Why Did Jesus Have to Rise Again?

1 Corinthians 15:17

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Jesus Christ is risen from the grave!  On this Easter Sunday morning, we celebrate one of the basic doctrines of orthodox Christianity, the resurrection.  Have you ever wondered why it is necessary that Jesus actually rise from the grave?  We know that He is sinless and paid the price for our sin with His death.  If His death paid the price, why does the Bible say that Jesus had to rise from the grave?  Why could Jesus not just go immediately to Heaven to be with His Father?  Some would say that He had to prove that He had power over sin and death.  To whom did He have to prove this?  Would our salvation really hinge upon this proof?

In this blog we are going to take a detailed doctrinal look at the reason behind the statement of 1 Corinthians 15:17.  We will discover that Jesus Christ had to rise from the dead because His blood needed to be applied in order to obtain our redemption from sin.

First of all, let us scripturally consider what elements are essential to the Gospel.  There are many truths taught in scriptures, but what truths must be believed in order to have a Gospel that saves?  The Apostle Paul, in a famous detailed defense of the doctrine of the resurrection, gives us the three elements of the Gospel. 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.   3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The first one is that  Christ died for our sins.  This was necessary because the price for sin is death.  

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 

Since the price for sin is death, then we cannot pay that price for sin with our own works.  

Romans 3:19-20 

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

The second element of the Gospel is that Christ was buried.  He really did die, and He really was buried.

The third element of the Gospel is both unique and powerful.  Christ rose again on the third day.  The Bible is clear in teaching that without the resurrection, there could be no salvation, but why?

1 Corinthians 15:17-18

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 

If Christ did not rise again, then your faith is in vain.   Why was the resurrection an essential element of the Gospel?  Could not Jesus have still paid the price of death without the resurrection?

Jesus Christ had to rise from the dead because His blood needed to be applied in order to obtain our redemption from sin.

The Old Testament picture of the Passover shows us that it is not just death that is important, but the applying of the blood.  

Exodus 12:3-7, 12-13

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:  4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:  6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.  7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.  13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 

What was required for the death angel to pass over the first born?  The scripture is clear that the following had to take place.  A spotless lamb had to be chosen and kept.  The lamb had to be slain.  The lamb had to bleed.  The blood had to be kept.  The blood had to be applied to the doorpost.  If any of these steps were missed, the firstborn of the household would die.  

The New Testament teaches us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb.  

1 Corinthians 5:7 

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

This Passover picture then tells us that not only did Jesus, the Precious Lamb of God, have to die, but His blood had to be applied.  How this blood would be applied and by whom is pictured in the Old Testament Day of Atonement.

Hebrews 9:7-9

But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 

In the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, there was a separation between God and man, the veil.

Leviticus 16:2 

And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. 

The only one allowed access to the Mercy Seat was the High Priest.   The High priest had to enter with innocent blood offered for his sins and the sins of the people.

Leviticus 16:6,16

6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 

Once again, it was not enough that the lamb died.  The High priest had to enter into the Holy Place, directly into the presence of God, and apply the blood on the mercy seat.  Hebrews tells us that this Old Testament ritual was a picture of what really exists in Heaven.  There is a mercy seat in heaven, prepared for one great day of Atonement.  Jesus our great High Priest, went to Heaven with His own Blood after the resurrection and applied it for us.

Jesus Ascended to Heaven after the Resurrection.  This is why the Resurrection is essential to the Gospel.  If Jesus had not Risen, He would not have applied the Blood.  Remember the price for sin is death... if that were enough, then Jesus would have completed the payment upon the cross, but the resurrection is essential.

Mary was told not to touch Jesus on that first Easter Sunday because He had not yet ascended to the Father.   This was not the Ascension mentioned in Acts 1 that took place 50 days after the resurrection.  This was the act of Jesus taking the Blood and applying it on the mercy seat in Heaven.

John 20:11-17

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
 After He completed His High Priestly work in Heaven and returning to Earth, Jesus told men to go ahead and touch Him.

John 20:26-28

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 

The Blood had been applied, so it was permissible to touch Jesus.          Jesus Had to rise again in order to act as our High Priest and apply His Blood for us.

Hebrews 9:11-14

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

There is a Mercy Seat in Heaven.  Jesus entered Heaven with His own blood. Redemption was obtained when the Blood was applied.  The Blood stains the mercy seat, purging you from dead works.  That is why Jesus had to rise from the dead in order to complete our salvation!

So what are you trusting in to get to Heaven?  There is a Blood stained Mercy Seat in Heaven right now reminding all of Heaven's creatures that God loved you enough to send Jesus to shed His innocent Blood and apply the mercy seat, sealing your pardon!  If you believe that, you can be saved.

John 3:16 (AV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus as your Savior, and would like to know more, please e-mail me at pastor_don@ebcct.org.  Happy Easter everyone!

Someone's Got To Be The Grown Up!

As a pastor, often my lot in life seems to be to settle disputes between husband and wife, parent and child, and between church members.  This blog is going to focus on a few observations I have made while performing the unpleasant task of confronting and restoring feuding people.  I believe that God the Holy Spirit may use this simple post in your life.  If you are involved in a personal conflict right now, I have the solution for you - one of you has to be the grown up and choose to forgive and quit fighting back.

We believers often rationalize our childish brawling by telling ourselves that we have been grievously offended and our hateful behavior toward the offending party is only reasonable.  If the other person really wants me to stop treating them badly, then they should change their behavior!  This kind of thinking is diametrically opposed to scriptures.  The Bible tells us that this kind of infighting and selfishness stunts our Christian growth.  In fact, if we behave like that, we will not be able to understand some preaching because we no longer have the spiritual discernment to grasp it.


1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (AV)

¹ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. ² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. ³ For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ⁴ For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

So what is the solution?  There are some people that seem to be itching for a fight.  Any word or gesture you make will be misunderstood and turned into an occasion for yet another conflict.  We rise to the occasion retorting with the same vitriol that is flung in our direction and the fur hits the fan once again.  How can we stop this vicious cycle?  Someone has to be the grown up.  Someone has to choose to remain silent and not engage.  Someone has to choose the selfless path of peace.  Here are a few practical things to help you be the grown up the next time you find yourself in a cycle of conflict.

1.  Choose the soft answer.

Proverbs 15:1 (AV)

¹ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The next time your spouse yells at you, make the right choice. As soon as someone starts to raise their voice, our flesh wants to match and exceed their negative tone.  There is only one thing that will do, it will stir up anger.  We often answer with harsh words and then get bitter at the other person for getting angry!  That is so unjust!  God has promised us that if we return grievous words, anger will be stirred.  If you want to find peace, you have to choose to be the grown up and choose a soft answer,

2.  Choose to seek the good of others first, rather than self appeasement.

 
Philippians 2:3–4 (AV)

³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Another reason peace seems to be so illusive is that we must get our own way.  It seems so loathsome to us to allow the other person have his or her way, we are willing to sacrifice a peaceful home.  Often the thing we fight over really does not matter.  Sure, it would be good if they would yield to your wishes sometime, but someone has to be the grown up.  Get out of the way and esteem the other better than yourself.  Believe that God will plead your case at some point.

3.  Choose the path of peace  and forgiveness rather than revenge. 


Romans 12:18–21 (AV)

¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Here is where the rubber meets the road.  When we are hurt, our flesh wants to hurt the offender back.  This is not our job!  If the offender needs to be hurt, God can take care of that.  We need to aggressively do good to those that do us wrong.  If you do that, more often than not, peace will ensue.  Why should I do good to my enemy?  Because God loves a peacemaker and someone has to be the grown up!

Justice for Treyvon Martin and George Zimmerman

The Internet is ablaze with opinions about the recent case of the tragic shooting death of Treyvon Martin by George Zimmerman while performing a neighborhood watch. American passions and prejudices have been ignited on both sides of the issue placing some very ugly attitudes on display.  Both sides have sprung into action declaring the guilt of the opposing party, and the innocence of their own.  This blog is not about to take a side on this issue, but we will examine from a Biblical perspective what is wrong with this whole picture.


In Micah chapter six, God gives us a very clear, neatly packaged and summarized list of exactly how He expects us as human beings to behave toward one another.  We can learn a lot from this verse when it comes to this case.

Micah 6:8 (AV)
⁸ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

The first thing God lists, through the prophet Micah is that we are to do justly, or to practice justice.  The following is a definition of justice as given in Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

The virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due; practical conformity to the laws and to principles of rectitude in the dealings of men with each other; honesty; integrity in commerce or mutual intercourse. Justice is distributive or commutative. Distributive justice belongs to magistrates or rulers, and consists in distributing to every man that right or equity which the laws and the principles of equity require; or in deciding controversies according to the laws and to principles of equity. Commutative justice consists in fair dealing in trade and mutual intercourse between man and man.

God is very good at this task.  One way we can see that God exercises justice is the law of sowing and reaping.  Other traditions refer to it as karma.  Either way, there is an undeniable truth evident that what goes around comes around.


Galatians 6:7–9 (AV)
⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Yes, God executes justice in His own perfect way and in His own perfect time.  We are as human beings, however commanded to do justly.  We are commanded first of all to practice justice toward our fellow man.  God actually places more emphasis on our just treatment of each other than He does on our sacrificial deeds.

Proverbs 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.


With this in mind, let us consider how we can practice justice.  There are three things we must have in order to practice justice.


Romans 14:4 (AV)

⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

First of all, in order to have perfect justice, one must judge only within one's jurisdiction.  Webster tells us that justice comes from magistrates and rulers.  They can only render correct decisions if those decisions are within their area of jurisdiction.  It is wrong for a local judge in Connecticut to render a verdict in a case tried in Ohio.  It is outside of his jurisdiction. 

Much frustration can be avoided if we learn this principle.  Parents are responsible to render a just verdict when it comes to the behavior of THEIR OWN children.  It is unjust to attempt to make a decision about how someone else should deal with their children.  It is nosey, presumptive, and most of all unjust to assume that you have all the information to render a better judgment about someone else's children.  This is outside of your jurisdiction.

Church splits occur because people are trying to render a judgment that is outside of their jurisdiction.  People look at a decision that a pastor makes.  They are sure that they would do things differently.  Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't.  The point is that they do not know, because pastoring is outside of their jurisdiction.  Friends, we need to realize that to even enter a discussion hypothetically about whether or not someone did what they were supposed to do, and those folks are not directly under us or under our responsibility, then to make that value judgement is a waste of time, energy, and it is unjust.

We have horrible atrocities occurring over the story of Treyvon and George because we have an entire nation practicing unjust judgment.  Think about the absurdity that assumes that because we have 30 seconds of sound bites and video clips, we are more equipped than professional law enforcement to decide whether or not someone should be arrested and convicted!  This is the stuff of a lynch mob!  I am not saying one or the other is guilty.  I am saying that to even offer an opinion in this area over which we have no personal jurisdiction is unjust, unbiblical, and wrong.  In the name of "justice" Spike Lee gave out an address to an angry mob supposing to expose George Zimmerman, but instead he unleashed ignorant fury on a couple that were not involved at all.  In the name of "justice" the New Black Panthers issued a Dead or Alive bounty for Mr. Zimmerman.  This kind of behavior where a mob assumes the ability to judge outside of their realm of jurisdiction guarantees that true justice will not be served because it has jumped the boundaries of the rule of law.

People have asked this author for his opinion on this case.  My opinion is irrelevant and unlearned because I do not have access to all the information.  I am not charged with determining a correct verdict.  It is outside my jurisdiction.

The next thing that is needed for justice to be served is a standard of truth.  In our daily operation and evaluation, we as believers should turn to scriptures for that truth.  In this case we must turn the rule of law in our land.  We must not be caught up in the frenzy of an ignorant but impassioned mob.  We must allow the law to work without deference to race or background.  The rule of law and evidence must be applied to all. Let the authorities do their work.  If there is evidence that requires an arrest, it is their job to find it, not ours to second guess based upon incomplete information interpreted without the mandate of jurisdiction. 

Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

The last thing we will consider as a requirement for justice is complete information.  I am amazed how quickly people offer an opinion on this or any other matter.  The Bible clearly warns that this behavior is unwise even foolish.

Proverbs 18:13 (AV)

¹³ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Last week 73% of Americans polled believed that George Zimmerman must be arrested.  Now only 48% still believe that.  Why?  The people have been given more information.  You see, we are way to ready to offer an opinion based on knee jerk reactions than we are to humble bow out, acknowledging that the matter is outside of our jurisdiction and we simply cannot make a just judgement.

If after reading this post you assume that I lean in one way or another toward or against these men, you have completely missed the point.  We will all save ourselves a lot of sorrow and frustration if we concentrate on rendering just judgement in those areas over which God has given us jurisdiction.  If you are a parent, rule your own children well.  If you are a husband, rule your household well.  If you are an elected official, serve your office well.  God has in His perfect providence, given us areas of responsibility.  Let us practice justice well within our jurisdiction.  If we all do that, then justice will be served for Treyvon Martin and George Zimmerman.
  



 

King James Bible VS NIV - Exposing Corruption.

In the last blog I promised to show you some differences between some of the new corrupt versions and the King James Bible.  These differences occur because the modern versions have been translated from corrupt Alexandrian texts.  These texts make up only 1% of all existing original language manuscripts and disagree with themselves over 3000 times in the Gospels alone.  The Textus Receptus or Received Text from which we get our King James Bible has over 5700 manuscripts and has been said to speak as "One Voice"  God did preserve His Word somewhere, but it was not preserved in the corrupted copies from which we get out modern English Translations.  It is a big deal because major doctrine is changed by the changes made in the Alexandrian text.  Pray, and compare these verses in English for yourself and see if perhaps God would lead you to throw out your corrupted Bible and get a Bible that has been translated from the preserved manuscripts, the King James Bible.

A.                 Redemption

1.      Luke 9:56 - For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

       Luke 9:56 NIV - and they went to another village.

2.      Matthew 18:11 -  For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Matthew 18:11 NIV – doesn't exist

3.      Colossians 1:14 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Colossians 1:14 NIV -  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

4.      Galatians 6:15 - For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Galatians 6:15 NIV – Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.

5.      Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 NIV – I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

6.      John 6:47 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 6:47 NIV – I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

7.      1 John 5:13 - These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I John 5:13 NIV – I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

B.                 Christ's deity

1.      1 Timothy 3:16 - And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

I Timothy 3:16 NIV – Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

2.      Philippians 2:5-6 - 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Philippians 2:5-6 NIV – ⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped

3.      1 John 5:7-8 - 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

I John 5:7-8 NIV – ⁷For there are three that testify: ⁸the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

4.      John 6:69 - And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 6:69 NIV – We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

C.                 The Virgin birth

1.      Luke 2:33 - And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Luke 2:33 NIV – The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

2.      Luke 2:43 - And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

Luke 2:43 NIV – After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.

D.                 Eternal punishment

1.      Mark 9:44-46 - 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:44-46 NIV – And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.

2.      John 3:15 - That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:15 NIV – that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

Stay out of the Danger Zone!

I remember stopping at the boundary of a local rock quarry, viewing the warning signs that to cross the fence would be to enter the danger zone.  Soon after I read the sign, I heard the warning siren then BOOM a blast went off that loosened a mass of rocks.  Right near the fence pebbles and stones rained down.  I realized that if I had crossed that fence into the danger zone, I would have been hurt.  The fence and warning had been placed there for my safety.

The Bible gives us a warning about another kind of danger zone. 

Proverbs 24:6 (AV)

⁶ For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

I want to take a few moments in this blog to warn you about a trend that I have observed among Christians.  More and more I have seen believers make major decisions without ever seeking counsel first.  These decisions uproot their families, place their financial security in peril, and even cause great harm to their local church.  The Bible tells us that if you have a multitude of Godly counsel, you have found a safe place.  It follows then that if you do not seek counsel and decide to simply trust your own heart and feelings, you are walking on the wrong side of the fence, you are in the danger zone.

First of all, this "trust your heart" business that we hear from our friends and see in all kinds of posts on facebook is not Biblical!  Look and see what we get when we trust our hearts.

Jeremiah 17:9 (AV)

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?


Proverbs 19:21 (AV)
²¹ There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

You may recoil at this advice so far.  You are sure that you have enough common sense not to have to get your pastor or other mature believers involved in your personal decisions.  The Bible actually is very clear.  If we just make decisions based on what seems good in our own eyes, we are acting foolishly. 

Proverbs 12:15 (AV)

¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, gives us some very clear warnings as to what happens when we rush off to make decisions without asking for counsel.  Without counsel, people fall and plans do not come to pass.  Without counsel we venture into the danger zone.


Proverbs 11:14 (AV)
¹⁴ Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Proverbs 15:22 (AV)
²² Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Proverbs 20:18 (AV)
¹⁸ Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

We are also warned about where we get counsel.  If we go to the ungodly, that is, those who have not trusted Jesus as Savior, or those who do not believe that the Bible is God's Word; then we are in the danger zone.  Sometimes we go to a multitude of counsellors, trying to get someone to say what we want to hear.  Finally we find the one carnal Christian, or unbeliever that gives us unbiblical advice... we are back in the danger zone.


Psalm 1:1 (AV)
¹ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.


1 Chronicles 10:13 (AV)
¹³ So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;

King Saul lost his kingdom and eventually died because he followed the wrong counsel.  He got counsel from a spiritualist who talked to dead spirits.  Once again, wrong counsel will bring you into the danger zone.

So how do we stay out of the danger zone?  With whom should we counsel?  If you are a child, get counsel from your parents.  If you are a wife, get counsel from your husband.  If you are a believer, get counsel from your pastor.  Follow the chain of command and go first of all to those whom God has given authority over you.


Hebrews 13:17 (AV)
¹⁷ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

At this point you may say that you already know what these folks would say, but you want to do something different than what they would say.  First of all, you don't know what they would say unless you ask them.  Secondly, if you already know, perhaps you already have the counsel you need even if it is not the counsel you want.

When seeking counsel, do not expect the counsellor to give you all the truth you need automatically.  You must seek them out and draw them out.  Truly wise folks do not spew their wisdom out on everyone unsolicited.  Seek godly counsel and advice by asking specific questions and then listening, not arguing.

Proverbs 20:5 (AV)
⁵ Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Remember that the best counsel comes from God.  He has given us His Word in the Bible.  He has also promised to give us wisdom if we ask for it. 

James 1:5 (AV)
⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Psalm 16:7 (AV)
⁷ I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

So, my friend, if you are facing a decision about a career choice, continuing or stopping a relationship, changing or starting to attend a church, or any other major decision, do not simply trust your heart!  Do not trust your future to the advice of unbelievers.  Seek Godly advice from those whom God has given as wise counsellors in your life.  Do not jump at a decision.  Take a moment, get some counsel, and stay out of the danger zone!

Don't Start What You Shouldn't Finish

It has been a while since my last post.  I will try to get some more out here a little more often.  Thank you for those who have been helping to promote this blog.  I believe that if we work together, God can use this blog to encourage a lot of fellow believers.  Before I get to the meat of the post today, let me warn you that this post will be of a frank, yet very important nature concerning personal purity.

In 1992, I was ordained and became the youth pastor at Scranton Revival Baptist Church.  Ever since then, I have been involved in counselling young believers who want to do right when it comes to sexual purity. The Bible is clear that sex is a wedding gift given by God that is only to be unwrapped by married couples.


Hebrews 13:4 (AV)

⁴ Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.


1 Corinthians 6:18 (AV)

¹⁸ Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Young couples start out committed to purity.  They are determined not to commit the sin of fornication, or sex outside of marriage, yet over and over people have come into my office over the years, in tears, confessing that they fell and their purity is gone.  We live in a sex charged society.  Is there any way that one can hope to maintain purity today?

I think that one reason that young couples fall, even though both are committed Christians, and neither started out with the intention to commit fornication, it that they do not understand the principles God put in place to avoid this sin.  I get questions every once and a while about how far is too far.  Can I hold hands?  Can we kiss?  Can we stimulate each other through clothing, or under clothing.  How far can we come without actually having intercourse?  If we are sexual but do not have intercourse, we are still virgins and pure in God's eyes right? 

Let us take a few moments and define the sin of fornication then explain the Bible way to avoid this powerful temptation.  First of all, the word that is translated "fornication" in English is the Greek word "pornea".  This is the word from which we get the term "pornography".  It refers to illicit sexual activity outside of marriage.  Some Bible translations wrongly limit it to the act of sexual intercourse outside of marriage.  Think about it.  Pornography refers to pictures and videos depicting all kinds of sexual activity, not just intercourse.  You see, our flesh would like to think that the term is very narrow so that we can find loop holes and get really close to the sin without actually being guilty of fornication.

The way to avoid this powerful temptation is radical but simple.  The Apostle Paul gives us the formula in 1 Corinthians 7.


1 Corinthians 7:1–2 (AV)

¹ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. ² Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

If you want to avoid the sin of fornication, you have two options:

1. Do not touch each other (at all)
2. Get married

The question of how far is too far assumes that some touching is OK as long as you can stop in the heat of passion before You realize that it is not good for you, therefore you make a vow that you will never again eat Pizza Hut Pan Pizza.  One day on your way home from work, you see that Pizza Hut is having a special.  Now you are not going to have any, but you are curious what the price has gotten to these days.  As pull into the parking lot, you see that the price is revealed inside.  You step in and the smell hits you and envelopes you like a warm familiar blanket.  You react physically with a growling stomach and watering mouth.  You decide that your family needs a pizza.  You would surprise them when you bring it home.  No, you will not eat the pizza, you have made a commitment!  You order the pizza and they put it in a box, steaming hot.  You put the box in your car and the steam comes out of the four corners of the box, fogging up your windows.  You decide that you must check the pie to make sure they got the order right.  No, you are not going to eat it, you are just checking the order.  As you open the box, you see everything your body has been craving.  The cheese is dripping from the top of the box.  You think to yourself, I committed not to eat pizza, but you did not commit to avoid all cheese.  If you get a finger full of what is on the box, you would not really be eating pizza, just eating cheese.  You would have to go Vegan to avoid that... surely it will be OK.  As you can imagine, once you started with the cheese, the entire pizza disappeared and you wondered how in the world that ever happened... you never intended to go back on your commitment.

Friends, that is exactly what happens when couples who say they are committed to purity, spend time alone together and start down the road of physical compromise.  One thing leads to another and one of two things happen:  Either they fall full bore into the sin of fornication, or they stop but leave themselves aroused, creating conflict and stopping what God intended to be finished in the marriage act.

If you really want to remain pure before marriage you have two choices.  Either do not touch or get married.  Do not allow yourself to be alone in a car or apartment for a long time... it is possible that you will not be able to resist temptation endlessly.  Decide as a couple that you are going to make it hard to fall into that sin.  Decide to take the steps to preserve your purity.


Romans 13:14 (AV)

¹⁴ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

If you are in love, you are of age, you are both Christians, you have your parent's blessing... Get married!  Listen, the world is all about putting it on hold until later in life because they already have become impure.  If you are engaged, get to it!  I do not recommend anything more than six months for engagement.  Marriage is a wonderful thing.  Do what it takes to preserve your purity until your wedding night.  Do not start something you shouldn't finish.

King James Only = Nut?

As I put this post together, I realize that there is a lot of ignorance on both sides of the issue.  Some will read the title of this post and automatically write me off as one of those crazy folks who think the Bible was reinspired in 1611.  I do not hold that position.  This post is not exaustive and only is intended as an introduction to this issue.  There are many well meaning folks who open their NIV or NASB assuming that it is the perfect word of God, only to have been fooled by the dark one.  They are not only faulty translations, but they have been translated from a corrupted text.

First of all, I would like the readers to know that I did not always hold to a King James only position. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Bible from Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA and am currently working on a Master of Theology degree from Baptist College of America. I have three years of Greek and study the original languages for sermon preparation on a weekly basis. While at BBC, I learned all of the arguments against the King James only position, and for a long while believed them. There was one event that started me down a pathway of open-minded investigation that finally led to the conviction that I embrace today. There were a couple of "witnesses" that came to my door and tried to convince me that Jesus Christ was someone less than very God in the flesh. I had just read 1 Timothy 3:16 in my devotions and I couldn't wait to use it to demonstrate the truth of the Deity of Christ. The King James Bible that I read that morning said this:
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. " King James Bible

God was manifest in the flesh! Now, my King James Bible was upstairs and so I reached for my NIV, expecting to be able to prove this fundamental truth from this translation as well, because after all, I had been taught that no major doctrine was affected by the miniscule differences in the translations. This is what I found:

"Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels, was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory."


New International Version

I was shocked! The punch of the entire verse rested upon the word God, yet the NIV left it out. I ran upstairs to get my Greek New Testament and it had the word "Theos" or God. The NIV left out a word that changed and watered down a fundamental doctrine! That sent me on the journey into the King James controversy.

The first thing to consider when looking into this issue is the idea of the inspiration of Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16 gives us this insight:

" All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" - KJV

The Greek word translated in the English is "Theopneustos", which is a compound word literally meaning "God-breathed". I have always believed that the Bible is the perfect "God-breathed" Word of God. This doctrine was under fire in the early part of the last century. Liberal scholars held that it was the thoughts of God that were important, not every word. There were many conservative movements that came out of this controversy. Again the argument was: did the Bible "contain" the word of God, or was every word inspired? Those who call themselves fundamentalists held to the latter view, as do I. Many who reject the King James Bible as the perfect word of God for English-speaking people also claim to hold to an every word inspiration. However, I find this to be inconsistent because of the implications of the next doctrine to be discussed - preservation.

When considering the doctrine of preservation, one must determine if the Bible claims that EVERY WORD is not only inspired in the original manuscripts but also preserved in the textual copies throughout the centuries. In general those who embrace the NIV, NASB, etc., believe that God inspired His Word in the original manuscripts, but they are lost, and that is as far as it goes. It seems to me, then, that this is the same position taken by the liberals of the early 1900's. The Bible contains the word of God. Now, that is fine as long as you do not masquerade as a conservative. However, it is nothing less, in my mind, than the liberal position of the 1900's re-packaged to be more palatable to those who claim to be theologically conservative.

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? KJV

Satan, then, from the very beginning did not at first change God's command, he merely cast doubt upon its reliability. This is why the doctrine of preservation must be considered as well as the inspiration of Scriptures. Do we have a perfect and reliable copy of Scriptures? I hear the hiss of a snake… "ssss... hath God said?"

Let us consider two questions regarding the doctrine of preservation. First of all, does God's Word claim that He will preserve every word throughout the corridors of time? The answer is found in Psalm 12:6-7:

" The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. " KJV

Notice the claim of preservation is not made on God's thoughts, or His Word, but on His Words. So then, the modern scholar scoffs and states that God has never preserved copies of His Word. Let us examine that claim in the light of Holy Scriptures. In Joshua 8:30-35, we find Joshua to be commissioned with the task of copying the words of the books of Moses. Look at verse 32:

" And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel." KJV

Now look a little further down the passage and see what God says about Joshua's copying work:

Joshua 8:34-35

"And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them." KJV

It was my discovery then, along my journey to the truth in this matter, that God did indeed have His Word perfectly preserved, and that He did not lose it with the original manuscripts. Once I came to that conclusion, then I needed to find out which of the many differing versions of the Bible was the perfect preserved Word that was promised in Psalm 12.

I found out that there were two families of manuscripts. There is a group of manuscripts that have been used throughout the history of the early church originating in Antioch Syria - known as the Textus Receptus - and there were the fragmented manuscripts found as ancient discards, originating in Alexandria Egypt - commonly called the Critical Text. These ancient discards, much of which were compiled by Wescott and Hort (two people who denied the inspiration of the Bible in the first place) give us the source of every modern English Bible translation. As I studied, I found out that the reason for my problem with 1 Timothy 3:16 was that this discarded family of manuscripts had corrupted the Words of God! Now, I know that it may seem like a small deal, but if God really did preserve His Word, then every variance is a big deal!

The Alexandrian texts, commonly known, as the critical texts are so fragmented that there are 12,000 variations with itself in the Gospels alone! The Antioch texts, commonly known as the Textus Receptus, are remarkably similar! They have been preserved! There is no variance! It is interesting that of the existing 5,500 fragments of copies of the New Testament, the modern critical text uses only one percent of the total. 99% of the existing copies of the Greek manuscripts support the Textus Receptus!

Here is where the rubber meets the road. The only English translation that still comes from 99% of the existing Greek manuscript copies is the King James Bible. I am a King James only preacher, not because I have followed some preacher or religious leader blindly as some allege, but because of long, hard, serious study of both God's promises and manuscript evidence.

I suppose that one other thing that could be dealt with when it comes to this subject is the many horrible things that the Critical Text does to God's holy and perfect Word. I am sure that if I were to list the hundreds of examples, this article would be too long to print. Let me just articulate a few of the gravest concerns. Once again let us get our guide from scriptures:

Revelation 22:18-19

" For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." KJV

Here is a list of Holy Scriptures that the modern, Alexandrian Text based, translations have omitted: Matthew 17:21; Matthew 18:11; Matthew 23:14; Mark 7:16; Mark 9:44; Mark 9:46; Mark11:26; Mark 15:28; Luke 17:36; Luke 23:17; John 5:4; Acts 8:37; Acts 15:34; Acts 24:7; Acts 28:29; Romans 16:24; 1 John 5:7. Now, if you hold the liberal view of scriptures, that is that the Bible contains the Word of God, then these omissions are not a big deal, because you can find His thoughts in the other parts of Scripture. If, however, one claims to be a fundamentalist, holding to the fact that God has inspired EVERY WORD of the Bible, then one should have a big problem with these omissions. 

In tomorrow's post, I will articulate some of the very dangerous and subtle changes that have been made in the corrupted manuscripts from which we get our modern translations.  I hope that this at least is something that starts people researching this issue for themselves.
We must remember that this is the very same attack that Satan first leveled upon Eve, just before she ate the fruit that put all of nature under the curse of sin.