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
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’.
28/05/2009
Letters to a young missionary
No 4
In this letter l want to talk about the forgiveness of sins. There is little doubt that the Gospel of God is the message that God is willing to forgive men of their sins.
Christ himself gave us the greatest example in forgiving those who crucified him. Of course he was not forgiving them just to give us an example, he was forgiving them because he loved them. It is one thing to forgive people who cause us a minor inconvenience but these men were crucifying him and they were half drunk while they were doing it.
Luke 23v34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Secondly we must remember that forgiveness is the prerogative of those to whom the offence is committed. If men injure us – then we are to forgive them, but when men sin against God – only God can forgive them. When Christ declared the lame man, who was let down through the roof, forgiven, the religious leaders who had gathered to listen to Christ were right in thinking that only God can forgive sins. Forgiveness of sins against God can only be forgiven from God.
Matthew 9v2 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Next we observe that forgiveness of sins for Israel was dependant on the attitude of forgiveness that the forgiven person has toward those who offend him. This was Israel’s responsibility under the Mosaic Law. This is explained in a number of places in scripture.
Mark 11v25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Of course Christians who are forgiven are to forgive, but for Israel forgiveness was entirely bound up in the forgiveness that they have in their heart toward others.
The responsibility of Israel under law is explained in…
Luke 6v36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
This is pure law. Only those who are merciful receive mercy and only those who don’t judge will not be judged. Christ says do not condemn then you will not be condemned by God. God responds to men in the manner in which they act toward others. When a man under law is forgiving, God forgives him.
This comes out in the prayer which Christ gave to his Apostles, which is based on a very old Jewish prayer, The Kaddish.
Luke 11v4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.
Having said all this, the position the christian finds himself in is very different indeed. Forgiveness for the christian is total and is NOT conditioned on a forgiving heart, rather it is freely given and is based on the grace of God. The Christian is never under the law and finds God gracious to the unforgiving.
Col 2v13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
The christian finds himself in a unique position, in contrast to the Jew, he is forgiven of ALL trespasses, both past, present and future.
When Paul gives his testimony to King Agrippa, he says that forgiveness comes to the christian entirely on the basis of faith in Christ. He describes the heavenly vision and his commission as…
Acts 26v18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Writing to the christians at Ephesus he says that forgiveness of sins is based on the blood that Christ shed on the cross…
Ephesians 1v 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Christians are forgiven of all their sins, yet they still sin. So what does their sin do? Does it make them unsaved? NO never. When a christian sins his fellowship with God is broken, yet he remains eternally united to Christ. So what must he do when it becomes apparent that he has sinned? John tells us in his first letter that the christian is to confess his sins and believe that that sin is forgiven and covered by the blood of Christ. Only then does he experience a restoration to full fellowship with Christ. The key to restoration is not to pray for forgiveness (he has that already) but to confess his sins - making an open confession, holding nothing back.
John 1v9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In this letter l want to talk about the forgiveness of sins. There is little doubt that the Gospel of God is the message that God is willing to forgive men of their sins.
Christ himself gave us the greatest example in forgiving those who crucified him. Of course he was not forgiving them just to give us an example, he was forgiving them because he loved them. It is one thing to forgive people who cause us a minor inconvenience but these men were crucifying him and they were half drunk while they were doing it.
Luke 23v34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Secondly we must remember that forgiveness is the prerogative of those to whom the offence is committed. If men injure us – then we are to forgive them, but when men sin against God – only God can forgive them. When Christ declared the lame man, who was let down through the roof, forgiven, the religious leaders who had gathered to listen to Christ were right in thinking that only God can forgive sins. Forgiveness of sins against God can only be forgiven from God.
Matthew 9v2 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Next we observe that forgiveness of sins for Israel was dependant on the attitude of forgiveness that the forgiven person has toward those who offend him. This was Israel’s responsibility under the Mosaic Law. This is explained in a number of places in scripture.
Mark 11v25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Of course Christians who are forgiven are to forgive, but for Israel forgiveness was entirely bound up in the forgiveness that they have in their heart toward others.
The responsibility of Israel under law is explained in…
Luke 6v36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
This is pure law. Only those who are merciful receive mercy and only those who don’t judge will not be judged. Christ says do not condemn then you will not be condemned by God. God responds to men in the manner in which they act toward others. When a man under law is forgiving, God forgives him.
This comes out in the prayer which Christ gave to his Apostles, which is based on a very old Jewish prayer, The Kaddish.
Luke 11v4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.
Having said all this, the position the christian finds himself in is very different indeed. Forgiveness for the christian is total and is NOT conditioned on a forgiving heart, rather it is freely given and is based on the grace of God. The Christian is never under the law and finds God gracious to the unforgiving.
Col 2v13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
The christian finds himself in a unique position, in contrast to the Jew, he is forgiven of ALL trespasses, both past, present and future.
When Paul gives his testimony to King Agrippa, he says that forgiveness comes to the christian entirely on the basis of faith in Christ. He describes the heavenly vision and his commission as…
Acts 26v18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Writing to the christians at Ephesus he says that forgiveness of sins is based on the blood that Christ shed on the cross…
Ephesians 1v 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Christians are forgiven of all their sins, yet they still sin. So what does their sin do? Does it make them unsaved? NO never. When a christian sins his fellowship with God is broken, yet he remains eternally united to Christ. So what must he do when it becomes apparent that he has sinned? John tells us in his first letter that the christian is to confess his sins and believe that that sin is forgiven and covered by the blood of Christ. Only then does he experience a restoration to full fellowship with Christ. The key to restoration is not to pray for forgiveness (he has that already) but to confess his sins - making an open confession, holding nothing back.
John 1v9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
26/05/2009
Thoughts to a young missionary
No 3
Last time we thought about what Conversion is. This time l would like to talk about how a person enters into Conversion, in other words, we will answer the question – How can a person be saved?
If we did a pole of people in the street as to how people become converted or as might be more commonly understood how people became Christians. We would find that most people would think that salvation is received on the basis of some act done on the behalf of the sinner.
Myth 1. Some people think that they become converted by infant baptism. There is absolutely no indication in the Bible that this is what Christ taught. Nobody is converted by a religious rite and especially not on the behalf of another person.
Myth 2. Some people think that a person becomes a christian by deciding to change their ways and dedicate themselves to God and promise to live a good life – to the best of their ability.
Myth 3. Some people think that a person who dedicates themselves to helping others and giving to charity and being a kind and helpful person to other people will secure the favour of God and that they effectively become christians by following Christ’s example, in that, he went about doing good.
Myth 4. Some people think that they become christians by learning to understand the Bible and praying and going to church.
Myth 5. Some people think the secret of real conversion is found in a change of mind that leads to a major transformation of life from sin to holiness.
Myth 6. Some people think that they are christians because they have prayed the ‘sinners prayer’ and that because they were sincere they are saved if they prayed the prayer right.
If you have believed any of these myths – bear with me, as l explain what the real Gospel is.
Paul described his Gospel like this… Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. 1 Cor 15v 3-4
Let me make the Good news of God very clear
The simple Gospel is that, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ and that he died on the cross and was buried and that God has raised him from the dead.
Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by faith and nothing else. There may be many things that lead up to faith and there will be many things that will follow, it but it is only faith that saves. As the reformers said, – Sola Fide ‘faith alone’.
Let me quote the very words of Christ himself.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that, whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3v16
Here we have just 25 words. The first twelve words describe what God does and the second 25 words describe what sinners do in response. (and Christ is in the centre of it all).
What has God done?
God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son. God has done everything for salvation. There is nothing for man to do whatsoever to provide salvation. Salvation is of the Lord! So what has God done? He loved us so much that he sent his one and only Son to die upon the cross for our sins. This was the message of the angel to Joseph. You shall call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Salvation is what God has provided for us.
So if that is Gods part, and he has done everything in providing a full and free salvation then, what is our part? What so we have to do to become a christian? What do we have to do to have eternal life?
The second part of John 3v16 says it so well… whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
So what is believing?
Is it a religious rite such as baptism? NO
Is it being sorry for your sins and resolving to live a better life? definitely not!
Is it turning over a new leaf and living by the golden rule? NO
Is it something to learn and study? NO
Is it understanding something? NO
Is it trying to life a holy life? NO
Is it saying a sinners prayer? NO
In our last passage we said that salvation is…
Justification, Adoption, Redemption, Cleansing
No criminal can give himself a pardon. No child can adopt himself into a family. No slave can free himself and not defiled sinner can make himself clean in Gods sight.
So what is Faith?
Faith is believing, that what Christ did on the cross, he did for you. It’s not knowing about what Christ has done – its knowing that Christ really did do it for you and depending on what Christ has done for you. God never asks us to pray for something to be saved, he tells us to believe something. And those who believe that Christ died, was buried and rose again for them ARE saved.
Once may years ago a very simple man, who did not appear to understand much said this – ‘Jesus Christ died for sinners and I’m a sinner, so Jesus Christ died for me’. Nobody can improve on that – That’s logic and that’s faith.
As Paul said … The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me’.
So what about you?
Are you relying on what you have done? Or are you relying on what Christ has done for you?
Are you relying on your best efforts?
Are you relying on the religious rite that the church performed on you?
Are you relying on the very best efforts that you have made to clean up your life?
If that is so then you need to be saved. And you need to understand that it not about what you have done its all about what Christ has done.
You may ask what can you do? Nothing, except to take God at his word and to believe that Christ really did die for you.
And when you believe that Christ died for you, you are saved
Next time we will talk about forgiveness of sins.
Last time we thought about what Conversion is. This time l would like to talk about how a person enters into Conversion, in other words, we will answer the question – How can a person be saved?
If we did a pole of people in the street as to how people become converted or as might be more commonly understood how people became Christians. We would find that most people would think that salvation is received on the basis of some act done on the behalf of the sinner.
Myth 1. Some people think that they become converted by infant baptism. There is absolutely no indication in the Bible that this is what Christ taught. Nobody is converted by a religious rite and especially not on the behalf of another person.
Myth 2. Some people think that a person becomes a christian by deciding to change their ways and dedicate themselves to God and promise to live a good life – to the best of their ability.
Myth 3. Some people think that a person who dedicates themselves to helping others and giving to charity and being a kind and helpful person to other people will secure the favour of God and that they effectively become christians by following Christ’s example, in that, he went about doing good.
Myth 4. Some people think that they become christians by learning to understand the Bible and praying and going to church.
Myth 5. Some people think the secret of real conversion is found in a change of mind that leads to a major transformation of life from sin to holiness.
Myth 6. Some people think that they are christians because they have prayed the ‘sinners prayer’ and that because they were sincere they are saved if they prayed the prayer right.
If you have believed any of these myths – bear with me, as l explain what the real Gospel is.
Paul described his Gospel like this… Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. 1 Cor 15v 3-4
Let me make the Good news of God very clear
The simple Gospel is that, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ and that he died on the cross and was buried and that God has raised him from the dead.
Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by faith and nothing else. There may be many things that lead up to faith and there will be many things that will follow, it but it is only faith that saves. As the reformers said, – Sola Fide ‘faith alone’.
Let me quote the very words of Christ himself.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that, whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3v16
Here we have just 25 words. The first twelve words describe what God does and the second 25 words describe what sinners do in response. (and Christ is in the centre of it all).
What has God done?
God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son. God has done everything for salvation. There is nothing for man to do whatsoever to provide salvation. Salvation is of the Lord! So what has God done? He loved us so much that he sent his one and only Son to die upon the cross for our sins. This was the message of the angel to Joseph. You shall call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Salvation is what God has provided for us.
So if that is Gods part, and he has done everything in providing a full and free salvation then, what is our part? What so we have to do to become a christian? What do we have to do to have eternal life?
The second part of John 3v16 says it so well… whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
So what is believing?
Is it a religious rite such as baptism? NO
Is it being sorry for your sins and resolving to live a better life? definitely not!
Is it turning over a new leaf and living by the golden rule? NO
Is it something to learn and study? NO
Is it understanding something? NO
Is it trying to life a holy life? NO
Is it saying a sinners prayer? NO
In our last passage we said that salvation is…
Justification, Adoption, Redemption, Cleansing
No criminal can give himself a pardon. No child can adopt himself into a family. No slave can free himself and not defiled sinner can make himself clean in Gods sight.
So what is Faith?
Faith is believing, that what Christ did on the cross, he did for you. It’s not knowing about what Christ has done – its knowing that Christ really did do it for you and depending on what Christ has done for you. God never asks us to pray for something to be saved, he tells us to believe something. And those who believe that Christ died, was buried and rose again for them ARE saved.
Once may years ago a very simple man, who did not appear to understand much said this – ‘Jesus Christ died for sinners and I’m a sinner, so Jesus Christ died for me’. Nobody can improve on that – That’s logic and that’s faith.
As Paul said … The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me’.
So what about you?
Are you relying on what you have done? Or are you relying on what Christ has done for you?
Are you relying on your best efforts?
Are you relying on the religious rite that the church performed on you?
Are you relying on the very best efforts that you have made to clean up your life?
If that is so then you need to be saved. And you need to understand that it not about what you have done its all about what Christ has done.
You may ask what can you do? Nothing, except to take God at his word and to believe that Christ really did die for you.
And when you believe that Christ died for you, you are saved
Next time we will talk about forgiveness of sins.
Thoughts to a young missionary
No 2
Last time i talked about what is conversion, in fact to be more precise I talked about what conversion is not. This time l want to think about what is conversion.
Conversion is what God does in the life of the sinner turning them from wickedness to holiness, turning them from the flesh to the spirit and from death to life. It is not a change of mind only or even a change of purpose, rather it is a change brought about by God the Holy Spirit in which the sinner is brought into a new living relationship with God. He becomes united to Christ eternally and finds that all his sins are forgiven.
This salvation is not based on us trying to do good. In fact it is based on what Christ has done and is actually an act of God. ‘Salvation is of the Lord’.
Salvation is described in the Bible in a least four different ways.
1. Justification
2. Adoption
3. Redemption
4. Cleansing
So what do these four things mean? Lets look at each one.
1. Justification
This first word comes from the Law court. The criminal is brought into the dock and declared to be not guilty – He is condemned and only awaits judgment. This is the position that men find themselves in today. Christ himself said that men are already under the condemnation of God because they do not to believe in him. (John 3v18-19) However into the court room Christ appears and addresses the court declaring that he has been to the cross and suffered all the punishment for the accused crimes. The judge agrees that the penalty has been paid, yet the accused has not received a pardon yet. So Christ speaks to the accused and says ‘I love you and l have suffered for your sin will you accept me as your Saviour and believe that what l have done l have done for you’? The accused falls down in broken heartedness and says, ‘Yes, l really do believe that Jesus die for me’. On the basis of this simple statement of faith the judge calls for order and makes an astounding declaration that the accused is now publically declared to be – not guilty. This is justification. This new standing before the judge is not because the sinner is determined to keep his promise to live a better life or even an honest sorrow at the exceeding sinfulness of his sin and an honest intention to turn from his crimes, rather it is an act of the judge based upon the work of Christ and comes to the sinner only on his willingness to accept the offered pardon.
Now we move out of the court room into the home of the Father.
2. Adoption
In the home of the Father we notice that He rises from his seat to attend to a knock on the door. There he finds an orphan, who stands in all his rags and in a very dirty state, pleading for a piece of bread. The Father takes the child’s hand and brings him into his home, instructs his house-keeper to give the child a much needed bath and a new set of clean clothes. Finally he brings the child into his room and sets food before him and shows him a bedroom which he may call his own. The child is of course overjoyed and bewildered by the Fathers care, but then the Father calls the child down to his study because he has something to tell him. The child is apprehensive thinking that all this kindness must surely come to an end. The Father explains how much he loves him and says from now on l want you adopt you as my own son and to become a full heir to all my inheritance. When the child enquires of the Fathers love, the Father explains that he sent his only Son to pay for the crimes of the orphan – The Fathers Son died for the crimes of the orphan and now the Father calls the orphan to be his son and heir. We leave the scene with the Father embracing the child. We now move to an entirely new disturbing scene, we enter to slave market.
3. Redemption
In the slave market we find slaves lined up waiting for a cruel master who will take the victims away to a life of hard labour and tyranny. A kindly man steps forward he seems to be out of place, yet he comes with money and comes to buy a slave. The slave is chosen and taken away by his new master and when he comes out of the slave market the master stops the slave and says, ‘l have something to tell you’. He says, ‘l love you and want you to be free’. He takes the chain and breaks the shackle. Then he says, ‘l want you to be forever free you are not in any obligation to serve me you are free to go’. The slave turns and says, ‘Now that you have freed me, l want to be you life long servant – l am forever grateful for my liberty and l give you by life willingly forever’.
There is one more building to enter - this time its the temple of God.
4. Cleansing
In the temple we find God is worshipped and men come before the Lord to serve him, but outside there are many people who are banned. The banned are the sick, the lame and the unclean. However God has made provision for all men and the priest goes out among the people there he finds a poor unworthy, unclean, disabled and sick woman. What does he do? Does he say you are unworthy to enter into the temple (the woman knows that already) No he enters into the temple on her behalf and makes a sacrifice which renders the woman clean in Gods sight. She is now acceptable, she is welcome, she is now fit for the presence of God. She is ceremonially clean. What joy fills her heart. She enters the temple humble by irrepressible. She cannot keep from praising God and worshipping him.
This is what conversion is. It is forgiveness, acceptance, freedom and a state of fitness to enter the very presence of God.
Next time we might think about How a person can enter into this state of conversion.
Last time i talked about what is conversion, in fact to be more precise I talked about what conversion is not. This time l want to think about what is conversion.
Conversion is what God does in the life of the sinner turning them from wickedness to holiness, turning them from the flesh to the spirit and from death to life. It is not a change of mind only or even a change of purpose, rather it is a change brought about by God the Holy Spirit in which the sinner is brought into a new living relationship with God. He becomes united to Christ eternally and finds that all his sins are forgiven.
This salvation is not based on us trying to do good. In fact it is based on what Christ has done and is actually an act of God. ‘Salvation is of the Lord’.
Salvation is described in the Bible in a least four different ways.
1. Justification
2. Adoption
3. Redemption
4. Cleansing
So what do these four things mean? Lets look at each one.
1. Justification
This first word comes from the Law court. The criminal is brought into the dock and declared to be not guilty – He is condemned and only awaits judgment. This is the position that men find themselves in today. Christ himself said that men are already under the condemnation of God because they do not to believe in him. (John 3v18-19) However into the court room Christ appears and addresses the court declaring that he has been to the cross and suffered all the punishment for the accused crimes. The judge agrees that the penalty has been paid, yet the accused has not received a pardon yet. So Christ speaks to the accused and says ‘I love you and l have suffered for your sin will you accept me as your Saviour and believe that what l have done l have done for you’? The accused falls down in broken heartedness and says, ‘Yes, l really do believe that Jesus die for me’. On the basis of this simple statement of faith the judge calls for order and makes an astounding declaration that the accused is now publically declared to be – not guilty. This is justification. This new standing before the judge is not because the sinner is determined to keep his promise to live a better life or even an honest sorrow at the exceeding sinfulness of his sin and an honest intention to turn from his crimes, rather it is an act of the judge based upon the work of Christ and comes to the sinner only on his willingness to accept the offered pardon.
Now we move out of the court room into the home of the Father.
2. Adoption
In the home of the Father we notice that He rises from his seat to attend to a knock on the door. There he finds an orphan, who stands in all his rags and in a very dirty state, pleading for a piece of bread. The Father takes the child’s hand and brings him into his home, instructs his house-keeper to give the child a much needed bath and a new set of clean clothes. Finally he brings the child into his room and sets food before him and shows him a bedroom which he may call his own. The child is of course overjoyed and bewildered by the Fathers care, but then the Father calls the child down to his study because he has something to tell him. The child is apprehensive thinking that all this kindness must surely come to an end. The Father explains how much he loves him and says from now on l want you adopt you as my own son and to become a full heir to all my inheritance. When the child enquires of the Fathers love, the Father explains that he sent his only Son to pay for the crimes of the orphan – The Fathers Son died for the crimes of the orphan and now the Father calls the orphan to be his son and heir. We leave the scene with the Father embracing the child. We now move to an entirely new disturbing scene, we enter to slave market.
3. Redemption
In the slave market we find slaves lined up waiting for a cruel master who will take the victims away to a life of hard labour and tyranny. A kindly man steps forward he seems to be out of place, yet he comes with money and comes to buy a slave. The slave is chosen and taken away by his new master and when he comes out of the slave market the master stops the slave and says, ‘l have something to tell you’. He says, ‘l love you and want you to be free’. He takes the chain and breaks the shackle. Then he says, ‘l want you to be forever free you are not in any obligation to serve me you are free to go’. The slave turns and says, ‘Now that you have freed me, l want to be you life long servant – l am forever grateful for my liberty and l give you by life willingly forever’.
There is one more building to enter - this time its the temple of God.
4. Cleansing
In the temple we find God is worshipped and men come before the Lord to serve him, but outside there are many people who are banned. The banned are the sick, the lame and the unclean. However God has made provision for all men and the priest goes out among the people there he finds a poor unworthy, unclean, disabled and sick woman. What does he do? Does he say you are unworthy to enter into the temple (the woman knows that already) No he enters into the temple on her behalf and makes a sacrifice which renders the woman clean in Gods sight. She is now acceptable, she is welcome, she is now fit for the presence of God. She is ceremonially clean. What joy fills her heart. She enters the temple humble by irrepressible. She cannot keep from praising God and worshipping him.
This is what conversion is. It is forgiveness, acceptance, freedom and a state of fitness to enter the very presence of God.
Next time we might think about How a person can enter into this state of conversion.
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