Death and Taxes:A Time for Reflection

Death and Taxes: A time of Reflection:

Lent season is upon us and so is filing income tax. Ash Wednesday is over and the death/resurrection of Christ will be memorialized with much reverence, while some are already preparing their tax return. As Benjamin Franklin says: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

This reality of death comes close and personal to us in Chicago with the demise of a dearly-beloved Jose B. Delfin, MD an FEU alumnus, class ’68, at a recent PMAC medical mission in Olongapo City. This was followed about a week later by another surgeon, Andres Botuyan MD UST alum, a pioneer in improving medical practice laws in Illinois for foreign medical graduates. To them, goes our deepest debt of gratitude.

This season is a time of reflection about the inevitable, i.e., death and taxes. But, how about resurrection? Is that a surety as well? Some are “freeloaders” and don’t pay federal income tax, about 45%–49% of USA households. But for those who do pay, some get a tax refund quickly or later, while others receive none.

As an analogy, is there a correlation between death and taxes. Do some die and others don’t? Are there parallels between these 2 realities and resurrection? Metaphorically, those who gave up their life (by analogy, pay up in taxes), do some get their life back (resurrected) sooner than later (get a tax refund) while others don’t?

Consider the following facts. Even in the first century during the time of apostle Paul, there were people in the church, intelligent though they are in the secular world, who denied Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. More so now, there are some who claim that the man who died at the cross was not Jesus but a substitute; he was not the one who died because “God does not die“, so they proffer.

It is an eye-opener to read through the logic behind Paul’s arguments in I Corinthians 15:12-34:
“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”

Yes, their is resurrection for humans from the dead. Jesus (God-incarnate) is living-proof by his death as a man, and based on that evidence that we will also be resurrected. But when will our resurrection occur? Notice what Paul said, “everyone in his own order”, first Christ as “first of the firstfruits”, “wave-sheaf offering“!( I Cor. 15:20; Leviticus. 23:9-10), then others. Rightly so, as Jesus is the “pioneer“of our salvation; the author, originator (Hebrews 2:10-11), he has to be first, then us (I Corinthians. 15:23).

There is a first and second resurrection for humans who died (Revelation 20:4-6; Acts 24:15). The first resurrection is described in I Thessalonians 4:16 that will occur at the second coming of Christ, at the last trump, the “dead in Christ shall rise first“. They will then rule “a thousand years“(Millenium) on earth. Those “in Christ” who were baptized by the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit, bearing the spiritual fruits and who are alive at the time of Christ’s return on earth will “be changed“, i.e., not die, from mortal to immortal, from flesh to spirit-bodies ( I Cor. 15:52; Philippians 3:20-21).

Summary

With the preceding having been considered, indeed an analogy can be made between death/resurrection and taxes:, viz.,
1. Some will die before Christ’s return as some, not all, will pay taxes.
2. Some may not die, still alive, at the time of Christ’s return to change from mortal flesh to immortal spirit-bodies as some may not pay taxes. Almost 49% don’t pay taxes, although nobody knows how many will live through that time.
3. Some will receive tax refund sooner as some will participate in the 1st resurrection at Christ’s return; others will receive their tax refund later as others will participate in the 2nd resurrection. As the Paul said, “everyone in his own order”.

Eventually, innumerable people will have eternal life than those who will die eternally. As Jesus said, John 17:12,

“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”

Also, Genesis 15:5, “And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”.

These verses are an indication that many will be saved versus few that will experience eternal death, the second death. These will come to fruition because of God’s grace and love for us. And, while our “own” faith is required, all of these came about because of the “faith of Jesus“ (Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, 3:22, Philippians 3:9) in the Father that what was promised will come to pass.

Original post:3.9.2016

Reposted:12.20.16

UNIVERSAL SALVATION, WHAT IS

Dec13 by fact-s.net

UNIVERSAL SALVATION, WHAT IS?

Directly from the link (1) that supports this doctrine:

” Universal Salvation is eternal life for everyone, including Satan and the demons. All are to be given eternal life and the very nature of God. It means that everyone who has ever been created or born has a future. It means that you will definitely see all your loved ones again. And think about it, if everyone is one day going to be eternal, then death is only temporary. We often say at Christianworld Church, that death is no more than being temporarily out of order. ….If you turn to John 6:39 it says this. “This is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all He has given me I should lose nothing”. Please note that the will of the Father is for Jesus to lose nothing of what He has given him. What exactly has the Father given him? John 3:35 tells us. “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand”. Can you see what is being said? The Father has given Jesus all things, of which he is to lose nothing. It could not be stated any more clearly than at Colossians 1:16 “For by him (Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him” You can not get it any plainer than that. All things were created for him, in heaven and on Earth, both spirit and human. Again, can you see what is being said? The Father commissions the Son to lose nothing of what He has given him. What has He given him? If all things were created for him, in heaven and on Earth, both spirit and human, and the Father has given all things into his hands, then the Father has given him authority over every single thing in the universe, apart from Himself. Jesus has authority to save not just human beings but also spirit beings. In fact he must save all, because his Father commissioned him to lose nothing. Paul tells us at 1 Timothy 2:6 “Who gave himself a ransom for all”. The fact is that Jesus can lose no one. That is the greatest message you have ever heard. You can not save more than everyone, can you? And Jesus is not allowed to save less. The wise man Solomon said at Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Now is the time for this good news to be preached. Now is the time for the greatest message on Earth to be proclaimed. Universal Salvation, eternal life for all.”

Are these assertions true?

1. Eternal life for everyone, including Satan and the demons;

2. Everyone is one day going to be eternal, then death is only temporary.

3. The will of the Father who sent me, that of all He has given me I should lose nothing.

4. That Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:6 “Who (Jesus) gave himself a ransom for all”.

5. Jesus is not allowed to save less and can lose no one

Universal salvation or apokatastasis is a disturbing concept especially since a good number of intelligent and well-meaning Christians have this belief. On its surface, it is a very enticing proposition that emphasizes attributes of God, viz., immutable, omniscient, omnipotent, etc. Moreover, it acknowledges that salvation is by grace without “works”, the supremacy of God’s will and power, his divine love and mercy. But most especially, love for all. It is an inclusive philosophy of salvation, instead of only to some, exclusively. And, there are preachers opposed to “universalism” who limit eternal life only to them and their flock. As such, this doctrine therefore deserves evaluation and analysis to know the truth. To do this, one may need to start with its history, go through the pros/cons, meticulously combed through them with questions about implications and form a tentative summary.

History:

It has been claimed that apostle Paul preached Universalism. In the fifth chapter of The Inescapable Love of God by eminent Christian Universalist and Philosopher Tom Talbott, he makes a case for Universalism from Paul’s writings, especially Romans (2). Also, that in the 1st century, Origen likewise may have taught this belief. These are “claims” as interpreted from their writings and may not necessarily be true. It is a fact that during that period and even now, there are people who twist and misrepresent teachings, especially that of Paul. We need to take all these claims with “a grain of salt”(Matt. 7:15).
On the North American continent in 1770, Universalism started when a man named Tom Potter allegedly heard God speak to him about this ‘revelation’ that everyone was already saved (3). Potter shared this with another man named John Murray, they began preaching this message in churches, and it spread very quickly. A man named Hosea Ballou considered the great theologian of American Universalism promulgated this teaching. Ballou was a ‘hyper-universalist’ and wrote hundreds of sermons about how everybody was going to get saved in the end. A growing consortium of Christians today are simply ‘rediscovering’ Ballou’s teachings, and they think they have some new ‘revelation’ that is going to change the world for Christ. From there, the concept persisted and the universalist movement led to the formation of the Universalist Church of America, which later merged in 1961, with the American Unitarian Association. Thereafter, it formed into the religious organization known as the Unitarian Universalist Association. In Unitarian Universalism’s brand of church, there is no official church dogma, but most of its members adhere to the “no punishment in the afterlife” theory, as do many Anglicans (Church of England, and in North America, Episcopalians).

Pros in the Bible:

The following are excerpts that were interpreted to support this concept:

Romans 5:18 “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.”
Colossians 1:19-20 “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
Philippians 2:10-12 “…so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Romans 11:32 “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.”

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1 Timothy 2:4-6 “who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

1 Timothy 4:10 “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Isaiah 45:22-23 “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear..”

John 12:32 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Romans 5:15-19: “For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (To me, this states that God’s grace overflows to the many in the same way that the trespass of Adam was given to many; in other words, every human being.(?) why many instead of all ??

Romans 11:32 “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all”

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive

Colossians 1:15-20: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullnessdwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

Revelations 21:5 “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

I Peter 3:18-19 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,”
“The verses in which God expresses his intent to save everyone are also foundational”, so they say. It is God’s desire for everyone (including fallen angels I Pet. 3:19) to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), for Jesus to be “a ransom for all” (1

Timothy 2:4-6), and for all to be saved. The idea is that if God wants to save everyone, He can do just that because “with God everything is possible” (Matt. 19:26) and works all things according to the council of his will” (Eph. 1:11). Those who believe in this theology states that ” though there may be some level of judgement/punishment in the meantime, he will eventually save all”.

“The Christian Doctrine of Universal Salvation, or Universal Reconciliation, states that all people, no matter how evil they may be, are created by God; and that God the Father, acting through His Son, Jesus Christ, will eventually bring all people back to Himself and into Heaven, by means which we cannot know or understand. After death, each person will be judged by God according to his deeds.There is punishment for evildoing, according to God’s desire for justice. But this punishment is temporary and not eternal. Eventually, everyone comes back to God the Father, by Jesus Christ, His Son.(4)
Books of the Bible argued to possibly support the idea of full reconciliation include the First Epistle to the Corinthians. The sections of 1 Corinthians 15:22, “As all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ”, and 1 Corinthians 15:28, “God will be all in all”, are cited. Verses that seem to contradict the tradition of complete damnation and come up in arguments also include Lamentations 3:31-33 (NIV), “For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love”,[9] and 1 Timothy 4:10(NIV), “We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”

Similarly, the Epistle to the Colossians receives attention, with Colossians 1:17-20 reading: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”

In a nutshell the Christian Universalism basic scriptures were compiled by Rev. Bill McGinnis InternetChurchOfChrist.org which support the Christian Universalist doctrine of Universal Salvation and the Christian Universalist faith. “Please note the use of “every” and “all.” These Scriptures apply to all people, not merely some people. And what they say is that all people will eventually come to Christ and be saved. ” . . . every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” “I . . . will draw all men to me.” ” . . . the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” ” . . . in Christ shall all be made alive.” Isaiah 45:22-23 (KJV) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. John 12:32 (KJV) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 1 Timothy 4:10-11 (KJV) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach. Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

In essence the bases for the preceding dogma stem from these verses:

John 6:39 it says this. “This is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all He has given me I should lose nothing”.

John 3:35 tells us. “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand”.

Colossians 1:16 “For by him (Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him”

1 Timothy 2:6 “Who (Jesus) gave himself a ransom for all”.

Once saved, always saved?

A subset of “universalism teaching” is a common preaching that “once saved, always saved”. That, people are predestinated for salvation and God, being powerful, will implement his will. Notice that the core basis of these beliefs hang on the word “all”.And that God will do his “will” no matter what. Really? But, if all or everyone’s going to be ‘saved” in the end, why not eat, drink, and be merry? Why not “have fun” and continue on sinning when after all, punishment is just temporary and not eternal ? Doesn’t this appear to be enabling sin? How then can these beliefs be reconciled with Revelation 21:8, Galatians 5:19-21, and other verses that speak against evil and enjoins everyone to “bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), as the tree that does not bear fruit will be cut down (Matt.7:19)? It is obvious then that for one to get the true meaning of what was stated, the context of what was referred to, has to be analyzed and reconciled /aligned with other basic principles.

Additionally, while God is all-powerful and can do whatever he wants, He also has wisdom and plans regarding what is the best approach to salvation. And the plan of salvation is being implemented even now, without being “forced down our throats”. For further dissertation, please access Salvation Series posts, all 6 of them.

Cons in the Bible:(5)

Ezekiel 18:1-5, 9 “And the word of Yahweh came to me saying, “As I live, proclaims the Lord, Yahweh… “See, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so the soul of the son is Mine: death will be the fate of the sinner’s soul. But if a man is upright, {he is} living rightly and doing righteousness… and has been guided by My rules and has kept My laws and done them: he is upright, life will certainly be his,” says the Lord Yahweh.’ TAT

Ezekiel 18:20-24 “The soul which does sin will be put to death: the son will not be made responsible for the evil-doing of the father, or the father for the evil-doing of the son; the righteousness of the upright will be on himself, and the evil-doing of the evil-doer on himself. But if the evil-doer, turning away from all the sins which he has done, keeps my rules and does what is ordered and right, life will certainly be his; death will not be his fate. Not one of the sins which he has done will be kept in memory against him: in the righteousness which he has done he will have life. ‘Have I any pleasure in the death of the evil-doer,’ says the Lord, ‘am I not pleased if he is turned from his way so that he may have life?’ 24 But when the upright man, turning away from his righteousness, does evil, like all the disgusting things which the evil man does, will he have life? Not one of his upright acts will be kept in memory: in the wrong which he has done and in his sin death will overtake him.” (1985 Bible in Basic English)

Revelation 2:11 “Let every listener hear what the Spirit says to the Churches: The victorious cannot suffer the slightest hurt from the second death.”

Revelation 20:6 “Happy and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death cannot touch such men; they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him for the thousand years.”

Revelation 20:14 “Then death and the grave were themselves hurled into the lake of fire, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8 “But as for the cowards, the faithless and the corrupt, the murderers, the traffickers in sex and sorcery, the worshippers of idols and all liars––their inheritance is in the lake which burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 20:4-21:5″And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 1The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This isthe second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (New King James Version)

2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 “This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our LordJesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was believed. To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”(New American Standard Bible)

Galatians 5:19-21, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Implications:
From the preceding verses, it is clear that evil has consequence and death is destined for evil doers. God has no pleasure in the death of the evil-doer and is pleased if the individual turned from his way to have life. But when the upright man, turns away from his righteousness and does evil, like all the disgusting things which the evil man does, he will not have life, death follows. The “firstfruits” who are living at the time of Christ’s second coming together with those who previously died will participate in the first resurrection and have immortality. For those who are alive and not “firstfruits”, they will experience the Millenium government of Christ and the “firstfruits”, and more importantly the power of the Holy Spirit for them to choose to become “sons of God”. Those in the Millenium who still reject the Holy Spirit will not partake of immortality. The rest of the dead will wait until after the Millenium for their resurrection to life or perdition. From among them, those who willingly grow “in spirit” will become “sons and daughters” of the kingdom of God.

Summary:

Collating all the preceding data, one may conclude the following:
1. When the Bible says “all” it really means all but does not suggest necessarily at the same time and may confirm a precise schedule in time. When it says God loves all, that is a fact. However, that God wants all to be saved, may be predicated on a specific strategic plan and timing for each one. But, certainly this awesome gift of salvation will not be forced on anyone. When someone rejects it, this does not suggest that in the future, the person will continually reject it; may accept it willingly as the best option.
2. When the Bible says “eternal”, it does not necessarily mean forever and may sometime mean only for that time period which does not include all the future.
3. Punishment for evil doers may refer to first death that one can be resurrected from. But, may also refer subsequently to second death from which there is no resurrection. As to which one is referred to, can be deduced from the context.
Altogether, no one can divine the decision of the Father being the final arbiter of what is best. He reserves the right of a decision-maker as he reserves to himself the timing of the “end times” ( see Matt. 24:36). As Jesus said, “let your will be done”(Lu. 22:42). For the sake of argument, that Jesus was given all the powers after his resurrection (Matt. 28:18) even to know all, much like us, we defer certain things to show respect and awe to our Father. Still, the Father is the ultimate judge as to the fate of anyone, either ending the person’s life temporarily or permanently depending on his wisdom.

The bottom-line for this research is this: let us not second-guess or pre-empt the Father as to whether all will be saved. A universalism concept that precludes the Father’s ultimate sovereignty and final decision should remind us of the experience of Job (Job 38-42). The essence of Job’s indictment tells us, who should we think we really are.

Let us all be respectful of the Father and join the chorus with Jesus to sing… “let your will be done” (Lu. 22:42).

References:

1. Universal Salvation: The Greatest Message on Earth. Retrieved October 1, 2016 from http://www.universalsalvation.org/page2.htm
2. Retrieved October 10, 2016 from http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/525/what-is-the-biblical-basis-for-universaluhsswd 
3.Christian Universal Salvation – THE BIG LIE By Craig Bluemel. Retrieved October 16, 2016 from http://bibleanswerstand.org/universal.htm
4. Christian Doctrine of Universal Salvation. Retrieved October 17, 2016 from http://www.loveallpeople.org/universalsalvation.html
5.Ibid. Retrieved October 16, 2016. http://bibleanswerstand.org/universal.htm

Original post:12/13/2016

Revised: 1/10/17

ADAM, THE FIRST HUMAN? … What difference does it make?

Dec10 by fact-s.net

ADAM, THE FIRST HUMAN? … What difference does it make?
If there is one thing we owe our Founding Fathers, it is the freedom endowed by God to think and entertain thoughts even those deem to border on heretical. Yes, even venturing on the one that questions sacrosanct teaching as Adam (1) created about 6,000 years ago. The fate of Copernicus (2) and Galileo (3) could have been different were they to live today. And, church leaders like Origen Adamantius (184/185 – 253/254 C.E.), along with the prominent “Origenists” Didymus the Blind and Evagrius Ponticus, would not have been declared anathema for their different beliefs in 553 CE by the Second Council of Constantinople(4).

That said, the article by Dr. C. Reyes in FEU/ FEUMAANI News vol. 6, no.7 July 2014, is illuminating as it is challenging. To quote,

“Native Americans have always looked like us: Asian origin… pioneers…17,000 years ago …that entered the Americas from land mass called Beringia…” This was reaffirmed with “the uncovering of an almost completely intact 12,000 yr old skeleton of a 15 or 16 yr old girl … in the underwater cave near Mexico”. It was also claimed that migration from Asia to the Americas through Beringia occurred “between 26,000 and 14,000 years ago”.

As a corollary, “It is believed, on the basis of genetic evidence, that all human beings in existence now descend from one single man (woman) who lived in Africa about 60,000 years ago.” (5). Spencer Wells’ book Journey of Man, is “a brief but thorough survey of human population genetics in the vein of Cavalli-Sforza’s The Great Human Diasporas and Bryan Sykes’ Seven Daughters of Eve. While Sykes focused on Europe and mitochondrial DNA lineages (the mother line) Wells puts the spotlight on Y chromosomal lineage (the father line). Wells gives a few reasons why the Y chromosomal lineage can yield more information-there are more points for mutations to build up and human patrilocality tends to skew toward male genetic localization and diversity”(6).

From the biblical account, it is indisputable that Adam in Genesis was created by YHVH God (7). The genealogy and reality of the historical Jesus depend on this. This is traceable back to Abraham (Matt. 1:1-17) who was the tenth generation removed from Noah, being a direct descendant of Shem, (Noah’s son), the father of all the “Semitic” peoples (8) and all the way to Adam (Luke 3:23-38). See also (9, 10).

But, as to whether the first human is this Genesis Adam or another person much earlier than him, remains to be the bone of contention. The subject of “who the first human is”, evolution and creation, evoke consternation and emotional distress that recently sparked a debate on February 4 between Bill Nye (the “Science Guy”) and Creation Museum CEO & Pres Ken Ham (Australian Evangelist) (11).

These scientific discoveries are undeniable and pose a problem for those who may have lived before (12;13) the Genesis Adam as they in fact maybe humans like him. The claim Adam was the “first” human was never made in the Bible and was only an interpretation concocted by theologians. Religious punditry marginalizes these “finds” as misinterpretation and an existential threat to the inerrancy of the Bible. For how can they be saved? Does the sacrifice of Jesus Christ apply to them as well? If so, then on what basis can this be? Debate then continues. These concerns must be unsettling and disturbing to Christians who hold traditional beliefs. But, they do not have to. Whether the first human started 6,000 or 60,000 years ago, rightly or wrongly, may not need to make a difference, as far as salvation is concerned and Jesus being the Savior. The “doctrine of imputation”, when understood to its fullest, explains:

Romans 5:12-21 (NIV)

“12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned– 13 for before the law (Mosaic) was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. (NLT: But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break.) 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, (NLT: even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did) who was a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I Cor.15:22 (KJV): For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

The preceding Bible verses explained that death to mankind is imputed upon the sin of Adam in the garden of Eden, as in, “through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners”. And, no one else’s, as in, “by the trespass of one man, death reigned through that one man”. Also, “by the offence of one, judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation”. That is, the sin committed by anyone, whether 60,000 years before or after Adam’s, did not matter an iota. Anyone’s sin, as bad as it is, did not condemn the person, per se, nor mankind. It was only “by one man’s disobedience”,(Adam’s sin, NLT) that we were all condemned to die, as in, “even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression”(NLT).

Why specifically directed to Adam? The answer is, Adam “is the figure of him that was to come”(NLT), which is Jesus. Moreover, “…not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one, many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence, death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”(NLT)

This imputation is very specific, not only to the person Adam towards mankind, but also to its timing. Notice, “for before the law (Mosaic) was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. “. Meaning, that even before the Law was given to mankind through Moses, “sin was (already) in the world” and “death reigned from Adam to Moses”(KJV), as sin and death also reigned before the Genesis’ Adam. But imputation was not assigned nor activated until the Law was given. Only after the Law was given, did God assign and impute that “disobedience” of Adam in the garden of Eden, as sin for all. But, why wait till then? For 2 reasons, viz.,

1. So that through the Law that defined sin, “law entered, that the offence might abound”(KJV); “law was added so that the trespass might increase”(NIV).The word “abound” comes from the Greek word “pleonazo”, i.e., worse or bad or superabound. The Law made sin to be viewed even worse and be counted from sins committed by many.

2. “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

SUMMARY

In a nutshell, God defined what sin to impute, who to impute it to, the extent it encompasses and when to assign. Adam’s sin in the garden of Eden was imputed as sin of the whole mankind and consequently death for all. This, so that through one man also, Jesus Christ in the genealogy of Adam, his death would be counted for all mankind. The Mosaic Law has to be given first before imputation is assigned so that all of mankind’s sin be counted ( for sin to “abound”). Because of the “doctrine of imputation”, who the actual “first human” does not matter, as far as salvation is concerned. The sacrificial death of Jesus is effective and extends to all mankind, whether before or after the Law was given to Moses and, for that matter, even before Adam’s creation in Genesis.
Indeed, we are all blessed to participate in this arena of free-thinking colleagues. Assigning this imputation to include all humans, specifically even those “pre-historic humans” before Adam’s creation, has not been shared nor posited, until now? Truly, God be thanked for this “world premier”. Abandoning the cacophony of debate pitting one over another, we can now with one voice join the chorus “what difference does it make?”. With retort from George Will, we can now “…speak … to improve the silence.”(14). Let us continue to be tolerant with scientific discoveries, synchronize when appropriate and adjust, “with fear and trembling”, our long-held religious beliefs in the furtherance of truth.

References:

1. Genesis 1:26. Holy Bible

2. Retrieved from : http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/retrograde/copernican.html

3. Retrieved from: http://www.biography.com/people/galileo-9305220

4. The New Catholic Encyclopedia (Detroit: Gale, 2003). ISBN 978-0-7876-4004-0

5. Spencer Wells,The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey, p. 55. Random House, ISBN 0-8129-7146-9

6. Retrieved from : http://www.gnxp.com/MT2/archives/000240.html

7. Gen1:27;2:7. Holy Bible

8. Retrieved from : http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2435072/jewish/Miraculous-Journey.html

9. Arthur Charles Hervey (1853), The Genealogies of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

10. Jacques Masson (1982), Jesus, fils de David, dans les généalogies de saint Mathieu et de saint Luc, Paris: Téqui, ISBN 2-85244-511-5.

11. Debate, Creationism.Retrieved from : http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/02/140205-creationism-debate-bill-nye-ken-ham-opinion/

12. Ancient hominis. Retrieved 5/4/18 at https:/:news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/stone-tools-rhinoceros-luzon/philippines-ancient-hominis-science/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/butchered-rhino-puts-human-ancestors-philippines-700000-years-ago-180968959/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=socialmedia

13. Anomalous History of Humanity. Retrieved from https://www.gaia.com/video/anomalous-history-humanity?utm_source=facebook%2Borganic&utm_medium=gaia&utm_term=video&utm_campaign=evergreen&ch=st

14. George Will. Retrieved from : http://m.washingtonpost.com/opinions/george-will-the-2016-presidential-candidate-we-need/2014/05/23/77d599ae-e202-11e3-9743-bb9b59cde7b9_story.html

Original post: July 18, 2014

Revised: May 20, 2018

What does Ex. 15:11 mean when it asks who is like you O Lord among the gods?

Oct1 by fact-s.net

It means that YHVH, our Lord is not like any other. He is distinct, unique and “above all gods“.
Ps 95:2-4 states:

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also.…”
While other so-called “gods” may be real beings like Satan, the god of this world, (2 Cor 4:4), YHVH is superior to all these “gods” and He should be the only one to be worshiped, not others. However, when YHVH, the LOGOS, incarnated into man-Jesus, he said, “worship the Father”(John 4:22-24).

What is your Religion?

Sep28 by fact-s.net

Have you been asked this question? And, how did you answer it?
For a Jew, do you answer Orthodox, Reform or Conservative Judaism? During 2nd Temple period, there were Sadducees , Pharisees, Essenes, and Zealots. For a Muslim, do you say Shiite, Sunni or otherwise? But for Christians, there are even more classification like, Catholics, Protestant with different denominations or separatist-exclusive churches. A number of people may say Roman Catholic while others would say Greek Orthodox, Evangelicals, Seventh-Day Adventist, Latter-Day Saints(Mormon), Sabbath-keeping churches, etc. Religion worldwide shares a commonality of having variety of sects.

Why all these differences?

Going through history of these divisions, it all comes down to how the human leader of that sect understands the original teaching of a particular religion and its evolutionary aftermath. And, this understanding comes by “progressive revelation”. That is, by what God wants us to know at a particular point in time, through the Holy Spirit that guides us to the truth. Notice Peter when asked by Jesus in John 15:16-17, “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” This truth that Jesus was the Messiah, did not come from humans but from the Father through the Holy Spirit. And, this Holy Spirit was given for the first time, in a general applicability, in the 1st century at Pentecost. Considering that decision-making to take action is engendered by one’s unique experience, it is not illogical for one to move in one direction and others toward another. Differences in processing mentally what was taught and interpreted are a given.

What History has shown?

In the current era or C.E. that we are in, we have general knowledge of the specific issues that differentiate one belief-system with another. Assuming that all are well-intention, people, nevertheless, disagree with specifics. Take for instance, in the religion of Christianity in the 4th century, Christians were divided as to the truth of Trinitarian concept of God (1). Those who followed the teaching of Athanasius subscribed to Trinity codified in the Athanasian or Nicene creed. Equally passionate were the followers of Arius who denied this concept. They eventually excommunicated each other at different times depending on who had secular-religious control of the Roman Empire, that they are allied with.
The schism “came to a head in the 16th century, when a Roman Catholic monk named Martin Luther posted his 95 propositions (or theses) against the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church on the Castle Church door at Wittenberg, Germany. Underlying the Protestant Reformation lay four basic doctrines in which the reformers believed the Roman Catholic Church to be in error. These four questions or doctrines are: How is a person saved? Where does religious authority lie? What is the church? and what is the essence of Christian living? In answering these questions, Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox established what would be known as the “Five Solas” of the Reformation (sola being the Latin word for “alone”).”(2).

Different interpretation of what is right can even be traced to the time of Abel and Cain as far as what offering would be acceptable to YHVH-God. Both have their own understanding of what offering would please God. One was accepted, the other was rejected. This led to the first murder in the Old Testament (3). Earlier than that, in the garden of Eden, there was already misinterpretation (Gen. 3:1-4). While God wants us to be “like him”, the understanding of Adam & Eve to achieve this, on their own, was also flawed. As far as God is concerned, to be “like him” has to be by grace and not by our own works, so no one can boast. Because of Adam’s sin that was imputed to all, it has to take the death of Jesus (the actual Creator YHVH) to reconcile humanity to the Father. And, for him to be resurrected so the Holy Spirit will be given to dwell in us. Had the Father not resurrected Jesus, the Holy Spirit would not have been given to him and then to us(John 16:7).With that gift of spirit-power, we will then be guided to do what is right and be “one” with him and to be “like him“. Gentiles who do not have the Law (Romans 2:14) and non-believers, can follow the Decalogue on their own, without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Having our own righteousness is still as “filthy rags”(Isaiah 64:6). Human righteousness has to come as “fruits of His Holy Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) in and guiding us, as far as God is concerned. It has to be His righteousness that comes from his Holy Spirit, not our own works. Israel, as a nation, Judaism and Islam (as a religion), sought this fallacy of perfection by following the Law on their own. Similarly and to his dismay, Job who was “perfect” on his own way, found that being so was not enough, “…before I hear you, now I see you“(Job 1:1; 42:5). In New Testament times, we are reminded that Paul and Peter as well as Paul and Barnabas (Gal.2:11-14) had differences in the way they understood their calling; the understanding of Paul prevailed (Acts 15:22-28). And through the years, humanity has to use own faculties to discern what is right and the truth. It is no wonder, as there are different people so will there be differences and a variety of sects.

How then should one answer, What is your religion?

From the Bible, one may get some direction by considering the “seven churches” in Revelation Chapter 2-3. Notice that they are all, undoubtedly, “churches of God” but identified as to where they are, e.g. Ephesus through Laodicea. Moreover, all of them have differences, yet all are accepted and acknowledged to be “churches of God”. Each of these “churches of God” are different from one another depending upon how their human leader understood God’s teaching and their capacity to follow. From this observation, it appears to be alright to answer the original question as “I am a member of the Church of God”. Alternatively, one may continue on how the early believers were first identified and called as in Acts 11:26 at Antioch. One may answer, “I am a Christian“, without having to be exclusive or specific, as differences in understanding the truth is by “progressive revelation“, to God’s glory. This stance takes away an aura of superiority or invincibility in being specific that may amplify sectarian division. Just remember, while not yet, we are are anticipated to be “one body”, unified and not divided.
God Bless.

References:

1. Gill, N.S.,The Arian Controversy and the Council of Nicea. Retrieved Sept 26, 2016, from http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/godsreligion/p/aa082499.htm
2. Where did the Protestant come from? Retrieved Sept. 26, 2016 from https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=A0LEVxLUZedXiZcAYFjBGOd_;_ylu=X3oDMTByaWg0YW05BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM4BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg–?qid=20080115070247AAV1ZIR&p=how%20Protestants%20came%20about%3F
3. Cain and Abel. Retrieved Sept. 27, 2016 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cain_and_Abel

Is Mary perfect?

Sep24 by fact-s.net

Mary is blessed (Lu 1:28, 46-47) among all women and deserves our respect and reverence, but not to be worshipped. She is not more perfect than Adam & Eve, as “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. She needs salvation as all of mankind. But, to be chosen by God, for him to dwell incarnate in her virgin womb is “once in a lifetime” blessing.

More important though is the realization that she was a “surrogate” mother of Jesus. There was never an egg from Mary or sperm from anyone else’s in the conception of Jesus. Christ came “from above” (John 8:23) along the genealogy of Adam and kingly/priestly line.

Human Limits and Boundaries, WHY?

Aug29 by fact-s.net

Human Limits and Boundaries, WHY?

It has been an established precept that man has “freewill” to choose between “good or evil”; the way that leads to life or death“. And, the instruction was to “choose life“, to do “good“, as in:

Deut. 30:15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,
Deut. 30:19 “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”

Blast from the Past:

Throughout the history of Israel, direct communication with her leaders or indirectly through prophets or angelic beings, the admonition against evil and to follow the Decalogue(Ten Commandments) are etched in their minds from generation to generation. Yet, was anyone consistent with following the Law? Not even Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, all the way through the prophets, until the human Jesus came to the scene . The Ten Commandments were given to be followed consistently, yet humanity has failed. As Romans 3:10-18 King James Version (KJV) states:

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:Their feet are swift to shed blood:Destruction and misery are in their ways:And the way of peace have they not known:There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Rom. 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God“.

And, looking through the lens of history, humanity has done a lot of choosing, summarized as a coalescence of good and evil. Even before the murder of Abel by Cain, the Great Flood at Noah’s time as in: Gen. 6:5

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” and Nimrod’s Tower of Babel, wickedness, death and destruction were perennial, intermixed with good deeds, protracted and continuing through antiquities.

Afterwards, what comes to mind are the successive empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greco-Macedonia and Rome, with their glory marked in cruelty and rapaciousness, now gone. Then, came the modern experience on dictatorship, monarchy, autocracy, socialism, communism, Greek democracies and Constitutional democracy establishing a Republic. The USA and Europe exemplify the latest political system, immersed and challenged since WW II, through the Cold War and currently Radical Jihad.

Extent of Human Experience and Why:

Along this “wrinkle of time”, were progress and retrogress, up and down and sideways, either subsequently or simultaneously in every corner of the world. Elation and jubilation soon replaced by depression and sorrow, then interspersed with a lull of peace. Even good health and recovery from disease do not guarantee against eventual sickness or death. Truly, everyone gets experience in success and failure, exposure to positive-negative, ying-and-yang, victory and defeat.

And the pendulum continues to swing back and forth, ever so slowly, yet still within its boundaries. The circle of life begins and ends where it started. Indeed, while each epoch is uniquely different in details, there is nothing new under the sun. As written in Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NLT):

“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.”

But why all this human experience of stretching its reach, pushing the envelop, doing our very best only to find out that we can only go so far? Somehow, no matter what we do or don’t do, it comes to no avail? We are still found wanting.

It appears that what is palpably clear is to inculcate in us the reality of our limits and boundaries. As celestial bodies cannot go beyond their orbits, terrestrials also have capabilities that are limited. Everything created by God and even by humans, have limits. Our brain has capacity and our brawn has finite ATP that needs regenerating. Car, airplanes and satellites can only go so far. Even “gizmos” need update in operating systems and type of phones e.g., iPhone 5 to iPhone 6, to 6s, otherwise, functionality suffers.

Consider the Apostle Paul, well-educated under teacher Gamaliel and supposed to be at the peak of his apostleship, exposed human inadequacy when he writes, in: Romans 7: 15

“What is wrong with me? How come? The very good that I want to do, I do not do. That which I don’t want to do, is precisely what I do.”

Not that Paul violated the Law, because he did not, although he followed it, not perfectly. He was referring to dilemma in decision-making between two equally compelling choices beyond and unrelated to the Law. This verse should not be used to justify violating the Law. Rather, he found himself inadequate in many respect, having a flesh-composed, thereby emphasizing the need for a change to immortal body.

With the limits and boundaries already set in all creation, it is obvious that we are not “empowered” to go farther than our physical limits. Somehow, we are made to realize by the vast human experience, that humans are created but lacking in capabilities and full potential. Undoubtedly, everything can only be done by someone or something within endowed abilities.

Mechanical power is needed to drive engines for transport, as electrical power is needed to bring light to the world or energize machines. But, all “physical power” can only affect the physical milieu.

Atheists, Agnostics and Job?

Arguably, some atheists and agnostics have not committed adultery, murder and the like, i.e., follow the Law to some extent although not perfectly as in…Rom. 2:14,

“Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.“(NLT)

Still, their acts were a confluence of “good and evil”, and were not up to the level of execution God has planned for us, since “all our righteous acts are as filthy rags”How about Job, isn’t he perfect? Notice, Job 2:3

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and eschews evil?(KJV)

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”
God defined the acts of Job as “perfect and blameless” and He ruined him “without cause”.

Yet, Mark 10:18 states that no man is good, but God:

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone”(NIV).

How can one reconcile what appears to be a discrepancy in these verses? This can only mean that while the action of Job was “blameless“, his good work did not come from God but from Job himself, much like good action to some extent comes from “atheists” themselves. It was not good enough to a level that fulfills his requirement. Undoubtedly, progressive revelation then teaches us that, more than consistency of “good work“, is how it comes about as determined by the “decision-maker”, God. He wanted good actions of humans to be coming from Him as planned. Those actions have to originate from Him so that no human can “boast” as in Eph. 2:8-9,

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by (your own) works, so that no one can boast.”

Humans are created “from the ground“, earthy and flesh-composed. A “new creation” is being made that comes ” from above“, heavenly and spirit-composed. And the Father has started it through Jesus, as in,

“The kingdom of God is at hand“.(Mark 1:15).

Need of What and What it takes to get it?:

What is it then that is needed? Why is man incapable of fulfilling His requirement regarding following the Law? Rom. 7:14 may help us understand why. It states,
King James Bible:

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal,(Greek sarkikos or flesh),..

Holman Christian Standard Bible:”For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am made out of flesh, ..”

The preceding verse is critical to our understanding of our deficiency. It maintains that since the Law is spiritual, it can only be discerned and followed spiritually. And, man(of flesh) cannot use physical or “flesh” power to follow what is spiritual. Being material, not spirit-composed, man can only use physical sense to appreciate material things.

Even the only spirit-component of man, the “spirit of man”, can only “will” but cannot actually perform all what it wants. This teaching among religions that, with our own material and “earthy” power, we can fulfill the expectation about following the Law, maybe misguided. Paul continues:
Rom. 7:18

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good, I find not”.

Eph. 8:8 states, “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”(ESV)

Notice that Paul acknowledged the “weakness ” or deficiency of his “flesh-body” and “to will“ (to do good) is present in him. For Paul to say, like Job, that he can follow the Law by himself or by his own power, will not be congruent with what is required as planned by the Father. More than Paul, it was Jesus who originally emphasized this, as in,

Matt.26:41 “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”.(NIV)

After Christ realized this, he made a final decision to accept the will of the Father to go through the most horrible death by crucifixion, so we can have this “power” to do God’s will.

Matt. 26:42 “A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”…

Jesus knew about the “weakness of the flesh” and the need for “spirit-power” that can only be given “from above”. That was why Jesus decided to “take the cup“ in the garden of Gethsemane, be crucified and was resurrected to obtain from the Father the gift of the Holy Spirit to be given subsequently to humans. No wonder then that Paul in Romans 7:25 writes:

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.“(NIV).

Why Thank God the Father for Jesus Christ?

It is because there is no other “name given” (Jesus) as in Acts 4:12:

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved“(NIV).

Were it not for Jesus’ death as a Passover to reconcile us to the Father and after 3 days and 3 nights his resurrection, the Holy Spirit would not have been given to Jesus to be sent to us. If he was not resurrected and did not go back to the Father, he would not have been given the Holy Spirit for us, as in:
John 16:7

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

This promised spirit-power from the Father was first sent by Jesus specifically to the disciples after his resurrection, then generally at Pentecost, 50 days from Jesus’ resurrection(Acts2:1-4). The disciples have to wait to receive this power as in Luke 24:49

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven”(NLT)

What is the Holy Spirit for?

At the outset, we have seen that human experience teaches man of his own limits and boundaries. Whatever “good” he does that comes from himself, is not good enough for God. As Isaiah. 64:6 states,

“…and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags...”

The “good” that man does, has to come from God, not from the man himself. Indeed, a “tall order” for humans. Goodness has to be the “fruits of the Holy Spirit” which is given by the Father as a gift. The Law being spiritual has to be followed “in spirit and in truth”. The flesh-composition is “weak” and from the beginning was created deficient to follow what is spiritual. The spirit of man can only “will” but “how to perform what is good”, as expected of God, humans cannot. As it is written in Rom. 3:10-17(NIV)

“There is no one righteous, not even one;there is no one who understand, there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless, there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.The poison of vipers is on their lips.Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways,and the way of peace they do not know.”

Humans are in need of the Holy Spirit from the Father. And even the human-Jesus (Acts 17:31; I Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:15) needed it and was given for the first time to him (being the first of the firstfruits) after water-baptism at the river Jordan(Matt. 3:16). It became available to others, as “firstfruits“, on that particular Pentecost(Acts2:1-4). And, even with this “in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit” in “man-Christ Jesus”, his flesh-composed body has to be helped by Simon of Cyrene in carrying the cross. Similarly, even with the “in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit”, he has his own “freewill” that had to align with the Father, as in Luke 22:42

What then is the Holy Spirit for?

The following Bible quotes give us the function of the Holy Spirit:
In John 14:26, it states

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Romans 8:6-9English Standard Version (ESV)“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

2Cor1:22 New Living Translation:“..and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.”

Gal. 5:21-22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I Cor. 7:7, “I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that“.(NIV)

I Cor 12:7-11,”But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

Rom. 8:15-17 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Summary:

Humans were created from the beginning with limits and boundaries. We are composed of flesh from the “dust of the ground” and made alive only by the “breath of life” given by the Creator (see Genesis Chapters 1 and 2). As such, we have the “spirit of man + flesh” to become a “living (person)soul“. As flesh, we can not fathom nor discern unadulterated spiritual things unless revealed to us from Him. Other spirit-beings like the Devil and his demons can plant spiritual things that are false or partly true to deceive us. Even Peter, on his own, did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah without this truth revealed to him by the Father(Matt.16:13-17). On our own, we can do good things and appreciate what is spiritual to a certain extent, but God wants to have all of these to be pure, truthful and to come from him as a gift, so that “no one can boast”. We are blind and deaf to what is spiritual as in,

Romans 11:8 – (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day

But the Holy Spirit was promised to be given to us as in, Isaiah 43:8 – Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears

This Holy Spirit will guide our “spirit of man” to “hear and see” at our appointed time, as in:John 9:39 – And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Notice those who received the Holy Spirit ,Matthew 13:16 – But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

We need the Holy Spirit of the Father to empower us with this capacity to understand spiritual things. If we think we truly can by ourselves, without His Holy Spirit, we are misled. This Holy Spirit can interact with the “spirit of man” for guidance and learning the wisdom of God and to be “one” with Him.

The ability for goodness that God requires for man to do has to come from Him as a gift. That is why, “by grace we are saved”. Jesus had to die as a consequence of humanity’s sin, to reconcile us to the Father, be resurrected (be alive to receive as in Romans 5/10) by the Father, go back to heaven to receive this gift of the Holy Spirit and subsequently be given to us. As the Law was originally written in “tables of stone”, i.e., our stony heart, but with the Holy Spirit in us, the Law will be written in our heart and mind to fulfill the prophecy in:
Ezekiel 36:26,”I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.(NIV)

This “spirit-infusion” (in-dwelling) fulfills the prophecy in:Jeremiah 31:33 “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Heb. 8:10 “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

The Holy Spirit in us is the key that opens the door to our capacity to follow the Law. The presence of this Holy Spirit in us will secure our adoption as children and heirs of the Father to “bear fruits“. This is the strategic plan of God, with impeccable execution to create a “new creation” as in 2 Cor. 5:17,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

Once we are changed at resurrection from “flesh” to immortal body, Paul’s wish to do what he wanted to do in Romans 7: 15 will be a reality.

Understanding our limits and boundaries leads us to the gospel and destiny of humanity, to be members of the God-Kingdom, all spirit-composed beings, one with Jesus and one with the Father.

God Bless 🙏😇

Original post: August 29, 2016

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Focus of Christian message: the great commission

Mar29 by fact-s.net

Focus of Christian message, What should it be?

Attending Christian church services through the years , one cannot but be ingrained into our consciousness, the reality of God, his attributes of omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence. Along with these are his grace and love for his awesome creation…humans.

So great is this love (John 3:16) that God the Father gave up his future only begotten “Son” man-Jesus. This Son is the YHVH ELOHIM in the Old Testament (the Logos/Word Creator in John 1:1), who took off his divine spirit-composition and powers to incarnate into a human being, as “man-Christ Jesus“.Although human, he was still categorized and confirmed, like us, as “god” in Ps. 82:6 and Jn.10:34. See also “What is God”.

Being flesh-composed at incarnation, he was subjected to death for humanity to be reconciled to the Father(Romans 5:10). Jesus’ death was substitutionary for humanity’s eternal or second and irreversible death which is a penalty for Adam’s sin (representing the whole mankind) from the garden of Eden.

Being human and flesh-bodied as Jesus was, we can die the first death, being matter-composed, a reversible death. Without resurrection from this, this death would have been eternal. But, it was “appointed for man to die“, being mortal and flesh-composed and will be resurrected. While Jesus died the first death having “mortal body” and acknowledged by the Father as “eternal/irreversible death” for Adam and mankind, he did not experience eternal death because this man-Jesus was resurrected into a spirit-body (and so shall we) as promised by the Father; this to prove the future resurrection towards eternal life for humans (I Cor. 15:1-58). Without resurrection, Jesus could still be dead, as we would, and the promise of the Father was for nought.

But, this is not all. After resurrection, Jesus had to go to the Father. Otherwise, a most important gift and “power-tool” (the Holy Spirit) to empower us would not be received by him, to then be given subsequently to us (John 16:7, a “spirit-baptism“).

The Father can only give this as promised to YHVH/Logos who became his Son, before being given to us. We need this Holy Spirit of power to be “baptized into us” by Jesus (John 1:33), because “the flesh is weak“. Even if the spirit of man is willing (Matt. 26:41), we need to be empowered by the “immersion/baptism of the Holy Spirit” in us to overcome evil and be “one” with the Son and the Father, as members of the God-Kingdom. This Spirit will then “bear fruits” in us and will be reflected in “good works” (Gal. 5:22-23).

This work of the Holy Spirit is crucial for us to develop into “children of God“, the attainment of which will manifest at resurrection as a change in a “twinkling of an eye” from mortal flesh to immortal spirit-bodies. (I Cor. 15:52-56.). This same Holy Spirit dwelling in Jesus at river Jordan (Matt. 3:16), developed him to be “Son (begotten child) of God”(Rom.1:4), by resurrection from the dead, “firstborn of many brethren”(Rom. 8:29), firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18), the first of the firstfruits (Ezek. 44:30 ESV), the wavesheaf offering ( Lev 23:10-14). Similarly, this Holy Spirit “in-dwelling in us” will have to bear fruits, as it did to man-Jesus, to develop us into “children of God”, one with Jesus and with the Father, as members of the God-kingdom.

Therefore, Christians should focus, on this gift of the Holy Spirit given by the Father because this is a basic ingredient needed in the “ongoing creation” of and for us to be in the Kingdom of God. This “kingdom” is more than a “government“. It is about a “family of God”, a “new creation”(2Cor. 5:17), that was never done before until Christ. Prior to this, all that was created were angels, inanimate objects (planets and universe) as well as living creation like plants, animals and humans, all matter-composed and not spirit-composed, except angels. But, when Adam was created in the garden of Eden, he was only a type of “human” that would come in the future. The anti-type , the “2nd Adam“, was this man-Jesus, to start this “new creation”, the “children of God”. Man-Christ Jesus was the human template with the “spirit of man“, which is the temple for the Holy Spirit to be baptized and dwell into; see I Cor. 3:16-17: 6:19-20; 2Cor 6:16-17; Acts 7:48-51, Acts 17:24-25.

Like other humans, the man-Jesus has the “spirit of man”(the breath of life”) which came directly from the Creator. Growth and development occurred in Jesus’ life from birth, childhood and through adulthood. But at the river Jordan, his “spirit/breath-of-life” was then “Holy Spirit-baptized” as infused by the Father. It was at that time that he was empowered and thence miracles happened, not before.

Even as a child, Jesus did not have the power of the Holy Spirit until adulthood. This power was given to him only after coming out of water baptism at river Jordan (Lu.3:22). The same Holy Spirit empowered him to overcome evil, especially the temptations of Satan (Matthew 4:1-11) in the wilderness. Similarly, this was the power that Jesus used to decide whether to follow “his will” or not (Lu.22:42). The apostles (John 20:22)and others received this “spirit-baptism” on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-31).

In the same manner, we receive this Holy Spirit to take the path of Jesus and follow, not the pull of our flesh, but follow His example. And when we do, we will be on our way towards becoming “children of God”.

This is the great commission: to preach this good news of coming creation of the God-kingdom, through spirit-baptism in the name of the Father and the Son.

God bless 🙏😇👍

Original post: March 29, 2016,

Hyperlink post; 1/22/2021

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Critique is welcome at foundationacts@yahoo.com

ON PACKING HEAT?

Jan18 by fact-s.net

On Packing Heat …Rev Jerry Falwell Jr., Chancellor of Liberty Univ. vs. Rev. John Piper, Chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.

Should Christians be advised to carry gun for “self-defense”? This is a controversial question that all of us are currently confronted with in this era of terrorist violence. Two major leaders of the Christian Community spoke out on this issue using the Bible as basis, albeit, opposing views. Being stalwarts of biblical teachings, does this make sense, using the same source, yet comes out with different take? How come? Or are they just like Peter and Paul or Barnabas, etc. having honest differences in understanding and processing of facts, much like all of us?

Rev Falwell Jr. on Dec 4, 2015 said, “I just want to take this opportunity to encourage all of you to get your permit (to carry gun). We offer a free course. And let’s teach them a lesson if they ever show up here.” This “teach them a lesson” comment may not be his intention, for which he was questioned and criticism extended against “packing heat” for self-defense. While Rev Falwell Jr. of Liberty University expressed his preference to have gun for self-defense, he sounded off on his extended message and assumed motive by saying, “let’s teach them a lesson if they ever show up here.” While “teach them a lesson” may actually come out as a consequence, this comment may conjure up an entirely different motive and was interpreted as “vengeance”.

Rather, the goal should actually be “proximate self-defense” in “packing heat”; not pro-active use of a weapon without one’s life in “proximate or imminent danger”. This controversy maybe resolved depending upon when to use a weapon in self-defense and how this is defined. In my view, it is perfectly reasonable as self-defense to discharge his/her gun if a person comes into a place actually shooting people; a perfect example of “proximate” self-defense and defense of others. In this scenario, there is no doubt about the evil person’s motive to kill and the “proximate” or imminent need to use a weapon for defensive purpose. In this setting, clearly we should defend ourselves and others. This is not vengeance nor proactive use of weapon sans “proximate” jeopardy of one’s life. Our death in the hands of an evil person should not be a “teaching moment” to witness for Christ which can be more effective with us alive. There is a time to die for our beliefs, but not in this particular setting. There will be plenty of time within our short lifetime. This position is not in anyway to cast aspersion to those who may prefer otherwise and “die for the gospel”.

Rev Piper’s position, on the other hand, is summarized in:
“8. A natural instinct is to boil this issue down to the question, “Can I shoot my wife’s assailant?”. In my humble view, if one’s motive to use lethal means is to inflict an “eye for an eye” judgment to your wife’s assailant when your own/or other’s life is not at “proximate risk”, then this response is wrong and falls under “yourself being judge and jury” to convict. We have secular laws where this scenario belongs and can adequately serve justice. Also, Rev. Piper took Rev. Falwell’s comment to mean “revenge”, although this may not necessarily what he meant. See Dec 22, 2015 http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/should-christians-be-encouraged-to-arm-themselves

Continuing to quote on Rev Piper’s position:
“Peter’s aim for Christians as “sojourners and exiles” on the earth is not that we put our hope in the self-protecting rights of the second amendment, but in the revelation of Jesus Christ in glory (1 Peter 1:7, 13; 4:13; 5:1). His aim is that we suffer well and show that our treasure is in heaven, not in self-preservation.”
Does “proximate self-defense” necessarily mean revenge or self-preservation, as in preferring life over death, no matter what?

As critique of Rev. Falwell Jr.’s position is in order, and so it is for Rev. Piper’s. Let us then analyze the biblical references the latter quoted:

Rom 12:1-21 In this whole Chapter, Paul was referring to how Christians should respond to evil and summarized in, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” This verse has nothing whatsoever referring to self-defense in a situation of “proximate loss of life”. We certainly should not use any weapon for “vengeance”. Proximate self-defense is not synonymous with vengeance.
Romans 13:1–4:”Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” Again, this has nothing to do with “proximate self-defense” but for us to understand that God uses “governing authorities”(certainly not ISIL?) on “wrongdoers” and “rulers are not a terror to good conduct”.

True, the apostle Peter “teaches us that Christians will often find themselves in societies where we should expect and accept unjust mistreatment without retaliation.” But, the following verses in I Peter are not an interdiction against “proximate self-defense”.

“This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. (2:19)”. Endurance and suffering suggest being alive, not being dead in the hands of terrorists; nothing to do with self-defense.

“If when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (2:20)” Suffer and endure here again suggest being alive.

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless. (3:9). Again repay and reviling suggest being alive.

“If you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. (3:14)”. Suffer here again suggests being alive.

“It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (3:17)”. Suffer here again suggests being alive as dead people do not suffer.

“Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (4:12).” Note: a surprise and test, suggestive of being alive.

“Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (4:13)”. Share is being alive.

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed. (4:14).” Insulted not death.

“If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (4:16)”. Suffer here again suggests being alive, as well as ashamed and glorify.

“Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (4:19).” Suffer and doing good here, again suggest being alive.

Also, not about proximate self-defense on Luke 21:12–19, “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. . . . You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.” Here, they would be taken prisoners, opportunity to bear witness, alive and not dead, to be witnesses.

According to Rev. Piper, “This article is about the people whom the Bible calls “refugees and exiles” on earth; namely, Christians. It’s about the fact that our weapons are not material, but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4). It is an argument that the overwhelming focus and thrust of the New Testament is that Christians are sent into the world — religious and non-religious — “as lambs in the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:3). And that exhorting the lambs to carry concealed weapons with which to shoot the wolves does not advance the counter-cultural, self-sacrificing, soul-saving cause of Christ.” On the preceding quote, certainly, no one should shoot “the wolves”, just because we carry weapons or because they are wolves. Rather, when our life is in “actual, not assumed jeopardy” from these wolves already attacking us, then there is no prohibition to “proximate self-defense”.

On the commentary regarding Jesus’ rebuke of the use of a sword:
1. Against the high priest’s servant (Luke 22:49–51). Jesus correctly rebuked his disciples because the Roman soldiers were not there to kill anyone but to merely take or apprehend Jesus to be delivered to the Sanhedrin and subsequently to Pilate; otherwise there would be no formal charge against Jesus of blasphemy, conviction and sentence to death. There was no “proximate” risk to anyone’s life in the garden of Gethsemane and use of sword was not “proximate self-defense”.

2. The church’s nonviolent response to persecution:
Acts 4:25–31 “Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together † against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold † their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
The setting here in the whole Chapter 4 (and starting in Chapter 3) was Peter and John were preaching about Jesus, his death/resurrection and healed a man known to everyone as lame from birth. About 5,000 people believed them. They were then taken or apprehended by religious authorities and “threatened” to be harmed (or killed?) unless they refrain from preaching the gospel. A lot of people knew what happened and if they were harmed at all, the Sanhedrin authorities would be blamed. It is obvious that those were “empty threats” and eventually they were released. In all of this story, there life was never in “proximate jeopardy of losing”. Nowhere in the whole narrative was there an indictment of self-defense and the element that qualifies “proximate self-defense” was never present.

Acts 8:1–3: Here, it was about Paul taking Jesus followers “to prison”. Again, absence of situation that qualifies for “proximate self-defense” nor any interdiction against it.

Acts9:1–2:”And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”
The preceding verses show “breathing out” (not actual killing) and “bring them bound”, all of which did not qualify the element of “proximate self-defense”and therefore could not be invoked as self-defense by the disciples.

Acts 12:1–5: Here, the setting was Peter was delivered in a miraculous way from prison and death. Again, absence of situation that qualifies for “proximate self-defense” nor any interdiction against it. As to the death of James, there are no details of the story behind his death and no need to speculate.

Regarding these quotes …
“In fact, Acts 4:25–31 shows the church armed only with prayer and faith in God. Luke 22:36 sees the sword as only a symbol of preparation for pressure, since Jesus’ rebuke of a literal interpretation (22:38) shows that a symbol is meant (Fitzmyer 1985: 1432; Marshall 1978: 825). It points to readiness and self-sufficiency, not revenge (Nolland 1993b: 1076). (Luke, volume 2, page 1747″…
There is nothing wrong “with prayer and faith in God” nor about “readiness and self-sufficiency”. And certainly, “revenge” should not be the initiating force to use a weapon. There has to be present a situation of “proximate danger to life” as in a terrorist gunning down people around you, to invoke “proximate self-defense”.

Rev. Piper accepts the principles that “God ordains the use of the sword by the state in upholding justice (1 Peter 2:13–17; Romans 13:1–4)” but denies “packing heat” ourselves. The following narrative clears this up:
[Jesus] said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough [that’s plenty].” (Luke 22:35–38).
Notice, the disciples were allowed to have swords but not necessarily to be used for revenge nor proactively discharging a weapon without “proximate risk to one’s life”. This was why Peter who cut the ear of the soldier was refrained by Jesus because there was no “proximate risk to anyone’s life” at that time. Events that followed proved this to be so; no one died immediately.

However, I tend to agree with Rev. Piper in these quotes:
1. “The issue is not primarily about when and if a Christian may ever use force in self-defense, or the defense of one’s family or friends. There are significant situational ambiguities in the answer to that question. The issue is about the whole tenor and focus and demeanor and heart-attitude of the Christian life. Does it accord with the New Testament to encourage the attitude that says, “I have the power to kill you in my pocket, so don’t mess with me”? My answer is, No.”

2. “My main concern in this article is with the appeal to students that stirs them up to have the mindset: Let’s all get guns and teach them a lesson if they come here. The concern is the forging of a disposition in Christians to use lethal force, not as policemen or soldiers, but as ordinary Christians in relation to harmful adversaries.”

3.”For example, any claim that in a democracy the citizens are the government, and therefore may assume the role of the sword-bearing ruler in Romans 13, is elevating political extrapolation over biblical revelation”.

4.”…the unique calling of the church is to live in such reliance on heavenly protection and heavenly reward that the world will ask about our hope (1 Peter 3:15), not about the ingenuity of our armed defenses”.

Indeed, according to Rev Piper, “there are ambiguities in the way Christian mercy and civic justice intersect.” , but hopefully, either can be absorbed into the other, by defining what is self-defense and when it is so, i.e, when the element of “proximate” is “clear and present danger”.

Unfortunately, the position of Rev. Piper exposes himself and his followers as “soft targets” for terrorists bent on killing them. Our hope and prayer is for this position not be taken as an “enabler” to put them in “crosshairs” of Jihadists.

In summary, let us not put any additional burden of guilt on Christians as regards packing heat for “proximate self defense” or against such, as there are compelling arguments either way. If anyone wants to “pack heat”, let him do so; if not, so be it. This issue should not divide Christians but to realize that even well-meaning followers of Christ, like Peter vs Paul and Paul vs Barnabas, can have differences in the way facts are processed. Let the “spirit of wisdom” bear fruit in all of us.

Who resurrected Jesus and why?

Oct28 by fact-s.net

As proof that Jesus is the Messiah, he was resurrected in 3 days and 3 nights (Matt. 12:40 ). Similarly in John 2:18-21 “Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” Read also Matt 16:21; Matthew 26:61; 27:40;Mark 14:58; Mark 15:29; Acts 6:14

Also, while it is true that his resurrection gives the “adulterous generation”(Matt. 12:39; 16:4) proof that Jesus is the Messiah, the reasons for his resurrection may even be more far-reaching. Aside from being a proof, the following verses give us an inclination as to why:

Rom. 5:6-10″For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
The preceding verses show that the purpose of his death is to reconcile us to the Father since “all sinned“, as in:

Rom. 3:23-26“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

Jesus, being dead means exactly that… dead completely, not alive. And, without him being resurrected or be alive he would still be dead and would not have received the promise by the Father of the Holy Spirit to in-dwell in us, meaning “saved by his life” (Rom.5:10).

And, John 16:7 is clear that Jesus has to be resurrected, be alive, to go to the Father to get this promise of the Holy Spirit and subsequently to dwell in us. Notice, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
As to the question who is that God who resurrected Jesus? Was he the Father or the Son or the Holy Spirit? In New Testament times, when the word “God” is mentioned, it refers to the Father to differentiate it from Jesus, the Son of God (the Father). Consider then the following:
Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.”
The apostle Peter stated in his first sermon on the Day of Pentecost: “This Jesus, God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:32). Subsequently, in Acts 3:15, he told his audience that they had “killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses”.

The apostle Paul also testified in Acts 13:33; compare verse 37: “God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus”. Continuing now in Acts 17:31“Because He [God] has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [Jesus] whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead”.

Ephesians 1:20 ” …he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,”

But what about John 2:19; see verse 21 also when Jesus said, “Destroy this temple [referring to His body being slain], and in three days I will raise it up [implying His resurrection]”. If Jesus meant by this that He would come back to life on His own, he contradicted other testimonies. Rather, after God the Father brought life back to him while in the tomb, He would stand up and “raise it up” himself from his lying down to then get out from the grave.

Similarly, the same mechanism will apply to us. The Spirit of God gives power. The Father gives the Holy Spirit that brings about life. And by so giving that spirit of life, this is the power we will then be resurrected with. As Paul tells us, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he (the Father) who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you” (Romans 8:11, NRSV).

Clearly, it was God the Father who did it as promised by him to YHVH/Creator before the foundation of the world and before the latter incarnated into man-Jesus. The “faith of Jesus“, as referred to in Rom. 3:22, Gal.2:16, 3:22, and Phil. 3:9, is faith “in” someone. There is nobody else to whom the Son can defer to (I Cor. 15:24-28) but to his Father who knows everything(Mk. 13:32). This faith “of” Jesus is faith “in” his Father who he knows will deliver everything he promised. Everything was planned by the Father and was/will be executed by his Son(I Cor. 8:6). They are “one” as they are together in everything, as we will be “one” with them(Eph. 4:6).

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