Happy Birthday Scripturist

Did you realize that the Scripturist.com is a year old?

Our first post was one year ago. We have had over thirty thousand hits in our first year and look forward to many more.

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Where Do I Fit In God’s Temple?

Click on picture to enlarge

The New Testament repeatedly compares the fellowship of believers (the church) to a temple. Let's look at the structure of the temple (the church) and see how it is to be built. Also notice where you fit and what role you play.

1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 2:19-22 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:11-12 “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors-teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Acts 6:1-4 “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

Ephesians 4:15-16 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

1 Peter 2: 5 “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”

Honoring the integrity of the structure

• Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
  Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”
• 1 Peter 5:1-4 “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

Happy Presidents Day

The best gift God has given man is the Bible. It is by all odds the most influential book (or rather collection of books) in existence. The Old and New Testaments have held men together spiritually through the centuries. Three hundred and fifty years ago, in 1611, fifty four devoted English scholars and churchmen, assigned to the task by King James I , gave to the English speaking world a monument of noble prose, on which so many of us have been brought up. The Bible has been translated into more than 1,150 languages. In short, the Bible has had the most dramatic career of any book in the world.

"In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VII, "Reply to Loyal Colored People of Baltimore upon Presentation of a Bible" (September 7, 1864), p. 542.

"Nevertheless, amid the greatest difficulties of my Administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance on God, knowing that all would go well, and that He would decide for the right."--From the October 24, 1863

"Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present difficulty."--From the March 4, 1861 First Inaugural Address

"I do not think I could myself, be brought to support a man for office, whom I knew to be an open enemy of, and scoffer at, religion." --From the July 31, 1846 Handbill Replying to Charges of Infidelity

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day. Abraham Lincoln

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. Abraham Lincoln

The highest art is always the most religious, and the greatest artist is always a devout person. Abraham Lincoln

Surely God would not have created such a being as man, with an ability to grasp the infinite, to exist only for a day! No, no, man was made for immortality. Abraham Lincoln

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. Abraham Lincoln

Veganism in the Bible

Question: Dear Scripturist, What does the Bible say about Veganism? Is it true the Bible teaches we should not eat meat?

No, the Bible does not teach veganism.

But it does seem to indicate that before the flood, mankind did not eat meat and after the flood they are commanded to eat meat. God never commands men to eat meat during the pre-flood era. He only gives fruits and veggies in Genesis 3 for mankind to eat. I believe Adam & Eve were probably Vegans.

God also indicates that in the pre-flood world, animals had no fear of man. Now after the flood when God gives mankind meat to eat, he puts a natural fear of mankind in animals to keep both animals and mankind from going extinct no doubt.

Genesis 9:2 says, "The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands."

Next in Genesis 9:3 He commands them, "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything."

Under the law of Moses there were some meats you could eat and some you could not. (see Deuteronomy 14:4-21) These laws were for Jews only and have be done away with in Christianity. Colossians 2:14 says that Jesus "...canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross."

So what does the New Testament tell us...

1 Timothy 4:1-3 "Now the Spirit speakes expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."

To teach that we can't eat meat is the doctrine of devils. Eating meat is not wrong. Look at the following verses.

Mark 7:18-19 "For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.' In saying this, Jesus declared all foods 'clean.'"

Romans 14:14 "As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean."

1 Corinthians 10:25-27 "Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. "

Acts 10:13 "Get up ... Kill and eat."

It is not wrong to kill an animal. Veganism for ethical reasons is wrong. Vegan Christains have a weak faith but we should not be too harsh or judgemental of those who are vegans.

Romans 14:1-3 says, "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him."

Vegans just need to learn the truth. Also, Vegan Christians should not look down on those who eat meat. There is nothing wrong with it. We need to patiently teach Vegans that meat eating is not wrong.

Some people also qoute Jesus as being a Vegan. Impossible! He ate Fish (Luke 24:42-43 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,and he took it and ate it in their presence.)

There are some false gospel books written a couple hundred years after Jesus which try to protray him as a Vegan but there is nothing of this teaching in the Bible. An example is the Gospel of Peace which was writen long after the apostles were dead by gnostic heritics. These books are known to be false. They are being pushed again now by those trying to push everything from Veganism to the Da Vinci code. Cannon Scripture by F.F. Bruce is an great book to read to understand why the 27 books of the New Testament are reliable and the Essene Gospels writen by gnostics are not. (Buy it here)

If you see a qoute from the Bible that looks like it supports Veganism, go read the passage in context (read the whole chapter it is in) and you will see that they are misusing that verse.

An example I found on a Vegan website is "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of something to eat." (Romans 14:20) Now go read all of Romans 14 and see what it is really talking about and if that means we should not eat meat. (Note verse 1-3 & 14.)

Some believe vaganism is unhealthy. I don't know for sure. I assume if God tells us to eat meat after the flood that there is some logical reason based upon a dietary need we now have. I put some info. below about this. You decide. I know I don't want to be a dumpster diver like the "trash Vegan" who only eat thown away animal products (read more here)

The following information below is from Wikipedia

Although the American Dietetic Association (the U.S. certifier for C.N.s) supports a well-planned vegan diet in all stages of life, some nutritionists have expressed concerns about the potential dangers in the vegan diet. This is especially true for young children where the failure to achieve adequate nutrition can lead to permanent developmental deficits. In widely reported comments, Professor Lindsey Allen of the U.S. Agricultural Research Service declared: "There's absolutely no question that it's unethical for parents to bring up their children as strict vegans, unless those who practiced them were well-informed about how to add back the missing nutrients through supplements or fortified foods."[38]

Prof. Allen's also conducted research in rural Africa in which she demonstrated a dramatic improvement in the health of individuals who had, prior to the study, been on diets completely lacking in animal products. The study concluded that the added nutrients, especially vitamin B12 contained in the meat and milk improved the health of the children in the study. [39]

In very severe cases, parents practising what were sometimes described as forms of veganism have been charged with child abuse for not providing adequate nutrition. [40] [41] Vegan mothers who do not obtain adequate vitamin B12 in their diet while breastfeeding can cause severe and permanent neurological damage to their infants. [42] Related studies note importance of early recognition of significant maternal vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy and lactation in vegetarians is emphasized so that appropriate supplementation can be given and irreversible neurologic damage in the infant prevented. [43]

Read how Veganism makes you go bald: Click Here

Happy Birthday Mr. President

February 22nd is George Washington's Birthday. He was the first President of the United States of America after they adopted the new constitution. As we celebrate the birthday of the man we often call the "Father of our country", let us reflect on some of his beliefs. Some unfairly claim he was a diest who believed in God but not miracles, the scriptures or divine intervention in the affairs of man. How can anyone read these statements he made and believe that?

The following are quotes from George Washington:

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." (Click Here)

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected. (click here)

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience. (Click Here)

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle... Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue? (Click Here)

We ought to be persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained. (Click here)

I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them. (Click Here)

To Learn More About What America's Founders Believed Click Here

Did Jesus Even Exist?

Some have written to the Scripturist and claimed Jesus never even existed. They refer to the "Jesus Myth" as if he were not a historical character of history.

First of all, the Bible is a very reliable source of history. The only reason people don't believe it is because of their philosophical presuppositions. (Click here to find out why people don't believe the Bible)

But just in case the Bible is not enough for you. We have provided you a list several first and second century documents which prove that Jesus was a historical character. To say Jesus never existed is to ignore the overwhelming historical record. Remember, this is not counting the overwhelming evidence that the New Testament is reliable. (click here to see this evidence)

Unbelievers often refuse to examine the historical record for themselves and smugly mock Christians because of what a professor or some fictional book like the Da Vinci Code told them. Meanwhile, they are closed minded to the evidence that would set them free.

ANCIENT NON-CHRISTIAN SOURCES

Cornelius Tacitus (55-120 AD), "the greatest historian" of ancient Rome:

"Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man's cruelty, that they were being destroyed."

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillas, chief secretary of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD):

"Because the Jews of Rome caused continous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, [Claudius] expelled them from the city."

"After the great fire at Rome [during Nero's reign] ... Punishments were also inflicted on the Christians, a sect professing a new and mischievous religious belief."

Flavius Josephus (37-97 AD), court historian for Emperor Vespasian:

"At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders." (Arabic translation)

Julius Africanus, writing around 221 AD, found a reference in the writings of Thallus, who wrote a history of the Eastern Mediterranean around 52 AD, which dealt with the darkness that covered the land during Jesus's crucifixion:

"Thallus, in the third book of his histories, explains away the darkness as an eclipse of the sun--unreasonably, as it seems to me." [A solar eclipse could not take place during a full moon, as was the case during Passover season.]

Pliny the Younger, Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor around 112 AD:

"[The Christians] were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind."

Pliny added that Christianity attracted persons of all societal ranks, all ages, both sexes, and from both the city and the country. Late in his letter to Emperor Trajan, Pliny refers to the teachings of Jesus and his followers as excessive and contagious superstition.

Emperor Trajan, in reply to Pliny:

"The method you have pursued, my dear Pliny, in sifting the cases of those denounced to you as Christians is extremely proper. It is not possible to lay down any general rule which can be applied as the fixed standard in all cases of this nature. No search should be made for these people; when they are denounced and found guilty they must be punished; with the restriction, however, that when the party denies himself to be a Christian, and shall give proof that he is not (that is, by adoring our gods) he shall be pardoned on the ground of repentance, even though he may have formerly incurred suspicion. Informations without the accuser's name subscribed must not be admitted in evidence against anyone, as it is introducing a very dangerous precedent, and by no means agreeable to the spirit of the age."

Emporer Hadrian (117-138 AD), in a letter to Minucius Fundanus, the Asian proconsul:

"I do not wish, therefore, that the matter should be passed by without examination, so that these men may neither be harassed, nor opportunity of malicious proceedings be offered to informers. If, therefore, the provincials can clearly evince their charges against the Christians, so as to answer before the tribunal, let them pursue this course only, but not by mere petitions, and mere outcries against the Christians. For it is far more proper, if anyone would bring an accusation, that you should examine it."

Hadrian further explained that if Christians were found guilty they should be judged "according to the heinousness of the crime." If the accusers were only slandering the believers, then those who inaccurately made the charges were to be punished.

The Jewish Talmud, compiled between 70 and 200 AD:

"On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, 'He is going forth to be stoned because he has practised sorcery and enticed Israel to apostacy. Anyone who can say anything in his favour, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.' But since nothing was brought forward in his favour he was hanged on the eve of the Passover."

[Another early reference in the Talmud speaks of five of Jesus's disciples and recounts their standing before judges who make individual decisions about each one, deciding that they should be executed. However, no actual deaths are recorded.]

Lucian, a second century Greek satirist:

"The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day--the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account. ... You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely as common property."

Lucian also reported that the Christians had "sacred writings" which were frequently read. When something affected them, "they spare no trouble, no expense."

Mara Bar-Serapion, of Syria, writing between 70 and 200 AD from prison to motivate his son to emulate wise teachers of the past:

"What advantage did the Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as a judgment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burying Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise king? It was just after that that their kingdom was abolished. God justly avenged these three wise men: the Athenians died of hunger; the Samians were overwhelmed by the sea; the Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion. But Socrates did not die for good; he lived on in the teaching of Plato. Pythagoras did not die for good; he lived on in the statue of Hera. Nor did the wise king die for good; he lived on in the teaching which he had given."

GNOSTICS SOURCES

The Gospel of Truth, probably by Valentius, around 135-160 AD:

"For when they had seen him and had heard him, he granted them to taste him and to smell him and to touch the beloved Son. When he had appeared instructing them about the Father. ... For he came by means of fleshly appearance." Other passages affirm that the Son of God came in the flesh and "the Word came into the midst. ... it became a body."

"Jesus, was patient in accepting sufferings. . . since he knows that his death is life for many. . . . he was nailed to a tree; he published the edict of the Father on the cross. ... He draws himself down to death through life. ... eternal clothes him. Having stripped himself of the perishable rags, he put on imperishability, which no one can possibly take away from him."

The Aprocryphon of John, probably by Saturninus, around 120-130 AD:

"It happened one day when John, the brother of James,--who are the sons of Zebedee--went up and came to the temple, that a Pharisee named Arimanius approached him and said to him, `Where is your master whom you followed?' And he said to him, 'He has gone to the place from which he came.' The Pharisee said to him, 'This Nazarene deceived you with deception and filled your ears with lies and closed your hearts and turned you from the traditions of your fathers.'"

LOST WORKS QUOTED IN OTHER SOURCES

Acts of Pontius Pilate, reports sent from Pilate to Tiberius, referred to by Justin Martyr (150 AD):

"And the expression, 'They pierced my hands and my feet,' was used in reference to the nails of the cross which were fixed in His hands and feet. And after he was crucified, they cast lots upon His vesture, and they that crucified Him parted it among them. And that these things did happen you can ascertain the 'Acts' of Pontius Pilate." Later Justin lists several healing miracles and asserts, "And that He did those things, you can learn from the Acts of Pontius Pilate."

Phlegon, born about 80 AD, as reported by Origen (185-254 AD), mentioned that Jesus made certain predictions which had been fulfilled.

ANCIENT CHRISTIAN SOURCES BESIDES THE NEW TESTAMENT

Clement, elder of Rome, letter to the Corinthian church (95 AD):

"The Apostles received the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ was sent forth from God. So then Christ is from God, and the Apostles are from Christ. Both therefore came of the will of God in the appointed order. Having therefore received a charge, and having been fully assured through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and confirmed in the word of God with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth with the glad tidings that the kingdom of God should come. So preaching everywhere in country and town, they appointed their firstfruits, when they had proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons unto them that should believe."

Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, letter to the Trallians (110-115 AD):

"Jesus Christ who was of the race of David, who was the Son of Mary, who was truly born and ate and drank, was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate, was truly crucified and died in the sight of those in heaven and on earth and those under the earth; who moreover was truly raised from the dead, His Father having raised Him, who in the like fashion will so raise us also who believe on Him."

Ignatius, letter to the Smyrneans (110-115 AD):

"He is truly of the race of David according to the flesh, but Son of God by the Divine will and power, truly born of a virgin and baptised by John that all righteousness might be fulfilled by Him, truly nailed up in the flesh for our sakes under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch (of which fruit are we--that is, of his most blessed passion); that He might set up an ensign unto all ages through His resurrection."

"For I know and believe that He was in the flesh even after the resurrection; and when He came to Peter and his company, He said to them, 'Lay hold and handle me, and see that I am not a demon without body.' And straightway they touched him, and they believed, being joined unto His flesh and His blood. Wherefore also they despised death, nay they were found superior to death. And after His resurrection He ate with them and drank with them."

Ignatius, letter to the Magnesians (110-115 AD):

"Be ye fully persuaded concerning the birth and the passion and the resurrection, which took place in the time of the governorship of Pontius Pilate; for these things were truly and certainly done by Jesus Christ our hope."

Quadratus, to Emperor Hadrian about 125 AD:

"The deeds of our Saviour were always before you, for they were true miracles; those that were healed, those that were raised from the dead, who were seen, not only when healed and when raised, but were always present. They remained living a long time, not only whilst our Lord was on earth, but likewise when He had left the earth. So that some of them have also lived to our own times."

(Pseudo-)Barnabas, written 130-138 AD:

"He must needs be manifested in the flesh. ... He preached teaching Israel and performing so many wonders and miracles, and He loved them exceedingly. ... He chose His own apostles who were to proclaim His Gospel. ... But He Himself desired so to suffer; for it was necessary for Him to suffer on a tree."

Justin Martyr, to Emperor Antoninus Pius about 150 AD:

After referring to Jesus's birth of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem, and that His physical line of descent came through the tribe of Judah and the family of Jesse, Justin wrote, "Now there is a village in the land of the Jews, thirty-five stadia from Jerusalem, in which Jesus Christ was born, as you can ascertain also from the registers of the taxing made under Cyrenius, your first procurator in Judea."

"Accordingly, after He was crucified, even all His acquaintances forsook Him, having denied Him; and afterwards, when He had risen from the dead and appeared to them, and had taught them to read the prophecies in which all these things were foretold as coming to pass, and when they had seen Him ascending into heaven, and had believed, and had received power sent thence by Him upon them, and went to every race of men, they taught these things, and were called apostles."

Justin Martyr, in Dialogue with Trypho, around 150 AD:

"For at the time of His birth, Magi who came from Arabia worshipped Him, coming first to Herod, who then was sovereign in your land."

"For when they crucified Him, driving in the nails, they pierced His hands and feet; and those who crucified Him parted His garments among themselves, each casting lots for what he chose to have, and receiving according to the decision of the lot."

"Christ said amongst you that He would give the sign of Jonah, exhorting you to repent of your wicked deeds at least after He rose again from the dead ... yet you not only have not repented, after you learned that He rose from the dead, but, as I said before, you have sent chosen and ordained men throughout all the world to proclaim that 'a godless and lawless heresy had sprung from one Jesus, a Galilean deceiver, whom we crucified, but His disciples stole Him by night from the tomb, where He was laid when unfastened from the cross, and now deceive men by asserting that He has risen from the dead and ascended to heaven.'"

"For indeed the Lord remained upon the tree almost until evening, and they buried Him at eventide; then on the third day He rose again."

For more details of the historical and scientific evidence for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ: Habermas, Gary R. Ancient Evidence for the Life of Jesus. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1984.

Dungy at Super Bowl Breakfast

DETROIT, Mich. – They were there for breakfast, and they were there to cheer New York Jets running back Curtis Martin.

And it was Martin who received the Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award Saturday morning, but the hundreds who gathered in fourth-floor ballroom at the Marriott Renaissance in Detroit, Mich., on the morning before Super Bowl XL were clearly touched by the featured speaker.
That speaker was Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy.

Two hours into the breakfast, emcee Brent Jones introduced Dungy, who was welcomed with a lengthy standing ovation. Dungy thanked the crowd, shared an anecdote about Martin, then told the crowd he was going to speak for about 15 minutes.

“It’s great to be here,” Dungy told the crowd, then adding with a laugh, “I just wish I wasn’t here in this capacity so many times of being just that close to being in the game and just being an invited speaker.

“My goal is to have our team here one day and have a couple of tables with all of our guys here. Because we have a special group of young men, a great group of Christian guys. It’d be wonderful to have them here so you could see their hearts and what they’re all about.

“It hasn’t quite happened yet, but we’re still hoping one day it will.”

He told them he was going to talk about lessons he had learned from his three sons. The crowd fell silent. Then Dungy spoke.

And although this was a breakfast – and although at many such events speakers speak over the clinking of glasses and murmurs from semi-interested listeners – for most of the 15 minutes the room was silent except for Dungy’s voice.

He spoke of his middle son, Eric, who he said shares his competitiveness and who is focused on sports “to where it’s almost a problem.” He spoke of his youngest son, Jordan, who has a rare congenital condition which causes him not to feel pain.

“He feels things, but he doesn’t get the sensation of pain,” Dungy said.

The lessons learned from Jordan, Tony Dungy said, are many.

“That sounds like it’s good at the beginning, but I promise you it’s not,” Dungy said. “We’ve learned a lot about pain in the last five years we’ve had Jordan. We’ve learned some hurts are really necessary for kids. Pain is necessary for kids to find out the difference between what’s good and what’s harmful.”

Jordan, Dungy said, loves cookies.

“Cookies are good,” Dungy said, “but in Jordan’s mind, if they’re good out on the plate, they’re even better in the oven. He will go right in the oven when my wife’s not looking, reach in, take the rack out, take the pan out, burn his hands and eat the cookies and burn his tongue and never feel it. He doesn’t know that’s bad for him.”

Jordan, Dungy said, “has no fear of anything, so we constantly have to watch him.”
The lesson learned, Dungy said, is simple.

“You get the question all the time, ‘Why does the Lord allow pain in your life? Why do bad things happen to good people? If God is a God of love, why does he allow these hurtful things to happen?’’’ Dungy said. “We’ve learned that a lot of times because of that pain, that little temporary pain, you learn what’s harmful. You learn to fear the right things.

“Pain sometimes lets us know we have a condition that needs to be healed. Pain inside sometimes lets us know that spiritually we’re not quite right and we need to be healed and that God will send that healing agent right to the spot.

“Sometimes, pain is the only way that will turn us as kids back to the Father.”

Finally, he spoke of James.

James Dungy, Tony Dungy’s oldest son, died three days before Christmas. As he did while delivering James’ eulogy in December, Dungy on Saturday spoke of him eloquently and steadily, speaking of lessons learned and of the positives taken from experience.

“It was tough, and it was very, very painful, but as painful as it was, there were some good things that came out of it,” Dungy said.

Dungy spoke at the funeral of regretting not hugging James the last time he saw him, on Thanksgiving of last year.

“I met a guy the next day after the funeral,” Dungy said. “He said, ‘I was there. I heard you talking. I took off work today. I called my son. I told him I was taking him to the movies. We’re going to spend some time and go to dinner.’ That was a real, real blessing to me.”

Dungy said he has gotten many letters since James’ death relaying similar messages.
“People heard what I said and said, ‘Hey, you brought me a little closer to my son,’ or, ‘You brought me a little closer to my daughter,’’’ Dungy said. “That is a tremendous blessing.”
Dungy also said some of James’ organs were donated through donors programs.

“We got a letter back two weeks ago that two people had received his corneas, and now they can see,’’ Dungy said. “That’s been a tremendous blessing.”

Dungy also said he received a letter from a girl from the family’s church in Tampa. She had known James for many years, Dungy said. She went to the funeral because she knew James.
“When I saw what happened at funeral, and your family and the celebration and how it was handled, that was the first time I realized there had to be a God,” Dungy said the girl wrote. “I accepted Christ into my life and my life’s been different since that day.”

Added Dungy, “That was an awesome blessing, so all of those things kind of made me realize what God’s love is all about.”

Dungy also said he was asked often how he was able to return to the Colts so quickly after James’ death. James died on December 22, and Dungy returned to the team one week later. Dungy said the answer was simple.

“People asked me, ‘How did you recover so quickly?”’’ Dungy said. “I’m not totally recovered. I don’t know that I ever will be.

"Because of Christ’s spirit in me, ... I have the peace of mind in the midst of something that’s very, very painful.

“That’s my prayer today, that everyone in this room would know the same thing.”

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The Violence of Mohamed VS. The Love of Jesus

Below are the teachings of Mohamed the false prophet:

"Fight and slay the pagans [Christians] wherever ye find them and seize them, confine them, and lie in wait for them in every place of ambush" (Surah 9:5)

"Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the last day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and his apostle nor acknowledge the religion of truth of the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians) until they pay the Jizya [tax on non-Muslims] with willing submission and feel themselves subdued." (Surah 9:29)

"Those who follow Muhammad are merciless for the unbelievers but kind to each other." (Qur'an 48:29)

"Enmity and hatred will reign between us until ye believe in Allah alone." (Qur'an 60:4)

Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them). And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily God doth see all that they do. (Qur'an 8:37-39)

And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. (Qur'an 2:193)

"Fight the unbelievers in your surroundings, and let them find harshness in you." (Qur'an 9:123)

"For he who believes in the Trinity, "the Fire will be his abode … a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemer." Qur'an (5:72-73)

Scientific errors related to embryology are contained in the Koran. In 86:6-7 the Koran says, "He is created from a drop emitted- Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs". This echoes the scientific error of Hippocrates who believe semen originates from all the fluid in the body, starting from the brain down the spinal chord, before passing through the kidneys and finally the testicles into the penis. (Hippocratic Writings, Penguin Classics, 1983, p. 317) So much for the Koran being without error.

Compare the above teaching of Mohamed with teachings of Jesus from the New Testament below:

Matthew 5:43-45 "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Luke 6:27-28 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

Luke 6:34 "And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full."

Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

Luke 23:34 "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Romans 12:14 "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse"

Romans 12:20 "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

1 Corinthians 4:12-13 "When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it, When we are slandered, we answer kindly."

1 Peter 2:23 "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."

1 Peter 3:9 "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

"Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send your son to die for him."
"Christianity is a faith in which God sent his Son to die for you."

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Your sin will find you out

Numbers 32:23 "...you may be sure that your sin will find you out."

Things have a way of coming back around. There are consequences to your actions.

Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Some mistakenly call it Karma, like in the show MY NAME IS EARL. But really it's the slow grinding force of God's justice.

Romans 2:9 "There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil"

People who do wrong will not escape trouble and distress. It may seem some people "get away with murder" but their day is coming and there will be trouble and distress all the way there.

Proverbs 13:21 "Misfortune pursues the sinner." God may allow sinners to escape misfortune for a short time in hopes that they will repent but even as they run from it, misfortune is in hot pursuit. And misfortune will catch up.

2 Peter 2:9 "...The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment."

Unfortunately, unlike the show MY NAME IS EARL, you cannot do enough good things to make up for the bad things you have done. You cannot be saved by doing good works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boast."

Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."

If the consequence of sin is death? (Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death") And if all have sinned? (Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”) And if all will die because of their sin? (Romans 5:12 "...death came to all men, because all sinned”) And if our sin will find us out and we reap what we sow, how does anyone have the hope of being saved from death and Hell?

Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

If we repent and turn back to God in faith, he will forgive us. In fact, he has not returned and destroyed the earth because he is giving us more time to turn back to the truth.

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

God is patiently waiting to give sinful people an opportunity to turn back to his love and mercy.

2 Peter 3:15 "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation"

He is offering us eternal life and friendship with Him at the cost of Jesus blood shed on the cross.

1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."

If you reject God's love and grace, you have no hope. Your sin will find you out. Misfortune will pursue you. You will reap the consequences of what you have sown in your life. Death will find you and Hell will be your fate.

Hebrews 10:28-31 "Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

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Punishment for Gluttony not Glutton for Punishment

Titus 1:12-13 "Even one of their own prophets has said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith."

I noticed the other day that gluttony is mentioned here with several other sins such as lying and idleness. Gluttony is not a topic you hear talked about much. But it is a sin. Maybe it's too common. I know when I consider it, I become convicted. But when does eating become gluttony?

Gluttony was common among the wealthy in Rome. They would eat till they were full, go make themselves throw up and then go eat some more. Perhaps you have heard of a Vomitorium. Meanwhile, others in Rome starved. As I think of that practice, I wonder how our all-you-can-eat buffets compare. Do the Golden Corral or Ryan's Steak House encourage gluttony? Are we eating more than we need? Isn't gorging yourself on food for the mere pleasure of eating sin? Isn't that gluttony?

We know the Bible encourages us to take strong measures to keep ourselves from gluttony. Proverbs 23:2 says, "put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony." But why? Because gluttony is a sin with consequences. Proverbs 23:21 says, "...gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." First, we notice a connection between gluttony being lazy. We know how after a big thanksgiving dinner, we get sleepy. Why? Because the blood rushes to the stomach so aid in digestion. This makes us drowsy. People who eat to much have trouble staying active.

Also gluttony shows a lack of self control and submission to indulgence that will manifest it's self in other areas and bring a person to disgrace. That is why fasting is a spiritual discipline of self control and refocusing that teaches us temperance. Proverbs 28:7 says, "He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." Gluttons are bad company. They have a self indulgent attitude that makes them dangerous company to keep.

As Rallys hamburgers points out, "you gotta eat!" However, that is not an excuse to eat whatever and when ever you like. 1 Corinthians 10:23 says, "Everything is permissible"— but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"— but not everything is constructive." Sure, we are free to eat what we like. However, what we eat should also be beneficial and constructive to our bodies.

Many of us point to smoking as a sin. We realize that it is a deadly habit that causes the death of hundreds of thousands each year. We remind people that their body is the temple of the Holy spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and that whoeve destroys God's temple will be destroyeded by God (1 Corinthians 3:17). But we don't point out that thousands more die of health problems related to obesity than die of smoking related illness. Convicting?

The sin of gluttony is when your appetitete is uncontrolled, and eating is not about healthy sustenance but about the over indulgence in food to please fleshly cravings. When your stomachs cravings control you more than the word of God you are following after the flesh not the spirit. Is your mind on spiritual or earthly things? What controls you and your eating habitsts? You might as well bow down in the mirror to your new god, your stomach. Some of us have ever enlarging gods. Think about it. Pray about it.

Philippians 3:19 "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things."

Should We Pay The Preacher?

Dear Scripturist, Is it right to pay preachers? My Jehovah Witness friend says paying a preacher or pastor is wrong. What do the scriptures say?

First you must understand that what the Jehovah Witnesses teach and what the Scriptures teach are rarely the same thing. There are several passages that clearly deal with this issue. Paying preachers and pastors is Biblical.

First, look with me at 1 Corinthians 9:9-14: "For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel."

In this passage, Paul is explaining why he had the right receive money from the churches who supported his ministry. Sometimes he used this right (Philippians 4:15-18) and sometimes he didn't (1 Corinthians 9:12). Here the Apostle points out the principle from the Old Testament that even an ox would not be expected to work for free.

He then points out that the Priests in the temple would make their living from the offerings and sacrifices given at the temple. And then Paul revels that God has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living in the same way. So yes, it is a command from God that preachers should be paid for their full time service and make their living from preaching the gospel.

But not only Evangelists (preachers of the gospel). 1 Timothy 5:17-18 "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."

This passage teaches that elders who give much time in service to the church, especially preaching and teaching, are worthy of being paid. The principle is stated again, "the worker deserves his wages."

The principle is repeated again in Galatians. Galatians 6:6 says, "Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor."

It is not right for you to receive instruction from a preacher and not share all good things with him. I have seen churches where the members are quite wealthy, but the preacher (though he had to be educated from an expensive private school) makes far less than the vast majority of the members. They drive new cars and live in lavish homes while the preacher drive an old rust bucket and doesn't even have good health insurance for his family.

Is that right? No, if you receive instruction from someone, then you owe them something. You should share all the good things you have with them. It's not right for a church to not pay a preacher well for his time and service. As Paul said, "If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?"

Now I am not talking about sending off your last cent to make some con-artist televangelist rich (click here for example). Preachers should not be living like kings off the offerings of others either. Paul said about giving in 2 Corithian 8:13 "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality." My point is that the preacher should be living at an equal standard to those he serves.

I hope you are tithing to your local church because that was God's plan to supply for the work of ministry and the priest in the Old Testament and Paul says God commands preachers are to be receiving their living "in the same way."

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To Help Your Study Of The Scriptures

Ever have trouble keeping the chronology of the Bible straight. The 66 books of the Bible are not in chronological order. They are organized by types of literature or author and then placed in close order. Even the works of prophecy in the Old Testament are divided by large books (Major Prophets) and small books (Minor Prophets). All of this makes it hard for readers to realize which kings and events were contemporary with which prophets. Confused? You don’t have to be.

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