Forgetting the Reformation: On Pictures of “Jesus”

As of recent, I have been reading a book by Own Chadwick, entitled: ‘The Reformation”. I have gained (and am gaining) a deeper appreciation for what godly men (e.g. Calvin, Luther, Zwingli) have fought for. It also provokes much comparison between their time and ours. Theirs was a time of reformation- as is ours. They were fighting to be free from the externalism of the Roman Catholic Church. Today we are fighting against the ritualism of the sinner’s prayer. To add: Idolatry was very much around- images and pictures were very common. When the reformation arrived these idols were removed- sometimes they were sold or smashed (reformed theology has always attempted to take our eyes off of these “distractions” and place them on Christ). In our day, there are those who believe that images portraying "Jesus" (faulty images- of course) are helpful in our devotion to our Lord. I am not one of them. 

First, let me state that these images are inventions of the human mind. There is no biblical description of what Jesus looked like- as a man.

Second, the second commandment forbids us to make visible representations of God (Exodus 20:4,5)

⁴" You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

 ⁵"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Thomas Vincent adds: 

"It is not lawful to have pictures of Jesus Christ, because his divine nature cannot be pictured at all, and because his body, as it is now glorified, cannot be pictured as it is, and because, if it do not stir up devotion, it is in vain; if it do stir up devotion, it is a worshipping by an image or picture, and so a palpable breach of the second commandment."


Thus the argument that "this picture will aid me in my devotion" is not a valid justification. Our devotion ought to be drawn from who Christ is in the scriptures. Not from statues, paintings, or other so called aids. 


The Second Helvetic Confession (a reformed confession) reads: 

CHAPTER IV

Of Idols or Images of God,
Christ and The Saints

IMAGES OF GOD.  Since God as Spirit is in essence invisible and immense, he cannot really be expressed by any art or image. For this reason we have no fear pronouncing with Scripture that images of God are mere lies. Therefore we reject not only the idols of the Gentiles, but also the images of Christians.


IMAGES OF CHRIST.  Although Christ assumed human nature, yet he did not on that account assume it in order to provide a model for carvers and painters. He denied that he had come "to abolish the law and the prophets" (Matt. 5:17). But images are forbidden by the law and the prophets" (Deut. 4:15; Isa. 44:9). He denied that his bodily presence would be profitable for the Church, and promised that he would be near us by his Spirit forever (John 16:7). Who, therefore, would believe that a shadow or likeness of his body would contribute any benefit to the pious? (II Cor. 5:5). Since he abides in us by his Spirit, we are therefore the temple of God (I Cor. 3:16). But "what agreement has the temple of God with idols?" (II Cor. 6:16).


The Heidelberg Confession reads:

Question 96. What does God require in the second commandment?

Answer: That we in no wise represent God by images, (a) nor worship him in any other way than he has commanded in his word. (b)

Question 97. Are images then not at all to be made?

Answer: God neither can, nor may be represented by any means: (a) but as to creatures; though they may be represented, yet God forbids to make, or have any resemblance of them, either in order to worship them or to serve God by them. (b)

In Christ, Awretchsaved

Thoughts From A Former Dispensationalist

Let me preface this article with a clarification. If you are a Dispensationalist reading this blog, please do not take this personal. This is not an attack against you personally. I understand that when something you believe is called into question there is a real tendency to personalize the rebuke. While I am not afraid to mention names and call out the biggest proponents of Dispensationalism, that is not my main intention but sometimes it is necessary. My concern is with with the system itself and I do recognize that you cannot always separate the system from those that propagate it. Again this is not a personal attack on you but if you do find yourself getting  upset then perhaps that can be turned into a good thing. Hopefully you will be provoked into further study of the Word of God and learn from other godly men concerning the system known as Dispensationalism. I fear that it is a system that you were taught and strongly feel to be the most biblical but have not tested it but rather are holding to a tradition that may be blinding you. I pray these quotes from a former Dispensationalist, by the name of Philip Mauro, will stir up some questions and doubts for you to further study.

The following quotes are from Philip Mauro's book "The Gospel of the Kingdom" written in 1927:

"Let it be understood at the outset that my controversy is solely with the doctrine itself; and not at all with those who hold and teach it, or any of them. I indeed was once myself one of their number for so long a time that I can but feel a tender consideration, and a profound sympathy likewise, for all such" (location 14 of 2620 Kindle Edition).


"It is obvious that, in a matter involving truth of God so vital to His entire household, personal considerations must needs be disregarded." (Location 14 of 2620 Kindle Edition).


"It is mortifying to remember that I not only held and taught these novelties myself, but that I even enjoyed a complacent sense of superiority because thereof, and regarded with feelings of pity and contempt those who had not received the 'new light' and were unacquainted with this up-to-date method of 'rightly dividing the word of truth.'" (Location 21 of 2620 Kindle Edition).


"What a slur this is upon the spiritual understanding of the ten thousands of men, 'mighty in the Scriptures,' whom God gave as teachers to His people during all the Christian centuries before 'dispensational truth' (or dispensational error), was discovered! And what an affront to the thousands of men of God of our own day, workmen that need not be ashamed, who have never accepted the newly invented system!" (Location 21-22 of 2620 Kindle Edition)


"According to the new dispensationalism, our Lord and John the Baptist were not proclaiming the near coming of that 'Kingdom of God' which actually began shortly thereafter with the pouring out of Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and which actually was then 'at hand,' but were announcing a kingdom of earthly grandeur for which the carnally minded Jews and their teachers were then (and are still) vainly looking; though the earthy kingdom of Israel is not called in the Sciptures, 'the Kingdom of God,' and though (as now evident0 it was not 'at hand' at all." (Location 36 of 2620 kindle Edition).


"As I continued, however, to study this new system of teaching in its various details, I found there were more errors in it, and worse, than I had first expected; and these, as they became evident to me, I have attempted, by occasional writings subsequently, to expose." (Location 36,44- 2620 Kindle Edition).


"For the object is not merely to expose the errors of twentieth century dispensationalism, but also and mainly to set forth the great, and truly 'fundamental' truths of Scripture which that system has, for those who have received it, either completely obliterated or at least greatly obscured." (Location 44 of 2620 Kindle Edition).


"Finally it is appropriate in these introductory remarks to call attention (as I have occasion to do once and again in the pages that follow) to the striking and immensely significant fact that the entire system of 'dispensational teaching' is modernistic in the strictest sense; for it first came into existence within the memory of persons now living; and was altogether unknown even in their younger days. It is more recent than Darwinism." (Location 50 of 2620 Kindle Edition).


"For the fact is that dispensationalism is modernism. It is modernism, moreover, of a very pernicious sort, such that it must have a 'Bible' of its own for the propagation of its peculiar doctrines, since they are not in the Word of God." (Location 58 of 2620 Kindle Edition).


"First, that we should have in these historical facts a most cogent reason why we should, each for himself, scrutinize this modern system most carefully in light of Scripture; and second, that the above stated fact, of the very recent origin of the system, raises the presumption that dispensationalism is not in accord with the truth of God, and is not to be accepted upon clear and ample proof." (Location 58 of 2620 Kindle edition).


"In concluding  these introductory remarks I would point out that this modern system of 'dispensational teaching' is a cause of division and controversy between those followers of Christ who ought to be, at this time of crisis, solidly united against the mighty forces of unbelief and apostasy; and further that it tends to bring the vital truth of our Lord's second coming into discredit with many, because it associates various speculative details which no scriptural support can be found." (Location 65 of 2620 Kindle Edition).


This warning was given back in 1927! How sad that it has went largely ignored. Perhaps my little peon voice will have the same result, but nevertheless as a servant of Christ and one that was involved in that system and has seen the damage it causes, I cannot remain silent. When I hear that certain books of the Bible are only for the "nation of Israel" and the the "Church" is not part of the New Covenant (not all Dispensationalists take this view) since it was made exclusively with "national Israel" or that there are two "New Covenants"- one for "Israel" and one for the "Church"- I am angered and grieved. It is very difficult to remain quiet and on the sidelines when the people of God are mis-identified and divided they way Dispensationalists have done so. I will say a hearty "amen" to what Paul, a Hebrew of Hebrews, says: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise... For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God" (Ga 3:28–29,6:15–16). Soli Deo Gloria!

For His Glory,
Fernando

Obey Your Leaders

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you"(Heb. 13:17).

Any church member that wishes to make their pastor and elders become discouraged and see the ministry as a burden, then disobey them. Treat them as if they have no authority and have not been raised up, gifted and called by God, to watch over your soul. However, I warn you that to do this is to dishonor, sin against God and to provoke Him. Your pastor and elders are a gift from God to the local body. To disobey them is to disobey God for they act as His under-shepherds. Now of course I am speaking of those that are being faithful in their calling. That is those that are rightly handling the Word of God and preaching the whole counsel of God and who's lives reflect their faith in Christ. Yes, these men are watching over your souls and they will have to account for you before God. Understand, then, that when they preach difficult sermons that may convict, offend, go against your traditions, or challenge your pre-conceived ideas about God, they are doing this because they love Christ and they love Christ's sheep- that means you. They love you so much that they  gladly and willingly give you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, of God's Word. That is what they have been called and commissioned by God to do. They must remain faithful to that. The primary way they lead and protect you is to give the sense of Scripture. It is to open God's Word and read from it and explain it. You must remember that when he speaks out against false teachers and false teaching, he is not doing this for the sake of being contentious. He is protecting you. As a shepherd would defend his flock from a wolf, your pastor and elders are doing the same with false teachers that would desire to take you from Christ. Your pastor must preach Christ and Him crucified and risen, His love and grace, yet he must also watch over your soul and expose false teachers and false teaching that permeate the Church (2 Tim. 4, Acts 29:17-38). If your pastor fails to expose false teachers with their teaching, he is failing as a shepherd.  However, it is usually pastors (and elders) that protect their flocks by preaching the whole truths of God's Word, who are the ones that typically get the disobedience from some in their congregations. The ones most faithful to Christ by keeping watch over your souls, are the ones the most discouraged in the ministry. And if you continue to sin against God by not submitting to His under-shepherd, your pastor will be of no advantage to you. Have you ever observed someone distracted, depressed and discouraged trying to do a job? They don't do it very well. They lack passion, focus and often neglect things. This is the same with your pastor when he gets discouraged because the congregation starts questioning his authority and motives. When people rise up against him and treat him as an enemy instead of God's servant on your behalf. He may smell like a sheep, because he is one, but nevertheless, he is the under-shepherd that God is using to lead and protect you. Love and honor him. Submit to him and let his ministry be a joyful one.

Pastors and elders- remember the calling to which you were gifted and called. Do not fail to preach the whole counsel of God to your congregation. Open the Word of God before them and explain what it means. Do not cower from the difficult issues and subjects. Be patient with your flock as they are patient with you. Do not look to ulterior methods to be more effective in ministry. To do that is to give up your authority. You were called to stand and preach the Word of God. It is the Word of God which is the revelation of God in the person of Christ Jesus. Fail to preach Him, as he Has revealed Himself, is to disqualify yourself. Your own thoughts, opinions and ideas are just that- what you think. But the Word of God is God's testimony of Himself. Preach the Word and allow the Spirit to do the transforming. Also remember to be in the sheep's pen ministering to them on a personal level. A shepherd should know his sheep. We learn that from the Good Shepherd Himself:  "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me" (Jn 10:14). You will make it very difficult for the flock, that has been entrusted to you, to submit to you if you are distant and fail to minster to them on a personal level. Even when you sheep nip at you, do not fail to love them for they belong to Christ. Remember to always preach Christ and be an example for your church. "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake" (2 Co 4:4–5). Love your flock and honor them in leading by example. And never go into the pulpit without the thought that you have to give an account, before God, for the souls of the those you are shepherding.


Finally, we all should: "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith" (Heb 13:7). Soli Deo Gloria!

For His Glory,
Fernando

Some Quotes From O. Palmer Robertson

It is that time of year where I return to my second occupation of mowing lawns. This means my time will be limited in writing blog articles but I will do my best to be faithful in writing them. However, today was a very tiring day for me, so I'm simply going to post some quotes from O. Palmer Roberston in his book "The Israel of God." Hopefully they will be thought provoking and as helpful to you as they have been for me.

"The concept of land that belongs to God's people originated in Paradise. This simple fact, so often overlooked, plays a critical role in evaluating the significance  of the land throughout  redemptive history and in its consummate  fulfillment. Land did not begin to be theologically significant with the promise to Abraham. Instead, the patriarch's hope of possessing a land arose out of the concept of restoration to the original state from which man had fallen. The original idea of land as paradise significantly shaped the expectations associated with redemption" (p. 4).


"In speaking of Israel's land under the old covenant, it is necessary to think in categories of shadow, type and prophecy, in contrast to reality, substance and fulfillment under the new covenant" (p.4).


"AS the Israelites journeyed through the desert, God provided them with manna from heaven, water from the rock, and a serpent on a pole. All these images found their new covenant fulfillment, not in more manna and water, or in a larger serpent on a taller pole, but in redemptive realities that these old covenant forms foreshadowed (see, e.g., John 3:14, 6:51; 7:37; Rom. 15:16). The very nature of the old covenant provisions requires they be viewed as prophetic shadows , not as permanent realities. This principle has great significance when it is applied to the idea of land as experienced by Israel under the administration of the old covenant" (p. 6).


"...the covenant promise of land made to Abraham takes on a much greater significance when it is viewed from the perspective of fulfillment in the age of the new covenant. Now the patriarch's promise is understood to imply that he is heir of the cosmos, not merely the land of the Bible (Rom. 4:13). Because God is Lord of the whole universe, he will fulfill his covenant promise of redemption by reconstituting the cosmos. The blessing of land that humanity first experienced will finally be graciously be given back to him" (p.10).


"The holiness of the land is inescapably related to the fact that the holy God dwelt there...In other words, the holiness of the land is derived from the presence of the holy God. But once his person has been removed, as is implied by the withdrawal of the Shekinah glory in the days before the captivity of Jerusalem, the land is no longer holy and so becomes subject to human devastation" (p.11).


"The possession of the land under the old covenant was not an end in itself, but fit instead among the shadows, types, and prophecies that were characteristic of the old covenant in its presentation of redemptive truth. Just as the tabernacle was never intended to be a settled item in the plan of redemption but was to point to Christ's tabernacling among his people (cf. John 1:14), and just as the sacrificial system could never atone for sin but could only foreshadow the offering of the Son of God (Heb. 9:23-26), so in a similar manner Abraham received the promise of land but never experienced the blessing of its full possession, in this way, the patriarch learned to look forward to 'the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God' (Heb. 11:10)" (p.13).


"Yet many theologians in the present day continue to interpret the promise of the land in the old covenant in terms of its shadowy, typological dimensions, rather than recognize the greater scope of the new covenant fulfillments. Many would view the modern state of Israel as a fulfillment of the promise as it was originally given to the patriarch" (p.27).


" Evangelical Christianity in particular should take care to apply the implications of Pauline theology to the current situation with regard to the land. For Paul emphatically notes that 'if you let yourself be circumcised (an old covenant institution), Christ will be of no value to you at all' (Gal. 5:2). In a similar way, if the promised land of the old covenant becomes the blessed object to be achieved, then it tremendous fulfillment in the new covenant could be missed.To claim the 'city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God' (Heb. 11:10), Abraham had to look past the shadowy form of the promise, which he never possessed, to the realities that could be perceived only by faith. How sad it would be if evangelical Christians who profess to love the Jewish people should become a primary tool in misdirecting their faith and expectation" (p. 31).


This is, perhaps, the best book that I have read on the subject (I'm still reading through it) and I heartily recommend it for anyone seriously interested in the subject. Soli Deo Gloria!

For His Glory,
Fernando

Show Me The Money!

Whenever there is doctrinal disagreement(s) between brothers in the Lord, it isn't very helpful to simply state what you believe certain passages to be teaching. It is often understood that someone has come to a different conclusion on a certain text of the Bible. What I'm asking is that you show me the money! To convince someone else that your particular view is Biblical, that will require you to: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Ti 2:15). I wish to emphasize the rightly handling of God's Word. Simply stringing together a bunch of verses and quoting them is not sufficient. It needs to be demonstrated how you are rightly handling the Word of God. In other words, you're starting off at point Z (your conclusion) and going back to point A (your string of proof texts) to show that your position is the correct one. What your opponent is looking for (or should be) is how you connect the dots and get from point A to point Z.

I have never had anyone say to me- "My position is less biblical than yours but I still think it's right." Of course everyone (those that adhere to Sola Scriptura) starts off with the premise that they're position is Biblical (why else would they hold to it?). Simply asserting that in the discussion is not very helpful. Why is it the Biblical one, while mine is not? Show me the money! Demonstrate for your opponent why your view is to be adopted. The whole goal of the discussion/disagreement is not to win the argument, for everyone goes in to the discussion thinking they already won (why else would they discuss the issue?), but to show why and how you won. And the idea of winning is not in the competitive and arrogant sense but to be understood in the view that your position is the one that comes from a consistent hermeneutic and sound exegesis. It is not really a matter of winning or losing but truth for the glory of Christ and the growth of the Christian(s). Again everyone wants to know how you got from point A to point Z.

It is of the utmost importance to demonstrate that you are rightly handling the Word of truth. Commentating on 2 Timothy 2:15 William Hendricksen writes, "The man who handles the word of the truth properly does not change, pervert, mutilate, or distort it, neither does he use it with a wrong purpose in mind. On the contrary, he prayerfully interprets Scripture in the light of Scripture. He courageously, yet lovingly, applies its glorious meaning to concrete conditions and circumstances, doing this for the glory of God, the conversion of sinners, and the edification of believers" (Baker New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles. New Testament Commentary p.263). Can you be trusted with rightly handing the Word of truth? This is the question that everyone wants to see and know. Show me the money! Chances are if you're wrong in the handling of your proof texts, then you're wrong in your conclusion(s). Or if you start off with a preconceived idea, chances are you are going to go back into Scripture looking for your idea to be supported by it and read this idea back into your proof texts. D.A. Carson writes, "This requires effort—yet no-one can do more than his or her best. There are two requirements—an unashamed approach and a right handling of the word of truth. The latter will reinforce the former. The Greek verb translated correctly handles really means cutting a straight road and suggests straightforward exegesis. This must be the aim of all true teachers of the word. ‘Reading into’ the text what is clearly not there is of help to nobody but is depressingly common" (New Bible commentary ). 


Recently I was sent a personal message, in response to my article "Why I Abandoned Dispensationalism" with    a quotation of Gal 6:16 (and an article on an obscure quotation from Pseudo- Epraem that is presented, by Dispensationalists, to teach an early church understanding of a pre-trib rapture) with an emphasis on the word "and" and a statement that says: "I'm sure you will update your article to reflect these oversights!" Show me the money?! It was never demonstrated for me why I shouldn't understand the word "and" (given the context see my article on Gal. 6:16 here) to be epexegetical or explicative. It was never demonstrated for me that "and" should be understood to be identifying a different group of people ( believing Jews) from the "them" (believing Gentiles) when Paul never made that distinction in the whole Epistle of Galatians! In fact he says the contrary: "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise" (Ga 3:24–29).  What this man did is tell me his conclusion (point Z) and give me his proof text (point A) without connecting the dots in between (the context).

Simply citing proof texts may have duped me in the past and may suffice for some now but I want you to show me the money! I want for you to demonstrate for me that I can trust that you: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Ti 2:15). No one should settle for anything less. Soli Deo Gloria!

For His Glory,
Fernando

El "evangelio" de la prosperidad es falso

Habiendo escrito recientemente sobre el verdadero evangelio. Quiero centrarme en un evangelio falso que parece ser en la mayoría en la comunidad hispana. Definido- la teología de la prosperidad enseña que Dios quiere bendecir a quienes se le acercan con fe, dándoles la prosperidad en riquezas material y la buena salud. Los que enseñan este evangelio falso usan versículos como Juan 10:10.


" El ladrón no viene sino para hurtar, matar y destruir; yo he venido para que tengan vida, y para que la tengan en abundancia"


 El enfoque en el texto de estos profesores se establece en el "en abundancia". Su razonamiento es que la "vida" en este versículo es esta vida- la vida material. El que consiste en las luchas diarias, trabajo, etc.. Luego, lógicamente, la abundancia debe significar bendiciones materiales, en sus mentes. Hay algunos problemas con esta interpretación.


1) El contexto no es compatible con esta interpretación. No hay nada en este capítulo de que Dios quiere que nosotros prosperemos materialmente.
2) Una regla común conocida de la interpretación es que la Escritura interpreta la Escritura. Esta interpretación no es coherente con la totalidad de las Escrituras.

Este parece ser el versiculo fundacional que usan. Si hay otros versículos, estaré más que contento de ayudar. Pero siempre recuerda que las Escrituras son armoniosas. Y ahora por las Escrituras que refutan este falso evangelio :


¹⁹  No os hagáis tesoros en la tierra, donde la polilla y el moho destruyen, y donde ladrones entran y hurtan;
  ²⁰ sino haceos tesoros en el cielo, donde ni la polilla ni el moho destruyen, y donde ladrones no entran ni hurtan, ²¹ porque donde esté vuestro tesoro, allí estará también vuestro corazón." -Mateo 6:19-21


Cuál es tu tesoro? Es Cristo o son las posesiones materiales?


Las Escrituras también nos enseñan acerca de estar satisfechos con lo que tenemos. Es Dios quien nos ha dado estas bendiciones materiales, sin duda. Todas las cosas buenas vienen de la mano de Dios. Pero debemos estar agradecidos con lo que tenemos. Algunos de nosotros en la pobreza y otros que son más  
afortunados.


1 Timoteo 6:7-8⁷ porque nada hemos traído a este mundo y, sin duda, nada podremos sacar.
⁸ Así que, teniendo sustento y abrigo, estemos ya satisfechos;


Las escrituras tambien nos dice de el peligro de tener muchas riquezas, en el siguiente versiculo.


⁹ pero los que quieren enriquecerse caen en tentación y lazo, y en muchas codicias necias y dañosas que hunden a los hombres en destrucción y perdición


Y dice en Marcos capitulo diez versiculo veintitres a el veinticinco:


²³ Entonces Jesús, mirando alrededor, dijo a sus discípulos:
    Cuán difícilmente entrarán en el reino de Dios los que tienen riquezas!
    ²⁴ Los discípulos se asombraron de sus palabras; pero Jesús, respondiendo, volvió a decirles:
    Hijos, ¡cuán difícil les es entrar en el reino de Dios a los que confían en las riquezas!
    ²⁵ Más fácil es pasar un camello por el ojo de una aguja, que entrar un rico en el reino de Dios.


Como es esto? Cómo puede ser difícil para un rico entrar en el reino de los cielos?
Es simple: El rico ama a sus  posesiones materiales mas que a Cristo. Es adonde esta su tesoro y corazon.
Esto es lo que paso con el joven rico en Mateo capitulo diez versiculo dieciseis a el veintisiete.  Amaba a sus riquezas más de lo que amaba a Cristo. Y si seguir a Cristo significa dejarlo todo, no era para ell.


La Biblia nos invita a sufrir por Cristo


Esto no es la cosa más atractiva para decir-sin embargo es la verdad. 


 ²⁹ A vosotros os es concedido a causa de Cristo, no solo que creáis en él, sino también que padezcáis por él - Filipenses 1:29


El sufrimiento de Pablo.


Pablo es apedreado en Listra


¹⁹ Entonces vinieron unos judíos de Antioquía y de Iconio que persuadieron a la multitud; apedrearon a Pablo y lo arrastraron fuera de la ciudad, pensando que estaba muerto.^[l]

    ²⁰ Pero estando rodeado por los discípulos, se levantó y entró en la ciudad. Al día siguiente salió con Bernabé para Derbe.- Hechos 14:19-20

Pablo golpeado y encarcelados en Filipos

³⁷ Pero Pablo le dijo:

    --Después de azotarnos públicamente sin sentencia judicial y siendo ciudadanos romanos, nos echaron en la cárcel, ¿y ahora nos liberan encubiertamente? No, por cierto, sino vengan ellos mismos a sacarnos- Hechos 16:37

Pablo arrestado en el Templo

 ³⁰ Toda la ciudad se alborotó, y se agolpó el pueblo. Apoderándose de Pablo, lo arrastraron fuera del templo, e inmediatamente cerraron las puertas.
    ³¹ Intentaban ellos matarlo, cuando se le avisó al comandante de la compañía^[o] que toda la ciudad de Jerusalén estaba alborotada.
    ³² Este, inmediatamente tomó soldados y centuriones y corrió a ellos. Cuando ellos vieron al comandante y a los soldados, dejaron de golpear a Pablo.
    ³³ Entonces, llegando el comandante, lo prendió y lo mandó atar con dos cadenas, y preguntó quién era y qué había hecho.- Hechos 21:30-33


Pablo nos dice mas sobre lo que tuve que pasar.


²⁵ Tres veces he sido azotado con varas; una vez apedreado; tres veces he padecido naufragio; una noche y un día he sido náufrago en alta mar;
    ²⁶ en caminos, muchas veces; en peligros de ríos, peligros de ladrones, peligros de los de mi nación, peligros de los gentiles, peligros en la ciudad, peligros en el desierto, peligros en el mar, peligros entre falsos hermanos;
    ²⁷ en trabajo y fatiga, en muchos desvelos, en hambre y sed, en muchos ayunos, en frío y desnudez - 2 Corintios 11: 25-27


Lo puedo ver ahora- los maestros de la prosperida diciendole a Pablo que le faltava fe. O que depronto estava en pecado por todo lo que lo pasava. 

Pero Pablo tuvo alegria en estos sufrimientos!

²⁴ Ahora me gozo en lo que padezco por vosotros y cumplo en mi carne lo que falta de las aflicciones de Cristo, por su cuerpo, que es la iglesia.- Colosenses 1:24

 La mirada de Pablo estaba en Cristo, no de posesiones materiales, o las cosas de este mundo. El Cristianismo primitivo no sabía nada de la prosperidad. Las personas eran en su mayoría pobres y aquellos que proclamaban a Cristo como Señor fueron asesinados. Este falso evangelio conocido como el evangelio de la prosperida no sobreviviría una minuto en aquellos días. Los cristianos sabían (y todavía sabemos), que el llamado es a tomar su cruz y negarse a sí mismo. Amigo, qual es tu tesoro? Amas a Cristo por ser Cristo? O amas a Cristo por las cosas que te da? Si conoces a alguien que esta metido en esto false evangelio- ore por ellos. Prediquele el evangelio, que depronoto es "locura a los que se pierden" pero es "poder de Dios" para salvar (1 Cor: 1:18).


En Cristo, Awretchsaved

Bearing One Another's Burdens?

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Ga 6:1–2). 


Of course this is something we as a body of believers are called to do. When a fellow Christian is "caught" (a passive verb which seems to mean that the believer was not setting out to be ensnared in this sin) in a particular trespass, the Christians who are bearing the fruit of the Spirit, I believe this is what Paul was referring to when he said "you who are Spiritual," are to gently and lovingly approach that struggling Christian and help restore them. They are to come up under him or her and help bear that burden. From the tone of the passage, I get the idea that this individual that is caught in "transgression" is grieved by the sin. It has brought dishonor to Christ, the body and is obviously harmful to the individual . Though they were not looking to become ensnared, nevertheless, it is still a sin and has become a "burden" to them. So it seems that this person is grieved by this "trespass" and needs help. Perhaps this is why Paul mentions doing it in a "spirit of gentleness." There is a time to be stern and harsh and a time for gentleness (you see both in Paul). And this is a clear case for the gentle approach. The last thing this struggling believer needs is a fire breathing, law wielding person thumping over the head with biblical passages pointing out their sin. They may be aware and grieved by it and need to know how to deal with it and get out of it. This is why local church fellowship is so important! This restoration, which is the goal, of the believer can only be done by the power of the Spirit and help of fellow saints.

I believe this to be the proper understanding and application of the text.  I fear, however, that many misapply it. What tends to happen is a person claiming to be a Christian and is living in open unrepentant sin, of which they are neither grieved by, nor were "overtaken" but rather went seeking it out: homosexuality, adultery, fornication, pornography, e.t.c., these people are coddled and catered to by believers. These people don't give a rip about glorifying Christ with their lives! They want to be assured that they are "going to heaven" while they continue in their blatant sin filled life. These are the ones that if confronted quickly toss out "judge not lest you be judged." But these individuals do not need Gal. 6:1-2, they need to be evangelized as unbelievers! Sadly, many Christians do not recognize the distinction between a brother "overtaken" by a transgress and those claiming to be believers but lack the genuine fruit.

We are given Biblical steps to help us with this confusion. Matthew 18:15-17 is a good starting point. Even though the context is personal sins committed by person to another, I still think we can draw out some important principles: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector" (Mt 18:15–17). Here the confrontation, as well as the response, is what is important. A genuine believer should repent at the their offense on the personal encounter. Yet two other steps are given to reinforce this idea. If the offender fails to repent at the face to face level, then  one or two witnesses are to be brought for the next approach and finally if the offender fails to respond to that, then the matter is to be bought before the church. Failing to listen to the church means drastic measures are called for. If this person wants to act like an unbeliever then he should be treated like one. This is a far cry from coddling them and trying to "love them"  back to the faith. Yet the loving thing to do is to follow what Christ commanded  in Matthew 18:15-17!  If the excommunicated person is indeed a Christian, then they will crave the fellowship of the saints in Christ and repent of their sinful ways and return to the church. This idea we will further explore, shortly.

I would like to point to the case of king David. We all remember his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah. When the Lord sent Nathan to confront David of his gross and evil sins. He didn't respond by killing the messenger, which he had the power and authority to do as king, but by repenting: "Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’ ” David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die.” Then Nathan went to his house "(2 Sa 12:8–15). This grieving over sin and repentance produced one of the most beautiful Psalms from David.- Psalm 51. God's people grieve and repent when falling in sin because we crave fellowship with God and his people.

The purpose of excommunication is to protect the church from contamination and to restore the fallen believer. When they persist in blatant sin they must be put outside the local body. Paul put it this way: "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?  God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you" (1 Co 5:9–13). Should this happen to a true believer they will most certainly crave the fellowship of other saints in their congregation. It is a product of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They will rid themselves, by the power of the Spirit of God, of their blatant sin. They will grieve and sorrow over it and seek restoration. Once this takes place the body should lovingly and thankfully receive the restored believer: "For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs"(2 Co 2:6–11). This my friends is how church discipline operates from both sides!

Bearing the burdens of fellow believers is to be done with those that are "overtaken" by a trespass. It should not be applied to to those professing Christ but care less about their sin. We long to come alongside our fellow believers to gently restore them. We are not called to convince unbelievers that they are believers by giving them words of encouragement as they blatantly sin. Once approached the response of the offender will lead us to which is the appropriate action. The one that is grieving over their burden is to be handled with a Gal. 6:1-2 approach, while the one who refuses to listen and is indifferent to their sin, should be treated as an unbeliever. Soli Deo Gloria!

For His Glory,
Fernando