Inspiracion Verbal

Inspiración Verbal
La inspiración que la biblia reclama para sí misma es “Inspiración Verbal plena”. Dios usando las palabras del autor o del escritor para comunicar su mensaje. Nosotros podemos notar con claridad que esto ha sido aprobado por Dios y ratificado por el mismo Señor Jesús en Juan 10:34, cuando se refirió a los salmos como ley. El basa su punto en una palabra particular en Mateo 22:34. Jesús dijo que Exodo 3:6 era Dios hablando a Moisés. Esto prueba que Dios espera que todas las personas en la tierra  observen su palabra como autoritaria para todos los seres humanos. Pablo también afirma inspiración verbal en 1Corintios 2. El dice que su predicación y su palabra no eran palabras de sabiduría humana (V.4). Sino que sus palabras fueron con demostración del Espíritu. Reclamó que tanto él como sus compañeros apóstoles estaban hablando con sabiduría de Dios. Explicó que lo que ellos habían estado enseñando lo habían hecho por el Espíritu Santo. Que dicho sea de paso era una de las misiones fundamentales y la obra del Santo Espíritu en influencia directa para estos hombres. De seguir trabajando hoy de una manera directa, a parte y separado de la Palabra de Dios, las preguntas siguientes son: ¿Que hace?, ¿Cuales son sus funciones?, ¿Le revela palabra nueva? y sino, ¿Porqué no, si habita directamente en la persona?. La inspiración Verbal sirvió por un determinado periodo en el siglo primero, pero cumplido su propósito no hay razón para que continúe obrando de la misma forma. La inspiración Verbal plena entonces, envuelve las palabras que el Espíritu Santo ha escogido para ser parte del sagrado texto sin violar la personalidad y estilo de la persona que escribe  sino mas bien utilizando la esencia de tal autor. Parece realmente necesario que esto haya sido el caso. Si Dios hubiese transmitido su mensaje a travez de dictación mecánica, probablemente la transmisión del mensaje hubiese encontrado limitaciones en la comprensión de los receptores.  Podemos identificar solamente una vez o dos cuando Dios usa de dictación mecánica y es cuando la mula de Balaam habla en Números 22 ya que tal animal no poseía vocabulario propio. Dios siempre ha respetado la voluntad de cada persona y su libre albedrío aún en la transmisión de su excelentísimo mensaje.

Dios usando las palabras del autor o del escritor para comunicar su mensaje.

Dios usando las palabras del autor o del escritor para comunicar su mensaje.

Inspiración en el Nuevo Testamento 
  Un sin numero de eruditos liberales alegan que el Nuevo Testamento por si solo no reclama inspiración de ningún tipo. Este reclamo simplemente no es válido. De hecho en 2 Pedro 3:16 Pedro mismo clasifica las epístolas de Pablo como “escrituras” y las coloca al lado del resto del canon. Pedro afirma entonces que los escritos de Pablo son de carácter divino de tal manera que quienes tuerzan sus escritos serán destruidos es decir; condenados. Debe de observarse también, el como Pedro une a los apóstoles  con los profetas del Antiguo Testamento (1Ped.1:10-12). Ni siquiera por un minuto los escritures del N.T se consideraron ellos mismos menos que los grandes autores del A.T sino más bien como ministros del Nuevo Pacto (2Co.3:6).  El hermano Hugo McCord hace notar 8 aspectos grandiosos de las santas escrituras. El nota la siguiente lista:
  1. Unidad y diversidad.
  2. Simplicidad y Profundidad.
  3. Imparcialidad.
  4. Brevedad.
  5. Perfección.
  6. Restricción.
  7. Excelencia Literaria.
  8. Indestructibilidad. 
      (“The holy Scriptures” editado por Wendell Winkler pg. 327)
En estos 8 elementos se ve claramente reflejado lo que es inspiración verbal divina de las santas escrituras, la Biblia. Jesús refirió varias promesas directas a los apóstoles  en Juan 14,15,16. Jesús prometió:Aún tengo muchas cosas que deciros, pero ahora no las podéis sobrellevar. Pero cuando venga el Espíritu de verdad, él os guiará a toda la verdad; porque no hablará por su propia cuenta, sino que hablará todo lo que oyere, y os hará saber las cosas que habrán de venir”. (Juan 16:12-13).  El Espíritu pondría palabras en ellos, de hecho no los iba a obligar pero los iba a guiar…una vez más ahí en esa frase observamos inspiración verbal pero no dictación mecánica. Numerosos pasajes indican el cumplimiento de estas promesas del Señor a los apóstoles para extender la predicación de ellos que era el mensaje del cielo (Hechos 4:8,31;5:32; 15:8, 27-28; 16:6-8). 
El cristianismo  debe defender la inerrancia de las Escrituras con un compromiso teológico sano, un compromiso que sea consecuente con lo que la Biblia dice sobre sí misma. Hablar de la inerrancia significa que cuando todo es dado a conocer , las escrituras tal y como fueron escritas por sus autores y con sus apropiadas traducciones, probarán ser verdad en cada una de las cosas que afirma (Juan 17:17).  Esto prueba que si Dios inspiró a sus hombres que escribieran uno esperaría que Dios no se contradiga a sí mismo y de hecho no lo hace ni un solo instante. 
Posted in Heiner Montealto | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Inspiracion Verbal

Reconciliation with God

Reconciliation with God

The weeping prophet pleaded, “Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored!” (Lam. 5:21). In a sense, the entire message of Genesis through Revelation can be summed up in the concept of restoration…Jehovah reconciling man to himself. We see God’s plea with us in the inspired pen of Paul when he wrote his second letter to Corinth: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20). His love for us is so great, his compassion so deep, his kindness so beyond comparison, that he was willing to give his only begotten Son for our redemption (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16).

Reconciliation with God could not nor cannot come by the hand of man.

Reconciliation with God could not nor cannot come by the hand of man.

Our Father is the source of “every good gift and every perfect gift” (James 1:17). His love for man is so far-reaching that he sends blessings every day even upon those of us who reject him and do not even try to follow his ways (Matt. 5:44-48), which in the end will be the majority of his creation (Matt. 7:13-14). The plate of food for which the atheist refuses to give thanks to a God he refuses to acknowledge, each breath of air taken by Muslims who adhere to corrupted views of their Creator…all come willingly and freely from a God who loves them in spite of themselves, a God who freely offers us all the gift of salvation and eternal life which none of us deserve (Rom. 6:23; Tit. 2:11).

Yet it takes two for complete reconciliation to occur. God’s hand has always been outstretched from Eden until today, and will continue to be held out for us until the day of judgment. Are we willing to take his hand and allow him to pull us back to his side? We are given the choice as to whom we will serve (Josh. 24:15). The Almighty is pleading with us to make the right choice. The apostle wrote, “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1). God loves us with all his being, and only asks that we do the same by submitting our lives to his will (Matt. 22:37; John 14:15; Rom. 12:1-2).

How Satan tries to deceive us into thinking that we can offer God less than our all and still be restored to him…and how sad it is that he succeeds more times than not! From the beginning God’s followers have often wrestled with the sin of giving him lukewarm, mediocre service (Rev. 3:14-22; Mal. 1:6-9). We love the idea of God saving us from our sins by his grace…and yet we also love to follow own desires instead of his! This leads us to believe Satan’s lie that we are still reconciled to God even if we unrepentantly and rebelliously usurp his authority and turn away from his commandments (Rom. 6:1-2; Heb. 10:26-31; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).

Friends, our Father in heaven has done and continues to do more than enough to bring us back to him. His hand is outstretched. We must take hold of it by giving to him what is rightfully his…our lives, our service, our obedience.

Posted in Jon Mitchell | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reconciliation with God

Little Eyes

Little Eyes

We have a song that is often sung in our children’s classes: “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.”  The song continues and speaks about being careful about what we hear, say, do, and where we go.  No only little eyes, but big eyes ought to abstain from the “lust of the eyes” (1 John 2:15-17).  Several years ago, a study found that teens that watched and listened to sex and sexual situations on television were TWICE as likely to have sex within the next year as teens not so exposed. In other words, one out of every two teens who watch such on television will end up behaving that way.

Remember the Bible’s warning: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). We are what we think; if we allow evil things to permeate our thoughts, then our ways will be evil as well.  Jesus said, “But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: these are the things which defile the man…” (Matthew 15:18-20).

We must be careful to protect the little eyes and our own as well.

We must be careful to protect the little eyes and our own as well.

Now, if television can have such a significant effect on the lives of teens when it comes to sex, what about other matters?  What about drinking ?  Smoking?Cursing?Taking God’s name in vain?  Lying?Cheating?  What are the numbers on these other areas of morality that don’t require a physical encounter with another person, but simply a thought, word, or careless action?  My guess would be that the percentage is a lot higher.Awake to righteousness! (1 Corinthians 15:34). God bless you and I love you.

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Little Eyes

The Law, Pattern, and Nature of God

The Law, Pattern, and Nature of God

There has been so much misunderstanding about the nature of God and His law among men that the simple truth isn’t always so apparent today even among the children of God. The law of God in the Old Testament (i.e. the Law of Moses) was not about vengeance, but justice. It was in great part God’s way protecting the helpless and innocent, providing for the needy, and blessing the righteous. He gave the children of Israel a pattern to follow in all things. As God continued to direct His people through Moses He gave them very detailed plans so that they would be able to fulfill His will. Stop and think of just how thoughtful the God of heaven is who does not leave His people without guidance and instruction.

He is a God of justice.  He loves us enough to provide a pattern for our lives.

He is a God of justice. He loves us enough to provide a pattern for our lives.

He too has given us a law for justice, protection, provision, and blessing, as well as a pattern to follow that we may remain in a covenant relation-ship with Him. Indeed, if we love the Master, and our families, we will allow Him to pierce our ear, and we will serve Him faithfully forever (21:5–6). How sad it is when anyone turns from the Lord’s instruction and leans on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Be thankful, be obedient, and be faithful!

Posted in Tim Dooley | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Law, Pattern, and Nature of God

Old Testament Insight into Fellowship

Old Testament Insight into Fellowship

The word “fellowship” is not something you will quickly find in the Old Testament.  The following is likely the verse you will find:

Psalm 94:20-23 – “… Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?”

The thought presented in the verse is an interrogative statement.  It is asking a rhetorical question to make the point that God cannot fellowship sin. When leaders use their power to sin, God will not be in association with those individuals.  The same is true of all men.  God will not recognize someone as His own if they engage in sin.  To underline this point consider:

Isaiah 59:1-2Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

When sin is present there is a separation that exists between the one carrying sin and God.  “Separation” and “Fellowship” stand at opposite ends of understanding.  They are akin to unity and disunity.  When individuals or groups are in fellowship with each other they have a common sharing.  They stand together not apart.

When you are in fellowship you have a common sharing.

When you are in fellowship you have a common sharing.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Everything was good, because it was in harmony with the Word of God.  However, when the day arrived in which man disobeyed God and ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, sin entered the world.  The fellowship of God and man separated.  Of course, long before the formation of the heavens and the earth, God had a plan of unity through the blood of His Son.  This is widely believed to be shadowed in the wording of Genesis 3:15 and it becomes clearer as the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament are laid down.  This article will now examine a few Old Testament examples  to better demonstrate how God views fellowship.  Remember, the writings of the Bible prior to the covenant in Christ were recorded so that we might learn from them (Romans 15:4).

Genesis 6 records a timeframe in man’s history in which nearly everyone had turned their back on God.  Yet, there was one man, a preacher of righteousness, who did not.  Noah was that man.  He walked with God (Genesis 6:9).  If God viewed the worldly walk of man the same as a righteous walk, then there would have not been a flood.  However, God saw the wickedness and suffered grief over creating them (Genesis 6:7).  This was not what He wished for man.  He wanted them to choose to be something better.  Noah had chosen better.  So God instructed Noah to build an ark.  There was not one instruction which Noah did not obey.  When all of mankind were drowning in the waters brought on by their own sinfulness, the love of God kept Noah alive.  God does not fellowship sin.

In Exodus 32, Moses has received the Ten Commandments from God.  He is coming down the mountain and he sees that Israel has set itself up a Golden Calf as a god. They are worshipping it and committing other immoral acts.  God would have destroyed these sinful people.  Yet, Moses’ words caused God to spare them.  Still, Moses called out “Who is on the LORD’s side? Come to me.” (26) He was calling for a separation between those who would walk in sin and those who would serve God.  Moses then commanded those men with him to go and slay those in sin.  Some 3,000 were slain before that punishment ceased.  Moses then went to God seeking the forgiveness of the people.  God said, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.” (33) God does not fellowship sin.

In Leviticus 20:24-26, Moses is providing instruction to the people of Israel for when the take the Land of Canaan.  In Genesis 15 God told Abram that the iniquity of the Amorites (people of Canaan) was not yet full.  By the time Israel came to the land, God was ready for the people of Canaan to be destroyed.  Their cup of sins was full to the brim.  God does not fellowship sin.  God had separated the people of Israel from those of the World.  God’s desire was that the people be Holy, Pure, and devoted to Him.  God even provides an example for them in a type.  They were to be aware of the difference between clean and unclean animals and avoid the unclean.  Clean and unclean, holy and profane, pure and worldly cannot unite.

Ezra 6 records the decree to allow Israel to leave captivity in Babylon and return to build the House of God.  They speedily work and build the temple “according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” (14)  They put in order the service of God for the temple and the priests offered sacrifice for the sins of the nation.  They did so according to the Law of Moses.  “…all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy.” (21-22) Notice the people sought after God by separating themselves from those of the world.  They understood what fellowship means.  The people of God cannot embrace sinfulness.  God does not fellowship sin.

Ezra 9:1-2 records the same timeframe as Ezra 6.  The people thought they had separated themselves from the heathen.  However, it becomes apparent that was not the case in full.  The people still had marriages from the people of the land.  This was against the command of God.  Ezra upon hearing this tore his robe and other God fearing men trembled over this sin.  Ezra prayed to God for forgiveness of the people for this sin.  Then in Ezra 11 the transgression was made known to the people of Israel and they separated from their wives – even the wives with whom they had children. Why?  God does not fellowship sin.  God had commanded them and they feared disobeying Him.  They had just spent 70 years in captivity for sin.  Nehemiah 9 and 10 cover this same time frame and the repentance of Israel over their sinfulness.

So that the impression that God only cared about Israel is not given, consider the books of Jonah and Nahum for a moment.  Jonah was instructed to go to Nineveh.   There he was to tell the people to repent of their sinfulness.  Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire and the people were not the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  They were not Israel.  Yet, as with the Amorites before Israel came to the promised land, God did not want Nineveh to live in sin.  How many other prophets did God send to sinful nations?  We have no record.  God does not want man to perish (2 Pet 3:9)!  We do know that Israel was to be an example unto the nations.  We also know that Nineveh would be an example.  As Jonah called for the wicked nation to repent, the preaching and sign of his resurrection from the deep convicted them.  They repented, from the king downward, crying unto God and changing their lives.  God does not fellowship sin.  Sadly, a century later, sin would again reign in Nineveh.  God had given that people a chance.  They did not heed the warnings of the generations before them.  The book of Nahum speaks of the might of God – His power, justice, patience, and love.  Yet, it also speaks of the coming judgment of God and the fact Nineveh would be an example of how God feels about sin.

In the New Testament (Acts 18) the man Apollos was able to teach Jesus using only scriptures we know as the Old Testament.  He looked at the things written beforehand to convict men.  Certainly, we can look to the Old Testament examples to teach about fellowship.  Does God want us to yoke ourselves together with the world?  No he does not.

Deuteronomy 5:29 – O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Our God in his infinite wisdom and infinite love wants us to keep ourselves pure and holy.  He wants us to learn the examples of Adam and Eve, Israel, and Nineveh.  He desires that we trust in Him and acknowledge His wisdom not our own.  In doing so and allowing Him to direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6), we will be in fellowship with him and one another.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Old Testament Insight into Fellowship