Blasphemy

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TODAY'S QUESTION:
I have heard there is one sin that won't be forgiven. Is this true, and if so, what is it?

True. The unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The general definition of blasphemy is: speaking about God or sacred matters in a disrespectful or rude way. The true sin of blasphemy is to attribute the work of God to Satan, or the work of Satan to God. To do so is to, in effect, call the Holy Spirit of God the unclean spirit of Satan. God finds this unforgivable. (for Biblical examples of blasphemy see Matthew 12:24-29; Mark 3:22-30 and Luke 11:14-23) What does all of this mean to us today? I think we are called to carefully examine all things religious that we come in contact with to determine if they are from the Holy Spirit of God, or from the unclean spirit of Satan. We are not to judge people, but we are to judge their works, with the test always being the Word of God.


Relevant Scripture
"But whoever blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit." 
Mark 3:29-30





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Must I tithe a full 10%?

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Question: As much as I want to, I can't always give a full 10% of my income to the church. I feel bad about it but sometimes there is just not enough money.  How much trouble am I in?

Not much, depending on your attitude. The concept of tithing (giving 10%) is Old Testament teaching. There is nothing in the New Testament where God tells believers they should give 10% of their income to the church. The New Testament suggests giving by grace. We are to give freely as we have been given freely to. (see Matthew 10:8) This is an attitude thing. For some this will be less than 10% and for others, those materially blessed by God, the amount will exceed 10%. (see 2 Corinthians 9:7) I do believe the Old Testament tithing concept should be used as a guideline or a goal we should strive for even if we are struggling financially, but if you are truly giving what you are able you are making God happy. Remember, He knows your heart. More important than the amount of money you are giving is that you have given yourself to the Lord. Only then will you have a proper perspective on money.


RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 2 Corinthians 8:12


Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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When Resurrected did Jesus Have a Material Body?

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Question: I think the Bible teaches that when Jesus was resurrected He had a material body.  Is that so, and if it is, how did He get into a room when the door was closed and locked?

Good question! You are no doubt referring to John 20:19. First question first. Yes, the resurrection body of Jesus was material, otherwise there would have been no resurrection. Jesus Himself predicted His bodily resurrection in John 2:18-22. On to the second part of your question; how did He get on the other side of the locked door? I don't know, but please let me remind you of a few things. First, Jesus is God and therefore can do anything! Remember He performed many miracles prior to His crucifixion and we, with our limited earthly knowledge, are unable to explain how they were done. For just one example, how about when He walked on water.  Scripture also tells us that Christ's resurrection body was "supernatural." Some use this as an answer to your question, but I don't accept this answer. It seems to suggest He would not have been able to enter the closed and locked room in His pre-resurrection body. That simply is not true. Jesus is, and always was, God. He can (and could) do anything He chose to do.

Relevant Scripture
"Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."  
Luke 24:39


Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left-hand column.



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Can Christians Play Cards, See Movies, Go to Dances?

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Questions: I have some friends who say it is wrong for Christians to play cards, go to movies, go to dances and stuff like that.  Is that correct?

I do not believe so. The above Scripture, 1 Corinthians 10:23, seems to indicate otherwise. I think studying 1 Corinthians (specifically chapter 8) will give you a lot of insight into this age-old question. While this chapter talks about meat, eating and idols, try replacing those with cards, dances and movies, or anything else for that matter, and in no particular order, and see what message you get. I think we are being told that while what we do is somewhat important, the affect of our actions upon those we come in contact with is far more important (see verse 13). Also: It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. Romans 14:21  So, it appears playing cards, going to movies, going to dances and such activities can be OK, or, under some conditions, not OK. You might find it helpful to apply the test of 1 Corinthians 10:31,32 to any questionable activity. I think the answer will become apparent.

Relevant Scripture
"Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left-hand column.

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Did Moses Write Genesis?

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Question: How could Moses have written Genesis when writing was not yet known in his time?

This is an old criticism which is still voiced sometimes today. First, we need to all get on the same page; writing was known and widely used long before Moses' time. Archeologists have unearthed an ancient library in the city of Ur containing thousands of stone "books." You may recall that Ur of the Chaldees was Abraham's home long before he migrated to Canaan, and those stone books were written even before Abraham's day. Many of the books constituted records of very mundane activities, which seems to indicate that not only scholars, but also common tradesman could read and write. It is quite certain that Moses, educated in the palace of the Egyptian emperor as he was, was fully competent to write the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible).

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt -- to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land.  Deuteronomy 34:10-11.


Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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What is the gospel?

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Question: What is the gospel?

The word gospel, translated from Greek in the New Testament literally means "good news."  The gospel is simply the "good news" that Jesus the Lord, the Son of God, became a man so that He could die in atonement for our sins, then after being buried for three days rose from the grave forever settling our sin-debt before a holy God. Perhaps the best single definition of the gospel found in Scripture is the one above -- 1 Corinthians 15:3,4. According to this passage the "good news" has four components: (1) man is a sinner; (2) Christ is the Savior; (3) Christ died as a substitute for man; and (4) Christ rose from the dead. From the time of Paul, this is the "good news" he and others preached.  We are called to do the same.

Relevant Scripture
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3,4.


Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org


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Will I Become an Angel when I Die?

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Question: Growing up I believed that we humans became angels in heaven when we died.  Is this so?

No. Many people grow up with this misconception. It probably stems from parents seeking an easy way to explain the afterlife to children, but it is incorrect.  Colossians 1:16 tells us that Christ created the angels, and that He created them as angels. Elsewhere in the Bible distinctions are made between man and angels supporting their being separate distinct creations. Hebrews 12:22,23 seems clearly to distinguish between "thousands and thousands of angels in joyful assembly" and "the spirits of righteous men made perfect." 1 Corinthians 6:3 tells us there will be a time (in the afterlife) when man will judge the angels. It also seems that 1 Corinthians 13:1 makes a distinction between humans and angels.



Relevant Scripture
What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  Psalms 8:4,5.


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Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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Is the Trinity a Valid Christian Doctrine?

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Question: I hear Christians speak of the "Trinity" yet I cannot find the word in the Bible.  Does that mean it is an unbiblical doctrine?

Answer: You are correct in that the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible, but the concept is clearly derived from Scripture, and is a biblical doctrine. Throughout the Bible references are made to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is but one God existing in three personalities (or persons). In fact, there is very strong biblical support for the doctrine of the Trinity.  Some of the Scripture supporting one God --
1 Corinthians 8:4, James 2:19, John 5:44, Romans 3:30 and more. On the one hand, the Scripture is clear that there is only one God; yet, it also is clear that there are three distinct persons who are called God in Scripture. God the Father -- 1 Peter 1:2 and others, God the Son (Jesus)-- John 20:28 and others, God the Holy Spirit -- Acts 5: 3,4. The concept of the Trinity carries through the entire Bible and I have given you a very small sampling of supporting Scripture. No, the word Trinity is not used in the Bible; Yes, the doctrine of the Trinity is a valid biblical doctrine.

Relevant Scripture
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  Matthew 28:19

If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left hand column.

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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If Jesus came to save us, what happened to all those in Old Testament times?

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Question: I'm confused. The Bible says Jesus died on the cross for my sins.  What happened to all those people in the Old Testament who died before Jesus came?

It's important to remember that Jesus the Christ, the Lamb of God, died for each of us individually; His sacrifice was for all of us, including those in the Old Testament.  You can look upon this as sort of "retroactive" atonement. Remember God always had a plan of redemption for us, and that plan was laid prior to the foundation of the earth being laid. Jesus always was going to be the sacrificial lamb, from the beginning. So the Old Testament believers received the redemption and atonement in the same manner we have; by the blood of Christ. Their sins were imputed to Him beforehand. (see Romans 3:25 --best in the King James version) Christ died for our sins; past, present and future. In the case of the Old Testament believers, it's just past sins.

Relevant Scripture
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance -- now that he has died as a  ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15


If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left hand column.

Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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Was Jesus Simply Just a Good Moral Teacher?

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I have heard that Jesus was not really God, but was a good moral teacher who was trying to set an example for us. Is this true?

Absolutely not!  Jesus told us He is God in several places in the bible. In addition to the verse above, read John 6:29,40. Think about it for a minute; Jesus as only a good moral teacher does not make sense. If Jesus said He is God, and he is not, then he must have been a liar. If he was a liar, how could he have been a good moral teacher, since the act of lying reflects bad morals. Would someone who was just a teacher of moral values claim that the destiny of the world lay in His hands? Would he tell people they would spend eternity in heaven or hell, depending upon their believing in Him? I think not. Further, for Jesus to tell people that He is God, and the Savior of the world (Luke 19:10) when he really was not, would be the height of immorality. Yes, Jesus was (and is) a good moral teacher, but He also was (and is) God.

Revelant Scripture
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"  John 8:58


Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?   John 14:9

In the Grip of Grace,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left hand column.

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DOES GOD ESTABLISH ALL GOVERNMENTS?

The Bible seems to say that God establishes all governments. Does He establish the bad ones too?

In some cases God allows unjust or even evil leaders to obtain positions of power and leadership. Sometime they even become rulers over nations. That does not mean that God participates in their evil activities. God can, however, use human deeds -- good or evil -- to help accomplish
his greater purposes, which are always good. A Biblical example is His use of evil Babylon to discipline the nation of Judah. He permitted brutal rulers to conquer his people in the hopes that his people would turn again to him. See Habakkuk 1:6

God always wants leaders to govern fairly and justly. Sometimes they don't.

Relevant scripture
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

Be blessed,
Wayne

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