“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:read 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.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.” (Mt 19:26) Just because God CAN do all things does not mean he actually DOES all things at all times.
“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.” (Gal 1:6-9 NLT)read more
Nationalism can be defined as loyalty and devotion to a nation, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It is exalting one 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, and respecting and obeying the laws of the land. But is nationalism for Christians? If we examine the Bible carefully, do we find that nationalism could be considered idolatry?read more
Should Christians be concerned with pollution and climate change?
Revised on July 9, 2023
With soaring, record high global temperatures, 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.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.
“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)
Obviously, this is the unleavened bread, symbolizing Jesus’ body, partaken of by true Christians. This is the real Memorial Day for Christians.read more
Christians are called Catholics, Orthodox, 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.
“The disciples also were divinely called first in Antioch Christians.” (Acts 11:26 Young’s) God was behind the development of the use of the term “Christians” within a few years of the start of Christianity.
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 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:
“The Way”
“Any who belonged to the Way, whether men or women.” (Acts 9:2 NIV)
“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)
“We know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” (Acts 28:22 NIV) Early Christianity was viewed as a breakaway sect from Judaism.
What we learn from these scriptures, then, is that early Christians were called “Christians,” and the religion was called “the Way”. Other names, including various denominational names, do not seem to fit this Scriptural model of the New Testament church.
Christians Should Not Try to Separate Jews and Gentiles Again
“One flock, one shepherd” (Join 10:16), “one new people from the two groups” (Ephesians 2:15 NLT)
“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.
“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 they be separate, 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).
“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=&
Fleshly Israel was under the old covenant, which was canceled. Now a new covenant operates for Christians. How do we know this? Let’s examine the scriptures to find out.
“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,’ they replied, ‘and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’ Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” (Matthew 21:33-44)read more
Should sincere Christians pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States or any other nation? Let’s look at the facts of this situation, and Bible principles that may apply. Since “each of us will give a personal account to God” (Romans 14:12 NLT), each person must make a personal decision regarding this issue. This article is presented to give a scriptural overview of the facts, but is not intended to tell anyone what they should, or shouldn’t do.
For starters, this pledge is not part of the United States constitution, and there is no law that requires anyone to recite it. The U. S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is completely voluntary to recite it, or not recite it, and recitation of the the Pledge cannot be required anyone, or any entity, governmental, or other. It was not even composed until 1892, over 100 years after the founding of the U.S.
Most people, like robots, parrot the words of this pledge. Most do it because they sincerely think that is what they are supposed to do. Some do it out of pressure to conform to what is expected of them. Does not mean that you, as a Christian, should recite it? The Bible encourages the use of “wisdom and understanding . . . sound judgment and discretion” (Proverbs 3:21 NIV), and advises against “following the crowd” (Exodus 23:2 NIV).
The Bible tells us that Christians should obey the laws of the nations they live in. “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks.Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.” (Romans 13:1-7)
The one exception to this principle of obedience to the governing authorities is laws which conflict with God’s laws. Jesus stated this principle,”Then He said to them, ‘Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’” (Matthew 22:21) Jesus’ apostles and early Christians followed this principle when commanded to do violate what Jesus told them to do. “Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide.‘ (Acts 4:19) “But Peter and the apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than men. ‘” (Acts 5:29)
But keep in mind that the Pledge of Allegiance is not required by law, nor can it be required by any rule or ordinance.
Which Bible principles might a person want to consider in deciding whether to recite the Pledge or not?
1.Jesus directly, without any qualifiers, prohibits Christians from making an oath to anything for any reason. “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’Anything more than this is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33-37)
2.Jesus points out the eternal truth that a person cannot serve two masters at the same time. “No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.” (Matthew 6:24) This principle also applies to serving other masters, or serving God. One master always takes precedence. For Christians, that master should be Almighty God!
3.Jesus’ Kingdom is not part of this world. “‘My kingdom is not of this world,’ said Jesus. ‘If My kingdom were of this world, My servantswould fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. As it is, My kingdom does not have its origin here.'” (John 18:36)
4.His followers are not to be part of this world. “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” (John 15:19) “I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world. ” (John 17:14) “They are not of the world, as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16)
5.Christians’ primary citizenship and loyalty is heavenly, not earthly. “But our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. ” (Philippians 3:20)
6.The oath of “allegiance to the flag and the republic for which it stands” is tantamount to idolatry in that the person puts his/her allegiance to it unqualifiedly. “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21) This pledge of unqualified allegiance to the flag and nation makes it an idol, ahead of Almighty God.
Christians are told to “live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear” (1 Peter 1:17 NIV), similar to pre-Christian faithful ones who were “foreigners and strangers on earth” (Hebrews 11:13 NIV). Following Bible principles makes Christians different from the world. Early Christians, at times, were said to be
“all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus” (Acts 17:7 NIV). read more
