“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22 NIV). The messages to the seven churches of Revelation all conclude with the above statement. This indicates that the message is for “everyone” who will “listen to” the word of God, the Bible (ISV). But how is the modern church pictured in the Bible?
Why is Christianity so confusing? Why are there so many diverse groups in Christianity today? Is there only one true Christian religion, group, or denomination, that has God’s special favor, and who are in a “spiritual paradise,” the modern day, one and only, “ark of salvation,” whereas others who are not part of this group are outside of God’s favor, and thus in spiritual darkness? If so, does this one special group contain all the true Christians within it? Or, are individual genuine Christians scattered throughout many diverse groups? Since beliefs and practices among various Christian groups vary widely, and this has caused much “confusion” (Galatians 1:7 NIV), these are questions that need Biblical answers.read more
Does modern Israel fulfill Bible prophecy? Should we pray for Israel?
Many Christians strongly believe that modern day Israel is “God’s Chosen People,” and that Jews en masse will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior before the end. Based on this viewpoint, they pray for modern day Israel. But, should we pray for Israel? To get the correct Biblical view in answer to this question, we need to understand and view the Old Testament in light of the New Testament, and not the other way around. People often misunderstand and mistinterpret the scriptures by doing this.read more
Jesus is the Mediator between God and man. Yet Trinitarians claim Jesus is God.
The Bible says there is only ‘one mediator between humans and God.’ Who, or what, is that?
“This, then is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven . . . “—Matthew 6:9 NIV.
“No one comes to the Father except through me”—John 14:6
“There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus”—1 Timothy 2:5 NIV
While they all give ‘lip service’ (Mark 7:6-13) to the principles that the scriptures above express, Christian denominations have differing views on the exactly how the mediatorial relationship between them and God operates. So, yes, they all “say” that Jesus is the mediator, but in actual practice things are not exactly the way the Bible says they should be. For example, Catholics teach that Christians must go through their priesthood and their hierarchy, including their Pope, to have a relationship with God. Others teach that one can only have a relationship with God through their particular denomination, organization, or church. Some have even thought, or taught that a relationship with God was only possible through one particular pastor. Trinitarians often simply ignore this vital relationship. Let’s make clear what the scriptures say about this:
“The true worshippers will worship the Father”—John 4:23
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved”—John 10:8 NIV.
The Father of Jesus, Almighty God, is the only one who should be worshipped, according to the scriptures. But we must go through his Son, Jesus Christ, to have this relationship. Why?
“Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here”—Hebrews 9:11 NIVread more
What Sincere Beliefs Must a Person Hold To Be a Christian?
Many people in the world today call themselves “Christian,” but there are so many conflicting beliefs and doctrines taught among these people. So what beliefs must a person hold in order to be a true Christian? In order to answer this question, we need to look to God’s Word. Let’s see what the Bible has to say.
Christians view the Bible as God’s revelation to humanity
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) So the first point is that one must believe that God exists, and becomes the rewarder of those sincerely seeking him.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The sincere Christian would believe the Bible (the 66 books from Genesis to Malachi) is the word of God.
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God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.read more
God can do all things that are good! But are people divinely healed today?
Does divine healing still happen today?
“With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) Just because God CAN do all things does not mean he actually DOES all things, at all times.
“Large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet, and He healed them. So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and the glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:30,31 NASB). There is no doubt that many were miraculously healed by Jesus and his apostles. Does this mean that people are miraculously healed today? Well, do we see ‘the mute being made to speak, the crippled healed, the lame enabled to walk, blind people’s sight restored, etc.’? — No, we don’t!
“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9 NLT) The Gospel or Good News, the Christian message – is not to be, should not be, and does not – change.
Therefore, if modern Christians heal by the same power and in the same way that Jesus and his apostles healed, then we should be able to see the evident and obvious similarities that they purport to have. However, exactly the opposite is true. In doing this, they “pervert the gospel.” (Galatians 1:7 NIV) How so? What do we mean by this?
One way is that early Christians who were baptized were not even attempted to be healed by other Christians. It was the unbelievers, the unbaptized, who were.
“Or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) We can’t be sure what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was. It may have been a chronic illness, or poor eyesight from his blinding by Jesus. (Acts 9:3, 8-9; Galatians 4:15; Galatians 6:11) Whatever it was, Paul was not healed of it. Paul did not even ask another Christian to heal him.
“As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.” (Galatians 4:13-14) It appears that Paul had another “illness” when he first “preached the gospel” to the Galatians. He says that even “my illness was a trial to” them, they welcomed him “as if I were Christ Jesus himself.” But the point is that he was not healed of this “illness.” There was no such attempt even made.
“Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker… is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him… because he almost died for the work of Christ.” (Philippians 2:25-30) Epaphroditus was so sick that “he almost died… but God had mercy on him,” and let him get better. He recovered. Why?Many sicknesses and diseases go away due to the body’s natural immune system, and this is apparently why. Epaphroditus, like millions of other people, recovered from his serious illness, but not due to any miraculous healing.
“I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.” (2 Timothy 4:20) Paul, who had healed many other people, did not heal Tophimus, but “left him sick.” Why? Because he, like Epaphroditus, was a Christian, and Christians did not heal, or attempt to heal, other Christians.
“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (1 Timothy 5:23 NLT) Timothy was often sick with stomach trouble. Paul had spent much time with Timothy. Why didn’t Paul heal Timothy, or advise Timothy to seek healing from another Christian? Because Christians did not heal other Christians.
So difference No. 1 is that Christians did not heal other Christians, according to the Bible. Very different from some today who claim that Christians do heal other Christians.
Difference No. 2 is that Jesus and his apostles healed actual organic illnesses and disabilities such as: blindness, deafness, paralysis, being crippled, leprosy, fever, demon-possession, epilepsy, “whatever their sickness or disease.” (Mat 4:23-25) They never claimed to just heal the symptoms such as a headache or back pain or stomach pain, etc. They healed the actual problem itself, the root cause. The problem or condition did not flare up again. They were 100% healed. For example:
Difference No. 2 is that people who were healed did not just get a little better, or even a lot better. No, they were totally, completely healed of the problem. No trace of it remained.
#3 – They Were Immediately Healed
Unlike supposed modern healings people got better on the spot, right then and there. No waiting.
“Instantly the leprosy disappeared.” (Luke 5:12 NLT)
“The man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet and began to walk… leaping.” (Acts 3:7-8 NLT)
“Had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding… immediately the bleeding stopped… she had been immediately healed.” (Luke 8:43-44,47 NLT)
Nationalism can be defined as loyalty and devotion to a nation, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Nationalism often involves exalting one’s own nation above all others, and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations. There is nothing wrong with loving the area in which one lives. Respecting and obeying the laws of the land is required by Almighty God himself (Romans 13:1-7). But is nationalism for Christians? If we examine the Bible carefully, do we find that nationalism could be considered idolatry?
Is nationalism for Christians?
“No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) The principle here applies not only to material things coming before God, but to anything that we might put ahead of God and Jesus. This includes all nationalistic ideologies.
“It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:24) Our service to Christ must take priority over everything else. National flags and nationalistic holidays in places of worship violate this principle.read more
Should Christians be concerned with pollution and climate change?
With soaring, record high global temperatures, floods, fires, droughts, melting ice, sea level rise, and other climate extremes and disruptions in the news every day, should Christians be concerned about pollution and climate change? Some Christians feel that they are definitely saved, and bound for heaven, and that God will destroy the earth with fire, wrongly interpreting “fire” in 2 Peter 3:7,10literally.. Therefore, they feel no sense of responsibility to take care of the earth. Others feel so strongly about the climate change problem that they become climate activists, and protest about climate change in various ways, even going to extremes in some cases, even to the point of risking their lives for the climate. Is this how God wants us to think and act? While the Bible does not use the terms “climate change,” “pollution,” “global warming,” etc., we can gain insight into God’s thinking by examining various Bible statements and principles.
We should keep in mind that the apostle John saw a vision of the future, in which “the new Jerusalem” comes “down from God out of heaven” and “God’s home is now among his people,” and then “God . . . will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more =&0=&This means that God, in his due time, will solve all the problems plaguing humanity, including pollution, and climate change!
“The Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8) can do things very quickly. An example of this regarding weather was demonstrated by Jesus when there was “a furious squall” on the Sea of Galilee
(Mark 4:37 NIV). “Jesus . . . rebuked the wind . . . Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39 NLT). read more
Second Clue: It’s not any date selected by humans.
Third Clue: It’s a celebration commanded by Jesus himself to be memorialized.
Fourth Clue: It’s not the Christianized pagan celebration of Easter.
Fifth clue: It’s not the meticulously calculated “Memorial of Jesus’ Death”, in which few to none partake of the wine and bread, as celebrated by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Sixth clue: It’s not a day to memorialize those who died in wars.
So what is it then?
“Then he took a loaf, gave thanks, and broke it in pieces, and gave it to them, and said, ‘This is my body which is to be given for you. Do this as a memorial to me.'” (Luke 22:19 Williams New Testament, emphasis added) “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, ‘This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me'” (1 Corinthians 11:25 GNB). “Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19 NAB) Obviously, this is the unleavened bread, symbolizing Jesus’ body, partaken of by true Christians. This is the real Memorial Day for Christians.read more
Today, Christians are called by such names as, Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and many other names. But, according to the Bible, what name should Christians really be called, and why? How long has the term “Christian” been in use, and who invented it? The answer to these questions can be found in the Bible.
“It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26 NAB). God was behind the development of the use of the term “Christians” within a few years of the start of Christianity. Notice how this verse can also be rendered: “the disciples also were divinely called first in Antioch Christians” (Young’s Literal Translation).
Years later, at Paul’s final hearing before Roman governor Festus, the governor asked: “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” (Acts 26:28 NLT) So obviously, they were being called Christians at this later time as well.
“If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:16 NIV) Being a Christian meant then, and means today, bearing “that name,” not just as a label, but the entire Christian way of life, including suffering, if necessary.
That’s why, apparently, that six times in the book of Acts, Christianity is referred to as “the Way.” Notice the references:
Called “The Way”
“Any who belonged to the Way, whether men or women.” (Acts 9:2 NIV) Early Christianity was often referred to as “the Way.”
“Publicly speaking against the Way.” (Acts 19:9 NLT) Early Christians experienced persecution, via slander in this case.
“I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.” (Acts 24:14 NIV) Paul here says he is a follower of the Christian Way, which opposing Jews called a divisive sect.
“I persecuted followers of this Way to their death.” (Acts 22:4 NIV) Paul admits his former wrong attitude and action.
“Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way.” (Acts 24:22 NIV)
“Felix, who was accurately informed about the Way.” (Acts 24:22 NAB) Early Christianity was called “the Way,” because Christianity was a way of life.
“We know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” (Acts 28:22 NIV) Early Christianity was viewed as a breakaway sect from Judaism.
Other Descriptions, but Not Other Names
In the New Testament, there are other references to the first century Christian groups, such as:
“One flock, one shepherd” (Join 10:16), “one new people from the two groups” (Ephesians 2:15 NLT)
Should Christians try to separate Jews and Gentile in the church, or in their understanding of how God and Jesus deal with people today, and in the future?
“Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and =&0=&
Some Christians still try to separate Jews and Gentiles. Is this what God wants? Let’s see what the scriptures have to say on the subject.
“In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile”—Galatians 3:26-28 NIV. The distinction between Jew and Gentile is thus removed by Jesus Christ. Among Christians, there should be no distinction. According to the scriptures. God does not want Christians to try to separate Jews and Gentiles.
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4 HCSB) Christ is the end of the Law Covenant, which separated Jews and Gentiles.
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it.” (Luke 16:16 HCSB) The Old Covenant was until John the Baptist. Every kind of person, not just Jews, can enter the kingdom of God now since the New Covenant was inaugurated.
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16 HCSB) No longer would there be distinction between Jew and Gentile. No longer would God separate Jews and Gentile, as they would become “one flock.”
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.'” (Acts 10:34-35 HCSB) Peter was helped to realize that in Christ, there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile.
“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: ‘The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.’ By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” (Hebrews 8:6-13 NIV) The New Covenant mediated by Jesus “replaced” the “old covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:11,14 NLT). That means there would be no need to separate Jews and Gentiles.
“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.” (Hebrews 10:1 NIV) The Old Covenant was a shadow of the good things to come through Christ and the New Covenant. Christians need to interpret the Old Testament in light of the New Testament, and not the other way around. The New Testament interprets, fulfills, and completes the Old Testament.
“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ‘” (Matthew 19:28 ESV) The twelve tribes of Israel represent all mankind.
“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.” When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will.’ He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:1-10 ESV, emphasis added) It is impossible for the blood of animals to completely remove sins, which is the main deficiency of the “old =&1=&
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22 NIV). The messages to the seven churches of Revelation all conclude with the above statement. This indicates that the message is for “everyone” who will “listen to” the word of God, the Bible (ISV). But how is the modern church pictured in the Bible?
