A Little Lower Than _____?

"What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God [H.430: elohiym, מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים], and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet," Psalm 8:4-6

"What is man, that you remember him? Or the Son of Man, that you are concerned about Him? You have made Him for a little while lower than the angels [G.32: aggelos, ἀγγέλους]; You have crowned Him with glory and honor, and have appointed Him over the works of Your hands; You have put all things in subjection under His feet." Hebrews 2:6-8

Modern paraphrased perversions of the Bible, by no stretch of the imagination to be called "translations," let alone "Bibles," have incorrectly rendered these passages with 'What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?' and 'You have made them a little lower' (NIV 2011, NLT, GNT, NET Bible) instead of the correct 'What is man, that you remember him? Or the Son of Man, that you are concerned about Him?' and 'You have made Him a little lower.' The CEV reads, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?" and "You have made us a little lower than yourself." The online LEB in Psalms reads, "what is a human being that you think of him? and a child of humankind that you care for him?" and "you made him a little lower than heavenly beings," but renders it correctly in Hebrews.

There are two options as to who these passages are talking about. The 'man' (H.582: enosh, אֱנוֹשׁ; G.444: anthropos, ἄνθρωπος) in Psalms 8:4 and Hebrews 2:6 is masculine singular—not plural! The 'son' (H.1122: ben, בֵּן; G.5207: huios, υἱός) in Psalms 8:4 and Hebrews 2:6 is masculine singular—not plural! The 'him' (H.1931: hu, הוּא; G.846: autos, αὐτός) in both passages is masculine singular—not plural! Therefore, these passages are not talking about the whole of mankind! So-called "Bibles" that change the 'him' to 'them' or talk about 'humans' or 'human beings' ought not to ever be used! They are perverting the Word of God and creating false teachings and heretical doctrines!

The first option is Adam. Adam was the pinnacle of God's creation. He was to subdue the Earth, having been made the king over God's creation. All of creation was placed in subjection under his feet. However, there is a problem: until he sinned, Adam was not lower than the angels. Adam used to share immortality with the angels until his fall into sin. At the resurrection, mankind will once again share immortality with the angels. Nowhere in Scripture do we see God giving angels the kind of honour He has given to man. In fact, mankind will eventually rule over the angels (1 Cor 6:3).

The second option is Jesus. If we pay attention to the context of the New Testament passage from verse 5 through verse 18, this is quite clearly Jesus! Jesus was made a little lower in nature (being a man and a servant), and in condition (suffering and dying). He was crowned with glory and honour upon His exaltation. He presently rules over all of creation, waiting for the Father to put all things in subjection under His feet (including His enemies). In the Psalms passage, the term a little signifies degree. In the Hebrews passage, the term a little signifies time. Jesus' humiliation (from incarnation to exaltation) fits both.

The Hebrew has the plural of elohiym—gods. Throughout the majority of the Old Testament (if not all of it), elohiym is used to refer to the Godhead (Gen. 1:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.). "Hear, O Israel! The LORD [YHWH] our God [elohiym, literally "gods"] is one LORD [YHWH]" (Deut. 6:4). In other words, Yahweh our gods is one Yahweh. The word typically used for angels is malak (מַלְאָך). The Greek has the plural of aggelos—angels. The Hebrews passage seems to follow the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, which uses the word aggelos in the Psalms passage. Even the Aramaic of the Peshitta uses the word for angels. Which is correct? Is it supposed to be 'lower than God' or 'lower than the angels'? Perhaps both?

History and Truth of the Temple

David wanted to build a temple for God (2 Samuel 7:1-17), but God said that Solomon would be the one to do so (v.13).

The first temple was built by Solomon (1 Kings 5-9). It took 7 years.

Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52), and set fire to the temple (v.13).

The first temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.

The captivity of the Jews in Babylon for a period of 70 years took place.

Daniel lived during the captivity.

Over 100 years before he was even born, Cyrus was prophesied to rebuild Jerusalem—by name (Isaiah 44:28-44). He gave the command to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4) and restored all the temple vessels (vv.5-11).

The second temple was built under the prophets Ezra and Nehemiah. It took 49 years (Daniel 9:25).

The Jews said it took 46 years to build (John 2:19-21).

Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (Matthew 24:1-14; Mark 13:1-32; Luke 1-24), prophesying over Jerusalem that their temple was being left to them desolate [lonesome, waste, desert, empty] (Matthew 23:37-39). God would no longer be found in that place.

Titus and the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70.

No prediction was ever made of it ever being rebuilt ever again in the future. 

If another temple was ever to be built again, it would be in vain because God would not inhabit it. Re-instituting sacrifices would be in vain because Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices and that the former sacrifices were merely types and shadows of Christ. The passages quoted for support of these supposed re-instituted sacrifices are all past-history passages, specifically stating "to make atonement." There's nothing stated about "memorials."

Various passages in the Old Testament, Zionists/Dispensationalists attempt to quote and apply to a future third temple. No such prophecies were ever made. If you look at history, when these men existed and what took place at that time, and you see who their contemporaries were, they are all speaking with regard to the second temple. After the Babylonian captivity, God would call them back to the land, when they had repented with their whole hearts, and they would rebuild the temple. Period!

Joel, Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, and Zephaniah (in that order) all wrote prior to the Babylonian captivity. Any prophecies about returning to the land and rebuilding the temple had to do with AFTER this period.
Jeremiah lived prior to and during the Babylonian captivity. Any prophecies about returning to the land and rebuilding the temple had to do with AFTER this period.
Daniel, Ezekiel, and Obadiah were written during the Babylonian captivity. Any prophecies about returning to the land and rebuilding the temple had to do with AFTER this period.
Ezra wrote during Cyrus' reign, before and during the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Haggai, and Zechariah wrote during Darius' reign, before or during the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah wrote during and after the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Amos 9:11 says, "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old." Amos was written BEFORE the Babylonian captivity. This prophecy has to do with the building of the SECOND temple. However, James quotes this passage in Acts 15:15-17 in connection with something Peter had said. In 1 Peter 2:4-5, Peter clearly acknowledges the church as the temple of God.

Ephesians makes it clear that we, the church, are the new temple (vv.19-22). God does not dwell in temples made by human hands (Acts 7:48; 17:24). He indwells us.

There will never be another physical God-ordained temple!

History and Truth of the Land

God promised Abram a land (Genesis 12:7; 13:14-15; 15:18-21; 17:8).

God promises Isaac the land (Genesis 26:2-5).

God promises Jacob the land (Genesis 28:13-15).

Joseph encourages his brothers with God's promise to give them the land (Genesis 50:24).

God promises to bring the Israelites to the land he promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 6:8).

Joshua says they took the land (11:23).

Joshua also says that God gave them the land as He had promised and they possessed it (21:41-45). Promise FULFILLED!

Both Solomon and Nehemiah claim that God gave them the land as promised and they possessed it (1 Kings 4:20-21; Nehemiah 9:12-25).

God promises blessings upon Israel for their obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and curses upon Israel for their disobedience (vv.15-68). If they obeyed, God promised to prosper them in the land (v.8). If they disobeyed, God promised to remove them from the land (vv.21, 36, 63).

They disobeyed.

God promises that if Israel returns to Him with their whole heart and soul, then God will restore them (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).

There is one return to the land promised in Scripture—not two!

"So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the LORD your God has banished you, and you return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons, then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you." Deuteronomy 30:1-3

What captivity could this passage possibly be speaking of? The Babylonian captivity.

What could it possibly mean by reference to "nations" where they were banished? The northern kingdom was taken captive by Assyria. The southern kingdom was taken captive by Babylon. Assyria and Babylon account for "nations." There is nothing that says the use of "nations" refers to, or must refer to, all nations.

Zionists/Dispensationalists claim that there are two returns to the land, quoting passages like Isaiah 43:5-6; Jeremiah 16:14–15; 23:3, 7–8; 29:14; and 31:7–8. They read into the Isaiah passage something that is not there. "Ends of the earth" does not need to mean "from everywhere on the planet," but "from the ends of the known world," to where they were dispersed.

In the Jeremiah passages of 16:14-15 and 23:7-8, does "Israel" mean all of Israel, or is it speaking strictly of the northern kingdom? In these passages, it mentions "Israel" and bringing them back from "the north," which is where the northern kingdom was taken captive by Assyria. Paying attention to the context of 29:14, you know that this return is from the Babylonian captivity (v.10).

The creation of Israel as a nation and the return of Jews in 1948 was not a fulfillment of any prophecy! This act was not from God. Deuteronomy 30:1-3 states matter of factly that in order for them to return to their land, they would have to repent and return to God with their whole hearts. What would that returning look like today? They would have to accept and embrace Christ Jesus as the Messiah. This has never happened!

This making Israel a nation again and encouraging Jews to return to their land was an act of Zionists in attempt of a self-fulfilled prophecy based on the erroneous and bankrupt theology of Dispensationalism. All the prophecies about being brought back to the land were speaking with regard to AFTER the Babylonian captivity, which has already been FULFILLED. No other such prophecy of a return exists!

There is one and only one return prophesied in Scripture, and it already happened.

Syria was north of Israel. Assyria was north-east of Israel. Babylon was east of Israel. Egypt was west and south of Israel.

The promises were spoken to Abraham and his Seed—Jesus the Messiah (Galatians 3:16).

The land Abraham was looking forward to was not a patch of land in the Middle East (Hebrews 11:8-10,13-16).

[If there is a prophecy to be had in Deuteronomy 28:49-57, this prophecy speaks of the Roman empire—not the American empire. Both have the eagle as their symbol. Does not verse 53 echo what we learn happened in A.D. 70 from reading Josephus? Jews ate their own children during the Roman siege.]

God's Purpose and Counsel

from Don Fortner

Acts 2:23. Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

Acts 4:28. to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 9:11. for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls,

Ephesians 1:11. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Ephesians 3:11. according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

2 Timothy 1:9. who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

We believe, according to the scriptures, that the Lord our God is a God of purpose, absolute and unalterable purpose. Before the world began, Almighty God sovereignly purposed all that ever comes to pass in time. Nothing in this world is left to chance. Everything is moving toward the predetermined end of God's eternal purpose with absolute, precise accuracy.

Even a casual reader of Holy Scripture has to face this fact: The God of the Bible is a God of purpose. The above passages plainly state that the Triune Jehovah is a God of purpose, and clearly teach several things about the purpose of God:

1. The purpose of God is eternal.
    
2. The purpose of God includes all things.
    
3. The purpose of God has for its peculiar design the everlasting benefit of God's elect. Everything that God has purposed is for the ultimate, spiritual, and eternal benefit of his covenant people.
    
4. The purpose of God is immutable and sure. The Lord himself says, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure" (Isaiah 46:10). And in its ultimate end, God's purpose will accomplish the eternal salvation of his chosen people and the glory of his own great name.

Psalm 33:11. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

Proverbs 19:21. There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the LORD'S counsel--that will stand.

Isaiah 14:24. The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, "Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand.

Do Children Have Guardian Angels?

Does the Bible teach that children have guardian angels? Yes and no. But mostly no. Let us examine the passages before getting into our study.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
"Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish." Matthew 18:1-14

They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me."
John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Mark 9:33-50

An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great." Luke 9:46-48

He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him." Luke 17:1-4

What is the discussion here about?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Matthew) Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all; (Mark) the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great." (Luke)

Jesus sat down, which was the manner of teachers when they taught, denoting their authority. He called the twelve to Himself, letting them know that what He was about to speak was a serious matter of universal concern for them to learn in order to teach others. He who does not desire to be first, who is most separated from pride and ambition, who condemns the priorities and superiorities of the world, shall be greatest. He who is proud and ambitions, who seeks great things for himself, shall be esteemed least in the kingdom. He is least in grace and ought to be esteemed and reputed as least among Christians, for he will be last in the kingdom.

Jesus called a young child to Himself because it was the perfect pattern with which to commend humility to His disciples. Using the child as a type, He said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." The word conversion here does not refer to regeneration, but to a repentance from one's pride and ambition toward humility and contentment. "Become like children." Humbling yourselves as little children. Children know nothing of dominion. Children are ready to be taught and instructed. Children trust easily. This does not mean becoming like children in all ways, acting like children, as the Anabaptists in Germany practiced, running about the streets playing with rattles, etc.

So what is meant by verses 5 and 6? "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Mark reads, "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me. ... Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea." What is meant by one child and one of these little ones?

Context, context, context! What is being discussed here? "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" It was a question of social status. In the Greco-Roman world, honour and status levels were based on birth, family, title, wealth, and relationship with others. Jesus indicated that they must emulate the humble status of children. The child is the illustration—not the topic. What is meant by one child and one of these little ones? Simple. The humble Christian! The Christian who humbles himself like a child, becoming like a child, having faith like a child. The phrases one child and one of these little ones is not speaking of a literal child; it is speaking of the believing saint who humbles him/herself like a child.

"Whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me." Any kindness or unkindness done to Christ, the Father takes as done to Himself. "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me." Any kindness or unkindness done to any humble, believing soul, Christ takes as done to Himself. Hence the words, "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. (Mark) It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. (Luke)"

So what is meant by verse 10 in Matthew? "I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven." Christians, who have angels for their companions and friends, ought not to be despised, condemned, or neglected seeing that God their heavenly Father has such care of them that He has given charge over them to His angels. The text does not say that each individual has his/her own particular angel who attends them. All angels are ministering spirits for the good of God's elect: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?" (Heb. 1:14). God's angels, all of them, are our angels because all His is ours, if we belong to Christ. Each believing saint does not have a particular guardian angel, but when there is occasion, he/she has a guard of angels! The Christian can look on the heavenly hosts and call them his/hers. The angels, beholding the face of God, expecting to receive orders from Him what to do for the good of the saints, are ever ready to minister to His saints.

Believing children, as believing adults, have the entire heavenly host taking charge over them, looking after them, ready to act on the word of God the Father. Angels are the defenders of God's children (Ps. 34:8; 91:11; Dan. 6:22; 10:10, 13, 20; Matt. 18:10; Acts 5:19; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 12:7), even though God's children outrank them and will judge them (1 Cor. 6:3; Heb. 1:14). This text does not teach that children have guardian angels, or even that each individual believer has a particular guardian angel. Context, context, context! The subject of these passages is "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" The child is used as an illustration. The child is not the topic. The child is being used to teach a particular truth about the kingdom and those who belong to it.

Dangerous Religion

Here are some shocking results of a devastating report from a June 2008 Pew Forum poll on the condition of the modern day church:

Members in Agreement with the Position Statement: "Many religions (other than Christianity) can lead to eternal life."

Mainline churches: 83%
Evangelical churches: 57%
Catholics: 79%
Jews: 82%

Members in Agreement with the Position Statement: "Scripture (the Bible) is the Word of God, literally true, word for word."

Mainline churches: 22%
Evangelical churches: 59%
Catholics: 23%
Jews: 10%

Members Reporting Their "Frequency of prayer: daily."

Mainline churches: 53%
Evangelical churches: 78%
Catholics: 58%
Jews: 26%

Member Reporting They "Attend religious service once or more each week."

Mainline churches: 34%
Evangelical churches: 58%
Catholics: 42%
Jews: 16%

"Mainline churches" consists of:

• The Episcopal Church USA
• The American Baptist Church (ABC)
• The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
• The Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
• The United Church of Christ (UCC)
• The United Methodist Church (UMC)

If there is a newer poll of these questions, no doubt these numbers would be increased today. What this poll reveals is that the majority of people in these churches and synagogues are false converts headed to Hell on a greased pole, and yet they have a false assurance of no salvation because certain individuals have pope-ishly declared them to be saved.

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6), and yet over 50% of individuals in each category does not believe Him? Do they think that Jesus was lying? According to Numbers 23:19, God is incapable of lying.

In John 1:1, Jesus is identified as the "living Word," God incarnate. The Apostle Paul had said that "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Tim. 3:16). In other words, the written Word as originally given by God through the Holy Spirit is perfect and without error, and yet over 50% of those who identify as Evangelicals doubt God's Word to be true? Do they believe God to be a liar?

Jesus said there is only one way to God, and that is through Him. If you do not agree with Him, then you are not a Christian! The Bible is God's word to man, His instructions on how to get right and stay right with Him. If you doubt it and/or deny it, then you are not a Christian! Prayer, fellowship, and hearing of the Word of God were regular practices of the early church. If you never pray or attend services, or you dislike doing so, then you are not a Christian!

If you claim to be a Christian, yet you believe that there are many ways to eternal life and you doubt that the Bible is the true Word of God, and you never pray or attended services for fellowship and the hearing of the Word of God, then you are practicing a dangerous religion. You are religious, but you are not a Christian! You have not been regenerated. You have not been born again. You have not been saved. You are still dead in your trespasses and sins, holding on to a false assurance of a salvation that you do not possess!

You have more than likely been manipulated and lied to, fed a false Gospel, or you came under false pretenses (whether yours or the person who led you). A genuine born-again believer in Christ Jesus knows that He is the only way to salvation and eternal life. All other ways lead to eternity in Hell. A genuine born-again believer in Christ Jesus believes the entire Word of God, the Bible, to be literally true from cover to cover. Books outside of the canon of Scripture are not God-breathed, inspired, immutable, infallible, or inerrant. The 66 books of the Bible are all sufficient, authoritative for life and faith.

These results are indeed shocking. For a nation that claims to be 80% Christian, the majority of these professions are false. The Jesus they are worshiping is not the Jesus of the Bible, but one of their own making to suit their own agendas.

On What Day Did Early Christians Worship?

In the Old Testament, under the old covenant, the nation of Israel was expected to observe the Sabbath (Saturday) and to keep it holy (set apart). The way that Romans reckoned a day, according to their calendar, was from 12:00pm (midnight) to 12:00pm. We reckon days according to the Roman reckoning. However, for those of you who are unaware, the way that Hebrews reckoned a day, according to their calendar, was from 6:00pm to 6:00pm. In other words, 6:00pm on our Friday began their Sabbath, and it lasted until 6:00pm on our Saturday. Their first day of the week began at 6:00pm on our Saturday and lasted until 6:00pm on our Sunday, which began their Monday. This is important to know.

The early church was, at first, mostly Jewish. This point needs to be remembered. After the resurrection and ascension, Christians met every Saturday evening (Motzei Shabbat) immediately after sundown as a congregation. According to the Hebrew calendar, what day of the week was this? It was the first day of the week. It was Sunday!

The Catholic church, thinking that they can trace their lineage of faith all the way back to the Apostles, claim that they changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday. The Catholic Record from 1923 reads, "Sunday is our mark of authority... The church is above the Bible, and this transference of sabbath observance is proof of that fact." But this is a false claim. Saying something does not make it true. This is something that the Seventh-Day Adventists need to learn. The day of worship was changed from the Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday by Christ's church—by the Apostles!

By way of correction, the church—the true church—is not above the Bible; it is built upon the foundation of the Bible.

Emperor Constantine had an influential role in the Edict of Milan in A.D. 313, which decreed tolerance for Christianity in the empire. "Christianity" was not declared the state religion until A.D. 380, well after the reign of Constantine. During the fourth century, the beginnings of what would later become the heretical doctrines and traditions of the Catholic faith began to emerge, especially through individuals such as the heretic Jerome. The Papacy began its rule with Vigilius in A.D. 538, becoming a sovereign state under the rule of Emperor Justinian and the military protection of Belisarius. Note these dates, for these are the beginnings of the Catholic church.

If we look at the first three centuries of the church, prior to the invention of Catholicism, what do we find? The Apostle John wrote his epistles well after A.D. 70. If there was error with regard to keeping the Sabbath, he would have wrote to correct it. However, he did no such thing. Less than 10 years after John’s death, in A.D. 100, the Epistle of Barnabas recorded, “Wherefore, also we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead.” According to Scripture, on which day did Jesus rise from the dead? On the first day of the week. On Sunday! In A.D. 107, the Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians recorded, “Be not deceived with strange doctrines, nor with old fables, which are unprofitable. For if we still live according to the Jewish Law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace. ... If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and By His death.” Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John. The writings of Justin Martyr between A.D. 145 and 150 recorded, “And on the day called Sunday all who live in cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read....But Sunday is the day on which we all hold a common assembly, because it is the first day of the week on which God...made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.” Irenaeus, who was the disciple of Polycarp, who was the direct disciple of the Apostle John, wrote between A.D. 155 and 202, “The Mystery of the Lord's Resurrection may not be celebrated on any other day than the Lord's Day, and on this alone should we observe the breaking off of the Paschal Feast.” There are plenty more early church fathers whom we can consult to verify the fact that Christians gathered together on Sunday in order to worship. It may have been our Saturday evening, at first, but this does not change the fact that it was Sunday.

Emperor Constantine did not institute Sunday worship; he merely legalized it. Constantine knew that non-religious people throughout his disintegrating empire worshiped the sun on the first day of the week. He also discovered that many professing Christians also kept Sunday because they believed that Christ rose from the dead on that day. So, Constantine, being a shrewd politician, came up with a plan to unite the two groups on the common ground of Sunday-keeping. On March 7, A.D. 321, he passed his famous national Sunday law. His edict reads as follows: “On the venerable Day of The Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits.”

Sabbatarians need to grow up and stop trying to argue that Christians who worship on "SUN-day" are worshiping the sun god. Are disobedient Sabbatarians who ignore and deny what Scripture and early church history teach, worshiping on "SATUR-day," guilty of worshiping the god Saturn, seeing as how Saturday is named after him? Throwing mud does not accomplish anything. The facts and evidence speak for themselves. Contrary to what Sabbatarians claim and argue, the early church gathered and worshiped on Sunday. Scripture teaches this, as does early church history. Acts 20:7 says, "On the first day of the week...," which is Sunday, they were gathered together to break bread (communion) and have Paul speak to them (preaching). First Corinthians 16:2 says, "On the first day of every week...," which is every Sunday, you should put aside some money (tithing). Revelation 1:10 says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." Which day would that be? The Lord is Christ Jesus. He rose from the grave on the first day of the week. Therefore, the Lord's day is obviously Sunday.

Why did the early church—the Apostles—change the day of worship? In order to commemorate and celebrate Christ's resurrection from the dead! Those who used the Hebrew calendar met immediately after sundown on our Saturday (their Sunday) to hold their congregational services. The purpose was to say farewell to the just-finished week and to "christen" the new week (Acts 20:7). Those who use the Roman calendar meet on Sunday morning to hold their congregational services. Those who hold services on the Sabbath (Saturday) do so in both ignorance and disobedience to the Scriptures and spit upon the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

The Sabbath began at 6:00pm on our Friday and lasted until 6:00pm on our Saturday. Those who attempt to keep the Sabbath in this way had best be keeping all other days this way, too, or else they are being hypocrites. You cannot use one calendar for one day and use another calendar for all other days. Be consistent! If Sabbatarians bothered to pay attention to the Bible (and church history), they would see that the day of worship was changed during the beginnings of the church. According to Exodus 31, the Sabbath was "a sign forever between [God] and the [nation] of Israel." Paul states unequivocally in Colossians 2:16, "Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of... or with regard to a festival [the Feast days] or a new moon or a Sabbath," and continues in verse 17, "They are a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." Any church group that teaches observance to the Feast days and the Sabbath have placed themselves under the Law and have fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4). If they do not repent, may they be Anathema!

Flying (By the Seat of Your Pants) [Song]

from the 1984 album Holiness by Don Francisco

Like everyone else I tried to fly through my life
Using only my feelings and instincts
By trial and error from the day I was born
I'd always heard that was the way it was done

So, I took the throttle and I made my own course
I headed out somewhere that way
But I hit some heavy weather and crashed and burned
Now listen to the lesson that I had to learn

If you're not living by the Word of God
You're flying by the seat of your pants
If you're not living in Jesus I wouldn't give you a snowball's chance
Your automatic pilot isn't doing too well
There's been a major malfunction and you're headed for hell
If you're not living by the Word of God you're flying by the seat of your pants

Now life may bring me some spins and some dives
And zero visibility too
But by His direction and by His word
I know I can make it through

With his Spirit as co-pilot here inside
Using His flight manual for my guide
I'll make a three point landing on the other side
And brother He'll do the same for you

But if you're not living by the Word of God
You're flying by the seat of your pants
If you're not living in Jesus I wouldn't give you a snowball's chance
Your automatic pilot isn't doing too well
There's been a major malfunction and you're headed for hell
You'd better stop flyin' by the seat of your pants and start livin' by the Word of God

Start livin' by the Word, livin' by the Word, livin' by the Word of God

Holiness [Song]

from the 1984 album Holiness by Don Fancisco

When God took His people

To the promised land

He gave them their freedom

He gave a command

He said, West of the Jordan

You can have all you see

But the ware of their idols

Won't be holy to Me

Holiness, holiness
It's the only life
That the Lord can bless
Holiness, holiness
It's the Lord's command
Not the Lord's request

They heard the commandment

But did not obey

They hardened their hearts

And wandered away

From the goodness of God

And the blessings He gave

Through traditions of men

And the yolk of a slave

Holiness, holiness
It's the only life
That the Lord can bless
Holiness, holiness
It's the Lord's command
Not the Lord's request
Holiness, holiness
It's a life apart
From the world's excess
For the people of God
The remains of rest
Holiness, holiness

Jesus is calling you

Come take My hand

I'll lead you away

From the wilderness land

To a place full of goodness

As far as the sea

But remember Who brought you

And be holy to Me

Holiness, holiness
It's not your food or drink
It's not the way to dress
Holiness, holiness
It's to hear the Lord
And answer yes
Holiness, holiness
It's the only life
That the Lord can bless
For the people of God
The remains of rest
For the people of God
The remains of rest
Holiness, holiness

Death-bed Repentance

by Gorham Abbott, 1833

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death!" 2 Corinthians 7:10

    Repentance is the tear of love,
    dropping from the eye of faith,
    when it fixes on Christ crucified.

Repentance begins in the humiliation of the heart, and ends in the reformation of the heart and of the life.

Sincere repentance is never too late, but late repentance is seldom sincere. The thief on the cross repented, and was pardoned in the last hour of his life. We have one such instance in scripture—that none might despair; and only one—that none might presume.

Still, however, the probability that apparent repentance which comes at a dying hour will be genuine, is very small. The following fact will furnish an affecting illustration of this sentiment, and a solemn warning against the too common delusion of deferring the work of repentance to a dying bed:

The faithful and laborious clergyman of a very large and populous parish had been accustomed, for a long series of years, to preserve notes of his visits to the afflicted, with remarks on the outcome of their affliction—whether life or death, and of the subsequent conduct of those who recovered.

He stated, that, during forty years, he had visited more than two thousand people apparently drawing near to death, and who revealed such signs of penitence as would have led him to indulge a good hope of their eternal safety—if they had died at that moment.

When they were restored to life and health—he eagerly watched if they should bring forth fruits fit for repentance. But alas! of the some two thousand death-bed professions, only two people manifested an abiding and saving change! The rest, when the terrors of eternity ceased to be in immediate prospect, forgot their pious impressions and their solemn vows—and returned with new avidity to their former worldly-mindedness and sinful pursuits.

"What the true proverb says has happened to them: The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire!" 2 Peter 2:22