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QUESTION
Where
do so many get the idea that the "SOUL" is some kind of immortal spirit, when the word "naphesh" means a breathing physical body?
ANSWER
The translators of the KJV actually translated several different words, into the English
word "soul". While the Hebrew word "naphesh" does mean; a physical body, the Greek word "psuche"
means; breath or a spirit, or it can also mean a physical body. For clarity and accuracy, the word "soul"
should always be looked up in a good Hebrew English or Greek English dictionary, such as Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.
Even then the sense of the matter may often only be learned by the context. This issue has caused much confusion and students
should be aware of the problems.
While humans do have spirits (see the DEATH
AND RESURRECTION page). Those spirits are not immortal, but may be destroyed by God, Mat 10:28. This idea was first
put forward by satan in the garden Gen 3:4 and is a basic component of almost all religions. This lie, that man has
an immortal soul and therefore will never die, is not consistent with the Word of God, for Paul tells us that the soul
needs to be saved from perdition (destruction or death) Heb 10:39.
QUESTION
Was Jesus crucified on a cross or a stake?
ANSWER
The Romans used both crosses
and stakes to crucify victims. This issue is really a distraction from the sacrifice of Christ. It was His sacrificial
death that atones for our sins when we repent, the cross or stake was just an instrument of cruelty, torture and death.
The adoration of crosses directly violates the commandment; not to use any thing or any likeness of any thing for
religious purposes Ez 20:3-5. When one thinks about it, it is also foolish. Would you venerate the weapon that killed
your beloved, or would you desire to remember the lost loved one? To venerate a cross, is to loose sight of the sacrifice
of Christ and the need to turn from sin; to repent. It is to loose sight of the fact that we shall die as well, if we
do not repent of breaking God's commandments. ALL God's people should be focused on Him and His Christ and not
on a vicious and hateful weapon.
QUESTION
What does Ex 20:5-6 mean? Does
God really hold the sins of the fathers against their children?
ANSWER
As children,
the primary influence on us, is the example and instruction of our parents. Much as many of us would like to deny it,
they have a very profound influence on us. Even as adults, we exhibit many of these influences in our thought patterns
and behaviour. A lady I know, once told me that she must admit that the observance of Christmas is not commanded in
the Bible and in fact comes from pagan worship practices. She then went on to say, that she would continue to observe
it, because she wished to do what her father had done and had taught her to do.
Truly the sins of the
fathers continue in their children. For the children are only doing what they have been taught by their fathers!
The key is in verse six. Here God reveals that He will show mercy to all those who LOVE HIM enough, to turn from the
transgression of the law 1 Jon 3:4 and start KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS! We must LOVE HIM enough to turn away from the
sins and errors of our fathers and embrace the LAW AND COMMANDMENTS THAT A LOVING GOD HAS GIVEN US; FOR OUR GOOD!
If we do this and turn to Him he will be MERCIFUL and FORGIVE US.
QUESTION: Is it appropriate for members of the clergy to use high sounding titles; like reverend, eminence,
your holiness or father?
ANSWER: In Mat 23:5-12; Jesus commands us not to call
anyone; father, Rabbi or master and also tells us not to be called by such titles. The context of Mat 23 reveals that
the issue is broader than just those three titles. Jesus is talking about high sounding titles in general. Such
titles tend to inflate the ego of their holders. They also tend to create a sense of awe in others creating a situation
of man worship, as mere men are placed on much too high a pedestal, allowing men to dominate other men, instead of turning
them toward God. Such titles do not reflect the natural humility expected in a man of God. And, they are usually
lies; no man is worthy of reverence (reverend), we have one master, not many Mat 23:10 and in spiritual things, there
is only one Father Mat 23:9. The term Holy Father applies to Almighty God John 17:11, any use of such a term regarding
any man is BLASPHEMY of the highest order.
Jesus Himself, refused to let anyone call Him so much as "good"
for He declared that "there is none good but one, that is, God" Mat 19:16-17. Such men, being
lifted up with pride, have often turned away from God and His commandments. They have been leaning to their own
understanding and teaching for doctrine their own thoughts, their own commandments, instead of the Law of the TRUE
HOLY FATHER Mark 7:6-9.
It does appear necessary to use a certain title, simple to designate who is
the physical guide of the flock. Such a title should be the Biblically sanctioned title of Elder Acts 14:23, or some
other simple designation such as Pastor or Deacon. These are really job descriptions and are not extravagant titles.
QUESTION: When attending Church Functions; is it necessary to wear a necktie to please God?
ANSWER: You may search the Bible from cover to cover and you will find no mention of a requirement to
wear neckties to please God. This is not a commandment of God, but a commandment of men. To please God, we must
keep His commandments and have respect for Him. We should be neat, clean and well groomed, especially in public and
at meetings; to set a good example and to avoid being offensive to others. While we should not judge others by appearances,
we should realize that many people do judge us by our appearance. We should strive to look our best, within our means;
without being ostentatious. Looking our best does not necessarily require wearing neckties.
Today, the necktie
is just a matter of dress. It does come from ancient Roman Legions stationed in the area of Croatia and was worn by
them in honour of the god of war. It was, most definitely, a pagan phallic symbol at that time, but is not considered
a religious symbol today. Those who are bothered by this, should not sear their conscience by wearing this item, for
whatsoever is not of faith is sin Rom 14:23 and without faith we cannot please Him Heb 11:6. Yet, they should not judge
those who do wear ties. Those who have no problem wearing ties, should not judge those who choose not to, for they are
acting for conscience sake.
Scientific studies have shown that wearing ties or collars or anything else around
the neck, too tightly, slightly impedes the return blood-flow from the brain to the heart. This slightly increases blood
pressure in the head and can contribute to such problems as stroke and glaucoma. If you are going to wear anything
around the neck, make sure that it is not tight, but loosely buttoned or tied.
QUESTION:
Why do you not use the phrase, "in God's name" or "in the name of Christ"?
IT should be obvious that when someone is directly quoting Scripture, he is speaking with the authority of
God and Jesus Christ, since all the Holy Scriptures are the Words of God. Whenever anything else is said, it is that
person's own opinions. Far too many people USE the name of God or Jesus Christ in an attempt to lend a certain credibility
to their own opinions. To present one's own thoughts over the name of God, is to TAKE GOD'S NAME
IN VAIN, it is an attempt to USE God's name, to further our own purposes. It is a great SIN,
especially because it involves misleading others and turning them toward ourselves and AWAY FROM GOD! I have too much
AWE and RESPECT for God and His Christ, to do such a thing. I leave it up to you, dear reader,
to decide whether what I say is consistent with God's Word or not. If my words are consistent with God's
Words, they then have authority. If they are not consistent with God's Words, they are so much foolishness.
It is an APPALLING BLASPHEMY for a man to stand up and say that God is speaking to us through
him. We are EXPRESSLY COMMANDED to test the words of all men, whether they be
called apostles or prophets, and to even test the words of the spirits against the standard of the Holy Word of God.
Rev 2:2, Deu 13 and 1 Joh 4:1. The ONLY REASON for anyone to make such a claim, is that he wants us
to refrain from questioning his words by implying that to do so would be questioning God. In so doing, such a man wants
us to DEFY God's instructions; TO TEST EVERY WORD AGAINST GOD'S WORD.
Such men have reached the HEIGHTS OF ARROGANCE and are attempting to lead
us AWAY from God and toward themselves. REJECT THEM!
Why then do we pray
to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ? Because it is the Sacrifice of Christ which covers sin and reconciles us
with the Father. We can not come to the Father except through Christ, for we must be reconciled to the Father
by the shed blood of Christ, Romans 5:6-10. Jesus told us to ask of the Father in His own name, Christ's name Joh
16:23.
QUESTION: Is a daily sacrifice to be started again
and how is it to be stopped?
ANSWER: Most consider the sacrificial system as
done away by Christ and therefore neglect to study it. As a result there is an almost total lack of knowledge or understanding
on the subject. All sacrifices pointed to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The different sacrifices pointed to different
aspects of His ultimate sacrifice. Failure to study these sacrifices results in a lack of understanding and depth of
knowledge concerning the Atoning Work of Christ.
The sacrifices brought by individuals were typical of the sacrifice
of Christ on behalf of individuals. The Daily Sacrifice was typical of His work on behalf of the whole nation!
Individual sacrifices pictured Christ bearing each individual's sins. The Daily Sacrifice pictured Christ as bearing
the collective sins of the whole nation. The bearing or covering of an individual's sins, reconciled a person to
God and permits that person to maintain a relationship with God. The bearing or covering of the whole nation's sins,
reconciled the whole nation to God and allows the whole nation to receive the national blessings pronounced by God for a Godly
nation.
The Daily Sacrifice is about Jesus Christ bearing the sins of the whole nation, thus allowing for God's
blessings on that nation. Before Christ, this was a physical ritual, looking forward to a better sacrifice. Now
it has become a Spiritual matter. The individual sacrifices picture the sacrifice of the ultimate LAMB OF GOD being
applied to each individual REPENTANT sinner and the Daily pictures Christ bearing the sins of the whole nation. The
EZEKIEL 4 AND THE DAILY SACRIFICE page explains this futher and shows how God has blessed Judah for forty years
and the other Israelite nations for one hundred and ninety years. When Jesus Christ stops His bearing of our national
sins, then all God's blessings WILL STOP! Then the "son of perdition" will be set up and the tribulation
will begin. When Christ stops bearing the national sins and therefore stops the national blessings, He will do so because
of the overspreading of our abominations, our national sins. He WILL NOT STOP BEARING THE SINS OF TRULY REPENTANT INDIVIDUALS!
Rather He will CONFIRM HIS MARRIAGE COVENANT WITH THEM, by caring for them as any loving husband would care for his
beloved!
GOD IS GOOD, HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!
The stopping of the Daily
is a spiritual matter. A physical sacrifice might take place, but it is not necessary to fulfill the scriptures.
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