Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: seeking truths

  • Passover to Firstfruits

    One of the many incredible prophecies of Christ Jesus could be that of His death and resurrection. In Matthew 12:38, when challenged for a sign, Jesus stated, “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).

    In John 2:19, again being asked for a sign, Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). John explained that Jesus was talking about the temple of His body (John 2:21)

    The resurrection of Jesus after three days and three nights in the grave is clearly a central proof that He indeed was the Christ. Sadly, however, the modern church has diminished Christ Jesus’ declaration by insisting on a Friday death and burial, and a Sunday resurrection. This fascination with Sunday has no roots in the early church; rather, it’s a modern concept. Tracing its beginning almost always leads back to the time of Constantine. When politics and religion intermingle, there is always a risk. Christians should remember that Jesus Christ declared to the Jewish religious leaders, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36).

    It is indeed difficult to pinpoint the exact day Jesus was crucified. However, if He was to be the sacrificial lamb acceptable to God, He must have fulfilled Scripture. The slaying of the Passover lamb has always occurred on the 14th of Nisan, regardless of the day of the week. On the 15th of Nisan, that is always a special or high Sabbath (John 19:31; Leviticus 23:6-8). Christ’s body was hurriedly placed in the burial site before dusk, just before the special or high Sabbath, as no work can be done on a Sabbath (John 19:40-42).

    Since the 14th and 15th of Nisan can fall on different days, similar to how our birthdays shift each year due to the calendar cycle, the number of days between Passover and the Feast of Firstfruits will vary annually. Considering that Jesus Christ was fulfilling His prophecy of three days and three nights, these must be the exact days in between required to fulfill that prophecy.

    The Feast of Firstfruits, however, cannot occur on just any day; it always takes place on the first regular Sabbath following the High Sabbath or the 15th of Nisan. Yes, the resurrection of Jesus Christ did not occur on a Sunday but rather on a regular Sabbath. Refer to Leviticus 23:10-11:

    “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: ‘When you enter the land that I am giving you and harvest its crops, you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the (15th of Nisan) Sabbath, the priest shall wave it.’” Hence, Paul refers to Jesus Christ as the firstfruits in 1 Corinthians 15:23.

    As I have explained, during the Passover festival week, there would be two Sabbaths: the special or high Sabbath (15th of Nisan) and the regular Sabbath. Leviticus 23:10-11 refers to the day (or Sabbath) after the high or special Sabbath. How do I know this for sure? Because the following festival, the Feast of Weeks (commonly known as Pentecost), is counted starting from the day the wave offering of Firstfruits has been presented, which is the regular Sabbath. See Leviticus 23:15-16:

    “You shall count seven full weeks from the day (Sabbath) after the Sabbath (15th of Nisan), starting from the day (Sabbath) you brought the sheaf for the wave offering. You will count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the LORD.”

    Contrary to common Christian teachings and traditions, Pentecost always falls on a Sabbath, not a Sunday. This distinction is significant for Jewish people. As a result, many modern Christians’ emphasis on Sunday observance has led Jews to reject Jesus Christ and the Gospel, as they believe Jesus did not fulfill Scripture.

    So here lies the cause of confusion: modern Christians have been observing the traditions of men rather than adhering to Scripture. Don’t we Christians realize that the words of Jesus Christ, spoken against the Jewish religious leaders, are very much applicable to our discussion here? See Mark 7:6-8:

    “Jesus said, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ‘You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.’”

    Whenever Christians neglect Scripture and follow the traditions of men, we misread and misapply the Bible. To further prove my point, let’s look at New Testament accounts concerning the resurrection. See Mark 16:1-2:

    “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.”

    Mark referred to two Sabbaths in his narrative. Here, the first one is correctly translated into English as “Sabbath,” pointing to the special or high Sabbath. The second, which is translated as “first day of the week,” actually refers to the first regular weekly Sabbath. A quick check on an interlinear Bible would show both terms, “Sabbath” and “week,” were derive from the Greek word #4522, “sabbaton.”

    Mary Magdalene and the other women visited the empty tomb on the regular Sabbath, not on a Sunday. This misinterpretation may have arisen during the time of Constantine, as the Romans had an affinity for the Sun God, Sol Invictus. I encourage you to conduct your own research on this topic.

    Jesus Christ fulfilled three of the feasts outlined in Leviticus 23. As I mentioned in a previous post, these festivals served as rehearsals, anticipating the coming of the Messiah. This explains the excitement of the Jews when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey (John 12:12-15).

    The three festivals are the Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread (crucifixion), and the Feast of Firstfruits (resurrection). Please see Scripture for confirmation.

    Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8: “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

    Jesus Christ was the Passover lamb; through His sacrifice and offering, He made all who believe in Him righteous (unleavened) in God’s sight.

    Furthermore, Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 15:23: “But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ.”

    Without a doubt, Paul referred to Christ’s resurrection as the fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits, thus designating Jesus as the firstfruits.

    Before I conclude this discussion, I want to highlight what Luke’s Gospel reveals about the expectations of the Jews, particularly Jewish Christians. You can find this in Luke 24:13-27. In this account, the risen Lord Jesus Christ first listened to the conversation of two of His disciples before engaging with them. One of the disciples expressed their hopes by saying, “But we had hoped that He (Jesus) was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened” (Luke 24:21).

    Christ’s resurrection comes with the certainty that He would be buried for three days and three nights before rising from the dead. The Jewish religious leaders understood the significance of Jesus fulfilling His prophecy, which is why they placed guards outside the tomb to prevent any human intervention. You can find this account in Matthew 27:62-65. Ultimately, Jesus rose from the dead exactly as He had predicted—”on the third day.”

    The purpose of sharing this information is not to confuse or cause discord among Christians. Instead, it aims to educate, clarify, and explain the truths of Scripture, so that Christians may find unity in their faith. Also, it serves to affirm inerrancy of the New Testament Scripture.

    Many Christians may easily dismiss this discussion by saying, “Oh, it’s a small thing. The important thing is that I believe in Jesus.” However, we must remember that Christ Jesus warned us to be careful not to become a stumbling block for others in their faith. We live in an age where information is readily available, but both falsehoods and truths are prevalent on the internet. Those who evaluate, study, and scrutinize the Bible alongside Christian claims and practices often choose not to engage with Christianity due to inconsistencies in its teachings, claims, and practices.

    Each Christian is a defender of the faith. While being unable to explain God’s word is one issue, being part of the misrepresentation is another matter entirely. It’s essential to recognize that our belief in Christ Jesus comes with a responsibility to others. Jesus Christ and the apostles warned us about the consequences of causing others to stumble in their faith.

    The Gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s power for salvation (Romans 1:16). We Christians possess immense power. Isn’t it often said, “With great power comes great responsibility”? This is the story of Jesus Christ presented in the Gospels from the Feast of Passover to that of the Firstfruits. We know Jesus is the Christ because He fulfilled Scripture.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Jesus Christ, the lamb of God

    Here are the details of Jesus Christ’s journey in the days leading up to Passover—the day He was crucified. This is from man’s perspective however, because God intended Him to be the acceptable sacrifice for redemption (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

    John 12:12 notes that the events took place the next day, six days before the Passover (as indicated in John 12:2). Both Matthew and Mark (Matthew 21:17 and Mark 11:11) mention that after that day’s events, Jesus returned to Bethany for the night. The following day, as He was on His way back to Jerusalem, Jesus cursed the fig tree (Mark 11:12-15). When He arrived at the temple, He overturned the tables of the money-changers and drove out those conducting business there. In the evening, they left the city and returned to Bethany (Mark 11:19). The next morning, they saw the fig tree that Jesus had cursed, and it had withered (Mark 11:19-21).

    In John 12:1, it states that six days before the Passover (the 14th of Nisan), Jesus arrived in Bethany on His way to Jerusalem, which would mean it was the 9th of Nisan. The triumphal entry of Jesus occurred the next day, which, according to Jewish timekeeping (as expressed in Genesis 1:5), begins in the evening and continues until dusk, before the next evening. Therefore, the triumphal entry took place on the morning of the 10th of Nisan. That same day, Jesus overturned the tables and drove out the money-changers.

    Mark later tells us, “It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread” (Mark 14:1). From the 10th of Nisan to the 14th is four days, which aligns perfectly with the period required by the Mosaic Law for observing the sacrificial lamb, making sure it is without blemish (Exodus 12:3-6). The night Jesus was betrayed by Judas marked the end of this four-day observation. After Jesus was arrested Judas confessed he betrayed an innocent blood ( Matthew 27:3-4). Thus, Jesus was indeed sinless—the perfect and true sacrifice acceptable for redemption.

    During these four days of observation, the religious leaders also found no fault in Him. Instead, they resorted to trickery, schemes, and fabricated charges to condemn Him. This situation resembles that of Joseph, who was sold by his own brothers. In the end, Joseph said, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20). In Genesis, Joseph served as a shadow or type of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, while Jesus is the fulfillment or anti-type.

    Jesus Christ clearly was doing God’s redemptive work by fulfilling the Leviticus 23 Jewish Festivals, a rehearsal preparing for the tabernable of God with His people. 

    Scripture declared: “These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:28-29)

    Jesus Christ declared, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Mat 5:17-18)

    Both the Old Testament and the New Testament align perfectly, telling the story of God’s redemptive history. This is evidence of the inerrancy of the Bible, encompassing both Testaments.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Canon of Scripture: Argument from Internal Evidence

    Over the years of reading and studying the Bible, I have come to understand that all 66 books are indeed Scripture. This is evident because their messages are coherent and they all point to Christ Jesus, whether directly or by inference. I am referring here to internal evidence.

    For those who have not yet to recognized this unity, I am providing a link that discusses the authority of the Bible based on external evidence.

    I understand that the external evidence regarding the canon of Scripture can be contentious, especially considering the influence of Constantine’s time. GotQuestions.org explains that the term “canon” refers to the books that are divinely inspired and thus belong in the Bible. But how do we determine which books are inspired? Here are some criteria to consider:

    1. Authorship: The identity of the author is crucial.
    2. Dating: The book should have been written before the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.
    3. General Circulation: The work should have been recognized, used, or circulated by early Christian communities, ideally within the 1st century.
    4. Message: The book should present a unified message that aligns with the fulfillments of Old Testament Scripture.

    It’s important to remember Christ’s words: “Then He said to them, ‘These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’” (Luke 24:44-48)

    The Old Testament canon faces little controversy, primarily because both Jesus Christ and the apostles refer to it. For example, Peter writes, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” Here, Peter serves as a witness, representing New Testament Scripture. He continues, “For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain.” Once more, Peter refers to the Gospels, affirming the fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture; Isaiah 42:1 speaks of God delighting in His servant, among other prophecies.

    Next, Peter confirmed that they had witnessed the fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture. He continued by stating, “And we have the prophetic word made more fully confirmed, to which you would do well to pay attention, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” He emphasized, “Knowing this first of all: no prophecy of Scripture comes from an individual’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:16-21).

    I personally stand by the internal evidence for the canon of Scripture, hoping to put to rest doubts about the inerrancy of the Bible, particularly the New Testament Scriptures, which have been heavily attacked by critics.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Get Your Head in the Game

    This morning, we emphasized the importance of being like Mary, not Martha, and denouncing the treachery of Judas.

    Judas was a constant companion of Christ, together with the eleven apostles. In contrast, Mary would only be able to hear Jesus when He was at Bethany. While Jesus taught both the apostles and Mary, Mary had the right attitude and focused on His teachings whenever possible. She absorbed His words deeply (Luke 10:39). Could Mary have understood that Jesus’ discussion of His death referred to His fulfillment of the Jewish Passover? (Read Luke 9:22; Luke 9:44; Luke 18:31-34; Luke 24:26; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 8:31; Mark 9:31-32; Mark 10:33-34; 1 Corinthians 5:7) Was that the reason behind her act of anointing His feet and wiping them with her own hair? Bear in mind, Scripture’s context has it days before the Jewish Passover Feast. Jesus responded to Mary’s devotion by saying, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.” 

    Scripture recounts Mary’s act of anointing Jesus’ feet with a pound of expensive ointment. While the ointment undoubtedly cost a significant amount, it held no financial value for Mary, as she perceived Jesus as far more precious. In contrast, Judas, despite being a constant companion of Jesus Christ, failed to recognize His worth. He prioritized the monetary value of the expensive ointment over Jesus. Christians should reflect on their priorities and ensure that they align with God’s will. In other words, “Get your head in the game”. Ecclesiastes 3:1 emphasizes that there is a time for every human activity under heaven. However, amidst the constant busyness of life, we often find ourselves preoccupied with trivial matters. In fact, Jesus Himself even admonished, stating, “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).

    To clarify, Christ Jesus is not teaching us to despise our loved ones; rather, He was emphasizing the importance of loving Him above all else. Keep in mind that the passage was in the context of Christ Jesus sending out His apostles to proclaim the Gospel. So, Christ Jesus is actually teaching us that nothing should hinder or distract us from sharing God’s Word. Similarly, if we truly care for our loved ones, we ought to let them know God’s Word, not compromising ourselves in the hope of getting their favor. Ultimately, Ecclesiastes concludes, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

    Know that Jesus Christ is far more precious than any material thing or other pursuit in this world. Even our loved ones would perish if they were not in Christ Jesus. As mentioned in Psalms 37:4-5, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalms 37:4-5).

    Incidentally, Psalm 37:5 was the passage inscribed on the penholder my son gifted me. Perhaps I can say my son, guided by God’s Word, led me to Christ Jesus, even after his passing. I, too, was once consumed by life until God intervened through the death of my only son, allowing me to hear His Word.

    Do you yearn for your loved ones to embrace the faith of Christ? Paul admonished us to emulate his example, as he follows Christ’s (1 Corinthians 11:1). What did Christ exemplify for Paul to follow? Jesus Christ remained steadfast and exclusively spoke and obeyed God’s Word.

    We can only encourage people to enjoy basketball if they also understand the rules. Likewise, we cannot expect them to follow along if you’re too busy playing a completely different game with them altogether. So follow Jesus Christ and His Word, trust Him. Perhaps, by His grace, our loved ones would also find Christ and His Word.

    So, Paul admonished, “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes fairly and according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5). Life itself is a competition, but anyone who hopes to be in Christ Jesus must compete in His rule—that is, in His Word.

    For reference, our passage this morning starts at John 11:55 and continues until 12:8.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Christ Jesus: The Great Shepherd

    Jesus Christ in John 10 proclaims, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). This declaration echoes Ezekiel 34:11, where the Lord God declares, “Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep and will seek them out.”

    Christ Jesus came to fulfill both the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17-18). If He had arrived and left other Old Testament Scriptures unfulfilled for millennia, then His Word would have been deemed incomplete. However, Christ Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-5, 14-18), and He has undoubtedly fulfilled all His promises. Therefore, it is our responsibility to reconcile His teachings with our own.

    Being ridiculed by the religious leaders of Israel for mingling with sinners and tax-collectors, Jesus Christ then told them two parables:

    “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:4-10)

    In Christ’s parable, the lost sheep represents the sinners and tax collectors who are seeking salvation through His words and teachings. If Jesus Christ fulfills the prophecy in Ezekiel 34 as the Shepherd of God’s flock, then it follows that those who oppose Him and His message are false shepherds.

    If God condemned the false shepherds of the Old Testament, would He not do the same today for pastors who do not guide people to His Word?

    Christianity centers on God’s Word. Men’s traditions have no authority over God’s Word. Christ Jesus and His Word is the final arbiter of faith and truth.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • True Christian Unity

    At its inception, Christianity was not divided. Scripture states, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Here, Paul refers to the church as the “body” (Ephesians 1:22-23). However, today we see Christians divided among themselves. Why is this the case? Is it solely due to differences in doctrine? Many Christians tend to avoid discussing theological doctrines in order to maintain the unity of the church.

    The real issue is not doctrine itself, but rather false doctrines. This concern is echoed in the letters of Paul, Peter, and other New Testament writers. Therefore, Christians should study the Bible to understand the true doctrines of Scripture and achieve unity in faith. This is precisely the goal of our ministry: to teach Christians how to rightly interpret the Word of God. 

    Unfortunately, many pastors, despite their seminary training, choose to adhere to the writings of men. It is essential for all Christians to agree that the Bible is the only book inspired by God, inerrant, and the sole source of truth for faith. If God’s workers continue down this path, it is not surprising that Christianity remains fragmented, incohesive, and divided.

    I was once told, “Pastor, your ministry might not interest a lot of people.” However, we are not seeking a large audience, but rather individual Christians who are eager to deepen their understanding of Scripture. The apostle Paul instructed, “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

    Christians, do not settle for simply listening and hearing. Be like the Bereans; learn to verify teachings against Scripture. Paul warned, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).

    Scripture also states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12). Follow Jesus Christ and His Word—He alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

    If Christians are united in their faith, there should be minimal conflict. But it has to be the right doctrine and faith. Our ministry’s goal is to strengthen and unify that faith. However, we recognize that this is not always easy, especially within a congregation. Jesus Christ didn’t convert five thousand people at once; He initially started with twelve, one of whom would betray Him. Therefore, it is important to start with individuals or a small group and allow growth to happen naturally.

    Jesus Christ told a parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Mat 13:31-32)

    Paul teaches, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1Co 3:6)

    Pastors and Christians need to understand that we are not tasked with building the church; rather, we are called to equip people with the Word of God. It is Christ Jesus alone who builds His church, as stated in Mattew 16:18. Scripture said, “So then you (that is, Gentile believers) are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints (Jewish Christians) and members of the household of God (the church), built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Scripture, both New & Old), Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Eph 2:19-22)

    Numbers do not mean anything to God; rather, it is the quality and character of His people that matters.

    The Bible teaches, “After this many of His (Jesus Christ’s) disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”” (Jhn 6:66-70)

    At the end of the day, only those who are truly converted and understand the Scripture well will continue to live in faith and spread the Word.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • A Study on John 9

    In John 9, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:2-3)

    What did Jesus mean by “the works of God”? In John 6:29, we see that the work of God is for people to believe in Jesus Christ, whom He has sent.

    John 9 is not solely about miracles and healings; rather, John emphasizes that these events are signs of Christ Jesus (John 20:30-31). Before Christ’s coming, the Jews experienced four hundred years of silence from God—where no miracles or words were spoken (What were the 400 years of silence? | GotQuestions.org; I disagree with the last sentence on this site. To understand why, visit my blog site https://unlearningtraditionrelearningscripture.com). Malachi foretold that Israel should anticipate the arrival of a forerunner preceding the coming of Christ Jesus (Malachi 3:1-5; 4:1-6). Thus, the signs performed by Christ announced His arrival (John 7:31). Although recognized by the religious leaders, they ultimately rejected Jesus, misleading Israel and condemning Him to the cross (John 11:47-48).

    Are we faithfully bringing Jesus Christ to the awareness of others? Is our teaching about Jesus Christ aligned with Scripture? As Christians, are we living lives that reflect God’s grace?

    We must always be vigilant about what we teach. It is essential to convey only the truths found in Scripture. Paul warned against those who teach about another Jesus or another Gospel (Galatians 1:6-7; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4).

    “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)

    “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

    Let us learn only from the Word of God and not from men. Jesus Christ told a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:39-40)

    True teaching of God’s Word is only truly learned when one is thoroughly trained in it. While reading men’s writings can sometimes be helpful, it should always be approached with discernment and discretion. We must be careful not to repeat the mistakes of others, as this could lead us to mislead those we teach. If that happens, can we still claim to be doing the work of God, which is to lead people to believe in Jesus Christ?

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • The Essence of Christ’s Birth

    There has been considerable debate regarding the date of Christ’s birth. According to the Gospel of Luke, it took place after Caesar Augustus issued a decree for all subjects of the Roman Empire to be registered (Luke 2:1). However, Britannica.com offers an explanation for why Christmas is celebrated on December 25.

    In the 3rd century, the Roman Empire, which at the time had not adopted Christianity, celebrated the rebirth of the Unconquered Sun (Sol Invictus) on December 25th. This holiday not only marked the return of longer days after the winter solstice but also followed the popular Roman festival called the Saturnalia (during which people feasted and exchanged gifts). It was also the birthday of the Indo-European deity Mithra, a god of light and loyalty whose cult was at the time growing popular among Roman soldiers.

    The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine. As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations. The date was not widely accepted in the Eastern Empire, where January 6 had been favored, for another half-century, and Christmas did not become a major Christian festival until the 9th century.

    This blog doesn’t intend to challenge the widely celebrated date of Christ’s birth. Instead, I’ll delve into the profound significance of this event. The birth of the incarnate Christ Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises in Isaiah 7:14 & 9:6-7.

    “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Isa 7:14)”. The Gospel of Matthew divinely spoke of its fulfillment, saying, “She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:21-23)

    The context of God’s promise was to encourage King Ahaz to trust in God despite the imminent threat of attack from the combined forces of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Syria, stemming from Judah’s refusal to join a coalition of nations against Assyria.

    On the other hand, Isaiah 9:6-7 said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” The New Testament Scripture spoke of its fulfillment on a lot of passages; Luke 1:35; Luke 2:11; John 1:14; John 3:16-17; Romans 8:32; 1Jn 4:10-14.

    Here’s the problem. Although modern Christianity acknowledges the fulfillment of Christ’s birth, it conveniently overlooks His rule and kingdom. The prophecy of Isaiah 9:6-7 has been unbiblically divided into two fulfillments. Yes, they acknowledge that Jesus Christ arrived and currently reigns spiritually, but they also believe He will return and reign physically. This belief is known as futurism.

    Keep in mind that Scripture declared the arrival of Jesus Christ the commencement of the last days, see Hebrews 1:1-2, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world”. Though, it’s commonly belief that the last days commenced at the Pentecost. Yet Peter, at the Pentecost, quoting Joel 2:28-32 preached about the coming end of the Jewish age. See excerpt from Peter’s message:

    “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”” (Act 2:36-40)

    See Joel 2:28-32, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out My Spirit. ‘And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.’”

    Joel prophesied about the impending judgment against Old Covenant Israel. A lot of Christians fail to notice that Jesus Christ taught the disciples about the end of the Jewish age too (see Matthew 24-25). Peter, in turn, announced the arrival of its soon fulfillment (Acts 2). By “soon”, I didn’t mean soon as futurist explains it to justify their insistence on another return by Christ Jesus. But soon as it should properly be understood, both biblically and grammatically, therefore applied to the generation of Jews that crucified Christ Jesus, and persecuted His apostles and servants of His Word. See Christ’s words on that Old Covenant crooked generation, “Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate.” (Matthew 23:32-38)

    The unbelieving world cannot comprehend modern Christians’ appreciation of God’s Word. It is not because their hearts were hardened that they failed to understand and believe the faith. Rather, it was due to the inconsistency of biblical declarations and explanations.

    A mega-church has recently been doing a series of sermons on the supposed last day’s teachings of the Bible. Like many others before them, they insist that Israel remains to be the favored people of God. Recent excitements about a supposed soon second coming of Christ Jesus have been triggered by recent events in Israel. But instead of teaching about the last days of Israel, they believe in the last days of the church age, because they believe in the restoration of Israel to its former prominence. Keep in mind, that in their teaching the church is just a parenthesis in God’s original plan. On the contrary, Paul taught the reverse, the church was the mystery hidden for ages in God’s plan. See Ephesians 3:7-12.

    “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.”

    Paul taught that there is no longer any distinction between Jews and Gentiles; the Gospel is available to both for salvation. The church, therefore, is the heir to God’s promises to Abraham. See Galatians 3:25-29; Ephesians 1:3-3:12. This is not replacement theology, but a fulfillment of God’s unilateral promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), and all humanity (Genesis 3:15-21).

    In Genesis 3:21, God made a garment of skin to clothe both Adam and Eve due to their spiritual nakedness. Keep in mind there was no malice in the beginning before their breaking of God’s covenant, they ate from the forbidden tree. So it’s not about being physically naked. Paul explained the implication of being spiritually naked. See 2 Corinthians 5:1-4.

    “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”

    By “tent”, Paul meant the temple, which was the temporal representation of God’s covenant. Paul was looking forward to a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Jesus Christ was the manifestation of God’s eternal temple. Paul in Colossians told us, that Christ Jesus is the Head, the church is His body (Col 1:18). In Ephesians, Paul revealed that Christians-both Jew and Gentile believers-is the holy temple in the Lord (Eph 2:11-22). Paul, therefore, in 2 Corinthians 5 spoke of the passing of the Old Covenant temple with the fulfillment of Christ Jesus and His Church as the new and eternal Temple. Hence, Paul concludes in 2 Corinthians 5 with these words:

    “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2Co 5:16-21)

    By “flesh” Paul refers to circumcision, the sign of God’s Old Covenant (Gen 17:9-14; Gal 4:21-31). I have always asked this question, “Do you still see the Jewish temple standing in Jerusalem today?” It has been gone for millennia now, after its destruction in 70 A.D., exactly as prophesied by Christ Jesus in Matthew 23-24, Luke 21 & Mark 13.

    Study the Bible accordingly. The incarnate coming of Christ Jesus, His death, resurrection, glorius ascension, and judgment against Old Covenant Israel was the complete fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7. Jesus Christ came to establish His kingdom and He has been reigning henceforth. And His reign is without end.

    So amidst our temporal struggles do not lose heart, because He came and He reigns. Jesus Christ tells us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all our needs will be supplied to us.

    On his farewell letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with Him (Christ Jesus), we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself.” (2Timothy 2:11-13)

    Let us not be like Adam and Eve. They were in the Garden of Eden communing with God. And yet, they allowed themselves to be tempted by the devil, twisting and manipulating God’s Word.

    Christ Jesus came and fulfilled God’s salvation plan for us who believe. God’s salvation encompasses now, in our present existence, and to eternity. Therefore, let us be true to our confession of faith. Trusting Christ Jesus not only our eternity but even our today. That is what it meant to die with Jesus Christ. So Jesus said, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)

    Worrying about tomorrow could be a manifestation of faithlessness. Paul said, “If we deny Christ Jesus, He will also deny us”. Our faithlessness would not nullify Christ’s faithfulness, He would always be true to His Word and remain faithful. Consequently, do not be wary about tomorrow. Rather, be concerned that we may not be living in faith, thereby be kick out of God’s kingdom just as it happened to Adam and Eve.

    On a side note, isn’t the treasure hidden in Christ’s parable God’s kingdom? Indeed, God’s kingdom cannot be observed, as He told the Pharisees in Luke 17:20-21; however, it can be found (Matt 13:44-46). But how? By the hearing and reading of God’s Word that was spoken by Christ Jesus (Matt 13:37; Matt 13:23; Rom 10:17-18).

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Spliced Gospel

    According to vocabulary.com, the earliest records of the word “splice” date back to the early 16th century when it was borrowed from the Middle Dutch verb “splissen.” Sailors used this verb to join ropes end to end by interweaving their strands. In 1912, the infant motion-picture industry adopted the word “splice” to describe the cutting and joining of film during the editing process. Ironically, this is precisely what happens to the modern interpretation of the Gospel—it’s spliced and edited.

    In my previous blog post titled “The Gospel Heralds God’s Kingdom and the Time of the End,” I discussed how the Gospel relates to the conclusion of Old Covenant Israel and the establishment of God’s kingdom. Unfortunately, this message is no longer what is commonly preached and taught in conventional Christianity. As a result, many Christians feel it is acceptable to disregard the doctrine of the last days and instead focus solely on the grace of God. This has led to disagreements among Christians regarding the doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

    Watch all three videos in the intended sequence. I generally agree with most of the first two videos, so my criticism lies in his explanation of “the end of the age.”

    R.C. Sproul was on the right track until he reached Luke 21:24. Here’s an excerpt of the passage where he deviates from the correct interpretation: “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Although Sproul was able to connect this verse to Paul’s words in Romans 11:25, “A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” his interpretation of both texts don’t align with their context. R.C. Sproul suggested that if there was a time for the Gentiles, there must also be a time for the Jews. However, he conveniently overlooked the fact that he had repeatedly asserted that the “last days” refer to the Jewish age. Therefore, if we follow his reasoning, it implies that the “last days” encompassed the Jewish age—the era of the apostles until the destruction of the temple—followed by the times of the Gentiles, and then returned to the Jewish age.

    Jesus Christ spoke of only two ages—“in this age and in the age to come,” as mentioned in Matthew 12:32. This concept was also expressed by Christ Jesus in various other passages, such as Mark 10:29-30 and Luke 18:29-30. However, the most profound statement about the two ages can be found in Luke 20:34-36.

    “And Jesus said to them [Sadducees], “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”

    Jesus Christ made a clear distinction between the two ages: resurrection, therefore pointing to salvation, becomes a reality only at the age to come. Check and see, Hebrews 9:28 teaches the same truth. Now, to which age do the Sadducees belong? Obviously, it’s the Jewish age. The temple was still standing. Old Testament temple offerings and regulations were still in effect.

    Hebrews, written in 68 AD, according to Bible Hub Timeline. The temple was still standing before it was destroyed in 70 AD. Hebrews 8:13 says, “In speaking of a new covenant, He makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews was correct; the temple and its regulations were ready to vanish away. Hence, with the destruction of the Jewish temple, all temple regulations halted, and the Jewish age ended.

    But R.C. Sproul was suggesting a return of the Jews. He especially mentioned the Jews’ return to Jerusalem in 1948. Also, the Sixth Day War was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab states, primarily Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, from 5 to 10 June 1967. Yet, despite all these years, since 1948, that the Jews have returned to Jerusalem, the temple was never rebuilt. The Dome of Rock stands today on the exact spot where the former Jewish temple was built, stood, and then was destroyed. Besides, any suggestion of a re-establishment of another Jewish age contradicts Scripture’s clear declaration of God’s working for salvation. See Galatians 3:25-29.

    “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

    In other words, even with the return of the Jews in 1948, the train has passed them, and they’ve missed the ride. That’s exactly the point of the two passages. Actually, Paul was the authority behind both Luke 21:24 and Romans 11:25, which were connected rightly by R.C. Sproul but were interpreted wrongly.

    Let us take a look at both passages within its context.

    “They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. ‘And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’” (Luke 21:24-28)

    How would the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled? What does Luke mean by “times of the Gentiles”?

    Daniel spoke of “times of the Gentiles ruling over Israel”. God revealed the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. In the dream, there were four Gentile nations to rule over Israel, and it’s on the last or fourth Gentile kingdom when God’s kingdom would be manifested. See Daniel 2:40-46.

    “And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.” Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him.”

    We have the advantage of history guiding us in understanding fulfilled prophecies, but that does not mean it cannot be explained internally by Scripture itself. Rome, the fourth Gentile empire after Babylon, succeeded in ruling over Israel. The Stone has repeatedly been interpreted as a reference to Jesus Christ. In Luke 20, Jesus Christ delivered a parable. At the conclusion of his parable, the Bible states, “But He [Jesus Christ] looked directly at them [Jewish religious leaders] and said, ‘What then is this that is written: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.’ The scribes and the chief priests attempted to seize Him at that very moment, for they recognized that He had uttered this parable in opposition to them, but they were afraid of the people.” (Luke 20:17-19)

    In Acts 4, Peter preaching before the Jews said, “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” (Act 4:11)

    The “times of the Gentiles” in Luke 21:24 then refer to the end of the Jewish age and the arrival of God’s kingdom. Isn’t that the time when the “resurrection of the last days” should occur? Look at the context. Luke went on to say, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).” Then, again, Luke added, saying, “So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near (Luke 21:31).”

    God’s complete redemption of His people would occur only when God’s kingdom has been fully consummated. See 1 Corinthians 15:23-27.

    “But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under His feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that He is excepted who put all things in subjection under Him.”

    Now let see Romans 11:25 together with its context.

    “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.” (Rom 11:25-28)

    Let’s examine Paul’s statement: “I don’t want you to be unaware about this mystery.” What mystery? That’s the Jew and Gentile are both under God’s New Covenant. Check out Ephesians 2:11-3:6.

    Now, from the context of Romans 11, Paul clearly was now addressing the Gentile Christians, Paul said, “Now I’m speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry (Rom 11:13).”

    In his letter to the believers in Rome, Paul addressed both Jewish and Gentile Christians. However, at this point, he was specifically speaking to Gentile Christians. What was the issue? The Gentile Christians seemed to have misunderstood, thinking that God was done with Israel. They believed they were destined for destruction. To clarify this, Paul explained, “No, not yet. Not until Christ Jesus returns with the fullness of God’s kingdom, they still have a chance.” To support his point, he quoted Scripture, specifically Psalm 14:7 and Isaiah 59:20-22, saying, “In this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob’, “and this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26-27)

    Who would be saved according to Paul, in Romans 11? It’s the remnant of Israel saved by grace (Romans 11:5-7). That’s also the elect of Paul’s era (Romans 11:25-32), properly applied—“It’s the Jews who responded to the Gospel of Christ Jesus (1 Thess 1:4-5) before the fullness of the Gentiles has come in”, the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 2:40-46), and the consumation of God’s kingdom (1Co 15:23-26).

    Furthermore, R.C. Sproul proposed the possibility of two comings after the incarnate coming of Christ Jesus—one in judgment of Israel (70 AD), and the latter in fulfillment of all Scripture, especially that of National Israel coming to faith. That’s exactly what Paul has been arguing from Romans 9-11. All is not lost for Israel. See Romans 11:1-6, Paul explained, “I ask, then, has God rejected His people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal. So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”

    So here is where Paul and Sproul differed. Paul said “at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” Obviously Paul didn’t mean sometime in his distant future, but at the present time. That’s Paul’s era, so it was Israel’s last days before judgment comes. Sproul on the other hand, suggested the exact opposite, that there is another round of grace for Israel—a second act of grace from God. That has always been the achilles heel of futurism. (Click highlight to see explanation on futurism. I agree with most of the explanation of GotQuestions.Org on futurism except for the last paragraph.)

    See Romans 13:11, Paul promises the church, saying, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” By “you and us”, Paul refers to him and the Christians in Rome of his era, not us today. Romans was written in 57 AD. Paul came to faith in 34 AD. So it has been more than two decades since Paul became a Christian. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple came in 70 AD, the end of the Jewish age. Isn’t Paul indeed closer to salvation, because after the end of the Jewish age—that’s AD 70—comes the time for eternal life? See again Christ’s words regarding the two ages.

    Scripture said, “And He [Jesus Christ] said to them [the apostles], “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time [Jewish age], and in the age to come eternal life [New Covenant Age].”” (Luke 18:29-30. Also Mark 10:29-30, and etc)

    Respecting context, audience and time revelance is key in understanding the Bible. R.C. Sproul was a prominent figure from the Reformed traditions and yet, he did not argue from the confessions or creeds, only by Scripture. I guess, as in the case of many, like me before, his preexisting ideas from the traditional teachings of the Bible may have hindered his understanding on some Scriptural passages. But he will always have my respect, even though I have to disagree with some points he raised in his video teaching “End of the Age”.

    I do not claim to be more knowledgeable than R.C. Sproul. I followed his teachings once but had to step away when the doctrines became paradoxical. Perhaps being out of conventional Christianity also has its advantages. You are not pressured to submit to preexisting teachings but can freely exegete Scripture. Conform only to Scripture.

    “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (Jhn 8:31-32)

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • “One Mistake, Double the Trouble”

    This morning we studied John 7:16-18. Jesus Christ said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His [God the Father] who sent Me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on My own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of Him [God] who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”

    We have had this passage for some time. There is simply a lot to learn and explore in this passage. Christ Jesus calls on us to learn and teach only from that of God the Father and Jesus Christ, which is also that of the Spirit (John 16:13). As an example, we explore the doctrine of election as it has been taught conventionally. We would like to know if it would pass scrutiny of Scripture. We touched on Romans 9, Galatians 4, and Genesis 17.

    Embracing the conventional teaching on “election” would certainly conclude a “double predestination” – if there are people who are elected to be saved, then there are also people elected to be damned. This has been rejected and debated much. Rightly so, for if God is the God of love and grace, how do we justify saying He picks and chooses those He saves and reprobates others? On the other hand, if “election” is indeed according to the teaching of the Bible – electing and reprobating people for and from salvation – then we ought to find Scripture’s clear teaching on the doctrine. Adhering to confessions, writings of men, would not suffice. Only Scripture is inerrant and infallible.

    As We have studied this morning. Paul’s teaching on election was applied to a specific time and people group. In Romans 9, Paul highlighted one Israel by ethnicity, and the other by promise (see Romans 9:6-13). Two Israels, by two sons of Abraham. Galatians said, “One by Hagar, the other Sarah” (see Galatians 4:21-31) – the latter was by God’s unilateral covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:15-16, 21); the first, on the other hand, was a bilateral covenant by circumcision (Genesis 17:10-14). That’s exactly Paul’s teaching from Galatians 4:21 to 5:10. 

    Herewith is an excerpt from GotQuestions.Org with an explainer of the two covenants. “A covenant is an agreement between two parties. There are two basic types of covenants: conditional and unconditional. A conditional or bilateral covenant is an agreement that is binding on both parties for its fulfillment. Both parties agree to fulfill certain conditions. If either party fails to meet their responsibilities, the covenant is broken and neither party has to fulfill the expectations of the covenant. An unconditional or unilateral covenant is an agreement between two parties, but only one of the two parties has to do something. Nothing is required of the other party.”

    Old Covenant Israel ceased with the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. Without the temple, together with its regulations gone, then Old Covenant Israel could no longer exist (Hebrews 9:1-10). Rightly so, for Christ Jesus was the true acceptable offering for salvation (Hebrews 9:11-15). In Romans 9, written 57 A.D., the temple was still standing; hence, there were still two Israels: one born by the covenant of circumcision (bilateral) and the other born of the spirit (John 3:3, 5-6), or the covenant of faith or promise. 

    So before the end of the Jewish Age, Paul explained the reality of God’s election for the salvation of some Jews (Old Covenant Israel). With Paul saying, “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.” (Romans 11:5)

    The “present time” is not today, but the days of Paul, the era of his generation. So obviously it’s history to us. Paul then concludes in Romans 11:28, saying, “As regards the gospel, they [Old Covenant Israel] are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they [Israel of Promise] are beloved for the sake of their forefathers [forefathers, referring to God’s covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel or Jacob].”

    Therefore, there was no double predestination in reality even then. Old Covenant Israel had been under God’s wrath; hence, they awaited a coming Messiah (Christ Jesus). Look, John the Baptist was announcing exactly that: “Repentance is now, judgment is imminent” (see Matthew 3:2, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”).

    See also Matthew 3:7-10. “But when he [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! WHO WARNED YOU TO FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME? BEAR FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. EVEN NOW THE AXE IS LAID TO THE ROOT OF THE TREES. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

    “Raising children for Abraham from stones” certainly is not by natural conception or birth. Like the incarnate Jesus Christ, His birth was by God’s promise and His Spirit (Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23). So that’s the reason Jesus Christ told Nicodemus, “You must be born again [John 3:3], born of the Spirit not of flesh [John 3:5-7].”

    Without a doubt, the axe was symbolic of God’s wrath and impending judgment. The trees were to be cut from its roots. Isn’t that a metaphor of an impending cessation of Old Covenant Israel? Just as I shared earlier, without the temple and its ordinances, Old Covenant Israel ceased to exist. 

    Keep in mind that with the coming of Christ Jesus, God’s grace has been for everyone. There is no more Jew or Gentile in the eyes of God (Galatians 3:26-29).

    There is no teaching of double predestination in the Bible. God’s church is the manifestation of God’s unilateral covenant with Abraham. It’s a covenant of promise, which rests in Christ Jesus, so it’s also a covenant of faith. Salvation is in Christ Jesus alone, through faith in Him. Faith in Christ Jesus encompasses His deeds and His Word. 

    The Greek word for “election” appeared only seven times in the New Testament Bible. It appeared always in conjunction with Old Covenant Israel (Romans 9:10-11; Romans 11:5, 7 & 28; 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 2 Peter 1:10 & Acts 9:15).

    1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 has to be the most interesting and glaring vis-à-vis the conventional teaching on election, a cherry-picking election. 

    God’s grace has been offered to everyone because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:21-23). Isn’t it paradoxical that God offers grace and yet He elects?

    Now see 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5. Paul said, “For we know, brothers loved by God, that HE HAS CHOSEN YOU, BECAUSE OUR GOSPEL CAME TO YOU not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

    Point #1. By “we”, Paul refers to himself and his co-workers. In other words, living Christians of his era. That’s respecting time relevance. 

    Point #2. The word translated “chosen” was from the Greek word translated “election” in Romans 9 & 11; 2 Peter and Acts. Therefore, it’s the same. Paul was talking about the election of the Thessalonians believers. That’s respecting the context, audience, and time relevance. 

    Point #3. Therefore, “election or chosen” does not imply or mean God selects, picks, or chooses somebody and outright rejects others. Rather, God elects people by the preaching and teaching of His Word. See 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 again; Scripture said, “God has chosen you because our Gospel came to you”.

    Christ Jesus taught in Matthew 13:18-23 reasons that hinder a person from becoming good soil of His Word. In Matthew 13:23, Jesus Christ concludes, “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who HEARS THE WORD AND UNDERSTANDS IT. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

    Keep in mind that Jesus Christ is the Sower in His parables (Matt 13:37). He sows the Word of God (Matt 13:18-23). 

    Lastly, the audience of Paul in 1 Thessalonians were Jewish Christians. Once more, see 1 Thessalonians 2:13-15. Paul said, “And we also thank God constantly for this, that WHEN YOU RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH YOU HEARD FROM US, YOU ACCEPTED IT NOT AS THE WORD OF MEN BUT AS WHAT IT REALLY IS, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS AT WORK IN YOU BELIEVERS. For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. FOR YOU SUFFERED THE SAME THINGS FROM YOUR OWN COUNTRYMEN AS THEY DID FROM THE JEWS, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displeased God and opposed all mankind.”

    Let us learn well the teachings of the Word so that we may silence those who teach from men’s teachings. The point is not to debate, but to explain to those who truly seek God’s Word but were misled. 

    Truly, there is no double predestination in Scripture, but if anyone misreads Scripture and teaches outside the teachings of the Trinity God, it could end in double the trouble, for you and your hearers. Paul warned, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

    Always learn from the Word of God, not men’s teaching. Scripture alone is the arbiter of truth, not men. 

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!