Bible Questions & Answers

The false idea that Jesus died on Friday has passed from the Roman Church to the Protestant denominations, and today ‘Good Friday’ is observed–at least recognized–even by many Baptists.

The traditional view is that Jesus was crucified on Friday–but was He? The Catholics had a church rule for years forbidding the eating of meat on Friday, since that was supposedly the day of the crucifixion. Some time ago the rule was done away with, but many still voluntarily observe it.

In Matt. 12:40, our Lord Jesus said:

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

How could there be three days and three nights from late Friday afternoon until early Sunday morning?

At the most, there could only be two nights, one day, and a part of another!

Had the Scriptures only said three days, we could have understood them to mean a part of three days, since both in and out of the Scriptures we use the word to mean only a portion of a day.

However, the Scriptures specify “three days and three nights,’”and thus verbal inspiration demands three twenty-four hour days.

It is good for us to note the difference in the Roman day, the Jewish day, and our present day.

THE ROMAN DAY began at 6:00 A.M. and closed at 6:00 the next morning.

THE JEWISH DAY began at sunset and closed at the next sunset (or from about 6:00 P.M. to the next 6:00 P.M.).

OUR DAY begins at midnight and closes the next midnight.

The Lord Jesus was placed on the cross about 9:00 A.M. our time and was there until about 4:00 P.M. That was on Wednesday!

He was taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb before sunset Wednesday– before the beginning of the sabbath.

Note that this was not the beginning of the regular weekly Sabbath, which would normally begin at sunset on Friday, but this was called a `high sabbath’–a Passover sabbath which would begin just after sunset Wednesday on Thursday that week!

In Leviticus 23:5-7 we find that the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was a sabbath day. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

At sunset on Thursday He had been in the grave one day and one night.

At sunset on Friday, He had been in the grave two days and two nights.

Then, just after sunset Saturday, just as it began to dawn the first day of the week Sunday, and after three full days and nights…He arose!

The women came early Sunday morning, our time, but He was already gone.

Many have sunrise services commemorating the resurrection!

God did design capital punishment. No question about it. People say, “Does the Bible teach capital punishment?” Well, of course: it teaches it all over the place.

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God made He man.” Genesis 9:6

Because of the sanctity of man, because he is created in the image of God, God instituted a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, etc.

Murder is a crime against God in whose image man is made—it defiles God—so capital punishment is required.

If you read through the Old Testament law, you’ll find there was capital punishment required for many sins. For example, sex sins required capital punishment.

You know something interesting? In those periods of time in the Mosaic era, do you know who the executioner was when there was a sex crime or when there was a murder or when there was a dishonor to the parents or when there was a kidnapping or any of these crimes that were capital offenses?

The agent of vengeance who carried out the death penalty was the able-bodied male most nearly related to the victim. You know what that did? Boy, that really made society conscience of it! —

We say today, “Capital punishment isn’t a deterrent.” Of course not! Nobody’s involved in it. It happens somewhere in the corner somewhere, in a private little corner with nobody there, when nobody knows, and we don’t understand the agony of it. In 99% of the cases there is no agony of it!

But then it was very public. It was a family matter. It was right out there and people lived with the consequences of facing what sin brought and what crime brought, and believe me, it came as a deterrent.

God had four purposes, I believe, in punishment in the Old Testament…four purposes.

Number one: retribution. Make him pay. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. This taught people God’s way; He requires payment.

The second thing was not only retribution, but deterrence. I believe that God had these punishments in order to deter men from committing crimes. The punishments were very public, very obvious, very open, because that made it very apparent what the consequences were.

Thirdly, I think these punishments were for protection. Retribution, deterrence, and protection. Because if you would isolate or remove an offender, you protected the community, right? That’s why we have prisons: to lock up people that can’t live in society without hurting other people.

And fourthly, I think God’s purpose in these kinds of punishment was purification. He wanted to keep Israel pure so He wanted to remove the evil people.

For these reasons, God instituted capital punishment.

There were three methods in the Old Testament: stoning, with the sword, burning. Stoning was used for those morally guilty, the swords were used for those who committed murder, and some even were burned.

There was an interesting incident there in Leviticus 20:14: "And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you."

Sexual sin there…burned with fire.

“And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.” Leviticus 21:9

Does the Bible teach capital punishment? 

Yes. And I believe that if it was still done in a biblical fashion today, we’d have a lot less crime than we have now.

The following are the reasons Christians should not practice cremation.

Burning of the dead - it is a heathen practice!

Why do the Hindus and those of other heathen religions cremate?

They do it in the belief that the dead are not raised again, whereas the Bible says there is a resurrection of the just and the unjust.

In heathen religions, it is believed that the dead will be reincarnated; and to destroy the body by cremation is sometimes considered a way of releasing the spirit of the deceased.

There is nothing Christian about cremation.

God’s people have always practiced burial:

Abraham

“Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. [9] And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; [10] The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.” – Genesis 25:8-10

Sarah

“And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. [2] And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. [3] And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, [4] I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” – Genesis 23:1-4

Rachel

“And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. [20] And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.” – Genesis 35:19-20

Isaac

“And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” – Genesis 35:29

Jacob

“And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.” – Genesis 49:33

“And Joseph fell upon his father’s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. [2] And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel. [3] And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. [4] And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, [5] My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again. [6] And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear. [7] And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, [8] And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father’s house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. [9] And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company. [10] And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days. [11] And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abel-mizraim, which is beyond Jordan. [12] And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them: [13] For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.” – Genesis 50:1-13

Joseph

“So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” – Genesis 50:26

Joshua

“And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old. [30] And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.” – Joshua 24:29-30

Eleazar

“And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.” – Joshua 24:33

Samuel

“And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.” – 1 Samuel 25:1

David

“So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.” – 1 Kings 2:10

John the Baptist

“And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. [11] And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. [12] And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.” – Matthew 14:10-12

Ananias and Sapphira

“And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. [6] And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. [7] And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. [8] And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. [9] Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. [10] Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.” – Acts 5:5-10

Stephen

“And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.” – Acts 8:2

In Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

And 1 Cor. 10:11, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

God tells us that we are to follow the Bible’s examples as well as its direct instructions. Even in difficult circumstances God’s people in olden days practiced burial.

For example, Joseph’s body was kept for over 400 years in Egypt and then carried through the 40 years of wilderness wanderings before being buried in the Promised Land.

We read of this in Genesis 50:24-25, “And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. [25] And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.”

“And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.” – Exodus 13:19

“And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.” – Joshua 24:32

How much simpler it would have been for the Israelites to have cremated Joseph, then carried his ashes with them in a tiny container! This they refused to do. Joseph, a follower of the one true God, a man who looked forward to the bodily resurrection, was given an honorable burial.

From this important example, we learn that even if cremation is less expensive or easier than burial, it is still to be rejected, as the Israelites rejected the economical and simpler way to transport Joseph’s body.

Burial shows belief in the resurrection

The reason God’s people have always been careful to practice burial is not difficult to understand. We believe in a bodily resurrection.

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” – Romans 8:22-23

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. [21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” – 1 Cor. 15:20-23

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” – 2 Cor. 5:1

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Cor. 15:51-57

Yes, the buried body will decompose in time. Yes, there are occasions in which Christians die in ways, which render burial impossible–in the sinking of ships, in fires, etc. But when at all possible Christians bury.

Why the trouble?

Because it is our Biblical belief that the same individual will be raised in perfect body.

The physical body is called the seed for the resurrection body. When planted, a seed decomposes, and the new plant comes forth. The Bible uses this to illustrate resurrection.

In 1 Cor. 15:35-44, the Apostle Paul answers those who would ask how it is possible for God to raise again a decomposed body. The terminology used by the Holy Spirit in this passage is that of husbandry–planting seed. The farmer does not destroy his seed; he plants it, and then from the decaying seed comes forth the new life. Such is burial and the resurrection.

“But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? [36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: [37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: [38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. [39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. [40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. [41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” – 1 Cor. 15:35-44

When we bury a Christian loved one, we are planting the seed for the resurrection body! It is a powerful testimony of our unwavering faith in God’s Word regarding the promise of bodily resurrection.

Contrast heathenism

They have no such knowledge or hope. The Hindus and Buddhists, for example, believe in reincarnation. Though they believe in a human soul which is distinct from the body, they do not believe that soul, once departed from the body at death, will be resurrected in any relation whatsoever to the first body.

Rather they believe the soul will be reincarnated in another entirely unrelated body, or into a non-physical sphere of existence.

God’s people have always buried their dead with this magnificent hope burning in their hearts. We will see that brother or sister again, only changed, glorified! Hallelujah! Only through the death and shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can we have this certain hope. He has taken upon Himself on the cross the punishment for our sins, carried our sins into the grave, and risen again in eternal triumph three days later.

When an individual thoroughly acknowledges his sinfulness before God, repents of his sin, and receives Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, the sin debt is paid, and eternal life and glory is promised from God the Father. Part of this heritage in Christ is the glorified resurrection body.

God practices burial

“So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. [6] And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.” – Deut. 34:5-6

Cremation is a sign of God’s curse

Throughout the Bible the destruction of a human body or of an object by fire is used as a sign of divine wrath.

“And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.” – Exodus 32:20

“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. [2] And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” – Leviticus 10:1-2

“The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.” – Deut. 7:25

“And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” – Numbers 16:35

“And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.” – 2 Kings 10:26

“And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.” – 1 Chron. 14:12

“And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. [19] Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” – Acts 19:18-19

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” – Rev. 20:15

For a person not to have a proper burial was considered a dishonor

“And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. [24] Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.” – 1 Kings 21:23-24

“Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: [10] Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.” – Psalm 83:9-10

The Christian’s body belongs to God

The body is not ours to destroy by fire or by any other means.

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” – Romans 14:8

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Cor. 6:19-20

God has plainly called cremation wickedness

“Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:” – Amos 2:1

The Lord Jesus Christ was buried, and He is our great example

“And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. [39] And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. [40] Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. [41] Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. [42] There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.” – John 19:38-42

Just as the Lord Jesus Christ was buried in certainty that He would rise again on the third day according to the Scriptures, even so is the Christian said to rest at death.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, as the Apostle Paul testified

“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” – 2 Cor. 5:9

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. [23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” – Philip. 1:21-23

The body without the spirit is dead

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” – James 2:26

The dead body sleeps in the grave while the redeemed soul waits in glory for the great resurrection day. Of course we cannot force people either to bury or not to bury. We know that the manner of one’s burial does not affect one’s salvation or resurrection but we do believe these things are important, and we are convinced that Christians should take their stand upon the examples of the Word of God.

The Meaning of Modesty

“In females, modesty has the like character as in males (restrained by a sense of propriety, not bold or forward, not loose, not lewd); but the word is used also as synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. … Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor” (Webster)

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” – 1 Tim. 2:9

“To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” – Titus 2:5

When Paul wrote to Titus, he gave some instructions, especially to the “young women.” He told them “to be discreet, chaste.” (Titus 2:5).

Discreet means to be sober-minded, self-controlled, or temperate. Chaste means to be modest and pure from carnality. Paul writes a similar statement to Timothy, instructing him what to teach the women. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety” (1 Tim. 2:9).

Shamefacedness means to know shame and to have a sense of shame.

Sobriety means to be discreet, controlling all passions and desires that might cause a temptation to be immodest.

“This is a direct command from God for ladies to dress modestly. Ladies are to be careful about their dress. It seems today that many women have absolutely no sense of shame and decency” (F. William Farrow, “Was Jesus Concerned About Modesty?” Maranatha Baptist Watchman, August 1993).

The Reason for Modesty

Before the fall, the man and the woman were naked and were not ashamed, but after the fall man’s heart became darkened, and it became necessary that men and women be clothed. One of the first things God did after the Fall was to cover Adam and Eve (Ge. 3:21).

Immodesty increases sin among men Leviticus 19:29 Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

“And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. [11] (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: [12] Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) [13] So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,” – Proverbs 7:10-13

“For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit. [28] She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.” – Proverbs 23:27-28

Some women excuse their immodest dress by saying lust is the man’s problem, but Jesus Christ warned that fornication begins as lust.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. , and the woman who does not clothe herself properly is guilty of stirring up unlawful passions in the man.” – Matthew 5:28

David and Bathsheba both were guilty in the transgression. Bathsheba should not have been bathing in a public place; David should not have gazed upon her nakedness.

The Bible warns that “the strange woman,” the immoral woman, can “catch” a man with her seductive dress and actions (Pr. 7:10-13).

Whether you realize it or not, men look at certain portions of the body, and it doesn’t matter whether you think that is good, bad, or otherwise, they are going to do it. And if you wear clothing that attracts attention to that, you are just helping them in their sin. That’s why a dress, unless it’s too tight, is better than pants, because a dress does not draw the attention to that part of the body that people look at and lust after.

The Way of Modesty

The Bible says God “covered” Adam and Eve (Ge. 3:21). This is a good pattern for modesty.

The man and woman should be covered decently so that the body is not improperly displayed in a sexual way. There are three areas which must be addressed when dressing modestly:

1. First, the nakedness must be covered. It is obvious that it is immodest to wear clothing, which exposes the parts of the body, which have sexual appeal. This includes short skirts, low blouses, shorts, and skimpy swimsuits.
2. Second, the sexual parts must not be sensually accented. Tight, clinging attire is as immodest as skimpy attire because the outline of the body is emphasized and exposed, and man’s attention is directed to that which is forbidden.
3. Third, the attire must not be extravagent. When the Apostle deals with modest attire in 1 Ti. 2:9, he mentions “broided hair, gold, pearls, and costly array.” Obviously, then, it is God’s will that the Christian woman refuse to show an extravagant, worldly appearance. The goal of the world’s wicked, proud fashion designers is to create a haughty, obstentious look. The godly woman will reject such fashion and clothe herself and her daughters in “modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.”

Modesty Contrasted with the Strange Woman

The immoral woman of Proverbs 7:10-13 is in contrast with the modest woman.

1. Different in attire (Pr. 7:10). The immoral woman has “the attire of an harlot” – skimpy, tight, suggestive–to draw attention to herself sexually. The modest woman is clothed in such a way so as NOT to draw undue attention sexually.
2. Different in spirit (Pr. 7:10,11). The immoral woman is “subtil of heart … loud and stubborn.” The modest woman has “a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Pe. 3:4).
3. Different in countenance (Pr. 7:13). The immoral woman has “an impudent face.” The modest woman is “shamefaced” (1 Ti. 2:9).

“And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.” – Matthew 10:21

The disciples of Jesus Christ experienced many hardships (Acts 5:40; Acts 12:1-3), not only from without (governments, courts), but also from within (friends, family; Mat 10:21).

Living for God often brings on persecution, but with it comes the opportunity to tell the good news of salvation. In times of persecution, we can be confident because Jesus has “overcome the world” (John 16:33). And those who stand firm to the end will be saved (delivered) (Mat 10:22).

Standing firm to the end is not a way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. Persistence is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life.

“It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” – Matthew 10:25

Beelzebub was also known as the lord of flies and the prince of demons. The Pharisees accused Jesus of using Beelzebub’s power to drive out demons (see Mat 12:24). Good is sometimes labeled evil.

If Jesus, who is perfect, was called evil, his followers should expect that similar accusations will be directed at them.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:29-31

Jesus said that God is aware of everything that happens even to sparrows, and you are far more valuable to him than they are. You are so valuable that God sent his only Son to die for you (John 3:16).

Because God places such value on you, you need never fear personal threats or difficult trials. These can’t shake God’s love or dislodge his Spirit from within you.

But this doesn’t mean that God will take away all your troubles (see Mat 10:16). The real test of value is how well something holds up under the wear, tear, and abuse of everyday life.

Those who stand up for Christ in spite of their troubles truly have lasting value and will receive great rewards (see Mat 5:11, 12).

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” – Matthew 10:34

Jesus did not come to bring the kind of peace that glosses over deep differences just for the sake of superficial harmony.

Conflict and disagreement will arise between those who choose to follow Christ and those who don’t.

“For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. [37] He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. [39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” – Matthew 10:35-39

Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones.

In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflict at home. Rather, he was showing that his presence demands a decision.

Because some will follow Christ and some won’t, conflict will inevitably arise. As we take our cross and follow him, our different values, morals, goals, and purposes will set us apart from others.

Don’t neglect your family, but remember that your commitment to God is even more important than they are. God expects to be your first priority.

A bad habit is usually connected to wrong beliefs and attitudes. In wanting them removed sometimes we have the wrong motive!

We should not want to change a habit only because it is embarrassing, expensive, unhealthy, or makes us feel guilty—

Rather we should want to walk closer to the Lord and desire God’s greater purpose for our life to be fulfilled. Until we deal with the underlying wrong beliefs that weaken our resistance to the bad habit, we will have only limited success in overcoming it.

The Christian must see that bad habits are ultimately spiritual issues. We must not hesitate to call them sins.

And we need to realize that the means of deliverence (chiefly the Word of God and prayer) are essential for overcoming such habits.

We are responsible for our own sin–including those sins “which so easily beset us.” The fact that we do something wrong habitually does not relieve us of responsibility. On the contrary, it may make the sin all the worse. So we must take personal responsibility for our own habits and not shrink from calling them sin.

Sinful habits are not insurmountable problems for the Christian. After all, the Holy Spirit indwells us and is working to conform us to the image of Christ. And if God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Furthermore, Galatians 5:16 says "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

And 1 Corinthians 10:13 says "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

If we make use of the resources provided by God through His Spirit and His Word, we can attack any habit knowing that we can win.

Let me make some practical suggestions for overcoming bad habits that I think you will find helpful.

Overcoming Bad Habits

FIRST OF ALL, REMEMBER THAT SIN BEGINS IN THE MIND.

James 1:14-15 says,“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

The person who steals first thinks about the thing he wants. He then thinks of a plan for getting it. After he has schemed in his mind, he takes it. He could have stopped the sin in his mind before it became completed in his action.

That’s why Scripture commands us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2), to think about good things (Philippians 4:8), and to meditate on the Word (Psalm 1:2), and to cast down evil imaginations (2 Cor. 10:5).

SECONDLY, DEFEATING A HABIT ALSO REQUIRES CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE.

We are to make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14). The person who wants to stop smoking should throw away all his cigarettes and not buy any more;

The person struggling with sexual sin should get rid of any suggestive materials in his possession. Avoid the company of those who have the same problem, and avoid the places and circumstances which tempt you. 1 Cor. 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

FINALLY, DON’T TRY TO BATTLE A BAD HABIT ALONE.

Develop relationships with more mature Christians who will encourage and support you and also make you accountable Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Spend time in prayer with them. Ask them to “check up on you” regularly, and be honest about your failures James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Biblical change is not just turning away from sin; it is turning toward righteousness. 

The person who lies must speak the truth.

Ephes. 4:25 "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."

The one who steals must not only stop stealing, he must work and give to others

Ephes. 4:28 "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

The one whose language is unwholesome must learn to edify others.

Ephes. 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."

Start doing what is right. The good habits you build will replace the sinful ones.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” – Matthew 10:34-36

What needs to be understood is that the Peace of God is different from the Peace of the World!

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict.

Jesus says he will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from him. With Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future.

Matthew 10:34 says, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

Jesus did not come to bring the kind of peace that glosses over deep differences just for the sake of superficial harmony.

Conflict and disagreement will arise between those who choose to follow Christ and those who don’t.

Literally the Lord was saying “Don’t think for one moment that living for me is going to be easy or free of conflict…it will come at a cost…sometimes even in your own family!

Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones.

In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflict at home. Rather, he was showing that his presence demands a decision.

Because some will follow Christ and some won’t, conflict will inevitably arise.

As we take our cross and follow him, our different values, morals, goals, and purposes will set us apart from others.

Don’t neglect your family, but remember that your commitment to God is even more important than they are.

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:37-38

God should be your first priority.

There has been much in the news about the National Socialist Movement and their involvement in the “Adopt a Highway” program through the Colorado Department of Transportation. This article is written to help people understand our position on groups and thoughts such as those of the National Socialist Movement.

Elmwood Baptist Church (Elmwood) is opposed to racism and any such organization that promotes racism. Elmwood is a multi-cultural, multi-nationality church. Our congregation includes numerous ages, races, cultures, and nationalities.

We believe the Word of God and hold to the Bible as our sole source for faith and practice. From the very beginning God created Adam and Eve, he created mankind, not a color group or organization. In Adam and Eve was contained the DNA strands that would one day make-up all of the world. Individuals that argue Adam and Eve were white or any other color have no proof. There are no pictures or documents that have recorded this information. Adam and Eve could very well have had children of different color.

Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the King of kings, Lord of lords. He is the Lamb of God, whose shed blood on the cross of Calvary has purchased His people “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” – Revelation 5:9

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ will lead people from all the nations of the world to come to His kingdom.” – Isaiah 2:2-3

The Great Commission given to the church is to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). God’s Word also reads, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.” (Psalm 22:27-28) . “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28)

There is no religiously important category for race in the Biblical scheme. The only two groups who figure into the history of redemption are those that believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and those that reject His atonement for their sins (believers and unbelievers). Since Jesus Christ, as Lord of His church, has given us such great promises as these mentioned above (and many more), we should expect that the ethical imperatives of scripture would prohibit racist practices and attitudes. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.

Racism is not only prohibited by the God’s Holy Word and the Biblical situation in which we live, but Scripture also instructs us concerning our motives in life and the way in which we live. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) This passage informs us that we are to seek to honor other persons in every situation and to put them before ourselves. There is no mention of nationality, race, culture, color, etc. One way to picture this is that we are to treat others as if they were royalty or authority. We treat royalty and authority with respect, honor, decency, courtesy and graciousness. This implies that our heart attitude must not be arrogant, paternalistic, or denigrating to others. This understanding clearly precludes racist attitudes.

Lastly, God’s Word clearly shows impartiality toward all men through judgment. “And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.” (Deuteronomy 1:16-17) “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 24:2)

We pray this will be an encouragement for our community to show support for Elmwood Baptist Church and our stance against racism and all groups and so called “movements” that promote racism. Racism is unbiblical, ungodly, immoral, wicked and hateful. God’s Word reads, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) If the Creator God, who created all people and nations, desires to see all men come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and loves all men; then we must have the same love toward all men. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Does it matter what the Bible Says?

I am tackling a subject that has dominated our culture and has increasingly become a practice of Christians.

It is the subject of Tattoos and Body Piercing.

Before I begin let me say that I am aware that there some of you that have a tattoo, or have been pierced, let me tell you that I’m not trying to beat you over the head, but to inform you, what does the Bible say?

Tattooing and piercing has been around for thousands of years. Tattooing has a rich history in Eurasia, Japan, Egypt.

In the last decade the Tattooing and piercing has virtually conquered the cultural world.

It no surprise that over 40% of Professional Sports players have at least one tattoo or piercing. Even in the Golf world, Tiger Woods and Lee Trevino both have tattoos.

According to US news and World report, Tattooing and piercing is the country’s 6th -fastest growing retail business. It is estimated that one new Tattooing and piercing studio opens up every day.

Even among Christians, what was once forbidden is welcomed. With thousands of Christians are getting “marked for Jesus” at so-called “Christian Tattooing and piercing shops.”

Everyone is doing it. It's the cool thing to do now, Is it really wrong? What’s so bad about it?

The first question to answer is “Does it matter what the Bible says? Or does personal opinion matter? Is the Bible relevant for today?”

“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:28

Now that’s pretty simple and straight forward, Don’t tattoo or pierce your body. Don’t cut or tattoo your body.

In Biblical History often times when a person would purposefully cut themselves, it was done for a reason In 1 Kings 18:28 is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.

Remember the contest that Elijah had with them, He said call upon Baal, to come down and produce fire, on an altar. The bible says that they shouted and screamed at Baal to come down, they even cut themselves, as there custom allowed, slashed themselves until blood flowed from their bodies.and Baal did not listen,

Any kind of self-laceration or marking of the body has always been associated with pagan cults and the dead!

Those caught up in idol worship and false gods, would cut or tattoo themselves as an act of mourning for the dead.

That’s why God said in Lev. 19:28, don’t cut your body or tattoo it, God did not want his people to be like the world.

Some argue, That’s Old Testament, It’s not in the NT.

Did you know that bestiality (sex with animals) is forbidden and only mentioned in the Old Testament. Does that mean it’s ok now?

What about Lev. 19:29, the verse right after the tattoo verse, Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness, that’s only in the OT You can’t find that in the NT. Does it make it ok?

In Matthew Henry’s Commentary, he explains that most of Leviticus 19 are moral commandments that apply not only to Israel but for every New Testament Christian today.

In fact Lev. 19:26-28, are Moral laws clearly condemning pagan, witchcraft and heathen practices.

Verse 26 referring to “enchantment” (spells or witchcraft) and not to observe the times, referring to astrology.

Verse 27 dealt with those that worshipped the hosts of heaven, in such a way as to cut their hair so their heads might resemble the celestial globe;, as foolish as it seems, it was being done with respect to their false gods, it was idolatrous.

Verse 28 speaks to the pagan demonic practice of cutting into your flesh (Piercing) and tattooing,

The fact is, up until just a few years ago, virtually everyone, including the most liberal Christian, knew that Tattooing and piercing was clearly forbidden by the word of God.

And throughout history, the Tattooing and piercing has always been condemned by Bible Believing Christians. Always.

Does the New Testament say anything about tattoos and body piercing? The answer is “yes.”

There is the New Testament concept that our bodies are not our own. This teaching is found specifically in 1 Cor. 6:12-20

"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. [13] Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. [14] And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. [15] Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. [16] What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. [17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. [18] Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. [19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."

The Message to the Christian is that our bodies belong to God, not ourselves, and that they are to honor and reflect God’s glory.

In spite of this many will justify getting a tattoo, but the question that should be answered is “What is my motive?” Why do you want one in first place?

1. Because everyone else has one & they’re Cool?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

It hard living in today’s world with all the temptations. But with God’s help you can have the strength to do what is right. You don’t have to prove to anyone that you’re cool enough or tough enough. You’re a child of the King! If you’re hanging around people who are a bad influence on you, change your environment, get in a crowd that will influence you to act like Christ.

2. The REAL reason you want one is because you have a heart of rebellion.

It’s Rebellion toward parents: “I don’t care what my mom and dad think about it, I don’t care what anyone says, it’s my body!

It’s rebellion toward any authority in your life, Even God

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” – 1 Samuel 15:23

Be careful, The Bible says that rebellion is as witchcraft. Your Tattoo or piercing is only an outward symbol of what was planted in your heart. The truth is that tattoo or piercing indicates a REAL Spiritual problem. What will it be? God’s Way or Mine? Does it matter what the Bible says? Are there some things I need to get taken care of? Am I a Parent who needs some Biblical Principles in place in my life and home? Do I need to get right with God?

The Bible clearly states that the man is to lead in the home and church, and the woman’s role is to submit to the man’s headship. There is widespread rebellion against this divine plan, though, and many women are being appointed to leadership positions in churches. Consider some facts from our files:

There are almost 4,000 licensed and ordained women in the Assemblies of God.

There are 1,225 ordained Southern Baptist women. Roughly 200 of the ordained women serve as pastors and associate pastors.

The United Methodist Church has ordained women since 1956 and today has 4,743 women “clergy.”

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has 2,419 female leaders.

The United Church of Christ has 1,803 female leaders.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has 1,358 ordained women.

The Episcopal Church in the United States has more than 1,000 female priests.

These facts are evidence of the apostasy of the hour. Men and women in the world, having rejected Bible truth, are confused about the most basic things.

Many men are trying to be like women in dress and manner, while many women are demanding the right to be like men, to dress like men, to do the same work as men, to play the same sports as men, to fight in armies like men. They want more than equal pay for equal work; they are demanding a man’s place in the home, church, and state.

Sadly, the church is always affected by society. Thus the rebellion of women in the world is causing similar problems in the churches, and we find women demanding leadership roles in many Christian groups.

The Bible speaks too clearly on this subject for there to be any confusion.

The problem is that churches too often are looking to sources other than the Bible for guidance. God loves women as much as He does men. Women are as important to the home, church, and society as men are. In Jesus Christ, women enjoy the same spiritual position and blessings before God as men do.

This does not mean, though, there is to be no difference in men and women in their appearance and roles. There is a basic truth which needs to be restated in the church and society today: Men and women are different!

Men and women were made for different roles. The New Testament affirms that men are to be the leaders in the home, church, and state. Women were not created to rule these divine institutions; men were. The prophet Isaiah was condemning Israel when he said women ruled over them (Isa. 3:12).

In the church, according to the Bible, no woman is qualified to be a pastor or a deacon or in any other leadership position over men. Who says? God says!

“Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection. But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, was in the transgression” (1 Tim. 2:11-14).

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak: but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:34-37).

How could a woman possibly be a pastor when she is forbidden to teach or to have any authority over men? Women can only be pastors if they openly disobey the Bible’s teaching.

Further, the Lord Jesus Christ appointed no female apostles. All of them were men. The standards for pastors apply strictly to men. Only a man can be the “husband of one wife” and can “rule his own house well” (1 Tim. 3:2,4; Titus 1:6).

If men will not lead, women will.

One reason why women are taking leadership positions is that the man has too often failed to take his place. When men are weak, women must be strong. This is often seen in the church.

Men should willingly step forward to lead the church in every area, but often the men are weak and lazy. They don’t give; they don’t go soul winning; they don’t volunteer to fill vacant positions; they don’t come out on work days. Someone has to lead, so the women step in and take control.

Christian men should respond to the call of world evangelism, but few do. A great number of Christian men are too weak, or lazy, or fearful, or busy with selfish plans to be concerned about world missions. So the women do what they can.

When men are strong and obedient to God’s commands, there is not a serious problem with what the women should do.

Didn’t God use women to lead men in the Old Testament?

Why did God make DEBORAH a judge in Israel (Judges 4:4-5)? The answer is not difficult. God’s perfect will is for men to lead. That is too clear to misinterpret, but when men will not assume their responsibilities, God uses women.

The men in Deborah’s day were very weak and cowardly. This is seen in the fact that Barak, the captain of the armies of Israel, refused to go into battle unless Deborah went with him. What a brave man! What a hero!

The woman had to remind him that God had said it is time to fight; the woman had to encourage and challenge him to go; the woman had to go with him!

“And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go” (Judges 4:8).

Deborah clearly realized that this was not right nor natural, and she told Barak it would result in shame upon his name. “And she said, I will surely go with thee; notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; FOR THE LORD SHALL SELL SISERA INTO THE HAND OF A WOMAN…” (Judges 4:9).

Obviously it was a period in Israel’s history during which God could find no man to do His will, so He used a brave, willing woman. We can praise God for women like Deborah who are willing to be strong when the men are weak. This has often happened, both in secular and church history.

The root problem in Deborah’s day was spiritual apostasy. When God’s people turn away from Him, He renders the men powerless against their enemies and removes wisdom from their hearts. It is a judgment upon apostate people.

We can see this very thing today in apostate North America and Europe. The leaders are weak and seem entirely lacking even in common sense. It is God’s judgment because of the apostate condition of professing Christendom.

Israel in Deborah’s day was in bondage to their enemies only because of their apostasy from the true God and His revealed will recorded in the Scriptures (Judges 4:1-2). This was why the men were so weak. God had removed their power as He did from sinful Samson.

“Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself. … And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord” (Amos 2:14-15).

What about THE DAUGHTERS OF PHILIP? They were prophetesses (Acts 21:8-9). Doesn’t this mean women can preach to men in exercising their gifts of prophecy? The fact that God gave gifts of prophecy to women does not mean they are free to take authority in the church.

My friends, there is no doubt that God gave the gifts of prophecy to women. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, had promised that God would do this: “And on … my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:18). But the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who gives the gifts, has placed restrictions upon the exercise of those gifts. 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 11 and 14 are Holy Scripture.

Immediately after forbidding the women from speaking in the church meetings, the Apostle Paul warned that those who ignore this instruction are not spiritual.

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:377).

Doesn’t Acts 2:17-18 teach that both women and men will prophesy?

As for women prophesying, we know that Philip’s daughters prophesied, but, as noted previously, when God wanted to speak to Paul He brought a man to do it (Acts 21:8-11).

God richly gifts women in spiritual things, but they are restricted in the exercise thereof. The woman’s ministry is to be focused on women and children (1 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15; Tit. 2:3-5).

To say that the woman’s ministry is restricted is not to say that women are not valuable for the ministry of Jesus Christ. Paul had female co-workers (Phil. 4:3).

Phebe is an example (Rom. 16:1-2). Priscilla is mentioned right alongside her husband Aquila in the ministry (Rom. 16:3). They were church planters (Rom. 16:5).

Beware of being influenced by the rebellion of the hour. God forbids a woman from preaching and usurping authority over the man. He forbade this 1900 years ago, and He forbids it today.

"Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, was in the transgression (1 Tim. 2:11-14)."

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak: but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:34-37)."

Suicide is the deliberate act of ending one’s own life. Suicide is self-murder.

The reason for violating God’s command against murder (Exodus 20:13), as well as the mental health of the suicide victim, both raise serious questions of responsibility and accountability.

The specific instances of suicide recorded in Scripture—Saul and his armor bearer (1 Samuel 31:4,5), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Zimri (1 Kings 16:18), and Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:5)—all seem to have sad spiritual as well as physical ends.

Some have called Samson’s death a heroic suicide, but it seems more likely that his death was the unavoidable result of his heroic action against the pagan Philistines (Judges 16:28-31).

And Scripture says clearly that those redeemed by God have been forgiven for all their sins–past, present, and future (Colossians 2:13-14).

Paul says in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

So if a true Christian would commit suicide in a time of extreme weakness, he or she would be received into heaven (Jude 24).

A Christian, with the help of the Holy Spirit, should be able to cope with the stresses that sometimes lead to suicide. But we must exercise caution in declaring that all persons who commit suicide are eternally lost.

But we rightly question the faith of those who take their lives or even consider it seriously–it may well be that they have never been truly saved.

I say that because God’s children are defined repeatedly in Scripture as those who have hope (Acts 24:15; Romans 5:2-5, 8:24; 2 Corinthians 1:10, etc.) and purpose in life (Luke 9:23-25; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:29).

And those who think of committing suicide do so because they have neither hope nor purpose in their lives. Furthermore, one who repeatedly considers suicide is practicing sin in his heart (Proverbs 23:7), and 1 John 3:9 says that “no one who is born of God practices sin.”

And finally, suicide is often the ultimate evidence of a heart that rejects the lordship of Jesus Christ, because it is an act where the sinner is taking his life into his own hands completely rather than submitting to God’s will for it.

Concerns

A suicide has an enormous impact on the immediate family and on society. The bereaved suffer catastrophic feelings of guilt for supposed neglect which allowed the suicide to happen. This pain is compounded by normal concerns about the eternal destiny of the suicide victim.

Family members should leave the matter of eternal destiny in the hands of the Lord. He alone knows the thoughts and intent of the heart as well as the mental condition of the victim at the time of the suicide.

Does God consider the sin of homosexuality to be worse than other sins?

No, and I will tell you why.

Because when you have any listing of sins in the Scripture, for example, in 1 Cor. 6:9-10:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 

Categorically, you have got everything in the same list.

But when you look at a list like that you see that they are all outside the kingdom.

So categorically they are all in the same situation–they are defined by their sin.

Verse 11, then says, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

The point being, that those are all sins that are characteristic of people outside the kingdom, but they are all forgivable–right?–because, “such were some of you.”

He’s saying to the Corinthian church, “you know, that list is a list of what you used to be and some of you were here, and some of you were here, and some of you were here, and so forth.”

So, if it is true that Homosexuality along with many others defines life outside the kingdom, but that that sin is forgivable, then in that sense it is no worse a sin than any other.

Having said that, I would say, however, that when you look at Romans 1:18, and you have to look at it to understand this:

When Romans 1:18 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"

The “wrath of God” follows a sequence.

In Romans 1, you look first of all at verse 24, and here is the defining of God’s wrath–let me kind of sum this up for you.

You read Romans 1:18 about “the wrath of God” and we say, “Ok, ‘the wrath of God,’ what are you talking about?

Well, there are five kinds of wrath:

1. There is Eternal Wrath – That’s Hell.
2. There is, Eschatological Wrath, or the wrath of the last days. The wrath described in Revelation 6-19, all the Seal Judgments, Trumpet Judgments, Bowl Judgments–the final wrath.
3. There is Cataclysmic Wrath: the flood; the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; the destruction of the cities of the plain; the destruction of Capernaum; the judgment of God on Korazin, Bethsaida–and in history God has judged whole civilizations through cataclysms that took unbelieving people and catapulted them into eternity, such as Pompeii, which was a city literally notorious for its vice.
4. Then you have, Natural Wrath. That is the wrath of God that comes in a sowing and reaping fashion. If you are a drunkard all your life, you may die of cirrhosis of the liver; if you live in sexual sin all your life you may shorten your life and die of some venereal disease including AIDS. So there are certain things built-in, “Whatever a man sows he reaps,”
5. But the wrath being spoken of in Romans 1 is the 5th kind. It is the Wrath of Abandonment. It is that judicial act of God whereby He lets the sinner go. In other words, He stops convicting, He stops calling, it’s Genesis 6:3, where God says, Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, …

There comes a point when God says, “That’s it–I’m letting you go.” And when God lets a society go, verse 24 says, “He gives them over to uncleanness”–that’s sexual sin. Then verses 26-27, For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

So you have lesbianism and homosexuality. When God gives a society up they plunge into sexual sin and then they sink deeper into homosexual sin.

So while homosexuality is a forgivable sin, and categorically no worse than others, when it happens on a societal level, when a society affirms it, when it becomes normal in a society, that is evidence that God has turned that society over.

If you look at America you can look back to the sexual revolution of the 60′s, which has now become a homosexual revolution today in which the homosexuals have redefined themselves as a minority, like a racial group of people demanding rights.

So I think as far as individual sin goes it is no more damning than the other sin and as forgivable as any other sin.

When it becomes the pattern of a society it is evidence that God has turned that society over to that sin….we may be at that point

We hate the sin of homosexuality because of its baseness and because of its perverseness, but at the same time we need to understand that it is a sin like any other sin and we have to call that sinner to repentance and offer that individual sinner the grace and the forgiveness of God.

We can’t play God and while God may be turning America over–God may be no longer striving with America as a society.

He may have abandoned us already, still He is saving individuals who respond to the gospel.

To Defeat Pornography We Must Determine in Our Hearts Not to Engage in it

The psalmist determines in Psalm 101:3-4, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person."

We Must Discipline Our Senses

Job 31:1 states, "I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"

a.) Job made a covenant that he would not fix his eyes upon potential objects of lust.

b.) We must make a covenant with God promising Him that we will not allow our eyes to take in the filth of the world. We must turn away from the things that cause us to lust. We must maintain purity. We must have discipline over our senses.

Pornography is not your main problem, it is only secondary.

Your relationship with God is the main problem.

When you get your life right with God, then your desire for pornography will wear away.

What areas are lacking in my walk with the Lord, and what do I need to do to get right?

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” – Psalm 119:9

1. No self control

2. No discipline

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” – Dan 1:8

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” – Rom 13:14

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” – Tit 2:12

“And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;” – 2 Pet 1:6

3. Inconsistency

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” – James 1:8

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” – James 4:8

4. Materialistic

5. Debt

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” – Mat 6:24

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” – 1Tim 6:10

6. Hard Heart

7. No Burden for the Lost

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” – Heb 3:13

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” – Mat 24:12

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” – Rev 2:5

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.” – Rev 3:15

8. No Goals

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” – Pro 29:18

“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” – John 13:17

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” – James 1:25

9. Lack of interest in Family

10. Lack of love for family

11. Selfish

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” – 1 Ti 5:8

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” – Gal 6:10

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” – Eph 5:25

“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” – Eph 5:28

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” – Eph 6:4

12. No desire to do God’s Will

13. Discontent

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” – Rom 12:1-2

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:” – Eph 6:5-7

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1Th 5:18

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” – Heb 10:36

“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” – 1 Pet 4:2

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” – 1 Jo 2:15-17

14. Honesty

15. No convictions

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” – Rom 12:17

“Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” – 2 Cor 8:21

“When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” – John 2:22

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” – Rom 4:5

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” – 1 Tim 6:20

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Tim 1:13

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” – 2 Tim 2:2

16. Prayerlessness

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” – James 4:1 – 4