The Acts of The Apostles Part 8

Chapter Eight
(8:1-40)

Vs. 1-8

The line has been drawn on Jerusalem. The nation has officially rejected God’s pleading with His own people. John the Baptist, Jesus and now Stephen head the list of murders for the “sake of” the Law and Moses and God.
The mention of Saul (Acts 7:58) is certainly not accidental. It introduces the central character of chapters 13-28. He is called Saul 16 times from Acts 7:58-13:7. Paul was a Jew from Benjamin (Phil. 3:5) yet he was a Roman citizen from Tarsus of Cilicia (Acts 22:3; 16:37). He was a Pharisee (Phil. 3:5) taught by Gamaliel (Acts 22:3; Acts 5:34).

Following the stoning of Stephen, there is a great persecution in Jerusalem. Through this God accomplishes phases two and three of His plan of evangelization (Acts 1:8). The apostles themselves stay to hear the brunt of the attack. God uses persecution to spread His Word.

Paul is a real militant (vs. 3). (Acts 22:19; 26:11; 1 Tim. 1:13). Haling (vs. 3) = hauling.

Vs. 5

Philip (Acts 6:5) leaves Jerusalem and goes to Samaria to follow up a revival held there by the preacher of preachers (Jn. 4). The people were very attentive and Philip, to prove his ministry, does miracles (vs. 6) for them.
Samaritans were hostile to Judean Jews, which is obvious from (Jn. 4:1-24), the discourse of Jesus with the Samaritan woman. For background for this see: (Num. 13,14; Josh. 24; 2 Kings 17:24-30).

Philip brings with him the apostolic signs of Moses (Ex. 4:1-9) so “there was great joy in that city.” The word “preaching” occurs seven times in the chapter and the content of the preaching is “the Word” (vs. 4), “Christ” (vs. 5), “the things concerning the Kingdom of God” (vs. 12), “the word of the Lord” (vs. 25) and “the gospel” (vs. 25) plus “Jesus” (vs. 35), and the combination of these elements (vs. 40).

Vs. 7

Exorcism and healings – The result was a great revival.
Vs. 9-24

Simon the Sorcerer
Vs. 9,10,11

Simon was no penny ante carnival huckster. He was a wizard. He had power in the supernatural realm, “the least to the greatest” gave heed. Philip appeared to many to be Simon’s competitor.
Vs. 12

The Samaritans believed and were baptized (vs. 12) according to (Mk. 16:16). Simon is included in this group of converts (vs. 13). However! The “gift of the Holy Ghost” which came upon the baptismal candidates of (Acts 2:38) does not show up here (vs. 15,16). There has been a transitional shift between (Acts 2 & 8); The events of (Acts 7) have changed-the whole setup, and the signs and miracles which Philip is performing here (vs. 13) cease from Jerusalem forever.
Vs. 14

Peter and John are sent to Samaria as instruments through which the Holy Spirit can be given (vs. 17). This has led many people to assume that the Holy Spirit is received by the laying on of hands. However, this overlooks the fact that the Holy Spirit was given WITHOUT the laying on of hands in (Acts 2 & 10). It also overlooks the fact that there is no “initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost” anywhere in (Acts 8), because no one in (Acts 8) speaks in tongues – baptized or unbaptized
Vs. 17

What is the explanation for the “laying on of hands?” Jesus Christ didn’t have to lay hands on the apostles to get them to receive the Holy Ghost (Jn. 20:22). Yet Ananias lay hands on Paul and Peter and John lay hands on the Samaritans.
NOTE: The apostles have found out nothing regarding a change in commission (Acts 1:8), and nothing has been revealed to them other than (Eze. 37:15-19, Isa. 2,11), etc. They are still obeying (Acts 1:8) and to all purposes they are headed for Samaria after Judea. The Samaritans are half-breeds who rebelled against the authority of Jerusalem by building a rival temple on Mt. Gerizim (Jn. 4:20). To reinforce the ancient authority of Jerusalem as the capitol of Palestine and the Ten Tribes (Deut. 14:23 and 1 Chron. 22:1), the Lord withholds the Holy Spirit from the Samaritans until His coming is connected with, the apostolic authority from Jerusalem. This also explains Paul’s peculiar action in (Acts 19:1-6) in dealing with converts who had come part way through (Matt. 3 – Acts 8) without the revelation of (Acts 10:45 or Acts 15:11).

Vs. 18

“The Holy Ghost was given …” to the Samaritans by the laying on of hands, and this is not the gift of (Acts 2:38), nor the outpouring of (Acts 10), nor the baptism of (1 Cor. 12:13). To make them all the same is to blatantly disregard the WORD OF GOD.
Vs. 19

Simon requests apostolic authority and is denied it. Simon “is saved” in the sense that any Samaritan was saved at this time (vs. 18), and in this condition he had no “part nor lot” in the matter. His heart was “not right in the sight of God,” for he was in wickedness (vs. 22), bitterness (vs. 23), iniquity (vs. 23) and about to “perish” (vs. 20). If the Holy Spirit was indwelling Simon – he was like a Christian in the condition of (Rom. 8:13 or 1 Cor. 5:5).
Vs. 24

Simon asks for Prayer, as Jeroboam did that (1 Kings 13:6), and we are to presume everything worked out alright.
Vs. 26,27

Philip’s instantaneous obedience reminds us of (1 Kings 17:9) where another “evangelist” was told to do something that hardly made any sense. But a spirit-filled servant goes where he is sent (vs. 27), does what he is told to do (vs. 29), says what he is supposed to say (vs. 35), and returns rejoicing (vs. 39), bringing his sheaves with him.
The Eunuch (Matt. 19:12) is an Ethiopian and he had great authority (vs. 27) in the imperial palace of the Queen of Ethiopia. Undoubtedly he had brought some of the “treasure” with him for an offering to the Lord (Jn. 12:3), exactly as the Queen of Sheba had done many years before (1 Kings, 10).

Vs. 28-31

On the Lord’s orders (vs. 29) Philip runs to get to the “prospect.” “Understand thou what thou readest?” (vs. 30) There is no way to understand any “prophecy of scripture” (2 Pet. 1:20) without the Holy Spirit opening the eyes of the understanding (Lk. 24:45)? ” A Bible teacher can “guide” (vs. 31), but it is the Holy Spirit who teaches all things (I Jn. 2:27) and will guide you into all truth On. 16:13).
Vs. 32-33

The Context is the blood atonement of God’s servant for sinners (Isa. 53:2,3,4,5,6,10,11,12), and this blood atonement is pictured as the slaughter of a sacrificial lamb (Isa. 53:6,7).
Vs. 34-35

Philip and Paul are the first to “declare his generation” (Isa. 53-:8) for his generation deals with his SEED! (Isa. 53:10; Ps. 22:30,31) The seed is promulgated through the new birth (I Pet. 1:23). -Right here Philip’s eyes are opened to something that the Apostles had not noticed up to this point.
If they had noticed it, Peter would never have worded Acts 3:19 the way it is found. Philip stumbles on to justification by imputed righteousness! Look at (Isa. 53:11,12). In the text the Ethiopian is a Gentile (like you), saved by grace (like you) through faith in the Word (like you) which lead him to put his faith in the blood atonement of Jesus Christ (like you); no “tongues” followed his conversion and no laying on of hands was necessary and his belief was from the heart, not the head.

NOTE: The first man saved EXACTLY as any man was saved after (Acts 15:11) (exception in 19:6) was a Negro, for the “Bride” of Solomon was “Black, by comely, 0 ye daughters of Jerusalem” (Song of Solomon 1:5) exactly as Joseph’s bride was an Egyptian! Joseph is a type of Christ in only 150 plus ways.

Vs. 36-37

“…with all thine heart…” is the proper demand for a man who wants to be baptized. Philip is already familiar with the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:31, 4:33) and the Lordship of Christ (Acts 2:36, 5:31) so when the Eunuch believes, he has to believe on a risen Savior who “died for our sins-according to the Scriptures and was buried, and rose the third day from the dead according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-6). Acts 8:37 is missing from the latest, newest, greatest, better than best “Bibles” &endash; the N.I.V. and N.A.S.V. Someone doesn’t want you to know that the biblical prerequisite for scriptural baptism is believing with all your heart.
Vs. 38-40

“they went down both into the water” should be self explanatory, unless of course, you are a Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, etc. Perhaps some folks just don’t read? Baptism cannot picture the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 6:1-4) without a burial. Do you bury a man by standing him up against a tree and throwing dirt at him?
“The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip…” exactly as in (Eze. 11:1 and 2 Kings 2:16). Azotus was halfway between Joppa and Gaza, so Philip preaches in Lydda and Joppa on his way home to Caesarea.

CONCLUSION: Having saved Ham in (Ch. 8), the Holy Spirit prepares to save Shem in (Ch. 9), before saving Japheth in (Ch. 10). God is through with Jerusalem in (Acts 7). He reveals the N.T. “plan of salvation” in (Acts 8). He calls the Apostle of the Gentiles out in (Acts 9); He then opens the door of faith to the Gentiles in (Acts 10, and from (Acts 13) on it is heart belief (Acts 13:39) that obtains justification Without works.

The Acts of The Apostles Part 7

Chapter Seven
(7:1-60)

Vs. 1-7

The high priest asks Stephen if these things are so when he knows that the accusations are full of half truths and lies. Stephen, as Peter and Paul are famous for, never misses an opportunity to preach. Stephen begins on a positive note by bragging on the history of Israel starting in (Gen. 12:1).The appearance is an appearance of the Angel of the Lord (Theophany – pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.)

Vs. 4,5

(Heb. 11:8-10; Gen. 12-15)

Vs. 6

Reference is to (Gen. 15:13) One of the Bible “contradictions” appears with reference to the 30 year discrepancy between (Acts 7:6) -(400), (Gen. 15:13) -(400) and (Gal. 3:1) -(430), (Ex. 12:40) -(430). The answer: they sojourned in Egypt for 430 years of which 400 they were entreated with evil.

Vs. 7

The plagues of Egypt are in view in judgment of the bondage Egypt required of Israel.

Vs. 9

In (vs. 9) Stephen bring up probably the best type of Christ in the O.T., Joseph. “Moved with envy”, this was the crime of the Jewish leaders. “Sold for a servant.” (Ps. 105:17,18)

Vs. 13

Stephen continues to brag. In (vs. 13) we have a picture of the Second Coming. Joseph was made known to his brethren the second time they saw him.

Vs. 14

In (vs. 14), “another contradiction”. (Compare Acts 7:14 with Gen. 46:27; Acts 7:14) says all his kindred were 75. (Gen. 46:27) says 70 “of the house of Jacob.” Again reading and believing the texts will eliminate the contradictions. All of his kindred – all relations were 75, his immediate house were 70. (See Deut. 10:22, Gen. 46:26).

Vs. 16

We come to another contradiction. We get a whole handful here in chapter (7). (Acts 7:16) seems to contradict (Gen. 23:3,10,17).

Explanation:

[1]. Shechem’s father was Hamor (Gen. 33:19) Emmor (vs. 16).
[2]. An altar is erected in a “parcel of a field” (Gen. 33:19,20), no in a sepulcher that “Abraham bought for a sum of money” (Acts 7:16).
[3]. It was the bones of Joseph that were buried in Shechem (Josh. 24:32), not Jacob.
[4]. It was the bones of Jacob (not Joseph) that were buried in the cave of the field of Machpelah which Abraham bought with the field (Gen. 50:13). The field included the cave and all the trees (Gen. 23:20).
[5]. The sepulcher tells us that Abraham made a purchase from the same gentleman that Jacob dealt with; for Abraham lived for more than 15 years after Jacob was born, and the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, were contemporary with both men. Abraham made two purchases. one was from the same people Jacob dealt with in (Gen. 33:19,20).

Vs. 18-29

(Acts 7:22 and Ex. 4:10) again are not contradictory. The first gives Moses’ history before coming to present himself to his brethren at 40 years of age to deliver them out of Egypt. The second, (Ex. 4:10), records Moses’ excuses for trying to complete God’s commission to him.

Vs. 25

Stephen continues making his point. “They understood not.” The daggers begin to go deep into the hearts of the Sanhedrin…again envy.

Vs. 30-36

Stephen again points out the similarities between the rejection of the O.T. prophets and the Sanhedrin’s rejection of Jesus Christ. (Mk. 15:10), “The chief priests had delivered him for envy.”

Vs. 37

The whole message is pointed to the fact that these O.T. rejections were pictures of rejection and that the Messiah was prophesied to be rejected. (Vs. 37) He is the prophet Moses spoke of.

There was a church in the O.T. The meaning of church is merely “A called out assembly.” The “church” which is Christ’s body (Eph. 1:22,23) is a living organism., and although its members are found in local congregations (Acts 9:31; 11:22; 15:3; 4:22) it is more than an organization: It is an Organism. The O.T. Church mentioned included lost and saved together (Heb. 3:16-19), exactly as a local congregation today includes them.

Vs. 38

Lively oracles: (Rom. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:12; Ps. 147:19,20; Heb. 4:12)

Vs. 42

See (Rom. 9:19-26) – Quotes (Amos 5:25,26)

Moloch – Molech: (Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:10; Jer. 32:35)

The Star of Remphan is what is commonly called the Star of David. Biblically, Israel has three symbols in the Word of God: A burning bush, fig tree and olive tree.

There are also two tabernacles in the wilderness, not one (Num. 16:24,27; Ex. 33:7, 10,11). You are told that a tabernacle was standing before the tabernacle of (Ex. 35-37) The first tabernacle became a symbol of the “god” of (1 Kings 11:1).

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says that Remphan = Rephan = Chium = Saturn. Dr. Ruckman in his commentary on Acts, Page 250, says that Remphan represents Jupiter, which can be cross-referenced with (Acts 14:12; 19:35). In the Bible context, this would make more sense. The “Star of David” is two pyramids…one inverted and then overlapped (vs. 43). The Babylonian god of fortune was Jupiter. Babylon is very significant contextually at the Second Coming. (Dan. 1-3; Rev. 17,18)

Vs. 44-53

In (vs. 45), your AV reads “Jesus.” Many new printings of the AV 1611 have subtly changed, this reading to Joshua. Compare this with (Heb. 4:8) where this also happens. The insertion of Jesus points out the fact that the book of Joshua is a type of the Second Coming of Christ as Joshua himself is a type of Christ. After all, Jesus did accompany the Jews as they went through the land of Canaan … (Josh. 5:13,14), the captain of the host (Heb. 2:10).

Vs. 46,47

David desired to build the temple (2 Sam. 7:1-3) but because he was a man of war (1 Chron. 28:3), the Lord passed the work onto his son Solomon (1 Chron. 28, 1 Kings 3-10).

Vs. 48,49

Stephen tells the Sanhedrin that God is not A God that can be contained in a building. Some people would like to think that this was possible so they could control Him. (See 1 Kings 8:27; 1 Cor. 6:19,20). (Verse. 49) Quotes (Ps. 11:4). The irony of the situation is that Stephen himself is a temple here (vs. 55).

Vs. 51-53

Stephen sounds much like the Lord Jesus. He does not use tact but gives the Sanhedrin an “honest” objective evaluation (Matt. 23:33). “Irresistible grace” is resisted and the Sanhedrin successfully resists the Holy Ghost as He tears away at their hearts and consciences.

He then says that you religious folks have a bad track record. You have persecuted all the prophets.

“The Just One.” See comments on (Acts 3:14 and 22:14).

The disposition of angels: (Heb. 2:2; 13:2; Ex. 14:19; 24:9-12; 23:20; 32:34; Judg. 2:1,4; 1 Chron. 20:21,27; Acts 7:30,35). Angels are used throughout the Word of God as messengers to reveal God’s will to certain individuals.

Vs. 54-60

The invitation is a tremendous failure. The people coming forward begin biting the preacher (vs. 54). The cutting to the heart is done by the Word of God (Heb. 4:12). Stephen is the first Christian martyr. His name means “crown”, a prophecy of the death he would die as he wins the Crown of Life (Rev. 2:10).

Vs. 55

Here Jesus is standing on the right hand of God. The commentators make many inspirational statements concerning the meaning of Christ’s standing, such as: Jesus was standing to welcome one of his own home, etc.

Jesus was seated in Acts 2:34 and he is seated now (Heb. 8:1). Why was Jesus-standing? There is a tremendous doctrinal implication here. The whole proper system of theology in Acts is built around the fact that a kingdom message is being preached and the Second Coming of Christ is imminent.

What is the “Son of Man” doing that he said He would not do until the Second Coming? (Mk. 14:62; Matt. 26:64) The heavens open at the Second Coming (Rev. 4 and 19) just like they do at Christ’s first coming (Matt. 3:16).

Immediately following this event the apostle to the Gentiles is brought into focus. From this time forward miracles are ceased in Jerusalem. The Holy Ghost is not received one time through a water baptism after Acts 7 (Acts 8:16, 10:44). If the Sanhedrin would have accepted the message preached to Israel by Stephen, all was ready to trigger Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Acts 3:19).

Vs. 58

Saul’s first appearance. Notice the similarities of Stephen’s attitude and that of Christ at the crucifixion.

“Receive my spirit”, and “lay not this sin to their charge.” Many get upset with the insertion of “God” in italics in (vs. 59). If Jesus is God, why get upset. At least the AV is honest in putting the word in italics.

Vs. 60

“He fell asleep.” Death to the Christian is spoken of as sleep in (11:13; 1 Cor. 15:20; 1 Thess. 4:14; 1 Cor. 11:30).

The War Report: Gets at Jay-Z, New Music from Dwayne Tryumf, Name Basic, Yung Semaj, HeeSun Lee and SeDa, D-MAUB, Lavoisier, Ruslan (of theBreax) and More!

Bizzle releases “Clarification Freestyle” In Response to Comments

It’s seems like there’s a lot of people getting at Jay-Z lately. Bizzle, AKA “Lavyss,” just dropped a response track called “Clarification Freestyle” to those who had comments about his “explaining To Do (Jay-Z Expose’)” song, which pretty much asks Jay-Z to explain the demonic and satanic ideals and references promoted in his music and life.He’s only been saved year and a half, but we can see the growth in his walk. Like all of us, GOD is still working on him. None of us were perfect when we first got saved, so we should not expect him to be.

And check this out KingdomSwag.com caught up with Bizzle,  and got in a few questions “Some Explainin’

As a matter of fact this issue is even hot on AllHipHop. They had a poll on the site asking “What are your thoughts on Bizzle”? 41% say”The Real Deal – A Christian Rider”

At the time of this writing there have been over 1,180 votes and the 41% of votes selected that Bizzle as “He’s the real deal – a Christian rider.”

Dwayne Tryumf Hits #1 Pre-order Chart on Play.com

Dwayne Tryumf has recorded a new song with two chart-topping artist.  Ian Copeland Green (this fella produced for Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, ect) and Muyiwa on a track called “Never Be The Same.”It’s the first official single release taken from the highly anticipated “777 (Mark Of The Peace)” due for release March 12th 2010.

You can cop the single now but check this out, it has  hit # 1 overall on the pre-order download chart on Play.com two weeks before its release! Like Black Rob used to say, “thats whoa.”

If you don’t already know him, this video will show you how Mr. Tryumf gets down

Dwayne Tryumf – 777 Intro (Acousticks Remix)

Visit link:

Dwayne Tryumf – 777 Intro (Acousticks Remix)

Name Basic – The Subtle Stampede out now

If you like the raw lyrical hip hop like I do, you need to check out the début album from Atlanta-based emcee, Name Basic. 13 Tracks of Raw, Soulful Hip-Hop. Introducing Production by Movement Of TSD. Other Guests include Ohmega Watts, Davey Rockit, Source One of TSD, and Manchild of Mars ILL.

Pick up The Subtle Stampede at SphereofhiphopStore.com and They will hook you up with  the instrumentals for free.

Track listing
1. Initiation (feat. Davey Rockit)
2. The AHead Trip
3. Throwing Voices (feat. Movement of TSD, Manchild of Mars ILL & Davey Rockit)
4. Swing Set (feat. Source One of TSD)
5. Just One (feat. Davey Rockit)
6. The Subtle Stampede (feat. Source One of TSD)
7. Shell Shock
8. Isn’t She? (Beat By Ohmega Watts)
9. Let (feat. Source One of TSD)
10. On Time
11. Time Out
12. Darkness Into Light
13. March On

Audio Leak: Yung Semaj “I Eat Rappers” ft. SeDa

Yeah I know yall love leaks and sneak peeks. Well check out  Yung Semaj new song “I Eat Rappers” ft. SeDa download (size: 11 MB )

This track is from the second volume of the I’m Broke Mixtape, hosted by “DJIROCKJESUS”!  This Mixtape like the first one will be 100% free for digital download! At www.yungsemaj.com  Other artist featured this project is label-mate Lunie380,Chrys Jones, JB Real, Slingshots very own Streetpastor, CAJO’s rising artist Milliyon and MANY MORE!

Website: www.yungsemaj.com

And yo, speaking of SeDa peep this out fam…

“THE LOST” LP featuring HeeSun Lee and  SeDa

I been waiting on this project for months. When HeeSun Lee and Rock first told be about “Lost” it was Supposed to be a mixtape. Well now it’s a LP you need to get it ASAP!  HeeSun Lee and  SeDa have partnered with production super-crew JahRock’n Productions to release The LOST LP, a free, down-loadable concept album experience inspired by ABC’s hit TV series, “LOST.” Heres what Heesun told me about the science behind the name

Well were all big fans of the show. We’re like fanatics. They have all these underlining meanings about predestine and father issues and stuff like that. It’s a very deep show so we’re correlating that into our Christian lives and who we are as Christians. It’s called “The Lost Mixtape” because were basing it off of the show but we’re using it in a Christian way. It will be interesting. You will get it when you hear the whole thing.

The plan is to drop it at the same time as the season premier drama’s final season, The LOST LP gets into the big issues like  forgiveness, redemption, faith, destiny, and love in a way that only  Heesun Lee and SeDa can bring. The LOST LP features the hits “Lost In You,”  “Test Me,” “Give It To You” and more. Fans of the show might notice how SeDa and Heesun  twist  the TV series’ characters and infamous plot twists.

February 2nd marks the Beginning of the End of “LOST,” the series, beginning of greatness for the JahRock’n Movement! Cop this joint  at jahrockn.bandcamp.com.
If you don’t know  HeeSun Lee her spit game is nasty. She is also a poet so she writes with passion and emotion. Her début album, Re:Defined, is available for purchase online at iTunes and Amazon.

SeDa is also nothing nice on the mic.  His début album, The 4 Letter Word, is available for purchase online at iTunes, Amazon, and Digstation.com. For more information, visit www.reverbnation.com/sedaman.

• Download Album name your price, no minimum

  Immediate download of The LOST LP – album in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.

	1.	Lost in You 04:16
	2.	Give It To You 04:19
	3.	Test Me 04:29
	4.	I Don’t Need That (Yemi) 03:20
	5.	Flashing Through Time I 03:43
	6.	I Love You, but I Love You (Kate Austen)02:50
	7.	Fly Away (Charlie Pace) 03:37
	8.	The Temple 03:38
	9.	Flashing Through Time II 03:59
	10.	Set Free (Faith vs Science) 04:23
	11.	Destiny 02:20

Audio Leak: D-MAUB “Stand Firm” ft. R-Swift

Heres some new heat from D-MAUB called “Stand Firm” ft. R-Swift from the Album Inside Out
download (size: 13 MB )
Website: www.onerouteentertainment.com

Hear a Taste of Sho Baraka’s “Lions and Liars” Album

This is just a taste of what you can expect from Sho Baraka’s Lions & Liars. Get ready… a revolution is coming 3.30.2010!

Lavoisier Finishing New Album + Song Leak

Lavoisier’s new album is almost finished and is titled “Hip Hop 101: Language Arts.” The concept of the album revolves around the premise that Hip Hop is literally language art and is not something that God can use by default, but is something God created. It’s a voice that God has given to an oppressed and voiceless people. Guest appearances include Saint Joogs, Richie Righteous, Sean Slaughter and Datin. More than half of the production on the album has been done by Christian Hip Hop newcomer and Hip-hop veteran T-Wyla. Other producers include J-Pierre, Phillip Dale and Daneja.

A song has leaked “New Year New Style” which is about reveling in our ability as Christians to have confidence before God because we are in right standing with Him, having accepted the free gift of salvation and are now made clean through the blood of Jesus.

Ruslan of theBreax drops Free Mixtape with DJ Rek

Ruslan (of theBreax) and DJ Rek released a mixtape called “Right Out Loud” available for free download. Includes a “Show off” (of Entermission) Remix feat. Beleaf Melanin, Mikel Anthony, Lecrae, and Flame. Download here

Conquest ”Outspoken” Album Release in NY

Conquest “Outspoken” had an album Release in NY recently. It was definitely A night of powerful ministry featuring Campain, Malakai Da Truth, Daniel Johnson, O Da Prophet, Unknown Prophecy and Conquest
Follow this link and check it out:
Conquest “Outspoken” Album Release in NY

Inner Sessions “Inner Seed” release date set for Feb 23, 2010

BillyBo and Aaron Paul of Inner Sessions’  have a fire new project called “Inner Seed”

Production of the debut double EP is split right down the middle with Side A by AP’s alter ego zKx1000, and Side B by Johnny Bishop. If you like that raw organic sound, you will love this. They guys really bring the heat with  sample-based beats and live instrumentation, layered wordplay with crystal clear messages. Now this is Hip Hop!

You can pre-order Inner Sessions – Inner Seed at Sphere Of Hip-Hop now!
sphereofhiphop.myshopify.com/products/inner-sessions-inner-seed

The Servant – The Fight of Faith

1. Intro 2. Chris

t’s Disciples (Feat. Kambino & Fulfilla) 3. The Fight of Faith 4. The Bar Is Set (Feat. Willie Will & Chay Sutton)
5. Fathers, Don’t Bother 6. Fighting (Feat. F.R.O.G. & Grand Marquis) 7. Yadah Da King 8. Man
9. Like Totally Cool (Feat. Fulfilla) 10. Precious (Feat. Allova Sutton & Chay Sutton)
11. I’m In Love With Jesus
12. Dear Mr. President (Feat. Grand Marquis)
13. Emotions (Feat. Advocate) 14. It’s All Him (Feat. Grand Marquis)
15. Dream
16. Time (Feat. Chay Sutton)
17. Saved Is… 18. Friend (Feat. Oracle)
19. May I Have Your Attention
20. Packin’ A Punch 21. All About Christ Remix (Feat. Chay Sutton & Fulfilla)

3HP Records & DJ I ROCK JESUS present “Should’ve Seen It Comin” Mixtape

3HP RECORDS AND DJ I ROCK JESUS join forces to rock the music industry with the  BEST OF HOLY HOP HOP MUSIC..to sumit to upcoming mixtapes send your music to DJBIGBOX@GMAIL .COM

Motion Plus – Golden Rule out February 1

Pick up Golden Rule, exclusively available at ScribblingIdiots.com, starting Monday February 1st.

Check for additional music from Motion Plus and the Scribbling Idiots at SphereofhiphopStore.com.

Pigeon John readies new album Dragonslayer

According to his most recent email update, Pigeon John is deep into recording his new album Dragonslayer. He’s doing shows right now so be on

lookout for ya boy!

The Acts of The Apostles Part 6

Chapter Six
(6:1-15)

Intro:

Even first century Christianity had practical problems. Any time there is a group of people gathered together there will be difficulties in attempting to satisfy everyone Each group always considers their needs to be the greatest. Acts (6) give us a prototype of how to deal with these kinds of problems.

Vs. 1-3

This might be called the first Church Business Meeting. “There arose a murmuring.” Whenever you get a group of church people, sooner or later there is some murmuring.

Some folks decided that the Grecian widows weren’t getting their share of the group benefits. The apostles did not have time to concern themselves with petty quarrels or the basic ever day needs of the people, so they appointed seven men to ‘take care of these problems.

These men had to meet certain qualifications (vs. 3). These men are commonly know as deacons whose qualifications are discussed further in (1 Tim. 3:1-13). Some eventually moved into other parts of the ministry (Acts 21:8) (Rom. 12:7).

Vs. 4

The example is set in verse 4 for the pastor. He should pray, read, and preach the Word of God. Today the emphasis is upon everything else for the average pastor. He is expected to attend socials, teas, committee meetings, community activities, visit the old and sick, the disgruntled and backslidden – and if there is any time remaining he can study. The devil is certainly subtle!

Vs. 5-8

The whole multitude chooses these men. The business is in order and the Church continues to grow. Everyone is pleased (vs. 5), they are praying (vs. 6), the Word is increasing (vs. 7), the church membership roll is bulging (vs. 7), the Jewish Rabbis are being saved (vs. 7).

“They laid their hands on them” (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6). It is apparent from (Acts 8:15; 13:3) that the laying on of hands represents a transference of something (Lev. 1:4). As sins were transferred by the laying of hands on the sacrifice, so the Jewish nation “laid hands” (Acts 4:3) on the apostles and slew Christ (Acts 2:23). The “laying on of hands” (Heb. 6:2; 1 Tim. 5:22; Acts 8:19; 14:3; 9:17; 28:8) clearly has ruling power and authority with it when administered by an apostle (2 Cor. 12:12).

Vs. 9

Libertines is a reference to a “social rank and standing, while the other names (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicia and Asia) are clearly geographical locations and ethnic references. This synagogue seems to be a gathering place for “freed men”. It is taken for granted that these former slaves were all Jews, but-that is by no means clear in the context, for Acts 2:10 includes proselytes from every area around the Mediterranean.

Here is Chapter (6) we have the first mention of Antioch and Alexandria. These two cities figure very importantly in the history of manuscript evidence. Antioch is mentioned in regards to spirit-filled men, whereas Alexandra is mentioned with reference to disputers. Nothing is put in the Bible by accident. It is important to study what the Bible has to say about the centers of Biblical manuscripts. (Antioch, Alexandria and Rome.)

Vs. 10-15

Following a revival (see 5:16 and 5:42) comes the opposition. Everything that follows is so reminiscent of the arrest and trial of the Lord Jesus that no one should be surprised to see the Lord Jesus showing up at the moment of execution (Acts 7:56).

[1]. As in Christ’s case, his enemies could not answer His arguments (Acts 6:10 with Matt. 22:46).
[2]. As in Christ’s case, they hired false witnesses to ruin Him (Acts 6:11 with Matt, 26:60).
[3]. As in Christ’s case, they accused Him of blasphemy (Acts 6:11 with Matt. 26:65).
[4]. As in Christ’s case, they stirred up the people against Him (Acts 6:12 with Matt. 27:20).
[5]. As in Christ’s case, they accuse Him of not reverencing the “LAW” (Acts 6:13 with Matt. 12:2).
[6]. As in Christ’s case, they accused Him of forecasting the destruction of the temple (Acts 6:14 with Matt. 26:61).
[7]. Caiaphas was a priest on both occasions (Acts 7:1 with Matt. 26:65).

This same pattern follows Paul’s ministry in (Acts 21-26) and is a standard operating procedure for religious persecution in any age. Every murder of Waldensians, Albigenses, Vaudios, Paulicans, Lollards, Hussites, Brethren Bogomiles, etc., was accompanied by false accusations, fear of the destruction of material institutions, resentment of the truth, mob disorders, accusations of blasphemy, and the inevitable “COUNCIL” (vs. 12)!

Within the next ten years, a church will have to have the approval of the National COUNCIL of Churches to gain tax exempt status in America. You’re welcome!

“….they suborned men” (vs. 11) is the old English for a bribe. It puts the man “under” (SUB) subjection to the donor and obligates him to carry out orders (Tit. 3:11).

The Acts of The Apostles Part 5

Chapter Five
(5:1-42)

Vs. 1-11

Ananias and Sapphira are spiritual pretenders. Their big sin worthy of death in this transitional period, was not the keeping part of what they sold, for it was their own, their sin was in pretending they “gave their all like the others (Acts 4:37) had.Ananias means “Jehovah is gracious.” Sapphira means “beautiful.”

The crime was premeditated (vs. 2). The passage is not a passage on either eternal security or eternal insecurity, The people dropped dead for lying. Stiff Punishment. I wonder how many christians would be left today if they died upon “lying to the Holy Ghost?”

There are some truths to be learned hereabout offerings:

[1]. He could give what he wanted to.
[2]. It could have been nothing.
[3]. The possession and money were both his.
[4]. He wasn’t asked or compelled to give.
[5]. No amount was required.
[6]. Anything would have been accepted.

Vs. 3

The Holy Ghost is a person; he was lied to, and Satan had filled the heart of a believer and his wife to make pretend they were committed to the cause and they weren’t.

Vs. 4

The-Holy Ghost is called God.. The sin is also called tempting the Spirit of the Lord (vs. 9).

Vs. 9

“Death’s door” Great fear (vs. 5,11) fell upon the believers. God had shown that this was serious business and the dead wood would be weeded out.

Vs. 12-16

“By the hands of the apostles” (Acts 2:43). “With one accord” (Acts 1.14; 2:1,46; Acts 4:24)

Vs. 13

There were some people afraid to join the group for they saw the persecution just beginning and the fact that it was difficult to join a church where the members died for lying!

The signs continue. The healings continue. The ministry of the apostles spreads and hospital beds are being pushed down the streets to the apostle from every direction. And they all get healed. (Acts 9:34, 40; Acts 3:6; Mk. 16:18; Acts 14:10) (Compare with Phil. 2:27; 2 Tim. 4:20)

Vs. 17-29

The Sadducees had had enough. The apostles are thrown in the slammer. In the middle of the night the angel of the Lord releases the apostles from prison and directs them to pour salt in the wounds of religious liberal by going right back into the temple and preaching the next day.

Vs. 21

The officials don’t even realize they are gone. The soldiers don’t realize they are gone. The locks are locked on the jail doors and all seems to be in order.

Vs. 24,25

The leaders were concerned that the story of the escape would be spread, but to add insult to injury they were preaching publicly in the temple that very next day, not attempting to hide from anyone.

Vs. 26

The captain of the guard, as though nothing had happened, goes down to the temple and asks the disciples if they wouldn’t want to discuss this with his superiors.

Vs. 27,28

The high priest completely ignores the escape as though it never took place. He then asks them if they didn’t understand stand his requests, starting that the apostles had evangelized, in that short time, the whole city with their doctrine. In (vs. 28) an ironic statement is made The high priest says, “One way or another you are going to try to convince us that we are guilty in murdering this man, aren’t you?” (Matt. 27:25) says, “His blood be on us and our children,” and it is.

Vs. 29-32

Their boldness comes out again. They refuse to shut up. (Jn. 12:43; 1 Sam. 15:24; Matt. 15:9; Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:4; Rom. 2:29). Peter isn’t very tactful in (vs. 30), “Ye slew…”Ye hanged.”

Vs. 31

Prince – King - political – (Dan. 9:26)

Saviour – Messiah - spiritual – (Isa. 43:3)

The message is still directed at Israel

Vs. 32

“We are Jesus witnesses” (Acts 1:8) God hath given them the Holy Ghost and forgiveness of sins to them that obey him. (Acts 2:38)

Vs. 33-42

The word is a cutting instrument (Heb. 4:12). Gamaliel thinks he has the answer. He’s a Pharisee and a lawyer. He addresses Israel. Gamaliel gives a short history of some recent frauds. His advice is if this organization or movement is of God, we won’t stop it, if it isn’t, it will come to naught. This isn’t such good advice for it isn’t entirely true, e.g., Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, Mohammedism, Roman Catholicism. Although Gamaliel is right in the long run much damage can be done sitting around watching what happens next.

The leaders are between a rock and a hard place. Their authority is eroding away moment by moment and their position are threatened, but they fear stoning if they take too drastic a measure against the apostles (vs. 26). So the leaders threaten them, beat them Up a little bit and hope for the best. The apostles leave rejoicing and praising God. The priest and Sadducees are pulling their hair out trying to figure them out. (2 Cor. 1:7; 11:20; Phil 1:29)

Vs. 41,42

The threats don’t seem to concern the apostles too much for they were daily in the temple and preached and teached Jesus in every house (4:28) and filled Jerusalem with their doctrine. They have successfully evangelized all of Jerusalem. Jerusalem waits as the final offer to accept the Messiah approaches.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN

The Black woman in American is dead and we allow Satan to keep her that way. African Americans will not rise until the Black woman is brought back to life. After the Civil War the chains came off but today we still are not free. No our wrist and ankles are not chained but our minds are. To the men reading this, we must learn to show our women, our sisters, our mothers the proper respect. God created man to be the stewards over all creation. To show disrespect to the gift that is woman is mismanagement of the creation; furthermore to disrespect the creation is to disrespect the creator, GOD himself. To the women reading this, how hypocritical it is for you to demand respect from men and you show disrespect to yourselves. You have been disrespected for so long you now feel that that attitude and behavior is normal. “How do I show disrespect to myself?” you ask?

1.By calling yourselves and your sisters bitches and hoes 2.By cursing 3.By straightening your hair 4. The clothing you wear.

5. By beaching your skin and plastic surgery.

The Purpose of Woman.

All of God’s creation has purpose; woman is no exception. We read, “And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him an help meet for him” (Gen. 2: 18). “Help meet” is from a Hebrew word that suggests a counter-part or helper comparable to him. Every aspect of the woman is a compliment and counter-part to the man. Feminists who deny this are not only in opposition with the Bible but also basic and observable facts. Those who see this biblical truth as belittling to women have no true understanding of what GOD demands. The male and female compose a perfect unit. When God’s assigned order and arrangement is perverted, chaos results. The woman and man (husband and wife) are to encourage one another spiritually. Hence, we read “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (I Pet. 3: 7).

The Godly Woman.

Regarding man and woman, the greatest achieved goals are spiritual in nature. Proverbs chapter 31 contains a description of a “virtuous woman” (vs. 10-31). Sadly there are many women that feel they are a woman of virtue, so much in fact that it almost a cliché. Those women should humble themselves. There is but one woman in the entire Bible that is called a virtuous woman but in this sinful world we have thousands if not millions? If we did the world would not be so sinful. This text presents the greatest challenge ever set before woman. The virtuous woman “fears the Lord,” cares for her family, and has the respect of her husband and children (vss. 30; 13-15, 21, 27; 11, 12, 28, 31). Her speech is commendable, she aids the needy, and properly adorns herself (vs. 26; 20; 22-25). She is not limited to the needs and sphere of her family. We know this because the virtuous woman is presented as industrious and engaging in financial ventures of her own (vs. 16, 24, 27). In all these “extra” efforts, however, she does not neglect her primary duty, her family. The virtuous woman is said to be immensely valuable, “her price is far above rubies” (vs. 10).

The expression “virtuous woman” is from the Hebrew ishshah chayil and literally means “one of power either in mind or body, or both.” As one source comments, “She is the perfect housewife, the chaste helpmate of her husband, upright, God-fearing, economical, wise” (The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 9, pg. 597). The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 especially stands out today in contrast to the “modern woman,” the product of the Feminist’s Movement.

We shall engage in a study of God’s ideal woman under four approaches: Her value; her domesticity; her characteristics; and her rewards.

The value of the virtuous woman. First, her value is seen in her virtuosity. “Who can find a virtuous woman?” asked the writer, “for her price is far above rubies” and “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (vs. 10; 30). Value can be determined by contribution. In the case of the virtuous woman, she greatly contributes to her husband, children, the poor, society, and to herself (vs. 11, 12, cp. 12: 4; 15; 20; 24; 17, 22). Be impressed, dear reader, with the fact that the woman is praised for qualities that she herself has developed! The value of women to any culture, society, and the church of Christ cannot be over emphasized. Women can contribute to overall goodness and moral integrity or they can tear down and destroy. Women are often more resistant to moral decay and, therefore, serve as a restraint. When women “become one of the boys,” so to speak, society is in for trouble (much of what is happening today). God’s ideal woman stands in sharp contrast with the too often modern woman with her tattoos, cursing, and selfish and shallow promiscuous lifestyle.

She attends to the needs of her family. A cursory examination of Proverbs 31: 10-31 reveals the emphasis and priority of God’s woman: her family. She is seen busy in activities that pertain to the good and well being of her husband and children. She does good to her husband and not evil and “she riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household” (vs. 12; 15). She is not concerned with the threats of nature, because she has made ready for her family against nature (vs. 21). The fact of her primary concern being her family is seen in the language: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (vs. 27).

The teaching of Proverbs 31 is in perfect harmony with the teaching of the New Testament relative to the role of woman. In Paul’s inspired epistle to Titus, Paul says regarding older women: “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Tit. 2: 4, 5).

The characteristics of the virtuous woman. When we consider the characteristics of God’s woman, we can see why she is “ishshal chayil,” a woman of force and power. Let us briefly mention how she is described and appreciate the fact that these are not surface traits, but they actually emanate from her character. She fears the Lord; hence she is characterized by pienty (vs. 30). Purity and loyalty abound (vs. 10, 11, 12). She is kind, benevolent, and selfless (vs. 26, 20, 15, 20, 27). As opposed to bitterness and complaining, cheerfulness is seen (vs. 21). She is wise and dignified (vs. 26; 22).

An outstanding characteristic of the virtuous woman is her industry. This zeal and resourcefulness is seen in the promotion of her household (vs. 13, 15, 19, 21, 27). She is a manufacturer, merchant, and landowner (vs. 24; 24; 16). She even cultivates the soil (vs. 16). Who said the godly wife and mother cannot be involved in enterprise outside her physical house? Look again at the virtuous woman (vs. 24; 16). She is presented as what we would call an entrepreneur. She is involved in such enterprise, yet, does not neglect her family!

The reward of being a virtuous woman. First, be impressed with the fact that God’s woman is a woman of real power. Which is more far reaching: to work primarily at a secular career and promote a company in providing some often whimsical product or contributing to the very foundation of society and mankind itself, the family? Herein is power! Too often great women go unnoticed and without praise. Not so with the godly woman of our text. We read, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her” and “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” (vs. 28; 31). Appreciate the fact that the wife has personal recognition, “let her own works praise her in the gates.” What a statement, especially when viewed in the Jewish setting in which it is made!

Beloved, above and beyond all praise, recognition, and joy of this earth, heaven is the ultimate reward for God’s people (Matt. 5: 12). We need more women today who are seeking to emulate the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 and not Hollywood’s version of the successful woman. God’s woman is of real substance and lasting quality and will offer important contributions to herself, family, and society as a whole. May their tribe increase.

The Behavior of Woman

Titus 2:3-5 teaches us how women, both younger and older, should act. And to be honest it is in direct contrast of we see in the home, work place, classroom and community today. First lets discuss our older women. Older women are to be reverent and pure. They are to be set apart for the world in thought and behavior. They should only move and speak in the spirit of holiness and be focuses on sacred things. Older women should be pious in their speech and appearance. Older women are not to be gossipers. Another word for that is slanderer. A person that goes around talking about others and stirring up mischief. This is so sinful that Satan himself is called a “slanderer”. An older woman should not be addicted to alcohol. Over indulgence in alcohol will cause you not to have a clear and focused mind. Older women are to teach and mentor younger women in part by living a Godly life and setting a Godly example. As far as younger women are concerned they are to love their husbands unselfishly, sacrificially and peaceably. Younger women are to love their children. This command addresses the issues of child abuse and child neglect. Many times child neglect is the result of one putting ones profession before her children. This capitalist country, and Christianity for that matter, teaches us that the more you have in the form of material things, the more blessed you are. It is in no way healthy to work so much that you can’t give your children the attention they deserve, seek and need. There is no way you can over emphasize the importance of a mother’s relationship to her child. The mother is the first and most influential teacher the child will ever have. Child cannot raise any higher than the maturity and morality thought to it by its mother. Younger women should be self-controlled. This means you should be in full control of your desires, thoughts and emotions. There should be no over indulging in partying, drinking and eating. You must also be in full control of your speech. Younger woman are to be pure in their thoughts and actions. Younger woman are to be busy in the home(homemakers). This is not to say that a woman cannot go outside the home. She should not be better known outside the home by the world than inside the home by her family. Younger women are to be kind and caring. She should treat all people with the same respect she feels she deserves. Many of us today are selfish and only treat people as they treat us. It is the duty of all women to look out for their brothers and sisters. God demands it!

Younger women are to be subject to their husbands. Gods plan is that there be a partnership between man and woman. They are to be completely dependent on one another. It must be understood that, contrary to current feminist movement efforts, Gods word is the same yesterday, today and forever. Man was, still is and always will be the head. However this has nothing to do with worth or value. The Bible teaches that a powerful woman is priceless. We are talking about order. In every organization there must be order; there must be a leader to be efficient. God has ordained man for this role.

Why must woman live as God says? So Gods Word does not get dishonored or slandered. The woman who claims to follow Christ yet does not show it takes power away from his word. It causes people to think “ All Christians are hypocrites. Gods word has no real power. This woman does not take his word seriously why should I.” But Gods word is alive and powerful. The problem is men and women don’t…

spend enough time studying GODs Word, learning how they are to carry themselves.

spend enough time in prayer asking God for guidance and strength to live in victory over the trials of the world.

don’t discipline their lives and their tongues.

Submit To One’s Own Husband (1 Peter 3:1-6)

Thanks in part to today’s feminist movement, submitting to your husband is strong. This Biblical teaching is thought to be old-fashioned and out dated. Really the problem is not in what God says but rather in our understanding of what God says. Any woman that rejects the Word of God, does so either because she does not fully understand the Word or is not willing to follow it. In no way is God giving man license to act as a Tyrant or dictator who treats woman like she is inferior. Submission is about order, cooperation, relationship and partnership. Though the husband is the leader, husband and wife are to walk hand and hand throughout life as equal partners. As I stated before every body or organization must have a leader. In the home, that leader is man, with woman in her submission to Gods will submitting to her husbands leadership, authority and control. On the football field the team is one unit, but there is a leader, the quarterback. Those who respect their coach must submit to the leadership of the quarterback.

A wife should submit herself to her husband by living a pure life. Pure meaning without defilement. When a woman marries a man she sets herself aside for that man only. She does not give herself any other man in act or thought. That’s right sexual thoughts of other men, including actors and singers, still causes you to be unpure (Mat. 5:8, Mat 5:28; 1Th 4:3, Titus 2:4-5).

A woman should never dress to attract attention. The word adornment means that in public she carries herself in a manner that does not attract attention. Indeed as a “woman of virtue” your goal is to dress moderately. You want to help people, not seduce them; serve people, not destroy them; and attract people to Yashua, you point them to yourself. People cannot see Elihim in you if all their attention is on your outward physical appearance. Further more you never want to cause man to stumble. (Rom. 6:13; 1 Peter 3:3-5) When a woman is in Christ, she is a new being. Her old self is now dead. This means she does not focus on perishable things and trends like fashion and hairstyles. Her focus is now on building and feeding her spirit. When a woman tries so hard to dress up her physical body it can be a sign that she is trying to hide an ugly spirit. It is in GODs plan for woman to be the first teacher of the child. Since she is the first teacher, she is the teacher that leaves the greatest impression. But before you can pass knowledge to your offspring you must first educate yourself. You must gain “knowledge of self” and you must walk with GOD and study his word. It takes a GODly woman to raise a GODly child. It takes a woman who knows the ways of the Lord to instruct her child in the ways of the Lord. When you walk with GOD and study his ways then you will naturally understand how to speak, teach and minister to others. Like any of GODs ambassadors, the Christian woman is automatically commissioned to be a messenger and teacher to the people. It is not an option. It is your duty.

The time has come for us, both men and woman, to stop falling for Satan’s lie of what a woman is supposes to look and act like. We are told that the negative images and stereotypes are what we should be living. Anything out side of that is not “keeping it real”. Satan’s goal is to keep you detracted,to keep your mind off of GODs promises and commandments. He does just that by keeping you amused and entertained. Using this method he keeps you in ignorance and in bondage.

The African American family cannot rise until the mother rises. The African American community shall not overcome until the woman overcomes.

SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES of SUCCESSFUL WOMEN

1. In everything you do, always put GOD first. Many of us have a habit of putting other people first or putting ourselves before anyone or anything. This is what we are taught to do, but it is incorrect and it is damaging. Eloihim must always come first. Everything you do, whether at home or the work place you must do for him. He comes before your spouse, your boss, your children, your customers. If you put GOD first, all your other relationships will be stronger and healthier. You will not and can not have any GOD before him. Anything you give more attention and time to is your GOD. Your life, your business, your relationships will work better when you place everything in its proper order.

2. No matter what, always treat people as you wish to be treated. We love revenge. Its human nature. But remember human nature is full of sin. It’s so easy to just give what we receive but that is not the mind of Yashua and it is not the way of Yahweh. In everything we should only give what we expect. If you are a server in a restaurant, give the service you feel you deserve. Of you are the boss or leader, give your subordinates the respect you feel you should receive. Remember, Yashua knew Judas would betray him. He even called Judas the Devil. Yet he still washed Judas feet! How much better would this world be if we all lived by this principle?

3. Always Give GOD nothing less then your very best. Everything you do is a sacrifice to GOD. He is sick of your sorry substandard sacrifices. He deserves and will only accept your “A game”. It does not have to be the best but it must be your best. Music, books, movies and so forth would be better if we put our all into all that we do and make sure it is our best before we present it.

4. Always begin your day or end your day staying GOD’s word. Many of us have no knowledge of GODs will, or how we are to carry ourselves because we spend little or no time learning his word. If we were to study his word, believe his word and live his word we would live more fruitful productive lives.

5. Pray everyday,Throughout the day. I bet you only pray when you need or want something huh? And maybe before you eat. Communication is a key for any relationship to work. How can you and GOD know each other if you don’t spend time with one another and talk to each other?

6. Never forget, it’s not about you!

7. Trust GOD’s will for your life. Many of us have one of two problems. We either don’t believe GODs word or we are afraid its true and we don’t want to embrace our destiny. Embrace you mission and accept it. You will not rest well until you do. GOD is here to walk with you every step of the way.

8. Develop “water walking faith”. Remember, Peter did walk on water. It was not until he took his focus off GOD and started to look around at the storm he was him that he begin to sink. Though you are in the mist of a storm pay it no attention. Keep your focus on GOD. He will give you real power. Then you will not only feel, you will know you cannot and will not lose.

9. Stay focused on and believe in your purpose. GOD created us all for a specific reason. Each of us has a purpose and a role to play. What are yours and are you living it? If you have no idea what your purpose is you need to ask the creator to tell you.

10. identify and write down words or phrases that block you from your blessings. Write a list of words/phrases that do not empower you and another list of words that do empower you. You can live a more productive life just using powerful words. Rather than saying “ I hate my job”, say “I’m seeking better employment”; don’t say “I’m trying”, say “I’m doing”.

12. Refrain from gossip, back stabbing, and empty fruitless words. Always keep your speech pure and clean. Never should you use the mouth in obscene, shameful, foul, polluted, immoral conversation. Never engage in empty, foolish, purposeless talk. Never should you use off color jokes at parties or at breaks. Our conversation should build people up and offer praise to GOD.

13. Eat plenty of live organic fruits and vegetables that feed your mind. The foods you consume should give you energy and make you feel good. If you feel tired and sluggish after eating any meal, you are eating the wrong foods. As the old cliché goes “ You eat to live not live to eat”.

14. Tell the truth at all times. Deception serves no positive benefit to the deceiver or the deceived. Be known as a women who stands by her word, Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

The Holy Spirit and His Work in the “Born Again” Believer

[ ART | MUSIC | KNOWLEDGE| HEALTH ] When Jesus was physically on earth He had asked people to believe in Him and follow. Jesus said to His disciples that He was going to leave and go back to where He came from, Heaven (John 3:13; 6:38.) But He would not leave us without a Helper; he called Him the comforter, (another like himself). In Jn.14:16 Jesus says to the disciples, soon to be apostles of the church “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” John 16:13-14 “ when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” The Spirit hears’ things from Jesus; this is a personal communication (in the same manner as Christ did with the Father in John 3.32; 7.16, 8.38, 12.49), and the Spirit delivers it to man which is also personal communication. The main way is through the Scriptures the apostles were appointed to write. God is willing to help us, he’s not hiding. He wants to be involved in all aspects of our life. Before we are saved God is there working through the Holy Spirit He sent “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:8-9). Once someone believes they are a sinner they can turn to Jesus for forgiveness. For the unbeliever the Holy Spirit has a ministry of leading them to the Son. He has been sent to convince unbelievers of sin, righteousness and judgment. Sin-To show they are sinful, having fallen short of God’s standard. Righteousness- To convict them of not having a righteousness of their own to be accepted by God, but in need of God’s righteousness that he freely gives through accepting the gospel. This righteousness is only found only in Christ. And judgment- in that there is more than meets the eye, that there is a time they will have to answer for how they lived their life. There is a hereafter, as eternity is in our hearts. We know that there is more than just a physical life To sum this up simply- the first work of the spirit is to show one that they sin and are in need of a righteousness that they do not possess. As His work progresses eventually one will hear about Jesus Christ who forgives sin, the gospel so they can be saved. He is to have a moral influence on our live and thus produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the executor of God’s nature. He is the source of the new birth and brings out the nature of Christ in the individual believer. He conforms us to the nature of Jesus, who is God as well as the ultimate human. He reveals the nature of God by transforming believers to be like him. His indwelling restores the image of God in man that became damaged by the fall, now we can reflect God’s moral qualities and characteristics as He intended. The Fruit of the spirit is only displayed when we walk in the spirit. All these qualities are reflective of Jesus Christ who was seen in the flesh. For the one who believes in the gospel (1Cor.15:1-4) the Spirit is immediately given as the seal of ones justification or right standing in the New Covenant. They are cleared of all guilt before God and start with a new slate. Eph 1:13 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” 1 Cor. 12:13-14 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body– whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free– and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.” We are put in the spiritual body of Christ and we partake of the Holy Spirit who now resides in us, literally. This is all completed by faith Eph. 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love” Rom 8:9 “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Galatians 3:26-27 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” As we have just read to be baptized into Christ by the Spirit, however there is still water baptism. One should be water baptized as soon as possible. Water baptism is the seal of the New covenant. Just as Circumcision was for the Abrahamic Covenant and The Sabbath for the Mosaic covenant. Because we now have the helper with us, in us, life is going to radically change. 2 Cor 6:16 “For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 1 Cor 3:16 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Cor 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you” Rom 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you” Every believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) and the Holy Spirit is the anointing given (1 John 2:27). Thus every believer is “anointed” with the Holy Spirit. All believers have the Holy Spirit otherwise they have not been born again. If a believer has the Spirit, he has all of the Spirit, because God is not divisible. However how we die to self and not be attracted to the world and the flesh, and cooperate in obedience to the Lord will dictate how much He can use our life. Jesus promises John 7:38-39 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Man was originally made in the image of God but it is passed down to us corrupted. The Lord restores the moral nature that man had lost in the garden from Satan’s temptation by having the Holy Spirit sent to live in ALL believers. He has the same nature as Jesus, but His purposes are not the same. He is to comfort us; guide us; lead us into truth by explaining the Word; convict us of sin, and conform us to the image of the Son as we go through trials and suffering. His work is mostly moral, restoring holiness, the image of God in man. We are to become like Jesus in His moral likeness, having His character and bear his fruit. We are predestined “to be conformed to the image of His Son” For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). This process can be at times painful and a learning experience depending how much we cooperate with him along the way. Trials are sent to build up our faith and teach us to trust in the God we now have a personal relationship with. We don’t have to strive for more of Him, what we need to do is to give Him more of us. If you try to have more requirements to make you holy or you need more of the spirit, “another baptism”, anointing, you are seeking it the wrong way. All that we need are already in the believer’s possession. It’s not that we need more of the Spirit, but that he needs more of us! “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Those things consist of two main things. 1) The Holy Spirit Rom 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom 5:5) 2) The Scripture 2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Eph. 5:18-19 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” This a word that means to be continually filled, under the Spirits control. To be filled with the Spirit is a daily thing it involves our dying to self and allowing God to clean out and control those areas that were once dictated by our fallen nature and the devil. We have a song in our heart and it is a continual praise to God for what He has done and is currently doing. I’m not the same person I once was and I’m still being changed into His Son’s image. The Holy Spirit is the executor of God’s nature, we become subject to the law of the Spirit. He becomes our direct instructor not the Old Testament commandments in the Mosaic covenant. He is the source of the new birth and brings out the nature of Christ in the individual believer. He conforms us to Jesus on a daily basis. Jesus represented God the Father perfectly as God the Son in human flesh- He is God as well as man, the ultimate human being. God alone is Holy and so Jesus reveals the nature of God by transforming His children to be like Him in nature. To be walking in the spirit means you are spiritual, you are living a spiritual not carnal life. This means you are allowing God’s word to mold your life you are not listening to a voice that would sound like God to lead you and is contrary to the scripture. In Eph 2:8-10 Paul explains that “by grace you have been saved through faith, and tells us it is “not of works” but he goes on in the next verse “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” God’s first priority is to change us into the image of His Son that we can be used for his kingdom. This is an ongoing process called sanctification (Rom 15:16; 1Cor 6:11; 1Pet 1:2.) He will remove the boulders first before he removes the rocks and pebbles. We are to do good works that our Father may be glorified to the world and they may know whom we serve. The Holy Spirit helps us, prompts us to do good works. This of course is nothing new and was instructed under the covenant of the law Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” We are to be aware that we represent the Son to others around us, we become living epistles to the world. The image of God in man that became damaged by the fall is restored and able to reflect God’s moral qualities and characteristics. From this they can know that Jesus is alive and His word is true. It is by yielding and surrendering to His guidance throughout the day that we do not walk in the flesh. The way God gets rid of sin in the life of a believer is by getting rid of the sinner, getting rid of us, our self must decrease for Him to increase. If someone tries to get rid of sin by concentrating on the sin it will never go. Everyone has something to improve on. The only way to have victory is not by concentrating on the sin, but by putting it to death. The sinner with his sin must die to it and live to Christ in resurrection power of the Spirit. If you walk in the Spirit that problem will fall away by itself because you are using the solution ,not concentrating on the problem. The focus is Christ not the sin itself. We may be aware of it but our eyes and faith must be on Christ. The Lord asks “Be ye holy as I am holy.” The only way possible is that he takes your sin and gives you his righteousness to your account and walk in the new nature. This is done by picking up your cross daily and dying to ourselves. Our part is Rom 8:13 “… by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, then you will live.” Since the old nature must be put aside for the new nature to rule.” 2 Cor. 4:10 (NIV) “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” As Christ was dead to sin we consider our old nature dead, so the life of Christ can be seen by all. As Jesus said we must pick up our cross daily and die to self. Jesus’ solution to overcome sin Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” By doing this we live a spiritual life. We suppress or have our old nature dies and the new nature rules in us daily. By practicing this we are continually changed and become victorious. Romans 6:11-13 (Weymouth) …You must regard yourselves as dead in relation to sin, but as alive in relation to God, because you are in Christ Jesus. Let not Sin therefore reign as king in your mortal bodies, causing you to be in subjection to their cravings; and no longer lend your faculties as unrighteous weapons for Sin to use. On the contrary surrender your very selves to God as living men who have risen from the dead, and surrender your various faculties to God, to be used as weapons to maintain the right. To increase our faith means hearing the word- it is our instruction in truth. The spirit will never lead us away from the word but in it. The Bible presents the way to become mature in the faith is by reading the Word, gaining understanding and living it, fleshing it out. This is where the struggle is, our allowing the Spirit to take what God has said and change us from the inside, so it affects us in our spirit (and mind) first and it changes our ways of living. It is worn on the outside for others to see what we believe on the inside.. We need to submit to His teaching and guidance from the word. Remember the Holy Spirit is sent to glorify Jesus. How will he do this? By having us understand what Jesus said. He will lead us into the truth. We are to be submissive to Him, just as Jesus gave the example in Phil. 2:5, although He himself was God He willingly was submissive to the Father. The same mind that was in Christ is to be in us, we are to have an attitude of humility, as he was under submission so are we. The first thing I recommend to any new believer is to get grounded in the basics of Christianity. To learn the core doctrines and get some of your questions out of the way, these are often offered at churches and called foundation classes. If you do not lay a good foundation what you build on it in the coming years will not be straight. I have seen to many people backslide or become stale because they did not build right. It makes a huge difference in their growth as well as immune them to deception that is increasing in these last days.

“LOL”

Joyce Meyers Message On Being Born Again: Quotes, Teachings, Doctrines, Beliefs Concerning Salvation

[ ART | MUSIC | KNOWLEDGE| HEALTH ]

What are the beliefs, teachings & doctrines of Joyce Meyers concerning being “Born Again”? What does Joyce Meyer believe on what a person must believe to be saved? What does Joyce Meyer teach concerning Jesus on the cross and spiritual death, and salvation? Below will be various quotes from Joyce Meyer teachings from one of her booklets called “The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make”, and the purpose for this information is not to be contentious or divisive, but rather to give an exposition of what Joyce Meyer teaches concerning being born again. Within the Christian Church there are many people who listen to Joyce Meyer whether on the radio, television, or by reading her books. However, many do not realize that her teachings are not in accordance with the Word of God. It is true that there are things she teaches which do line up Biblically, but the same is said of the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Mormons.

What does Joyce Meyer teach that is so bad? Is Joyce Meyer a false teacher? Is Joyce Meyer a Christian? Why should anyone be concerned? Joyce Meyers does not have all the same false teachings as those in the Faith Movement, but she does have some teachings that are the same with various Faith teachers. Examine this information for yourself and line up the Biblical gospel to the gospel that Joyce Meyer teaches. For more information on the Faith Movement teachings go to our Faith Movement section.

In a book called “The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make” Joyce Meyer teaches what it means to be born again and what Christ had to do for people to be saved. Read the following comments:

“Although your physical body will die someday, your spirit will continue to live for an eternity. Whether your spirit lives in heaven or hell depends on the choices you have made. In this book, best selling author Joyce Meyer outlines God’s plan of salvation so that you can make a quality decision.” (Back of the book, 1996-Edition)

“The spiritual part of you can be thought of as the part of you that cannot be seen with the natural eye. This part of you will live forever. And where the spiritual you lives depends on the decision you make as you read this book.” (Page 8, 1996-Edition)

Warning, Danger Ahead!

Joyce Meyer teaches that Jesus did not pay for sin upon the cross, but actually went to the torments of hell and made atonement there. The following quote is from Joyce Meyer’s 1991 booklet on being born again which is worded differently in the 1996-updated edition.

“During that time He entered hell, where you and I deserved to go (legally) because of our sin…He paid the price there.…no plan was too extreme…Jesus paid on the cross and in hell….God rose up from His throne and said to demon powers tormenting the sinless Son of God, “Let Him go.” Then the resurrection power of Almighty God went through hell and filled Jesus…He was resurrected from the dead ¾ the first born-again man“ (The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make: A Complete And Thorough Understanding Of What It Means To Be Born Again, 1991, pages 35-36, Joyce Meyer) This quote was found from the Christian Research Institute’s article on Joyce Meyer which can be found by .

In her 1996 edition of “The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make“ Joyce Meyer states the same things but with different wording.

“Believe that Jesus did what the Bible says. Believe He is indeed the Son of God, born of a virgin. He took man’s sin on the cross. He did not stay dead. He was in the grave three days. During that time, He entered hell, where you and I deserved to go (legally) because of our sin.” (Page 41, 1996-Edition) Notice the similar wording in this quote compared to the other quote.

“Whatever it took to get God’s people back, free again, is what they would do. Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and went to hell in our place.” (Page 41, 1996-Edition) Whatever it took means that Jesus had to go to hell, suffer and be tormented by demons in our place.

“When Jesus hung on the cross, He took our sin upon Himself. God cannot stay in the presence of sin. As Jesus took our sin, He was separated from the presence of the Father…Jesus was taking your sins and those of everyone else upon Him as He felt this absence of His Father’s presence. He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Matt. 27:46, author's paraphrase] Jesus knew it would happen, but the horror of separation from the bright presence of the Father was worse than He could of imagined, and it caused Him to cry out…and His spirit went to hell because that is where we deserved to go.” (Page 42, 1996-Edition) This is a common teaching among the Faith Movement whereas they teach Jesus died spiritually and became literally the nature of sin. Thus, the Father turned away from Jesus while He was on the cross and Jesus died alone. for further information on Jesus being separated from the Father and becoming spiritually dead.

“There is no hope of anyone going to heaven unless they believe this truth. You cannot go to heaven unless you believe with all your heart that Jesus took your place. He became your substitute and took all the punishment you deserve. He bore all your sins. He paid the dept you owe…Jesus went to hell for you. He died for you. He paid for your sins.” (Page 43, 1996-Edition)

Concerning being born again and what is required to be saved we see Joyce Meyer teaching:

<!–[if !supportLists]–>1. <!–[endif]–>“Believe…what the Bible says.”

<!–[if !supportLists]–>2. <!–[endif]–>That when Jesus was on the cross He did not stay dead but went to hell.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>3. <!–[endif]–>That Jesus went to hell in our place because that is where we deserved to go.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>4. <!–[endif]–>That God would do whatever it took to free His people.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>5. <!–[endif]–>That there is no hope of anyone going to heaven unless they believe this truth, meaning what Jesus did to make atonement for sins.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>6. <!–[endif]–>That a person must believe in their heart that Jesus took their place on the cross, He died spiritually, (implied) was separated from the Father, tormented by demons in hell, (1991-Edition) Jesus is the first born again man. (1991-Edition)

What is the Gospel?

The Scriptures are clear on what the Gospel message is.

“1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NASB) The apostle Paul taught that Jesus died and rose again for our sins according to the Scriptures. Paul taught the death that Jesus died was His physical death and His shed blood. Nowhere do we find anything from Paul or any other apostle/prophet for that matter state Jesus died spiritually for our sins according to the Scriptures.

What the apostles taught concerning what Jesus did to make atonement and reconciliation for our sins:

“19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach” (Colossians 1:19-22, NASB)

“18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19, NASB)

What Jesus taught:

“27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27, NASB)

“44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:44-47, NASB)

“Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30, NASB)

Jesus taught that His death and shed blood was sufficient for the atonement of our sins. When Jesus said “It is finished” He was teaching an absolute truth that the payment for sin was paid in full. The Greek of “It is finished” is “tetelestai” which was a common way of saying dept paid in full, it is done.

What Does Born Again Mean?

Simply put being born again means becoming a new creation in Christ. Jesus taught Nicodemus what born again meant in John 3:1-21 and the message was simple. A person either accepts or rejects that Jesus came to this world to save anyone of their sins. What does it mean to accept Jesus? Jesus came first to the Jews, then after His death and resurrection the message was for the apostles to go to all people. To accept Jesus means you acknowledge you are in need of being saved, (John 3:14-18) that you believe Jesus was the Messiah and God come in the flesh, (John 8:24) that Jesus had the same authority and equality as the Father, (John 5:18-23 & John 10:30) that Jesus was the only way to the Father and for salvation, (John 14:6) that Jesus taught the Father, the Holy Spirit and Himself were three distinct personages from one another. (John 14-16)

John the apostle teaches what born again means:

“4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”…”10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”…”20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” ( 1 John 5, NASB)

What Will You Do?

It is clear that Joyce Meyer teaches another gospel message concerning what born again means and what is required to believe in order to be saved. This information shows Biblically that Joyce Meyer is not teaching the Biblical Gospel message and those who listen to her should be concerned. We believe she is teaching false doctrines of the message of hope and eternal life, and anyone who is serious about wanting to know truth needs to be open to examining this further. This is not an attack on Joyce Meyer in any way, but rather as said before an exposition on what she teaches concerning being born again.

We are warned in the Scriptures to be careful of those who claim to be of God but are in fact wolves in sheep’s clothing. There are false prophets & apostles, and false Christ’s:

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15, NASB)

“For false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect..” (Matthew 24:24, NASB)

“28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.” (Acts 20:28-31, NASB)

“13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, NASB)

We are instructed to examine all people and doctrines for truth, and reject false teachers and doctrines:

“10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:10-11, NASB)

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, NASB)

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, NASB)

“2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4, NASB)

“10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10-11, NASB)

What will you do with this information? If any of you are wondering if we have attempted to contact Joyce Meyer’s, the answer is yes. We have attempted contacting Joyce Meyer’s through emails and by phone, yet no reply. Our conclusion is she does not want to discuss this and we urge you to share this vital information with those who listen to Joyce Meyer’s. If you have any questions concerning what we have shared we would encourage you to contact us.

Health Reform – What The Bible Teaches About Health

The original sin of Adam affected mankind in three ways — spiritually, morally, and physically. Christ came as Savior of the world to save humanity from these threefold effects of sin. Therefore, when we by faith receive Christ as our Savior, we are to surrender to His transforming grace in all these three areas.

While we will not experience total salvation from the effects of sin until the second coming of Christ, in this study we will consider what the Bible has to say about our bodies and how we should take care of them while we wait for His return. This, too, is part of Christian living.

When Eloihim Placed Adam in the garden and made him the steward over all creation, he gave his “manager” specific instructions. From the beginning the “great deceiver” has tricked mankind in to thinking and teaching that GOD did not mean what he said, or his Word now means something else. When it comes to our health we love to “pimp the gospel”, using GOD’s Word as a justification to live an unhealthy lifestyle. We teach we can eat and drink whatever we like and as long as we pray over our food everything will be fine. We can put whatever we like into the Temple because God has blessed all things.

Think about this. The diseases of today – including heart disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes, can be linked to leading a unhealthy lifestyle. These diseases are becoming more wide spread as the world becomes more industrialized these diseases were not common when people stuck to a biblical diet. Eating GODs way would provide for more vitamins, minerals, protein and healthy fats and substances that came from plants called phytochemicals. In GOD’s plan there are no refined or processed carbohydrates and only a small amount of healthy sweeteners. Our modern diet promotes “Food” rich refined carbohydrates and are poor in nutritional value

Many of us are familiar with the Hebrew word shalom, which means “peace.” This is more then just the absence of conflict, just as good health is not just the absence of disease. At it’s root shalom means completeness and wholeness physically, emotionally, spiritually and has a strong emphasis on ones relationship with GOD. This is true peace.

The reason why Christians must take care of their bodies is twofold. In the first place, when we believers experience the new birth and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, we become the temple of God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Therefore, we must treat our bodies as the house of God. The buildings where we as Christians choose to worship are not the temples and it is not GODs house. You are the temple; you are the house of the Holy Spirit. We teach that you should not curse or eat in the sanctuary, which is nothing more than a dead building, but then we pollute our bodies buy smoking and eating unhealthy food.

Secondly, as Christians we are ambassadors of Christ, called to witness Him to the world. In order that we may fully represent Christ and be used by His Spirit to glorify our Saviour, we must take good care of our bodies. The Holy Spirit can use us only in direct proportion to how healthy our bodies are.

Based on these twofold reasons, the Bible gives counsel on healthful living. When Israel was a theocracy (totally under God’s ruling), God gave them all kinds of guidelines, not as a requirement for salvation but for their own good as His witnesses. Among these guidelines were many health principles or laws.

Since we are made of the same material as the Jews, these health principles and laws are just as valid today as they were in ancient times. In this study we will consider some of the basic health principles and laws laid down by God in His Word as the fruits of salvation in Christ.

A healthy lifestyle is holistic. You cannot look at just the physical side of healthy living and negate our responsibility to nurture the spiritual side, and vice versa.

God created us as physical and spiritual beings. He created us as physical when He made us from the dust of the earth and gave us bodies, breathing life into us. He created us as mortal, finite beings – but He also created us as spiritual beings, to live or die eternally. So that is what this article is about – the physical side of healthy living, looking after our bodies. However please realize that although this is what I am focusing on, I am in no way ignoring the spiritual.

Some time ago, I felt challenged to a healthy lifestyle. A scripture He gave me was Heb 3:4-10 “(For every house is built by someone; but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a Son, and we are His house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.

Principle 1: DO NOT STRIVE (v4)

God is the builder, not us. He is the one who makes everything happen. Striving doesn’t help anyone – or anything – least of all you. Life, the ministry etc, doesn’t depend on us. God is more concerned about us than He is about the work. He has many vessels through which He can work. It is folly to think that we are the only person who can do the task.

DO NOT STRIVE. IT DOES NOT DEPEND ON US. GOD IS THE BUILDER.

Principle 2: WE ARE THE HOUSE OF GOD (v6)

Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We need to take care of them. If we don’t we will not be good for anything because we will run ourselves into the ground. We need to respect God by taking care of the body He has given us by: -

- Eating Healthy

- Exercising Regularly

- Getting Enough Rest

Principle 3: A HARDENED HEART IS THE SAME AS REBELLION (v8, 9)

We need to be good stewards of what God has given us – including our bodies. If we disregard this, we are hardening our hearts towards God, and what He has shown us, and that is the same as rebellion. If we test God in this, we will suffer. God has created a cause-and-effect world, establishments that He has put into place and He will not override them. If we do not look after our bodies, we will reap the effects of that, for example, sickness, burnout and disease.

Principle 4: GOD HAS PROVIDED THE KNOW-HOW TO OBEY HIM (v10)

God has given us the knowledge – through the Bible and science and, believe it or not, common sense – to know what we should and shouldn’t eat. We also know how regularly to exercise and we can definitely tell when we need to rest. All we have to do is listen to our bodies.

I read this book “What the Bible Says About Healthy Living” by Rex Russell MD. He studied what the Bible says about food, what science says about food and what he has seen himself, for example when patients are told to follow a specific diet in order to get well again.

His conclusion was simple: -

Principle 1: Eat only what God intended us to eat

Principle 2: Eat it only in the form he intended it to be eaten

Principle 3: Fast regularly

Amazingly, scientific research (independent of himself) gave evidence to support why God told the Israelites not to eat certain foods and why they should eat others. (I highly recommend this book. It can be bought on Amazon.)

So we have no excuse. God has given us the knowledge we need, but it is our responsibility to put it into practice.

Principle 5: REST

God didn’t only intend for us to experience spiritual rest. He is a holistic God. He intended for us to experience rest physically, emotionally and spiritually. If we look after our bodies, and get the rest we need – however much that might be – we will be able to more fully enter the rest that God intended for us. We won’t get as sick as often, we won’t get as tired and we won’t get as stressed – the result – we will be much more rested and able to cope with the stresses of living life.

We have a holistic God who is concerned with our physical and emotional being as well as the spiritual. He created all of us – and said, “It was good!” So work with Him on this. He didn’t create our bodies to be a hindrance to us. He created them for our enjoyment as well as for us to know what our limitations are so that we can more fully enjoy and experience a supernatural God.

1. According to Paul, how much of the believer does God want to sanctify? 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ______________________________________________
Note: Since sin has affected the total person, God also plans to rescue the total person from the sin problem — spirit, soul, and body.

2. How does this total redemption affect our Christian living in terms of eating and drinking?
1 Corinthians 10:31 ______________________________________________
Note: Before our conversion we ate and drank as we pleased, often abusing our bodies. But now that we belong to Christ and have become the temple of the Holy Spirit, God wants us to eat and drink for His glory.

3. As Christians, who do we belong to and live for? Romans 14:8 ______________________________________________
Note: Because Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us on the cross (see Galatians 3:13), we belong to Him — spirit, soul, and body. Out of a heartfelt appreciation for His redeeming grace, all our actions are motivated by this love relationship.

4. In what things does God want us to prosper, besides our souls? 3 John 2 ______________________________________________
Note: God is not only concerned about our spiritual well-being but also our health. A healthy body means a healthy mind. This, in turn, means we are better able to discern spiritual things. Since there is a close relation between spirit, soul, and body, what affects one affects the other.

5. What promise did God give the Jews of the Exodus if they would follow all His health instructions?
Exodus 15:26 ______________________________________________
Note: All the health instructions God gave the Jews of the Exodus was for their own good and not a requirement for salvation. As His children, God wants us to experience and witness His saving grace in every way. The rules and regulations that God imposed upon the Jews was for this purpose. That is how we Christians must consider them.

6. What blessings did God say Israel would experience if they obeyed all that He had instructed them?
Deuteronomy 7:14 ______________________________________________
Note: Even though the ancient Jews made the mistake of turning all the health rules and regulations God gave them into legalistic requirements for salvation, they still experienced physical blessings from obeying them.

7. As Christians, what kind of sacrifice does God want from us? Romans 12:1 ______________________________________________

8. What must we do daily to experience this transformed life that is pleasing to God? Romans 12:2 ______________________________________________
Note: The battlefield in the Christian walk is the mind. On the one hand, the converted mind, that which Paul refers to as the new man (see Ephesians 4:22-24), wants to do the will of God. Yet, on the other hand, the mind of the flesh, our sinful nature, wants to do the very opposite.

9. What is the only way to gain victory over the desires of the flesh, our sinful natures, which contradict the desires of the converted mind? Galatians 5:16 ______________________________________________
Note: Only as we surrender our wills to the control of the Spirit can we gain the victory over the flesh. This is what it means to “walk in the Spirit.” To do this we must keep our minds focused on spiritual things (see Romans 8:4-6).

10. How should our relationship with fellow believers affect our eating habits? Romans 14:21 ______________________________________________
Note: To be a true Christian means we are dead to self and live unto the Lord. This affects every phase of our Christian living so that the two guiding principles that motivate all our actions are: (i) I do nothing that affects my right relationship with God; and (ii) I do nothing that weakens the faith of a fellow believer (see 1 Corinthians 10:31-33).

11. How should we consider ourselves as Christians? 1 Corinthians 3:16 ______________________________________________

12. As temples of God, what does He not want us to do and why? 1 Corinthians 3:17 ______________________________________________
Note: As temples of God, we are to keep our bodies holy. The reason for this will be answered in the next question.

13. As His temple, what does God want to do in and through us? 2 Corinthians 6:16 ______________________________________________
Note: The whole purpose of the Christian life is to glorify the Saviour: “for me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). The only way this can be done is to let the life of Christ shine through us. This is what sanctification is all about. That which motivates such a life is the love of God manifested in Christ crucified and not the fear of punishment or the desire for reward.

14. How does God fulfill the above through the New Covenant promise? Hebrews 8:10 ______________________________________________
Note: The New Covenant does not do away with the laws of God but puts them into our hearts. Under the Old Covenant, the laws were a series of rules — do’s and don’ts. Under the New Covenant, the same laws become the inner desires of the converted mind. This is how God writes His laws in our hearts and minds. This is the transforming grace of the gospel!

15. When it comes to healthful living, what was the original diet God gave mankind? Genesis 1:29 ______________________________________________
Note: Just as the car manufacturer entrusts us to use the best oil and gas for our cars, so God, the Creator, instructed our first parents regarding what are the best foods to eat — nuts, fruits, and grains.

16. What did God add to man’s diet after the flood? Genesis 9:3 ______________________________________________

17. While God did add meat to man’s diet, after the flood, what two things did He prohibit?
Genesis 9:4 (i) ______________________________________________
Leviticus 7:23 (ii) ______________________________________________
Note: God knew what He was doing when He forbade the Jews to eat the blood and fat of animals. Today, medical science has discovered and proved that both of these items are harmful to our health.

18. What further instruction did God give the Jews concerning meat eating?
Read the whole chapter of Leviticus _____________________________________________

note: Even though God gave man permission to eat meat after the flood, He distinguished the clean (healthy) meats from the (unhealthy) meats in chapter 11 of Leviticus and elsewhere. These health regulations are still valid today, as long as we do not make them a requirement for salvation.

19. What warning does the wise man give regarding appetite? Proverbs 23:1-3 ______________________________________________
Note: Appetite is one of the great weapons of Satan. It was through food that Adam fell. Likewise, it was through tempting Christ to turn stones into bread that Satan tried to cause the downfall of Christ. In the same way, Satan uses our appetite to cause us Christians to stumble. Smoking, drugs, alcohol, and overindulgence in eating are some of his methods for preventing God’s purpose from being fulfilled in us or for destroying the Christian faith.

20. Of what must we constantly remind ourselves regarding our bodies? 1 Corinthians 6:19 ______________________________________________
Note: When we are tempted to indulge in wrong kinds of foods and drink, we need to remind ourselves that we are the temple of God and we are not our own. Therefore, as verse 20 reminds us, we must “glorify God in our body, and in our spirit, which are God’s.” This is true health reform.

Why You Should Avoid White Flour Products Such as White Breads and Pastas

In the manufacture of white flour, manufacturers first remove the wheat seed’s bran, its six outer layers, and the germ (or embryo) which contains 76% of the vitamins and minerals. 97% of the dietary fiber is also lost.

What little is left is then bleached, preserved, and aged with chlorine dioxide. It is further whitened by adding chalk, alum, and ammonium carbonate to make it look and feel more improved and appealing to the consumer. An anti-salting agent called sorbitan mono-saturate is added in the final stage.

A few synthetic nutrients are then added back into the white flour and it is then called “enriched.” In actuality, there has been no real “enrichment” of the original product.

Laboratory rats usually die in a week to ten days when placed on a diet of white flour. All of the chemicals from white flour and other elements in our environment wreak havoc on the human body. Humans were not designed nor equipped to ingest cumulative chemicals. A strain is placed on the pancreas when it is forced to try to protect the body from chemicals. It cannot, at the same time, adequately perform its critical role of protecting the body from diseases.

Whole wheat flour and other whole-grain flours retain their bran, germ, and nutrients, and the vitamin E present in whole-grain flours acts as a natural preservative that keeps it from turning rancid for several months, after which it can be refrigerated or frozen.

Don’t be deceived by products that are advertised as whole grain. They may have some whole grains in them, but there may be a lot of other unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients. For example, if bread is soft, it is not primarily whole grain. It should be firm, heavy, and “grainy” with texture — not spongy.

Interview – Braille – The IV Edition

Written by Rapzilla

My name is Bryan “Braille” Winchester. I was born in Portland, OR and have also lived in New Jersey and Los Angeles. I’ve been rapping since before I had facial hair, and now I can grow a mustache of Tom Selleck proportions. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to travel around the world sharing music and “The IV Edition” (my newest album) is my forth solo record. I’m also a married man (6 years!) and I have a baby girl named Gabriella. WORD What is the story behind the making of the album? How did it all come about? Right before my daughter was born, I started feeling a creative itch. Most of my energy had been spent running my record label Hiphop IS Music. One of my goals with the label has been to help artists create the “record of their dreams”. To make records that truly express the contents of their heart. Not following trends, not copying other popular artists – but just making honest music without any false pretense. I’ve always been a fan of raw Hip-Hop with well crafted lyricism. You can call me an underground head or whatever, but I prefer raw beats and raw lyrics. So I built my home studio and decided to make this new record without any outside influence. No one else in the studio with me, no feedback from friends or industry heads. Just me, by myself – making honest music that sounds good to my ears. I spent over a year working on the record from my home studio and the only people who heard songs during the process were Ohmega Watts and Theory Hazit (while we were touring). I didn’t start sharing songs with anyone else until they were fully mixed. Aside from the birth of my daughter, I also experienced the death of my father during the recording process of the record. The regular ups and downs of life were intensified through these situations, and I think that caused me to be very “intentional” with every lyric. Why “The IV Edition” as the title? This is my forth record and the title has four meanings. IV: is the roman numeral for the number 4. But I took those numbers and broke them down into letters as well. IV: (pronunciation [ahy-vee]) which is defined in medical terms as a device used for delivering solutions and medicines into the veins. The IV then became a metaphor related to bringing medicine into the veins of society for the various social illnesses. Simply broken down as – “water for the thirsty, food for the hungry and mercy for the sinner”. I.V. also becomes an acronym to represent International Vision. As I’ve traveled around the world I’ve grown to really appreciate the wide variety of cultures, languages and nationalities that exist on this earth. It’s not about “my block” or “my hood”. I’m willing to travel to the ends of the earth to bring medicine where it’s needed. Beyond any physical needs (which shouldn’t be ignored) – this album is ultimately about prescribing Jesus as the healing solution for our sin nature. The wages of sin is death, we are all approaching the grave. Jesus is our redeemer and our healer – and I want to share that with the world in the unique way that God has gifted me to share it. What do you want to accomplish with the new album? First and foremost – my goal was to simply create a record that communicated my heart and also appealed to my own personal artistic palette. I’m a very critical listener – and before I became a follower of Christ, music was all I had in life. During my teen years, I was that kid walking through the halls with headphones on. I’ve never been the type to chase after fame, and I don’t base my success on the level of fame I achieve. As an MC – I desire to speak to my community, to the culture I love and to the world I live in. Ten years ago, I would have never imagined being where I’m at right now. Sometimes I set small goals for myself – but for the most part I just try to be faithful over what I have in my life and allow God to show me what’s next. The greatest accomplishments that have happened in my life weren’t things I planned out. It’s all been things that happened when I stepped out in faith and sought after God whole-heartedly. Photo by Philip Rood Any special moments making the album? The whole process was pretty sentimental and tedious. My house has two levels. The main living area is upstairs, which is where my wife and daughter spend most of their time. My home studio is downstairs, which is where I work and do my recordings. One day I was upstairs feeding my daughter breakfast. I started writing lyrics for a song called “Blessed Man” and ended up finishing and recording the song that same day. The feeling of writing lyrics in front of my daughter brought a special inspiration. I could never “clone” that moment, or imitate that feeling. I wrote this record during the process of living life. I wrote and recorded it in my own house. All my previous records, I had to book out studio time and record in different environments. With this album – I would be laying down vocals and then my wife would say “dinner is ready”. haha. So I’d go eat dinner, maybe watch some TV and then get back to work. What inspired you making this album? I get inspired by everything. As a writer – everything I see, hear and experience inspires me. The music I write is inspired by life and filtered through my faith. What I mean by that is – I can get inspired by almost anything, but my convictions and faith shape the type of influence that things have on my music. Any crazy or special memories during the recording process? When people hear the song “Many Stories” they will experience one of my special memories from the recording process. I don’t want to give to much away – but I finished writing half a song (one of the only songs not written in my home studio) and while I was driving home from the studio I got a call regarding my father. He ended up passing away that night – I drove strait from the studio to the hospital and I was the first person to arrive. It was completely unexpected. I wrote the second verse (from the same song I was writing that night) in honor of him, and kind of shared the whole situation exactly how it happened. Photo by Philip Rood How do you feel touring this summer with the Vans Warped Tour? I will be touring with my wife and my daughter for two and a half months strait. During the Warped tour – we will be joining Othello, his wife and his new born son. So it will be all six of us together in one van. We still haven’t figured out exactly how we are going to make the schedule work, haha – but I’m excited about it. The Warped Tour is rough cause it’s a lot of driving, and a lot of long days. It’s really going to push our physical limits, but we all feel like the opportunity is worth it. For fun, if you had to change music genre, what would it be? I would love to compose scores for movies and stuff. If I wasn’t writing rhymes – then I would love to learn how to compose music for orchestras to play. I would also love to learn how to play guitar and just sing some songs with nothing but an acoustic guitar. Anything else you would like to share? Thanks for taking time to read this. Anyone interested can check out my current tour dates at www.myspace.com/braillebrizzy. Thanks to everyone who is supporting this new record, I appreciate it tremendously and I hope the music is a blessing in return. Digital downloads are cool – but if your interested in getting this album then I would suggest getting the CD version with the full artwork. I share a lot of personal thoughts and notes about every song inside the 12 page booklet. Feel free to hit me up anytime with thoughts, feedback, encouragement or prayer requests.

Review – The Ambassador – The Chop Chop

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Written by Rob Target

Yo let’s embark on this album called “The Chop Chop”. Huh? Yep it’s called ……. “The Chop Chop”. Named by one of the most recognized figures in Holy Hip Hop today. Hailed from one of the most long lasting crews of Christian Hip Hop The Cross Movement. I can go on and on about there lengthy legacy. They’re a great brand that the Lord has blessed with many loyal followers. This is the third installment from the solo artist The Ambassador. He is the vessel used by the Lord Jesus to bring us this album “The Chop Chop.” The album starts out with the song “The Opener.” Ambassador tells the listener that his mission is to build them up. A semi rock feel reintroduces one of the pavement layers of Christian Hip Hop. It also introduces him to folks who don’t know who he is. If you don’t know, in the hearts of many Christian Hip Hop purist, he is the equivalent to L.L. Cool J.. He is in fact one of the original Christian Hip Hop pioneers and can still can put it down and will surprise you at any given moment. When you take memorable albums like Christology and The Thesis then mix in 2008 Hip Hop flavor and a war with Craig G Lewis the only thing you can do is come out with a album that is your best work to date. I will make one point clear, any review you read will not do this album any justice. Why do I say this? Simple, this album has too many sides to analyze (without writing a 80 page report). Ambassador comes with many styles, word play, rhyme patterns, and metaphors that will make a rap legend like Rakim rethink his faith. Deuce puts all the theology you would expect from a Cross Movement project into this album. This album appeals to the rap fan and the Bible researcher. As a solo artist The Ambassador has transformed himself to reach a wide variety of lost sheep. Check out the hit “Gimme Dat” this proves that at anytime Amba could have easily used his talents to make secular hit music. However, the hits are only for the Holy God Jesus Christ. “Gimme Dat” has a T-pain’ish chorus and is fitted with a beat that will get er’body dancing the shoulder lean. Ambassador also switches up on “The Day I Met U” produced by Tony Stone. A smooth song where Deuce reveals his background. This song tells the story of his life from birth, teen years, and when he encountered truth (God). This is where he states “Something Happened”. The hook is a sing-a-long and you would never have guessed Amba is singing it. WORD? Then, there is “The Cost” one of the best songs that ever came out the soul of The Ambassador. The song displays Ambassador telling the believer that this walk is just that; a cost. It makes the clear point that Jesus and Christianity is not to be taken as a pie in the sky lifestyle. On a side note, fans of the early Cross Movement would never think the Ambassador would be on a track like this. It works well, the Anthony Hamilton like hook and groove makes you zone in on the lyrics and hook below. You start off as a enemy/ hostile to the true God/ Spirit moving gently/ drops a set of new eyes/ everything new fresh to death like ooh aahh / you are/ fresh off God’s lot like a new car/ but just like new cars/ quickly start to depreciate/ you quickly face hardships you are to appreciate/ we need to make it clear/down here there it’s no piece of cake/ but the tears are going to fade to pay we see the gate you told me I was lost you told me I was brought but you never spoke about The Cost you always told me all about what it cost God given but you never told me the cost me to live it you told me I’m living you told me I’m forgiven you told me in the sky it’s a ribbon you told me about the fly place I would go to I wish you would’ve told me all the heck i would go thru There are disappointments on “The Chop Chop”: The biggest one is Da T.R.U.T.H.’s verse on the song “Love & Grace”. it was short lived and will leave you feeling totally cheated out of a great cameo. There are other small things that put a dent in the armor of this project. For instance, a couple of the hooks sound a little dated. Having such loyal followers of Cross Movement Records and the new breed of listeners, Ambassador has a hard juggling act to do. Not only keeping the loyal fans, but reaching out to new sheep. Most of the time he has great success. But there are a few glitches in The Chop Chop that confuse you on what his aim is musically. Speaking of guest spots, there are a few familiar names you will see and a few you will not. You will not see any of the other three members from the Cross movement crew. Not only that, if you are looking for “The Chop Chop” cypha track, don’t. There isn’t one on this album. But what you will see is Reach Records‘ Lecrae and Trip Lee holding it down on “Checking For My God” and “Checking For My God Remix”. This is a south track that will have Reach Record fans pleased. Also, the guest who was simply amazing is Stephen The Levite. Peep the track “Talk Alot” as Stephen spits ……”I know you’d rather be entertained/ this is the illest stuff to ever enter your brain/“. He was right; His verbal sermon was one of the illest verses. If you only download one song make sure is it “JESUS”. This is song has it all, exalting Jesus and pointing the listener to the cross. Christian Hip Hop at it’s best. “The Chop Chop From Milk to Meat” is really that. A review of the music isn’t enough but the meat of the words from this album is what you need to digest. So go get your Bible and then pick this album up. Release Date: September 23, 2008 Record Label: Cross Movement Records Track Listing 1. The Opener 2. The Chop Chop 3. Checkin’ for My God Remix ft. Lecrae & Trip Lee 4. The Chop Chop Defined (Interlude) 5. Gimme Dat! 6. JESUS 7. Talk A Lot ft. Stephen the Levite 8. Listen Up 9. Hardcore 10. Hope Man 11. Theology of Brokenness (Interlude) 12. The Cost 13. The Day I Met U 14. Love & Grace ft. J.R. & Da’ T.R.U.T.H. 15. Whatchu Goin’ Do? 16. The Ambassador’s Appeal (Interlude) 17. Deeper BONUS TRACKS Checkin’ For My God ft. Lecrae Glory & Praise ft. J5 the Prophet

Interview – Grits and Reiterate

Written by Rapzilla

Your new album “Reiterate” is out, what makes it different from your previous releases? There’s definitely been growth in the song writing as far as appeal but it also was done purposely as one of the goals we wanted to achieve. Why the title “Reiterate”? We keep a somewhat steady flow of show dates and started noticing an obvious number of peoples first time hearing or seeing us before and we had to be able to be consistent for the fam and keep it fresh for new ones, so we adopted the same mind for the album title and direction. How long did you work on this album? Was it a smooth process? We worked on the album over the past year or so really took our time to build it. As far as the process it could always be better to perfectionist personalities such as ourselves, but it was the smoothest we’ve had, organic. What’s your favorite track? And why? Their all my babies, but I’m vibing off “Fly Away” and “Say Goodbye” for now, “Walkin my Way” is up there too. They all serve their own purpose which keeps them an individually important part of the body. What do you want to accomplish with “Reiterate”? Besides selling a lot of records. A new standard in music, if we hold ourselves to confinement, we exclude ourselves from other opportunities that may be a resource for the greater benefit or goal. We want our music to effect everyone in the since that they can walk away with something no matter who you are. Why not make history that is timeless? Especially with music. How and why did you decide to start your own label (Revolution Art)? Why the name “Revolution Art”? How did you come up with it? The industry is like growing up, at some point you learn or should learn how to stand on your own two feet. So Revolution Art is a symbol of our growth and commitment. That’s why we named the label that, we want to redefine culture through music. A movement of change for better, better music, better families, communities, and Life. If that’s the response we continue to get then we in for a long ride its just been the first ten years. That’s why we chose/choose our roster as if we were/are signing our last. Building career artist is not popular as it used to be but for us we don’t mind the challenge look where its gotten us for a decade and people reading this like who are these dudes? Lol… Besides we want our artist to want to aspire to one day be CEOs of there own. What can we expect from Revolution Art? (projects) Any plans to do solo albums? JADE HARRELL is our first artist due for Spring release she has a single called “Broken” on itunes right now. She has a young Pop/Soulful/Dance sound but very mature lyrically, appealing to other young ladies and women in general. Beautiful voice and the self written songs to go with it at 19. Stefan the SCIENTIST is what we want to shake it up with towards the Fall of 09, he was exactly what we wanted to branch out to a worldwide format especially being from the Bahamas and having as much diversity as he does beyond reggae. And we also felt it was important to release COFFEE and BONAFIDE solo albums, give people a chance to hear the recipe for Grits, so in maybe Summer or so. We know you started out as Dancers for DC Talk, which was how you met Toby and got signed to his label (Gotee Records) later on. But what we would like to know is do you still dance? And was your main focus at the time, dance or music? Our focus has always been primarily music, and of course with that comes the business and you find out if its either for you or not no matter how you come in and GOD makes a way for you, that’s just our personal exprience so dancing was like going to college for us, now we graduated finished our masters did residential going into private practice. Any last words? Shout outs? The grass isn’t greener on the otherside, you just gotta do what you spose to do for yours to be greener… Aka “uNcLe RoN”

10 things Christians can do everyday

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1. Treat others as you would have them treat you:
Treat other people in the manner that you want them to treat you. This is a hallmark of Christianity. Be kind to people, even when they are unkind to you. That way, you set an example for them, you become a representative of the Christian faith.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” – Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

2. Help people:
In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus tells us that we are to give food to those who are hungry, give clothes to people who need them, provide shelter for people who have none, visit people who are sick, and give comfort to people who are in prison.

3. Don’t worry:
Do your best. Deal with life’s problems. But don’t worry. Instead, have faith in Jesus that all things will work out in the way they need to work out.

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

4. Read the Bible:
If you read the Bible for about 10 to 20 minutes a day, you can finish the four Gospels – the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – in one month. The four Gospels describe the life and teachings of Jesus, the Son of God.

5. Give thanks and be joyful:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

6. Pray:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
`Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’ “
- Jesus, explaining how people should pray, as quoted in Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

7. Forgive your enemies:

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
- Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

8. Be careful what you say about other people:

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
- Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)

9. Know the Word of God and use it each day:
If you read the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you will see many examples of how Christians should act.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
- Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

10. Encourage others to read the Bible:
If you have found peace and salvation in the Bible, share it with others – tell people, write a letter, or create a Web site. Encourage others to read the Bible. Encourage family members and friends to attend church with you. Consider giving Bibles as gifts to others.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Lukewarm Christians

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One of the most frightening group of verses in the Bible are found in Rev 3:14-19, when Christ is talking to the Church of Laodicea.

He is addressing the people of a city known for its wealth. But despite its financial prosperity, it was spiritually impoverished. He says to the people “You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of My mouth. For you say ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

What’s frightening about this statement is that most people in this world who call themselves Christians are lukewarm. Yes we might go to church on Sundays, make an appearance, and think to ourselves, hey, I don’t sell drugs, I haven’t killed anybody, I never robbed a bank, I even give to charities. But think what Christ is saying here “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.”

Not too many years ago, the Dow Jones average had a tough time breaking 1000. Since then, it has been over 10,000. IRAs have come into the picture, and many typical people have savings well into the six figures. And every average neighborhood seems to have a quiet millionaire living in it.

But with all this prosperity also comes a falling away from God.

There is a group of prophecies in Zechariah 6:1-8 that I think ties in with Revelation 3:14-19. In the Zechariah prophecy there are four different colored horses with chariots that are sent out across the earth.

Although these horses resemble the four horses in the book of Revelation, don’t mix them up, the Revelation prophecy has not taken place as of yet, but the prophecy in Zechariah, Chapter 6, has already been fulfilled. In these prophecies, two of the horses, the black followed by the white, go to the “north country.”

Then comes the statement “Behold these that go to the north country have quieted My Spirit in the north country.” What I believe God is saying here is that the black horses are Capitalism and prosperity, and that the north country represents Europe, the United States and Canada.

Then the white horses follow, which I believe are false religions and idol worship, and will hinder God’s Spirit in the rich north countries. All these north countries are basically Christian, and due to the great riches of these countries, many false religions have popped up. I believe most people are worshiping money more than God. Money seems to be the Number 1 idol, and pride is another idol.

As for the other two sets of horses, the dappled gray go to the south, and the red patrol back and forth across the earth.

The dapple grays I believe are poverty, disease and hunger. They go to the southern area of the globe, such as Africa and South America, where the economy isn’t so good, along with famine, starvation, and widespread disease. The red horses represent war and unrest, and as they patrol back and forth across the earth, war follows. God foretold 2500 years ago in Zech 6:1-8, what the economy and situations would be like in the northern and southern areas of the globe.

Now Jesus understood riches, luxury and opulence can become idols, creating a false sense of security. They bestow a power that can easily drive a person to arrogance, cheating and selfishness. For this reason, Jesus said wealth posed a challenge to the spirit. It was harder for a rich person to fulfill his true purpose in life than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (Matt 19:24). Which brings us back to Rev 3:14-19 “So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Here we have God Himself condemning us, for worshiping money and other idols, instead of worshiping Him.

I don’t think that there is anything wrong with making a lot of money. Remember, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David and Daniel were all very rich men. But their riches never got in the way of worshiping God. Their money never became an idol.

If you feel you are one of these people who calls himself or herself a Christian, but knows deep inside that your money and lifestyle comes before Christ, if you know that there is never any time to pray or fellowship with God because of the time it takes to earn your money, party, play with all the toys that money can buy, read pornography, enjoy R rated movies, or just sit in front of the boob tube for hours, then you are a “lukewarm Christian,” And it’s time to make a turnaround, before Christ spits you out, which I think means, you may be on your way to Hell.

Take time now to thank God for all that He has given you. Thank Him for your family, house, car, job, bank account, toys, etc, because everything on this earth actually belongs to Him. He gave them to you. And to receive the biggest gift of all, an eternal life in Heaven, all you have to do is ask Him for it, it won’t cost you a cent. Just confess that you are need of salvation, that you believe in Jesus, that you regret your sins, and that you want His salvation, and you will receive life’s biggest treasure – eternal life in Heaven, not to mention the peace of mind you will have while here on earth.

If it helps, these are the kinds of things that I said when I asked Jesus for salvation: “Jesus, I am a sinner. I ask You to forgive me of every sin I have committed throughout my life. I know You are the Son of God, and I need You, Jesus, to guide me through my life. Come into my life Jesus, and guide me and make me one of Your own.”

If you have turned your life over to Jesus, please email us and share with us the good news. Please, consider sending this article to your friends, relatives, and everybody on your mailing list, to encourage them to take the same opportunity to become one of Christ’s family that you have had.

God Bless You.

The Holy – Days of the Bible

Let me begin by saying this is not meant to be an exhaustive study on the Biblical Feast days. This section should serve as an overview, which will introduce you to each Feast Day. Independent studies regarding the practice of each day is up to you- I feel it’s important to leave out this information so you may be sucked into the Messianic fold and truly learn why it’s so important that we celebrate these days instead of those rooted in paganism.

Understanding the Feasts

God gave the festivals of the Lord found in Leviticus 23 to us so His people could understand the coming of the Messiah and the role that the Messiah would play in redeeming and restoring both man and the earth back to God following the fall in the Garden of Eden. Although most non-Jewish Bible believers have heard of the feasts, the deep meaning and the importance of these feasts is universally misunderstood.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Gentile believers in Colossae that the feasts of the Lord, the new moon, and the Sabbath (Shabbat) days were a ‘shadow of things to come’ to teach us about the Messiah (Colossians 2:16-17). We in the west often think of our shadow as behind us, therefore we think of these days as also being behind us; however to the Jewish mind this means an outline or a blueprint of things to come. Yeshua (the Hebrew name for Jesus, which means “salvation”) was the substance or fulfillment of the greater plan that God revealed and foreshadowed in these seven important festivals. To all the readers who are familiar with the festivals, you will be fascinated to discover that the first four feasts or festivals, which are Passover (Pesach), Unleavened Bread (Hag HaMatzah), First Fruits (Bikkurim), and Pentecost (Shavuot), primarily teach about the significant events from the first coming of the Messiah and why these events were an important part of God’s redemption of man. In addition, you will discover that the last three feasts, which are the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (Sukkot), give fascinating insight concerning important events that surround the second coming of the Messiah.

The festivals are God’s feasts days, not Israel’s or the Jews. They are His appointed times that we are to observe (Leviticus 23:1-2,4). God gave the festivals to teach about the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah; the empowering of believers by the Holy Spirit; the resurrection of the dead; the coronation of the Messiah; the wedding of the Messiah; the tribulation; the second coming; and the millennium age or thousand year reign on the earth.

The Bible provides many powerful reasons for studying and understanding the seven festivals of the Messiah:

1. The feasts are in the Bible, and the entire Bible is inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2. The feasts are a shadow (blueprint) of things to come that teaches us about the Messiah (Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 10:1).
3. The feasts are prophetic types and examples foreshadowing significant events in God’s plan of redemption (1 Corinthians 10:1-6,11).
4. God gave the feasts so we could learn and understand His plan of redemption for the world and our personal relationship to Him (Romans 15:4).
5. The feasts, as part of the Torah (which means “instruction”), and is as a schoolmaster or tutor that leads us to the Messiah (Galatians 3:24).
6. The feasts will point to the Messiah and God’s plan for the world through the Messiah (Psalm 40:6-8; Hebrews 10:7).
7. Jesus came to fulfill all that was written in the Old Testament, which consists of three parts: the Torah, the prophets, and the writings personified by the Psalms, concerning Him (Luke 24:26-27, 44-45; John 5:46-47).
8. The feasts set forth the pattern of heavenly things on earth (Hebrews 8:1-2,5; 9:8-9,23; Exodus 25:8-9,40; 26:30; Numbers 8:4; Ezekiel 43:1-6,10-12).
9. God gives the natural to explain the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46-47).
10. By studying the natural, we can understand the spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:9-13; 2 Corinthians 4:18).

What does feast mean in the Bible?

Two important Hebrew words appear in Leviticus 23, and each word is translated as feast in English. In verse 2, the word for feast is the Hebrew word mo’ed, as it is written, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts [mo'ed] of the Lord….” The word mo’ed means “an appointment, a fixed time or season, a cycle or year, an assembly, an appointed time, a set time or exact time. By understanding the Hebrew meaning of the English word feast, we can see that God is telling us that He is ordaining a “set or exact time or an appointed time” when He fulfill certain events in the redemption. In fact, Jesus came to earth at the exact time ordained by God (Galatians 4:2, 4), and God has an exact time when, in the future, He will judge the world (Acts 17:31).

In verse 6 is another Hebrew word translated as feast, as it is written, “And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast [chag] of unleavened bread….” The Hebrew word chag, which means a “festival,” is derived from the Hebrew root word chagag, which means “to move in a circle, to march in a sacred procession, to celebrate, dance, to hold a solemn feast or holiday.” By this we can see that God gave the festivals as cycles to be observed yearly so that, by doing them, we can understand God’s redemptive plan for the world; the role that the Messiah would play in that redemption; and our personal relationship to God concerning how we grow from a baby Bible believer to a mature Bible believer. Although God gave us the festivals to observe, God never gave the festivals so we would obtain salvation from Him by observing them because salvation only comes by faith; however, God did give the festivals for the purpose of teaching and instructing His people concerning His plan of redemption and our personal relationship to Him.

The Appointed Place

The feasts are not only God’s appointed times, but they were also to be observed at God’s appointed place. God said that He would choose a place and that it would be a set place where His redemptive plan would be accomplished. Passover, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles were to be observed at an appointed place (Deuteronomy 16:2, 6, 9-11, 13-16). This place was Jerusalem (2 Kings 21:4). From this we can see that Jerusalem was appointed by God to be the place where important events surrounding His redemptive plan would be accomplished. Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected in Jerusalem. The empowering of the believers by the Holy Spirit took place in Jerusalem. Messiah will return and set His foot on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4) and Jerusalem will be the center of world attention and controversy before the coming of the Messiah (Zechariah 12:2-3; 14:2-4).

Overview of the weekly feast day, Shabbat

In the first centuries the Sabbath had been kept by all Jewish-Christians and the vast majority of Gentile- Christians due to their understanding of believing in a Jewish Messiah. But with great subtlety Satan worked through his agents to bring about his object of worship so that the attention of the people might be called to the day of the Sun, Sunday.

Sunday was called the Christian Sabbath formally established in about the fourth century, but practiced before this time. To prepare the way for the work which he desired to accomplish, Satan had led the Jews, before the advent of Christ, to load down the Sabbath with the most rigorous exactions, making its observance a burden. Now, taking advantage of the false light in which he had thus caused it to be regarded, he cast contempt upon it as a Jewish institution.

In the early part of the fourth century the emperor Constantine issued a decree making Sunday a public festival throughout the Roman Empire. The day of the sun was reverenced by his pagan subjects and was in turn honored by Christians under Roman rule; it was the emperor’s policy to unite the conflicting interests of heathenism and Christianity.

He (Constantine) was urged to do this through a vision he is said to have had which showed him a cross with a serpent wrapped around it. Obviously a mix of paganism and Christianity…

The newly appointed bishops of the Roman Church, who, inspired by ambition and thirst for power, perceived that if both Christians and heathen observed the same day, it would promote the nominal acceptance of Christianity by pagans and thus advance the power and glory of the church.

WHAT SAITH THE LORD

1. Which day, according to the Bible, is the Sabbath?

Exodus 20:10 “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:”

Exodus 31:15 “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.”

Exodus 35:2 “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.”

Deuteronomy 5:14 “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.”

2. What, according to prophecy, was to be Christ’s attitude toward the law?

Isaiah 42:21 “The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.”

3. What did Christ say of the law? Matthew 5:17.

Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”

4. How enduring did He say the law is? Matthew 5:18.

Matthew 5:18 “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

5. What did He say of those who should break one of the least of God’s Commandments, and teach men to do so?

Matthew 5:19 “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

6. What did God, through the prophet Daniel, say the power represented by the “little horn” would think to do?

Daniel 7:25 “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

7. What did Paul say the “man of sin” would do?

2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.

Note: There is only one way by which any power could exalt itself above God, and this is by assuming to change the law of God, and to require obedience to its own law instead of God’s law. The Papacy claims the change of the Sabbath to the first day of the week was her act and is the mark of her authority in religious things according to the Doctrinal Catechism.

“Question: Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?”
“Answer: Had she not such power she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her; she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no scriptural authority.”
“A Doctrinal Catechism”, by the Rev. Stephen Kennan, p.174.

“Question: Which is the Sabbath day?”
“Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day?”
“Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?”
“Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church, in the Council of Laodicea (A.D. 336), transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.”

“The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine,” page 50, third edition, 1913, a work which received the “apostolic blessing” of Pope Pius X, January 25, 1910.

Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act . . . and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things.

“If Protestants would actually follow the Bible instead of the Roman traditions, they would find that they should worship God on the Sabbath Day. In keeping Sunday “holy” they are rejecting the commandments of God for the commandments of men.”

Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal in a letter of February 10, 1920.

Look up in any encyclopedia Saturday or Sabbath and it will tell you that it is the seventh day of the week, and that all Christians observed it up until the fourth century.

“Constantine the Great made a law for the whole empire (A.D. 321) that Sunday should be kept as a day of rest in all cities and towns; but he allowed the country people to follow their work”

Encyclopedia America, article “Sabbath.”

Lots of Christians today say that they worship on Sunday in commemoration of Christ’s resurrection. Let’s quickly examine this flawed logic.

Didn’t Jesus raise on a Sunday?

If you visit a mainstream Christian church and ask members why the day on which they and other people attend worship services is Sunday, a typical response might be that Jesus was resurrected on that day. But how well does this idea bear up under scrutiny?

Notice what Christ told the Pharisees, who were looking for a sign of the Messiah:

Matthew 12:39-40 “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”

The only sign Jesus gave to prove He was the Messiah was that the grave would only hold Him for a limited amount of time “three days and three nights” (or 72 hours). But the Easter Sunday tradition maintains that Christ was buried just before sunset on “Good Friday” afternoon and resurrected early Sunday morning-only two nights and one day (or 36 hours)!

Some will argue the definition of “day.” But Christ clearly stated that there are 12 hours in a day, not including the night (John 11:9-10). Therefore, when Easter Sunday proponents take His remark and conclude that Christ was in the grave three days x 12 hours = 36 hours, we can see that they are leaving out the “three nights.” There are approximately 12 hours of daytime and 12 hours of nighttime in one 24-hour day. So three days and three nights is obviously 72 hours. But was it exactly 72 hours? Jesus said He would rise “AFTER three days” (Mark 8:31)-i.e. no less than 72 hours. But He also said He would rise “IN three days” (John 2:19, 21)-i.e. no more than 72 hours. This is absolutely clear-72 hours exactly as anything more or less would make Him a liar!

Also consider that, when the women came to His tomb Sunday morning, “it was still dark” (John 20:1) and He had already risen. How could this be? The Sunday-resurrection proponents contend that He had risen just moments before. If they are correct, then “three days and three nights” earlier would be just before sunrise on Thursday morning. Yet no one believes Christ was buried on Thursday morning-or any morning for that matter-and with good reason. When Joseph of Arimathea laid Christ’s body in the tomb, “the Sabbath drew near” (Luke 23:50-54). Biblical days, including Sabbaths, begin at sunset and end the following sunset (cf. Genesis 1:5-31; Leviticus 23:32)-a nighttime period followed by a daytime period.

Christ, then, was buried in late afternoon-before a particular Sabbath began at sunset. Three days and three nights later would be the same time of day-late afternoon! Now we have another problem. If we assume that Christ was buried on Friday afternoon, as the Good Friday tradition asserts, then His resurrection-72 hours later-would be Monday afternoon. Yet no one believes this either-again, with good reason. For remember that Christ had already risen before the women came to His tomb prior to daybreak Sunday morning! What, then, is the answer?

Why have so many thought that Christ was put in the grave on Friday afternoon? Mark 15:42 states that “it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath.” Since the weekly Sabbath always occurred on the seventh day of the week (now called Saturday), the “Preparation Day” was normally on Friday. However, we have already seen the problem with this. The answer to the apparent dilemma is that the weekly Sabbath is not the only Sabbath mentioned in the Bible. Leviticus 23 lists seven annual Holy Days that occur in God’s Festivals. Each of these days was considered a Sabbath (or a “rest” from normal labor). All annual Sabbaths or “High Days” (except Pentecost) fell on particular calendar dates rather than set days of the week.

Now the mystery can be solved by reading John 19:31. The Jews wanted to remove the crucifixion victims “because it was the Preparation Day that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a HIGH DAY).” Christ kept the Passover with His disciples the night before His death (Luke 22:15). He died on the cross the next afternoon, which was still Passover (the 14th of Abib or Nisan according to the Hebrew Calendar-Leviticus 23:5). Leviticus 23:6-7 reports: the next day beginning the evening after His crucifixion, was not a weekly Sabbath, but an annual Sabbath-the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Now put together the facts. It is clear from the Bible that Christ died and was buried on Passover afternoon-and that the following day was an annual Sabbath. It is also clear that he was resurrected at the same time of day-late afternoon. But which afternoon? Since the women found Him already gone Sunday before dawn, it would be sensible to conclude that He had been resurrected the previous afternoon on Saturday! This would mean He had been buried three days and three nights earlier-Wednesday afternoon. It would also mean that Passover, Nisan 14, fell on a Wednesday that year. And, indeed, that is what happened in A.D. 31, a year that fits the time frame the Bible demands.

Scripture also provides further proof that there were TWO Sabbaths that week-an annual and a weekly one. In Mark 15:47, Mary Magdalene and her companion watched Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus in the tomb near the end of the Passover. The next verse, Mark 16:1 tells us that after the “Sabbath,” Mary Magdalene and her companions bought spices with which to anoint Christ’s dead body. However, Luke 23:56 shows that they prepared the spices before the Sabbath. Naturally, they couldn’t have prepared spices before they were even bought! The only explanation that makes sense is that they bought the spices on Friday and prepared them the same day-after the annual Sabbath on Thursday and before the weekly Sabbath on Saturday!³ Then they rested on the weekly Sabbath-at the end of which Jesus was resurrected. The next morning, Sunday, they came to the tomb before sunrise and found him already gone.

But some will point out Mark 16:9, which says, “Now when He rose early on the first day of the week….” Yet how can this be? Remember days began at sundown the day before, this is called the “Eve” of the day. So he would have raised on the ‘Eve of/early the First day of the week’, which to us is Saturday evening!

So, is it okay to celebrate a Sunday Morning Resurrection? NO- He raised “Sunday Eve” or Saturday night, so teach the truth about the subject. When we gather on Sunday morning for the First Fruit Celebration we’re doing what Mary Magdalene did, showing up after He was risen.

In his book, The Story of the Christian Church, Jesse Lyman Hurlbut states, “As long as the church was mainly Jewish, the Hebrew Sabbath was kept; but as it became increasingly Gentile the first day gradually took the place of the seventh day” (1970, p. 36).

Notice that Hurlbut says the first day “gradually” replaced the seventh-day Sabbath. Why? Because Gentiles had always worshipped on Sunday because they worshipped the Sun God! Peer pressure and persecution no doubt where major factors in it’s phasing out, but the biggest factor was a growing hatred for the Jewish people. They eventually took the inherent Jewishness of Jesus away and replaced it with a Gentile likeness and theological disposition.

Jesus at Creation gave the seventh day Sabbath as a day of rest, did He afterwards give another?

Hebrews 4:3-11 “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” (Emphasis mine)

This verse proves Jesus did not give another Sabbath or change the day of rest from Saturday to Sunday. It also states that some did not enter into the Sabbath because of unbelief.

What kind of worship does the Savior call that which is not according to God’s Commandments?

Matthew 15:9 “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

What is the sign that shows the Lord to be your God?

Ezekiel 20:20 “And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.”

Exodus 31:13 “Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a SIGN between Me and you throughout your generations, THAT YOU MAY KNOW that I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Emphasis Mine)

1 John 2:3-4 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

Overview of the Spring Festivals

The four spring festivals are Passover (Pesach), Unleavened Bread (Hag HaMatzah), First Fruits (Bikkurim), and the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or Pentecost).

1. Passover occurs in the first month of the religious calendar (Aviv, also called Nisan), on the fourteenth day, Leviticus 23:5.
2. Unleavened Bread immediately follows the first day of Passover (Pesach). It is observed in the first month (Aviv/Nisan) from the fifteenth day to the twenty-first day (Leviticus 23:6-8).
3. The Feast of First Fruits of the barley harvest is observed during the week of Unleavened Bread. Anciently, on this day, sheaves of barley were waved before the Lord in a prescribed ceremony. Today, this festival is not observed in traditional Judaism; most likely because it’s the day Jesus was resurrected.
4. The Feast of Weeks is also known as Pentecost. Beginning on the Feast of First Fruits, we begin to count 50 days. This is called the counting of the omer. On the fiftieth day following the Feast of First Fruits the Feast of Weeks begins. (Leviticus 23:15-21). (Note: Pentecost is a Greek word that literally means “fiftieth.”)

These four spring festivals are joined together as an interrelated unit. The Feast of Weeks is considered the conclusion to Passover. The season of Passover is not considered totally over until Shavuot is completed.

The Exodus Story: From Passover to Pentecost

Passover begins in Egypt (a type of the world), where the children of Israel had become slaves. When the children of Israel cried out to God to remember the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God called forth a deliverer named Moses. God told Moses that He was going to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land (Exodus 3:8). When God sent Moses to Pharaoh, God did not tell Moses to ask Pharaoh to allow the children of Israel to leave Egypt and go to the Promised Land. Instead, God only instructed Moses to ask Pharaoh to allow the children of Israel to take a three-day journey into the wilderness to make a sacrifice to God (Exodus 3:18). Moses obeyed God’s instructions exactly, as can be seen in Exodus 5:1-3. Pharaoh’s first deviance of the Almighty One of Israel was his refusal to allow the people of God to observe a feast and to sacrifice to Him…

After a remarkable series of plagues inflicted on Egypt because of Pharaoh’s continued stubbornness, the children of Israel were finally released to leave Egypt laden with the spoils of the Egyptians. The children of Israel came to the banks of the Red Sea on the seventeenth day of Aviv/Nisan, which is three days after the day of Passover in the first month of the religious calendar. The Passover Lamb was slain on the fourteenth of Nisan and the people left Egypt before midnight in the evening of the fifteenth after the death angel struck the firstborn of Egypt.

When Pharaoh saw that the children of Israel were trapped against the sea, he foolishly decided to pursue them with his army (Exodus 14:1-9). The children of Israel became afraid, but Moses rose up and said, as it is written, “…Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…” (Exodus 14:13). Jesus, Yeshua in Hebrew means salvation or Savior (Matthew 1:21).

At this point, the sea divided and the children of Israel crossed the floor of the Red Sea on dry ground while the Egyptian army, along with Pharaoh, pursued the Hebrews into the Red Sea and were drowned (Exodus 14:26-28; 15:4,19). The Bible says that the Lord’s right hand destroyed the Egyptians (Exodus 15:6,12). The right hand is a term for the Messiah, Jesus (Psalms 44:3; 48:10; 63:8; 74:10-11; 89:13; 98:1; 110:1; 118:16; 138:7; Isaiah 41:10; 53:1-5; 62:8; Acts 2:32-36; 5:31-32; Hebrews 1:3).

It is important to note that Pharaoh, along with his army, drowned in the sea. In the days of Joseph, there was a famine in Israel and the children of Israel went down to Egypt and gave themselves to rulership under Pharaoh. Because of this, Pharaoh had legal ownership over the people. This ownership could be broken only by the death of Pharaoh, thus freeing the children of Israel to go to the Promised Land. Because of this fact, God did not violate His word to Pharaoh through Moses when he asked Pharaoh to let the people go on a three-day journey into the wilderness, but later continued to go to the Promised Land. When Pharaoh died, his rulership over the children of Israel was legally broken and the people were free to go to the Promised Land. For this reason, the season of Passover is called “The Feast of Our Freedom” by the Jews.

Spiritually speaking, Pharaoh is a type of Satan. Until you accept the Messiah into your life, Satan has legal ownership over you. By the death of Jesus, the legal ownership that Satan has over our lives is broken and we are free to enter into the spiritual promised land of God and receive all the promises that He has promised us.

Fifty Days from the Red Sea: Pentecost

From the crossing of the Red Sea (Nisan 17) to the day Moses met God on Mount Sinai were 47 days. For 47 days the children of Israel traveled through the wilderness before they came to Mount Sinai on the third day of the third month (Sivan) (Exodus 19:1). God instructed the people through Moses to sanctify themselves before He visited them three days later on Mount Sinai, which would be the sixth day of the third month of Sivan (Exodus19:10-11). This day would be the fiftieth day following the crossing of the Red Sea; it came to be known as the revelation of God at Mount Sinai. This day being the fiftieth day from the crossing of the Red Sea on Nisan 17 would be the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.

Therefore, from the Exodus story, we can see that the Lamb was slain on the fourteenth of Nisan, the day of Passover. On the fifteenth of Nisan, the day of Unleavened Bread, the people left Egypt; on the seventeenth of Nisan the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea; and 50 days later on Pentecost, God gave the Torah (instruction) on Mount Sinai. In like manner Jesus died on Passover (Nisan 14), was in the sepulcher on the day of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15), and was resurrected on the day of First Fruits (Nisan 17), and the Holy Spirit empowered the believers 50 days following Jesus’ resurrection on the day of Pentecost.

Overview of the Fall Festivals

The fall festival season begins with a 40-day period called, in Hebrew, Teshuvah, which means “to repent or return.” This 40-day period begins in the sixth month of the religious calendar, the month of Elul, and concludes on the tenth day of the seventh month, which is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Each morning in the synagogue following the morning prayers, a shofar is blown (except on Sabbaths and the day preceding Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets). Psalm 27 is read every day. Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets is the thirtieth day into this 40-day period of Teshuvah or repentance. The biblical name for Rosh Hashanah is Yom Teruah, which means “the day of the awakening blast.” It is observed on the seventh month (Tishrei) and the first day of the month (Leviticus 23:23-24). God gave us this day to teach us about the resurrection of the dead and much more.

This day is both the Jewish New Year and the beginning of a period of soul-searching known as the High Holy Days, culminating on Yom Kippur. Therefore, the last 10 days of the 40-day period of Teshuvah, beginning on Elul 1, is also called the High Holy Days.

The first and second days of the 10 High Holy Days (Tishrei 1-10) are collectively known as one day (Nehemiah 7:73; 8:1-2,13). The seven-day period from Tishrei 3 through Tishrei 9 is called the Days of Awe or the Awesome Days. God gave these special days on His calendar to teach us about the future tribulation period on earth. These seven days are called Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles and will correspond to the seven years of the tribulation known in Hebrew as the “birth pangs of the Messiah”.¹

So while the spring festivals have been fulfilled by Jesus, the fall festivals have yet to be fulfilled! The fall festivals are rehearsals for what is still to come- by following them we will be prepared for the end of days.

The Jewish calendar

Understanding the cycles of God is hard to do on our western calendar as our months do not coincide with the biblical months. For instance June, which is our sixth month, is the ninth month on the Jewish calendar. October which is our tenth month is the first month on the Jewish calendar. There are many bookstores that supply authentic Jewish Calendars; the best which I have found is from the Galilee Experience in Tiberias, Israel. Their calendar highlights all the feast days and even gives the Sabbath candle lighting time in Jerusalem. They can be purchased from www.thegalileeexperience.com⁴

The Signature of God

This is where the feast days of the Lord should really concern you, for they are His Signature, His Sign on the human mind. When a believer remembers God’s feasts days, including Shabbat (Sabbath), when he keeps them and bears them in mind; he is indeed declaring to the whole of society and the angelic host above, that the God of Israel is his choice, his God. We know that the Lords feast days constitute His sign (signature) from the following verses:

Ezekiel 20:12	“Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths to be a SIGN between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD, that sanctify them.”
Ezekiel 20:20	“And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a SIGN between me and you that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.”
Exodus 31:12	“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 13: Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a SIGN between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. … 16: Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17: It is a SIGN between me and the children of Israel for ever.”

Where does God place His Sign or His signature? He inscribes it in the human mind and actions, figuratively referred to as “between the eyes” (in the forehead) and “in the hand.”

Exodus 13:9	“And it (The Feast of Unleavened Bread) shall be a sign unto thee upon thine hand and for a memorial between thine eyes (in the forehead) that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth.”
Deut.6:6	” And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up . 8: And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”

In the New Testament

Hebrews 8:8

” … Behold the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah…. 10. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. 11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying ‘Know the Lord:’ for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.”

Hebrew 10:16

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. “

God’s signature is the feast days in the Old and New Testaments! Thus, by simple way of contrast the Signature of Satan would be the false versions of God’s feast days which would be the Christian Sabbath (Sunday), Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc.

And you my dear reader are now being given the opportunity to choose:

• Between God’s Mark and Satan’s Mark
• Between the Truth and the Lie
• Between the Feast Days of the God of Israel and the Festivals of the Heathen.
• Between obedience and disobedience

1 John 2:3-4

“And hereby, we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him.”

James tells us that faith without obedience is a dead thing, a spiritual corpse! (James 2:17-20). God expects His followers to demonstrate their faith in Him by endeavoring to keep His commandments. To remember the true Sabbath and Feast Days in God’s Instructions (Torah) is a vote for the one true God Almighty; a proclamation to the community and the universe at large that the God of Israel, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is your God. It is standing up to be counted with God’s people Israel by being grafted in among them (Romans 11:17, Ephesians 2:14-15).²

There is supernatural healing and promises beyond our comprehension in following the scripture alone. The Bible is clear, we should not be celebrating our man made traditions or holidays, our testimony is just further evidence that by celebrating man made holidays, we miss out on the covenant promises our God has made available through His holy days.

Christian Hip Hop and the Media: How Can We Improve It’s Exposure?

Written by Just paraDOX

Here are some of the milestones: BET’s 106 & Park did a week long segment on Holy Hip Hop Free & AJ left because they couldn’t continue to support the show because they couldn’t let their little cousins watch a show that didn’t represent them Shade45 did a segment with AppleJaxx of Nureau Ink that got a favorable response CCM covers a story on Lil Ras and did a whole magazine dedicated to Holy Hip Hop and the future of Hip Hop Without A Trace plays KJ52 and uses positive music as a theme for the show Mr. J Medeiros & Ohmega Watts on NBA Live ‘08 ( Mr. J. Medeiros is part of it with his song “Silent Earth Remix” which is produced by Ohmega Watts) Applejaxx’s song “Nureau Anthem” feat. T.Bizzy is featured on HipHopDX Much Luvv covered by OkayPlayer.com Hip Hop Magazine “The Source” interviewed RedCloud Braille featured on Myspace and 2009 NBA Live Trailer L.A. Symphony Break’s It Down For NFL Tour 2008 on XBOX 360 KJ-52 “Fan Mail” Video 1 on Gospel Music Channel Without A Trace plays KJ52 and uses positive music as a theme for the show Sphere Of Hip Hop is on XM KJ52 has sold over 500,000 on all his albums combined most of which sold over 150,000, Grits has sold over 150,000 most of their record have sold over 75,000 at least and more than 500,000 Lecrae has sold over 100,000 albums of the After The Music Stop project Da Truth’s latest project charted #1 in the gospel market by featuring many Rhythm & Praise artists. La Symphony has sold quiet a few, 4th Ave Jones, Knowdaverbs, etc… have also Gotee I think has sold more than CMR. Or atleast its a close tie now. Maybe CMR has more now with Da Truth and everybody they are putting out. I know for a good while it was Graptree then Gotee then Uprok then uprok feel out and not its Gotee and CMR at the top of the food chain. There has been a lot of pressure on the industry to clean up rap lyrics along with sales being down Lecrae’s third album, Rebel, reaches #8 Billboard Top Rap Albums, #3 in Hip Hop on iTunes, #11 in All Albums on iTunes, #1 Gospel Billboard and #2 on Christian Billboard. Media Coverage I’m sure yall head the Kj52 Dear Slim song that MTV covered as a diss track. To make it a news worthy piece that had to cut out the spiritual part and focus on making it some silly beef situation. Did You know MTV banned Mr J Medieros Constance video for “graphic content” which is bogus they have rappers with strippers in the back ground, and Mr J is talking about a real problem that addresses a major social issue. In 2006 500,000 to 1.2 million people where trafficked over international boarders and NO ONE WAS PROSECUTED IN 2006 FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, That’s a major issue. But MTV won’t play it, but they will play censored version of songs about graphic sex with women, strippers dancing in the background and misogynistic music. BET also banned a quite of few Christian videos from their play list including Ahmad and 4th Ave Jones, they had the song Move On played on MTV. Its was a good song and video. MTV and VH1 are owned by the same company. MTV played dear slim as a beef record. VH1 says a song about praying for dear slim was one of the worst moments in hip hop ever. That was free promotion for Kj by the way and I’m sure its helped his sales because many more people heard his name and music and probably got interested. News is publicity. And you can take a minus and make it a plus. AppleJaxx of Nureau Ink was on Shade45 and he got good publicity on the don’t quit you day job segment? Ever said he should rap and quit his day job. Thats a milestone in Holy Hip Hop. Anyone notice that we got positive coverage on a secular station? What Has Worked So Far KJ: focused on the white suburban youth groups with his silly songs and pop music and I think thats the key to his success. But there is only one Kj. Grits: had good distro and got the videos played on Rap City and got a good following. But there is only one Grits. The Cross Movement: appealed to the Older Theological heads in the urban gospel church market, and that’s how they did good. But there is only one CM. T Bone: was consistent on the bible thumping demon assassin lyrics and appealed to the Hispanic community and toured at a lot of teen challenges, victory outreach and other places like that. But there is only one T Bone. CHH Needs To Grow Up The dialogue in Christian rap needs to broaden on content to include social and political dialogue to engage some of the older young adults. We need more content on Social Justice issues, like civil rights, and freedom or speech, etc… We need to discuss real issues people deal with and not just fun music for youth groups. We need to be ourselves and be good at what we do. The quality and content in CHH has risen in recent years a lot and that’s good. We need to keep pressing on. CHH NEEDS We MUST GET the Gospel market and get the Young Adult crowed engaged We need Nationally Syndicated Radio We need Nationally Syndicated TV We Need industry wide standards, to bring an end to all the conflict between different camps We need a play list format to support across the board We need to build up your gospel market following before you branch out or try to expand beyond. CHH needs to get the attention of the traditional and contemporary gospel market like Da Truth did with the song with Tye Tribbet and they need to focus on making music and reaching out to young adults who have jobs and can buy albums more than youth who can’t afford albums or have to beg money from their parents. We need to market to young adults, with more social content, and deal with real issues, not just catchy songs. We should have balanced material. Our first focus should be build the gospel market, traditional and contemporary. Because those are the ones that you want to support your music. My Conversation With Sway About Hip Hop being “Dead” and CHH Sway presented an award and was saying since all his friend sit around and talk about is Hip Hop Dead he said that he feels that Christian Rap / Holy Hip Hop is the missing element in Hip Hop. Sway stated that he wants to do a MTV news piece on the Holy Hip Hop Here are some things I got out of the conversation: With the current state of the industry, Hip Hop is Dying, Jesus is the only I know that can bring things back from the dead Holy Hip Hop has the clean lyrics and albums that people are looking for now with all this noise about not using certain words in the industry. We already got that. We shouldn’t market to mainstream. We should do what makes us unique and focus on what works the lyrics & content Let them come to us if they ever do once we’ve established ourselves and not let them dictate to us but us dictate to them. Don’t go to them We should try and build our Christian Market to were in the gospel market we can sell 150,000 to 250,000 a cd consistently and more. Build our gospel fan base so you still have the strong Christian market support. We should try to be excellent at what we do and secure our fan base before we try to get the mainstream attention. My Conclusion After talking to Sway, Dj Maj, AppleJaxx and Tre-9 and others in the industry, it seems clear we need to come together and a body, and respect the arm and feet, those called to the body and those called to the streets. The message is different but the body is one. We need to sure up the Gospel Market base, be authentic to who we are, make good music, market to young adults and the gospel urban market before we try to join the mainstream movement. We shouldn’t seek out the mainstream, but let it come to us with what we have and not let them change us. We need Christocentric lyrics, we need relevant music that relates to peoples lives and issues, so be real about who you are and what you do, keep it gospel, speak from the Judeo-Christian world view, we need to deal with issues of social injustice, civil rights violations, spitting only Christian standards to an immoral world. Focus on building the gospel market fan base and reaching young adults first. Other things we need to do that can help is focus on marketing to College Radio and get our singles licensed to play on Radio, TV and Movies.

Daily Bible Study : Conversion from Sin

Read the lesson and study in your Bible the passages indicated >>> Scripture <<<. Following each passage, study each question that has a number enclosed in asterisks (*1*, *2*, etc.), and write down your answers on paper. Some questions include more than one number because they have more than one blank to fill in. Please take your time, study each passage carefully, answer the questions honestly, and consider the applications to your own life (John 12:48; 2 Tim. 2:15).

Thank you for your interest, and God bless your study of His word.

Introduction:

Sin came into the world as a result of the disobedience of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). Since then, all people become sinners when they too disobey God’s law (Romans 3:23). Sin is a universal problem, and the solution to the problem of sin constitutes the theme of the Bible.

The purpose of this study is to examine what the Scriptures teach about the nature of sin and about God’s plan to provide forgiveness of sins through the death of Jesus Christ.

As we study, we will ask personal application questions to help each of us evaluate whether or not we personally are guilty of sin and whether or not we have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus. Please give honest consideration to these questions throughout the studies.

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I. Sin and Its Consequences

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A. The Nature of Sin

>>> Please read 1 John 3:4. <<<

*1* What is sin? Answer: Sin is __________ .

*2* Is sin something a person: (a) commits (practices), or (b) inherits? Answer: ____.

>>> Please read Romans 6:16. <<<

*3* How do people become slaves (servants) of sin? Answer: They present themselves to __________ sin.

>>> Please read John 8:34. <<<

*4* Who is a slave to sin? Answer: Whoever __________ sin is a slave of sin.

We may sin in word, deed, or thought, but our own conduct is what makes us sinners.

>>> Please read Ezekiel 18:20. <<<

*5* Who bears the guilt of a person’s sins? Answer: The wickedness of the wicked will be upon __________ .

[See also Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:9-18,23; 1 Timothy 6:10; James 1:14,15; 2:10,11.]

Each person will be judged for his own life.

Each person’s eternal destiny is determined by his/her own conduct. It is determined individually. Each person is held accountable for what he did.

>>> Please read Romans 2:6-10. <<<

*6* To receive eternal life, what must we do (vv 7,10)? Answer: We must patiently continue in doing (working) that which is __________ .

*7* Who will receive punishment (vv 8,9)? Answer: Tribulation and anguish will be upon everyone who does __________ .

Note that, at judgment, each will be rewarded according to his works or deeds (v6).

>>> Please read 2 Corinthians 5:10. <<<

*8* How many people will be judged? Answer: We must __________ appear before Jesus’ judgment seat.

Have you disobeyed God’s laws? If so, and if you are old enough to understand God’s teachings about sin and salvation, then you need to learn and understand God’s will about how to be forgiven of sin.

[Read Psalm 106:37,38; Hebrews 12:9; Matthew 18:3 & 19:14.]

B. The Universality of Sin

Some examples of sin

The gospel contains many specific lists of sins. Of course, these lists are not intended to be complete catalogs of every imaginable kind of sin; but they do illustrate the kinds of things that constitute sin.

>>> Please read Galatians 5:19-21. <<<

*9* What happens to those who practice works of the flesh such as are listed here? Answer: They will not inherit the __________ .

>>> Please read Revelation 21:8. <<<

*10* What will be the destiny of those who commit these sins? Answer: They will have their part in the lake that burns with __________ .

>>> Please read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. <<<

*11* What are some sins that Paul warned about here: (a) lovers of self, (b) lovers of money, (c) proud, (d) disobedient to parents, (e) unthankful, (f) all the preceding. Answer: ____.

>>> Please read Galatians 1:8,9. <<<

*12* God’s curse (anathema) also comes on those who do what? Answer: Those who teach a different __________ .

>>> Please read James 4:17. <<<

*13* Who is guilty of sin according to this verse? Answer: Those who know to do __________ and do not do it.

Think carefully: Have you been guilty of any of these sins? If so, which ones? Have the sins you committed been forgiven? How do you know?

[See also Matthew 15:18-20; Romans 1:29-32]

People who are guilty of sin

Consider now how many people are guilty of sin.

>>> Please read Romans 3:10-17. <<<

*14* How many people are righteous and good because they have lived without sin? Answer: __________ .

>>> Please read Romans 3:23. <<<

*15* How many people commit sin? Answer: __________ have sinned and come short of God’s glory.

>>> Please read 1 John 1:8,10. <<<

*16* What is our case if we say we have no sin? Answer: The __________ is not in us.

All people eventually disobey God and become guilty of sin. This is a universal problem.

What about you? What is your condition before God? If you are accountable before God, then you have committed sin. Have your sins been forgiven?

C. The Consequences of Sin

Even before the first sin, God had warned Adam and Eve of the consequences of sin (Gen. 2:16,17). Throughout history, as people have continued to sin, sin has continued to have consequences in this life and in eternity.

>>> Please read Isaiah 59:1,2. <<<

*17* What consequence does sin have? Answer: Your sins (iniquities) have __________ you from God.

>>> Please read Colossians 3:6. <<<

*18* What does disobedience bring upon us? Answer: The __________ of God comes on those who disobey.

James 4:4 adds that whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy to God.

>>> Please read Matthew 25:41,46. <<<

*19* Where will the wicked go after the judgment day? Answer: The wicked will go into __________ .

Please note that, not only will the wicked be eternally lost, but they will also miss eternal life.

>>> Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9. <<<

*22* What is the destiny of those who do not obey the gospel? Answer: They will be punished with __________ from the presence of the Lord.

The righteous will receive eternal life and will be with God forever in heaven (1 Peter 1:3,4). But the wicked will miss this great joy.

So all of us eventually sin. If those sins are not forgiven, we are separated from God in this life and in eternity. His wrath is upon us and He views us as His enemies, so that we suffer everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).

Knowledge of the consequences of sin causes great fear and guilt (Psalms 38:4-6). The guilty have every reason to fear their eternal destiny. God views sin as something horrible, and we should do the same.

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The Grace of God and the Sacrifice of Jesus

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Sin is a universal problem, but God did not want the people He created to be lost eternally. Let us consider the provision God has made to deal with our sin problem.

A. God’s Grace and Mercy

Consider the following passages about God’s grace and mercy. (When the lesson asks for a definition, please look the term up in your dictionary.)

>>> Please read Ephesians 1:7. <<<

*23* What has the grace of God made available to us? Answer: We have redemption through Jesus’ blood, the __________ of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

*24* What definition of “redeem” would best fit the Bible meaning? (a) to condemn eternally, (b) to pay a purchase price to recover something, (c) to neglect or overlook, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ____.

Sinners are slaves of sin, condemned to be punished for our guilt. God’s grace led Him to desire to forgive us and pay the price to recover us from guilt and condemnation.

>>> Please read Romans 5:1,2 <<<

*25* What can God’s grace do for us? Answer: (a) we are justified by faith, (b) we have peace with God, (c) we rejoice in hope of glory, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ____

*26* What definition best fits the Bible meaning of “justify”? (a) to deny or hide our guilt, (b) to find a psychologist or preacher who will excuse our guilt, (c) to absolve or forgive ones guilt so that they stand right or just, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ____.

>>> Please read Titus 2:11-14. <<<

*27* To how many people has the grace of God appeared? Answer: The grace that brings salvation has appeared to __________ .

>>> Please read Hebrews 2:9. <<<

*28* What did Jesus do for us by the grace of God? Answer: By the grace of God he tasted __________ for everyone.

>>> Please read 1 Peter 1:3,4; Acts 20:32. <<<

*29,30* To what has God’s mercy begotten us? Answer: We are begotten to a living hope, to an __________ incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in __________ for us.

*31* What definition of “grace” best fits the Bible meaning? (a) unmerited or undeserved favor from God, (b) goodness inherent within people, (c) ability to hide guilt so no one else knows, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ____.

All of us, at some point in our lives, sin against God and deserve to be punished. We then bear the burden of guilt and will receive everlasting punishment in hell if our sins are not forgiven.

God does not want this to happen, so He chose to offer us forgiveness, redemption, justification, and the hope of eternal life with him in heaven. Since sinners do not deserve such favor, by definition it constitutes “grace.” Every one of us should be forever grateful to God for offering us such a hope.

[See also Acts 15:7-11; 20:24; Romans 4:4-7; 5:1,2; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 1:5-11; 2:5-10; 1 Timothy 1:13-16; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Titus 3:3-7.]

B. The Sacrificial Death of Jesus

Grace motivated God to determine a means to offer us forgiveness despite our sins. But this offer expressed itself in a specific, practical form, which required God’s Son to come to earth in the form of a man.

>>> Please read Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:28. <<<

*32,33* For what purpose did Jesus come to earth? Answer: He came to seek and save that which was __________ and to give His life as a __________ for many.

>>> Please read Matthew 26:28. <<<

*34* Why did He have to die? Answer: He shed (poured out) His __________ for many for remission of sins.

>>> Please read Romans 5:6-9. <<<

*35* How did God demonstrate His love for us? Answer: While we were still sinners Christ __________ for us.

As a result, we can be justified by His blood (death) and saved from God’s wrath.

>>> Please read 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:9. <<<

*36,37* What is the relationship between our sins and Jesus’ death? Answer: He bore our __________ in His body on the tree. By the grace of God, He tasted __________ for everyone.

By His stripes we are healed. This means that He was punished so that we do not need to be punished. He suffered so we could be forgiven and counted righteous (justified) despite our sins.

As stated in Ephesians 1:7, Jesus’ blood was the means by which God’s grace made redemption and forgiveness available to sinners. His blood was the purchase price that redeemed us from our sins (1 Peter 1:18,19).

>>> Please read Acts 4:12; John 14:6. <<<

*38* How important is Jesus’ death to us? Answer: There is salvation in no one else. No one can come to the __________ except through Jesus.

Throughout the Bible, the penalty of sin is referred to as “death” (Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23). Ultimately, this death requires eternal punishment separated from God, in contrast to eternal life (cf. Matthew 7:13,14).

Since He lived a sinless life, Jesus did not deserve to die for His sins. Yet God allowed Him to be slain, even though He was innocent, so that we who are guilty might not have to suffer for our sins. His death satisfied the demands of God’s justice, making it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins. But we must properly come to Jesus to be forgiven by His sacrificial death.

It follows that every one of us will be eternally punished for our sins, unless we receive forgiveness through Jesus’ death. There is no other way of salvation, no other way to be made right with God, and no other way to receive eternal life.

Personal application questions:

Do you feel guilty and fearful about your sins? __________

Which of the following words would you use to describe yourself right now in your relationship to God: sinner, Christian, saved, lost, guilty, forgiven, pleasing to God, displeasing to God? __________

If you were to die right now, what eternal reward would you receive? __________

Have you received forgiveness through His blood? How do you know? ________________________________________

Mahogany Jones Freestyle, Rob Hodge – Tearz(Ft. Japhia Life)

    

What Drinking Tea Can Do For You

A Cup of Hot Tea = A Cup of Good Health
Tea Consumption Linked to Numerous Body Benefits
A hot cup of tea may do more than relax you. Research shows tea consumption may help prevent a wide range of ailments.

The latest medical research is finding potential healing powers in this ancient beverage. Recent research, for instance, suggests drinking tea may help prevent everything from cavities to Parkinson’s disease. And some studies indicate it may even save lives.

The benefits of tea consumption may extend throughout the body, experts believe. Here is a partial list of conditions some research has shown may be prevented or improved by drinking tea:

Arthritis: Research suggests that older women who are tea drinkers are 60 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who do not drink tea.

Bone Density: Drinking tea regularly for years may produce stronger bones. Those who drank tea on a regular basis for 10 or more years had higher-bone mineral density in their spines than those who had not.

Cancer: Green tea extracts were found to inhibit the growth of bladder cancer cells in the lab — while other studies suggest that drinking green tea protects against developing stomach and esophageal cancers.

• Sipping on a cup of hot tea may be a safeguard against cancer. Population studies have linked the consumption of tea with a reduction in risk for several types of cancer. Researchers speculate that the polyphenols in tea may inhibit certain mechanisms that promote cancer growth. Both green and black teas have been credited with cancer-inhibiting powers.

Flu: You may be able to boost your fight against the flu with black tea.
Your best defense against contracting the flu is to wash your hands often and get vaccinated against the influenza virus. Black tea may further bolster your efforts to stay healthy. In a recent study, people who gargled with a black tea extract solution twice per day showed a higher immunity to flu virus compared to the people who did not gargle with black tea.

Heart Disease: A recent study published in the journal Circulation found that drinking more than two cups of tea a day decreased the risk of death following a heart attack by 44 percent. Even less spirited tea drinkers were rewarded: Consuming just two cups a day decreased the risk of death by almost a third.
Tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, and research shows that high dietry intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks. In one study, people who drank about a cup and a half of tea per day were almost 40% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to tea abstainers.

High Blood Pressure: Tea lovers may be surprised to learn their beverage of choice touts yet another health benefit: blood pressure control. Drinking a half-cup of green or oolong tea per day reduced a person’s risk of high blood pressure by almost 50% in a new study. People who drank at least two and a half cups per day reduced their risk even more. Their risk was reduced even if they had risk factors for high blood pressure, such as high sodium intake.

Parkinson’s Disease: Tea consumption may be protective against developing this debilitating neurological disorder.

Oral Health: Rinsing with tea may prevent cavities and gum disease.

What’s responsible for tea’s many health benefits?

It’s the complex brew of chemicals that make up this seemingly simple beverage.

“The big class of chemicals in tea are flavonoids — a natural class of antioxidants that are found in many natural plant-derived foods,” explains Dr. Kenneth Mukamal, an internist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and author of the Circulation report. “In American diets, black tea represents probably the single biggest source of flavonoids.”

Antioxidants rid the body of molecules called free radicals, which are side products of damage done to the body by pollution and the natural aging process. Free radicals in the body’s cells are very unstable and tend to react negatively with other important molecules like DNA, causing malfunctions and injury on the cellular level. The destruction these free radicals produce may therefore pave the way for diseases like heart disease and cancer.

In the case of heart disease, antioxidants in tea may prevent death from second heart attack by helping blood vessels relax, thereby allowing blood to flow through more easily, potentially lowering blood pressure and reducing stress on the heart.

Antioxidants are thought to be behind the benefits of tea on dental health as well. A number of studies have suggested that rinsing with black or green tea may lead to better oral health.

“We have found that the [antioxidants] in black tea will suppress the growth of bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and gum diseases,” says Christine Wu, professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. “These will inhibit or interfere with the attachment of bacteria to the tooth surface.”

A Prescription for Better Health?

With so much compelling research, isn’t it about time for everyone to consider brewing up more of this potent potable?

“For nearly everybody, there are few, if any, downsides to drinking tea. It’s hard for me to tell people not to do it,” says Mukamal. “But I’m not sure our evidence is quite at the stage where we would be recommending that everybody drink tea.”

That’s because some people may be sensitive to certain components of tea. And while the caffeine content is 1/3 that of a cup of coffee, some people may react to caffeine at any concentration.

Additionally, researchers need to pin down how much and how often tea should be consumed for optimal health. “Drinking tea is beneficial, but we need to do more studies to substantiate it,” says Wu.

In the meantime, adding tea to your list of possible beverages is probably a good idea, experts say.

“I think it’s reasonable for people looking to make healthy lifestyle choices to consider tea as a better option than other beverages — which aren’t necessarily harmful, but which may not give people the added benefits that something like tea does,” says Mukamal.
(Submitted by Erin Ellizabeth Ward of Durham, North Carolina)

Black Tea Helps Prevent Cavities

New studies, funded by the Tea Trade Health Research Association, found several doses of black tea every day not only reduced plaque build-up but also helped control bacteria.

“We found that the black tea infusion can inhibit or suppress the growth of bacteria that promotes cavities and affect their ability to attach to tooth surfaces,” Christine Wu, professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois and lead researcher on one part of the study.

Wu said that while earlier studies in Japan have shown the cavity-fighting benefits of green tea, known for its rich antioxidants, her team chose to focus on black tea, which is more popular in western culture.

The research is part of a collaborative study done in conjunction with the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa and the Institute of Odontology at Goeteborg University in Sweden. The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Orlando, Florida.

300 Species of Bacteria

Dental plaque contains more than 300 species of bacteria that adhere to tooth surfaces and produce cavity-causing acid. Plaque is also a leading cause of gum disease.

A specific element of black tea, called polyphenols, killed or suppressed cavity-causing bacteria from either growing or producing acid, according to Wu’s study. The tea also affected the bacterial enzymes and prevented the formation of the sticky-like material that binds plaque to teeth.

Participants in the study rinsed with tea for 30 seconds, five times, waiting three minutes between each rinse.

“We were trying to simulate what people did while sipping tea,” Wu said.

A similar study by Goeteborg University, where participants rinsed with tea for one minute 10 times per day, showed comparable results. Both studies showed that the more people rinsed, the more their plaque and bacteria levels fell.

In the University of Iowa study, researchers looked at the impact of black tea’s fluoride content on preventing cavities but found the benefits less clear. They exposed pre-cavity lesions to black tea but saw little change, suggesting that tea’s cavity-fighting ability stems from a complicated reaction between it and bacteria.

Fluoride Not A Factor?

“We had very little results, which implies that if tea is having a result in normal use it’s not from fluoride,” said James Wefel, professor and director of the Dows Institute of Dental Research at the University of Iowa.

Of course, to help prevent cavities the tea must truly be “black,” without sugar, milk, honey or other additives. Researchers also stressed drinking black tea should not replace traditional oral hygiene.

“Tea will affect the plaque formation but one has to brush their teeth to remove the plaque,” Wu said. “It’s a must.” And while black tea may fight cavities, it does not combat tooth stains.
(Submitted by James Dewanz of New York)

Hibiscus Tea – Antioxidants

A recent study revealed that hibiscus teas contain a number of different antioxidants that may help to protect against cell-damaging free radicals. These teas also may help control high blood pressure. You can find hibiscus in such teas as sour tea, red zinger tea, or sorrel tea. Check the ingredients label to be sure.

Yerba Maté – “Drink of the Gods”

The Guarani tribe in the forests of Paraguay have known for centuries of the restorative and stimulative properties of a native herb called yerba maté (Ilex Paragueriensis). Legend has it that Pa’i Shume – a tall, fair-skinned, bearded god – was the one who taught them to harvest and prepare the leaves of the yerba maté tree for a tea to ensure health, vitality and longevity. Seventeenth century Jesuits valued its energizing qualities and they cultivated plantations of the trees. Two centuries later gauchos on the region’s vast pampas utilized the herb, resting beside their fires and sipping the tea through a bombilla, a silver straw with a fine-screened strainer.

The Unbeatable Nutrition Facts of Yerba Maté “Drink of the Gods” Constituents: Vitamin A, C, E, Carotene B-1, B-2, B Complex, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, manganese, silicon, phosphates, sulfur, hydrochloric acid, chlorophyll, choline, inositol Serving size: 2 oz. in 2 cups of water. Total Fat 0 g. Cholesterol 0 mg. Sodium 60 g. Total Carbs 13 g. Fiber 0 g. Sugars 1 g. Protein 0 g. Daily Values: Vitamin B-1 – 13% Vitamin B-2 – 23% Iron – 12% Potassium – 55% Magnesium – 46% Contains small amounts of naturally occurring caffeine.

Today yerba maté is grown in the iron-rich, acidic soil and semi-tropical climates of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, which employ 400,000 people to cultivate, prepare and distribute it to Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the European community, where it is known as the “Elixir of the Jesuits”.

The Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific society in 1964 were interested in this “Drink of the Gods” and did a thorough study of its properties. The findings were nothing short of astounding. The investigators concluded “it is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to maté in nutritional value.”

Maté contains, these scientists said, “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.” Yerba maté contains the vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B complex, carotene, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, biotin and vitamin C complex. In addition, it has 15 different amino acids, plus significant amounts of magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, manganese, silicon, phosphates, zinc, niacin, sulfur, and chlorophyll, choline, and inositol.

The list of benefits to overall health to be derived from yerba maté touches all aspects of the body and is seemingly endless. Tens of millions of south Americans drink maté to boost immunity, cleanse and detoxify the blood, tone the nervous system, control the appetite, restore youthful hair color, retard aging, combat fatigue, stimulate the mind, cure insomnia, and reduce the effects of debilitating disease.

Yerba maté supplies many of the nutrients required by the heart for growth and repair, plus it has a metabolic effect by increasing the supply of oxygen to the heart, especially during periods of stress or exercise. Research from the Paris Institute indicates LDL oxidation is inhibited by extracts of Ilex Paraguariensis. Incidence of arteriosclerosis is low in countries where yerba is consumed.

There is growing clinical evidence that yerba maté stimulates the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroids, thus stimulating metabolism in muscle cells. As a by-product of this, maté has been commonly observed to decrease the severity and incidence of allergy and hay fever. This adrenocortical action also helps balance blood glucose levels, so that hypoglycemic patients respond well to yerba maté.

As a whole-body tonic, yerba stimulates a weakened or depressed nervous system, and calms an overexcited one. When stress, whether from environmental factors, bad nutrition or anxiety, throws our body’s systems out of balance, maté’s bi-directional properties restore homeostasis in the body, while not over stimulating any one system. In addition, it is non-addictive, and will not cause jitters or any contraindicators.

For these reasons, yerba maté is excellent as a coffee substitute. The tea has the ability to quicken the mind, to increase mental alertness and acuity. It is a mild, not strong, diuretic. It relaxes peripheral blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure. And best of all, rather than interfering with sleep as coffee often does, maté has a tendency to balance sleep cycles, inducing more REM sleep when necessary, or increasing the amount of time spent in delta states. Many people report that they require less sleep when using maté.

Consumer feedback has indicated its combined effects of smooth muscle and peripheral blood vessel relaxation, sense of stamina, energy and well being provide improved sexual interest and performance, thereby possibly offering a drug-free, all natural alternative to Viagra.

As an anti-oxidant, yerba maté is superb. Free radicals are highly toxic oxygen molecules in a reactive, unstable form. They roam freely through the body, seeking out tissues to combine with and render morbid. As well as destroying tissues outright, they increase susceptibility to a wide range of infections and diseases. Besides the free radicals produced by normal metabolic processes, we are also exposed to them through environmental pollutants. Our body’s main line of defense against free radicals is its supply of free radical scavengers, collectively known as antioxidants. These are a group of nutrients which include Vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals Zinc and Selenium, all of which maté contains in abundance. These antioxidant nutrients work synergistically to prevent further cell damage, while repairing damaged cells by neutralizing the free radicals and thus deactivating their destructive energy.

Maté tea is made from leaves and stems steeped in hot water. A maté gourd, or mug, is filled a quarter full (or to taste), the bombilla (a filtering straw which extracts the most nutrients by pulling the water across the leaves) is nestled into the herb. Hot-never boiled- water is poured to the top. The water will cause the leaves to swell and the water at the top of the gourd will look frothy and green, indicating its nutrient-rich properties. The gourd can be refilled five or 6 times until the green froth is gone, which means the leaves are depleted, and it’s time to refresh the infusion. Yerba maté can also be made in a coffee machine, a French press, and cold as a refreshing sun tea.

This special gift from the plant kingdom is best when served in community with friends, offered in a ritual of love and friendship for each other and our natural world. But even alone, the cup of maté in your hand as you begin a new day promises to leave you refreshed and with a great feeling of well being.

Bible Study: Conversion from Sin

Lesson #2: Conditions for Receiving Forgiveness (Part 1)

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We have learned that all people have committed sin, bringing upon themselves the penalty of eternal punishment. But by the grace of God, Jesus died as the sacrifice for the sins of mankind. He thereby made salvation available to all people (Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:47; Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:4,6; 2 Peter 3:9; Hebrews 2:9; John 3:16; Acts 10:34,35).

However, not all people will ultimately receive eternal life. God has determined that each person must meet certain conditions in order to receive the blessing of forgiveness. We cannot earn this forgiveness, but neither can we receive it unless we seek it according to God’s plan. Since all of us sin, all need to be sure we do exactly what God requires to be forgiven.

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I. Hearing the Gospel

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The first thing that must happen in order for anyone to be saved is that he/she must learn about Jesus and the salvation He provides. The only means God has given for anyone to learn this is through the gospel of Christ as revealed in the Bible.

>>> Please read John 6:44,45. <<<

*1* Who can come to Jesus? Answer: Everyone who has __________ from the Father comes to Jesus.

>>> Please read John 8:32 (cf. v34). <<<

*2* How can you be made free (from sin)? Answer: You shall know the __________, and it shall make you free.

Note that the freedom Jesus refers to here is freedom from bondage to sin (v34). This “truth,” which can make us free from sin, is revealed in God’s word (John 17:17).

>>> Please read John 12:48. <<<

*3* By what standard will we be judged? Answer: The __________ that Jesus spoke will judge us in the last day.

God has revealed a standard for us to live by. That standard includes the conditions we must meet to be forgiven of sin.

>>> Please read John 20:30,31. <<<

*4* How can we know what to believe to receive eternal life? Answer: Inspired men (like John) wrote so that we might believe in Jesus and have __________ in His name.

>>> Please read Acts 17:11. <<<

*5* How did the Bereans know whether or not they were being taught the truth? Answer: They searched the __________ daily with a ready mind.

Many false teachers mislead people from the truth (Matt. 7:15; 1 John 4:1). To avoid such errors, we must diligently study the infallible source of truth, and we must do so with honest hearts.

>>> Please read Romans 1:16. <<<

*6* What role does the gospel play in our salvation? Answer: The gospel of Christ is the __________ unto salvation.

The gospel is the message that God revealed about Jesus and His teaching. It teaches us the truth about how to be saved through Jesus.

>>> Please read Romans 10:17. <<<

*7* How can we develop a proper faith in Jesus and His will for our lives? Answer: Faith comes by __________ the word of God.

Faith does not come by hearing human opinions, theories, traditions, or man-made creeds. Nor has God ever spoken directly to sinners to reveal to them how to receive forgiveness through Jesus. Now that the Scriptures are completed, true and proper faith comes only by honestly investigating the teachings of the Scriptures.

>>> Please read 2 Timothy 3:16,17 <<<

*8* What means has God given for us to know His will? Answer: The Scriptures are __________ by God to instruct us and provide us to all good works.

>>> Please read Hosea 4:6. <<<

*9* What caused God’s people to be destroyed? Answer: God’s people were destroyed for __________ .

No one can obey God and receive forgiveness without knowing what God requires. The only way to know is through the message He guided inspired men to record in the Bible. Without this knowledge, we are still destined for eternal punishment for our sins. Only when we search the Scriptures diligently with honest hearts can we know how to receive salvation through Christ.

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II. Believing the Gospel of Christ

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Many hear the gospel, yet they are not saved simply by hearing. More is required. To receive forgiveness by Christ’s death, one must also believe what the gospel teaches. Consider what the gospel says we must believe and why that faith is essential.

>>> Please read Hebrews 11:6. <<<

*10,11* In order to come to God, what must we believe? Answer: We must believe that God __________  and is a rewarder of those who __________ Him.

*12* Why must we believe this? Answer: Without faith it is impossible to __________ Him.

Faith is absolutely essential. Yet it also matters what we believe. Not just any faith is acceptable.

>>> Please read John 4:42. <<<

*13* What did the Samaritans believe about Jesus? Answer: They believed Him to be the Christ, the __________ of the world.

We have learned that Jesus died as the sacrifice to save people from their sins. But in order to benefit from Jesus’ death, each individual must personally believe that Jesus is the Savior.

>>> Please read John 20:28-31. <<<

*14,15* Thomas confessed Jesus to be whom? Answer: “My __________ and my __________ .”

*16,17* The Scriptures were written so we might believe what? Answer: Jesus is the __________ , the __________ of God.

The Bible teaches that Jesus possessed Deity even before He came to earth. He was with the Father in heaven, and all things were made through Him. He possesses all the characteristics of Deity (eternal, all-powerful, all-wise, etc). But He came to earth as a man to live a sinless life and die as the sacrifice for our sins. He was God in the flesh. (Cf. John 1:1-3,14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:2,8,9; Philippians 2:5-8).

His relationship to the Father is so unique that He is the only-begotten Son of God (John 3:16). Because of His unique position as Creator, Savior, and Deity, Jesus was “the anointed One” (“Christ”) to whom we should submit as our Lord (Master).

>>> Please read John 8:24. <<<

*18* What is the consequence of not believing in Jesus? Answer: We will die in our __________ .

To be saved from sin, we must believe Jesus is the One whom the Bible says He is.

>>> Please read Romans 10:9,10. <<<

*19* What else must we believe to be saved? Answer: We must believe that God __________ Jesus from the dead.

Had Jesus simply died, Satan would have been victorious. In order to defeat Satan, Jesus had to arise from the dead (1 Cor. 15:12-19). To be saved, therefore, we must believe, not just in Jesus’ death, but also in His resurrection.

>>> Please read Mark 1:15. <<

*20* What else did Jesus tell us to believe? Answer: We must believe in __________ .

The gospel includes much more than just the message about who Jesus is. It also includes the message about how we must live in order to please God. To be saved, it is not enough just to believe some things about who Jesus was and what He did; we must also believe His teachings about what He requires of us (2 Thess. 2:13,14; 1:7-9; Col. 1:5).

>>> Please read Mark 16:15,16. <<<

*21* What message should be preached to all the world? Answer: Preach the __________ .

*22* What happens if we do not believe? Answer: He who does not believe will be __________ .

Note that people must believe that which is preached: the gospel. This means, not just believing in Jesus Himself, but also believing in His teaching. Those who do not believe will be condemned.

Without question, faith is essential to salvation. But this faith involves more than many people realize. And we will see that saving faith must lead to proper response in order to result in salvation.

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III. Repentance from Sin

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A. The Importance of Repentance

Just as there are many who hear but are not saved, so there are many who “believe” – i.e. they accept the truthfulness of the gospel message about Jesus – yet they will not be saved. There is yet more that is required for salvation by the death of Jesus. Consider what the gospel says about the importance of repentance.

>>> Please read Acts 2:36-38. <<<

*23* What did Peter command these people to do? Answer: He told them to __________ and be baptized.

Note that repentance is clearly stated to be a necessary condition in order to receive forgiveness of sin.

>>> Please read Acts 17:30,31. <<<

*24* How many people need to repent? Answer: God commands __________  to repent.

All people must repent because all are guilty of sin.

>>> Please read Matthew 21:28-32. <<<

*25* How did one of the sons illustrate repentance? (a) he said he would go but he did not, (b) he said he would go then he went, (c) he said he would not go, then he changed his mind and went. Answer: ____.

Repentance is changing ones mind. In particular, repenting of sin requires realizing we have been disobeying God. Then we must change our minds and decide to start obeying. This is why repentance is often called “turning.”

>>> Please read 2 Corinthians 7:10. <<<

*26* What leads people to repent? Answer: __________ produces repentance unto salvation.

When a person realizes that he is guilty of sin, he must be truly sorry and wish he had never done it. This sorrow must lead him to decide to change and do right (repent).

>>> Please read 2 Peter 3:9. <<<

*27,28* Why has God not already ended the world? Answer: He is longsuffering, not wanting any to __________ but all to come to __________ .

Note the clear implication that those who do not repent will perish (Luke 13:3,5) because, as we have seen, repentance is necessary to forgiveness. But everyone becomes guilty of sin. So when we are in sin, we must repent or we will perish as punishment for our sins.

B. The Consequences of Repentance

Repentance requires sorrow for sin and a determination to change and serve God. It follows that genuine repentance should lead to a change of conduct.

>>> Please read Acts 26:20. <<<

*29* What did Paul preach that people should do? Answer: They should repent, turn to God, and do __________ .

We earlier studied Matthew 21:28-32, which illustrates this point. In order to be accepted, the son who said he would not obey his father, had to repent and do what the father said to do. Repentance is a change of mind in which we decide to do what God requires. To please God, we must follow through and do right.

>>> Please read Matthew 12:41. <<<

*30* What did the people of Nineveh do? Answer: They repented at the __________ .

This refers to the event described in Jonah 3:4-10. Their repentance led them to turn from their evil ways. Those who do not change their lives have failed to keep the commitment of repentance.

>>> Please read Proverbs 28:13. <<<

*31* To have mercy before God, what must we do? Answer: We must not try to hide our sins but must confess and __________ them.

Note that, to receive mercy, it is not enough just to acknowledge our sins. We must forsake them – quit doing what is sinful.

>>> Please read Ezekiel 33:14-16. <<<

*32* When a person has committed a sin such as stealing, not only must he stop stealing, what else must he do? Answer: He must ___________ what he stole.

This is the principle of restoring or “restitution.” When our sins have caused harm to others, repentance requires us to correct to the extent possible the harmful effect of what we did. This includes giving back what we took that really belongs to someone else. See also Leviticus 6:1-5; Ezra 10:3,11,17,19,44; Luke 19:8; Philemon 10-14,18,19.

Repentance must be followed by actually changing our conduct. We must turn away from sin and begin obeying God. This includes correcting the harmful effects of our sinful conduct. To fail to do so is to fail to bring forth the fruits of repentance.

[See also Luke 15:17-24; 3:8.]

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IV. Obedience

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Obedience is not a specific condition toward forgiveness, but is a general principle that includes several steps. We emphasize it because some deny that obedience is necessary to salvation; they claim we are saved by “faith only” so no outward actions whatever are necessary.

However, we have already learned that the “fruits of repentance” are necessary to salvation, and this requires doing what is right – i.e., obedience. Obviously, no acts of obedience could ever earn salvation, since we have already learned that all have sinned and therefore salvation is by grace (unmerited). Please consider, however, the following passages showing that obedience is a condition necessary to forgiveness of sins.

>>> Please read Matthew 7:21-23. <<<

*33* Who does Jesus say will enter the kingdom of heaven? Answer: He who enters the kingdom is he who __________ .

Note that these people believed in Jesus and even confessed Him as Lord. But Jesus rejected them because that was not enough. He said we must do God’s will. See also Luke 6:46.

>>> Please read Romans 6:16-18. <<<

*34* What must a person do to be set free from sin? Answer: He must __________ from the heart the doctrine delivered from God.

Please note that this obedience is required in order to cease being a slave of sin and become a slave of righteousness.

>>> Please read Hebrews 5:9. <<<

*35* To whom is Jesus the author of eternal salvation? Answer: To all who __________ Him.

>>> Please read 1 Peter 1:22,23. <<<

*36* How do we purify our souls? Answer: We purify our souls in __________ to the truth.

Note that this is taught in the context of being born again.

>>> Please read Acts 10:34,35. <<<

*37* What must we do to be accepted by God? Answer: We must fear God and __________ .

Note that this is required of all people of every nation.

>>> Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9. <<<

*38* What happens to those who do not obey the gospel? Answer: They will be punished with __________ from the presence of the Lord.

We have already studied other passages that teach the necessity of obedience. For example, we learned that our eternal destiny at the judgment will be determined by what we do, good or bad (Romans 2:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

The necessity of obedience does not in any sense contradict the need for faith. In fact, the gospel shows that faith will not save if it does not include obedience. The only passage that specifically mentions “faith only” is found in James 2:14-26, and it says we are not saved by “faith only” (v24). Other passages confirm that saving faith must include obedience (Galatians 5:6; Hebrews 10:39; 11:8,30 and other examples in Hebrews 11).

The same is true of love. Surely everyone agrees that love is necessary to please God (Matthew 22:36-39). But the gospel clearly teaches that, in order to please God, love must include obeying God’s commands (John 14:15,21-24; 1 John 5:3; 2:3-6).

To deny that obedience is a necessary step to salvation is to (perhaps unknowingly) deny that love, faith, and repentance are necessary, since all these require obedience. Likewise, to deny the necessity of obedience is to deny the very basis on which the Bible says we will be judged!

As our studies proceed, we will examine specific acts of obedience that are required to be forgiven and to be acceptable to God.

Personal application questions

Have you diligently studied the Scriptures to know how to be forgiven of sin? __________

Do you believe in God, in Jesus, and in the truths taught in the gospel? __________

Are you truly sorry for the sins you have committed, and have you repented of your sins and changed your life to please God? __________

Have you believed in the past that obedience is necessary to salvation, or have you believed that we are saved by “faith only” without obedience? __________

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Bible Study: Conversion from Sin

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Lesson #4: Living a Faithful Life

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When one is converted according to the gospel, his sins are forgiven and he is added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47). But this is just the beginning of a lifetime of service to God. The Christian must live and grow in Christ. To fail to do so is to fail to bring forth the fruits of repentance and to return to sin.

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I. The Importance of Faithfulness

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Some churches teach as doctrine that an obedient life after conversion is not essential to salvation

>>> Please read Revelation 2:10. <<<

*1* What must one do to receive the crown of life? Answer: One must be __________ unto (or until) death.

Those who cease to be faithful have no promise of eternal life.

>>> Please read Romans 6:12-18,23. <<<

*2* What does Paul say about the idea that we can continue in sin since we are under grace (v12)? Answer: Do not let __________ reign in your body that you should obey it.

*3* Instead of serving sin, what have we become (v18)? Answer: Having been set free from sin, we become __________ .

If we continue in sin we will be lost (v23); this is true both of sins committed before we are converted or sins committed afterward.

>>> Please read Romans 12:1,2. <<<

*4* What should we do with our bodies? Answer: Each convert should present his body as a __________ to God.

>>> Please read Matthew 6:19-21,24,33. <<<

*5,6* What should be our primary goal in life? Answer: We should seek first God’s ___________ and ___________ .

>>> Please read Matthew 16:24-27. <<<

*7,8* To be a follower of Jesus, what must one do? Answer: He must __________ himself and take up __________ and follow Jesus.

Note that there is no profit in gaining the whole world, if we lose our soul at the judgment.

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 15:58. <<<

*9* What kind of work does God expect? Answer: We should be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in ___________ .

The Lord does not expect just a little service from time to time. He expects a firm commitment to continued, faithful labor in His service.

>>> Please read 2 Peter 2:20-22. <<<

*10,11* How does Peter describe people who escape sin but go back to it? Answer: Their latter end (last state) is __________ than the beginning, and they are like a dog that __________ .

>>> Please read John 15:4-8. <<<

*12,13* What happens to a disciple who does not abide in Jesus and does not bear fruit? Answer: He is __________ like a branch and is withered and is thrown into __________ .

The Bible urges all converts to be faithful to Christ. To cease being faithful is to return to sin and be lost eternally. The decision to become a Christian requires a commitment to grow and become an active, useful servant of God (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).

[See also 1 Cor. 10:1-13; Heb. 12:15]

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II. Forgiveness for the Child of God Who Sins

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Although the gospel demands faithfulness, it also recognizes that Christians will sin. There is no excuse for sin, but there is forgiveness for those who repent and renew their commitment to overcome it and grow in God’s service.

>>> Please read 1 John 1:8-10. <<<

*14* If we say we have no sin, what is our condition? Answer: We __________ ourselves and the truth is not in us.

*15* What must we do to be forgiven? Answer: If we __________ He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

>>> Please read Acts 8:22. <<<

*16,17* After Simon had been converted (vv 12,13), he sinned again. What was he told to do to be forgiven? Answer: He was told to __________ of his wickedness and __________ .

>>> Please read Matthew 6:12. <<<

*18* What did Jesus teach us here to pray? Answer: We should ask God to __________ like we forgive those who sin against us.

>>> Please read Luke 18:13,14. <<<

*19* How was this tax collector justified of his sins? Answer: He prayed, “God be merciful to me a __________ .”

God does not want His children to be lost. His Son’s death provides forgiveness for us when we sin. But we must meet conditions to be forgiven, just as surely as we had to meet conditions to be converted.

But the conditions for a child of God who sins are different from those for an alien sinner who has never been forgiven. To become a child of God, one must believe, repent, confess, and be baptized. But the child of God who sins must repent of his sins and confess his sins to God in prayer. If he has sinned against other people, he must also confess his sin to those people and seek reconciliation (Matthew 5:23,24; James 5:16; Luke 17:3,4).

Those who try to hide or cover their sins will not proper; only those who confess and forsake them will find mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

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III. Specific Requirements of Faithfulness

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What does God expect after you become a Christian? Conversion must be the beginning of a lifetime commitment of total dedication to God’s service. We cannot consider here all the requirements of faithfulness, but consider a few specific areas.

A. Study the Bible Regularly.

Diligent Bible study is our only way of learning God’s will and avoiding error.

>>> Please read Acts 17:11. <<<

*20* How did these people learn what God required of them? Answer: They searched (examined) __________ daily with hearts willing to accept it.

God has revealed His will in a way we can understand, if we are willing to study with dedication. Note that these people studied “daily” – a regular commitment to study is required.

>>> Please read Psalms 1:2. <<<

*21,22* How diligently does the godly man study God’s word? Answer: Because he delights in God’s law, he meditates on it __________ and __________ .

>>> Please read Psalms 119:9-12. <<<

*23* Why did the writer want to learn God’s word? Answer: He hid (laid up, treasured) God’s word in __________ that he might not sin against God.

Faithfulness in God’s service requires regular, dedicated study of the Scriptures, so we can know how to please God and avoid error.

Do you study your Bible regularly so you can know God’s will?

[Joshua 1:8; Hebrews 5:12; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 2:1-20; Psalms 19:7-11]

B. Pray Frequently.

In prayer, we thank God, praise Him, and ask Him to meet our needs.

>>> Please read Acts 2:42. <<<

*24* How diligently did these early converts pray? Answer: They continued (continually) __________ in prayer, etc.

>>> Please read Philippians 4:6. <<<

*25,26* What should we do instead of worrying? Answer: We should let our __________ be made known to God by prayer and supplication with __________ .

>>> Please read 1 Peter 5:7. <<<

*27* Why should we pray to God? Answer: We should cast our cares on Him because __________ for us.

Prayer is our avenue of speaking to God. When we neglect it, we are not praising Him as we should, and He has not promised to provide what we need.

Are you diligent in prayer as you ought to be?

[Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 1:3; 4:2,3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17]

C. Attend All the Assemblies of the Local Church.

New Testament Christians always were recognized as part of a local church – Acts 9:26-28; 11:26; Heb. 13:17. This church must be scriptural in worship, name, organization, salvation, etc. (see other studies for further specifics).

Local churches should arrange meetings for members to worship God, study His word, and grow in strength and knowledge.

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. <<<

*28,29* What is the purpose of the Lord’s Supper? Jesus said the bread is His __________ and the cup is the new testament in His __________, which we eat and drink in remembrance of Him.

Note that disciples should meet on the first day of each week to do this – Acts 20:7.

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 16:1,2. <<<

*30* How should the church obtain financial income? Answer: Each local church should take up a collection on the __________ day of the week.

Each Christian is responsible to give according to his prosperity on each first day of the week to support the work of the local church.

>>> Please read Acts 11:26. <<<

*31* What other purpose did this church accomplish in its meetings? Answer: When the church assembled together, many people (considerable numbers) were __________ .

In addition to the Lord’s Supper and giving on the first day of the week, local churches met to study God’s word and to sing and pray (1 Cor. 14:15). These last three activities are nowhere specifically commanded for any particular day of the week, so the church may arrange meetings for them on any day of the week. Whenever the church arranges to meet, Christians should do their utmost to come to benefit from the study and worship.

Are you regular in attending the meetings of a faithful local church whenever you can?

[Heb. 3:12,13; 10:24,25; John 4:24; Eph. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:11; Acts 2:42]

D. Practice Proper Relations with Other People.

Again we cannot here go into significant detail, but Christians should be willing to treat people around them according to God’s standard. This includes proper conduct in the following relationships:

>>> Please read Colossians 3:18-21. <<<

*32-35* For each verse, tell what group of people is instructed to treat other people properly. Answers: V18 – __________ ; V19 – __________ ; V20 – __________ ; V21 – __________ .

Conversion should lead us to follow God’s teachings in our families. [See also Eph. 5:22-6:4; Tit. 2:4,5.]

>>> Please read Romans 13:1-5. <<<

*36* To whom should we submit according to this passage? Answer: We should be subject to __________ .

[See also 1 Pet. 2:13,14; Matt. 22:17-21.]

Christians are also responsible to treat other people properly in business relationships (Eph. 6:5-9; Tit. 2:9,10; Col. 3:22-4:1; Psa. 37:21) and to help people who are needy (Luke 10:25-37; Acts 20:35; Jas. 1:27; Matt. 25:34-40).

Are you treating other people according to the standard of God’s word?

E. Help Others Learn the Gospel.

When you have been converted, invariably there will be someone else who made some effort to help you learn and obey the truth. Then it becomes your responsibility to help other people to learn and obey.

>>> Please read John 1:43-46. <<<

*37* After learning about Jesus, what did Philip do? Answer: He found _________ and urged him to come and see Jesus.

>>> Please read Acts 8:4. <<<

*38* When the early Christians were scattered by persecution, what did they do? Answer: They went everywhere __________ .

Every convert should learn to become a teacher. This may require time, but meanwhile we can do like Philip did and encourage people to come to someone else who can teach them.

Are you doing all you can to help other people be saved by Jesus’ gospel?

[Eph. 4:16; Prov. 11:30; 2 Tim. 2:2,24-26; John 4:28-30,39; Heb. 5:12]

F. Live an Upright Moral Life.

Besides the works of service that we have studied, Christians must work to remove from their lives the immoral conduct that so often characterizes people of the world.

>>> Please read Titus 2:11-14. <<<

*39,40* What does God’s grace teach us to do? Answer: It teaches us to deny __________ and __________ but live sober, righteous, godly lives.

>>> Please read Galatians 5:19-21. <<<

*41* What can we know about those who practice these works of the flesh? Answer: They will not __________ .

Other passages list other immoral practices that Christians must avoid. If, as already discussed, we do commit sin, then we must repent, ask God’s forgiveness, and make correction with those we have harmed. (See Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:26-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-11.)

Is your life morally upright before the Lord?

G. Do ALL God’s Will

>>> Please read Matthew 28:18-20. <<<

*42* After one is baptized, what should he be taught to do? Answer: He should be taught to observe __________ .

This includes developing good qualities the Lord requires (2 Peter 1:5-11) and eliminating unacceptable conduct, speech, and attitudes. God requires complete and total commitment to serving Him. We must be willing to make any sacrifice necessary to please Him. Conversion is not just a means to seek forgiveness of sins; conversion requires committing oneself to serve

Personal application questions:

How diligent are you in your Bible study, prayer, and help others learn the gospel?

Do you attend diligently whenever the local church meets?

What improvements can you make in your family life, in relationships with other people, or in living a godly, moral life?

Have you been living a faithful life in God’s service, or do you have sins in your life that you need to correct?

What You Need To know about Water

[ ART | MUSIC | KNOWLEDGE| HEALTH ]

If you’re surprised to find “water” listed as one of the World’s Healthiest Foods, you are not alone.

Many health-conscious people don’t think about water as a food. Even if they do, they don’t think about it as being “much” of a food.

Health Benefits

All creatures on earth – including humans – rely on water more than any other substance to stay healthy. We can go longer without food than water, and virtually all of our other nutrient requirements are impacted by the amount of water we drink. The reason is simple: our bodies are about 60% water by weight, and most nutrients move around through our body in water. Our bloodstream is composed primarily of water, and so are all of our tissues and organ systems. Water is also the key to elimination of toxins from our body (in the form of urine and perspiration). There isn’t a single bodily function – from seeing and hearing and thinking to running and singing and laughing – that does not depend on water.

Exactly how helpful is water to our health? Researchers at Loma Linda University looked at water consumption in a group of more than 20,000 men and women in their Adventist Health Study. In this study, they determined that adults drinking 5 or more glass of water each day were about 50% less likely to die from a heart attack. They made some other comparisons involving water and health, and in their announcement of the results, these researchers ranked increased water drinking equal very close to smoking cessation in terms of heart health! Other research has shown that water drinking helps maintain proper blood pressure, improves mental performance, increases athletic performance, and helps regulate digestion.

It’s helpful to think about the health benefits of water in three basic categories. First is the fluid aspect of water. Water is a lubricant. It keeps things flowing and moving. While it lubricates, water also protects our body parts from damage by surrounding them in a shock-absorbing fluid. This aspect of water is especially important in our joints, and also in our skin. The second aspect of water is its role as a “solvent.” Most nutrients dissolve in water. In our bodies, some of the most important dissolved nutrients are called “electrolytes.” The electrolyte minerals like potassium and sodium stay dissolved in water, and the ability of water to dissolve electrolytes is a key reason why our bodies can conduct electricity. The third aspect of water involves its role as a thermostat. When we are too hot, water lets us shed heat through sweating. Water also helps us retain heat when we need to stay warm.

As mentioned earlier, the minerals in naturally-formed water are indispensable to our health. Most people are not aware of the research in this area. Well-conducted studies in Sweden and in Poland have shown that the risk of heart disease, especially in men, could be substantially reduced if more natural water (like the type of well-water found in rural areas) were consumed. All of these studies focused on the mineral magnesium. Most of the city water in these countries – and in the United States – is very low in magnesium in comparison to the amount of magnesium found in water that has percolated down through the earth’s natural watersheds and soils and been allowed to pick up magnesium and other minerals in this way. One glass of tap water in most cities throughout the U.S. will contain about 0-2 milligrams of magnesium. By comparison, one glass of mineral water (like the bottled mineral waters purchased in a grocery store) will contain about 2-5 milligrams of magnesium, and some bottled mineral waters will contain over 25 milligrams per cup! (Manufacturers don’t always tell you this information on the bottle itself, but you can partly judge by the information they do provide about “total dissolved solids.” In general, the greater the amount of total dissolved solids the better. 1,500 parts per million (ppm) or greater of total dissolved solids is a pretty substantial level in a mineral water, and magnesium is almost always included as one of the dissolved solids). Even though the magnesium in one cup of mineral water might seem small, it can add up very rapidly. The adult requirement for magnesium ranges from 320-420 milligrams per day. 4 cups of mineral could provide about 25-30% of this amount each day. 8 cups could provide over half of the daily requirement! These numbers make water equivalent to a food like Swiss chard in terms of its magnesium content. And all of these health benefits come in exchange for zero calories.

Description

Natural, clean water is virtually crystal clear, and contrary to popular opinion, it has its own unique taste. This taste is not the taste found in ordinary tap water, although many people have become so accustomed to tap water that they cannot distinguish it as having any particular “taste.” The chlorine added to municipal tap waters is probably the greatest single contributor to tap water taste, but unless you’ve had several weeks to adjust to natural water with most of the chlorine filtered out, you may not be able to tell any difference between chlorinated and filtered.

In many ways, water is less mysterious than other foods, because we see it everyday and we see it everywhere, in rain and rivers and lakes and streams and running out of our faucet. But in other ways, water is even more mysterious than other foods, because it’s very difficult to explain how refreshing and soothing it can be. A morning or evening shower, or bath, or just the feel of splashing water on our face can be amazingly revitalizing. So can going for a swim, or even gazing out over a lake, or at the ocean. We don’t always see the beauty in a glass of water like we see the beauty in a fresh salad, but it’s there.

Most of the water that we drink comes from groundwater below the soil that is pumped up and in many cases processed. In science terms, there is a cycle called the hydrology cycle, and this cycle tells the story of natural water. Water arrives at the earth in the form of rain or snow or ice, and it can run off of mountains and hills, or through rivers and streams, down to the ocean. It can also percolate straight down through the soil into groundwater. This passage of water downward through the soil is great for mineralization of water, but it is problematic is we have polluted the soil with garbage and waste in the form of landfills or toxic waste dumps.

History

No civilization has ever survived without focusing on water. As abundant as water seems when we look around us, the natural water that supports health has always been a substance of great value to cultures and communities, and in some cultures, water is the most sacred of all substances. Because water decides where food can grow, many cultures have developed exactly where water was most present and accessible. Most coastal communities have developed in this way. In places where water is scarce, cultures have often had trouble. To some extent, this is exactly the situation that faces many areas of the United States, where the damming up of rivers has upset ecosystems and threatened the future of many creatures who depend upon natural water.

Pollution of water has also been a long-standing part of its history. Without proper attention to sanitation, many towns across the globe experienced health epidemics involving bacteria and other micro-organisms found in water. Diseases like cholera, malaria, and typhus were partly related to the lack of adequate sanitation and pollution of water. Although we worry less about many of these diseases in the United States due to fairly strict standards with respect to sanitation, pollution of water is by no means an outdated concern. Today, however, the pollution of water we are more concerned with involves toxic residues that have contaminated our water due to waste dumping in our lakes and landfills. In our Safety section we will describe this toxic residue situation in more detail.

How to Select and Store

Although there are many different ways to obtain water, we recommend two basic methods above all others. The first method is to attach a high-quality filter to your tap water supply, and to drink this filtered tap water as your main primary source of water. The second method is to purchase bottled water that has already been filtered. Both of these methods require a little more explanation in order for their benefits to be understood.

Virtually all city water supplies in the United States show dozens of different toxic residues, including pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents. A significant number of water supplies are routinely out of compliance with the federal standards and take steps to bring their toxic residues back into acceptable ranges. Over 1,000 potential toxic residues have been identified in drinking waters across the country, and about 300 are routinely tested by the federal government to determine exact toxin levels. To give an example of the widespread nature of this problem, the pesticide atrazine was found to be present in 96% of 374 community water supplies in 12 states surveyed in 2001 by the Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C.

Due to the almost universal risk of toxic residues, filtering of water is important. In our Safety section, we will describe water filtering options in more detail. There are ways to filter water properly at home, and there are a large number of high-quality filtered waters in the marketplace. In general, most of the spring waters, mineral waters, and carbonated mineral waters on the market are sufficiently high-quality and properly filtered. However, we would recommend that you pay attention to three details when purchasing water. First, we do not recommend water that is packaged in plastic – even the hard polycarbonate plastic that is popular in 5-gallon jugs that can be taken home and used with a water stand. The reason for our recommendation is migration of plastic. Even at room temperature, a very small amount of the plastic in the water container will migrate into the water and increase certain health risks. In some cases, the degree of risk here is very, very small, Nevertheless, since we drink (or should be drinking) water every single day of every single year, any amount of risk here seems worth preventing. Even though glass containers are very inconvenient and more easily broken, we believe that the additional trouble here is worthwhile in terms of health.

The second detail when selecting bottled water is the source. Virtually all high-quality bottle water will identify the source of the water on the bottle. It’s important to ignore the brand name here and focus on the information provided to you on the bottle. Many waters sounding natural and healthy came from a city water supply in the United States that was not high-quality. If you cannot easily find a water that tells you its source, your next best step is to make sure that the water has been filtered by looking on the bottle’s ingredient list to see it the list says “filtered water.” But it’s much better to purchase a water that indicates the source of the water, and the reason that this source is desirable.

The third detail deserving attention is dissolved solids. As described earlier, mineral waters have the important advantage of providing calcium magnesium, and other essential minerals that are often deficient in our food. Some bottled waters list these minerals and their amounts on the label, but most do not. If the mineral content of a water is not specified, the bottle might still indicate “total dissolved solids” in parts per million, or ppm. A level above 1,000 ppm is a very reasonable starting point here, and a level above 1,500 ppm indicates a highly mineralized water. It’s very important to have a high-quality water that is free of toxic residues when purchasing a highly mineralized water, because “total dissolved solids” could include unwanted minerals and other substances in the case of a low-quality water. While we don’t like to recommend specific brand names on our website, we’ve found many commonly available bottled minerals waters that are high-quality according to the principles above.

How to Enjoy

We recommend that water be consumed in large volumes (one cup or greater) between meals rather than at meal times. Although there is not sufficient research to document the potential problems with water during meals, we’ve read many healthcare providers report better food digestion in the stomach, better appetite, and better overall digestive health from limited water drinking during meals. Many hypotheses about the impact of water during meals can be found in the research literature, including hypotheses about dilution of stomach acid and consistency of food as it passes through the digestive tract. Without good research support, however, these hypotheses are only hypotheses, and our recommendation is based on informal reports by healthcare providers who focus on diet and health.

Although there are many healthy and natural flavorings that can be added to water – including lemon juice, lime juice, and pre-mixed vitamin/mineral packets – there is an important role to be played by pure, natural water. Some people report better digestive function with lemon juice added to water, and that practice may be preferable in some cases, even though we have not seen any research in this area. In general, however, too many children and adults throughout the U.S. never consume plain, simple water, and from our perspective, it’s important to develop a taste for water all by itself.

Cold water can be more quickly absorbed from the stomach than hot water, and for this reason, there are times when cold water is helpful for quick rehydration. After a gym workout, for example, many people prefer water at a cold temperature. However, there are definitely exceptions, and for some individuals it is far easier to consume a substantial amount of water at room temperature than the same amount on ice or refrigerated.

One of the biggest questions about water drinking is amount. This question is a matter of ongoing debate, both in the media and in the research world. However, there are several general guidelines that we would like to emphasize in this context. First, although it’s possible to drink too much water, it’s highly unlikely that you will do so! “Water intoxication,” as it’s commonly called in the medical world, usually involves imbalance in some of the body’s physiological systems and not just excessive intake of water. We give you the “green light” to drink as much water as you desire, provided that you stick with the natural and high-quality principles that we have described.

As mentioned previously, we recommend limiting water consumption during meals. 4-8 ounces spread out evenly over the course of a 20-minute meal would not problematic. If you consumed 3 meals per day, this “with-meal” amount would total 12-24 ounces for the day, or about 1.5 – 3 glasses. On top of this 1.5-3 glasses, we would recommend another 4-5 glasses between meals to bring the daily total to 6-8 glasses. We would caution against drinking too much water late in the day, because waking up from sleep to go to the bathroom will not help your overall health. We’d also recommend drinking additional water before, during, and after heavy exercise, or any physical activity that involves sweating.

After a heavy workout and profuse sweating, for example, you may easily need an additional quart of water. You will also need additional water whenever you have obvious water loss, as would occur with even fairly mild diarrhea. We also recommend that you consume water in a somewhat consistent pattern, and keep your water intake adequate on a morning-afternoon-and-evening basis.

Safety

The range of potential contaminants in drinking water is somewhat surprising when you first encounter it. Inorganic chemicals (like mercury), organic chemicals (including solvents like toluene, pesticides like atrazine, and plastics like PVC), disinfectants (like chlorine bleach), microorganisms (like coliform bacteria), and even radionucleotides (like radium or uranium) can be found in many drinking water supplies in the U.S. and throughout the world. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors toxin levels in our drinking water, and maximum allowable contamination levels (or MCLs) are set for approximately 80 of the 100’s of potential substances involved. Major factors in the contamination of our drinking water are sewage sludge disposal (and fertilizers that can contain residues of sewage sludge), hazardous landfills, and industry pollution of lakes and streams.

One of the best ways to reduce your exposure to all of these potential toxic substances is to filter your water at home. There are two basic styles of filtering. The first style involves your faucet. Water filters that can be placed at or near your faucet are called POU (or point-of-use) filters. The second style of filtering is POE (or point-of-entry) filtering, where you place the filter in a more central location to impact all of the water flowing into your house. Many people cannot afford the cost of POE filters that filter all of the water flowing into their home, and for this reason, select POU filters that only affect a single faucet.

We believe that faucet-level filtering can be very effecting for producing healthy drinking water, but we like the research on under-the-sink filters much better than the research on filters that attach directly at the end of the faucet. One of the major differences we see here involves the use of solid carbon blocks in the under-the-sink filters versus granulated carbon particles in the end-of-the-faucet filters. Granulated carbon does not show the same effectiveness in research for filtering potential toxins as solid block carbon.

Carbon water filters are fairly effective at removing many organic chemicals and chlorine, but they are not necessarily perfect for bacteria or for heavy metals. You can increase your chances of having water that is free of unwanted microorganisms by selecting a carbon block filter that has a very low micron rating. Micron rating refers to the size of the openings in the filter. In general, we recommend filters that have a micron rating no greater than 1 micrometer.

We also recommend an activated carbon block that can tract many organic compounds electromagnetically. Activated carbon is helpful for many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), for heavy metals like mercury and lead, and for many chlorine-associated compounds.

There is a good bit of research on reverse osmosis (or RO) filters. While true reverse osmosis (or RO filters) can get even more selective in filtering out particles than solid carbon block filters, these filters are often experienced as too complicated for home use. In addition, we don’t like the fact that a very selective filter than can filter a substance only 9/1000ths of a micron in size might also filter out too many of the desirable minerals that are found in water.

Several under-the-sink type filters include a solid block of activated carbon as well as a 1-micron prefilter, and these filters make great sense to us as practical options for high-quality drinking water. There have also been advances in water filters that attach at the end of the faucet, and the newer versions of these filters that include solid block carbon and pre-filtering make a logical choice as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for volume of water filtered and routine replacement of the filters whenever their capacity is reached. These filters typically need to be changed more often than under-the-sink versions. Depending on water use, an under-the-sink filter can be expected to last between 6-12 months, and cost approximately $45-$75 dollars.

Nutritional Profile

Due to the enormous variation in drinking water quality, it is impossible to provide any helpful nutrient profile for “water” per se. Many city tap waters will contain less than 5 milligrams of calcium per cup, less than 2 milligrams of magnesium, and only trace amounts of other minerals. As described earlier, some high-quality mineral waters will provide over 25 milligrams of magnesium per cup, over 35 milligrams of calcium, and small amounts of more than a dozen additional minerals. Pure, natural water does not contain protein, fat, carbohydrate or fiber. It is also calorie-free.

References

• Brewster D. Dehydration in acute gastroenteritis. J Paediatr Child Health. 2002 Sep;38(3)219-22 2002. PMID:12047685.
• Chan J, Knutsen SF, Blix GG, et al. Water, other fluids, and fatal coronary heart disease: the Adventist Health Study. Am J Epidemiol. 2002 May;155(9)827-33 2002. PMID:11978586.
• Environmental Working Group. Tough to swallow: how pesticide companies profit from poisoning America’s tap water. 1997.
• Iggulden H. Dehydration and electrolyte disturbance. Elder Care. 1999 Nov;11(3)17-22; quiz 23 1999. PMID:10542527.
• Rubenowitz E, Axelsson G, Rylander R. Magnesium in drinking water and death from acute myocardial infarction. Am J Epidemiol. 1996 Mar;143(5)456-62 1996. PMID:8610660.
• Rubenowitz E, Molin I, Axelsson G, et al. Magnesium in drinking water in relation to morbidity and mortality from acute myocardial infarction. Epidemiology. 2001 Feb;11(4)416-21 2001. PMID:10874548.
• Rylander R, Bonevik H, Rubenowitz E. Magnesium and calcium in drinking water and cardiovascular mortality. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1991 Apr;17(2)91-4 1991. PMID:2047817.
• Sheehy CM, Perry PA, Cromwell SL. Dehydration: biological considerations, age-related changes, and risk factors in older adults. Biol Res Nurs. 2001 Mar;1(1)30-7 2001. PMID:11225294.
• United States Environmental Protection Agency. National water quality inventory: 1998 report to Congress. EPA 841-R-00-001. 1998.
• United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water. Estimated per capita water ingestion in the United States. EPA 822-R-00-008. 2000.

State of Holy Hip Hop

Daily Bible Study: Conversion from Sin

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Lesson #5: The Church, Motives, and Accountability

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I. The Church in Conversion

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The church is a common topic in the New Testament. Jesus promised He would build it (Matt. 16:18). All New Testament Christians were added to it when they received forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:47). Let us consider the role of the church in the conversion of sinners.

A. Terms for the Church

Jesus’ church is referred to by various different terms in the New Testament. Familiarity with these terms will help us recognize the church when it is discussed in the passages we study. So consider the following terms used to refer to the church:

>>> Please read Ephesians 1:22,23. <<<

*1* What is the relationship between Christ and the church? Answer: Christ is the Head of the church, which is His __________.

The church is the body of Christ in that He serves as the Head or Ruler over it. [Colossians 1:18]

>>> Please read Matthew 16:18,19. <<<

*2* What did Jesus promise to build? Answer: He said he would build His __________.

*3* What did He promise to give to Peter? Answer: He said He would give him the keys of the __________.

Jesus here uses the terms “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably. The passage makes no sense at all unless these terms refer to the same body or group of people.

>>> Please read Colossians 1:12-14. <<<

*4* What does God put us into when we are delivered from the power of darkness? Answer: We are translated or transferred into the __________ of His Son.

The kingdom is not an institution that will come in the future but does not now exist. Rather, all saved people have been in the kingdom from the first century onward. Note that this kingdom is referred to again in this context as the church or body over which Christ is the Head (v18). The church is Christ’s kingdom because it includes all the people who have pledged allegiance to Him as their King or ruler.

>>> Please read 1 Timothy 3:15. <<<

*5* What did Paul call the church in this verse? Answer: He referred to the __________ of God, which is the church of the living God.

The church is the house (household) of God in the sense that it is His family over which He presides as our spiritual Father (Eph. 2:19).

So the church is the body of Christ, the kingdom of Christ, and the house of God. The church is also called by other terms, such as the temple of God (Eph. 2:19-22). These are not different institutions or groups; rather they are simply different terms that refer to the same group but emphasize different aspects of it.

Notice passages using these terms as we continue our study.

B. The Importance of the Church in Conversion

Some people teach that church membership is irrelevant to conversion: one can be saved in or out of the church. But notice what God’s word actually says about the church in salvation from sin.

>>> Please read Acts 20:28. <<<

*6* What price did Jesus pay to purchase the church? Answer: He purchased the church with His __________.

We are forgiven of sins by the blood of Jesus (Eph. 1:7). But His blood purchased the church. So how could we be saved outside the church?

>>> Please read Ephesians 5:23,25. <<<

*7* Christ is the Savior of what? Answer: He is the Savior of the __________; He gave Himself for the church.

Since Jesus is the only Savior and He gave Himself to save the church (His body), how can we be saved outside the church?

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 12:13. <<<

*8* How do we enter the one body? Answer: We are all __________ into one body.

We learned earlier that baptism is necessary for us to be cleansed or saved from sin, so we come into Christ at the point of baptism. But here we learn that baptism also puts us into the one body, which is the church. (“By one Spirit” here refers to the fact that the word revealed by the Holy Spirit teaches us to be baptized. Cf. Ephesians 5:26; John 3:5.)

The church itself does not save us. But when our sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus, He puts us into the church (Acts 2:47). There church, therefore, is the body or group that consists of all people who have received remission of sins. How then can we be saved if we are outside that body?

The church is not insignificant or unimportant in God’s eternal plan for our redemption from sin. Rather it was part of that plan from eternity (Ephesians 3:10,11). Since all saved people will be added to Jesus’ church (the kingdom), they need to be taught about the church even before they are baptized (Acts 8:12; 19:8; 28:23,31; Matt. 4:23).

C. The Number of True Churches

We have seen that membership in Jesus’ church is essential to salvation. But many different denominations exist today. Some people claim that it does not matter which church one joins. Others celebrate the existence of denominations as an advantage or even a blessing. Consider what the Bible teaches:

How many true churches are there?

>>> Please read Matthew 16:18.

*9* What prediction did Jesus make? Answer: He said He would __________ His church.

*10* How many churches would then belong to Him? (a) none, (b) many different churches, (c) one (“my church”). Answer: ____

Jesus promised to build one church that would belong to Him. It is His because He bought it with His blood (Acts 20:28). When people claim that many different churches belong to Him, they contradict His intentions regarding His church and regarding His blood. Since it is His church, bought by His blood, what right does any man have to change His will regarding it?

>>> Please read Ephesians 1:22,23. <<<

*11* What is Jesus’ relationship to the church? Answer: He is the __________ of the church, which is His body.

How many bodies does the Head have?

>>> Please read Ephesians 5:23,25. <<<

*12* The relationship of the church to Jesus is compared to what? Answer: It is compared to the headship of a man over his __________.

How many wives is a man permitted by God to be head over?

>>> Please read Ephesians 4:3-6. <<<

*13* Unity requires the seven things that are listed here. How many of each should there be? Answer: There is (give a number) __________ of each.

In particular, note that there is one “body,” just as surely as there is one God and Father. But the body is the church (1:22,23).

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 12:20. <<<

*14* The Lord’s church consists of how many bodies? Answer: There are many members but __________ body.

Jesus built, bought, and died for just one church. He adds all saved people to that one church (Acts 2:47). People who are not in that one church, therefore, are not among the saved. Whenever any church claims that God’s true people can be saved in any of several or many different bodies, that church proves that is it not Jesus’ church!

Is religious division acceptable?

Different denominations contradict one another in their teaching and practice about worship, organization, salvation, and work. What does the Bible teach about such disagreements?

We have already learned that we must follow God’s plan for our service to Him without human changes. Denominational differences are wrong, first of all, because they result from human changes in God’s plan.

We also studied Ephesians 4:3-6 which taught the need for unity, including one body and one faith. The different denominations are surely not united and do not all practice the one true faith of the gospel.

>>> Please read John 17:20-22. <<<

*15,16* For what did Jesus pray? Answer: He prayed for all His disciples to be __________ as He and the __________ are one.

Religious division violates the prayer of Jesus.

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. <<<

*17,18* What instruction did Paul give the church in Corinth? Answer: He said there should be no __________ among them. To prove the point He asked, “Is Christ __________?”

If Jesus’ teaching contradicted itself, we would expect people who followed Him to contradict one another. But He is not divided against Himself, so Paul taught Jesus’ followers there should be no divisions among them.

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 14:33. <<<

*19* God is not the author or source of what? Answer: He is not the author (God) of __________.

The contradictory doctrines of denominationalism are unquestionably confusing, so we can be sure that such division is not from God.

>>> Please read Mark 3:24,25. <<<

*20* What did Jesus say about a kingdom or house that is divided against itself? Answer: It cannot __________.

It follows from the Scriptures that there can be only one true church and all truly converted people are added by the Lord to it. If any religious group excuses or defends the existence of contradictory denominations, we can be sure that church is not the one true church nor is it any part of it. Jesus’ true church is not a denomination nor is it part of any conglomerate or confederacy of denominations.

Each person who seeks to be saved, must be part of the church that Jesus built and died for.

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II. Motives and Accountability

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We have examined the Bible teaching about how and why people need conversion. We have also studied the need for faithful living, which includes membership in Jesus’ one true church. Each person must make the decision for himself whether or not to accept God’s will and be converted. Note some points that should be considered in making this decision.

A. The Importance of Proper Motives

The Bible teaches the importance, not just of obeying God, but of doing so for the proper reasons and with proper attitudes. This is important both in meeting the conditions of conversion and in living by God’s teaching after conversion.

>>> Please read Proverbs 4:23. <<<

*21* Why is the condition of ones heart important? Answer: Out of the heart spring (are, flow) the __________.

The heart is where we decide what we will do. It is the seat of our choices. Attitudes are important because they ultimately determine how we act and what kind of person we are.

>>> Please read 1 Chronicles 28:9. <<<

*22,23* What attitude did David teach Solomon to have in serving God? Answer: He said to serve Him with a __________ heart (devotion) and a __________ mind.

David warned that God searches and understands the thoughts and intents of our heart. He does not want just outward motions. He wants sincere meaning and understanding.

>>> Please read Matthew 5:8. <<<

*24 What is God’s reward for the pure in heart? Answer: The pure in heart are blessed because they will __________.

Note that the condition of ones heart is essential to receiving eternal life with God.

>>> Please read Romans 6:17,18. <<<

*25 What role does the heart play in obedience? Answer: People who want to be set free from sin, must obey from the __________ the teaching delivered from God.

We cannot truly be converted by just going through the motions. We must understand and mean from the heart what we do in our obedience to the gospel.

>>> Please read Romans 12:1,2. <<<

*26 Instead of conforming to the world, what should you do? Answer: You should be transformed by __________.

Changing our lives begins by changing how we think. Outward change must come from within, and that requires proper attitudes.

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. <<<

*27 What quality is needed to make our works of service acceptable? Answer: No matter what good we do, it profits nothing if we do not also have __________.

>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 14:15. <<<

*28 How should we offer our prayers and singing? Answer: We must sing and pray with the spirit and the __________.

God does not accept mere outward ritual unaccompanied by sincere understanding and meaning in the heart.

Proper motives and attitudes are essential in all our service to God. In particular, we must understand the proper purpose and sincerely mean what we do in meeting the conditions of forgiveness. Then we must serve God faithfully with proper motives.

B. The Condition of Those Who Are Not Accountable

It should be obvious that little children cannot make the commitment that serving God requires. They cannot hear, understand, and believe the gospel. They cannot truly repent, confess Christ, and understand the purpose of baptism. They cannot live the faithful life that God requires after baptism, and they surely cannot do these things with a true understanding of the meaning and purpose of what they involve.

So the command to be converted is not addressed to little children. They cannot obey with understanding; therefore, obedience is not required of them. What then is their status before God?

>>> Please read Matthew 18:2,3. <<<

*29* What must we do in order to enter the kingdom of heaven? Answer: We must be converted and become like __________.

When sinners are converted, they become like little children. It follows that little children do not need conversion. They are innocent and acceptable to God just as they are without being converted.

>>> Please read Matthew 19:13,14. <<<

*30* What did Jesus say about the little children that were brought to Him? Answer: He said that of (to) such is the __________.

If the kingdom of heaven consists of those who are like little children, then children must not be counted guilty of sin. Note that Jesus did not require these children to be converted or be baptized. They were acceptable just as they were.

>>> Please read Psalms 106:37,38. <<<

*31* When idol worshipers sacrificed their children to idols, what kind of blood did they shed? Answer: They shed __________ blood.

So God counts little children to be innocent. We already studied that they do not inherit the guilt of sin from Adam or from their ancestors. God does not hold them accountable for their conduct until they are mature enough to be capable of obeying the gospel with understanding of what is involved.

As children grow, they should be taught God’s word to the extent they are able to understand it, so they will gradually grow in understanding as they are able. When they become capable of obeying God’s will with understanding, God holds them accountable. They will eventually sin, as all do. Then the Bible teachings about conversion will apply to them.

Personal application questions:

Do you believe the existence of many different denominations pleases God or displeases Him? Explain. __________

Have you found the one true church that belongs to Jesus? If so, have you become part of it? __________

Do you believe babies are innocent or guilty before God? Explain. __________

If you have once professed to be converted, did you sincerely understand and mean the commitment? __________

The Truth About Christmas – Part One

[ ART | MUSIC | KNOWLEDGE| HEALTH ]

SO, WHEN WAS JESUS REALLY BORN?

By now you might guess it wasn’t December 25^th. You now know that the 25^th of December is the time of the Winter Solstice and is the claimed birth date of all the major pagan deities. Now, looking to Israeli meteorologists, they actually tracked December weather patterns for many years and concluded that the climate in Israel has been essentially constant for at least the last 2,000 years. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible states that, “broadly speaking, weather phenomena and climatic conditions as pictured in the Bible correspond with conditions as observed today” (R.B.Y. Scott, Vol. 3, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1962, p. 625).

So this means the temperature in the area of Bethlehem in December, which averages around 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) but can drop to well below freezing, especially at night, is essentially the same as it was at the time of Jesus. Describing the weather there, Sara Ruhin, chief of the Israeli weather service, noted in a 1990 press release that the area has three months of frost: December with 29 F. [minus 1.6 C.]; January with 30 F. [minus 1.1 C.] and February with 32 F. [0 C.]. Snow is common for two or three days in Jerusalem and nearby Bethlehem in December and January. These were the winter months of increased precipitation in Jesus’ time, when the roads became practically unusable and people stayed mostly indoors.

This is important evidence to disprove a December date for Jesus’ birth. Note that, at the time of Jesus’ birth, the shepherds tended their flocks in the fields at night and there was a census, so every male was traveling back to the place of their birth, this would have been impractical during the winter months. “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields,” wrote one Gospel writer, “keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). A common practice of shepherds was keeping their flocks in the field from April to October, but in the cold and rainy winter months they took their flocks back home and sheltered them.

One commentary admits that, “as these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, our Lord was not born on the 25th of December, when no flocks were out in the fields; nor could He have been born later than September, as the flocks were still in the fields by night. On this very ground the nativity in December should be given up. The feeding of the flocks by night in the fields is a chronological fact, which casts considerable light upon this disputed point” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Abingdon Press, Nashville, note on Luke 2:8).

Another study source agrees: “These humble pastoral folk are out in the field at night with their flock—a feature of the story which would argue against the birth [of Christ] occurring on Dec. 25 since the weather would not have permitted it” (The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1971, note on Luke 2:4-7).

The Companion Bible, Appendix 179 says:

Shepherds and their flocks would not be found “abiding” (Gr. agrauleo) in the open fields at night in December (Tebeth), for the paramount reason that there would be no pasturage at that time. It was the custom then (as now) to withdraw the flocks during the month Marchesven (Oct.-Nov.) from the open districts and house them for the winter.

The census described by Luke

Other evidence arguing against a December birth of Jesus is the Roman census recorded by Luke. “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered… So all went to be registered everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son…” (Luke 2:1-7).

The Roman and Judean rulers knew that taking a census in winter would have been impractical and unpopular. Generally a census would take place after the harvest season, in September or October, when it would not seriously affect the economy, the weather was good and the roads were still dry enough to allow easy travel. According to the normal dates for the census, this would probably be the season of Christ’s birth. Another author states that this census “could hardly have been at that season [December 25], however, for such a time would surely not have been chosen by the authorities for a public enrollment, which necessitated the population’s traveling from all parts to their natal districts, storms and rain making journeys both unsafe and unpleasant in winter, except in specially favorable years” (“Christmas at Bethlehem,” Holy-Days and Holidays, Cunningham Geikie).

Luke’s account of the census argues strongly against a December date for Christ’s birth. For such an agricultural society, an autumn post-harvest census was much more likely.

THE YEAR OF CHRIST’S BIRTH

Jesus wasn’t born in A.D. 0 either as many may believe. In 525 Pope John I commissioned the scholar Dionysius Exiguus to establish a feast calendar for the Roman Church. Dionysius also estimated the year of Christ’s birth based upon the founding of the city of Rome. Unfortunately because of insufficient historical data he arrived at a date at least a few years later than the actual event. The Gospels record Jesus’ birth as occurring during the reign of Herod the Great. Herod’s death is recorded by Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus, Book 17, Chapter 8 ) and occurred in the spring of 4 B.C. (New Testament History, F.F. Bruce, Anchor Books, p.23). Therefore, Christ’s birth had to take place at least four years before the traditional date of A.D. 0 for historically there is no such date.

WHY WAS DECEMBER 25 POPULARIZED?

In Rome December 25^th was made popular by Pope Liberius in 354 and became the rule in the West in 435 when the first “Christ mass” was officiated by Pope Sixtus III. This coincided with the date of a celebration by the Romans to the sun god Mithras, who is said to have been born December 25^th. The Roman Catholic writer Mario Righetti candidly admits that, “to facilitate the acceptance of the faith by the pagan masses, the Church of Rome found it convenient to institute the 25^th of December as the feast of the birth of Christ to divert them from the pagan feast, celebrated on the same day in honor of the ‘Invincible Sun’ Mithras, the conqueror of darkness” (Manual of Liturgical History, 1955, Vol. 2, p. 67).

Because the Mithraic religion was an oral tradition; given through the Mithraic priesthood, there where no official writings or liturgical history. Thus, the Roman Church adopted those of the Messianic Jews and Messianic Gentiles (1^st Century Christians) as its official canon of sacred writings while teaching and maintaining the oral tradition. This is why most Roman Catholics have very little knowledge of scripture, but they know all the days to fast, the saints, chants, and holidays. It’s also interesting to note here that most of the major Roman Catholic Cathedrals are built upon Mithraic shrines.

Protestant historian Henry Chadwick sums up the controversy: “Moreover, early in the fourth century there begins in the West (where first and by whom is not known) the celebration of December 25th, the birthday of the Sun-god at the winter solstice, as the date for the nativity of Christ. How easy it was for Christianity and solar religion to become entangled at the popular level is strikingly illustrated by a mid-fifth century sermon of Pope Leo the Great, rebuking his over-cautious flock for paying reverence to the Sun on the steps of St. Peter’s before turning their back on it to worship inside the westward-facing basilica” (The Early Church, Penguin Books, London, 1967, p. 126).

The Encyclopedia Americana makes this clear: “In the fifth century, the Western Church ordered it [Christ's birth] to be observed forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol Invictus [Invincible Sun- the sun god], as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ’s birth existed” (1944 edition, “Christmas”).

Paul warned against observing “days, and months, and times, and years” (Gal. 4: 10). There were religious events unauthorized by God. The scriptures say nothing of Christmas or the continued celebration of the birth of Christ. They are post-apostolic; hence, unauthorized by God’s word in the context that we celebrate them today (see Gal. 1: 6-9; Rev. 22: 18, 19).

Christ’s yearly birthday celebration owes its beginning to man, not God. For Jesus always was, always is, and always will be according to the book of John: John 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” Therefore to celebrate a birth seems erroneous as He has always been and always will be!

So, when was Jesus born?

First, we must come to agree that Jesus always has been (John 1:1-2), once we understand that then we can begin to look for the season in which Jesus came to dwell among man. To begin this study, let’s begin in the book of Daniel. Often times when we think of the book of Daniel we think of a young man being thrown into a den of hungry lions or a kid in a fiery furnace; but did you know that Daniel was actually around 80 years old when he was thrown in the lions den? He had been a ruler of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and now Darius, the latter of which was tricked into having his vice-president (Daniel) executed.

Daniel and his companions, Azriyah, Haniniyah, and Misha’el where Jewish, where raised in Jerusalem and had been taught Torah (God’s Instructions) from their youth. When they where carried away into Babylon as captives, they where renamed Belteshazzar, Shadrack, Meshech, and Abed-nego and made eunuchs, trained for service in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1-7). Daniel accurately interpreted one of the kinds dreams and was promoted to Prime Minister, which made him wealthy. The scripture also state that he was multiplied in wealth twice more: during the reigns of Belshazzar and Darius the Mede, making him one of the richest men in the kingdom. Daniel was in charge of the “Chaldeans”, a group of highly trained astronomers and intellectuals, many of which where Jewish captives. During his life, Daniel had many dreams and visions of kingdoms that would come and go.

During the end of his life, he was visited by the angel Gabriel and given specific timing of the coming of the Messiah and he was instructed to seal up some information, which no one was to know but himself. Then we find that Daniel dies a eunuch in Babylon…what happened to his vast fortune? With a fortune so vast there would have been some sort of account for it, it certainly wouldn’t have been left or tossed away… As we read through the historical books we come to find that many Jews stayed behind in Babylon after the captivity had ended, especially those in positions of responsibility. One noted such person is Mordechai and his niece Haddasah (known as Queen Esther). Daniel would have surely delegated the reasonability of his will to trusted companions, the Jewish Chaldean astronomers whom he has trained and who remained behind in Babylon.

Jumping ahead 500 years we see the treasure of Daniel reappear in the Scriptures!

We find that the magi- the Latin translation of a Greek word for an oriental scientist or astronomer have seen the sign of the Messiah in the sky above. Could it be that the same group, once trained by the prophet Daniel to look for signs in the heavens, have come to see the Messiah? For what reason would they seek Him? Let’s find out… in a moment…

The Nativity

Ask anyone you meet “How many wise men came to present gifts to Jesus, where did they find Him and how was He dressed?” As you already know, the common answer will be “Three wise men found Jesus lying in swaddling clothes in a manger.” That however is not what the scriptures teach! We actually read in the King James Version in Matthew 2:11 that an undesignated number of wise men (magi) came to the house where they found the young child, Jesus, living with His mother Mary, step-father, and Joseph. In the Gospels we find that only the shepherds arrived at the manger (Luke 2:8-20).

It’s really absurd to suggest a group of three men traveled in the middle of winter through the desert without an armed caravan. Wise men they would not have been if that was the case… The magi where in fact Chaldeans, astronomers from the east; those of the line trained by the Prophet Daniel. The same entrusted with Daniel’s treasure. Following Daniels instruction, the astronomers watched the skies for 500 years awaiting the Great Sign in the heavens that finally occurred on Tishri 1, and the end of the fourth millennium (Revelation 12:1-5). The constellation Bethula (Hebrew), the Virgin (Virgo [Latin]) was clothed with the setting sun at the time that the first sliver of the new moon appeared beneath her feet. In the twelve stars above her head, the planet Ha Tzadek (The Righteous [Jupiter, pagan]) came into conjunction with the star Ha Maleck (The King [Regulus, Latin]) that is between the feet of the constellation of Ariel (Hebrew [Leo, Latin]), the Lion of Judah.

On the first day of the month of Tishri, on Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, this one-time celestial alignment announced the coming birth of the Maleck-Tzadeck or Melchizadek, the King of Righteousness of the Tribe of Judah, who of course is Jesus the Messiah (Hebrews 7:11-26). During this feast the trumpets (shofars) are sounded signaling the coming of the Messiah, thus the astronomers (magi) left for Jerusalem. During their journey the Messiah arrived the fifteenth day of the seventh month on the Biblical Calendar (Tishri 15) on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. How do we know this?

According to the Torah men where required to live in a sukkah of tabernacle for seven days, while women where free to live in the home. However, because a census has been called many men had to travel back to their homelands to be counted, so there was an unusual amount of travel away from Jerusalem. As we read in the Gospels, Mary couldn’t stay in the inn because it was booked up, no room, so she had to stay in a Sukkah (Manger/Stall is a Latin translation) with Joseph. She gave birth in the sukkah and at this moment “the word was made flesh and sukkoted (or tabernacled) among us.” In the King James Version, tabernacled was translated as “dwelt” among us (John 1:14).

40 days after the birth of Jesus, the law required an offering to be made. So, Mary and Joseph went to the temple, but where so poor they could only afford the minimal offering of two pigeons. So, they where obviously not yet in possession of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh as recorded in Luke 2:22-24.

A time later, actually about 500 years after Daniel passed, the executors of his will have brought Daniels treasure laden caravan to the gates of Jerusalem with the proclamation, “We have come to worship Him who is born King of the Jews.” Herod sent them to the neighboring village of Bethlehem, where the prophet Micah said the Messiah would be born (Micah 5:2). However, before Herod sent the magi to Bethlehem, he took private counsel with them asking them to him with information concerning the location of the Messiah.

After the magi delivered Daniels treasure to the Messiah, they where warned in a vision to secretly depart from Israel. Herod became angry that the magi ignored his request, so he ordered all male children throughout the country of Bethlehem “two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently inquired of these wise men” (Matthew 2:16). But this time, Joseph and Mary with the young Jesus where well on their way to Egypt a trip they could not have made unless the Lord set up their flight beforehand (Revelation 12:1-5)! The truth is always so much more awesome than the tradition!

Bible Study: Unity In the Body

The Unique, Uncommon, Unequaled Church
Does Jesus Want One Church Today or Many?

Modern denominations differ in many ways, all claiming to be Christian and to honor Jesus. Yet the gospel shows that Christ planned and built just one church. Should Christianity be characterized by religious unity or by division? Does Jesus want one true church today, or should we approve and accept the existence of many divided denominations? Is one church as good as another? How many true churches are there?

Introduction:

In most areas of life, people consider it an advantage for something to be unique, uncommon, or unequaled. Sales commercials emphasize that their product is distinctive from other products. An antique is especially valuable if it is rare or uncommon. Athletes are especially honored if they win championships or set records.

In religion, however, many people consider it unacceptable, poor taste, or politically incorrect for a church to claim to be unique or unequaled. They object if members defend a church as being special or better than other groups. Some say, “One church is just good as another. Why are you so intolerant and strict? We need to be broad-minded in religion. Don’t criticize other groups. How can one little group be right and all the others be wrong?” People want members of many different denominations to be acceptable to God, so they object if you believe otherwise.

Unfortunately, instead of considering what God says about these subjects, most people base their views on their own opinion, what some preacher says, what they personally want to believe, or what their parents believed.

In this study, let us set aside the opinions of men and examine what God says in the Bible about the unique, uncommon, and unequaled character of the church that belongs to Jesus. When we do, we will also find the answers to other questions many people are asking.

Did Jesus plan and build just one church or many different denominations? Should Christianity be characterized by religious unity or by division? Should we approve and accept the existence of many divided “Christian denominations,” or should we believe and teach that there should be just one true church?

Consider the Bible answers to the following important questions:

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Question #1: How Important Is Obedience?

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To understand the uniqueness of Jesus’ church, we must begin by studying the fundamental importance of obedience. Many people believe it does not much matter whether or not a church obeys Jesus. When evidence is given that a church is somehow disobeying God’s word, some people say this doesn’t matter because the people in that church believe in the true God and love God, etc.

This is important to our study because, if Jesus requires obedience, then that is at least one way that the church needs to be unique compared to churches that do not obey. But if disobedience can be overlooked, then there would be no advantage in being part of a church that was obedient.

So what does God’s word say? In a world of religious groups that say obedience is not essential, does God expect His church to be unique by emphasizing the need for obedience?

Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:23,24 – Jesus is the head over all things to the church. The church must be subject to Jesus, just like a body should obey the instructions of its head.

Colossians 3:17; 2:8,19 – Since Christ is head of the church (1:18), all we do should be done in His name – i.e., according to His authority. We must “hold fast the head” by obeying Him instead of following human philosophies and traditions.

Matthew 15:9 – Our worship to God is vain if we follow human doctrines instead of Jesus’ teachings (cf. 2 John 9; Galatians 1:8,9; John 4:24).

Jesus’ church should emphasize obedience to its Head. When a church teaches that we do not have to obey Jesus to be saved, that church is admitting it is not honoring Jesus as its Head! If a church obeys human doctrine, then men are its head.

Matthew 7:21-27 – It is not enough just to call Jesus our Lord. We must do the will of the Father. If we do not obey Jesus’ teachings, we are as foolish as a man who builds a house without a solid foundation. Just as that house will not stand in bad weather, so our lives will not be acceptable in the judgment.

Hebrews 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 – Jesus is the author of salvation to all who obey Him. Those who do not obey the gospel will receive eternal destruction when Jesus returns.

This is not to say that anyone who ever disobeys is forever without hope. Such a person can be forgiven, but to do so he must repent and make up his mind to become obedient and then be forgiven by Jesus’ blood (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9; Mark 16:16).

Clearly it is a serious mistake to think that obedience is not essential. Yet many churches deny the need for obedience. So one way Jesus’ church should be unique is that it should honor Jesus as its Head by obeying Him. Furthermore, as we proceed we will see that this obedience is a source from which necessarily spring many other unique features of the church.

(See also James 1:21-25; 1 Peter 1:22,23; Romans 6:17,18; 1 John 5:3; 2:3-6; 3:6-10; John 14:15,21-24; Romans 2:6-10.)

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Question #2: Are God’s People a Minority or a Majority?

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Most people somehow believe that they will be saved, and most people like to think that the majority of other people will be saved. If that were true, then those who are saved would not be very unique. And if most people really were saved, then that would make Jesus’ church large. So people tend to reject small churches. Being small would make the church unique, but here again most people don’t like uniqueness.

It is true that God has provided a plan whereby all men can be saved. He would be pleased if everyone would follow that plan and receive eternal life (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; John 3:16; Mark 16:15,16). However, we have seen that only those people who obey God’s plan actually will be saved, and all others will be lost. So should we expect the number of saved, obedient people to be large or small compared to the number who disobey? Are most people saved, or does being saved make one unique?

Matthew 7:13,14 – The way that leads to destruction is broad and many travel that road. The way that leads to life is narrow and “few there be that find it.” Many people fail to do the will of the Father, but only a few will obey and be saved (cf. vv 21-27).

1 Peter 3:20 – In the days of Noah, only a few souls were saved – only eight out of the thousands alive (cf. Genesis 6). Men in general were extremely wicked and were destroyed.

1 Corinthians 10:1-6 – Even among those who were God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, with most of them God was not well pleased, so He destroyed them. In fact, of all the older generation who left Egypt, only two were allowed to enter the promised land – Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:28-30). All the rest died because of disobedience. This is presented by God as an example to us.

Today if you believe your religious views are correct and you disagree with other people, many people will object. They will accuse you of intolerance and narrow-mindedness. To their way of thinking, the very fact you think you are right automatically proves you are wrong! You may be unique, but they don’t like it at all. Yet throughout the Bible, those who pleased God were unique in that they were in the minority.

Romans 9:27; 11:2-5 – In Israel, the number of people who were acceptable to God is frequently called a “remnant” – a small part of the whole number. In Elijah’s day, that remnant consisted of 7000 men. So today those who are God’s true people are a “remnant.” Note that the number of obedient people in Elijah’s day was considerably greater than in Noah’s day or in Joshua’s day. Yet it was relatively small compared to all the people on earth.

The number of people who are truly acceptable to God varies from time to time. The cases we have cited were times of widespread corruption. There may be other times when faithfulness is not as rare as in these times (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2). At any given time, the actual number of faithful people would be known only to God. But in virtually every age, those on the road to life are “few” compared to the “many” on the road to destruction.

We should not expect God’s church to consist of a majority of people in any community. Nor should we reject a church or a teaching simply because it is a minority or its views are unpopular. Jesus’ church is truly “unique” in that it will always be relatively small, and those who are members of it are truly “uncommon.”

(See also Matthew 22:14; Luke 13:23-25; Revelation 3:4).

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Question #3: How Many Churches Please Jesus?

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In the world today there are many different denominations that teach and practice different and contradictory faiths. They disagree in name, organization, plan of salvation, and worship. People want to believe that, in spite of these contradictions and disagreements, many of these groups are acceptable to God. If that were so, then there would be no one unique church that was right.

We have seen, however, that to please God we must obey Him. Are the few people who obey God to be found in many different denominations, or is there only one unique church teaching and practicing one true faith?

Matthew 16:18 – Jesus promised to build His church – one, not many.

Colossians 1:13 – Christians have been translated out of the power of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son – one kingdom, not many.

Ephesians 5:22-25 – Christ is the head of His body (the church – 1:22,23), just as your head directs your body and just as a husband is head of his wife. But a head directs one body, not many bodies. A husband is head of only one wife (with God’s approval), not many wives.

And so Christ is head of one body. There are “many members, yet but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20). If Jesus had many churches, He would be like a man with many wives. This would be spiritual adultery!

John 17:20,21 – Jesus prayed for those who believe in Him to be one as He and His Father are one. Do He and His Father disagree and contradict one another about how people should worship, how people may be saved, or what church people should be members of? They do not, and neither should we, for we are to be one as they are one.

1 Corinthians 1:10,13 – Division is contrary to God’s will. Is Christ divided? Does He give contradictory commands to men? Surely not, for if He did He would be a hypocrite!

Since Jesus’ commands are not contradictory, it is clear that when the practices of people conflict and contradict one another, then someone is not obeying Jesus. Religious division exists, but we must not condone or excuse it. Nor should we participate in error for the sake of unity – to do so would be to disobey God (cf. James 3:17).

Whenever some people obey God and some people disobey God, division will exist between those groups; but the people who will be condemned for the division will be those who disobey God, not those who obey Him. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Luke 12:51-53; John 10:19-21; Acts 14:1-4; 19:8,9; 28:22-25; 2 John 9-11.)

Ephesians 4:3-6 – We should strive for unity based on the oneness of each of the seven things listed here. There is one body (church) and one faith, just as surely as there is only one God and Father. To say there are many conflicting and disagreeing bodies, all of which are acceptable, would be as wrong as saying there are many different Gods, all of which are acceptable.

Nor can we say that the one body is made up of many different denominations, for the passage says that the one body must follow one faith, whereas denominations follow different faiths. There may be many different false gods, but there is only one true God. So there may be many different false churches and false faiths, but there is only one true church and only one true faith.

Note that this does not mean there is only one local congregation. In the New Testament, there were many local congregations of God’s people, and there are also many today (Galatians 1:2; Acts 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Revelation 1:4,11; etc.). But these local churches should all believe and practice the same common faith (Ephesians 4:3-6; Jude 3; Titus 1:4). In this sense, the members of these local congregations are all members of the one true church, but not members of many disagreeing, conflicting denominations.

Truly, Jesus’ church is unique and unequaled, for there is only one true church.

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Question #4: Should We Rebuke Those Who Disobey?

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As we have discussed, people tend to think that obedience is not essential, and they think most people will be saved. This leads them to believe that we should “leave other people alone and don’t criticize other religious beliefs.”

But we have learned that obedience is essential to please God and that most people are not obeying God. Now should God’s people speak out and warn other people about the danger of not obeying God? Should we rebuke the people in sin and urge them to repent? If we do, once again we will surely be unique, and once again we can expect people to dislike it! But what does God say?

2 Timothy 4:2-4 – We should continually preach God’s word, reproving and rebuking sin (i.e., warn against error). Why? Because we want to help people avoid the danger of departing from truth to follow error.

Those who obey God must contend with the wicked (Proverbs 28:4). They must not participate in sin, but must rebuke it (Ephesians 5:11). They must earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). If they fail to do so, they themselves will stand condemned before God (Ezekiel 33:1-9). (See also Titus 1:9-14; 1 Timothy 5:20).

Luke 24:47 – Faithful followers of Christ regularly preached that people need to repent (Matthew 3:1-8; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30). But when a person repents, he must admit he has been wrong and must decide to change. So to preach repentance means to tell people they are wrong.

On almost every page of your Bible, examples can be found of apostles and prophets warning people, even religious people, when they were wrong. (See Matthew 14:1-11; Acts 2:14-41; 6:9; 7:51-54; 13:8-11; 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:11-14; etc.). We should imitate their example (1 Corinthians 11:1; Hebrews 13:7).

Revelation 3:19 – Because Jesus loved people, He reproved and chastened them when they were wrong. He testified that their works were evil (John 7:7). (See examples in Matthew 15:1-20; 22:23-33; chap. 23; John 8:31-55; etc.) We should imitate His example (1 Peter 2:21).

2 Timothy 2:25,26 – This explains why we must correct people who are in sin and why such correction is an act of love. A person in sin is a captive of the Devil; he will be lost unless he repents. If we teach him and he repents, he can be saved from death and have eternal life (James 5:19,20).

When we warn a child not to play with matches, sharp knives, or electrical outlets, are we being egotistical and self-righteous, or are we showing love for the child? So it is also an act of love to try to help people avoid sin.

John 3:20 – The main reason why people say Christians should not point out the errors of other people is that they do not want their own errors (or the errors of their loved ones) to be pointed out. The truth hurts their consciences and makes them feel guilty. They should repent and be forgiven; but if they are unwilling to repent, then they will object to the preaching (cf. Acts 7:51-54; Matthew 14:1-11; John 7:7; Proverbs 28:4).

This is not to say we should rebuke others out of self-righteous motives – to exalt our own pride, to win an argument, or to prove we are right and others are wrong. Nor should we condemn people who are not guilty of sin. But when people are guilty, if we justify their sin, we are as wrong as if we condemned them when they were innocent – note Proverbs 17:15.

When we realize how important obedience is and that there is really only one way to please God, then and only then will we appreciate the importance of speaking out against sin. As long as we think people can be saved while they continue in unforgiven sin, or as long as we think there are many different groups that please God, then we will see no value in warning people to cease sin. When we realize the uniqueness of God’s true church, then we see the value in warning people to turn from sin and become members of Jesus’ church. But this practice will make us even more unique, since most people do not do it.

Conclusion

When we learn the teaching of God’s word, then we understand that Jesus’ church must be unique and unequaled. This does not mean we should deliberately try to be different, just for the sake of being different. Rather, we should simply seek to diligently obey Jesus. But when we do, we will find that we are different from the many people who do not obey Him.

Again, we should want everyone to be forgiven of sins and enter the church. Yet we should not be ashamed of the church if it remains few in number – much less should we think the smallness of the church proves there is something wrong with it. Instead, we should recognize that Jesus said it would be this way.

And finally, members of the church should not become self-righteous and egotistical because they have found the church. Instead, we should thank God for His grace, and we should strive to help others learn about the true church so they can be saved and share the blessings in Christ.

What must a person do to become a member of Jesus’ church? He must simply follow the gospel and be forgiven of sin, for the true church is simply the body of people whom Jesus has forgiven (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Ephesians 5:23,25). To be saved and enter the church, one must hear the gospel, believe it, repent of sins, confess Christ, and be baptized (immersed) in water for the purpose of receiving the forgiveness of sins by Jesus’ blood (Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 10:9,10,17; 6:3,4).

TRIP LEE – HOLLA 116

The Truth About Christmas – Part 2

Veneration of the Virgin and Child

This may come as a stretch to some, but the nativity’s primary imagery, the “Madonna and Child” is actually worship of the “heavenly mother”, the goddess Cybele (also Semiramis and Tammuz). Don’t you find it odd that the United States Government wants God’s name out of the Pledge of Allegiance and other forms of law; but they happily celebrate Christmas, take Sunday’s off, and make a postage stamp for the “Madonna and Child”?

The cult of the Virgin Mary arose in the fourth century as a result of the forceful Christian triumph under Constantine, and blossomed about 100 years later in the fifth century. The Collyridians were, according to Epiphanius in his Panarion, a Christian heretical sect which began in Thrace and, by the time he wrote in 375 AD, had spread to the whole of the area north of the Black Sea and also to Arabia. It was mainly a female sect whose priestesses led the worship of Mary as Queen of Heaven. Their ritual was to cover a throne with a linen cloth, place bread upon it and consecrate it to Mary, and then consume the bread as a communion.

Epiphanius castigated them for their presumption because God had not given Mary any rights of blessing or baptism. His protests show the Collyridian women must have been claiming these rights. The goddess began powerfully reasserting herself in the fifth century. A feminine presence was added to Christianity by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD when the Virgin Mary was named Theotokos the Mother of God. The Emperor Zeno rededicated the temple of Rhea at Byzantium, not to the son or a saint, but to the Virgin Mary. Gradually she was to be heaped with all the titles of the goddess of old, including that of Queen of Heaven.

When the church began to suppress the cults of the goddesses, Roman goddess worshippers turned to the cult of the Virgin to replace Isis and Cybele. Why? Because Cybele’s son was hung on a pine tree, and the husband and brother of Isis, Osiris, was found in a tree. These images, together with the huge sense of loss of civilization and growth of pessimism with the fall of Rome and the barbarity of Christianity, promoted the crucifixion images and so, the cult of the Virgin continued under the guise of Christianity. From this time, pictures of Christ on the cross began to appear, specifically in a pine cross or mounted on a pine cone. Earlier, Jesus had been shown as the Good Shepherd; an androgynous youth carrying a lamb in his arms or across his shoulders. The Western Empire fell to the Goths in 476 AD and the northern tribes were fond of the cross as a magic symbol. From then on, the Jesus typical of Catholic crucifixes became increasingly common.

Paradoxically Bishop Cyril, murderer of Hypatia, was a passionate advocate of the reverencing of the Virgin Mary and 15 years after the butchery of Hypatia was instrumental in defeating Nestorius and asserting Mary worship within the church. Theoretically the outcome was a compromise but in practice the Nestorians were outlawed and became a deviant sect of Christianity which gradually lost ground. Nestorians believed that Jesus was a man who served as a container for the god, Christ. Jesus died and corrupted but the god ascended to heaven where he had dwelt for all eternity. In Greek, Christ simply means “anointed” and was a common name for all gods including Zeus, Mithra, etc. So claims of the god, the Christ, being separate from the man, where not that uncommon.

Cyril was canonized for his efforts and the Ephesians rejoiced, able once more to worship a goddess now called Mary instead of Diana. The Church of Mary was opened in Ephesus for the flourishing cult of Theotokos. Ephesus had been the home of the cult of Cybele the Great Mother in the guise of Diana or Artemis (Ashtoreth in Hebrew found throughout the Old Testament). But the role of the new Mother Goddess was heavily restricted and included none of the fertility components (sexual initiations) present in Pagan religions.

Once the veneration of the Virgin was accepted, the old temples and shrines devoted to goddesses were given over to churches dedicated to Mary. The church of Santa Maria Maggiore replaced the temple of Cybele on the Esquiline hill. Another church to Santa Maria replaced the temple of Tanit, a Phoenician goddess, on the Capitoline hill. Temples to Isis near the Pantheon and to Minerva (Athena) also became churches to Mary.

Elsewhere the temple of Athena at Athens had the same fate and another at Syracuse. Lesser shrines everywhere were converted and re-dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, Mary Theotokos, Mater Dei, Mother of God. And in the process Mary took the attributes of the goddesses she replaced. Like Juno she was the patron saint of pregnant women and their unborn children, like Isis, the Stella Maris, she protected sailors.

An edict of 754 AD from Constantinople condemns any orthodox Christian who does not:

“Confess the holy Ever-Virgin Mary, truly and properly the Mother of God, to be higher than every creature whether visible or invisible and does not with sincere faith seek her intercessions, as one having confidence in her access to our God.”

On December 8, 2003 Pope John Paul II publicly prayed:
“Queen of peace, pray for us!

“Our gaze is directed toward you in great fear, to you do we turn with ever-more insistent faith in these times marked by many uncertainties and fears for the present and future of our planet. Together we lift our confident and sorrowful petition to you, the first fruit of humanity redeemed by Christ, finally freed from the slavery of evil and sin: hear the cry of the pain of victims of war and so many forms of violence that bloody the earth. Clear away the darkness of sorrow and worry, of hate and vengeance. Open up our minds and hearts to faith and forgiveness!” -Pope John Paul II

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” -Acts 4:10-12

The Pagan sea goddess was called Marian (i.e., Stella Maris) and wore the blue cloak and pearl necklace which gave the normal artistic inspiration to painters of the mother and child and other such graven images. The sea goddess by then was Aphrodite who rose from the surf in a scallop shell. Aphrodite was the Babylonian Ishtar (Easter) and she was also the Phoenician mermaid goddess, depicted as a sea goddess. The moon goddess Eurynome was depicted at Phigalia in Arcadia as a mermaid (So yes, the Little Mermaid is a devil too!). Aphrodite is Venus and therefore the morning and evening stars, and as the sea goddess she is the Stella Maris or Star of the Sea. A pun on this is Stella Maris which is Myrrh of the Sea; myrrh is sacred to the goddess and to Mary.

The crusaders found some heretical Mary worshipping Christian sects in the Middle East that where tolerated by the Muslims, perhaps because they were respected for having influenced Mohammed? The Ebionites might have been among them. Some of them had a cult of Mary and it was brought back to Europe via Santiago de Compostela in Spain and ultimately to Britain as the cult of St Mary of Egypt, or Mary Gypsy. She was dark skinned and dressed in the blue robe of Marian, the sea goddess. She appears often in the ballads of Robin Hood because she was adopted by Richard Lion Heart.

It’s also interesting to note that Starbucks Coffee uses the image of the sea goddess in their logo. So, whose coffee are you really drinking?

The ‘Madonna and Child’ theme is thought of as exclusively Catholic Christian, but it was in fact adapted from earlier pagan religions, notably the much older Egyptian cult of Isis and Horus. Pictured at far left, an Ancient Egyptian statue from the 19th Dynasty (1295-1186 BC), predating Christianity by well over 1000 years, showing the ‘Madonna and Child’ theme with Isis and Horus. Center, this Classical Greek mosaic, predating the advent of Christianity, shows the Greek mythological character, Dionysus, as a holy child. This theme was taken up into Roman Catholicism, as per the ‘Madonna and Child’ portrait, at right.

“Among all the women who have ever lived, the mother of Jesus Christ is the most celebrated, the most venerated…Among Roman Catholics, the Madonna is recognized not only as the Mother of God, but also, according to modern Popes, as the Queen of the Universe, Queen of Heaven, Seat of Wisdom, and even the Spouse of the Holy Spirit.” -Time Magazine, “Handmaid or Feminist?”, December 30, 1991, p. 62-66

Jeremiah 7:18 “… the women knead the dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger!”

Jeremiah 16:19 “…. Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, for they worshipped worthless idols…”

What say the Pope?

Pius IX, Ubi Primum, 1849: “For God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that THROUGH HER are obtained every hope, every grace, and ALL SALVATION. For this is his will, that we obtain everything through Mary.”

Paul VI, Christi Matri. “The Church … been accustomed to have recourse to that most ready intercessor, her Mother Mary … For as St. Irenaeus says, she ‘has become the cause of salvation for the whole human race”

John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, 1980, quoting Lumen Gentium, “In fact, by being assumed into heaven she has not laid aside the office of salvation but by the manifold intercession she continues to obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation.”

John Paul II again said, “Membership in the Militia means complete dedication to the Kingdom of God and to the salvation of souls through Mary Immaculate.”

“By awarding the Virgin a central place in the cathedral’s narrative, the archdiocese is keeping faith with a long, if fluctuating, Catholic and Orthodox tradition of devotion to Our Lady, a tradition enjoying resurgence under Pope John Paul II. (The pope’s personal motto, “Totus tuus sum, Maria,” or “I am all yours, Mary,” reflects his belief that the Virgin intervened to save his life from an assassin’s bullet in 1981 so that he could help defeat European communism.)” -LATIMES.com Sept 1, 2002 by REED JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

What does the Nativity Represent?

Beyond the Veneration of the Madonna and Child, the nativity represents the Babylonian trio of Nimrod, Great Grandson to Noah, his mother/wife Semiramis, and their illegitimate child Tammuz. In Genesis 10 and 11 we read of how Nimrod was the world’s greatest hunter and the leader of what seemed at the time to be the entire human race. He orchestrated the planting of cities such as Babel, Asshur, Nineveh and Calah (Genesis 10:10-12). Now if you know any history you’ll know these where some horrid places known for their idolatry and pagan practices.

In Babel we know Nimrod has a Tower constructed which reached high into the heavens. This ziggurat or pyramid like structure can still be found all over the world in cities such as Rome, London, Paris, New York, and Washington D.C. in what we now call an obelisk. The obelisk represents the uncircumcised phallus of Nimrod. This may seem odd to Westerners, but the phallus is a symbol of power to those in the East. Take for instance this quote from Isser Harel, founder of Mossad, Israel’s Intelligence Agency. When asked where terrorism would strike first in America he responded “New York is a symbol of your freedom and capitalism. It’s likely they will strike there first at your tallest building, because it’s your greatest fertility symbol, and a symbol of your power.”^XX

This came true on September 11, 2001 when the tallest buildings in America fell.

XX. The Final Move beyond Iraq by Mike Evans, Interview with Isser Harel, Page 2

When Nimrod eventually died, the Babylonian mystery religion in which he figured prominently continued on. His wife Queen Semiramis saw to that. Once he was dead, she deified him as the Sun-god. In various cultures he later became known as Baal, the Great Life Giver, Baalim, Bel, Chemosh, Molech, etc.

When the beloved Queen gave birth to her illegitimate son because of adulterous affair, she claimed that her son, named Tammuz, was actually Nimrod reborn. She claimed that the son was supernaturally conceived, which lead to them both being worshipped. Nimrod became the sun god and father of creation, Semiramis became the moon goddess and mother of fertility, while Tammuz took the role as the savior of man-kind.

When Tammuz was killed by a wild boar in a hunting accident, Semiramis proclaimed that he passed to the underworld, but through the weeping of his mother he would spring forth as the vegetation each spring season. Thus, Semiramis wept 40 days each spring at the completion of which the spring harvest came forth- a supposed resurrection from the underworld.^X

X. The resurrection of Tammuz [Nimrod] through Ishtar’s grief [Semiramis] was dramatically represented annually in order to insure the success of the crops and the fertility of the people… Each year men and women had to grieve with Ishtar over the death of Tammuz and celebrate the god’s return, in order to win anew her favor and her benefits! [Homer W. Smith, Man and His Gods, p. 86, as cited by Woodrow, p. 157.]

In Ezekiel we read:

“The angel brought me to the gate of the house of the Lord and I beheld women weeping for Tammuz. Then he said to me, you shall see greater abominations. And he brought me into the inner court where about twenty five men had their back to the Temple, they faced east and worshipped the sun.”

- Ezekiel 8:14-16

So, all religious systems and practices in the world have their foundation in the Babylonian Mystery Cults, except for Judaism which is the branch from which true Christianity sprouted. God called a man named Abraham and it was his descendents that would carry the key to knowing the one true God. So, what is a Modern Christian to do? Jesus said in Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

We should forsake all the traditions and practices we have that were not taught by Christ or the apostles in scripture. As it says in Jeremiah 16:19- we have inherited nothing but lies and pagan gods from our forefathers, and Jesus has redeemed us from that empty life we have inherited from our families (1 Peter 1:18).

Mark 7:7-9 “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”

This verse spells it out for us. We’re still trying to keep mans traditions over what God said.

Galatians 4:9-11 “⁹ But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? ¹⁰ You observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.”

The Galatians where Gentiles brought to Christ through the teaching of the apostle Paul; they fell back into their old pagan worship patterns after hearing the Gospel of Truth preached. We have done the same thing! We are free of the old pagan ways and requirements. It’s the legalistic pagans that demand we celebrate their days, times, and years instead of God’s.

If you wish to become a disciple of Jesus Christ or think you’re a disciple but are practicing these pagan rites; repent for taking part in these practices. Turn from this season of sin and falsehood and follow the word of God only.

James 1:22 “Be ye doers of the word and not just hearers only; deceiving your ownselves.”

Daily Bible Study:Portraits of Jesus

Jesus lived almost 2000 years ago, but even today people all over the world serve Him. We know this man primarily through four Bible books: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. First-hand acquaintance with these writings will help us understand Jesus and His message.

This course surveys Mark’s narrative of Jesus’ life. As you study each lesson, please keep a Bible at your side so that you can verify what you are learning by the Scriptures. You will notice that Mark is divided into sixteen major sections (chapters), each of which contains small divisions (verses). When a notation like 5:12 is used in these lessons, you should look at the fifth chapter of Mark and the twelfth verse.

A couple of items before we get started: to profit most from these lessons, you need an open heart to receive what Jesus taught and did. Allow His words to direct you as you read. A prayer for God’s guidance at the beginning and end of each study is recommended. If you don’t understand something mentioned in this course or in your reading of Mark, please feel free to write your question down and send it to us along with your completed lesson. We’ll be happy to answer it if we can.

John Prepares the Way

>>> Read Mark 1:1-8. <<<

Please read Mark 1:1-8 in your Bible before continuing the lesson. In the very first verse, Mark announced that he would write about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is surprising, therefore, that he did not start out by telling about Jesus Himself; instead, he described the work of John the Baptist. This was because John was to prepare the way for Jesus. John fulfilled this mission by preaching to get people ready for the coming of the Lord.

John’s message focused on two themes that will help us get ready to receive Christ. First, he preached about repentance. To repent means to decide to change. John was telling his hearers that they had to reverse their life’s direction to get ready for Christ; those unwilling to change could not come to Him. Second, John declared the greatness of Jesus. He said Jesus was so great that he himself was not even worthy to stoop down and untie His shoes. This was an amazing declaration because one does not have to have much worth to untie somebody’s shoes. In fact, in John’s day, untying shoes was considered to be a slave’s lowest duty – John wasn’t worthy to be Jesus’ humblest slave! So, for us to be ready to receive Jesus, we must repent (change our lives) and recognize His awesome greatness.

*1* John came to prepare the way for whom? (a) Moses, (b) Mohammed, (c) Jesus, (d) Peter. Answer: (put the letter of the correct answer in the blank) ______.

*2* What word in our study means “to decide to change”? Answer: The word is (put the correct word[s] in the blank) ______ .

*3* John said he was unworthy to: a) untie Jesus’ shoes; b) carry Jesus’ bags; c) stand beside Jesus; d) talk to Jesus. Answer : ______.

Early Events in Jesus’ Career

>>> Read Mark 1:9-15. <<<

Just like thousands of others, Jesus came to John to be baptized. But as He emerged from the water, something startling occurred: The Holy Spirit came down upon Him in the form of a dove and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” God was showing His approval of Jesus in a dramatic way.

Then Jesus entered the wilderness where the devil tempted Him. While Matthew and Luke provide more specific information about the temptations (Matthew 4; Luke 4), Mark’s brief account shows two things. First, Jesus experienced temptation as all men do. Second, doing what pleases God, as Jesus did when He was baptized, does not exempt one from temptation. Satan often intensifies his efforts when a person begins to serve God.

*4&5* What two amazing things happened when Jesus was baptized? Answer: The ______ came on Him in a form like a dove, and a voice spoke from ______ saying, “This is my beloved Son.”

*6* Where was Jesus baptized (v9)? Answer: He was baptized in the ______ River.

*7* For how many days was Jesus tempted by Satan in the wilderness (v13; cf. Luke 4:1,2)? Answer: ______ days (give a number).

*8* What message did Jesus preach (v15)? Answer: He told people to repent and believe in the ______.

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen

>>> Read Mark 1:16-20. <<<

As Jesus walked along, He saw two of His friends, Peter and Andrew, who were professional fishermen. He asked them to follow Him and become fishers of men. At once, they quit their jobs and began following Christ. He next found James and John, and requested that they do the same. With no hesitation, they left not only their occupation but also their father, and began to accompany the Lord. Clearly, these men recognized Jesus’ greatness. He was the one whose shoes John was unworthy to untie. God had specially acknowledged Him by His own voice from heaven. So when Jesus demanded radical action (to drop everything and follow Him), they responded immediately.

Note — Characteristics of followers of Jesus: These fishermen demonstrated the meaning of discipleship. When Jesus called, they: 1) acted immediately, 2) left both job and family, and 3) started following Him.

Christ calls today through His Word. When we perceive His greatness, we too will: 1) obey immediately all He says, 2) put Him ahead of everything, including our job and family, and 3) follow Him, allowing His example to direct every step.

People who know that Jesus wants them to change, but put it off, are not like these four fishermen.

*9* Which of these things did the disciples not do when Jesus called them? a) decide immediately; b) leave family and job; c) follow Jesus; d) go to school for training. Answer: ______.

*10* What did Jesus say He would make these men (v17)? Answer: He would make them fishers of ______.

Jesus Amazes the Crowds

>>> Read Mark 1:21-28. <<<

Jesus’ teaching astounded the multitude in the synagogue (a synagogue was like a church among the Jews). He taught with authority. He issued His commands as if He had the right to tell others exactly what to do!

Jesus’ actions showed that He really had the authority that He claimed. In this paragraph, He cast out a demon. How? By His words! Nothing more. When Jesus merely said, “Be quiet and come out of him,” the demon left the man. His words had authority even over demons. The calmness with which Jesus expelled demons reflected His power: He never argued or struggled or created a scene. He simply ordered the demons to leave and they left. No wonder people were amazed. He had demonstrated the credentials to prove His authority.

Note — Need for authority: In every area, authority is essential. To determine distance, it is necessary to have a yardstick or standard of measure by which to calculate length. Thus, if someone wishes to know how long a room is, he measures it. There is no other way to know for sure. God has provided a yardstick in religion: Jesus and His words. When we wish to know whether something is right or wrong, we should evaluate it by the standard of the Scriptures. This should be done with every teacher and teaching – even this correspondence course. Therefore, you need to have a Bible at your side while you are studying, and continually refer to it to be sure that what is taught in these lessons is true. The Bible is our yardstick.

*11* What amazed the multitudes about Jesus? a) physical appearance; b) intelligence; c) wealth; d) authority in teaching. Answer: ______.

*12* How did Jesus expel the demon? a) by conducting a seance; b) by a magical formula; c) by a simple command (rebuke); d) by taking up a collection. Answer: ______.

*13* What purpose did Jesus’ miracles serve? a) they made Him rich, b) they demonstrated His authority and proved He was from God, c) they proved people today can do miracles, d) they served no purpose whatever. Answer: ______.

Jesus Heals Many

>>> Read Mark 1:29-34. <<<

Jesus came into Simon Peter’s house and found his mother-in-law sick in bed with a high fever (see Luke 4:38). He spoke to her, raised her up, and the fever left her. She then began waiting on Jesus and the disciples. He also healed many others who were brought to Him.

Several features of Jesus’ healings are noteworthy:

* He healed immediately, with no delay.

* He healed everyone who came to Him regardless of their disease. (Compare Matt. 8:16,17; Luke 4:40,41.)

* He healed so completely that Simon’s mother-in-law was able to get up and start waiting on them. After a fever breaks, it normally takes a few days for a person to recover his strength. Jesus’ healings put people back as if they had never had their maladies in the first place!

* Jesus sought to avoid publicity. He ordered the demons not to announce who He was.

*14* Whom did Jesus heal in this story? Answer: He healed Simon Peter’s ______.

(Thought question: If Peter had a mother-in-law, what does this tell you about Peter? Note that “Simon” is just another name for Peter — Matt. 4:18; 8:14,15.)

*15* Which is not characteristic of Jesus’ healings? a) He healed many (i.e., all of the many who came); b) He healed completely; c) He healed immediately; d) He healed so He could become rich and popular. Answer: ______.

Jesus Continues His Journeys

>>> Read Mark 1:35-39. <<<

Jesus frequently sought solitude for prayer. Prayer during the daytime was nearly impossible since the crowds continually pressed on Him, so He skipped sleep to be able to talk with His Father that He missed so much. After finally finding Him that morning, the disciples reported that everybody in the town where He had been was seeking Him. Nevertheless, since He wanted to be able to get the message to as many people as possible, He insisted on moving on to other towns.

*16* Jesus arose early in the morning for what purpose? Answer: He arose to ______.

Jesus Heals a Leper

>>> Read Mark 1:40-45. <<<

Painful open sores caused everyone to dread leprosy. Those who contracted it were quarantined because the disease was highly contagious. In this story, Jesus did what no one else dared do – He touched a leper. When He did so, the man was healed immediately. His sores were instantly transformed into smooth skin. The Lord then instructed the cleansed leper to report his healing to the priest (a requirement of the law of Moses – Leviticus 13-14), but to tell no one else. The man, however, went out and told everyone – the exact opposite of what Jesus had said. Undoubtedly he was thrilled that he had been healed and probably imagined that spreading the news about Jesus would honor Him. But the fact remains that he did just what Jesus had said not to do. As a result, the Lord was thronged by such large crowds that He could no longer publicly enter into cities, but had to remain in unpopulated areas. We should learn a lesson: All disobedience, even well-intentioned, hurts Jesus’ work.

*17* After Jesus spoke, how long was it till the leprosy was healed? a) several weeks, b) several days, c) immediate, d) the Bible does not say. Answer: ______.

*18* After Jesus had healed the leper, He told the man to show himself to whom? Answer: He was to show himself to the ______.

*19* What result occurred because the leper disobeyed Jesus’ orders? a) he became a leper again; b) Jesus was thronged by crowds so large that He couldn’t enter a town; c) Jesus praised his evangelism; d) he became an apostle. Answer: ______.

Summary: This chapter shows the greatness of Jesus: John was unworthy to untie His shoes; God spoke from heaven endorsing Him; He expelled demons by a mere word; He healed the sick immediately regardless of the nature of their infirmity. This chapter also indicates how we should respond to His greatness: immediately obey everything He says no matter what sacrifice is required; respect the authority of His message; and, obey Him even when His command seems unreasonable.

Trip Lee Spittin Acappella

The Truth About Christmas – Part 3

The Origins of Christmas

The word “Christmas” means “Mass of Christ,” or, as it came to be shortened, “Christ-Mass.” This term came to the modern world from the Roman Catholic Church.

“Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church . . . The first evidence of the feast is from Egypt.” “Pagan customs centering around the January calends [the pagan calendar] gravitated to Christmas.”–Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911 ed., article: “Christmas.”

Origen, an early Catholic writer, said this about celebrating birthdays in the Bible:

“In the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his [Christ's] birthday. It is only sinners [like Pharaoh or Herod] who make great rejoicings over the day in which they were born into this world.”–Catholic Encyclopedia, 11th ed., art: “Natal Day.”

The Christ-Mass

It must be attended by the faithful, under penalty of mortal sin for not doing so. At this mass–as at every other,–Christ is offered by the priest in a wafer, which they believe becomes the actual flesh of Christ after being blessed; this is the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation. The people are to worship this wafer as the living Christ! Vatican statements on this reveal that this worship of a piece of bread remains unchanged during this season: “There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that all the faithful ought to show to this most holy sacrament [the communion wafer] the worship which is due to the true God, as has always been the custom of the Catholic Church. Nor is it to be adored any the less because it was instituted by Christ to be eaten.”–Vatican II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents.

This Vatican II statement reaffirms the doctrinal statement made in 1648 at the Council of Trent. (Session 13: Decree on the Eucharist, chap. 5, Denz 78, 1648).

Notice in the photo at right that the monstrance which holds the wafer is designed to look like the sun (Nimrod/Mithras, etc). Thus the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, which centers upon the wafer as the image of worship, is actually nothing more than another excuse to worship an image of the sun!

Exodus 20:4 “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” Exodus 20:5 “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them”. God’s commandment is pretty plain- don’t worship or serve any image or likeness of anything!

When in Rome, Do as the Romans

December 25th as you now know was the birth date of many pagan deities, but it was also the date of the Saturnalia, a vile celebration in honor of the Roman god, Saturn, also known as Mithras. The festival was originally 12 days (12 days of Christmas) which began on December 20/21 , which is the time of the Winter Solstice and went through to the pagan new year, we know as January 1. The Winter Solstice to pagans is the birthday of the gods; thus the sun was worshipped while at its lowest point; and rebirth occurred thereafter which was signified by the sun making it’s way back to its original point in the sky by New Year’s Day.

December 25th was indicated on the old Roman calendar as Dies Natalis Invicti Solis — the Day of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun. The Roman church adopted that date as the birthday of Christ, blending their culture’s pagan traditions with Judeo-Christian beliefs as a way of ‘converting’ souls to Christ. In reality, it was simply a way to maintain authority over the growing number of Christians in the Roman Empire.

Such celebrations were not peculiar to the Romans, however. The ancient Egyptians had long before instituted festivals and even laws which commemorated the birth of the sun. Nearly 1400 years before the birth of Christ, a pharaoh-mystic by the name of Akhenaton made a symbol of the sun with each of its rays ending in a human hand. He called this the Aton (pictured left): the light of the world.  Akhenaton declared that Aton gave its light to all nations, to all races, and to creatures of every kind. It did not judge or condemn; it simply gave life and light forever. Today’s religious humanists (e.g., Universalists/Unitarians) present a similar picture of God. This is in keeping with the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild” image that is given to our mighty King at this time of year. It’s also wise to note that Catholic literally means ‘Universal’.

HOW AND WHY DID CHRISTMAS GET INTO THE CHURCH?

In one brief paragraph, the New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge tells us how the December 25 holiday entered the Christian Church:

“How much the date of the festival depended upon the pagan Brumalia [The December 25 celebration], following the Saturnalia [an eight-day December 17-24 festival preceding it], and celebrating the shortest day of the year and the ‘new sun’ . . . cannot be accurately determined. The pagan Saturnalia and Brumalia were too deeply entrenched in popular custom to be set aside by Christian influence . . . The pagan festival with its riot and merrymaking was so popular that Christians were glad of an excuse to continue its celebration with little change in spirit and in manner. Christian preachers of the West and the Near East protested against the unseemly frivolity with which Christ’s birthday was celebrated, while Christians of Mesopotamia accused their Western brethren of idolatry and sun worship for adopting as Christian this pagan festival.”– New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, art: “Christmas.”

Church leaders adopted a pagan holiday, in spite of the protests of some godly local Christians. It was considered idolatry to do this, since it was nothing more than a heathen day of worship. In addition, the day for this worship had been selected in honor of Mithras, the sun god. December 25 was dedicated to the keeping of his birthday. Therefore, sincere Christians considered it to be a form of sun worship. The sun had reached its lowest angle in the sky on December 21 (the winter solstice), and the 25th was the first observable day in which it began rising in the noon sky. So December 25 had, for centuries, been celebrated as the “birth of the sun god.”

But earnest believers recognized that Christians dare not accept pagan practices or pagan holidays. Those heathen customs could not be found in the Bible, so they ought to be shunned by conscientious Christians today.

The Roman world was essentially pagan and many converts to Christianity had come to enjoy those festivities, and did not want to forsake them after baptism into the Christian church. When these half-converted church members rose to leadership positions, they made policy changes in agreement with contemporary heathen customs. And that is how we got Christmas.

“A feast was established in memory of this event [Christ's birth] in the fourth century. In the fifth century the Western Church ordered it to be celebrated forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol, as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ’s birth existed.” –Encyclopedia Americana (1944 edition), art: “Christmas.”

If the Bible contained no certain knowledge of when Christ was born, then we should not select a definite day on which to worship Him. Instead, we should remain with the only weekly worship day God ever gave us: the Seventh-day Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11), which is Saturday.

Sol means “sun” in Latin, and was another name for Mithras, the sun god. A strong controversy arose in the Christian church over this latest apostasy by Western church leaders: “Certain Latins, as early as [A.D.] 354, celebrated on December 25^th which was then a Mithraic feast . . . or birthday of the unconquered sun . . . The Syrians and Armenians accused the Romans of sun worship and idolatry.”–Encyclopedia Britannica, (1946 ed).

MITHRAS AND THE DAY OF THE SUN

All this time there was no particular day that was used for his heathen worship. But then, about the time of Christ, or a little before, the various days of the week were dedicated to specific pagan gods–dies Solis–the day of the Sun, dies Lunae–the day of the Moon, and so on.

The sacred day of the Jews and Christians was the memorial of Creation–the true Sabbath–the Seventh day–the only Sabbath given in the Bible. The sacred day of paganism was the memorial of the Sun-god–the first day of the week. His day was called, “the Venerable Day of the Sun” or Sunday.

Sunday-keeping never occurred in the Old or New Testament, nor was it commended. In the time of Christ and the Apostles, the official religion of the Roman government did not have a sacred day, but gradually Sunday-keeping began to become common among the non-Christian people of the empire. Sunday was never commemorated by the Apostles, they met everyday to break bread (Acts 2:46-47). Also, it wasn’t kept because Jesus rose on Sunday; He rose Saturday evening! Do the math, read the signs He gave (Matt. 12:39-40) – going by the traditional method of a Good Friday death and Sunday resurrection makes the sign He gave us a lie! If the traditional method where accurate He was raised sometime Monday. Now, getting back on point…

The planetary week, each day named after a different planet in the sky, played a very important part in the worship of the sun. By the time of Christ, Sun worship was most powerfully represented in Mithraism. Now, Mithra (or Mithras) was originally an ancient god of Iran, and had been worshipped as the god of strength and war by the descendants of the Persians. But by the first century A.D., he had been transformed, oddly enough, into the leading Sun god, and the foremost pagan god of any kind, of the western civilized world. The Romans often called him by a new name, Sol invictus, “the Invincible Sun.” During the early centuries of the Christian Era, Mithras was the greatest pagan rival of Christianity.

And this was not without a carefully developed plan; for Satan had arranged that this religion would closely approximate in several ways the only true religion in the world—Messianic Christianity. It had such features as a dying, rising savior, special religious suppers, a special holy day out of the weekly seven–the Sun Day, initial baptism of its converts (in the blood of a slaughtered bull), and other similarities. It counterfeited the religion of the true God more cleverly than any other religion up to that time in history.

Gradually, large numbers of non-Christians began observing Sunday as a holy day in honor of Mithra. He was especially liked by the Roman soldiers, for his worship included athletic feats of skill and “warlike manliness.”

Gradually, the worship of the Invincible Sun became even more popular and wide spread among the Roman Empire. Emperor Aurelian (270-275 A.D.), whose mother was a priestess of the Sun, made this solar cult the official religion of the empire. His biographer, Flavius Vopiscus, says that the priests of the Temple of the Sun at Rome were called pontiffs. They were priests of their dying-rising savior–Mithra, and vicegerents in religious matters next to him. (Sounds like the Vatican today huh? That’s because it is!)

By this time, the middle of the second century, worldly Christians, apparently from the records in Alexandria and Rome more than anywhere else, in order to be better accepted by their pagan neighbors, began keeping Sunday with the rest of the pagans, and in order to excuse their practice, since it was not Scriptural, they called it “the Lord’s Day.” Sun worship continued to be the official religion of the empire until Constantine I defeated Licinius in 323, after which it was replaced by Romanized Christianity which is simply a blending of the Mithraic and Babylonian Mystery religions with Christianity.

CONSTANTINE AND A STATE CHURCH

On the retirement of Emperor Diocletian in A.D. 305, it was an uphill fight among several men for the coveted title of Emperor. Fighting continued on and off from 305 till 323. But out of it Constantine emerged as the sole ruler of the vast Roman Empire. The crucial battle occurred just north of Rome in October of 312, following which by the Edict of Milan, he gave Christianity full legal equality with every other religion in the empire. More favors to the church soon followed.

Then, on March 7, 321, was issued the first national Sunday Law in history. This was the first “blue law” (-) to be issued by a civil government. Here is the text of Constantine’s Sunday Law Decree: “Let all judges and townspeople and occupations of all trades rest on the Venerable Day of the Sun [Sunday]; nevertheless, let those who are situated in the rural districts freely and with full liberty attend to the cultivation of the fields, because it frequently happens that no other day may be so fitting for plowing grains or trenching vineyards, lest at the time the advantage of the moment granted by the provision of heaven be lost. Given on the Nones [seventh] of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls, each of them, for the second time.”–The Code of Justinian, Book 111, title 12, law 3.

- A blue law, in the United States and Canada, is a type of law restricting activities or sales of goods on Sunday, which had its roots in accommodating Christian Sunday worship, although it persists to this day more as a matter of tradition.

Five additional Sunday Laws were to be issued by Constantine within a few years to strengthen this, his basic one.

It is to be observed that Constantine’s Sunday law was just that–a Sunday law–and nothing more. It was a Sunday law that both Mithraites and compromising Christians could easily accept. In that law, Christianity is never mentioned. The day is called “the Venerable Day of the Sun, “(venarabili die solis). This was the mystical name for the Day of the Sun god. Both the heathen and the Christians well knew this. It is a historical fact that when Constantine issued this first imperial Sunday edict of 321, enforcing the observance of Sunday by the people of the Roman Empire, he was still a worshiper of Sol invictus–”the Invincible Sun,” as well as being the Pontifex Maximus (supreme pagan pontiff or priest) of Roman heathen worship as the state religion.

But though Constantine meant the law to unite all contending religions into one giant compromising conglomerate, Christian leaders in Rome saw it as a great victory.

The Pope has amended a Vatican pronouncement that the Roman Catholic Church was the “only way to salvation”, saying that “Heaven is open to all as long as they are good.”  He said at an audience that “all of the just on Earth, including those who ignore Christ and his Church” were “called upon to build the kingdom of God”. -Electronic Telegraph (Posted on www.telegraph.co.uk) ISSUE 2023 Friday 8 December 2000 by Bruce Johnston in Rome)

VATICAN CITY, (ZENIT.org) – “How is it possible to explain the unique character of Christ and of the Catholic Church to a Jew or a Lutheran, a reporter asked Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, during a press conference to present the “Dominus Jesus” declaration, which is concerned, precisely, with the unique and universal salvation of Christ and the Church.

Referring to a believing Jew, Cardinal Ratzinger clarified that “we are in agreement that a Jew, and this is true for believers of other religions, does not need to know or acknowledge Christ as the Son of God in order to be saved, if there are insurmountable impediments, of which he is not blameworthy, to preclude it.  However, the fact that the Son of God entered history, made himself part of history, and is present as a reality in history, affects everyone.”(Interview by Zenit News Agency)

This was again Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the highest appointed teacher in the Roman Church on Doctrine. He is now known as Pope Benedict XVI.

Romans 3:10-12 “As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

CHURCH ENFORCEMENT

Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea (270-338), generally considered to be Constantine’s outstanding flatterer in the church, made this remarkable statement:

“All things whatsoever it was duty to do on the [Seventh day] Sabbath, these we [the church] have transferred to the Lord’s Day [Sunday].”–Commentary on the Psalms, in Migne, Patrologia Graeca, volume 23, column 1171.

This was the beginning of something new and ominous within the Christian Church. Rome, itself, the capitol of the mammoth empire, was more licentious, dissipated, and political, than any other city. The influence of it all had reached to the local Christian church there, and a concern to meet the world’s standard, as well as a fascination with power-politics had gripped it.

In 325 A.D. the Council of Nicea met, at which time the church leaders decreed that all honor the resurrection of Christ by keeping the Easter festival–and only on a certain Sunday of each year. Immediately, following this ruling, Constantine issued an imperial order commanding all Christians everywhere to obey the decree of this council. Church and State had united, and whenever in history this has happened persecution of religious dissenters has generally followed. Trouble was ahead for the people of God.

Daily Bible Study:Portraits of Jesus Part 2

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Opposition to Jesus Grows

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Jesus Heals a Paralytic

>>> Read Mark 2:1-12. <<<

As a result of His teaching and miracles, Jesus’ popularity grew rapidly. So many wanted to hear Him that they filled the house in Capernaum where He was teaching and crowded around it. Just then, five men arrived, eager to see Jesus too. One of them was paralyzed and the other four carried him on a stretcher. It was impossible for them to get in through the door, so they climbed up on the roof, dug a hole in it and let the paralytic down through the opening they had created. You can imagine the commotion among the crowd in the house below.

When Jesus saw the faith they had demonstrated, He told the lame man that his sins were forgiven. That was probably not what the man had expected, but it is every man’s greatest need. The scribes who were present thought Jesus had blasphemed because God alone can forgive sins. Jesus read their minds and asked: Which is easier to say–your sins are forgiven, or get up and walk? To prove His ability to forgive sins (something invisible and therefore impossible to verify), He healed the paralytic who then got up and walked. Jesus proved His power to conquer invisible, spiritual problems by overcoming a visible, physical problem. The crowd was dumbfounded. They had never seen anything to compare with Jesus.

Note — Who will reach Jesus? Consider the five men as they approached the house in which Jesus was teaching. They had come in order to see Him, but their way to Jesus was blocked by a big obstacle: the crowd. Many would have simply turned around and gone back home. Not these men. They were determined, even desperate, in their desire to see Jesus. Their procedure, unroofing the roof, was radical but it worked. Even today, those who want to come to Jesus frequently encounter barriers in their path. The only ones who actually reach Him, are those who are absolutely determined and who refuse to allow anything to keep them from following Him. How determined to be with Jesus are you?

*1* What did the paralytic and his friends do when they were unable to reach Jesus? a) gave up and went home; b) waited for God to open a path through the crowd; c) offered a financial contribution; d) took off part of the roof so the paralytic could enter the house through the opening. Answer: ______.

*2* What did Jesus do for the paralytic before healing him? Answer: He ______ his sins.

*3* Who alone can forgive sins? Answer: Only ______ can forgive sins.

*4* How did Jesus prove He has the power to forgive sins? Answer: He ______ the paralyzed man.

(Thought question: If only God can forgive sins, but Jesus proved that He could forgive sins, what does that prove about the nature of Jesus?)

Jesus Socializes with Outcasts

>>> Read Mark 2:13-17. <<<

One of Jesus’ more surprising actions was calling Levi to be a disciple. Levi had been a tax collector. In that era, tax collectors were viewed as both thieves and traitors because they used dishonest tactics to raise funds for the hated Roman invaders. Adding a tax collector to His inner circle was hardly a move that could be expected to increase Jesus’ popularity! Later, Levi held a banquet in Christ’s honor. He invited his friends: other tax collectors and sinners. The scribes and Pharisees were outraged because they thought it improper for a teacher of religion to eat with immoral people. When Jesus overheard their criticism, He asked: Who needs a doctor–the sick or the well? His purpose, He said, was not to call righteous, but sinners. The Lord never hesitated to break society’s norms and customs.

*5* Name the tax collector whom Jesus called. Answer: His name was ______.

*6* What reason did Jesus give to explain why He socialized with sinful people? a) He wanted to participate in their sins; b) He did not believe that sinful people can be a bad influence on good people; c) He wanted to teach the sinners to repent; d) He believed sinners will be saved, even if they don’t change. Answer: ______.

Jesus’ Disciples Don’t Fast

>>> Read Mark 2:18-22. <<<

Some of the Pharisees and disciples of John came to Jesus asking why He and His disciples didn’t fast like other religious people did. Jesus explained by illustration. He said that no one would fast at a time of celebration, such as a wedding. His own presence on the earth made it a joyous time of feasting because He was the bridegroom. Since fasting should fit the occasion, it was inappropriate in this situation. He also explained that just as no one would put new wine in old bottles or a new patch on old jeans, it was equally out of place to put the newly revealed gospel of Christ into the old traditional forms of the Jews. Fasting was just not the right thing to do when the Son of God Himself was present.

*7* How did Jesus explain why His disciples didn’t fast? a) He said they did fast, but did it secretly; b) He said that His presence made it a time of joy in which fasting was inappropriate; c) He condemned all fasting; d) He admitted they were wrong and should have fasted. Answer: ______.

Disciples Break Sabbath Traditions

>>> Read Mark 2:23-28. <<<

The more popular Jesus became, the more outspoken His opponents’ attacks. Jesus and His disciples provided easy targets for their critics, because they refused to follow the religious traditions of their age. Jewish tradition regarding the Sabbath day prohibited all activity, including plucking grain to eat, but Jesus and His followers ignored these cherished doctrines. When the Jewish officials criticized the disciples, Jesus defended their actions by noting His opponents’ inconsistency: they justified David when he broke God’s law, but they condemned Him when He merely violated men’s traditions. Then He explained that God had intended for the Sabbath command to provide relief for man, not be an additional burden. Finally, Jesus proclaimed His authority over the Sabbath saying that He Himself was Lord of the Sabbath. If Jesus created the Sabbath, surely He knew what activities violated it.

*8* What did Jesus call Himself? Answer: He was Lord of the ______.

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

>>> Read Mark 3:1-6. <<<

As their hatred of Jesus mounted, His enemies searched for every possible chance to attack Him, but He kept evading their traps. On this occasion, a man with a withered hand was in the synagogue. Jesus asked His opponents’ opinion on whether or not to help the man, but they refused to reply. Jesus then told him to stretch his hand out. Apparently He neither touched him nor did any other physical thing–He merely asked the man to reach his hand out. When he did, it was healed. Jesus’ critics were furious and began plotting to assassinate Him.

Note — To save a life or to kill: In 3:4 Jesus asked His opponents: Should one save a life or kill on the Sabbath? They chose not to reply, which showed that they were not interested in truth, but only wanted to discredit Him. It is always easy to find fault, but it is much harder to give a positive recommendation. Normally Christ healed men by laying His hands on them or performing some other physical sign. If He had accompanied the healing by physical action in this case, they would have attacked Him for doing medical work on the Sabbath, something contrary to their tradition. This time, however, Jesus did nothing–He merely told the man to reach his hand out. Even Jesus’ enemies did not believe it wrong to stretch out your hand on the Sabbath. Thus, He outsmarted His opponents; they were furious. When a man in an argument begins to get angry, it is a sure sign that he is losing. As it turned out, Jesus’ enemies are the ones who plotted to kill on the Sabbath, because He had done good.

*9* How many sins did Jesus commit during His lifetime (see 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21,22; Hebrews 4:15)? Answer (give a number): ______.

*10* The activities Jesus did on the sabbath violated what rules? a) only uninspired Jewish traditions; b) the 10 commands; c) the Law of Moses; d) the New Testament; e) all the preceding. Answer: ______.

*11* What did Jesus’ enemies do after He had healed the man with the withered hand? Answer: They plotted to ______ Jesus.

Jesus’ Popularity Grows

>>> Read Mark 3:7-12.<<<

Though Jesus frequently tried to withdraw, people followed Him from everywhere. He continued teaching, healing and casting out demons. While neither the crowd nor the religious leaders seemed to have recognized His true identity, the demons confessed Jesus as the Son of God. He declined their testimony, however, since He did not want the recommendation of the Devil.

Jesus Appoints Twelve as Apostles

>>> Read Mark 3:13-19. <<<

Jesus needed to train apprentices to represent Him and preach the gospel after His departure. He chose twelve of His followers for that job. The twelve He chose were an unlikely bunch: included were four fishermen, a tax collector, a revolutionary (Simon the “Zealot”), a skeptic (Thomas), and a traitor (Judas Iscariot). Jesus proved that He could work with and make something out of even the most unpromising material.

*12* What work did Jesus empower the apostles to do (read Mark 3:15 and Matt. 10:1)? a) preach the gospel; b) heal diseases, c) cast out demons, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.

Accusations of Satanic Influence

>>> Read Mark 3:20-30. <<<

While Jesus’ family thought He had gone crazy, the Pharisees charged that He accomplished His work through the power of the devil. They were desperately seeking to discredit Him and diminish His influence. Jesus’ devastating reply silenced them. First, He said that it would be unreasonable and even disastrous for the devil to begin attacking himself. Civil wars don’t produce strong kingdoms. Second, Christ explained that He had come to rob the strong man (the devil), taking from him the souls that had been under his control. Logically, He would need to disarm Satan to accomplish this goal, so expelling demons was a predictable facet of His strategy. Finally, He warned of the serious consequences of hardening one’s heart to the point of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. These scribes were demonstrating a malicious and possibly fatal attitude toward the work of God.

* 13* How did Jesus’ enemies explain His ability to cast out demons? a) He did it by the power of the devil; b) He did it because He was the Son of God; c) it just seemed like He expelled demons but He really didn’t; d) they didn’t try to explain it. Answer: ______.

*14* What did Jesus say would happen to a kingdom that was divided against itself (v24)? Answer: He said that kingdom cannot ______.

Jesus’ True Family

>>> Read Mark 3:31-35. <<<

Jesus’ physical family didn’t understand Him. They came to try to talk to Him, perhaps to persuade Him to take a break. He refused to give them a private hearing, explaining that His family no longer had a special claim on His attention. Jesus’ true family consists of those who hear and do His will. This incident shows that Mary had no special influence or privilege; Jesus treats all of His obedient followers equally.

*15* Who wanted to talk to Jesus? a) His aunt and cousins, b) His mother and brothers, c) His father, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.

*16* Who did Jesus say are His real family members? Answer: Those who ______ the will of God.

Summary: Jesus was continually under attack. He was criticized because He forgave sins, ate with sinners, didn’t fast, didn’t observe the religious establishment’s Sabbath doctrines, and cast out demons. He never cracked under the intense scrutiny and pressure. Much to the contrary, He continually affirmed principles that are extremely important even for our service to Him: 1) the priority of forgiveness of sins over physical healing, 2) the importance of recognizing one’s spiritual sickness, 3) the fact that fasting is to be done only when it fits the circumstances, 4) the uselessness of religious traditions, and 5) the critical danger of hardheartedly rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit.

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Lil Wayne: Best Rap Artist, Biggest Drug Addict or Both!

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The World Music Awards, held in Monte Carlo on 11/9, honored Lil Wayne as the World’s Best Hip Hop/Rap artist. Jesse Metcalfe and Michelle Williams hosted the event that has been going strong since 1988. The London-based recording industry has an entity known as IFPPI which notes the worldwide record sales of artists. Already at 3 million, with momentum still rising, Tha Carter 3 dominated others such as Kanye West and T-Pain to give Weezy the win. Despite the internet hoax that Lil Wayne was murdered in a gang-related shooting, Wayne did have to take a trip to court on 11/6 for a preliminary hearing on felony drug and weapon charges. According to police records, a January 22 search of Wayne’s tour bus from border patrol DEA agents revealed four ounces of marijuana, an ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of Ecstasy, and a .40 caliber pistol registered to him. His next scheduled court date will be on 11/21, where he can face the consequences of his actions. Isn’t this proof enough for people to see that wealth, fame, and sex does not bring true happiness. These so called “real” or “great” rappers should consider telling the truth about their lives. Instead, all the fans get is a bunch of poppin’ bottles, sexin’ women, packin’ heat, money splurgin’, materialistic flauntin’, and self worshippin’ “half truths”. It reminds me of Psalm 12:8, “The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.” I figure if youth can learn about all this through Wayne’s songs which tell half the story, they should also learn about the drugs and alcohol he abuses in order to try and stay sane. He and his entourage on that tour bus are obviously trying multiple drugs to cope with the pressure of being in the limelight. It’s also obvious that Wayne is living in fear because he is carrying a .40 gun with him. When you look at the person behind the mask, you see an individual whose life is wrecked and in desperate need of God. If Lil Wayne continues down the road he is on, he will be even richer, more famous, and more miserably lost than ever. Since I hate to see any individual destroy themselves or others, I am going to say a prayer for him, and hope that God would bring him into a genuine relationship with Jesus. Job 15: 20 All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless through all the years stored up for him. Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him. He despairs of escaping the darkness; he is marked for the sword. He wanders about—food for vultures he knows the day of darkness is at hand. Distress and anguish fill him with terror; they overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack

Daily Bible Study – Portraits of Jesus Part 3: Jesus Teaches in Parables

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Parable of the Sower

>>> Read Mark 4:1-20. <<<

Please read this story in your Bible before studying the lesson. Jesus frequently taught in parables. A parable is a story with a spiritual application. Here, Jesus described a farmer who went out to sow seed in his field. Naturally, as he went along scattering it with his hand, the seed fell onto different types of ground. The harvest depended on the kind of soil where the seed fell.

The disciples did not understand what Jesus meant, so they asked Him to explain. Jesus described four types of people who hear the word of the gospel. The first type is like hard-packed soil. These hard-hearted people do not let the word penetrate into their life; they reject it immediately because they have closed their mind. The second type is like seed sown in rocky places. The idea here is of a thin layer of topsoil covering a large rock. When seed is sown in such a place, it will germinate and grow in the shallow soil, but it will not develop deep roots. When the sun comes out and it doesn’t rain for a few days, the plant will wither and die. This represents a person who eagerly receives the word, but doesn’t develop roots through faith and Bible study. This person will not have the ability to withstand the temptations and persecutions that come along in life. Third, Jesus described the thorny soil. In this ground, the plant is overshadowed by taller weeds which suffocate fruit production. This soil symbolizes people who receive the word and although they allow it to continue in their lives, permit competing interests to dwarf it. These other influences may not be bad things in themselves, but they dominate the person’s life so much that the seed can’t bear fruit. Finally, Jesus described good soil in which plants bear abundant fruit. This soil represents Christians who are diligent in the service of God.

Note — Which soil are you? Everyone has a place in the parable of the sower. Jesus wants us to evaluate which type of soil we are. 1) Hopefully, we won’t be the hardened, wayside soil. If we are, we will close our mind to the truth and refuse to allow the gospel to penetrate our heart and change our life. 2) Perhaps we’ll be the rocky soil. On the surface we appear to be growing and serving the Lord enthusiastically. But we aren’t deepening our roots through faith, through study and through a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When times become tough, we will fall away and others will marvel, because on the surface it looked like we were doing so well. 3) If we end up being the thorny soil, we will continue to “be a Christian,” but our life will be dominated by other activities and we will never have much time or attention to share with spiritual concerns. This is probably the most subtle danger, because the plant in thorny soil never completely falls away. As a result, we can soothe our conscience and believe that we are still doing OK, when in fact, we aren’t bearing fruit. 4) Ideally, we will be the good soil that bears the fruit of righteousness for the Lord.

Note — Meditations on the seed: Jesus explained that the seed represents the word of God (Luke 8:11). There are many lessons that can be learned by the analogy between seed and the word. For example, seed always produces after its kind. That is, rice seed always produces rice plants, corn seed produces corn plants, and pumpkin seed pumpkin plants. There are no exceptions. By the plant that results, one can determine what seed was planted. So it is in the spiritual realm. When the pure word of God is planted, the resulting plants are Christians. When you end up with other things–say Buddhists, Mormons, or Jehovah’s Witnesses, you know that something besides the word of God was planted. To produce a Buddhist, you must plant the teachings of Buddha. To get a Mormon, the book of Mormon and the teachings of the Mormon church must be planted. Jehovah’s Witnesses are formed by planting the teachings of their organizational headquarters, the Watchtower Society. What would happen if you merely planted the Scriptures, without mixing in any other teachings?

Seed never changes. It would be theoretically possible to eliminate pumpkin plants from the face of the earth. Yet if pumpkin seeds were preserved, someone many years later could plant them, and again produce pumpkins. So also in Christ. The seed is the word of God (1 Peter 1:23-25). Even if there had not been servants of Christ on the earth for a long time, when people returned to following the Bible only, they would become Christians. Our goal should be to reproduce pure disciples of Christ in the twentieth century, just like they were in the first.

*1* What is a parable? Answer: A parable is a physical story with a ______ application.

*2* What kind of soil did Jesus describe? (a) wayside soil, (b) stony soil, (c) thorny soil, (d) good soil, (e) all of these. Answer: ______.

*3* What does the seed represent? Answer: It represents the ______ of God.

*4* What does the wayside soil represent? Answer: It represents people whose hearts are hardened, so that Satan takes the ______ from their hearts.

*5* The rocky soil represents people who do well for a while, but then fall away because of what? a) hardened hearts, b) tribulation or persecution, c) too much Bible study, d) all the preceding. Answer ______.

*6* Is it possible for a person who has received the word to fall away (see also Galatians 5:4)? (yes or no) Answer: ______.

*7* In the thorny soil, the thorns represent what? a) hardened hearts, b) false doctrines, c) cares of the world and deceit of riches, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.

*8* What was the principal characteristic of the good soil (v20)? Answer: It bore ______, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

*9* How does seed reproduce (see also Galatians 6:7)? Answer: Whatever a man sows, that is what he will ______.

*10* What causes people to become members of various different religious groups? Answer: They hear and accept the ______ taught by those groups.

Parable of the Lamp

>>> Read Mark 4:21-25. <<<

Jesus compared the Word of God to a lamp. It would be useless to buy a lamp, and then stick it under a bed. After all, a lamp’s purpose is to illuminate–if you can’t see it, it does no good at all. The Bible is a light. But it is useless if it remains closed on the bookshelf. In order to receive profit, we must open it up and read it.

Although studying the Scriptures is essential, many read the Bible in vain, because they don’t read it correctly. It is significant that in the middle of a text stressing the importance of hearing the word, Jesus emphasized the need to be careful how we hear (4:24). The fact that people who read the Bible come to markedly different conclusions about what it means demonstrates that many are not understanding it properly. Some are careless and simply don’t put much effort into their study. Others twist the Scriptures intentionally, misinterpreting them to try to confirm the beliefs and practices they have already determined to follow.

Note — How to study the Bible: There are some common sense principles that can help you understand the Scriptures as you study. First, learn to study in context. The Bible has two main divisions: the Old Testament (first 39 books) and the New Testament (last 27 books). The New Testament is the part that directly relates to us today since it contains the teachings of Christ and the apostles. The Old Testament gives the background of God’s preparation of the Jewish nation for the coming of Christ. These Testaments are subdivided into books (66 in all). It is probably best to study book by book. This Bible course was designed to take a person through the gospel of Mark step-by-step.

You need to concentrate on what you read in the Bible to be able to understand it. Since each book is divided into chapters, it is helpful to approach your Bible study by working with a chapter at a time. Read through the chapter two or three times. On the first reading, work to simply discover what the chapter contains, but on the second reading, you can begin to try to analyze the main points. Keep a notebook handy. Jot down a note or two about the main ideas or events of the chapter. A notebook is a good place to write down questions that arise as you study. Writing them down so that you won’t forget them allows you to progress in your study without getting sidetracked. Later, you can search for the answers to these questions yourself, or you can ask someone else to help you. Those who are mailing you these lessons would be happy to try to help answer your Bible questions.

*11* What does the lamp in 4:21 represent? Answer: It represents the word of ______.

*12* When people do not study the Bible diligently enough, what will result? a) sin, b) false teaching, c) ignorance, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.

Parable of the Seed

>>> Read Mark 4:26-29. <<<

Jesus said that the kingdom of God was like a farmer who planted a seed. That night he went to bed. The next morning he got up and tended to other responsibilities. Meanwhile, the seed germinated, began to grow and finally bore fruit. Jesus was teaching several things by this story. First, the one who plants the seed is not responsible for its growth; that is, the one who teaches the gospel doesn’t control the growth of the word in the heart of the one who heard. Second, the growth of the word in a person’s life is gradual. One does not hear the Bible today and become a mature Christian tomorrow. But if the hearer’s heart is right he will allow the word to shape and mold his life step-by-step so that he can become the kind of person God wants him to be.

*13* What part did the farmer play in the growth of the seed? Answer: He just planted the ______.

*14* Who decides whether or not a person who hears the word will believe and obey it? a) God decides for the person, b) the person who hears decides for himself, c) Satan decides, d) no one decides. Answer: ______.

Parable of Mustard Seed

>>> Read Mark 4:30-34. <<<

Jesus said that the kingdom is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is tiny, but grows to be a great shrub. So also, God’s kingdom began in a small way during the ministry of an impoverished carpenter, Jesus, but gradually became a dominant world force. Christians’ efforts to work for the Lord’s kingdom may seem insignificant, but God is able to grow large mustard trees from tiny seeds.

*15* What is the lesson of the mustard seed parable? Answer: God’s ______ began small but would grow and become powerful.

THE WAR REPORT: Music News, Mahogany Jones, DJ Rhino

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DJ Rhino releases his long awaited follow up to “It’s Time” with “Wanted.”This mixtape is packed with 35 bangin’ tracks including exclusives and remixes! Artists include Sean Slaughter, Corey Red, Tonex, Applejaxx, Cy, Braille, Afaar, Theory Hazit, J.Kwest, Poems, Surreal, YSG Timothy, Cash Hollistah, ManChild, and many more!This is not a compiliation! It’s a mixtape blended the way a mixtape should be! This mixtape was birthed out of the word “wanted.” Wanted is loaded with meaning… Many people wanted a follow up to “It’s Time.” Wanted, a solid mixtape that’s not a compilation and doesn’t have a dj hollerin’ all over the place. Wanted is change beyond rhetoric. Wanted, a call for people to wake up to the ills of the inner-cities in America. Wanted, is the word written on posters with your picture, posted by two opposing campaigns; one’s aim is destruction and the other’s is to give a destiny, a purpose, and a Revolution to join and fight for. All proceeds from the sales of this project go towards The Revolution, an inner-city church and ministry, helping to them to continuing reaching the Gary, IN. Mahogany Jones Special Feature True to the original form of Hip- Hop, Mahogany Jones began as a poet. Raised in Mt. Vernon, New York, it was from the ageof thirteen she began to compile hundreds of poems scribbled in composition notebooks. It wasn’t until 96′, during her firstyear of college, that in a small cafe called the BrooklynMoon, that she began to hone the art of the Spoken Word by sharing mics with the likes of Saul Williams, Mums the Schemer, Sarah Jones, and several others. From then on she took theater classes, read countless poetry books, and in addition thrived on the poetic genius of em-cees from the underground. Livin’ in the heart of BK and being the avant garde village rat she was is what introduced her to J-Live, Jean Grae, Stronghold, and a slew of emcee’s whose verbal dexterity was deadly. Mahogany states “I caught the bug- It was my dream to rock the mic.” In 2000 she became a member of Toni Blackman’s (“Hip-Hop Ambassador”/Activist) Freestyle Union and with a rigorous diet of weekly freestyle session, accountability meetings and movement training an em-cee was born. Through it all there was still something missing, a void, and in that same year Jesus Christ filled it. It was in 2001, right before the rise of Poster Boy and Jin, that Mahogany Jones, a timid, 5′11 wordsmith would go to win B.E.T’s “Freestyle Friday’s” battle competition and come out a four time Champion and do so in the name of Christ. Now an active member of Holy Hip-Hop’s movement, The Yuinon, the only battling she is interested in is battling the degregation, mindless instant gratification, and poverty mentality that’s suffocating Hip-Hop today. Her travels as both a spoken word artist and em-cee have taken her throughout the U.S. and have allowed her to grace stage line-ups with Dead Prez, The Roots, India Arie,and many others. Along with producer, I-ron-ic- Lee, the two have put together Mahogany’s debut full length project, “Morphed.”

Album Reviews: D-Maub “Urban Legend”

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After viewing the video “So Professional” by Cincinnati emcee and Route One Entertainment representative D-Maub I approached listening to his latest offering “Urban Legend” with high expectations. Also, two things almost instantly came to mind. One, this cat is definitely what he claims to be – a professional! Two, if Ludacris was a born-again believer/rapper (I’m assuming he’s not) this is what he would sound like (that’s no insult; I believe as an emcee Luda is one of the best in the game!). As I explored the sound scape of this album, I found out that D-Maub was much more complex than my initial thoughts. D-Maub can match rhyme patterns with the best of them. He can also switch styles like you switch a pair of white Air one’s with dirt on them.

As for the sound of this project, technically they did an awesome job. The overall clarity and the mixes were superb and the recording was exceptionably clean. The bulk of the production was handled by Spark It Productions, along with a few notable names as well – k-Drama, Tony Stone, as well as Epic. You know just adding them to the equation will make for some very hot music, as well as pressure for the emcee to deliver. D-Maub’s aim was most definitely to please.

The project starts out with an intro that will probably lead most people to believe this CD will be kinda grimmey or darker style wise (grimmey ala Corey Red, K-nine, etc.).  The intro track is hot but suffers a little from overkill. I think it would have been best suited with just the first verse.

There are several stand out tracks on this album. The first being the certified banger “Let’s Go.”
Spark It productions killed this track. It is so out the box and that is part of the reason it is bananas! D-Maub totally destroys this track. If he is campaigning for emcee of the year, based on this song he would have my vote. Everything is working together on this hot joint.

Also the east coast tinged “My Way” which is a lyrical portrait of what the world and the community at large could be if we tapped into the love and leadership of the spirit of the Lord. D-Maub seamlessly communicates what he thinks a perfect world would look and feel like if we saw things the way Gods sees them.

You can’t forget the hood anthem “Urban legend.” In true fashion D-Maub strikes the balance between reppin’ the King of Kings and the hood that helped to shape the man he has become.

D-Maub smooths it out on the Tony Stone gem “F.R.E.S.H,” which stands for “Forever Representing Eternally Staying Holy.” This joint is a laid back ode to the grace and mercy of God and the position that grace and mercy puts us in. D-Maub rides this beat like a pony at a kiddie birthday party. He provides us with more memorable one-liners than the terminator.

Urban Legend did have some flaws. I think some more thought could have gone into some of the hooks. In some songs it was hard to tell the difference between the hooks and the verses because some lacked the punch that a hook needs to be effective. As well as the song “People Crazy” reminded me of a keyboard demo. I thought the song in the beginning was confusing.  I didn’t think it fit the concept of the album.

D-Maub certainly carried the album, but it would have been great to hear some features. I’m sure Cinci has a lot of able Christian emcees, (I own a mixtape full of them).  Also this album could have used a few more tracks, with only eleven it seemed like it was over before you really got into it.

Overall Urban Legend is a great album minus a few tracks that were so‑so. Biblically speaking the love of God is evident in the songs, its scope is more inspirational as well as testimonial opposed to academic and theological. If you love tremendous wordplay as well as ferocious lyricism, this is the disc for you. If not I still think it would be a great addition to your music library. Plainly put D-Maub is a lyrical beast. Look for him on Brinson’s single “Solar Powered,” as well as the upcoming album Boom Baptism by k‑Drama.

Daily Bible Study: Portraits of Jesus Part 5

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Jesus Does the Impossible
Lesson #4

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Jesus Stills the Storm

>>> Read Mark 4:35-41. <<<

Jesus consistently demonstrated His authority by doing things which were totally beyond human capacity. In this case, while the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat, Jesus fell asleep on a cushion. A great storm arose, and the disciples panicked. In desperation, they awoke Jesus saying: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He got up and calmly rebuked the wind and the sea. The storm ceased. He then turned to the disciples and reproved them for their lack of faith. Though they had seen Jesus perform many miracles, they were always amazed by each new one. They said: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Note — How well do we sleep? Considering the things that the disciples had already seen Jesus do, their doubts about His ability to quiet the storm are astonishing. They had seen Him heal multitudes of people, cast out demons and prove Himself equal to any task at hand. Suddenly, they despaired because of a storm on the sea. Obviously, they didn’t really think Jesus could solve this problem because they were amazed when He did. How could they have been so slow and so distrustful? What about us? Do we not believe that Jesus can handle any situation, if we trust and obey His will? Have we not seen in the Scriptures how Jesus can solve every problem? How do we react when we confront a fresh crisis in our lives–do we trustingly and confidently turn to Jesus, or do we throw up our hands in despair? How well do we sleep?

*1* What was Jesus doing when the storm arose on the sea? (a) praying, (b) reading Scripture, (c) sleeping, (d) rowing. Answer: ______.

*2* How did Jesus calm the storm? Answer: He calmly ______ the wind and the sea.

*3* How did the disciples react to this miracle? (a) They ignored it. (b) They were afraid, (c) They were angry. (d) All of the preceding. Answer: ______.

Jesus Casts out a Legion of Demons

>>> Read Mark 5:1-20. <<<

When Jesus got out of the boat, a wild man met Him. The man, inhabited by thousands of demons, could not be subdued by human force, and so he lived as a savage among the tombs. The demons within the man were scared of Jesus. They asked Him not to send them out of the country (to the abyss, Luke 8:31). Instead, they wanted to be able to enter a nearby herd of swine. Evidently, if the demons had been expelled without having permission to go into another being, they would have had to return to Hell. No doubt it was better to inhabit a pig, if necessary, than to be sent back to that awful place. Surprisingly, Jesus granted the demons’ request. They left the man and entered the pigs. The herd went berserk because of the presence of the demons within them, ran headlong and plunged off the cliff. The pigs drowned and presumably the demons had to return to the abyss. Perhaps they thought they had outsmarted Jesus when He allowed them to enter the swine, but the truth is, Jesus outsmarted them! In the end they had to return to the abyss–they merely took a roller-coaster ride to get there.

Meanwhile, those who had been tending the hogs went into the city and told the townsfolk about what Jesus had done. What a tremendous opportunity for this small town to have Jesus present! They didn’t look at it as an opportunity though; they asked Jesus to leave. The man who had been healed wanted to follow Jesus, but He told him to return to his home and start preaching.

Note — They asked Him to leave! At first, it may seem incredible that the people of the town didn’t want Jesus to stay. But think about what they had just lost: 2000 pigs. Some people owned them; some folks were planning to make money slaughtering, processing and selling them. He had hurt the town’s economy. They evidently loved material possessions more than they loved Jesus; because of that, they missed out on the supreme privilege. They asked Him to leave. Do we ever invite the Lord to leave our lives because we love material things more than we love Him?

Note — Jesus’ surprising instructions: When the man who had been healed wanted to follow Him, Jesus gave him strange orders. He refused to allow the man to accompany Him, but asked him to return and tell about his healing in the city. There are two surprising things about this command: 1) Jesus didn’t allow the man to accompany him. Putting myself in the demoniac’s place, I can see why he would have wanted to be with the one who cured him; but Jesus said no. Would it not have been a wonderful thing to be in Jesus’ presence? Certainly. But what Jesus preferred was for the man to testify of His work in the city. Sometimes God may not want us to remain in secure and comfortable surroundings, but rather go to the lost and preach. 2) Jesus normally was telling folks not to tell about their healings (see Mark 1:40-45). Why the sudden change here? Remember where Jesus was. He was on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had not wanted to be thronged by spectators in the Capernaum area, west of the Sea, but in this wicked town, He was in no danger of becoming too popular. The people in this place needed someone to report the miracle.

*4* What measures had been attempted to subdue the demoniac (v4)? a) psychology, b) shackles and chains, c) shock therapy, d) drugs. Answer: ______.

*5* What name did the demons wear (v9)? Answer: ______.

*6* Where did the demons say they wanted to go? Answer: They wanted to go into a herd of ______.

*7* What happened to the swine when the demons entered them? Answer: They ran off a cliff and drowned in the ______.

*8* What did the townspeople ask Jesus to do? Answer: They asked Jesus to ______.

*9* What did Jesus tell the demoniac to do after he had been healed? a) Tell no one what had happened, b) Lie about what happened, c) Tell everyone what happened, d) Commit himself to an asylum. Answer: ______.

Jesus Heals Woman with Hemorrhage

>>> Read Mark 5:21-34. <<<

A synagogue official named Jairus requested Jesus to come and heal his daughter who was dying. As Jesus was journeying to his house, a desperate woman in the multitude touched the Lord. She had been bleeding for 12 years, had gone to many doctors, and spent all of her money, but had only worsened. She thought that by touching Jesus she could be healed. Sure enough, when she touched Jesus’ coat, she could sense that the flow of blood immediately dried up and she was well. Suddenly, Jesus asked who had touched Him. The disciples thought it was a strange question since there was a huge crowd thronging Jesus. Many had “touched” Him. But the woman knew what Jesus meant. Terrified, she came forward and confessed. Jesus reassured her saying that her faith had made her well.

Note — Why did Jesus embarrass her? Obviously, the woman with the bleeding was hoping to avoid publicity. She didn’t make her presence known, but silently touched Jesus’ clothes and was healed. Then Jesus put her on the spot by asking who touched Him. She was trembling as she admitted what she had done. Why did He draw attention to this shy lady? Perhaps there are two reasons: 1) If He had not, the woman would have believed that she had been healed by some sort of magic associated with Jesus’ clothes. He wanted her to know that He had consciously healed her. Many touched His clothes and were not healed; she was healed by the will of the Lord. 2) If Jesus had allowed her to leave thinking she had “stolen” the healing, her conscience might later trouble her. By publicly identifying her, He was able to comfort and encourage her, telling her to go in peace.

*10* How long had the woman had her problem of bleeding? Answer: ______ years.

*11* How had she tried to get well previously? Answer: She had spent all her money on ______.

*12* When was the woman with the bleeding healed? a) she was not healed; b) when she believed on Jesus; c) when she asked Him to heal her; d) when she touched Jesus’ clothes. Answer: ______.

*13* How did the rest of the multitude find out about Jesus’ miracle? Answer: He asked who had ______ Him, and the woman confessed.

Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter

>>> Read Mark 5:35-43. <<<

During the delay caused by the healing of the woman, people came to tell Jairus not to bother Jesus any longer because his daughter had died. Jesus told them to believe and He continued on to the house. There, the mourners laughed when Jesus told them that the girl was “sleeping.” He wasn’t denying the reality of her death, but was affirming that He would soon raise her; therefore, her death was more like sleep. He took only three disciples and the girl’s parents, went into her room, and told her to get up. She did. The witnesses were astounded.

Please notice the theme that runs through the stories in this section of Mark: Jesus can do what is humanly impossible. First, the storm. The disciples were desperate, but Jesus calmed it with a mere word. Then, the demoniac. Though many had tried, no one had been able to bind nor subdue him. Jesus expelled the demons with a word and the man returned to normal. Then, the woman. No physician had been able to heal her though she had spent all her money in the effort. With one touch, she was completely cured. Finally, the daughter of Jairus. When one dies, all attempts to cure the sickness end, because everyone knows you can’t raise the dead. Jesus did. Four times in this part of Mark, Jesus entered situations that were humanly impossible and emerged victorious.

*14* Why did people suggest that Jairus not bother Jesus any more? Answer: Because the girl had ______.

*15* Who was in the room when Jesus raised the daughter (v37,40)? a) Jesus, b) the girl, c) the girl’s parents, d) Peter, James, and John, e) all the preceding but no one else. Answer: ______.

*16* What does the Bible account say that assures us the girl was really alive again? Answer: She arose and ______.

(Thought question: Considering the nature and purpose of these miracles, who alive on earth today can do such things as these? What can we learn as a result?)

Rejection at Nazareth

>>> Read Mark 6:1-6. <<<

Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. Despite convincing proofs that He was the Son of God, His own townspeople rejected Him. They knew His family and His background and they refused to believe that someone they viewed as a peer could be greater than they. Because the people didn’t have enough faith to bring their sick to Him, Jesus healed few. The people in Nazareth forfeited an ideal opportunity to have the Lord with them.

Note — Great opportunities: It is tragic to see people discarding the fantastic opportunity to be blessed by Jesus. In the country of the Gadarenes, they simply asked Jesus to leave (5:1-20). Here in Nazareth, they refused to believe and therefore didn’t even bring their sick for Jesus to heal. As a result, they missed out on the opportunities that others, like Jairus and the woman with the bleeding, benefited from. What about us? Do we take advantage of the opportunity to know Jesus and to be blessed by Him?

*17* What had been Jesus’ profession before He began His ministry (v3)? Answer: He had been a ______.

*18* Which of Jesus’ family members did the people of Nazareth know (v3)? a) His mother Mary, b) His brothers, c) His sisters, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.

(Thought question: What does this tell you about Mary?)

*19* How did the people of Jesus’ hometown (Nazareth) react to Him? a) They rejected Him, b) They believed in Him, c) They made a hero of Him, d) all of the preceding. Answer: ______.

The Truth About Christmas Part 4

The Christ-Mass Tree

Green trees were cut down, mounted, and then decked with offerings of food and precious gifts to the gods, Mithras in particular. Evergreens; because of their ability to remain fresh and green all year, symbolized immortality and fertility. Egyptian priests taught that the evergreen tree sprang from the grave of their god Osiris, who, after being murdered by another god, was resurrected through the energy in an evergreen tree. The fruit of the evergreen is of course the pine cone, which is again symbolic of evergreen tree worship and fertility.

The Bible states in Jeremiah 10: 2-4 “Hear the word which God speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says The Lord: “Do not learn the way of the heathens; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. 4 They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple.

According to A Dictionary of Symbols, by J. E. Cirlot, the Christmas tree is also a symbol in the sense of being a pyramid. “…in European folklores… [The pyramid] is symbolic of the earth in its maternal aspect. Pyramids with Christmas decorations and lights, moreover, express the twofold idea of death and immortality, both associated with the Great Mother.” (p. 267)

Additionally, during the 1600’s it was actually illegal to have a Christmas tree or Christmas service in the new land of America! Those on the American Frontier had just left the confines of the English/Roman religious system and where fresh off the heals of reformation in Europe. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that Christmas and its traditions where widely practiced, this is due primarily to the influx of immigrants from the North (European nations) migrating throughout the country.

The pine cone staff is a symbol of the solar god Osiris. (Egyptian Museum, Turino, Italy) Osiris originated in Egypt, where he was their “Christ”, who died for the good of his people, and who’s mother, Isis, was worshipped as the Virgin Mother. Osiris was the Egyptian counterfeit of Jesus Christ!

This clearly shows that the custom of bringing in a tree and decorating it is associated with the signs of the heathen — the winter solstice in this case — and the Lord God does not want His people learning to do these things.

Jeremiah 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity (lawlessness), that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

Long before the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ evergreens were used by the pagans in their superstitious worship. In the northern regions of Europe they were brought inside under the superstitious notion that the woodland spirits and fairies would live in them during the winter and thus survive the cold. In Italy, evergreens were used to decorate in honor of Saturn. Added to this is the fact that when Israel went into apostasy they sacrificed under green trees and God punished them for it.

Ezekiel 6:13 Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.

Offering sweet savors to idols under a green tree sounds like putting milk and cookies and other presents under a “Christmas tree” does it not?

As mentioned previously, it’s also thought that Christ was crucified on a pine tree, because all the other pagan deities where identified with a pine tree which represented fertility and eternity. The pine cone has long been associated with fertility rites as it is the fruit or seed of the tree. It is likened to Easter eggs in it’s methods of offering to the gods. The photo below shows a pine cone from the Vatican’s Court of the Pine Cone- this is the largest pine cone structure in the world. At far right, the arrow points to the pine cone upon which the crucifix is built. The images of ancient paganism are everywhere.

Garland Decorations

The only place garlands show up in the Bible is of course in pagan worship.

Acts 14:12-18 “And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifices with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.”

Mistletoe

Mistletoe is also related to pagan sun god worship. Balder, the Norse sun god, was supposed to be immune to all forms of destruction because of spells cast by the other gods. The only thing they missed in their incantations was mistletoe and so Loki, the evil god, contrived to have Balder killed by an arrow made of mistletoe. After the other gods brought Balder back to life, the mistletoe promised never to hurt anyone again. It became the symbol of love. Perhaps because of this legend, or perhaps for other reasons, it was worshipped by the Druids.

They also used it to cast spells, the principal belief being that if they held it over a woman’s head she was powerless to resist, and they could then have their way with her sexually. From this comes our custom of hanging it over doorways, and the tradition that if a girl in caught under the sprig of mistletoe she may be kissed and may not resist. As it all had to do with fertility and sex, the berries on the sprig made its power more potent. Mistletoe is still considered worth more if it has berries.

And if that isn’t enough for you, the practice is believed to have originated with orgiastic celebrations in connection with the Celtic Midsummer Eve ceremony when the mistletoe was gathered. During that festival the men would kiss each other as a display of their homosexuality. The custom was later broadened to include both men and women. Balder as in the image on the previous page suggests, is likened to Christ in art and pagan religious custom. Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream is in part loosely based around the Celtic ceremony.

2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them [the heathen], and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you…”

Advent Wreaths and Holly

Circular wreaths of evergreen branches (especially holly) were a featured part of the Saturnalia festival and other deity birth rites. These were formed in the shape of the sun, and represented life which could not exist without sunlight. These wreaths were placed on inside and outside walls during the celebrations. At the time of initiation into the Dionysian mysteries, these were worn by the initiates as fertility symbols upon the head. They represented the perpetuity of existence through ongoing cycles of life, death, and rebirth. “The use of Advent wreaths is believed by authorities to be traceable to the pagan customs of decorating buildings and places of worship at the feast which took place at the same time as Christmas. The Christmas tree is from Egypt, and its origin dates from a period long anterior to the Christian era.”–Frederick J. Haskins, Answers to Questions.

Today, many people utilize Advent wreaths with four candles going around the wreath. This too is a perpetuation of the sun wheel and couples with pagan fertility customs as the candles represent phallic worship. Advent is from the Latin Adventus, implicitly coupled with Redemptoris, “the coming of the Savior”, which if you have read this far, you know does not refer to Messiah Jesus.

Yule

The Yule Log tradition comes to us from Scandinavia, where the pagan sex and fertility god Jul, or Jule (pronounced ‘yule’), was honored in a twelve-day celebration in December. A large, single log (generally considered to have been a phallic/male genital idol) was kept with a fire against it for twelve days, a different sacrifice to Jul being offered in the fire on each of the twelve days. The Yule log was originally an entire tree, carefully chosen, and brought into the house with great ceremony. The butt end would be placed into the hearth while the rest of the tree stuck out into the room. The tree would be slowly fed into the fire and the entire process was carefully timed to last the entire Yule season.

We noted earlier how the 12 days of Christmas was derived from the original Roman Saturnalia which was practiced throughout the old empire. Part of that old empire encompassed the northern Germanic and Celtic territories which had migrants to the Norse territories of Holland, Scandanavia, etc. After the Pilgrims left England they went to the Norse territories and remained there for about 15 years. They left due to the harsh weather conditions, but not before adopting more of the pagan Yule-tide customs. It was then that the Pilgrims returned to England to replenish their stock to head to the new world, America. That’s how America came to learn about the 12 days of Christmas.

Yuletide, meaning the turning of the sun or the winter solstice, has traditionally been a time of extreme importance in Scandinavia – a time when fortunes for the coming year were determined and when the dead were thought to walk the earth. For a long time, it was considered dangerous to sleep alone on Christmas Eve. The extended family, master and servant alike, would sleep together on a freshly spread bed of straw.

In France, the Yule log is still held in present use in the form of a log shaped cake called “buche de Noel.” This cake has found its way into other countries, among them the USA as “hot cross buns” and “stollens”. Using logs to decorate or shape cakes after, giving yuletide greetings, and any recognition of the Twelve Days of Christmas or Twelfth night; is giving credit to this vile phallic worship of Scandinavia’s past. Yuletide is also observed by witches today as one of their main high days, so if you are “celebrating” you are doing so with witches.

The Norse also sacrificed a boar to their god Freyr during yuletide. It is thought that this is probably where the English tradition of serving boar’s head at “Christmas” came from and our tradition of serving “Christmas Ham”.

Gift Giving

The Romans exchanged food, small statues of gods (we now give snowmen, Santa statues, Jesus statues, etc.), and trinkets to one another during the winter festival. The church in adopting the custom, declared that it was to again be done on December 25 but in their cleverness they deceived the masses by teaching “the three wisemen brought gifts to Christ when He was born, so we do too”.

“The interchange of presents between friends is alike characteristic of Christmas and the Saturnalia, and must have been adopted by Christians from the pagans, as the admonition of Tertullian plainly shows.”–Bibliotheca Sacra, Vol. 12, pp. 153-155.

Should we today give gifts to our friends and to those who need them? Yes, it is well to do this all through the year,–especially to the needy.

Luke 6:30-35 ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you. ³²“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ love those who love them. ³³And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ do that. ³⁴And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ lend to ’sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Our choicest gifts should be brought to Christ.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea . . . and when they [the magi] came into the house, they . . . fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”–Matthew 2:1-11.

Give Him the best you have; give Him your life. Dedicate all you have to Him, to be used in His service. Read the Bible daily and obey its commands through the enabling grace of Christ. Only then can you have genuine happiness. But let not ancient paganism select the day on which you will worship God. If we want to have happy gatherings with our loved ones, that is great. But let’s not copy the heathen in doing it.

“Take heed to thyself, that thou be not snared by following them . . . that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, how did these nations serve their gods? Even so will I do likewise? Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Eternal, which He hateth, have they done unto their gods.”–Deuteronomy 12:30-31

“In vain, do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”–Matthew 15:9

Wassailing

Wassailing is the practice of going door-to-door singing Christmas carols and requesting in return wassail (food or drink) or some other form of refreshment. In modern times it is most commonly known through reference in various traditional Christmas carols (e.g., “Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green”). Wassailing, however, was originally an important part of a horticultural ritual.

In England, it focused on the apple orchards. The purpose was to salute the trees in the dead of winter to insure a good crop for the coming year. The date varied across the 12 days of Christmas. If done formally, the wassail procession visited the principal orchards of the area, caroling as it went. In each orchard, major trees were selected and cider or liquor was sprinkled over their root systems. Incantations (-) such as: Stand fast at root, Bear well at top, every twig bear apple big, and every bow bear apple now. Also, Here’s to thee old apple tree, Hats full, sacks full, Great bushel baskets full, Hurrah! Incantations such as these were recited. To frighten evil spirits away, guns were fired into the air. Before proceeding, the procession usually danced about the honored trees and then snaked its way out of the orchard. The care with which the ceremony had been executed was measured by the crop yield the following year.

Wassailing actually developed from a spell casting ceremony!

- Incantation: Ritual recitation of verbal charms or spells to produce a magic effect.

Ø A formula used in ritual recitation; a verbal charm or spell.

Ø A conventionalized utterance repeated without thought. (American Heritage Dictionary)

Santa Claus

While many are aware that children should not be allowed to believe in Santa Claus some may not realize that the origins of the legend come so thoroughly from paganism! He is an anti-Christ image through and through.

The name ‘Santa Claus’ is believed to be a corruption of the Dutch ‘Sant Nikolaas’ (Sant-Ni-Klaus). St. Nicholas (as he was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church) was made bishop of Myra because of his reputed piety. He was believed to have venerated the Christ-child and practiced the child-like virtues of meekness and humility. Legend has it that he gave aid to the poor, always providing his gifts anonymously. In memory of his generosity mothers would hide gifts for their children and tell them they were left by St. Nicholas. Because of his alleged piety, and legends attributing ‘miracles’ to him which centered on children and the bestowing of fertility upon childless couples, St. Nicholas is revered by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of children.

The legends of St. Nicholas bear many similarities to those of the ancient Egyptian god Bes, a rotund, gnome like personage who was the patron of little children. Bes was the god of war, slaughter, music and dance and childbirth, but was also supposed to be the protector of homes and children. Among other things, his symbols included bells and drums. Bes was usually depicted as a bearded savage-looking yet comical dwarf, shown full-face in images (highly unusual by Egyptian artistic conventions). However, many texts point to the idea that Bes was a terrible avenging deity, who was as swift to punish the wicked as he was to amuse and delight the righteous.” One source claimed that Bes was Babylonian in origin.

To complete the description of Santa Claus, we find that many pagan societies have worshipped a hearth god, clad in red that came down the chimney to bless those who pleased him and to curse those who didn’t, such as China’s Zaowang. On December 23^rd, the people living in rural areas clean out or rebuild their kitchen stoves or fire places. It is believed that on this day that Zaowang will return to heaven to report on the goings-on in the household. He again returns on the 30^th day of December when people stay up all night eating and celebrating, anticipating the arrival of the New Year. There are other such red-clad hearth gods worshipped in India and throughout Asia today. Taiwan’s hearth god is said to return to heaven to report on the affairs of men on the 24^th day of the December. This is reminiscent of the scripture regarding Israel’s apostasy in these things:

Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

Gathering wood and kindling the fires would be done after the stove or hearth was cleaned of old ash. Making cakes to the “Queen of Heaven” is linked to the hot cross buns and stollens we find this time of year, which are again phallic symbols. Lastly, pouring out drink offerings is linked to eggnog and milk and cookies for “other gods”.

Leaving these offering under the “Christmas tree” has even more significance again when we read:

Ezekiel 6:13“…that they offered sweet savors to their idols under every green tree.”

So, here again we have the fertility connection so prevalent in the “Christmas” tradition and idolatry. Added to this is another horrible fact: “It would surprise many to learn that even the name ‘Christ Child’ has been given to this pagan deity under the name ‘Kriss Kringle’ (a corruption of the German ‘Christ Kindl’). This has to be one of the most subtle of Satan’s blasphemies, yet most Christians are unaware of it.” So, not only is the Egyptian god, Bes, being promoted as a saint; he is even given the name of Christ!

Additionally, Chemosh ( Hebrew כמש, pronounced [χe'moʃ] ), was the god of the Moabites (Num. 21:29; Jer. 48:7, 13, 46). The word Chemosh meant the destroyer, subduer, or fish-god. This deity was looked upon as the god of prosperity and is directly related to Santa Claus in a couple ways… first, this fish god, also known as dagon is the same one worshipped in Ninevah at the time of Jonah, Ninevah of course was founded by Nimrod, King of Babylon. Chemosh is the masculine name for Ashtar (Ishtar/Easter) and could therefore be construed as a husband to Easter. Chemosh was an idol forged of some sort of metal which could be heated hot enough to consume human flesh fairly quickly. It was a pot-bellied god, which is where the fire was housed (the belly). The priests of Chemosh wore the prygian cap (mitre) just like those of Tammuz and Mithra.

It was on December 25^th that the Moabite child-mass began. Followers would come before this pot-bellied god, now red hot with fire, and recite a list of their desires for the next year. Upon completion of their list they would place their child in the lap of this god to be sacrified by fire. The reality is that we allow our children to do the same thing- we parade them before the pot bellied, cherry red Santa in the local mall to recite their desires for Christmas Day only to place them in his lap for judgment. Those guilty of this idolatry will be judged in the holy fire of a living God- Jesus the Messiah.

The Following is a chart showing the comparisons between Santa Claus and Jesus Christ.

SANTA CLAUS 1. Has white hair like wool 2. Beard-curly and white 3. Comes from North Pole 4. Omniscient-knows about all 5. Ageless, eternal 6. Makes List of Judgments 7. Checks list twice 8. Gifts given on basis of a list 9. Christmas rewards once yearly 10. Confess wrongs to Santa 11. Promise to be better next year 12. Asks children to obey parents 13. Comes on “Christ’s birthday” 14. Hour of his coming a mystery 15. Rudolph’s shining nose to guide 16. Calls all children to his knee 17. Be good for goodness sake 18. Has a twinkle in his eye 19. Swift visit to whole world in 1 day. 20. Omnipresent-Found in every mall 21. Says “Ho,ho”

JESUS CHRIST 1. Revelation 1:14 – Daniel 7:9 2. Isaiah 50:6 – Rev. 1:14 3. Ez. 1:4; Ex.26:35 Psa.48:2 4. Revelation 19:6 5. Rev. 1:8,21:6; Hebrews 13:8 6. Rev.20:12; 14:7; 21:27; 2 Cor.5:10 7. Dan. 8:14; Matt. 10:26, 1 Cor.5:10 8. Matt.25:21; Rev. 21:27; 22:14 9. Leviticus 23:26-32 10. I John 2:1, I Tim. 2:5 11. John 14:15,21; 15:10; I Jn. 2:3 12. Eph. 6:1; Prov. 6:20; Col. 3:20 13. Heb. 12:2, 2 Cor. 4:18; Psa. 141:8 14. Luke 12:40; Mark 13:33; Matt.24:36 15. Matt. 2:2,7,9-10; Numbers 24:17 16. Matt. 19:14, Luke 18:16 17. Matt. 19:17; Col 1:29; Phil. 2:13 18. Rev. 1:14, 2:18 19. 2 Peter 3:8; Rev. 18:8, Isa. 47:9 20. Psa. 139:7-10; Eph. 4:6 21. Zecheriah 2:6

Still unsure why Santa is wrong? Allow me to be blunt; Santa is an anti-Christ image. Santa is nothing more than a devil. Just move the “N” in the word SaNta to the end and you have SataN…

SPIRIT & TRUTH

A few years ago, WorldNetDaily published a controversial exposé that spotlighted one of the more frequent skirmishes in our current culture war. Masterfully written by Joe Kovacs, “Christmas in America becomes battleground” reveals the pagan origins of this esteemed tradition and demonstrates why increasing numbers of “fundamentalist Christians” are realizing that one cannot “put Christ” back into something in which He never was.

C.S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity, asserts that one of Satan’s most common ploys is to “send error into the world in pairs”—pairs of opposites—”and then he encourages us to spend a lot of time thinking, Which is the worst?” Satan persuades us to argue over two options, or two points of view, neither one of which is true. Regardless of which side carries the argument, Satan wins the day.

In the current war over Christmas and religious symbols, Satan has pitted the secular humanists, who want to blot out Christianity and encourage almost any other form of worship, against mainstream Christians, who are fighting for the right to worship as they see fit by putting evergreen trees in schools per Jeremiah 10:2-5. Atheists and agnostics arrayed against Christmas bent “Christians”—for whom do we root?

The truth of the matter is that Satan is the real winner regardless of the outcome.

Jesus Christ tells us, but the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24); therefore if we worship Christ in anything less than truth it could be said that we do not worship Him at all- for how could we, not knowing the truth of who He is?

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

Most of us are by nature conformists. We tend to want to blend into the crowd and desire not to stand out as different. Most cultures teach conformity to their children early and often, and this initial training remains with them throughout their lives. Those who stray from conformity are called “black sheep,” and are regarded somewhat suspiciously by “normal” people. As adults, we feel similar peer pressure, but the stakes are higher. Now it is cars, homes, memberships, investments, salaries, résumés, benefit packages, and vacation destinations—not to mention all the latest toys, gizmos, and accoutrements. Not running with the in-crowd is not as devastating to an adult as it is to a teen, but the subconscious desire to fit in is certainly present. We may call it “staying in style” or “not wanting to fall behind,” but it is the same urge not to stand out as different.

We Christians have another ingredient to add to the mix: our calling. God’s invitation to His Family really complicates matters in terms of fitting in to society. He has called us out of this world (John 15:19). The purpose of His invitation is to make us different! If we accept His invitation, we agree to spend the rest of our lives as the proverbial sore thumb. We are set apart from other people in the world, and commissioned—nay, commanded—to widen the gap!

As I hear so often from my family members “Well each one has their own beliefs”, and “Believe what you want, it’s for the kids”.

Notice Paul’s blunt statement in Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. . . .” John is equally as blunt: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15). As is James: “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). And God Himself: “Come out of [Babylon, a type of the world], My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4).

Paul’s warning in II Timothy 3:12 can be discouraging: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” The last of Christ’s Beatitudes offers some balance: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. . . . (Matthew 5:10-12)

Is this enough to dare to be different? I truly believe so; for I know that we will inherit the kingdom of heaven, and I know what we are doing is true to the word of the living God and because I have come to know Him through this refining process.

We’re called to be peculiar people (1 Peter 2:19), what makes us different from everyone else if we celebrate the same holidays and Sabbaths as the heathen? Nothing! That’s why we must separate ourselves unto God.

Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers (church tradition) served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites(pagans), in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD”. {Emphasis mine}

What Does the Bible Say About HOMOSEXUALITY, ADULTERY & OTHER SEXUAL SINS

INTRODUCTION

When God created the world, He established two institutions that continued after Mankind sinned. One was the Sabbath, a memorial of creation. The other was the marriage relationship between a husband and wife. Humans were created in the image of God, and they were given a power, that of procreation, that the angels did not have. The union of husband and wife, through sexual intercourse, made them one.

“A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. ” (Gen. 2:23, 24)

Satan, in his hatred for God, has done his best to distort and destroy both of the institutions that God had instituted. To destroy the holy marriage relationship, Satan encouraged people to engage in any form of sexual immorality that would pervert what God had created to be beautiful. This included adultery (sex between a man and woman that are not married, incest (sex between close family members, either by blood or marriage), homosexual encounters (sex between members of the same sex), sex with animals, easy divorce, rape and others, all damaging to the institutions of marriage and the family. To encourage this debasement, demonic agencies in their attempt to be worshipped through various pagan religions, encouraged sexually immoral acts (including heterosexual and homosexual prostitution) as part of idol worship.

In the worship of Ishtar (originally pronounced Easter). fetuses aborted from pregnancies brought about through these “acts of worship” were offered to the goddess. Often when a pagan nation conquered another, they ripped open the pregnant women to offer their fetuses to their god. Baby sons and daughters were offered to the god, Molech, being burned or passing through the fire while loud banging music covered the cries of the babes. God decried and detested all such practices. They were an abomination to Him.

When the Lord brought the Israelites into Canaan, He repeatedly gave clear warnings to stay away from such detestable practices. The “perfect” Ten Commandments specifically outlawed worshipping other gods, bowing down to idols, and committing adulterous acts. God knew that His people, whom he had chosen as His “wife” would “prostitute” themselves to other gods. He knew that they would engage in various detestable forms of sexual immorality as a result of worshipping these other gods. He commanded the Israelites to completely destroy the wicked people of Canaan so that the Israelites would not be led into idolatry. This they failed to do, and subsequently, they succumbed to these idolatrous religions and openly practiced immorality even in God’s temple and courtyard.

Especially heinous in God’s sight is homosexuality, even more so than prostitution. Why? Because man in particular was created in God’s express image. By successfully causing men to debase each other, Satan laughs all the more at God. In two compelling stories, one regarding Sodom and Gomorrah, and the second involving Gibeah, a city of the tribe of Benjamin (see Judges 19, 20), men attempted to have sex with out-of-town male visitors. As a consequence, God directed the annihilation of these men, their supporters, towns and region, “that the evil would be done away with.”

More and more individuals and churches are struggling with these issues today in the face of an increasingly promiscuous society and politically active gay community. After watching one “gay rights” demonstration on CNN TV, I was reminded of Psalms 11:8,

“The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.”

To enable churches and Christians to address these issues from a position of Bible knowledge and to help reveal and clarify God’s position on sins of a sexual nature, I have compiled all the verses in the Bible pertaining to these subjects in this compilation.

The compiled verses are split into two parts. Part I addresses sexual sins as they pertain to men, women and beasts. Part II addresses prostitution as a nation might do in pursuing gods other than the Lord God. There will be some minor repetition between the two sections. The reader should be aware that the comparisons are quite graphic since God does not mince words. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you study these important topics.

LIST OF WORDS SEARCHED FOR

Parentheses ( ) enclose the various suffixes used. You may wish to look up in a dictionary the words that are unfamiliar to you.

abominable abomination(s) adulter(ers, ess, ies, ous, y) carous(e, ing) debauchery emasculate(d) harlot(s) homosexual(ity, s) immoral(ity) impur(e, ities, y) lay(s) with lewd(ness) lie(s) with lust(ed, ful, fully, s, y) male prostitutes male shrine prostitutes naked(ness)

Nicolaitans (a group teaching immorality) orgies perverse(ness) pervers(ion, ity) pervert(ed, ing, s) promiscu(ity, ous) prostitut(e, ed, es, ing, ion) Rahab (name of the prostitute of Jericho) revel(ed, ers, ing, ry) seduce(d, s) seductive sex(ual, ually) sexual immorality sexual relations sexual sin shrine prostituties sleep(ing, s) with

The following words were looked for, but are not used in the New International Version of the Bible. Other words meaning the same were used to express the ideas of the words listed below.

Fornication
incest
intercourse
licentiousness

PART I

Illicit Sexual Relationships

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah

Abraham pleads for Sodom

Gen. 18:17 Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. 19For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” 20Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” 22The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. 23Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25Far be it from you to do such a thing –to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

26The LORD said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” 29Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” 30Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” 32Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”
33When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

The men of Sodom attempt to have sex with the angelic visitors

Gen. 19:1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2“My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” 3But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.
4Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom –both young and old –surrounded the house. 5They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”
6Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 8Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
9“Get out of our way,” they replied. And they said, “This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door. 10But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. 11Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.
12The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here –sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.” 14So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

The Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah – Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt

15With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” 16When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. 17As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” 18But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please! 19Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. 20Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it –it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.” 21He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 22But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar. ) 23By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah –from the LORD out of the heavens. 25Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities –and also the vegetation in the land. 26But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

27Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. 29So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

Commentary:   The burnt out cities of Sodom, Gomorrah and the three other cities were rediscovered recently.  The city of Sodom is located next to Mount Sodom and is completely turned to ash.  Some of the houses and walls are still standing but are completely turned to ash.  The city is covered with millions of pressed powder sulfur balls ranging in size from 1/2 to 2 inches in size.  Due to the vitrification of the ash surrounding each sulfur ball, scientists estimate that the balls were around 5,000 degrees Celsius (9,000 degrees Farenheit) at the time they fell.  Nowhere in the entire world have similar sulfur balls been found.  See the Surprising Discoveries section for pictures of Sodom as it is today!

Lot’s daughters commit incest with him

30Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to lie with us, as is the custom all over the earth. 32Let’s get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father.” 33That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and lay with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. 34The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I lay with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and lie with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” 35So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went and lay with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. 36So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. 37The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today.

Commentary: It is so sad that these cities had so few righteous people in them. Even Lot’s daughters who were saved from the destruction had been so tainted by the evil of the town that they committed incestuous acts with their father. The descendents of the children resulting from these acts, the Moabites and Ammonites, were a constant snare and heartache to God and the Israelite people during their exodus from Egypt and while inhabiting the promised land. Many cities today are just as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah were and God will overthrown them in the judgments to be poured out at the end of time.

The Ten Commandments define man’s duty to God and his fellow humans

Exod. 20:1 And God spoke all these words: 2“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

I. 3“You shall have no other gods before me.
II. 4“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.
III. 7“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
IV. 8“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
V. 12“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
VI. 13“You shall not murder.
VII. 14“You shall not commit adultery.
VIII. 15“You shall not steal.
IX. 16“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
X. 17“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Seduction and animal sex

Exod. 22:16 “If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. 17If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins. 18“Do not allow a sorceress to live. 19“Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death.

Worship of the golden calf led to immorality

Exod. 32:1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
2Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”
5When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” 6So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. [Others versions of the Bible say to play, to engage in sexual immorality]
7Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, `These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’ . . .
17When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “There is the sound of war in the camp.”
18Moses replied: “It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear.”
19When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. 20And he took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.
21He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?”
22“Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. 23They said to me, `Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’ 24So I told them, `Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” 25Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. 26So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him.
27Then he said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’” 28The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. 29Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.”
30The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
31So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32But now, please forgive their sin –but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
33The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.” 35And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.

Of semen and periods

Lev. 15:16 “`When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water, and he will be unclean till evening. 17Any clothing or leather that has semen on it must be washed with water, and it will be unclean till evening. 18When a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening. 19“`When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. 20“`Anything she lies on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean. 21Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. 22Whoever touches anything she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. 23Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, he will be unclean till evening. 24“`If a man lies with her and her monthly flow touches him, he will be unclean for seven days; any bed he lies on will be unclean. . . . 32These are the regulations for a man with a discharge, for anyone made unclean by an emission of semen, 33for a woman in her monthly period, for a man or a woman with a discharge, and for a man who lies with a woman who is ceremonially unclean.

Unlawful sexual relations

Lev. 18:1 The LORD said to Moses, 2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `I am the LORD your God. 3You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. 4You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. 5Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.
6“`No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.
7“`Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.
8“`Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.
9“`Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.
10“`Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.
11“`Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.
12“`Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.
13“`Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.
14“`Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
15“`Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.
16“`Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.
17“`Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.
18“`Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.
19“`Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.
20“`Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.
21“`Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Do not lie with a man as with a woman

22“`Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
23“`Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.
24“`Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.
29“`Everyone who does any of these detestable things –such persons must be cut off from their people. 30Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.’”

Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute

Lev. 19:2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: `Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. . . . 20“`If a man sleeps with a woman who is a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. Yet they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. . . . 29“`Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.

Those who engage in unlawful sexual relations must be put to death

Lev. 20:10 “`If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife –with the wife of his neighbor –both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.
11“`If a man sleeps with his father’s wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
12“`If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. What they have done is a perversion; their blood will be on their own heads.
13“`If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
14“`If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is wicked. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that no wickedness will be among you.
15“`If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you must kill the animal.
16“`If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
17“`If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off before the eyes of their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible.
18“`If a man lies with a woman during her monthly period and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has also uncovered it. Both of them must be cut off from their people.
19“`Do not have sexual relations with the sister of either your mother or your father, for that would dishonor a close relative; both of you would be held responsible.
20“`If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has dishonored his uncle. They will be held responsible; they will die childless. 21“`If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless.

Lev. 21:6 [Priests] must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the offerings made to the LORD by fire, the food of their God, they are to be holy. 7“`They must not marry women defiled by prostitution or divorced from their husbands, because priests are holy to their God. 8Regard them as holy, because they offer up the food of your God. Consider them holy, because I the LORD am holy –I who make you holy. 9“`If a priest’s daughter defiles herself by becoming a prostitute, she disgraces her father; she must be burned in the fire. 10“`The high priest, the one among his brothers who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and who has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair become unkempt or tear his clothes. 11He must not enter a place where there is a dead body. He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother, 12nor leave the sanctuary of his God or desecrate it, because he has been dedicated by the anointing oil of his God. I am the LORD. 13“`The woman he marries must be a virgin. 14He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people, 15so he will not defile his offspring among his people. I am the LORD, who makes him holy. ‘”

Rules regarding suspected infidelity

Num. 5:12 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `If a man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him 13by sleeping with another man, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act), 14and if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure –or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure– 15then he is to take his wife to the priest. He must also take an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour on her behalf. He must not pour oil on it or put incense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, a reminder offering to draw attention to guilt. 16“`The priest shall bring her and have her stand before the LORD. 17Then he shall take some holy water in a clay jar and put some dust from the tabernacle floor into the water. 18After the priest has had the woman stand before the LORD, he shall loosen her hair and place in her hands the reminder offering, the grain offering for jealousy, while he himself holds the bitter water that brings a curse. 19Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, “If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you. 20But if you have gone astray while married to your husband and you have defiled yourself by sleeping with a man other than your husband”– 21here the priest is to put the woman under this curse of the oath –”may the LORD cause your people to curse and denounce you when he causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell. 22May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells and your thigh wastes away. ” “`Then the woman is to say, “Amen. So be it.” 23“`The priest is to write these curses on a scroll and then wash them off into the bitter water. 24He shall have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and this water will enter her and cause bitter suffering. 25The priest is to take from her hands the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD and bring it to the altar. 26The priest is then to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial offering and burn it on the altar; after that, he is to have the woman drink the water. 27If she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then when she is made to drink the water that brings a curse, it will go into her and cause bitter suffering; her abdomen will swell and her thigh waste away, and she will become accursed among her people. 28If, however, the woman has not defiled herself and is free from impurity, she will be cleared of guilt and will be able to have children. 29“`This, then, is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and defiles herself while married to her husband.

The immorality commited at Peor

Introduction: Balaam, a seer, had been called to curse Israel. Instead, he ended up blessing them. In order to get the reward for cursing Israel that had been offered to him by Balak, a Moabite king, he encouraged Balak to involve the Israelites in sexual immorality and a prostituting of themselves before the gods of the land. He recognized that if Israel could be made to sin, that God’s protection would be withdrawn and God would punish Israel Himself. Unfortunately, Balaam’s plan worked all too well. The Israelites succumbed to this seductive idolatry and immorality and subsequently many were destroyed. For the story of Balaam, see Numbers 22-24, 2Pet. 2:14-16, Rev. 2:14.

Num. 25:1 While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. 3So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them.
4The LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.” 5So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your men who have joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor.”
6Then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 7When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand 8and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear through both of them –through the Israelite and into the woman’s body. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; 9but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
10The LORD said to Moses, 11“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites; for he was as zealous as I am for my honor among them, so that in my zeal I did not put an end to them. 12Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him. 13He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”
14The name of the Israelite who was killed with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family. 15And the name of the Midianite woman who was put to death was Cozbi daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family.
16The LORD said to Moses, 17“Treat the Midianites as enemies and kill them, 18because they treated you as enemies when they deceived you in the affair of Peor and their sister Cozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader, the woman who was killed when the plague came as a result of Peor.”

Moses reiterates the Ten Commandments

Deut. 5:1 Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. 2The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3It was not with our fathers that the LORD made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today. 4The LORD spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. 5(At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:
6“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
7“You shall have no other gods before me.
8“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.
11“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
12“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
16“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
17“You shall not murder.
18“You shall not commit adultery.
19“You shall not steal.
20“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
21“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
22These are the commandments the LORD proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

Rules regarding virginity and rape

Deut. 22:13 If a man takes a wife and, after lying with her, dislikes her 14and slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, “I married this woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her virginity,” 15then the girl’s father and mother shall bring proof that she was a virgin to the town elders at the gate. 16The girl’s father will say to the elders, “I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he dislikes her. 17Now he has slandered her and said, `I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.’ But here is the proof of my daughter’s virginity.” Then her parents shall display the cloth [with the blood on it from the breaking of the hymen during the initial sexual encounter] before the elders of the town, 18and the elders shall take the man and punish him. 19They shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the girl’s father, because this man has given an Israelite virgin a bad name. She shall continue to be his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives. 20If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the girl’s virginity can be found, 21she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done a disgraceful thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from among you.
22If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.
23If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, 24you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death –the girl because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you. 25But if out in the country a man happens to meet a girl pledged to be married and rapes her, only the man who has done this shall die. 26Do nothing to the girl; she has committed no sin deserving death. This case is like that of someone who attacks and murders his neighbor, 27for the man found the girl out in the country, and though the betrothed girl screamed, there was no one to rescue her.
28If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, 29he shall pay the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.
30A man is not to marry his father’s wife; he must not dishonor his father’s bed.

Commentary: Note the presumption of innocence or guilt on the part of the girl depending on the location of the stated rape. A girl was expected to scream if she was attacked, not mildly succumb to the attacker’s wishes.

Those emasculated may not enter the assembly of the Lord

Deut. 23:1 No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the LORD. 2No one born of a forbidden marriage nor any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even down to the tenth generation.

Commentary: To emasculate means to “remove the male’s ability to progenate.” This includes by castration, or other methods such as male sterilization.

Deut. 27:20 “Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he dishonors his father’s bed.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” 21“Cursed is the man who has sexual relations with any animal.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” 22“Cursed is the man who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” 23“Cursed is the man who sleeps with his mother-in-law.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

The story of Rahab the prostitute

Josh. 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
2The king of Jericho was told, “Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”
4But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” 6(But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.
8Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.”
14“Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.”
15So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 16Now she had said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”
17The men said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
21“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

Josh. 6:16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! 17The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury.”
20When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. 21They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it –men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.
22Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” 23So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.
24Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. 25But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho –and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

Judg. 11:1 Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. 2Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.”

Judg. 16:1 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. 2The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we’ll kill him.” 3But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.

The account of the Levite, his concubine and the wicked perverts of Gibeah

Judg. 19:1 In those days Israel had no king. Now a Levite who lived in a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. 2But she was unfaithful to him. She left him and went back to her father’s house in Bethlehem, Judah. After she had been there four months, 3her husband went to her to persuade her to return. He had with him his servant and two donkeys. She took him into her father’s house, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him. 4His father-in-law, the girl’s father, prevailed upon him to stay; so he remained with him three days, eating and drinking, and sleeping there.
5On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to leave, but the girl’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh yourself with something to eat; then you can go.” 6So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Afterward the girl’s father said, “Please stay tonight and enjoy yourself.” 7And when the man got up to go, his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night. 8On the morning of the fifth day, when he rose to go, the girl’s father said, “Refresh yourself. Wait till afternoon!” So the two of them ate together.
9Then when the man, with his concubine and his servant, got up to leave, his father-in-law, the girl’s father, said, “Now look, it’s almost evening. Spend the night here; the day is nearly over. Stay and enjoy yourself. Early tomorrow morning you can get up and be on your way home.” 10But, unwilling to stay another night, the man left and went toward Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.
11When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, “Come, let’s stop at this city of the Jebusites and spend the night.”
12His master replied, “No. We won’t go into an alien city, whose people are not Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah.” 13He added, “Come, let’s try to reach Gibeah or Ramah and spend the night in one of those places.” 14So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. 15There they stopped to spend the night. They went and sat in the city square, but no one took them into his home for the night.
16That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah (the men of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields. 17When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
18He answered, “We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim where I live. I have been to Bethlehem in Judah and now I am going to the house of the LORD. No one has taken me into his house. 19We have both straw and fodder for our donkeys and bread and wine for ourselves your servants –me, your maidservant, and the young man with us. We don’t need anything.”
20“You are welcome at my house,” the old man said. “Let me supply whatever you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.” 21So he took him into his house and fed his donkeys. After they had washed their feet, they had something to eat and drink.
22While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.”
23The owner of the house went outside and said to them, “No, my friends, don’t be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don’t do this disgraceful thing. 24Look, here is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But to this man, don’t do such a disgraceful thing.”
25But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. 26At daybreak the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay there until daylight.
27When her master got up in the morning and opened the door of the house and stepped out to continue on his way, there lay his concubine, fallen in the doorway of the house, with her hands on the threshold. 28He said to her, “Get up; let’s go.” But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set out for home.
29When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel. 30Everyone who saw it said, “Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Think about it! Consider it! Tell us what to do!”

Gibeah and the Benjamites destroyed

Judg. 20:1 Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out as one man and assembled before the LORD in Mizpah. 2The leaders of all the people of the tribes of Israel took their places in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand soldiers armed with swords. 3(The Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) Then the Israelites said, “Tell us how this awful thing happened.”
4So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, said, “I and my concubine came to Gibeah in Benjamin to spend the night. 5During the night the men of Gibeah came after me and surrounded the house, intending to kill me. They raped my concubine, and she died. 6I took my concubine, cut her into pieces and sent one piece to each region of Israel’s inheritance, because they committed this lewd and disgraceful act in Israel. 7Now, all you Israelites, speak up and give your verdict.”
8All the people rose as one man, saying, “None of us will go home. No, not one of us will return to his house. 9But now this is what we’ll do to Gibeah: We’ll go up against it as the lot directs. 10We’ll take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred from a thousand, and a thousand from ten thousand, to get provisions for the army. Then, when the army arrives at Gibeah in Benjamin, it can give them what they deserve for all this vileness done in Israel.” 11So all the men of Israel got together and united as one man against the city.
12The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What about this awful crime that was committed among you? 13Now surrender those wicked men of Gibeah so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel.”
But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. 14From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites. 15At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred chosen men from those living in Gibeah. 16Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand swordsmen, all of them fighting men.
18The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, “Who of us shall go first to fight against the Benjamites?”
The LORD replied, “Judah shall go first.”
19The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. 20The men of Israel went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah. 21The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day. 22But the men of Israel encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day. 23The Israelites went up and wept before the LORD until evening, and they inquired of the LORD. They said, “Shall we go up again to battle against the Benjamites, our brothers?”
The LORD answered, “Go up against them.”
24Then the Israelites drew near to Benjamin the second day. 25This time, when the Benjamites came out from Gibeah to oppose them, they cut down another eighteen thousand Israelites, all of them armed with swords. 26Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD. 27And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, 28with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to battle with Benjamin our brother, or not?”
The LORD responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.”
29Then Israel set an ambush around Gibeah. 30They went up against the Benjamites on the third day and took up positions against Gibeah as they had done before. 31The Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away from the city. They began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before, so that about thirty men fell in the open field and on the roads –the one leading to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.
32While the Benjamites were saying, “We are defeating them as before,” the Israelites were saying, “Let’s retreat and draw them away from the city to the roads.”

The Benjamites destroyed

33All the men of Israel moved from their places and took up positions at Baal Tamar, and the Israelite ambush charged out of its place on the west of Gibeah. 34Then ten thousand of Israel’s finest men made a frontal attack on Gibeah. The fighting was so heavy that the Benjamites did not realize how near disaster was. 35The LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel, and on that day the Israelites struck down 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords. 36Then the Benjamites saw that they were beaten.
Now the men of Israel had given way before Benjamin, because they relied on the ambush they had set near Gibeah. 37The men who had been in ambush made a sudden dash into Gibeah, spread out and put the whole city to the sword. 38The men of Israel had arranged with the ambush that they should send up a great cloud of smoke from the city, 39and then the men of Israel would turn in the battle.
The Benjamites had begun to inflict casualties on the men of Israel (about thirty), and they said, “We are defeating them as in the first battle.” 40But when the column of smoke began to rise from the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the smoke of the whole city going up into the sky. 41Then the men of Israel turned on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified, because they realized that disaster had come upon them. 42So they fled before the Israelites in the direction of the desert, but they could not escape the battle. And the men of Israel who came out of the towns cut them down there. 43They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and easily overran them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east. 44Eighteen thousand Benjamites fell, all of them valiant fighters. 45As they turned and fled toward the desert to the rock of Rimmon, the Israelites cut down five thousand men along the roads. They kept pressing after the Benjamites as far as Gidom and struck down two thousand more.
46On that day twenty-five thousand Benjamite swordsmen fell, all of them valiant fighters. 47But six hundred men turned and fled into the desert to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months. 48The men of Israel went back to Benjamin and put all the towns to the sword, including the animals and everything else they found. All the towns they came across they set on fire.

King David compounds adultery with planned murder

2Sam. 11:2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”
6So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. 7When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. 8Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.
10When David was told, “Uriah did not go home,” he asked him, “Haven’t you just come from a distance? Why didn’t you go home?”
11Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”
12Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home.
14In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15In it he wrote, “Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”
16So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. 17When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.
18Joab sent David a full account of the battle. 19He instructed the messenger: “When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, 20the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, `Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? 21Who killed Abimelech son of Jerub-besheth? Didn’t a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then say to him, `Also, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’”
22The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say. 23The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance to the city gate. 24Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.”
25David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: `Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.”
26When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.

The Lord rebukes and punishes David for his adultery and murder

2Sam. 12:1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4“Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”
5David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”
7Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
11“This is what the LORD says: `Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”
13Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”
15After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. 17The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.
18On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”
19David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.
“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”
20Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.
21His servants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”
22He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, `Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
24Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; 25and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

The account of Amnon and Tamar

2Sam. 13:1 In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. 2Amnon became frustrated to the point of illness on account of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her. 3Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 5“Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, `I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’”
6So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.” 7David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” 8So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. 9Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat. “Send everyone out of here,” Amnon said. So everyone left him.
10Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. 11But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.”
12“Don’t, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me. Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. 13What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” 14But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.
15Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”
16“No!” she said to him. “Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me.” But he refused to listen to her. 17He called his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of here and bolt the door after her.” 18So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. She was wearing a richly ornamented robe, for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore. 19Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.
20Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman.
21When King David heard all this, he was furious. 22Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.

Absalom avenges his sister’s rape

23Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there. 24Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his officials please join me?” 25“No, my son,” the king replied. “All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go, but gave him his blessing. 26Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.” The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?” 27But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons. 28Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, `Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Have not I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” 29So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.
30While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.” 31The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s expressed intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar. 33My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”

Absalom lies with his father’s concubines

2Sam. 16:20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?” 21Ahithophel answered, “Lie with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench in your father’s nostrils, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened.” 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he lay with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. [And so was fulfilled the curse that Nathan had prophesied against David for his sin in regards to Bathsheba and Uriah in 2Sam. 12:11, 12].

2Sam. 20:3 When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but did not lie with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.

King Solomon and the two prostitutes

1Kgs. 3:16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17One of them said, “My lord, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me. 18The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. 19“During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21The next morning, I got up to nurse my son –and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.” 22The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.” But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king. 23The king said, “This one says, `My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, `No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’” 24Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. 25He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” 26The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” 27Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.” 28When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

Of male shrine prostitutes and detestable practices

1Kgs. 14:23 They also set up for themselves high places, sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. 24There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land; the people engaged in all the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

1Kgs. 15:11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done. 12He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made. 13He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley.

1Kgs. 22:37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him there. 38They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria (where the prostitutes bathed), and the dogs licked up his blood, as the word of the LORD had declared. 39As for the other events of Ahab’s reign, including all he did, the palace he built and inlaid with ivory, and the cities he fortified, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

1Kgs. 22:45 As for the other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 46He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa.

2Kgs. 23:6 He took the Asherah pole from the temple of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people. 7He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah. 8Josiah brought all the priests from the towns of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He broke down the shrines at the gates –at the entrance to the Gate of Joshua, the city governor, which is on the left of the city gate.

Job 24:14 When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up and kills the poor and needy; in the night he steals forth like a thief. 15The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, `No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed. 16In the dark, men break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light.

Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. 2For what is man’s lot from God above, his heritage from the Almighty on high?

Job 36:13 “The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help. 14They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines. 15But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.

Ps. 50:17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. 18When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. 19You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.

Ps. 51:0 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

Prov. 2:12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 13who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, 14who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, 15whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. 16It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, 17who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.

The way of the adulteress

Prov. 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, 2that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. 3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. 6She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. 7Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. 8Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, 9lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, 10lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man’s house. 11At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. 12You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! 13I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. 14I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.” 15Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? 17Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. 18May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19A loving doe, a graceful deer– may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. 20Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife? 21For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.

A prostitute can reduce you to a loaf of bread

Prov. 6:23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, 24keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. 25Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, 26for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. 27Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? 28Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? 29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. 30Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. 31Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. 32But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. 33Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away; 34for jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 35He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is.

Wisdom will keep you from the adulteress

Prov. 7:4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman; 5they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. 6At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. 7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. 8He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house 9at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. 11(She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; 12now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) 13She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14“I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. 15So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! 16I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! 19My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” 21With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. 22All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose 23till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. 24Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

About adulteresses and prostitutes

Prov. 22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or, “I will be murdered in the streets!” 14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it. 15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Prov. 23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, 27for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. 28Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

Prov. 29:3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

Prov. 30:18 “There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: 19the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden. 20“This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, `I’ve done nothing wrong.’ 21“Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: 22a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, 23an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress.

Isa. 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; 20but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. 21See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her– but now murderers! 22Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.

Isa. 5:13 Therefore my people will go into exile for lack of understanding; their men of rank will die of hunger and their masses will be parched with thirst. 14Therefore the grave enlarges its appetite and opens its mouth without limit; into it will descend their nobles and masses with all their brawlers and revelers. 15So man will be brought low and mankind humbled, the eyes of the arrogant humbled.

Cities of revelry to be destroyed

Isa. 22:1 An oracle concerning the Valley of Vision: What troubles you now, that you have all gone up on the roofs, 2O town full of commotion, O city of tumult and revelry? Your slain were not killed by the sword, nor did they die in battle. 3All your leaders have fled together; they have been captured without using the bow. All you who were caught were taken prisoner together, having fled while the enemy was still far away. . . .

12The Lord, the LORD Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth. 13But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! “Let us eat and drink,” you say, “for tomorrow we die!” 14The LORD Almighty has revealed this in my hearing: “Till your dying day this sin will not be atoned for,” says the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

Isa. 23:6 Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the island. 7Is this your city of revelry, the old, old city, whose feet have taken her to settle in far-off lands? 8Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are renowned in the earth?

Isa. 23:11 The LORD has stretched out his hand over the sea and made its kingdoms tremble. He has given an order concerning Phoenicia that her fortresses be destroyed. 12He said, “No more of your reveling, O Virgin Daughter of Sidon, now crushed! “Up, cross over to Cyprus; even there you will find no rest.” 13Look at the land of the Babylonians, this people that is now of no account! The Assyrians have made it a place for desert creatures; they raised up their siege towers, they stripped its fortresses bare and turned it into a ruin. 14Wail, you ships of Tarshish; your fortress is destroyed! 15At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the span of a king’s life. But at the end of these seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute: 16“Take up a harp, walk through the city, O prostitute forgotten; play the harp well, sing many a song, so that you will be remembered.” 17At the end of seventy years, the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her hire as a prostitute and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. 18Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the LORD; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the LORD, for abundant food and fine clothes.

Isa. 24:7 The new wine dries up and the vine withers; all the merrymakers groan. 8The gaiety of the tambourines is stilled, the noise of the revelers has stopped, the joyful harp is silent. 9No longer do they drink wine with a song; the beer is bitter to its drinkers.

Isa. 32:12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines 13and for the land of my people, a land overgrown with thorns and briers– yes, mourn for all houses of merriment and for this city of revelry. 14The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks,

Isa. 57:2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. 3“But you –come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! 4Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?

The Israelites thronged to houses of prostitutes

Jer. 5:7 “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes. 8They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man’s wife. 9Should I not punish them for this?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?

Jer. 7:8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. 9“`Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”–safe to do all these detestable things? 11Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD.

Jer. 9:1 Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people. 2Oh, that I had in the desert a lodging place for travelers, so that I might leave my people and go away from them; for they are all adulterers, a crowd of unfaithful people. 3“They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me,” declares the LORD.

Jer. 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. 17I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation.

Even the “prophets” of Jerusalem committed adultery

Jer. 23:9 Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones tremble. I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD and his holy words. 10The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land lies parched and the pastures in the desert are withered. The [prophets] follow an evil course and use their power unjustly. 11“Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness,” declares the LORD. 12“Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall. I will bring disaster on them in the year they are punished,” declares the LORD. 13“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. 14And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” 15Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets: “I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”

Jer. 29:21 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: “I will hand them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes. 22Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: `The LORD treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned in the fire.’ 23For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and in my name have spoken lies, which I did not tell them to do. I know it and am a witness to it,” declares the LORD.

God is grieved by adulterous hearts

Ezek. 6:8 “`But I will spare some, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the lands and nations. 9Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me –how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices. 10And they will know that I am the LORD; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them.

Ezek. 18:5 “Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. 6He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or lie with a woman during her period. 7He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. 8He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man. 9He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Hosea 1:1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel: 2When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD.” 3So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

Hosea’s adulterous wife compared to Israel

Hosea 2:1 “Say of your brothers, `My people,’ and of your sisters, `My loved one.’ 2“Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adulterous look from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. 3Otherwise I will strip her naked and make her as bare as on the day she was born; I will make her like a desert, turn her into a parched land, and slay her with thirst. 4I will not show my love to her children, because they are the children of adultery. 5Their mother has been unfaithful and has conceived them in disgrace. She said, `I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink.’ 6Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. 7She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, `I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.’ 8She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold– which they used for Baal. 9“Therefore I will take away my grain when it ripens, and my new wine when it is ready. I will take back my wool and my linen, intended to cover her nakedness. 10So now I will expose her lewdness before the eyes of her lovers; no one will take her out of my hands.

Hosea 3:1 The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” 2So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. 3Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will live with you.” 4For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol.

There is no love of God, no faithfulness in the land, only sinning

Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying. 4“But let no man bring a charge, let no man accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest. 5You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother– 6my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
“Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. 7The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful. 8They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness. 9And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
10“They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not increase, because they have deserted the LORD to give themselves 11to prostitution, to old wine and new, which take away the understanding 12of my people. They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God. 13They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
14“I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes– a people without understanding will come to ruin!
15“Though you commit adultery, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. “Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. And do not swear, `As surely as the LORD lives!’ 16The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the LORD pasture them like lambs in a meadow? 17Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! 18Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways. 19A whirlwind will sweep them away, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.

Commentary: Note the association of men with shrine prostitutes in verse 14 above. Comparing it to previous passages seems to indicate that the shrine prostitutes were the male shrine prostitutes mentioned earlier.

Hosea 7:1 “Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets; 2but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me. 3“They delight the king with their wickedness, the princes with their lies. 4They are all adulterers, burning like an oven whose fire the baker need not stir from the kneading of the dough till it rises. 5On the day of the festival of our king the princes become inflamed with wine, and he joins hands with the mockers.

Joel 3:2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. 3They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine that they might drink.

Amos 7:12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. 13Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.” 14Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. 15But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, `Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16Now then, hear the word of the LORD. You say, “`Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the house of Isaac.’ 17“Therefore this is what the LORD says: “`Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will certainly go into exile, away from their native land.’”

Micah 1:6 “Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble, a place for planting vineyards. I will pour her stones into the valley and lay bare her foundations. 7All her idols will be broken to pieces; all her temple gifts will be burned with fire; I will destroy all her images. Since she gathered her gifts from the wages of prostitutes, as the wages of prostitutes they will again be used.”

Nahum 3:3 Charging cavalry, flashing swords and glittering spears! Many casualties, piles of dead, bodies without number, people stumbling over the corpses– 4all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft. 5“I am against you,” declares the LORD Almighty. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. 6I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle. 7All who see you will flee from you and say, `Nineveh is in ruins –who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort you?”

A day of the Lord scenario

Zech. 14:1 A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you. 2I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. 3Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. 4On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. 6On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. 7It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime –a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light.

God Himself will testify against adulterers

Mal. 3:5 “So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty. 6“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, `How are we to return?’

Matt. 1:4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, 7Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, [etc.]

Commentary: It is very intriguing that each of the three women listed in the genealogical record of Jesus would be considered women of color. Rahab had been a prostitute in Jericho prior to joining the Israelites. Ruth was a Moabite woman who had previously been married to one of Naomi’s sons. Solomon’s mother was Bathsheba, who had previously been married to Uriah. In each case, God was able to work through these women to his honor and glory. Rahab forsook her adulterous ways, Ruth was remembered for her faithfulness to Naomi, Bathsheba and David suffered the loss of the child borne as a result of their affair. Bathsheba then gave birth to Solomon who was to build God’s temple in Jerusalem. God will take us wherever we are if we let Him cleanse us and use us to His glory. There is no sin so large that He cannot forgive us if we ask Him and repent of our evil ways.

If one looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery

Matt. 5:27 [Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, `Do not commit adultery.’ 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. . . . 31“It has been said, `Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Matt. 12:38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” 39He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. 42The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

Out of the heart come evil thoughts and deeds

Matt. 15:17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man `unclean.’ 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what make a man `unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him `unclean.’”

Commentary: Compare the above list of sins against the prohibitions in the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.

Matt. 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2He replied, “When evening comes, you say, `It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3and in the morning, `Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away. 5When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.

Regarding divorce and adultery

Matt. 19:3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator `made them male and female,’ 5and said, `For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ ? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” 7“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” 10The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” 11Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Matt. 19:16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 18“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “`Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,’ and `love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Those who sin and recognize their need for cleansing have a greater chance for salvation than the pretentious righteous who feel they have no need of cleansing

Matt. 21:28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, `Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29“`I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, `I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31“Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

What comes out of one’s heart is what makes one unclean

Mark 7:14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15Nothing outside a man can make him `unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him `unclean.’ ” 1617After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him `unclean’? 19For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods “clean.”) 20He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him `unclean.’ 21For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean.’”

Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

What God has joined together, let man not separate

Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3“What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6“But at the beginning of creation God `made them male and female.’ 7`For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” 10When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good –except God alone. 19You know the commandments: `Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ” 20“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus reaches out to sinners

Luke 15:1 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
8“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The parable of the forgiving, loving father

11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17“When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21“The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ‘
22“But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27`Your brother has come,’ he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31“`My son,’ the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Divorce and adultery

Luke 16:16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. 17It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. 18“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Recognition and repentance of one’s sinfulness leads to salvation

Luke 18:10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: `God, I thank you that I am not like other men –robbers, evildoers, adulterers –or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
18A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good –except God