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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Greater Miracles than Jesus?

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QUESTION:
In John 14:12 Jesus seems to indicate that we would do greater miracles than He did.  What did He mean?

Jesus was not granting his followers sweeping supernatural powers so that we could out-perform His miracles.  He was foretelling of the coming of the Holy Spirit and a resulting worldwide ministry. In this verse Jesus is saying that His many followers would do greater things in total (in number) than He Himself would do. As an example, followers have taken the gospel to multitudes of people.  Jesus is referring to the entire impact of God's people on the world. He was speaking in terms of quantity, not quality. Remember, Jesus was not trying to impress anyone and was not going for any records.  He was performing miracles as part of God's overall plan, and we should do our part for that same plan.

SCRIPTURE:
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the father.
John 14:12

Wayne
www.Capstone-Ministries.org



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THE SPIRIT OF HOLY WEEK

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It's Saturday. What a week it has been. It is very dark in here, and a bit cool. Not cold, just a bit cool. I think these linen cloths they wrapped my body in keep it from being too cold. You see, it was yesterday I died, but you know that. Are you wondering how I can sense cool or cold? Remember that I have always existed, from before the beginning, and will exist forever. There are no blank spots in my existence, not even when my body was dead and in this tomb. I am the Alpha and the Omega. I have almost completed my work here on earth. I have suffered; I have died; and tomorrow I will rise again. Tomorrow morning when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to anoint my body, they will find it is not here, but I will have someone explain it to them.

I have cried a lot in the past few hours, not because of my circumstances, but because of yours. You see, I have done what was required of me, and I did it to save you. To my sadness, there are many of you who still won't acknowledge me. Even after all I have done for you, because of my love for you. Yesterday, I cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But I know why; it was for you -- because of my love for you. So now I ask you -- why are you forsaking me? I love you -- please come to me.

Oh yes, what a week it has been. It was just last Sunday that I arrived in Jerusalem. I entered the town on a donkey amidst shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" from an enthusiastic welcoming crowd. It was only a short time later the same crowd was yelling "Crucify him!" , but that did not stop me from loving them. They did not know what they were doing.

On Monday, there was a little incident at the temple. When I got there, merchants were buying and selling doves and other things, and money changers were profiting from very active trade. They had turned my house into a den of robbers! How dare they! My house is to be a house of prayer. So, I turned over their tables and drove them from the temple. What else could I do? They had created an environment of stealing instead of healing. It could not be tolerated.

Tuesday was a little better. I was able to spend some time teaching at the temple. But even while doing so, my authority was questioned. Later in the day I went to the home of Simon the Leper. A woman there named Mary poured some nice perfume on my head, and then poured the nard on my feet and wiped my feet with her hair. She really didn't know it but she was preparing my body for burial.

Wednesday is the day that the plot against me began to take shape. Judas went to the chief priests and asked them what they would give him if he would hand me over to them. They gave him thirty silver coins.

Thursday I enjoyed Passover in a large upper room with my disciples. I let Judas know that I knew he would betray me. He denied it, but we know the truth, don't we? During the meal I taught the disciples about the new covenant and how to stay in communion with me with bread and wine. The bread is my body, and the wine is my blood -- poured out for you. Later in the day we went to Gethsemane because I wanted to pray. I was very distressed and troubled. My soul was overwhelmed with sorrow. I fell to the ground in prayer and asked the Father to take this cup from me if it was possible, but I knew it wasn't possible, and I wept. Sweat that was like blood dripped from my body. I was in torment, but I understood my mission; a mission of love. A mission of salvation.

Friday was the worst! First I was arrested, then a trial that was nothing more than a mock trial. After it ended, I was flogged and handed over to be crucified. What do you know about flogging? Do you know that it is done with a leather whip with multiple ends, and that there are sharp pieces of bone and metal in each end? Do you know that it leaves the back raw and bleeding, and sometimes exposes bones and organs? Do you know that sometimes it actually causes death? Did you know that? I endured that for you -- because I love you. And do you want to know something else? I would do it again -- for you.

After they were done flogging me, they made me carry the cross they were to crucify me on, up the hill to Golgotha. People spit on me and mocked me. They hung me on that cross, between two robbers. They pierced my side with a spear. I died on that cross. I won't tell you how horrible death on a Roman cross is, but you ought to know they came up with this method of execution because it is the most painful death imaginable. My mother was a witness. It is finished. In just a few hours I will leave this tomb, and my mission here will be finished, but I will be with you always -- until the end.

My beloved, I tell you the truth -- I did it for you. You and your salvation. Yet, I weep because some among you won't acknowledge me. Some among you won't listen to what I say when I say "Knock and the door will be opened." I love you so much that I want you to spend eternity with me in paradise. Won't you accept my invitation? Won't you let me live in you? Won't you experience the joy of real life?

CHRIST IS RISEN!


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

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Holy Laughter

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Question: A friend of mine went to a church service where several people broke out in "holy laughter." Is holy laughter biblical?

Based upon all that I can find in scripture, it is not. When I look at the ministry of Jesus, I don't find a single recorded case of people breaking into uncontrolled laughter. Further, I find none in the ministry of Paul or in the ministries of any of the Apostles.  I don't find a single verse of Scripture that says that when the Holy Spirit comes upon a person he or she breaks out in uncontrollable laughter. I do however find Scripture that indicates this phenomenon is not of the Holy Spirit. Lets start with the one above, Galatians 5:22,23. How do we reconcile uncontrolled laughter with the fruit of self-control? In the holy laughter phenomenon, people laugh uncontrollably even when there is nothing funny to laugh about. That is not self-control! 1 Corinthians 14:40 says "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."  It is hardly fitting or orderly when people laugh uncontrollably in church. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33  No, I don't find anything in Scripture that even remotely resembles holy laughter. Since we are told to test all things against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21)  I must conclude the phenomenon of holy laughter is not biblical.


RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22,23


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

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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

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What Would Jesus Do?

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Question: "What would Jesus do?" is still popular right now, and was very popular in the recent past, especially among the young. Does it really have any application to how Christians are to live their lives?

Absolutely! WWJD can be applied to every event and decision in our lives; right now, today! In view of 1 John 2:6, we ought to constantly be asking ourselves this question.  You see, the standard for Christian living is not the Ten Commandments (though we need to heed them), and it's not even the Golden Rule (though we ought to heed it)-- the standard is Jesus Himself. The Lord Jesus gave His disciples a new law to live by: John 13:34, and the example of Himself. Jesus is our model. You are wrong if you ask yourself "What would other Christians tell me to do?" And wrong even if you ask "What would other Christians do?" But you will always be right if you ask "What would Jesus do?" and then do the same. Of course, you must know Jesus before you can know what Jesus would do.

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1 John 2:6


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

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24

Did God Get Tired on Day Six of Creation?

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Question: If God is all-powerful why did he have to rest after working on creation for six days?

Well, certainly not because he was tired! He did not rest in the sense that His physical energy had been depleted or that He needed to recuperate. An all-powerful God doesn't need to rest. The Hebrew word for rest communicates the idea of "ceasing from activity."  Genesis 2:2 simply says God completed His work on creation and stopped. The job was done. There was nothing further to do. Perhaps He ceased working in order to make a division between His work of creation and His later ongoing work in the world. Whatever the reason, it's clear that He modeled a pattern that He wants us to follow -- we should rest one day in seven, and we are to set that one day apart as holy to the Lord.

Relevant Scripture
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Genesis 2:2


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


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22

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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21

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

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

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Is Jesus telling us to hate our families?

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Question: I am having a little trouble understanding Luke 14:26. Jesus seems to be telling us to hate our families. Is this so?

Jesus' comments in Luke 14:26 are an example of hyperbole, a form of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus was setting up an extreme contrast to make a point. He was describing to His disciples the total love and commitment they were to have. In the Hebrew mindset of the time to "hate" simply meant to "love less." Jesus was saying that our supreme love must be for Him. Everything (and everyone) else must take second place. Measuring our love for Christ against all lesser loves may make these lesser loves seem like hate by comparison.


Relevent Scripture
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;" Matthew 10:37


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Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

17

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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


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Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

16
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Where do babies spend eternity?

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Question:  My sister's baby boy lived just one year then died. Where will he spend eternity? What if he had died in the womb?

Let's start with your second question. First, it is important to know that even though a child in the womb does not "breathe" it is alive in the mother. Therefore it has a soul and a spirit as well as a living body in the prenatal state. This, in essence makes your two questions one. What happens to children who die before they are old enough to accept Jesus as their lord and savior?  Everyone needs salvation, even those too young to know it. We are all born into sin. However, those children who die prior to reaching their individual age of accountability are under the blood and saved by the blood of Christ.  Remember, Jesus died for all, including the children. Children who are to young to accept Jesus, and understand what they have done, will spend eternity in heaven with God. It is very important that just as soon as your children are old enough to understand, you lead them to Christ. See Mark 10:14


Relevant scripture
Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. Psalms 58:3

In the Grip of Grace,
Wayne

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

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Does God sanction the celebrating of Jesus’ birth?

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There is not a Christmas season that arrives that does not bring with it discussion and even discord over the actual birthday of Jesus. It seems to me that Christian brothers and sisters would not squabble over such a small thing. It might be a good thing to remember the teachings of Jesus relating to loving each other. But, since many seem stuck on resolving minor meaningless differences I decided to put my 2 cents worth in.

Let’s start with what we know for sure about His date of birth.  What we know for sure is we really don’t know. We do know that there are several dates that have people who will swear are the correct birth date.  There are some that say it had to be in May, and they can provide their “evidence” proving it. And there are those who say it had to be in September, and they also can provide their “evidence” proving it.  Of course there is the ongoing debate regarding December 25th vs. January 6th.  Yes, there are those who have “proof” that the birth of Jesus truly is December 25th.  If you are interested is some of the pro December 25th arguments you may want to visit the Wikipedia site at the bottom of this article.

The truth is rather than focusing on whether the date we celebrate His birth is the correct date, we probably ought to think about if we should celebrate it at all.  There are some out there that think we should not.  Usually they will point to Deuteronomy 12:28-31, which reads:

28 Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God.
29 The LORD your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, 30 and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, "How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same." 31 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

Personally, I do not believe that the above scripture prohibits Christians recognizing or celebrating the birth of Jesus.

In any event, the date really doesn’t matter. If God had decided it was important He would have made the date clear. He did not, however He did give us quite a bit of information about the birth, so He felt that it was important. I would agree it is not as important as the resurrection, but it did have to happen first. I think what is important is our attitude towards Christmas. There are those who believe Christmas is a compromise with paganism and others who have other problems with Christmas. Trust me, I have heard it all. Having said that, December 25th happens to be the day we observe as the birth of Jesus. If I am going to observe it at all, I will do so on that date. I guess I could observe it in May or September but I probably won’t see quite as many Nativity scenes. 

So, how should Christians celebrate Christmas?  I believe it is important to remember that Christmas is really about gifts. Oh, not the temporal material gifts that it seems to have become about, but the gifts Jesus gave us.  Christ gave us gifts of eternal value: His love and companionship along with gifts of salvation, forgiveness of sins, the indwelling Holy Spirit, His righteousness, peace, joy, wise counsel, healed minds, restored relationships, and adoption into His eternal home.  Now those are some gifts I am glad I received! 

I hope you always appreciate Christmas but from the correct perspective.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Jesus#Year_of_birth

Be blessed,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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