Easter and the Resurrection?

Easter and the Resurrection?

I was not ‘born and raised’ in the Lord’s church. I was, growing up, one of those Gentiles who was without Christ, having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:11). But during our mid-twenties, someone cared enough to share the truth of the written word of God with my wife and I, and we obeyed the gospel, being born again of the water and the Spirit, and arose to walk in newness of life; learning, loving, believing and seeking to live the word of the living God. And even though I was one of them at one time, it still amazes me when I walk into a department store and see people purchasing products exhibited, which seek to imply that “Easter” has anything whatsoever to do with a biblical and God-pleasing celebration of Christ’s resurrection. It doesn’t!

Easter has no Biblical relationship with Christ and the resurrection.

Easter has no Biblical relationship with Christ and the resurrection.

As we all know, the celebration of, or even the word “Easter” itself, is not found anywhere in the bible – except as a translatory error in the King James Version in Acts 12:4 where the Greek word “pascha,” meaning “Passover,” is used. As history tells us, Easter was actually a pagan celebration of the false goddess of fertility, “Eastre,” which the apostate Roman Catholic Church sought to somehow re-shape into a “Christian” holiday, some number of centuries after the last apostle died and the bible was completed. This, plus the fact that we know how God has always felt about the worship of false gods (or the practice of idolatry), makes the celebration of the fertility goddess, or “Eastre,” a very scary deception and proposition for New Testament Christians indeed! Especially in light of the fact that God has told us precisely how and how often we are to celebrate Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, until He comes (Luke 22:14-20; Acts 20:7).

And so, I am now so very grateful to finally know the truth of God’s word, which sets me free from such dangerous and idolatrous error and ignorance. But even for those like I used to be, who claim to want to know God but don’t know their bibles very well, this year’s calendar had ought to speak volumes about the fact that something is not quite right or matching up to the biblical record. The biblical gospel record reveals to us that 1) Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples on Thursday evening; 2) was later arrested and then crucified on Friday morning – eventually breathing His last at about 3:00 on Friday afternoon, and then, 3) after spending “three days” (or parts of Friday, all day Saturday, and part of Sunday morning in the tomb), He arose.

However, according to this year’s calendar and its man-made origins and calculations, this is how the record reads: Friday, March 30th is so-called “Good Friday,” or the day Christ died for our sins. And then, a day later and after His death, on Saturday, March 31st, is the Passover (according to our 2018 calendars)… or, when Christ celebrated with His disciples the night before he died for our sins… (?) So… He died on Friday… to then arise to celebrate the Passover on the next day – Saturday – with His disciples… (?) the night before He was crucified… which He had already been the previous day…? So… He wasn’t in the tomb three days then? Because according to the same 2018 calendar account, He then arose on “Eastre” Sunday…? How exactly does that all work again? And folks say God’s word is confusing? Really?

I am so grateful, that by the grace of God, I am now blessed to rely completely on the perfect, pure, and totally inerrant wisdom of the word of the living God and that alone, for everything relating to both earthly as well as eternal life (Psalms 19 & 119). I am so very grateful, that by the grace of God, I now know the truth, and the truth has set me free; free from man-made, clerical, calendrical, and denominational error and doctrine that affects my eternal soul, health, and well-being. Because I now know and believe God’s word, I know that no one will ever be saved by simply saying a prayer and welcoming Jesus into their heart (and all other such man-made error and doctrine), because the bible never once, anywhere, teaches that either – this false doctrine, which I also used to believe before knowing the truth and being set free from it as well.

However, perhaps the calendar this year isn’t completely erroneous in all of its computations and insinuations. After all, the celebration of the false goddess of spring and fertility which we commonly refer to as “Easter” in English, actually also falls directly on April first, or, “April Fool’s Day,” as we all also commonly refer to it. Hmmm. Now, how about that?

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Graduates Need to Know…

Graduates Need to Know . . .

Sometimes it is hard to believe that our young men and women will soon graduate from High School and into adult life.  We ask:  Are they ready?  Will they be prepared?  Can they succeed?  What will their future be?  Who will be in their life?  Where will they go?  What will they do?  There are some things that our graduates should know.  Here are a few.

There are many graduations in our lives. Embrace humility and self-control.

There are many graduations in our lives. Embrace humility and self-control.

First, God loves you.  Sometimes it will feel like everyone in the world is against you.  Know that God is rooting for you.  He doesn’t necessarily want you to have the big salary, fancy car, and showcase house, but He is on your side.  He emptied the greatest treasures of heaven for you (Romans 8:32).

Second, you will be your own worst enemy.  Know that you cannot be defeated unless you allow it.  Fear comes from your own mind, and you are in control of your life.  God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of love (2 Timothy 1:7).

Third, take responsibility for your actions whether good or bad.  Taking personally responsibility is hard because it means embracing your failures, but God forgives and so will your family and friends that love you (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Fourth, love yourself like God loves you.  Don’t be selfish, but do recognize your own worth and value.  Understand that you are worth taking care of yourself.  Clean up after yourself.  Practice proper hygiene.  Respect and obey the law (Romans 13:1-10).

Fifth, don’t let sin control you.  Stay away from hurtful passions: greed, gluttony, lust, laziness.  Recognize the root of these things: pride, envy, and anger.  This is a battle you will constantly fight.  Let God’s Spirit lead you, not the desires of the flesh (Romans 8:1).  God bless you, and I love you.

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Looking at the Evidence

The Perfect Church had Everything

Those who look at the world through the eyes of faith see the world so differently from those who look at it through the eyes of unbelief. Believers look at the heavens and the firmament and see a universe which declares the existence and the glory of God in every language spoken on the earth (Psa. 19:1-3). Unbelievers look at this evidence and never even think about God. The eyes of those who walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7) and those who walk by the flesh definitely see two different worlds.

What do your eyes see in the evidence from the first century Church?

What do your eyes see in the evidence from the first century Church?

Look at first-century churches using eyes of faith. Most churches were despised and persecuted so much that they often had to meet in secret. James described these churches so graphically when he asked, “Has God not chosen the poor of this word to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him” (Jas. 2:5)? However, there was one church in the first century which was so blessed financially that they did not suffer this way.

Most churches in the first century were the focus of hate from the enemies around them. There was persecution from the pagans. There was even more persecution which came from the synagogues which saw the church as being a great threat to Judaism. However, there was one church who, judging by what is described in the epistle written to them, was not the object of such hate and its attendant opposition.

The suffering of Jewish Christians was especially intense. The book of Hebrews described the reaction of the church to this suffering. “For you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven” (Heb. 10:34). However, there was one church who did not lose its possessions and remained prosperous.

Had you lived in the first century, which of these churches would you like to be the place where you worshiped and served God? A church which endured persecution and were poverty stricken or one which did not have to meet in secret? A church where there was persecution and poverty or one which had none?

Before you answer, let me tell you that the church which did not meet secretly, was not persecuted and retained its possession was the church at Laodicea. The same one which Jesus was about to vomit out of his body! The church in Laodicea saw themselves as “rich. . .wealthy and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:18). Think about it. How did Jesus see that church? He saw Himself standing outside of it, knocking at the door, wanting? That “perfect” church had everything, except Jesus!

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Spiritual is Where God Is

Spiritual is Where God Is

It is a point always well worth remembering: “spirited” is not the same as “ spiritual, ” though many people do seem to get the two confused.

The spiritual moments with God are not akin to a concert or ballgame.

The spiritual moments with God are not akin to a concert or ballgame.

A football game, for instance, is often spirited, with a lot of shouting, screaming, cheering, and even laughter. Football games, however, are seldom spiritual events. Nevertheless, when it comes to worship, its notable how many people assume that if a crowd is yelling, clapping, and cheering indicates, they are a very spiritual audience. But spirited is not the same as spiritual and God is often to be found in the quiet times, the meditative times, and the reverent times.

The prophet Elijah provides two good illustrations of this. In 1 Kings 18, we read about Elijah’s “contest” against the prophets of Baal. The lone prophet of God, Elijah, squared off against 450 of the competition, who were, in turn, supported by 400 others (cf. 1 Kings 18:19). The contest was to build two altars and see which deity, Baal or Jehovah, responded with fire. The prophets of Baal had a very spirited exhibition, lasting hours. They screamed, they danced, they prayed loudly. They even cut themselves in their “worship.” But no god answered their prayers. There was nothing actually spiritual about what they were doing. (cf. 1 Kings 18:20-29)

Elijah, on the other hand, had a short, simple prayer, asking God to do a miracle to indicate that Elijah truly was a prophet. The response from God was overwhelming, with a fire that devoured sacrifice, wood, water, and even stone and dust. (cf. 1 Kings 18:36-38). Elijah’s worship wasn’t very spirited, but it was intensely spiritual, representing a legitimate connection between himself and the Divine.

Sometime after this victory over the false prophets, Elijah was fleeing from the queen, Jezebel. She was upset that Elijah, following God’s  fiery exhibition, had persuade the people to execute the false prophets. Elijah was led by God to Mount Horeb, where God indicated that Elijah was to wait for Him. As Elijah waited, there was a mighty wind that tore apart the mountain, but God was not in the wind. There was an earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. There was a great fire, and God was not in the fire. Then finally there was a still whisper, and God, the text indicates, was in the whisper. (cf. 1 Kings 19:11-13)

The earthquake, the wind and the fire were all more “spirited” events, full of action, noise, and visual effects. But they weren’t spiritual events, for God was not there. The still small whisper was not very exciting, from a physical perspective, but it was an intensely spiritual thing, for God was there.

Jesus taught us that true worship was worship that was conducted in the Spirit, and in truth. (cf. John 4:24) To be in the truth, it is necessary to conform to the standards of God’s word, which is truth (cf. John 17:17). To be in the Spirit it is necessary that it be a spiritual exercise, involving the heart and the mind (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:15). Too many, however, think that unless a worship is spirited, it lacks spirit, and is therefore unspiritual. The problem is that people who crave excitement, mistakenly believe that when something is exciting, it therefore has spirit, and is therefore spiritual. But that’s not what Jesus was actually teaching.

Serving God is often, in fact, not exciting. Sometimes it can be downright unexciting. For instance, Jesus washed the apostle’s feet. (cf. John 13) He did this as a loving servant teaching a vitally spiritually lesson. But from the vantage point of Jesus, if one is to be honest, one must confess that there seems to be few things in this world less exciting then scrubbing 24 dirty feet, one after another. But it was what God wanted. Likewise, with the cross. There are many words that one could use to describe the suffering Jesus endured for us at the cross, where he was beaten, crucified and mocked. Exciting is not really one of the words one would normally use. But has there even been a more spiritual service offered by one man on behalf of others?

It is notable, that Jesus calls us to remember the cross, not with an exciting, “spirited” celebration, but with a moment of meditation and reflection as we consume the bread and the cup of the Communion table. (cf. Matthew 26:26-29). It, like all things truly spiritual, is a special time, not because of how excited we are, but because, in that moment, if we are truly partaking with the right spirit, God is with us, and we are with God.

Thus it is with all of Christianity, in and out of worship. Our lives are made spiritual, not by the excitement we are feeling at any given time, but rather by the presence of God.

 

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FALSOS MAESTROS

¿NECESITO, PERSONALMENTE IR A HABLAR CON LOS  FALSOS MAESTROS ANTES DE EXPONERLES EN PUBLICO?

“Amados, por la gran solicitud que tenía de escribiros acerca de nuestra común salvación, me ha sido necesario escribiros exhortándoos que contendáis ardientemente por la fe que ha sido una vez dada a los santos” (Judas 3).  Ciertamente la necesidad de los días de Judas medio hermano del Señor sigue siendo la misma para nuestros días.  Si Dios no fuera santo, y si su palabra no fuera inmutable entonces no habría problema en dejar el pecado filtrarse. El Señor dijo si la sal pierde su sabor no sirve para nada más, sino para ser echada fuera y ser pisada por los hombres Mt 5:13. Algunos hermanos piensan que hay que tener gracia y misericordia con aquellos que se han equivocado y de ninguna manera estoy sugiriendo lo contrario pero de ahí a equivocarse en doctrina bíblica es una distancia abismal. Muchos se excusan con: “Es que todavía estoy estudiando el tema o, es no sabía eso o el hermano fulano lo enseña diferente”. El hermano Rick Popejoy en las conferencias de Poder en Misisipí del 2015 dijo: “Si usted no sabe que decir o aún está estudiando el tema entonces…por favor siéntete y no diga nada”. La predicación es un asunto serio, es una asunto de vida o muerte y por lo tanto sino sabe lo que va a decir siéntese, estudie y después hable, pero claro este no es el caso con los falsos maestros…ellos saben muy bien lo que están haciendo y ya han estudiado los temas y deliberadamente o arbitrariamente van a enseñar y van obrar tal como los describe Judas en su epístola. ¿Necesito ir a  hablar en privado con Billy Graham para exponer públicamente el hecho de nunca predicó bautismo para perdón de pecados y por ende falsa doctrina? Si la respuesta es No, entonces ¿que hace la diferencia con los falsos maestros dentro de la Iglesia?

¿Necesito ir a hablar en privado con Billy Graham para exponer públicamente el hecho de nunca predicó bautismo para perdón de pecados y por ende falsa doctrina?

¿Necesito ir a hablar en privado con Billy Graham para exponer públicamente el hecho de nunca predicó bautismo para perdón de pecados y por ende falsa doctrina?

Parece ser que aquellos hermanos que están en contra de que se mencionen nombres en público y se exponga a falsos maestros, están más bien en la defensa del pecado y no en la defensa de la verdad. Que condición más triste ya que muchos tienen temor que se les descubra a  sus falsas doctrinas que han manejado a “escondidas” por años y que ahora alguien más ha hecho publica en otro lugar con otras personas.  Hay un pasaje que es la sombrilla preferida por muchos para repeler lo que la Biblia enseña y que ha sido demasiado mal-interpretado por ignorar el contexto cada vez que se cita.

 MATEO 18:15-17 

“Si tu hermano peca contra ti ve y repréndele estando tu y él solos…”  este versículo 15 está dentro del contexto de problemas personales entre hermanos. La primera clave de interpretación se encuentra en las primeras frases “peca contra ti”  No está hablando de pecados públicos, ni tampoco está hablando de ofensas directa a la doctrina ya que el E.S dedicó secciones específicas para lidiar con eso, pero más bien ofensas personales. Es también clave no terminar el relato en el 17, observe por ejemplo lo que dice el 19: “Otra vez os digo” (indicando que lo anterior que había mencionado desde el 15 ligándolo así al 19) “ …que si dos de vosotros se pusieren de acuerdo en la tierra…” Pregunta: ¿A cuantas personas concierne el asunto? A dos personas solamente, es decir este asunto es un asunto personal, entre dos personas por lo tanto la solución debe de facilitarse entre las mismas dos personas antes de seguir los demás pasos.  Con el pasaje aclarado ¿que de las ofensas a la doctrina de Cristo u ofensas públicas a la doctrina de Cristo?

LO QUE DICE DIOS 

  “Mas os ruego, hermanos, que os fijéis en los que causan divisiones y tropiezos en contra de la doctrina que vosotros habéis aprendido, y que os apartéis de ellos.” (Ro.16:17).

Hay demasiados pasajes para ser citados, pero uno solo basta para establecer la autoridad en el asunto ya que la Biblia posee sin lugar a dudas y demanda la autoridad absoluta.   Aquí la instrucción divina en cuanto a aquellos que están practicando falsa doctrina y que se dicen llamar Iglesia de Cristo (V16), es “fijarse” esta frase bíblica significa marcarlos o identificarlos perfectamente. Luego al final del versículo no hace una sugerencia nada más, sino que la frase está en modo imperativo, es decir  es un mandamiento el apartarse de ellos. ¿En donde lee usted que hay que ir y orar por ellos? (Aunque no significa que esté mal hacerlo) ¿En donde lee usted que hay que visitarle y dialogar con ellos para llegar a un acuerdo? (Aunque tampoco este demás hacerlo entendiendo que la verdad no se negocia) El problema de muchos hermanos y es que están colocando sus propias ideas por encima de la instrucción especifica de la Biblia. El mandamiento aquí es ESPECIFICO expresado en dos verbos que denotan acción si mismos: Fijéis y apartéis después de producir todas las evidencias concretas en el asunto claro está.

Tampoco se trata de mandar al infierno a un hermano o una congregación, porque eso solo Dios lo puede y va a hacer, ni tampoco el punto es andar por ahí buscando quién está en error como en “casería de  brujas”, pero cuando una llamada “Iglesia de Cristo” por ejemplo publica abiertamente en redes sociales su inclinación a que las mujeres prediquen o dirijan cantos, la inclusión de instrumentos musicales o cualquier otro aspecto doctrinal claramente especificado en las santas escrituras, necesitan ser confrontadas o simplemente marcados públicamente sin necesidad de tener que ir directamente primero a ellos. Observe usted:

  • Tito 1:13-16. Repréndeles duramente.. Timoteo tenía que confrontar en público a estos que estaban enseñando fábulas por el bien de su audiencia y por el bien de ellos mismos. Note, Pablo no le dice; Ve en privado y ora por ellos. Ejemplo; Si alguien enseña en público que está bien usar instrumentos de música en la adoración, y vamos en privado a reprenderle, y tal hermano se arrepiente, esa doctrina quedó evidenciada en público y por lo tanto el daño a la iglesia del Señor quedó hecho. Por eso es que la confrontación debe de ser hecha en público también. !Espero que usted amado lector pueda ver bien la importancia  de mencionar nombres en público en este sencillo ejemplo!.
  • 1Tim 5:20 “A los que persisten en pecar repréndelos delante de todos…” El propósito es claro para que los demás también teman y la verdad se mantenga pura. ¡Pobre Timoteo, seguramente el fue llamado hijo del trueno por haber hecho tales reprensiones en Publico!
  • 2 Tes. 3:6,14,15: “Os ordenamos hermanos que os apartéis de todo hermano que ande desordenadamente y no conforme a la enseñanza que recibisteis de nosotros” (v6) Una orden especifica que hermanos con la bandera del amor han cambiado por ir a dialogar con el desordenado. Por cierto, instrumentos de música y mujeres sirviendo en actos de adoración no son enseñanzas que aprendimos de los apóstoles. La frase señaladlo del v14 es un acto de amor genuino, cosa que algunos hermanos no han podido entender.
  • 2 Tim 2:16-18: Pablo menciona a Himeno y Fileto nombres de hombres específicos que se habían apartado de la verdad, y no solo los menciona por nombre sino que quedaron manchados por todas las edades hasta el final de los tiempos al quedar sus nombres en récord en la santa inspiración ¿ Cree usted que Pablo debió de haber ido primero en privado y arreglar el asunto para no manchar sus nombres en Público? Si usted cree así, usted tiene un serio conflicto con el Espíritu  Santo que inspiró a Pablo.
  • 2Tim 3:8. Janes y Jambres nombres específicos de estos dos hechiceros que confrontaron a Moisés, pregunto; ¿Habló Pablo mal de dos personas que incluso estaban ya muertas hace muchos años? De ninguna manera,  si usted cree que hay que ir a confrontar en persona a los falsos maestros antes de citarles en Publico entonces, pobre de Pablo… ¡Oh! y dicho sea de paso este pasaje es contundente autoridad Bíblica a que uno no está en el deber de ir a hablar primero y en privado con un falso maestro (que se ha demostrado y las evidencias son contundentes) antes de pronunciar su nombre en público, ya que estimado lector Pablo no fue a confrontar “primero” en “privado” a dos hombres que habían muerto hace cientos de años atrás.
  • 2Tim 4:10. A Demas se le menciona  3 veces en las carta de Pablo. Aquí se le menciona como un desertor. Pablo dice que Demas le había desamparado y se había ido al mundo. ¿Si Demas le había desamparado y se había ido, Cree usted que Pablo fue a buscarlo antes de mencionar su nombre? Por la evidencia anterior y los verbos aquí “desamparado” e “ido” no lo creo.

La nueva Hermenéutica está ganando terreno en muchas congregaciones y con muchos hermanos. “Quiero escuchar solo lo positivo, quiero ver solo lo positivo y quiero hablar solo positivo” no es positivo del todo. La Biblia posee un balance en todo; Ro. 11:22 “Mira, la bondad y la severidad de Dios…” amabas caras de la moneda son siempre presentadas en las escrituras. Se mencionan infinidad de nombres desde un aspecto positivo pero también infinidad de nombres en aspectos negativos. Pero hoy algunos solamente quieren lo positivo y lo negativo ni mencionarlo. Cualquiera  que sea el caso, guste  o no, la Biblia nos ha dado mandamientos en cuanto a asuntos como estos, por última vez, lo que son ofensas claras a la doctrina de Cristo y que no son asuntos de opinión debe de ser sacado a la vista de todos y tales personas deben de ser marcados  por seguridad de la doctrina de la Iglesia de Cristo y por la preservación del único evangelio. Juan el bautista señaló pecado público de la misma manera pública y eso le costó su cabeza. Su muerte no se debió al hecho de que él era un predicador de amor y fue a orar con Herodes en privado junto con Herodías, su muerte fue causada por que no retrocedió al deber que tenía para con Dios, y si ese sigue siendo el caso hoy, y más cabezas tienen que rodar, entonces que rueden más cabezas de hombres fieles al Señor que con amor van a proceder tal como Dios lo ordena aunque esto implique ser impopular.

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