The account in Luke 16:19-31 is about a rich man and Lazarus. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.” Then he said, “I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.” Abraham said to him, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” But he said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.” (Luke …
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Teach Us to Pray
In Luke 11:1, Jesus was asked by one of His disciples the above request. The answer is often referred to today as the Lord’s Prayer, and it is answered in Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13. However, it is improper to refer to this as The Lord’s Prayer. Our Lord Jesus prayed often, but our texts show this is a pattern for prayer and not an actual prayer. These two texts show the importance of proper prayer. If His disciples saw the need of being properly taught how to pray, shouldn’t modern man learn how to pray properly? Many times today, men are asked to lead public prayer, but too often, some give little thought, it seems, to the model Jesus gave. Some even use prayer time as a time to preach instead of praying. Shame on such! [I’m not amused when one leading prayer begins quoting Scripture to God! ~ LER.] The so-called Lord’s Prayer is not to be recited, but the principles in it are to be followed. The prayer is a pattern! Let’s now note the example given by our Lord. I’ll be using the text in Matthew 6:9-13. “Our Father which art in heaven…” Note prayers are to be addressed to the Father in heaven. They are not to be addressed to Jesus, and our Lord emphasized this in John 16:23, where He said, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he …
Does It Really Matter?
If a person is interested in going to Heaven, it most definitely matters what one believes about Jesus. I realize that John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The passage speaks of “believing in him,” but inherent in that belief is Jesus is God’s only begotten Son. There are those who claim to believe in Jesus as being a true person that walked this earth, but some believe He was just another great religious leader. Still others believe Jesus was a prophet like Jeremiah, Daniel or Moses. Jesus left no doubt that He was more than any of these. In Matthew 16:13-14, we note, “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets’” (NKJV). None of these, of course, were true. Jesus wanted to firmly establish that His followers knew exactly who He is. In Matthew 16:15-16 we find, “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” There is the what is to be believed about Jesus, as shown by His next words. “…Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but …
Does Belief in Jesus Matter?
If a person is interested in going to Heaven, it most definitely does matter what one believes about Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whomsoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Some people claim to believe in Jesus as a historical person who walked on this earth but believe He was just another great religious leader. Still others believe Jesus was a prophet like Jeremiah, Daniel or Moses. Jesus Himself left no doubt that He was more than any of these. “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets’” (Matthew 16:13-14). None of these, of course, were true, although they believed in Jesus Christ to an extent. Yet, Jesus wanted to firmly establish that His followers knew exactly who He was. Note Matthew 16:15-16, which reads, “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” There is the what is to be believed about Jesus as shown by our Lord’s next words, “…‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, …
Paradise and Heaven in the Bible
Jesus told a thief on the cross beside Him, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 22:43). The apostle Paul, writing in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, spoke of going to “paradise” and “heaven,” but being forbidden to reveal what he saw in Heaven. Jesus did not go to Heaven the day He died but to Paradise. He arose and returned to earth on the third day. After returning and being seen by several people, He ascended through the atmosphere in a cloud to the third Heaven about which Paul later penned. Daniel had foretold of this in Daniel 7:13-14. We, thus, conclude that both Jesus and Paul went to both Paradise and Heaven, and Paul, in writing to the Corinthians defending his apostleship, wrote of two different places, Paradise — the temporary place for the righteous dead — and Heaven — the final resting place for those same people after the Judgement Day. Paul, though, had to return to earth and was forbidden to describe what he had seen. A main lesson for us is that people claiming to have died, gone to the spirit world and have come back to tell us what it was like are under a delusion! Or, they lie! If the apostle Paul could not tell what he viewed and experienced, people claiming to have gone to the spirit world and returned would not be allowed to tell about it either. All righteous who die before Christ returns in the clouds will spend some …
Encouragement
In our daily walks in life, we all need encouragement. Many Bible characters faced the same disappointing problems we face in modern times. One had been selected by God to accomplish a task larger perhaps than any ever known to mankind. He was to lead people away from slavery, help to organize them into a nation and take them to a land flowing with abundance. The task was awesome, but God was with him. Unfortunately, the pressures got to him, and we read of him failing to give proper credit to God. Subsequently, he was told that he would not be allowed to enter that Promised Land with those he was leading. How sad to spend all of one’s life working toward something only to have it denied because of one failure. Yet, that was the verdict upon Moses! Did Moses give up? No! He knew that there was something better after this life if he continued to carry out God’s will. Therefore, he continued to lead Israel toward the Promised Land and to encourage a new generation. He was especially encouraging to his successor. Before Moses departed this life, he stood before this new generation of Israelites and stated, “But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither, encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it” (Deuteronomy 1:38). What a wonderful attitude! How encouraged Joshua must have been to have this great leader, in a moment of extreme personal sadness, asking …
Concerning Onan
Why is nothing found in the New Testament concerning Onan who “emitted upon the ground”? “The thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He killed him also” (Genesis 38:9-10). One must realize that everything written in the Old Testament is not repeated in the New Testament, but the principles remain in the Old Testament for our learning (Romans 15:4). Yet, every passage needs to be studied in its total context. The context of this text is that Onan refused to carry out God’s rule of inheritance. In Deuteronomy 25:5-6 we read: If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. (Deuteronomy 25:5-6 NKJV) Note that this has not been repeated in the New Testament. It only applied to Israel as that nation long ago inherited its promised land. Spilling of seed upon the ground wasn’t the sin there, but Onan’s failure to follow God’s law was the sin that he committed. The lesson for us today is to obey God’s will in everything. Otherwise, God’s wrath is reserved for us.
Is Your Home for Sale?
Recently while I was driving home from church services I noted a sign stating, “Home for Sale.” It reminded me of an event related to me some years ago and that has remained for consideration ever since. A preacher friend told the following story. “I overheard the following and it made me very proud. My family and I had just moved into a new work, and we were busy getting settled. A new neighbor’s son was talking to my son. He asked, ‘Why don’t you people have a home?’ My son stated, ‘Well, we’ve got a home. Daddy just hasn’t found a place to put it yet! We’re just looking around for the right place to put our home.’” Can you, dear reader, make such a statement? Do you truly have a home as God would have it, although your family isn’t settled in one place? Some 70 times the Bible mentions “home.” Several other passages set forth the relationship that should prevail in a home that God desires. Typical is Colossians 3:17-23, which enjoins wives to be submissive unto their husbands, children to be obedient to parents, husbands to love their wives and not be bitter against them, and fathers to not provoke their children to anger. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). Whether the family has a permanent dwelling or not, it can still have such …
Do the Evil Spirits Mentioned During Jesus’ Time Exist Now?
The evil spirits were subject only to Jesus and His appointed apostles! Brother Kenneth Jones, writing on this subject stated, “God allowed people to be possessed by demons to demonstrate Christ’s complete power over all the forces of evil.” The casting out of demons identify what this was. Matthew 4:23-24 show that evil spirit or demon possession was something distinguished from medical or psychiatric conditions in the New Testament. Further close studies of the Scriptures reveal some startling facts! Demon possession came on the scene suddenly in the time of Christ, but it is nowhere again mentioned after the Book of Acts, and it is only mentioned twice in Acts – and both times confirming the Word and establishing the divine power in the apostles. In Acts 16:16-18, a certain damsel was possessed with the spirit of divination and was being used by her masters. The apostle Paul commanded the spirit to come out. It did, and the masters were so upset that Paul and Silas were sent to prison where they converted the jailer to Christ. The second passage is Acts 19:13-16. In that account, certain Jews ordered an evil spirit out of a man. It is noteworthy that the spirit spoke and stated, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?” The evil spirit did not leave, but influenced the man to attack those Jews, and they fled from the house naked and wounded. According to brother Jones, “The day in which a fountain would …
To Whom Do the Ten Commandments Apply?
There has been a great deal of interest in the Bible’s Ten Commandments recently. Some have stated that all but one of them is applicable to modern mankind. Others have become very upset because governments have taken a stand on having them removed from government buildings. A close study of Exodus and Leviticus, however, reveals that they never were applicable to anyone but Israelites, and that much more than the 10 were involved. Time after time in these two books reference is made to the commandments in them being made to and for Israel. Gentiles are not being considered, except in certain cases where such would be dwelling among the Israelites. These commandments belong strictly to what is often considered the Old Testament, which was a guide for Israel until Christ ushered in His New Testament, which applies to everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. (See Galatians 3:17-29.) Too often, modern man has failed to truly study the Bible, and thus, he has concluded that every command given to Israel is just as binding today as it was when delivered by Moses directly from God concerning Israel’s destiny. One needs to ask certain questions, though. Among the first to be asked is, “To whom was the passage addressed?” God answered this over and over in Leviticus. To take the passage out of that context is to make it a pretext (i.e., a lie), and to teach it in that way is to lead people away from the basic teaching and place …
What’s the Difference?
What difference is there between a Christian who attends services only occasionally and a person who won’t become a Christian? Very little! Both are in rebellion to the Word of God. Turning to Hebrews 10:23-27 we read: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. How many Christians can read or listen to these verses and still take the attitude that some do is beyond my understanding. I must conclude that they really don’t realize how terrible hell really is – or else they have the attitude that the Scriptures are lying! By the way, these Scriptures are not speaking only of the Lord’s Day assembly. Historical research reveals that persecution came to Hebrew Christians as even this was being written. Some had begun forsaking the regular, sometimes daily, assemblies. The writer is saying don’t be like those. Continuing to assemble they would gain strength and could indeed provoke each other to love and to good works. “And fear not them …
What Does It Mean to Mark and Avoid?
We find the Scriptures commanding Christians, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). To “mark” means to identify. In order to mark a person, it means to identify him. To mark one who causes divisions, we must place some identifying marks on him where others will recognize him. How? We do this by pointing out what he is doing wrong. “Avoid them” is easily understood, but perhaps harder to practice. People have little trouble avoiding a rattlesnake, which can only take a physical life. Why should it be so hard for Christians to identify and avoid those who pose a threat to one’s eternal soul and to the souls of loved ones? The poison of those causing divisions and offences in religion is much more dangerous than the poison of the rattlesnake. Will you obey this command, or will you like some politicians, seek peace with such people? Even little children know that marking means more than “noticing” and that avoiding means to stay away from.
Were the 120 Baptized with the Holy Spirit?
“Did the 120 receive Holy Spirit baptism on the day of Pentecost?” No, they did not! Acts 1:17 states, “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty).” Some assume that because of this that 120 received the Holy Spirit baptism. However, the rest of the chapter shows that out of the “about 120,” one was chosen to take Judas’ place. Yet, as we move into Acts 2, there are several things which show that “about 120” could not have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. First, note Chapter 1:26. “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Now for Acts 2:1. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Which they? The eleven of the preceding verse. “They” finds its antecedent in the previous verse. Note verse 7. All those speaking in tongues were Galileans. A close study of Scripture reveals that Jesus had disciples who were not Galileans. Even Judas was not a Galilean, but the other eleven were Galileans. Peter’s defense against the charge of being drunk helps us know it could not have been more than the number of the apostles who were speaking and who had been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Only those speaking in tongues were charged, and only the apostles were …
Instrumental Music in Worship
First, let us realize that we are not speaking of whether or not it is enjoyable. Most of us would agree that such is very enjoyable, though some enjoy one type and some another. Some prefer Rock and Roll; others prefer Jazz; still others prefer Classic Country. The question does not concern our preferences, but whether or not we are practicing things that are pleasing to God in worship. Nothing else is under consideration here. Let us realize, that our future home in eternity depends on whether or not we are pleasing to God. We are not interested in winning an argument but rather in doing what is required by God to save our own souls and those who confront us with this question are asked to always bear this in mind. All our souls are at stake for Satan wants us to violate God’s will, even as he went about convincing Eve that because that something seemed good she should eat it – and thus brought sin (separation from God) into this world, and mankind has suffered its consequences ever since. A question often heard from people is, “Why do you not use instrumental music during your worship?” Since the burden of proof is upon the shoulders of those who engage in a practice, a better question might be, “Why do you sing only?” Or, “Why do you use them?” To answer the question partially, consider that the Bible clearly teaches that sin is a transgression (going across) of the …
Five Fundamentals of Truth
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). In order to be made free by truth, there are five fundamentals of that truth that must be adapted to our lives. We have to know it. Not only are we commanded to know the Word of God, but there is a crying need for us to know it. It is necessary if we are to lead others. It is necessary if we are to properly be guided ourselves. Knowledge of God’s Word comforts us. Knowledge is equipment. It is the only offensive equipment we have, but we cannot use it to fight Satan if we have not taken possession of it. Some people confuse zeal with knowledge, but zeal without knowledge is dangerous (Romans 10:1-2). It is like a loaded gun in the hands of a fool. Such can do more harm in a short time than can be repaired in years. A zealous person without knowledge is somewhat like an automobile in the hands of a beginner. There is a great possibility of an accident. Knowledge will eliminate most problems in the church, but knowledge without zeal is also dangerous (2 Peter 2:20-22), but having knowledge and not living in accordance with that knowledge can cost the loss of souls (James 4:17). Another fundamental is to grow. Knowledge and zeal must be combined for spiritual growth. What about a child that does not grow past the baby stage? Some do not grow spiritually because they fail …