Why are the Scriptures Authoritative is a question that each person should search out an answer for himself. What makes the Bible anymore authoritative than the Koran or any other religious document? I will give you my three reasons why, for me and my house, the scriptures are the sole authority.
First, there are the Wonders of the Bible. It was written over a period of 1500+ years. It was written by 40+ different authors, but speaks about God (and a wide variety of other controversial subjects) with a consistency that sounds like One voice. It has been persecuted and yet preserved throughout time. It has wielded incredible influence on people groups all over the world.
No other book can match these wonders, even though some have tried. I can’t site any specific examples (somebody “in the know” help me here) but I have heard of experiments on college campuses where they have tried. They would take 20 professors and give them a title to this new book to be written. They would give them the chapter titles of this 20 chapter book. Then send them to different locations, each professor to blindly write his own chapter. When they compiled all the chapters together, the book would never read as one book and very often contradicted itself many times.
Second, I sometimes still compare what I believe to what others in the world believe. Just to make sure I have a good reason to believe what I believe. When I compare Christianity to other religions there is one glaring difference that Christianity has that no other religion has. I could travel today to Mecca and visit the enshrined tomb of Mohammed. I could travel to China and visit the enshrined tomb of Confucius. I could travel to India and visit the enshrined tombs of Buddha, whose body was cut into many pieces and sent to many parts of India. But I can’t travel to Jerusalem and visit the enshrined tomb of Jesus Christ. He is not there. He is a risen Lord and Savior. Therefore, the historical resurrection event gives authoritative credibility to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ gave His authoritative credibility to the scriptures that we call the Old Testament. Jesus Christ’s Apostles gave their authoritative credibility to the New Testament scriptures. Therefore, I must view the scriptures as authoritative.
Where did Jesus give authority to the scriptures? This is an excellent question you ask. You would probably miss it unless someone pointed it out. I sure did. Go to Matthew 23:35 and Luke 11:51. In these parallel verses you will find the phrase “…from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah…” Abel’s death is in Genesis and Zechariah’s death is in 2 Chronicles. Genesis is the first book of the Jewish Bible and 2 Chronicles is the last book in the Jewish Bible. Theologians say, Jesus was giving credibility to the Jewish Bible by using this reference in His comments. He excluded all of the Apocrypha, all of which was in existence at that time. The Jewish Bible is the same as our Old Testament, with the books arranged in a different order.
Third, anything that is “true” has an inherent authority. Much of the scriptures have been proved to be historically “true” by sources outside of the Bible. Also, they have been proved to be “true” by those who believe them and have experienced the life changing power of Jesus Christ in their lives. A plethora of books have been written in support of the above two statements.
You can read this same post here.
That is why I think the Scriptures are authoritative.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Proof That God Exists
The proof is in the pudding. I can not prove God’s existence to you, but you can prove it to yourself by tasting and knowing that the LORD is good.
WHERE TO BEGIN
First, you must allow for the possibility that a Creator God exists. Gen 1:1; Heb 11:6
Next, you need to understand that this Creator God is hiding Himself. Is 45:15
Also, you need to understand that anyone who seeks Him will find Him. Matt 7:7-8
But, you must seek Him with your whole heart. Psalm 119:2
HOW DO I SEEK HIM WITH MY WHOLE HEART?
Set apart sometime each day for the next 30 days. Begin by asking God to reveal Himself to you. Then read the bible verses below. Do this first thing in the morning and the last thing just before bed. Expect God’s word to begin to change you from the inside out. Notice it when you find yourself being more Loving, Joyful, Peaceful, Patient, Kind, Good, Faithful, Gentle and Self-Controlled. This change, from the inside out, (merely by getting the anointed word of God inside you) is your proof. If you didn’t notice a difference in yourself, then ask people around you if they notice a difference. You may be in for a big surprise. Think this is non-sense? Then try it and prove me wrong.
DAILY READING
Please God, reveal yourself to me.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Acts 20:21
(therefore) repent toward God and (have) faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12
for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Gal 2:21
for if righteousness could be gained through the law, (then) Christ died for nothing.
Gal 2:16
(but we know) that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ,
James 2:26
(For) as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Matt 7:12
(Therefore) do unto others as you would have them do to you: for this is the sum of the law and the prophets.
2 Cor 10:5
(and) bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ;
Galatians 5:22-23
(and demonstrate) the fruit of the Spirit (which) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Rom 1:16
(and be) not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes.
Matt 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything (Jesus) has commanded you.
John 14:21
He who has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by MyFather and I too will love him and show Myself to him.
WHERE TO BEGIN
First, you must allow for the possibility that a Creator God exists. Gen 1:1; Heb 11:6
Next, you need to understand that this Creator God is hiding Himself. Is 45:15
Also, you need to understand that anyone who seeks Him will find Him. Matt 7:7-8
But, you must seek Him with your whole heart. Psalm 119:2
HOW DO I SEEK HIM WITH MY WHOLE HEART?
Set apart sometime each day for the next 30 days. Begin by asking God to reveal Himself to you. Then read the bible verses below. Do this first thing in the morning and the last thing just before bed. Expect God’s word to begin to change you from the inside out. Notice it when you find yourself being more Loving, Joyful, Peaceful, Patient, Kind, Good, Faithful, Gentle and Self-Controlled. This change, from the inside out, (merely by getting the anointed word of God inside you) is your proof. If you didn’t notice a difference in yourself, then ask people around you if they notice a difference. You may be in for a big surprise. Think this is non-sense? Then try it and prove me wrong.
DAILY READING
Please God, reveal yourself to me.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Acts 20:21
(therefore) repent toward God and (have) faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12
for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Gal 2:21
for if righteousness could be gained through the law, (then) Christ died for nothing.
Gal 2:16
(but we know) that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ,
James 2:26
(For) as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Matt 7:12
(Therefore) do unto others as you would have them do to you: for this is the sum of the law and the prophets.
2 Cor 10:5
(and) bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ;
Galatians 5:22-23
(and demonstrate) the fruit of the Spirit (which) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Rom 1:16
(and be) not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes.
Matt 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything (Jesus) has commanded you.
John 14:21
He who has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by MyFather and I too will love him and show Myself to him.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Purpose of Prayer
I have been struck recently by the phrase “The Power of Prayer.” In my humble opinion there is no power in prayer. The power that exists, exists solely in the Creator. Prayer is merely the way to tap into that power. The purpose of taping into that power is not so that we can get what we want. That would be us misusing His power for our selfish desires. The real purpose of prayer is to align our desires with His desires. That way we will be working with and for our Creator and not find ourselves working against Him.
Does this mean we can’t ask for things? Absolutely not! Our Creator wants us to bring our desires to Him. By voicing our desires in prayer we become aware of not only what we desire but also other possible out comes. We can then search these possible outcomes to find ways in which the Kingdom of God can be advanced. Advancing the Kingdom of God should be our priority, not advancing our own agenda. Pray then that God will put a desire in your heart to do what it is He wants done. Aligning our will with His will is the ultimate goal of prayer.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
One Minute Devotional for Atheists
I have decided to enlist Atheists to help me in my quest of encouraging Christians to read their Bibles. Hope you enjoy.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
It Has Something to do with…
We do not understand everything about why God heals sometimes and sometimes He does not? Why sometimes He heals instantly and other times He heals progressively? Why He heals often in response to one believer’s prayer or command and not at all to another believer’s prayer or command?
What we do know is that it has something to do with…
Prayer and Fasting
Matt 17:21
21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
NKJV
Believing in Christ
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
NKJV
Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
NKJV
Belief
Matt 17:19-20
"Why could we not cast it out?"
20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
NKJV
Faith
Matt 9:21-22
22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.
NKJV
Matt 21:21-22
21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
NKJV
Study
2 Tim 2:14-16
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
NKJV
Memorizing Scripture
John 15:7-8
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
NKJV
Obedience
John 14:23-24
23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
NKJV
Dieing to Self
Luke 14:27-28
27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
NKJV
Witnessing
Acts 1:8
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
NKJV
Laying on Hands
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
NKJV
Asking in God's Will1 John 5:14-15
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
NKJV
Ask and CommandMatt 18:18-20
18 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
NKJV
Matt 21:21-22
21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
NKJV
For the Purpose of Increasing People's Faith
John 11:14-15
14 Then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sake, I am glad I wasn't there, because this will give you another opportunity to believe in me. Come, let's go see him."
NLT
Not for Your Own GloryLuke 10:17-20
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
NKJV
Your Part
Now you know your part. Stick to your part and trust that God has the big picture and He knows when the healing will do the most good and will heal right on time.
Rom 8:28-29
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
NLT
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Jesus as a Man, Operating With The Anointing of the Holy Spirit
We know that Jesus is God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
NKJV
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. NKJV
So it is not surprising that God could do the miracles that Jesus did. What is surprising is that when Jesus left Heaven to come to earth, He left His Godliness there.
Phil 2:7
7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;
ASV
Anoint – to put on as in oil.
Isaiah says that the Messiah would be ANOINTED with the SPIRIT OF THE LORD.
Luke 4:18-19
18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." NKJV
Therefore, He did not minister as the Son of God, but as a mere man anointed by the Holy Spirit.
If Jesus had been ministering as God manifested in the flesh, would God have needed to be anointed? Who is going to anoint God?
Peter confirms this.
Acts 10:38
38(even) Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. ASV
Here is the point, Jesus operated as a mere man anointed by the Holy Spirit. We are merely mankind anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said to them,"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, we can operate just as Jesus did. Jesus even says so, very plainly.
Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them ASV
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ASV
John 14:12
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater (works) than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. ASV
Why can’t we operate as powerfully as Jesus? He was given the Holy Spirit without measure.
John 3:34
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for he giveth not the Spirit by measure. ASV
Therefore, He healed ALL.
Matt 4:23
23 And Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness among the people. ASV
Therefore, by implication and by Philips example, we are filled with the Holy Spirit with measure.
Acts 8:7
7 For (from) many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. ASV
Some still argue that this is not for us today, but just for the Apostles that were with Jesus. If so they disagree with Peter.
Acts 2:39
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." NKJV
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful
This is what I see the Bible says about requesting, "Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful."
Who does the Baptizing?
Luke 3:16
He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
How do we receive the Baptism?
Luke 11:13
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
What is the sign of the Baptism?
Acts 2:4
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Holy Spirit was given to the Jews and to the Gentiles!
Acts 10:45-46
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Is speaking in tongues for today or was it just in the beginning because there was no Bible written yet?
Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Is speaking in tongues ALWAYS present at the Baptism?
Acts 9:17-18
"Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
Speaking in tongues is not mentioned in Paul's baptism, but did he eventually speak in tongues?
1 Cor 14:18
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
Did they all speak in tongues?
1 Cor 14:4-5
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues,
No.
Could they all speak in tongues?
1 Cor 12:4
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Therefore, if you have the Holy Spirit, then you have all the gifts available to you.
I have the Holy Spirit, why don't I speak in tongues?
James 4:2-4
you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?
1 Cor 14:4-5
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself
I know I have to ask and I know to ask so that I may be edified and thus live unashamedly for Christ so that others will be attracted to the Christ they see in me, now what?
Matt 21:22
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Here is my take on how to say Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful.
When you go into prayer, sing some praise songs, or pray some praise verses. Then ask God to bring into your mind any unconfessed sin that may block your communication with Him. Be still and let things come to mind. Confess them, ask for forgiveness, place them under the Blood of Jesus Christ, and then forgive yourself.
This may take a while: possibly, more than one prayer session. If the same sin comes to your mind again, then rebuke it by saying, I already confessed you. I am already forgiven for that one. Don't come back to my mind again.
Once your mind has calmed down and no more sins are coming to mind, then ask God who He wants you to pray for. Names of people should start to come into your mind. Pray for them as they come in.
This may take a while: possibly, more than one prayer session. Once the names stop coming into your mind, say Lord now I wish to pray but nothing more is coming into my mind, so I want to pray to You from my spirit.
Then (OK, I AM GOING TO SAY IT) begin to babble (THERE I SAID IT.) Yes, begin to babble.
Now I am going to take it by faith that the Holy Spirit will take my feeble attempts to be biblical by speaking in tongues and be able to edify me and magnify God with my efforts.
Just as when I asked Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of my life, I did not feel anything spiritual happen. I just trusted that the answer is YES.
Just as when I asked Jesus Christ to baptize me in the Holy Spirit, I did not feel anything spiritual happen. I just trusted that the answer is YES.
Then when I ask the Holy Spirit to edify me and magnify God through my speaking in tongues, I am trusting that the answer is YES.
So we may all say, Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful.
Who does the Baptizing?
Luke 3:16
He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
How do we receive the Baptism?
Luke 11:13
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
What is the sign of the Baptism?
Acts 2:4
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Holy Spirit was given to the Jews and to the Gentiles!
Acts 10:45-46
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Is speaking in tongues for today or was it just in the beginning because there was no Bible written yet?
Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Is speaking in tongues ALWAYS present at the Baptism?
Acts 9:17-18
"Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
Speaking in tongues is not mentioned in Paul's baptism, but did he eventually speak in tongues?
1 Cor 14:18
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
Did they all speak in tongues?
1 Cor 14:4-5
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues,
No.
Could they all speak in tongues?
1 Cor 12:4
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Therefore, if you have the Holy Spirit, then you have all the gifts available to you.
I have the Holy Spirit, why don't I speak in tongues?
James 4:2-4
you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?
1 Cor 14:4-5
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself
I know I have to ask and I know to ask so that I may be edified and thus live unashamedly for Christ so that others will be attracted to the Christ they see in me, now what?
Matt 21:22
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Here is my take on how to say Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful.
When you go into prayer, sing some praise songs, or pray some praise verses. Then ask God to bring into your mind any unconfessed sin that may block your communication with Him. Be still and let things come to mind. Confess them, ask for forgiveness, place them under the Blood of Jesus Christ, and then forgive yourself.
This may take a while: possibly, more than one prayer session. If the same sin comes to your mind again, then rebuke it by saying, I already confessed you. I am already forgiven for that one. Don't come back to my mind again.
Once your mind has calmed down and no more sins are coming to mind, then ask God who He wants you to pray for. Names of people should start to come into your mind. Pray for them as they come in.
This may take a while: possibly, more than one prayer session. Once the names stop coming into your mind, say Lord now I wish to pray but nothing more is coming into my mind, so I want to pray to You from my spirit.
Then (OK, I AM GOING TO SAY IT) begin to babble (THERE I SAID IT.) Yes, begin to babble.
Now I am going to take it by faith that the Holy Spirit will take my feeble attempts to be biblical by speaking in tongues and be able to edify me and magnify God with my efforts.
Just as when I asked Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of my life, I did not feel anything spiritual happen. I just trusted that the answer is YES.
Just as when I asked Jesus Christ to baptize me in the Holy Spirit, I did not feel anything spiritual happen. I just trusted that the answer is YES.
Then when I ask the Holy Spirit to edify me and magnify God through my speaking in tongues, I am trusting that the answer is YES.
So we may all say, Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful.
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