Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)
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Note: This writing is directed to those who study any system of the martial arts (Chinese kung-fu/Japanese karate/ Judo etc.), not only to learn to fight but also for health reasons which often leads to the study and practice of Tai Chi Ch'uan (an internal or 'soft' form of Chinese kung-fu).
As a former martial arts practitioner, I have studied tae kwon do, kenpo and the wah lum (northern praying mantis) system of kung-fu. The vast majority of native Westerners (from the Western Hemisphere of the world) is ignorant of the main religions of the countries in which these arts originated. The martial arts were born from tradition, family life and religion, and it should be kept in mind that religion is the most important of these three as it determined tradition and family life. Training in the fighting arts cannot be separated from the religion/s in which they were founded. Christianity and the martial arts.
Sadly, many Americans, including Christians are not in obedience to the the scriptures that commands us to be wise as serpents (Mat. 10:16). Be informed about the deception of the new national "ID" card on which you may read here.
Its becoming increasingly popular, and socialy acceptable, even among Christians, to adopt the 'Live And Let Live' doctrine when it comes to the subject of evangelism. From the mouths of believers we hear that Christians should cease to find fault with non-Christian religions and that most importantly, we should refuse to embrace a philosophy of shouting to the world their supposed wrong-doing, of preaching the gospel to all that we encounter. I've even heard that the scripture of Mark 16:15-16 should not be cited as support for aggressive evangelism, or any evangelism for that matter, since it speaks of preaching to 'creatures'. It is suggested that since 'creatures' includes the animals, Mark 16:15-16 must be referring simply to the maintenance of a kind behavior towards all.
On the contrary, a 'creature' is the creation of a creator (Romans 1:25). Romans 1:25 is clearly speaking of people. We know its not referring to animals since they can't sin before God. If they had sin, or could sin, they would have been unfit for sacrifice for the purification of sins in the Old Testament. This is precisely why the Lamb of God had to be spotless. Sin cannot cleanse sin. What is more is that the word 'preach' consistently and literally refers to speech from the mouth. This is seen throughout the entire Old and New testaments.
Does not the Bible specify, so there's no supposition, what is wrong doing before God's eyes (2 Timothy 3:16)? What is the core and beginning of the gospel? Is it not to repent and turn to the Lord? Was this not preached in the wilderness, in the streets, on the tops of mountains, in the hills, in the synagogues, in the market places, on the rooftops, on the seas, in the highways, and in the hedges? Do we not read: In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, REPENT YE...(Matthew 3:2). Do we not also read: Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT YE, and BELIEVE THE GOSPEL (Mark 1:14). Did not Jesus say that His disciples were to follow Him and that if they don’t, they are not His disciples? (Matthew 16:24) Did He not tell us to do the works that He did? (St John 14:12) Did not the apostle Paul shout the gospel, preaching repentance, in the midst of Mars' Hill? (Acts 17:22-30) Did he not tell all who believed on Jesus to imitate him as he imitated Christ? (1 Corinthians 11:1) Did Jesus and Paul, and many others not preach in the synagogues? (Acts 13:5, 17:1-3). Did not Paul say that there is only one true gospel? (Galatians 1:6-9). Did not Paul say?: Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel? (1 Corinthians 9:16) Did not God tell Paul not to keep his mouth closed but rather to speak out the gospel? (Acts 18:9-10) Did not the apostles Peter, Paul, and many others shout loud, preaching the gospel in the streets from city to city all throughout the New Testament book of Acts? Did not Jesus say?: What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. (Matthew 10:27) Did not Jesus teach?: ...Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be full. (Luke 14:23) Did not the apostle Paul teach that it is better to be what men call offensive than to be an offence to God? He said: For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10) Does not the Bible say to reprove (rebuke/speak sharply against) the works of darkness? (Ephesians 5:11) Did not God Himself say: Cry LOUD, SPARE NOT, lift up thy voice like a TRUMPET, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins? (Isaiah 58:1) Did not God speak a very serious and frightening decree when he said: When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at THINE (your) hand. (Ezekiel 3:18) Does not the Lord want every soul to come to repentance and be saved? (2 Peter 3:9) Has not every single person that says he has been reconciled to Christ, received from Christ Himself, the ministry of reconciliation in that the Bible says: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18) Is not everything in the Bible written for our teaching example, whether to show us what we should do or what we should not do? (1 Corinthians 10:6) Is not every philosophy to be compared to God's Word to see if its in agreement or conflict? We read:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine (philosophy), for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Do we not read that God is love and if we say we know Him, that we should have love in us? We read: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8) Is not the second greatest commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves? (Mark 12:29-31) When we truly love someone, do we not care for the salvation of their soul and therefore will not fail to speak to them that Jesus is the only way to salvation? (St John 14:6) Does not the Bible confirm that true love tells the truth, even when it may end a friendship? Secret love is inferior to real love because it keeps silent in favor of friendship, social acceptance, the praise of men, the avoidance of conflict, the ruin of a reputation, etc. The Bible says: Open rebuke (sharp speaking to someone) is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:5-6)
Anyone who believes that Christ is the only true and living God but will not witness Him to others or tell them of their need to repent, does not know the love of Christ for lost souls. How we deliver that message is another subject. I am strictly speaking of the commandment that God gave to deliver His Word. Many do not do this because they are ashamed of the gospel, but Jesus said: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38)
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The word of God (the Bible) gives us counsel and even exact instruction on how to survive and overcome the misery of depression.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish (die) and wine unto those that be of heavy heart (depressed). Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more. Proverbs 31:6-7
Is the Bible saying its okay to drink wine to forget your troubles? Isn't that a sin?
'Wine', in the Bible is a generic word meaning that it applies to more than one situation. It has different. The word "wine" was translated from the Hebrew and Greek words that have three meanings: 1. Fruit of the vine (grapes) 2. Juice of grapes (grape juice), also called the "blood" of the vine. 3. Alcoholic wine.
People assume that 'wine' in the Bible always refers to alcohol. The scriptures prove that this is NOT always the case.
Thus saith the Lord, as the new wine is found in the cluster and one saith destroy it not, for a blessing is in it, so will I do for my servant's sakes. Isaiah 65:8
'Cluster' in the above scripture is referring to a cluster of grapes. The juice inside a cluster of grapes is grape juice, NOT wine! It is impossible and against nature for a cluster of grapes to contain alcoholic wine, so we plainly see the word 'wine' in reference to pure grape juice. Deuteronomy 11:14 says:
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain that thou mayest gather in thy corn and thy wine and thine oil.
Again, obviously this scripture is talking about the juice that is inside grapes and not about alcoholic wine as it is impossible to harvest alcohol like you can harvest crops. Nature does not grow (produce) intoxicating wine. Isaiah 16:10 says:
And gladness is taken away and joy out of the plentiful field and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: The treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses.
To 'tread' is to walk on, or to press down under the feet. The key words are "the treaders shall tread out no wine". When you tread on grapes, only natural grape juice can come out. Natural grape juice has to be put through a process in order to turn it into the unnatural substance of alcohol. We plainly see the Bible calling the grape juice that came out of the treaded grapes, wine.
Hosea 2:22-23 says: And the earth shall hear the corn and the wine and the oil. And I will sow her unto me in the earth.
The word hear means to produce. This scripture is saying that the earth will produce wine. The wine mentioned here is not alcoholic because it is absurd to think that a person can grow alcoholic wine from planting grape seed! Alcoholic wine is mae by a process called fermentation. Fermentation has always been a symbol of corruption and in both science and nature it is in itself, rottenness, decomposition, deterioration and putrefaction (spoilage/rottenness). Alcohol is never found in any product of nature; it was never created by God. It is essentially an artificial product prepared by man through a destructive process called fermentation.
Now we know that wine refers to grape juice as well as to alcoholic wine. We see that in the scriptures referring to grape juice as wine. In the scriptures referring to grape juice as wine, there are no warning. However, notice that the scriptures in which wine is being used to talk about alcohol, we see it associated with the words drunkenness and strong drink. The words strong drink in the Bible refer to alcohol. Strong drink was given only to someone who was dying in order to numb the pain of their injuries (Proverbs 31:6). Let's look at the serious warnings in the scriptures below.
Isaiah 5:11 says: Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning that they may follow strong drink, that continue until night till wine inflame them!
In the scripture above, wine is now talking about the alcoholic substance because the simple drinking of grape juice will not inflame anyone! Notice also that the Bible says "woe" to those who drink alcohol. Woe means affliction and bitter grief and great sorrow. In the 14th verse of the same chapter we read that hell has enlarged herself to receive such people who will go down into her (Isaiah 5:14).
Let's take a look at another scripture. The word err means to go wrong and to go out of the way, which is to lose one's salvation and to stumble is to fall from the grace of God. Below is another scripture speaking of the sin of drinking alcohol.
But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, (how they perceive things in their mind), they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness so that there is no place clean. Isaiah 28:7-8
We read in Proverbs 23:20: Be not among winebibbers (those that drink wine).
Obviously this scripture is referring to alcohol and not to grape juice. God hasn't commanded us to stay away from someone because they drink grape juice! Also, in the Bible the word red refers to fermented grape juice, which is wine. Grape juice that has gone through the process of fermentation is no longer grape juice wine but rather alcoholic wine. This is another way the Bible distinguishes the natural juice from the alcohol. Remember that fermentation is corruption. If we drink wine that is corrupted grape juice, our behavior becomes corrupted, or in other words; it becomes evil. When this happens, we can surely expect to have sorrow and live in misery. Notice that in the following scriptures, the warning is so serious that we are not even to look at wine. Proverbs 23:29-33 says:
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions (fights)? Who has babblings (a mouth that complains constatnly)? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? They that tarry (wait) long at the wine, they that go seek (look for) mixed wine, look not thou upon the wine when it is red (fermented/alcoholic), when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself alright, at the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strang women and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
Jesus Turned Water Into Wine
Many will try to say that drinking wine is okay by referring to the time Jesus turned water into wine (2nd chapter of St John). There are eight reasons why we know that Jesus did not change water into alcoholic wine. 1. Jesus, being holy (Hebrews 7:26) is not capable of any unholy act. 2. Jesus is not capable of breaking the Law of God (Matthew 5:17); He is God. 3.The scripture of Leviticus 10:9-11 forbids priests from drinking alcohol and Hebrews 2:17 lets us know that Jesus is our high priest. 4. The Bible forbids kings and princes from drinking alcohol. The words kings and princes refer to rulers. This means that whether the ruler is called king, president, czar, chancellor etc., he is a ruler of a country or land and not allowed to drink alcohol. This is said in Proverbs 31:4. Jesus is King over all kings and Ruler over all rulers (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 19:16). 5. Jesus does not trick or mock anyone, but the Bible tells us that wine indeed does these things (Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-35). 6. The consumption of wine causes hell to open her mouth wide to take in those who allow themselves to be tricked by drinking wine (Isaiah 5:11-14). Jesus did NOT come to send people to hell (Luke 9:56). 7. Looking at verse 10 of St John, chapter 2, we see it is said that in the time period Jesus lived in, it was customary to serve the best alcoholic wine first; keeping the worst for last for when their ability to taste had been weakened by drunkenness from the first wine. However, verse 10 lets us know this was not the case. These people could definitely recognize that the wine being natural grape juice that Jesus had created was better than what was served at the beginning. If they had been drunk, they would not have perceived this. Jesus would not have received glory in getting people drunk. How could drunken people have given him glory? Verse 11 of the second chapter of St John says: The beginning of miracles did Jesus of cana of Galilee and manifested forth his glory. 8. Christ was so opposed to alcoholic wine or alcohol of any kind that instead of drinking it to quench his thirst and dull the pain of crucifixion, he drank vinegar (Mark 15:23).
An Unholy "Christian" Supper
Some try to justify the use of alcoholic wine in the Lord's supper (holy communion) by referring to the sentence "And another is drunken" in 1 Corinthians 11:20-22. First, we need to understand that the word "drunk" in the Bible does NOT always refer to being intoxicated with alcohol. There are several passages where the word drunkenness does not and cannot mean intoxication but rather simply refers to the saturation or the filling of something. Let's look at some example:
I will make mine arrows drunk with blood. Deuteronomy 32:42
...and the sword shall devour and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood. Jeremiah 46:10
The Bible plainly tells us that the cup is a symbol of the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:19 makes it clear that the blood of Christ is precious, without spot or any contamination. Alcoholic wine is neither pure nor is it without contamination and thus must not be used in the taking of communion.
A Little Wine For Your Stomach?
1 Timothy 5:23 is also frequently used to defend drinking alcoholic wine. It says: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. This advice came undoubtedly because much of the water in biblical times was contaminated as they did not have modern methods to purify it. In fact, this water could have been the reason for Timothy's stomach problems. Any honest doctor will tell you that alcoholic wine or any other alcoholic beverage for that matter will not cure any sickness and that it certainly is not good for the stomach.
Now that we understand about the two different wines spoken of in the Bible, lets go back to the scripture of Proverbs 31:6-7 which is the Lord's counsel to you. Again, it says: ...give wine unto those that be of heavy hearts (depressed). Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more.
The Good Wine
Okay, from all that we have learned, we know for sure that the Lord is not telling you to drink alcohol. However, we also know that drinking grape juice cannot cause you to forget your poverty and misery. If this scripture which is counsel to you is not talking about alcoholic wine or grape juice, then what kind of wine is the Lord advising you to drink?
There is a spiritual wine which is symbolized by the grape juice (the wine of the vine). The Bible tells you to drink and be full of this wine. In this wine there is blessing and it is associated with happiness and joy in the soul and it does not cost you any money. This spiritual wine is the blood of Jesus! Jesus said:
I am the true vine,... St John 15:1
Drinking the fruit from this holy vine brings joy. Jesus said:
If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. St John 15:10-11
Just as natural wine (grape juice) comes from a natural vine, spiritual wine which is the blood of Jesus comes from him.
Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man (referring to himself), and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indee. St John 6:53-55
Just above these verses, in verses 47-51, Jesus explains what this means. He explains that believing on him is, symbolically speaking, eating his flesh and drinking his blood.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life. St John 6:47
To believe on Jesus is not to simply have the belief that God the Father sent him to earth to die on the cross for the sins of man. True belief in Jesus means you will obey him. The Bible's definition of belief in Jesus is OBEDIENCE to his commandments (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Peter 4:17, Romans 10:16).
The Bible speaks about the joy that God's grape juice can give. Notice how the Bible associates blessing and gladness with this natural wine which symbolizes the blessing and joy that comes with the drinking of the wine of Jesus.
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man that he may bring food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man,... Psalm 104:14-15
A feast is made for laughter and wine maketh merry (happy). Ecclesiastes 10:19
The Bible forbids us to drink alcoholic wine and commands us to be filled with the Spirit. Only the Spirit of God who comes to us by faith enables us to drink a spiritual wine that we cannot drink on our own (Ephesians 5:18)
Only the wine of God can bring you true joy in the midst of your situation and the Lord invites you to drink it. This is his counsel to you.
Give wine unto those that be of heavy hearts (in depression). Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more. Proverbs 31:6-7
This is a wine that a person must WANT and CHOOSE to drink. God knows our thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:13). He knows when we are sincere and when we are truly sorry for not having been faithful to him. He also knows when we want to use Jesus as a quick escape out of a situation only to forget him once he has blessed us. Salvation is not a plaything. Salvation was never intended to be temporary that we give up once we have received what we want from God. Jesus loves us first but once we accept him as Lord, we are commanded to love him back (Mark 12:29-30 & 1 John 4:19). Salvation is not a one-sided love with Jesus doing all of the loving. God is not to be loved on the condition that he first does what we think he should do. Do you really want to be delivered from the grip of Satan and dedicate your life to Jesus, never to turn back again?
You may now evaluate your comprehension:
Remember to support every answer with scripture.
(Part I) Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matthew 7:1-2).
Matthew 7:1-2 is speaking to a specific group of people. Sadly, many have used, rather misused the above scripture in an attempt to silence someone from pointing out specific sins to the individual.
The Targeted Group
The scripture of Matthew 7:1-2 is instruction and warning targeted at a specific group of people. These people are identified in verse five of the same passage. Notice that the strategic misuse of scripture almost always involves omission of the scripture/s just above and/or below the one being taken out of context. The misuse of Matthew 7:1-2 is no exception. Let's look at Matthew 7:1-5 which demonstrates proper use of the commandment not to judge others.
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye: and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye (Matthew 7:1-5).
The first part of the above passage is often quoted by sinners who don't want to come to repentance as well as Christians who are unwilling to confess unrepentant sin. It is quoted in an attempt to silence the vessel (person) through whom God chooses to speak that part of His Word to them which condemns that individual's specific sin. This commonly used tactic rests on the teaching that since everyone has been a sinner, no one will be used by God to tell another about his/her sin. Such a belief is Satanic because it is in direct and sharp contrast to the scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments. This will become clear as we progress in our study.
Again, this passage specifically single out a group of people who are indeed not in a position to tell others about certain sins they are guilty of before God. This group is the people to whom Matthew 7:1-2 is targeted and to whom it is forbidden that they rebuke others regarding certain sins. This targeted group are hypocrites (fifth verse of the passage). Notice that in the passage the brother who is doing the judging and the brother who is being judged, both have the same problem! There is something in their eye. The one has a mote in his eye; the other, a beam. But nevertheless, they both have a problem in the same exact area, their eye. If the brother doing the judging had had a problem with his foot, but not in his eye, he could see clearly to help his brother get the mote out. His foot wouldn't be a hindrance. However, if they both had the same problem in their foot, why would the brother being judge listen to the brother doing the judging? If he knew how to fix the foot problem, he would fix his own foot first!
The brother with the beam in his eye has the same problem as his brother with the mote in his, but to a greater degree. His problem is a beam and therefore has surpassed the severity of his brother's which is still in the mote state. To illustrate this, let's say that brothers Jim and John both have trouble controlling their tempers. Jim lives in Canada. John lives in England Jim, when angered, may say a curse word or two. He knows that he should hold his peace, walk away, do whatever he has to do to not sin in this way, but in this stage of his growth in Christ, he is not fully surrendered to God and therefore it is more important to have the satisfaction of getting the other person told than it is of obeying God. Now let's say John, on the other hand, will not only curse when he is angered but will fight and afterwards, plots how he is going to get even. Now let's say that Jim and John don't know each other but come to be in each other's presence at a social gathering in Jim's country of Canada. Someone angers Jim and he says a curse word or two which John witnesses. John, knowing that Jim doesn't know him, gets on Jim's case about his saying a couple of curse words. Instead of praying for Jim as he should pray for himself to come to complete surrender to God, and instead offering encouraging but gentle reminders of what God's Word says about the sin of cursing, including himself in the group of people who need to overcome, he places himself on a pedestal above Jim concerning righteousness. John is guilty of the same sin to a worse degree but takes advantage of the situation, knowing that Jim doesn't know his track record back in England. He's the one with the beam in his eye attempting to remove the mote (splinter) from his brother's eye. He is a hypocrite and Matthew 7:1-5 speaks to him. We read in Romans 2:1-3:
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things, And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? (Romans 2:1-3)
Jim is instructed to receive the scriptures although they come from a hypocrite (Matthew 23:3, Philippians 1:15-18), this does not however, excuse the hypocrite before God.
Appointed Christian Judges
According to a dictionary of the English language, the meaning of the word judge is someone appointed to try legal cases, pronounce sentence and/or decide in a dispute. The word also means to have/form an opinion about something/someone.
People accept that the judges of the various court systems of the world have the authority to pronounce sentence and decide in legal disputes. They may disagree with the judge's decisions which indeed may be a biased one, but, until and unless the judge is removed from his/her office, people know that they have the authority to judge. Many judges abuse this authority and will answer to the Great Judge in judgment day, nevertheless, whether honest or dishonest, they have been given authority to pass judgment. It is not however, this type of judgment with which people who attempt to use Matthew 7:1-2 in their defense, have a problem.
The judgment that so many protest is the rebuking (speaking sharply to/against) of their sin. The Bible, being the example and final authority on the Christian faith directly answers the question of whether Christians should make such judgments.
And when he (Moses) went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove (fought) together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore (why) smitest (hit) thou thy fellow (neighbor)? And he said, Who made thee a judge over us? (Exodus 2:13-14)
Later in Exodus we read:
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people... (Exodus 18:13)
Moses was justified to tell his Israelite brother about his wrong as he himself was not guilty of such wrong. Moses did not mistreat his brethren and then attempt to rebuke the same behavior in someone else. Moses, on the other hand, had vehemently defended an Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian (Exodus 2:14), therefore, he was not the hypocrite to which Matthew 7:1-5 speaks.
In Galatians 2:11-14 we read:
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I (the apostle Paul) withstood (criticized) him to the face (to his face), because he was to be blamed (he was wrong). For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before (in front of) them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
The apostle Paul, not being guilty of the wrong that Peter was, had authority to judge even another apostle, Peter, in this way.
Paul's teaching on this subject is of great enlightenment for several reasons. We see his examples as a judge in Galatians 2:11-14, and we see it again in 1 Corinthians 5:3-5:
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may ("may" not "will") be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
You might say: Paul was an apostle and therefore had greater authority to make these judgments. Yes, the authority to deliver to Satan belongs exclusively to the Lord, as does all judgment, but God's Word explicitly and repeatedly commands that His servants, the saints, actively participate in the ability to judge; the ability and authority that we have received from Him and that is exercised under His control. To not allow God to use us in this way is to sin against Him.
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. It is so, that there is not a wise man among you? No, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (1 Corinthians 6:1-5)
We cannot judge in disputes without being willing to point out wrong deeds that have been done. Did this authority belong only to apostles? How can we sensibly make such a statement when we have just read in the above scripture: ...Set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. Are the apostles the least esteemed in the church? Of course not. Also, Paul tells all believers to follow (imitate) him, as he followed (imitated) Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)
We learn that Christians do not make themselves look good in the eyes of God by refraining from the stern reproof (rebuke) of sin. How can the rebuke of sin be so unappealing to a Christian who claims faith in the very One who came to destroy sin? (1 John 3:8).
Through Paul we also learn that our judgment of the unrepentant is not the same as that of those who claim to be of the household of the Christian faith. Paul said:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother (claims he is saved) be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
Does this mean that Christians should not rebuke the sin of the unsaved but only that of those who claim they have received salvation? Of course not. Remember that to judge not only means to decide in disputes, or have an opinion/judgment about, but also to actually go so far as to pronounce sentence/punishment. Paul pronounces sentence on the disobedient brother in the faith in 1 Corinthians 5:3-5. This is a form of judgment taken a step further than simply telling someone about their sin/wrong. Christians are to speak sharply against sin, irrespective of whether the guilty party is a member of the church or not but the passing of sentence is restricted to taking place within the household of faith. Regarding the world as a whole, the rebuking of sin is a judgment that the Christian is commanded to do.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (rebuke) them. (Ephesians 5:11)
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly (disobedient)... (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou (you) givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (Ezekiel 3:18)
Finally, let's look at a verse in the book of Romans.
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4)
On the surface this scripture appears to contradict all that has just been said, therefore, let's take a closer look. Beginning at verse two of the same chapter of Romans we read:
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise (look down on) him that eateth not: and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (Romans 14:2-3)
The fourteenth chapter of Romans is referring to the literal eating of certain foods/meats. Some Jews who became Christians were not used to the freedom of being able to eat pork and other animals that had been declared unclean, and did not agree with the Gentile Christians who continued to eat them. Likewise, there were Gentile Christian converts who looked down on Christian Jews who refrained from the consumption of such animals as pork and thereby not enjoying the freedom they had in Christ. The above scriptures teach us that neither the Christian Jew was to scorn the Gentile believer for eating unclean meats, neither was the Gentile believer to scorn the Christian Jew for not eating because both were accepted by God. Furthermore, scripture explains that if the Christian Jew still saw the pork as unclean, then to him it was unclean, and he should not eat it against his conscious (Romans 14:23), the same rule applied to the Gentile.
Some will try to make this eating and the reference to meat symbolic of actions or non-food things. The fourteenth chapter of Romans is very literal! Some Christian Jews were bothered by the fact that their new Christian brethren among the converted Gentiles ate what was still unclean to them. In this same manner, some Gentile Christians were bothered by the fact that their Christian Jewish brethren still rejected the eating of animals who had been declared unclean in the Old Testament. Each were to have consideration for the other. The Gentile Christian was not to use his freedom to eat all meats if it caused harm to the faith of the Christian Jew nor was the Christian Jew to allow his restrictions on eating to harm the faith of his former Gentile Christian brother or sister. The kingdom of God is more important that our freedom to eat meat or our beliefs regarding the rejection of the formerly unclean meats. Brethren in Christ who truly love one another will not place enjoyment of freedoms nor adherence to restrictions above the love of Christ; the love we are commanded to have for the brethren. The words clean and unclean refer specifically to animals and to the people they represented in Old Testament times, namely the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-35, Gen. 7:2, 8, Lev. 11th chap.)
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock (interference with one's salvation) or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth (thinks) any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved (bothered by) with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably (lovingly). Destroy not him (his faith) with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:13-17)
As God does not allow His servants who eat all meats to judge those who reject the meats declared unclean in Old Testament times and vice versa, neither does He allow the judging among His servants regarding chosen days for worship (Romans 14:6, Colossians 2:16). Again, notice that the fourteenth chapter of Romans which spells out the areas in which a servant of God is not to judge another, is not speaking about sins against God but rather about each servants personal relationship with the Lord in the areas of meat eating and observance of sabbath days.
Exercising our freedom to eat pork and other animals that were declared unclean in Old Testament times compels us to understand the impact that this freedom can have on the health of the physical body. Click HERE to study this further. (coming)
The Case Of The Judging Christian
(Part II-Coming)
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Notice how the passages that speak of people being filled/baptized with the Spirit, talk of their speaking in tongues and/or of a visible sign of such baptism, either in that same passage or in another, that relates back to individual being mentioned (Acts 2:4, 10:45-46, 19:6). Acts 8:18 is the only scripture that doesn't say that the people spoke in tongues, and also that does not say in another part of the Bible that these people spoke in tongues. Acts 8:18 says: And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.
Take notice that this scripture says: when Simon saw that the Holy Ghost was given. The Bible tells us that the Spirit of God is invisible (1 Tim. 1:17), so by the word 'saw', we know that there was a visible manifestation of the baptism of these people in the Spirit. Are we to say that the evidence could have been something else like falling to the ground or shouting praises? No, because if it was usual for the baptism of the Spirit to be manifested in a variety of different ways, how could Simon have been so sure that they had received the Holy Ghost? He affirmed with no doubt that they had been baptized in the Spirit, and he was correct as the Bible says. If the sign of the baptism can be any type of manifestation, he could not have been certain whether they had received the Spirit or whether they were simply praising God like anyone can do whether they have been baptized or not. Simon was sure of his affirmation because he knew of the unchanging sign of having received the baptism in the Spirit--speaking in tongues. On this note, we also have to ask if speaking in tongues is simply one of the spiritual gifts distributed by God, why did all of these people in all of these scriptures (Acts 2:4, 10:45-46, 19:6), receive the very same gift, at the time they received the baptism? Why does this particular spiritual 'gift' show up in scriptures that speak of someone being filled with the Spirit? Why does nobody ever receive any of the other gifts?
Another problem that can't be explained away with calling speaking in tongues a spiritual gift, given only to some, is that Jesus Himself declared that all who believe on Him will manifest the sign of speaking in tongues. He said: And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17). We can't translate a sign into a spiritual gift.
Still another problem that can't be answered by calling speaking in tongues a spiritual gift is the fact that the Bible speaks of two kinds of speaking in tongues. There are the tongues that are natural native languages spoken by the nations of the earth as seen in Acts 2:4, and there are the tongues that are a heavenly language that no man can interpret without God because they are not a language to man, but only to God (1 Corinthians 13:1). Notice that all of the spiritual gifts listed in Corinthians have one purpose, one main goal--the edification of the church. This is precisely why the book of Corinthians gives explicit instructions on how tongues are to be handled in the church. There must be an interpreter or the person that speaks in tongues is to be silenced or speak quietly to himself (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). The church's failure to keep this commandment has caused much harm. Again, the gift of tongues is for the edification of the church.
There is another type of tongues which is speaking in a heavenly language (1 Cor. 13:1). Paul explains that this is when an individual is in private communion with God which is not the edification of the church but rather that of the individual. Often the person is alone or speaks to himself (quietly) while in the congregation (1 Cor. 14:28). This is personal communication with God that is not the business of anyone else. There is no interpretation but the one that God gives directly or indirectly only to the person with whom He is dealing. Again, this is not edification of the church. This is edification of that particular believer. Edification of the church is the addition of souls to the family of Christ, as we will see later, as well as the upbuilding of the whole assembly of the saints such as through prophesy (1 Cor. 14:22). This is why Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:13-15, speaks of the need for the individual to pray for understanding of what he is speaking in tongues so that this move of the Spirit on him is fruitful, meaning it builds or edifies his spirit man. The one kind of tongues is for the edification of the church and thus requires a separate interpreter. The other tongues is for the edification of the individual believer and thus the believer himself may be the interpreter (1 Cor. 14:13). There's a big difference here. Only the people in Act 2:4 can be said to have manifested not only the sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit but also the gift of tongues because they edified the church at the same time they were baptized in the Spirit. In other words, their speaking in tongues preached the gospel to unbelievers who were around (Acts 2:4-41). All of the heathens that believed on that day, were added to the church, about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41). This is the church's edification. This is how it is supposed to be. The Bible says: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not...(1 Cor. 14:22). This is being on fire for the Lord. Sadly, most churches can’t speak of the addition of 3,000 souls to the family of Christ within a lifetime. This is in part due to the stubborness of man against God, predicted in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-4), but it is also due to the Church’s failure to be filled with the Spirit to the overflowing that runs over to others.
Believing that speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift that not all will receive also presents a problem in light of the scriptures. For one, if we say that we may not have been chosen to receive that gift and therefore if we never speak in tongues, it must not be God’s will; what about at least the sign of tongues that should follow every single believer? (Mark 16:17) Also, in additon to the sign of tongues as a believer, we are commanded to seek after all of the spiritual gifts. We are directly told to be zealous of the spiritual gifts, to yearn after them so that we may be used of God in the growth of His church. If we do not hunger for and seek after souls for Christ, we are not operating fully under the Spirit. Paul said: Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church (1 Corinthians 14:12). Paul, later, even tells us to covet (desire) earnestly, the spiritual gifts. He cannot be any plainer in trying to get this point across. He said: But covet earnestly the best gifts and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:31). The more excellent way is the complete way of God which leads to the winning of souls. Prophecy is the best gift of all (1 Cor. 14:39). We read Paul saying: ...Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy...(1 Cor. 14:39). 'Covet' is a direct command. This is God’s Word telling us what to desire. Please do not misunderstand me to mean that we should seek the gifts in the way most people would think of this mandate. We are not to just long to prophesy any chance we get. We are to seek earnestly, with all of our might, the Giver of these gifts, with the mindset that we do not want any belief, thought, hindrance, misunderstanding, misinterpretation, doctrine, tradition, fear, or anything else to interfere with being a wide open vessel for the gifts of God to His glory. It is to this that Paul is referring as the 'more excellent way'. Also, most people misunderstand the receiving of gifts to be something permanent. The gifts of God are operational only when His Spirit moves and according to His will. A servant of God may manifest the gift of healing at one time, and the gift of prophesy at another. Spiritual gifts are not something we walk around with. They are, simply put, the manifestation of God’s power at any given time, in any place. We see this in scripture with the people filled with the Spirit in Acts 2:4. The sign of their filling with the Spirit, speaking in tongues, was manifested, but also the spiritual gift of tongues was seen because remember, God used them in the edification/growth of His church on that day. The only reason they did not need an interpreter is because they were speaking languages that the people who overheard them, understood. Below is food for thought on this subject:
MAN-I don’t believe in speaking in tongues. BIBLE-And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. Mark 16:17
…Forbid not to speak with tongues 1 Corinthians 14:39
MAN -According to Acts 1st and 2nd chapters, speaking in tongues is only used to preach to people of a foreign language.
BIBLE - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels. 1 Corinthians 13:1
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2
Man-I don't believe in tongues because I don't believe you should be in confusion about what you're saying.
Bible -Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 1 Corinthians 14:13
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also... 1 Corinthians 14:15
For God is NOT the author of confusion... 1 Corinthians 14:33
Man -You automatically receive the Holy Spirit at Salvation.
Bible -If this is true, why did Jesus tell His already saved apostles to WAIT to be endowed with power from on high (the baptism of the Holy Spirit)?
In Acts 1:4 Jesus said: ...wait for the promise of the Father which saith He, ye have heard of (from) me.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you… Acts 1:8
Acts 19:2 says: He said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
These are only two of the scriptures that plainly demonstrate that it is possible to be saved, to have received the Holy Spirit at salvation and yet be without the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Man -I don't like the idea of speaking in tongues because I'm afraid I, or the other person may have received this from the devil.
Bible -If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:11-13
Man -Tongues were just for the day of Pentecost, they have ceased in our day.
Bible -Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease, whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
This verse is not referring to the spiritual gifts, which includes tongues. ‘That which is perfect’ is not the complete, written Scriptures. This would mean that knowledge and wisdom, also spiritual gifts, would be done away with, and we know this is not so. That which is perfect is the second coming of Christ.
Man -Speaking in tongues is a sign of fanaticism.
Bible - And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. Mark 16:17
Man -People are just magnifying themselves when they speak in tongues.
Bible -For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Acts 10:46
Man -I am embarrassed and ashamed to speak in tongue.
Bible -For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when He shall come in His own glory and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26
The Operation Of The Holy Spirit
The Bible also teaches what the operation of the Holy Ghost is in the life of the believer thus opening our eyes to the need to be baptized in Him.
He guides us into all truth.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth... St John 16:13
He gives us power to witness.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
He assures us that we are the children of God.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Romans 8:16
He makes intercession for us.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities (weakness), for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
He enables us to bear the fruit (not fruits) of the Spirit.
But the furit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance... Galatians 5:22-23
He gives us what we should say when in situations in which we would not know how to answer others.
But when they deliver you up, (hand you over to be persecuted) take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your father (the Holy Spirit) which speaketh in you. Matthew 10:19
He brings to our remembrance the words of our Lord Jesus. Jesus said:
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance. St John 14:26
Just as we are to be obedient and be baptized in water, (Acts 2:41, Matthew 3:16) we are also to be baptized in the Holy Ghost.
...Be filled with the Spirt Ephesians 5:18
John (the Baptist) answered saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water but one mightier (Jesus) than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire. Luke 3:16
Follow-up to this article will expound on the difference between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the baptism with fire.
Send us your comments/rebuttal to this article
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The word 'hallow' means holy or sanctified, therefore, hallowed means glorified. The Bible clearly states that God’s name is Holy. The Bible not only tells us that God's name is a holy name but that one of His very names is the capitalized and proper name of 'Holy'.
For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy (Isaiah 57:15). Therefore to curse, to blaspheme, to use His name in vain or to disrespect His name was to do all these things to Him! What are we really saying to God when we pray "Hallowed be thy name?'
To 'hallow' is a verb, so to 'hallow' something is to make it holy, to sanctify it and/or to glorify or magnify it. Now, how is it that God’s name can be sanctified and glorified when it cannot be anything less than holy in the first place? His name is Holy already. Why then did God say:
I will be santified in them that come nigh (near) me. (Leviticus 10:3)
How can it be that His name will be something that He already is? God hallows (sanctifies/makes holy/glorifies) His name through His salvation. What does this mean? Remember, the Lord Jesus Himself is His salvation (Luke 2:25-30). Let’s get an understanding of what the Bible means when it talks about the right hand of God. This is essential to understanding the power of Jesus.
Since mankind is made in the image of God, we know God has arms and legs and hands. When I used to read about God saving His people by/with His right hand, somehow I thought that meant that God was reaching down with His right hand in some spiritual way to save His people. I did not understand the real meaning of what His right hand truly is or more precisely, who His right hand truly is. Did you know that the 'right hand' of God is not speaking of His right hand as in His right and left one but rather about the very Person that sits at His right hand? When people say "He is the right hand man of Mr. So and So," they’re not talking about the physical body part. Rather, they are speaking of an actual person that is always close to Mr. So and So and who is his equal. In this manner, Jesus is the right hand and equal of the Father. Jesus is also referred to as the ARM of God. We read:
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided (Exodus 14:21)
We know that this scripture is in reference to the exodus of the children of Israel out of Egypt. Notice that this scripture says that it was the Lord who did this. Now on this note, we read:
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord and spake saying… (Exodus 15:1)
In the song that Israel sang to God, its stated exactly how the Lord split the waters of the sea. The Lord breathed through His nosrils on the sea and divided the waters. This is why Israel sang that He is fearful in praises, doing wonders. Jesus breathed on the waters of a sea and split them.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they (the Egyptians) sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Exodus 15:8-9, 10-11)
Okay now, we know that the Lord’s breathing through His nostrils not only blasted the waters open for Israel but also pounded the waters down upon the Egyptians so hard that:
...they sank as lead in the mighty waters (Exodus 15:10)
Now, it is clear to us that God did not reach down with His physical right hand but rather He blew through His nostrils. However, notice that Him and His right hand are worshipped and praised, not His nostrils.
Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. (Exodus 15:6)
This is the part of the song they sang of the one who sits at the right hand of God the Father. This One is Jesus, God the Son. Now remember also that this song of praises, they sang also to the Father (Exodus 15:11).
Before His coming to earth in the flesh. Jesus is revealed in shadows and types, nevertheless, He is revealed. This is just one of many instances in which God the Holy Spirit moved upon His people to trust in, obey, praise and worship God the Son along with God the Father. The right hand of God is and has always been the Savior of them that obey and love Him.
...he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand (Psalm 20:6)
...save with thy right hand... (Psalm 60:5)
Thou hast a mighty arm; strong is thy hand and high is thy right hand. (Psalm 89:13)
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand and his holy arm hath gotton him the victory. (Psalm 98:1)
The right hand of the Lord is exalted, the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly (mightily). (Psalm 118:16)
A body part cannot be exalted. This applies only to a person. Remember also that the Bible says:
The Lord hath sworn by his right hand and by the arm of his strength. (Isaiah 62:8)
Hebrews 6:13 lets us know that His right hand and His arm refers to the Lord Himself (in the person of God the Son).
For when God made promise to Abraham because he could swear by no greater, He sware by himself. (Hebrews 6:13)
The Son Himself tells us that He is in the position of the right hand of the Father. Jesus said:
Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. (Luke 22:69) We also read:
...It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God... (Romans 8:34)
...Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)
The last thing to prove is that the right hand of God is His Father’s equal. We’ll be looking at the thirteenth chapter of Zechariah, but before we do, let’s get a definition of the word ‘fellow’ because we will need it to really understand what this verse is saying.
A dictionary of the English language tells us that 'fellow' means 'man', 'comrade', 'counterpart', 'of the same group'. These are some of the meanings given for this word and that apply to the usage of it in this particular context. By the definition of 'man', we know we are talking about a person. By the definition of 'comrade', we know we are talking about an associate and/or a companion. And lastly, by the definition of 'counterpart', we know we are talking about a man of equal status, power and authority. The very definition of the word 'counterpart' is 'complement or equivalent to another', 'duplicate'. This is why we call the rulers and leaders of other countries, the counterparts to our own president. They govern other nations but they have just as much power over the countries they rule as our own president has over the United States. They are thus equals and fellows to our president. Now let’s read this verse which is found in the book of Zechariah.
Awake, O Sword, against my shepherd and against the man that is my FELLOW, saith the Lord of hosts: smite (kill) the shepherd... (Zechariah 13:7)
In this scripture, God the Father is sending the sword of His judgment on God His Son in payment for our sins. He gave commandment that Jesus would be slain to atone for mankind. He called a man His FELLOW! He calls the man being referred to in this scripture, His equal, His counterpart. Now we know that this man is a man because this is what the scripture says. However, we also know that he is not and cannot be a mere man. He must be more than a man because otherwise he could not be God’s equal. This is not speculation. This is biblical. God said:
To whom will ye like me and make me equal and compare me that we may be like? (Isaiah 46:5)
God also said that He is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33) and so He is not contradicting Himself when He calls this man in Zechariah 13:7 His FELLOW (EQUAL). What this is, is yet another scripture teaching us that the Word (St. John 1:1) came to earth to live wrapped in the flesh of a man. You can see that in the Gospels, Jesus calls Himself, the Son of man. Now, in returning to the meaning of 'Hallowed be thy name', remember we had said earlier that God hallows His name by His salvation, His right hand. We ask again, how is it that God can hallow or in other words 'sanctify' (make holy) His already sanctified name? We are going to take a look at just a few of these scriptures that talk about the sanctifying of God’s name by His salvation (right hand). You'll want to take notice as to what is going on in these scriptures and at the end we’ll sum it all up.
When the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it (made it unclean) by their own way and by their doings: Their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman. Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it. And I scattered them (ran them out of their land) among the heathen (unbelievers/idol worshippers) and they were dispersed through the countries according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. And when they entered unto the heathen (came to live in the land where idol worshippers lived), whither (wherever) they went, they profane (blasphemed/disregarded/cursed) my HOLY NAME when they (the heathen) said to them, these are the people of the Lord and are gone forth out of his land (Ezekiel 36:17-20).
In this passage we are reading about the profanation (cursing) of God’s name. We must be so very careful in the words we speak because we can bless and we can also curse God’s name simply by what we say! This is what is happening in this passage. The heathen people are looking at the pitiful state God’s chosen people are in and as if they are shaking their heads and thinking "You call these pitiful people the people of God who is supposed to be so mighty and loving, shame on that God of theirs." Although Israel’s disobedience brought on her pitiful state, God was not going to allow His name to be blasphemed like this. We read:
But I had pity for mine HOLY NAME, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen whither (wherever) they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but FOR MINE HOLY NAME’S SAKE, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I WILL SANCTIFY MY GREAT NAME, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be SANCTIFIED in you before their eyes (Ezekiel 36:21-23).
God is saying what He is going to do to preserve His name. This is much like saying what a man will do to preserve his name or ‘reputation‘. We continue:
For I will take you from among the heathen and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field that ye shall receive no more reproach (disgrace/shame) of famine among the heathen (Ezekiel 36:24-25, 28, 30).
The heathen people will see this marvelous work for Israel by their God who will restore them. They will then know that it was the Lord’s doing and not that of man or idols. They will see that the people that God chose (Israel) will always be His chosen and no matter how low they may sink even from their own disobedience, they will never be forgotten as a whole by the true, living God. They will witness God’s marvelous working of His will. They will learn to fear the God of Israel and they will cease to say that God doesn’t take care of His people. God will take His people from the lowest depths and cause them to rise above those that looked down on them because of their lowly situation. Spiritual Israel (all believers in Christ) is now included in the hallowing of God’s name. The hallowing of God’s name is God’s own defence of His 'reputation'. He will make His name to be respected. He will bring low every high thought against Him. This is why in this passage, God says:
I will sanctify my great name... (Ezekiel 36:23)
We see in this salvation of Israel by his right hand that God's name is hallowed. You can read more about the hallowing of God’s name in the 29th chapter of Isaiah, verses 14-23. Remember also that the Egyptians had no respect for the God of Israel and therefore enslaved them and refused to let them go. Upon seeing the pitiful shape of God’s people, they saw no need to fear or have regard for God's holy name. Again, we see God’s response to this. He would teach the Egyptians to fear Him. He would teach them not to look down on His people because of their pitiful state because He will raise them back up again by the might of His right hand. This is the hallowing of His name. We read:
Lift thou up thy rod and stretch out thine hand over the sea and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians and they shall follow them: And I will get me HONOR upon pharaoh and upon all his host. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotton me honor upon pharaoh. (Exodus 14:16-18)
Indeed, not only was His name hallowed among the Egyptians but throughout the earth as well, as the news spread of the marvelous salvation of Israel from the Egyptians. God told Moses to tell pharaoh this:
...I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. (Exodus 9:16)
Again, this is the hallowing of God's name. Let us pray with understanding as we pray to God saying "hallowed be thy name". He has caused us, in His mercy, to cease being heathens and made us to become part of Israel through obedience to His right hand. (Galations 3:28, Romans 2:28-29)
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