SilentShouts - Blogs by Finny Samuel

Rapture - The blessed hope: Part 01

2012-04-13T15:09:00.002-07:00

What is Rapture?

Titus 2:13 - ... We wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ ...

Every person in Christ passionately look forward for a day of meeting Him in person. The joy arising from this deep desire and expectation is the driving force of a Christian, to endure the sufferings and meaninglessness in this world. If the first coming of the Christ was to save the sinners, the second coming will be to reward the obedient and judge the disobedient. Since none of the promises and the prophesies of the holy Bible has gone without fulfilling, this promise is also sure to happen in God's time. Right from the first century, saints have been waiting and preparing themselves for this.

Though this doctrine is as old as Christianity itself, unfortunately for some reason, it has been under attack in the recent years leading many to question its truth. These attacks ranges from the personal assaults on those who stand for the Word of God to the injection of confusion in believers by the false teachings based on gross distortions of the facts. This article is an earnest attempt to analyze the biblical teachings and the false theories related to this subject.

The second coming of Jesus is the most mentioned doctrine in the Bible. Scholars have calculated that there are around 2100 references [1800 times in Old Testament and 321 times in New Testament] about this subject in the Holy Bible. Based on the analysis of all these verses, we can understand that the second coming of Jesus Christ is a multiphase event which involves a phase called Rapture of the Church when saints are translated to receive glorified bodies and taken with Him to heaven [1 Thessalonians 4] and another phase called Glorious Appearance which happens after a 7 year tribulation period in earth when Jesus comes back with his saints to set his feet in Mount Olive. [The different theories related to the sequence of the events in Jesus Christ's second coming are analyzed in another part of this study]

Etymology of Rapture

The word Rapture is not found in most of the common English translations of the Holy Bible. However, it is used for communicating the Biblical premise and concept of the translation of the Church in Christ's second coming. The "Rapture" is derived from Middle French rapture, via the Medieval Latin raptura ("seizure, kidnapping"), which derives from the Latin raptus ("a carrying off"), which in turn is a translation of the Koine Greek word harpadzō, found in the Greek New Testament manuscripts of 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The sense of "spiritual ecstasy" to this word was first recorded in 1620s. In many modern English translations of the Bible, harpazo is translated "caught up" or "taken away."

Rapture of the church is one of the major considerations of New Testament eschatology. [Eschatology: The department of theological science concerned with ‘the four last things: death, judgement, heaven, and hell’]. It refers to the instantaneous metamorphosis of our finite body to an eternal physical body like that of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the physical transfer of the believers of the Church Age from earth to heaven and is based on the Scriptural passages John 14:3, 1 Corinthians 15:51,52, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 John 3:2.

Hebrew vocabulary does not provide a reference to this doctrine, since this was comparatively new subject among the first century Christians. On the other hand, Greek language, which was the base language of all the original writings of New Testament Books, uses multiple words as synonyms to describe this event. The usage of major words in this context are discussed below [Thanks to hbcpinellas.org]:

Root Word	Word Meaning	References	Insight from meaning
Apantēsis (n)	Meeting/encounter Personal rendezvous	1 Thessalonians 4:17	The Church will meet with the Lord Himself face to face, in an intimate and individual manner
Apokalupsis (n)	Revelation Uncovering / disclosure	1 Corinthians 1:7 1 Peter 1:7,13	For the first time in history, Jesus Christ will be publicly revealed to the Church.
Harpadzō (v)	Catch up Seize by force Snatch out or away	1 Thessalonians 4:17	Emphasizes the power involved and focuses on the aspect of the Deity of the Son that is the behind resurrection. We are dependent upon God for this event to occur, and no believer in the Church Age has a choice of exclusion
Apolutrōsis (n)	Redemption	Romans 8:23 Ephesians 1:14, 4:30	A release that is secured by the payment of a ransom – the sacrifice of Christ for sins also secured the ultimate freedom for the body.
Elpis (n)	Hope Confident expectation	Titus 2:13 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 3:2,3	Expresses our anticipation of the event as well as our confidence that it will occur.
Epiphaneia (n)	Appearing Sudden manifestation	1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13	Emphasizes both the suddenness of the appearance and the overt evidence that He is Deity.
Hēmera (n)	Day A unit of time	Matthew 24:50 1 Corinthians 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:13 1 Corinthians 5:5 2 Corinthians 1:14 Ephesians 4:30 2 Timothy 4:8	Indicates that the Rapture will occur on a literal day, at a particular point in time.
Parousia (n)	Coming A personal presence, Arrival or advent	1 Corinthians 15:23 1 Thessalonians 2:19 1 Thessalonians 4:15 1 Thessalonians 5:23 James 5:7,8 1 Peter 3:4 1 John 2:28	Stresses that Jesus will return bodily to do all that He has promised and that believers will individually encounter Him face-to-face.
Sotēria (n)	Salvation	Romans 13:11 1 Thessalonians 5:9 Hebrews 9:28 1 Peter 1:5	A deliverance that provides or procures safety from harm or loss. Emphasizes that this event delivers the Church from the events of the Wrath.

To be continued

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

References:
* Wikipedia
* Etymonline.com
* hbcpinellas.org

The Infallible and Inerrant Bible - Part 02

2012-03-06T13:48:00.001-08:00

(Please note: For better understanding, please read the previous parts of this study before reading this one.)

Click here to read Part 01 of this study

Evidences for Biblical Inerrancy

The available data support the belief in inerrancy far more strongly than its opposite. The very fact that it is still possible today to claim the autographs were inerrant is an indication that no one has yet succeeded in showing there is even one substantial, undeniable error or contradiction in our present copies. After all, the Bible has proved its reliability in many ways and in many areas, and stood the test of time. Methodological analyses of inerrancy categorize the testimonies about the inerrancy of the scriptures as follows:

Testimony of Logical Proof and Plenary Inspiration

The pillar of Christian faith is the doctrine of inspiration which states that the authors and editors of the Bible were led or influenced by God with the result that their writings may be designated as the word of God. This is rooted in the Biblical verse 2 Timothy 3:16. Since all scriptures are breathed out by the Almighty God Himself, it ought to be true and inerrant. God can neither lie nor teach truth using errors. This infallible character of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit essentially proves that the scripture which is inspired by God is also true and inerrant in every aspect. Furthermore, the logical proof shows that since God is truth (Romans 3:4, John 3:33 ), what is breathed out by God, must also be true (John 17:17) and infallible.

Testimony of Scriptures or Self Witness of Bible

Bible teaches its own infallibility and inerrancy. Some critics bring forward a lame argument that the word inerrant is not seen in Bible. Just because inerrancy is not a Biblical term does not mean that the concept of inerrancy is not taught in the Scripture. Important concepts like Trinity and rapture, etc. which are not Biblical terms are taken from Biblical content itself. Rather than the literal word, the concept is given importance. The main reason why we think the Bible is Inerrant is because the Scripture tells us so.

Legitimacy of considering Bible’s self testimony as the basis of inerrancy doctrine need not be questioned. This is because the base of our faith is God himself who has attested the scriptures as the source of all true spiritual knowledge. Just like we consider scriptures as the primary source of advice in the doctrines like sin, salvation, judgment, future etc, we need to base the doctrine of inerrancy [which in turn is the building block of other doctrines] in the scripture itself.

The Old Testament itself declares 3,808 times that it conveys the words of God Himself. Most of the authors of the biblical books have confirmed that they are communicating God’s word and it is flawless.

ü Old Testament Writers

All prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Jonah, Micah, Joel, Amos, Zechariah, Obadiah, Zephaniah and Habakkuk has confirmed in their writings that they are conveying Words of God.

Moses declared that the law was given by God himself and warned Israelites not to add to or diminish from them. [Deuteronomy 4:2, 6:1-2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12:32].

Psalmists affirms that the word of God is

§ Flawless [Psalms 12:6, Proverbs 30:5-6]

§ Eternal and stands firm [Psalms 119:89]

§ Perfect [Psalm 19:7, 119:96]

§ Truth [Psalm 119:43, 142, 151, 160]

§ Righteous [Psalm 119: 172]

ü New Testament Writers

Paul says word is Holy, Righteous and good. [Romans 7:12, 1 Timothy 3:15]. He also testifies that it is inspired [2 Timothy 3:16, Romans. 3:2, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13,] and true [2 Timothy 2:15]. The apostle's teaching is so explicit in Galatians 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 4:8

Peter confirms the doctrine of inspiration [2 Peter 1:21, 3:2, 3:15-16] and declares that it is eternal, [1 Peter 1:25] living and active [1 Peter 1:23].

Author of the epistle to Hebrews also mentions that the word of God is living and active [Hebrews 4:12]

Apostle John concludes his revelation [Revelation 22:18-19] with the warning against human intervention for changing the Word of God.

ü Words of Jesus Christ

Since Jesus Christ is the example for Christians, it is perfectly sensible to consider his teachings and quotes as one of the most important criterion for evaluating the inerrancy of the scriptures. It is obvious from his words that our Lord Jesus had absolute confidence in the authenticity, factuality and reliability of the scriptures. He proved the following aspects in his teachings:

Historicity and factuality of the scriptures

During the ministry in the earth, Jesus attested many historical facts in the Old Testament.

ü Adam and Eve [Matthew 19:3-5 and Mark 10:6-8]

ü Flood in Noah’s days [Matthew 24:38-39, Luke 17:26-27]

ü Destruction of Sodom [Matthew 10:15, Luke 17:28-29]

ü Jonah’s experience in the belly of great fish [Matthew 12:40]

ü Historicity of famous bible men like

· Isaiah (Matthew 12:17)

· Elijah (Matthew 17:11-12)

· Daniel (Matthew 24:15)

· Abel (Matthew 23:35)

· Zechariah (Matthew 23:35)

· Abiathar (Mark 2:26)

· David (Matthew 22:45)

· Moses (Matthew 8:4, John 5:46)

· Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 8:11, John 8:39)

It is to be noted instead of simply referring these as mere moral stories He authenticated these historical facts to be trusted.

Entirety of the scriptures

Jesus affirms the plenary inspiration of the scripture in Matthew 4:1-11. Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, He responded to Satan that man is to live by every word (plenary) that comes out of the mouth of God (inspiration). By attesting the finality of the scripture (usage of “It is written”) it is clear that Jesus negates all views of inerrancy in the Bible.

Indestructibility of the scriptures

In Matthew 5:17-18, Christ promised that the entire Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets, would be fulfilled, not abolished pointing out that all of it is inspired and true. In Luke 16:17 also He mentions that not even a stroke of pen [“jot” or “tittle”] in the scripture will be dropped out. Both verses establish the particularity of inerrancy (“jot,” “tittle”) and the extent of inerrancy (all Scripture). A basic understanding about the Hebrew alphabets may help in better understanding the significance of this statement. Below given is a table of Hebrew alphabets.

The smallest letter Hebrew alphabet “Yod” (see picture) is referred as ‘jot’ in the English translation. It may look like an apostrophe in English. The word “tittle” in English translation refers to minor and almost unnoticeable strokes that distinguish certain Hebrew letters from others. In the above picture, the letter “Dalet” and “Reish” is distinguished by a protrusion that in a normal font type would not be more than 1/16 of an inch. That tiny protrusion is referred to as tittle. This tittle can be observed in the comparisons of the letters “Beit” and “Kaf” as well. Presence or absence of “tittle” or “jot” could change the word and/or meaning of a statement. Jot and title may be scarcely compared to “letter and syllable” in English language.

What Jesus meant by using this comparison is that the scriptures are precisely accurate to the smallest possible pen stroke or letter. It is impossible to think of another expression to conclusively establish the meticulous accuracy, validity, and truth of the law. Based on this unique formula of assertion used by Jesus, if it is easier for heavens and earth to pass from existence than for a “jot or tittle” to be failed, it is very clear that even the minutest detail in the scriptures are infallible, authoritative, and trustworthy.

This passage in Matthew clearly shows that Jesus had a view of plenary inspiration about the scriptures.

Infallibility of the scriptures

In John 10:31-38 Christ confidently clarifies the infallibility, accuracy and reliability of the scriptures, even when his life was at stake on that matter. He refers Old Testament as the Law and quoting the Psalmist, [Psalm 82] points out that the judges in the Israel were called “Gods” though they were mere humans, due to their God given office. Stressing this fact, it was concluded that if a mere man can be referred to as “God” the Son of God who was sent to the earth is more suited for that word.

The very fact that Jesus focused on the single word, “God” reveals that He affirms the verbal infallibility of scripture. He was emphasizing that the minutest part or even a part of the sentence, is inspired by the God. Furthermore, in verse 35, He asserts that “the word cannot be broken” indicating the authoritative inspiration of the scriptures. Since only an inerrant nature can conclude this authority, it is clear that Jesus knew the scriptures are infallible.

Inerrancy of the scriptures

Matthew 22:23-33 is another instance where Jesus focused on specific written words rather than a general concept. Quoting God’s words to Moses, at the burning bushes, He clarifies the doctrine of life after death. He said that though He is the God of the living, by using present tense in identifying himself as God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob [I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob] it is implied that they are living before God, after their physical death in the earth. When man ignores the usage of “I am” vs. “I was” as an insignificant matter, God had specific reason to use that part of speech exactly like that. From Jesus’ teaching of this passage of the scripture, it is understood that He affirms

· Historical inerrancy of the scriptures

o Attesting to the life of Moses

· Prepositional inerrancy of the scriptures

o Attesting to the Verbal or plenary accuracy

· Doctrinal inerrancy of the scriptures

o Attesting the doctrine of life after death

· Factual inerrancy of the scriptures

o Attesting that Nothing in scripture is insignificant

Authority of the scriptures

In Matthew 22: 41-46 Jesus clarifies the authority of scriptures to his listeners. Quoting Psalm 110:1, he asked Pharisees how David can call Messiah as his Lord, if Messiah is his son, to which they had no answer. The only possible way is that Messiah is both God and Man. This clearly shows that Jesus acknowledged that the passages in the scriptures which are not be properly understood by everyone in the true context does not imply an error or difficulty, rather it simply proves the authority of the bible, since God never makes a mistake as a human does.

Thus it is clearly understood that Jesus, the God incarnate, himself has pronounced that Bible is infallible, inspired, inerrant and hence totally trustworthy.

Testimony of Scientific, Historic and Prophetic Accuracy

For those who oppose the presupposition of inerrancy truth, tons of historical and scientific evidences are there to prove the accuracy of Bible.

A. Bible does not contradict any known scientific fact

Though the Bible was not written as a work of science, wherever the Bible describes the physical world, it is accurate. A common but lame attack by the liberals on the Bible is in the usage of “Sunrise” or “Sunset” in the scriptures. However, they do not consider that even in the languages in modern world, we do use these terms in literature and it does not refer that Sun is moving. The theory of evolution was an unsuccessful attempt by human to question the creation defined in the Bible.

As a matter of fact, several centuries before the scientific inventions by man, Bible has proclaimed, many science facts such as the following:

Universe is expanding [Job 9:8, Psalm 104:2, Isaiah 40:22, Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 44:24, Isaiah 45:12, Isaiah 48:13, Isaiah 51:13, Jeremiah 10:12, Jeremiah 51:15, Zechariah 12:1]
The universe is winding down and will "wear out" (second law of thermodynamics ensures that the universe will run down due to "heat death"-maximum entropy) [Psalm 102:25-27]
Number of stars exceeds billions [Genesis 22:17, Jeremiah 33:22]
Every star is different [1 Corinthians 15:41]
Pleiades & Orion as gravitationally bound star groups [Job 38:31]
Light is in motion [Job 38:19-20]
The earth is controlled by the heavens [Job 38:33]
Earth is a sphere [Isaiah 40:22, Job 26:10]
At any time, there is day and night on the Earth [Luke 17:34-35]
Earth is suspended in space [Job 26:7]
Earth began as a water world. Formation of continents by tectonic activity described [Genesis 1:2-9, Psalm 104:6-9, Proverbs 3:19, Proverbs 8:27-29, Job 38:4-8, 2 Peter 3:5]
Water cycle [Ecclesiastes 1:7, Isaiah 55:10, Job 36:27-28]
Ocean currents in the sea [Psalm 8:8]
Air has weight [Job 28:25]
The chemical nature of human life [Genesis 2:7, 3:19]
Life of creatures are in the blood [Leviticus 17:11]
The nature of infectious diseases [Leviticus 13:46]
Importance of sanitation to health [Numbers 19, Deuteronomy 23:12-13, Leviticus 7-9]
Earth began as a water world. Formation of continents by tectonic activity described [Genesis 1:2-9, Psalm 104:6-9, Proverbs 3:19, Proverbs 8:27-29, Job 38:4-8, 2 Peter 3:5]

It is interesting to know that scientific textbooks are constantly being rewritten. With the discovery of quantum physics, the theories of classical physics have to be revisited. With the revelation of relativity, we can no longer be certain of the environment we are living in. compared to the absolute and unchanging nature of God and His word, nature of science is so uncertain and changing.

B. Bible does not contradict itself

Many critics vainly try to accuse Bible of contradicting itself without knowing the fact that a difficulty is not a contradiction. Some apparent contradictory statements are harmonized upon gaining more information. Most contradictory statements are only superficial and taken out of context.

C. Bible does not contradict any historical events

Through out the Bible we can see the God’s divine intervention in human history for fulfilling the eternal plan. These interventions are proven in the numerous modern archeological and historical inventions. These proofs can be laid out in different categories:

o Documentary analysis

In modern historical science, several techniques are available for dating documents and traditions, verifying events reported in those documents, and reconstructing an interpreting those reports. These techniques are effectively used in defending the inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. By analyzing the textual content of the scriptures using the tools available in historical sciences, one can conclude the source, authenticity and infallibility of the Bible.

Example 1: Critics argue that since God is given 2 different names in Genesis chapter 1 and chapter 2, the authors of these 2 chapters may be different. However it is known that there have been discoveries of differing uses for the name of god even in other cultures. We find an example of this in Homer's epics with no need for source division. The word "Elohim" is used to refer to God as the Almighty creator of the universe while the word "Yahweh" is the covenant name for God, which is reserved for situations in which covenant engagement of God is involved. Hence the usage of 2 words is not referring to 2 authors; instead it shows 2 different aspects of God in related events.

Example 2: Critics speculate that chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis represent two different creation stories. This argument is wrong, since this technique of recapitulation was widely practiced in ancient Semitic literature. The author first introduces his account with a short statement as a summary, and then he follows it up with a more detailed, circumstantial account when dealing with matters of special importance.

Example 3: Some critics use aramaisms [usage of Aramaic words] to divide the text of Scripture into various sources assuming that Aramaic words did not become part of the Hebrew language until after the exile. However this was proven untrue due to recent archeological discoveries that show Hebrew words used by non-Jews of some regions. Given the biblical account, we can reason that Abraham migrated to a region where the Aramaic language was spoken and he learned the language to gradually adopt the tongue of his neighbors.

Example 4: Despite critics' assertion that Moses was not the author of the Pentateuch [First 5 books in Bible], there is significant evidence to the contrary. On analyzing the text of the scripture, it is evident that Exodus 17:14, Exodus 24:4, Numbers 33:1-2, and Deuteronomy 31:9 attribute authorship to Moses. It is to be noted the fact that the author of Pentateuch uses more Egyptian words than others sheds light to the authorship of Moses. The texts also clearly depicts a first hand experience with Manna, Egyptian culture etc to the author.

o Archeology

Biblical archaeology is the archaeology that relates to, and sheds light upon, the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. Certain discoveries from countries in the Middle East [Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine] have contributed the most to the development of archeology that helps Bible students. Recent years have witnessed a lot of archeological finding supporting the accuracy of biblical scriptures. Some of the major findings are:

1947 – Dead Sea Scrolls: Among the more than eight hundred documents represented by whole scrolls, incomplete scrolls, and a myriad of fragments which have been recovered are complete copies or portions of all the books in the Hebrew Bible (our OT), except for the Book of Esther.

1993 – Proof of King David's existence. At an ancient mound called Tel Dan, in the north of Israel, words carved into a chunk of basalt were translated as "House of David" and "King of Israel" proving that he was more than just a legend.

1979 – Amulet Scroll: A rolled-up amulet dating to 6^th century, bearing the Tetragrammaton, the name of God (the consonantal letters yod, he, waw, he), YHWH was found in one of the tombs in Hinnom Valley of Jerusalem. The scripture passage on the amulet is from the Aaronic or priestly blessing found in Num 6:24-25.

1986 – Two thousand year old Galilee boat excavated from Sea of Galilee. It is estimated that the boat could hold some fifteen individuals, similar to the boats in which Jesus and his twelve disciples traveled across the sea (See Matt 8:18, 23-27, 9:1, 14:13- 14, 22-32, 15:39, 16:5; Mark 4:35-41, 5:18, 21, 6:32-34, 45-51, 8:9-10, 13-14; Luke 6:1, 8:22-25, 37, 40; John 6:16-21).

1970s – Baruch Bulla: Hardened clay seal impression that had survived in damp earth containing the stamp and name of the scribe of Jeremiah. This bulla was found to be from the impression of Baruch ben Neriah, the scribe who wrote to the dictation of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:4).

1990 – Ossuary of Caiaphas: The ossuary contained the remains of six people: two infants, a child aged two to five, a boy aged 13 to 18, an adult female and a man about 60 years old. The latter are believed to be the bones of Caiaphas, before whom Jesus was brought for questioning (Matt 26:3, 57; Luke 3:2; John 11:49, 18:13, 14, 24, 28; Acts 4:6)

1961 – Pontius Pilate Inscription: A dedicatory stone that bore a three line inscription: Tiberieum / [Pon]tius Pilatus / [Praef]ectus Iuda[eae], "Tiberius [the Roman emperor of the period]/Pontius Pilate/Prefect of Judea." The inscription not only confirms the historicity of Pilate, it clarifies the title that he bore as governor.

The archeological findings related to Bible are too numerous to be listed here. All points to the fact that Bible is free from errors.

o Accuracy in Prophesies

The Genuine prophecies listed in the Bible are the most evidential for substantiating the Bible’s claim to divine inspiration. The amount of predictive matter in the Bible is 8,352 verses out of its total 31,124. This means that the portion of the Bible that is predictive is 27% (28.5% in the Old Testament and 21.5% in the New Testament). There is no other Scripture on the face of the earth, nor has there ever been, which even comes close to this kind of predictive ability. Every prophecy in the Bible that is intended to the period till date is fulfilled with 100% accuracy. No other predictions in the world can claim this accuracy. Some of the major historical events which were predicted in the Bible decades and centuries before its happening are listed below:

The reign of King Cyrus [Isaiah 44:28 to Isaiah 45:6]
Babylonian captivity of Judah [Isaiah 39:5-7]
Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman empires [Daniel 2, 7, 11:1-35]
Reign of King Josiah [1 Kings 13:1-2]
Return of Israel to home town after Babylonian captivity [Jeremiah 32: 36,37]

The fall of the following towns:

Edom [Jeremiah 49:16]
Tyre [Ezekiel 36: 3-5]
Samaria [Micah 1:16]
Gaza and Ashkelon [Jeremiah 47: 5, Zephaniah 2:4-6]
Palestine [Ezekiel 36: 33,35, Leviticus 26: 31,33]

Messianic Prophecies:

Event	Prophecy	Fulfillment
Virgin Birth	Isaiah 7: 14	Matthew 1 :18,20,25
From the tribe of Judah	Genesis 49:10,	Luke 3: 23,33
Born in Bethlehem	Micah 5:2	Matthew 2:1
Named as Immanuel	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1: 23
Ministry of Miracles	Isaiah 35:5,6	Matthew 9: 25
Forsaken by disciples	Zechariah 13:7	Matthew 26: 56
Betrayed by friend	Psalms 49: 9	John 13: 21
Sold for 30 silver coins	Zechariah 1:12,13	Matthew 26.15, 27: 5
Tortured and mocked	Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 50:6, Psalms 22:78	Matthew 27: 26,30,31
Body gets pierced	Psalms 22: 16, Zechariah 2:10	John 20:25
Crucified with robbers	Isaiah 53:12	Matthew 27: 38
Garments gets divided	Psalms 22:18	John 19: 23, 24
No bones are broken	Nahum 9: 12	Matthew 19:33-36
Raised from dead	Psalms 16:10	Acts 2:31

o Confirmation in Church Histories

The Christian church for all these past 2000 years has held fast to the doctrine of inerrancy. When Errantists maintain that inerrancy has not been the historic position of the Church they are either unacquainted with the data, or refuse to accept it. As Lindsell states: There is no evidence to show that errancy was ever a live option in the history of Christendom for eighteen hundred years in every branch of the Christian Church that had not gone off into aberration. Bible has stood the test of time. Its authors are proven trustworthy over the centuries.

Conclusion

There is no middle ground or partial inerrancy. The whole of the original autographs of the Bible is verbally inspired, divinely infallible and absolutely inerrant. Man’s knowledge has often proved unreliable and limited. However, in spite of the wealth of confirmation for 2,000 years, even in light of 200 years of recent skeptical attack, the Bible has proved its reliability in many ways and in many areas, and it is absolutely worthy of our trust.

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

References:
Reliability Of The Canon by Dr. Johnson C. Philip and Dr. Saneesh Cherian
http://freecourses.org
http://apologeticscourses.com
http://bible.org
http://jashow.org
http://ankerberg.com
http://jashow.org
http://mb-soft.com
http://givingananswer.org
http://yutopian.com
http://biblicalstudies.info

The Infallible and Inerrant Bible - Part 01

2012-03-02T09:42:00.000-08:00

Biblical inerrancy is the doctrinal position that the biblical Scripture in the original manuscripts is accurate and totally free of error. Biblical infallibility is the doctrinal position that what the Bible says regarding matters of faith and Christian practice is wholly useful and true. In other words, 'Inerrant' means there are no errors; 'Infallible' means there can be no errors.

The Christian Church as a whole believes that the Bible is inspired, infallible and inerrant. The words Infallibility and Inerrancy may be distinguished but not separated. The Bible is inerrant since it makes no false or misleading statements on any topic whatsoever and it is infallible since it makes no false or misleading statements on any matter of faith and practice. God himself has guided the personality and style of the sacred authors to communicate the message he desired. It is important to bear in mind that belief in inerrancy is in keeping with the character of God. If God is true and He is (Romans 3:4), and if God breathed out the Scripture, then the Scripture, being the product of God, must also be true.

It is to be noted that this divine inspiration and inerrancy is only applicable to the original writings, not the copies and translations made by man. When critics of the Bible point out apparent contradictions, what they are doing is either failing to understand the context of the passages they are examining, or they have encountered a scribal copying error. Even the copies of the scriptural documents are so accurate that all of the biblical documents are 98.5% textually pure. The 1.5% that is in question is mainly nothing more than spelling errors and occasional word omissions like the words "the," "but," etc. This reduces any serious textual issues to a fraction of the 1.5%. Nevertheless, nothing affects doctrinal truths. In fact, nothing in ancient history even comes close to the accuracy of the biblical documents. The rationalists gives much importance to show Bible has errors, since that will eventually question the reliability of God Himself and the integrity of Christian fundamentals.

Scriptural inerrancy is established by a number of observations and processes, which include the historical accuracy of the Bible, the Bible's claims of its own inerrancy, Church history and tradition and one’s individual experience with God. Since the doctrine of Bible Inerrancy is very much needed to assert the belief in biblical authority, every believer should understand and defend this doctrine.

Dimensions of Bible Inerrancy

Many of the so-called errors in the Bible, that those who oppose inerrancy point out, are easily eliminated because they fall into various categories that the doctrine of inerrancy allows for. In addition to this, since definitions of inerrancy are not plentiful, Errantists equate inerrancy with infallibility and then limit its scope to matters of faith and practice or to revelation matters or to the message of salvation. In view of this, when defining inerrancy, it is always important to state clearly what it means and what it does not mean. The fundamental issues that mesh with the concept of inerrancy can be summarized as follows:

1. Inerrancy extents its scope to the whole of Bible.

It is very interesting that many have, in very subtle ways, retained words like inspiration, infallible, and even inerrant in speaking about the Bible while denying its freedom from error. It is said by advocates of this position that it need not be a concern to the Christian that the Bible contains historical, scientific, and factual errors because the purpose of the Bible is to merely instruct the believer in the life they should live. For example, Stephan T Davis in his book "The Debate about the Bible" claims that "The Bible is infallible, as I define that term, but not inerrant. That is, there are historical and scientific errors in the Bible, but I have found none on matters of faith and practice".

This scoping is absolutely wrong. Wayne Grudem defines biblical inerrancy in the following way: "The inerrancy of Scripture means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact." This definition implies that whatever the Bible talks about can be trusted to be true and accurate, whether it is a matter of doctrine, ethics, history or science. For example, by the divine intervention in history, God initiated His plan for redemption of mankind from sin and realized it through specific historical events. The chain of historical events in Israel and the spiritual realities in the incarnation of Jesus of the salvation of man are so intertwined that if one is true other is true too. It is not logical to claim that doctrines depending on the historical events are inerrant but these events may be myth. Furthermore, in geographical realm, the archeological evidences and understanding of antiquity attests to the exactitude of the scriptures.

Though bible does not claim to be the manual of science or history, the facts mentioned in it never errs.

2. Inerrancy allows for variety in details

Inerrancy does NOT mean uniformity in all the minute details of a particular event in analogous accounts written by different authors. Such differences seen in the Holy Bible have been greatly exaggerated by radicals and often referred to as contradictions or errors. In fact, different authors are free to decide the level of details in their narration. All that matters is whether the details contradict in the core substance of the event. This is true in the cases of event reporting, quotation or a specification in doctrines.

a. Complementary details in the narration.

If four witnesses to a crime gave testimony that was word-by-word, syllable-by-syllable the same, a judge or jury will certainly conclude that the testimony is framed and fabricated. This explains the freedom of details observed in the 4 Gospels for reporting conversations and events. In regard to the Jesus’ quotes, it is to be noted that Jesus spoke in Aramaic and the writers of Scripture wrote their accounts in Greek and hence had to translate the original words into Greek. Writers might have used slightly different words to describe the same incident or quote, yet everyone gave the same meaning, albeit with different words. Another reason for the differences is the different standpoints/outlooks the writers had for the same event. Each author records what is important to himself as a historian emphasizing different points. These accounts are complementary, not contradictory.

For instance, in the Gospels of Matthew (Ch. 28) and Mark (Ch. 16) one angel is said to appear at the empty tomb of Christ and proclaim the good news that Jesus has risen from the dead. But in the Gospel of Luke (Ch. 24) the writer says that there are two angels at the tomb. These differences do not contradict each other. Though 2 angels appeared, only one spoke to the disciples. This can be illustrated with the following story: Suppose I met President of India and his adviser. I then meet you and tell you that I met the President. Later I meet your friend and tell him of the meeting, but this time mention that it was both the president 'and' his adviser whom I had met. You and your friend meet and talk about how privileged I am to meet the President. However, when you compare notes you discover that I have told you that I "only" met the president, whereas I tell your friend that I met the president 'and' his adviser. There is an 'apparent' contradiction, but not an irreconcilable one. The same is true for the Gospel accounts of the angels.

b. Non verbatim repetition of event or quotation.

In his book, "Thy Word Is Truth" E. J. Young noted that, “In times of antiquity it was not the practice to give a verbatim repetition every time something was written out”. A verbatim repetition of an event or quote was not always possible due to the need for translation. While Jesus’ quotes had to be translated from Aramaic to Greek, the Old Testament records had to be translated from Hebrew and/or Aramaic. Furthermore, Old Testament scrolls were so lengthy that it was very difficult to unroll it every time a reference is needed. The fact that these scrolls were not readily and easily available for any writer made the non verbatim repetition further necessary. Hence Inerrancy allows for quotations to be paraphrases rather than word by word translation.

Some ancient writers took the liberty of non verbatim quotation to the extent of combining the words of two Old Testament prophets. In Matthew 27:9-10, though the author ascribes the prophecy to Jeremiah, on closer look, it can be understood that it is a combination of Zechariah 11:12-13, Jeremiah 18:2 and Jeremiah 19:2-11. Opponents of inerrancy argue that Matthew got it wrong by mentioning Jeremiah instead of Zechariah. However, in reality, what Matthew does is a comparison with some parts of the prophecy by Jeremiah. This is understood by the fact that although Matthew makes reference to 'a field', no reference is made to this by Zechariah. On the contrary, in Jeremiah 18:2 and 19:2-11 there are clear references to a field. Since Jeremiah is the "major" prophet, and Zechariah is a minor, the major prophet's name is used here. Mark also does the same by mentioning Isaiah not Malachi in Mark 1:2-3.

c. Non Contradiction on the subject matter.

Inerrancy demands the account does not teach error or contradiction. In Bible, we can learn that all the statements reflect as they are despite the variance in the details. For instance, in Matthew 8:5-13 it is noted that the centurion came to Jesus and said, “I am not qualified.” In Luke 7:1-10, it is noted that the elders came and said concerning the centurion, “He is worthy.” It seems that the elders first came and spoke to Jesus, and later the centurion himself came. Both accounts are in accord with things as they are.

It is a psychological fact that, due to inevitable differences in points of view, observation and individual emphasis, several individuals, each completely honest, will tell the very same events in quite different ways and words.

3. Inerrancy allows for variety in writing styles

Inerrancy allows each biblical author to use his own unique style in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and method of presentation. It also accounts for the behavior of the writings. For instance, Paul wrote his books with a lot of emotion and reflects logic of a philosopher while Matthew gets straight to the point.

a. Ordinary language in everyday speech.

The ways approximations are used in numbers are not usually considered for accuracy. For instance, in a battle, while the death toll is 7946 or 8124, a reporter can report it as 8000. This will not be an error or contradiction when it is considered as rounding off. The gospel of John was written in the simple style one might expect of an unlearned fisherman; Luke was written with a more sophisticated vocabulary of an educated person. It is in line with the form of everyday speech that sun is considered as “rising” in Ecclesiastes 1:5

b. Pictorial language and Symbolic statements

The doctrine of Inerrancy allows for departure from standard forms of grammar. Hence Inerrancy does not exclude the use of pictorial language and figures of speech.

For instance, in John 10:9 Jesus declares, “I am the door,” whereas in verse 11 He states, “I am the Good Shepherd.” In English language this is considered mixing metaphors, but for Greek grammar or Hebrew language this is not an issue. Similarly, In John 14:26 Jesus refers to the Spirit as no gender (pneuma = neuter) and then refers to the Spirit as “He” (ekeinos = masculine). This may raise an English grammarian’s eyebrows, but it is not a problem of Greek grammar. The context will help to determine whether the interpretation is literal, spiritual or symbolical.

Interpreting the Bible literally does not rule out figurative language when the context calls for it. The Bible uses literary devices such as metaphor, simile, and hyperbole to make a point. Inerrancy does not mean that passages need to be interpreted in a "hyper-literal" manner. It is to be noted that many things in Psalms, the Song of Solomon and the Prophets, as well as the parables in the gospels and in Revelation are figurative. Besides, thousand of expressions in both the Old and New Testaments are closer to poetry then a prose.

4. Inerrancy does not demand scientific precision

The opponents of the inerrancy theory often argue that some historical statements in the Bible vary with other facts. Inerrant assumes the truth of a statement, even if it is not of absolute scientific precision since the writer and the readers understand that exact precision was not intended. Rounding off numbers or approximation of years may be considered as inerrant since the context is given importance rather than the numbers. For instance, In Joshua 4:9, it’s mentioned that the 12 stones set up in Jordan “are there unto this day”. “This day” obviously means that the day that scripture was written and not the day the reader reads it.

Placement of statements in right historical setting

Often times, the defenders of inerrancy had to take a “wait and see” approach in justifying certain historic or scientific aspect. Till day, that approach has vindicated them. For instance, until recently some scholars had believed that the usage of the word “politarchs” in Acts 17:6 as the title of the civil authorities in Thessalonica is incorrect, since no reference to this word could be found in any classical literature. However, recent discoveries uncovered about 19 inscriptions which use this term and interestingly 5 of them are mentioned specific to Thessalonica.

Another instance is Christ’s reference to mustard seed as the smallest of the seeds in Matthew 13: 31-32. Today orchid seed, not mustard seed is known as the smallest of the seeds. Jesus’ purpose was not to be a scientific discoverer, but to teach the common man about the kingdom of God in a language and science known to him. Hence this reference is not seen as an error.

Biblical chronologies have always been under attack by radicals. However, the fact the critics do not know or consider is that in ancient days, there was no universal calendar. The duration of reigns of the kings were often calculated and recorded based on different calendars. Very technical work following the ancient ways of calculation, has been done in the latter part of 20^th century to prove that biblical chronologies are accurate than any other ancient writers.

Placing the biblical statements in the right historical context will solve the questions arising on the differences in the usage of some grammar and writing style as well.

5. Inerrancy allows for non-technical descriptions

The usage of exact technical vocabulary that conforms to the modern day science is not implied by the doctrine of inerrancy. It is reasonable to expect a biblical author to explain a natural event from the view point of a common man in pure non-technical descriptions. For instance, in Numbers 11:9, it says dew fell on the camp. Scientifically dew is “Tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night, when atmospheric vapor condenses.” However, from the vantage point of an observer, manna looked like falling with small droplets of water. Here it is to be noted that the author is not mentioning scientific statement on the nature of universe. This is true in the case of Ecclesiastes 1:5 also, where it is mentioned sun to ‘rise’. It is not logical to expect Genesis 24:63 to read, “When the revolution of the earth upon its axis caused the rays of the solar luminary to impinge horizontally upon the retina, Isaac went out to meditate.”

The biblical record of creation touches upon areas of geology, astronomy, biology, meteorology, zoology, physiology and several others, without mentioning the exact technical expressions. Still, they are error free in regard to fundamental principles.

6. Inerrancy allows for problem passage to exist

The main subject matter of the Bible is the salvation of human kind from sin. Bible is not intended to give the perfect solutions of all historical and scientific questions. Since the aim of bible records is not to provide total information on every subject, the doctrine of inerrancy allows for the existence of passages which are not comprehensive or complete. In some cases, the answers may be formulated only by further development in archeology and science. While waiting for the answers it makes sense to consider it as inerrant, rather than referring to error.

Inerrancy does not demand omniscience of authors

It is not reasonable to demand the authors of biblical records to be omniscient or scholars in all subjects. Every book in the Bible revolves around a central subject and that context is given importance rather than the comprehensiveness of all matters written in it. For instance, each of the 4 gospels has its own distinctive role in portraying the life of Jesus. None of them is intended to be day-to-day biography of Jesus Christ. John specifically mentions in his gospel that the comprehensive record of Jesus’ life and ministry is not humanly possible and it is not his intention. The events which help a person to accept Jesus as his personal savior got recorded in different contexts by different authors.

(To be continued...)

Click Here to view Part 02 of this study

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

References:
Reliability Of The Canon by Dr. Johnson C. Philip and Dr. Saneesh Cherian
http://freecourses.org
http://apologeticscourses.com
http://bible.org
http://www.drbarrick.org
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.spotlightministries.org.uk
http://www.blueletterbible.org

Historicity of Jesus Christ

2012-02-17T09:18:00.000-08:00

The scholarly reconstructions based upon historical methods, of the history of Jesus of Nazareth unquestionably prove that Jesus was an integral part of World History. Lines of evidences such as the New Testament documents, ancient Jewish/Roman writings, testimonies of patristic writers, and impact of Christianity in history, converge to establish historical reality of Jesus.

Though the documents of New Testament clearly establishes the irrefutable evidences of the existence of Jesus, rationalists and Bible critics refuse to accept them as the primary sources of historical information. Rather, by throwing bits and pieces of information in a one-sided and plausible looking way, critics even tricks the common man to dispute the historicity of Jesus.

Historians draw on scriptures, religious texts, other historical sources and archaeological evidence in an attempt to reconstruct the life of Jesus in his historical and cultural context. This includes analysis of Canonical Gospels, Talmud [the central text of mainstream Judaism], Gnostic Gospels, writings of Josephus, Dead Sea Scrolls and other early documents.

Historical Records about Jesus

In addition to the writings by New Testament authors, (who were the first Christians), we can find several historical documentations by non Christian Jews, Greco-Roman scholars, early antagonists of Christianity, Patristic writers etc. as proof of historical existence of Jesus. Roman catacombs, writings in the Talmud and the recent findings of archeological evidences of caves and other historical structures also help to shed light on the history of Jesus the Nazareth.

Ancient Documentations

The sources for the written historical evidence of Jesus can be categorized into 3, namely, Greco-Roman writers, Jewish writers and Christian writers.

a) Greco-Roman sources.

This includes the writings of non Jewish and non Christian Roman or Greek historians who referred to the history of Jesus because of the trouble the Christian movement was causing in the empire at the time. Most of these records are antagonistic to Christianity, since the authors had nothing to gain by admitting the historicity of the events.

Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (AD 56 – AD 117):

Tacitus was a senator and historian in Roman Empire and is considered to be one of the greatest Roman historians. Both his major works, the Annals and the Histories have references to the movement of Christianity at that time. In his work “The Histories”, he refers the Christians as the group connected with the burning of Jerusalem temple in AD-70. His other work, “The Annals” is among the first-known secular-historic records to mention Christ, which Tacitus does in connection with Nero's persecution of the Christians. In Annals, [book 15, chapter 44] which is written in c. 116 AD, there is a passage which refers to Christ, to Pontius Pilate, and to a mass execution of the Christians after a six-day fire that burned much of Rome in July 64 AD by Nero. Given below is the English translation of this reference, as given in Wikipedia.

Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judæa, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired

Regarding his writing, following points are noteworthy:

It is believed by some scholars that Tactius gained his information about Christ from official records, perhaps actual reports written by Pilate.

Jesus is referred as "Christus", the Latinized Greek translation of the Hebrew word "Messiah", which was a common practice among the pagan writers at that time.

The fact that Christ existed and was put to death by Pontius Pilate is supported in Tactius’s writings.

Refers the resurrection of Jesus as "the superstition" which caused the early church to explode and "turn the world upside down", thus proving the scriptures in New Testament.

Pliny the Younger (Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus) [61 AD – 112 AD]

Pliny the Younger was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. He was also governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor about A.D. 112. He wrote to the emperor Trajan to seek advice on how to deal with Christians, who refused to worship the emperor and instead worshiped "Christus". In his correspondence named Epistulae X.96, he explains to the Emperor that he forced Christians under painful torturous inquisition to curse Christ, which a genuine Christian cannot be induced to do.

In the same letter he explains Christians as follows:

They were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and bound themselves to a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft, adultery, never to falsify their word, not to deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up.

Being required to “curse Christ” is evidence that Pliny reported this as a means to force reactions of the suspect Christians under torturous inquisition. Also "a hymn to Christ as to a god" alleges that during that time Jesus had been accepted as both God and man.

Suetonius (Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus) (c. 69–140)

Suetonius was a Roman historian and a court official under Emperor Hardrian, belonging to the equestrian order in the early Imperial era. He wrote the following in his work named “Life of Claudius” about the riots which broke out in the Jewish community in Rome under the emperor Claudius [This substantiates the recording of this event in Acts 18:2]:

As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he (Claudius) expelled them (the Jews) from Rome. (25:4)

Another one of his work named “Lives of the Twelve Caesars” [a series of biographies of twelve successive Roman rulers from Julius Caesar to Domitian] records the punishment that Christians were receiving in Rome during the time of Nero (64 A.D.) as follows:

Punishment by Nero was inflicted on the Christiani [Christians], a class of men given to a new and mischievous superstition (26:2)

Suetonius' mentions of Chrestus and Christiani, is an important piece of evidence in scholarly discussions of the historicity of Jesus.

Thallus (or Thallos)

Thallos was an early Samaritan historian who wrote in Koine Greek. Around the years AD 52-55, he wrote a three-volume history of the Mediterranean world from before the Trojan War to circa 50. Most of his work perished, but not before parts of his writings were repeated by Sextus Julius Africanus in his History of the World. In AD 221, while writing about crucifixion of Jesus, Julius quoted Thallus as follows:

On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in his third book of History, calls (as appears to me without reason) an eclipse of the sun. (18.1)

Mara bar ("son of ") Serapion

He was a Stoic philosopher from the Roman province of Syria. The letter he wrote in Syriac to his son sometime between 73 CE and the 3rd century, encouraging him to pursue wisdom, is said to have one of the earliest non-Jewish, non-Christian references to a historical Jesus. It mentions Jesus as follows:

What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise king? It was just after that, their kingdom was abolished.

It is to be noted that :

Mara speaks of this wise Jew as a king, and "king" is prominently connected to Jesus at his trial, and especially at his death in the title of his cross

Mara's link between the destruction of the Jewish homeland and the death of the "wise king" is paralleled in Christian Supersessionism, where the destruction of Jerusalem is considered as a punishment for Jewish rejection of Jesus

Phlegon (Born about AD 80)

Sextus Julius Africanus quotes another secular historian named Phlegon who has 2 books credited to his name: Chronicles and the Olympiads. Little is known about Phlegon, but he made reference to Christ. Like Thallus, Phlegon acknowledges that darkness fell upon the land about the time of Christ's death and attributes this to a solar eclipse.

"During the time of Tiberius Caesar an eclipse of the sun occurred during the full moon." (Africanus, Chronography, 18.1)

Lucian of Samosata (Born 115 AD)

Lucian was a well-known Greek satirist and traveling lecturer. He mocks the followers of Jesus for their ignorance and credulity, although he does credit Christians with a certain level of morality. In one of his works he refers Jesus as follows:

….the man in Palestine who was crucified because he brought this new form of initiation into the world.

In another quote he mocks Christians as follows:

The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day — the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account… You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. … They scorn all possessions without distinction and treat them as community property. They accept such things on faith alone, without any evidence.

Though Jesus is not mentioned by name in these citations, there is little doubt that it is Jesus to whom Lucian is referring here.

Celsus:

He was a 2nd century Greek philosopher and opponent of Early Christianity. According to Origen, Celsus was the author of an anti-Christian work titled The True Word (True Discourse) which was a bitter assault upon Christ. Celsus, in seeking to discredit Jesus, sought to explain his miracles rather than claim they never occurred. However, Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus.

Porphyry (born about A.D. 233)

Porphyry of Tyre studied philosophy in Greece, and lived in Sicily where he wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith. In one of his books, Life of Pythagoras, he contended that magicians of the pagan world exhibited greater powers than Christ. His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesus’ existence and power.

b) Jewish sources.

Most Jews back away from the Christ of the church, the crucified Lord, but do not mind claiming the Jesus of history, the preacher of ancient Palestine, as their own.

§ Records in Talmud

The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history. References to the history of Jesus in the Talmud do not question that Jesus Christ existed - the issue they quarrel with is the Christian belief in His virgin birth. The Babylonian Talmud in a few rare instances likely or possibly refers to Jesus using the terms "Yeshu," "Yeshu ha-Notzri," "ben Satda," and "ben Pandera". These references probably date back to the Tannaitic period (70–200 CE). There are several Talmudic passages that are said to be referring to Jesus. These references accuse that Jesus (who is called Ben Pandera) was born out of wedlock after his mother had been seduced by a Roman soldier named Pandera (or Panthera). It further calls Jesus as a magician, and states that he was executed on the charge of seducing Israel to idolatry. It also despises the virgin birth and portray Mary, the mother of Jesus, as descendant of princes, but strayed from her husband, to play harlot with carpenters. (b.Yebamoth 49a; m Yebam. 4:13, b. Sanh. 106a, b. Sabb. 104b).

The defamatory account of His birth seems to reflect knowledge of the early Christian tradition that Jesus was the son of the Virgin Mary. The Greek word for virgin, parthenos, might have been distorted into the name Panthera to create the story of illegitimate birth. The creation of this story also proves that the concept of virgin birth required a rebuttal by the Jewish authorities.

The notion that Mary was descended from "princes" is consistent with the genealogy given in the gospel of Luke, which records her lineage dates all the way back to King David. The allusion to "carpenters" is an obvious reference to Joseph.

Notice that the response did not include a denial of Jesus' existence - only that it said he was born under other circumstances.

By accusing Jesus to have performed magic, Talmud accounts for the miracles done by Jesus.

It also mentions his execution on the day before Passover, thereby substantiating that fact written in the New Testament.

§ Jewish historians

Jewish writers typically separated Jesus the Jew from the Christianity that incorporated him, approving of the former but disliking the latter.

Titus Flavius Josephus [Joseph ben Matityahu] (37 – c. 100 CE)

Josephus was a 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian and hagiographer of priestly and royal ancestry who recorded Jewish history, with special emphasis on the 1st century CE and the First Jewish–Roman War. His most important works were “The Jewish War” (c. 75 CE) an account of the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation (66–70) and “The Antiquities of the Jews” (c. 94 CE) which outlines the history of the world from a Jewish perspective.

In the book “The Antiquities of the Jews”, Jesus is mentioned twice. Some parts of the first passage [Antiquities 18. 3:3], which is otherwise known as “Testimonium Flavianum”, is disputed by some scholars that it has been altered by a later scribe. Following is the English translation of the text with disputed areas grayed out.

Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, is not extinct at this day.

From the portions that are not disputed, it is pretty much clear that Josephus testifies the following:

ü The existence of Jesus.

ü The miracles done by Jesus. (wonderful works)

ü Jesus drew multitudes to him with wise teaching

ü Jesus was accused by then religious people

ü Jesus was condemned by Pilate

ü Jesus was crucified.

ü Christianity was ever growing since then.

In “The Antiquities of the Jews” the second passage [Antiquities 20, 9:1] that mentions about Jesus concerns the condemnation of James, the brother of Jesus and this part is not in any dispute by scholars.

And now Caesar, upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into Judea, as procurator. But the king deprived Joseph of the high priesthood, and bestowed the succession to that dignity on the son of Ananus, who was also himself called Ananus... Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned.

Josephus substantiates the mentioning of James in Bible as the brother of Jesus. (Galatians 1:18-19)

The reference to Jesus in this passage is as if he had mentioned about Jesus before. (Which he did in Book 18)

This passage gives the hint that James was unjustly accused and sheds light to the persecution of Christians in that time.

c) Christian sources.

The earliest Christian sources of documentation on the historicity of Jesus include biblical manuscripts on New Testament books and the writing of Patristic authors written between 1^st and 4^th centuries.

§ New Testament books

The twenty-seven books of the New Testament proclaim and verify the history of Jesus Christ. All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or so after Jesus’ death. Of those 27 books, no less than 10 were penned by personal companions of the Lord. And Paul, an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior, wrote thirteen or fourteen of the remainder. Liberal scholars have tried to relegate New Testament books to the second-century A.D. (or later), and have suggested that these documents are productions of unknown authors in order to repudiate them as primary sources of historical information. It is interesting to note, however, that even some radical theologians have conceded the strong evidence for the early composition of the New Testament.

Though Jesus is the central theme through out the New Testament, the Pauline Epistles, the Gospels, and the book of Acts are the books that play the major role in confirming the historicity of Jesus.

Pauline Epistles (Epistles of Paul, or Letters of Paul)

The thirteen New Testament books which presents Paul as the author, states the historical Jesus as fundamental to the teachings. While not personally an eye-witness of Jesus' ministry, Paul states that he was acquainted with people who had known Jesus: the apostle Peter (also known as Cephas), the apostle John, and James, the brother of Jesus.

Gospels

The four gospels found in the New Testament—the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of Luke, and the Gospel of John—are fuller, detailed accounts of Jesus and are the primary sources of historical information about Jesus. The gospels of the New Testament were written in Greek for Greek-speaking communities that were later translated into Syriac, Latin and Coptic. These gospels are judged by most scholars to be reliable, historical testimony of eye-witnesses.

Acts of the Apostles

The book of the Acts of the Apostles gives a detailed account of the emergence of the Christian church in the aftermath of Jesus' ministry. Many prominent scholars and historians view the book of Acts as being quite accurate and corroborated by archaeology, while agreeing with the Pauline epistles.

§ Patristic writers

Next to the apostles of Jesus, the most extensive sources of writings that attest to His existence are those of the early church fathers - leaders, teachers or apologists in the emerging Christian movement. Between the end of the first and eighth centuries A.D. these Patristic writers authored volumes of works testifying the historicity of Jesus. The testimony of the “church fathers” certainly is more compelling than the trifling objections of biased critics.

Ignatius (A.D 35 - 108)

Ignatius of Antioch also known as Theophorus was the third Bishop of Antioch, and was a student of John the Apostle.En route to his martyrdom in Rome, Ignatius wrote a series of letters which have been preserved as an example of very early Christian theology. One of the references is quoted below:

"Jesus Christ who was of the race of David, who was the Son of Mary, who was truly born and ate and drank, was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate, was truly crucified and died in the sight of those in heaven and on earth and those under the earth; who moreover was truly raised from the dead, His Father having raised Him, who in the like fashion will also raise us also who believe on Him." (Trallians, 9)

Polycarp (A.D 69-155)

Polycarp was a 2nd century Christian bishop of Smyrna. He spoke passionately of Christ, and wrote against certain heretics of his day. Irenaeus (c. A.D. 130-200) said that Polycarp had personal association with the apostle John, and with others who “had seen the Lord”.

Justin Martyr (A.D 103–165)

Justin Martyr was an early Christian Apologist. He was a learned man, and became a professor of philosophical Christianity in his own private school in Rome. In his work “First Apology” [Defense of Christianity] written around A.D 150, he mentions that his claims concerning Jesus' crucifixion, and some miracles, could be verified by referencing the official record, the "Acts of Pontius Pilate". It is clear that Justin assumed that the reports about Jesus must have been preserved in the Imperial Archives which kept a record of all government activities.

Given below are some of the quotes from his Book “First Apology”.

"Now there is a village in the land of the Jews, thirty-five stadia from Jerusalem, in which Jesus Christ was born, as you can ascertain also from the registers of the taxing made under Cyrenius, your first procurator in Judea." (First Apology, 34).

"For at the time of His birth, Magi who came from Arabia worshipped Him, coming first to Herod, who then was sovereign in your land." (Dialogue with Trypho, 77)

"For when they crucified Him, driving the nails, they pierced His hands and feet; and those who crucified Him parted His garments among themselves, each casting lots for what he chose to have, and receiving according to the decision of the lot." (Dialogue with Typho, 97)

"Accordingly, after He was crucified, even all His acquaintances forsook Him, having denied Him; and afterwards, when He had risen from the dead and appeared to them, and had taught them to read the prophecies in which all these things ere foretold as coming to pass..." ((First Apology, 50)

Tertullian (A.D 160 – 225)

Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, anglicised as Tertullian was a prolific early Christian author from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. He also was a notable early Christian apologist and a polemicist against heresy. In his “Apology” he says that Emperor Tiberius debated the details of Jesus' life before the Roman Senate.

Tiberius accordingly, in those days the Christian name made its entry into the world, having himself received intelligence from Palestine of events which had clearly shown the truth of Christ's divinity, brought the matter before the senate, with his own decision in favor of Christ. The senate, because it had not given the approval itself, rejected his proposal. Caesar held to his opinion, threatening wrath against all the accusers of the Christians.

Archeological evidences

Remarkably, over the last few decades, significant evidence revealing the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus has been uncovered!

a) Roman Catacombs

Under or near Rome (Italy) at least forty ancient catacombs were discovered in recent years. These tombs were used both for burial and the memorial services and celebrations of the anniversaries of Christian martyrs. It has been estimated that there are some 600miles of these subterranean passages, representing 1,175,000 to 4,000,000 graves. The catacomb vaults are filled with artwork like paintings, Latin inscriptions in Greek characters, and graffiti with the initials of the Greek words for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior", which testifies to the deep faith in Christ that was embraced by legions in the capital of the Roman Empire.

b) Ancient Landmarks and other excavations

The Church of the Nativity is generally considered a credible historical site, with the traditional cave of Christ’s birth being marked by the ornate Star of Bethlehem.

Christ’s childhood town of Nazareth is still active today.

A first century Galilean fishing boat, matches the biblical record for the vessels used by Christ’s disciples, was recently unearthed from the mud and preserved.

Capernaum, a town often visited by Jesus, is widely excavated and protected. This includes synagogue at Capernaum and the house of Simon Peter.

In Jerusalem, we still see the foundations for the Jewish Temple Mount, which is the location of the 1^st and 2^nd Jewish Temples.

Other remarkable archaeological sites in Jerusalem include Pool of Bethesda, Pool of Siloam, Chorazin, the Mount of Beatitudes where Sermon on the Mount was done, Jacob's well where Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman, Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, Garden of Gethsemane etc.

We find more evidence for Jesus and the leaders presiding over his trial and crucifixion, including an inscription that mentions the Roman procurator of the time, Pontius Pilate, and the actual bones of the Jewish High Priest of the time, Caiaphas, preserved in an ornate ossuary (bone box).

In 1961 the first archaeological evidence concerning Pilate was unearthed in the town of Caesarea; it was an inscription of a dedication bearing Pilate’s name and title.

1,950 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, a public works project building a water park in November 1990 accidentally uncovered an ancient burial cave. The inscription in the burial chamber was that of the Caiaphas family. The remains of a 60-year-old man were found in the burial cave that may have been the High Priest Caiaphas.

The list goes on and on. Quite a number of Biblical structures have been excavated proving that archaeology can be used to demonstrate that the people, places, and events of the Bible are real.

Impact of Christianity in history

Christianity has made a huge impact on world history. Our very calendars were set to indicate how long it has been since Christ's birth, although the humans who calculated it may have been mistaken. At the time Christianity started spreading through the Roman Empire religion had fractured into the main Roman religion which was comprised of the Parthenon of Roman Gods and mystery cults. Christianity attracted several people since it was absolute in its teachings and appealing unifying force in it. This unity was seen by Constantine as a way to reunite the Roman Empire and help to move the Romans from a collection of groups bound by money and the sword into a cohesive and unified Empire. Survived by several trials and tribulations, Christianity still wins hundreds of souls each and every day in different parts of the world.

Conclusion

Historical evidence has become more supportive of the fact that Jesus can be proved historically to have lived, to have been a dominant figure during his lifetime and of a major concern to the establishment of the Temple and of Rome.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Jesus Christ did not come to condemn man, Jesus came to save man from his sins. Have you reserved your place for the eternal life by accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, its still not late. Jesus said:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6

Yes. Jesus Christ is the only way to Salvation.

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans. 10: 9,10)

May God bless you. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

References:
    ** Text Material for M03A1, TGSAT (http://trinitytheology.org/?p=250)
    ** Wikipedia    ** christiancourier.com/articles/26-the-historicity-of-jesus-christ
    ** evidencetobelieve.net/history_of_jesus.htm    ** freecourses.org
    ** carm.org
    ** lifeofchrist.com/history/historians/default.asp

Inspired by the article "Historical Apologetics" by Dr. Johnson C. Philip & Dr. Saneesh Cherian

Christian Apologetics - A Study: Part 03

2012-02-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

(Please note: For better understanding, please read the previous parts of this study before reading this one.)

Click here to read Part 01 of this study
Click here to read Part 02 of this study

To effectively deal with an ever growing array of questions against Christianity, an apologist has to cover wide range of diverse areas and topics. Based on the hundreds of topics an Apologist has to deal with, Christian apologetics can be divided into a number of substantially overlapping ad hoc categories by their primary focus, whether it is arguing for the existence of god, special creation, or the compatibility of science and Christian faith. A broad categorization can be as follows:

Philosophical/Theological Apologetics

Philosophical Apologetics seeks to defend Christian belief through philosophical arguments. Since these arguments are primarily aimed at the existence of God, this branch is also called Theological Apologetics. Theological Apologist starts with a review of world views and moves on to analyzing non Christian philosophies as well, to counter erroneous philosophies with right and factual ones. J. P. Moreland in his book "Evangelical Apologetics" defines philosophical Apologetics as "a philosophical activity which has as its goal (or perhaps as its result) the increasing or maintaining of the epistemic justification of a Christian world view in whole or in part.

Major Categories of philosophies against Bible are:

Theistic Philosophies: Belief that God exists (or must exist) independent of the teaching or revelation of any particular religion. Groups holding this philosophy include: Hinduism (made up of at least six different philosophies), Islam, some branches of Jainism , some branches of Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Bahai, Zoroastrianism, Christian Cults, Non-Christian Religious Cults, and many Occult Cults.
Atheistic Philosophies: World views that exclude God. Groups of this nature are: The materialistic philosophy in Hinduism, Some groups in Jainism, Some groups in Buddhism, Rationalism, Atheism, Secular Humanism, Nihilism, Marxism, and Existentialism.
Non-Theistic Philosophies: World views that neither affirm nor deny the existence of God. Most Notable groups in this category are Theosophy, Agnosticism, and Nihilism.
Occultist Philosophies: A mode of philosophical thought that seeks metaphysical truth hidden (occult) behind the surfaces of the natural, celestial, and divine worlds. Animism, Tantric Philosophies, Ancestor Worship, New Age Movement, Rosicrucianism, many of the Holistic Healing Systems, Satanism, Spiritism, Devil's Church, etc. are followers of this philosophy.

The arguments in philosophic Apologetics include:

Cosmological Argument: The existence of the universe demonstrates that God exists.
Teleological Argument: There is a purposeful design in the world around us, and a design requires a designer.
Ontological Argument: The very concept of God demands that there is an actual existent God.
Moral Argument: If there are any real objectively valid moral values, then there must be an absolute from which they are derived.
Transcendental Argument: All our abilities to think and reason require the existence of God.
Pre-suppositional Argument: Show basic beliefs of theists and non-theists require God as a necessary precondition.

Since philosophy is not a tangible subject like physical science, the apologetic arguments of this nature can go prolonging. However, many apologists like this area since it’s easier than scientific or technical type of Apologetics.

Historical/Legal Apologetics

Historical/Legal apologetics is a branch of Christian apologetics that affirms that the available evidence to defend Christianity argues for the veracity of the historical and central claims of Christianity. The modern developments in archeological and historical sciences, which were previously used by critics to attack the Bible, are used in this branch of Apologetics to defend the authenticity and reliability of Bible. The authenticity of historical events in the bible is of major importance to the survival of the Christian faith. Biblical Archeology, Dating Techniques [used for studying History], Linguistic Studies and analysis of Ancient Manuscripts are used as tools in Historical Apologetics.

Rational/Scientific Apologetics

With the growth of Science in the last 4 centuries, common man started to view science as an object of awe, wonder, and even worship. This prompted critics of Bible to use Science to attack Christianity. However, Many Christians contended that science and the Bible do not contradict each other, and indeed that scientific fact supports Christian apologetics. This paved the path for the branch of Rational or Scientific Apologetics, where the highly tangible nature of scientific information is used to lead discussions between the inquirer and the Apologist.

Interdisciplinary Apologetics

Christian Apologetics is an essential interdisciplinary field of study that has as its goal the defense of the great truths of the Christian faith. Apologetics is grounded in theology, but as historical, cultural and scientific contexts change, the Christian faith finds itself confronted with new types of questions and challenges to the faith. Hence, a detailed study and understanding of other disciplines such as philosophy, the social and natural sciences and cultural studies is essential to presenting a convincing intellectual defense of the Christian faith.

Legal Apologetics: Legal and logical argument is another part of Historical/Legal Apologetics. Thus legal apologetics is also considered a part of Interdisciplinary Apologetics. This is looking at the evidence from the point of legal investigation of the presented evidence i.e. what would be admissible in a court of law.
Relational Apologetics: Sometimes an overlooked point in many discussions is that we tend to gain our understanding about the world around us through experiences we have such as getting to recognize everyday objects. When debating we may be asked to demonstrate scientifically the truth about God but the real answer may lie in the use of personal relationship.
God’s Existence: The spiritual nature of God is non-testable and therefore science can neither prove nor disprove the existence of God. The use of different types of Apologetics is therefore required.
Miracles and Resurrection: With Atheists and Liberals aggressive attempts to dismiss the resurrection of Jesus and other Biblical miracles recorded in the Bible you will need to use different apologetic tools. This subject needs to be addressed through interdisciplinary Apologetics.
Bible Text/Language/Canon: The text, language, and canon of the Bible are favorite targets for Bible attackers and questions asked have to be answered by combining information through other types of apologetics, history, geography, linguistics, and even philosophy.

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

References:

Wikipedia [http://www.wikipedia.org/]
www.freecourses.org
CARM http://carm.org]
www.bethinking.org

Christian Apologetics - A Study: Part 02

2012-01-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

(Please note: For better understanding, please read the previous parts of this study before reading this one.)

Click here to read Part 01 of this study

Why should we do Apologetics?

The attacks against the scriptures comes from diverse fields. Acquiring the basic tools of Christian Apologetics helps to defend against those attacks and helps the faith being shaken by the worldly knowledge and philosophies. In spite of the changes in approach, the basic principle of Apologetics remains the same: To defend our faith.

From previous sections in this study, we have already seen that:

Bible commands us to do Apologetics.
Jesus has set an example for Apologetics.
Paul, Peter, Jude and other Apostles taught and practiced Apologetics.
Early Church practiced Apologetics.
Despite the temporary dormancy, Apologetics has evolved itself in Modern Christian world.

Ø Importance and Practical Value of Apologetics

Christian Apologetics targets 3 broad categories of people.

1. Critics:

Ø To defend the attacks against the Christian Faith from critics.

2. Unbelievers:

Ø To help sincere seekers of truth overcome the barriers of doubts preventing the Christian faith.

3. Believers:

Ø To help the believers to stand strong in the faith by empowering.

Defend accusations from critics against scriptures

In 1 Peter 3:15, Bible advises us to be able to defend our faith against those who questions us about the spiritual truth.

Not only that the criticisms against the Christian faith have received so much media coverage but also the media is very biased against Christianity, and we can see negative opinions of Christianity promoted everywhere.

There has been attack on Christian faith all through out the history. Every generation of these critics brings up different and new objections. A person who is trained in systematic Apologetics would be able to identify that all these accusations fall in to same set of broader categories. An apologist should be well trained to identify the category of the question/accusation so that he would be able to hold the stand without loss of words.

Instead of avoiding being confronted with questions, a Christian should be able to acquire the basic knowledge to use the conclusions published by numerous scholars in defense of Christian faith. There are several resources out there done by highly qualified and dedicated men to prove that Science is not against Bible and those can be used against the arguments put across to Christians about the reliability of Bible.

Provide reasoning, as an aid for faith, to unbelievers

Fundamental principle of Christianity is that the starting point is faith. However, the Bible shows that once faith is established, reasoning can aid it to be consistent and non- staggering. Apostle Paul prays in Colossians 1:9-10 to help the believers to grow in knowledge of God through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. Hence, though Apologetics cannot create faith in a person, it can aid the maintenance of faith by removing the hindrances of scientific, logical and human reasoning. Knowledge of Apologetics certainly helps when answering the sincere questions from an unbeliever. For this task, an Apologist depends upon the role played by God the Holy Spirit in helping both the Apologist [to communicate the message to people] and the recipient. [to understand and accept the message]

Believers are called to be the light and salt of the world. To achieve this goal, we should be able to witness the Gospel, publicly addressing the concerns of the public. It is our mission to create a countercultural communal presence in the society by advocating that Jesus is Lord over all systems, ideologies and institutions. We are called to think, even though the world around us does not think or at best thinks in non-Christian categories.

Remove sincere questions/doubts from believers mind.

Statistics shows 3 out of 4 young Christians abandon their faith while they are in the first few years of their college education. Though they were raised in Christian families, they end up not knowing what to believe and why to believe it. We are losing a generation just because of the incapability to stand against the attacks of the rational world against the faith. Often youth come to a conclusion that if they do not know the answer to a question, then correct or satisfactory answers do not exist.

The young Christians are not the only people facing this challenge. Even experienced Christians are often caught off guard for some questions from the rationalists. In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul urges the believers to stand firm in the faith. When doubts arise, the believer becomes like the wave of the sea, tossed and blown by the wind [James 1:6]. That is why Jude encouraged the church in his epistle (verse 22) to be merciful to those who doubt. Bible advices us to be aware of the enemy’s tactics and inducing doubt in a believer’s heart is certainly one of the tactics of the devil to deprive him of the faith.

If a believer has some basic knowledge about the challenges from the errant movements and is prepared for facing them, his/her own faith becomes stronger. Apologetics comes handy in this aspect. The better a person knows about his own faith, the more effective will he be able to share it. This also helps to prevent doctrinal apostasy in the Church and to answer the false claims of cults and religions.

Colossians 2:2-3 urges the believers to have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

What Apologetics is not?

Ø Apologetics is not for compromising with the attacks towards faith.

The very essence of Apologetics is non compromise. Compromising to find a middle position is a slow poison to kill the truth and is more harmful than the fierce attack against the Christian faith. Reconciling theory of evolution and creationism is a vain attempt since both theories differs in the fundamentals from the presupposition levels itself. There are no "neutral" assumptions from which a Christian advocating creationism can reason with a non-Christian advocating evolution. Attempts to synthesis between evolution and creationism (which is otherwise called Theistic Evolution) ends in direct or indirect denial of Genesis creation account.

Ø Apologetics is not to “help” Bible for self defense.

Apologetics is an activity which is more of man-ward character than directed toward Bible. Though Apologetics is for addressing the reliability of the Bible, it is not to defend the Bible as if it were incapable of self-defense. Rather, this field of theology is meant to help to preserve the faith of those who are distressed due to their questions or doubts. The scriptures need not be defended by man since it has overcome several assaults through out the history. Apologetics is not helping the Bible, but helping a true inquirer.

Ø Apologetics is not to “prove” that Bible is the word of God.

Since Apologetics is a man-ward activity, it can never be used to prove that Bible is word of God. Accepting the Bible as word of God is an act of faith by a believer. The purpose of Apologetics is just to direct the inquirer to see that the attacks towards the Bible are not valid. It even can help a person to understand that science actually does not contradict Bible. This will be a supportive action for one to understand and believe in the biblical truth.

Ø Apologetics is not for intellectually forcing unbelievers to submission.

Creation of faith in an unbeliever is not the aim of Apologetics. Nor does it aid in any way to create faith in a skeptical mind by forcing that person intellectually. The apologist seeks to remove the intellectual thorns and emotional rocks that prevent people from finding the true path to God. This removal of barriers of human knowledge may aid a doubting person to make the leap of faith and help a believer to be deeper in his faith.

Ø Apologetics is not to meet the rationalist demands for faith.

Christian Apologetics is NOT for those people who seek rational reasons to believe in a statement. Though the rational content of Christian faith is fully logical, accurate and reliable, no amount of evidence is enough to make a person claiming rationalist to believe against his will. Interestingly, the demands placed by rationalists gives an Apologist the standards with which he can evaluate the apologetic statements.

Ø Apologetics is not for winning the debates on religions.

Apologetics is to establish the truths in the scriptures, not to get carried away by the feeling of victorious debates. Bible warns us against entering into unnecessary and time wasting debates. It is to be remembered that debates are not the strategy to discuss spiritual truths. The impact of an Apologetic presentation is reduced, if the presenter allows a willful debater to take the control away for mockery, sarcasm and other deceptions.

Ø Apologetics is not to be used as an alternative to evangelization.

Proclaiming the Gospel will bear fruit even if there is much unbelief in the air. Apologetics is neither to pave the way for conveying Gospel, by “proving” the divinity of the Bible. The power of the Gospel works miracles in people’s hearts and is capable of turning a person believer. However, if he asks questions, Apologetics can help in removing the barriers of doubts from a true seeker, so that he can find his way to the faith. Only Holy Spirit can cure the unbelief of a person and Apologetics is to be used only after Holy Spirit’s intervention in a person to open his heart for the spiritual truths.

Ø Apologetics is not a treatment of deliberate disbelief.

Apologetics is only a cure for sincere doubts not for deliberate disbelief. Faith comes from a free will and no person can induce faith to a person by rational argumentations or demonstrating evidences.

Ø Apologetics is not scientism.

Scientism is the belief that only science can prove a statement. This is not true and Apologetics does not try to explain everything based on current science. Rather, it uses science where it is a scientific subject, history where it is a historical subject, logic where it is a logical subject, and faith where is a matter that can be understood only by faith

Criticisms against Christian Apologetics

Many Christians oppose the idea of Apologetics for various reasons. Main criticisms against Christian Apologetics are analyzed below:

Argument #1:

Bible does not need to be defended since it is alive and powerful (Hebrews. 4:12)

Response:

Apologetics is not for defending the Bible or helping the Bible to prove its reliability. This is a man-ward activity where a human is being helped to understand the infallibility of the Bible.

Argument #2:

Human wisdom cannot understand God (1 Corinthians 1:12) or Natural humanity cannot understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2: 14)

Response:

This refers to the human depravity and foolish rejection of the message of the cross, and not an argument against providing proof for the unbeliever. Jesus has provided proof to an unbelieving Thomas that he is alive. Also Acts 1:3 says, that Jesus gave convincing proof to so many people that he was alive, before he was taken to heaven.

Indeed, even though humankind knows clearly through human reason that God exists, nevertheless, he 'suppresses' or 'holds down' this truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1: 18). Apologetics aids not in receiving but in perceiving. No man can be forced to believe against his will using Apologetics. The problem is not that unbelievers are not aware of God's existence. They do not want to accept him because of the moral consequences this would have on their sinful lives. Apologist’s role is to make this awareness in a human heart. Only God can induce faith in a person.

Argument #3:

Without faith, no man can please God (Hebrews 11:6)

Response:

This does not mean that reasoning displeases God. Rather, 1 Peter 3:15 clearly urge us to use our reasoning to aid in fight against the doubts that can jeopardize the faith in a later stage. There have been several instances in Bible where God himself has given evidences or proofs about His sovereignty. (Romans 1:20, Acts 1:3). Moreover, Apologetics is not for somebody to please god, Rather its for removing the barriers of faith.

Argument #4:

Jesus refused to give signs to evil people (Luke 16:31) and hence we should not answer a fool (Psalms 14:1) according to his folly (Proverbs 26:4).

Response:

Apologetics is not for winning debates with Atheists. It is a tool for a sincere truth seeker rather than a blind arguer. Jesus has offered his miracles as a proof of his messianic authenticity. (Matthew. 11:4-5, Mark 2:10-11, Acts 2:22) although he refused to do a miracle to satisfy King Herod’s curiosity (Luke 23:8) or to prove the unbelievers to made a mockery on him while he was in the cross (Luke 23:35)

Proverbs 26:4 has to be read in concordance with the next verse, 5. This passage is advising us to answer a fool wisely so that he understands his folly. If we do not do this wisely, we will make ourselves fools before him. We have to be very wise to choose how and where we choose to confront false ideas.

Argument #5:

Reason is useless in religious matters and existence of God cannot be proven by human reason.

Response:

Fideism argues that reason is of no use in matters that deal with God. One must simply believe. Yes, only faith can provide eternal salvation and Apologetics cannot induce faith. However, God does not prohibit reasoning. It is the free will of the human to accept of reject God. God would not insult the reason he gave us by asking us to ignore it in such important matters as our beliefs about him.

Logic by itself cannot help us to know whether anything exists. However, human reasoning can give sufficient evidence (provide good reasons) for the existence of God and the truth of Christianity. Furthermore, Apologetics is not a replacement for Gospel. It simply is a stepping stone to find one’s way to the truth.

Behind the curtains, the major reasons of opposition to Apologetics are of the following:

Compromising with World (Dilution)

People who believe in error-prone Bible oppose Christian Apologetics. While the critics of the scriptures, believes this 100% it is a painful fact that even plenty of Christians belong in this category. These spiritual compromisers want best of both the worlds, consequently becomes hostile when someone defends Bible.

Pseudo Apologists who have some knowledge in science or humanities but little training in Apologists also often tend to make this compromise when they find the personal system of Apologetics they built up is not sufficient. Moreover, due to personal prejudices and ignorance, they try to impose their erroneous views on others especially when they come in contact with a true Apologist.

Distrust of Reason (Fideism)

People who believes in Fideism (Human reason is useless in spiritual realm) also opposes Apologetics since they believe faith and reason will never go together. This type of opposition comes from ignorance of the fact that Christianity has an integrated approach to truth where faith and reason go hand in hand in many realms of spiritual truth. So we cannot think that reason is for natural world while faith is for spiritual world.

Fear of attacks (Escapism)

Some people prefer to run away from the attacks against their faith since they find themselves not equipped to face them and consequently oppose the idea of Apologetics because of prejudice. Fleeing from doubts is harmful to self and others since at some point of time, these people will susceptible to the fall from the faith due to the loss of mental peace. Though Apologetics is little hard to study and master, one should be courageous enough to make an honest effort on it for the defense of one’s faith.

Willful blind opposition (Defiance)

The blind and willful opposition to Apologetics are mainly due to 2 types of defiance.

Ø Stubborn defiance

Apologists often face much hostility from people who are willfully and stubbornly opposing Apologetics. It would be a vain attempt and waste of time to try to convince them the truth, since they are not sincere inquirers. Another type of stubborn defiance to Apologetics is from Christians who are insensitive to other’s spiritual problems and doubts. These people are hardened towards others who face real-world problems and dilemmas. These people also may not listen to Apologists.

Ø Ignorant defiance

This type of defiance comes from those who never had doubts and those who never faced any attacks to their faith. People with ignorant defiance can be engaged to mutual discussions. Such people may come to the knowledge that their opposition is ill founded, if an Apologist reasonably explains the facts. Just because they never had doubts or were never attacked, it is not fair to assume that others are equally safe or insulated.

Apologetics Vs Polemics

Polemics is the area of theology which deals with the attacks to true faith from within the Church, whereas Apologetics deals with the attacks from outside world. The attacks from within the Church are in two forms.

Distorted Bible Interpretation.

The perverted doctrines existed within the Christian realm right from the era of New Testament. Back then, the prominent among these type of polemics were Gnostics [taught intuitive knowledge as way of salvation], Nestorians [emphasized the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus], Ebionites [insisted on the necessity of following Jewish religious law and rites], Pelagians [taught Mortal Will is still capable of choosing good or evil without special Divine aid.], Arians [believed that ‘God the Son’ in trinity is subordinate to ‘God the Father’ in trinity] etc. The modern forms of this type of attacks include the radicals, the ecumenists, the Christian New Age movements, those who teach salvation through baptism, those who attack the person of Christ (Smithism/Poonenism), and those who Hinduize Christian doctrines (Prajapati Proponents, Christian Vedantists), etc.

False cults who proclaim they are the true Christians.

Cults are groups which attack the true fundamentals of the Christian faith. Jehovah Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Roman Catholics, The Toronto Movement, etc are examples of this type of Polemics. The number and types of this attack are increasing day by day and the leaven of their erroneous teachings is spreading very fast.

The ultimate purpose of both Apologetics and Polemics is to refute error and to establish truth. Hence a true Apologist should be expert in both Apologetics and Polemics and vice versa.

(To be continued...)

Click Here to view Part 03 of this study

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

References:

ü Wikipedia [http://www.wikipedia.org/]

ü Oxford Dictionaries [http://oxforddictionaries.com]

ü Online Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com]

ü CARM Website [http://carm.org]

ü www.bethinking.org

ü www.freecourses.org

Christian Apologetics - A Study: Part 01

2012-01-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

Etymology and Semantics

The word “Apologetics” is derived from the Greek word “Apologia” which means ‘To speak in ones defense’. The word meaning for the English word 'Apologetics' can be defined as ‘constituting a formal defense or justification of a theory or doctrine’.

This word has no relation with the English word ‘Apology’ even though ‘Apology’ was also derived from same or similar origin (Latin - Apologia). Interestingly, up until 18th century, even the English sense of the word ‘Apology’ was purely ‘Self Justification’ which is similar to the meaning of the root word from Greek.   Later in 1855, it was yielded to a meaning of “frank expression of regret for something done wrong.”

Christian Apologetics is a field of Christian theology which aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defending the objections to the fact that Christianity is believable.

Trinity Graduate School of Apologetics and Theology has developed the course in Christian Apologetics integrating the best from all the schools of thought in this area. This special approach is called “Integrated Apologetics”.

Simply put, Apologetics is giving a reason for why you believe in what you believe. It is not for arguments and debates with non believers or ‘helping’ Christianity to become popular, but is mainly for knowing that there are definitive and satisfactory answers to the criticisms against the Bible, by the so called radical philosophers or critics.

Biblical motivation for Apologetics

Apologetics has clear biblical support and has been advised and demonstrated in several areas in the Holy Bible.

1.    Definition of Apologetics in Bible
In II Corinthians. 10: 3 - 6, Apostle Paul reminds the church that our war is to demolish sophistries and arrogances against the knowledge of God, and we need to capture the human thoughts for the obedience to Christ.

The arrogance against the knowledge of God mentioned by Paul is essentially a war between two types of knowledge. In 1 Corinthians 8:1, Paul says that knowledge brings arrogance. So the worldly knowledge that can cause arrogance against the divine knowledge of God is an enemy in the spiritual warfare of a believer. Apologetics is to address this issue.

2.    Apologetics in Old Testament
Several incidents in Old Testament shows that God himself has given proper responses both in terms of words and actions to those people who had either criticized or doubted the existence or sovereignty of God of Israel.

Some examples of Wrath of God to prove his sovereignty

Among Israelites when they created golden calf while Moses was with God. (Exodus 32 and 33)
To Korah and his followers when they questioned God and Moses. (Numbers 16)
To Jezebel and her pagan priests by the test of sacrifice in Mount Carmel by Elijah. (1 Kings 18)
To Pagan nations through the victories God has given to Israel.

Some examples of God’s gentle answers to Man’s genuine/innocent doubts

Demonstrations given to

Moses to prove His sovereignty (Exodus 3,4)
Gideon to prove His authenticity (Judges 6)
Daniel’s manager to prove His omnipotence. (Daniel 1)

Job’s arguments with his friends in the Book of Job, where he tries to convince his friends that Jehovah cannot be compared to Pagan Gods, are another example of Apologetic dialogues in Old Testament.   Many of David’s psalms are apologetic in nature, where he tries to explain the mighty power of God of Israel to the unbelievers.

3.    Apologetics done by Jesus
Jesus and his biographers have affirmed multiple times that the miracles done by Jesus was to demonstrate who he was to the world. (Matthew 11: 2 – 5) When he was questioned by the jury of high priest, Jesus gave evidence to his claims by referring to Law of Moses, writing of prophets and the psalms (Mark 14: 16, 62 Luke 24: 44 – 45). He also taught his disciples that the miracle of his resurrection from dead will be a proof to the non-believers who are asking for signs. (John 2: 19-21, Matthew 12: 39, 40) After his resurrection, he explained the scriptures and prophecies about his victory on death to the two people who were traveling to the village of Emmaus. (Luke 24: 25, 26) Jesus also debated with the devil quoting the scriptures when he was tempted. (Matthew 4: 11-11)

4.    Apologetics in New Testament
Apostles in the New Testament have advised the church multiple times to be ready for defending their faith.

Apostle Jude in his epistle advises to contend earnestly for the faith we have (Verse 3) and to show mercy for those who doubt (Verse 22). Apologetics does exactly this mercy and love by helping the people who have questions and ideas against Bible, so that their faith is strengthened.

Apostle Peter in his 1st epistle (1 Peter 3:15) asks the church to be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks to give an account for the hope Jesus has given us. He also reminds us to do this with reverence and gentleness.

Apostle Paul has showed the importance of Apologetics in his words and deeds. When he preached to the Greeks in the Mars Hill, (Acts 17: 22-34), he quoted the scholars to use the situation to convey Gospel to them. He also used this tactics to Jews on several occasions (Acts 17: 1 – 3). Paul reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. (Acts 18: 1 – 4). From Philippians 1: 7, 16 we can understand that Paul was confident that he was appointed for the defense of the gospel. He also affirms in Romans 1:20 that study of nature is enough to confirm the existence of an omnipotent God.

In several of Paul’s epistles, we can see that he is talking very strongly against the false teachers and helping the believers to understand and be firm rooted in what they believe.

At the same time, Paul also warns the Apologists against unnecessary debates and arguments. (Titus 3:9). Jesus also warns us not to get into time-wasting arguments (Matthew 7:6).

5.    Biblical methodologies of Apologetics.
Bible encourages sincere and honest reasoning and investigation even though faith and belief is given the most stress. In above sections, we have seen that God himself giving evidences to lead man to faith. We can see multiple approaches for apologetics in Bible

Evidential Approach
This approach gives emphasis giving evidence for the Christian faith, whether historical or logical or signs.
God has taken this approach when He

Gave signs and miracles to Moses before sending him to Pharaoh.
Granted the request of Gideon for a sign.
Granted the request of Elisha to open his servant’s eyes to see God’s Army around Elisha to protect them.
Gave sign to Hezekiah to confirm Lord’s words.
Did signs and miracles through Jesus and Apostles.

Experimental Approach
This is an “investigate and conclude” approach when a theory is subjected to experiments and proved based on the outcome of those tests. Examples of this approach in Bible include:

Daniel’s request to his manager to test him for 10 days by just giving pulse to eat and water to drink and at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

Jesus allowing the “doubting” Thomas to examine Him physically so that Thomas would see and touch the wounds of Jesus to believe that Jesus has risen from the dead

Biblical advices to Apologists

An apologist should deal others with reverence, gentleness, [1 Peter 3:15] mercy and love (Jude 1: 3, 22)

An apologist should never indulge in unnecessary arguments and time-wasting debates (Titus 3:9, Mathew 7:6) and he must be able to explain himself with patience (2 Timothy 2:24)

An apologist should have firm faith and confidence in his own beliefs and the scriptures. (Titus 1:9)

Historical background of Apologetics

Biblical Apologetics is as old as Bible itself. As seen in previous sections, both Old Testament and New Testament in Bible have profound illustrations of this field in theology.

Apologetics among Jewish Fathers
Bible was subjected to attack right from the Old Testament era since most of the pagans were followers of Universalistic theology which teaches the salvation of everyone in the world irrespective of his religion. Consequently Jewish Fathers and leaders had to face a lot of oppositions from the universalistic people.

Many of the Jewish Rabbis and scholars produced countless works against the critical books by universalists that attack the Old Testament. Contra Apion (Against Apion), written by Titus Flavius Josephus (37 – c. 100 CE), is a wide-ranging defense of Judaism against many charges laid against Judaism at that time. Josephus was a 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian and hagiographer of priestly and royal ancestry who had fought the Romans in the First Jewish-Roman War of 66–73 as a Jewish military leader in Galilee.

Jewish apologetic literature can be traced back as far as Aristobulus of Paneas, though some discern in the works of Demetrius the chronographer (3rd.century BCE) traces of the style of 'questions' and solutions' typical of the genre. Aristobulus was a Jewish philosopher of Alexandria and author of an jewish apologetic work addressed to Ptolemy VI Philometor.

Apologetics among Church Fathers
Many heretics, such as Gnostics [taught intuitive knowledge as way of salvation], Nestorians [emphasized the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus], Ebionites [insisted on the necessity of following Jewish religious law and rites], Pelagians [taught Mortal Will is still capable of choosing good or evil without special Divine aid.], Arians [believed that ‘God the Son’ in trinity is subordinate to ‘God the Father’ in trinity] etc, in the era of early church produced large number of voluminous books to spread the doctrines to hold bible and pagan philosophies simultaneously. Both rebel Christians and non Christian critics launched their triads against Bible, Jesus Christ and Christianity questioning the New Testament insistence of Bible Alone, Christ Alone, Grace Alone, and Faith Alone. Several church councils condemned the heresies as a way to suppress the false teachings.

Porphyry of Tyre [AD 234–c. 305], a Neo-Platonist philosopher and a rationalist writer who authored a 15 volume work entitled “Adversus Christianos” (Against the Christians) was one among the prominent heretics during that period of time. However, the church Fathers courageously combated Porphyry and other similar philosophers and produced numerous volumes of Christian Apologetics and Polemics.

Early Christian Apologists (apart from the Apostolic Fathers) include Justin Martyr (103 – 165) who is known as Saint Justin, Origen Adamantius (184/5–253/4), Saint Irenaeus (2nd century - 202), Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430) who is known as St. Augustine, and Blaise Pascal (1623 – 1662) who was a mathematician, physicist, inventor and a Catholic philosopher.

The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus is probably the earliest example of Christian apologetics, writings defending Christianity from its accusers. The Greek writer and recipient are not otherwise known, but the language and other textual evidence dates the work to the late 2nd century; some assume an even earlier date and count it among the Apostolic Fathers.

Modern Apologetics
During the time when the Roman Catholic Church ruled the Christian world with an iron rod Church found it easier and better just to kill the dissenters rather than reasoning and arguing with them. However, this led to rejection of Christianity and rise of a host of anti-Christian thinkers, philosophies, and movements. Thus, in this era, [1000 years after 5th century] Christian Apologetics and polemics was dormant.

Creationism and birth of Modern Apologetics
The idea of creationism was questioned by masses of people when Charles Darwin proposed the hypothesis of evolution as a theory of science. Some European and American evolutionists were successful in persuading prominent theologians to believe in theory of evolution. Germany was fertile in developing this `atheist theologians’ since Government funding was liberal there and they had the financial muscle-power to print and spread their ideas worldwide.

Thus an era of compromise has started since acceptance of evolution can win the respect from theological infidels and acceptance of creationism can win confidence from evangelical Christians. However, in the first decade of 20th century, a small remnant of conservative Christians in USA, took a strong stand to publish 12 volumes of a book named “The Fundamentals” which defended the idea of creation.

In the fifties, some American evangelical Christians, who realized the fact that compromise is a poison which kills truth, started writing aggressively on themes defending historical and scientific reliability of Bible, which helped to start a modern interest in Apologetics and Creationism.

Creationism in India
Since the Indian evangelical theology was mostly a copy of the Western theology, the Indian theologians also avoided defending the Biblical doctrine of Creation for a long period of time. However, the separatist churches like Brethren, Pentecostals and Fundamental Baptists were better than others in keeping the high view of the Bible, though they were capitulated to compromise interpretations like Theistic Evolution and Gap Theory up to an extend.

Gap creationism (also known as ruin-restoration creationism, restoration creationism, or "The Gap Theory") is a form of Old Earth creationism that teaches that there was a gap of time [several thousand years] between two distinct creations in the first and the second verses of Genesis. This helped religious geologists to create reconciliation between science and Bible since the newly established science of geology had determined that the Earth was far older than a literal interpretation of Genesis and the Bible-based Flood geology would allow. With the 1917 edition of Scofield Reference Bible, authored by American Bible student Cyrus I. Scofield, this idea gained widespread attention.

In early sixties, Professor H. Enoch, through his book “Evolution or Creation” became the first Indian who took bold stand against the theory of Evolution. In this period, with the exception of a Pentecostal magazine named ‘Cross and Crown’ by Dr. Thomas Mathews from Udaipur, almost no evangelical magazines in India was willing to publish articles about creationism.

After 1970s, the following movements were formed in India for creationism.

Movement: Fellowship of Christian Men of Science (FOCMOS) later renamed to Creation Scientists Fellowship Of India (CSFI) – Currently Defunct
Founder: A group of Christian Scientists.
Origin: 1970s

Movement: Creation Research later renamed to Calvin School of Apologetics and Theology
Founder: Dr. Johnson C Philip
Origin: 1970

Movement: Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) – Teaches Gap Creationism
Founder: Dr. Ravi Zacharias
Origin: 1984

Following names are noteworthy in the field of Apologetics in India
A. K. Skariah, Dr. Johnson C. Philip, Dr. Johnson George, Dr.Ezhamkulam Samkutty, J. C. Dev, E. S. Thomas, Paul K. Ramakrishnan.

Winnings of Modern Apologetics
After a period of dormancy, restarting in 20th century, Christian apologetics continues to the current day in a wide variety of forms. The vocal and aggressive works of Modern Apologists, which include thousands of apologetic books, magazines and articles, have influenced theologians, thinkers and Bible teachers all over the world and diminished the influence of radical and rationalists. With the technical advancement and popularity of computers and Internet, millions or resources are available to address the current issues and the intellectual struggles of those who are at risk in the Christian society. This movement has helped to restore a lot of doubting people to faith and strengthen the faith of many believers.

(To be continued...)

Click Here to view Part 02 of this study

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

References:

www.FreeCourses.org
Wikipedia [http://www.wikipedia.org/]
Oxford Dictionaries [http://oxforddictionaries.com]
Online Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com]
CARM Website [http://carm.org]

What is special about December 25?

2011-12-19T14:32:00.000-08:00

Billions of people around the world celebrate December 25th as Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, who in fact, does not have a beginning or end but rather IS the beginning and end itself! What does the word of God, the Bible, tell about celebrating Christmas? Bible does speak about the virgin birth of Jesus but it neither specifies the date nor mentions the need to celebrate it.

Is it a time to remember Jesus?

If Christmas is celebrated to 'remember' the birth of Jesus, it should be celebrated 365 days a year because we are ought to remember Christ and his manifestation on earth, in our everyday life. The only celebration Jesus gave to the church to remember him is the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-24). If Jesus wanted his followers to remember his birth on a specific day or season, he surely would have given that as a command in the Bible either himself or through his saints. Since it is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible that early Church celebrated this day, I don't think God wants this day to be 'set aside' for Him.

Is it a time to follow tradition?

Christmas indeed is a 'Christian tradition' being followed since 1st century. What does Bible say about following traditions, which does not have roots in the Word of God? Paul does urge the believers to stand firm on the traditions that Apostles taught. (2 Thessalonians 2:15). However, the celebration of Christmas on December 25 (as a matter of fact, any special day, be it Easter, Good Friday or Sabbath) was not one of the teachings of early apostles.

The roots of the celebration on this day are laid on the pagan worships. The following is a quote from the 2000 Ency-clopædia Britannica, Volume 11 ; page 390.

"During the later periods of Roman history, sun worship gained in importance and ultimately led to what has been called a 'solar monotheism.' Nearly all the gods of the period were possessed of Solar qualities, and both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities. The feast of Sol and Victus (open unconquered Sun) on December 25th was celebrated with great joy, and eventually this date was taken over by the Christians as Christmas, the birthday of Christ."

Colossians 2:16 urges us not to be carried away by the observances of certain days. I am not arguing that Christmas is Pagan. However, the selection of December 25th as the Christmas was backed by a lie to follow the idolatrous feasts by Pagans. Now, even the believers celebrate Christmas using the idols of Jesus Christ, his earthly parents, and even of Santa! Christmas has become a time when man moves away from the God the most! Parents tell "licensed lies" about Santa Claus to their children! Everyone is busy decorating their houses with all kinds of Christmas related idols! I was deeply saddened when I saw the Christmas decorations including the idols of "baby Jesus", Mary, Joseph etc inside a very prominent and 'Bible believing' Christian church in town. That reminded me of the incident of Jesus driving out sellers and buyers from the tabernacle (Matthew 21:13 and Luke 19:45-46) and scolding the Jews for turning the tabernacle as a den of robbers!

Jeremiah 10:2,3,4 clearly warns us not to learn from the ways of the world! When I read verses 3 and 4 I felt as if it were referring to the custom of cutting out evergreen trees, shaping its branches, decorating it with red, silver, gold colored ornaments and calling it as Christmas Tree?

Another tradition is of the myth of Santa Claus, who is portrayed as omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. I even heard a Pastor delivering his Sunday Sermon portraying Santa Claus as Jesus himself! Parents are used to lie to their children about the nice vs naughty list maintained by Santa! Bible clearly despises the worldly fables and warns the believers against it. 1 Timothy 4:7

Is it time to have fun?

All celebrations are for joy and fun. I am no way against enjoying and having fun. We can have that at any time. But should we misuse the name of Jesus for having fun? If we celebrate our children's birthdays, would we leave them at home alone and go to some place to have fun without them? Isn't that what is happening in Christmas now a days? Where is Jesus in these celebrations? Where is His Glory in all these traditions of Santa, drinking wine/alcohol, partying and decorating the places? On our child's birthday, we would do the maximum to make him/her happy. Does the Christmas achieve a goal of making God pleased? Usually we give the gift to the person who has the birthday. How many of us really think what gift Jesus would like the most? What is it that pleases God the most?

There is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! - Luke 15:7

Repenting and turning to God, is what God pleases the most! Zephaniah 3:17 says God is delighted on us when he is among us. Are all these celebrations for being close to God so that God can delight on us? No. All these traditions of Santa, Yule Log, Christmas trees, wreaths, candles, goose, ham, stockings etc, are mere copying of the world's practices while 1 John 2:15,16,17 clearly advises us that we are not supposed to copy the things in this world!

Is it time to spread the message of Jesus?

Having said all the above, against celebrating the Christmas on a particular day, I think Christians should "use" Christmas wisely, without getting carried away by the traditions and celebrations. We cannot change the world, but we can change ourselves. Why don't we use this time to effectively reach out to the unreached by asking them a question "Do you know why we have Christmas" and use the opportunity to convey the real meaning of Christmas to them [and educating them of the lies behind Christmas]? Why don't we use these holidays to get closer to God by doing what is pleasing to him? Don't get me wrong! God doesn't need a special day to send across his messages or getting his people close to him and this cannot be a reason to 'celebrate' Christmas. I was just suggesting to use this time wisely, since this world will never change or stop these traditions!

So when is the real Christmas?

In my opinion, the true Christmas for a Christian is the day Jesus was born in his heart. It is a combined birthday of a man and his God since accepting Jesus as personal savior and lord is the experience of a person being born again!

Epilogue:

Please don't feel offended if you disagree with any views I've shared in this article. I do not judge anything which I criticized in this article as 'sin', since it is God who has to justify our deeds and words. Your constructive comments and feedback are very much valued.

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

Progressive Faith

2011-11-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When He (Jesus) had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. …… So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. – Luke 5: 4 – 6, 11

(Note: Unless otherwise noted, Quoted Bible Verses are from New King James Version)

This was how Christianity started. The disciples of Jesus forsook everything they had and followed Him, after they saw what Jesus could do in their lives IF and WHEN they believe in Him. Though they knew that the odds of getting fish in that particular circumstance were stacked against them and that Jesus was not an experienced fisherman as they were, just because they put their faith in Jesus, they decided to let down their nets at His word. Bible says (Romans 10: 17) that faith comes from the hearing of the word of God. When Simon Peter and his friends heard the words of Jesus Christ, the hearing got transformed into faith in their hearts which led them to experience the power of that faith. This faith was the only investment the disciples of Jesus had when they started following Him. That turned out to be the greatest asset when their fellow followers have grown to one third of the population in the whole world.

Christian Life is based on faith. It is by faith that we are saved, made right with the God and attain the undeserved privilege of heavenly inheritance. Without faith a person can neither come to God nor please Him (Hebrews 11: 6). The whole essence of a Christian life is the faith in Jesus Christ, since it is the source of the joy, the peace and the hope that a Christian enjoys in his life. Bible defines faith as the evidence and the substance of the things we have never seen yet, the things we hope for and the things our Lord has promised us.

Faith is the driving force which helps us to forget the temporary hardships we face in this world, to feel contented even in our inadequacies and to be hopeful about the blessings that await us. So Faith is not a one time activity for a person in Christ. For a progressive Christian life, a progressive faith is essential. The level and quality of the faith of a child of God has to increase day by day. We cannot live today with the level of faith we had yesterday, as the adversities of today is harder than that of yesterday.

In Luke 18:8, Jesus asks “… when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” since He was absolutely sure that as time goes by, the measure of faith in His followers will start to deteriorate. Though this tendency of declination in the faith is natural to human beings, a spiritual person can overcome it by being firmly rooted in the Word of God.

Bible teaches us 7 major stages in the journey of progressive faith.

Ø Stage 1: NO Faith

Ø Stage 2: LITTLE Faith

Ø Stage 3: WAVERING Faith

Ø Stage 4: GROWING Faith

Ø Stage 5: STRONG Faith

Ø Stage 6: FILLED with Faith

Ø Stage 7: SUPPLEMENTED Faith

These stages can be portrayed as steps in a ladder. Each day we may find ourselves in one or other step in this ladder depending on the circumstances we face. Each of the 7 stages mentioned above are visited in the remaining chapters of this study, in a broader and deeper level, based on the Word of God.

1. NO FAITH

But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" – Mark 4:40

In Mark 4:35–41 and Luke 8:22–25 we can read the story of the storm Jesus calmed down while Jesus and the disciples sailed across the lake. It was Jesus who asked them to cross over to the other side of the sea. He was with them in the same boat as they were. The disciples had seen many impossible things made possible by Jesus Christ and they knew that He is the son of God and the Messiah they were waiting for. Yet, in the face of the death, they were terrified and they screamed to the top of their voices that they were perishing! Fear caused them to lose all faith in their master and they became the victims of the circumstances around them. The killer waves and fierce storm led the disciples to forget about some key facts which in turn caused that fear of death in their hearts

They forgot that it was Jesus who led them to the sea, and he had the responsibility to see them to the safety. (verse 35) Note that they had to face the extraordinary storm even when they were obedient to Jesus. We have to keep in mind that not all storms are the results of our sins. Sometimes God will lead us to a storm in our lives. We may need to face some Catastrophes where Jesus sends us. Even if the door of opportunity was opened by God Himself, our journey may not be as smooth as we expect. Therefore, we should never allow our circumstances to rule over our faith in God. If God leads us to a storm, there is a purpose behind that. Apostle Paul says (Romans 8:28): And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. When Elijah was sent to the widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17), she was prepared to die after eating the last piece of bread. Elijah did not wonder why God sent him to such a place to feed him in the drought. He could see the provision God made for him and that widow, through the inner eyes of his faith.
Even though God delivered Israelites from the mighty hands of Pharaoh, helped them cross the red sea, and performed many mighty wonders through out their journey, Israelites had to fight Canaanites to occupy the Promised Land, Canaan. The same God who averted wars for Israel by avoiding way of the land of Philistines ( Exodus. 13:17) and by defeating the huge army of Pharaoh in Red sea (Exodus. 15:4), allowed Israelites to fight Canaanites (Joshua. 1:6) by themselves to capture their land. Several of their leaders doubted the ability to conquer the Canaanites. However, since it was God who led them, they were victorious.
They forgot that Jesus didn’t leave them alone. He was in danger too, as much as they were. They might have thought that Jesus would save Himself and leave them to perish [Mark 4:38]. In Chapter 3, verses 13 and 14 it says, Jesus appointed the twelve that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. The disciples should have remembered that, if the purpose of their calling was to be with Jesus and to do His ministry, Jesus would never leave them to perish. It will be disastrous to take our eyes off the goal of our salvation. Apostle Paul reminds us that (Ephesians 1:18) we need to know what is the hope of His calling. We are called by God for a specific purpose. For each one of us, He has a hope to fulfill. However hard the tempests may be, you are not alone in that. The one who chose and called you is with you because He has promised that “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)”. His presence is neither temporary nor in-need basis. “I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).” Simon Peter understood this in his later life and He reminds us in his epistle [ 2 Peter 1:10] that: “Brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble”. The storms around us could make us distract from the ultimate objective and stray from our most holy faith.
The disciples were expected of rebuking the sea and winds themselves, without being fearful or waking up the Master. They forgot to apply their faith before applying their experience and human logic. Most of them were experienced fishermen. They knew what to be done when they are in a storm. Therefore, instead of applying the power of their faith, they took matters in their own hands by doing whatever they could, based on their knowledge. When all their efforts went in vain, they realized that the probability to save themselves with their knowledge or works is none. They were caught in fear when they calculated the improbability as impossibility. Instead of forgetting the human knowledge and worldly logic, the disciples forgot the mighty things Jesus had done in the past and their capability to do so by the faith in Him. Often in our lives, we find ourselves in great trouble when all our efforts go in vain to make things right. When some waves break in to our lives and when fierce water starts to fill us with grief, instead of applying the power of faith, we tend to forget that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)

The level of the faith ladder named “NO faith” is not meant for those who have not yet come to Christ. Often we, those who boast ourselves as believers, do not believe in God enough to come through certain storms in our life.

Several times in our life we have seen the mighty hands of God. In several occasions we have experienced the impossibilities becoming possible in our life. Still, in the face of certain troubles, we forget that God is leading us and He is with us and with Him nothing is impossible for us.

2. LITTLE FAITH

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” – Matthew 14: 30, 31

It is true that Peter was well over the waves, but right when he took his eyes off Jesus and set them to the boisterous wind against him, he was afraid. Even when he was walking on the water upon Jesus’ command, Peter started analyzing the situations around him, which led him to doubt about the chances of continuing that miraculous stroll towards Jesus. Concentrating more on the surrounding environments rather than the amazing start he had made him tremble with fear.

Like Peter, many of us were very ambitious to jump on the waters of Christian life with our eyes fixed on Jesus. That faith made us start walking over the trials and troubles in our lives. However, as we continue that journey, we start evaluating the surroundings and applying our human logic to the events of our lives. This causes us to depict our sufferings bigger than the power of Jesus. Just as things become uncomfortable, we forget all about the wonderful ways God has helped us in the past and all about the wonderful future He has in store for us. When we characterize our hardships bigger than our God, terror overcomes us and doubt fills us which causes our faith in Jesus to deteriorate.

This shows that one way of demonstrating the “Little faith” is when we limit our God’s ability to easier and simpler things. Peter was not afraid of the high tides and waves that tossed their boat for 4 days when Jesus commanded him to walk over it. As he started walking over that water, he found the wild wind much more frightening than the raging waves. Peter doubted that though Jesus was able to make him walk on the water, the tempestuous wind may push him down. He portrayed the wind as much more powerful than Jesus and doubted if Jesus could help him continue the walk on water due to the strong winds.

We can see an illustration of this type of little faith in the Old Testament too, when Israelites started complaining about the lack of bread and meat.

Behold, He struck the rock,

So that the waters gushed out,

And the streams overflowed.

Can He give bread also?

Can He provide meat for His people? – Psalms 78:20

Israelites considered that getting water from a rock was easier for God. They belittled the power of their God by looking down on the miracles God had done for them in the past. In their hunger, they tested God by challenging Him to provide them free bread and free meat! When they assessed their situation, they could not find a possibility that God can provide them with meat and bread and they figured that the earlier trouble they were in [thirst] was nothing compared to the current issue [hunger].

In our life, certain problems makes us feel that all the problems we have ever faced before is nothing. The more frustrated we are, the bigger the problem would seem to be and hence the miracles God done for us in the past seem nothing or cheaper to us. By overestimating our issues and obstacles, we underestimate the ability of our God to solve them.

Often times, we find ourselves ruling out certain things from our prayers thinking that praying for such miracles is foolishness. It does not make sense to some of us to pray for impossible miracles. By doing so, we are effectively disesteeming our God with our little faith. We have to understand that, if God can make us walk over the water, He very well can make the wind cease. For the God who gave us water out of the rocks, giving meat and bread in the desert is not at all difficult. We do not need to assess the probability of outcome before we start praying for a matter because our God is all powerful and there is nothing too hard for him (Jeremiah 32:27).

Another area of demonstrating “Little faith” is when we trust ourselves by taking over some seemingly simple things to our own hands thinking not to `bother’ God for such matters. The result is that we end up worrying and troubling ourselves when we find that those matters are too difficult for us to handle.

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? – Matthew 6:30

It is the human nature to worry about every day life. Consider how many things bother us right from the start of the day till we go to bed at night. Many a time, we lose control over simple matters because we worry too much about them. Jesus advises his disciples that those who worry about petty things like “What to eat”, “What to drink” and “What to wear” are of little faith. If we categorize all the worries in our lives, we can find that majority of them will fall under one or other of the above mentioned list. Once we start burden ourselves with petty things of eating, drinking, wearing etc, we are going down the ladder to the stage of little faith. Instead of allowing these worries to take control of us, God wants us to cast our entire burden unto him, however simple and stupid it seems to be. Sometimes, we are reluctant to allow God to take control over some of the troubling matters in our lives since we think that it’s stupid to involve the mighty God in to those things that could be handled ourselves. For instance, our little faith prevents us to depend fully in Christ when we omit matters like Personal financial management, steering of official duties, maintaining human relationships, managing the household and other seemingly simple stuff from our prayers.

Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you ;( Psalm 55:22)

Remember that when God wants us to put all our burdens unto Him, He means the entire set of it, both simple ones and complex ones.

This type of little faith blocks our spiritual mindset so that we see only the terminable things in the worldly life. In Matthew 16:8, notice that Jesus calls the disciples as “O you of little faith”.

Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? – Matthew 16:6-8.

When Jesus compared the false teaching of Pharisees to yeast, his disciples related it to the physical bread. They were so worried about the worldly food that they could not comprehend the higher dimensions of spiritual teachings. Anxieties about the trivial aspects in our life lead us to deviate from our ultimate goal in Christ. If we think or bother too much about our life in this world, it is a sign of little faith and we need to recover from it. Notice what Paul says:

But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead (Philippians 3:13)

We need to press towards our final goal of eternal life rather than looking around us and worrying about the circumstances.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1, 2) - New Living Translation

We can overcome the stage of little faith by fixing our eyes on to Jesus instead of setting our eyes on the boisterous winds around us [as in Type 1 little faith] or the cheap worldly life [as in Type 2 little faith].

NO Faith: When we stop trusting God by forgetting that God is leading us and He is with us and with Him nothing is impossible for us.

LITTLE Faith: When we underestimate the ability of our God to solve bigger problems / we trust ourselves by taking over some seemingly simple things to our own hands thinking not to `bother’ God

3. WAVERING FAITH

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God - Romans 4:20

Paul testifies about Abraham that despite the fact that both he and Sarah were unable to produce children, Abraham believed in God against hope. He never doubted the promise given to him by the almighty God. Though he did not get enough support from Sarah to keep on believing the promise, he was sure that God does not make promises he cannot live up to.

Wavering in faith is a question of loyalty. It is like keeping our feet in two separate boats.

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. – James 1: 6 (New Living Translation)

A person with wavering faith has divided loyalty. His faith is not in God alone. If we have a partial trust in our abilities or in the probabilities, we would waver in our faith. Trusting God may conflict human reasoning in certain matters. That causes us to listen to the wrong voices around us instead of God’s promises. Our feelings and instincts drive us away from the loyal faith in our God. When we become double minded, we become unstable in our ways (James 1:8).

Steadfast love and faith in God is what God wants from us. Some people seek God only when they are in need of something and other times just live as they like. Jesus makes it clear that if we love God, we have to be consistent

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. - Matthew 6:24

Only when we have a made up mind can we become stable and accountable in all our ways. The state of being pulled in two directions results in confusion and disorientation ultimately affecting the spiritual existence.

Let us examine some of the causes of the divided loyalty:

1. Selfishness

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy. 5:8

When a person becomes self centered without caring for those who are related to him physically and spiritually, he is wandering away from the true faith. Paul considers such a person as worse than an unbeliever. As believers, we have the responsibility to be as humble as to consider others greater than ourselves. Jesus teaches us to do others what we would like them to do to ourselves.

2. Love of Money

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy. 6:10

Another reason for wandering away from faith is the love of money. Those who love the treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal fails to invest in the eternal asset of life with God. In the previous verse, Paul makes it clear that the desire to be rich is a temptation and a snare, which brings about destruction and perdition. It is not a sin to be rich, but it is the love for the money and finding pleasure from the worldly richness is what makes a person stray away from the faith in God. Covetous persons will quit the faith, if that be the way to get money. Paul shows Demas as an example for this type of people in 2 Timothy 4:10. For Demas, world was dearer to God. To arm ourselves against the love of the world and its money, we need to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness (6:11)

3. Human knowledge

Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge — by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. 1 Timothy. 6:20, 21

Attempting to perceive God's mysteries using human knowledge and logic, leads to foolish discussions and boasting of so-called knowledge which ultimately pushes one off the course of true faith. Endeavoring to become Bible teachers, some people try to apply logic, philosophy and scientific methods used in defining physical entities in interpreting and explaining the word of God. This essentially brings in distortions and contradictions, which causes people to stray away from faith. It is to be understood that the word of God is a communication from the infinite God to the finite man and hence we are bound by the limitation of perception by finite human intelligence. Paul suggests a way to conquer this challenge.

Cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ - 2 Corinthians 10:5

4. Counterfeit faith

But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2: 16 – 18.

The result of applying human knowledge in the word of God is false teachings, which overthrow the faith of the believers. Those who are not able to come to the truth despite the constant learning of the word of God are the victims of this deception. (2 Timothy 3: 6, 7, 8). The corrupt minds of these false teachings are in Sheep’s clothing, so that the innocent believers fall prey to the ditches created by the profane and idle babblings. (Matthew 7:15). The only way to overcome this is to be rooted in God’s word. (John 16:1). Since Satan wants to sift us as wheat, he would never miss a chance to cause our faith to fail. (Luke 22:31-32). We have to constantly intercede with God to fill the gaps in our faith [ 1 Thessalonians 3:10], so that when he appears on the skies, he may find faith in us.

4. GROWING FAITH

... But having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you...

2 Corinthians 10:15

The stage of growth in faith is very much essential in a believer’s life. In the above mentioned passage, we could see that Paul wants the faith of the church of Corinth to grow so that the sphere of the preaching of Gospel gets enlarged beyond the boundaries of Corinth. As the faith increase, the ministry is drawn to a greater length extending the bounds to carry the word of God abundantly. In other words, weakness of faith is a hindrance to spreading the Gospel.

A person who grows in faith makes sure that his faith is a blessing to others around him by being an example to others in the journey of faith, and by reaching their supporting hands to those who are weak in faith. Jesus quoted the example of a mustard seed when disciples wanted Him to increase their faith.

And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. – Luke 17: 5, 6

Jesus clarifies that there is no shortcut or magic to increase the faith. By simply being packed with faith with no room for doubt, one can achieve the impossible. Mustard seed is small when we compare to other seeds. But the enormous power hidden in it causes it to grow to a tree which shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade. (Mark 4.30-32) All the nutrients needed for the roots of a plant of that size is bundled inside that small seed. It is obvious that in order to accomplish that tight packing, no space inside that seed is left empty. Likewise, if our faith is fully packed with confidence with not even a little doubt, the quality of our faith is as good as that of a mustard tree and it can do wonders which no man can anticipate.

In God’s scale, the faith which is capable of pulling a tree and planting it in the sea is compared to as small as mustard seed. God wants us to grow to that measure of faith as the first step. Once our faith reaches this capacity, it automatically grows out to help others providing shade of faith just as a mustard tree does. It is imperative that when our faith grows, it will be reflected in our day to day life which causes others to come to the Lord.

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other –

2 Thessalonians 1:3

Paul thanks God for the growth of faith in Thessalonians. The seed of faith he sowed in that place has grown well to bear good fruit of mutual love. As the faith multiples, their love became abounded. This growth was gradual, but constant. It might have been slow, but it became exceeding. Their faith was so flourished to show the result of love among them, that the apostles who taught them the word of God boasted of them among other churches. When we read that chapter further, we can understand that it was not easy for them to grow their faith to that level. The growth in their faith was through sufferings, trials and tribulations. However, since they were patient enough to endure their hardships for the sake of Christ, they gained maturity in the faith.

The word “grows” is used in a continuous tense showing that the growth in faith is not a one time event or which stops after sometime. It has to be continuous, consistent and long lasting to achieve the higher stages of faith.

5. STRONG FAITH

Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.

Isaiah 7:9 (New Living Translation)

Unless we are true and firm in the faith in God, we cannot stand in firm in the spiritual warfare. Strong Faith is the step in the ladder of faith which makes a person fight for the true faith ( 1 Timothy 6:12). A person in Christian faith has to go through a fierce conflict with temptation, corruptions and other dark powers of this world. Just as a soldier is so careful not to engage in other businesses to keep his concentration in the battle, a believer must fight against the snares and provocations of this world, which always try to lure him off his course. Paul advises Timothy to do so by keeping the consciences clear to cling on to the faith in Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:19) In his epistle, Apostle Jude also urges the readers to defend the faith that God entrusted with us once for all time [1:3].

How to make our faith firm?

1. Be rooted in Christ

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (New Living Translation)

The first and foremost way to attain strong faith in Christian life is to have strong and deep roots in Christ. We know that if a tree does not obtain deep and strong roots it cannot grow strong. Likewise, for a believer, the strength of the faith depends completely in how he stands in Christ. The deeper he knows the God; the firmer will be his faith. The growth of the faith closely depends on the truth which is taught by the word of God. Since faith comes from hearing of the word of God, to grow strong in faith, one has to allow the word of God (the truth taught) flourish in his life.

Notice the two metaphors used in this verse; “rooted” (as in a tree) and “built up” (as in a building). A tree extends its root deeper to the soil by itself. But a building does not get built by itself, somebody has to build it. Likewise a believer has to take his own effort to get firmly rooted in Christ by knowing Him and submitting to Him to as much depth as it could go. At the same time, he has to allow Christ to build himself `up’ in this foundation. Sometimes we attempt the contrary in our lives. We try to build ourselves “up” and pray to God to root us in faith, which is in fact disastrous.

Firm root or the foundation is the most important thing. Our root has to be Christ. We can be fruitful only if we abide in Christ (John 15:4). Paul also makes this clear in Romans 11: 17-18

And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

Once a person starts thinking that he is a tree, he starts wavering in the faith. The reason why we see many people fall from the faith is that they are trying to grow by themselves instead of being the partaker of the root.

When Paul writes to Titus, he mentions examples of people who try to build themselves up (1:10) tending to get into useless talk, thereby deceiving others. They listen to myths and people who have turned away from truth. Paul advises Titus to rebuke them, so that they are made strong in faith. In the letter to Ephesians (2: 20, 21) Paul makes it clear that the corner stone of the Church has to be Christ alone.

…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

1. Fight temptation

For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain

1 Thessalonians 3:5

Our adversary Satan is a tempter who always seeks a way to catch us off guard. Growing ourselves to achieve strong faith depends on how well we handle temptations in life. In the above passage, we can understand that Paul sent Timothy to church of Thessalonica to see if they could resist the temptation so as to be strong in faith. The more we resist the temptations in our life and keep our consciences clean ( 1 Timothy 1:19) the more we stand strong in our faith. Apostle James reminds us that Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away (James 1:13, 14). Fighting to the temptations in one's life gives one a clear conscience to serve God. It takes some courage to do this. We should ever be on vigil understanding the areas we may be vulnerable to. Paul advises us in 1 Corinthians 16: 13 as follows:

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

We need to be brave to be strong in faith. Note that it is by faith we defend faith! The stronger the faith is, the harder will be the temptation and the more we need to use the same faith to stop those arrows from the devil. The more we use the shield of faith to defend ourselves, the stronger becomes our faith.

...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one

(Ephesians 6:16)

But let us who are of the day be sober, put on the breastplate of faith and love

(1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Not by our might but only by Holy Spirit can we defend the faith and make it stronger. (1 Corinthians 12:9) We can fight with courage against the tempter only if we pay attention on where we stand on the faith and where we want to be.

2. Be successful in the tests of faith

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

1 Peter 1:7 (New Living Translation)

A Christian will often have to go through tests of faith. This is another process by which our faith gets stronger. Apostle James tells us that when our faith is tested, our endurance or patience has a chance to grow [James 1:3]. These tests may be in the form of trials and persecutions. When Job and his family went through this test of faith, he emerged victorious but his wife failed miserably. As Peter says in his epistle (verses quoted above), the tests of faith are never to discourage or destroy us. Rather, it is for purifying our faith like fire purifies gold. These trials will show that our faith is genuine and strong. (Revelation 14:12)

a) Tests administered by God

You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah. Psalm 81:7 (New Living Translation)

While Israelites were traveling to Caanan, God tested them at a place called Meribah where there was no water. Instead of trusting the God who had answered them in thunderclouds, they quarreled with Moses and Aaron. Though God gave water to them from the rocks, Israelites failed in the test of the faith causing great anger to God.

We need to remember that certain scarcities in our lives are administered by God for making us trust in Him deeply so that our faith gets stronger. Those shortages should be reminders for us about the ways God has provided for us in the past.

b) Tests administered by Satan

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.

1 Peter 5: 8, 9 (New Living Translation)

Not all tests are administered by God. Sometimes God allows devil to take away something from our life as He did in Job's life. We have to stand stay alert to watch out for the enemy and be brave to fight him off.

c) Tests administered by ourselves

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (New Living Translation)

God wants us to keep track of our progress in the Christian life by examining ourselves in faith. We have to test ourselves to evaluate if we feel the presence of God among us. That is a test of genuine faith. Whatever happens in this mortal life, experiencing God's presence in our day to day activities makes us stronger in faith.

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Philippians 3:1 (New Living Translation)

6. FILLED WITH FAITH

Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:14 (New Living Translation)

Being filled with faith is a glorious phase in the Christian life, which comes from Christ Jesus. Once we submit ourselves to grow our faith from mustard seed level to a strong and steadfast level, God is faithful to make us rich in faith. This degree of being filled with faith depicts the maturity in Christian life. Apostle John reminds us that this maturity is obtained when we know the Christ Jesus very well. (1 John 2:13) While young in faith finds battle of faith as something of effort, for a mature believer, it is a routine which they find themselves doing effortlessly because they know God personally.

Being filled with faith should be a continuous experience. A cup of water is never absolutely full, unless it overflows. There is no space of air or other particles than water in a full cup of water. In that way, a person filled with faith should overflow faith to others and there should not be any space for doubt or worry in that person’s life. This is measured in how much we inspire or motivate others in faith.

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 2 Timothy 1:5 (New Living Translation)

Apostle Paul testifies about Timothy's grandmother and mother that they were full of faith. Since Timothy's grandmother was filled with faith, it overflowed to her daughter, Timothy's mother. Timothy's mother also became filled with faith so that she could overflow the faith to her son, Timothy.

In early days of Christian church, this was one of the criteria by which they elected their leaders. A leader can embolden the followers in faith only if he is filled with faith. For instance, we can see that Stephan [Acts 6:5] and Barnabas [Acts 11:24] were selected for the ministry of God due this qualification.

The overflowing of the faith is displayed when the people of faith encourages one another in faith.

Ø Not only were the first century leaders keen in planting churches everywhere, but also they were dedicated to follow it up by frequent visits to encourage them in faith.

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” [ Acts 14:22].

Ø The prophets among them used the gift of God to speak to the believers to strengthen them in the faith.

Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. Acts 15:32 (New Living Translation)

Ø For Apostle Paul, the greatest wish in his life was to help the church to grow and experience the joy in Christian faith

And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith - Philippians 1:25

Ø Enlightening in faith is not one-way traffic, but is a mutual experience. The leaders knew that they will be encouraged by encouraging others in faith.

...that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. - Romans 1:12

Ø Apostles taught the believers to be an encouragement to each other in faith.

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit - Jude 1:20 (New Living Translation)

Ø Since they encouraged each other and were encouraged by faith filled leaders, the early church excelled in faith.

Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers...

- 2 Corinthians 8:7 (New Living Translation)

The more the church filled with faith, the more it grew. [Acts 16:5] For church growth, the church has to excel in faith. Since church is comprised of each one of us we have to be filled with faith encouraging other to be strong in faith, so as to expand the territories of the church. Apostle Jude (in verse 22) encourages us to show mercy for those believers who are wavering in faith. We must be compassionate to those who doubt and must try to make them stand firm in Christ. This is where brotherly love is displayed.

Jonathan, son of Saul, loved David as dearly as a brother that he continuously helped David to be strengthened in God.

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. –

1 Samuel 23:16 (New Living Translation)

It is to be noted that Jonathan took it as his responsibility to find David even if David doesn't come to him for help.

When Paul trains Timothy in the ministry, he challenges Timothy to be an example in faith to all believers in the church [1 Timothy 4:12]. Apostles were so filled with faith that they were confident enough to encourage the church to follow their example in faith [Hebrews 13:7]. That is the dimension of faith where one ought to have. Do we have courage to enlighten our fellow believers to imitate our faith? If not, we still need to grow to that level.

…imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12

7. SUPPLEMENTED FAITH

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone

2 Peter 1:5-7 (New Living Translation)

The standard of the Christian faith comes to an ultimate level when it is supplemented by other spiritual fruits. From the above verse, we can understand that faith is the fundamental milestone in the Christian marathon. Faith is put to practice by the next steps in that course. The progression is so beautiful.

Faith --> Moral Excellence --> Knowledge --> Self Control --> Patient Endurance --> Godliness --> Brotherly affection --> Love for everyone

Ø Moral Excellence

Faith helps us to have goodness (Moral Excellence) in us by showing Christian integrity to everyone. This is the virtue by which we are consistent in our actions and have no conflicts with anyone. We learn to live a life of clean conscience by doing everything as if we are doing it for Christ.

Ø Knowledge

Knowledge refers to the spiritual enlightenment, not the worldly education. Only a person good at heart and is consistent can know about his God. Faith leads us to know the mysteries of God which will be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

Ø Self Control

Once a person knows God, he learns to know himself. Attaining true knowledge about Jesus Christ helps a person to control himself. He will learn to rule on his senses, thus being sensible. Even when he was mocked by rich and poor, military and civilians, rulers and ruled, Jesus controlled himself not to respond to them.

Ø Patient Endurance

A person who can control himself learns to be patient. He would be able to endure the difficulties laid before him. He understands that he serves the God of patience. Isaiah speaks about Jesus that He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.

Ø Godliness

Godliness refers to the true worship or piety to God. Worship from a person who controls himself and having clean conscience is accepted by God. Remember that God was pleased by Abel’s worship but not of Cain. A true worshiper should clearly understand about whom he should worship, why he should worship and how he should worship. Being knowledgeable about God and himself will make us true worshipers.

Ø Brotherly affection

Fear of the God helps us to love another as we love ourselves. Then we would understand the meaning of true neighbor and learn to have affection and kindness just like the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. We can put this in action only by spiritual understanding and experiencing true worship.

And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. – Philemon 1:6

Ø Love for everyone

Love for everyone should not be confused with the brotherly love. It is the experience of love of God reflecting in us. God loved the world so much that he wants each and every person to be saved from the destruction. When God's love truly reflects in us, we will love the fellow beings around us who are destined to hell and we will have the passion for Gospel. This is the stage where faith reflects as a passion to save our fellow beings. Paul vouches for this in the below verse.

What is important is faith expressing itself in love. - Galatians 5:6

As we have seen above, to come to the level of expressing our faith in God's love, we need to go through the milestones of virtue, knowledge, self control, patience, worship and kindness.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:11 Paul urges to accomplish all the good things our faith prompts us to do. We can please God and live a life worthy of His call only if we put our faith to practice. It is by supplemented faith that we stand firm in the Christian life.

Apostle James advises us in his epistle [James 2:17] that faith by itself is not enough. Unless faith is supplemented by the good deeds it prompts us to do, it is useless to anyone.

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:26

In verses 21 through 24, he quotes the example of Abraham and explains that Abraham put his faith in to action by offering his son in the altar. His actions made his faith complete. Let us submit ourselves to God to make our faith and actions work together like Abraham did

Moreover, God is the initiator of the faith and the one who perfects the faith in our life. [Hebrews 12:1-2] It is not possible for us to grow in the progressive faith without the guidance and grace from the Almighty. Let us keep our focus on Him stripping off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race of faith that the God has set before us.

Holy Spirit - God Living in Us

2011-10-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior.

One of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity is the Triunity of God which means God The Holy Father, God the Holy Word (Son - Human incarnation as Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. [I prefer the word triunity to trinity since the latter may mean "a group of three" which is not true regarding God]

In his First epistle (Chapter 1. Verse 2), Apostle Peter says we are saved by the Triune God.

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 2.18, also vouches that we are saved by the Triune God:

Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Verse 22 makes it clear that the Triune God acts in the life of a saved person to keep him Holy to the end. From the above scriptures, we understand that it is by God the Holy Spirit that a person is made holy (saved) is kept in that salvation. The relation with this personality of God, is very much important in the day to day life of a Christian. I want to share some of the thoughts God gave me about God the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit - A Gift

Bible says Holy Spirit is a gift from God to those who believe in Him

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

The steps to receive this Holy gift are not so hard. Repent sins, Turn to God and Obey the Word of God!

We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him. Acts 5:32

This is a privilage given to the Children of God only. (John 3.16 says how to become a child of God)

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts ... Galatians 4:6

From the scriptures, we can understand that the association with the gift of Spirit can be in 3 different dimensions. These states are of equal importance and I believe God wants a believer in all these states all the time.

State of "having Holy Spirit living in us".
State of "Living in Holy Spirit"
State of "being filled with Holy Spirit"

Below, I'm attempting to compile some scriptures describing these dimensions of relationship with God the Holy Spirit.

1. State of having Holy Spirit living in us.

Apostle Paul makes it clear to the church that Holy Spirit lives in each of us.

Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.

If Holy spirit lives in us, our fellowship is a temple of God.

1 Corinthians 3:16 - Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

Not only the fellowship of the believers, but also each one of us, individually, is a temple of God, since Holy spirit lives in us.

1 Corinthians 6:19 - Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?

Paul makes it clear that the Holy Spirit indeed is The God and we are being part of His dwelling! We were once not eligible to this privilege. However, though we were gentiles, through Jesus Christ, this great grace has been given to us too

Ephesians 2:22 - Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Why God lives IN us? I would like to bring your attention to some of the actions Holy Spirit does in a person to understand the reason why God wants to live in us.

1.1 Gives THE insight to THE truth

There are three levels of enlightenment.

Insight - Ability to perceive the deep/hidden fact.
Understanding. - Ability to judge or comprehend the insight.
Wisdom. - Ability to utilize the understanding.

Paul says in his first epistle to Corinthians (2:10-14) that by His Spirit, God gave us the insight about God. The God's Spirit enabled us to understand the wonderful things about God. Using the Holy spirit we have got the wisdom to explain spiritual things which a common man thinks cannot comprehend!

¹⁰ But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.

¹¹ No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.

¹² And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit),so we can know the wonderful thingsGod has freely given us.

¹³ When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

¹⁴ But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means

Verse 10 - Insight: God reveals Spiritual secrets by his Spirit. These spiritual secrets can start from the basic fact of who God is and what Salvation is. Majority of mankind has the insight that there is "a" God. That is why they try to attain righteousness by their own deeds. By revealing Jesus to the world, the whole mankind has got higher insight on who the true God is and how true Salvation can be achieved. However, only a few strives to continue that insight to the next level of understanding the truth.

Verse 12 - Understanding: Those who received God's Spirit can know and understand Spiritual secrets, which is the next level after the insight or revelation. Understanding follows an open heart and is followed by action on the understanding. For example once a person opens his heart to the insight of how true salvation is achieved, he understands that its by faith and follows the word of God to the act of Confession. (Romans 10.10). However, those who goes through this narrow door are very less.

Verse 13 - Wisdom: Those who understood Spiritual Secrets are given Spiritual Wisdom by the Holy Spirit. This is when the doors of the Word of God is opened to a person to perceive the mysteries in the spiritual knowledge.

Daniel had this spirit of God which made him capable to stand before the King.

Daniel 5:14 - I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled With insight, understanding, and wisdom.

This gift is not a one time activity. God wants us to keep on attaining the understanding and wisdom, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Ephesians 1.17 - ..... God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

This is a special privilege given to us.

Ephesians 3:5 - God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

1.2 Leads to THE truth

The initial level of insight about God given by the spirit of God leads man to the ultimate truth, that is Jesus Christ.

Jesus vouches that Holy Spirit leads into the truth and the truth is nothing but Jesus himself.

John 14.17 - He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.

John 14.6 - I am the way, the truth, and the life.

The Holy Spirit continues to lead the children of God in this truth

Romans 8:14 - For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

1.3 Keeps IN THE truth (Keeps one Holy)

Once a person is led to the ultimate truth, Holy Spirit continues his work by making that person holy before the God the Father

1 Peter 1.2 - God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy....

Through the faith in Jesus Christ, one gets cleansed by the Holy Spirit which leads him to the salvation.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 - ... a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.

1 Corinthians 6:11 - ... you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God..

When a person repents his sins, the change of heart is brought by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 2:29 - And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit.

From the scriptures, we can understand that the Holy Spirit lives in us to enable us to keep this holiness through out the Christian life. In all the aspects of our life, Holy Spirit helps us to keep our conscience clean. Lets examine some of the ways by which Holy Spirit does this in our lives.

1.3.1 Saves from natural instincts.

The natural instinct of Human beings is to sin. Even Paul says in Romans 7. 15 that he wants to do right but does what he hates.

Apostle Jude tells about the ungodly people that they do evil because they don't have Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:19 - They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

In that case, if we do have God's Spirit, we should not follow our natural instinct. God wants us to be controlled by Holy Spirit in all our ways

Romans 8:9 - You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.

1.3.2 Helps to obey men of God.

A person who is led by Holy Spirit learns to be obedient to the men of God and never rebels against the church leadership.

1 John 4:6 - But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.

1.3.3 Advocates and Testifies for us

Holy Spirit is the only companion in our life who never leaves us.

John 14: 16 - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

He is our faithful advocate even during our toughest trials where everyone may forsake us.

Mark 13:11 - But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Apostle Paul quotes Holy Spirit as his advocate when he swears his passion for the salvation of the souls.

Romans 9:1 - ...My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it.

1.3.4 Brings forth the intimacy to God

We got Holy Spirit becuase we are his Children and Holy Spirit continously reminds us about this parental relation and makes us bold enough to call our God as our father.

Galatians 4:6 - And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

Romans 8:15 - ...you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

1.3.5 Fills hearts with Love

The love of God is manifested in our life by our love to our fellow beings. Apostle Paul vouches that the love of God is perceived only by the help of Holy Spirit

Romans 5:5 - he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Apostle John, iterates the fact that one who knows the love of God loves one another. If Spirit of God lives in us, we will love each other as God loved us.

1 John 4.12,13 - No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

1.3.6 Guarantees the eternal life

Holy Spirit even assures us even when we have slightest doubts on our salvation.

Romans 8:16 - For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

Furthermore, Holy Spirit is the guarantee or the certificate that we are redeemed to acquire all the inheritance of God as His children.

Ephesians 1:14 - The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people.

Holy Spirit is going to change our mortal body to the glorified immortal new bodies.

2 Corinthians 5:4,5 - ... Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:11 - And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Not only did we get Holy Spirit as the advance token of the glorified life in heaven, but also we are now tasting the sample of that peaceful life with God.

Romans 8:23 - ... we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory ...

2. State of Living IN Holy Spirit

Once we understand that Holy Spirit dwells in us, it is our responsibility to keep in fellowship with him. It is a huge privilege that God lives in us. For the same reason, we should not take it for granted. God wants us to take the relation to the next level by listening and submitting to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 6.3 - My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh

Yes, God is a patient God. However, He is a consuming Fire too. Our words and deeds can put out the light of the spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

Instead, God wants us to live in (or live by) Holy Spirit. This essentially means to let Holy Spirit to take control of ourselves, leading us to truth and making us holy as we have seen in section 1.

Romans 7:6 - Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

Living in the spirit rewrites living by the old style of living. If we follow the leading of the Spirit in every part of our lives, we are living in him.

Galations 5:25 - Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Apostle John also vouches this and affirms that this is not a one time activity but a continuous way of living.

1 John 3:24 - Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

1 John 4:13 - And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

2.1 How do we know if we are living in Him?

Jesus said:

Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. - John 15:5

We live in Him if we bear fruit.

Galations 5:22 - But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

3. State of "being filled with Holy Spirit"

The next dimension of the relation with Holy Spirit is being filled with Holy Spirit or getting immersed in Holy Spirit. This not synonymous to the baptism by Holy Spirit but is the experience of being completely controlled and dominated by the Holy Spirit to attain the spiritual power to know God more. We can understand from Paul's words that its not an optional experience for a Christian and every one should strive for it.

Ephesians 5:18 - ......, be filled with the Holy Spirit .....

In the words of Jesus, being filled with Holy Spirit is manifested by Power from Heaven.

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. - Luke 24:49

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Acts 1.8

This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Acts 2.2

Being filled with Holy Spirit is all about the experiencing the spiritual power from heaven. To be raised to this level, we must have a desiring heart and an open mind. Jesus says:

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. - Luke 11:13

In Acts, we understand that Holy Spirit filled the people who prayed for the power from heaven.

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. - Acts 4.31

It can happen when you are alone or in a fellowship. Acts 2nd chapter and 4th chapter shows that power filled the believers during their fellowship. In Acts 9, Ananias prays for Saul (Paul) to be filled with Holy Spirit when he was all alone. You need not be in a church meeting to be filled with Holy Spirit. Luke 4th chapter shows Jesus was filled with Holy Spirit when he was all alone, fighting with Satan

It can happen when we face our toughest battle in spiritual war fare. Acts 4.7-9 shows that Peter was filled with Holy Spirit when he was brought to trial before the leaders of the people. Luke 4th chapter shows Jesus was filled with Holy Spirit when he fought with the Satan.

It can happen again and again. In Acts 2:4, it says, “...Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit.” But then again in Acts 4:31, it say of many of the same believers, “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Outcome of being filled with Holy Spirit

The gifts experienced after being filled with Holy Spirit may be different in different people. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12. 11

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Regardless of which gift is being reflected in our lives, the dimension of being filled with Holy Spirit is obviously distinguishing before others. Such a person is recognized by others as someone who is special.

Genesis 41:38 - So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?

We do not need publicize that fact. It is an automatic outcome that, those filled with Holy Spirit are recognized by others. Even before Jesus doing any miracle, his fame had spread in the whole region since he was filled with Holy Spirit. People saw "something different" in him.

Luke 4:14 - Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region..

In our words and deeds, we should be distinguished personalities. Above all we will look great in the eyes of the Lord, and we will have a purpose in the life.

Luke 1:15 - for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth

Praising God in Spiritual Songs - Worshiping in Spirit and Truth

Ephesians 5: 18 continues as follows:

...be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The right way of worshiping the God in Holy Spirit is a demonstration of being filled with Holy Spirit. We will be able to sing in spirit, make music in heart, and give thanks to God for everything.

Music is appreciated or evaluated only when it has volume. However, making music in heart cannot be heard by a man but when Holy Spirit makes music in one's heart, that becomes a spiritual song that praises God.

The above verse explains that the way the Triune God is worshiped is Praising God the Father, in the name of God the Word, being filled with God the Spirit

Speaking in Other tongues

The most prominent attestation of being filled with Holy Spirit is displayed right on the day the first Christian Church was born.

Acts 2:4 - And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Speaking in unknown tongues is a gift of Spirit as one of the signs of being filled with Spirit. There is a common misunderstanding that being filled with Holy Spirit is (only) characterized by speaking in tongues. I understood from the scriptures that gift of tongues is not the only proof that a person is filled with Holy Spirit. When a person is baptized in Holy Spirit, he is blessed with Spiritual gifts and speaking in tongues can be one of them.

There is no proof in the Holy Bible that this gift is ceased after the death of first Apostles. On the contrary, the importance of this gift is emphasized several times!

Those who speaks in tongues speaks to God and edifies himself in spiritual growth.

1 Corinthians 14:2 - For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God... You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit..

The gift of tongues will enable us to pray in Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:14 - ... if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying.

It is very obvious that only with the power from the heaven that we can pray in Holy Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. - Romans 8:26

Other Spiritual gifts

Several other spiritual gifts are given when a person is filled with Holy Spirit.

In the Book of Luke, we can see that, Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, prophesied when he was filled with Holy Spirit

Luke 1:67 - Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

God may fill a person with Holy Spirit to do the ministry of miracles and wonders in order to convince some people.

Romans 15:19 - They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 12.8 -10, Paul mentions nine gifts of Holy Spirit. These are special abilities to:

Give Wise Advice
Deliver Message of Special knowledge
Have Great Faith
Healing the sick
Perform Miracles
Prophesy
Discern what is Godly and what is not
Speak in tongues
Interpret Other tongues

To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

Becoming Bold

Before the experience on the Pentecost day, all the disciples were afraid of the Jews. They were in fact hiding with the fear of persecution. However, when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they became powerful and bold. Peter was filled with courage and did a mighty preaching which caused 3000 people to join the church.

Like wise when they were summoned by the leaders of the people to be questioned on their ministries, Peter was filled with Holy Spirit and spoke boldly to them quoting the scriptures, better than a pharisee.

Acts 4.8 - Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people...

It might not be impossible to a person to be able to deliver a speech from the bible after learning some scriptures. But, speaking authentically with full confidence and courage needs the help from Holy Spirit. Only a person who is filled with Holy Spirit can preach the word of God with boldness because the insight, understanding and the wisdom of the Word of God can be attained only with Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:31 - After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Such a person will be strong and brave to call out others' sin

Micah 3:8 - But as for me, I am filled with power— with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.

A person filled with Holy Spirit is confident that no curse can touch them and no magic has any power against a child of God since the God of all wonders are with them. That is why Paul was courageous to rebuke the sorcerer who was feared by all the people.

Acts 13:9 - Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye.

Becoming Wise, Able and Expert

Holy Spirit gives distinguished wisdom in order to make us stand out from others. In exodus, we see that God filled the craftsmen with Holy Spirit to make them wise so that they build the best crafts for the God.

Exodus 28:3 - Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom.

God also filled their leader Bezalel with Holy Spirit to give him the wisdom and ability to lead the workers. Holy Spirit can make us experts in what we do.

Exodus 31:3 - I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.

Conclusion

When we are filled with Holy Spirit, the ultimate hope gives us the peace which cannot be given by this world. Our inner eyes open to see that the worldly comforts are temporary and what matters is the spiritual joy.

Romans 15:13 - I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Only Holy Spirit can fill us with joy.

Luke 10:21 - At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit

Acts 13:52: And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Once the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is filled in us, our lifestyle changes and we tend to live a life of goodness... Then the kingdom of God is revealed in our lives.

Romans 14:17 - For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Let us submit ourselves to lead a life which is filled with the hope and peace of the Holy Spirit.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

Finishing is better than Starting

2011-10-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

In Ecclesiastes 7:8 Solomon says: finishing is better than starting. Interestingly, the one who wrote this wise saying did not finish well! Solomon had a dream-like starting in his reign. God himself appeared before him and gave him the greatest gift of knowledge and wisdom. He was considered the greatest king of Israel. Yet, in the end, tempted by his wives, Solomon drifted from God's path and led the Israel to worship foreign Gods...

Solomon was not the only person who had this ill fate. Samson, who was a Nazirite (dedicated to God) right from the womb of his mother, fell for a woman named Delilah, which in turn was the cause of his death with the gentiles. During his young age, Samson had done several mighty things for the God of Israel. He was spirit filled and guided by God. But he could not get a good end due to the lust which overcame him.

Lot had a good start with Abraham to set out to the promised land. Though he did not have a direct calling from God, he believed Abraham's God and wanted to submit himself to God.. But on the course of his journey, the physical blessings of the plains of Jordan tempted him to part with Abraham and his God.. Even after God saved him and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, his wife could not resist the temptation while they were running to safety, which caused her destruction then and there itself. We know Lot also did not have a good ending.

Adam was created in God's own image and had the blessing from God to be fruitful and to rule the earth. However, he and his wife were tempted for a mere fruit which caused their expulsion from the garden of Eden. Moreover, he caused the spiritual death of all the mankind.
There are many more instances of great men falling on the course of their spiritual life. Worldly temptation was the reason for the fall of all these great people.. They thought about the earthly body more than the heavenly body which caused them to fail in the ultimate mission.

God wants us to learn from the people who ended well.

Joseph was hated by all his brothers for the visions he had. They did not believe in what he believed and tried to sell him away to make sure that his dreams would not come true. But he was faithful to God in these trials that God started to raise him step by step... He had to go through another trial even when he had successfully passed in the test of temptation in the incident with the wife of Potiphar. Since he was faithful even in the jail he was made in charge of the jail! We know how Joseph was blessed by God to be made the highest official in Egypt and how his visions were fulfilled.

Noah, the preacher of righteousness, might have been mocked by all his fellow neighbors for believing in the phenomenon of rain which was not heard of till then. Despite the fact that nobody listened to him, he was faithful to God and did all that was commanded to him. In the end, as Peter says (1 Peter 3.20) only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.

Job was faithful to God even when he lost everything in a single day. He was tempted by his wife to curse God. But In all this, Job did not sin (job 2.10). In the end, we know that, The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. (Job 42.12).

Abraham was so faithful to God and trusted God even in improbabilities which then resulted in God calling him as His friend!

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. (Genesis 5.24 - NIV)
Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, many more to quote as examples of faithfulness, and those who attained a good end.

However best our start may be, if we do not finish well, its all in vain. We might have started well with Jesus by accepting Him as our savior and Lord. However our end will be made to light when God sits on his throne of judgement and separates the people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from goat. (Matthew 25:31–46)

We might have been saved, baptized and waiting for his return. But if we are not ready at the moment of his return, we will be left behind. Remember the parable of the 10 bridesmaids. All the 10 were waiting for the bridegroom. However, 5 foolish bridesmaids were not prepared with enough oil with them and while they were gone to get some, the bridegroom came and they were left behind. All the waiting they did went in vain... The door of the grace was closed forever.

Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ (Matthew 25: 11,12)

It does not matter how much we worked for God and how much God worked through us. God can use any person to complete his work in here. That does not give the guarantee that he/she is accepted by God.

Mathew 7.22,23 - On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

What is a good finish

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. (Matthew 7:22)

Its not doing His will every now and then. Consistency is what God wants from us.

Mark 13.13: The one who endures to the end will be saved.

Consistency is all about "Being faithful resisting the temptation of the world and keeping the eyes on Him"

Hebrews 3:14: For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ..

Good finish is marked by being faithful to the end. It is characterized by a trust As firm as we had when we first believed. In this world there are so many things which tries to take away our attention from God.

1 John 2: 16,17 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

God wants us to win over these cravings and trust in God till the end.

How to finish well?

What should we do to achieve this faithfulness?

Hebrew 12.:1,2 And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Keeping our eyes on Jesus - When Lot separated from Abraham, the things which were on his eyes was the physical pleasure of the plains of Jordan. Once he changed his vision from spiritual blessings to physical blessings, he started to lose his track. This happened to his wife too. She could not resist herself from looking back to the physical blessings they had. Had she set her eyes to the mountains before her, she could have run to that refuge.

So it all depends on our vision. How clear is our vision? Instead of looking down to the earthly possessions and physical blessings, we need to keep our eyes focused to Jesus and his promises of eternal life. All from the world is fading away.. Only those who please God will live forever.

Eyes are very important in keeping one's concentration. All the sins start from the cravings of eyes, just as in the case of Eve.

Genesis 3.6 - She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious.

The sin started right when the fruit "looked delicious". So the sin started in her eyes.
Lets test ourselves to 'see' if we 'see right'. When we look something, do our eyes tempt us to look away from God? Are our eyes concentrated on the Calvary always? The author of book of Hebrews says the following about Moses:

He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. (Hebrews 11: 27)

We can keep on going if we keep our eyes on the one who is invisible. We can do this not by our merits but only through spirit.

Galatians 3:3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

No human effort can make us perfect. The perfecter of our faith is Christ (Hebrews 12.2)

1 Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

Yes keep our eyes on Him and he will keep us strong to the end.

What is the prize?
The result of finishing good is awaiting us on the judgement day.

Revelation 2:10 - But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

The crown of eternal life is only for those who remain faithful to the end.

2 Timothy 4:7,8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.

This crown is what we are looking for. This crown is our vision. For this crown have we considered everything in this world as waste! If we do not get this at the end, ours will be a pathetic situation.

Acts 20:24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.

Conclusion:
If we have started in spirit, lets end this in spirit. Lets keep our focus on Christ and complete this race faithfully.

Revelation 2. 5 - Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.

Remember - Lets look back and see where we were
Repent - Lets turn back to God and ask his forgiveness for losing the focus
Return - Lets get back to the track and race again with full concentration

God bless.

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel

Friendship with God

2011-10-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

How often do we consider God as our best friend? Is it right to even think like that? Is it biblical? Does God consider us as his friends? What does it mean to be God's friend?

Well, lets try to understand the answers for above questions from the light of the Word of God.

Each person may have unique definitions about the relationship with God. God is a Father, a Creator, a Master, a King, a Savior, may be an "all-in-all"... Yes, we can see the attributes of all these relations in God. However, the intimacy and depth of a mutual relation is best reflected when God become our friend!

Webster defines friend as 'One attached to another by Affection'. The intimacy of this attachment is the level of friendship. In this world, we may find casual friends, close friends, communal friends, conditional friends, internet friends, imaginary friends etc. Of all these types of friendships, best friend or closest friend is the type which has its depth and intimacy. Friendship is defined as "form of interpersonal relationship generally considered to be closer than association". For a person to be one's best friend, there should be

a tendency to desire what is best for the other
honesty in all actions to the other
mutual understanding
enjoyment of each others' company
trust in one another

God surely has a desire for our best, He is the most honest person to us, He understands us the most, He enjoys our company and He even trust us! Yes, He is our true friend! Now the question is do we have the same feeling back? I mean, all the time, constantly? God wants us to be His friends.
John 15: 15 - I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.(NIV).

God wants us to know (understand) His "business" so that we may be his friends - those who trusts him, those who are honest with him, those who thinks about the best of the spirituality, and those who enjoys His company.

John 15:14 - You are my friends if you do what I command.
Acquaintance Vs Friendship: We may want to ask ourselves if God is just an acquaintance (merely an association) or do we consider him as our friend. To consider him as friend, based on John 15:15, we need to understand His business. What is God up to? Why did He came to save us? Whats out there for us? Once we fully understand the purpose of salvation, we would love to call God as our Friend.

Abraham the Friend of God

In old testament, God was not ashamed to call Abraham as his Friend.
Isaiah 41:8 - “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,..." (NIV)
The people of Israel did know that God was proud to be referred as Abraham's friend!
2 Chronicles 20:7 - Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

They even called God as friend when they desperately needed Him
Jeremiah 3:4 - Have you not just called to me: ‘My Father, my friend from my youth, ... (NIV)

What made Abraham to be raised to the position of God's friend? Apostle James answers this question in his epistle:
James 2:23 - And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

Abraham believed (trusted) God.. He believed that God nothing is impossible to God. We often calculate the probabilities to judge on possibilities. But trusting the God for the improbable makes us believers!

In return God trusted Abraham too!!! Genesis 18:17 - Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing . . . ? Wow! that's powerful and amazing!! A mutual relation where there are no secrets! The depth and intimacy of that relation reflects in the numerous face to face meetings God used to have with Abraham

Moses the friend of God

Moses was also referred to as someone like a friend to God.
Exodus 33:11 - The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
In one of those several occasions, Moses's face became radiant. I should say he was so close to God when he talked that he started reflecting God's radiance. God knew Moses very closely and he was a man of God's mind.
Deuteronomy 34: 10 - Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.
I would like to challenge the readers to have a passion to be like Moses in the relationship with God. Let us pray that God talk to us face to face, like a friend, showing his radiance.. Let our eyes be blessed to see God's radiance, Let our ears be blessed to hear His Voice and Let our mind be blessed to understand His Words.
God trusted Moses too.
Exodus 33:17 - And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
'I know you by name' - In other words, I know you personally. Like a friend. What a privilege it is! To be someone close to God's heart!
Moses was not ashamed to trust God against all probabilities. He set aside all the human logic when he went to Pharaoh without any support. He trusted the God so blindly that he boldly commanded the king to let the Israelites go.
Here also we see that mutual trust marks the foundation of the friendship.

Friends of Christ

Coming to new testament, we already saw that Jesus called us as friends (John 15:15) and laid out the way how we can be His friends (John 15:14,15).
He shows us that he is our best friend by laying his life for us in Calvary. John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
That's the depth of his friendship to us. Are we ready or willing to lay our lives for the cause of Calvary? Can we imagine a moment when we and/or our loved ones are at a point blank gun point and challenged to deny Jesus to get our lives back? What would be our reaction in such a situation? Would we prove ourselves as friends of Jesus at such a moment? Would we really remember the following verse then?
Luke 12:4 - “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

Jesus considered even Judas Iscariot as his friend! Matthew 26:50 - Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” A man like Judas will not be referred to as 'Friend' by anybody. Judas was very far from the friendship with Jesus. Yet, He considered Judas as a friend. With all our iniquities, our selfishness, our dishonesty God still is our friend!! Even when we break our relationship with Him, or forgets His existences, he stills calls us are friends - John 21:5 - He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” This was when his disciples went back the the fishing (from where they were delivered once) after the Crucifixion. Hasn't it happened that sometimes we just drift from His love and turn back to sins where we were delivered from? Lets submit ourselves to hear His loving call to bring us back in the relationship...

When do the friendship with Jesus start in a man's life? The moment a person believes in Him. Luke 5:20 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Faith makes God as our friend! The trust that nothing is impossible to God is the mark of our friendship with Him! This is true in the case of Lazarus as well. Lazarus and his sisters were friends of Jesus. John 11:11 - After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

We can see Jesus referring the relationship to us as friendship even in some of his parables:

Matthew 20:13 - “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?

Matthew 22:12 - He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’

Luke 5:34 - Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?

Biblical definition of friendship

Good Samaritan: Jesus explains a true friend through the parable of Good Samaritan. [Luke 10: 30 - 37]. Yes Jesus had been a Good Samaritan for us. Not only did he saved us from the death from the sin, but also he paid for our eternal life
Solomon says friends love at all times [Proverbs 17:17] Very true. If there is one friend whose love never ceases, that's Jesus
Job explains that friends is one who pleads for us [Job 16: 21]. Obviously Jesus intercedes for us to the Father all the time.
Solomon says wounds from friend can be trusted [Proverbs 27:6]. There are certain times when some wounds are made to make us more strong, more bonded. But we can trust Him that he never cause any harm to us.

Let us pray God to make our relationship mutual with Him in a true, deep, intimate and consistent friendship. Lets long to hear his voice directly and to talk to Him as if we do to our human friends..

God Bless You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel
PS: Bible quotes from NIV

Know your God - Psalm 139

2011-01-16T16:50:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord. Greetings in the name of the Most High.

I would like to invite your attention to Psalm 139 which is a submission before God by David after knowing the glory of God.

David divides the psalm in to two.

Who is God?
Who is God for me?

David tries to know the God in first half and relates to what that means in his life in the second half. When David tried to know God, it seemed to be a tedious task for him. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain v6. Yes. Man cannot understand God with his logic. If he tries to measure the glory of God in his scale, he will be unsuccessful. Lets pray that we get the divine logic to understand the glory of God. These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10. Only with the anointing of the Holy Spirit can man really understand the truth about our GOD.

David understood that his God is

Omniscient (V 1 to 5) - God knows everything.

David reflects that only God understands him properly. God is familiar with his thoughts, words and deeds.

- His Parents could not understand him. 1 Samuel 16: 1 to 12 - His parents ignored him when a most important function happened at home.

- His Brothers could not understand him. 1 Samuel 17:28 - His elder brother Eliab burned with anger when David rebuked Goliath.

- His Wife could not understand him. 2 Samuel 6: 16, 20, 21 - His wife despised him when she saw David leaping and dancing before God.

- His Children could not understand him. 2 Samuel 15, 1 King 1 - His sons Absalom and Adonijah rebelled against him. Even his real successor Solomon could not walk in David's way to please God of Israel.

- His Friends/officials could not understand him 1 Kings 2: 28 - His right hand Joab revolted against him with Adonijah. Joab also killed David's son Absalom against David's orders. Joab killed Amasa, who had been a friend of David. Thus even Joab, his top official could not understand David.

Remembering all these, David says, God you perceive my thoughts from afar (v.2)

Omnipresent (V 7 to 12) - God is present everywhere.

David acknowledges that no one can hide anything from GOD since he is everywhere. Verse 10 reflects that even if he goes to a lonely place to hide from God, God's hands will be with him to guide him through the loneliness. Our God is so gracious and faithful that even when we knowingly and unknowingly wanders aways from his presence, he comes to us to guide us to the right way. He will hold us fast to keep us in his grace.

Omnipotent (V 13 to 18) - God can do everything.

Right from the womb of the mother, we are in God's sight. God does most wonderful things for us in all our life (v17 and 18). Yes, from the creation till the end, God's thought for man is so wonderful. No man can count the blessings he has got in his life (v18). When no one cared for us, God was with us. These verses are David's reflection on how the omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God cared for him. His God was so good to him all through out his life.

When David realized this, he willingly submits before God to search and test him so that he is guided to the everlasting way.

Your Brother In Christ,

Finny Samuel

Encouragement to Others

2011-01-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ.

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

[1 Thessalonians 3: 6,7]

Apostle Paul mentions here about the encouraging Report Timothy had presented to him about the church in Thessalonica. We can see that Timothy's report very much encouraged Paul and the rest of the apostles. Apostles are very happy to hear that Thessalonian church keep the faith and love they learnt from the apostles.

We can see the origin of this church in Acts 17th chapter. We can learn that they had to face persecution and hardship right from the beginning. The apostles had to flee from the place as the jews started the turmoil against the Christian church. So naturally, apostles had the concern that if the church would withstand the agitation and sent Timothy to encourage the church and strengthen them in faith. Timothy was completely successful in that mission.

I don't think the Thessalonian Church was 'the best' church at that time. However, they had a very good leader who was passionate in encouraging others. Timothy was in good standing among both Christians and non Christians.

Timothy encouraged the Thessalonian church to keep themselves in good standing on the faith. By being appreciative about the church he pastored, Timothy became an encouragement to the apostles.

Encouragement goes straight to heart. It revives one's spirit to face the hardships and accept the facts. We are called to be an encouragement to our fellow believers, to our family, to our church and to our society. How can we be an encouragement?

1. Be in good standing before others

Timothy was an encouragement to others in three aspects

- In personal life: Acts 16:3 mentions that Apostle Paul was encouraged by the good testimony by others about Timothy and wanted to take him along the missionary journey.

- In Family: He was so obedient to his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1: 5) and even though his father was a Greek, he was raised in Christian faith. He was gifted with gift of prophecy (1 Timothy 4:4) which he used to spiritually encourage his fellow beings.

- In leadership: Thessalonian church is a good example of people who were encouraged by Timothy. Also, both the epistles Paul wrote to Timothy reaffirms the same thing.

2. Learn to Appreciate others

Timothy appreciated the fellow church members in two ways.

- Acknowledge good things

In the verse quoted above (1 Thess 3:6,7), we can see the Timothy had an appreciating mind. In fact, by saying good things about others we become a better person. Appreciating the good side always boosts the others to continue being good. Its very easy to find the bad things in one's life and criticize one. However, though its difficult, we need to try to find the good things about the people we interact with, however small or insignificant that may be. This will nurture the relationships and help to build better team, better family, better society. God wants this from us. In humility value others above yourselves Philippians: 2:3

- Testify to others

Timothy gives a good report about the church to others. This was an encouragement to the apostles. If you have a good testimony about a person, let others know it rather than using that to flatter that person. I used to tell my team members in office that 'If you have something good to tell about me, tell that to others and If you find something as an area of improvement, tell that to me so that I can correct it'. In today's world people tend to do the other way round. They like to publish one's area of improvement to others and flatter one on one's face. We can see that Apostle Paul mentions good things about lot of people in many of his epistles.

Brothers and Sisters, lets have an appreciating attitude to encourage others by our words and deeds, so that our God's name is glorified through us.

Your Brother In Christ,

Finny Samuel

The Majestic Name - [A devotion on Psalm 8]

2011-01-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 8 is a beautiful hymn authored by David, the sweet singer of Israel. He has written several psalms as praises to God. Here, he is praising God for his majestic deeds and creations. Lets walk along this Psalm with David and understand the message he wants to communicate.

From the heading, its clear that, this Psalm is written after David has become the king of Israel. He is wondering at the marvelous creations by God and His amazing grace towards Man.

Lets bring our attention to verse 3. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place... The sights he describes here (The moon, the stars etc) may probably had been his all time favorites right from the time he used to shepherd his Sheep along the pastures and wildernesses. One thing to be noted is that his favorite sight is of night time. During the day, he might be very busy with the sheep and may not get enough time to appreciate the nature's beauty. But at night, after bringing the flock into the sheepfold, David lie out in the fields and look up to see the Moon and the stars and their transformations. Each night he see a different sky. This wondered him a lot. He thought about the creator of these wonders. After becoming the king of Israel, he remembered those old days when he used to praise God during the nights.

How many of us reflect our past days and praise God? Some of us deliberately forget the past because we think that it will affect the current prestige! David always remembers that he was a shepherd before becoming the King of Israel. He always remembers that he had a past that no one, not even his own father, remembered him during auspicious functions. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. (Isa 51:1).

Message: We need to reflect the old days of life when we were not as wealthy, not as healthy, not as happy, not as peaceful as we are today and praise God for the deeds God has done for us. We need to be as humble before God and Man, as we were then. God doesn't want us to be proud about what we have today and forget the days we were very much needy.

Verse 3 also acknowledges that the wonderful nature is God's creation. Back then, sky, moon and stars were pretty much 'black box' for mankind. They did not know whats going on in the sky that makes it look different every night. However, they acknowledged the creator. Today we know much more about the sky and the nature. Interestingly, the more the man knew the nature, the more he questioned God! I always wonder that we ought to praise God more since we know more. The more we uncover the mysteries about nature, the more we establish the existence of God and the more we need to Praise God.

This psalm starts with exclamation and ends with exclamation LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth (v1 and v8). Usually we describe something and then exclaims about it. Here psalmist cannot describe the glory of God with mere words. He exclaims about it and then tries to describe God's Majesty and realizing that it is unsuccessful, he ends the psalm with another exclamation.

God's Glory is beyond description. Even then, he is mindful of man and he cares for man. [Verse 4] This verse also reflect David's humility before God. He is being thankful to God for the fact that God considered all the disqualifications of Man as the qualification to crown him with Glory and honor. Lets be more humble to God since He put all everything in this world under our feet. Lets honor His Majestic Name more since he made all these just for us and as if it is not enough, he gave us the eternal life and the glorious position as His own children.

Praise the Lord since His name is so Majestic in all the earth.

Your Brother In Christ,

Finny Samuel