Rejoicingtheheart's Weblog

A Christian By the Bible Definition

rejoicingtheheart — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:54:57 +0000

A Christian by the Bible definition.

…the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11:26 ASV

We can read in Acts 11: 26 that a people were called Christians in Antioch. The chapter describes the people as ones; who heard The Lord Jesus preached , who believed and turned to the Lord, they were a people who were added to the Lord , and they were encouraged to hold fast to the Lord. In verse 17, He is called the Lord Jesus Christ.

In order to have a useful definition we must find out who is this person called ‘The Lord Jesus Christ’. I will try to trace Him through the Old and New Testaments. Jesus said of himself that he was spoken of in Moses and all the prophets. Luke 24:27

John starts out his account of the gospel describing a person he calls the Word.

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ESV

In verse 17 we are given the name Jesus Christ. He is the one John calls the Word.

Gen 1:1

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. ASV

Genesis says God created the heavens and the earth. John teaches us that Jesus Christ created all things. John also teaches us that Jesus Christ was with God and was God.

John gives Jesus another title. “The Lamb Of God”

John 1:36

and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

Rev 13:8

and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

I should say he calls Him by a title He had before the foundation of the world.

There is a hint of this in Genesis where it talks about the serpent and the seed of the woman.

Gen 3:15

and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. ASV

see also Hebrews 2:14

We see in Genesis that God made a law and breaking His law resulted in death. God destroyed everyone on the earth except for one family as a result of sin.

Gen 6:12-13

And God saw the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. ASV

We also see a principal beginning to be taught; there could be a sacrifice for sin. The concept that God would provide a Lamb is hinted again.

Gen 22:8

And Abraham said, God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son. … ASV

This Lamb would be a sacrifice. This Lamb was to be killed because of sin committed by another.

God called out a family from the rest of the world. They were descendant from Abraham Isac and Jacob who God renamed Israel. Through a series of events that God caused, the family of Israel was enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. God raised up Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. God gave a law or set of laws through Moses. These included The ten commandments and the requirements for the priests. The priests were men selected by God to sacrifice animals because of the sins of men and women. Jesus Christ is both priest and sacrifice. I expect that statement is confusing. Much of the book of Hebrews seems to be written to explain this.

Heb 7:27

who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. ASV

The history of the nation of Israel is filled with cycles. The nation would try to follow God’s law and be blessed then they would break His law and be cursed. Deuteronomy 28 gives a detailed list of the blessings and curses. The books of Samuel Kings and Chronicles are historical books detailing the ups and downs of Israel. A significant theme in these books is king David and his line. David was promised that his throne would be established forever.

The ever-reigning king in Davids line is Jesus.

The book of Psalms is a collection of songs that are prayers. Many of the Psalms are about Jesus Christ or contain statements about Him. Psalm 2 is one about King Jesus Christ.

Psa 2:1-12

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. KJV

There are several books that are named after the prophets who spoke them. These prophets rebuked the people of Israel for their disobedience to God and foretold that they would be carried into captivity and their cities would be desolate. They also foretold that God would bring Israel back from captivity and that Messiah or the Christ would come and sit on David’s throne. One example is Hosea.

Hos 3:5

Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. KJV

The apostle Paul witnessed that Christ was proclaimed in the Old Testament scripture.

Rom 1:1-4

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: KJV

There were many prophets but Moses spoke of one prophet in Deuteronomy 18:15. Peter teaches us that Jesus is that prophet spoken of by Moses.

Act 3:22

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Jesus Both Priest and Sacrifice

We have a list of descriptive names and titles of Christ. I am sure i have left some out.

The Word, God (the creator), the Lamb of God, Priest after the order of Melchizedek, Son of David, the LORD’s anointed, the LORD, the son of God, and the Prophet .

We have taken a flying look at who Jesus Christ is. Because i am trying to define what a Christian is it is necessary to explain about him being both Priest and sacrifice.

Here is a description of one of the many sacrifices that were performed by Israel.

Exo 12:5-7

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. KJV

Exo 12:12-13 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. KJV

The Lamb was perfect. It was killed and the blood was painted on the door frame. This bloody sacrifice prevented the destroying angel from killing the firstborn in the house. The lambs that were sacrificed were a picture of the one to come. Christ is the lamb of God. He suffered the wrath of God so that Christians do not have to. Christ knew no sin but God made him to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice but was raised from the dead. Because He lives, He is able to mediate between God and man. (make intercession)

Heb 7:23-25 And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing: but he, because he abideth (continues) for ever, hath his priesthood unchangeable. Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. ASV

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; KJV

Jesus was the end of the old priesthood because He offered the final complete sacrifice once for all.

What kind of people become Christians ?

I have given you a little background about who Jesus is. I would like to give you a little background about who Christians are.

God promised Abraham.

Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Because thou hast obeyed my voice. KJV

Rev 5:9… thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; KJV

Both of these references are about Jesus Christ He purchased a people from a diverse background and through a long period of time.

Jesus calls out a people that are sinners.

Mat 9:11-13 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. KJV

Jesus calls out people from all kinds of sin.

1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. KJV

Some of you were:

Trusting in riches

Mar 10:21-24

And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! ASV

Trusting in religion

Joh 5:39-42

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. ASV

Some of you were:

1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ESV

The Apostle Paul said this:

1Ti 1:15 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: ASV

Christians are a group made up of people who have been washed from every kind of sin. They have been changed and are changing. This process is called regeneration and is done by God the Holy Spirit though Jesus Christ our Savior.

Tit 3:3-6

For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ASV

It is important to note the phrase ‘not by works … which we did ourselves’. Bible based Christianity is unique in that the followers are made right with God based on what God has done. They obey God because of His favor instead of obeying God to earn His favor.

The future of Christians.

The future of Christians is inseparable from the future of Christ.

Joh 11:23-27

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” ESV

Jesus taught about the resurrection. In fact He calls himself the resurrection.

Rom 6:5-9

For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also 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, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; for he that hath died is justified from sin. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him. ASV

The changed life the Christian begins is linked to the future resurrection.

1Co 15:22-23

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming. ASV

Christ has been raised from the dead. Christians will be resurrected later when He returns.

Joh 5:24-29

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. ESV

The end of this life for the Christian is eternal life with Christ.

The Genesis Problem

rejoicingtheheart — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:46:15 +0000

I would like to encourage everyone to read the Bible and receive it as God’s word. I would rather quote it and point to it as a standard by which we must judge and be judged. Most of the time i just state it as fact.

The problem is that many people today have been taught that it is not reliable or not totally reliable. I am not sure which is worse.

We have been taught that we have evolved and Genesis states “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. “KJV

Many people will say that science has proved the Bible wrong on this subject.

I am a factory worker and not a scientist. I respect science and admire scientists but i can’t believe them all the time. I respect people who have degrees in economics but i don’t always trust them. I look at what is going on in the mortgage industry and i realize that there are a lot of smart educated people in that industry. Even when people have great educations they sometimes do things that are not wise. Commissions and bonuses can blind people to good judgment. A lot of smart people are in trouble with foreclosures. The Bible in Romans talks about people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. We all have the tendency to do that. When God says that He created the heaven, the earth and Man (male and female) It implies that He has rights of ownership. We have trouble with that concept and we delight to hear what we could use to gain our supposed freedom from His rightful ownership of us. If someone gives us a reason to believe that God did not,( in a very personal way) create us we are predisposed to believe it.

If you want people with scientific arguments to explain why you should believe Genesis i could try to find some for you. Ask me. You will find more who believe evolution than Genesis, if you want to stick with the majority stick with evolution for now at least.

I was taught evolution in public school. I was taught to believe Genesis at home. There were times i did not want to believe the Bible but i can’t say that i ever found evolution believable.

The apple problem

I was in Junior High school. We were doing seed diagrams. My teacher used a whole apple in stead of an apple seed. I was thinking that the little seed inside of the apple core was the apple seed and contained food for the little plant that would germinate and become an apple tree in someone’s lifetime. If the little seeds inside the apple were complete seeds, why does an apple have fruit that we can eat? Genesis says Gen 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

Gen 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Gen 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. KJV

If God created the apple tree for food it makes sense to have an edible part of a apple. If the apple tree evolved why did it evolve in that way? We have a bush in our front yard. I looked at it the other day it was beautiful. There were different colors and delicate shapes. On another bush there were blooms and butterflies were flying from bloom to bloom. If you say God created it that way it makes sense. Why would it evolve that way? You can tell me that the plants evolved colored blossoms to attract bees and butterflies so that they could pollinate. Why do they need to pollinate?

If i say God made them that way you may ask why? If reproduction of living things evolved why do we need two genders of some plants to reproduce? Why would something so complex evolve? Why would something so beautiful evolve? Why would we evolve to be able to discuss complexity or beauty or morality?

Have you ever seen a abandoned junk yard? There are places where people will park cars or trucks or farm machinery and abandon them. Picture this in your mind. You have a bunch of cars clumped together in a field. If people leave them alone for a hundred years what will happen? Will they evolve into more modern transportation? How about one thousand years? Will they evolve? If one thousand engineers told you they would evolve and one engineer told you they would rust away. Who would you believe? Would you believe a billion years?

In that same abandoned junkyard would you expect to see plants and other living things in one hundred years? The same living things might not be there. Would you expect that they would reproduce? Do you expect you car to come alive and feed it self? Do you expect your car to reproduce it self?

All my life i have observed live things reproduce live things and dead things stay dead. If we say that by chance a single cell living thing came into existence how would it survive? How would it reproduce? How would it find food and know what food is? We have identified what we call single cell microorganisms. If we call them simple living things that is a contradiction. Something has to be very complex in order to be alive and stay alive. Is it logical to think that it stayed alive for billions of years in order to evolve into me and you. Will your car maintain it self? Will it feed itself? Will it reproduce it self and evolve into a newer model? Some of you might say “ was designed to wear out so that you would need to buy another one. Do you believe the designers intentions prevail on the thing he made? If you see a car that is different than the normal production cars do you say that the car evolved? You think someone customized the car! Does evolution take billions of years? Think about a 1940 model car left in a field In a thousand years. Will it evolve? Will it reproduce or will it rust away so that it is not recognizable? If one hundred men with masters degrees in engineering told you that cars reproduce and evolve could you believe it? How can you believe that living things evolve?

I can only see one reason to believe evolution. We want to do away with the knowledge of God who created us and the world we live in.

Rom 1:19 -20 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: KJV

If you got this far i thank you for putting up with my foolishness and i beg you to read God’s wisdom in His Word the Bible.

Daniel

“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart”

rejoicingtheheart — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:49:39 +0000

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it:

Psalm 19:7-14

The Holy Bible King James translation

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

In the Bible we find the law, the testimony, the statutes, and the commandments of the LORD.

A statute is a statement with authority. In this case the authority is God. His statutes cause the heart of His servant to rejoice.

Not everyone rejoices in the statutes of God but His servant is warned by them and keeps them and is rewarded.

I believe what this Bible quote says and so I would like to share my rejoicing and what is better than gold and sweeter than honey.

Daniel