh had given instructions that were followed
by Abel and rejected by Cain! No one acts by faith unless he acts in harmony with
God's will. Faith is manifested by total confidence in God and full acceptance of his terms.
Anything less is not biblical faith.

     Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron lived under Judaism. They offered "unauthorized
fire" before Yahweh, contrary to his command. (Lev. 10:1-2) Their punishment was swift
and decisive. They failed to yield their will to God's will. They supplanted God's plan and
added human elements. As the result they met God's disfavor and perished. They had no
right to worship God their way. The "Burger King" mindset may be fine in the world
of hamburgers, but it will not suffice in the realm of worshiping God. One demonstrates
love for his Creator when he does what God says. (Jno. 14:15,21,23) Anything else is
presumptuous.Those who worship according to "human precepts" and traditions render
their worship vain. (Matthew 15:9)

     We who live in this age must likewise worship God the way he has prescribed. There
can be no deviation if the worship is to be acceptable. Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those
who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jno. 4:24) The word "must" is the
translation of the Greek word dei, and in this text it means necessary or obligatory.
The apostles of Christ followed this very principle in guiding and teaching the early
disciples. The Holy Spirit guided them "into all the truth." (Jno. 16:13) Anything not
included in the apostles' teaching is forbidden and unacceptable! (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 4:6;
Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11)

     People who add instrumental music to worship (Eph. 5:19; Heb. 2:12); change the day
for the observance of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-29); have choirs that
sing for the assembly (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16); have women preachers (1 Cor. 14:34-35;
1 Tim. 2:11-12) and a host of other human additions need to reconsider, turn their
hearts to God, and worship according to his regulations. Not only is this the way that is
infallibly safe; it's the only way that is right and will insure the abundant blessings of the
gracious, holy, and eternal God of spiritual Israel.
                                                                                                                    RD

Copyright 2011
                                                                                      

    

Vine's Expository Dictionary of N. T. Words

     Vine's Expository Dictionary of  New Testament Words, W.E. Vine, 1939,
is one of the most popular word books for N.T. study. The premier reason for the
popularity of Vine is likely due to its ease of use. Let us be aware that ease of use
does not insure that the definitions assigned to words will be accurate. Scholars are
not always right. The difficulty often lies in determining when they are misdirected.
(Cf. blog posts on this subject: http://www.biblicallanguagesresearch.blogspot.com)
Vine's can be a useful tool if the user is aware of its deficiencies, and is willing to
supplement it with more recent tools of N.T. research.


     I  remember  hearing  bible class  teachers  and preachers quote profusely from
Vine's when I was immersed into Christ Jesus. For example, it was stated, "According
to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, the word church is from
the Greek work ekklesia. This word consists of two words, ek meaning 'out of' and
klesis from the root word kaleo meaning ' to call.' Therefore, the word church means
the called out." That all sounds good to the ear, it may appear plausible on the surface,
but the fact is: it's just not correct. Ekklesia does not mean "called out" in the N.T. It
means a congregation, assembly, or group. Perhaps the most glaring weakness of Vine's
is its dependence on the "root fallacy" or etymology to establish word meaning.


     I have  also  heard  many  bible  class  teachers  and  preachers define the word
"disorderly" in Paul's letters to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6,7,11)
by stating, "Disorderly is from the Greek word ataktos, and according to Vine's it is
'a military term, and refers to being out of rank, or insubordinate.' So, Christians who
are disorderly are those who are out of step."  This is not correct. In his letters to the
Thessalonians, Paul is using the words ataktos, atakteo, ataktos to describe people
who are idlers or living in idleness. I reiterate, "root meaning" or etymology does not
determine word meaning in N.T. research. Word meaning is generally determined by
word usage. The meaning of a word cannot be reliably determined by etymology,
especially in N.T. study. The one area where etymology is more useful is in the study
of Hebrew words because there are far more words that appear only once in the
Hebrew Bible than in the Greek New Testament.


     What is the person to do who knows no (or very little) Hebrew and Greek? There
are at least two options: (1) Learn to use the fundamental modern reference works of
biblical research. The person who is willing to master the basic tools of biblical research
will see that it is well worth the effort. (2) Become a student of contextual interpretation.
Too often, "biblical exegetes" interpret texts apart from their contexts, or they cite
numerous "authorities" without any knowledge of how they arrived at their conclusions.
If a person does not know how to use even the basic tools of research or how to
interpret contextually, how do they know the "authorities" are correct? We should not
accept a conclusion on the basis of which authority says it, but on the basis of the
sound reasons they advance.

     There is a dictionary of New Testament words that is far more useful, up to date,
and accurate than Vine's. It is Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old
& New Testament Words, 2006, Published by Zondervan. William D. Mounce, PhD,
University of Aberdeen, is the general editor, and author of the most popular Greek
text books available today, Basics of Biblical Greek and  A Graded Reader of Biblical 
Greek. Bill Mounce's Expository Dictionary should supersede that of W.E. Vine.

                                                                                                            RD

Copyright 2011

The Work of an Evangelist

     "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the
dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim
the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince,
rebuke and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming
when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will
accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away
from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober,
endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully."
(2 Tim. 4:1-5; NRSV)

     Many people believe that evangelists do not have a "real" job because they do
not punch a clock, they do not get their hands dirty on an eight hour shift, and they
do not have a boss breathing down their necks on an assembly line. God's word
clearly teaches that preachers of truth do work. It is called "the work of an evangelist."
The term "work" is an interpretation of the Greek word ergon. It means task,
assignment, duty, occupation; that which one does as regular activity.

     In the context of 2 Tim. 4:1-5, it describes the spiritual labor performed by a
man who proclaims the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus the Lord. Preaching
the gospel should not be thought of as a "profession" like secular work that may be
motivated solely by financial concerns. There is no political maneuvering behind
the scenes, by which an evangelist "inches up the ladder of success" in order to
achieve popularity, self-aggrandizement, or to amass material wealth at the expense
of others. Preaching is a task that must be faithfully performed at all times regardless
of the earthly consequences. Preaching the gospel is nothing to be ashamed of. It
is the greatest work on earth. (Rom. 1:15-16) What is the work of an evangelist?
What tasks does the New Testament assign to the preacher of good news?

     (1) To appoint elders in congregations where there are qualified men. The
Holy Spirit of God guided Paul to write to Titus with this directive, "I left you
behind in Crete for this reason, so that you should put in order what remained to
be done, and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you." (Titus 1:5)
He proceeded to give Titus the qualities to look for in the men to be appointed
(Titus 1:6-9), and he did the same to Timothy. (1 Tim. 3:1-7) The evangelist must
be careful not to ordain anyone hastily. Some have done so and as a result have
jeopardized both themselves and the congregation. (1 Tim. 5:22)

     (2) To publicly rebuke elders who persist in sin. "Never accept an accusation
against an elder except on the evidence of  two or three witnesses. As for those who
persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear."
(1 Tim. 5:21) This is one reason why no evangelist should allow himself to "get in the
pocket of elders." It is hard to act impartially when the hand you need to scold is
putting butter on your bread! (1 Tim. 5:22) An evangelist should never be so close to
an elder that he cannot step away from him when he should.

     (3) To preach the word without fear of or favor toward anyone on earth.
Paul's emphatic language is to "preach the word ; be persistent whether the time is
favorable or unfavorable." Evangelists are to be bold. (Eph. 6:19) The concept of
boldness is "open, holding nothing back, as is often said in our idiom...'let the chips
fall where they may.' " An evangelist does not need permission to preach on any
subject, at any time, or for any reason except the fact that God's word says "preach
it."

     (4) To engage in the public reading of scripture. Paul told Timothy, "Until I
arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching."
(1 Tim. 4:13) This is a very important task for an evangelist. Many are apparently
oblivious to the fact that God wants his word read aloud in the assembly. In this
fast pace society, perhaps many people would not want to sit and listen to an
evangelist read the sacred text for an extended period. Nevertheless, God says read
scripture in public. At least two immediate benefits are obvious: it gets God's word
before the assembly as the standard of authority, and it activates two channels of
learning; eye and ear.


     (5) To accurately explain the word of truth. "Do your best to present
yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be
ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15; NRSV)  An
evangelist must be an avid reader of the book he professes to believe, love,
and preach. He should have a good overall knowledge of the word of God,
and he should acquire as many research tools as he can afford. He should
use them with discernment. I call this the "fish eating technique," eat the meat
and throw away the bones. Focus on obtaining modern, scholarly, exegetical
references. The older, dated reprints from a couple of centuries ago often look
good on the shelf, and that is usually where they stay. The evangelist should dig
into the sacred ore. He should not hold any position merely on the basis that "it
is a long standing opinion among us." Never be satisfied with giving "the
brotherhood position" on any issue. Accurately explain the word of truth!

     (6) To rebuke false teachers. Generally speaking, rebuke on any level is
not very pleasant, but God says it must be done when needed. God does not
tolerate false teaching and neither should an evangelist. Paul told Titus that some
people "must be silenced," and some must be "sharply rebuked." (Titus 1:10-13)
He also said  some people must  be rejected after a first  and second  admonition.
(Titus 3:9-11) An evangelist is to be positive when possible and negative when
necessary. Paul told Timothy to beware of people who oppose the message of
salvation. (2 Tim. 4:14-15)

     (7) To encourage people to be firm in their faith. "Encourage with the
utmost patience in teaching." (2 Tim. 4:2) There is a definite place for words that
build people up and give them incentive to pursue "lofty heights." The evangelist
should help people "be steadfast in the faith" and to "abound in the Lord's work."
(1 Cor. 15:58) He does this by teaching and by example.

     There are many other things that an evangelist should do such as provide for
those who are sick (Mat. 25:35-40), assist widows and orphans (Jas. 1:26-27),
and live a life that is pure in speech and action (Titus 2:7-8). These things are not
his work as an evangelist, but they are his work as a Christian just as they are
to be done by all Christians as opportunity and ability allow.

                                                                                                               RD

Copyright 2011

Uprooting Three Roots of Premillennialism

     Premillennialism, in its abbreviated form, is the system of religious teaching that says
Christ will personally and bodily return to the earth the second time, in order to establish
his kingdom, and reign for a literal thousand years. Three of the most important roots of
the premillennial tree are (1) the personal bodily return of Jesus to the earth, (2) the
establishment of his kingdom which is yet future, and (3) a literal reign on earth for one
thousand years. If these three roots are uprooted the entire system dies, regardless of
the other intricately woven and often complex details of the theory.

     First, according to the sacred scriptures there is no need for Jesus to ever return to
the earth again. There is no mission that his Father has given him that necessitates
coming back to earth! The premillennial theory denies the efficacy of Jesus' work
the first time he was on earth. Premillennialists say there is work that remains to be
done by the Lord. The Lord himself says, "Not so!" Jesus spoke the following words to
his Father, "I glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you gave me to do."
(Jno. 17:4) Let's ask ourselves a few questions based on this passage: Who did he
glorify? His Father. Where did he glorify his Father? On the earth. How did he
glorify his Father? By finishing the work the Father gave him to do. According to the
Lord he glorified the Father the first time he was on the earth. So, why should he return
to the earth again? He also said he "finished the work" the Father gave him to do. We
may conclude therefore that there is not one single thing remaining for Jesus to do that
necessitates a return to the earth. Jesus finished (Grk. teleioo) his work on earth. The
Greek word teleioo means to complete something in the sense that nothing is missing,
nothing is lacking, all has been accomplished.

     Second, we are specifically told in scripture that when the "day of the Lord" comes,
"the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with
fire...all these things are thus to be dissolved...the heavens will be kindled and dissolved,
and the elements will melt with fire." (2 Pet. 3:10-12) There will be no earth on which
to set foot. Furthermore, Paul wrote, "...the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are
alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thess. 4:16-17) No descension
to the earth is mentioned in this text. No setting foot on the earth is mentioned. It plainly
says the righteous living and dead will be caught up, and will meet the Lord in the air.

     Third, why does the Lord need to return to the earth to set up his kingdom? The
kingdom of Christ was established during the days of the apostles. Paul, speaking to
Christians said, "He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred
us into the kingdom of his beloved Son." (Col. 1:13) You can't be transferred into that
which doesn't exist! John the apostle wrote, "I John, your brother and partner in the
persecution and the kingdom and patient endurance in Jesus." (Rev. 1:9) Is Jesus not
aware that his kingdom is already in existence? Both John the Immerser and Jesus
preached, "the kingdom of heaven is near." (Mat. 3:2; 4:17) The apostles and
evangelists in the first century preached it as having been established. (Acts 8:12;
28:30-31)

     Fourth, why does the Lord need to return to the earth to reign? The word
of God teaches he is reigning now. In Acts 2:29-36 Peter said Christ was raised
to sit on David's throne. Peter also said Jesus is sitting at God's right hand. This
is evidence that God "has made him both Lord and Messiah." If he is on David's
throne, and if he is at God's right hand, then David's throne is at God's right hand
in heaven, and not on the earth and never will be.

     Finally, someone might ask, "Okay, what about Revelation 20:4 which says, "And
they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years?" (ASV) The "thousand years"
in the text is no more literal than seeing the "souls of those who had been beheaded"
in the same verse. Furthermore, nothing is said in the passage about a reign on earth!

     To use the words of John the Immerser, "the axe has been laid to the root(s) of
the trees." (Mat. 3:10) There will be no personal bodily return of Jesus to the earth,
no future reign of Christ on the earth, and no literal thousand years to get it all done.

                                                                                                                  RD

Copyright 2011

Psalm 51:5

     "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."
(Psa. 51:5; ESV) At least three views have been advanced in an effort to explain
David's statement in this Psalm. (1) Some say David is saying his mother conceived
him in sin, that is, she is the one who was a sinner (adulteress?) (2) Others have said
that his declaration means that he was born into a sinful world. (3) Another group
says he was born with a sinful nature that was inherited from Adam.

     I believe neither view is correct and this is why: the first view is incorrect because
David is making a confession about his personal sinfulness, not that of his mother.
Look carefully at his words again, "Behold I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin
did my mother conceive me." The second view is incorrect because the text does not
say he was born into a sinful world. He says, "I was brought forth in iniquity." The
third view is incorrect because sin in not genetically transferred or passed on through
the birth process. Each person is responsible for his own sin, not the sin of another.
(Ezek. 18:20) A person lives the way he chooses to live. The choices are not
made before he is born. The choice of good or evil results from post birth conduct.
(Eph. 2:1-3)

     The truth is, David is speaking figuratively. The specific figure of speech that he
uses is hyperbole. Biblical Hebrew literature abounds with hyperbolic speech.
Hyperbole is a literary exaggeration for effect, and is not to be taken literally. This
Psalm was written after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. He is
grieving. He is crushed. He has disregarded Yahweh's law and is aware of the
horrible consequences of sin. There are at least two other hyperbolic statements in
this chapter. In verse 4 David says, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done
evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your
judgment." He says he had only sinned against Yahweh, but that is not literally true,
and that is not what he meant.

     He had also sinned against Uriah, for Bathsheba was his wife, not to mention the
fact that he made Uriah drunk and had him killed! He sinned against Bathsheba, for
she was the wife of Uriah. He sinned against his family, for his actions in this matter
became the catalysts that precipitated rebellion within his house! He sinned against
God's people, for his actions gave his enemies cause for rejoicing and a "reason" to
blaspheme. It is therefore obvious that when David says that he had only sinned against
God that he is using hyperbole. In violating God's law, he sinned against God, the author
of the law. Similar to what the lost son said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and
before you." (Lk. 15:18) In verse 8 he says, "Fill me with joy and gladness; let the
bones you have broken rejoice." Yahweh had not literally broken any of David's bones.
"Broken bones" stand for the judgment on his sin, and David begs Yahweh for forgiveness
and restoration.

     When David said, "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother
conceive me," his meaning is something like, "I have been morally corrupt from
day one, " or "I have never been any good," or "I am rotten to the core." Nathan's
rebuke accomplished its intended design, and David is left brokenhearted for he
has finally realized the gravity of his transgression. He is hurt in his heart. He is
troubled in his soul. He sees himself in some ways as Paul saw himself, "the
foremost sinner!" (1 Tim. 1:15)

     Psalm 51:5 does not teach that babies or anyone else are literally born in sin
due to inherited guilt that goes all the way back to Adam. It is David's confession
of his personal guilt that emanated from lust, and culminated in blatant disrespect
for the holy law of God.

                                                                                                       RD

Copyright 2011

 

Unauthorized Fire

     "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it
and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before Yahweh, which he had not
commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of Yahweh and consumed
them, and they died before Yahweh. Then Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what Yahweh
has said, 'I will sanctify myself among those who are near me, and I will reveal my glory
before all the people.' " (Lev. 10:1-3)

     The KJV, ASV, and NASB translated the Hebrew words es zarah as "strange fire."
The RSV and NRSV chose "unholy fire." The NIV, ESV, NET, TNIV, and HCSB
selected the rendering "unauthorized fire." The word zar has a range of meaning including
"strange, different, heterogeneous, illicit, unauthorized (person), non-Israelite, prohibited,
strange (woman), other, and peculiar." (cf. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the
Old Testament, Ludwig Koehler and Walter Baumgartner, vol. 1, page 279.) In view
of the context, "unauthorized" is a good representation for zar in Lev. 10:1. Nadab and
Abihu learned that acting without authority brings Yahweh's displeasure! The fire they
used in their incense offering was "unauthorized" because it was that "which he had not
commanded them." They used coals from a source other than the altar. (Lev. 6:12-13;
16:12) It is also worthy of note that in chapters 8 and 9 it is stated at least eight times
that things were being done "as Yahweh commanded Moses." (Lev. 8:9,13,17,21,29,
36; 9:7,21) Things quickly changed in chapter 10. People show respect for Yahweh
when they humbly obey his commandments and are motivated by love for him.
(Deut. 11:13; Jno. 14:15; 15:14)

     Many years ago I found a comment in Lange's Commentary On The Holy
Scriptures, volume 1, Leviticus, page 82, Frederic Gardiner wrote, "At all events,
the general principle of exact conformity to the Divine commands should have prevented
Nadab and Abihu from offering "strange" or uncommanded fire before the LORD."
Gardiner's comment is simple, yet profound and it remains written in the margin of my
old ASV.

     "The general principle of exact conformity to the Divine commands" is found
throughout the sacred writings. (Deut. 4:2;12:32; Prov. 30:5-6; 1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Pet. 4:11;
Rev. 22:18-19) The principle of exact conformity to the divine will is the very reason
why faithful congregations of Christ (1) do not use mechanical instruments of music in
worship. God commands singing and making melody with the heart. (Eph. 5:19;
Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12); (2) do not appoint women to serve as elders. The qualifications
that God gives do not allow women in such a position. (1 Tim. 3:1-7); (3) do not have
women preachers. Women are not to teach or have authority over men. (1 Tim. 2:11-12);
(4) do not have man-made missionary societies through which to do their work of
disseminating the gospel. It is the work of the congregation. (1 Tim. 3:15) and (5) do not
fund or promote political, secular, or recreational programs as a part of their work. The
congregations of Christ are to teach the gospel, provide benevolence to God's holy people,
and worship in order to glorify God and build up the members. (Phil. 4:15-17; 1 Cor. 16:2;
Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 14:26,40)

     The story of Nadab and Abihu contains some great lessons.
     (1) Authority is necessary in religion. We have no right to commence a practice,
then go to the scriptures in order to find authority "after the fact." We need to find the
authority before we act. (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22; Col. 3:17; 2 Jno. 9) If there is no authority
for a teaching or practice, then don't do it. (Mat. 7:21-23)
     (2) It does matter how we worship. Nadab and Abihu had no right to add any element
to God's worship, and neither do we. When a person adds to what God says, in principle he
implies that he knows more about the matter than God knows. Such an attitude is based on
presumption and results in rebellion! (Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42; Col. 2:16-19)
     (3) Sin has a horrific penalty. Nadab and Abihu died for their rashness. They died in
flagrant rebellion to God. Ananias and Sapphira his wife died with a lie on their tongues.
(Rev. 21:8) May we never forget that sin pays. The problem is, nobody will want to "show
up and pick up the check". (Rom. 6:23)
     (4) God shows no partiality. He has no favorites. Nadab and Abihu were the sons
of Aaron and the nephews of Moses, but that did not influence Yahweh. They violated his
will and had to pay the penalty. (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11)
     (5) God is always to be preferred over family. When Aaron's sons sinned, Moses
the brother of Aaron, came to the forefront and reminded him that God is right in all that he
does! And Aaron remained silent. Too many husbands stand ready to defend their wives in
their wrong doing and vice versa. Parents defend children; children defend ungodly parents,
etc. (Lk. 14:26) Yahweh will have the last word! The injustices of this world will be judged!
     (6) Silence does not give consent in religion. Just because God did not tell Nadab
and Abihu "You shall not use other coals/fire in your incense offering," did not give them the
right to do so. They should have done as they were told; "take coals of fire from the altar
before Yahweh." (Lev.6:8-13; 16:12) They did what Yahweh had not commanded them to
do. We are to do what Yahweh says, not what he does not say. How can a person do what
God has not told them to do, and know that they are right when they do it? No one can know
that he is pleasing God unless God tells him so, and God will not tell him so except in his
revelation, the word of truth. (1 Cor. 2:10-13)

                                                                                                                     RD

Copyright 2011

  

Who Is The Holy Spirit?

     Much misinformation is being disseminated in the religious world about the Holy
Spirit. Denominationalists are not the only ones who often entertain erroneous ideas
about "who" the Holy Spirit is. There are preachers, elders, deacons, bible class
teachers and others who believe and teach falsely about the identity of the Spirit of
God.

     It seems that many have been wrongly influenced by (1) the emotion based
teaching of the so-called charismatics who would rather adhere to "better felt than
told" religion than to be confined to "words on the pages of a book" as is sometimes
stated. (2) books that are written and published by "popular" authors , but have very
little substantive teaching from God's word. They are high on catchy phrasing and
charming stories but low on sound doctrinal content. (3) traditional teaching of the
"fathers" whose insight was not always true to the book. We accepts no human's
teaching intoto. No one is beyond question. (cf. Acts 17:11)

     A question that has not been asked very often is, "Why is he called the Holy
Spirit? The adjective "holy" (Grk. hagios) is used in scripture to describe both
God the Father (Jno. 17:11) and Jesus the Father's Son (Acts 4:27). In the case
of the "Holy" Spirit, the word indicates that he infinitely and perfectly possesses
the qualities of purity, goodness, and holiness. In the days of Christ and the apostles,
there were unholy, unclean, and impure spirits. (Matt. 10:1; 12:43; Mk. 1:23;
Lk. 4:33) The Holy Spirit is the opposite of what they were.

     The word "Spirit" provides evidence that he does not have a physical, fleshly,
or tangible body. The Son who was the "Word" before coming to earth did take
on a human body (Jno. 1:14; Heb. 10:5,10), but such is not the case with the
Holy Spirit. He has no fleshly body. (Lk. 24:37-39) God the Father is a "Holy
Spirit" in that he is holy (Jn. 17:11) and  a supreme spirit being who has no fleshly
body (Jn. 4:24), yet it is the third person in the Godhead who is specifically designated
the Holy Spirit. This descriptive phrase serves to distinguish him from the Father and
the Son in numerous texts. (Mat. 12:32; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)

     Some refer to the Holy Spirit as "it." The Holy Spirit is not an "it" in the sense
of being a lifeless impersonal thing. In the KJV the word "itself" is used with reference
to the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:16. The translators were seeking grammatical agreement
between "itself" and the noun "Spirit." The same word is rendered "himself" in the ASV,
NIV, RSV, NRSV, ESV, TNIV, etc. The Holy Spirit is a person, not an impersonal
"it."

     The Holy Spirit is not a "ghost." One reason for the misunderstandings that some
entertain regarding the nature and identity of  the Holy Spirit is due to the mysticism
surrounding the KJV's translation "Holy Ghost." In 1611 "ghost" in such a reference
meant "spirit," a nonhuman, unseen being, but in our culture "ghost" usually denotes
the soul of a dead person believed to be an inhabitant of the unseen world, who is
allowed to appear to the earthly living in bodily likeness. Some people call them
haunts or hants. When Jesus' disciples saw him walking on the water, they thought
he was a ghost (phantasma). (Mat. 14:26) The Holy Spirit is not a ghost or
apparition. He is a personal being.

     The Holy Spirit is not some mysterious influence, mighty wind, divine energy, or
merely an active force. He is a member of the Godhead. He possesses all the
divine attributes of deity to the same extent and in the same way as the Father and
the Son. He "hovered" over the waters at creation. (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4).  He wields
influence. He "moved" or influenced God's prophets in their work of proclaiming
and writing. (2 Sam. 23:2; Neh. 9:30; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)  He taught, reminded, guided,
and bore witness through the apostles. (Jno. 14:25-26; 15:25-26; 16:13) He also
brought salvation to sinners in the age of the apostles and  in our age, and will
continue to do so till time is no more. He does this work through the written and
spoken word of Sovereign Yahweh. (Acts 8:4,5,12,14,35; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21;
Jas. 1:18,21)

     It is important that we know who the Holy Spirit is so that we will not misrepresent
his nature, mission, and means of operation in the lives of men and women. May we
never ascribe actions to the Spirit of God that are foreign to New Testament teaching.
                 
                                                                                                                     RD

Copyright 2011

What Does The Holy Spirit Do For Christians Today?

     First, let us take note of some things the Holy Spirit is not doing today. He is
not empowering people to perform miracles. That day has come to an end. God's
revelation is complete. (1 Cor. 13:8-10; 2 Pet. 1:3; Jas. 1:25) There are no apostles
living on earth to lay hands on people and impart miraculous power. (Acts 8:14-17;
19:5-6) No one is living on earth on whom an apostle has laid his hands in order
to impart miraculous power. Since God's revelation is complete there is no need for
miracles. Since no apostle is living on earth there is no way to impart miracles. Since
no one is living on earth on whom an apostle has laid his hands, there is no one to
work miracles. If  there is no need for miracles, no one to impart miracles, and no
one to work miracles, then there are no miracles!

     The Holy Spirit is not making direct contact with peoples' hearts today. There is
no immediate, mysterious, literal, personal contact that the Holy Spirit makes with
unbelievers or believers. Though some seek to prove that he does make contact
with them through "hunches," "dreams," "visions," and "spiritual intuition," their opinions
are based on no better testimony than their own emotional sentiments, and are therefore
highly unreliable. The influence that the Holy Spirit exercises on people is through the
medium employed by the Spirit; the eternal word of the living God. (1 Thess. 2:13) What
does the Holy Spirit do for Christians today?

     He leads Christians. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of
God." (Rom. 8:14,16) He leads us through the message that he has given. (Psa. 119:
105; Jno. 6:44-45)

     He sanctifies Christians. "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you,
brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning
to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." (2 Thess. 2:13)
He sanctifies us through the word of truth that he has given. (Jno. 17:17)

     He saves people. "He saved us , not because of deeds done by us in righteousness,
but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the
Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5) He saves people by means of the implanted word that he has
given. (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18,21; Jas. 1:18,21)

     He witnesses to us. "The Holy Spirit also bears witnesses to us..." (Heb. 10:15)
 He witnesses to us through the scriptures that give testimony about the Lord Jesus.
(Jno. 5:39; Acts 17:11; Luke 24:27)

     He strengthens us. "According to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be
strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner being." (Eph. 3:16) He
strengthens us by having supplied us with the whole armor of God, including the
sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:10-17; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)

     He gives us incentive to love God. "And hope does not disappoint us, because
God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit who has been given
to us." (Rom. 5:5) The incentive to love God comes from reading what he has revealed
about God first loving us. (Jno. 3:16; Rom. 5:6-8)

     One day he will raise us from the dead. "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus
from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life
to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit who dwells in you." (Rom. 8:11) He
will raise us from the dead by means of the words of Christ, when his voice is
heard on the last day. (Jno. 5:28-29)

     No friends, the Holy Spirit is not inactive. He is still doing exactly what sacred
scripture says he is doing for Christians and all humanity. One thing that we want
to avoid is attributing works to the Spirit ( and the entire Godhead) that scripture
does not attribute to him. Human emotions, feelings, think so's, maybe so's, ought to
be so's, and the like, should never serve as proof for anything in religion. God does
not need us to speak falsely for him! (Job 13:7; RSV)
                                                                                                                  RD

Copyright 2011

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

     Acts chapter 2 is a very important portion of the sacred word of the living God.
Many things that we read in it are indispensable to the correct interpretation of other
parts of the new testament. Some exegetes refer to Acts 2 as "the hub of the Bible." I
believe such a designation is appropriate.

     In it we learn about the descent of the Holy Spirit, the preaching of the apostles,
the reign of Christ, the fulfillment of prophecy, the conditions necessary for the
forgiveness of sins, the establishment of the assembly of Christ, the worship of God,
and the unity among fellow believers.

     Peter and the other apostles informed the Jews that they were guilty of murdering
Jesus the Son of God. "Now when they heard this they were stricken with grief in
the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men, brothers, what shall
we do?' And Peter said to them, 'You must change your minds, and be immersed
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and
you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your
children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to
himself.' " (Acts 2:37-39)

     The question is, "What is the gift of the Holy Spirit" that Peter promises in v. 38?
I am convinced that whatever "the gift of the Holy Spirit" is will have to be determined
by the immediate context of Acts 2, and related information in the remote context
of the Book of Acts.

     Some believe "the gift of the Holy Spirit" is salvation. It seems to me that such
is not the case as salvation is implied in and understood by the phrase "so that your
sins may be forgiven" in v. 38. Others say "the gift of the Holy Spirit" refers to the
benefits and blessings that proceed from the Holy Spirit . There are blessings that
proceed from the Holy Spirit just as they do from God the Father and from Christ
Jesus, but such is not the likely meaning of the phrase "the gift of the Holy Spirit"
in verse 38. And there are others who say it refers to the Holy Spirit himself, given
to dwell literally, bodily, and personally in believers. I see nothing in the context that
supports such a view.

     I believe there are at least two things (one in chapter 2 itself and the other in
chapter 10) that are decisive in determining what the "gift of the Holy Spirit" refers
to.

     The people on Pentecost "all were amazed and perplexed (by what they were
seeing and hearing), saying to one another, 'What does this mean?' But others mocking
said, 'They are filled with new wine.' But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his
voice and addressed them...'this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: And in the
last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your
sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your
old men shall dream dreams; yes, and on my male slaves and female slaves in those days
I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy..." (verses 12-18)

     I am persuaded that when he promised them the "gift of the Holy Spirit," that he
is reiterating what he has already stated in the immediate context, particularly in verses 
17-18. In essence Peter is saying, "You will receive the miraculous outpouring of God's
Spirit that Yahweh promised through the prophet Joel." This is further strengthened by
the fact that the only other time the phrase "the gift of the Holy Spirit" is mentioned
is Acts 10:45, and there it is undeniably a miraculous manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

     Someone might ask, "So, are you saying that part of Acts 2:38 is applicable today
and part of it isn't?" Yes. The same is true of Mark 16:16-18. Part of the text applies
today, and the other part isn't applicable because no signs accompany believers today.
No one casts out demons, (miraculously) speaks in new languages, picks up snakes
(without being hurt if bitten), drinks deadly things without being hurt, or lays their hands
on the sick that they may recover. Those things passed away when all other miracles
ceased. But, the command to "change your minds and be immersed so that your sins
may be pardoned" is applicable. People still need to be saved from the guilt of their
past sins.

     Contextually speaking, Peter had informed them by quoting Joel's prophecy, that
the time for the "outpouring" of the Holy Spirit had arrived, and that this would be
accompanied by miraculous manifestations. (verses 17-18) Therefore, when he
mentioned "the gift of the Holy Spirit" in verse 38, they understood it to be what
he has already told them; the fulfillment of what God promised through Joel,
"I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh," and people would prophesy, see visions,
dream dreams, etc.

     We learn from other texts in the book of Acts, that the miraculous powers of the
Holy Spirit were bestowed on those who were not apostles, through the laying on
of the apostles' hands. (cf. Acts 6:6; 8:14-18; 19:6; Rom. 1:11)

                                                                                                                RD

Copyright 2011

Marriage and Divorce Hollywood Style

     In many ways Hollywood sets the standard of conduct for this nation's
citizenry on a social, moral, political and religious scale. Many believe it is
reasonable to assert that if the rich and famous are doing it, then it must be
within proper bounds. If the nation's icons are following a certain course
of action it must have heaven's stamp of approval. Others just don't seem
to care; like it or not they intend to do things their way.

     It is a known fact that many of the legendary actors, sports figures, movie
directors and politicians have been married and divorced multiple times, and for
no better reasons than "I like it this way." Or, "Our differences were irreconcilable
and we deemed it best to file for divorce and look for someone who could make
us happy." The main problem with their view of marriage and divorce is: it violates
the teaching of sacred scripture and as a result God is not pleased with their
condition.

     Jesus taught, "But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except
on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress, and whoever
marries a divorced woman commits adultery." (Mat. 5:32) Divorces for
"irreconcilable differences," "we just couldn't get along," "we needed to take
leave from one another," "we believe we will be happier being apart," etc. are
not acceptable to the great God of heaven. The person who divorces his wife
"except on the ground of sexual immorality makes her an adulteress" (by
creating a circumstance wherein she seeks another relationship, albeit unlawful
before God). Consequently another party is "hooked" into a sinful union by
marrying a woman who has been divorced. It becomes a tangled web of sin
that is not easily untangled due to human emotions, ignorance, deceit, and
self-interests.

     Jesus also said, "And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for
sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." (Mat. 19:9)
No one has the right to divorce his wife unless the wife has committed adultery.
The person who does so sins and if he marries another person, he commits
adultery. Divorce because of financial problems, emotional problems, in-law
problems, work related problems, and a myriad of other things will not satisfy
the requirements of God's will. God's will, not the human will must have priority.
Just because people of wealth, prominence, and earthly fame violate the teaching
of God's word by indiscriminately marrying and divorcing does not make it right
and their actions will not go unnoticed by the all-seeing God.

     God intends for marriage to be a permanent relationship between one man
and one woman (Mat. 19:4-6), with the one exception already noted.
(Mark 10:11; Luke 16:18) No amount of money, prestige, political clout,
human sympathy, or political correctness will change what Almighty God has
decreed. God's will has been established in heaven. (1 Pet. 1:24-25) The
teaching of scripture, not Hollywood should set the standard for human
conduct.

     May all humanity know that God will have the last word, and King Jesus,
the Son of Yahweh will judge mankind according to the things done in the
body whether good or evil. (Jno 5:28-29; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:10-11)
Let us return to the word of God and be faithful regardless of the costs.

                                                                                                 RD

Copyright 2011

The Personality of the Holy Spirit

     Contrary to popular belief, God's word teaches the Holy Spirit is a person.
Some people assume that personality necessitates having a physical body. So
they conclude, since the Holy Spirit does not have a physical body the Holy
Spirit is not a person. Jesus said, "God is spirit..." (Jno. 4:24) Jesus implies
that God the Father does not have a physical body. Are we to conclude
therefore, that God the Father is not a person? Surely not. The point is this:
if we must conclude that the Holy Spirit is not a person because he has no
physical body, the same conclusion must be drawn about God the Father. 
Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language,
page 1075 says a person is a "self-conscious or rational being."  The truth is,
both God the Father and the Holy Spirit are persons.

     There are several ways to prove the personality of the Holy Spirit. I present
the following for your consideration:

     (1) Jesus said the Holy Spirit would teach the apostles all things and remind
them of all that he had said to them. (Jno.14:25-26). He also said the Spirit would  
bear witness of Jesus. (Jno. 15:26), and that he would guide the apostles, speak,  
hear, glorify, and declare information to the apostles. (Jno. 16:13) The verses we
have cited affirm both the work and the personality of the Holy Spirit. 

     (2) The Holy Spirit is deity, thereby equal in nature with the Father and Jesus the
Father's Son. The Holy Spirit has the same inherent attributes as the Father and the
Son. He is called God. (Matthew 12:28; Acts 5:3-4) He searches the depths of God.
(1 Cor. 2:10) He reveals the mind of God. (1 Cor. 2:10) He comprehends the
thoughts of God. (1 Cor. 2:11) Jesus and the apostles indicated that the Holy Spirit
is included in the "sacred unity" of the Father and Son. They are often named together
in various contexts. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, immersing
them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Mat. 28:19)
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Cor. 13:14) The word of the living God teaches that
the Holy Spirit has the same perfection in nature, work, and personality as the Father
and Son.

     (3) Jesus told the apostles, "And I will ask the Father , and he will give you
another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth." (Jno. 14:16-17)
Notice the two words "another Helper" (allon parakleton). Jesus promised the
apostles another "Helper" or person of the same kind as he was to them. Jesus
believed in and taught the personality of the Holy Spirit, and we should do the
same.

     The Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and the Son in scripture.
We often speak of him as the third person in the Godhead. This does not
mean that his work is less important than that of the other members of the
Godhead. Nor does it mean that he is in some way inferior to the Father
and the Son. It simply means that his work is third in order of time. The Father
plans, (Jno. 12:49), the Son executes the Father's will (Jno. 12:50; 17:4), and
the Holy Spirit reveals the Father's plan for humanity's benefit. (Eph. 3:3-6)
The Father is not the Son; the Son is not the Father, and the Holy Spirit
is not the Father nor the Son, yet they comprise an inseparable unity. They
are three distinct individuals and each possesses all the qualities that
constitute "personhood" or personality. God's word affirms the personality of
the Holy Spirit. 

                                                                                                       RD

Copyright 2011
    

"By One Spirit"

     Sometimes scripture attributes an action to one person when someone else is
intended. This is clearly taught in John 4:1-2. "Now when the Lord knew that the
Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and immersing more disciples than
John (although Jesus himself did not immerse, but only his disciples)." Please
notice again what the passage affirms, "Jesus was making and immersing more
disciples than John." Though the text says Jesus was doing it, we understand
that he did not personally make and immerse disciples because the parenthetical
statement says, "although Jesus himself did not immerse." If he himself did not
immerse how can it be said that he was "making and immersing more disciples
than John?" He was working through agents. His disciples were the ones actually
making and immersing disciples.

     The same principle is to be understood in 1 Cor. 12:13. Paul wrote, "For by
one Spirit we were all immersed into one body---Jews or Greeks, slaves or free---
and all were made to drink of one Spirit." The Holy Spirit himself did not immerse
the believers in Corinth into the one body. He revealed the instructions through
the apostles and prophets that mandated immersion in order to receive the
forgiveness of sins and enter the one body of Christ. (Acts 2:38; 10:48;  22:16;
Gal. 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21)

     We read about the conversion of the Corinthians in Acts 18:1-11. "Many of
the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were immersed." (v.8)  They heard
Paul preaching the word of God. (verses 5,11) The Holy Spirit did not personally
immerse the Corinthians. They were immersed by human hands. We know this
because Paul said, "I thank God that I immersed none of you except Crispus and
Gaius...I did also immerse the household of Stephanas." (1 Cor. 1:14,16) The
others were immersed by someone else. The Corinthians were immersed according
to the word that the Holy Spirit revealed through Paul and others. So, they were
immersed by one Spirit when the Spirit's agents immersed them. This tells us four
things:

     (1) The Corinthians were not recipients of the "immersion in the Holy Spirit."
They had been immersed in water by men. (2) They were "immersed into one body"
not many bodies. No denominations existed during the days of the apostles and none
should exist now. The Lord has one spiritual body and in it he is glorified.
(Ephesians 3:8-11, 21) (3) They entered into one body through the immersion they
had received. The immersion in the Holy Spirit was not designed to save and it was 
not the means of entering "into one body." Immersion in water was in order to be
saved from sin and it was the "door" into one body. (Jno. 3:5; Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:4-7)
(4) All people "whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free" are subject to the same terms
of obedience and are sharers in the same blessings that emanate from the Spirit of God.
                                                                                                              RD

Copyright 2011

Led By The Spirit of God

     "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
(Rom. 8:14; ASV) The American Standard Version is very true to the "form"
of the Greek text in its rendering of this verse. It makes very little modification
and gives us a great translation of this passage. Today's New International
Version (TNIV) makes more adjustments in English as it deviates more
from the Greek text than the ASV, yet it clearly brings out the sense of the text.
It says, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."
Both translations have the phrase "led by the Spirit of God." How does the
Spirit of God lead?

     First, the Spirit of God does not mysteriously lead. It is not impossible or
difficult to explain , nor is it incapable of being understood. The word translated
"led" is ago and it is used figuratively in Rom. 8:14 of the influence of God's
Spirit, hence to lead or guide. This tells us what he does; the question is how
does he do it?

     Second, the Spirit of God does not miraculously lead. The time during which
God miraculously worked through men on earth has ended. Complete revelation
has been given, so the miracles by which God was adding his testimony as to the
validity of the message declared by men have ceased. (1 Cor. 13:8-10; Heb. 2:3-4)

     Third, the Spirit of God does not directly lead. If he did, it would be a miracle.
The Holy Spirit no more directly leads a person to remain a Christian than
he directly leads a person to become a Christian. Does the Spirit of God lead
a person to become a Christian? Yes. How? By the preaching of the word, the
message of salvation. (Acts 11:14; 15:7; 1 Cor. 1:18, 21; Jas. 1:21) Every
person who has ever obeyed the gospel was "led" to do so by the Spirit of God.
He was the revealer of the word of God through the apostles and prophets
(Eph. 3:5), and when his word is preached, he leads people to become Christians
through the instrumentality of the word he revealed.

     The same is true with regard to the expression "led by the Spirit of God" in
Rom. 8:14. The irresistible conclusion is, the Spirit leads through the words he
has given through Paul and the other apostles of Christ. The Spirit tells people
how to live in the gospel. This "clue" is found on the very surface of the book
of Romans. It is in the "keynote" text. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel;
for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew
first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)  "But thanks be to God, that you
who were once slaves to sin, have obeyed from the heart the pattern of
teaching to which you were committed." (Rom. 6:17) The believers in Rome
were being led by the Spirit of God through the gospel, which is the  pattern
of teaching that emanated from God, and was preached by Paul. Therefore,
Paul could say in Rom. 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has set me free from the law of sin and death."
                                                                                              RD

Copyright 2011