Paul says
22: But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23: But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24: Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25: But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
You say that...
faith has always been what makes us righteous and saves us
My answer...
Yes its only faith that saves yet, l ask faith in what? The OT saints had no faith in the atoning work of Christ. The OT saints did not even know that Christ would die for sin. Now if they didnt know that Christ was going to die and its certain that they did not then they had no faith in the atonement of Christ. Without faith in the atonement of Christ there is no salvation!
In the above passage Paul says that...
22: But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
And here it is...
23: But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
So Paul is saying that in the era of the Mosaic law men were 'shut up unto faith' In other words they were in a situation which was 'before faith'. Now Faith existed then obviouisly (It was faith in Gods word and commandments) but not Faith in Christs atoning work.
Then Paul goes on to say...
24: Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25: But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Now Paul repeats the same thought but in a different way, that when the Old Covenant was finally fulfilled in Christ established a new era that we might call The era of the New Covenant.
He says,'But after faith has come'.
Now we are living in the age of Faith in the atoning work of Christ.
Before the cross the Apostles knew about Christ and believed he was the Messiah and they believed in the OT and the promises yet none of these things save the soul. Only faith in Christs atoning work. Before the cross they didnt even believe that Christ was going to die, Inspite of being told three times.
The Old covenant was a covenant of works based on law, but the New Covenant is a covenant of new birth based on faith in Christs atoning work.
Its not faith that saves. There are people who believe that God exists that are not saved. Nicodemus was like this. There are people who worship God. Preach the word. They do Believe the scriptures yet are not saved.
Why is that?
Because they do not believe the good news that Christ has died for their sins. They either do not know about this or they do not believe it and therefore they are not born again.
Now does this mean that they do not have an experience of God? No of course not. There are many people who look up into the heavens and believe in God and at some level they worship God but thats not salvation.
Your thoughts are welcome
Steve
31/08/2009
Understanding the Bible
Understanding the Bible
It is often said that there is a consistent theology right through the Bible and that Man has an unchanging relationship with God in all ages from Adam to Revelation.
That David has the same relation to God as do you.
That Gods dealings with mankind have never changed.
However we must understand that our Bibles contain two parts the OLD TESTEMENT – NEW TESTAMENT.
Have you ever tried to do a jigsaw?
Imagine that you struggle to make the pieces fit until it suddenly emerges that there are actually two jig saw puzzles in the box not one. Suddenly it becomes clearer what is your task. The first task is to understand the whole pictures and see the differences to enable you to get the clear picture.
There is a fundamental change between the OT and the NT.
Christ said…
Matthew 26v26: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27: And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29: But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Paul said…
1Cor 11v This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
2 Cor 3v: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7: But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9: For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10: For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11: For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12: Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
Hebrews 9v15: And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16: For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17: For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18: Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19: For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20: Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21: Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23: It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24: For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26: For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The word Testament means Covenant
Actually in the Bible there are not just two testaments but eight.
So instead of just two jig saws there are eight jig saws!! The Bible now appears a bit more complex that was originally thought. However once the eight pictures can be seen the whole Bible starts to become so, so much clearer.
Lets look at the eight Covenants...
1. The Edenic Covenant
2. The Adamic Covenant
3. The Noahic Covenant
4. The Abrahamic Covenant
5. The Mosaic Covenant
6. The Palestinian covenant
7. The Davidic Covenant
8. The New Covenant
Before we look at each covenant first we must realise that there are two types of Covenant
There are conditional covenants and unconditional covenant
In the Conditional Covenants we find the formula – If you will,..... then l will. We find that Obedience brings blessing and that Failure bring judgment. There are two Covenants like this Edenic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant.
In the Unconditional Covenants we find the formula – I will.- period. These covenants are a Sovereign act of God and of his intension to bless. The Blessings of God are secured by the Grace of God alone. there are six Unconditional Covenants
1. Adamic Covenant
2. Noahic Covenant
3. Abrahamic Covenant
4. Palestinian covenant
5. Davidic Covenant
All of these covenants are still in force today
6. The New Covenant is a covenant that the LORD will make with Israel and Judah in a coming day but in which the church enjoys the spiritual blessings today.
The Covenants with Israel number five. The four unconditional covenants with Israel are Literal covenants, Eternal, they are not broken by disobedience, they are ONLY to Israel, Roms 9v4
Eph 2v11,12 The One Conditional covenant with Israel is the Mosaic Covenant.
Now lets go through the eight covenants
1. The Edenic Covenant - Gen 1v28-30 – (Hosea 6v7)
In this Covenant is between Adam and God. Adam is representative head of the whole human race – thus the actions of Adam are attributed to all men
There are seven provisions of the Covenant
i. Be fruitful and multiply 1v28
ii. Subdue the earth 1v28
iii. Dominion 1v28
iv. Diet 1v29-30 2v16
v. Dress and keep the garden 2v15
vi. Forbidden to eat – Tree 2v17
vii. The warning of Spiritual death 2v17
This conditional Covenant was broken and man was banished from the Garden of Eden
2. The Adamic covenant - Gen 3v14-19
This Covenant is between Adam as representative of the whole human race again
However there are four provisions mentioned in the four principle characters
i. The Serpent 3v14
ii. Satan 3v15
iii. Woman 3v16
iv. Man 3v17,19
This Covenant is unconditional and is still in force today. That is why women have pain in childbirth, and man sweat over their work. It will cease when the Second man the last Adam comes to establish a kingdom that will be Edenic in character.
3. The Noahic Covenant - Gen 9v1-17
This covenant is with Noah as head of the Human race - after the flood
There are eight provisions of the Covenant
i. Repopulation of the earth
ii. The fear of man - animals
iii. Diet will include flesh
iv. No blood to be eaten
v. Capitol punishment
vi. The promise of no flood ever again
vii. The Token – rainbow
viii. The seasons will not cease
This covenant is thankfully unconditional
4. The Abrahamic Covenant - Gen 12v1-3, 12v7, 13v14-17, 15v1-21, 17v1-21 22v15-18
This covenant is with Abraham as representative head of the nation of Israel
There are fourteen provisions of the Covenant
i. A great nation
ii. Land - River of Egypt to the Euphrates
iii. Abraham greatly blessed
iv. Abrahams name would be great
v. Abrahams a blessing to others
vi. Those who bless Israel will be blessed
vii. Those who curse Israel will be cursed
viii. In Abraham All will be blessed one day
ix. A Son – Sarah
x. Children – Egypt
xi. Other nations from Abraham
xii. Name changed
xiii. Sarah’s name changed
xiv. Circumcision
d. Confirmed in Isaac, Jacob and his sons
This is an unconditional covenant. The Palestinian and Davidic covenants are part of this covenant. It is fully fulfilled in the New Covenant.
5. The Mosaic Covenant - Ex 20v1 all the way to Deu 28v68
This covenant was ONLY with Jehovah and Israel. Ex 19v3-8 Deu 4v7-8 Psa 147v19-20 Mal 4v4
There are seven Provisions of the Covenant
i. The Whole Law 613 - Mitzvot
ii. Conditional Covenant - Blessings and Curses
iii. Blood sacrificial system
iv. Diet restrictions Clean – Unclean
v. Capitol punishment expanded
vi. Sign of the Covenant Circumcision
vii. Token of the Covenant Sabbath observance – only for Israel not Church
viii. Ended at the Cross Rom 10v4 2Cor 3v3-11 Gal 3v19-29 Eph 2v11-18 Heb 7v11-12, 18
ix. The Law of Moses did not end with his coming but with his death.
6. The Palestinian Covenant - Deu 29v1-30v30
This Covenant is with God and Israel
There are eight Provisions of the Covenant
i. Disobedience of Israel
ii. Future repentance
iii. Messiah will return
iv. Israel will be regathered
v. Israel to possess the land
vi. Israel to be regenerated
vii. The Enemies of Israel to be judged
viii. Israel to be blessed
7. The Davidic Covenant - 1 Sam 7v11-16, 1 Chron 17v10-14
This Covenant was with God and David as King of Israel
There are seven provisions of the covenant
i. Eternal Dynasty
ii. Solomon to be established on the throne
iii. Temple
iv. Throne of David’s Kingdom to be forever
v. Gods loving kindness to Solomon
vi. Solomon king forever
vii. Christ throne house kingdom forever
Lastly the New Covenant
8. The New Covenant - Jeremiah 31v31-34
This is a Covenant with God and Israel Isa 55v3 61v8-9 Jer 32v40 Eze 16v60 34v25-31 37v26-28 Rom 11v26-27
There are nine provisions of the New Covenant
i. Unconditional covenant between God and both houses of Israel
ii. Distinct from the Mosaic covenant Jer 31v32
iii. Salvation to Israel – regeneration Jer 31v33 Isa 59v21
iv. It will be universal to all Jews. Jer 31v34 Isa 61v9
v. It will include forgiveness of sins Jer 31v34
vi. It will include the indwelling Holy Spirit Jer 31v33 Eze 36v27
vii. Material blessings Isa 61v8 Jer 32v41 Eze 34v25-27
viii. New Temple Whole of Eze
ix. The Law of the Messiah Rom 8v2 Gal 6v2
So how the church fits in!
There is a false teaching called Replacement theology, which says that the Church replaces Israel. This is not true at all. The truth is explained in Eph 2v11-16 Eph 3v5-6. The blessings to the church are ‘Spiritual’ not Physical.
There is another false teaching that Christians become Jews!! This is not true either. Gentiles are included in the New Covenant Rom 15v25-27
The New Covenant is unconditional.
When thinking about the difference between the OT and the NT the main contrast is between the Mosaic Covenant and the New Covenant. In Romans and Hebrews the writers concentrate on this contrast.
There are at least six differences between the Old Covenant the OT and the New Covenant the NT
1. The New Covenant is unconditional covenant between God the believer - and is based on Faith and Grace.
2. The New Covenant is the basis of the blessing of God for Christians
3. The New Covenant is based on regeneration
4. The New Covenant includes forgiveness of sins
5. The New Covenant includes the indwelling Holy Spirit
6. The New Covenant includes material blessings however this is not for the christian. The Land, the Temple and the material wealth of Israel is part of the earthly Kingdom but our inheritance is heavenly.
Rom 8v1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Gal 6v2: Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Steve
It is often said that there is a consistent theology right through the Bible and that Man has an unchanging relationship with God in all ages from Adam to Revelation.
That David has the same relation to God as do you.
That Gods dealings with mankind have never changed.
However we must understand that our Bibles contain two parts the OLD TESTEMENT – NEW TESTAMENT.
Have you ever tried to do a jigsaw?
Imagine that you struggle to make the pieces fit until it suddenly emerges that there are actually two jig saw puzzles in the box not one. Suddenly it becomes clearer what is your task. The first task is to understand the whole pictures and see the differences to enable you to get the clear picture.
There is a fundamental change between the OT and the NT.
Christ said…
Matthew 26v26: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27: And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29: But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Paul said…
1Cor 11v This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
2 Cor 3v: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7: But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9: For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10: For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11: For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12: Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
Hebrews 9v15: And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16: For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17: For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18: Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19: For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20: Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21: Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23: It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24: For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26: For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The word Testament means Covenant
Actually in the Bible there are not just two testaments but eight.
So instead of just two jig saws there are eight jig saws!! The Bible now appears a bit more complex that was originally thought. However once the eight pictures can be seen the whole Bible starts to become so, so much clearer.
Lets look at the eight Covenants...
1. The Edenic Covenant
2. The Adamic Covenant
3. The Noahic Covenant
4. The Abrahamic Covenant
5. The Mosaic Covenant
6. The Palestinian covenant
7. The Davidic Covenant
8. The New Covenant
Before we look at each covenant first we must realise that there are two types of Covenant
There are conditional covenants and unconditional covenant
In the Conditional Covenants we find the formula – If you will,..... then l will. We find that Obedience brings blessing and that Failure bring judgment. There are two Covenants like this Edenic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant.
In the Unconditional Covenants we find the formula – I will.- period. These covenants are a Sovereign act of God and of his intension to bless. The Blessings of God are secured by the Grace of God alone. there are six Unconditional Covenants
1. Adamic Covenant
2. Noahic Covenant
3. Abrahamic Covenant
4. Palestinian covenant
5. Davidic Covenant
All of these covenants are still in force today
6. The New Covenant is a covenant that the LORD will make with Israel and Judah in a coming day but in which the church enjoys the spiritual blessings today.
The Covenants with Israel number five. The four unconditional covenants with Israel are Literal covenants, Eternal, they are not broken by disobedience, they are ONLY to Israel, Roms 9v4
Eph 2v11,12 The One Conditional covenant with Israel is the Mosaic Covenant.
Now lets go through the eight covenants
1. The Edenic Covenant - Gen 1v28-30 – (Hosea 6v7)
In this Covenant is between Adam and God. Adam is representative head of the whole human race – thus the actions of Adam are attributed to all men
There are seven provisions of the Covenant
i. Be fruitful and multiply 1v28
ii. Subdue the earth 1v28
iii. Dominion 1v28
iv. Diet 1v29-30 2v16
v. Dress and keep the garden 2v15
vi. Forbidden to eat – Tree 2v17
vii. The warning of Spiritual death 2v17
This conditional Covenant was broken and man was banished from the Garden of Eden
2. The Adamic covenant - Gen 3v14-19
This Covenant is between Adam as representative of the whole human race again
However there are four provisions mentioned in the four principle characters
i. The Serpent 3v14
ii. Satan 3v15
iii. Woman 3v16
iv. Man 3v17,19
This Covenant is unconditional and is still in force today. That is why women have pain in childbirth, and man sweat over their work. It will cease when the Second man the last Adam comes to establish a kingdom that will be Edenic in character.
3. The Noahic Covenant - Gen 9v1-17
This covenant is with Noah as head of the Human race - after the flood
There are eight provisions of the Covenant
i. Repopulation of the earth
ii. The fear of man - animals
iii. Diet will include flesh
iv. No blood to be eaten
v. Capitol punishment
vi. The promise of no flood ever again
vii. The Token – rainbow
viii. The seasons will not cease
This covenant is thankfully unconditional
4. The Abrahamic Covenant - Gen 12v1-3, 12v7, 13v14-17, 15v1-21, 17v1-21 22v15-18
This covenant is with Abraham as representative head of the nation of Israel
There are fourteen provisions of the Covenant
i. A great nation
ii. Land - River of Egypt to the Euphrates
iii. Abraham greatly blessed
iv. Abrahams name would be great
v. Abrahams a blessing to others
vi. Those who bless Israel will be blessed
vii. Those who curse Israel will be cursed
viii. In Abraham All will be blessed one day
ix. A Son – Sarah
x. Children – Egypt
xi. Other nations from Abraham
xii. Name changed
xiii. Sarah’s name changed
xiv. Circumcision
d. Confirmed in Isaac, Jacob and his sons
This is an unconditional covenant. The Palestinian and Davidic covenants are part of this covenant. It is fully fulfilled in the New Covenant.
5. The Mosaic Covenant - Ex 20v1 all the way to Deu 28v68
This covenant was ONLY with Jehovah and Israel. Ex 19v3-8 Deu 4v7-8 Psa 147v19-20 Mal 4v4
There are seven Provisions of the Covenant
i. The Whole Law 613 - Mitzvot
ii. Conditional Covenant - Blessings and Curses
iii. Blood sacrificial system
iv. Diet restrictions Clean – Unclean
v. Capitol punishment expanded
vi. Sign of the Covenant Circumcision
vii. Token of the Covenant Sabbath observance – only for Israel not Church
viii. Ended at the Cross Rom 10v4 2Cor 3v3-11 Gal 3v19-29 Eph 2v11-18 Heb 7v11-12, 18
ix. The Law of Moses did not end with his coming but with his death.
6. The Palestinian Covenant - Deu 29v1-30v30
This Covenant is with God and Israel
There are eight Provisions of the Covenant
i. Disobedience of Israel
ii. Future repentance
iii. Messiah will return
iv. Israel will be regathered
v. Israel to possess the land
vi. Israel to be regenerated
vii. The Enemies of Israel to be judged
viii. Israel to be blessed
7. The Davidic Covenant - 1 Sam 7v11-16, 1 Chron 17v10-14
This Covenant was with God and David as King of Israel
There are seven provisions of the covenant
i. Eternal Dynasty
ii. Solomon to be established on the throne
iii. Temple
iv. Throne of David’s Kingdom to be forever
v. Gods loving kindness to Solomon
vi. Solomon king forever
vii. Christ throne house kingdom forever
Lastly the New Covenant
8. The New Covenant - Jeremiah 31v31-34
This is a Covenant with God and Israel Isa 55v3 61v8-9 Jer 32v40 Eze 16v60 34v25-31 37v26-28 Rom 11v26-27
There are nine provisions of the New Covenant
i. Unconditional covenant between God and both houses of Israel
ii. Distinct from the Mosaic covenant Jer 31v32
iii. Salvation to Israel – regeneration Jer 31v33 Isa 59v21
iv. It will be universal to all Jews. Jer 31v34 Isa 61v9
v. It will include forgiveness of sins Jer 31v34
vi. It will include the indwelling Holy Spirit Jer 31v33 Eze 36v27
vii. Material blessings Isa 61v8 Jer 32v41 Eze 34v25-27
viii. New Temple Whole of Eze
ix. The Law of the Messiah Rom 8v2 Gal 6v2
So how the church fits in!
There is a false teaching called Replacement theology, which says that the Church replaces Israel. This is not true at all. The truth is explained in Eph 2v11-16 Eph 3v5-6. The blessings to the church are ‘Spiritual’ not Physical.
There is another false teaching that Christians become Jews!! This is not true either. Gentiles are included in the New Covenant Rom 15v25-27
The New Covenant is unconditional.
When thinking about the difference between the OT and the NT the main contrast is between the Mosaic Covenant and the New Covenant. In Romans and Hebrews the writers concentrate on this contrast.
There are at least six differences between the Old Covenant the OT and the New Covenant the NT
1. The New Covenant is unconditional covenant between God the believer - and is based on Faith and Grace.
2. The New Covenant is the basis of the blessing of God for Christians
3. The New Covenant is based on regeneration
4. The New Covenant includes forgiveness of sins
5. The New Covenant includes the indwelling Holy Spirit
6. The New Covenant includes material blessings however this is not for the christian. The Land, the Temple and the material wealth of Israel is part of the earthly Kingdom but our inheritance is heavenly.
Rom 8v1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Gal 6v2: Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Steve
22/08/2009
I am the true Vine
I have struggled with the concept of fruit and fruit bearing for quite a while. In the Gospels Christ is addressing Israel of course and we as christians need to be careful how we apply things regarding Israel to NT believers.
Often John 15, where Christ talks about the true vine, is applied to christians and the general challenge to fruit bearing goes out to christians however l believe that this is incorrect.
Lets look at the scriptures to see how the word vine is used.
The vine is mentioned in the life of Noah and the dream of Joseph. In Genesis 49 we have a prophecy of the foal being brought to the vine this is a prophesy regarding the Kingdom. Next we are told in the law the regulations regarding keeping vines. On and on the references come and on each occasion the vines spoken of are real physical vines every time. As the focus of the OT increases on the coming kingdom so the vine becomes a symbol of rich blessing which will be enjoyed by Gods people in the Kingdom.
In Psa 8 for the first time the vine is used metaphorically of Israel.
7: Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. 8: Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
14: Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
in Psa 128 the image of the vine is used metaphorically for a mans wife...
3: Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
In Isaiah 5 the prophet gives a parable of a vineyard that will be destroyed even as Israel will be destroyed.
1: Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 3: And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 4: What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 5: And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7: For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
So Isaiah now brings the OT references to the Vine and the vineyard into its full significance.
He says...
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant:
I believe that this is the imagery that Christ speaks of in John 15.
In Luke 20 Christ says...
9: Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10: And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11: And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12: And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13: Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14: But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15: So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16: He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
The religious leaders were very familiar with the link between the image of the Vine and Israel as a nation. In this parable Christ takes the image from Psa 8 and Isa and describes a vineyard in which the servants who are to look after it refuse the messengers sent to it and finally kill the Owners Son. Then Christ poses a rhetorical question What will the owner of the vineyard do? And he answers his own question - He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
What did the king want of the men who were looking after the vineyard? He wanted fruit.
Then we turn to John 15 and Christ addresses his disciples who in this passage are the true representatives of Israel.
The disciples were the true alternative leaders of Israel and in a coming day they will in fact take the leadership of Israel. Christ was raising up a new leadership in Israel.
In Matthew 19v28 Christ said...And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29: And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30: But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
The regeneration is the new birth of the Nation of Israel in the Kingdom. At that time the Apostles will sit on twelve thrones to exercise judicial rule over Israel. Then it will be said that the decisions they make will be ratified in heaven. - Matthew 16v19: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The men who had the keys were the magistrates and they sat in the gate of the city and opened and shut the gate and executed judgment on the citizens.
Now lets get back to the True Vine.
1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Christ says firstly, I AM the TRUE VINE. He is saying Israel is the vine of the LORD but I AM the TRUE VINE. Christ is saying l am the Messiah of Israel. Then he says...6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Now this cannot be said of the least christian. No christian for lack of fruitfulness is cast into the fire. But Israel? that is a very different thing altogether. Israel is made up of a mixed multitude. there are those who are righteous and those who are unrighteous (That can never be said of the church, In the Church the - the true church there are only the saved and they have the very righteousness of Christ) And there are those in Israel that are unrighteous. How does the Lord judge Israel? He judges them on the basis of the righteous life lived under the law. If a man does that which the law demanded he is righteous and will be raised from the dead to receive eternal life in the kingdom. The christian is not like this, he has eternal life now on earth before he goes to heaven.
So what does God look for in a man who lives under law? He looks for righteousness. And the righteous deeds he does are the fruit of the inner man.
Steve
Often John 15, where Christ talks about the true vine, is applied to christians and the general challenge to fruit bearing goes out to christians however l believe that this is incorrect.
Lets look at the scriptures to see how the word vine is used.
The vine is mentioned in the life of Noah and the dream of Joseph. In Genesis 49 we have a prophecy of the foal being brought to the vine this is a prophesy regarding the Kingdom. Next we are told in the law the regulations regarding keeping vines. On and on the references come and on each occasion the vines spoken of are real physical vines every time. As the focus of the OT increases on the coming kingdom so the vine becomes a symbol of rich blessing which will be enjoyed by Gods people in the Kingdom.
In Psa 8 for the first time the vine is used metaphorically of Israel.
7: Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. 8: Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
14: Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
in Psa 128 the image of the vine is used metaphorically for a mans wife...
3: Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
In Isaiah 5 the prophet gives a parable of a vineyard that will be destroyed even as Israel will be destroyed.
1: Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 3: And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 4: What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 5: And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7: For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
So Isaiah now brings the OT references to the Vine and the vineyard into its full significance.
He says...
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant:
I believe that this is the imagery that Christ speaks of in John 15.
In Luke 20 Christ says...
9: Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10: And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11: And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12: And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13: Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14: But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15: So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16: He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
The religious leaders were very familiar with the link between the image of the Vine and Israel as a nation. In this parable Christ takes the image from Psa 8 and Isa and describes a vineyard in which the servants who are to look after it refuse the messengers sent to it and finally kill the Owners Son. Then Christ poses a rhetorical question What will the owner of the vineyard do? And he answers his own question - He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
What did the king want of the men who were looking after the vineyard? He wanted fruit.
Then we turn to John 15 and Christ addresses his disciples who in this passage are the true representatives of Israel.
The disciples were the true alternative leaders of Israel and in a coming day they will in fact take the leadership of Israel. Christ was raising up a new leadership in Israel.
In Matthew 19v28 Christ said...And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29: And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30: But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
The regeneration is the new birth of the Nation of Israel in the Kingdom. At that time the Apostles will sit on twelve thrones to exercise judicial rule over Israel. Then it will be said that the decisions they make will be ratified in heaven. - Matthew 16v19: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The men who had the keys were the magistrates and they sat in the gate of the city and opened and shut the gate and executed judgment on the citizens.
Now lets get back to the True Vine.
1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Christ says firstly, I AM the TRUE VINE. He is saying Israel is the vine of the LORD but I AM the TRUE VINE. Christ is saying l am the Messiah of Israel. Then he says...6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Now this cannot be said of the least christian. No christian for lack of fruitfulness is cast into the fire. But Israel? that is a very different thing altogether. Israel is made up of a mixed multitude. there are those who are righteous and those who are unrighteous (That can never be said of the church, In the Church the - the true church there are only the saved and they have the very righteousness of Christ) And there are those in Israel that are unrighteous. How does the Lord judge Israel? He judges them on the basis of the righteous life lived under the law. If a man does that which the law demanded he is righteous and will be raised from the dead to receive eternal life in the kingdom. The christian is not like this, he has eternal life now on earth before he goes to heaven.
So what does God look for in a man who lives under law? He looks for righteousness. And the righteous deeds he does are the fruit of the inner man.
Steve
28/07/2009
Dubious Practises - Dangerous Concepts
1. Healing
a. A concept that God wants to heal everyone all the time
b. A refusal to accept that the Apostolic healings were signs from God to Israel
c. A fear of sickness or of common aliments
d. A trivialising of Gods power to the mundane
This is one of the most common things in the churches and missions of today. Christians talk of healing all the time yet have no biblical understanding of its true significance.
Some Christians pray if they have a mild head ache or think that God should heal them because they feel a slight twinge which is more common as one gets older.
I do believe in God and l believe that God can heal. I also believe that faith can heal, however l do not believe in the modern healing movement one bit.
Let me tell you why.
I offered to take a local faith healer to the hospital to show me his gift in action. He declined. Then l would have taken him to the crematorium. Now that would have caused a fuss!!
No, The Apostolic gift of healing was not just to show
kindness to the sick The Apostolic healings were signs from the LORD to Israel (He confirmed his prophets with 'signs following') I believe that the Apostolic signs of healing/death tongues/interpretation prophecy/knowledge are not in existence today - because they were signs from God to unbelieving Jews.
However l do believe in God and in his power.
Has it ever occurred to you that Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel or the twelve Minor prophets and John the Baptist never healed anyone!!!
Nor did Augustine, Jerome, John Chrysostom, Theodorate, Cyril of Alexandria, Boethius, Bede the Venerable, John Scotus Erigena, Peter Waldo, Bernard of Clairaux, Bonaventure, Don Scotus, John Wycliffe, Geert de Groote, John Huss, Christian David, Martyn Luther, Hugh Latimer, Zwingli. John Calvin, Theodore Beza, Richard Baxter, George Fox, John Bunyan, Count Zinzendorf, John Wesley, Daniel Rowland, Howell Harris, George Whitfield, Christmas Evans, William Carey, Anthony Norris Groves, George Muller, David Morgan, Humphrey Jones, Hudson Taylor, CH Spurgeon, Charles Finney, BB Warfield, Gladys Aylward, Gypsy Smith, Harry Ironside, Moody, LS Chafer, JN Darby, Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Billy Graham, Nate Saint, John Hyde, Harold StJohn, George Verwer or John Stott.
So lets not run away with the idea that faith healing is a common thing.
Did God hear their prayers? Of course.
Did God heal someone occasionally? - no doubt, But none of them were 'faith healers'.
Miracles in scripture are in fact infrequent.
They occur at the beginning of a new ministry and
especially regarding Israel. For example in the life of Moses-Aaron, Elijah-Elisha, Christ-his Apostles.
2. Touch
a. An increase of the use of touch in everyday life.
b. A use of touch in prayer groups – holding hands etc
c. The idea that the laying on of hands is the means of spiritual blessing or the actual reception of the Spirit.
d. The touching of sacred things such as crosses, Bibles etc
Often Christians increase the touching of one another which is a sign of closeness and empathy. This use of touch can be symbolic of greater christian fellowship. But it can be an invasion of personal space and an interruption of normal social conventions. Often christians get over attached to ‘sacred things’ such as ‘christian’ jewellery or books such as their bible. They feel that God is present when they touch or are near these ‘things’. This is a form of idolatry.
3. Speaking in tongues
a. The idea of speaking in tongues as appropriate today and even in private.
b. The idea that speaking in tongues has magical powers
The apostolic gift of tongues was given as a sign to the Jews of the validity of the Gospel message being preached. It was always a sign gift to unbelievers not to believers. It was the actual speaking of a language that one had not learnt but it was always accompanied by another companion who also had exactly the same gift who could interpret the language for those who were listening. The idea that is was not a language or that it was a ‘heavenly’ language is just plain untrue.
Some christians are taught to not think and begin speaking any phrases that sound like a foreign language and this is how one learns tongues. This is self deception based on ignorance and peer pressure.
4. Prophesy
a. The idea that everyone can speak directly from God to people in a manner that is from God.
b. The idea that whatever comes into you mind is from God.
c. The idea that christians receive direct revelations from God all the time
d. The idea that certain people have a private hot line to God.
The Apostolic gift of speaking directly from God was a gift given before the coming of the NT scriptures and it enabled believers to be taught and edified until scripture was complete. Those who had this gift could say… Thus saith the Lord…etc etc. This gift is not in operation today. All prophesy in this sense has been superseded by the preaching of the Word.
5. Worship
a. The idea that worship is the main emphasis in a service rather than the ministry of the Word.
b. The idea that worship is a highly emotional ecstatic experience
The great emphasis is on worship rather than the preaching of the Word. The time period for preaching is drastically reduced and the worship period increased. The introduction of ‘New Ministries’ such as ‘song leader’ ‘worship leader’ is a symptom of this emphasis The modern idea that worship is a highly charged experience of God in which the worshippers get more and more emotional and mentally distracted is a false idea. The last fruit of the Spirit is self control. Self control will be greatly enhanced as one is filled more by the Spirit.
6. The idea that the Holy Spirit is to come
a. The modern idea that the Church does not have the Holy Spirit and that we are to pray for his coming is incorrect.
b. The idea that individual christians need to receive the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has been given by Christ to the Church and he remains with us forever. All believers have the Holy Spirit at the time of their conversion. However christians can be filled with the Spirit to enable them to minister for Christ. This is an act of faith and a willingness to submit to the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
7. The Spiritualisation of locations
a. The idea that certain places are holy or sacred and that other places are evil.
b. The use of phrases such as ‘holy place’, ‘House of God’.
c. The concept that we call God into our presence or that we enter into his presence
Since the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem there is No Holy place. No specific location for God’s presence. Christians are to get away from the idea that we come into the presence of God
8. Spiritual warfare
a. An emphasis on the idea of ‘Spiritual warfare’.
b. Walking around ‘a territory’,
c. Binding and releasing,
d. Praying against, praying over.
e. An emphasis on fear of Satan and demons
f. A so-called ability to see demonic activity
Some christians are absorbed with the ideas of ‘spiritual warfare’. They think that they are involved in an actual fight. They think in terms of ‘gaining ground’ or ‘standing sure’ as if they are on an actual battlefield. This is naive in the extreme. There are Spiritual battles but we are no real match in the spiritual realm if only we knew. Some christians think they can ‘cast spells’ which they call binding and loosing. They speak of praying against or praying over something or someone. There is an over emphasis on Satan and demonic activity. This becomes a diversion in itself and Satan absorbs their energy and diverts them from their real mission of preaching the Gospel.
9. Prayer
a. The idea that a christian is able to speak things into existence
b. The practise of chaotic prayer, which is everyone speaking together.
c. The practise of emptying of the mind in prayer.
The idea that Christians have creatorial power is more common that it might appear. Christians are not able to say magic words to bring things into being. Sometimes christians think that prayer is best when everyone prays together in a cacophony of noise and chaos. This is often accompanied by a working up of emotional feeling into a crescendo of emotion. This ecstasy of thought of as being truly spiritual. Some Christians think that prayer is the emptying of the mind into a state of non thinking. Prayer is an intelligent conversation with God.
10. Emotion
a. An emphasis on how you are feeling.
b. The idea that we should be open to new people and new ideas without discernment
c. The idea that when we feel good that is Gods blessing
This is a very common thing among women and certain men who like to play on emotions. The emphasis is on how one is feeling at the time and this sense of wellbeing is interpreted to mean that one is in the blessing of God. This is inspite of the fact that scripture teaches that all the emotions of life and circumstances are not at all linked to spirituality. Christ even hinted at this in the Sermon on the Mount when he said Blessed are the poor in Spirit and Blessed are they that mourn. Our feelings may be up and down – some more than others but they have no relation to spirituality or our true relationship with the Lord.
11. Finding Gods will
a. An emphasis on visions, visions and even more visions.
b. The simplistic idea that good events are from God and all adverse events are from Satan.
c. A general lack of christian discernment.
d. Bibliomancy
This is a very important area of christian understanding. There is nothing more important than knowing Gods will, however immature christians often slip into over simplistic ideas which are a diversion from the real understanding and knowledge of the will of God.
Some christians think that Gods will is to be discerned by the receiving of visions yet they fail to realise that visions in scripture where given in the absence of specific scripture. They are often given to men who are outside of the nation of Israel and who have to turn to men of Israel for its interpretation. Most of the time the visions are not understood. The proliferation of visions of the most obscure nature are very common among certain types of christians who seem to place great emphasis on them.
Some Christians seem to think that every little event of life like missing a bus or the fact that it is sunny or raining are signs from God which tell them which way they should go. Christians should avoid an over simplification of the providence of God and an over superstitious view of ordinary events. These people mistakenly think that every good event is from God and that every adverse event is from Satan. In this way it becomes very easy for Satan to deceive these people anytime he wishes.
Some christians take a very simplistic view in relation to discernment. They seem to lack even the common sense they were born with and do things that are not only absurd but which even ordinary men would consider to be ridiculous. This path is then defended as ‘Gods will’ and anyone who questions it as persecuting them.
Some christians use the Bible as a sort of luck dip. They use it a sort of repository of fortune cookies, they only have to open it randomly to find a verse which will be ‘Gods will’. They don’t know what to make of… ‘Judas went and hanged himself’…followed by…’Go and do thou likewise’.
The discernment of Gods will is the most important thing to learn. The willing christian will always find Gods will when the Lord time comes to reveal it to him. However the Lord has a thousand ways to reveal it and the christian must place himself in a position of willingness to receive do it and patience to wait on God.
12. Diversion
a. An emphasis on anything apart from the simple preaching of the Gospel.
b. An involvement in mission activities that have a ‘mysterious’ aspect.
Napoleon said, ‘It is amazing what people believe provided it is not in the Bible’. The same is true of Christian work. It is amazing what christian missions do that is not specifically the preaching of the Gospel. Christians are often diverted into a thousand types of activity rather that the one thing of Prayer and the Ministry of the Word. I say one thing because Prayer and the ministry of the word are actually one ministry.
And so they become involved in Bible bookshops, Hospital work, Rescue missions, Homelessness, Challenging Abuse, Challenging religion, Challenging Social ills, Challenging the Politician’s. Counselling. Praying for sicknesses. Giving out literature by the 1000’s. Placards. March’s, Protests, Testimonies, Singing. Discussions. Dialogue etc etc. Everything and everything apart from the simple preaching of the word. Now I’m not saying that all these things have no place, what l am saying is that they should have second place. Prayer and the ministry of the Word should have first place.
13. Evangelism
a. An emphasis on not speaking about the Lord directly
b. An emphasis on a non direct approach in evangelism
c. A lack of evangelistic teaching to the participants
d. A general lack of evangelistic ability or experience
There is the idea of pre-evangelism, bridge building, ‘being present’ in the community. But No evangelism has happened until we preach the Gospel. Often Christians get sidetracked into questionnaires, or discussions and debates. We might even get to the absurdity of asking a godless man what his opinion is of the holiness of God as if he has anything to say whatsoever. Then we might even disgrace ourselves by giving him the respect due to his opinion. The Gospel is not an argument to be won. It is not a concept to be understood. It is not a thing to learn. It is a message to be delivered. It is the message of God to men and their response is to believe it. Its is as simple as that. The Gospel is a declaration of God which silences men in conviction and converts men in faith.
Some christians think that they can go out into the streets just to give their testimony but that is not evangelism – that’s testimony. Some christians think that there is nothing to learn about evangelism however Christ thought differently. He said, ‘Follow me and l will teach you to become fishers of men’.
The work of the evangelist is a specific gift from Christ to the Church in which he gives the supernatural gift of evangelistic ability. These men and women are the most misunderstood and undervalued christians of the church. Everything is focused on the Pastor in Church life and little if any attention is given to the evangelist.
Some christians go out to evangelise with no actual understanding of what they are doing and no training, thinking that this work is just simple, Its not!
14. Domination
a. The practise of dominating believers under the guise of obedience to elders.
b. The idea that we are to submit to leaders even when they are clearly not acting in a Christ-like manner.
c. The abuse of christians under the disguise of discipleship by giving them things to do that are deliberately uncomfortable or disgusting
This is a very important thing to understand. There was a strong movement called the Shepherding movement in which christians were bullied and coerced into very unhealthy relationships with strong cultic leaders. These leaders were either evil or extremely naïve. They bullied their ‘converts’ into a form of submission that created a very strange and dangerous relationship. This was the very reverse of the scriptural teaching of Discipleship. Discipleship is the spiritual development of those who want to serve God to empower them and develop them personally to discover and exercise their spiritual gifts. The beginning of the abuse of Christians is the challenge of the will to do some act that is repulsive or difficult in the guise of submitting to Gods will. This begins a downward path into servitude.
15. Extra biblical teaching
a. An emphasis on teaching that is either absent in scripture or has no specific relation to scripture. Such as ‘The Father heart of God’.
b. The use of Unbiblical terminology.
c. The use of teaching that has come from visions of a prophet’s new revelations.
There is a strong emphasis by some christians on teachings which have little or no support from scripture. And of course the list of subjects is endless. It includes ‘The Father heart of God’, Doctrines of Demons. Angelogy etc etc. Often these people bring up new words which summarise concepts which are not biblical. Very great care needs to be exercised to discern these errors. If new words or concepts are introduced then this concept should be written down and kept as a separate issue before it permeates your thinking.
Some christians say Oh the Bible was ok for the past but we are living in a modern world and the Lord has got new things for us.
Some leaders say that we are now moving into a new wave of freedom in the Spirit which previous generations never knew. This then opens the door for ANYTHING new!
16. Family relations
a. The separation of Family relations.
b. The emphasis on the mission as ‘a family’
c. The criticism or demonization of family relations
Often Christians try to separate family and friends from christians involved in missions, because as the old family ties are broken so the mission becomes the new family. The leaders are thought of a ‘spiritual fathers’. (this is inspite of the fact that Christ forbad the use of the term Father and of its meaning as spiritual leadership)
Of course family ties are never to be broken EVER. They are the very basis of our personality and the rock foundation of our lives. Christian leaders should never disagree with parental or Spouse opinions and should encourage the maintenance of family bonds. Cult leaders always try to demonise family to remove these links and to cause their followers to cling to them.
Appendix 1.
A description of the Apostolic Ministry
In this passage the Lord explains the whole of the Apostolic ministry. Which began during Christ’s lifetime and continued while the Apostles lived and is described in the Acts of the Apostles.
Matthew 10.
1: And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2: Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3: Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4: Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5: These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7: And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8: Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9: Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10: Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11: And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12: And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13: And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14: And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15: Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17: But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18: And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19: But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20: For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21: And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23: But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Notice a number of things.
1. The apostles specifically had power over demons and sickness and disease.
2. The Apostles are Named as a group of twelve men. There are no Apostles in this sense today.
3. The Apostolic ministry was confined specifically to Israel called – the Lost sheep of the house of Israel.
4. The Apostolic message was a national call to Israel that they might return to the Lord because the Messianic kingdom was very near
5. The Apostolic signs were - Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. These were not ordinary miracles by men who were empowered by the Spirit, rather they were Miracles which the Rabbis had come to understand as being only able to be performed by the Messiah. These Messianic signs were described as.
a. The Cleansing the leper
b. The Restoration of sight to a man born blind
c. The Healing of a man who had never walked
d. The Raising from the dead of a man who had been dead four days
e. The Deliverance of a man who had a demon which makes him dumb.
6. The Apostolic method was.
a. To take no money
b. To take no spare clothing but to rely on Jewish traditional charity.
c. To stay with those who are worthy – and to not move.
d. To salute the house
e. To let the Shalom come on them or not.
f. To shake the dust.
g. The twofold principle of welcome, i.e. receiving and hearing.
h. Their spirit was to be wise and harmless
7. The Apostolic persecution by the Jews is predicted
8. The Apostolic mission will be incomplete
All of the Apostolic signs were signs specifically toward the Jews.
They include, Knowledge/Prophesy. Healing/Death. Tongues/Interpretation.
All these signs were given by God specifically to Israel and were indicative of a nation in a state of rejection.
Appendix 2
Other scriptures related to Signs
Here are a few scriptures that have bearing on the subject.
John 6v29: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30: They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
The Jews understood that God gave them signs and so they asked Christ for a sign. However at this time they were refusing to accept the Messianic signs already given and so Christ refuses to cast his pearls before swine.
Acts 2v22: Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Here Peter is addressing Israel. He says Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs. The Signature of God was upon his ministry by the miracles, wonders and signs which accompanied his preaching.
Acts 2v43: And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
The Apostles where still only preaching to Jews (Even as far as chapter 10 they were preaching only to Jews and later they continued to preach to Jews while occasionally preaching to gentiles too) The Apostolic ministry to Israel was characterised by Wonders and signs.
Acts 4v29: And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30: By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
After the Apostles were warned not to preach Jesus as the Messiah any more, the church did not cower away they asked God for boldness and for MORE Apostolic signs.
Acts 5v11: And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 12: And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
The effect of the Apostolic sign of death on Ananias and Sapphira was that the fear of the Lord came upon the Church. And many more signs and wonders were done among the people.
Acts 8v13: Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Some of the Apostolic signs were performed by those who were not Apostles, Philip performed miracles and signs to the Jews that he met.
Acts 14v1: And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2: But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3: Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
In the Jewish Synagogue Paul performed signs and wonders.
Romans 15v18: For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Here Paul describes the signs and wonders that he did at Illyricum. These were all for the benefit of the Jews there.
1Cor 1v22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
Paul states the principle of how nationalities are reached with the Gospel and what appeals to them. He says the Jews require a sign from God. This takes us back to the first day when Moses stood before the burning bush and he asked what sign he would take to Israel to prove his authority to be their delieverer.
1Cor 14v22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Her Paul states unequivocally that the gift of tongues was a sign not to believers (they don’t need a sign from God because they already believe God) but for unbelievers. So the Gift of Tongues was an Apostolic sign to unbelieving Jews.
Hebrews 2v3: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
The writer to the Hebrews gives the true significance of signs – that is they were a witness to the authority of the messenger in this case Christ himself.
Steve
Shrewsbury 2009
a. A concept that God wants to heal everyone all the time
b. A refusal to accept that the Apostolic healings were signs from God to Israel
c. A fear of sickness or of common aliments
d. A trivialising of Gods power to the mundane
This is one of the most common things in the churches and missions of today. Christians talk of healing all the time yet have no biblical understanding of its true significance.
Some Christians pray if they have a mild head ache or think that God should heal them because they feel a slight twinge which is more common as one gets older.
I do believe in God and l believe that God can heal. I also believe that faith can heal, however l do not believe in the modern healing movement one bit.
Let me tell you why.
I offered to take a local faith healer to the hospital to show me his gift in action. He declined. Then l would have taken him to the crematorium. Now that would have caused a fuss!!
No, The Apostolic gift of healing was not just to show
kindness to the sick The Apostolic healings were signs from the LORD to Israel (He confirmed his prophets with 'signs following') I believe that the Apostolic signs of healing/death tongues/interpretation prophecy/knowledge are not in existence today - because they were signs from God to unbelieving Jews.
However l do believe in God and in his power.
Has it ever occurred to you that Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel or the twelve Minor prophets and John the Baptist never healed anyone!!!
Nor did Augustine, Jerome, John Chrysostom, Theodorate, Cyril of Alexandria, Boethius, Bede the Venerable, John Scotus Erigena, Peter Waldo, Bernard of Clairaux, Bonaventure, Don Scotus, John Wycliffe, Geert de Groote, John Huss, Christian David, Martyn Luther, Hugh Latimer, Zwingli. John Calvin, Theodore Beza, Richard Baxter, George Fox, John Bunyan, Count Zinzendorf, John Wesley, Daniel Rowland, Howell Harris, George Whitfield, Christmas Evans, William Carey, Anthony Norris Groves, George Muller, David Morgan, Humphrey Jones, Hudson Taylor, CH Spurgeon, Charles Finney, BB Warfield, Gladys Aylward, Gypsy Smith, Harry Ironside, Moody, LS Chafer, JN Darby, Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Billy Graham, Nate Saint, John Hyde, Harold StJohn, George Verwer or John Stott.
So lets not run away with the idea that faith healing is a common thing.
Did God hear their prayers? Of course.
Did God heal someone occasionally? - no doubt, But none of them were 'faith healers'.
Miracles in scripture are in fact infrequent.
They occur at the beginning of a new ministry and
especially regarding Israel. For example in the life of Moses-Aaron, Elijah-Elisha, Christ-his Apostles.
2. Touch
a. An increase of the use of touch in everyday life.
b. A use of touch in prayer groups – holding hands etc
c. The idea that the laying on of hands is the means of spiritual blessing or the actual reception of the Spirit.
d. The touching of sacred things such as crosses, Bibles etc
Often Christians increase the touching of one another which is a sign of closeness and empathy. This use of touch can be symbolic of greater christian fellowship. But it can be an invasion of personal space and an interruption of normal social conventions. Often christians get over attached to ‘sacred things’ such as ‘christian’ jewellery or books such as their bible. They feel that God is present when they touch or are near these ‘things’. This is a form of idolatry.
3. Speaking in tongues
a. The idea of speaking in tongues as appropriate today and even in private.
b. The idea that speaking in tongues has magical powers
The apostolic gift of tongues was given as a sign to the Jews of the validity of the Gospel message being preached. It was always a sign gift to unbelievers not to believers. It was the actual speaking of a language that one had not learnt but it was always accompanied by another companion who also had exactly the same gift who could interpret the language for those who were listening. The idea that is was not a language or that it was a ‘heavenly’ language is just plain untrue.
Some christians are taught to not think and begin speaking any phrases that sound like a foreign language and this is how one learns tongues. This is self deception based on ignorance and peer pressure.
4. Prophesy
a. The idea that everyone can speak directly from God to people in a manner that is from God.
b. The idea that whatever comes into you mind is from God.
c. The idea that christians receive direct revelations from God all the time
d. The idea that certain people have a private hot line to God.
The Apostolic gift of speaking directly from God was a gift given before the coming of the NT scriptures and it enabled believers to be taught and edified until scripture was complete. Those who had this gift could say… Thus saith the Lord…etc etc. This gift is not in operation today. All prophesy in this sense has been superseded by the preaching of the Word.
5. Worship
a. The idea that worship is the main emphasis in a service rather than the ministry of the Word.
b. The idea that worship is a highly emotional ecstatic experience
The great emphasis is on worship rather than the preaching of the Word. The time period for preaching is drastically reduced and the worship period increased. The introduction of ‘New Ministries’ such as ‘song leader’ ‘worship leader’ is a symptom of this emphasis The modern idea that worship is a highly charged experience of God in which the worshippers get more and more emotional and mentally distracted is a false idea. The last fruit of the Spirit is self control. Self control will be greatly enhanced as one is filled more by the Spirit.
6. The idea that the Holy Spirit is to come
a. The modern idea that the Church does not have the Holy Spirit and that we are to pray for his coming is incorrect.
b. The idea that individual christians need to receive the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has been given by Christ to the Church and he remains with us forever. All believers have the Holy Spirit at the time of their conversion. However christians can be filled with the Spirit to enable them to minister for Christ. This is an act of faith and a willingness to submit to the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
7. The Spiritualisation of locations
a. The idea that certain places are holy or sacred and that other places are evil.
b. The use of phrases such as ‘holy place’, ‘House of God’.
c. The concept that we call God into our presence or that we enter into his presence
Since the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem there is No Holy place. No specific location for God’s presence. Christians are to get away from the idea that we come into the presence of God
8. Spiritual warfare
a. An emphasis on the idea of ‘Spiritual warfare’.
b. Walking around ‘a territory’,
c. Binding and releasing,
d. Praying against, praying over.
e. An emphasis on fear of Satan and demons
f. A so-called ability to see demonic activity
Some christians are absorbed with the ideas of ‘spiritual warfare’. They think that they are involved in an actual fight. They think in terms of ‘gaining ground’ or ‘standing sure’ as if they are on an actual battlefield. This is naive in the extreme. There are Spiritual battles but we are no real match in the spiritual realm if only we knew. Some christians think they can ‘cast spells’ which they call binding and loosing. They speak of praying against or praying over something or someone. There is an over emphasis on Satan and demonic activity. This becomes a diversion in itself and Satan absorbs their energy and diverts them from their real mission of preaching the Gospel.
9. Prayer
a. The idea that a christian is able to speak things into existence
b. The practise of chaotic prayer, which is everyone speaking together.
c. The practise of emptying of the mind in prayer.
The idea that Christians have creatorial power is more common that it might appear. Christians are not able to say magic words to bring things into being. Sometimes christians think that prayer is best when everyone prays together in a cacophony of noise and chaos. This is often accompanied by a working up of emotional feeling into a crescendo of emotion. This ecstasy of thought of as being truly spiritual. Some Christians think that prayer is the emptying of the mind into a state of non thinking. Prayer is an intelligent conversation with God.
10. Emotion
a. An emphasis on how you are feeling.
b. The idea that we should be open to new people and new ideas without discernment
c. The idea that when we feel good that is Gods blessing
This is a very common thing among women and certain men who like to play on emotions. The emphasis is on how one is feeling at the time and this sense of wellbeing is interpreted to mean that one is in the blessing of God. This is inspite of the fact that scripture teaches that all the emotions of life and circumstances are not at all linked to spirituality. Christ even hinted at this in the Sermon on the Mount when he said Blessed are the poor in Spirit and Blessed are they that mourn. Our feelings may be up and down – some more than others but they have no relation to spirituality or our true relationship with the Lord.
11. Finding Gods will
a. An emphasis on visions, visions and even more visions.
b. The simplistic idea that good events are from God and all adverse events are from Satan.
c. A general lack of christian discernment.
d. Bibliomancy
This is a very important area of christian understanding. There is nothing more important than knowing Gods will, however immature christians often slip into over simplistic ideas which are a diversion from the real understanding and knowledge of the will of God.
Some christians think that Gods will is to be discerned by the receiving of visions yet they fail to realise that visions in scripture where given in the absence of specific scripture. They are often given to men who are outside of the nation of Israel and who have to turn to men of Israel for its interpretation. Most of the time the visions are not understood. The proliferation of visions of the most obscure nature are very common among certain types of christians who seem to place great emphasis on them.
Some Christians seem to think that every little event of life like missing a bus or the fact that it is sunny or raining are signs from God which tell them which way they should go. Christians should avoid an over simplification of the providence of God and an over superstitious view of ordinary events. These people mistakenly think that every good event is from God and that every adverse event is from Satan. In this way it becomes very easy for Satan to deceive these people anytime he wishes.
Some christians take a very simplistic view in relation to discernment. They seem to lack even the common sense they were born with and do things that are not only absurd but which even ordinary men would consider to be ridiculous. This path is then defended as ‘Gods will’ and anyone who questions it as persecuting them.
Some christians use the Bible as a sort of luck dip. They use it a sort of repository of fortune cookies, they only have to open it randomly to find a verse which will be ‘Gods will’. They don’t know what to make of… ‘Judas went and hanged himself’…followed by…’Go and do thou likewise’.
The discernment of Gods will is the most important thing to learn. The willing christian will always find Gods will when the Lord time comes to reveal it to him. However the Lord has a thousand ways to reveal it and the christian must place himself in a position of willingness to receive do it and patience to wait on God.
12. Diversion
a. An emphasis on anything apart from the simple preaching of the Gospel.
b. An involvement in mission activities that have a ‘mysterious’ aspect.
Napoleon said, ‘It is amazing what people believe provided it is not in the Bible’. The same is true of Christian work. It is amazing what christian missions do that is not specifically the preaching of the Gospel. Christians are often diverted into a thousand types of activity rather that the one thing of Prayer and the Ministry of the Word. I say one thing because Prayer and the ministry of the word are actually one ministry.
And so they become involved in Bible bookshops, Hospital work, Rescue missions, Homelessness, Challenging Abuse, Challenging religion, Challenging Social ills, Challenging the Politician’s. Counselling. Praying for sicknesses. Giving out literature by the 1000’s. Placards. March’s, Protests, Testimonies, Singing. Discussions. Dialogue etc etc. Everything and everything apart from the simple preaching of the word. Now I’m not saying that all these things have no place, what l am saying is that they should have second place. Prayer and the ministry of the Word should have first place.
13. Evangelism
a. An emphasis on not speaking about the Lord directly
b. An emphasis on a non direct approach in evangelism
c. A lack of evangelistic teaching to the participants
d. A general lack of evangelistic ability or experience
There is the idea of pre-evangelism, bridge building, ‘being present’ in the community. But No evangelism has happened until we preach the Gospel. Often Christians get sidetracked into questionnaires, or discussions and debates. We might even get to the absurdity of asking a godless man what his opinion is of the holiness of God as if he has anything to say whatsoever. Then we might even disgrace ourselves by giving him the respect due to his opinion. The Gospel is not an argument to be won. It is not a concept to be understood. It is not a thing to learn. It is a message to be delivered. It is the message of God to men and their response is to believe it. Its is as simple as that. The Gospel is a declaration of God which silences men in conviction and converts men in faith.
Some christians think that they can go out into the streets just to give their testimony but that is not evangelism – that’s testimony. Some christians think that there is nothing to learn about evangelism however Christ thought differently. He said, ‘Follow me and l will teach you to become fishers of men’.
The work of the evangelist is a specific gift from Christ to the Church in which he gives the supernatural gift of evangelistic ability. These men and women are the most misunderstood and undervalued christians of the church. Everything is focused on the Pastor in Church life and little if any attention is given to the evangelist.
Some christians go out to evangelise with no actual understanding of what they are doing and no training, thinking that this work is just simple, Its not!
14. Domination
a. The practise of dominating believers under the guise of obedience to elders.
b. The idea that we are to submit to leaders even when they are clearly not acting in a Christ-like manner.
c. The abuse of christians under the disguise of discipleship by giving them things to do that are deliberately uncomfortable or disgusting
This is a very important thing to understand. There was a strong movement called the Shepherding movement in which christians were bullied and coerced into very unhealthy relationships with strong cultic leaders. These leaders were either evil or extremely naïve. They bullied their ‘converts’ into a form of submission that created a very strange and dangerous relationship. This was the very reverse of the scriptural teaching of Discipleship. Discipleship is the spiritual development of those who want to serve God to empower them and develop them personally to discover and exercise their spiritual gifts. The beginning of the abuse of Christians is the challenge of the will to do some act that is repulsive or difficult in the guise of submitting to Gods will. This begins a downward path into servitude.
15. Extra biblical teaching
a. An emphasis on teaching that is either absent in scripture or has no specific relation to scripture. Such as ‘The Father heart of God’.
b. The use of Unbiblical terminology.
c. The use of teaching that has come from visions of a prophet’s new revelations.
There is a strong emphasis by some christians on teachings which have little or no support from scripture. And of course the list of subjects is endless. It includes ‘The Father heart of God’, Doctrines of Demons. Angelogy etc etc. Often these people bring up new words which summarise concepts which are not biblical. Very great care needs to be exercised to discern these errors. If new words or concepts are introduced then this concept should be written down and kept as a separate issue before it permeates your thinking.
Some christians say Oh the Bible was ok for the past but we are living in a modern world and the Lord has got new things for us.
Some leaders say that we are now moving into a new wave of freedom in the Spirit which previous generations never knew. This then opens the door for ANYTHING new!
16. Family relations
a. The separation of Family relations.
b. The emphasis on the mission as ‘a family’
c. The criticism or demonization of family relations
Often Christians try to separate family and friends from christians involved in missions, because as the old family ties are broken so the mission becomes the new family. The leaders are thought of a ‘spiritual fathers’. (this is inspite of the fact that Christ forbad the use of the term Father and of its meaning as spiritual leadership)
Of course family ties are never to be broken EVER. They are the very basis of our personality and the rock foundation of our lives. Christian leaders should never disagree with parental or Spouse opinions and should encourage the maintenance of family bonds. Cult leaders always try to demonise family to remove these links and to cause their followers to cling to them.
Appendix 1.
A description of the Apostolic Ministry
In this passage the Lord explains the whole of the Apostolic ministry. Which began during Christ’s lifetime and continued while the Apostles lived and is described in the Acts of the Apostles.
Matthew 10.
1: And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2: Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3: Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4: Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5: These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7: And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8: Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9: Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10: Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11: And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12: And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13: And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14: And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15: Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17: But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18: And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19: But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20: For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21: And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23: But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Notice a number of things.
1. The apostles specifically had power over demons and sickness and disease.
2. The Apostles are Named as a group of twelve men. There are no Apostles in this sense today.
3. The Apostolic ministry was confined specifically to Israel called – the Lost sheep of the house of Israel.
4. The Apostolic message was a national call to Israel that they might return to the Lord because the Messianic kingdom was very near
5. The Apostolic signs were - Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. These were not ordinary miracles by men who were empowered by the Spirit, rather they were Miracles which the Rabbis had come to understand as being only able to be performed by the Messiah. These Messianic signs were described as.
a. The Cleansing the leper
b. The Restoration of sight to a man born blind
c. The Healing of a man who had never walked
d. The Raising from the dead of a man who had been dead four days
e. The Deliverance of a man who had a demon which makes him dumb.
6. The Apostolic method was.
a. To take no money
b. To take no spare clothing but to rely on Jewish traditional charity.
c. To stay with those who are worthy – and to not move.
d. To salute the house
e. To let the Shalom come on them or not.
f. To shake the dust.
g. The twofold principle of welcome, i.e. receiving and hearing.
h. Their spirit was to be wise and harmless
7. The Apostolic persecution by the Jews is predicted
8. The Apostolic mission will be incomplete
All of the Apostolic signs were signs specifically toward the Jews.
They include, Knowledge/Prophesy. Healing/Death. Tongues/Interpretation.
All these signs were given by God specifically to Israel and were indicative of a nation in a state of rejection.
Appendix 2
Other scriptures related to Signs
Here are a few scriptures that have bearing on the subject.
John 6v29: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30: They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
The Jews understood that God gave them signs and so they asked Christ for a sign. However at this time they were refusing to accept the Messianic signs already given and so Christ refuses to cast his pearls before swine.
Acts 2v22: Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Here Peter is addressing Israel. He says Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs. The Signature of God was upon his ministry by the miracles, wonders and signs which accompanied his preaching.
Acts 2v43: And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
The Apostles where still only preaching to Jews (Even as far as chapter 10 they were preaching only to Jews and later they continued to preach to Jews while occasionally preaching to gentiles too) The Apostolic ministry to Israel was characterised by Wonders and signs.
Acts 4v29: And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30: By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
After the Apostles were warned not to preach Jesus as the Messiah any more, the church did not cower away they asked God for boldness and for MORE Apostolic signs.
Acts 5v11: And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 12: And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
The effect of the Apostolic sign of death on Ananias and Sapphira was that the fear of the Lord came upon the Church. And many more signs and wonders were done among the people.
Acts 8v13: Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Some of the Apostolic signs were performed by those who were not Apostles, Philip performed miracles and signs to the Jews that he met.
Acts 14v1: And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2: But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3: Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
In the Jewish Synagogue Paul performed signs and wonders.
Romans 15v18: For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Here Paul describes the signs and wonders that he did at Illyricum. These were all for the benefit of the Jews there.
1Cor 1v22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
Paul states the principle of how nationalities are reached with the Gospel and what appeals to them. He says the Jews require a sign from God. This takes us back to the first day when Moses stood before the burning bush and he asked what sign he would take to Israel to prove his authority to be their delieverer.
1Cor 14v22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Her Paul states unequivocally that the gift of tongues was a sign not to believers (they don’t need a sign from God because they already believe God) but for unbelievers. So the Gift of Tongues was an Apostolic sign to unbelieving Jews.
Hebrews 2v3: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
The writer to the Hebrews gives the true significance of signs – that is they were a witness to the authority of the messenger in this case Christ himself.
Steve
Shrewsbury 2009
26/06/2009
The Cross, Resurrection and Pentecost
7. The Cross, Resurrection and Pentecost
Is it possible to say all that happened at the cross? No, we hardly know anything about what really happened there, except a few simple concepts and the words of scripture.
A. When Christ died he died for God. He died to vindicate God – to prove forever that God was right all a long. He died to clear the name of God.
B. Christ died to prove that the Devils message that God does not love us, is forever false.
C. Christ died to satisfy the righteousness of God in bringing justice on the sin of man.
D. Christ died to destroy he works of the Devil.
E. Christ died to provide a way were by God can forgive the sinner of his sins and bring him into a relationship with him.
F. Christ died to destroy the sinful nature in the believer.
G. Christ died to put away sin.
H. Christ died to prove that sin is sin and that God is holy.
Peter said the Jews in Acts 3
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Men crucified him but God raised him from the dead.
And if God has raised him from the dead that look out! Men thought that they had dealt with the issue once for all, but God raised him from the dead. Men hated Christ and thought that they could get rid of him forever, But God raised him from the dead. Men thought that the grave would hold him but God raised him from the dead. Men thought that they would never have to think about Christ again, But God raised him from the dead.
Peter said…22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, [that] every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Moses prophesied that God would raise up a prophet from among them (Christ) and they would hear him but those who refuse to hear him will be destroyed form among the people (of Israel).
When Christ rose from the dead he did not destroy all those who had crucified him but he sent his apostles to them to offer them repentance. The apostles travelled right through the whole Roman empire presenting to Israel another opportunity to return to the Lord their God and city by city and synagogue by synagogue they turned their back on Christ again. Eventually the Roman legions came and destroyed the nation in AD 70. What did they witness to? They said that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah and that though they had crucified him God had raised him from the dead and made him Lord and Christ.
When Christ was here with his disciples he gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to work miracles and to preach the gospel to Israel. But when he died he said I don’t want you to leave Jerusalem but I want you to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Christ died at the time of the Jewish Passover but 50 days later, ten days after he had ascended to heaven he baptised the disciples in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Passover was the celebration of the Children of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. But the day of Pentecost was the celebration of Israel entering into the Mosaic covenant. On that day Christ began a completely new thing the church was born. True it was all Jewish to begin with but later it would include ever born again person in the world. When a person becomes a christian the day of Christ’s death does not occur again nor the day of Pentecost but they come into the blessing of all that took place on those momentous days.
We look back to the cross to see the time when our sins were taken away and we look back to Pentecost to see the time when we became united as believers in Christ s church.
Is it possible to say all that happened at the cross? No, we hardly know anything about what really happened there, except a few simple concepts and the words of scripture.
A. When Christ died he died for God. He died to vindicate God – to prove forever that God was right all a long. He died to clear the name of God.
B. Christ died to prove that the Devils message that God does not love us, is forever false.
C. Christ died to satisfy the righteousness of God in bringing justice on the sin of man.
D. Christ died to destroy he works of the Devil.
E. Christ died to provide a way were by God can forgive the sinner of his sins and bring him into a relationship with him.
F. Christ died to destroy the sinful nature in the believer.
G. Christ died to put away sin.
H. Christ died to prove that sin is sin and that God is holy.
Peter said the Jews in Acts 3
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Men crucified him but God raised him from the dead.
And if God has raised him from the dead that look out! Men thought that they had dealt with the issue once for all, but God raised him from the dead. Men hated Christ and thought that they could get rid of him forever, But God raised him from the dead. Men thought that the grave would hold him but God raised him from the dead. Men thought that they would never have to think about Christ again, But God raised him from the dead.
Peter said…22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, [that] every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Moses prophesied that God would raise up a prophet from among them (Christ) and they would hear him but those who refuse to hear him will be destroyed form among the people (of Israel).
When Christ rose from the dead he did not destroy all those who had crucified him but he sent his apostles to them to offer them repentance. The apostles travelled right through the whole Roman empire presenting to Israel another opportunity to return to the Lord their God and city by city and synagogue by synagogue they turned their back on Christ again. Eventually the Roman legions came and destroyed the nation in AD 70. What did they witness to? They said that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah and that though they had crucified him God had raised him from the dead and made him Lord and Christ.
When Christ was here with his disciples he gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to work miracles and to preach the gospel to Israel. But when he died he said I don’t want you to leave Jerusalem but I want you to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Christ died at the time of the Jewish Passover but 50 days later, ten days after he had ascended to heaven he baptised the disciples in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Passover was the celebration of the Children of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. But the day of Pentecost was the celebration of Israel entering into the Mosaic covenant. On that day Christ began a completely new thing the church was born. True it was all Jewish to begin with but later it would include ever born again person in the world. When a person becomes a christian the day of Christ’s death does not occur again nor the day of Pentecost but they come into the blessing of all that took place on those momentous days.
We look back to the cross to see the time when our sins were taken away and we look back to Pentecost to see the time when we became united as believers in Christ s church.
25/06/2009
6. The Holy Spirit
6. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
When a person becomes a Christian the Holy Spirit comes to indwell them forever.
Of course this was not always the case. In Old Testament times when the God had something very special for someone to do then the Holy Spirit came upon them specifically so that they might be empowered to do something for God that they would never normally be able to do.
Lets think about a few examples.
Bezalel – Exodus 31v2-3. ‘See l have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And l have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design the artists work …Etc etc.
This man was given the task of designing and teaching the craftsmen to make the articles of the tabernacle.
Gideon – Judges 6v34. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, then he blew with his trumpet and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.
Gideon was especially gifted to lead the people of God.
Samson – Judges 13v25, (Samson) the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Samson was a judge of Israel and he was empowered by the Spirit to do the most amazing feats of strength.
14v6. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat.
v19. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and eh went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty men …etc etc.
15v14-15. When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then eh Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burnt in the fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out with his hand and took it and killed a thousand men with it.
Samson is a typical and interesting case as we see the Spirit of God coming on him on occasions, specifically to do feats of strength. However his relationship with God was based on obedience and holiness which was based on his Nazarite vow. The Nazarite vow was a special vow from birth to never cut ones hair and never to dink alcohol. Samson had never drunk wine or cut his hair because of his Nazarite vow.
We all know the story how that Delilah found out his secret and cut his hair and then Samson had a surprise….
16v20. And she said, ‘The Philistines are upon you Samson!’ So he awoke from his sleep and said, ‘I will go out as before at other times and shake myself free’! But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.
The Spirit of the Lord not only came upon him when the Spirit was needed, but if his fellowship with God was broken then the Spirit of the Lord left him.
This was the case with all the Old Testament saints.
When Christ came the same thing was happening. We read that the apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform all the same miracles that Christ did.
Matthew 10v1 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
This power of the Spirit of God remained with the Apostles while they did their special work. However Christ promised that they would have a greater experience than this later.
John 11v16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Now l want you to notice that the passage says that…
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
The coming of the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, was a one off experience of the Whole Church in which Christ baptised the whole company of believers into the Holy Spirit. This was an experience that no believer subsequently experiences personally, except that when they become a christian they become indwelt by the Holy Spirit once and forever.
The Old Testament experience in which the Spirit came and went, is not the same today. Every believer in Jesus Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Paul said that, ‘If a man does not have the Spirit of God then he is not a christian’.
When a person becomes a Christian the Holy Spirit comes to indwell them forever.
Of course this was not always the case. In Old Testament times when the God had something very special for someone to do then the Holy Spirit came upon them specifically so that they might be empowered to do something for God that they would never normally be able to do.
Lets think about a few examples.
Bezalel – Exodus 31v2-3. ‘See l have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And l have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design the artists work …Etc etc.
This man was given the task of designing and teaching the craftsmen to make the articles of the tabernacle.
Gideon – Judges 6v34. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, then he blew with his trumpet and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.
Gideon was especially gifted to lead the people of God.
Samson – Judges 13v25, (Samson) the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Samson was a judge of Israel and he was empowered by the Spirit to do the most amazing feats of strength.
14v6. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat.
v19. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and eh went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty men …etc etc.
15v14-15. When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then eh Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burnt in the fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out with his hand and took it and killed a thousand men with it.
Samson is a typical and interesting case as we see the Spirit of God coming on him on occasions, specifically to do feats of strength. However his relationship with God was based on obedience and holiness which was based on his Nazarite vow. The Nazarite vow was a special vow from birth to never cut ones hair and never to dink alcohol. Samson had never drunk wine or cut his hair because of his Nazarite vow.
We all know the story how that Delilah found out his secret and cut his hair and then Samson had a surprise….
16v20. And she said, ‘The Philistines are upon you Samson!’ So he awoke from his sleep and said, ‘I will go out as before at other times and shake myself free’! But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.
The Spirit of the Lord not only came upon him when the Spirit was needed, but if his fellowship with God was broken then the Spirit of the Lord left him.
This was the case with all the Old Testament saints.
When Christ came the same thing was happening. We read that the apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform all the same miracles that Christ did.
Matthew 10v1 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
This power of the Spirit of God remained with the Apostles while they did their special work. However Christ promised that they would have a greater experience than this later.
John 11v16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Now l want you to notice that the passage says that…
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
The coming of the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, was a one off experience of the Whole Church in which Christ baptised the whole company of believers into the Holy Spirit. This was an experience that no believer subsequently experiences personally, except that when they become a christian they become indwelt by the Holy Spirit once and forever.
The Old Testament experience in which the Spirit came and went, is not the same today. Every believer in Jesus Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Paul said that, ‘If a man does not have the Spirit of God then he is not a christian’.
09/06/2009
Letters to a young missionary no5
No 5
Often people come to me to ask the question, ’Do you believe that the christian can loose his salvation?’
My answer is always the same NEVER!
When the believer considers the salvation that they have received it becomes apparent that it is impossible to loose salvation.
Lets think about the four aspects of salvation that we considered previously.
Justification.
Justification is the act of God in which he declares the sinner righteous in his sight on the basis of faith in Christ. This justification is based in turn on the foundation of ‘forgiveness of sins’. The believer is forgiven of all his sins and no-one can lay a charge of sin against him anymore.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh abut after the Spirit. Romans 8v1.
Clearly Paul is teaching that there is no condemnation for sin that the believer can come into – he is declared to be ‘Not Guilty’.
So can sin separate the believer from God – No never.
When the christian sins he spoils fellowship with God but his sins are forever forgiven. He confesses his sin to be restored to fellowship but not to salvation.
Who shall lay anything to Gods elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who maketh intercession for us. Romans 8v33-34
For the believer to be lost, God himself would need to go back on his righteous judgment, in which he has made the sinner righteous and he would need to lay a new charge of sin against them. A sin that has not been covered by the blood of Christ. This would be on Gods part an unrighteous act and would be contrary to his nature and holiness.
Adoption.
God in grace has taken the forsaken child and brought him into his family. He has made him his heir and blessed him with all the blessings of his children. Now for the believer to be lost, God himself would have to forsake his dependant children. This is say – is impossible. Even the ungodly do not forsake their children, so how would the Lord in the time of deepest need and turn from his own children and leave them forever.
Redemption.
God has provided freedom for those who were slaves of sin. Can it be that these men who have been set free from the dominion of Satan and transferred into the kingdom of the Son of his love, become enslaved again? Can Satan win the battle for men’s hearts? Can the sinner find himself enslaved again having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ? Is the blood of Christ insufficient to free forever those who believe in Christ for redemption? For the believer to be lost the blood of Christ would need to fail and the power of Satan would triumph over the saints of God.
Cleansing.
Lastly for the sinner to be lost, he who has been made holy and fit for the very presence of God and access to the throne of God, now finds that he is unclean and spoiled and banished from Gods presence. This is of course – impossible. What could defile the sinner who is cleansed? Sin? But, all his sins are forgiven?
There are no scriptures, when correctly interpreted, that say that God looses his children.
What about those scriptures that seem to indicate that believers can be lost?
Lets look at some of them.
Paul said that he beats himself so that after he has preached to others he might not be found to be cast away. However Paul is not speaking here about his salvation but his ministry. It is possible to loose his ministry by bringing disgrace on the Lord through sin. If he is disgraced then he will not be able to preach as before until he is restored but even then there may be some that will never listen to him again.
The writer to the Hebrews speaks of those who have tasted the good things of the kingdom and enlightened if they turn from Christ crucify him afresh in their hearts and cannot repent of their wickedness and be saved. The writer here is not talking about the true christian but rather a Hebrew who has heard of Christ and come to understand the gospel yet they are never saved and when they turn back to Judaism they reject Christ forever.
Christ said that, ‘Those who come to me l will never cast away’.
‘I give unto my sheep eternal life and they will never perish nor can anyone snatch them out of my hand’
And again – ‘whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life’.
Often people come to me to ask the question, ’Do you believe that the christian can loose his salvation?’
My answer is always the same NEVER!
When the believer considers the salvation that they have received it becomes apparent that it is impossible to loose salvation.
Lets think about the four aspects of salvation that we considered previously.
Justification.
Justification is the act of God in which he declares the sinner righteous in his sight on the basis of faith in Christ. This justification is based in turn on the foundation of ‘forgiveness of sins’. The believer is forgiven of all his sins and no-one can lay a charge of sin against him anymore.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh abut after the Spirit. Romans 8v1.
Clearly Paul is teaching that there is no condemnation for sin that the believer can come into – he is declared to be ‘Not Guilty’.
So can sin separate the believer from God – No never.
When the christian sins he spoils fellowship with God but his sins are forever forgiven. He confesses his sin to be restored to fellowship but not to salvation.
Who shall lay anything to Gods elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who maketh intercession for us. Romans 8v33-34
For the believer to be lost, God himself would need to go back on his righteous judgment, in which he has made the sinner righteous and he would need to lay a new charge of sin against them. A sin that has not been covered by the blood of Christ. This would be on Gods part an unrighteous act and would be contrary to his nature and holiness.
Adoption.
God in grace has taken the forsaken child and brought him into his family. He has made him his heir and blessed him with all the blessings of his children. Now for the believer to be lost, God himself would have to forsake his dependant children. This is say – is impossible. Even the ungodly do not forsake their children, so how would the Lord in the time of deepest need and turn from his own children and leave them forever.
Redemption.
God has provided freedom for those who were slaves of sin. Can it be that these men who have been set free from the dominion of Satan and transferred into the kingdom of the Son of his love, become enslaved again? Can Satan win the battle for men’s hearts? Can the sinner find himself enslaved again having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ? Is the blood of Christ insufficient to free forever those who believe in Christ for redemption? For the believer to be lost the blood of Christ would need to fail and the power of Satan would triumph over the saints of God.
Cleansing.
Lastly for the sinner to be lost, he who has been made holy and fit for the very presence of God and access to the throne of God, now finds that he is unclean and spoiled and banished from Gods presence. This is of course – impossible. What could defile the sinner who is cleansed? Sin? But, all his sins are forgiven?
There are no scriptures, when correctly interpreted, that say that God looses his children.
What about those scriptures that seem to indicate that believers can be lost?
Lets look at some of them.
Paul said that he beats himself so that after he has preached to others he might not be found to be cast away. However Paul is not speaking here about his salvation but his ministry. It is possible to loose his ministry by bringing disgrace on the Lord through sin. If he is disgraced then he will not be able to preach as before until he is restored but even then there may be some that will never listen to him again.
The writer to the Hebrews speaks of those who have tasted the good things of the kingdom and enlightened if they turn from Christ crucify him afresh in their hearts and cannot repent of their wickedness and be saved. The writer here is not talking about the true christian but rather a Hebrew who has heard of Christ and come to understand the gospel yet they are never saved and when they turn back to Judaism they reject Christ forever.
Christ said that, ‘Those who come to me l will never cast away’.
‘I give unto my sheep eternal life and they will never perish nor can anyone snatch them out of my hand’
And again – ‘whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life’.
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