Scholar Contest!

It's time for another giveaway!

This month we're starting a scholar contest.  What's a scholar contest?  The name we've decided to give to any contest where we give away books on the Bible or Christianity that will help you learn and grow as a Christian.  Cool huh?

This being the first scholar contest, it will be the easiest.  The prize?  Check out the blue book in the picture.  A brand new, sealed copy of The Answer Book: A Helpbook For Christians, by Th.D. Samuel C. Gipp.

Personally I love Gipp's books.  They're always clear, concise, easy to understand, enjoyable to read, and full of factual information with references so you can look up the information he gives you.

This particular book has 62 common questions and answers new and sometimes seasoned Christians ask about the King James Bible and controversy surrounding it.  Examples of a few of the questions answered in the Q & A format are:

#4 What about the archaic words?
#8 Where do Bible manuscripts come from?
#29 Can a translation be inspired?
#38 Is the New King James Version an improvement?
#40 Is the NIV trustworthy?
#48 Wasn't the Textus Receptus named after 1611?

What to do to win?
Simple, just post a comment below to this post and tell me three things you'd like to see a study or article on in the future of this site.  Ideas could be a specific set of scriptures, a certain book, a specific topic, something in Christian news, something in Christian life today, or anything else having to do with the Word of God.

This contest is twofold.  One: somebody wins this awesome book just by giving their opinion.  Two: people who leave a comment below are telling us what they want to see written about on this blog in the future.

This contest runs until Saturday March 26, 2011 at 11:59 pm.  Whoever has posted 3 ideas below will be entered into a drawing.  The first person who's name is drawn wins.

P.S. Be sure to post after you've signed into your Blogger or Google account so that I know who to give the prize to.  I will post the winner on March 27, 2011, and that person has one week to contact me with details of where to send the book, or else the next person drawn will get it.


** RECAP **

The Prize is: A brand new copy of "The Answer Book" by Dr. Samuel C. Gipp, Th.D.

To win: Sign into your Google or Blogger account, and post a comment below with 3 things you'd like to see written about on this blog.

Watch: for the winner to be posted on Sunday March 27, 2011.

Please note: We can only ship the book to an address within the USA.  Winner must be able to receive the prize in the US.  Thanks.

Looking forward to seeing your answers in the comment below!

Until then, blessings!

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Food for thought: The Hedge Words We Use

What is a hedge word?  It's a word or phrase that makes statements less forceful or assertive.  Examples: I think, maybe, I could be wrong, etc.

With that in mind, read the following quote by Stanley Hauerwas, and comment below to let me know what you think about this issue.

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Question from reporter: 
How should Christians make their mark on society?

Answer by Stanley Hauerwas: 
By telling the truth. I think that one of the problems has been that Christians have often accepted the speech habits that characterize general assumptions about America that have not done us any good in terms of how we should be witnessing to what we think is true. (For example, to say) I think Jesus is Lord, but that is just my personal opinion.

Above quote taken from Trinity Pastor.  Note: I do not endorse any material on Trinity Pastor.  I just pulled the quote to get opinions and give some food for thought.

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The Book of 3 John

Bible Study: The Book of 3 John

1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

In 1:2 we can see that John recognizes that Gaius’ soul is prospering (in other words he is laying up treasures in heaven rather than on earth… following the ways of Jesus). John wishes him as much good health and prosperity as his soul has.

1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Brethren have reported back to John in 1:3 that Gaius is walking in the truth (John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me). Obviously Gaius is following Jesus’ teachings. In 1:4 when John refers to Gaius as his child, I believe he is referring not to his physical child, but to his spiritual family… John probably lead Gaius to salvation, then making him his child and John his father… John is very pleased that Gaius has continued to walk in the ways of Jesus.

1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

Gaius does good for not only those he knows and is spiritual brothers with, but also shows his love and kindness to strangers… we need to recognize that only showing that we have Christ in us to those who are already saved doesn’t do any good for those that aren’t saved… we should show our love to all people… look at Christ, who prayed for his enemies while he was hanging on the cross. Jesus has given us the best example of how to live our lives… we need to walk as Jesus walked and do as he did, because this is the way we will do well, not only here on earth, but also in heaven.

1:7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Even though you and I may not be good at preaching the word, we should accept the help others may give us in doing this so that we can do our part to get the word out and tell everybody the good news.

1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Diotrephes is the pastor of another church. John wrote him a letter, but Diotrephes, who likes to be the most knowledgeable and be in charge is unwilling to allow John to visit the church.

1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Diotrephes speaks badly of John and his followers, probably out loud to the church congregation (something a good pastor wouldn’t do). Diotrephes won’t even receive John’s followers, Diotrephes fellow brethren, and forbids anybody in his church to receive them. If somebody doesn’t do something Diotrephes likes, he casts them out of the church… this seems like a dictatorship to me, instead of a family. To me this church sounds like it would be an unhappy one.

You know, the Bible talks a lot about doing things that are edifying to God and to the church, instead of to yourself… Diotrephes seems to only want to do things edifying to himself. Romans 14:19 also says, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” We should try to lift other people up and help them, and not just try to make ourselves look good. Diotrephes doesn’t want John and his followers to pay the church a visit, because he is afraid he will not look as good or as smart if they do.

1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

John reminds us that we need to good, not evil. A person who does good is of God, and a person who has evil in his heart and does evil things obviously doesn’t known God… I think you have to wonder about a person who claims to be saved, and yet does evil things. Diotrephes would be an example of one of these people… just reading John’s description of the things he does or refuses to do, I have to wonder if he really accepted Jesus as his savior and Lord of his life… when you become saved, a change takes place within you… not a physical change, but a change in your heart, because the Holy Ghost will be in you, and you will want to do good things, or to change for the better for God. Don’t forget, our flesh will still sin, but our soul will not. It is human nature to sin, but there is a difference between simply sinning, and trying to be better, than to have evil in your heart and want to do evil.

1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

In this epistle (letter) John has shown Gaius an example of a bad role model (diotrephes) and a good role model (Demetrius, who hath good report of all men and of the truth itself).

Having too much to write to Gaius in a letter, he tells him that he will be coming to talk to him in person. He wishes him peace, gives him greetings from friends, and tells him in the end to greet friends by name.

-JW.

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The Book of 2 John

Bible Study: The book of 2 John

Note: While there is no reliable source that tells us John the apostle is the author of this book, “The elder” in verse one is traditionally thought to be John. Second John touches on a few things the book of 1 John goes into in more detail.


1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

While some believe “the elect lady and her children” are a noble woman and her family, I think this verse is John addressing a church and the church’s congregation.


1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.


When John refers to “the truths sake” he is referring to Jesus. John 14:6 says: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus tells us he is the “truth” which is obviously what John is referring to here. We also know this because we know that once we are saved, we have the Holy ghost in us, and we will never lose our salvation (“and shall be with us forever”).


1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.


Here the author is trying to bless the “elect lady” and her children, and is quick to remind us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.


1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.


The author is pleased to hear that the elect lady and her children (church and congregation) are keeping God’s commandments and walking in the truth. Because Jesus is the truth, I believe that this also means to follow Jesus and the ways that he has shown us. At every step of Jesus Christ’s life he has shown us how we should live. 1Peter 2:21 tells us, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 John 2:6 says, “ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” We know from the Bible that it is not enough to just say you believe in Jesus. A good example of this would be: If you walked around drunk all the time, and then one day went out to try and save some souls, you are probably going to run into people who have seen you stumbling around drunk, who are then not going to care what you have to say, because you’re not acting very much like Christ. People will think, “How can he be a Christian? They can’t even take care of their own life, why should I trust them to take care of my soul?” So we can see why John is so pleased to hear that this elect lady and her children are walking in the truth, and not simply claiming to be believers.


1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.


In 1:5 John is pleading with the elect lady to follow God’s commandment to love one another. John admits that this is not a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning. In 1:6 John tells us what love is: “that we walk after his commandments.” If we love God, we will try to do as he wants us to, and walk as he walked.


1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

John tells us in 1:7 that there are many “deceivers” that are in the world… people who would act as if they are connected to God in some way, but never confess that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior… that he was born as man and died as their sins. He tells us these people who would try to deceive us into believing they are followers of God but never accept Christ are called an “antichrist.”


1:9 tells us that whoever doesn’t abide in Christ’s teachings doesn’t have God and isn’t saved. Remember that once you are saved, your flesh will continue to sin, but your soul is clean, and will not sin… your body doesn’t go to heaven, but if you are saved, your clean soul does go to heaven.


1:10 tells us that if an antichrist comes to you, don’t bid him God speed… I think this is important: why would you bid somebody God speed, or, “May God go with you and help you with your task,” if they don’t have plans to do things for God… people who aren’t saved don’t have God in their hearts, and don’t want to do good things for God. Now that’s not to say it’s not ok to pray for the unsaved. 1:11 tells us that if you bid the antichrist God speed you then become part of his evil deeds. I'm pretty sure this is just like being the getaway driver for a bank robber...

1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.


Because John has many things to speak to the “elect lady” he is planning on trying to meet with them instead of writing it all out on paper.


In 1:13 when he says, “The children of thy elect sister greet thee,” I believe this is also a sign that the “elect lady,” and her children refers to a church, and not an actual person. If you think about the word “elect” defined in the Websters 1828 dictionary as: “Chosen, but no inaugurated, consecrated or invested with office; as bishop elect; emperor elect; governor or mayor elect. But in the scriptures, and in theology, this word is generally used as a noun.” And also defined as, “Chosen; selected; set apart as a peculiar church and people; applied to the Israelites. Is.45,” we can see that this elect lady is probably a type of office, such as the one the pastor of a church might hold. If the elect lady and her elect sister were two churches, it would make sense that their children are the congregations of those two churches.


-JW.

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Speaking in Tongues: Edifying to whom?

Today when you walk into a church, and hear people in the congregation, or the preacher even, speaking in a different language (mostly words you don't understand) that makes no sense at all, this is what we call speaking in "tongues." Mostly these people who speak in tongues are called "Charismatics," well, because they are charismatic about their faith. You may find yourself asking, what exactly is tongues, aside from speaking a bunch of mumbo jumbo? Well, let's take a look at what the Bible says:

• Act 2:4-11 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
  

• Basically the disciples of Jesus stood up in front of a crowd of men from many different places that spoke many different languages, and the Spirit of God filled them and when they spoke the Word of God, every man understood the disciples, even though they all spoke in one language... now how amazing is that? I think that's pretty cool. But you'll notice that the scriptures say: And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? The many people didn't here mumbling and words that they didn't understand... what they heard was the disciples speaking the word of God in their own language... every person there understood every word being said. Now that's a little different than speaking in tongues today. Today when people speak in tongues, it is speaking in words that do not mean anything, that nobody understands.

• So, what else does the Bible say about speaking in tongues?

• 1Corinthians 14:5 - I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

• In 1Corinthians 14:5 we see that it is better to not speak in tongues, but to prophesy instead... and if you have something to do with speaking tongues, you should be interpreting what the person speaking in tongues is saying so that the church may be edified... that's not to say you should jump up and say, "I know what he's saying!" when a person starts speaking in tongues, so that you can receive the credit... it is lying to say you know what is being said if you don't know. Jeremiah 23:31 says Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. God clearly does not like people who lie about what he says... if God today did cause somebody to speak in tongues, and somebody else jumped up and said, "he is saying this, this, and this," and you don't know what is being said, God isn't going to be happy.

• 1Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

• While 1Corinthians 14:12 doesn't speak directly to us about speaking in tongues, it does say that while we want to have spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, or healing powers, we should always seek to edify the church, not ourselves. I find that most people say or act like they have a spiritual gift, because they want the credit for having it, not giving the credit to God. We need to realize, that if a person does have a spiritual gift, it isn't because they are special, it isn't because they have done something great or can do something amazing, it is because God is an amazing God and has blessed that person with a gift, from Him. Not because the person was worthy of the gift from God, but because God is good, and gave the person that gift. 1Corinthians 15:10 says But by the grace of God I am what I am.

• 1Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

• 1Corinthians 14:26 asks how come each one of us, or most of us seem to speak in tongues, or have a revelation about God, or know how to interpret tongues, or seem to have some kind of spiritual gift? We need to realize that God doesn't bless everyone with spiritual gifts, and it's ok for us not to have one. God blesses all of us in different ways. And if we do have a gift, again, it should be used to edify the church, not ourselves.

• 1Corinthians 12:1-14 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

• 1Corinthians 12:1-14 tells us that there are many different blessings that God gives us, and that even being saved and confessing Jesus is a blessing from God. It also tells us that no matter what gift God gives you, it is God who gave you that gift, and that it is the same God who has blessed other people with other gifts. It also says that once you are saved, you are not the only one... you, and everybody else is baptized into one body, the body of Jesus Christ... we are all one after we are saved. This again works into edifying the Lord, and edifying the church... see, if you are edifying the whole body, you are also then edifying yourself, but if you only work to make yourself look better, and lift yourself up, you aren't helping anybody but yourself.

• 2Corinthians 12:19 - Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
  

• Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
  

• Ephesians 4:29 is telling us that we need to speak the truth, not corrupt words or mumblings. We need to speak so that others can understand, so that we can tell them of the grace of God, and lead them to Him. What good is it if you are there "speaking in tongues" and nobody can understand you? Will that really help lead somebody to God?

• Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

• In Acts 10:46, we see that they spoke in tongues to "magnify" God, or to praise God and lift him up so that others may see how great he is. When they spoke in tongues, they weren't thinking about their reputation in the church, and they weren't thinking about how special they were because they had been blessed with this gift. They were only thinking about God, which is what we should be doing, whether we speak in tongues or not.

• Acts 19:6 - And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
  

• Now, if you are saved, you have the Holy Ghost in you... you don't need to speak tongues to have the Holy Ghost in you, so it is ok to not speak in tongues. But to speak in tongues, you must have the Holy Ghost come on you as the scripture says... God has to give you this gift. This isn't something you can give yourself.

• 1Corinthians 13:1-4 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up...

• You can speak in tongues, and do miracles, and have a great amount of faith, but if you don't have charity (love) in your actions, you have nothing, and are nothing... love envies not, love is not full of itself, and love does not try to build itself up. 1John says, "God is love." God doesn't build himself up... if you are pretending to have a gift of God... speaking tongues, interpreting tongues, prophesying, and God has not given you this gift, you have nothing... you know you have nothing if you are trying to build yourself up instead of edifying the church, and edifying God. When John says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal," he's telling us that if you don't have God in you... if God hasn't given you the gift of tongues (speaking in one language that people of many languages all understand... in otherwise, not mumbo jumbo) that you will only speak mumbo jumbo, or words that don't make sense (sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal... not words). Can you play a set of drums, and not say a word, and all the sudden everybody around you knows what you were thinking about God and salvation? Of course not... people who claim to speak in tongues today are doing just as much good as just going up to an unsaved person and playing drums without saying a word.

• 1Co 14:2-4 - For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

• When people prophesy it is in a language that other people can understand, so it is edifying to the other people. When you speak in a language others don't understand, you are only building yourself up.
  

• 1Corinthians 14:6 - Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
  

• Again, what does it do for other people if you are walking around speaking in tongues and it doesn't match doctrine, and they can't even understand you and what God is trying to say through you?

• 1Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

• Telling people who are unbelievers about prophecies of God does nothing to bring them to God, but to teach God's prophecies to believers is a good thing. 1Corinthians 14:22 also says, that to speak in tongues in front of a bunch of people who are already saved does no good... speaking in tongues is supposed to be a sign to unbelievers that God is there, and that God is real, just like in Acts when the disciples spoke in tongues to a large group of unbelievers, and each person heard them speaking in their own language so that they understood... again, they weren't speaking words that didn't make any sense to anybody. Wouldn't you believe in God if you were standing in a group of people, and some were Americans who only spoke English, and some were Germans who only spoke German, and some were French, who only spoke French, and a Spanish man who only spoke Spanish walked up and began preaching to you about God and his Word in Spanish, but you all understood him as if he were speaking your own language?

• 1Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

• 1Corinthians 14:23 is very important... if you are in a church speaking in tongues, and a non-believer walks in to see what God and church is all about, he or she is going to think you are all crazy and walk out, because they are going to hear you saying, "halalujia chemloliki blachmoogo boogo googo..." instead of hearing you say, "God has a plan for you. God loves you. God wants you to be in heaven with him for eternity so he gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ so that you could get there and be with him in the end."

• 1Corinthians 14:14-17 - For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

• Again, if you pray, or sing, or speak in a language others don't understand, you aren't helping others at all, only yourself.

• 1Corinthians 14:27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

• The above verse states that if you do speak in tongues, it should be only one or two words at a time, and you should only speak in tongues if there is somebody to CORRECTLY interpret what you are saying. If there is no interpreter, the person speaking in tongues should remain silent, and speak to themselves and to God only, not to others around them or in the church, or at least not while they are still speaking in tongues, again, because it is not edifying to the church to speak in tongues. The Bible has quite a lot to say about speaking in tongues and doing things that are edifying to you vs. doing things that are edifying to the church.

• In summary:

• For the record: speaking in tongues is not speaking in a way that other people don't understand, it is speaking in your own language, but other people in their own language understand you.

• When you prophesy you are edifying the group as a whole, including God. When you speak in tongues, you are only edifying yourself, even if you aren't trying to.

• All things should be done unto edifying God and the church, not yourself.

• God does not like it when you claim to know what somebody speaking in "tongues" is saying when really you do not, because that is saying you know what God is saying, and you are probably going to say something different than what God is trying to say.

• God gives the gift of tongues, not people. You can't give yourself the gift of tongues.

• If you don't speak in tongues, even though other people you know may have that gift, that's ok, because God gives different people different gifts, because God has different purposes for different people. Even just being saved, is an enormous gift from God.

-JW.

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Video: This Hand

Such a simple video, that says so much. Take a look here.

Also, don't forget to check our CBSB Video page periodically for newly added videos by CBSB and other sources! You can find a link to the page at the top right hand corner of this page, or here.

-CBSB

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"Christians" by Carol Wimmer/Maya Angelou

I really like this poem entitled "Christians," and I thought I'd share it with you. I always thought it was by Maya Angelou, but other sources say it is written by Carol Wimmer. Whoever the author, it is a beautiful poem.

"Christians"

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”

I’m whispering “I was lost,

Now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I don’t speak of this with pride.

I’m confessing that I stumble,

and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not trying to be strong.

I’m professing that I’m weak

And need His strength to carry on.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed

And need God to clean my mess.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible

But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches

So I call upon His name.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not holier than thou,

I’m just a simple sinner

Who received God’s good grace, somehow!

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The Book of 1John (KJV) Chapter 5

Chapter 5

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

- If we love the father (God) we must also love those he begat (gave birth to), meaning, if we love God we must also love Jesus. When we believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, we love and honor both Jesus and God.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

- If we keep to God’s commandments, we honor and love God, and also love our brethren. Also, God’s commandments are not grievous, meaning they are not something we should groan at doing. We should be happy to keep God’s commandments, and have joy when we succeed in living as God wants us to.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

- When we are born of God (when we become saved) we overcome the world just as Jesus did! We become more than the world can offer us. Those of the world cannot offer us eternal life and salvation and happiness, but God can, and does! Our faith allows us to overcome the world, because those of the world cannot or do not have faith, or straight out refuse to have faith.

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

- Here John shows us the holy trinity. There is only one God, but God has three parts, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. It’s like God has three separate beings in one, but is all still one, which is hard for not only me, but for most people to wrap their minds around. These three parts of God bear witness to Jesus being the son of God in heaven, and on earth the spirit, and the water, and the blood bear witness to it. the blood refers to Jesus. Verses 7 and 8 also say that all of theses things agree in one, meaning that they all agree with each other.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

- If a man gives us his witness that Jesus is the Son of God, that’s fine, but we know that the witness of God is greater, and God has indeed given us his witness all throughout the Bible that Jesus is his Son. When we believe that Jesus is God’s Son, and is our Savior, we also then have God’s witness in ourselves, and can then go and spread the Gospel (the Good News) to others. When we do not believe, we make God a liar, because God has told us that Jesus is His Son (We discussed earlier that God is truth and light, meaning not a liar, and not evil… we also discussed God being the Spirit of truth, and those that are not of God the spirit of error. If you then deny God by denying Jesus as his Son, since God has straight out told us that Jesus is his son, then you have the spirit of error within you, and are obviously not only fooled, but are lying, because God is not a liar). God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. God fulfilled his promise of eternal life to us by giving his Son as the ultimate sacrifice. Once we accept God’s free gift, we begin to live through Christ and then have eternal life after we die. When we have Jesus we have eternal life, when we do not have Jesus, we cannot and do not have eternal life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

-Here John tells us why he wrote his letter. He wrote it to tell us about Jesus and God’s gift to us, so that we may also believe and have eternal life. Also, John tells us that ye may know that ye have eternal life if we believe on the name of Jesus, the Son of God. If you are saved, you cannot lose your salvation. It is simple. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he died on the cross for us and our sins, than ye may know that ye have eternal life. Eternal, once again being forever… nothing there about sinning too much and losing your salvation. We are saved by the Grace of God, not by our own works.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

- Once we are born of God, God hears all of our prayers, and we know that he will hear what we ask of him. This is why love (love being God) casteth out fear. Because this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

- I like verse 18 a lot. It says that once we are saved, nothing wicked can touch us. Wicked things can’t stand to be around us. This is why people who aren’t Christians often don’t associate with Christians, and this is also why it is important to have fellowship with other Christians. Also, even if the devil or something evil does grab hold of our body here on earth, and we die, our flesh dies, but we being saved will go onto eternal happiness and life with Christ. Evil can get our flesh and bones, but not our souls. Once we are saved, our souls belong to God.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

- In these last few verses John closes his letter by reminding us that the entire world is wicked, but those who are of God are not because we have been saved. He also gives us his testimony that the Son of God is Jesus, and that when we have Jesus, we have eternal life. John also reminds us in the last verse to not worship idols, because idols are the antichrist, and are of the world.

1John is my favorite book because it speaks a lot to me about many different things. It clearly lays out the plan of Salvation, that if we should believe that Jesus is the Christ, and we should believe in God, we will have eternal life. This epistle tells me what to look for concerning the antichrist, and it gives me clear, straightforward guidelines about how to live in love, and dwell in God.

Thank you all for your time,

-Jessica Worley

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The Book of 1John (KJV) Chapter 4

Chapter 4

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

- John starts off here telling us again about the antichrist, also known as false prophets. There are many false prophets in the world today, and will continue to be until the second coming of Christ. These false prophets will try to deceive us, and lead us away from what God truly wants us to do. We know that if you confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, (in other words, if we confess that he is God’s Son, and that he died for our sins), we are of God, and are not false prophets. Again we have to be careful though, because simply saying we believe, and actually believing are two separate things.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

- When we become saved, or reborn, God comes to us, and lives inside of us. God is greater than those who are in and of the world, which are those that are not saved. This is why we are able to overcome those in the world, because God is greater than they are. Because those who are unsaved are of the world, the world hears them when they speak, and doesn’t hear us, because we are not of the world, we are of God. Have you ever tried to have a conversation about Christ with a non-believer? They may pretend to be paying attention, they may even be trying to listen to you, but they aren’t truly hearing you. They aren’t understanding what you’re talking about. It’s a lot different than having a conversation about God or Godly things with somebody filled with God’s holy fire. Because we are of God, God also hears us, and God doesn’t hear those that aren’t of him and are of the world. God doesn’t care to listen to those who aren’t believers. It’s like… if some child you didn’t know brought you a picture he drew. You probably wouldn’t put that on your refrigerator, because he’s not your kid, and it’s an ugly page full of scribbles. But, as soon as your own child brings you a page full of scribbles, you put it up on the refrigerator proudly, because your child did it. When we become God’s children, he becomes proud of those things we do, and we then come under his protection, and he listens to us. The same is not true for those who do not believe. God loves us all however, which is why he gave his son to die for us, so that we may have eternal life. God doesn’t want to give people eternal life if they are unwilling to accept his free gift to them though. Verse six tells us that those of God have the Spirit of truth, and those not of God have the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

- Here yet again, John tells us that love is of God. He goes further than that even to tell us that God is love. Because God is love, if we don’t love our brothers, we don’t have God in us and aren’t saved. Loving your brother is an identifier that you are saved in other words.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

- Verses 9-11 are really cool. God loved us so much that he sent his son to die for us, so that we could live eternally through him! Without that free gift, our sin would not be wiped away, and we could not get into heaven! In verse 11 John reiterates that: if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another!! This is John’s simple and straightforward message to us.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

- When we are reborn and saved, God gives his Spirit to us. When we love one another, that love that God gave us is perfected. Remember how we can’t be perfect? Well God’s love can be perfect if we let it be! God’s love comes to us through his son’s sacrifice for us, but his love then becomes perfect when we do as Jesus does and love everyone! I know that might sound a little hippyish, but you know what, I don’t care. I love God, and His Word, and I want to do what he says. Verse 15 is extremely important. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. To be saved, we must confess that Jesus is the Son of God and is our Saviour. We must either confess with our mouth, or our heart, but most importantly our heart. As we established before, it is one thing to simply tell people that you believe, and another to actually believe it. Just like telling God you love him, and actually doing something to show him that you love him.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

- When we live in love, we live in God, and God lives in us because God is love. When we do as God does, and act as he wishes us to, and love as he does, we know that we can have boldness when it comes time to be judged. As I said before, I want to stand up straight and tall and tell Jesus that I tried my hardest to do as God wants me to. Our love is made perfect toward God when we keep his commandments, and are able to stand boldly at the day of judgment. Verse 18 tells us a lot about God’s love towards us. It says that there is no fear in love. The only example that I have of this is the following: Whenever I get scared, I pray to God for his protection and love, and that he keep my family or friends or myself from harm. I know that because God loves me, and hears my prayers, he will protect me, and because I know these things, my fear leaves me. How cool is that that a persons fear can dissipate based on prayer and love. You can’t pray and not love God, because why would you pray to someone that you didn’t love and trust? Perfect love casteth out fear… He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

-Verses 19-21 teach us an important lesson. There are many proclaimed “Christians” in the world today, who say that they love God, but go around hating other people, either with emotion or with their actions (remember that love is more than words). Now… If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? We have never seen God: 1John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. How can we call ourselves Christians, and proclaim to love God, when we have never seen him, when we cannot even love our brothers and sisters in this world, whom we have seen? We must love everybody so that we can also love God and show our love to him by showing our love to others! Verse 21 is God giving his commandment to us, to love others as we love him.

(Chapter 5 here)

-JAWorley

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The Book of 1John (KJV) Chapter 3

Chapter 3

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

- We become the sons and daughters (children) of God when we accept Jesus as our Savior and as the Son of God. Verse one of Chapter three tells us that the world will not know us, because we are no longer of the world, but are born of God, and because the world does not know God. We can only know God once we are saved. Verse two and three tells us that when the Lord does appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. You know, we can only hope to be as righteous as Christ is. We can only hope to have as much goodness and kindness in our hearts as Christ does. No person, no matter how hard we try can ever be as good as Christ, even though we can try, and should. Even simply having this hope of being as Christ is, we make ourselves just a little more pure, just as Christ is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

- Verse four tells us exactly what sin is: sin is the transgression of the law. When the Bible speaks of law, it talks about the over 600 laws that God sets for us in the old testament. Now, the entire point of the law in the old testament is to show us that we are sinners. There is no possible way for us to live our lives and not break at least one of those 600 laws. God knows this, which is why he gave us his son as the ultimate sacrifice for these sins, as verse five tells us. Jesus was the only one to never sin. Because Jesus became our sins when he died on the cross, and because we are reborn when we accept that Jesus did that for us, and then come to abide, or live in him, we don’t sin because our sins are taken away. Our bodies, our flesh, sins, but not our souls, because we abide in Christ. Our bodies can’t help but sin as Adam and Eve first did as the original sinners, but our souls are what go to heaven with us, not our bodies. Those people who do not accept Christ, sin not only with their flesh, but also their whole entire being, because they did not accept this free gift which Christ gave to us, to wipe away the sin of our souls.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

-Verses 7-9 reinforce what we just learned. Good = Good and Evil = Evil. If you commit sin you are of the Devil (commiting sin being those who are not saved… even after we are saved our bodies will continue to commit sin, but our souls will not. Those people who are not saved are the ones doing the work of the devil, because their souls continue to sin). Jesus was given to destroy the works of the devil. In verse nine we again see that we cannot loose our salvation once it is given to us. God will not take his gift back: for his seed [Jesus] remaineth in him. Jesus will remain in us once we accept him, and our souls will remain clean. (We see here again that we cannot lose our salvation).

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

- Did you ever hear the story of Cain and Abel? Cain and Abel were Adam and Eve’s first children. Abel was a righteous child. Cain grew jealous of Abel and slew him (murdered him), because he could not do the same righteous works as his brother. (God later gave Adam and Eve another son which they named Seth, who was just as righteous as Abel). Here John refers to Cain as a child of the devil, and Abel a child of God (for we are born in sin, and already belong to the devil until we are reborn in Christ). Here again John stresses the importance of loving one another. We should not hate other people because they are doing better in their lives than we are. We need to be happy for them and all of the good things they are doing, and all of the good things they have going for them, and not be like Cain. John tells us again that those who do not love their brethren are not of God.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

- John tells us not to be surprised that the world hates us when it does. Just as Cain who killed Abel because Abel was better than he was. The world is often jealous and despises us because of what we have going for us. Christians have suffered a lot of persecution over the years because we believe in God and love him and his son, and they don’t. There’s this guy that I work with who hates me just because I believe in God. He believes that religion is a detriment (a setback or hindrance) to man and society. Just being a Christian we are going to suffer some kind of persecution in our lives, just as Jesus did. Man killed Jesus because of his beliefs and because he claimed to be the messiah. 1Peter 2:20 tells us: if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable to God. God knows that we are going to be persecuted because we believe in him and his son, and will have rewards set up for us in heaven because we take these things in good stride. Look at what Jesus did up on the cross! He prayed for his enemies, those that nailed him up to the cross! ...this is acceptable to God.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

- Verse 14 talks about passing from death to life, which is what happens when we go from not believing in Christ to accepting him as the son of God and as our Saviour. When we accept Jesus’ free gift to us, we pass from death to life as we are reborn. When we hate our brethren we live in death rather than living in the life that is Christ and miss out on enjoying having that fellowship with him. It is hard to have a good relationship with God and Christ when we are walking around hating everybody all the time. Remember that verse in James about being guilty of one sin meaning that you are guilty of all sins? Verse 15 talks about this again. If you hate your brother, you are also guilty of murdering him. If you hate somebody, do you not seek to cause him harm as opposed to loving him and only wishing him good?

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

- Before we talked about the example Jesus left for us. Jesus laid down his life for us even though he didn’t know us. We need to lay down our lives for our brethren. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to die for people that we don’t know, but when we lay down our lives of sin and take up lives of truth and love, we are helping our brethren, and abiding in Christ. Verse 17 is important. It asks us a question: If we see somebody in need, and don’t give them compassion, how can the love of God dwell in us? God showed us compassion by giving his only son to die for us! We need to show compassion to our brothers and sisters, and not only those who are Christian, or people that we know! When we show compassion and help people in need, we allow the love of God to enter into our hearts, and we have a greater fellowship with him.

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

- I like this verse a lot also. You know, a lot of people out there say, “I love you honey,” “I love you son,” “I love you Bob,” “I love you God…” saying you love somebody is not the same as loving them. You may think you love them, but if you say you love your husband, or child, or friend, or girlfriend, or whoever, and don’t show them that you love them by your actions, you deceive even yourself! You can’t say you love somebody and mean it and then strike them! You can’t say you love somebody and mean it, and steal from them, or lie to them! And most especially, you can’t say that you love God, and not show him! We need to show people and God that we love them. Actions are most definitely louder than words. Show your love by having compassion. Show your love through kindness and generosity.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

- God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things. We cannot deceive God, because God knows what truly lay in our hearts. We need to have confidence in God that he will provide for us and show us mercy. When we have confidence in God, our heart’s do not condemn us to him.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

- Here God is telling us that we need to believe that Jesus is His Son, because this is his commandment! Believing in Jesus is important! Believe it or not, there are many, many religions out there today that do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God! Unfortunately for them, the Bible tells us time and time again, that to be saved and go to Heaven and have that eternal life that God has promised us, we must believe in Jesus as the Son of God! When we keep God’s commandments, especially this one, we live in God, and God in us because God gives us of his Spirit.

(Chapter 4 here)

-JW.

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