Pointers On How To Communicate With Those Whom Are GRIEVING. (April 29/2000)

1) Know that we need you. We may not ask for help (we may be much too numb), but we need to know that you're there.

2) Know that we do not expect you to make us feel better-- to take away our pain. Right now no one can. We need your support, your acceptance of our need to grieve, and your willingness to live with the helplessness you feel.

3) If, you haven't called because you cannot handle our grief and your helplessness, say so. We can truly understand that, and we'll feel better than we would, if you used excuses and made us think you didn't care.

4) Try to tolerate our anger, if you can. It's not really you or others who anger us; it's just that we lost what we loved. We pray you'll forgive our "unreasonable" outbursts. We pray you'll understand.

5) Don't try to stop our tears. Our tears may be hard on you, but they are a healthy way for us to release some of our pain. Crying is good for us; please try to sit with us and let us cry.

6) Don't try to cheer us up by comparing "worse' losses. Pain is pain, and ours must be acknowledged.

7) Understand, if we can't bear to be with your new baby or attend a baby shower, or dedication. We do wish you joy, and we even feel gladness for you, but our grief cannot be suppressed.

8) Don't tell us that what happened must have been "God's Will." Hearing that brings us no consolation right now, and only adds to the SPIRITUAL confusion and isolation we feel.

9) Don't expect that hearing "They're with God", should be all that matters to us. We may cling to that belief too, but we still ache to have them here with us, and we ache to know that they are safe.

10) Don't try to comfort us by saying that we can try soon to have more children. There is not, nor will there ever be, a replacement for our baby. Love cannot be discounted or replaced.... it simply is.

11) Don't say, " It was better this way----better to not have had them longer." We ache for more time with them.

12) Don't say, " I know how you feel." No one knows that. Please ask instead how we are today, how we feel.

13) Offer specific help ---- a meal, a laundry done, a free hour. We are deeply hurt to think that very far ahead.

14) Don't tell us to put this behind us, - forget, and get on with our lives. We need to grieve, we need to be ourselves, and we need not to forget, but to find a way to remember in peace.

15) Accept us in our grief, and we'll always remember the healing love that you offered us.

These 15 different areas of truths have been penned down by those, of whom have struggled through the grieving process of a "LOVED ONE."

May all of us take these suggestions to heart, and be extra sensitive around those, of whom we are attempting to: " MINISTER " to.

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Divorce:

Question: Is Divorce in a Christian Marriage Biblical? Does the Bible indicate Scripture verses that allow Divorce?

YES: "UNDER SPECIFIC BIBLICAL CIRCUMSTANCES!"

April 29/2000 Divorce:

1. The Bible is very specific:

Only two saved individuals, the man and the woman MUST be SAVED before they head off to be legally married by a Pastor, Justice of the Peace, or Judge. A union of man and woman is NOT RECOGNIZED by God unless:" They are both BELIEVERS."

Mk.10:1-12"1¶ And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. 2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery." 1Co 7:39 " ¶The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord." 2Co 6:14 " Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? "

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1. A marriage union can only be broken Biblically by the following reasons:

A. Death of one of the marriage partner's.

Gen.2:24 " Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Mt 19:6 " Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Mr 10:9 " What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." 1Co 7:39 " ¶The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."

B. Fornication: (Harlotry) on the part of one of the marriage partner's.

Interpretation: "Porneia" from ref. #4203 Harlotry (includes adultery and incest). Ref.# 4203 - Porneuo from Ref. # 4204 (to act the harlot; indulge unlawful lust of either sex). Ref. #4204 Pone- strumpet; harlot; whore. Adultery: Ref. # 3429 Moichao- commit adultery.

Deut.24:1-4" ¶ When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance." Ex 20:14 " Thou shalt not commit adultery." Ex 20:17 " Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." Mat.5:31,32 " It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." Mt 19:9 " And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Mat. 19:1-12 " ¶ And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3 ¶ The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." _________________________________________________________________________________

C. A marriage union recognized by the laws of the land, yet not of the Lord because one of the marriage partners is not SAVED! This is a decision of the BELIEVER within the marriage relationship, as to whether to stay, or leave as he, or she according to the Bible are not under Bondage to stay within this sinful relationship, in God's eyes.

1 Cor. 7: 1-16 " ¶ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 10 ¶ And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. 12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? "

INFORMATION:

Mat.5:31,32 " It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery."

The quotation from Deut. 24:1 was introduced in Mat. 5:31 not to contradict it, or deny its validity, but because it was a passage in which some of the Pharisees were accustomed to quote in order to justify a much laxer attitude towards divorce than was here permitted.

History of events during this time period:

1) Greeks regarded their wives as property, a thing. Relationships outside of marriage carried no stigma, but were the excepted and the expected thing. This was part of the Greek every day way of life. A respectable Greek woman was not allowed to appear on the street alone ; no meals eaten in the apts. of men; no part in any social life. From the wife the Greek husband demanded the most complete moral purity; for himself he demanded the utmost immoral licence. He married for domestic security, but he found his pleasure elsewhere. Greece required no legal process whatsoever. All that a man had to do was dismiss his wife in the presence of two witnesses. The one saving clause was that he must return her dowry intact.

2) Romans considered marriage on the other hand as the foundation of the home. The father had literally the power of life and death over his family. A Roman son never came to age, as long as his father was still alive. To the Roman the home was everything. Women took full part in life. Prostitutes were held in contempt.

3) Then in the military and imperial sense Rome conquered Greece; but in the moral and social sense Greece conquered Rome. By the 2nd century the Greek philosophy infiltrated Roman culture and divorce became as common place, as marriage. The 1st. Roman man to divorce his wife was Spurius Carvilius Ruga in the year 234 BC, because she was childless and he desired a child.

4) Divorce was allowed in God's permissive will. A wife once released from her husband legally could re-marry. However, if her 2nd. husband divorced her, or died she was not Biblically allowed to marry her first, or former husband. According to the teaching of Jesus, divorce, was allowed the Old Testament Jews because of the hardness of their hearts, is not now permissible except where one party has been guilty of fornication (which means practically the same thing as adultery, except that fornication is a little stronger term meaning harlotry or continued adultery). Adultery breaks the marriage. Drunkenness, incompatibility, cruelty, etc. ARE NOT BIBLE reasons for divorce. However, when one party of a divorced couple commits adultery by remarriage, it evidently breaks the marriage vow and bond. The 2nd. marriage should not be broken to restore the 1st. Quote: Often SIN cannot be undone, but can be FORGIVEN. The Lord reduced the ordinance of marriage to its primitive institution. Divorce is not to be allowed, except in the case of adultery (On Going), which breaks the marriage covenant.

Interpretation of Mat.19:1-12: The marriage union is the Creator's plan, and attempts to thwart it, either by indulging in promiscuous sexual intercourse, or by asceticism and enforced celibacy, or by unnatural vice, or by attempts to break up marriages where the unity that God has in mind is being realized, are all contrary to the DIVINE WILL. Christ was informing these whom questioned Him that because of mans hardness of heart there will always be those, both within and outside of marriage, " unions" between men and women, which because they are not real unions at all, cannot be said to have been joined together by God. Jesus therefore accepts the interpretation put upon the Mosaic legislation by the contemporary school of Shmmai which allowed divorce in the case of fornication, as the best way of seeking to interpret the DIVINE WILL in this matter in the circumstances prevailing, at that particular time. A woman being divorced in that time period would most likely because of social and economic times force her into an adulterous relationship in order to survive.

Some cannot do so because they are physically defective from birth, or have been made so by man's inhumanity to man, while others have deliberately refused to do so, in order to give themselves unreservedly to the service of the Kingdom of God. No nation has ever had a higher view of marriage than the Jews had. Marriage was a sacred duty. To remain unmarried after the age of 20, except to concentrate upon the study of the Law, was to break a positive commandment to " be fruitful and multiply". He who had no children "slew his own prosperity", and lessened the image of God upon the earth. Christ's answer was that the principal from Adam on, was WRONG! John R. Rice: Polygamy was permitted in the Old Testament, and so was divorce, but the divorce was only suffered. (Vs.8) never commanded, never approved. The Pharisees called it a command in vs. 7 but they were wrong. Divorce was only suffered because of the hardness of the Jewish hearts. (Vs.8) The permission of Divorce referred to here is given in Deut. 24:1-4. The divorce allowed in the Old Testament was more or less unconditional, or for every cause. Divorce always meant the right of re-marriage to someone else. Divorce is not adultery, but when it gives excuse for another marriage, and when divorce was not on BIBLE grounds, it causes adultery. Or, if another man marries the woman who was put away, then that man taking another man's wife, commits adultery. In other words a true marriage is NOT BROKEN by a piece of paper saying that the man and woman are legally free from each other, unless the marriage is broken by FORNICATION! God still counts them married when they separate; therefore when either remarries, that individual commits adultery according to the SCRIPTURES! The man was allowed to divorce his wife in the case of fornication and be counted blameless. That would apply today for the departing wife, if she met the Biblical qualifications for divorce in application to the verse. REMEMBER: FORNICATION: HARLOTRY- MEANS OVER, AND OVER; CONTINUOUS WITH NO APPARENT ACT OF REPENTANCE OF THE ONE INVOLVED IN ITS ACTIVITY, NOT MERELY A SINGLE ACT THAT MIGHT BE RESOLVED. Please do not think in any way that I am condoning FORNICATION, or treat the subject lightly. Christ desires His CHILDREN (BORN AGAIN) to abstain from evil, not only that, but to abstain from the appearance of it. ___________________________________________________________________________________

What does the BIBLE teach about "PROSTITUTION"?

Lev.19:29 " Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness."

Ro 6:13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

1Co 6:18 " Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."

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What does the BIBLE teach about "TATTOOS"?

Ex 20:4 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:"

Lev. 19:28 "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD."

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What does the BIBLE teach about " FEMALE PASTOR'S "?

1 Timothy 3:1-7 " This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the s nare of the devil."

1Ti 2:12 " But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

NOTE: See anything about a woman in 1Tim. 3:1-7?

Placing a woman in the Office of Pastor (Bishop) requires the Membership to be accountable to her within the Ministry as the Pastor is accountable to God for the areas which transpire in that particular local Church. Examine and meditate on this next verse to see the point I am driving hone.

Titus 1:4-9 " To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."

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What does the BIBLE teach about "GAMBLING"?

Don't!

Pr. 3:9,10 " Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."

Pr.15:27 " He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."

Malachi 3:8-11 " Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it .11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts."

Note: People will use the excuse that they cannot tithe when God commands it, yet they will gamble away their stewardship. They will futher argue that we are not living under the law but Grace. This is a true statement, however Abraham tithed 10% to the HIGH PRIEST "Melchizedek" before the LAW! (Heb.7:2)

Mt 6:24 " No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

Mt 16:26 " For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Luke 12:15-21 " And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought fo rth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Php 3:7 " But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

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What does the BIBLE teach about "DRINKING?"

Lev. 10:9 " Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: "

Numbers 6:3 " He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried."

Pr. 20:1 " Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

Pr. 23:31 " Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. "

Romans 14:21 " It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. "

Eph. 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; " (CONTROLLED)

Titus 1:7" For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; " (NO WINE!!!!!)

1Peter 4:3 " For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:"

May 11/2001

Preached April 12/2001

Ordinance of Wine (Lord's Table).

Mat. 26:29 " But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Reference from Passover Supper)

Mk. 14:25 " Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

Luke 22:18 " For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come."

11. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."

1 Tim. 5:23 " Drink no longer water, but use a little wine (oinos) 3631 new wine, fresh gape juice. for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."

Pr. 31:6 " Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine (Yayin) Intoxicant 3196 unto those that be of heavy hearts."

20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; "

Paul is teaching the Church of Ephesus not to be like the unsaved that are controlled by another substance and be led into riotous living but rather to be controlled by the Spirit of God. This area of Scripture in no way shape, or form slightly suggests that modern day believer's can social drink and serve Christ. NICE TRY!

Pr. 20:1 " ¶ Wine 3196 Yayin is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

Others have made the mistake through confusing articles in Bible Dictionaries as supposed to studying it out in the root word and following through lexicon checks. Some look at present day methodology of Judaism which will only bear out old Testament words. One needs to evaluate what Christ had to say about the Lord's Table in the New Testament. The Greek language is one of the most exacting languages of our day.

Conclusion: Lord's Table: Grape Juice ONLY!

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May 11/2001

April 26/2001

Verse Studies on the Wine Issue.

Luke 1:15 " For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."

Strong's Ref. #3631 "oinos" wine.

Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Ref. #3631 corresponding to Strong's.

Wine: meaning " must, new wine."

Bible study requires different tools. Every rock needs to be flipped. Strong's is great but not exacting on verb tenses and nitty gritty stuff. It gives one a glimpse. Had you thought about context? Word within the verse within the chapter within the book. Who is speaking? To whom? Why? etc.

Why was John the Baptist not supposed to drink neither strong drink nor must, new wine? Well, John the Baptist was born a Nazarite, and as such was bound to the Nazarite vows.

What is a Nazarite? (Davis Dictionary of the Bible)

A Nazarite is a person who is separated, or consecrated to God. They most likely existed of old among the Hebrews, but their mode of life was brought under the regulations of the law at Sinai. They made a vow to separate themselves to the Lord for a certain specific time period. John the Baptist was consecrated a Nazarite from his birth. By the law he must not drink wine or strong drink nor eat any product of the vine during the days of his separation.

Not allowed to shave his head.

Not allowed to render himself ceremonially unclean by touching a dead body, even if the corpse should be that of a near relative.

This verse definitely : " Does NOT " condone social drinking.

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Sept. 12/02

Tabernacle Baptist Church

E. L. Bynum, Pastor

1911 34th Street

Lubbock, Texas 79411 

WINE OR GRAPE JUICE

By Davis Huckabee
The following article is published with no ill will or anger toward anyone. I have some very dear friends who believe that fermented wine is the scriptural liquid element for the Lord's Table, and I respect their conviction. I think they are wrong, but I think they want to be and believe they are right.

I will not enter into debates, arguments or fusses on the issue, but if someone has a thesis in print which I have not read, presenting the other view, I will read it.

Davis Huckabee, the writer of this tract, would certainly express the same attitude. It is our desire that our readers will look upon this article with the same charity and objectivity, and that we may all arrive at a more clear understanding of the Scriptures concerning this. --- Forrest L. Keener 

WINE OR GRAPE JUICE? 

There has long been a controversy in Baptist ranks over which of these two is the legitimate element to be used in the Lord's Supper, and it is not to be thought that this tract will settle the matter in every person's mind. However, we do wish to set forth some thoughts which might give occasion for reflection concerning the liquid element in this ordinance. It is needful, first of all, to establish what shall be the guidelines for determining this matter. What shall be our authority for determining which of these two is to be used? 

TRADITION, HUMAN REASONING OR SCRIPTURE? 

Many churches determine this matter according to what they have always done since their first observance of the ordinance. This is tradition, plain and simple, and Baptist tradition is as bad as any other, and can as quickly become the competitor of the truth as it did in Jesus' day. Still other churches resort to human reasoning to establish its practice, and if they can reason our what seems a logical defense of the one or the other of these two elements, they are content, not realizing that the most seemingly logical human reasoning may be nonetheless wholly contrary to the Scriptures. The Scriptures command "Casting down imaginations (margin: 'reasonings'), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," II Cor. 10:5. Since we are accountable for what is taught in the Bible, and of nothing else but what is in the Bible, then it is clear that the Word of God is to be our only standard in this matter. 

THE CUP - THE FRUIT OF THE VINE

"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remissions of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom," (Matt. 26:27-29). 

These are the only terms ever used in the Scriptures for the liquid element of the Lord's Supper. "Cup" is a figure of speech for something to drink, and had it been left by itself, it would have left the usage open to almost any kind of drink; but it is further defined by the words "fruit of the vine", which reveals that this is to be the expressed liquid of the grape. Neither of these expressions give any indications whether this was to be fermented or unfermented. 

The only symbolism required by the terms used is that of the grape being crushed so that its juice might be "poured out", Luke 22:20 (Greek). The purity of the Lord is symbolized by the unleavened bread, but the Scripture is silent as to the fruit of the vine ever symbolizing the purity of Christ's blood, and we go beyond what is written if we insist upon this. Many people, however, do insist that fermentation is necessary to purify the natural juice of the grape of its impurities, and there are quotations from human authorities which seem to substantiate this reasoning. We believe that these authorities have been misread, and in some instances, actually perverted, but be that as it may, we have no concern about what human authorities may say about which of the two forms is the purer. Our concern is with what God says in the Word. 

WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURES? 

No where is the Bible is the word "wine" ever applied to the Lord's Supper, which is exceedingly strange, if so be that this is an absolute necessity to the scriptural observance of it. And our Lord in His omniscience must surely have foreseen the great controversies that would arise over this question. Why then did He not in the beginning set the matter at rest and tell us that it had to be fermented, if this was the case? The thunderous silence of the Bible about this is surely significant, yet this significant silence is drowned out by the loud voices of human reasoning and tradition which are raised in defense of the fermented juice of the grape. Now it is to be granted that the Lord's Supper is not to be found in the Old Testament. But the question, which, in God's sight, is the purer of the two elements, is settled by the Old Testament. Of Israel's wilderness trek, it is said, "Thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape," Deut. 32:14, so that if we can determine what Israel drank, we will know what the inspired word designates as the pure element of the grape. A very similar statement is found in Gen. 49:11: "Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes." Here we see several things proven. (1) The blood of the grape is found in the vine, not in the vat. (2) This fresh "blood" of the grape is sometimes called "wine" though it is unfermented. Actually, the Hebrew word for "wine" here means only that it is "pressed out". It is a generic term for the extract of the grape, irregardless of its condition. (3) Since the "blood" of the grape is found in the vine, then the pure blood of the grape is the unfermented juice of the grape. 

Further proof of this is found in Deut. 29:6: "Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God." God fed the Israelites on manna, and they drank of the pure juice of the grape which they pressed out from the vines in their wilderness trek. They drank no fermented wine nor other alcoholic beverages during the forty years in the wilderness, so neither of these could have been pure blood of the grape, which, for the Bible believer, makes it clear what God considers to be the pure blood of the grape. To which then shall we submit ourselves. Tradition, human reasoning or the Scriptures? 

GOD HAS SPOKEN 

And we are not at liberty to dissent or disobey. Granted, human reasoning can bring up objections, difficulties and questions, but not one of these can stand against God's clear declaration. He has declared that only that "blood" of the grape which is found in the vine is the "pure" blood of the grape, so that this must be our element if we would use the pure element in our observance of the Lord's Supper. We are then faced with a decision. Will we obey the Scriptures, or will we go with the traditions and reasonings of the religious world, the majority of which uses the fermented extract of the grape? It will take considerable courage to stand against the practice of the generality of the religious world, and many do not have the moral courage to take such a stand. Do you? 

THE LORD'S SUPPER IS A SYMBOLIC ORDINANCE 

If the "fruit of the vine" is not pure by nature, but must be purified by a process of fermentation, will this not suggest to the thoughtful person that Christ was not naturally pure, but that He had to undergo some sort of purification before He could redeem men? But on the other hand, if, as the Bible declares, the "pure blood of the grape" is found naturally in the vine, then this corresponds exactly with what we know to be Christ's true state: He is indeed a "lamb without blemish and without spot," I Peter 1:19, and needed no purification before He went to the cross. Let us praise God for this native purity, but let us also practice the ordinance in such a way as to symbolize this truth. 

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED 

No objections, difficulties and questions have any weight when God's Word clearly speaks, as it has in this matter, and we should not think that they justify the disregarding of God's Word. In truth, where there is a confrontation between these, it is generally because the objections, difficulties and questions have arisen through a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the facts. Let us note some of these. 

It is objected that there is leavening in the natural juice of the grape, and that this is purged out in the process of fermentation. ANSWER: there is indeed leavening in grape juice, but there is a much higher degree of leavening in fermented wine, so much so that to set off the process of fermentation, fermented wine is introduced to grape juice to hasten the process. Thus, relatively speaking, the fresh grape juice is the purer of the two, as the Scriptures above show. But as we have previously noted, no where is the liquid element of the Lord's Supper declared to symbolize the purity of Christ's blood. This is symbolized in the unleavened bread, which represents Christ's body, including the blood of His body. Quotations have been made from human authors to show that in the fermentation process, leaven is purged out so that fermented wine is free of leaven. It would be interesting to find these books and examine them (I have never been able to locate a copy of any of them) to see if this is what they really say, or if they do not rather say that in the fermentation process, there is produced a "pure leaven", which is a vastly different thing than being purified of leaven. A pure leaven is one which is nothing but leaven, having no other ingredients or impurities. This is what fermented wine is, a pure leaven, which, when introduced to grape juice, quickly leavens it also. If this is what the human authorities really say, then obviously we should shun the fermented wine if we would use the pure element. On the other hand, if they do, as claimed, state that the fermented wine is purer of leavening than the unfermented, then they set themselves against the Scriptures considered above, and they still ought to shun the fermented element. 

Another objection is that Baptist have long used the fermented element and only since the arisal of Temperance movements have they thought otherwise. ANSWER: this is arguing from Baptist traditions, and Matt. 15:3 applies to Baptist tradition with equal force as against Jewish, Catholic and Protestant tradition. Where the Scripture has spoken, it is sin to follow tradition where it digresses from Scripture. To place Baptist practice above the Bible is to do just exactly what Catholicism and Protestantism has done for centuries in elevating their traditions above the Bible. God forbid that we should be guilty of such a sin. 

Again it is objected that New Testament churches must have used fermented wine since members of the Corinthian church got drunk at the perversion of the Lord's Supper. ANSWER: nothing is said of any person getting drunk at the Lord's Table in Corinth. If one reads carefully I Cor. 11:20-21 he will find that the condition described was already existing "when ye come together into one place," verse 20, and resulted from "every one taking before other his own supper". This unconcern for the needs of fellow church members created a division between them that made it impossible to scripturally observe the Lord's Supper, verse 20 f margin: "Ye cannot eat the Lord's Supper." Not only so, but the Greek word rendered "drunken" in verse 21 (methuel) means only "satiated", and while this would be equivalent to drunkenness if applied to spirituous liquors, yet in this case, being used in opposition to "hungry", shows that it has to do with over-eating while neglecting the hungry brother, a sin in the light of I John 3:17. Certainly, there is no evidence here to prove that fermented wine was ever used in the Corinthian church, and it is a going beyond what is written to claim so. 

Then it is objected that Jesus must have used fermented wine since He used the common elements of the Passover supper when He instituted the Lord's Supper. ANSWER: the reader will probably be amazed, as was the writer, to learn that fermented wine was never a part of the Passover celebration by divine command or example. That the Jews used fermented wine in their perverted celebration of the Passover may or may not be true, but this in no way proves that it was used by Jesus and the disciples, and it is purely gratuitous assumption to claim it, It is irrelevant what the Jews used in the Passover, for if the New Testament does not command the use of the fermented wine, or show an example of it, we are not obligated to use it, nor should we use it. 

Another objection is that grape juice could not be preserved for any length of time apart from fermentation, and so this must have been the most common element in use. ANSWER: William Patton in his "Bible Wines, or The Laws of Fermentation", a very informative book in this controversy, shows that grape juice could be preserved in at least five other ways than fermentation, and that all were common methods of preservation in ancient time, so that anyone who desired to, could have unfermented grape juice at any season of the year for use as a beverage, or in the Lord's Supper. 

SUMMATION 

Human reasoning and tradition can be used as an argument to sustain the use of fermented wine; but at the same time, human reasoning and tradition can also be called to witness against it, which only shows that these are not reliable bases for the practice. The one and only authority for the elements in the Lord's Supper is the inspired and infallible Word of God, which speaks of the elements of this ordinance as being "the cup . . .the fruit of the vine". If churches would use the pure fruit of the vine, then according to the teaching of the Holy Writ, it must be what Israel found growing upon the vines in their wilderness trek - the pure blood of the grape, Deut 32:14; Gen. 49:11,which was neither fermented wine nor strong drink, Deut. 29:6. This is what the Scripture saith, and this shapes our responsibility as to the liquid element of the Lord's Supper. You may reason out a contrary conclusion, but it will be contrary - contrary to the Word of God. What then will YOU use when you come to the Lord's Table? The pure blood of the grape or something else which human reason or tradition may dictate? 

(Adapted from the author's booklet "The Ordinances of the Church".) 

Order Tract...#H-38...From:

Bethel Baptist Church - Watchman Press

1902 Columbia, Lawton, Oklahoma 73501

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What does the Bible teach about extremely long hair on a man?

Eze.44:20 " Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads."

1Co 11:14 " Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?"

1Co 11:15 " But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."

Christ did not have long hair.

Men with long hair in Bible days outside of Nazarites were temple prostitutes.

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What does the Bible teach about "ABORTION"? Don't!

Isa. 29:16"Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?"

Isa. 43:1"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."

Isa. 45:18"For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."

Isa. 44:2"Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen."

Isa. 44;24"Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;"

Isa. 49:5"And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength."

Isa. 64:8"But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand."

Jer. 1:5"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

Ro.9:20,21"Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?"21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?"

1 Tim. 2:13"For Adam was first formed, then Eve."

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What does the Bible say about "TONGUES"?

A) Tongues is a sign gift. B) Tongues ceased in 70 AD. C) Tongues is a natural human dialect. D) We have the entire cannon of Scripture, therefore tongues are not necessary for today. E) I believe you have been taught wrong, and are being deceived.

1 Cor. 13:8 "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." Note: They shall "CEASE". TOTAL CEASATION!!!!!!!!! Check it out in the GREEK!

For those of you whom claim to speak in this tongue, where is your love for the brethren when you tell him, or her, that they are not "BORN AGAIN" because in your opinion they do not show the evidence of the "HOLY GHOST"?

A lot of believer's I have met over the years claim to have this gift and live like the devil, and the world six out of seven days. Makes one wonder, don't you think? Paul was the gratest Preacher that ever lived outside of Christ. Paul stated his desire was to speak 5 understandable Words, as opposed to 10, 000 Words, that would not benefit the hearers. (This topic will be futher developed, as time goes on. Let's get back to the basics: 1) Preach the Word! 2) Disciple those who receive Christ! 3) RE-PRODUCE yourself in another believer!

1 Cor.14:1-40 " Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 6 Now, brethren, if I come unto yo u speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinctio n in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it b e known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speake th in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the unde rstanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say th at ye are mad?24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for w omen to speak in the church. 36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments o f the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order."

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What does the Bible say about "CAPITAL PUNISHMENT"?

Ex 21:12 " He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death."

Lev. 24:17 "And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death."

Nu 35:17 "And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death."

Nu 35:18 "Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death."

Nu 35:30 " Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die."

Deut.17:6 "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."

Deut. 21:22 "And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:"

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What does the Bible say about Gov't. and Law Enforcement?

Titus 3:1 " Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,"

1Tim. 1:8-11 " But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust."

1 Peter 2:13-16 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."

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What does the Bible teach about " Witchcraft "?

Lev.19:31 " Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God."

Lev. 20:6"And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people."

Lev. 20:27"A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them."

(Please pray that Christ will deliver those of whom the devil has taken captive at his will!) Witchcraft is not of "GOD". It is straight from the pits of "HELL" Save your money and stop running to these folks. Invest your money in a good solid local Churches that benefit the souls of people, and add Salt and Light to our communities to which we belong.

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Looking for Ideas of Baby Dedication Presentation?

(You have my permission to use this humble guide, if you choose to. Pastor Axler.)

Revised March 5/02.

Baby Dedication. (Child's Name.)

(Father) & (Mother) stewardship over (Child's Name) is to be administered with Christian agape, or Divine Love, and Biblical guidelines. (Father) & (Mother) are promising before God this morning that they will instruct (Child's Name) to live for the Lord, and die to self will; to walk in God's Word; God's light; God's truth; God's virtue; to love the Lord with all of her heart; to commune with the Lord through prayer; to be willing to serve the Lord with a willing mind, and serve Him with a submissive heart.

Pr 22:6 " ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. "

Mr 12:30 " And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. "

(Father) & (Mother) this morning are following the Biblical example, as did Hanna, as she dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord in days gone by. In an inward and outward act of humility (Father) & (Mother) are submitting their daughter to the authority of God's man, the preacher, and the preacher in turn submits his care of (Child's Name) to the Supreme Authority of Almighty God, as he offers up prayer petitioning the Lord to bless and undertake in (Child's Name) life, as (Father) & (Mother) are symbolically lending (Child's Name) to the Lord. God now in turn recognizes the sincere desire of (Father) & (Mother) and in turn, returns the stewardship of (Child's Name) back to Father) & (Mother) that both of them might follow through with their individual and joint vows, and commitment to the Lord to raise their daughter (Child's Name), in the admonition of the Lord.

29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: "

(Mother): Hand (Child's Name) to (Father).

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."

(Mother): This white budding rose is symbolic of (Child's Name). It signifies the newness of life; new growth; the freshness of birth. As we present this budding rose to (Child's Name) this morning we reflect on her past birth of Month, Day, Year at approx. (Time of Birth). as she weighed in at ?lbs. ?oz. As well as her life along the pathway of time, as she grows physically; emotionally; and spiritually. As this fragile white budding rose requires a gardener, someone to water it; feed it; weed it; prune it; and protect it from adverse weather conditions, (Child's Name) requires the same protection; concern; and parental attention. As, Elkanah and Hannah as parents dedicated their son Samuel to the Lord, (Father) and (Mother) today are dedicating their daughter (Child's Name) to the Lord; to be raised in the admonition of the Lord.

(Father): Hands (Child's Name) to the preacher.

Let's Bow for Prayer.

Pastor has prayer of dedication of (Child's Name) to the Lord.

1. Thank you Lord for this dear little one. On behalf of (Father) & (Mother) Lord I dedicate (Child's Name) to your Service, guidance and watchcare protection.
2. Bless, Protect, and Guide (Child's Name). Grant her long life, good health, and Salvation through Jesus Christ.
3. Prayer for future Godliness; Holy Living, and Servitude.
4. Wisdom and patience for (Father) & (Mother), in their stewardship of (Child's Name).

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Oct. 8/2000 Am.

What is Dedication all About?

28. Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

1 Sam. 2:1" ¶ And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation."

1 Sam. 2:21 " And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD. "

The principal characters in this section of scripture are the father and mother; the child, and the priest or preacher. Hannah means gracious, or graciousness. She was the wife of Elkanah, a Levite of Ramathain Zoophin, who belonged to one of the most honourable families of the priests- the Kohathites. Peninnah was Elkanah second wife- back in those days every man did that which was right in his own eyes. The desire of every Hebrew parent was to be blessed with a son, and here we see Hannah barren; childless. Perhaps she asked her husband to take a second wife to carry on the family name, as did Sarah with Abraham. Hannah bare 3 sons and two daughters. (1 Sam. 2;210 Hannah is one of the most noble women mentioned in scripture. She appears on the most part to have an unblemished character. She is devoted to her God in worship. God blessed her because of her godliness; devotion; trust; and self- sacrifice. She helped to instill these character qualities in her son Samuel. Even though the second wife continuously put Hannah down she remained loyal to her husband and the Lord. In the face of turmoil and distress she maintained an open heart to commune with God. Even though in the beginning she was childless, she was not at the same time prayer less. Elkanah was a godly father yet in his human weakness found himself in a polygamous relationship.

1Sam. 1:11 Hannah's vow to dedicate her son to the Lord.

1 Sam. 1:22 Wean the child and dedicate him for a life of service.

1 Sam. 1:25 Parents bring Samuel before the priest Eli.

1 Sam. 1;28 Parent lend Samuel to the service of God. Parents are only stewards of their children.

1 Sam. 2:11 Samuel ministered to the lord and was taught by Eli.

1 Sam. 2:18, 26 Samuel grew in favour with God and man. Every Passover yearly Hannah would make Samuel a new coat, and visit him at Jerusalem.

Dedication to the lord brings recognition, rewards, and God's blessing. 1 Sam. 3:20

Moses taught the nation of Israel to teach their children, to raise them in reverential fear, and love for God. Deut. 6: 3-11.

Pr 22:6 " ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. "

The apostle Paul instructed the Church at Ephesus, that children were to obey their parents; to honour their mother and father; and the principal that it is the parent's responsibility to raise their children in the admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:1-4.

What were the results of lending; dedicating and raising Samuel in God's Ways?

Samuel was raised a Nazarite. Nazarites abstained from intoxicating drinks, self denial and separation from sensual indulgence, no razor came upon their head indicating their complete dedication of all he power of the head to be in obedience and submissive to God. Avoidance of touching a dead body was a token of absolute purity of life. Numbers Chapter 6.

God's first call to him occurred at approx. 12 years old. Samuel was a prophet of the Lord. 1 Sam.2:27-35; 3:19-21;and 8:22 in faithfulness was a rebuke to Eli's unfaithfulness. Israel under Samuel renounced idolatry, and shook off the yoke of the Philistines. Samuel was a great intercessor and considered it sin not to pray for others. 1Sam. 7:5-8; 8:6; 12:17,19,m 23; 15:11. He was not a priest by decent but rather by intercession. 1Sam.7:9; offering sacrifice. 1Sam. 7:9,10. Benediction- 1 Sam. 10:17,25; anointing kings 1 Sam. 10:1; 16:13. Samuel was a judge in Israel all of his days. After Israel changed from a theocracy to a monarchy he still continued to travel as a circuit judge in moral, and spiritual questions. He continued to minister in the hearts and lives of the people in the laws and authority of Jehovah.1Sam. 25:1; 28:3.

Samuel is mentioned by Paul in Heb.11:32 as a great man of faith. Heb. 11:32 " ¶ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:"

Beloved this morning we witnessed the desire of husband & wife to dedicate their daughter daughters name to the Lord. At the same time they are re-dedicating their lives as believers to honour and serve the Lord. In Scripture Hannah, and her husband desired to dedicate their son and re-dedicate their love and service to the Lord. What about you this morning? Are you here in the presence of Almighty God desiring in your heart to rededicate your life to the Lord? Your Service for Him? Your time, talent and treasure for Him? This is what the Lord desires from you. Your all! Your love! Your worship! How do you measure up this morning?

Are you saved this morning? Have you followed the Lord in believer's baptism this morning? Are you a member in a Bible Believing doctrinal sound Church this morning? Is your testimony pleasing to the Lord this morning? Are you reading your Bible and praying in communion with God the way He expects you to this morning?

Let's Pray  _________________________________________________________________________________

What does the Bible teach about "Life on other Planets"?

There isn't any!

Gen. 1:1" In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

Gen. 1:21" And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every win ged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

Gen. 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

Gen. 2:3 "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."

Gen. 2:4 " These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,"

Gen. 5:1 " This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;"

Ge n.5:2 " Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created."

Gen. 6:7 " And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them."

Isa. 42:5 " Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:"

Isa 43:7 "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him."

Isa 45:12 " I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded."

Isa 45:18 "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."

Eze 28:15 " Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."

Eph 3:9 "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:"

Col 1:16 " For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:"

Re 4:11" Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

Re 10:6 "And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:"

The BIBLE teaches that God created everything! There is absolutely no mention of human life on any other planet outside of our EARTH!

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What does the Bible teach about who is a Jewish Person?  June 10/2010  Sivan 28/5770

This section will clearly indicate from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Laws passed in Israel. Naturally God's Word is the ultimate authority on this subject, not mans! This section will I believe clear up a lot of misunderstanding. It will be developed with good intentions, as time permits.

NOTE: As, a (Saved Jew) I love the Jewish people and desire God's richest blessing upon their individual life; families; relations; and the entire Nation of Israel!!! Praise the Lord for God's intervention through the: "GREAT NATION OF ISRAEL!"

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Ambassador Baptist Church Location:

Independent K.J.V.1611

8 Leonard St. Brantford, Ont. (Turn  off of Grand River St.)

Meeting at: St. Paul's : 8 Leonard St. Brantford, Ont.

Join us for Fellowship: Sun. 12:00 Noon &  6:00 Pm. + Thurs. Eve. 7:15Pm.

Looking for a Church to SERVE IN? Looking for a Church with a Vision? Looking for a Church that Loves the Lord? Looking for a Church Sound in Doctrine? Looking for a Church that still has Dress Code Standards? Looking for a Church that still Worships the lord with the Old Hymns of the Faith? Looking for a Church that Preaches & Teaches "SIN" for what it is: "SIN". Looking for a Church that still practices Church Discipline in the year 2010 ? Looking for a Church that Loves People? Looking for a Church to raise your children & Grandchildren in? Looking for a Church that takes a stand against the modernists of our day? Looking for a Church that still Preaches Salvation by Faith in Jesus Christ? Looking for a Church that still believes in Evangelization? Looking for a Church that believes in Fellowship with the kitchen warm, and the PULPIT HOT! Looking for a Church that Preaches the BLOOD, the BOOK (K.J.V.1611), & the BLESSED HOPE? Look no further!

Join us for Worship this Sunday.

Need a Ride? Phone: (519) 759-7393

Email: ambassador@execulink.com

Web Site: www.ambassadorbaptistbrantford.com (Save us as a Favourite.)

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Special Note:

 If, you have just received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour after viewing this site please email us, and let us know.

ambassador@execulink.com

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Special note: This web site has been developed to:

#1 Reach the LOST for CHRIST.

#2 Aid other FUNDAMENTAL CHURCHES, and BELIEVERS.

#3 Hopefully instruct any, and all viewers in: SOUND BIBLICAL PRINCIPALS.

Pastor David Axler,  B. Th.

Thank you for your visit. Save us as a favourite, and email your comments to: ambassador@execulink.com

Question?: If, you are not saved why aren't you? What is holding you back? You have Heaven to gain through accepting Jesus Christ as you personal Saviour, and HELL to shun.

Bow your head right now and ask Christ to forgive you, and come into your heart and Save you. Then email us at ambassador@execulink.com of your decision to follow Christ that we might rejoice with you, and endeavour to help you along in your walk with the Lord.

  Index:

[Go To TOP of Page]

Index PAGE#1

Church Location; Leadership; Pastor Message & Vision for Brantford; Outreach Ministries; Missionaries;

Contact Addresses and Phone #'s.; Gospel Presentation.

Page #2 :

Discipleship Programmes,  Bulletin Board; Other I. B. C; What does the Bible say about Baptism;

Which Bible?; Bulletin Board.

Page3.htm

Conversion; Call of Pastor David Axler; Major Biblical Doctrines Defined.

Page4.htm

What the Bible teaches about: Baby dedication; witchcraft; capital punishment, tongues; Lord's Table - alcohol or grape juice?; gambling; tattoos; female pastor's; prostitution; divorce.

Page5.htm

Same Sex Marriage; Homosexuality; Beastiality!

Page6.htm

Good Friday or Good Wednesday?; Canada's War Dead Honoured.

Page7.htm

Nursing Home Ministries; Missionary Information; Church Helps.