By: Jerry Bates I feel sure that it would offend most people to even question whether they may be worse than the citizens of Sodom. Most know about Sodom and how it is repeatedly used as an equivalent for sin and evil. Therefore, most would quickly and adamantly deny that they are worse than the people of Sodom. In Ezekiel 16, the prophet sought to “cause Jerusalem to know her abominations” (16:2 NKJV). In other words, he wanted Jerusalem to realize how sinful she was. Of course, Jerusalem, like most of us, did not consider herself sinful at all. She was part of God’s chosen people and had been given many blessings. Compared to the Gentile nations around her, she thought she was good; however, God had a different opinion. To accomplish his purpose, Ezekiel presented his rebuke in the form of an allegory picturing Jerusalem as a child who had been abandoned in an open field at birth. However, God found her in this pitiful state and cared for and blessed her greatly. In vs. 10–14, we find Jerusalem being adorned with beautiful jewelry and clothing, so much so that her fame spread among the nations. However, she became a harlot (16:15). Ezekiel continued and compared Jerusalem to her “sisters,” Samaria and Sodom. He declared that Jerusalem was the worst of the three (16:46–47). I am sure that you remember Sodom was destroyed due to her sin and was often used in Scripture as a byword for evil. Samaria

Being spiritually blind is a great, eternal tragedy, and I feel certain that most people reading this would immediately proclaim that they are not spiritually blind. Hopefully, that is true; however, we should not be so quick to assert such a statement. For one thing, we must realize that at one time we were all spiritually blind. Before we surrendered our lives in faith to Jesus, all of us were lost in sin. Paul declared in Ephesians 5:8, “for you were once darkness…” Scripture associates sin with darkness. When we are walking in physical darkness, we are in effect blind because we cannot see obstacles in our way. Similarly, when we are walking in sin, we are in darkness and are spiritually blind. All of mankind eventually chooses to sin against God and becomes spiritually blind. Paul affirmed this spiritual truth when he wrote, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Yes, it is a great tragedy to be spiritually blind; however, we also need to realize that Christ came to deliver us from such a state. Part of Ephesians 5:8 was mentioned earlier, but Paul continued in the same verse, “… but now you are light in the Lord.” Yes, we were all once in darkness, but we do not have to continue in darkness. We can become light by following the light of the world, Jesus Christ (John 9:5). Jesus made that statement and then proved it by giving physical sight

There are few religious acts about which there is more controversy than baptism. Most of the Christian world does not believe that it has anything to do with our salvation. Many say that it is only a symbolic ritual to show what has already taken place in our hearts and our lives, namely, the forgiveness of our sins. No passage speaks against this attitude more clearly than Romans 6:3-4. “Or do you know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” We need to understand that Romans 6 is not about baptism. It is about sin. The word “sin” appears 16 times in this chapter. Paul was encouraging Christians to remember what took place when they were baptized. I do not know of anyone who questions the fact that faith in the sacrifice of Christ is the basis for our forgiveness. Thus, the question is, “When are our sins washed away?” Paul said that it occurs in baptism. Baptism is much more than a mere symbol or ritual. It is more than a physical act of obedience. In Romans 6:2, Paul taught that we died to sin when we were baptized. In 6:3, Paul declared that we are baptized into Jesus Christ as well as baptized into

In today’s modern world, we hear a great deal of talk about angels, and it seems that much of it is without any real biblical basis. Part of the reason is that the Bible actually speaks very little about angels. They are mentioned quite often, but no text specifically teaches about angels, and little is actually said about their role in God’s plan. We hear few lessons on angels in the church. Consider the following thoughts on this subject. First of all, we must realize that they are created beings; thus, they are not like God. Nehemiah wrote, “You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host” (Nehemiah 9:6). The host of heaven must include the angels; thus, they are created beings. We also read of the sons of God shouting for joy when God laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4-7). The sons of God must be a reference to angels since they were there when the earth and all its host (including man) was created. Angels are the servants of God with the power to do whatever God sends them to do. When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, an angel shut the mouths of the lions (Daniel 6:22). Angels are not glorified human beings. Nothing indicates that when faithful children of God die, they become angels. There is an unknown multitude of angels in existence. Jesus stated in Matthew 26:53 that He could have called twelve legions of angels to His aid.

There are a host of little known characters in the Bible, yet sometimes they are great examples. One such example is Stephanas, found only in two passages (1 Corinthians 1:16; 16:15-17). The second biblical citation reads, “I urge you, brethren – you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” Notice that Paul said that the household of Stephanas had “devoted” themselves to the ministry. Stephanas was enthusiastically dedicated to God and His work. It could also be said that he was addicted, not just him, but his whole household. We often think that any addiction is bad. Multitudes of people today are addicted to various harmful or even evil things, such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. Many would also think that an over commitment to religion is likewise bad. The term “religious fanatic” carries a bad connotation. However, when we are truly committed to God and His ministry, addiction is good. Stephanas did not look for an excuse not to be involved in the work of the Lord, nor did he expect others to do the work. He could not sit idly by while either the work was undone or others labored. Sometimes one may say in jest, “Work doesn’t bother me a bit. I can sit and look at it all day.” When it comes to religion, that humorous statement is true far too often. It seems that the majority of church

There are few religious acts in which there are more controversy than baptism. Most of the Christian world do not believe that it has anything to do with our salvation. As many say, it is only a symbolic ritual to show what has already taken place in our hearts and lives, namely, the forgiveness of our sins. I believe there are few passages that speak against this attitude more clearly than Romans 6:3-4. “Or do you know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” We need to understand that Romans 6 is not about baptism. It is about sin. The word “sin” is used 16 times in this chapter. Paul was discussing the Christian’s relationship to sin. Knowing that our sins have been washed away should motivate us to lead godly lives. The question is, “When are our sins washed away?” Paul said that it occurs in baptism. Baptism is much more than just a symbol or a ritual. Baptism is more than just a physical act of obedience. In Romans 6:2, Paul said that we died to sin when we were baptized. In 6:3, Paul declared that we are baptized into Jesus Christ as well as baptized into His death. Most people would agree that

In Acts 11:26, we find an interesting statement, “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Peter said that we should be proud of wearing that name. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:16). Why were the early disciples first called Christians in Antioch rather than in Jerusalem? After all, the church had been in existence for several years (possibly 10 years), so why would the name be given or taken in Antioch after several years rather than in Jerusalem? At first, the church was composed of only Jews and was considered to be a sect of the Jews. However, in Antioch, this designation would not work because this was the first predominately Gentile church. They were no more Jews than they were pagans. Both Jews and Gentiles now met on equal terms, so a new name was needed to identify these people. Now ethnicity was replaced by an identity with Christ. Luke’s message in Acts 11:26 is that the church was so identified with Christ that even outsiders could find no better label to characterize this group. We need to be so intimately connected to Christ that the same would be true today. When people see us and look at our lives, they should immediately think about the teachings of Jesus and identify us with Him. Is this true of your life?

From the very beginning of the church, God ordained that she be led by elders and deacons. Throughout the centuries, man has perverted this divine plan of organization into several alternative systems. Nevertheless, those churches who desire to follow God’s plan continue to be led by the simple plan of elders and deacons. The question we want to consider in this treatise is, “How are elders to lead the church?” I submit that most elders are very conscientious about their duties and sincerely do their best to lead and oversee their respective congregations in the way that God would have them to do. On the other hand, some lead in wrong ways or with wrong motives. Leadership is an awesome responsibility. Some of the harshest words in the Bible are reserved for men who should have been leaders but weren’t. A picture of the bad shepherd is painted in Ezekiel 34:1-6, and Isaiah described Israel’s leaders as blind watchmen and dogs who do not bark (Isaiah 56:9-12). Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 23 to the scribes and Pharisees in which we find a series of woes. These Jewish leaders should have been examples of righteousness. Instead, Jesus called them hypocrites eight times in that one chapter. Clearly, that is not the model one should follow. Some see business as the model by which an elder should lead. Elders attempt to manage the congregation like a board of directors and act as the bosses, making decisions that the rest

When we think about someone burning, our minds probably go to the idea of eternal fire in hell, and of course, that would be a terrible thing to contemplate. However, the idea of fire is also used in a good way in Scripture. In Jeremiah 23:29, we find God saying that His Word is like a fire. A similar idea is found in Jeremiah 5:14 when God told Jeremiah that He would make His Word like a fire in his mouth. Jeremiah wrote in 20:9 that God’s Word was like a fire in his bones. Thus, we see God’s Word compared to fire within us. We know that fire burns; therefore, we might say that we need to be burning. God’s Word should be within us. “Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16). Notice that the Word should be dwelling within us. Thus, if the Word dwells within us, and His Word is like a fire, then we should be burning within. Obviously, this is figurative language; nevertheless, this is an idea that we should not overlook. As long as a fire is burning, it influences everything around it. Even if something is not consumed by the fire, it will absorb the heat from the fire. Is the Word influencing us in our lives and others around us? If the Word is dwelling in us, then certainly the Word will influence our lives, and other people will be able to see it. Our

It is easy to become discouraged while living the Christian life. Worldly pleasures, social pressures and physical afflictions all cause us to want to quit. However, we must not quit, because if we do, we lose everything for which we have labored. Becoming discouraged is nothing new, because some of the greatest men mentioned in the Bible became discouraged, such as Elijah and Jeremiah. Each wanted to quit serving God. How can we prevent becoming discouraged? In Hebrews 12:1-2, the writer gives some very encouraging words to anyone who might be tempted to quit. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Firstly, the writer tells us to put away some things. We must put away sin. Sin is all around us, and it seems difficult for some Christians to put it away. We must also put off the weight that can slow us down. Weights are those things that are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves, but they can draw us away from our true focus. We must put away anything that turns our attention away from

Most Christians are familiar with the concept of the Trinity. Likewise, most Christians are familiar with the need for the church to be united. However, I believe few really consider the relation of the two concepts. I submit that the Trinity is actually a model for how we are to relate to one another. We should strive to be like God; therefore, we must be united. Jesus said that we are to be one, just as He and the Father were one. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me” (John 17:20- 21). Thus, an understanding of the unity and oneness of the Godhead is necessary to understand exactly how we as His disciples are to relate to each other. Firstly, all Christians should be regarded as equal in value. While certainly each has different talents, abilities and functions, nevertheless, we are one in value and worth to God. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27).Thus, any situation where one member dominates another or a person is regarded as somehow lesser in value is improper. Many problems have developed within the church where one person or

In Isaiah 6 we find that Isaiah volunteered to go and speak for God.  Why did Isaiah volunteer?  It was not because his task was pleasant, because his message was one of judgment.  It was not because he wanted money, glory or honor, because he received none of those.  It was not because he was assured of success, because God guaranteed him that the people would not listen.  This must have been extremely difficult for him to begin a task, knowing beforehand that he would not be successful.  However, God assured him that a remnant would listen and be saved (Isaiah 6:12,13).  That would make all his efforts worthwhile. Most of us would be glad to teach, if we knew the vast majority would listen and obey.  Regrettably, we know that is not the case; therefore, we often become tired and discouraged or refuse to even begin.  Isaiah can become a source of encouragement for us to volunteer to become God’s great servants.  God has already asked all of us to volunteer in His service; therefore, don’t wait for someone to ask you to do something.  Isaiah volunteered to speak for God, and he was told to keep preaching until God’s predictions of destruction had been fulfilled (Isaiah 6:10-11).  In like manner, we must keep preaching the good news of salvation, or doing whatever it is that we can do in the service of our Lord, as long as there is a man in his house or people in the cities. 

Have you ever been disappointed in someone? Have you ever realized too late that you have been taken advantage of? Have you ever helped someone and never received even a “thank you” in return? I’m sure most, if not all of us, can answer yes to at least one of those questions. The tendency is for us to become coldhearted and declare, “I will never be in that situation again!” Most of us would also feel that we are perfectly right to have such an attitude after the way we have been treated. While the above attitude is certainly understandable, it is not necessarily what God would have us to do. Remember that Jesus could also answer yes to all the above questions, many times over, yet His reaction was quite different from ours. In Luke 17:11-17, Jesus came upon ten lepers. They lived a miserable existence, and they earnestly pled for mercy from Jesus. He extended mercy, healed them and told them to show themselves to the priest. Somewhere along the way, they were healed, but only one returned to thank Jesus for such a wonderful blessing. Luke emphasized that this one was a Samaritan, one that most Jews would look upon with great disfavor. In verse 17, Jesus asked a pointed question, which may indicate the sadness in his heart, “Where are the nine?” Yes, Jesus was disappointed many times over, especially by the Jewish leaders, but he never quit showing kindness. What about ourselves? Have we ever

We find in Hebrews 2:11 an interesting and assuring statement: “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” At first glance this might not seem too extraordinary. After all, we are part of God’s family; therefore, why shouldn’t Christ call us brethren? However, that is exactly what should be so amazing to us. The Book of Hebrews has much to say about the divinity of Jesus. In the very beginning of the Book, the author wrote that God “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the world, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of his person…” (1:2-3). Notice that it is said that Jesus made the world. Jesus was there at the beginning! Jesus has all the power and the majesty of God the Father. Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory. This is not a reflected glory, like the moon reflects the light from the sun, but the brightness comes from the deity that is essentially His. Jesus is also the express image of God. This is the only time this phrase occurs in the Bible, and it means that Jesus is the exact representation of God. He is not similar to God; He is exactly like God! Now think about who we are. We are sinful creatures who

I am sure you have heard some Christians express that thought. Many Christians want to be sure that if anyone uses any of their material that they receive credit for it. If an idea is generated from something they said or did, they want their share of the credit. Many Christians want to be sure they get their share (or maybe more than their share) of whatever credit is coming. Seeking credit and honor is fine and necessary in the business world. We have patent laws to protect those who have worked hard and spent a good deal of money to perfect a new product or invention. We have copyright laws to ensure that those who write literature or music will receive credit and whatever money may come from those things. Such things work well in the business world. The church, however, should not operate like a business. As Christians, we should not be concerned with receiving credit, because our purpose is not to glorify ourselves but to honor God. Many verses could be mentioned emphasizing this. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever” (1 Peter 4:11). “To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever” (Romans 16:27). These verses point out that our main goal is to honor

Knowledge of God’s will is essential for anyone to be pleasing to God. While one should pray for wisdom (James 1:5), one cannot understand God’s Word without study and meditation. Paul commended the Berean Christians in Acts 17:11 because they searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was teaching was consistent with God’s revealed Word. Paul further encouraged Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul encouraged Timothy to faithfully discharge his ministry, rightly divide the Word. This means to understand God’s Word correctly and explain it to others. Just quoting Scripture is not handling the Word of God properly. After all, even Satan quoted Scripture (Matthew 4:6), but he misapplied it. What are some basic principles involved in properly understanding the Bible? First, one must have the proper attitude. In John 7:17 Jesus said, “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” Thus, a desire to both know and do God’s will is essential to properly understand God’s Word. This is illustrated in John 8 when Jesus taught the truth to some unbelieving Pharisees. However, Jesus said that they were not able to understand His teaching because their prejudiced minds and hard hearts blinded them to the truth (8:43-44). Second, one must understand the two major divisions of the

“Will a man rob God?” These words were asked by Malachi to the people of Israel (3:8). Malachi charged Israel with the sin of robbing God. I am sure the Israelites did not think they were actually robbing God. In fact, the very idea of robbing God would have undoubtedly been appalling for Israel. After all, one of the Ten Commandments was “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). Yet, that is exactly what Malachi said they had done. How had they robbed God? Malachi answered they had robbed God in tithes and offerings (3:8-9). They had not brought the tithes that God had commanded. Even while giving offerings to God, Israel had robbed God by offering the lame and sick (1:8). He charged them with offering God things that they would not offer a secular ruler (1:8). When they refused to offer what rightfully belonged to God, they were robbing God. Malachi further reminded them of God’s promise to bless them materially if they would only first give to God (3:10-12). We need to consider this same question. Will a man rob God? It is common to hear Christians justify their lack of generosity to God by saying that Jesus or the apostles never commanded us to tithe. That is true, but that does not mean that we are not commanded to give. “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when

Love is a popular topic in today’s world. The popular refrain is that we should just love one another. The apostle John talked a great deal about love, so much so that he is called the Apostle of Love. He declared that love is necessary to being a disciple of Christ, so that if we do not love our brothers in Christ, we have not been born of God (1 John 4:7-8). What does it mean to love our brothers? In 1 John 3:14-15 John wrote, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” We see that love and hate are opposites. There are only two options. We either love or hate; there is no in-between. If we hate, it is the same as being a murderer. Most people look at these verses and assume that they love everyone. After all, if hating is like being a murderer, then it is easy to say we do not hate anyone. We do not want to hurt anyone; therefore, we do not hate. If we do not hate, then we must love, since there are only two options. Thus, according to this view, love is simply the absence of doing anything bad. This makes love easy, because we can love by doing nothing. In contrast to the above

Is Sunday really the Christian Sabbath? On whose authority or honor do most Christians worship on Sunday? Is the seventh day Sabbath no longer binding as commanded in the 4th Commandment? Sunday is not the Christian Sabbath. Nowhere in the Bible is Sunday called the Christian Sabbath. This language has been used by those who still believe the Ten Commandments are still in force, yet do not keep the real Sabbath day. Sabbath means seventh. Thus, the Sabbath day is the seventh day. We worship on the first day of the week based on the authority of Jesus. The first day was the day on which He was resurrected. It was the day on which the first Gospel sermon was preached in Acts 2. It is the day on which we remember Jesus’ sacrifice and accompanying resurrection, which is the basis of our justification. It is called the Lord’s Day in Revelation 1:10. It is the day on which the early church worshipped from the very beginning (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1). We also know from the writings of the early Christians that the church worshipped God on the first day of the week from the very beginning. The Sabbath day is no longer binding on us today for the very simple reason that the Old Testament law was taken away and nailed to the cross. Many verses could be mentioned in the New Testament pointing out that the Old Law including the Ten Commandments was fulfilled by Christ and

What does the Bible teach on nature of human souls? Do people have never-dying/immortal souls? Certainly, people do have eternal souls. Hebrews 9:27 states that it is appointed unto man to die once, but after this the judgment. That implies that death is not the end of all things, but only the end of life here on the earth. Jesus states in Matthew 25:46 that the unrighteous will go away to everlasting punishment and the righteous to eternal life. The words “everlasting” and “eternal” are from the same Greek word. Therefore, punishment is just as long as life is. If you believe in an eternal heaven, then you also have to believe in an eternal punishment.

Answer me this question: How can some one forgive another? And what is a SIN?~ Andrew Baguma, Kasese, Uganda Thank you for your questions. The first question is, “What is a sin?” In 1 John 3:4, we find that sin is lawlessness, or as the King James translates it, “sin is a transgression of the law.” “The law” would be a reference to God’s law. This implies a deliberate act of law breaking. In 1 John 5:17, we read that “all unrighteousness is sin.” Righteousness is the doing of what God has commanded; therefore, we find again that sin is breaking God’s commandments. However, we must also remember that sin may not involve any action on our part. We can also sin by doing nothing. We also sin by not doing what we know we should do (James 4:17). This is one reason why sin is so widespread among mankind, even among Christians. Sometimes we may sin by doing absolutely nothing. Nevertheless, if we know we should be doing good, but refuse to do it, to us it is sin according to James. We are all caught in sin (Romans 3:23), and if it were not for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, none would ever be saved (Romans 5:8). This knowledge should cause a constant sense of gratitude for God’s gracious provision of forgiveness. Your next question is, “How can someone forgive another?” This is a good question. Forgiveness is required of everyone, but it is not easy to do. Jesus stated that

There have always been critics to the story of Jesus, but it seems that recently critics have increased in number. Most critics simply deny certain aspects about the life of Jesus and His claims. However, a sizable group of critics simply proclaim that the man called Jesus never existed at all. In January of 2006, an atheist sued a Catholic priest in Italy for misleading the public because he presented Jesus as a historical character. Some recent movies also present the idea that Jesus did not exist. In other words, we are being told that every thing that we think we know about Jesus is false. Supposedly, the story of Jesus is simply a fable. Some recent movies attempt to propagate the same idea. One such movie is entitled “The Beast.” The website for the movie makes this claim, “The authors of the Gospels writing 40 to 90 years after the supposed life of Christ, never intended for their works to be read as biographies. There are no credible non-Christian references to Christ during the period in which he is said to have lived.” The conclusion is that since some claim that we have few if any references to Jesus, then He must not have existed. Is this claim true?     We might want to first point out that we should not expect Jesus to be mentioned much in the history books of His era, because He was not perceived by the world to be an important person during His lifetime. He