Neither the church or this country

are meant to be Israel

Now that the election has come and gone, I do not want to get into politics. However, it is vital for Christians to see the necessity of the separation of church and state. Many religious people want the United States to become like Israel of old. An examination of the New Testament leaves us with a necessary conclusion though – we will not succeed in creating a religious nation like the Israel was.

Genesis 12:1-3 contains the promises given to Abraham. One stated that a great nation (Israel) would be created out of his seed. They were promised a land, which was fulfilled during the time of Joshua (Josh. 23:14).  This nation of God’s people eventually had their own kings to rule over them – God was not pleased with this (I Sam. 8:4-7).

The ultimate purpose of these promises was revealed in the third one. Namely, someone great (Christ) would come from the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:10-29). Our Savior was not coming to build a physical nation like Israel. As a matter of fact, Jesus fled when people tried to take Him by force to make Him their king (John 6:15).  Nor was it His plan for the church to become a government for the people.

Few religious people today want the church to become an earthly government for all people, but many want the government to be religiously-based like Israel’s was.  Remember, Israel was guided by the Old Law and was expected to enforce it to the letter. Those who broke that law were punished. Is this viable today?

On the surface, this might seem like a good thing. If all government leaders including the President were Christians, we could do away with abortions and homosexual marriages as the Bible calls for. Great! However, we could not stop there. To be consistent, we would have to enact laws to punish every kind of sin. Would we arrest those who buy and sell liquor? All those who gamble? All those who commit fornication and adultery? Would pornographers be thrown in prison? What about those who curse, dress immodestly, lie, gossip, hate, and envy – do we throw them in jail too?

Do not get me wrong – abortion is murder, and murder is sin (Gal. 5:21). I would like for it to stop. As a matter of fact, I want everyone to stop all sin because of the consequences (Rom. 6:23). If our government were tasked with punishing sin though, this government would not work. If we follow the idea to its logical conclusion, this government would ultimately be tasked with trying to read people’s hearts. Only God can do this (1 Sam. 16:7, Prov. 21:2 Heb. 10:30).

Furthermore, who would decide how to correctly interpret and apply Bible verses? The religious division around us clearly shows that a single, centralized, earthly religious organization is unworkable.

If a forcibly “Christian government” is not workable, then what should Christians seek in government? To start, some nations give more earthly freedoms and rights than others. As Christians, we should want people in all 195 countries around the world to be able to worship God and live lives pleasing to Him.

There is a purpose of government. We are to respect it just like Christ did (Matt. 22:21).  As law-abiding citizens, we can expect to generally live quiet and peaceable lives (I Tim. 2:1-2). There may be times when we will suffer for being Christians (I Pet. 4:16), but this does not mean that we should seek to overthrow the government. Let us recognize the value in keeping Christ’s church out of the government, so to speak, and instead focus on serving the Lord directly.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Chuck

“Perpetual Covenant”

Even though the Hebrew writer clearly tells us that the first covenant was done away with and that we are now under a new one (Heb. 8:78; 9:15-17), some religious people still think parts of the Law of Moses are in effect today. They often reference a statement made in Jeremiah 50:5: “They shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces toward it, saying, come and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that will not be forgotten.”

This phrase does not mean what they think it does. As a matter of fact, in the Old Testament covenant was also called being “everlasting” (Lev. 24:8). This means that the covenant was continuously in effect within a period of time. We know this because circumcision and animal sacrifices were also described as being everlasting (Gen. 17:13; Lev. 16:29-34), but they were done away with too.

So, what did “the perpetual covenant” mean in Jeremiah 50:5? We always state how important context is. This whole chapter is dealing with the fact that Babylon was going to fall from world dominance to the Medes. This meant that God’s people, currently living in Babylonian captivity, would be allowed to restore their worship and return to their own land (Jer. 50:1-5).

To pluck this verse out of its context and make it contradict other passages of scripture is to make it teach something that it is not saying. Jeremiah had already stated in chapter 31:31-34 that the Lord was going to establish a new covenant. This is also referenced in Hebrews 8:7-12. The covenant that Jeremiah said would be perpetual was the same one that was going to be done away with. How could that be? Because it was going to endure for the time God purposed.

Finally, note that the prophet was not saying that only parts of the covenant would be perpetual – the prophet was clear that all would be. Therefore, if any of the covenant was in force today, then all of it would be. This is why Paul said that if you bind circumcision today; you would have to bind all of the Old Law (Gal. 5:2-3).

                                                                      Chuck

Does God appoint them?

The other day I Goggled, “How many countries are in the world?” Most parties agree that the answer is 196, but some counts were higher or lower depending on whether certain territories were recognized as their own countries. Does our heavenly Father control who governs each of those countries? If there are Christians in every one of those countries, can they use the Bible to say that whatever is happening where they live is a fulfillment of prophecy?

I raise this issue because many religious people mishandle the scriptures. Some contend that whatever is happening in America is a fulfillment of what you read about in the book of Revelation and in other parts of the Bible. Let’s look into this and clear some things up.

First, we need to make note of Romans 13:1-7. In this text, Paul mentions some important facts that would apply to anyone, anywhere, who was reading the passage.  He teaches that it is the responsibility of every saint to be subject to their governing authorities no matter the form of government – a democracy, a republic, a dictatorship, etc. (verse 1). This same verse reveals that all earthly authorities are appointed to rule by God. Christians who resist these earthly authorities are resisting the ordinance of God (verse 2).

But does God ensure that certain people are elected and others are not? “God appointed” means “God has permitted”. For example, Pilate stated that he had power to crucify Christ or release Him. Jesus replied that, “You could have not power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above,” (John 19:11).  Yes, God no more put Pilate in office than He did make Him crucify Christ. Leaders have free will, yet it is also true that our Creator has ordained governments in order to support those who do good works (Rom. 13:3). As Paul told the Roman brethren, citizens who obey should generally not have fear of their governments.

What about immoral governments? Are Christians obligated to live under their rule? Paul taught that Christians are to be loyal subjects and therefore pay taxes. This is done both to avoid the wrath of the government and for the sake of conscience (Rom. 13:5-7). Keep in mind that he was telling this to Christians who lived under corrupts and often cruel Roman rulers. The Roman leaders were sinful, but these Christians were still supposed to respect their authority. This is true for modern Christians too - they should respect their government officials even if they do not agree with every decision they make.

The word of God is relevant for people living in the United States today, but it was not written just those living in the United States. Many people believe that Christianity is a western religion because Jesus was born as a Jew (Luke 1:30). We must remember, though, that Jesus lived as God before coming to the earth (John 1:1). It is also important to remember that all are one in Christ – there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female (Gal. 3:28).

Christ came and died for all of mankind, not just select groups. He reigns at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:29-36) and has made eternal life available to those who obey Him. The fulfillment of Gen. 12:3 happens whenever anyone obeys the gospel (Gal. 3:29).  It is dangerous to force modern events to fulfill of Biblical prophecy, especially the figurative language found in Revelations. Those who do this are creating their own doctrine (discussed in the following article).

Saints know that doing anything against the will of God is sin, and God has called us to obey our earthly leaders. We may not love every decision our earthly governments make, but we should recognize God’s wisdom that having government is better than no government!

   Chuck

A good question

Last week, a listener to our weekly radio program called in a Bible question. She said that she had been invited by someone of the 7^th Day Adventist church, and they wanted to know about the practice of keeping the Sabbath. Let’s take a closer look at the doctrine of keeping the Sabbath and the 7^th Day Adventist group.

Sabbath-keeping is not a new doctrine

When God gave the law to Moses for the Israelites, they were commanded to keep the Sabbath holy (Ex. 20:8-11). Those who violated that law were to be stoned to death (Num. 15:32-36). When Jesus walked with man, He kept the law concerning the Sabbath (Luke 4:16). This should not surprise us as Jesus lived and died under the Old Law. The Old Law was not done away with until Christ’s death (Heb. 8:6-7; 9:16-17; Col. 2:14).

Sabbath keepers after the death of Jesus

Even after Jesus’ death, we read of individuals in the Bible who continued to gather on the Sabbath to worship God. Such people, like Paul, had rejected Jesus and they were caught up in Judaism prior to obeying the gospel (Gal. 1:13). This is why you can read about the apostle going into synagogues on the Sabbath to preach to the Jews (Acts 13:1415:21; 17:2; 18:4). When Paul went to the synagogues to teach after his conversion, he was NOT keeping the Sabbath. The synagogues were filled with lost Jews, and he was preaching with the intent to convert them to Christ.  Sometimes people would listen and obey (Acts 17:2-4; 18:8).

No keeping of the Sabbath today

After Jesus died and the New Law (New Covenant) came into effect, (Matt. 26:28), Christians were not required to keep the Sabbath. Saints gathered to worship the Lord on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2). God’s people were admonished not to worry about Jews and religious pagans who would now judge them in food, drink, festivals, the new moon or sabbaths (Col. 2:16). Specifically, the Jews would rebuke Christians for not keeping Old Testament rules. God’s children were told not to listen to them (Gal. 4:10-11).

Worshipping on Saturday

We need to realize that there is a difference between Christians gathering on a Saturday to worship and the keeping of the Sabbath. We have occasionally held revivals at the church building on a Saturday to worship. But these gatherings do not replace the requirement to assemble of the first day of the week – Sunday (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2. This means that although we gathered to worship on a Saturday, certain practices are reserved for Sunday. Christians remember the Lord’s death by taking the Lord’s Supper on Sundays (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:17-18, 23-26). The church also takes up a collection (I Cor. 16:1-2; II Cor. 9:7). Those things should not be done on Saturday. You can study, pray and sing anytime, as we read Christians doing (Acts 16:25; 20:36; 8:28-35).

7^th Day Adventist’s Church

Finally, note that you cannot read about this religious group anywhere in the Bible. Instead, it was started by man in the 1840s. One early leader was Ellen G. White, who claimed to be a prophet. Our only goal is to follow Christ by belong to the church that He built (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28). Since Christ purchased His church with His own blood, we know it began at the time of His death around 33 AD.  Mankind needs to test the spirits to see where they are of God because many false prophets have gone out into this world (I John 4:1). Rather than leaning on personal opinions, we should merely accept what God has made perfectly clear.

                                                                                        Chuck