Righteous and the Eight

Are You Among the Eight

In a recent article we discussed how only one of the ten lepers Jesus cleansed came to express gratitude, and Jesus asked the question, “Where are the nine?” We entitled that article “Are You Among the Nine?” to encourage each of us to be more thankful and to express thanks for all we receive. This week we ask the question, “Are you among the eight?”

Righteous

Would You Have Been Among the Righteous?

Which eight? Peter described them in this way. “Once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water” (1 Pet. 3:20). Had you lived at that time, would you have been among the eight?

They were righteous in an unrighteous world. It is probably impossible for us to imagine what Noah and his family experienced. Think of how we are concerned at the direction our nation is taking, yet we do know so many godly people. Noah did not have this in his life. Every thought of every person on earth was on evil continually. We are often so troubled with peer pressure. Sometimes we yield to it, but Noah never did. Had you lived at that time, would you have been among the eight?

They were righteous without a righteous heritage. So many of us have relatives who are trying to live right. Now, when God looked at that world, Noah’s father was not righteous, nor was his grandfather (Methuselah). His faith was his alone. He had no brothers or sisters who were righteous, yet he was faithful without any religious heritage. Had you lived at that time would you have been among the eight?

They were righteous because he sought grace. He believed in God, yet he was not sinless. Sinless people do not need grace, but Noah did. Sinful people do not seek grace, but do not the words “he found grace” imply that “he sought grace?” Sometimes we feel we have attained righteousness apart from God’s grace, but Noah did not. Had you lived at that time would you have been among the eight?

They were righteous because they lived righteously for so many years. God decided that He would destroy man 120 years later. In that interim, he called Noah and waited for him to build the ark. At least some of Noah’s sons (if not all of them) were born during that period of time. For a century his family lived faithfully. We sometimes struggle to be faithful, but they did not waver. Had you lived at that time would you have been among the eight?

What an amazing example the life of Noah is to each of us. Sometimes, it is good just to imagine what it would have been like to be there. Think about it. Would you have been inside or outside the ark?

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Righteous and the Eight

Bible Authority

Let the Bible Speak

“Well that is just your interpretation of it” or “You believe what you want and I will believe what I want” are two phrases that we hear when referring to scriptures. However, why does Bible authority have to come to this? Could there be hidden or subliminal messages which God put in the scriptures that only some can see?

Bible

Let the Bible Speak. Observe its Silence.

“God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.” (Jn 4:24). But what is truth? Truth is a fact that has been verified. Has God been truthful and verified His word clearly? Paul wrote through divine inspiration: “ 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 perfect , throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim 3:16, 17). So did God lie?

Our liberal brethren and denominational acquaintances agree that “God cannot lie” (Tit. 1:2). Therefore, when Paul spoke of women to keep silent in the church, what was he referring to? When Eph. 5:19 says to sing, are there hidden messages that say to entertain us in worship however we see fit? Baptism is mentioned time and time again, yet denominations hold to the thief on the cross and that prayer alone can save. Who is right?

I would like to conclude to say that the Bible is right. There are not two standards, but one. There is only one Christ, there is only one baptism, and there is only one way to salvation. Christ spoke of those who teach ignorance and bring others into the gates of Hell without hope. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Lk. 6:46) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Mai 7:21) These people mentioned are ones who attend church. They are ones who claim that the Bible is from God, but reject His word when it does not suit them. How stupid is this? God put us here to serve Him, but some insist on telling God that their way is better than His. When in doubt about who is right and who is wrong, let the Bible speak where it speaks and let the Bible be silent where it is silent. Do Bible things by Bible ways and listen to what God wanted us to know and obey.

Posted in Robert Notgrass | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Bible Authority

Hiding the Evidence

Evolutionists: “Don’t Bother Us with the Truth

What happens if you are pre-committed to something and then evidence is unveiled that upends your beliefs? If you are California State University you fire the professor who uncovered the evidence and act like it never happened. However, there are two problems with this scenario: (1) it doesn’t negate the fact that the evidence does, in fact, exist; and (2) it doesn’t clear the conscience of those who are pre-committed to their previous beliefs. They are forced to live a lie.

evidence

Hidden Evidence is Still Evidence.

And that’s the predicament the administration at California State University finds itself in. Oh, and then there’s the lawsuit filed against the University by the man who uncovered the evidence.

Mark Armitage has been a scientist for over 30 years, graduating with advanced degrees in biological sciences. He was excavating dinosaur fossils at the Hell Creek Formation in Montana when he unearthed the largest triceratops horn ever unearthed.  After looking at the horn under a microscope, Armitage realized there was soft tissue in the specimen. His discovery clearly indicated, “that dinosaurs roamed the earth only thousands of years in the past rather than going extinct 60 million years ago.”

Mark’s findings were eventually published in the July 2013 issue of Acta Histochemica, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. What happened next? Armitage was fired from the university—just two weeks after the article was published.

Billy Hallowell at The Blaze noted:

After discussing the horn with students at the school one day, Armitage, who taught students how to use high-powered microscopes at the school’s Electron and Confocal Microscopy Suite, was apparently reported by one of the students to his supervisor, World News reported. That supervisor then allegedly questioned Armitage’s motivation, telling him that the school would not “tolerate” his religion in the department and slamming his creationist views. While the professor was reportedly assured by the head of the biology department that this was an isolated incident and that his views would be respected, his problems apparently intensified thereafter.[1]

Set Armitage’s firing aside for a moment, and look at what is really going on. When evidence is discovered that challenges conventional evolutionary theory, we aren’t supposed to study it. Here is a man who has been a published scientist for 30 years and yet now he isn’t supposed to use the scientific method on his discovery. He’s not supposed to subject it to microscopy or report it to the rest of the scientific community.

Another report noted: “Armitage, a published scientist of over 30 years, was subsequently let go after CSUN abruptly claimed his appointment at the university of 38 months had been temporary, and claimed a lack of funding for his position, according to attorneys.”[2]

But Armitage isn’t buying it. He believes it is all about his religious views—and that fact that his discovery clearly supports the creationist view that dinosaurs did not die out millions of years ago. And he’s right. Jerry Bergman has been documenting all the cases of discrimination against creationists for years. (Check out his eye-opening book Slaughter of the Dissidents: The Shocking Truth about Killing the Careers of Darwin Doubters.)

What is really at risk here is not just one man’s job. It is the subject of truth and integrity. How much longer will the public allow the scientific community to hide the facts? How much longer will professors be silenced by the political correctness of evolution? Just how far are they willing to go to protect their “religion”?

The evidence still exists. Firings don’t change that. Likewise, university is now forced to live with a conscience that knows their belief system is a lie. There is only so much they can sweep under the rug.

Posted in Brad Harrub | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Hiding the Evidence

Heavenly Crown

Learning about the Heavenly Crown

The Bible describes the reward of heaven for the children of God as a heavenly crown. Crowns indicate royalty. When David conquered the city of Rabbah, he took the crown from the head of the defeated king to keep for himself. It was a very impressive crown, “the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones” (2 Sam. 12:30). When Esther was chosen to be queen by King Ahasuerus, “he set the royal crown upon her head” (Esther 2:17). Thus, it should be no surprise that God will reward His children with royal crowns, since the Bible describes Jesus Christ “hath made us kings…unto God and His Father” (Rev. 1:5-6). Crowns also illustrate prestige and honor. Mordecai was privileged to wear the crown for the day at the expense of Haman’s suggestion (Esther 6:8). He later gained a crown of his own after Haman’s death when King Ahasuerus exalted him (Esther 8:15). In addition, crowns suggest value. “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband” (Prov. 12:4). Grandchildren are as crowns to their grandparents (Prov. 17:6). Paul even described the Philippian brethren as crowns to him (Phil. 4:1). Let us notice a closer description of this heavenly crown that the children of God will inherit one day.

Heavenly Crown

Heavenly Crown?

This heavenly crown is a crown of incorruptibility. Paul said, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Cor. 9:25). It is incorruptible because nothing corruptible will be in heaven. Those who inherit heaven are born of incorruptible seed (1 Pet. 1:23). Our inheritance is classified as incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:4), and at that great last day, our bodies will be raised incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:52).
This heavenly crown is a crown of righteousness. Among the closing words of the life of Paul, he said, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8). It is righteous because only the righteous will have the right to wear it (Rom. 1:16-17). Jesus Christ, the righteous judge, will give it to those who have sought first His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).
This heavenly crown is a crown of life. James said, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). Jesus told the church at Smyrna, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). It is one of eternal life, because there will be no death in heaven (Rev. 21:4).
This heavenly crown is a crown of glory. Peter said, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet. 5:4). It is one of glory because the one who gives it is full of glory (John 1:14). We will be in the presence of our glorious God, the one who epitomizes glory and was crowned with glory (Heb. 2:9).

Satan and his angels are doing everything within their power to rob us of our heavenly crown. May we all heed the words of Jesus as He said, “Behold, I come quickly: hold thou fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11).

Posted in Sam Willcut | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Heavenly Crown

The Daughter of Jephthah

Jephthah’s Daughter

In Judges 11, Jephthah vowed to God that if he were victorious in battle, he would give to God whoever came through the doors of his house upon his return from battle. The term used in 11:31 is ‘olah, the normal Hebrew word for a burnt offering or sacrifice (used 286 times in the Old Testament). Did Jephthah intend to offer his daughter as a human sacrifice? Are the ethics of God and the Bible shown to be substandard by this incident?

Jephthah

The Daughter of Jephthah Came Out of the House.

In the first place, if, in fact, Jephthah offered a human sacrifice, he did something that was strictly forbidden by Mosaic law and that is repugnant to God (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5; Deuteronomy 12:31; 18:10). It would be a bit bizarre for Jephthah to think that he could elicit God’s favor in battle by promising to offer Him a human sacrifice, that is, to do something that was in direct violation of the will of God. Such a proposal would be equivalent to a person requesting God’s blessing and assistance by offering to rape women or rob banks. God certainly would not approve of such an offer—though He may go ahead and assist the individual (11:32). God allows people to make wrong choices, even while He works out His own higher will in the midst of their illicit actions. He can even use such people to achieve a higher good (consider, as one example, Judas). When Israel clamored for a king—in direct opposition to God’s will—He nevertheless allowed them to proceed with their intentions, and even lent His assistance in the selection (1 Samuel 8:7,18-19; 10:19; 12:19; Psalm 106:14-15; Hosea 13:11; Acts 13:21).

Second, if Jephthah offered his daughter as a human sacrifice, no indication is given in the text that God actually approved of the action. The Bible records many illicit actions carried out by numerous individuals throughout history, without an accompanying word of condemnation by the inspired writer. We must not assume that silence is evidence of divine approval. Even the commendation of Jephthah’s faith in the New Testament does not offer a blanket endorsement to everything Jephthah did during his lifetime. It merely commended the faith that he demonstrated when he risked going to war. Similarly, the Bible commends the faith of Samson, and Rahab the prostitute, without implying that their behavior was always in harmony with God’s will. Abraham manifested an incredible level of faith on several occasions, and is commended for such (Romans 4:20-21). Yet he clearly sinned on more than one occasion (Genesis 12:13; 16:4; 20:2ff.).

Third, Jephthah’s action may best be understood by recognizing that he was using ‘olah in a figurative sense. We use the term “sacrifice” in a similar fashion when we say, “I’ll sacrifice a few dollars for that charity.” Jephthah was offering to sacrifice a member of his extended household to permanent, religious service associated with the Tabernacle. The Bible indicates that such non-priestly service was available, particularly to women who chose to so dedicate themselves (e.g., Exodus 38:8). [Sadly, Eli’s sons were guilty of taking sexual liberties with them (1 Samuel 2:22).] Even in the first century, Anna must have been one woman who had dedicated herself to the Lord’s service, since she “did not depart from the temple” (Luke 2:37).

Several contextual indicators support this conclusion. First, the two-month period of mourning that Jephthah granted to his daughter was not for the purpose of grieving over her impending loss of life, but over the fact that she would never be able to marry. She bewailed her virginity (bethulim)—not her death (11:37). Second, the text goes out of its way to state that Jephthah had no other children: “[S]he was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter” (11:34). For his daughter to be consigned to perpetual celibacy meant the extinction of Jephthah’s family line—an extremely serious and tragic matter to an Israelite (cf. Numbers 27:1-11; 36:1ff.). Third, the sacrifice is treated as unfortunate—again, not because of any concern over her death, but because she would not become a mother. After stating that Jephthah “did with her according to his vow which he had vowed,” the inspired writer immediately adds, “and knew no man” (11:39). This statement would be a completely superfluous and callous remark if she had been put to death. Fourth, the declaration of Jephthah’s own sorrow (11:35) follows immediately after we are informed that he had no other children (11:34). Jephthah was not upset because his daughter would die a virgin. He was upset because she would live and remain a virgin.

Hannah made a similar sacrifice when she turned her son over to the priestly direction of Eli for the rest of his life (1 Samuel 1:11). How many are willing to make such sacrifices? Actually, however, these tremendous acts of devotion were no greater than that which God requires of all Christians: to offer ourselves as spiritual burnt-offerings in service to God (Romans 12:1).

Dave Miller – Apologetics Press

Posted in Guest Authors | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Daughter of Jephthah