Cornelius – Could He Lay Hands on Others?

Cornelius – Could He Lay Hands on Others?

There is no doubt that the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. After the apostles received the Spirit, they could lay hands on others, giving them miraculous powers when they also received the Spirit. The question is, did Cornelius and his household have this same ability to impart the Spirit after being baptized in the Spirit?Holy Spirit Dove

There is no doubt what the Bible says about what happened in Acts chapter ten when Peter went to Cornelius’ house. In three places he described what happened. “These…have received the Holy Spirit just as we have…the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning…then I remembered how He said, ‘You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit’…“giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us” (Acts 10:47; 11:15-16; 15:8—bold emphasis by dj). The Greek is even more emphatic, but one does not have to know Greek to understand what happened. Peter was at both Pentecost and with Cornelius and he said it was the same.

Having established that it was the same does not answer the question as to whether all those in Cornelius’ household could then do what the apostles did in Samaria, when the Holy Spirit was given to those in that city. To understand this, we must see the difference in the receiving of the Spirit and the manifestation of the Spirit once He was received.

Look at Paul’s first letter to Corinth. He affirms that while every member in Corinth had received the Spirit (v. 7), He was manifested in a different way. It was the same One who gave diversities of gifts, ministries (administrations—KJV) and activities (operations—KJV). He then shows that one man might have more manifestations of the Spirit than the one who had only one (14:13). The fact is that one might have more manifestation of the Spirit, but he did not have more of the Spirit. Paul’s argument is that they all had received the same Spirit. All were equally important in their service to the church (v. 11).

Those in Corinth had received the same Spirit that the apostles received on Pentecost. He was simply manifested in a different way. Why is the receiving of the Spirit called a baptism of the Spirit in Acts 2 and 10? Because they were immersed (overwhelmed) by the Spirit and had no control as to whether they spoke in tongues. Those in Corinth were not overwhelmed for they could keep silent if no interpreter was present. All received the same Spirit, He was manifested in different ways. The manifestation of the Spirit gave the apostles the sign they were apostles by laying hands on others (2 Cor. 12:12). Cornelius is different—He was not an apostle. Men received the same Spirit, He manifested Himself differently!

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El KOALA TESTIFICA

El KOALA TESTIFICA A FAVOR DE LA EXISTENCIA DE DIOS

Recuerdo mis años de adolescencia mientras cruzaba secundaría tenía afín un tipo de zapatos negros muy cómodos para personas con pie plano como yo, el nombre de la marca es Koala. Este fascinante animal es mundialmente conocido por su gusto a un arból en particular. Nunca imaginé que un día vaiajaría y que incluso tendría el privilegio de tocar uno en el único lugar del mundo en donde pueden ser encontrados en su habitad natural; Australia. Pero ¿Qué es eso tan fascinante que se esconde detrás de esa figura peluda y tan esponjadita?

Y es que, aunque parece un oso, en realidad está emparentado con los canguros y es un marsupial. Su dieta principal es el eucalipto que, por cierto, sus hojas son tan tóxicas que ningún otro animal las consume. El Koala consume hasta 1 kilo por día de este árbol y, aun así, no muere. Es a este punto en donde la evolución no tiene explicaciones sensatas para los detalles que acontinuación serán enumeradas. No solo las explicaciones son insuficientes, sino que también son improbables, anticientificas, absurdas y hasta ridiculas. Cada lector con el mínimo coeficiente intelectual juzgará los calificativos dados a la luz de la evidencia proporcionada. Comencemos:

1.     La posición de la bolsa de mamá. Los canguros son fascinantes en muchos aspectos particularmente en la forma como las crías se refugian en las bolsas de sus madres, ahí adentro se ven incluso hasta divertidos dejando entrever únicamente sus orejas. Los Koalas por otra parte tienen la posición de la bolsa invertida. Este fascinante hecho se debe a la posición estratégica, diseñada y bien pensada por parte del Creador a causa de la protección que esto les faculta. Al vivir principalmente en árboles esta posición invertida ayuda a que ramas, hojas e incluso depredadores que potencialmente podrían observarlos desde arriba les dañen. Si le concedemos por un segundo la asunción a la evolución para decir que esto es algo que ha sucedido gradualmente en el pasar de algunos cuantos millones de años, sencillamente, resulta imposible de comprender como es que lograron cambiar todo el sistema interno e invertir la posición de la bolsa, sin mencionar el hecho de que existen músculos en el borde de la bolsa que sostienen al bebé por lo que el primer joey en evolucionar sencillamente se hubiera caído acabando con la especie. De los artículos consultados principalmente la National Geographic omiten deliberamente proporcionar información en especifico a la posición de la bolsa que dado a sus matices evolucionistas nos parece muy sospechoso.  El Génesis 1:26 con claridad afirma que Dios trajo a existencia todo animal viviente (esto incluiría el Koala) el sexto día por el poder de su palabra. El diseño de complejidad irreducible (idea introducida por el mismo Darwin) es una clara demanda a un diseñador indiscutiblemente superior y todo poderoso. 

2.     Sentidos desarrollados al nacer.  La national geographic reporta: “Un koala recién nacido es del tamaño de una gominola. Llamado joey, el bebé nace ciego y sin orejas. Tan pronto como nace, esta pequeña criatura se abre camino desde el canal de parto hasta la bolsa de su madre. Usando dos sentidos con los que nace bien desarrollados, el olfato y el tacto, junto con sus fuertes patas delanteras y un instinto que le dice en qué dirección dirigirse, el bebé koala llega hasta la bolsa”.[1] En esta contundente admisión de diseño el asunto se vuelve complejo, ya que el instinto instalado deliberamente en el joey le permite buscar protección inmediata. ¿Cómo sabe donde debe ir? ¿Porqué identifica la bolsa de la madre como la fuente de alimentación y además protencción? Nuevamente la asunsión evolucionista haría que el primer Koala evolucionado hubiese buscado otra dirección siendo blanco fácil para los depredadores habiendo acabado con la especie hace varios cientos de millones de años atrás. El párrafo anteriormente citado menciona con precisión que los bebés nacen con el olfato y tacto junto con sus fuertes patas delanteras, aunque ciegos. Lo que nos hace pensar que el diseñador de estos marsupiales le ha facultado únicamente con aquello vitalmente necesario para su supervivencia. Aun en estos detalles “pequeños” uno puede notar lo que el Salmista resaltó en el Salmo 34:8 cuando dijo: “…provab y ved que es bueno Jehová”.

3.     Las Tóxicas hojas de Eucalipto. Por último, aunque lo mencioné de primero increíblemente los Koalas poseen un sistema digestivo tan potente que pueden procesar el veneno sin ningún problema.  Su olfato tan desarrollado les permite escoger tan detalladamente cada hoja para seleccionar las mejores en nutrientes y desechar las que son más tóxicas. Este otro extracto de los investigadores me deja paralizado, observe: “A los koalas se les da bastante bien deshacerse de las moléculas de plantas venenosas, pero el sistema que las expulsa también elimina muchos extractos medicinales de sus sistemas a gran velocidad, mucho más rápido que en humanos”.[2] Me preguntaba ¿Porqué el creador pensó de esta forma y porqué más bien no aprovechar al máximo todos los nutrientes, fue entonces cuando esto otro cobró sentido para mi y me deja aun más fascinado del Dios creador inteligente y perfecto de todas las cosas. Resulta que el bebé koala no puede procesar tanto veneno en su primer año de vida por lo que debe de consumir la leche de la madre, pero además se alimenta del excremento de su madre. Así es, tal como lo acaba de leer, pues mediante la programación inteligente y fascinante de la segunda persona de la Deidad (Col.1:15-18) el koala se alimenta únicamente de Eucalipto y estos desechos están ya procesados para que el recién nacido no sufra intoxcicación. Como si fuera poco, la posición en la que se encuentra la bolsa, le facilitan el trabajo al joey. ¿Millones de años? Completamente Absurdo. El primer bebé Koala hubiera muerto intoxicado por las hojas del Eucalipto desde el PRIMER DÍA. 

Para Concluir, el texto en Juan 1:1-4 exalta a Jesús como la parte actora originador de la vida en la creación con razón Juan concluye explicando que su libro fue escrito para “que creáis que Jesús es el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios, y para que, creyendo, tengáis vida en su nombre.” (Jn.20:31). La mera existencia del Koala solamente sin contar con las demás maravillas de la creación son evidencias irrefutables de la existencia de un creador poderoso que ha escogido revelarse a la humanidad en forma de Hombre a quien la historia conoce como Jesús el Nazareno. No es fanatismmo, tampoco es religión, es lógica mezcalada con ciencia lo que produce aún más fé en quienes usan de honestidad en estos asuntos. El Señor con todo su intelecto poder y gloria escogió sufrir en una cruenta cruz. Por eso yo espero que usted también pueda escoger creer en él. Ser cristiano es la cosa más coherente y lógico que existe en la inmencitud del universo. 

REFERENCIAS

1.     https://www.nationalgeographic.es/animales/koala

2.     https://www.nationalgeographic.es/animales/2018/07/el-genoma-de-los-koalas-nos-desvela-como-se-alimentan-de-hojas-toxicas

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The Dinner Table

The Dinner Table as a Spiritual Weapon

One of the strongest weapons you can use against the ever-increasing culture war can be found in practically every Christian home—the dinner table.

This nuclear arsenal is extremely effective and yet, sadly, under-utilized. In fact, in too many homes, Satan has convinced parents that drive thrus and grab-n-go meals are just as effective and satisfying. But these weak substitutes are not nearly as effective as having your family gather around the dinner table together.

The science is undeniable.

Families sitting around the dinner table are healthier in a multitude of ways. A 2015, journal article titled “Systematic review of the effects of family meal frequency on psychosocial outcomes in youth” revealed that “results show that frequent family meals are inversely associated with disordered eating, alcohol and substance use, violent behavior, and feelings of depression or thoughts of suicide in adolescents. There is a positive relationship between frequent family meals and increased self-esteem and school success.” (in the Journal of Canadian Family Physician, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325878/).

Have children that are struggling with depression? Turn off the devices and gather around the table—even if they don’t want to. (That’s part of parenting!)

A 2022, survey by the American Health Association found that 91% of parents reported that their families were significantly less stressed when their families eat meals together regularly. Researchers at Stanford Medicine and Stanford University demonstrated eating together also improves a child’s self-esteem.

By encouraging your children to talk about their day (and genuinely listening to their responses), you’re communicating that you value and respect who they are. You learn about their priorities and what is truly important to them—which may give you indications of areas you need to tweak or help them to refocus on.

A 2006 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health demonstrated that there is a clear relationship between how many meals families eat together versus how much high-risk behavior children get involved in. They concluded: “The findings of the present study suggest that the frequency of family dinner is an external developmental asset or protective factor that may curtail high-risk behaviors among youth.” In other words, if you want your children to not use drugs, alcohol, steal, etc. then sit around the dinner table with them and share your values and God’s wisdom!

Neurologically, I know sharing meals together contributes to the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland and is commonly referred to as “the love hormone” or the “cuddle hormone.” This hormone, when secreted, increases feelings of love and closeness between humans.

This means when families gather around the table together it causes a physiological response that draws people to one another. Want your family to be closer together? Try sitting around the table at night.

My wife and I would whole heartedly agree with all these studies. Looking back at what truly helped bring our family closer together—and closer to God—it was gathering together as a family around the dinner table. This was one of the areas that my wife was adamant about as the children were growing up. She wanted us eating together around a table as often as possible. (Admittedly, there were nights we just physically couldn’t make it happen—but we always knew what the goal was and worked hard to be sitting around it later in the week.)

It was around that table that we talked about our day, we shared our hopes, dreams, and goals, we discussed some of the deeper issues of life, we laughed, and even occasionally shed tears together.

So, science has proven that families that gather around the table together are healthier. But take a moment to reflect and consider how many times the Bible talks about people gathering around the table:

*Where did Jesus want to go with Zacchaeus? (Luke 19:1-10)

*Have you ever studied where Jesus did much of His work? It was around people’s tables (see for instance Luke 7:36; Luke 11:37; Mark 14:3; John 12:2).

*Where did Jesus want to spend the last cherished moments with His disciples? (Matthew 26) This is huge! He could have taken them to a beach or the mountains. But instead, He timed His last days with Passover and had them gathered around a table with Him.

*When Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law the text indicates she arose and served them (Matthew 8:15). Once again, you get this intimate image of Him with people gathered around a table.

*The first century church literally got started around dining room tables: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,” (Acts 2:46).

*And consider how many times Jesus’ parables and teachings were focused around a table or wedding feast.

The psalmist paints a beautiful picture of a family, and mentions specifically having your children gathered around the table in Psalm 128:1-4

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

In the very heart of your house,

Your children like olive plants

All around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

Who fears the Lord.

Looking back, if I could give a piece of wisdom to every young family in the church it would be this: Cut out some of the activities in your life and gather your family around the table. Make it a habit. Eat meals together. Talk to your children and share your thoughts around that table. Use that dinner table as a teaching ground to fight some of the mess going on in our culture today. Let it become a place of wisdom, learning and healing for your family. Invite your Christian friends to sit around the table with you. Play games at the table. Just make sure you get around that table as a family! We cannot stress this enough…truly!

Our dinner table was given to us from my sweet in-laws many years ago. It was made by an Amish family in Lancaster, PA and is extremely sturdy. But after 15+ years and four children it is now showing some age. The finish is starting to come off in places, and it has a “distressed” look that we did not pay extra for. I’ve considered having it refinished, and likely will do that one day…but those little dings and scratches hold a special place in my heart these days.

As my children continue to grow up and “leave the nest” those little scuffs are a reminder every morning of all the love and laughter we have shared at that table. To all those Christian families with young children, I pray you find yourself drinking your coffee in twenty years, sitting at a table with lots of marks and scratches. For it’s those dings and dents that are just one tale-tell sign that your children have been prepared for battle!

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Sound Doctrine According to Godliness

We Must Preach Sound Doctrine According to Godliness

One of Satan’s great tricks is to get men to despise doctrine. Many erroneously think that doctrine implies some kind of sanctimony or mere show of devotion. The truth is just the opposite. Those who observe doctrine are the ones who are sincere and faithful. The English word doctrine comes from the Latin word doctrina, which means “teaching.” The Greek word didaskalia means teaching, instruction, or training. Christianity is a religion of doctrine, and the doctrine must be observed. This is why one of the first things mentioned about the behavior of new Christians is: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching (doctrine) and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).Teach the Doctrine

Preaching with little to no doctrinal content is not preaching, but pandering to the whims of fickle humans who enjoy a good story more than they do the truth of the gospel. Consider Paul’s description of those who do not consent to doctrine: “If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

To forsake doctrine is to be proud and to know nothing. Those who do so give rise to envy, strife, and wranglings. In other words, they create divisions. These, says Paul, are corrupt in mind and empty of the truth. Do not let the preacher, or anyone for that matter, withhold the doctrine that is according to godliness. Remind him that his job is to uphold the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ.

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It is Not a Ritual

It Is Not a Ritual, It Is a Path to Holiness

Because it happens every week, it is easy for the partaking of the Lord’s Supper to become somewhat of a religious ritual and we fail to understand the part it plays in our spiritual growth. The abuse of this feast in Corinth brought dire consequences. “For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (1 Cor. 11:30). If one does not remember Jesus and discern His body as he partakes of the bread and cup, he eats and drinks damnation to his soul.

In the New Testament we remember Him, but in the Old Testament they remembered their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. From the time the Sabbath was given until the close of the Old Testament, there was not a weekly assembly, but a time when the Jews, their families, their Gentile neighbors, and even their animals stopped all activity and spent that day thinking about God delivering them from bondage. Tragically, by the time of the New Testament, it had become a day which involved the precise distance one could walk on that day, whether it was sinful to walk through a field of grain and eat the wheat in that field as they walked. It had become a day where one could water his donkey and help his ox get out of a ditch, but the Messiah was forbidden to heal on that day. It was so ritualistic that keeping the rites of that day became a symbol of righteousness!

The failure to keep that day holy by remembering their deliverance from Egypt was a primary reason for the Babylonian captivity that lasted seven decades. God described it this way: “Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned My holy things…and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them” (Ezek. 22:26). The sabbath was holy and so is the Lord’s supper.

So, what happens to us as we remember, not the sabbath, but the Lord in His feast? Peter described those who were failing to add the “Christian Graces” to their faith when he says, “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten he was cleansed from his old sins” (2 Pet. 1:9). The Lord’s Supper is a weekly reminder of how He purged us from our sins and delivered us from the bondage of sin. It is a time we examine ourselves as we visit the cross. The Lord wanted Israel to remember deliverance from the bondage of Egypt every week and gave them a memorial day to ensure their spiritual growth. The Lord wants us to remember our deliverance from the bondage of sin every week and has given us a memorial feast to ensure our spiritual growth.

As you eat the bread and drink of the cup, never let it become a ritual. But let it be that time when you commune with Him around His table and visit the cross of our salvation.

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