The recent plane crashes in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia were both tragic events with a large loss of life. Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones in the two crashes. We all know that our family and friends are precious to us and their loss can be crushing and we want comfort from someone who understands the pain from this loss. The Bible gives us an example of someone who suffered such a loss and how they dealt with the loss. The prophet Job lost his entire family in a wind storm (Job 1:18-19), yet he remained faithful to God (verse 21) because he knew that God had the power to resurrect his family. In Job 14:14 he states “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my release should come.” Job knew that eventually they would be resurrected and that he would see them again. The prophet Isaiah stated, “Thy dead shall live, their bodies shall rise, O dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for Joy!” (Isaiah 26:19). Furthermore, Jesus gave us a beautiful promise that soon “…the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come forth” (John 5:28, 29). This hope of resurrection is something we can all look forward to.
Finally, the promise from God is that “He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8) which means that death will eventually end. This is the hope that God gives to all of us.
Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs; does not gloat over other men’s sins but delights in the truth. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope and its endurance.
The Weymouth translation of verses 4 – 7:
“Agape is patient and kind. (It) knows neither envy nor jealousy. (It) is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited. (It) does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize itself, nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. (It) finds no pleasure in injustice done to others, but joyfully sides with the truth. (It) knows how to be silent. (It) is full of trust, full of hope, full of patient endurance. Agape never fails.”
The Moffatt translation of verses 4 – 7:
Agape is very patient, very kind. (It) knows no jealousy; makes no parade, gives itself no airs, is never rude, never selfish, never irritated, never resentful. (It) is never glad when others go wrong, (it) is gladdened by goodness, always slow to expose, always eager to believe the best, always hopeful, always patient. Agape never disappears.”
The Phillips translation of verses 4 – 7:
“This agape of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. (It) has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails. Agape knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.”\
I Corinthians 13
DO’S
DONT’S
BIG TAKEAWAYS
Love is patient
Love is not jealous
Love never fails
Love is kind
Love does not delight in evil
The Greatest of these is love
Love always protects
Love does not boast and is not proud
I Cor. Love Test—Replace “Love” with your name
Love always trusts
Love does not
Love always hopes
Love is not rude
Love always perseveres
Love is not self-seeking
Love rejoices in truth
Love is not easily angered
Love keeps no record of wrongs
Love is giving with no thought of getting. It is tenderness enfolding with strength to protect. It is forgiveness without further thought of the thing forgiven. It is understanding of human weakness, with knowledge of the true man shining through. It is quiet in the midst of turmoil. It is trust in God with no thought of self. It is the one altogether lovely, the light in the mother’s eyes, the glory in the sacrifice, the quiet assurance of protection.
It is in the expectation of our Father’s promise coming true. It is the refusal to see anything but good in our fellowman. It is the glory that comes with selflessness and the power that comes with assurance of the Father’s love for His Children. It’s the voice that says “no” to our brother, though “yes” might be more easily said. It is resistance to the world’s lust and greed, thus becoming a positive law of annihilations to error.
Love….the one thing no one can take from us…the one thing we can give constantly and become increasingly rich in the giving. Love can take no offense, for it cannot know that which it does not of itself conceive. It cannot hurt or be hurt, for it is the purest reflection of God, Good.. It is the one eternal, indestructible force for Good. It is the will of God, preparing, planning, proposing always what is best for His universe.
SOMETHING REALLY WORTH HAVING
I Corinthians 13:4-8 paraphrased and explained
“Love is patient and kind…”
Yes, even after having said something again and again and again, love doesn’t explode, stamp its feet, or toot its horn. It accepts that all humans stumble and fall. Instead of accusing: “Yes always…”or “You never…” it avoids judgment and searches for opportunity to be constructive. It is cheerfully interruptible, and never too busy to just listen.
“Love is never jealous or envious….”
It doesn’t have to compete, control others, or be defensive. It is not petty or insecure or afraid to let go. It doesn’t suffocate or smother, clutch or cling. It trusts others and gives them the right to be different and free.
“Love is never boastful or proud….”
It doesn’t parade, over-dress, leave big notes or drop big names. It is in no hurry to say “I did it” or “Where would you be without me?” Love doesn’t demand a pat on the head or a round of applause. It’s not afraid of losing face, and is quick to say “I’m sorry—my mistake” or “I blew it—please forgive me.”
“Love is never haughty or selfish or rude…”
It is courteous, never pushy, able to give way, happy to say “Thanks!” It doesn’t need to be first, in front; it isn’t blunt, doesn’t butt in or shoot off its mouth. It accepts and cares about itself in a healthy, responsible way and treats others with the same respect.
“Love does not demand its own way….”
It doesn’t pout, bully or blackmail other. It doesn’t threaten “ I won’t be your friend,” “I won’t pay with you anymore,” or “I’ll take my ball and go home.” Not seeking control, it says “Let’s do this together!” It seeks to encourage others without shoving or shouting, leaving them room to grow.
“Love is not irritable or touchy….”
It does not snap or snarl, or give others the silent treatment. When it climbs out of bed on the wrong side, it tries not to spread its mood over neighbors. It knows and accepts its own limits, and makes others feel better about theirs.
“Love does not hold grudges….”
It doesn’t compile statistics, keep the score, or chalk up words of anger. It isn’t easy to offend, forgets hurts, doesn’t seek revenge, and refuses to build walls that shut people off from each other. It chooses to forgive, presenting it to others the gift of a new start.
“Love is never glad about injustice…”
It never cheers when someone is found lacking or gloats when someone goes down. It won’t paint over the cracks, sell the truth, or water it down for some personal advantage. It doesn’t stand passive while someone gets a rotten deal, but goes out of a limb to see that right is done.
“There is nothing that love cannot face…”
It can cope with the unwanted, the unplanned, the unpleasant, the unchangeable, or the unending. It never shouts: “This is the last time…! Or “If you do that again…!” or “I’m not going any further…!”
“Love never stops believing, never gives up hope, always endures…”
Love persists and doesn’t quit no matter how dark the issue or bleak the outlook. It says what it means, means what it says, and outlasts, outruns, and outlives anyone or anything anywhere.
“Love will never come to an end…”
It really is the answer. It’s the only thing that works when nothing else will. After other remedies have withered away, wound down, or worn out, love with wisdom will still be manifest.
“God is love…”
And this kind of love is God’s. Maybe He can help us become the lovers he wishes us to be.
Faithbuilders Fellowship
From A Most Excellent Way of Love July-Aug 2022
1 Corinthians 13 is the Apostle Paul’s wonderfully thorough description of agape love—how it is manifested through actions, endurance, tolerance, and restraint.
He says, first, that love is patient. We are all uniquely different and even those who we are close to, such as our family, spouse, coworkers, and Christian brethren, say things or behave in ways that can surprise or irritate us. Love should direct us to be patient and accepting of these differences.
When these differences or irritations stress our patience to the limit and we feel we must say something, love should operate to restrain us from speaking sharply. Thus, love is kind in its expression.
Love is not jealous. It does not envy what others have or enjoy. Agape love at its core is about seeking and doing what is good for and what will bless others even at personal expense or loss. In providing the Ransom, both God and Jesus demonstrated this. Jealousy and envy are the opposite of agape. We should be on high alert to notice any tendency to be envious of the relationships, possessions, or opportunities of others.
Love does not brag and is not arrogant. Love should prevent us from flaunting the special deeds we have done or successes we have. Sometimes, this is very hard to do when you have done something special for another person or you have a personal success, and the other person seems not to notice or appreciate it.
Love is not ill-mannered. It is not rude. Love directs us to act and speak appropriately and discreetly in all situations regardless of the actions or words of others.
Love is not selfish. It is so easy in our stressful lives to think first of “what I need.” But if love is controlling our heart, it will direct us to look out for the interests of others first.
Love is not easily angered. Love will not assume that the occasional unpleasant mood or comment of another is a personal attack or criticism. With love fully in control, such occasions will not turn into arguments or sharp exchanges.
Love does not keep a record of wrongs others do. It will not “keep score.” Love will forgive a wrong suffered and reject the temptation to bring it up at a later time.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Love should prevent us from gloating over the wrong or failing of others. Love will remind us that “I also have faults,” and direct us to notice the good in others and rejoice in it.
Love endures all things. It will endure through the misunderstandings and hurts that occur in any and every relationship. It will cover over these things in the hope that a resolution to problems can be found, at least eventually. The important thing is to never let your heart become hardened toward another.
Love always trusts. It takes the statements and actions of others at face value. It does not read hidden motives into what others say or do.
Love’s hope never fades. It always hopes for the very best. Love’s hope for positive outcomes or the resolution of problems continues on even when evidence for it is scarce.
Love always perseveres. Love can outlast every possible difficulty.
Paul’s final statement about love is that it never fails. Just like God’s word never fails to accomplish what He desires (Isaiah 55:11), agape, which comes from God, never fails. God’s love outlasts the waywardness of humanity. His love will succeed in rescuing mankind from the brink of utter failure.
They speak the truth at all times and in all places (Eph. 4:25)
They are good listeners (James 1:19)
They hardly take offense (Rom. 12:17-19)
They are quick to forgive (Col. 3:13-14)
They are reliable (Psa. 125:1)
They are supportive (I Thess. 5:11)
They have an appetite for prayer, spiritual songs and fasting—abstaining from all evil (Eph. 6:18; I Thess. 5:22)
They rely on the Word of God (Psa. 119: 105; John 17:17)
The more God lifts them up, the more they become humble (I Peter 5:6; Phil 2:3-4)
They hardly defend themselves (Rom. 12:14,19)
They are quick to repent—remorseful (James 5:16; Psa. 66:17-19)
They seek peace and pursue it (Psa. 34: 14; Matt. 5:9)
They love people and they are compassionate (Gal. 6:10; Gal. 5:14)
They know when to talk and when to be quiet (James 1:19; Prov. 17:28)
They are full of wisdom in many aspects of life (James 3:13; Prov. 3;5,6)
They respect people and are very sensitive to people’s feelings (Phil.2: 3-4; Gal. 6:10)
They have a lot of patience and they are not short tempered (Gal. 5:22-24; II Peter 1:3-10)
They fear God (Acts 9: 31: Ii Cor. 5:11; Psa. 19: 8-9) They give honour where it is due
They are content with what they have (I Tim. 6;6.7; Phil. 4:11; I John 2:15-17)
They have good leadership skills ( I Cor. 4:1.2; I Peter 4:10)
They are hospitable (Rom. 12: 9-13)
They are not carried away by all kinds of teachings or doctrines (II Tim. 2:15-18; Eph. 4:11-14)
They are good followers (Gal. 5:16; I Cor. 11:1)
They have a sacrificial spirit (Psa. 50: 5; Rom. 12:1,2)
They don’t gossip and look down on people (Col. 3:8,9; I Peter 2:1)
They have faith and are ever trusting God (Jude 20, II Peter 1:5)
They take part in church meetings regularly (Heb. 10:24, 27)
They are clean in every aspect of life (John 15:3-5; 17:17)
Their spirits are sensitive, they hate sin (Gal. 5:22-25, Eph. 4:31)
They don’t act holier than others(Gal. 5;26; I Cor. 8:1; Prov. 3:7)
They don’t compete with others to be a leader, an evangelist, a pastor, a general overseer, a worker in the church (II Cor. 10:12-13; Matt. 23:11-12)
Ask yourself: Am I a consecrated fellow? II Cor. 13:5 “Examine yourself to see whether you are still in the faith; test yourselves….”
I pray that God gives us the grace to identify and work on our weaknesses. Let’s not be deceived, make amends now continue judging ourselves now that we are alive to make it RIGHT—so that the privilege to reign with CHRIST be given.
The rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948 was a miracle of history. Never before has a nation been destroyed, its people dispersed to the ends of the earth and then—nearly 2000 years later—regathered to its homeland and re-established as a nation.
The re-establishment of Israel in the land of their ancient fathers is one of the events to be expected in this end time—the time in which the Lord returns. (Matthew 24:32) The Jews of faith are to be planted upon “their land,” the land which God says He had given them, the land which He had promised to Abraham saying, “Lift up now thine eyes and look from the place where thou art…for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.” Genesis 13:15; Amos 9:15
God’s providential overrulings are many but here are a few of them:
1) Acts 5:18,19–an angel of the Lord let them out the prison–it shows that the preaching work will not be stopped and an angel will be used to spread the Gospel.
2) Acts 5:34-39 that the Lord used Gamaliel to prevent the Pharisees from stopping the spread of the Gospel
3) Stephen (Act 7:57-60) was not spared as the others as his faithfulness to death would be used to bring Paul into Christ.
3) There is a pattern of Christian growth of the church at the beginning and unhindered and then at Stephen’s death it brought persecution and further spread the gospel into Samaria and toward Gaza. There would be peace after Paul left for Tarsus(Acts 9:31)
4) Jesus chose the right place and moment and circumstance to reveal himself to Paul that would change his life–it was perfectly timed. Damascus was away from Jerusalem and these activities were away from Jerusalem and the apostles.
5) The Lord prepared the heart of Ananias and prepared him for the news of Saul’s conversion and knew he would be obedient after his concerns were addressed about Paul.
6) A thought from Br. Shallieu: the Lord overruled that one of brethren lived near the wall in Damascus when he was lowered down from the wall (he gives the example of Rahab living near the wall to be let down and they would go to Rahab’s house for refuge.(Acts 9:25)
6) The Lord provided peace in Judea and throughout all Israel(Acts 9:31).so Peter could heal and resurrect and help in the conversion of the Cornelius. Peter traveled throughout the country and went in the direction of Mediterranean Sea. The Lord clearly overruled that he decision to go in that direction as the Lord overruled that he goes in this direction as he would demonstrate God’s power through the healing of Aeneas from his palsy, raising Dorcas from the dead. Because he was at Lydda, he was not far from Joppa to awaken Dorcas and he was not far (2 days journey) from Caesarea). He was not far so he could be there to open up the key to the Gentiles.
7) Acts 9:43—Simon the tanner—tanning was considered unclean so the Lord was preparing Peter by staying with a brother who was done unclean work.
8) Acts 10: 1-4 Cornelius was praying and giving alms so his contact with Jews must have caused him to compare the Roman gods to the God of Israel and he saw how they worshiped Him and tried to do the same. He probably knew about angels as he was recognized it was an angel immediately (Acts 10: 3,4) Cornelius was realizing that God was rewarding him providentially, but prayer were to know the way and the truth.
9) Acts 10:4-6 alms and prayers as a memorial is the same word as meal offering(Lev. 2.1,2)
10) Acts. 10:5—angel told him to send his servants and a devoted soldier to Joppa so he could tell his family and friends to come to his house when Peter arrives and will receive the Holy Spirit. He had great influence on his family
11) Acts. 10:6–double witness and confirmation—two Simons—Simon Peter and Simon the tanner
12) Acts 10:7,8—Cornelius sent his servant and a devout soldier—shows how strong his influences was on his family. He conveyed to them the importance of the mission explained it with conviction and zeal to Peter to come back and to come speedily , came to Peter with great zeal, knew he should be respected
13) Acts 10:9—When they were approaching the city, Peter was on the housetop praying and it says he was hungry and saw a vision of clean and unclean animals
14) Acts 10:15,16–Peter puzzled why God said Rise and eat. The sheet of animals was repeated three times, three witnesses. All creature are provided by God—all creatures are good (I Tim. 4.4) The sheet is called the vessel—Noah’s ark is called a vessel. Bothe contain clean and unclean animals. In both, animals represent human beings clean and unclean.
15) Acts 10:17-18—Peter is in doubt about the vision, when the men arrived.
16) Acts 10:19-20—spirit tells Peter to go down and go with the men as He had sent them
17) Acts. 10:21-22 Men lodged and they with 6 Jewish brethren (Acts 11:12) went with him to Caesarea—important to have Jewish witnesses.
18) Acts. 10:24—morning after (Day 4 of their journey) they entered Caesarea (40 miles one way) He gathered his family and friends and showed his faith. He fasted.
19) Acts. 10:28-29—Peter showed his obedience and submission by going quickly and without verbal rebellion or questioning even though he was perplexed
20) Acts 10:30—wanted to know why Cornelius asked for him (repeated for a 2nd or 3rd witness (man in bright clothing—angel)).
21) Acts 10:36—God is no respecter of persons, has 1) reverence for God, 2) worked righteousness—right heart condition.
22) Acts 11: 22-26—when the Gentiles were coming in Antioch in the gospel, the Lord overruled that Barnabas be selected and he teamed up with Paul in the work.
23) Acts 11:27-30 Agabus prophesying was overruled so the disciples could help provide for the brethren in Jerusalem before the famine struck possibly wiping out the church in Jerusalem.
24) Acts 12: 7-11 Miraculous Escape from Prison by an Angel—Peter escaped and left the city Peter needed more experiences.
25) Acts 12:20-23 Herod’s Death and increasing and spreading the word
26) Act.13:2—while fasting and praying the Holy Spirit indicated that Barnabas and Saul be use for further service to the Gentiles and other lands.
27) Acts 13: 6-12—the Jewish sorcerer tried to stop the work but Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and causes him to be blind for a time which was a great witness to Sergius Paulus, the proconsul. The Adversary was trying to stop the work but the Lord wanted it to go on.
28) Acts 13:15 Paul’s sermon was similar to Stephen’s sermon.
29) Acts 13: 48 Gentiles received it and Barnabas and Paul left as they did not put the believers in more difficulty
30) Acts14:1,5—In Iconium Jews and Gentiles believed and left when they were going to stone them and so again not cause difficulty for the new believers. It also causes them to witness to the surrounding areas and Lystra and Derbe
31) Acts 14:6—10 In Lystra the lame man had faith to believe that he will be healed and this is a great witness to all and many believed.
1. In the Old Testament, God killed the people for their sins, and God was cursing the people for their sins. According to the book of Genesis, we were created by God in his image. But these sins and curses have come from God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, so sin entered into this world. But for God to kill the people, curse the human beings, and destroy all the animals and plants is this not a sin to Him? Why is it not a sin to God? Is sin only for human beings and not for God?
2. Genesis Chapter 7 – The Great Flood.
In this great flood God destroyed all the human beings, animals, birds, and even the vegetation which were living on this earth, except for Noah’s ark and the animals and birds saved by Noah. God was thinking that this world had sinned, so he must destroy all those things. However, God did not destroy the earth, sky, moon, sun, and stars.
God did not destroy Satan and his sinful activities in the floods. Why? Then again, along with Noah’s family, sin again entered into this world. What was the use of this great flood?
Answers:
Our perspective first is that we have total trust in the Father’s perfect character. He is the standard of love, wisdom, justice and power. We should consider it not a thought to even attempt to ever judge his motives or character (Isa. 55:8-9, Eze.18:24-28, Isa. 11:2-4, Luke 6:37). We are reminded in Genesis 18:23-25 that when God had informed Abraham of his decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham did not understand why. He respectfully pleaded with God to save them if he could even find as few as 10 righteous. God allowed this negotiation as a lesson for us. God’s wisdom, justice and love was reinforced by the fact that Abraham could not even find 10 persons. Only Lot and his immediate family were rescued (and we would add, based upon Lot’s behavior, his character was even corrupted). We say God showed his love in that he destroyed the people to save them from reaching such a deterioration of character that their heart condition might never be redeemable or teachable.
God knew that human death was not final. Understand that the death of disobedient human beings is not eternal. It only becomes so by the end of the Millennial Kingdom. The scripture is clear that all (both good and bad) will be resurrected (John 5:28-29, 1 Cor. 15:22). Those that are faithful to God receive a better resurrection (spirit nature). To all others, they receive a resurrection (to a terrestrial nature) of teaching, development and testing – often called judgment (mistranslated damnation) in scripture – which ends with the great white throne of judgment (Rev. 20:11, Matt. 25:31-46). This is the whole purpose of Christ’s Kingdom (millenium). This is so that ALL will have the opportunity to everlasting life whether in heaven as spirit beings or those on earth in an Eden-like world free of sin. Understanding this resurrection power and intent was the whole reason that God recognized, in Abraham, faith in God’s character and word, which was the driving force for Abraham to initiate the sacrifice of his son Isaac (Gen. 22:2). Because Abraham had ultimate faith in God, he was willing to sacrifice Isaac, knowing that there was a future resurrection (Gen. 22:11-12). This promise was fully realized in time, by the actual sacrifice of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God. In recognizing Abraham’s faith, God made a promise that he would bless him and multiply his descendents (Gen. 22:16-17). Prior to this, his name had been changed from Abram to Abraham and God made a covenant that he “shall be the father of a multitude of nations” (Gen 17:4-6).
Just as parents at times spank or punish their children for disobedience, we do so for their teaching, testing, and growth so they may be able to have the experience to make the appropriate or right decisions as they mature. So too, God is allowing us as mankind to learn the lessons of sin and death. Not just because he is the most powerful being that exists or that he is in control, but because he loves us! (Prov.13:24, Prov. 22:15, Prov.10:13)
He wants what is best for us and wants us to fully understand good and evil before mankind is actually and finally on trial for his life. Since we are unique, created in his image and must ultimately exercise our own free will, he wants to ensure we make our choices having understood all the effects and consequences of our decisions. If mankind rejects his ways at the end of Christ’s Kingdom reign, man will have no excuses or defense. Attached is a link to an article explaining the issues regarding God allowing evil at this time. https://chicagobible.org/permission-of-evil/
Regarding the great flood, we are told in scripture that the world had become most sinful and violent. (Gen. 6:11-13) Most of this is because the genetic make-up of mankind had become perverted and distorted by the hybridization of man with angelic beings who had left their spirit natures and materialized in the form of super humans. They began to have off-spring with human women (Gen. 6:2-3). These super-human hybrids were called Nephilim. By intermingling with the human species, there had become very few lines of pure human DNA that was in Adam. The result of the influence of these rebellious angels and their offspring was that they thought in their hearts about evil all the time (Gen. 6:5-6). There is speculation that these may have also interfered with or experimented with God’s creation and perverted animal and or plant life as well. We are told that only Noah was “perfect in his generations.” We know that Noah was up-right and walked with God. We think the scriptural implication is much deeper, however, that Noah’s family DNA or genetic make-up was purely human being, NOT corrupted by angelic DNA.
God decided in his wisdom that he would destroy all the corrupted life on the earth. He would provide an ark, a means to preserve the good during the judgment of the evil, in order preserve the life of the good and re-establish mankind on earth. These Nephilim, not being human, would be completely destroyed for eternity (as God had not created them nor intended them to be created). God punished these rebellious angels by destroying their physical bodies as well as their off-spring and putting them in a state of restraint until a time of judgment (2 Pet. 2:4).
Sin was not completely destroyed in the flood, because it was not the right time for mankind to have learned all the necessary lessons of sin and death. God also did not destroy free will in the flood. Since man, even in Noah and his family, was still under the influence of sin in a fallen world, sin was not destroyed. But it will be in time. In Christ’s Kingdom, God’s principles will be taught purely (Zeph. 3:9, Psa. 22:29-31, Psa. 85:13, Psa. 98:9). During that time, Jesus and his church will rule, teach, and develop the hearts of all mankind (Ezek. 11:19, Ezek. 36:23-27). Sin and death will not be destroyed completely upon the earth until God’s plan is complete and everyone of free will has been justly judged for eternal life or death after the resurrection during the millennium. Then the curse of sin will be defeated and death destroyed along with it forever (Rev. 20:14-15).
Is it okay for an Adventist pastor to baptize a member whose name is from a Hindu God? We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and are called by name by God. How would God look at someone with a Hindu name?
Answer:
Although names can be full of powerful meanings and have generational or cultural significance, we believe a name given by ones parents has no literal bearing upon whether God would decide to call that person into divine relationship, whether that person would answer the call, or whether we as servants or pastors of God can determine if one should or should not consecrate themselves to God in baptism merely based upon their name.
Let us be clear here, anyone who would perform a baptism in the name of God (representing him in this spiritual ceremony – Psa. 63:4) has a duty and responsibility to ensure the one being baptized fully understands the significance and the meaning of the vow they are about to make (Psa. 61:5) and somewhat interpret the heart of the one making the consecration unto God, so as to ensure it is not done out of irreverent fear but of love for God and by an earnest desire to have a spiritual relationship with him. It would not be appropriate for a pastor NOT to baptize one who exhibits the right heart condition and sincere desire to become a child of God merely because of some worldly or traditional reason as one’s given name (Rom. 8:38-39).
When one consecrates to Jehovah as evidenced in baptism, one becomes a new spiritual creation (2 Cor. 5:17). His old ways, character, and personality begin to conform and change to the principles and character of God through his Holy Spirit, his written word and the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. The old things of that person are forgiven him (Gal. 6:15). God sees him in a new and different way regardless of what the world sees. In this Gospel age, we are given a new name by God, a spiritual name (Rev. 2:17) and that name is written in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:12). From the point of baptism on, we make a new name for ourselves among mankind as well. Not by changing one’s literal name, but by one’s character and growth in spirit and the reflection of the love of God toward those around us (Isa. 62:2). God will use those consecrated ones as living stones to build his spiritual temple for the blessing of all mankind (Rev. 3:12). All other concerns do not matter, for one baptized will make their own name known before man and God (Prov. 10:7).
In scripture, names are used and have meaning to educate us to principles God wanted us to learn. The literal therefore represented the spiritual lesson. We see that Abram’s name was changed by God to Abraham (Gen. 17:5). We see that Saul’s name was changed to Paul (Acts 13:9). We see that Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter (John 1:42). In these instances, a spiritual truth was shared with us. It was not that their name changed or that we should change our names once baptized, their character, faith, or reverence toward God changed. None of those men changed physically, they were the same person as before. But they changed spiritually. That is what gives them a new name. Today, we do not need the example of changing a name or worrying about one that may have earthly meaning, we have the word of God. Our name becomes new because our mind becomes new. We take on the mind of Christ.
Pastors baptizing called ones with names of Hindu gods has no spiritual effect, as those gods are not the living God, Jehovah. What is important is the new spiritual name those baptized are given and if their name is written in God’s memory. Let all of us live up to that new name, and unto the one who called us (1 Cor. 7:17-19).
Achan admitted that he sinned against God and told Joshua everything about his sin, but God did not excuse him. Why?
In the 24th and 25th verse, Achan was the only person who sinned against God. But all his family members, including his sons and daughters were punished or sentenced to death by stoning. Why did this happen?
Were Achan’s animals also stoned to death? If animals are innocent and they don’t have the knowledge of sin, then why did God punish Achan’s animals?
In this world and at Joshua’s time, there are so many people who are not believing Jehovah. Why does he not take any action on other people who are not believers of Jehovah?
Why did God’s mighty power not spread all over the world?
Answer
We must begin by setting the context that the Jews and Achan were under the Law Covenant (of Moses) at the time. We will remind you that with Joshua, the newly appointed earthly leader of the Jews, they had just spent 40 years in the wilderness for the sins of only a portion of the people. Not all had revolted and worshipped idols while God was giving Moses the law on tablets. Not all grumbled when they had no meat (Num. 11:4-5), water (Exod. 17:2), or the comforts of Egypt. But the whole nation (all the Jewish people) was subject to the correction and judgment that God had imposed upon them, both obedient and disobedient. Another example was the serpents which God allowed to terrorize the people (Num. 21:5-6). He did however offer relief for those with faith to trust in God when they viewed the standard with the copper serpent affixed to it.
Achan had sinned against a specific prohibition God had directed. The spoils from Jericho were devoted to God and his sin was against God and was most grievous (see 1 Sam 2:25). God wanted his people to be pure, separate from sin and to possess the land set aside purely for them (Exod. 19:5-6, Exod. 33:16, Deut. 14:2, Deut. 26:18).
God had structured each military engagement as a teaching tool and example for the people that he was the one giving them the victories and guiding their way. They were to follow the law and his instructions completely to every jot and tittle (Lev 18:23-30). Achan disobeyed and in fact did not come clean and tell the truth until it was obvious, even to his family who had seen the riches and material. They also did not say anything, nor rebuke or exhort Achan to give back the riches. Achan was the leader of his family along with his wife who was somewhat in collusion as she had to know of the ill-gotten loot as well. In Jewish culture, Achan would have been responsible for teaching obedience and the principles of God and the Law to his family. If the teachings from which all in the family receive their education in character is corrupted, will not those exposed to it be corrupted as well? (1 Kings 15:26, 22:52) God was trying to keep the people pure and had already given specific elements of the Law to the people. The sole purpose was to “cut off sin from among the people” (Num 15:31). The animals and material wealth of Achan had also been perverted by disobeying, taking what is God’s, and intermingling the animals and goods with his own. Thus was Achan introducing “leaven” into what was meant to be an “unleavened” people, a peculiar people, a separated people. The loss to Ai damaged the faith of the people and caused the deaths of many Jewish soldiers. God always deals with sin.
As far as the innocent animals or people (children), recall that in the great flood, all things that breathed upon the earth except those within Noah’s Ark perished. That included children, animals, etc. We must trust God’s wisdom, judgment, and love to determine when he thinks mercy will not help or would be detrimental. We see that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was actually a mercy because of their gross wickedness. One point that should also be raised is that human beings’ death is never in vain. The scripture is clear that all (both good and bad) will be resurrected (John 5:28-29, 1 Cor. 15:22). Those who were good will have a resurrection of life and those that are evil will have a resurrection of pure teaching, development and testing. This is the whole purpose of Christ’s Kingdom (millenium). This is so that ALL will have the opportunity to everlasting life whether in heaven as spirit beings or those on earth to everlasting life in an Eden like world free of sin. God created man in his image, not animals. God will always provide for life on earth and will ensure the earth endures forever (Eccl.1:4).
