From: Worth’s Scriptural Handbook of Proof
Texts Return to Home
By
Roland H. Worth, Jr. © 2012
Reproduction of this book for non-profit circulation by any electronic or print media means is hereby freely granted at no cost—provided the text is not altered in any manner.
Selected sections may be left out if desired. If accompanied by additional, supplemental material—in agreement or disagreement—it must be clearly and visibly distinguishable from the author’s original text.
Chapter 3:
The Protestant “Mainstream”
025 Apostasy:
Is It Possible?
026 Christmas
027 Church Councils
028 Creeds
029 Debating (Religious)
030 Depravity—Total
031 Easter
032 Fasting
033 Is
“Judging” Religious Beliefs and the Propriety of
Moral
Behavior Something to be Condemned?
034 Jews:
Were They Responsible for Jesus’ Death?
035 Jews:
Are They Still God’s Special People Today?
036 Legalism:
Real and Imaginary
037 Negative
Preaching: Is It Undesirable?
038 Phariseeism—Real and Imagined
039 Predestination
040 Religious Titles
# 025 #
Apostasy:
Is It Possible?
The concept goes by a variety of labels: “once saved, always saved,” “the impossibility of apostasy,” “the perseverance of the saints.”
1. In discussing the matter, many people attempt to confuse the issue by
talking about what is not in question.
A. The issue is not whether a person “will be” but whether “can be” lost. The first implies inevitability; the second, only the possibility or danger of it occurring.
B.
The issue is not whether God can save us; the question is what happens
when we no longer meet His required standards to be saved. Revelation
C.
The issue is not whether a believer can be eternally condemned; the
question is whether a believer can revert to unbelief and be lost. Scripture says faith can be abandoned: Hebrews 3:12
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one
another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of
you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are
made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.
2.
There are only two logical alternatives to choose between if we insist
that a Christian is incapable of apostasizing.
A.
We can contend that the Christian does not sin at all but the scriptures
directly contradict that:
John
1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say
that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our]
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we
say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
B.
We can contend that the Christian’s sin will not be accounted against
him regardless of how extensive it may be.
That would make attractive the very behavior that Paul condemns:
Romans
6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin,
that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead
to sin, live any longer therein?
(
3.
Many scriptures warn us that we can fall from God’s favor due to our
misconduct.
A.
The apostle Paul taught that some had already done so.
Galatians
5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by
the law; ye are fallen from grace.
(American Standard Version) Galatians 5:4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the
law; ye are fallen away from grace.
B.
Simon the sorcerer is an example of a person who embraced the gospel but
then fell away.
Simon’s
conversion: Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called
Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people
of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom
they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the
great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that
of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when
they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the
Simon’s
falling away: Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through
laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them
money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I
lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto
him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou
hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the
sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and
pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may
be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of
bitterness, and [in] the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered
Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye
have spoken come upon me.
C.
We can become worse than an unbeliever—and we all know that unbelievers
are lost. 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his
own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is
worse than an infidel.
D.
We can shipwreck our faith. Sunken
ships sink and perish. The parallel is
clear. 1
Timothy
E.
We can reach the point where is no further way to remove our sin; we
have pushed God’s tolerance beyond the breaking point.
Hebrews
10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we
have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for
of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three
witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose
ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and
hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy
thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(
F.
We can become so deeply envolved in the moral
corruption offered by society that we are worse off that if we had never believed. If unbelievers are lost, then we are worst
off than those who were never saved in the first place. Perhaps in the sense that we voluntarily laid
the blessings aside while they had never obtained them to begin with? 2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped
the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and
overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For
it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than,
after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto
them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true
proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again;
and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
G.
Prior to that final breaking point, there is the opportunity to pull
them back from the disaster they are setting themselves up for.
But they must make the decision for themselves. We can’t do it for them. James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
# 026 #
Christmas
1.
We do not know for certain what year Jesus was born in. Most likely range of dates: 7-4 B.C.
2.
We do not know for certain what month Jesus was born in. December is one of the most unlikely: the sheep were still in the field (Luke 2:8).
3. We do not know for certain what day of the month Jesus was born on.
4.
We do not know for certain what passes as “fact” about the Magi/Wise Men
. . .
A.
What “Magi” were. Astrologers? Magicians? Philosophers? Some hybrid of these
interests? Being “kings” (in some
sense) seems the least likely possibility.
B.
What country/countries they came from.
C.
How many there were. There
were three gifts (Matthew
D. We don’t know what race the wise men were. Making them of different races is less likely the fewer there were.
E.
We don’t know what their names were.
The scriptures omit them entirely.
5. Contrary to widespread speculation,
the star that they saw appears to have been a miraculous phenomena rather than a normal astronomical one.
(A) In Matthew 2:2: “We have seen his star in the east”
(2:2); the wording indicates past tense and different location, not something
currently going on, i.e., the Magi went to
(B) The Jewish religious leaders went to the scriptures not the heavens to explain where to look (2:3-6). They saw nothing in the skies to suggest location.
(C)
Only after they left
6. The shepherds and Wise Men did not see Jesus the same night.
The shepherds almost certainly saw the newborn the day of birth (Luke 2:6-16): He had been born “this day” (verse 11) and they left “with haste” to see the child.
The Wise
Men: Joseph and Mary left
7. In a bizarre act of hypocrisy, many denominational preachers perpetuate the various myths while repudiating the virgin birth that the Bible explicitly teaches.
Matthew
8. Since the Bible is the complete revelation of God’s will and since it in no
way authorizes the observance of Christ’s birth, it is wrong to observe it as a
religious celebration.
2 Timothy
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
9.
The New Testament directly condemns the observance of religious holidays
not authorized by the gospel of Christ.
Galatians
(
10.
Whatever it is right to do at any other time of the year is just as
right to do on the day the world observes as Christmas however. Joy. Family get togethers. Giving to loved ones. Meals. Such things are never wrong just because of
the day they happen on.
# 027 #
Church Councils
One
of the primary means used to rally religious bodies behind a creed or platform
is through the holding of regular conventions and councils. This effort to implement the church universal
is in marked contrast to the New Testament pattern of it being organized on a
local rather than regional, national, or international basis. The only Biblical text that refers to
such a gathering, is the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15: if precedent can not be found in it for the
modern practice, it can’t be found anywhere in the scriptures. Remember:
such organizational structure was well within their ability if they had
deemed it desirable or proper!
1.
Only two congregations were involved in the Jerusalem council, while a multitude are routinely represented at modern church
meetings.
Acts
15:1 And certain men which came down from
2. It was not a general policy making meeting; only two basic issues were discussed: the necessity of circumcision and Gentile obedience to the Law of Moses..
Acts
15:1 And certain men which came down from
By ruling circumcision unneeded, an
implicit judgment was made in regard to the latter matters as well.
3. The one issue that was discussed was
doctrinal and, literally, involved salvation.
Modern councils take stands on domestic social policy, foreign affairs,
and a multitude of other matters that have only the most tenuous relationship
to things spiritual. They nearly always
involving matters that sincere and good hearted individuals may come to
dramatically different conclusions upon.
4.
Apostles were actively involved in the
Acts
15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no
small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and
Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to
5.
Because apostles were the key figures in the meeting, inspired spokesmen
of God were there. Hence God either
actively (instructing them) or passively (acquiescing in a decision He fully endorsed)
assured that the right decision was made.
No church meeting today can be described in such assured terms.
John
1
Corinthians 13: 8 Charity [love]
never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies,
they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there
be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and
we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come,
then that which is in part shall be done away.
6.
We never hear of a second council being held. There simply is no Biblical precedent for
on-going councils / conventions / convocations.
# 028
Creeds
1.
Creeds are a manifestation of human arrogance at its worst—claiming that
we can abbreviate into a few words that which God was unable (?) to do with
such brevity.
Lacking
Divine authority, they substitute numbers or the leadership credentials of
creedal creators. 1 Corinthians
Because
of the authority claimed for them, they are used to rebuke those who stand on
scripture alone. Psalms 119:51 The proud have
had me greatly in derision: [yet] have I not declined from thy law.
Malachi
Because
of the authority they claim, they are used as tools to brand dissenters—even
when the dissenters are right. Psalms 119:78 Let the proud
be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: [but] I will
meditate in thy precepts. (ASV) Let the
proud be put to shame; For they have overthrown me
wrongfully: [But] I will meditate on thy precepts.
2.
Human creeds claim the right to include that which is conjectural at
best and to leave out that which is clearly stated.
Colossians
3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
3. They often use a non-Biblical terminology
because they are presenting a summary of what they claim the scriptures
teach, rather than allowing the Bible to speak for itself.
Proverbs
4.
They often directly contradict what the scriptures teach, taking only
the ones they “like” and not blending in others to gain a complete picture of
the Divine will.
Yes,
salvation is by faith; without faith all is lost—but not by faith alone or
stopping at the point of faith without it being manifested. Mark
5.
When creeds teach that which is without
Biblical backing or is in direct contradiction to it, they become mere human
tradition and nothing more.
Colossians
2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the
tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching
[for] doctrines the commandments of men.
6.
Worse: When teaching non-Biblical
or anti-Biblical doctrine, they unintentionally convince multitudes that they
are doing the will of God when they are actually only advocating uninspired
human inventions.
Romans
10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of
God, but not according to knowledge.
7.
Whether saying more, less, or the same as the Bible, creeds remain
needless.
A.
If they say more than God’s will, they deny that the scriptures
contain the totality of religious truth we need.
2
Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things
that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
called us to glory and virtue.
B.
If they say less than God’s will they claim the right to
determine what is left out of our beliefs.
C. If they say the same, we
admit they are not needed.
# 029 #
Debating (Religious)
1.
Debates are authorized by our obligation to defend the truth.
Jude
1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye
should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints.
Philippians
1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the
gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may
hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel.
(
2.
Debates are authorized by the Bible in its illustrations of people
publicly presenting and defending scriptural truth even before hostile
audiences.
Acts
Acts
20:18 And when they were come to him, he [Paul] said unto them, Ye know,
from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with
you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of
mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in
wait of the Jews: 20 [And] how I kept back nothing that was
profitable [unto you], but have shewed you, and have
taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks,
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
3.
Debates are authorized by the example of Jesus defending Himself and His
teaching.
Repeatedly His opponents
publicly challenged Him and His doctrine; each time He publicly and
successfully refuted the attacks. Such
challenges are easily found in the New Testament record and Luke 20 is a good
example of receiving—and refuting public challenges—one after another:
(1)
First about the authority behind His teaching (20:1-19).
(2)
Next came a challenge about Roman taxation in the hope of having an
excuse to have the Romans arrest Him (
(3)
Then a challenge about the possibility of bodily resurrection (
4. Debating does not, however, justify
maliciousness, character assassination, or any other form of unchristian
conduct.
1
Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for
railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that
ye should inherit a blessing.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with
the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a
railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
5.
Debating should be confined to genuine, substantial differences and not
trivial matters.
1
Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings,
evil surmisings.
(
2
Timothy
(
# 030 #
Depravity--Total
Humans are often described as
“sinners by nature” (= totally depraved, in theological jargon) but is that
because we have learned to be obsessed by sin or that we were born
that way? The teaching is widespread
that the latter is the case, but major evidence argues that it isn’t valid.
1.
If we are born depraved, then God is directly and personally responsible
for our state, since it is He who gives us our souls.
Ecclesiastes
12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it
was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Isaiah
42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the
heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which
cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the
people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
Isaiah 57:16 For I will not
contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail
before me, and the souls [which] I have made.
Zechariah 12:1 The burden of the
word of the LORD for
Hebrews
12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we
gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the
Father of spirits, and live?
2.
If we are born fully depraved, then children are examples to be shunned
because of their pure sinfulness. Yet
this is not the case because Jesus held them up as possessors of virtues to be
imitated.
Matthew
18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus,
saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus
called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And
said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little
children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.
3. Since we do not inherit our parents’
sin, we can not inherit that of our ultimate parent and ancestor—Adam.
Ezekiel
4.
Our sinful and improper behavior--produced by fleshly and mental
desires--are what alienates us from God, rather than
it being caused by us being born that way.
Isaiah
59:1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his
ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have
separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you,
that he will not hear. {have hid: or, have made him
hide} 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers
with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered
perverseness. 4 None calleth for
justice, nor [any] pleadeth
for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and
bring forth iniquity.
Ezekiel
18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of
the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Romans
If
we have twisted standards of right and wrong in our mind, our behavior will
manifest that lack. James
Just as the mind shapes behavior,
behavior also shapes the mind—either for better or worse. Colossians
5.
One of the most popular total depravity proof texts is Psalms 51:5. The actual words, however, say that she
was sinful at conception, not that the offspring was at birth.
51:5
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother
conceive me.
6. A second popular proof is Romans 5:17-19, but if it proves inherited total depravity, it also proves universal salvation. The parallel with Christ would require that He brought salvation to just as many people as Adam brought death. Either that or the “inherited sin” concept was never intended to be read into the text.
Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death
reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift
of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore
as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so
by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto
justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many
were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
# 031 #
Easter
The
issue involved: Whether it is right for
churches, without any scriptural endorsement, to establish an annual memorial
of the resurrection of Christ and for individuals to observe it.
1.
Our denial of the propriety of observing Easter is not intended
to be a denial of the importance of the resurrection. In contrast, many who lead Easter observances
are preachers who do not believe that Jesus was physically
resurrected. (Check the opinion polls of
preacher beliefs!)
1
Corinthians
2.
The apostle Paul condemned the principle of having special days for
religious observance.
Galatians
(
3.
There is no authority from Christ or those He inspired for such a
religious festival. Therefore, however
well intended (and it is), the observance is needless and inappropriate.
Colossians
3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
4.
Easter is unneeded for the death, burial, and resurrection are
remembered in the Lord’s Supper. If that
is observed, you are remembering the Lord’s victory over death.
1
Corinthians
5.
The New Testament stresses regular attendance. Easter exalts spiritual laziness—as one of
the “only” services you really need to attend.
(The other being Christmas.)
Hebrews
6.
Not so much now as in the past, Easter
exalts—in practice—the display of one’s pride of possession and attire by the
special clothing purchased specifically to wear on the occasion. It easily becomes a “look at me” event rather
than a “remember the Lord” one.
James
(Holman) James
Easter
has traditionally exhibited the kind of bias toward the economically prosperous
that James rebuked in his own day. James 2:1 My brethren, have
not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of
persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold
ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth
the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to
the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are
ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
# 032 #
Fasting
1. No church is given the legislative authority to establish days or weeks as periods of partial or complete fasting for their members. Since Divine revelation provides no such authority it is inherently wrong no matter how well intentioned.
Everything
we do religiously is supposed to be authorized by God. Colossians
3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Not remaining within the confines of what
has been authorized lacks the approval of God.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth
in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
(Bible in Basic English) 2 John 1:9
Anyone who goes on and does not keep to the teaching of Christ, has not
God: he who keeps to the teaching has the Father and the Son.
2. However, when done on an individual basis,
fasting is a proper—though voluntary—part of the Christian life.
1
Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with
consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come
together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 6 But
I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment. Working from a slightly different
Greek text, most translations omit the fasting reference. Since the two went so naturally together, it
could be that mentioning the latter often took for granted the former?
Acts
13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and
teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy
Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called
them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their]
hands on them, they sent [them] away.
Acts
3.
When engaged in, fasting should be done in such a way that others will
not normally recognize what we are doing.
Matthew
4.
Fasting should end when it endangers our health.
Acts
27:33 And while the day was coming on, Paul
besought [them] all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye
have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore
I pray you to take [some] meat: for this is for your health: for there shall
not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35
And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in
presence of them all: and when he had broken [it], he began to eat.
5. During His earthly ministry, Jesus’
disciples were known for their lack of fasting when compared to the Pharisees.
Matthew
# 033 #
Is “Judging” Religious Beliefs
and the
Propriety of Moral Behavior
Something to be Condemned?
Some forms of “judging” the Bible clearly condemns—hypocritical judgment surely being at the top of the list: condemning enemies for behavior we condone in friends, condemning others for behavior we would pass by if we ourselves were doing it, etc. But does it condemn the “judging” the world so often rebukes—comparing beliefs and behavior to Scripture and saying, “Hey! That doesn’t fit with Scripture; it contradicts it!”
1. Some forms of judging that the Scriptures
condemn.
A.
It condemns superficial judgment.
John
(
(New Living Translation) Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.
B. It condemns prejudicial, preferential, and slanted judgment.
Leviticus
(Bible in Basic English ) Do
no wrong in your judging: do not give thought to the position of the poor, or honour to the position of the great; but be
a judge to your neighbour in righteousness.
Deuteronomy 1: Deuteronomy
Psalms 82:2 How long will ye
judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?
(JPS1917) Psalms 82:2 'How
long will ye judge unjustly, and respect the persons of the wicked?’
C. It condemns hasty judgment.
Acts
(
Acts
(
D. It condemns hypocritical judgment: condemning others when we are acting as badly as they are—or even worse.
Matthew
7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye
judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured
to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou
the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest
not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or
how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine
own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt
thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
James
Obadiah
2. The Bible authorizes, encourages, and even
demands certain types of judging.
A, We are to judge the doctrines we hear
others teach.
1
Thessalonians
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not
every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false
prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false
prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among
you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by
reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken
of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make
merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth
not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
B.
We are to judge the character of our fellow humans we come in contact
with honesty—branding in our minds “wrong” as “wrong” and “evil” as “evil” when
they are clearly present rather than giving excuses to overlook blatant
misconduct.
Matthew
Behavior manifests inner character
or its lack: Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or
else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by
[his] fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being
evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good
man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth
forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say
unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by
thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words
thou shalt be condemned.
C.
We are to judge whether those we come in contact with are saved or
whether they still stand in need of teaching about God’s plan of human
redemption.
When John the Baptist faced those particularly stubborn about being willing to change their lifestyles to make them acceptable to God—they were already going through the outward “forms” of being religious by coming to be baptized by him—he finally turned to them and vigorously rebuked their spiritual blindness:
Luke 3:7 Then said he
to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers,
who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth
therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That
God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And
now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which
bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire.
This would not have been the
appropriate message for all audiences, but it was for the
particular one he was dealing with.
Similarly we judge and analyze what the person we are encountering is in
need of, what is the most likely kind of approach to gain a positive reaction,
and select from the variety of things that could be said what would be most
appropriate in the current situation.
D.
Oddly enough, we must judge when to stop teaching a person or to avoid
doing so in the first place.
Jesus pointed to the situation
when we know that the person is potentially dangerous: Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth
a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth]
himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:
rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give [instruction] to
a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will
increase in learning.
(English Standard Version) 7
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked
man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a
scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he
will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
E.
We must decide disputes when requested to do so.
1
Corinthians 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man
among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge
between his brethren?
F.
The standard of authority that we apply in such situations is not
personal opinion or prevailing societal “standards” but the revealed word of
God found in the scriptures.
2
Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that
[pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
called us to glory and virtue.
2 Timothy
3. Those who criticize us for judging religious
error as “wrong” and evil behavior as “sinful” are guilty of condemning secular
and religious matters just as vigorously—and often far more vehemently—than we
would.
A.
In the very act of criticizing us they themselves are “judging!”
B.
Secular matters from athletes and athletic teams to political parties
and particular politicians are not merely “judged” stupid, evil, incompetent,
lying, but epithets and obscenities are hurled that would never be used by a
faithful Christian when condemning matters censured by Scripture. Yet we are supposed to be the evil
ones!
C. They do not hesitate to judge religious matters either.
See what they say when their children convert to a religion they don’t like.
Or marries a Mormon . . . or Jehovah Witness . . . or even starts attending regularly at any church!
# 034 #
Jews:
Were They Responsible for Jesus’ Death?
Jesus was a Jew, living in a Jewish country, deeply offending the sentiments and influence of the Jewish religious leadership of His day. Who, then, would one expect to be guilty of causing His death than Jews? The Irish Republican Army?
The problem lies not in this historical reality, but in how people have distorted what the Scriptures say to hold later Jews responsible for what they had no involvement in.
1.
The Jews present in
The actual crucifixion began at
(KJV) Acts
Acts
3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our
fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied
him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a
murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And
killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are
witnesses.
Cf. 1
Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of
God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also
have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the
Jews: 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own
prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to
all men:
2. The instigators of the death were
specifically the Jewish religious leadership, the Sanhedrin.
A.
The gospels tell us they wished to act in a way that friendly or
uncommitted individuals could not successfully intervene—an implicit admission
that their plans flew in the face of the wishes of many.
Matthew
26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and
the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was
called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted that
they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill [him].
5 But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an
uproar among the people.
(
B.
They considered Jesus a sacrificial pawn whose death would save the
nation from Roman retaliation—not to mention the
John
46
But some of them went their ways to
the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47 Then
gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many
miracles. 48 If we let him thus alone, all [men] will believe on
him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49 And one of them, [named] Caiaphas,
being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man
should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And
this spake he not of himself: but being high priest
that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather
together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him
to death.
If one feels generous, “our place”
refers to the
A strong minority make it a
specific reference to the
C.
These were the individuals who, when He was presented before Pilate,
pushed their accusations to produce the death penalty.
Matthew
27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him,
saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12 And when he was accused of the
chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
(
D. Since the Sanhedrin sent Jesus to
Pilate, it follows that the hostile crowd that showed up was one that they had
arranged for—supporters, dependents, etc.
They represented them rather than the general belief of the Jewish people. (Think of the typical crowd at a partisan
political rally in our age.)
Luke
John
E.
The crowd and Sanhedrin members willing to have the blood of Christ
count against descendants are—in context—talking about what they are willing to
have God do to their personal
descendants if they are in the wrong—not about what they wish to
happen to the entire Jewish people.
(It is hard to imagine even the most callous Sanhedrin member or
supporter being that hard-hearted!)
Matthew
27:15 Now at [that] feast the governor was wont
to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And
they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto
them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas,
or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy
they had delivered him [pointing
to the fact that he recognized that this was a Sanhedrin controlled mob and not
representative of the population at large].
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude
that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether
of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?
[They] all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he
done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 When
Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made,
he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am
innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it]. 25 Then
answered all the people, and said, His blood [be]
on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he
had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified.
F.
The apostles and early disciples knew full well the Sanhedrin lay behind
the “legal” execution of Jesus and put the blame squarely on their shoulders.
Luke
24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same
day to a village called Emmaus, which was from
Acts
4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests,
and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being
grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the
resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and
put [them] in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 5 And
it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of
the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at
Acts
5:16 There came also a multitude [out] of the cities round about unto
Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits:
and they were healed every one. 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the
Sadducees,) and were
filled with indignation, 18 And laid their
hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But
the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth,
and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all
the words of this life. 21 And when they heard [that], they
entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high
priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and
all the senate of the children of
25
Then came one and told them, saying,
Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching
the people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and
brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should
have been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set
[them] before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying,
Did not we straitly command you that ye should not
teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled
Stephen’s sermon: Acts
Acts
7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
52 Which of the prophets
have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain
them which shewed before of the coming of the Just
One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who
have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it].
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and
they gnashed on him with [their] teeth. 55 But he, being full of
the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and
saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they
cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one
accord, 58 And cast [him] out of the
city, and stoned [him]: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young
man's feet, whose name was Saul
Finally, a text that could refer to
the Sanhedrin or to Pilate—or both: 1 Corinthians 2:8 Which none
of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory.
3. However much the Jewish religious leadership
manipulated their own laws and the Roman governor to push through a night trial
of their own and then a similarly rapid Roman trial, the fact remains that the
Romans were the ones who provided ultimate legal “cover” for the death.
It is much debated as to whether
the Sanhedrin could exercise the death penalty or not; even if it turns out
that they could, dragging the Romans into full “partnership” meant that Roman
power could be invoked if flashback against the judicial murder endangered
their position.
Acts
2:22 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: 23 Him,
being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have
taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom
God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not
possible that he should be holden of it.
Most translations make clearer
that they used others (i.e., the Romans), For example, (ASV) Acts
Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they
lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou [art] God,
which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen
rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the
earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and
against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child
Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the
Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For
to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Jesus, beforehand, spoke of the Roman
involvement as well: Matthew 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem
took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold,
we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief
priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to
scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.
4.
The Jews of today have no more responsibility for what their ancestors
in
A.
Consistency requires this.
If “Jewish guilt” is inherited,
then “Italian guilt” must be also. To
condemn modern Jews and ignore contemporary Italians would be nothing short of
brazen hypocrisy.
B.
The scriptures teach that moral guilt is not passed on to future
generations.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of
the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Isaiah
Deuteronomy
24:16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the
children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man
shall be put to death for his own sin.
Matthew
# 035 #
Jews:
Are They Still God’s Special People
Today?
Having
rejected Jesus as Messiah, they no longer have a claim to that status. They are on the exact same spiritual level as
Gentile unbelievers—not one bit worse, but not one bit better either. Any claim they may have to geographic
1. In Jerusalem, Jesus warned the Jewish
leaders of first century
Matthew
2.
While traveling in His roving ministry, He warned that Jews would be
rejected as His people due to lack of faith.
Matthew
8:5 And when Jesus was entered into
3.
Peter taught that Christians—who can be Jewish or Gentile in ancestry
and of any and all ethnic backgrounds—are God’s chosen people in the modern
world.
Writing to Christians, Peter insists 1 Peter
2:6 Wherefore also it is
contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a
chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall
not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe [he
is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the
builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And
a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at
the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But
ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light: 10 Which in time past [were] not a people, but
[are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have
obtained mercy.
(Weymouth) 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race,
a priesthood of kingly lineage, a holy nation, a people belonging specially to
God, that you may make known the perfections of Him who called you out of
darkness into His marvellous light. 10 Once
you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not
found mercy, but now you have.
4.
Paul also taught that Christians—who can be Jewish or Gentile in
ancestry and of any and all ethnic backgrounds—are God’s chosen people in the
modern world.
Romans
9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken
none effect. For they [are] not all
14
What shall we say then? [Is there]
unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have
mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
22
[What] if God, willing to shew [his] wrath, and to make his power known, endured with
much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And
that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which
he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath
called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25
As he saith
also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were
not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And
it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people; there shall they be called the
children of the living God.
27
Esaias also crieth concerning
30
What shall we say then? That the
Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to
righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But
5.
Only that small minority of Jews who accept Jesus as Messiah are counted
as part of His people today; unbelieving Jews stand not one iota above
unbelieving Gentiles in being unreconciled to God.
Romans
11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For
I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, [of] the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against
11
I say then, Have they stumbled that
they should fall? God forbid: but [rather] through their fall salvation [is
come] unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now
if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of
them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13
For I speak to you Gentiles,
inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14
If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and
might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of
them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them
be], but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit
[be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the
branches.
17
And if some of the branches be
broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed
in among them, and with them partakest of the
root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the
branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the
root, but the root thee.
19
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief
they were broken off, and thou standest by faith.
Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest
he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and
severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if
thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt
be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree? In other words if they embrace Jesus, they will be grafted back into God’s people; if they persist in rejection, they won’t be.
6. The old Jewish-Gentile
division has been blasted apart in determining who is and who is not part of God’s
people; now the opportunity is open to one and all. But it hinges upon their individual
decisions rather than that of their ancestors.
Ephesians
2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the
flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is
called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that
time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in
the world: 13 But now in
Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of
Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; 15 Having
abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained]
in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making
peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one
body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.
Acts
(
7.
God no longer counts physical descendency from
Abraham as sufficient to make a true Jew. Embracing of Jesus is now the
prerequisite—open to all Jews and all Gentiles alike, if they voluntarily take
advantage of the opportunity.
Romans
(
Romans
9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken
none effect. For they [are] not all
# 036 #
Legalism:
Real and Imaginary
1.
Real legalism: Emphasizing some
of God’s laws while neglecting others, even more important ones. The Scriptures condemn such behavior.
Proverbs
21:3 To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable
to the LORD than sacrifice.
1
Samuel 15: 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD: I have performed the
commandment of the LORD. 14 And Samuel said, What [meaneth] then this bleating
of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 15
And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and
of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly
destroyed. 16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell
thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
17 And Samuel said, When thou [wast]
little in thine own sight, [wast]
thou not [made] the head of the tribes of
20
And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I
have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent
me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of
the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD
thy God in Gilgal.
22
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD
[as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice
of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken
than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion [is as] the sin of
witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou
hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being]
king. {witchcraft: Heb. divination} 24 And
Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment
of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their
voice.
Jesus endorsed the principle: Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the
law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to
leave the other undone.
Luke
2.
Real legalism: Those who “prove”
a practice or doctrine by the clever misuse or perversion of Biblical
texts. The Scriptures condemn such
behavior.
1
Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully.
(Holman) Now we know that the law is good, provided one
uses it legitimately.
2
Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries,
[yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
(
The Pharisees were infamous for
this kind of legalism: They “bent”
scriptures in such a manner that a direct commandment could be ignored in order
to accomplish the purpose / goal they thought more important: Mark 7:9 And
he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep
your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour
thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11
But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, [It is] Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; [he shall be free]. 12
And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his
father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect
through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do
ye.
3.
Real legalism: Binding the ritual
laws of the Old Testament. The
Scriptures warn against such by teaching that the authority of the Old
Testament has been removed.
Colossians
2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an
holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath
[days]: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body
[is] of Christ.
Even the Old Testament itself
recognized the limitation of these aspects of the Jewish Law. Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the
knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Quoted and
endorsed by Jesus: Matthew
Jesus on a similar point: Matthew
3.
Where legalism is falsely charged: to brand those who insist upon the maximum
degree of faithfulness to God’s law of which a person is capable. The Scriptures approve, endorse, and demand
this type of behavior.
A.
God has always expected His law to be fully obeyed, even when His law
under consideration involved only one matter.
In the Garden of Eden there was
only one law given: Don’t eat of
the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis
When
B.
God’s law as revealed through Christ and His apostles and prophets is to
be fully obeyed.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
(BBE) 1 John 2:3 And
by this we may be certain that we have knowledge of him, if we keep his laws.
4 The man who says, I have knowledge of him,
and does not keep his laws, is false, and there is nothing true in him:
5 But in every man who keeps his word, the love of God is made
complete. By this we may be certain that we are in him.
C.
Because an ordinance of God may seem to be “minor” in our judgement, is no excuse for shunning its observance.
Matthew
# 037 #
Negative Preaching: Is It Undesirable?
Although “negative preaching”
can be vastly overdone, of course, anything that contradicts individual
preferences can be denounced as well. In
fact some get uptight emotionally when there is any bluntness or directness at
all: “Negative preaching!” is the
denunciation in response. Isn’t it
fascinating how negative people can become and it’s
okay—when they themselves are doing it?
1.
John the Baptist engaged in negative preaching.
Matthew 3:5 Then went
out to him
Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put [him] in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
2.
Jesus engaged in negative preaching.
Matthew
Matthew
15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the
commandment of God by your tradition? 7 [Ye] hypocrites, well did
Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me
with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips;
but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me,
teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew
23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his
disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses'
seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that]
observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay
[them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of
their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of
men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their
garments.
3.
Peter engaged in negative preaching.
Acts
2:22 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: 23 Him,
being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have
taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain
Acts
3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our
fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in
the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go. 14 But
ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto
you; 15 And killed the Prince of life,
whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
4.
The martyr Stephen engaged in negative preaching.
Acts
7: 51 Ye stiffnecked
and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as
your fathers [did], so [do] ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not
your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them
which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of
whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who
have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it].
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and
they gnashed on him with [their] teeth.
5.
Paul engaged in negative preaching.
Acts
Acts
6.
Every faithful gospel preacher must engage in negative preaching when it
is appropriate and called for.
2
Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For
the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4
And they shall turn away [their] ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1
Timothy
Titus
# 038 #
Phariseeism—
Real and Imagined
When we are critical of the
doctrines and practices of the various religious movements around us, we are
often accused of “Phariseeism.” The very act of daring to say
anything is often regarded as proof of the accusation. Ironically, those who level the charge are
far more often guilty of the kind of Phariseeism
condemned in the New Testament!
1.
Just because the Pharisees believed or practiced something does not
automatically prove that it was wrong:
On some subjects they were clearly in the right—or, at least, far closer
to it than their foes.
A. They were right in regard to the existence of
the human spirit, angels, and the physical resurrection.
Acts
23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the
other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men [and] brethren, I am a
Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am
called in question. 7 And when he had so said, there arose a
dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was
divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,
neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 9 And
there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part
arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this
man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against
God.
B.
They were right in regard to the obligation of all to be faithful and
completely observe all of God’s Law. The
condemnation was aimed at them for ignoring
part of that Law.
Matthew
(
Luke
(
2.
Those who accuse us of Phariseeism are often
guilty of the very aspects of Phariseeism that
brought Jesus’ rebuke.
A.
They substitute, observe, and follow—and
expect others to as well—various humanly invented religious traditions in
place of what is actually taught by Scripture.
Mark
7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why
walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat
bread with unwashen hands? 6 He
answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This
people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their
heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching
[for] doctrines the commandments of men. 8
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as]
the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that
ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso
curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, [It
is] Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever
thou mightest be profited by me; [he shall be free].
12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought
for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none
effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like
things do ye.
B.
They keep people out of God’s kingdom.
Matthew
Denominational preachers do this today by trying to convince people that they can safely ignore part of God’s plan of salvation. The most emphasis is on either
* denying the necessity of adult /
believer baptism in contradiction to what Jesus and the apostles taught (Mark
* or denying the need for a drastic
reform of life that lays aside excess and the sexual abuse of others—the need
for repentance.
C.
They encourage religious pride by giving special honor and religious
titles to their preachers.
It should be carefully noted
that it was Jesus Himself who linked religious pride to the embracing of
such titles as well as the expectation of special social honors for their
“clerical” status-- Matthew 23:5 But all
their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries,
and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the
uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And
greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But
be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are
brethren. 9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one
is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be
ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ. 11 But
he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And
whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself
shall be exalted. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven
against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are
entering to go in.
3.
There are some forms of Phariseeism that even
“faithful” Christians are sometimes guilty of.
In such cases they, too, need to repent and change their behavior.
A.
Knowing what God demands of us but not actually doing it. Knowledge is intended to be the foundation
of change and not a substitute for it.
Matthew
23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his
disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses'
seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that]
observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay
[them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of
their fingers.
James
John
B.
Substituting outward religious observance for purity of heart .
Matthew
# 039 #
Predestination
1.
Individuals are not predestined to Heaven or Hell since the Bible
pictures us as being able to choose our eternal destiny by our actions and
behavior.
Acts
Luke
24:44 And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things
must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the
prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he
their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And
said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved
Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among
all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
2.
Individual predestination to Heaven or Hell is impossible because it
would make God personally responsible for our destiny rather than it
being due to our own guilt produced by violating His law. Is even an earthly judge considered just and
responsible if he merely checks names at random from those appearing that
day—and sends them to life imprisonment without anything having been done by
them?
3.
Individual predestination to Heaven and Hell is impossible for it would
make God a liar and hypocrite when He claims that He wants every one to be
saved. Under predestination he
doesn’t!
A.
The salvation of all is God’s desire.
1
Timothy 2:3 For this [is] good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who
will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth.
2
Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance.
B.
God can not lie when He says things like that!
Titus
1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before
the world began.
Hebrews
4.
Foreknowledge is not the same thing as predestination.
Example: An intelligence agency may know that a
terrorist attack is coming, but does the fact that they know it mean
that they predestined it to happen?
(Who would be so silly?) If we
actually answer the question “yes,” then the moral responsibility would be just
as much on their back as on whoever actually carried out the plot.
5.
In a sense groups are, indeed, “predestined:” The saved (in the church) to Heaven
and the damned (those who reject the gospel) to Hell. But they are predestined by the actions
they themselves take (or don’t take); God doesn’t impose it upon
them.
# 040 #
Religious Titles
We live in a world of religious titles: “Reverend,” “Right Reverend,” “Archbishiop,” “Doctor of Divinity” and a multitude of others. Such titles are so common that it is surprising to many to discover that the Scriptures are hostile to the use of such.
1.
Christ condemned the principle of using of any religious titles to make
us stand out as “above” other believers.
Matthew
23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad
their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats
in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be
called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for
one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And
call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in
heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters:
for one is your Master, [even] Christ. 11 But he that is greatest
among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt
himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Protestants fail to grasp the
full significance of this passage: Jesus
isn’t only upset with use of “father” as a religious title, but provides
other titles as well—He was clearly manifesting annoyance at the whole
idea rather than one term alone.
2.
Jesus taught that the use of religious titles is an expression of pride. I didn’t claim it; Jesus did in the
passage just above: After naming titles,
He adds-- Matthew
3.
“Reverend” is never used in accurate modern translations of the
Bible. Even in the King James Version it
is only used once and then of God and not men.
Psalms
111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for
ever: holy and reverend [is] his name.
4.
The use of religious titles indicates that we separate the church into
two parts: The clergy (or priesthood)
and the laity. The New Testament
repudiates this by teaching the priesthood of all believers—including you,
if you are a believer.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also,
as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1
Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth
the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.