Are Christians Antinomian?

 

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he word Antinomian is not a term we use in everyday language. It is a theological word. It is a compound word. The prefix anti means against. The suffix is nomos which means law. So, an Antinomian is someone who is against the law. In particular the law of God. The apostle Paul was accused of teaching Antinomianism.

In Romans 8:1-2 we read:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of the life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.

The child of God should always give praise to God for this above reality. Because we are saved, we are also free from sin and death. To be judgment free speaks of the mighty power of God. Prior to Christ’s salvation we were bound by sin. Now we are free to serve God instead of sin. We have a new Master.

Sadly, many Christians have taken terrible advantage of God’s grace. They believe our freedom gives us license to sin; to do anything we want because we are in Christ and our salvation is secure.

Paul in Romans 6:1-12 says:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized unto His death? Therefore were buried with Him in baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts.

The preceding twelve verses gives the believer the formula for a victorious Christian life.  Paul gives the child of God revelation knowledge of why Christ died: 1) to destroy sin’s power (vs 2). 2) To put to death the old man of sin in baptismal death (vs.2). 3) Provide us with new life in His resurrection (vs 5). As a result, we are to no longer serve sin and its evil desires but serve Christ (vs 12).

A Christian that lives anyway they want is an immature believer. A friend of mine long ago called that type of person a Fire Insurance Christian – a Christian that only wants salvation so they can escape hell. They have no desire to live holy and submitted to the law of Christ. A person who claims to have been a Christian for a while that lives anyway they want to need to examine themselves to see if they are truly in the faith (1 Cor 13:5).

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iving a lawless life as a Christian is an oxymoron. Freedom to sin is not freedom at all; its bondage. It’s the old unregenerate nature that Christ nailed to the cross when He died to destroy sin. A proud sinner is a Satan pleaser, not a Christian! 1 John 3:8 says he that practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifest that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Notice the word practice. When one practices something their intent is to become an expert at whatever they are practicing so you do it over and over again. Those who practice sin become masters of evil proving they do not belong to God, but to the devil. 1 John 3:7 says he who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous.

So, Christians cannot live a life as an Antinomian. We are free in the sense that we are free to NOT serve sin but free to serve God in righteousness.

Let us not frustrate the grace of God and treat the death of Christ as something common by living ungodly. Remember, those who are in Christ are new creations. Old things have passed away; all things are new. We are not the same people anymore. Let’s act like it (2 Cor 5:17).

 

Are We to Take the Bible Literally?

With no direction from learned and skilled theologians, the Bible can be a very difficult collection of books to understand. The Bible is indeed a collection of ancient documents written thousands of years ago. Because the books are so old, many say they are antiquated, outdated and not relevant for today. Others are convinced the Bible contains numerous errors, and that it contradicts itself. The ones that have this attitude toward the Bible are those who do not want it to be true. For if it is, it will bring certain conviction and judgment on those who hate its truth.

Social Media has allowed many to easily become critics of the God of the Bible. Many people no doubt are parroting others who discount its truth having never investigated the claims of the Bible for themselves. These individuals are the ones that are making a fool of themselves – thinking that somehow blaspheming God and His word is a virtue. It is important that the writer point out why so many are quick to ride on the unbelief train of scriptural truth. It is in the sinful nature of rebellious man to reject holy writ. Man by nature is an enemy of God. So, it is no wonder that he would resist Biblical truth - it goes against the dictates of his corrupt mind and heart.

Contrary to popular belief, the Bible contains actual history, not fables like many claim. Because many deny the words of the Bible originated from heaven, they conclude it was written by flawed imperfect men. 2 Peter 1:21 tells us that the word of prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished for every good work.

So, what we have is God revealing His words to men that transmitted them to books. The words in the Bible are not men’s words, they are God’s. Men are the human authors only. They are not the original authors. Think about it, why would sinful man who hates God write about his own sins and his need for a Savior? Evil people do not bemoan their sins, they celebrate them. Men called by God like Moses, Daniel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul, and John all wrote embarrassing details of their lives because they were moved by the Spirit to record precisely what God told them to write. Wicked men would never do that, but flawed holy men of God led by the Holy Spirit did. Once we realize the holy God we are dealing with, then we can rest assured that nothing is impossible for Him. He has all the power to make weak people strong.

So, with all the aforementioned I want to help the reader understand some of the literary genres that are in the Bible.

·         Parables – This was one of the literary devices Jesus used in the gospels to explain and hide mysteries regarding the kingdom of heaven. The word parable means to throw alongside. Jesus would tell a short fictional story to explain a literal truth about the kingdom.

·         Hyperbole – Is exaggerated language to amplify an existing reality [(e.g. it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle than for it is a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matt 19:24; Luke 18:25)]. What Jesus was saying just like it is impossible for a camel to go through a needle’s eye because of its size, it is equally impossible for a rich man (or anyone) to enter heaven without the Lord.

·         Metaphor – This is when a person may be described in different organic and inorganic forms. For example, Jesus refers to Himself, as bread, light of the world, a door, a vine. John The Baptist described Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus is likened unto these things based on the context under discussion, but He is not literally any of those things. Jesus is comparing Himself to items to amplify His sufficiency to us. It is like He is using His life and character as a parable – throwing it alongside earthly objects that we can relate to.

·     Allegory – The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures or events in narrative, dramatic or pictorial form. An allegory would be the beasts that John sees in the book of Revelation chapter 13 of the antichrist and false prophet. The beast is described as a veracious composite animal with seven heads and ten horns. This was obviously not literal, but a vision the apostle saw. The allegorical image described the nature of this future evil ruler that will be possessed by Satan.

·         Poetry – Biblical poetry was often set to music. Unlike modern poetry, it doesn’t have that rhyme and meter feel. The majority of the poetic verses appear in the books of Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Solomon. The psalms have varied moods. Many are joyous. Some involve pain and sorrow. Some are penitential – meaning they involve confession of sin. Some are imprecatory – meaning the writer is pronouncing a curse on their enemies. Others are Messianic, dealing with the life of Christ. These psalms are also prophetic.

·         Anthropomorphic – This is when human attributes are used to describe God in the Bible. In other words, God is described as having ears, a mouth, hands, feet, etc. Jesus said in John 4:24 that God the Father is a Spirit. This means God the Father does not actually have these features. But since we do, it makes sense for the Bible writers to describe God in language that we humans can understand. Anthropomorphic comes from the word anthropology which is the study or doctrine of man.

When a writer of scripture is using one of these literary devices, it will be a representation of something or someone that is real. There is no section of the Bible that is fable. For example, there are those that say Adam and Eve were not actual people, but they are allegory along with the creation account. If we are saying Bible origins are not literal, then one can compromise on other parts of the Bible they do not like or understand. That type of schizophrenia has massive disastrous implications.

The Bible is to be taken literally for it is historical narrative. The OT is dealing primarily with the nation Israel and their relationship to God. The NT is primarily focused on Jesus, the apostles, and the First Century Church. The purpose of these literary devices was under the direction of the Holy Spirit to the men of God who wrote the books to explain to their audience what thus says the Lord. God sovereignly chose to use different methods to communicate His truth to mankind.

All of these genres should come as no surprise to us as we use the same communication methods today.

Touch Not My Anointed

 

This phrase is often echoed by those in the charismatic movement. When their Pastor / Elder / Bishop is criticized for unbiblical teaching, they will cry out, “Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm!” This phrase is referenced in 1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15. Who was in view when this phrase was uttered? Was it the Pastor Elder or Bishop? No. Let’s examine 1 Chronicles 16:22 in context.

Starting at 1 Chronicles 16:19-22 (Amplified Version) we read from King David “When they (the nation of Israel, parentheses mine), were but few, even a very few, and only temporary residents and strangers in it; when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; He allowed no man to do them wrong; yes. He reproved kings for their sakes (Gen 12:17; 20:3; Exod 7:15-18). Saying touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm” (Gen 20:7). David is praising God and giving a brief history of his people; how they began very small in number when they were in Canaan.

Psalm 105:12-15 repeats the same language.

So the anointed discussed above are the patriarchs the prophets and the nation of Israel specifically. God warned the enemies of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to leave them alone because they belonged to Him. God prevented Gentile nations from harming them. The Hebrews are a chosen people because God decided of His own un-influenced will to make a covenant with one man, Abram (name later changed to Abraham Gen 17:5).

David recognized that his enemy and father-in-law King Saul was the Lord’s anointed. David on two occasions had opportunity to kill him when Saul was pursuing David and wanted to kill him. David refused to take Saul’s life stating to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? Surely as the Lord lives, the Lord Himself will strike him down. But the Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed (1 Sam 24:6; 26:9-11).

David understood that vengeance belongs to the Lord, not him (Deut 32:35; Rom 12:19).

Paul Rebukes Peter

In Galatians 2:11-16 we read:

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain men came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles; but when the were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their hypocrisy.

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you being a Jew live in a manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

We see that Peter was rebuked for his hypocrisy by Paul to his face in public although Peter was anointed of God. Why? Because Peter and Barnabas along with other Jews were being two faced regarding the gospel. When Peter and others were with Gentiles they behaved like them, but when the Jews came around they withdrew from the Gentiles.  

Although Peter was a leader in the Church, he was not beyond correction. He of all people knew better. What Peter probably was expressing is that Gentiles had to keep the law of Moses in order to be saved. Paul reminded Peter and those with him that no one is justified by works of the law but faith in Jesus Christ only (sola Christos)[1]

David Spares Saul’s Life and desires God judge between he and Saul

In 1 Samuel 24:8-15 we read:

David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, “My Lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down. And David said to Saul; “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Indeed David seeks your harm?’ Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand!

For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil or rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. Let the Lord judge between you and me, and the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand shall not be against you.

After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue?

A dog? A flea?

Therefore let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case and deliver me out of your hand.”’

David knew Saul was the Lord’s anointed, but he pled his case against Saul because Saul was wrong in trying to kill David. The point I am making again are those who are anointed of God are never beyond rebuke. In a recent video clip T.D. Jakes states that no one can, put their mouth on God’s anointed; implying he is anointed. I respectfully disagree with T.D. Jakes; the anointed of God do sin occasionally and if necessary should be lovingly corrected, including him. This recent video is most likely in connection with recent allegations of indiscretions he is being accused of. If he is found guilty (and I truly hope he is innocent for his sake and his family), he will suffer the consequences of his actions just like any of us should.

Everyone that is saved is God’s anointed (1 John 2:20). The world could care less about that. God can and does sovereignly protect us. He also can warn the unbeliever not to harm us if He chooses. But in keeping matters in context, the Church cannot lay claim to that same Abrahamic Covenantal promise. Touch not my anointed was literally dealing with not harming or killing the king or the Lord’s prophets. We have to learn to stop playing fast and loose with the Biblical text. Those that are unskilled in handling God’s word often will insert themselves into passages that do not pertain to them because they fail to carefully examine the text within its context. Touch not my anointed is one of those that has been misused to uselessly insulate Pastors from constructive scrutiny when they are in error. Just because one is anointed does not make them like the Pope when he speaks ex-cathedra.[2] Anyone of us that are in error should be lovingly corrected as the word of God teaches (2 Timothy 3:16).

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[1] Latin means Christ alone

[2] Ex cathedra is a Latin phrase which means “from the chair.” It refers to binding and infallible papal teachings which are promulgated by the pope when he officially teaches in his capacity of the universal shepherd of the Church a doctrine on a matter of faith or morals and addresses it to the entire world. The writer’s brief commentary: With all due respect to the Catholic Church the Pope has never nor will he ever speak infallibly. He is a sinner like all men and thus is fallible.

Do You Also Want To Go Away?

 In John chapter six Jesus miraculously feeds over five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish. This sign should have clearly shown them that He was the Messiah. Jesus has to get away from them because they try to make Him their King by force (vs 15). Jesus made it clear later to Pilate in John 19:36 that His kingdom was not of this world. Jesus and His disciples make their way across the sea to Capernaum. The multitude finds Him and inquires when He arrives there (vs 25).

Jesus rebukes them and says, “Most assuredly you did not seek me because you the saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life…”(vv 26-27a). What the Lord was telling them is not to look only for temporary fulfillment, rather seek everlasting fulfillment which only He can provide.

The conversation takes a drastic turn when Jesus tells them that He is the true bread come down from heaven that gives life to the world. When the crowds request that Jesus gives them this true bread, He replies I AM the Bread of Life (vs 35). Jesus declared these wonderful words, “He that comes to Me shall never hunger, and He who believes in Me shall never thirst” (vs 35b). Clearly Jesus is talking spiritually. Those that place their trust in Jesus are eternally secure; not only in this life of sin, pain, and death, but in the eternal life to come.

Now I believe that Jesus offends the non-committed disciples on purpose by stating, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (vs 54). The crowds being spiritually dense didn’t realize Jesus was speaking metaphorically regarding His flesh and blood. They became offended and thought he was offering his literal body and blood in a cannibalistic way instead of a salvific one (vs 52). Jesus said in verse sixty three said, “My words are Spirit and they are life.”

The Catholic Church has taken Jesus’ word literally. When they perform Mass or Eucharist, they believe the elements are supernaturally transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus. This process is called transubstantiation. Problem with this doctrine is that when Jesus made the statement about eating His flesh and drinking His blood Communion had not been invented yet. Our Lord instituted Communion at the last supper (Matt 26:26,27; Mark 14:22-23; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25). Communion is a sacrament that commemorates the Lord’s death.

As a result of this hard teaching by the Lord, those who followed Him for the wrong reasons, withdrew and followed Him no longer (vs 66; 1 Peter 2:6-8;1 John 2:19). None of this surprised Jesus so he asked the twelve, “Do you also want to go away” (vs 67)? Peter in one of his greatest moments replied, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (vs 68).

The twelve got the true message Jesus was teaching to everyone else and they remained. We know that Judas betrayed our Lord later. Jesus knowing this also said, “Did I not choose you, the twelve and one of you is a devil” (vs 70)?

I wanted to chronicle the above because it is essential that we understand that in order to follow Christ, we must come on His terms, not ours. He determines the rules of engagement. We must follow His example. For instance, Jesus declared in John 6:38-40 his mission from the Father, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that all He has given Me I should lose nothing but should raise it up on the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Just like Jesus had His assignment to fulfill from His Father, we have our assignment we must fulfill from Jesus; preach the gospel and make disciples (Matt 28:19).

The question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we going to serve ourselves or serve our Lord who died for us?” Those who are true, will remain faithful to the end like the disciples minus Judas and all the faithful men and women throughout Church History up until the present. Those who only desire temporary handouts from Jesus will soon walk away when God does meet their ungodly lusts upon demand proving they were not true. Jesus said it plainly, “Those who are of the truth hear my voice (John 18:37). A similar passage is in 1 John 4:6 says, “We are of God. He who knows God hears us. He who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

We know God by studying His Holy Word. God’s Word is His Self Revelation.

In connection to John 6:66 the great theologian F.F. Bruce penned these words:

“What they wanted, He would not give; what He offered, they would not receive.”[1]

 

That quote sums up the sinful rebellious nature of mankind toward God and His response to that rebellion.

 

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[1] F.F. Bruce, The Gospel of John [Grand Rapids:Eerdmans, 1983], 164

Committed Any Murders Lately?

 

This question is more serious than it is satirical. This question will cause a professing Christian to check their heart. It should be obvious from the title that the writer is not talking about an actual murder. I am talking about murder of the heart. This is a matter Jesus relayed to His audience when He taught His sermon on the mountain in Matthew chapters 5-7.

           

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you,   love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who   spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes     His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those  who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet  your brothers only, what do you do more than the others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?    Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:43-48).

 

Before the above verses, Jesus said this, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without cause (italics mine) shall be in danger of judgment’ (Matthew 5:21-22). What Jesus is explaining here is that not only is murder wrong and a sin, so is being angry with your brother without just cause for that anger. The latter is murder of the heart. The internal hatred against someone is still sinful although an actual murder did not occur.

The Apostle John in 1 John 3:13-15 provides this sobering and warning and truth, “Do not marvel my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”  The Greek word for murderer is anthropoktonos which means manslayer.

To put it in laymen’s terms, a person who hates Christians and claims salvation is a liar. They are not actually saved. They are of the spirit of wicked Cain who killed his brother Abel because of jealousy (1 John 3:12; Jude 11). We read in 1 John 4:20-21, if someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him; that he who loves God must love his brother also.”

John is teaching us that our love for God is in direction connection to how we love our brother and sister in Christ. If you have any animosity toward someone in the body of Christ, make every effort to reconcile with that person sooner than later. This insight I am sure is new and radical revelation to Christians who are young in the faith. It is especially challenging to woke evangelicals and social justicians[1] who worship their melanin more than God who they claim to love. Their blackness is a religious tribalism that all blacks must adhere to if one is to be truly for black people. For Blacktivists if you are not down for the Black “Race” and all its causes, even the ungodly ones, you’re a sellout and a coon. Blackness as a religious construct is a golden calf that must be incinerated in the Church of Jesus Christ. Regardless of our ethnic background and differences, we are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). When your ethnicity super cedes your Christianity, the devil has trapped you. Stop worshipping your Black or White skin. None of us had nothing to do with how we were born; God is the one that did it. We all should be proud of our ethnicity, but we must never idolize it. Melanin does not talk, walk, see, hear, or feel.

So, the challenge for those who profess to be Christians but hate someone because of the color of their skin – this vitriol is usually between black and whites, then you must examine yourselves to see if you are actually a Christian (2 Cor 13:5).

Even in the Church we are going to offend each other. We are fallen people in a world full of sin. When we sin against each other, and it is brought to our attention, we must apologize. The one offended must be quick to forgive so that God will forgive their trespasses (Mark 11:25-26).

Examine yourself. Are you holding bitterness against your brother or sister? Be honest with yourself, do you hate that person?  If so, the Bible calls you a murderer and you are not even saved. You have only pretended to be (1 John 3:15). You must repent to God immediately to be cleansed of your unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Go and reconcile with that person(s). If they are unwilling and want to remain in unforgiveness, then you are free from guilt because you made the effort.  If you can reconcile with your brother or sister, then you have won them back – all is well.

 

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[1] A social justician is a black evangelical who professes to be a Christian but champions black causes like Black Liberation Theology above everything else. When black injustice is present like when a white police officer kills a black man or woman, their Christianity takes a back seat, and all their strength is put into making sure the white person is put in jail and the slain receive justice and or reparations. It does not matter if they have all the facts. In their minds the killing was racially motivated. Sadly, oftentimes it is. White people are still oppressors and any retribution they get is justified, even if they are Christian and forgiven by God. It does not matter to Black Activists. Their ancestors enslaved our ancestors, so they are guilty by proxy, so revenge is more important than forgiveness. The hypocrisy of many black people is in the area of abortion. Since 1973 when Roe v Wade was made law, over 20 million black babies have been killed through Planned Parenthood and other abortion centers https://www.foxnews.com/politics/abortions-since-roe-v-wade . 

Black people despise it when whites (especially white cops) kill blacks but are complicit when we kill each other in the womb. Even so-called black Pastors support abortion. God forgives us of sin continually when we genuinely repent to him. We must be willing to forgive one another – no matter the offense or skin color. Remember, all people are made in the image of God

 (Gen 1:27, 9:6; James 3:9) If we hate our brother or sister in our hearts, biblically we have committed murder. I also realize the hardness of the heart of men will refuse to forgive even when God’s truth is revealed to them. A person like that may be beyond prayer (1 John 5:16).

Becoming All Things To All Men

 

The Apostle Paul makes the above statement in 1 Corinthians 9:22. To understand the flow of thought, we must read and comprehend the context. Paul is talking about proclaiming the gospel. Starting from 1 Corinthians 9:19 to verse 23 we read:

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win the Jews; to those who are under the law, under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without the law, as without the law (not being without the law toward God, but under toward Christ), that I might win those without the law; to the weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Paul is expressing his desire to save people from all walks of life. He is identifying with their status of being. There are many in the Church that sadly misinterpret verse twenty-two. Becoming all things to all men does not mean we compromise the truth of the gospel to get all types of people in our Churches. We cannot water down God’s testimony so that the unsaved will enter the Church with secular music and a club atmosphere – that is sin. Rather, the text is saying that we do our best to relate with people where they are; find common ground so that we can present to the truth the gospel.

I grew up with Crips, Bloods, and hustlers. Most were authentic or as we say on the streets OG’s, and others were wanna-be’s. That was my neighborhood as a small child and teenager. I went to school with them. I played football in the streets with them. I even went to Church with some of them. Several of them knew me and my mother. If I wanted to reach them, I would need to be sympathetic and hear their story. Now, Paul is not saying in order to win a Crip and a Blood to Christ, you have to join a gang and start set trippin to win them over. No! I believe what the Apostle is saying is in order to win them to Christ, we go where they are – bring the Church to them; meet them where they are. While at the same time, not compromising your integrity toward God and His truth. You’re making every effort to persuade the person to see things God’s way instead of their own. You want to win them over with the love of God through a robust effective gospel presentation so that they are pricked in their souls, broken in their spirits, and eager to repent of their sins and believe the gospel and become saved.

This should be the attitude of every Evangelist. Willing to inconvenience themselves for the sake of the gospel and love others as they love themselves.

If we want to the win the world to Christ, we cannot use worldly gimmicks to get them in the doors of the Church. If the Church atmosphere is the same as theirs, they will be deceived into thinking they are saved because they are in a Church building and walked down the aisle. This is the fault of the Pastor who has been derelict in his duty to share the true gospel because he is afraid to offend the un-churched. That is not what Paul meant when he said. “I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” Paul was never interested in making the unsaved feel comfortable in their sin. But rather he confronted their sin lovingly with the gospel truth acquiescing as much as he could without compromise to their station in life. In that sense, Paul was most effective in winning souls for Christ because he was willing to become a servant to all although he was free from all men (1 Cor 9:19).

Can We Prove the Trinity in the Bible?

 

T

he word Trinity is a compound word supposedly created by the church father Tertullian (160-225 AD). He invented the word to combat a man named Praxeus who promoted the Monarchian heresy. The prefix Tri means three. The suffix nity is shorthand for the word unity meaning one. In regard to God, He is one God manifested in three persons: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. Many argue that Christians worship three gods[1] thus making Christianity a polytheistic religion. Polytheism is a religious system where one worships multiple deities. Christianity is monotheistic; we worship one God only.

In Deuteronomy 6:4 it says, “Hear, O Israel. The Lord our God, the Lord He is One!” The Hebrew word Elohim in Genesis 1:1 tell us that our God is plural in person and one in essence. The word Elohim is a compound word. El means God. The im suffix indicates a plural. An example would be a cherub is one angel, but cherubim indicate two or more angels. The name Elohim is the most common name used for God. It is used over 2500 times in the OT.[2] The primary meaning of the name Elohim is one of strength or power of effect. Elohim is the all powerful God. The Creator and sustainer of the universe and supreme judge of the earth.

When we try to rationalize the Triune God, we cannot. It is a mystery. There are no human comparisons one can make to explain the Lord’s Triune nature. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal, co-eternal, and co-powerful. They always work together in harmony.

All three persons of the Godhead were involved in creation

Genesis 1:1 tells us in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Verse three tells us the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. But where does the Son come in? John 1:3 tells us by the Word (Logos /Christ) was everything made. And without Him was not anything made that was made. Colossians 1:16 says that by Him (Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. In Revelation 4:11 John witnesses heavenly worship by angels and the twenty-four elders saying, “You are worthy O Lord to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.”

The Godhead was present at Jesus’ baptism

In Matthew 3:16, When He (Christ) had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Clearly, the Trinity is present. Our God is one Lord manifested in three persons.

Jesus mentions the Godhead after His resurrection 

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commands the disciples to make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. Again, the Triune God from the lips of Jesus is mentioned, emphasizing the importance the unity, necessity, and power of the entire Godhead.

What is Modalism?

Modalism which was originally called Sabellianism is a heresy that teaches that God is not Triune; He is not three persons. Rather He appears in three modes. Sometimes He appears as the Father, then the Son, and at other times the Holy Spirit. This makes God a quick-change artist – a chameleon.  He has to enter into the closet and change His clothes. This breeds all types of confusion. In modalism, the Father is the Son, and vice versa. The Son is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is the Father and the Son. Modalism makes God a schizophrenic because He is talking to Himself. How can Jesus say My God My God why have you forsaken Me if He is also the Father? That would mean the forsaken and the forsaker are the same person. How can Jesus send the Holy Spirit to believers if He is the Father and the Spirit too? This is the scenario if you draw it out to its illogical conclusion. The best definition of the mystery and beauty of our God is He is one Lord in essence, but three in person. This is not a contradiction. It would be a contradiction if Christians said God is one in person and three in person. Or if we said He is one in essence and three in essence. The finite mind can never fully understand the transcendent truth of the Trinity. Modalism and all its forms were denounced as heresy at the council of Nicea in 325 A.D. The Trinity was accepted as Church doctrine at that same council.

Modalism is still alive in the Oneness (Jesus Only) Pentecostal denomination. Modalism is very dangerous because it attacks the very nature of God Himself.

 Cleary our God is Triune. Christians are not polytheists or tritheits. Although the word Trinity does not appear in scripture, it does not negate its reality in it.

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[1] The worship of three gods is called tritheism.

[2] https://printer.gotquestions.net/GeneratePF?articleId=19005