Who is Israel-10

We left off last week with a beginning a serious uncovering of the myth that the Jewish state is really populated with pure Jewish lineage. Let us continue our study of the truth. We will start with Ruth.

Ruth 1:1  Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. :2  The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there. :3  Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. 

God had forbidden the true Israelites from marrying foreign women or even leaving their homes to live in Moab.

:4  They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years. :5  Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband. 

They left Israel to find a better life. Did they find a better life? No! Now we now have three widows with no visible means to support.

Ruth 1:14  And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 

:15  Then she said, "Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law." :16  But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. :17  "Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me." :18  When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her. 

Naomi was actually willing for her two daughters-in-law to return the the idolatry in Moab. Ruth refused as she had become a believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It is a fascinating story but our lesson will concentrate on the lineage that evolved from Ruth, a Moabite!

Ruth 4:13  So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 

:18  Now these are the generations of Perez: to Perez was born Hezron, :19  and to Hezron was born Ram, and to Ram, Amminadab, :20  and to Amminadab was born Nahshon, and to Nahshon, Salmon, :21  and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, :22  and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David. 

We all know that the long promised Messiah would come from within the family of David, of which Ruth is a critical family member as well.

The last example is Rahab, the harlot of Jericho. Our story begins with Joshua leading the multitude into the promised land.

Joshua_2:1  Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there.

Why did Rahab risk her life to harbor these spies?

2:3  And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land." :4  But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. :5  "It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them." :6  But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 

:7  So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate. :8  Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, :9  and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 

:10  "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 

:11  "When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. :12  "Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth, :13  and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death." 

:14  So the men said to her, "Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the LORD gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you." :15  Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. 

:16  She said to them, "Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way." :17  The men said to her, "We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear, :18  unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father's household. :19  "It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 

This is an amazing story of both courage but also faith in God. Everyone had heard how God had led them out of Egypt, dried up the sea to let them cross, and drowned the entire Egyptian army.

What eventually happened to Rahab the harlot?

Matthew 1:5  Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. :6  Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. 

A harlot and a Moabite woman are clearly visible in the lineage of David and therefore of Jesus Christ. God can graft anyone into His family. Rahab is always referred to as the harlot.

Hebreww 11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. :31  By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. 

James 2:24  You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. :25  In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? :26  For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. 

True faith in Jesus Christ always is evident in the behavior of the believer. We are not saved by works but works are the true confirmation of our salvation.

More next Saturday.

Who is Israel-09

There are many people who believe and even proclaim that the Jewish people are a pure race dating back to the time of Jacob. As you may recall, they all moved to Goshen in Egypt to survive the famine. Joseph took care of them and made sure that they had food to survive. Some 400 years later, the great Exodus took place as they left Egypt to go into the Promised Land being led by Moses.

Unfortunately they had been influenced by the idolatry of the Egyptians and many had forsaken the only true God. When they left, they were joined by a mixed multitude.

Exodus 12:33  The Egyptians urged the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, "We will all be dead." :34  So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls bound up in the clothes on their shoulders. 

After the first Passover and the death of all the firstborn in Egypt, all Egypt wanted them to leave. However, a mixed multitude joined them. They could have been Egyptians, or from any number of countries that had somehow moved into Egypt.

:35  Now the sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; :36  and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. 

:37  Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. :38  A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock. 

They left in haste but with a large amount of treasure that would prove useful in the building of the Tabernacle later.

:39  They baked the dough which they had brought out of Egypt into cakes of unleavened bread. For it had not become leavened, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves. 

:40  Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. :41  And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. :42  It is a night to be observed for the LORD for having brought them out from the land of Egypt; this night is for the LORD, to be observed by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations,

This Passover is no longer valid, required, or necessary as Jesus being our true Passover Lamb instituted the Lord’s supper as the covenant replacement. More on that in detail at a future date.

This mixed multitude did not end with Exodus. There are three very prominent examples given in the Old Testament than add depth to this mixing. Tamar is our first example. It is unclear from where she came from but this brief example gives a few possible hints.

Genesis 14:5  In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, :6  and the Horites in their Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is by the wilderness. :7  Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and conquered all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, who lived in Hazazon-tamar.

Tamar is both a place a name of the daughter-in-law of Judah whose husband had died. According to the Law, a brother was ordered to take her into his family. This did not happen.

Genesis 38:11  Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Remain a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up"; for he thought, "I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers." So Tamar went and lived in her father's house. :12  Now after a considerable time Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. :13  It was told to Tamar, "Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep." 

Gen 38:14  So she removed her widow's garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. 

Being a wife and having children was very important in these days, sadly it is no longer important today.

Gensis 38:15  When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, for she had covered her face. :16  So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, "Here now, let me come in to you"; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, "What will you give me, that you may come in to me?" :17  He said, therefore, "I will send you a young goat from the flock." She said, moreover, "Will you give a pledge until you send it?" :18  He said, "What pledge shall I give you?" And she said, "Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand." So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. :19  Then she arose and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow's garments. 

She enticed her father-in-law to have sex with her.

Genesis 38:25  It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "I am with child by the man to whom these things belong." And she said, "Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?" :26  Judah recognized them, and said, "She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah." And he did not have relations with her again. :27  It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb. :28  Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This one came out first." :29  But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, "What a breach you have made for yourself!" So he was named Perez. :30  Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah. 

She gave birth to twins. One of which was Perez. Who was Perez?

Matthew 1:1  The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: :2  Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. :3  Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. :4  Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. :5  Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse.

Tamar thru Perez is in the lineage of Jesus! Not only a deceitful mother of Perez, but shown by God that she is worthy or was used to bring this lineage into plain view.

The other two examples will be covered next week.

More next Saturday.

Who is Israel-08

Jesus gave numerous examples to indicate the oneness of His Church. The Apostles all understood this even as the people did not always understand Him. Only after the Holy Spirit descended to permanently dwell within every believer, did the Apostles fully understand the oneness in Christ.

Many of the examples Jesus used were in terms that represented this great truth.

John 15:1  "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. :2  "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 

Here we read a truth that cannot be denied. There are just two families, two worlds, two eternities, and two types of branches. True branches produce fruit and are being constantly pruned by the Father to produce more fruit. The other branches are taken away and burned, which is another message on Hell.

:3  "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. :4  "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 

There are no real self-made men. We have to be in Christ to bear fruit, to bring glory to God, and to share this great truth with the darkened world around us.

:5  "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. :6  "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 

This is a second reminder of being cast into the fire. Also, being apart from Christ means we can do nothing or nothing to bring Him glory.

:7  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

This is yet another reminder of the importance of prayer. If we pray according to His will, He will answer it and it will be done.

John 5:19  Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. :20  "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 

The example Jesus gives us is the example of His relationship with the Father. He cannot do anything that He has not seen His Father do. He is the perfect example of His Father, just as we need to be the example of Jesus here on earth.

:21  "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.  :22  "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, :23  so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

Jesus is both Savior and Judge. Most people can’t imagine Jesus judging anyone or throwing anyone into Hell. They don’t really know the true character of a righteous, holy, perfect God.

More next Saturday

Who is Israel-07

We are traveling tomorrow so I am posting today. As we continue this study, we will find numerous verses that all add clarity to this subject. Galatians is an example of this truth.

Galatians 3:26  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. :27  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 

We have already studied Jesus accusing the Jewish leaders for their disbelief in Him. Now we see who Jesus told them was their real father.

John 8:42  Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. :43  "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 

:44  "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

All unbelievers are children of the devil. They are not God’s spiritual children and will not inherit His kingdom. Only those who repent and accept and acknowledge Jesus as their Lord, Savior, Redeemer, High Priest, and King are the children of God. Once within His family, all are equal before His cross.

:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. :29  And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise. 

Their is only one Church, one body of believers, and one way to salvation and redemption. Abraham’s descendants aren’t within a physical family but a spiritual family. This is quite evident the more we study. John 14 is well worth repeating.

John14:6  Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 

Salvation doesn’t come thru any one religious belief system, one denomination, baptism, Bible studies, church memberships, or any other of the many acts of service within a church. It is a personal act of redemption only thru a direct, personal relationship with Jesus.

More next Saturday

Who is Israel-06

Israel is many things, but it is not the nation that God had sent into captivity into Assyria and Babylon. It is not the nation that had been annexed by both Greece and Rome. It is not today full of ethnic Jews either. What does it mean to be a Jew today? The term was first used in the Bible in 2 Kings. A time when the Jews had been taken into captivity in Babylon.

2 Kings 25:25  But it came about in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal family, came with ten men and struck Gedaliah down so that he died along with the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. 

2Ki 25:26  Then all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the forces arose and went to Egypt; for they were afraid of the Chaldeans. 

:27  Now it came about in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he became king, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison; :28  and he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 25:29  Jehoiachin changed his prison clothes and had his meals in the king's presence regularly all the days of his life; :30  and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life. 

Are all the ‘citizens’ of the current nation we call ‘Israel’ really ethnic Jews tracing back to Shem? Well, this is a highly contested subject and one that the government of Israel tries to cover up. We must begin in the Bible.

Revelation 3:7  "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: :8  'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 

:9  'Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 

Jesus speaking to To the Church in Philadelphia is telling us that there are counterfit, imposters in the world today. They say they are Jews, go to synagogues, but in reality worship Satan. If you don’t acknowledge Jesus as the long promised Messiah, the Son of God, our High Priest and King than you indeed worship Satan. Most would violently protest that they worship Satan but they just don’t want this kind of criticism.

This can be seen as evidenced in the history of the Khazars beginning in the 6th century.

Who are the Khazar Jews?The Khazars were a Turkic-speaking people who rose to prominence between the 7th and 10th centuries AD in the region north of the Caucasus Mountains and around the Caspian Sea. They established a powerful empire that controlled key trade routes between Europe and Asia. Their kingdom became known for religious tolerance, encompassing various faiths within their expansive territory. While their political influence declined in the late 10th century, their historical significance remains a topic of ongoing study in medieval and Judaic historical research.

One of the most notable aspects of Khazar history involves the reported conversion of the ruling Khazar elite-and possibly many of their subjects-to Judaism. Medieval sources, such as correspondence between the Khazar ruler (often referred to as King or Khagan Joseph) and Hasdai ibn Shaprut (a Jewish courtier in Muslim Spain) in the mid-10th century AD, provide evidence that a form of Judaism was practiced among the Khazars. Scholars like D. M. Dunlop in “The History of the Jewish Khazars” and others referencing the so-called “Khazar Correspondence” have noted that the Khazar king defended his faith and heritage in his letters, suggesting that Judaism played a key role in Khazar political identity.

Because the Khazars were located at a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange, multiple religious traditions permeated their society. From available sources, it appears that Christianity, Islam, and various forms of paganism were also present. However, many contemporary accounts agree that the Khazar leadership claimed adherence to Judaism-which drew the attention of both Muslim and Christian travelers and diplomats.

They also became know as Ashkenzi Jews as they are part of the racial heritage from Japheth.

Genesis 6:10  Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Geesisn 10:1  Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood. 2  The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras. :3  The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah.

You can find many people, even Rabbi’s today, that openly acknowledge that they are indeed Askenazi Jews. As all of the Jews, regardless of their family ancestery, are still lost and in darkness, the real Jews may indeed by found within the Palestinian populations.

2 Kings 25:10  So all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. :11  Then the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon and the rest of the people, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away into exile. :12  But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen. 

The poorest people remained as all the rest were taken to Babylon. Some studies, that have gotten out of Israel, add some credibility to this argument.

Regardless, all Israel is not Israel and not all are Abraham’s descendants, but all are currently lost in their sins.

More next Saturday.

Who is Israel-05

What is ‘Christian Zionism’? Is it actually Christian? Unfortunately, it equates Christianity as an element of Zionism. This means all Christians must support, recognize, and defend the state of Israel and all of its geopolitical desires. This linkage began with two monumental event; the arrival of Dispensationalism and the creation of the current state of Israel. First, let us look at the theory of Dispensationalism.

Dispensationalism was created by two men, John Nelson Darby and Charles Scofield. It basically promotes an ideology that creates a need for a state of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem to herald in the return of Christ. Scofield popularized this belief with the publishing of the Scofield study Bible. This false belief is contrary to both Church History but also the long established understanding of God’s Covenants. It basically has God treating believers in different ways over history. God doesn’t change nor does He have favorites in His kingdom.

You may remember that the curtain was torn as Jesus gave up His spirit.

Mark 15:37  And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. :38  And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

This removed the separation of the Holy or Holies from all true believers. Also, the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. as God poured out His righteous wrath onto Israel for forsaking His Son. No more sacrifices are needed and God’s Spirit was now permanently inside of all true believers and no longer ‘confined’ in the Temple. Where is this Temple?

1 Corinthians 3:16  Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? :17  If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. 

Since we now are the Temple of the Spirit of God there is no longer any need for another earthly Temple. All sacrifices are also no longer needed. Also, no longer is the earthly priesthood of Aaron’s descendants valid.

Hebrew 4:14  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. :15  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. :16  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Hebrews 7:23  The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, :24  but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. :25  Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. :26  For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; :27  who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. :28  For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. 

Jesus one sacrifice completely satisfied God’s wrath on sinners and makes redemption available to all true believers. Thru His death was can be forgiven.

1 Peter 2:9  But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; :10  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 

We are a royal Priesthood as Jesus is both our High Priest and our King. These passages confirm that there is not an earthly Temple required nor suggested to herald the return of Jesus. Nor is there any need or suggestion of an earthly state or nation of Israel needed.

More next Saturday.

Who is Israel-04

This very important subject needs to be seriously unpacked and understood. The most controversial element of this much debated issue is the unity of the faithful. We will take one truth at a time to fully understand what God has said on this subject.

First, who are God’s chosen people?

2 Thessalonians 2:13  But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. :14  It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 Timothy 2:10  For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

1 Peter 2:9  But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; :10  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

The priesthood based on Aaron’s descendants has been replaced with the the Royal Priesthood of all true, born-again believers chosen by God before the foundation of the world! While this one truth is also often challenged, it remains a truth even as we struggle to fully understand it.

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, :4  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love :5  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, :6  to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved

Colossians 3:11  a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. :12  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; :13  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. :14  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

It is God’s sovereign right to chose whomever He desires. He doesn’t chose some one way and others another way. He ordained that His chosen children come to Him uniquely and exclusively through His Son.

John 14:6  Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

It is this sovereign will of God that brings many of these questions and challenges into the Church of Christ. It is those who are true believers in Jesus Christ that are the chosen people of God. They alone are the children of God.

More next Saturday.

Who is Israel-03

Israel and the United States have been in the news continuously over their attack on Iran. We will not address this news at this time, but who is Israel? Is it this nation that is an ‘ally’ of the United States or an historical name for the ‘Promised Land’? Let us try and understand what God has said on this very important truth.

As with many truths in the Bible, there is a physical dimension and a spiritual dimension. There are also promises, covenants, and warnings. God’s covenants are conditional as they require obedience and a deep reverence to Him to be continued. Throughout most of the historical existence of the nation of Israel, the people openly disobeyed God, killed his prophets, and worshiped idols.

Matthew 23:27  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. :28  "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

:29  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, :30  and say, 'If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 

:31  "So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. :32  "Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. :33  "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?

Jesus’ scathing indictment of the rulers of Judah summarizes the idolatrous and rebellious history of both the nation of Israel and Judah.

We studied last Saturday the clear fact that all of Abraham’s physical descendants were not truly his sons! Jesus told them that they were in reality the sons of Satan. Clearly Abraham’s true family is spiritual not physical. Paul further clarified this solemn truth.

Romans 9:6  But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; :7  nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." :8  That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 

This could not be more clear. Is there any further evidence of this? But take note on the first verse. All Israel is not Israel!

Romans 10:12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; :13  for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." 

Belief in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the difference between true saving grace and a faith in works or lineage.

Romans 11:6  But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. :7  What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 

:8  just as it is written, "GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY." :9  And David says, "LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM. :10  "LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER."

Just like with Pharaoh, God hardened their already hardened heart and have kept them in darkness. What a terrible condemnation for idolatry and disobedience. God had warned them from Mount Sinai all the way to their crucifixion of Jesus and on to today. We cannot know the infinite wisdom and plans of God. But we can obey and worship Him alone.

More next Saturday.

Who is Israel-02

Why is this a question that needs a biblical answer? There is so much news, confusion, and contradictions flying around this subject that it needs to be addressed. God is not silent is this subject.

Over the next few weeks we will find answers in the Bible to address these questions and concerns.

Christian Zionism

Romans 9:6  But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; :7  nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." 

Revelation 3:9  'Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 

This verse tells us that there are people that have declared themselves to be Jews and actually attend a synagogue, but in reality it is a synagogue of Satan!!! Who are they and how can they hide the fact they worship Satan by stating they worship God?

John 8:39  They answered and said to Him (Jesus), "Abraham is our father." Jesus *said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. :40  "But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. :41  "You are doing the deeds of your father." They said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God." 

:42  Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. :43  "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 

Here Jesus is condemning the leaders who incorrectly state and maintain that their ‘father’ is Abraham. Jesus tells them they are liars and deceived!!! Abraham is not their father.

:44  "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

Instead of Abraham being their father, Jesus tells them very clearly that Satan, the devil, is their true father! Aren’t all Jews children of Abraham? Who are the true children of Abraham if these Jews are not?

We began last week with the understanding of the confusion as Israel is interchangeable for a host of identities. Let us look at biblical history to understand some of this and the arguments currently in geopolitics today.

Genesis 12:1  Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; :2  And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; :3  And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." 

Who is God addressing in these verses? Politicians bring out these verses often as they try to look spiritual and biblical. Remember that Abraham is hundreds of years removed from the tribes of Jacob, the nation of Israel, the eventual name give to those of Judah ie. Jews, and the exodus to the Promised Land. This promise is uniquely given to Abraham.

Genesis 22:15  Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, :16  and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, :17  indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. :18  "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." 

Here we read that God further clarifies His earlier promise to Abraham. From Abraham will come many nations and they will be blessed, not by family ties but by Jesus. All nations and people within nations that acknowledge Jesus as High Priest and King will be blessed. It is not solely because of physical lineage but in faith in God and His Son.

More next Saturday.

Who is Israel-01

This is a very confusing and often controversial subject. Is Israel another name for Jacob? Is it a name for the lost 10 tribes carried into captivity by Assyria? Is it a land in the Mideast? Is it a current country in the Mideast? We will use only the Bible to answer these questions.

Israel is mentioned come 2300 times in the Bible. It is first mentioned as a name for Jacob.

Genesis 32:22  Now he arose that same night and took his two wives and his two maids and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. :23  He took them and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had. 

Jacob was leaving his father-in-law Laban and going back to his family home, but was still afraid of Esau.

:24  Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. :25  When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. :26  Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." :27  So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." :28  He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed." 

It is not clear with whom Jacob is wrestling, but He changed his name and made him somewhat lame as a reminder of the struggle.

:29  Then Jacob asked him and said, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And he blessed him there. :30  So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved." :31  Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping on his thigh. :32  Therefore, to this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is on the socket of the thigh, because he touched the socket of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip. 

Adding to the confusion are the 81 verses that mention Jacob and Israel in the same verse!

Genesis 46:2  God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am." 

Exodus 3:15  God, furthermore, said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. 

Even God continued to interchange the names of Jacob and Israel. What does this mean or imply?

Romans 11:25  For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; :26  and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB." :27  "THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."

This is not a direct quote but a summary of prophesies in the Old Testament, (Psalms14:7, Isaiah59:20, with Isaiah27:9).

This will be come much clearer next Saturday.

Sola Scriptura-21

Sorry for last week, we had to leave suddenly and I was not able to post. This will be the last post on this important teaching. Next week we will study the worldwide confusion on who or what is Israel. The last key teaching on cleanness is in regard to the priests, which are solely to be from Aaron’s lineage. The Levites are the helpers but not to be priest.

Leviticus 22:1  Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, :2  "Tell Aaron and his sons to be careful with the holy gifts of the sons of Israel, which they dedicate to Me, so as not to profane My holy name; I am the LORD. :3  "Say to them, 'If any man among all your descendants throughout your generations approaches the holy gifts which the sons of Israel dedicate to the LORD, while he has an uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from before Me; I am the LORD. 

While the first list of clean laws are primarily for our health, this passage is uniquely addressing Aaron and his sons as priests.

:4  'No man of the descendants of Aaron, who is a leper or who has a discharge, may eat of the holy gifts until he is clean. And if one touches anything made unclean by a corpse or if a man has a seminal emission, :5  or if a man touches any teeming things by which he is made unclean, or any man by whom he is made unclean, whatever his uncleanness; :6  a person who touches any such shall be unclean until evening, and shall not eat of the holy gifts unless he has bathed his body in water. 

Unclean men cannot approach God or perform public ceremonies for God. He is holy and demands that He is treated as holy.

:7  'But when the sun sets, he will be clean, and afterward he shall eat of the holy gifts, for it is his food. :8  'He shall not eat an animal which dies or is torn by beasts, becoming unclean by it; I am the LORD. :9  'They shall therefore keep My charge, so that they will not bear sin because of it and die thereby because they profane it; I am the LORD who sanctifies them. 

This is a very serious duty. If they ignore His warnings, this sin could and did result in death.

:10  'No layman, however, is to eat the holy gift; a sojourner with the priest or a hired man shall not eat of the holy gift. 

:11  'But if a priest buys a slave as his property with his money, that one may eat of it, and those who are born in his house may eat of his food. :12  'If a priest's daughter is married to a layman, she shall not eat of the offering of the gifts. :13  'But if a priest's daughter becomes a widow or divorced, and has no child and returns to her father's house as in her youth, she shall eat of her father's food; but no layman shall eat of it. 

Some of the sacrifices are to be given to the priests as food. Sin sacrifices are to be burned. Regardless these sacrifices are to be administered only by priests and eaten by the priests and his immediate family.

:14  'But if a man eats a holy gift unintentionally, then he shall add to it a fifth of it and shall give the holy gift to the priest. :15  'They shall not profane the holy gifts of the sons of Israel which they offer to the LORD, :16  and so cause them to bear punishment for guilt by eating their holy gifts; for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.'" 

No one is to take these offerings but the priests. It is not a small matter, as there are no small matters in regards to obeying God.

Most churches today do not truly teach the holiness of God nor about His absolute requirements in regards to worship, prayer, repentance or forgiveness. Men don’t decide how to worship God, God decides.

More next Saturday.

Sola Scriptura-20

As we studied last week, God created our bodies to be not only healthy but able to heal as well. We often don’t seriously consider the wonder of what God created when He created us! We often take all of this too casually and not really in awe of not only how God created us, but gave us His Laws to keep us healthy.

Leviticus 15:16  'Now if a man has a seminal emission, he shall bathe all his body in water and be unclean until evening. :17  'As for any garment or any leather on which there is seminal emission, it shall be washed with water and be unclean until evening. :18  'If a man lies with a woman so that there is a seminal emission, they shall both bathe in water and be unclean until evening. 

Without being too explicit, everyone who is married should be able to understand what God is teaching us in this passage. We all at some time have perhaps experienced a time when we did not follow these guidelines. Soon we discovered that it created a small problem that had to be attended to by washing.

:19  'When a woman has a discharge, if her discharge in her body is blood, she shall continue in her menstrual impurity for seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. :20  'Everything also on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean, and everything on which she sits shall be unclean. :21  'Anyone who touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. :22  'Whoever touches any thing on which she sits shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. :23  'Whether it be on the bed or on the thing on which she is sitting, when he touches it, he shall be unclean until evening. 

This is yet another caution for our own safety and the safety of our family, as we all know how fast a disease moves through an entire family. This particular problem is less bothersome than it was 2-3000 years ago. Bedding, clothes, and menstrual cloths/rags were all suspect to being contaminated. This problem needs immediate attention as it still needs today. We don’t let the blood lie around until we have time to clean it all up and do laundry.

Lev 15:24  'If a man actually lies with her so that her menstrual impurity is on him, he shall be unclean seven days, and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean. 

Another precaution for our own healthy safety!

:25  'Now if a woman has a discharge of her blood many days, not at the period of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond that period, all the days of her impure discharge she shall continue as though in her menstrual impurity; she is unclean. :26  'Any bed on which she lies all the days of her discharge shall be to her like her bed at menstruation; and every thing on which she sits shall be unclean, like her uncleanness at that time. :27  'Likewise, whoever touches them shall be unclean and shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. 

Matthew 9:20  And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; :21  for she was saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I will get well." :22  But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well. 

This is the only example in the New Testament of this kind of ongoing problem with bleeding. This of course is serious today and needs to be brought to the attention of a doctor. Here we have the great healer and He stopped the bleeding.

:28  'When she becomes clean from her discharge, she shall count off for herself seven days; and afterward she will be clean. :29  'Then on the eighth day she shall take for herself two turtledoves or two young pigeons and bring them in to the priest, to the doorway of the tent of meeting. :30  'The priest shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. So the priest shall make atonement on her behalf before the LORD because of her impure discharge.' 

Often in the Bible, these kind of somewhat obvious problems are a problem of some hidden sin. Therefore, a sin sacrifice is required. Our sin sacrifice is confession of our sins to our Lord and Savior.

:31  "Thus you shall keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, so that they will not die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them." :32  This is the law for the one with a discharge, and for the man who has a seminal emission so that he is unclean by it, :33  and for the woman who is ill because of menstrual impurity, and for the one who has a discharge, whether a male or a female, or a man who lies with an unclean woman. 

Here we see the worse outcome of these unattended problems or conditions, which is death. Jesus also brings it back to reminding all of us that our uncleanness, to His Laws and Commands, will lead to death, our spiritual death. God’s loving warnings should not be ignored.

More next Saturday.

Sola Scriptura-19

Sorry for the lateness as I had a little problem that took more time. Clean laws are for our safety and to protect us just like all the other cautions in the Bible. We all stop our small children from running out into the street don’t we? This particular law most probably is about flu symptoms and the things that accompany the flu.

Leviticus 15:1  The LORD also spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, :2  "Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, 'When any man has a discharge from his body, his discharge is unclean. :3  'This, moreover, shall be his uncleanness in his discharge: it is his uncleanness whether his body allows its discharge to flow or whether his body obstructs its discharge. 

I think we can all imagine what this is referring to and most likely have had problems like this. Certainly parents know what the cautions are when our children our sick.

:4  'Every bed on which the person with the discharge lies becomes unclean, and everything on which he sits becomes unclean. :5  'Anyone, moreover, who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening; :6  and whoever sits on the thing on which the man with the discharge has been sitting, shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. 

I am sure some of you have even done laundry in the middle of the night. Since God created our bodies to eliminate toxins, we have to be very careful around these problems.

:7  'Also whoever touches the person with the discharge shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. :8  'Or if the man with the discharge spits on one who is clean, he too shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. :9  'Every saddle on which the person with the discharge rides becomes unclean. :10  'Whoever then touches any of the things which were under him shall be unclean until evening, and he who carries them shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. 

Clothes, blankets, sheets, and carpets all need to be cleaned.

:11  'Likewise, whomever the one with the discharge touches without having rinsed his hands in water shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. 

My mom always reminded each of us to wash our hands before dinner. This is even more important when someone is sick.

:12  'However, an earthenware vessel which the person with the discharge touches shall be broken, and every wooden vessel shall be rinsed in water. 

Porous containers can hide bacteria within the walls and later spread. It is far better to through it away than take the chance.

:13  'Now when the man with the discharge becomes cleansed from his discharge, then he shall count off for himself seven days for his cleansing; he shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water and will become clean. :14  'Then on the eighth day he shall take for himself two turtledoves or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD to the doorway of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest; :15  and the priest shall offer them, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf before the LORD because of his discharge. 

This could be considered a thanksgiving offering rather than a sin offering. But why would anyone tells us that these laws are no longer valid or important?

More next Saturday.

Sola Scriptura-17

Clean vs unclean is a very important teaching. None of us would come to the dinner table filthy dirty or greasy. Why? Well it would look good or smell good to everyone else. Also, we all know that it may be harmful to us. Is God trying to take something good from us, or spare us from something harmful to us? Let us continue.

For all homeowners, we know that it is almost impossible to see a house that has visible mold. Mold is dangerous to our health and many allergies can be traced to mold. Is God concerned with our health?

Leviticus 14:33  The LORD further spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying: :34  "When you enter the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a mark of leprosy on a house in the land of your possession, :35  then the one who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, 'Something like a mark of leprosy has become visible to me in the house.' 

There are whole companies now dedicated to mold removal and remediation. They wear masks and white suits as this is dangerous work.

:36  "The priest shall then command that they empty the house before the priest goes in to look at the mark, so that everything in the house need not become unclean; and afterward the priest shall go in to look at the house. :37  "So he shall look at the mark, and if the mark on the walls of the house has greenish or reddish depressions and appears deeper than the surface, :38  then the priest shall come out of the house, to the doorway, and quarantine the house for seven days. 

Houses get quarantined today for a variety of reasons. All to protect everyone near it or near us if we are very ill.

:39  "The priest shall return on the seventh day and make an inspection. If the mark has indeed spread in the walls of the house, :40  then the priest shall order them to tear out the stones with the mark in them and throw them away at an unclean place outside the city. :41  "He shall have the house scraped all around inside, and they shall dump the plaster that they scrape off at an unclean place outside the city. :42  "Then they shall take other stones and replace those stones, and he shall take other plaster and replaster the house. 

You may have seen houses torn apart by removing drywall and even studs up to a certain height. Just the presence of water within a home is potentially dangerous.

:43  "If, however, the mark breaks out again in the house after he has torn out the stones and scraped the house, and after it has been replastered, :44  then the priest shall come in and make an inspection. If he sees that the mark has indeed spread in the house, it is a malignant mark in the house; it is unclean. :45  "He shall therefore tear down the house, its stones, and its timbers, and all the plaster of the house, and he shall take them outside the city to an unclean place. 

The health and well-being of the entire community is at risk and the God, who created mold, knows what needs to be done. We follow these steps today!

:46  "Moreover, whoever goes into the house during the time that he has quarantined it, becomes unclean until evening. :47  "Likewise, whoever lies down in the house shall wash his clothes, and whoever eats in the house shall wash his clothes. 

We all know how contagious some diseases are. For those with 2-3 small children, we know just how fast colds spread thru the entire home.

14:48  "If, on the other hand, the priest comes in and makes an inspection and the mark has not indeed spread in the house after the house has been replastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean because the mark has not reappeared. 

God holds the priest responsible for all of this work. As we have read earlier, God is angry with priests who don’t inform and warn the congregation about clean vs unclean and holy vs profane.

:49  "To cleanse the house then, he shall take two birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop, :50  and he shall slaughter the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water. :51  "Then he shall take the cedar wood and the hyssop and the scarlet string, with the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird as well as in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. :52  "He shall thus cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the running water, along with the live bird and with the cedar wood and with the hyssop and with the scarlet string. 

14:53  "However, he shall let the live bird go free outside the city into the open field. So he shall make atonement for the house, and it will be clean." 

This sounds more like a sacrifice than a cleansing solution. But in verse 34, we read that God caused the mold. Why we are not told, but to make ourselves right with God, we must follow His requirements. Too often we think we can make up our own responses to a sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God. Cain tried it and was criticized for doing it. It made him so angry he killed his own brother Abel.

:54  This is the law for any mark of leprosy—even for a scale, :55  and for the leprous garment or house, :56  and for a swelling, and for a scab, and for a bright spot— 

:57  to teach when they are unclean and when they are clean. This is the law of leprosy. 

Ezekiel 22:26  "Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Ezekiel 44:23  "Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Paul used this same view of obedience in his letter to Timothy.

1Timothy 1:8  But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, :9  realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers :10  and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, :11  according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. 

More next Saturday

Sola Scriptura-16

Pastors who want to brush aside God’s Laws are really being disobedient and their members are being deceived. But, do they truly care? I have heard some say that these Laws are no longer in need of being considered valid in our times.

We know how to protect ourselves and besides we have a much more clean and sterile environment to process these foods, and then also in our kitchens, as we prepare them for our meals. This sounds somewhat like rationalizing our sins, just like Israel and Judah had done.

What happened to them? They were captured and taken away into captivity.

Leviticus 13:1  Then the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, :2  "When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling or a scab or a bright spot, and it becomes an infection of leprosy on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. 

:3  "The priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean. :4  "But if the bright spot is white on the skin of his body, and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and the hair on it has not turned white, then the priest shall isolate him who has the infection for seven days. 

:5  "The priest shall look at him on the seventh day, and if in his eyes the infection has not changed and the infection has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days. 

:6  "The priest shall look at him again on the seventh day, and if the infection has faded and the mark has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scab. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean. 

:7  "But if the scab spreads farther on the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall appear again to the priest. :8  "The priest shall look, and if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is leprosy. 

Leprosy is a dangerous and infectious disease. There is a very legitimate reason to identify it and to isolate it from the rest of the community or tribe.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae.

• The disease predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. Left untreated, the disease may cause progressive and permanent disabilities.

• The bacteria are transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.

• Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT).

• Leprosy is reported from all the six WHO regions; the majority of annual new case detections are from South-East Asia Region.

Key facts

• Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae.

• The disease predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. Left untreated, the disease may cause progressive and permanent disabilities.

• The bacteria are transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.

• Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT).

• Leprosy is reported from all the six WHO regions; the majority of annual new case detections are from South-East Asia Region.
   

Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. The disease affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Apart from the physical deformity, persons affected by leprosy also face stigmatization and discrimination. However, leprosy is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability.

Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) which still occurs in more than 120 countries, with around 200 000 new cases reported every year. Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem (defined as prevalence of less than 1 per 10 000 population as per World Health Assembly resolution 44.9) was achieved globally in the year 2000 and in most countries by the year 2010.

The reduction in the number of new cases has been gradual. As per data of 2024, Brazil, India and Indonesia continue to report more than 10 000 new cases, while 12 other countries (Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka and the United Republic of Tanzania) each reported 1000–10 000 new cases. Fifty-five countries reported 0 cases and 117 reported fewer than 1000 new cases.

Is there any doubt that God gave the priests such detailed instructions on how to identify it and treat it? Why would this law be ignored or considered invalid?

Let us now take a brief look and just some of the animals God declared as unclean!

11:41  'Now every swarming thing that swarms on the earth is detestable, not to be eaten. :42  'Whatever crawls on its belly, and whatever walks on all fours, whatever has many feet, in respect to every swarming thing that swarms on the earth, you shall not eat them, for they are detestable. :43  'Do not render yourselves detestable through any of the swarming things that swarm; and you shall not make yourselves unclean with them so that you become unclean. 

:44  'For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. 

:45  'For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.'" :46  This is the law regarding the animal and the bird, and every living thing that moves in the waters and everything that swarms on the earth, :47  to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten. 

What or which pastor is advocating eating snakes, worms, or insects? No but he loves ham, bacon, shell fish, catfish, and carp. You can’t pick some laws to obey and others to disobey. If animals are now miraculously made clean or edible, then everything God created in Genesis was not good. God would have to recreate animals to make them clean.

More next Saturday.

Hope you who are in this large winter storm system have been able to prepare for it.

Sola Scriptura-15

What clean laws are still in force? How many do you actually know of or have heard of from the pulpit? I would guess not many. Clean animals were first introduced to us in Genesis.

Genesis 7:1  Then the LORD said to Noah, "Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time. 7:2  "You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; 7:3  also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 

God continued to chastise the priests and prophets on their lack of training on clean vs unclean and holy vs unholy.

Lev 10:9  "Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations— 

Lev 10:10  and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, 

Lev 10:11  and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses." 

Aaron and all of his descendants are to teach these distinctions. Holy and profane are just as important as clean vs unclean.

Leviticus 11:1  The LORD spoke again to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them, 11:2  "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'These are the creatures which you may eat from all the animals that are on the earth. 

The list and the characteristics of clean and unclean can be found in Leviticus 11. But is that the extent of clean and unclean?

11:24  'By these, moreover, you will be made unclean: whoever touches their carcasses becomes unclean until evening, 11:25  and whoever picks up any of their carcasses shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening.

11:32  'Also anything on which one of them may fall when they are dead becomes unclean, including any wooden article, or clothing, or a skin, or a sack—any article of which use is made—it shall be put in the water and be unclean until evening, then it becomes clean. 

11:33  'As for any earthenware vessel into which one of them may fall, whatever is in it becomes unclean and you shall break the vessel. 

11:34  'Any of the food which may be eaten, on which water comes, shall become unclean, and any liquid which may be drunk in every vessel shall become unclean. 

This sounds a lot like common sense for today. We all need to be careful around dead animals as germs, bacteria, and viruses are likely to be present. Who would argue against this clean Law? Also be careful if these dead animals fall onto vessels, which are most often ceramic and porous. Clothing is equally vulnerable to remaining dangerous after coming in contact with a dead animal.

How many of you are careful when cutting up a chicken in the kitchen? Of course you are!

12:1  Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12:2  "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: 'When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. 

Lev 12:3  'On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 

12:4  'Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed. 12:5  'But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation; and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days. 

12:6  'When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 12:7  'Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female. 

For all of you who have the blessing of children know something of the blood involved in birthing. Also, for sometime after the birth, bleeding continues. We are all aware of being careful around this naturally occurring cycle. The menstrual cycle has it’s own set of precautions.

So are the above warnings for our own good? Of course they are! God doesn’t want to keep the good things He has made from us, but He wants to protect us from the daily activities of life that can be harmful.

More next Saturday.

Sola Scriptura-14

Most pastors and people believe that the only clean laws related solely to food and that they are no longer valid. Who decides when the Laws of God can be ignored? Did God not consider what needed to change as our societies change? With all the evil going on around the world, is the problem with God’s Laws or our disobedience to the Laws. God created Laws and boundaries for us to protect us and to provide for us. Also, He created them to be obeyed. All of them.

We will once again begin with the most obvious clean law and the passage which most pastors believe invalidates the Law. It begins with Peter.

Acts 10:1  Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 10:2  a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. 10:3  About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, "Cornelius!" 

This passage also reminds us that Gentiles could believe in God as well as Jews. He was devout, feared God, gave generously, and prayed continually. An example to us as well.

10:4  And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 

10:5  "Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; 10:6  he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea." 

This could not be more specific. Interesting that Peter was staying with a tanner, whose occupation would render him unclean on a daily basis.

10:7  When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, 10:8  and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 

Cornelius did not hesitate when confronted by the angel. He obeyed. Not a question, not an argument, and no delay.

10:9  On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10:10  But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; 10:11  and he *saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 10:12  and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. 10:13  A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!" 10:14  But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." 10:15  Again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy." 10:16  This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.

This is where most pastors end their teaching. They confidently state that now all food is clean. Is this what God was trying to teach Peter? God would then have a problem. He lied at creation that all was good. But, now God would have to recreate all those animals to make them clean. Maybe this was not God’s message.

10:17  Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon's house, appeared at the gate; 10:18  and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 

10:19  While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. 10:20  "But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself." 

10:21  Peter went down to the men and said, "Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?" 

10:22  They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you." 10:23  So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 

No mention of food. Peter, who was the only one given this vision, was perplexed. Immediately upon awakening, Peter was told of three visitors right at the door! He invited the Gentiles into the house and provided for them, all against the law of the Pharisees.

10:24  On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 10:25  When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. 

10:26  But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man." 10:27  As he talked with him, he entered and *found many people assembled. 

Everyone was waiting for Peter. Cornelius invited all of his relatives and close friends to hear what Peter would tell them. How many of us would have done this?

10:28  And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. 

Not food, but men and women made in God’s image.

10:29  "That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me." 10:30  Cornelius said, "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments,  10:31  and he *said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 10:32  'Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.' 10:33  "So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." 

10:34  Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 

10:35  but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 

Jewish man-made laws did not permit meeting with Gentiles. That sense of separation still exists in some countries today. God does not play with favorites. Even in the Exodus, there was a ‘mixed’ multitude. God allowed both Rahab, the harlot, and Ruth, a Moabite, to be included in the lineage of Christ.

This is the real message of Acts 10, 11,and Galatians 2:11-14. These passages reveal just how hard it is to turn from false doctrines and sinful traditions.

Are there any people in your area of influence that you have a hard time sharing time with or avoid being with? Who could be considered unclean to you?

More next Saturday.

Sola Scriptura-13

Why don’t pastors/shepherds ever teach that Jesus did not abolish the Law? Is it because we are too accustomed to ignoring many elements of the Law that we think don’t apply to us? Which ones are most often ignored or simply considered culturally and historically trapped in history but not in our ‘modern’ society? We will do a brief review of the ‘clean’ laws.

Moses and Aaron were told God’s Laws and commanded to keep them, all of them. How serious is God about keeping His Laws, Commandments, and Statutes?

Leviticus 10:8  The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying, 10:9  "Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations— 10:10  and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, 10:11  and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses."

Clearly there are both clean and unclean elements of every society, just as there are holy and unholy/profane elements. The nations surrounding the ‘Promised Lane’ were neither clean or holy.

The entire chapter 11 in Leviticus is devoted to clean and unclean animals. God created both, so how can some be unclean? This could be also considered unhealthy. The animals, fish, birds, and other creatures that are not clean are God’s garbage cleaners. We have heard of fish being bottom feeders. What does that suggest? To keep the earth clean and viable, the ‘garbage and refuse’ needs to be taken care of and removed. Some simply decay, but others are consumed by animals specifically created to digest them. What about buzzards and vultures? Don’t we often see them on the side of the road eating ‘road kill’? This is just one example. God is not arbitrary or confusing.

Leviticus 11:44  'For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. 

11:45  'For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.'" 

11:46  This is the law regarding the animal and the bird, and every living thing that moves in the waters and everything that swarms on the earth, 11:47  to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten. 

Another example that many may have heard is when someone is called acting squirelly. What does this mean? It is a fast movement, jittery or, twitchy actions much like a squirrel. Squirrels are full of parasites, parasites that often find their way to the brain. People who eat squirrel often begin to show this behavior. Even though the squirrels are cooked, it doesn’t kill the parasites.

Pigs are also full of parasites and all kinds of toxins. They don’t sweat, they have a single stomach and therefore cannot adequately digest food, unlike cattle who have two stomachs. Pigs eat anything. Even when you try to feed them ‘cattle’ feed, the problems remain. So if parasites survive cooking in squirrels, it would seem reasonable that they may also survive cooking in beef.

Does God want to withhold good things from us or protect us from bad/unhealthy things? Well both! Since God created all creatures, He alone can tell us which are best for us.

How serious is God about keeping His Laws?

Levitus 10:1  Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 10:2  And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 

10:3  Then Moses said to Aaron, "It is what the LORD spoke, saying, 'By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.'" So Aaron, therefore, kept silent. 

10:4  Moses called also to Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, and said to them, "Come forward, carry your relatives away from the front of the sanctuary to the outside of the camp." 10:5  So they came forward and carried them still in their tunics to the outside of the camp, as Moses had said. 10:6  Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation. But your kinsmen, the whole house of Israel, shall bewail the burning which the LORD has brought about. 10:7  "You shall not even go out from the doorway of the tent of meeting, or you will die; for the LORD'S anointing oil is upon you." So they did according to the word of Moses. 

10:8  The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying, 10:9  "Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations— 10:10  and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, 10:11  and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses." 

God repeated His warnings and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,  and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses.

Aaron watched as two of his sons died by fire from the LORD. He was not allowed to show any mourning. Keeping God’s commandments applies to all, even to Aaron’s sons.

More next Saturday.

Sola Scriptura-12

Sorry for labeling the last message again as 11. We will now try to understand Peter’s real role in the Church of Jesus Christ. Peter was one of the most vocal of all of the original 12. We can wonder if the rest of the 11 often let Peter speak first as they were unsure of what to day or what Jesus would say back to Peter. Some of us may do the same when controversial subjects are being discussed.

Galatians 2:7  But on the contrary, seeing that I (Paul) had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 2:8  (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 2:9  and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 

This passage contradicts those who want us to think that Peter was the first Pope. Clearly he was not, as Paul clearly outlines their respective ministries.

Peter never mentioned any additional role for himself.

2 Peter 1:1  Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 

We studied the term bond-servant and discovered it meant slave or indentured servant. This is our position as well. How did Peter view Paul and was there any reference of who leads and who follows,

2 Peter 3:14  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 3:15  and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 3:16  as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 

3:17  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 3:18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 

Peter has high regards and affection for Paul. He refers to Paul as a beloved brother. He acknowledges Paul’s writing and how they are at times hard to fully understand. Remember that Paul was the only apostle who had the training of a Pharisee. He was a true scholar. Now all who have the Holy Spirit can write and understand, but Paul had the years of study to aid him.

Philippians 3:1  Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. 3:2  Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3:3  for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 3:4  although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 3:5  circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 3:6  as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 

3:7  But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 

Paul felt that he had to make his point clear as many false teachers attacked him wherever he went. But, all of this meant nothing to him in comparison to the grace given to him. Jesus stopped Paul in his tracks as he tried to go to Damascus and Paul was never the same again.

Paul never shied away from correcting anyone who was in error, even Peter.

Galatians 2:11  But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 

2:12  For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 2:13  The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 

2:14  But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 

This event concluded Peter’s first trip outside of Israel when he was called to meet with Cornelius. This story needs to be studied separately, which may come later after this study. The point to make is that Paul confronted Peter to his face in front of others.

What can we learn from this one encounter?

More next Saturday.

Sola Scriptura-11

Prayers are a very important part of true Christian life. In fact, the apostles asked Jesus how to pray. Prayer, praying, and to pray are mentioned repeatedly throughout the Bible, both in the OT and NT. Jesus prayed, the apostles prayed, the church prayed, the prophets prayed, kings prayed, Moses prayed and so did many others. What kind of prayer is not acceptable?

Matthew 6:5  "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6:6  "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 

6:7  "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 6:8  "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 

What religion promotes and encourages meaningless repetition in prayers? The rosary is such a prayer. It fails the test for a number of reasons.

1. It is a prayer to Mary

2. It is a mindless repeat of a phrase with no real thought given to its shallowness.

3. It does not resemble any of the prayers in the Bible, especially the Apostles Prayer given in Matthew 6.

Matthew 6:8  "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 6:9  "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 6:10  'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 6:11  'Give us this day our daily bread. 6:12  'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 6:13  'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]' 

This is not a prayer to be continually repeated but an example or format for our prayers. There are many examples of exemplary prayers from which we can learn and apply to our individual prayers.

Daniel 9, Solomon in 1 Kings 8, and Jesus in John 17.

A few prayer highlights are listed below.

Luke 6:12  It was at this time that He (Jesus) went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. 

Matthew 21:13  And He *said to them, "It is written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN."

Acts 1:14  These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 

Acts 2:42  They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 

Acts 12:5  So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. 

Ephesians 6:18  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 6:19  and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 6:20  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

Philippians 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 4:2  Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 4:3  praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4:4  that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 

James 5:13  Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 5:14  Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 5:15  and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 

5:16  Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 5:17  Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months

There are many more examples, but the point is made very clear. God instructs us to pray, encourages us to pray, and gave us numerous examples on how to pray. No two prayers are exactly the same and never repetitive.

More next Saturday.