Jesus: Divine Language

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

One strong evidence to the Deity of Christ is the language used in connection with Him.  I would suggest to you that no other man was so spoken of as Jesus.

First, consider Matthew 28:18-20.  Matthew 28:19 reads, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  To analyze this, consider first the words “in the name,”  literally “into the name.”  Edward C. Wharton writes, “The phrase, eis to onoma … does not mean that we are to be baptized ’at the command of’ or ’on the authority of’ (as in Acts 2:38 where the phrase is different epi to onomati).  In the Greek papyri into the name was a common phrase for transference of ownership” (The church of Christ, page 46-47).  Arndt – Gingrich’s “A Greek – English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature” says of this wording “Through Baptism … the one who is baptized becomes the possession of and comes under the protection of the one whose name he bears.”  The wording is used of the transferring of ownership.

With the above in mind, listen to brother Roy H. Lanier, Sr., “Would you wish to be baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Martin Luther?  Or the name of any other human being?  Paul would not allow people to be baptized into his name (1 Cor. 1:13)” – (The Timeless Trinity for the Ceaseless Centuries, page 307).  Jesus is not a mere man.

Second, consider 2 Corinthians 13:14 which reads, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all.  Amen.”  Brother Lanier again asks, “How would it sound to you if you heard this: The grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of Peter be with you?  Or the communion of Martin Luther be with you?  Or the communion of Joseph Smith be with you?  Even the followers of these last two men should object to such a connection of persons.  This is ‘holy ground’ and no mere man – sinners all – can be permitted to enter into this circle.  Only persons of Deity may be allowed in the hallowed triumvirate (page 306-307).

Third, Jesus is called the “I am.”  In John 8:58 Jesus said of Himself, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”  These words are reminiscent of Exodus 3:14, where God said to Moses, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.”

Fourth, Jesus is referred to as “God” (Heb. 1:8).  And not just “God” but “the Mighty God” (Isa. 9:6).  Wayne Jackson says of this verse, “The term ‘mighty God’ does not suggest an inferior ‘god’ as the watchtower cult contends.  Note the usage of the expression in connection with ‘Jehovah’ in 10:21 and in Jeremiah 32:18 (end note of chapter 3, page 30 of Jackson’s Commentary on Isaiah).  [Robert Morey says, “Note: In the Hebrew of Isaiah 9:6 “Mighty God”  appears without the definite article.  But this is also true in such places as Isaiah 10:21; 49:26.  Since YHWY is called “Mighty God” without the definite article in Isaiah 10:20-21, the absence of the article cannot be interpreted to … reduce Jesus to a god – found on page 96 of the book “How to Answer a Jehovah’s Witness].  He is also referred to as “the eternally blessed God (Romans 9:5 NKJV).  Moreover, He is called “the great God and Our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).  There is a Greek grammar rule known as the Granville Sharp Rule.  The rule states that when a solitary definite article (the) precedes compound nouns which are joined by “and” (e.g. the great God and Savior).  The latter noun refers to the same person as the first noun (contrast Matthew 28:19).  Jesus is herein called “the great God.”

Fifth, Jesus is called Jehovah.  This is an important point because while others may be called “god” due to their position, power or might {Exodus 7:1-2; Ex. 22:28 (ASV); Psalm 82; John 10:34-35}, the term Jehovah (YHWY) is never used of a mere human.  The forerunner was to prepare the way for the Lord (Jehovah)- See Malachi 3:1 cf. Matthew 11:10. The New World Translation, produced by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, translates 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts…”  But, this is a quotation/reference from Isaiah 8:13.  The NWT there uses the term “Jehovah”!  Jesus is pictured as the great heart searcher (Revelation 2:23).  Yet such is said of Jehovah (Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10; 20:12).  Also, compare the following: John 1:23 cf. Isaiah 40:9-11; Acts 3:14 cf. Isaiah 43:3; Hebrews 1:10-12 cf. Psalm 102:1-2, 25-27).

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Jesus: His Humanity

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

Some people have a difficult time relating to Jesus, because somewhere they have gotten the idea that He was specially protected, and shielded from the difficulties of life as we experience it.  Nothing could be further from the truth of the matter.  Jesus experienced all the aches and pains, trials and pressures of this life that we do, but more so, and with greater intensity.

Upon coming to Earth, He emptied himself (Philippians 2:7 ASV).  He came in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:7; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 2:17).  He was born of a woman (Galatians 4:4).  He was born in a stable.  His first crib (or basinette) was a manger, that is a feed trough for animals (Luke 2:7).  He was circumcised on the eighth day as other Hebrew boys (Luke 2:21).

He was reared in Nazareth (Luke 2:39, 51).  Nazareth was a very insignificant place.  It was a very, very small village.  It never once is mentioned in the Old Testament; Neither, is it mentioned in the Talmud; Nor does the historian Josephus make mention of it, though he mentions 204 Galilean towns by name.  It was not a famous or important place (John 1:46).  He was in subjection to His earthly parents (Luke 2:51).  He evidently grew and developed mentally, intellectually, physically, socially, and in every other way as normal boys grow (1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 1:80; Luke 2:40; Luke 2:52).  He grew up the Son of a carpenter (Matthew 13:55).  He, Himself, evidently learned and practiced the trade as well (Mark 6:33).

So far as His appearance is concerned the Bible says, “He hath no form of comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him (Isaiah 53:2).  Homer Hailey wrote of Isaiah 53:2, “There will be no beauty, no royal adornments such as people desire, But only an unimposing peasant carpenter from a small obscure village in Galilee.”  He did not appear with a halo around His head or any special beauty to attract people to Him

He grew tired, or weary (John 4:6).  He needed sleep (Mark 4:38).  He experienced hunger (Matthew 4:2) and thirst (John 4:6-7; John 19:28).  He experienced sorrow (John 11:35; Luke 19:41).  He saw one disciple betray Him (Luke 22:48) and another deny Him (Luke 22:60-61).  Isaiah 53:3 says, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”  He had physical limitations as a man (Luke 23:26; Mark 15:20-21).  He tasted death (Hebrews 2:9), the most terrible, horrible death imaginable.  The very word ‘excruciating’ literally means ‘out of the cross.’  The cross is synonymous with pain, great pain.

He was tempted (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:2, 13).  The Bible says that He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).  He “did no sin” (1 Peter 2:22).

What about His miraculous abilities and His inspiration?  Jesus, indeed, worked miracles and was inspired.  But there are a few things which we should remember: #1 – Jesus emptied Himself.  His special powers came not because He was “God in the flesh” (which He was), but His powers came through the anointing of the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:38; Luke 4:18-19; Matthew 12:26-28).  Jesus preached a perfect message by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18-19; Acts 1:1-2).  The apostles did their mighty deeds through the same power.  #2 – The Holy Ghost did not come upon Jesus until He was 30 years of age (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1 – see especially Luke 3:22-23).  It is not until after this that one finds words like “(He) needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (John 2:25 cf. John 1:47-48).  It is not until after this that we have any record of Jesus working miracles (cf. John 2:11).  #3 – Miraculous abilities and inspiration did not keep or shelter one from the potential of sinning (for example: Moses, Balaam, Samson, David, Solomon, the prophet of 1 Kings 13, Jonah, Judas, Peter, those of the churches of Galatia and Corinth, etc.).

The next time that you are tempted to feel sorry for yourself read the words of Hebrews 12:2-4, “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross; despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Ye have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

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Synecdoche

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

The title above refers to a figure of speech that is extremely common in the New Testament.  It is a figure of speech in which  a part is put for the whole or the whole for the part.  It is the former, the part for the whole, that we’re interested in for the purposes of this study.  Examples of everyday use of the part for the whole: (1) “Shall we break bread” for “shall we eat;” (2) “look at my new set of wheels” for “look at my new car;” (3) “He had 100 head of cattle” for “he had 100 cows;” (4) years ago some used to say “look at her threads” for “look at her clothes,” etc…    Understanding this figure of speech is important to good Bible study.  Let’s consider the following words:

 Hear

Paul instructed Timothy “Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; Continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16).

Is Paul saying here that to be saved all one must do is hear (w/out belief, repentance or anything else)?

Certainly, this is not what Paul means (Ezek. 33:30-33; Matt. 7:24-27; James 1:22).  This is just a case of a synecdoche.  Hearing is being put for receiving the word and putting it into practice.

Repent

Acts 11:18, “When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

Does this teach that spiritual life is accomplished by repentance (without belief or anything else)?

The context suggests that this is a synecdoche.  Repentance stands for all that is involved in a man’s response to God.  It includes faith (Acts 10:43) and baptism (Acts 11:13-14; cf. Acts 10:48).  Repentance makes a good figure of speech for all that God requires.  This is the case because if a man truly repents (changes his mind), then he’ll have no difficulty doing all that God requires of him.

 Believe

If one can see that the two afore-mentioned words are sometimes used as a part standing for the whole, then one should be able to accept that this is the case with the term ‘believe,’ as well.   It makes a good synecdoche for if one truly believes then one should have no difficulty doing whatever God requires of him.

  1.  Consider Acts 2:  Those listening to Peter’s sermon want to know what they should do about their guilt of sin (Acts 2:37). They are instructed to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  3,000 individuals respond to this message (Acts 2:41).  Then the record says, “And all that believed were together.” (Acts 2:44).  Wayne Jackson, in his commentary writes, “’Believed’ sums up the obedience described previously” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 416).

2. Consider Acts 4: In Acts 4:4 the number of believers is said to be 5,000 men.  This clearly takes one back to Acts 2:41 where 3,000 are mentioned in connection with baptism.

3.  Consider Acts 16: In Acts 16:31 a Philippian jailer is told by Paul and Silas, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”  No doubt they started here for this man likely had little or no knowledge of Jesus.  In Acts 16:33 the man and his household are baptized straightway.  Then listen to Acts 16:34, he is described as “having believed in God” NASB.  Wayne Jackson writes, “Luke describes the whole process, ‘…having believed in God’… the perfect participle depicts the state at which they arrived as a consequence of their obedience” (ibid, 417).  Note, they weren’t described as believers until after baptism.

4.  Consider Acts 19: In Acts 19:2, Paul asked some at Ephesus, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?”,  when they told him that they didn’t know of the Holy Ghost, he asked about their baptism (Acts 19:3).  Wayne Jackson writes, “He was not framing a new question on an entirely different theme.  Rather baptism was a part of the belief process, concerning which he had inquired.” (ibid, p. 417).  He then taught them.  They were baptized.  Watch the fact that it was after their baptism, Paul laid his hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:2 cf. 19:3 cf. 19:5-6).  Belief in Acts 19:2 must not refer to belief only.

5.  Study John 3:36 ASV, “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyed not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on Him.”  Also Acts 14:1-2 ASV, “…a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.  But the Jews that were disobedient…”  Do a word study and I think you’ll find that the ASV got it right.  See how belief is put in contrast with disobedience.

Vines  indicates that the term  believe can mean “reliance upon not mere credence.”  Thayer indicates that the term can mean “a conviction – conjoined with obedience.”

6.  Consider Acts 10: Peter tells Cornelius, “Whosoever believeth in Him should have remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43).

Does this mean that belief alone is man’s required response for salvation (without anything else like repentance)?

No, this can’t be what is meant.  I know this by looking at Acts 11:18, “God to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

 Conclusion

Here’s a suggestion.  Let’s take all that the Bible says is necessary for salvation.  Let’s not insert the word ‘only’ before anything that God hasn’t.  Let’s not pit scripture against scripture.

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“God Hath Spoken by His Son!”

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of is person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:1-3).

What a beautiful passage!  God now speaks to us by his son.

 Time Past

God once spoke to man “at sundry times.”  The wording literally means, “in many parts” or “in many portions.”  The New American Standard Bible reads, “in many portions.”  God revealed his plan for man a little at a time.

God once spoke “in divers manners.”  The wording literally means “in many ways.”  The New American Standard Bible so translates it.

 Time Present

God now speaks “by his son.”  This son is not just some other prophet.  He was in the beginning with God and by him the worlds were made (see Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:1:1-3, 14; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16-17).  He is the son (Hebrews 1:1-3 cf. Hebrews 3:5-6).  He is the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:1-3; cf. Matthew 28:18; John 5:22-23).  He is the one who upholds all things (Hebrews 1:1-3 cf. Colossians 1:17).

Man has never seen God in his essence (John 1:18; John 6:46; 1 John 4:12; Exodus 33:20).  However, Jesus is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person” (Heb. 1:1-3).  When we come to know the Son, we come to know the Father (John 1:18; John 14:9; 1 Timothy 3:16).

This Jesus shed his blood for us (Hebrews 1:1-3).  He sat down after making this perfect sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 1:1-3 cf. Hebrews 10:11-12).  He is risen, death did not defeat Him (Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 8:1; Heb. 10:12; Hebrews 12:2).

A Paraphrase

Dr. Robert A. Morey paraphrases Hebrews 1:1-2 this way, “God spoke to the fathers through the prophets in bits and pieces and in many different ways.  The entirety of God’s revelation was not given to humanity in a single instance but was dispersed in different ways to different people over several thousand years.  Each new revelation was like a piece of a cosmic puzzle  Even when the last of the Old Testament prophets had all the pieces which were given to those before Him, he still could not understand the total picture.  It was only after the coming of Christ that the last remaining pieces were supplied and the puzzle completed.”  (Death and the Afterlife, p. 22).

God has blessed us by speaking to us by his Son. It is his Son who has “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

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The Gospel

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

Our English term “gospel” comes from the Anglo-Saxon term “godspell” which originally meant “good spell, good story,” or “good news.”  It was used to translate the Greek word “euangelion” which meant “good news” or “good tidings.”  (See Webster’s Unabridged).  Outside the Bible the word was used among the Greeks not only of good news in general but as “a technical one for news of victory.”  (See TDNT in one volume, p. 269).

The “gospel” at times refers to the entirety of the New Testament. (1) In Colossians 1:5, we find that “the words,” “the truth,” and “the gospel” are one and the same.  A literal reading here word be “the word, which is the truth” (genitive of identification) and “the truth, which is the gospel” (genitive of identification) (2) In Acts 14:21-22, it is made clear “the faith” and “the gospel” refer to the same body of doctrine.  (3) In 1 Timothy 1:10-11, Paul equates “sound doctrine” and “the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.”  (4) In Hebrews 4:2, “the word” and “the gospel” are used interchangeably (Also compare Mark 16:15 with Acts 8:4 and Acts 13:5, 7).  (5) The gospel is to be preached to, and put in ptractice by the non-Christian (Mark 16:15; Acts 16:10; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).  (6) The gospel is to be preached to, and practiced by the Christian (Romans 1:15; Galatians 2:14- lit. “the truth which is the gospel).

However, the very heart of the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).  This is the message of victory from which we receive the opportunity for victory.  This is the message which gives meaning and good news to the rest of the body of the New Testament.

Now, don’t miss this – the gospel is not only to be preached (Mark 16:15; Rom. 1:5).  It is to be obeyed (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).  But how does one obey the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ?  How does a non-Christian obey the gospel?  The answer is found in Romans 6:3-4.  Christ died – even so, one must die to the former manner of life, and also unto self – this takes place in repentance (Romans 6:2b; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 6:14).  In repentance a man is dead to the love and practice of sin;      But, not yet the guilt.  Christ was buried – likewise, one is to be buried (not sprinkled or poured).  This is the point that one becomes dead to the guilt of sin by coming in contact with the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5; Revelation 7:13-14; cf. Acts 22:16 cf. Romans 6:4a).  Christ was raised – in like manner, one is to begin a new life at the point of exiting the water (Romans 6:4, 6, 11).  A person is dead to the love and practice of sin in repentance – but such a one is not raised to a new life until after he/she comes out of the watery grave.  This is how the non-Christian obeys that “form of doctrine,” that is “the gospel” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-f cf. Romans 6:17).

What about the Christian?  How does he obey the gospel?  It is possible for the Christian to continue in a life of sin at some point after baptism (Romans 6:12).  But such should not be.  One was raised to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4).  The term “newness” does not refer to the newness in time (neos), but newness in nature or character (kainos).  One is to use his body as an instrument of righteousness, not unrighteousness (Romans 6:11-13).  One’s resolve should be to strive to be each day an instrument of righteousness “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:20).  How does the Christian obey the gospel?  He keeps on walking as a new creature (Colossians 1:23; Colossians 2:6-7).  McGarvey well said, “Only the resurrected rise from the grave.  Therefore, one who has not fully resolved to live as having died unto sin has no right to be lifted from the waters of baptism” (Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians, Romans. p. 343).  One obeys the gospel by continuing to live the new life and not reverting back into the old manner of life.  Should one revert, he needs to repent (1 John 1:9; Acts 8:22).

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Judah’s Justice

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

Judah married a Canaanitish woman (Genesis 38:1-2).  He and his bride produced three sons during their marriage (Genesis 38:3-5).  We’re not told how long they were married; However it, evidently, was for some long time: They lived together long enough to see at least two of their sons reach adulthood and die (Genesis 38:6-11).

In the passing of time, Judah’s wife also met death (Genesis 38:12).  This must have created a great loneliness and emptiness in his life.  Bob Spurlin has written on the loneliness after the death of a spouse  “Regardless of how long your marriage lasted before its separation at death, when you remain behind, a part of you is gone.  No longer are you a couple as changes will occur and adjustments must be made, and the same will be true with your friends who remain a couple.  Normalcy as you know it is over and you are no longer considered a couple, which causes a sense of stress with your married friends.  If our spouse dies after the children have left home you discover how empty the house is and what a lonely place the house has become.  You sleep alone, instead of next to a warm body.  You eat your meals on your own and eating out is difficult, if not impossible.  There is a great void in being alone.  If you have not experienced handling finances, taking care of, or servicing the car, handling the lawn mower, cooking a meal, making use of the washer and vacuum cleaner may take an adjustment” (Don’t Ever Give Up, p. 55-56).  Could this describe how Judah might have felt?

Judah, perhaps in his loneliness, went into a veiled woman he took for a harlot (Genesis 38:12-18).  “We need to realize that after one has spoken the beautiful language of sex with his mate and his mate dies that there might be added temptation to get involved in activities like these, but they are sinful.  Sex can be enjoyed only in the realm of scriptural marriage.”  (Wesley Simon’s chapter in the Book of Genesis, 2001 Memphis School of Preaching Lectureship, p. 363).

The woman was really Tamar.  Tamar was a widow,  and twice over Judah’s daughter-in-law.  God had struck her first husband – Er, and her second husband- Onan dead (Gen. 38:7, 10).  According to Leverite custom she should next be wedded to Shelah.  Judah instructed her to wait until Shelah was old enough to marry (Genesis 38:11).  But then, when Shelah was of age, Judah still hadn’t given him to her for a husband (Genesis 38:14).  What was she to do?  She was not free to marry, she had been promised to Shelah.  If she could not have this last son of Judah’s as her husband, she would remain childless and have no one to care for her in her old age.  Judah feared to give Shelah to her (he thought she was cursed, it seems – Genesis 38:11).  Thus, she took matters into her own hands and schemed a way to compel this family of Judah’s to care for her.

Three months elapsed.  The story circulated that Tamar’s with child (Genesis 38:24).  Judah heard the reports.  He had her brought to him with the intent of having her put to death (Genesis 38:24).  But, when she was brought forth she produced evidence which proved that she had been with Judah.   Judah’s reaction is found in Genesis 38:26, “Judah acknowledged them (the evidence – B.H.) and said, ‘she hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son.  And he knew her again no more.’”  To Judah’s credit he acknowledged his sins and he never again committed fornication with her.

It is easy for us to be guilty of  “Judah’s Justice.”  We see the sins of others so plainly.  Yet, we overlook our own sins, and don’t apply the same standards to them (Matthew 7:4-5; Romans 2:1-3, 21-23).  Before we apply God’s word to others, let’s remember to also apply  it to self.

Something else: Judah initially knew if this thing were known it could bring shame (Genesis 38:20-23).  I heard someone on the radio say the other day that there are three things to keep in mind when making an ethical decision: (1) What if everyone knew or could see what I’m about to do?  (2) What if everyone did what I am about to do, would the world be better or worse?  (3)  What would my heroes, those I look up to, do if they were in my shoes?  Read 1 Peter 2:21-ff; Phil. 2:5; John 13:35; Hebrews 12:2-4; 1 Corinthians 11:1.

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“Rain, Rain”

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

When I was a child I used to chant, “Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day.”  But now, I understand the physical need for rainfall.  I appreciate it.  You probably do too, especially after drought times.

There are also some great spiritual lessons to be learned from rain.  With all the rainfall that we have experienced recently, I thought this might be lessons of a timely nature as well.

Lesson #1:  The value of good words.  Deuteronomy 32:1-2 reads of Moses’ words of revelation from God, “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and the showers upon the grass.”  God’s words, like dew and rain, give refreshment and vitality.  God’s words provide life-sustaining properties (John 4:13-14).  They are meant for our good (Deuteronomy 6:24; John 10:10 cf. 6:68).

Job said of the benefit his own words provided to others, “…my speech dropped upon them.  And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain” (Job 29:22b-23).  Like rain to a thirsty land, so says Job were his words.  Psalm 65:10, 12 reads, “Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: Thou settlest the furrows thereof… They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.”  That’s what rain does.  That’s what evidently Job’s words did for others.  Questions: Do our words cause people to grow and develop?  Do our words strengthen?  Do they bring joy?  Do people long for our communication like the earth longs for rain?  Ephesians 4:29 reads, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying (building up-B.H.).”

Lesson #2:  The value of fellowship.  Psalm 133:1, 3 reads, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity …As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion.”  Mt. Hermon, in far northern Israel, is 9,232 feet in height.  It is snow-covered much of the year.  In the summer dew descends upon this mountain so copious at night that one would think it rained heavily all night.  Mt. Zion does not refer to the mountain of Jerusalem but to Hermon (cf. Deuteronomy 4:48).  This dew allowed the “cedars of Lebanon” to prosper.  The precipitation on this mountain was the source and supply of the Jordan that watered the land below, and that supplied lake Galilee.  Questions: Do our relationships as Christians help sustain spiritual life?  Do we bring comfort one to another (1 Thes. 4:18)?  Can we say of the fellowship here “how good and how pleasant…!”?

Lesson #3: The power of God.  Rain storms remind us of the power of God, and provide an excellent opportunity to teach such to our children.  In Job 26:14b Job exclaims, “But the thunder of His power …”  Remember when you were a child how frightened thunder made you?  God controls the thunder (Job 28:26-28; 1 Samuel 7:10).  He controls and created this natural world.  That booming bass sound of thunder ought to remind us that our God is a mighty God.  It will be a “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” in an unsaved condition (Hebrews 10:26-31).

Lesson #4: A good foundation is needed.  Torrential downpours can bring catastrophe.  Storms can be violent.  Houses built upon no, or little, or weak foundations have almost no chance.  Even so, if we are to survive the storms of this life, we must have a good spiritual foundation.  Jesus said, “Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon the house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the wind blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”  (Matthew 7:24-27).   Questions: Is your marriage built upon the word of God?  The best marriage book ever written was the Bible.  If people would listen to and do what it teaches, marriages would not fall apart so easily.  Do you rear your children according to the Bible?  The greatest pattern you can possibly follow to have your children turn out right is the Bible.  Is your life built upon the rock?  Such would keep us firm (instead of falling apart) during the difficulties of life.

Lesson #5:  Scientific foreknowledge.  Ecclesiastes 1:7 reads, “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.”  Ecclesiastes 11:3a reads, “if the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth.”  Amos 9:6 says, “He that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth; the Lord is His name.”  Brother Bert Thompson has written, “The idea of a complete water cycle was not fully understood or accepted until the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.  The first substantial evidence came from the experiments of Pierre Perrault and Edme Mariotte.  Astronomer Edmund Haley also contributed valuable data to the concept of a water cycle.  More than 2,000 years prior to their discoveries, however, the scriptures indicated a water cycle.”  [From the book, “A Study Course in Christian Evidences by Bert Thompson (Apologetics Press, Inc. Montgomery Alabama) c 1992 page 129].

Lesson #6:  The rainbow. Perhaps in times of heavy downfall like these we should remind our children of the great rainbow promise (Gen. 9:11-17).

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Heaven Assured

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

2 Peter 1:10-11 assures, “if ye do these things ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

If ye do what things?  The context takes one back to 2 Peter 1:5-7.  Let’s notice:

1.  Add to your faith.

Most take this as a reference to personal faith.  That is: Peter is starting with the understanding that they had belief and trust in God (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17).  Based upon this faith, they were (and we are) to add these other traits.

The definite article is present.  Therefore, some have taken this objectively (Acts 6:7; Galatians 1:23; Jude 3).  The literal reading is “the faith of you.”  Thus some take this to mean that God has provided the system of faith (2 Peter 1:5 cf. 1:3) and man is to supply or add these characteristics which follow.

Either way, the meaning does not change much for it is from objective faith that personal faith is derived (Romans 10:17).  It all starts with God’s word and our personal trust.

Note: On the wording “add to your faith” KJV or “supply to your faith” ASV – the original word was a term used in music.  “As here used, the graces which adorn the Christian’s character are to be chorused into a grand symphony…”  (Guy Woods Commentary on Peter, John and Jude, page 150).

2.  Virtue

The word has to do with “strength,” ”might,” or “power.”  Here it has to do with inner strength and courage.  Adam Clark remarks, “courage or fortitude, to enable you to profess the faith before men”.  The NASB renders it “moral excellence”.

We as God’s people must add to our faith the courage to do the right thing regardless of others, faith like that of Joshua (Joshua 24:15).  1 Corinthians 16:13 reads, “watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men (be brave NKJV, act like men NASB), be strong.”  2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  The fearful will not make it (Revelation 21:8; John 12:42-43; cf. Matthew 10:28, 32).

3. Knowledge

The word “knowledge” appears in every chapter of this book, 5 times in this chapter alone (2 Peter 1:2, 3, 5, 6, 8; 2:20; 3:18).  A total of 16 times it appears in some form in this book (know: 2 Peter 1:12; 3:17 / knowest: 2 Peter 2:9 / knowing: 2 Peter 1:14; 1:20; 3:3 / knowledge: 2 Peter 1:2, 3, 5, 6, 8; 2:20; 3:3 / known: 2 Peter 1:16; 2:21; 2:21).  We are commanded to spiritually grow (2 Peter 3:18).  This growth comes by feeding upon the word of God (1 Peter 2:1-3).  God expects us to develop ourselves into teachers of His word (Hebrews 5:12).  Adam Clark comments on this growth in knowledge “…by which your faith   will be increased, and your courage directed, and preserved from degenerating into rashness”.

4.  Temperance

  The ASV, NASB, NKJV and the ESV all render this word “self control”.  Thayer writes “self control… the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions esp. his sensual appetites.”

The Christian life requires self-control.  The Christian is to keep under control: (1) tongue (James 1:26; Ephesians 4:29); (2) temper (Proverbs 16:32; 29:20; Ephesians 4:26; James 1:19-20); (3) body (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 9:27); (4) thought (2 Corinthians 10:5); and (5) entire being (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20).

5.  Patience

  The NASB and the NKJV renders this “perseverance”.  The ESV reads “steadfastness”.  Zondervan’s parallel New Testament renders this “endurance”.  The word means (literally) “to abide under”.  The idea is of being able to stand even under great weight like a beast of burden.

We, as Christians, need to be steadfast, consistent, and enduring in spite of the difficulties and hardships in life.  It is not enough to start toward the promised land; we need to finish the course (1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9; 2 Timothy 4:6-7; Hebrews 12:1).

6.  Godliness

  This word appears four times in this book (2 Peter 1:3, 6, 7; 3:11).  The word means according to Vine’s “eu=well, and sebomai=to be devout… denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is pleasing to Him.”  Thayer says the word included the idea of “reverance, respect… piety toward God”.  Adam Clark commented, “piety toward God… not only worshipping God with every becoming outward act, but adoring, loving, and magnifying Him in the heart.”

The Bible indicates that God wants us to follow Him, not just out of a sense of obligation and necessity, but out of love.  Read Matthew 15:8; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:7.

7. Brotherly kindness

  The ASV reads “love of the brethren.”  The ESV reads “brotherly affection.”

As brothers and sisters in Christ we are a part of one family.  Paul told Timothy to treat the older men and women in the church as fathers and mothers, and the younger men and women as brothers and sisters (1 Timothy 5:1-2 cf. Mark 10:2; 10:29-30).  Hebrews 13:1 exhorts “Let brotherly love continue.”  1 Peter 2:17 instructs “Love the brotherhood.”  1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 urges that in this we “increase more and more”.  Paul desired that Christians hearts be “knit together in love”. (Colossians 2:1-2).  Again, He writes pleading with Christians to be “forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3).  Jesus said, “By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love for one another.” (John 13:35).

8.  Charity

I believe that nearly all current translations render this “love.” This is agape love.

This takes it a step farther.  While we are to have phileo love for our brethren.  Agape love is owed to all.  Agape love is not necessarily an emotional closeness or friendship kind of love; it is a concern for others which manifests itself in Godly living and in the characteristics mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13.  Vine’s, “Christian love… is not an impulse from the feelings.  It does not always run with natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom affinity is discovered… love seeks the welfare of all.”  Agape love is not an impulse of feeling but a deliberate exercise of the will.  Christians are to do what is right unto others because it is right.  (See Luke 6:32-33; 14:12-13).

These traits are to be pursued with “all diligence” (2 Peter 1:5, cf. 1:10) or as the ESV puts it “every effort” (2 Peter 1:5).  If you, brother or sister Christian, will do these things you will be in heaven in the end!

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Faith, Hope, Love – Part 9

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

They stand as three beautiful high peaks.　 Yet, one rises even higher than the other two.　 It is love.

The three words sum up what living the Christian life “under the sun” or “under the heaven” is all about.　 However, one of these three is even superior to the other two.　 It is love.

Today, we’ll finish off the series.　 We’ll do so by considering a few thought provoking passages on love.

A More Excellent Way (1 Corinthians 12:31)

The Corinthians brethren were prideful and arrogant over their miraculous gifts, which God had given unto them (1 Corinthians 4:7 cf. 12:4-12, 14-27).　 “A more excellent way” concerns love (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:7).　 Love is more excellent than miraculous gifts (1 Corinthians 13).　 They were to use their gifts, not to boastfully build themselves up, but instead, to build up (or edify) one another (1 Corinthians 14).　 “Let all things be done for edification” [1 Corinthians 14:26 (Note: the term “edify”　occurs, in some form, a multitude of times in 1 Corinthians and especially in chapter 14 of the book.　 See: 8:1; 10:23; 14:3, 4, 5, 12, 26)].　 “Let all things be done decently and in order” [1 Corinthians 14:40 (that is, in a manner which is conducive to edification cf. v. 26)].　”Let all things be done with love” [(1 Corinthians 16:14).　 Notice, the connection between ‘love’ and ‘edification’ (1 Corinthians 16:14 cf. 1 Corinthians 14:26)].　 “A more excellent way” has to do with lovingly using miraculous gifts to edify others.

May we each decide to use whatever abilities and talents we possess in a positive way, not in exaltation of self, but in edifying others.　 This is “a more excellent way.”

Now Abide (1 Corinthians 13:13)

The context concerns the passing of miraculous gifts (1 Corinthians 13:8-ff).　 (1) Prophesies would “fail” (NKJV), or “be done away” (NASB) or, “pass away” (ESV).　 (2) Tongues would “cease” (NKJV, NASB, ESV).　 (3) Knowledge would “vanish away” (NKJV), or “be done away” (NASB), or “pass away” (ESV).　 The reference is to the miraculous knowledge (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8).　 These three are used as a figure of speech (synecdoche) to stand for all miraculous gifts.　 {(Note: There are three categories mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.　 This may not be obvious in the English but it is in the Greek [The term ‘heteros‘ separates the list into 3 categories: (1) Word of wisdom and word of knowledge; (2) faith; healings; miracles; prophecy; discern of spirits; (3) tongues and interpretation of tongues].　 In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul mentioned one item out of each category previously mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 to speak of all types of miraculous workings coming to an end]}.　 It is beyond our purpose today, to establish the time of termination of miracles.　 It is sufficient for our purpose to simply state that the point being made by Paul is that miracles will not last.

Standing in sharp contrast, there are things more enduring in Christianity.　 “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).　 “Now abide faith, hope, love, these three…” (1 Corinthians 13:13).　 The word rendered “abide” is translated elsewhere in the New Testament by such words as “continue,” “tarry,” and “remain.”　 Miraculous gifts would not endure – faith, hope, and love would.　 They are enduring characteristics of Christianity.

The Corinthian brethren needed to examine their emphasis.　 They needed to place greater emphasis on those enduring qualities of Christianity, and less on the temporary tools they had been given, and alas, over which they were so egotistical.

The Greatest of These (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Why is “love” even greater than “faith” and “hope”?　 The common explanation is: (1) Faith one day will disappear into sight (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1).　 (2) Hope one day will become realized and thus no longer be hope (Romans 8:24).　 (3) However, love will endure even into eternity.　 This explanation has some vitality to it.　 Hope and sight do not go together (Romans 8:24).　 Moreover, the kind of faith which we have now is without sight (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1).　 This type of faith will be no more.　 Further, it is true that love will continue in heaven for “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).　 Love existed even before the foundation of the world (John 17:24).

However, there is some difficulty with this common explanation.　 While it is true that faith and sight do not currently go together, they are not mutually exclusive.　 Mac Deaver points out, “There was a time when faith and sight went together (cf. John 20:29)…　 We now have faith in absence of sight (2 Corinthians　5:7).　 But, the day is coming when faith and sight will be together again” (Faith and Knowledge: A Refutation of Agnosticism, p. 11-12).　 We won’t stop believing in Him just because we see Him! (Note: I grant that it is possible that faith in 1 Corinthians 13:13 refers to the kind of faith we currently have, faith without sight).

There is another possible explanation.　 “Love” is the greatest, because of the effect that it has on the other two.　 (1) Love causes faith to become action (Galatians 5:6).　 It is the great motivator.　 A man may have dead faith (James 2:17), that is inactive faith; however, when faith is mixed with love (love for God, and love for humanity) it will act.　 (2) It is due to the love of God that man has any hope at all (2 Thessalonians 2:16; cf. John 3:16; cf. 1 Timothy 1:1; cf. 1 Peter 1:3-4).　 Add to this, it is only when our love is what it should be, that we truly have hope (1 John 4:12, 17-18).　 So, “how is your love life?”

God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16)

“The Bible makes the unique revelation that God in His very nature and essence is love… Christianity being the only religion thus to present the Supreme Being” (Zondervan’s Pictorial Dictionary, p. 493).　 The God of the Bible is a God of love.

Are we a people of love?　 I leave each of us with this assignment: (1) Read the following sections of scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; 1 John 3:10-24; and 1 John 4:7-21.　 (2) Recognize how genuine love should behave.　 (3) Replace the word “love” with your personal name when reading of the qualities of love (e.g., “love is patient…” etc., becomes “Bryan is patient…”).　 Ask yourself honestly if such truly describes you. [Illustrations: (a) In math, if a=b and b=c, then a=c.　Thus if　you are a loving person, and love has a given characteristic, then you too should have that characteristic. (b) In language, the definition of a word can be used to replace a word in a sentence. Thus, if love is best described by its behavior characteristics, then if you are loving, as you should be,　you should possess the same behavior characteristics].　(4) Resolve to grow in love, working especially on any obvious shortcomings.

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Faith, Hope, Love – Part 8

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

“Every Bible chapter is great for the purpose for which it was intended… There are some chapters, however, that stand out because they address universal human needs, or because they provide comfort in time of distress, or because they are majestic in their sweep of some Bible theme” (Alan Highers, Spiritual Sword, Vol. 29, No. 4, p. 1).　 In part 6 and 7 of this series we examined one of these “stand out” chapters, “The love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13).　 We would be remiss if we did not include “The faith chapter” (Hebrews 11) in this series.　 Let’s notice…

Hebrews 11

Faith is: (1) “the substance (assurance NASB, ESV) of things hoped for” (Heb. 11:1 NKJV).  The word “substance” or assurance” could also be rendered “confidence” (Vine’s, Thayer). (2) “the evidence (conviction NASB, ESV) of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV).　 The word “evidence” or “conviction” may refer to a conviction, but it is a conviction based upon evidence.　 Adam Clark points out “Aristotle uses it (the original word) for a mathematical demonstration.”　 The words are defined as “A proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested… (sometimes) in accordance with the preceding… of the inward result of proving viz a conviction” (Thayer).

Let’s notice this type of faith in action:

1.　 It trusts God.

Noah had never seen a global flood.　 Likely, he had never even seen rain (Genesis 2:5-6; Rain is first mentioned in Genesis 7).　 Yet, he “being divinely warned of things not yet seen” constructed an ark of gopherwood 300 cubits long (450 ft.) by 50 cubits wide (75ft.) by 30 cubits high (45 ft.), thereby saving his household (Hebrews 11:7).

Abraham had the same characteristic.　 He left his home and “went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).　 He trusted God enough to follow Him to an unknown place. Abraham was willing to offer up his son Isaac (Hebrews 11:17-ff).　 Abraham had waited for years to receive this son (Genesis 12:1-2, 6-7; 15:18 cf. 21:5).　 God instructed that Isaac be offered up as a burnt offering (Genesis 22:1-ff).　 Abraham knew that God had made a promise through Isaac (Hebrews 11:18; Genesis 15:18; 21:12) and God keeps His promises (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2).　 Thus, he reasoned that “God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19).　 Very likely, it is that Abraham had never seen such.　 There are only three resurrections mentioned in the Old Testament, and the first recorded happened long after this (1 Kings 17:22; 2 Kings 4:22; 2 Kings 13:20-21).　 He believed completely in God’s promises and in God’s power to achieve them. Abraham lived his physical life desiring to enter into that heavenly land (Hebrews 11:10, 16).　 He considered himself but a pilgrim on earth (Hebrews 11:13).

Isaac, likewise, manifested this type of faith.　 Though, he was still living in a foreign land, Isaac blessed his sons for he knew that through his seed would come greater things (Hebrews 11:20 cf. Genesis 12:2-3; 13:14-16; 15:18; 22:7-8; 27:29).

Jacob had faith in God concerning things not seen.　 Despite the fact that it would be a couple of hundred years before Jacob’s family would enter the promised land {[430 (Galatians 3:17) minus 25 (Genesis 12:4 cf. 21:5) minus 60 (Genesis 25:26) minus 147 (Genesis 47:28) = 198] plus 40 (Numbers 14:33) = 238}.　 Jacob expected them to one day leave Egypt and possess that promised land.

Therefore, he instructed them to go ahead and have him buried there (Hebrews 47:28-48:6).　 Joseph honored the wishes of his father (Genesis 50:7-14).　

Joseph had the same faith.　 He instructed that when the children of Israel left Egypt, that his bones were to be carried to the promised land (Hebrews 11:22 cf. Genesis 50:24-25).　 They were (Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32), years later {it was 184 years between Joseph’s death and the promised land entrance. [This is est. by the following facts: (1) Joseph’s 130 entering Egypt (Genesis 47:8-9); (2) Joseph’s 39 at the time: 30 (Genesis 41:46), plus 14 (Genesis 41:29-30) minus 5 (Genesis 46:6, 11) = 39; (3) Thus, Joseph was 56, when his father died at 147 (Genesis 47:28); (4) Joseph died at 110 (Genesis 50:26), 54 years after the death of his father.]}　 Remember this great chapter begins faith is the assurance and conviction “of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

2. It obeys.

Noah “prepared an ark for the saving of his house” (Hebrews 11:7).　 This he did complying with God’s instructions.　 The Bible says, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did” (Genesis 6:22).　 He even moved his family on board the ark a full week prior to the flood (Genesis 7:4, 7, 10), while there was yet no physical indication of what was coming　(2 Peter 3:1-7; Matthew 24:37-39).

Abraham’s life was characterized by obedience.　 We’re told, “Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out…” (Hebrews 11:8).　 We’re told, “Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac…” (Hebrews 11:17).

Faith causes one to obey God even when it makes no sense from a purely earthly standpoint.　 Consider the Passover (Hebrews 11:28 cf. Exodus 12).　 Consider the walls of Jericho (Hebrews 11:30 cf. Joshua 6).

3. It properly worships.

Abel and Cain’s sacrifices are contrasted (Hebrews 11:4).　 Abel’s offering was by faith (Hebrews 11:4).　 Yet, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).　 Evidently, instructions were given.　 Abel complied and Cain did not.　 Some have thought that Cain was rejected because he offered a grain offering (Note: There were grain offerings under Moses, e.g., Leviticus 21).　 I can’t say with absolute certainty that such is the reason Cain’s offering was rejected.　 I can say that Cain did not follow God’s instructions, and Abel did.

4. It is courageous.

It caused Moses’ parents (Amram and Jochebed cf. Exodus 6:20) to risk their lives to hide Moses in order to preserve his life (Hebrews 11:23).　 Josephus makes clear that such was indeed brave saying, “the king commanded that every male child born to the Israelites be thrown into the river, and that if any parents should try to save their offspring, they and their families would be killed” (Antiquities II, 201-ff).

Moses was greatly educated (Acts 7:22).　 He was reared up the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.　 He was of the privileged class.　 Yet, he courageously gave it up to follow God.　 He “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures in Egypt for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:25-26).　 He led the children of Israel out “not fearing the wrath of the King; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27).

Numerous others have had amazing courage.　 They have on God’s instructions taken cities and kingdoms (Hebrews 11:30, 33).　 They, for following God, have suffered torture, oppression and hardship, and death (Hebrews 11:33-39).

They made a choice to be on God’s side (Hebrews 11:31).

5. It endures.

God’s people do not always have it easy.　 Just think of Abel (Hebrews 11:4).　 Noah, no doubt, was mocked (Matthew 24:37-39; 2 Peter 3:3-7).　 Abraham and Sarah left their home to dwell for many years in tents [(Hebrews 11:9) Genesis 12:4 cf. 25:7].　 Moses “suffered affliction” (Hebrews 11:25), unimaginable pain was at times experienced (Hebrews 11:35-39).

The major point of this section of scripture is the need for endurance (Hebrews 10:36-38; 11:27; 12:1-4).　 Abraham and Sarah did not turn back to Ur (Hebrews 11:15).　 They had their eyes on heaven (Hebrews 11:16).　 Moses “forsook Egypt” and “endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:28).　 There were those who were tortured and killed “not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:25).

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