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HOW DOES THE
HOLY SPIRIT
LEAD, GUIDE, AND DIRECT US TODAY?
Rod Rutherford
The subject of the Holy Spirit and how He works today is controversial.
Those of the Charismatic Movement
(Neo-Pentecostalism) maintain that the Spirit dwells in believers personally
and directly. As a result of this
“indwelling,” they believe the Spirit gives the
gift of working miracles to God’s people today just as He did
to the first century Christians who had hands laid on them by the
apostles. Others, such as Calvinists, believe the
Spirit is sent by God into the hearts of the elect (those whom God
chose before the foundation of the world to be saved) to instill faith
miraculously so that they will confess Christ. In both the Charismatic
and the Calvinistic viewpoints, they claim the Spirit is working
directly in the child of God today.
That the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians is clearly affirmed in
God’s Word. The apostle Paul wrote by the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in
the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be
in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because
of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from
the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall
also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in
you” (Rom. 8:9-11). Further, the Bible clearly
teaches: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).
Christians generally agree today that the age of miraculous gifts is
over. The argument is frequently and correctly made that only the
apostles who had been baptized with the Spirit had the ability to
confer miraculous gifts to others by the laying on of their hands (Acts
8:4-25; 19:1-7; Rom. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:6). It logically follows that when
the last apostle died, and the last of those upon whom an apostle had
laid hands died, then the age of miraculous gifts ended. This is
confirmed in 1 Corinthians 13:10. When that which was
“perfect” (Greek: teleios:
complete, mature: Vine’s), i.e. the
completed written New Testament had come (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3; 2
Peter 1:3), then the various tongues (languages), prophesying,
revelations, etc. were no longer needed and therefore ended.
How then does the Holy Spirit lead, guide, and direct us today? A
fundamental and universally accepted rule of interpreting the Word of
God is to allow one passage to interpret another. A difficult passage
may be understood when a plain passage which addresses the same subject
is laid alongside it. For example, the books of Ephesians and
Colossians are sometimes called “twin epistles.”
They were both written by the apostle Paul under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit. They were both written to churches in the Roman province
of Asia. They also were written in the same time period while Paul was
a prisoner in Rome awaiting a hearing before the emperor. Therefore,
passages in them are similar and can be used to explain one another.
In Ephesians 5:18-19, Paul wrote: “And be not drunk
with wine, wherein is excess [rioting, reckless living,
dissolute life]; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to
yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
(Eph. 5:18-20). A similar passage to this is Colossians 3:16-17: “Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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” (Col. 3:16-17).
How, when, is one “filled with the Spirit?” One is
filled with the Spirit when he “lets the Word of God dwell in
him richly.” Does it not logically follow that one is led,
guided, directed by the Spirit when he is led, guided, and directed by
the Word of God? In Ephesians 6:10-17, the apostle Paul describes the
armor that we as Christians must wear as we do battle against the
forces of evil in the world. The description of the armor is that worn
by Roman soldiers who had conquered much of the known world in
Paul’s day. A Roman soldier wore armor to protect himself
against the onslaught of his enemy. He usually carried an offensive
weapon with which to do battle against his enemy —his sword.
Suppose a Roman soldier came in from battle at the close of the day and
boasted “I killed ten soldiers of the enemy’s army
today?” How did he kill them? With his bare hands? No! He
used a weapon. The enemy soldiers were killed by a sword. The Roman
soldier killed ten soldiers of the enemy’s army. He did not
do it directly, but by a means (an instrument). In
this case, the means (instrument) was a sword. In
the same way, Christians are led, guided, and directed by the Holy
Spirit, but it is not directly or personally, it is through a means.
The means (instrument) is the Word of God!
rodrutherford@comcast.net
Table of Contents
GOD FORBIDS WRESTING
THE SCRIPTURES #3
Garland M. Robinson
THOSE
WHO TWIST THE SCRIPTURES HATE GOD’S WORD
Those who pervert the Scriptures do not like the connection faithful
saints have to God’s holy word. They want something more
and/or something less —something different. Denominations
want an experience. Liberal brethren want to have their ears tickled by
fair speeches and feigned, empty words (cf. 2 Tim. 4:4; Rom. 16:18).
They are gullible and easily deceived! “...Whose
judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:3).
The means of salvation is the simple Gospel of Christ, not the
doctrines, traditions and commandments of men (Matt. 15:8-9), not the
words of the educated elite who lull unwary souls to their destruction.
This is nothing new. This practice has always been around. The Holy
Spirit inspired Peter to write, “But there were
false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false
teachers among you, who privily [secretly, craftily] shall
bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and
bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their
pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil
spoken of” (2 Peter 2:1-2). This is exactly what
liberals are doing today! They destroy people’s confidence in
the inspired word. They tell their unsuspecting hearers that they
can’t really know the Scriptures and that if they want to
know, they need to ask “them” what it means. They
are very good at twisting and perverting the word. In fact, they are
the ones who are “unlearned and unstable”
who distort and corrupt the scriptures “unto their
own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16).
Because of the precious Word and the warnings it gives to not depart
from it, it is incumbent upon us to get the saving Word out to the
whole world. Therefore, Jesus said, “Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature” (Mark 16:15). Preaching the Gospel is
urgent! Without it, men cannot be saved.
Because men’s hearts are often turned away from the pure
Gospel, Paul exhorted Timothy to “Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). When was
the last time you heard the forcefulness of the Gospel preached in its
fullest like this verse demands? I’ve heard brethren comment
that they have not heard the whole Gospel preached since they were a
child! Shame on those who won’t preach it!
To “preach the word” means preach it without fear,
favor or compromise. Paul told the elders at Ephesus that he had “...kept
back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and
have taught you publickly, and from house to house...”
(Acts 20:20). “Wherefore I take you to record this
day, that I am pure from the blood of all men”
(Acts 20:26). Dear fellow preacher, can you honestly say your preaching
is like that? If so, great, if not, shame on you! You need to repent
and preach the word!
To preach the word “in season and out of
season” means to preach the whole counsel of God at
all times, not just when its popular and favored. When
there’s sin in the camp, that’s the time to sharpen
your sword and proclaim the word. One of the great principles of
preaching is to preach to the needs of the people. That means when they
like it and when they don’t —especially when they
don’t. Your labor in preaching the whole counsel of God is to
save a soul from death (cf. James 5:20).
Preaching involves reproving, rebuking and exhorting.
“Reproving” is to show one their fault, convince
one of sin, expose the error, call the wayward to account.
“Rebuking” is to warn, charge, censure.
“Exhort” means to invite, beseech, call for,
desire. Ideally, every sermon would include all three elements:
1) Point out sin and one’s guilt regarding it,
2) Convince and convict those involved, shame them regarding it, and
3) Call upon them to repent, change their thinking and life by obeying
the Gospel in baptism or coming back to the fold as wayward Christians.
The word of God is the power that changes people’s lives
--not philosophy or opinion. I don’t know why God chose to
save the world by the means of preaching/teaching, but He did. The task
of preaching/teaching was not given to angels. It was not, is not,
spread through the means of dreams, visions or feelings. A so-called
“salvation experience” does not come upon one in
the corn field, at the factory, in the “still of the
night” or in any other place or method of man’s
imagination. Salvation comes about through the means of the simple
teaching of the Gospel. The power of God is in the Gospel. Take away
the preaching of the Gospel and God has no power to save (Rom. 1:16).
God has always used “words” that will save sinful
man.
Without the hearing of God’s “word” there
is no salvation. Cornelius was told to send for Peter, who would come
and tell him “words” by which he and all in his
house would be saved when they believed the “word”
and obeyed it (Acts 11:14). This is exactly what Jesus said, “No
man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and
I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And
they shall be all taught of God. Every man
therefore that hath heard, and hath learned
of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:44-45).
Liberals despise the Word of God. Appealing to the Scriptures to learn
God’s will is what they call “proof
texting.” They can’t handle it. Their appeal is to
human wisdom. Since they have no love of the truth, their words cause
division and thereby offend God. The Holy Spirit tells us what to do
with those who turn away people’s hearts from the truth. “Now
I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple” (Rom. 16:17-18).
The word “mark” in Romans 16:17 means to call
attention to, look toward, fix one’s eyes upon, to take aim
at, regard, consider, take heed. We look to one in order to
evaluate/judge their teaching and practice. The context tells us
whether our judgment of one’s life is to be imitated or
avoided. For example, in Philippians 3:17 it is used in a good sense,
showing we are to follow one’s good example. “Brethren,
be followers together of me, and mark them which
walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” We also
look at ourselves to make sure we’re on the right path. Jesus
said, “Take heed [mark] therefore
that the light which is in thee be not darkness”
(Luke 11:35). Paul wrote, “Brethren, if a man be
overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in
the spirit of meekness; considering [mark] thyself,
lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).
In Romans 16:17 the word “mark” is used in a bad or
negative sense. In this case, we are to observe one’s life in
order that we make sure we don’t follow them. There are good
examples and there are bad examples. Obviously, we imitate the good and
do not imitate the bad. Some brethren cause division in the local
church. Their disruptive doctrine and behavior spills over into area
churches. Sometimes they cause division in the entire brotherhood! Such
brethren are targeted by God for destruction. They are on
God’s “hate list” because God hates those
who sow discord —division (Prov. 6:19). No wonder the Lord
tells us “mark them which cause divisions and
offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid
them.” So few today are obeying Romans 16:17.
Instead of pointing out their error and warning brethren about them,
they are praised and encouraged. False teachers and their supporters
(sowers of discord) try to shift the blame onto the faithful who do
what God said do. They play the “sympathy card” to
drum up support. The weak in the faith fall in line.
The Lord’s church is pure. Those who disrupt that purity have
a sad day awaiting them unless they repent. Titus 1:10-11,13 says, “For
there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of
the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who
subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy
lucre’s sake. ... This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke
them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.”
Liberals tell us we must not call attention to those who are sowing
discord. They say, don’t call their names, don’t
specify who they are, what they’re teaching or where
they’re located. If I were one of them I would not want to be
exposed either. But expose them we must. It’s not pleasant to
do, but God says do it. Now, do we seek to please men or God? If we
seek to please men, we are not faithful servants of God (Gal. 1:10).
If you’re a preaching brother, who are you trying to please,
God or man? Elders, the same is true for you. Deacons, Bible teachers,
members, it’s the same for you. Make up your mind who you
follow, God or man.
THE TENTACLES OF LIBERALISM
Every generation has its share of those who pervert the word of God.
Our generation is no different. This very day, many are working
feverishly to destroy the unadulterated word of God. Perhaps many are
unaware they are doing so, but that is exactly what they’re
doing. Others are deliberately tearing down the walls of everlasting
truth —at least in the hearts of many.
Men’s attitude toward the Bible and respect for
God’s word is waning, digressing, more and more. This is not
new. The Bible warns us about it. Jesus said, “...many
false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity
shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold”
(Matt. 24:11-12). Note these words, “Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the
faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which
God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe
and know the truth” (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Paul tells
Timothy there will be those who “...will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim.
4:3-4).
When Jesus said false prophets would come in sheep’s
clothing, he was not just taking up space. “Beware
of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15).
Notice the words of the Lord to Jeremiah, “...The
prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I
commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false
vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their
heart” (Jer. 14:14). “I have
seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit
adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of
evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of
them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. ...
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the
prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a
vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the
LORD” (Jer. 23:14,16).
It’s not popular today for one to “contend for the
faith” and demand a “thus saith the
Lord.” All kinds of ridicule and scorn is thrown at
God’s loving warriors who care more for God’s
praise than man’s praise. The cry for many years has been to
“tone down the preaching, you can’t win people with
doctrine.” We are told our business is to “win
friends and influence people.” But for what purpose and to
what end? Our job is to proclaim the Gospel in its entirety, expose sin
for what it is, rebuke the erring, proclaim salvation through faithful
obedience to God’s word. We need to heed the words of God to
Ezekiel (3:8-9): “Behold, I have made thy face
strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their
foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead:
fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a
rebellious house.” Isaiah 50:7 says, “The
Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore
have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be
ashamed.”
It’s high time for the faithful to STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!
We are at war! We are in a desperate battle for the souls of men.
It’s time we drew forth the sword of the spirit and threw the
scabbard away. It’s time we keep the spiritual sword, the
holy Bible, in full and constant use until the Lord removes it from our
grasp in death. If we don’t, the church will continue its
head-long rush into apostasy. It will continue to split and splinter
and be unrecognizable in comparison to the first century church. “Preach
the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).
Some have said it takes only one generation for the church to go into
apostasy. But in many cases it doesn’t take that long. When a
eldership does not demand “sound words” to be
taught in the classroom and pulpit, it won’t take five years!
Such a congregation will quickly drift away to the point that the truth
sounds “strange” to them. Strange in the sense that
they haven’t heard it in so long. I don’t know how
many times I’ve preached in places where someone told me
after the services that they have not heard that kind of preaching
since they were a child. I don’t take that as a compliment, I
just preached simple Bible truth. I’m saddened by such
comments because it reveals the fact that the preacher hasn’t
been doing his job and the eldership hasn’t been demanding
it! It’s incredibly tragic when people witness our manner of
behavior and “...think it strange that ye run not
with them to the same excess of riot...” (1 Peter
4:4; cf. Hosea 8:12).
CONCLUSION
When the Word of God is twisted and perverted and made to say and teach
what it does not say nor teach, souls will be condemned. False beliefs
and hopes will bring about the damnation of their souls.
Denominational doctrine teaches the Lord Jesus will leave heaven soon
and come to dwell on the earth for a thousand years. There are false
brethren among us that have modified that doctrine and extended it to
last for eternity. They make God the Father, God the Son and God the
Holy Spirit to leave the realm of heaven that Jesus went to prepare
(cf. John 14:1-3) and have him come to earth to dwell with saints for
eternity. That makes the kingdom of Christ a material, worldly, kingdom
instead of a spiritual one. Jesus told Pilate his kingdom was not a
worldly kingdom (John 18:36).
God’s will is for his Word to be “rightly
divided” —handled correctly, used wisely
and appropriately (2 Tim. 2:15). That’s the only way sinners
can be saved from their sins and that’s the only way saints
can continue in the Lord’s way. Isn’t that your
desire this very hour? Repent and be baptized if you’re not a
Christian, or repent and pray to be restored among the faithful.
“Watch
ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong”
(1 Cor. 16:13). “Stand fast therefore in the
liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again
with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1). “Therefore,
my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand
fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Phil. 4:1). “For
now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord” (1
Thess. 3:8). “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and
hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our
epistle” (2 Thess. 2:15). “Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in
the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in
vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Table of Contents
QUESTIONS
Tracy Dugger
I am a simple person. I like simple things. I like common sense,
honesty, truth, and straightforwardness. I do not like manipulation,
deception, pomp, lies, and insincerity. I like noble causes, sacrifice,
faith, loyalty, honor, courtesy, and respect. Sometimes it is
uncomfortable for me, but I want the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth. I would rather not be coddled and petted but, in
love for my best interest, be told the truth. I respect our military,
our emergency workers, and our law enforcement
agents. I love God, His Word, this country and this community. I love
the beauty of God’s creation, His handiwork, and I am at awe
of His creative design. I love His church and I want what is best for
His people.
I am absolutely convinced that the Bible is God’s Word
—His divinely inspired, infallible, non-contradictory,
revelation to mankind. And, I believe there are people who agree with
me on this and want to serve Him in the way that He has prescribed. I
have learned that a Christian communicates with God through prayer (1
Thess. 5:17) and that God communicates to us through His written,
preserved, all-sufficient Word (Heb. 1:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). I am not
surprised but shaken by the fact that there will be a universal
judgment day in which all people will appear before God to give an
account of their lives (Matt. 25; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; Heb. 9:27).
I am awe-struck at our eternal souls (Matt. 25:46). The most precious
possession we own is our eternal, non-physical soul/spirit. It is our
most valuable property because it is the only thing that I have that
others cannot steal or kill —it will survive the death of our
physical bodies (Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:1). The soul (aka, spirit) will
live eternally in one of two places after this life is over: heaven or
hell. And so, it behooves us to prepare for that great Judgment Day
which seals our eternal destiny! Oh yes, God is serious!
It matters what we believe and practice. Jesus said that
“truth” can make us free (John 8:32). He got my
attention when He explained, “He that believeth not
shall be damned” (Mark 16:16b). Paul, His great
apostle to the Gentile world, in His divinely inspired letter to Rome,
connected agreement with and obedience of the Gospel message to human
salvation (Rom. 1:16-17; 2:6-11). Thus, when I see seemingly sincere
people believing and doing things in the name of the Lord that I cannot
find in the complete and final Word of God, the Bible, I am puzzled.
More than puzzled —I am bothered. And, I have been bothered
for a number of years. And so, I want to ask a series of random
questions, unorganized as they may seem. These questions arise from a
true concern for the souls of men and women and a love for God and His
Word. Jesus asked many questions. I humbly have a few.
If you are a religious person and you believe the Bible to be the Word
of God, please ponder the following:
- How can all the
division among those who claim Christianity be okay? The Bible says: “Now
I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all
speak the same thing, and that there be no
divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in
the same judgment” (1 Cor.
1:10). Also, in Jesus’ prayer he said: “Neither
pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me
through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in
me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may
believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21).
- How can many say there is, a) More than
“one body” or “one church” when
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4 that there is “one
body” (v.5); b) More than “one
faith” when Paul wrote in Ephesians 4 that there is “one
faith” (v.4); c) More than “one
baptism” in effect today when Paul wrote in Ephesians 4 that
there is “one baptism” (v.5).
- How can many believe that a Christian cannot fall
from grace when the Bible affirms to Christians in Galatians 5:4 that
some Christians had fallen away: “Christ is become
of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye
are fallen from grace.”
- How can many teach that baptism does NOT save us when
Peter says: a) “The like figure whereunto even baptism
doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21); b)
Why did Peter command, “Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
- How can many refuse or think that assembling for
worship is optional, not essential, when the Bible says in Hebrews
10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so
much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Why
write in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “Now concerning the
collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of
Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of
you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no
gatherings when I come.”
- How can many say that we are saved by grace alone
when Paul says in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God.”
- How can many say that we cannot do anything to be
saved when Peter says in Acts 2:40: “Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.” Peter
later says: “But in every nation he that feareth
him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him”
(Acts 10:34-35).
- How can many believe heaven is eternal but hell is
not, when Jesus uses the same term to describe the duration of both: “And
these shall go away into eternal punishment: but
the righteous into eternal life”
(Matt. 25:46, ASV).
- How can many teach we are saved or justified by
“faith only” when James 2:24 says, “Ye
see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by
faith only.”
- How can many say that we are waiting for the kingdom
of God to come when Jesus said it came in the lifetime of some living
in the first century? “That there be some of them
that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen
the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1).
- Why do many use 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 to justify the
giving of money to the church every first day of the week (Sunday) but
ignore the same terminology regarding the Lord’s Supper in
Acts 20:7: “And upon the first day of the week,
when the disciples came together to break bread...”
- How do many justify women preachers when Paul said, “But
I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to
be in quietness” (1 Tim. 2:12, ASV).
- How do many justify infant baptism when the New
Testament teaches a believer is to be baptized? “He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).
- How can many claim to follow the Bible, and be like
the church of the Bible, when they are not organized with Elders
(Pastors or Shepherds, Bishops or Overseers) and Deacons who meet the
qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1?
- And how can many say there is no way we can be wrong
when the Bible frequently warns, “Take heed lest ye
fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).
These are just some of the questions that come to my mind as I observe
the religious world around me and then compare that with the New
Testament. Do not take my word for it! Read for yourself and rightly
interpret and reason from the Scriptures. Something is wrong, but the
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Table of Contents
WINE IN JUDGES
9:13
Carl O. Cooper
“Then the trees said
to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us!’ But the
vine said to them, ‘should I cease my new wine, which cheers
both God and men, and go to sway over trees’?”
When I first read the words “which cheers both God
and men,” it caused me to stop and question what
this could possibly mean? Could this be referring to alcoholic,
fermented wine? If it is, then it literally flies in the face of all
the Bible has to say about wine in many other Scriptures that condemn
drinking alcoholic drink.
But a closer inspection of the verse reveals another mystery as well.
Did you notice when you read this verse that the
“wine” referred to here is specified as
“new wine?” You see, that presents a problem if you
want this “wine” to be fermented, alcoholic wine.
“New wine” is always referring to fresh squeezed
grape juice and is not “aged and fermented” to
produce alcoholic wine.
So that is the first mystery solved. But even that is not the end of
the explanation here. I did a search of the original translated text
used here to see how this was written before it was translated into
English. And you can do this yourself. All it takes is a Bible program
that gives you the “Strong’s” numbers and
the definition of the original words. Here is a sample from the Gospel
Advocate’s Bible Program.
Verse 12 Then said the trees unto the vine
, Come thou, and reign
over us. v.13 And the vine said unto them,
Should I leave my wine , which cheereth
God and man , and go to be
promoted over the trees ?
Where is the words “NEW WINE“?
Notice that the word translated “wine” by the
English translators is Strong’s #H8492. The question is; what
is the real definition of this word?
Most of you will be familiar with Strong’s Concordance. It
was first published in 1890. It is an index of every word in the King
James Bible. Each word carries a corresponding number to identify it
and it gives the definition of the word as used in the original Hebrew
or Greek language.
Let’s look at these words again in Judges 9:13. What does
this word “wine” mean in this Scripture?
‘should I cease my new wine, which cheers
both God and men, and go to sway over trees?’ Is this
“wine” alcoholic?
Many people have already made up their mind about what this means. But
the majority have made their decisions based only on their emotions. I
don’t have to tell you that is no way to interpret Scripture.
There is a better way, and it does not include making a guess.
With all the study aids we have at our fingertips we can learn what
these Scriptures mean. We see that the word “wine”
in this Scripture is Strong’s number 8492. So, what does that
word mean?
Hebrew Strong’s Number: 8492. Hebrew Word (transliteration) tîrôsh.
Phonetic Pronunciation: tee-roshe’. Root: from
in the sense of expulsion. Cross Reference: TWOT ?. Part of Speech: n m
Vine’s Words: None. Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV:
wine 38 [Total Count: 38] or tiyrosh,
tee-roshe’; from (yarash) in the
sense of expulsion; must or fresh grape-juice (as
just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine :- (new,
sweet) wine. —Strong’s Talking Greek &
Hebrew Dictionary.
A proper definition of the Hebrew word used here, translated
“wine“, is “must or fresh grape-juice (as
just squeezed out).” No wonder the text refers to this juice
as “new wine.” Another mystery solved!
But just to point out the context here, let’s back up in the
text to Judges 9:8-9): “The trees once went forth
to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree,
‘Reign over us!’ But the olive tree said to them, ’Should
I cease giving my oil, With which they honor God and men, And go to
sway over trees?’
These statements are a literary form of poetry which allows inanimate
objects the ability to take human characteristics to drive home a
point. We sometimes refer to this as
“personification.” These statements with the olive
oil and the grape juice are showing the great value of the products
already being produced by the trees and the vines and how foolish it
would be to take on a new type duty which they obviously were not
created to do. God gave these trees and vines the ability to do what
they do. And to continue doing what God created them to do honors both
God and men.
And, while we are at it, consider the logic of what is said again in
verse 13: “Should I leave my wine, which cheereth
God and man?”
Now,
anyone can see how men can get high and cheerful drinking alcoholic
wine. But how would God get high and cheerful if men drank
alcohol? Well, that causes us to take another look at
Strong’s #H8055. This word has many meanings but it is
translated 95 times in the Bible as “rejoice.” Just
suppose the translators had used the word “rejoice”
rather than “cheereth“? How would this have
influenced your decision about this “new wine”
being alcoholic?
Consider the word “rejoice” written in
“personification style” like the “olive
oil.” “Should I leave my ‘new
wine’ in which both God and Men ‘rejoice?”
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-------------------------------------------------
Habakkuk 2:15 “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink,
that puttest thy bottle to [him], and makest [him] drunken also, that
thou mayest look on their nakedness!” Isaiah 5:22
“Woe unto [them that are] mighty to drink wine, and men of
strength to mingle strong drink.”
Table of Contents
SOCIAL
DRINKING: IS IT A PROBLEM?
Rick Owens
What did the Holy Spirit intend for us to know concerning drinking
alcohol in “moderation?” The very subject has the
potential to produce heated and passionate debate between even the best
of friends. To come to an understanding of any Bible topic, one must go
about it in a logical manner without allowing emotion to bring him to
the conclusion he wants, instead of the one God wants. That is the
intent of this article, to come to the proper understanding of the Holy
Spirit’s commandments concerning the idea of
“social drinking.” When one engages in a
discussion, the goal must be to determine truth, not to
“win” an argument! Therefore, it must be done in
love (Eph. 4:15), and then accepted if it is proven to be doctrinal and
scriptural.
The term “social drinking” is not found anywhere in
the Bible, so we must consider the terms used to come to an
understanding of the subject matter. The Bible student will see the
terms wine, drunk, drunkards, revellings
(revelries), and banqueting (drinking parties) (1
Cor. 5:11; 1 Peter 4:3; Rev. 17:2).
First, it is helpful to understand the word “wine”
is a generic term, having different meanings. 1) Wine can refer to
alcoholic wine which will cause one to become intoxicated (Eph. 5:18).
2) It can mean the juice squeezed from a grape which makes a sweet
drink and is non-alcoholic (John 2:1-10). Or, 3) it can mean the grape
itself (Isa. 65:8). Regarding the wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1-10),
if the Lord had created intoxicating wine, He would have violated the
Law of Moses (Prov. 23:31-32; Habakkuk 2:15). So, when the word wine is
read, it must be defined in view of the context under consideration.
In the Old Testament when wine is mentioned in the alcoholic form, it
is always condemned. Solomon warned, “Wine is a
mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is
not wise” (Prov. 20:1; cf. 23:31-32). Isaiah also
condemned its use, “Woe unto them that are mighty
to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which
justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the
righteous from him!” (Isa. 5:22-23; cf. 28:7).
The Holy Spirit not only condemned the use of alcohol in the Old
Testament, but He also condemned it in the New Testament. He said, “But
now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is
called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a
railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such
an one no not to eat” (1 Cor. 5:11; cf. 5:13;
6:9-11; 1 Thess. 5:4-8; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:8; Luke 12:45).
One principle often used by those who accept “social
drinking” is that “drunkenness” is
condemned, but simply “drinking” is not condemned.
Drunkenness is certainly condemned in the Bible, but notice more
closely a statement recorded by Peter, “For the
time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of
wine, revellings, banquetings,
and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).
“Excess of wine” comes from a Greek word meaning
“overflowing” and is the state where one is
“falling down” drunk.
“Revellings” is interpreted from a Greek word
meaning “carousel or rioting,” indicating
drunkenness, but not “falling down” drunk.
“Banqueting” comes from a Greek word meaning
“drinking parties,” which is the
“social” setting for the consumption of alcohol.
Once a study has been done, it becomes clearer, the use of drinking
alcohol is forbidden in the Bible.
However, the Holy Spirit did not want searchers for the truth to be
confused, so He also stated, “And be not drunk
with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with
the Spirit,” which is a commandment written to the
Ephesian brethren from the apostle Paul (Eph. 5:18). The word
“drunk” in this verse is translated from the Greek
word methusko meaning “do not
begin to be softened with wine” (Young’s
Analytical Concordance). According to Vine’s Expository
Dictionary, it means “to make drunk or to grow
drunk with wine” (Young’s, p.333). The
phrase “wherein is excess” is defined as:
“leading to, gives way to, an abandoned, dissolute
life.” Thus, God has condemned the very beginning stages of
becoming intoxicated, which starts with the first drink. It is apparent
the “social” use of alcohol is considered excess by
the Holy Spirit and is a problem for those who desire to be faithful.
With prayer and diligent study, it can be confirmed “social
drinking” is a problem God has condemned and one that will
cost many their souls. When the faithful strive to be like Christ (Eph.
5:1-2; 1 Peter 2:21), then it becomes easy to stop living as the world
and to begin living faithfully for God. It is also true; many are not
aware certain activities are sinful but when they learn, they readily
comply with God’s standards. Thanks be to God because He has
blessed us with His inspired Word for our learning (2 Tim. 3:16; 2
Peter 1:3).
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Table of Contents
IF I REFUSE TO
ASSEMBLE
Jason Patrick Hilburn
Faithfully assembling with other members of the Lord’s church
in one’s area is commanded and demanded by God (Heb.
10:23-31; cf. Acts 2:42; 20:6, 7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). There are times when
Christians are unable to attend, but if I could be there and choose not
to attend, I am:
- Denying God the kind of
worship He desires and
deserves (Psa. 18:3; John 4:23-24; 1 Cor. 11:17-20,33; 14:23; Rev.
4:11).
- Disobeying
God’s command to assemble,
thereby
disassembling the body of Christ (Heb. 10:25).
- Disobeying
God’s command to “hold fast the profession of our
faith without wavering” (Heb. 10:23).
- Disobeying
God’s command to encourage other children of God who have
assembled (Heb. 10:25).
- Disobeying
God’s command to
provoke others to love (Heb. 10:24).
- Disobeying
God’s
command to provoke others to do good works (Heb. 10:24).
- Disobeying
God’s command to sing with the other saints to the Lord (Eph.
5:19; Col. 3:16).
- Disobeying
God’s command to teach and
admonish other saints in song (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
- Disobeying
God’s command to give on the first day of every week (1 Cor.
16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7; cf. Luke 21:1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9).
- Declining to
declare the Lord’s death in the Lord’s Supper on
the first day of every week with the local body of Christ (Matt.
26:26-27; Acts 20:6-7; 1 Cor. 11:17-20, 24-26, 33; 14:23; cf. 16:2).
- Depriving and weakening
the local church by removing
my talents,
money, and encouragement (Matt. 25:24-30).
- Displaying a sinful
example for others to follow (1 John 2:10; cf. Matt. 5:16).
- Discouraging faithful
Christians who are trying their
best to get to
Heaven and bring others with them (Num. 32:6-7; Gal. 6:1; Heb. 5:9;
James 5:19-20).
- Displaying an attitude
of ingratitude (Matt.
26:28;
Luke 17:11-18; Col. 3:15).
- Displaying a lack of
love for God (Matt.
22:37; 1 John 2:3-6, 15-17; 5:3).
- Displaying a lack of
love for
others (Matt. 22:39; John 13:34-35; Phil. 2:1-4; 1 John 2:9).
- Depriving myself of the
best opportunities for
spiritual growth (Matt.
5:6; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 3:1-2; Eph. 4:14-15; 2 Tim. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14; 1
Peter 2:2-3; 2 Peter 1:5-13; 3:15-18).
- Depriving myself of
invaluable encouragement and support (Gal. 6:2,10; 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb.
10:23-25).
- Depriving myself of
Heaven and eternal
happiness! (Heb.
10:25-31; Rev. 2:10).
www.JasonsBibleBlog.com
Table of Contents
A question we sometimes ask of others,
especially if we
haven’t seen them in a while, is, “Where
are you attending services now?” But, have you ever
asked, “Why do you attend services at that place?”
Here are some reasons why people attend services at a particular place.
These
should not be the determining
factor(s) in deciding where we attend services if we are concerned
about our soul.
Jerry Joseph
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