The Church and the Gates of Hades

The Church and the Gates of Hades

Matthew 16:18 – And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Such an encouraging verse with a powerful, uplifting promise!  And yet, due to translation error and false teachings this powerful passage is misunderstood by so many!

The Gates of Hades, Death, cannot hinder the Kingdom of God.

The Gates of Hades, Death, cannot hinder the Kingdom of God.

For example, “the gates of hell” should be more accurately translated from the Greek “the gates of Hades.”  Hades and hell are actually two different words in the Greek which describe two different places, but many think they’re the same thing due to many English translations translating Hades as hell, which in turn is due to the translators being influenced by the erroneous teaching that Hades and hell are the same.  Hell is gehenna in the Greek (Matt. 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6).  The word originally referred to the city of Jerusalem’s garbage dump, and then was used to symbolically refer to the eternal lake of fire reserved for Satan and his followers after judgment.  Hades is where the dead wait for judgment.  The rich man was in torment in Hades, although several translations erroneously translate the word as “hell” (Luke 16:23).  However, Jesus and the thief whom he forgave were also in Hades after they died, in the part referred to as Paradise or Abraham’s bosom or side (Acts 2:27; cf. Luke 23:39-43; 16:22-24) which is separated from where the rich man is tormented by a gulf or chasm (Luke 16:26).  Thus, Hades is a place where both the righteous and unrighteous dead are, unlike hell which is reserved for the unrighteous for all eternity.  On the day of judgment, Death and Hades will deliver up the dead that are in them and then be cast into the lake of fire which is hell, after which all who are judged by God to be condemned will also be cast into hell, along with Satan (Rev. 20:10-15).  Thus, Hades and hell are two different places.  By telling Peter that “the gates of Hades” shall not prevail against the church, Jesus was in effect promising that the church would not die.

Another misunderstanding many have about this passage revolves around the mistaken notion that one church is just as good as another.  This ecumenical mindset ignores several biblical points about the church:

  1. When Jesus spoke of building his church in this passage, notice that he spoke of the church in a singular fashion, not as pluralistic.  In other words, he said, “…I will build my church.”  He didn’t say, “…I will build my churches.”
  2. This is because the New Testament reveals that there in fact is only one church.  Paul spoke of the body of Christ as being his church (Eph. 1:22-23), and then specifically said that there is only one body, as well as only one faith (Eph. 4:4-5).  If the body is the church, and there is one body, then there is one church.  One church, one body, one faith.  Compare that to the thousands of different denominations, sects, and cults which all believe different things while claiming to all follow Christ…even though Christ’s New Testament specifically commands Christians that “…all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10; cf. John 17:20-23; Phil. 2:1-2).

Another misunderstanding many have about this passage revolves around the Roman Catholic doctrine of apostolic succession which teaches that Peter was the first Pope.  This verse is commonly cited by Catholicism to mean that Jesus was saying that the church was built on Peter.  However, this notion is mistaken for two reasons:

  1. Peter could not have been the first Pope, because Peter was married (Matt. 8:14-15; 1 Cor. 9:5) and Catholic doctrine teaches that the Pope and other bishops must be celibate, even though the New Testament specifically states that bishops must be married (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6).  (With this in mind, compare Catholic doctrine to the prophecy of Paul in 1 Timothy 4:1-3.)
  2. It is well known that “Peter” means “rock,” and so the assumption is made that when Jesus said, “…you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church…”, he was saying that the church would be built on Peter.  However, a study of the Greek words used in Matthew 16:18 reveals that Jesus actually used two different words here.  When he said, “…you are Peter…”, he used the masculine Greek word Petros, which refers to a rock or stone.  However, when he then said, “…upon this rock…”, he used the feminine Greek word petra, which refers to a large rock or stone, or a cliff.  The two similar but different words show by definition that Jesus had two similar but different concepts in mind when he spoke this sentence.  The church would not be built upon the rock of the apostle Peter (Petros), but upon a large rock or cliff (petra).  Contextually, the only thing Jesus could have in mind in reference to the petra would be the confession Peter had just made that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God (Matt. 16:16), which of course we know is the foundation of faith upon which the church is built (cf. 1 Cor. 3:11).

Thus, today’s Scripture of the Day records a promise Jesus made to Peter, the other apostles, and us that gives me comfort every time I read it.  He promised to build his church, of which there is only one, upon the rock of the confession of faith in him as the Son of God, and that his church would never die and thus be overcome by the gates of Hades.

Are you a part of his church?  The Bible specifically states that he is the Savior of his church (Eph. 5:23).  Do you want Christ to be your Savior?  Be a part of his church, not some man-made denomination.  Make the same heart-felt confession of faith that Peter made (Matt. 16:16; Rom. 10:9-10), choose to repent of your sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19), and wash your sins away via immersion into the body of Christ, his church (1 Cor. 12:13; cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

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Can A Woman Say Amen?

Can A Woman Say Amen?

by Tim Hester

The question has been asked can a woman say amen during a sermon or at the end of a prayer. In order for us to properly answer this question we need to first look at the word amen and then at what the scripture has to say concerning women speaking during a worship service.

Can a woman say "Amen"?

Can a woman say “Amen”?

The definition and use of the word amen: The word amen by definition means “verily, of a truth, sure, faithful, firm, truthful”. Most of the time today many within the Lord’s church use the word amen mainly (and with some strictly) to signify the closing of a prayer. This has left many with the mistaken meaning of the word to be “the end” or “it is finished”.
The word amen is used in different ways within the word of God.
  1. It signifies the closing of a prayer. (Ps. 41:13; Ps. 72:19; Ps. 89:52; I Cor. 14:16)
  2. It is used to describe the promises of God. (II Cor. 1:20)
  3. It is used to confirm the word or an oath. (Num. 5:22; Deu. 27:15-26; Neh. 5:13; Neh. 8:6; I Chron. 16:36)
  4. It is used to describe Christ. (Rev. 3:14)
  5. Nearly twenty-five times in the book of John we find Christ using the phrase “amen, amen” translated as “verily, verily”.
The act of saying amen to confirm the word of God as it is being presented has just about been lost among many within the Lord’s church today. It has not been to many years ago that it was common to hear the word amen to show agreement with the preacher as he was preaching the gospel of truth.
May a woman say amen: When we look at whether a woman can say amen two main passages of scripture is what comes to mind, I Cor. 14:34 and II Tim. 2:11-12. These two passages show unto us the restrictions which God by inspiration has put on women and their speaking in worship.
In I Cor. 14 the apostle Paul is dealing with a problem the church at Corinth had concerning those who had miraculous gifts. Paul by inspiration is giving direction to those of the church at Corinth in how to behave in a service where miracles were being performed. In particular in this chapter he is dealing with the gifts of those who would speak in unknown tongues or would prophesy. Verse 34’s restrictions of women speaking falls into the context of the service involving miracles. Since we do not have miracles today then we are not faced with the same situation as those in this chapter.
We also find that verse 34 states “Let your women keep silence in the churches:”. The word silence which is found in this verse is found also in I Cor. 14:28. The word silence here forbids a woman to “emit a sound, utter a voice, or make herself heard”. . If one teaches this kind of silence for women in the church today then a woman would not be allowed to ask or answer a question in a Bible study, sing a song, nor make a confession of Jesus Christ. (Guy N. Woods, Questions and Answers – Open Forum, pp. 107 – 109)
The indication of the text is that these were the wives of the prophets who were to ask their husbands at home. If we were take this command as being relevant to women today then we would have to take the whole passage which includes asking their husbands at home. How can the following ask their husbands: 1) single girls, 2) widows, 3) women whose husbands are not Christians, 4) women whose husbands are new converts, and 5) women whose have more Bible knowledge then their husbands.
I Timothy 2:11-12 does deal with the worship of the church today and puts the stipulation that a woman is not to usurp the authority of the man. The restriction of usurping the authority of a man means for one to exercise authority or dominion over a man. This in essence forbids a woman from teaching, preaching, leading prayer, leading singing, serve on the Lord’s table, or doing anything else in the service to God which would put the female in a dominate relationship over the male. As already stated this does not fully forbid a woman from speaking in worship since a woman speaks or uses her voice when she sings or makes a confession.
Biblical examples of women saying amen: We find in the Bible some examples of women saying amen.
  1. When a woman was taken in adultery she was to answer the priest amen – Num. 5:22.
  2. When the law was read all the people said amen – Deut. 27:15-26.
  3. When David had the ark of the Lord brought up all the people said amen – I Chron. 16:36.
  4. At the words of Nehemiah all the congregation said amen – Neh. 5:13.
  5. At the words of Ezra all the people answered amen – Neh. 8:6.
As we can see from each of these text it was not just the men who were present who said amen but all those who were present, both male and female, said amen.
Although we do not find a direct example of women saying amen in worship in the New Testament we do find a time when an audience would say amen. In I Cor. 14:16 Paul ask the question how can those who are lead in prayer say amen if they can not understand the prayer.
We have to keep in mind that when one is leading prayer he is not the only one who is praying. All those who are present are taking part in that prayer, both male and female. In like manner when the prayer is finished all who are present should be able to say amen at the close of the prayer. Some may argue that this is a silent or non verbal amen. The scripture here though does not indicate if it is verbal or silent and the example we have in the Old Testament is after the priest gave a blessing all the people said amen. (I Chron. 16:36).
A closing thought: As we see here there is definitely a time and a place for a woman to say amen during the worship service. Yet, there is two more thing that needs to be considered by both males and females who utters the word amen.
First, when we are saying amen, whether it be at the close of a prayer or during a lesson from God’s word, we are giving our consent or endorsement to what has been said (I Cor. 14:16). We need to be sure we know and understand that that which is being said is truth. We should not flippantly use the word amen.
Second, we need to keep in mind that all things are to be done decently and in order (I Cor. 14:40). If one’s use of the word amen is not done in a decent and orderly fashion then he or she is then in violation of God’s word. It would be better for one to refrain from acknowledging the truth of God’s word then to distract those who are trying to worship God in spirit and in truth.
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MISIONEROS FANTASMAS

MISIONEROS FANTASMAS

Para iniciar entendamos la diferencia entre ser misionero y hacer trabajo misionero. Creo que este artículo está resumido en esa primera frase y cuando comprendemos muy bien esas lineas entonces el resto no hará mucha diferencia. Sin embargo con el avanzar de este escrito le animo amablemente a tomar una Biblia y comparar, aún estudiar con nosotros varios pasajes a mencionar y las ideas a exponer. Si alguno de los siguientes puntos están en desacuerdo con la palabra de Dios, contáctenos y digamos pero si están en armonía con la palabra escrita, usted está en la obligación moral y espiritual de acatarlo, sea quien sea, viva donde viva.

La palabra “misionero” no aparece como tal en nuestra Biblia.

La palabra “misionero” no aparece como tal en nuestra Biblia.

La palabra “misionero” no aparece como tal en nuestra Biblia, y “misión” sólo aparece tres veces (dependiendo de la versión de la Biblia). Dos de estas veces están en el Antiguo Testamento. En 1Samuel15 el versículo 18 dice: “Y el Señor te envió en una misión, y dijo: ‘Ve, y destruye por completo a los pecadores, los amalecitas, y lucha contra ellos hasta que sean exterminados.’” Y el versículo 20 dice: “Entonces Saúl dijo a Samuel: Yo obedecí la voz del Señor, y fui en la misión a la cual el Señor me envió, y he traído a Agag, rey de Amalec, y he destruido por completo a los amalecitas.” En ambos versículos, la palabra hebrea usada es derek (דְּרָכַ֫יִם )significa: “camino”, “sendero”, o “viaje”. “Misión” también aparece una vez en el Nuevo Testamento, en Hechos 12:25, que dice: “Y Bernabé y Saulo regresaron de Jerusalén después de haber cumplido su misión, llevando consigo a Juan, llamado también Marcos.” Aquí, la palabra griega usada es diakonía (διακονία) que significa “ministerio”, “servicio”, “contribución”, “ayuda”, “asistencia”, “misión”, o “encargo”.

Muchos hermanos hacen viajes misioneros cada año a distintos lugares del globo terráqueo y damos gloria a Dios por eso y por las tantas almas que se convierten al señor cada año, sin embargo eso solo es cierto trabajo misionero. Algunos se han auto llamado “Misioneros”, pero amigos hermanos, son “misioneros fantasmas”. La Iglesia necesita en gran manera la evangelización pero necesita a gritos misioneros reales, misioneros del calibre bíblico, considere usted; un misionero de acuerdo a las santas escrituras es:

  1. ALGUIEN QUIEN VIVE EN LA COMUNIDAD DONDE TRABAJA: Me  da tristeza como algunos están cambiando los conceptos bíblicos tan fácilmente. Muchos “misioneros” actuales van a un país y realizan su trabajo por una o dos semanas en el año y luego regresan a su país de origen y ya son misioneros… ¡Error!. 
  • CORINTO: Pablo ayudó a establecer esta congregación. Su trabajo fue de un año y seis meses (Hechos 18:11)
  • EFESO: estuvo aquí probablemente en su tercer visita poco más de dos años (Hechos 19:8-10)
  • ICONIO: La Biblia dice que se detuvieron ahí mucho tiempo(Hechos 14:3).
  • ANTIOQUIA: Se detuvieron aquí mucho tiempo (Hechos 14:28). Entendemos que tuvo que haber sido poco más de dos años ya que constituyeron ancianos en cada Iglesia (14:23)¿ Cuanto tiempo le tomaría a usted para constituir ancianos?

Me parece que con estos basta, para probar que el trabajo de un misionero no es de una semana.

B. ALGUIEN QUIEN CONOCE LA CULTURA DONDE VA A EJERCER SU TRABAJO: Los supuestos misioneros que conquistaron Centroamérica impusieron el catolisísmo, y por esa razón el 80 % de la población vive en completa ignorancia espiritual. El misionero de acuerdo a las escrituras no es alguien que llega a imponer sus ideas por encima de todo. No, sino más bien alguien quien va a estudiar la cultura de ese país y va a buscar que la gente razone por sí mismos. Pablo en Atenas hizo exactamente esto (Hechos 17:23). Observe que él no llegó imponiendo su propia cultura, sino que razonó con ellos. Me parece que muchos de nuestros actuales “misioneros”  provenientes mayormente de U.S.A necesitan ser enseñados de nuevo como hacer trabajo misionero. Si es necesario( y lo es) hasta aprender el idioma de ese país, sabemos que el Señor Jesús conocía  y manejaba fluido al menos 3 idiomas (Hebreo, Arameo, Griego). Pablo algo similar y quizás un poco más ¿Estimado misionero, cuantos idiomas maneja usted?

C. ALGUIEN QUIEN AYUDA A LA IGLESIA: Ayudar en el aspecto físico, material está excelente pero un misionero bíblico es alguien que lleva metas en mente para una congregación. El evangelizar es una meta positiva y correcta pero ¿Que más? Nada ganamos buscamos mucha gente y no les podemos enseñar los mandamientos de Dios. Precisamente después de dar la gran comisión Cristo dijo en Mateo 28:20: “Enseñándoles que guarden todas las cosas que os he mandado…” No ganamos nada, si bautizamos a 20 en una campaña y para el domingo siguiente nos queda solamente 1 de las 20 personas. Por esta misma y precisa razón Misioneros serios como Pablo se quedaban 2 años en las ciudades, enseñaban a la Iglesia, a la comunidad, y ayudaba a ellos a organizarse como Dios lo desea(Predicadores, Ancianos, Diáconos, Maestros) tal y como lo leemos en Hechos 13:1. Los misioneros fantasmas con buenas intenciones (no lo dudo) han causado más bien una dependencia. Muchas Iglesias del Señor ni siquiera pueden tomar decisiones propias porque: “ Los hermanos tales y tales nos sostienen y hay que pedirles permiso”. Otros nunca salen a evangelizar porque para eso están las campañas de cada año. Estas dependencias son muy peligrosas, la Iglesia necesita crecer necesita afrontar obligaciones propias y gozar de derechos y privilegios propios. Los misioneros fantasmas no nos ayudan sino que más bien nos atrasan. 

Oramos a Dios para envíe más obreros a su mies (Lucas 10:2), Obreros que enseñen la sana doctrina, obreros que puedan quedarse y fortalecer a la Iglesia tomarla de la mano y enseñarle como caminar, Obreros… que estén dispuestos a dejar su zona de confort y comodidad evocarse al campo misionero. Gloria sea a Dios que si han existido esos hermanos, he sabido de misioneros que se han ido a vivir y trabajar por el Señor en Africa, Ucrania, Alemania, Centroamérica. Todos estos lugares no son tan cómodos para vivir pero con urgencia de la verdad que liberta. Es mi oración también que este artículo sirva de motivación a otros, a dejar todo por servir a Cristo como misionero. Los misioneros son la sangre vital de la Iglesia son las ruedas de la Carreta y el aceite del motor. Si usted no puede trabajar como misionero, apoye a los que ya están sirviendo, ore por ellos, ayúdeles económicamente. Los misioneros fantasmas no necesitan tanta ayuda como los verdaderos misioneros Bíblicos. Dios nos ayude a servir como debemos de hacerlo en el lugar donde nos encontramos, de la mejor manera, con los medios con los que podamos. 

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God, His Word, Your Heart

God, His Word, Your Heart

In Psalm 119:130, it states, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”  When we open our Bible to read, it seems as if God is shining a light into our minds.  Every word, each character, all the prayers and the acts of faith we visualize, from the word of God, is an opening by which light is let into our seeking souls.

Will you humble your heart enough to let God's Word direct you?

Will you humble your heart enough to let God’s Word direct you?

When a door is open so that we enter into a house, this is what the word of God is doing.  It is to open to us so that we may see its beauty.  But, it is not understood by just anyone.  The simple ones understand.  That is, those who are open to persuasion, who humbly seek it and give heart to instruction.  The psalmist said, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psa. 19:7).

Surely, God has a way to open the heart and warming it up.  In the New Testament, Luke records that, “they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Lk. 24:32).  All of us as followers of Jesus know how precious and tender His life was and how our hearts glow when we think back or hear of His life, sufferings and death.  How blind people may be to the plainest doctrines of the Scriptures.  Yet, to us who read, who desire to know God’s word, it gives us understanding that Jesus is the Messiah, that God reigns in Heaven and that Christians are His children.  Let God’s word therefore, open your heart.

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Beauty: “Ugly, Dumb, Clumsy, Poor”

Words for the “Ugly, Dumb, Clumsy, Poor” People

Our world is so upside down. From the time a child enters school, he is confronted with the reality that if you are not cute, handsome or beautiful, you may not succeed. If you are not more intelligent than others, you might fail. If you are not wealthy, your chances of advancement may be quite limited. If you are not athletic, you may not be popular and well known among other students.

Are you God's Definition of Beautiful?

Are you God’s Definition of Beautiful?

Beauty, brains, money and athleticism seem to be such an exaggerated measure of the worth of a person. It becomes obvious early in life, but take a look at the world in our adult lives. Little has changed. However, the measuring rod showing a person’s real worth is not found in these four things. The reason these have become the measure of a person is because while man looks on the outward appearance, the Lord looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

The words of Paul show those who mean the most to God. “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Cor. 1:26).  These are not the called simply because their fleshly values, which actually are worthless, are so important to them.

When Jesus came He sought to bring every man to Himself. All men were invited, but not all responded to His invitation. Who did respond? Read these words carefully. “The common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37).  Who are those common people? Not the beautiful, the intellectuals, the wealthy or the athletes. All men are called, but the majority do not respond and so very few of those “mighty” in this world.

James, the Lord’s brother, reminds us of this in his epistle. “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him” (Jas. 2:5)? The world is so upside down. We honor the “mighty” in our society when in reality God does just the opposite.

So how do you feel about yourself? Those ideas you learned early in life and which are so much part of adult life are just wrong. The Messianic prophet proclaimed that when the Messiah came He would replace ashes with beauty (Isa. 61:3). Those the world sees as ugly become the beautiful bride of Christ. Those whom the world sees as ignorant have more understanding that their worldly teachers (Psa. 119:99). Those viewed as poor have a treasure that far surpasses all the worldly wealth (Matt. 16:26). Those who never excelled in any athletic event triumphantly receive a crown when they finish their race (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Aren’t you glad you see the world right side up!

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