A conviction is a "fixed or strong belief". It is the trust
which we put in something, as the result of our putting it to trial. As such, a
criminal is convicted as guilty only after a trial hears all the evidence and
then renders its verdict. Likewise, our convictions are the result of what we
have heard presented as evidence and then after our diligent consideration of
said evidence. This is not to say that our convictions are always true, because
the evidence we have considered may have been faulty. We can only conclude that
our convictions are based on what we then heard presented.
Truth is most effectively acquired as we approach the evidence
presented without prejudice and are diligent to try that which we have heard.
Fickle convictions are from fickle trials. The more intensely we study a
subject, un-tethered by preconceived notions, the more successful we will be at
having true convictions. We should be willing to re-think our convictions if new
evidence is discovered. I'm not sure it is commendable to always believe a
certain way. What if that belief is wrong? It is more commendable to diligently
put to the trial our convictions in hope of arriving at a more precise
understanding of the truth.
That said, a successful dialogue between two individuals
requires of course that they speak the same language. Even though we think we
are likeminded, if the definitions of our terms differ so will our beliefs. As
an example, you may believe that we are saved by grace and I may believe we are
saved by grace, but if our definition of grace differs, then we don’t believe
the same thing. Hence, it is imperative that before we can understand one
another, we must define our terms. We must know what each other means when we
use words such as faith or grace, otherwise a true understanding one with
another is impossible. We may even think that we understand each other, but if
we are defining our terms differently, then we probably don’t.
Below I have gathered together some definitions concerning
various items so as to encourage a more successful communication between us.
Some of my convictions are reflected in these definitions. As I have put them to
the trial, I believe them to be true. However, as I mature, my understandings
may also continue to change as they have in the past. When I was a young child I perceived GOD as a
fat man in a red suit who always knew if I had been "good or bad". I have since
learned that man just worked for the department store.
GOD or LORD. Though "there be gods
many, and lords many" (1 CORINTHIANS 8:5), there is only one true GOD who is
superior to all others. HIS name is not GOD or LORD but YHWH, probably
spoken as Yahweh. Howbeit,
in the Bible, YHWH is hardly ever used by non-Israelites except in answer to
a question to an Israelite. Therefore, we will generally refer to HIM as GOD or LORD,
though always in all caps to differentiate HIM from other gods and other lords.
Almighty GOD, unlike the other gods, is omnipresent (ever present), omniscience
(all knowing) and omnipotent (all powerful). HE is one and not three. HE alone
is above all things.
god.
Scripture also uses the
word "god" in reference to others besides the Almighty. There is the god of this
world (2 CORINTHIANS 4:4), also known as Satan, the Devil, the Dragon, Lucifer
etc. He is not the GOD Almighty, but he is a god all the same. Angels were called
gods (PSALM 82:6). Moses was made a god unto Pharaoh (EXODUS 7:1). Yeshua
(Jesus) was called god (HEBREWS 1:8
JOHN 20:28 PSALM 82:8). Hebrew Judges were referred to
as gods (EXODUS 21:6). The Apostle Paul was called god (ACTS 14:11; 28:6). Herod
was called god (ACTS 12:22). The "son of perdition" was called god (2 THESSALONIANS 2:4). Remphan was called god (ACTS 7:43). Diana of the Ephesians
was called a goddess (ACTS 19:27). Being called god in the Bible doesn't make
that person equal with GOD. It only connects that individual with some
particular characteristic of what a god is.
1 CORINTHIANS 8:5-6
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as
there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the
Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom are all things, and we by him.
Lord. As there is one LORD GOD,
so is there one Lord, Yeshua (Jesus). For a well written explanation of why
Yeshua is the
correct name of the only begotten Son of GOD, see
The Sacred Name. Although
Yeshua was head and shoulders above any
other man, He was still a man who required the grace of GOD to accomplish His
calling (LUKE 2:40). He was not GOD become a man, but was made by GOD as Lord
and Christ (ACTS 2:36). He was not a third person of
the mystical Trinity. He was not God the Son. Rather, He was the Son of GOD. Any attempt
to make Him otherwise requires one to search outside of the Book, for within the
Bible He is man. To read a short study about Yeshua as Lord, see
Who Art Thou Lord?
Everything He accomplished was because of His obedience to His
Father. His knowledge was limited to what GOD showed Him (MARK 13:32). His power
was limited to what GOD allowed Him (JOHN 5:30). He always did His Father's
will, even though once with a shade of reluctance, when unto the death of the cross (MARK
14:36). But GOD raised Him from among the dead and seated Him at HIS own right
hand, as mediator between GOD and mankind, where He awaits the time of
restitution (ACTS 3:21). He will someday return to Earth as GOD's Judge, Ruler,
and Prince of Peace.
lord.
Being called lord in the
Bible doesn't mean one is equal to the LORD GOD anymore than being called god means one is
equal to GOD
Almighty. Many different kinds of people were called lord. The owners of
a colt were called lord (LUKE 19:33). The master of the damsel possessed with a
spirit of divination was called lord (ACTS 16:16). Servant's masters are called
lord (EPHESIANS 6:5). Augustus was called lord (ACTS 25:26). The householder of
the vineyard was called lord (MATTHEW 20:8). Angels were called lords (GENESIS
19:18 1 CORINTHIANS 8:5). A father was called lord by his son (MATTHEW 21:30).
Pilate was called lord (MATTHEW 27:63). Paul and Silas were called lords (ACTS
16:30), and of course, Yeshua, the King of kings and Lord of lords was called
lord (JOHN 20:28 ACTS 9:5).
The word of GOD.
The purpose of
the word of GOD is to reveal HIS nature. Howbeit, the word of GOD is not equal
to or synonymous with the Bible. It is larger than the Bible. The word of GOD
was in the beginning, long before the Bible ever began to be written. The word
of GOD is also in various forms beyond the written word; in the beginning it was
only spoken, then it was written and
then later it
became flesh in the person of Yeshua, the Christ. But it is also in
Nature, for when GOD formed this present world, HE spoke it into being.
Therefore, all that was brought forth during those six days of creation
exuberates the word of GOD. This is why nature is so comforting and why the
starry sky is so inspiring; they exude the word of GOD.
The Bible.
It has been said that
truth can be found on the heel of the Devil. I suppose this may be. But if so,
it is always truth out of context. What the Bible does for us is set truth in
its proper context. The Bible is man’s avenue for understanding the true way! It
reveals the true way of GOD. It reveals the true way of the Serpent. It reveals
the true way of man. It reveals the true way of temptation and the true way of
redemption. It also reveals the true way of death and the true way of life.
GOD
has graciously preserved for us these ancient Scriptures that we might know this
true way. From the Garden of Eden through the great flood of Noah, from the
reign of King David through the crucifixion and resurrection of Yeshua,
from the pen of the apostle Paul to the printing press of Gutenberg to the lap
top computer, GOD has preserved HIS written revelation. Of course not every word
of every version of every translation is "God breathed". The original accurate
text is like the ruins of an ancient city, partially seen but partially hidden
and covered over by later constructions. But the whole truth is there, waiting to
be unearthed. Our tools are not backhoes or picks and tiny brushes, but
concordances, interlinears and lexicons.
I'm often asked, "How do you know the Bible is accurate, or
even true?" My answer is simple. "How can you not know that the Bible is true?"
The very fact that the Bible exists, is an absolute miracle. Twenty centuries
after Yeshua’s little band of frightened followers, in an obscure part of the
world, these writings have somehow not only survived but prevailed. The world
powers have changed like a pendulum, swinging back and forth,
Rome-Mongols-Arabs-Saracens-Europeans, with all of them doing their best to
extinguish the Scriptures. The fact that we today have bound together for us in
one Book the harmonious testimony of many writers over many centuries is an
absolute phenomenon.
The Bible's perfect Structure alone should drop us to our knees in
astonishment. How the Book ends by the pen of John in perfect symmetry to the
way it began by Moses, is only possible if they had one common Author
(see Biblical Literary Structure). The Number
System placed within the Holy Book is also a
testimony to its eternal Author. For example, the forty days and nights it
rained on the earth to float the Ark, the forty days and nights Moses was on the mountain
receiving the ten commandments,
and the
forty days and forty nights that Yeshua fasted in the wilderness are all divinely
connected by the number four.
There are the un-designed
coincidences throughout the Bible that testify to its accuracy. For an
interesting sampling, see Scriptural Coincidences
by J. J. Blunt.
Then there are the "Historically Verifiable Prophecies" found time and time
again on the Holy Page. These are prophecies which were written thousands of
years ago and found their fulfillment sometimes hundreds of years later,
documented not only in the Bible but also throughout secular history. To watch
an enlightening video entitled "Why I Believe the Bible-Prophecy", go
here, and click on "video
teachings".
How would our world be different without the
Bible? There would be no knowledge of Christianity, or Yeshua, or the
true GOD.
There would only be superstition. We would scarcely be more civilized than the
animals. It would still be survival of the meanest, if we would have survived at
all. To read a short study about the inspiration of the Scriptures, click
here.
I am aware that there are those who think they have discovered
discrepancies in the Scriptures. I contend that usually these discrepancies are
only in one's lack of understanding. Often these skeptics are reading into the text what
is just not there. "Not knowing the scriptures" has been the failing of
many people since the beginning of Religion. I have found that when the student
reads with no preconceived theology, few apparent contradictions remain. The few
that remain are usually the result of versions which were inaccurately translated from
the original text. Of course we have no exact copies of the original text, so we
can only do our best with what we do have. For an interesting insight, read an
excerpt from Original
Language of the New Testament, by Adolf Deissmann.
Religion.
Religion is not
Christianity. Not even the "Christian Religion" is true Christianity. The reader
may think that this is a condescending view, but that is probably because of our
terms not being commonly understood. When I speak of Religion, I mean the
established organizations around the world. I think a case can easily be
made that organized Religion has always endeavored to thwart the desires of
GOD.
Men like Martin Luther and John Wesley may have been true servants of GOD, but
after their passing, other men for gains sake took their works and made them
profitable. There is no evidence to justify the assumption that any mainstream
Religion today is the true way. When we measure them with Scripture (see
church_traditions), we become convinced they are anything but the true way.
Dispensation (Administration, oikonomia).
It is a common assumption that the different Dispensations in the Bible reflect
different ages throughout time. Our current dispensation is then thought to be
the "age of grace". Some think it started at Pentecost, others think
it began sometime during the Book of ACTS, while others think it began at the
close of the Book of ACTS. However, oikonomia is not necessarily an age
but more accurately a stewardship, like as the administration of some President
or CEO. Hence, oikonomia in the Bible is a trust which may be given by
GOD to one of
HIS servants. It may have somewhat to do with an age but not entirely. It has
more to do with the revelation of GOD, making known HIS purposes to some
particular faithful steward.
The most popular oikonomia in the Bible was
given by GOD to the apostle Paul, that men might read what he wrote and thereby
understand Paul's knowledge about GOD's kingdom, which was hidden from other
men (EPHESIANS 3:1-9). Of course at some point his ministry
commenced and at some other point it will have accomplished its end, so in that
light it has to do with an age, but it has more to do with Paul's stewardship of
GOD's revelation, than with some fixed date. The oikonomia entrusted unto
Paul, had to do with teaching the secrets of the mystery to the Uncircumcised
while the oikonomia entrusted unto Peter had to do with the Gospel to the
Circumcised (GALATIANS 2:7). The oikonomia of Moses was that of the old
covenant while the oikonomia of Yeshua was that of the new covenant. The
oikonomia of Adam was the dominion of earth while the oikonomia of
the new Adam, Yeshua, will be that of the new heaven and earth.
The Grace of GOD. The grace
of GOD is not undeserved, but is given to the humble (1 PETER 5:5), and
to those who "love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruption" (EPHESIANS 6:24). This grace is not something that blindfolds
GOD to our sins, but instead it is how we
are "led by the spirit of GOD". The purpose of GOD's grace is not
a license to live as we please (JUDE 4),
but that we might be obedient to faith (ROMANS 1:5).
Grace is
GOD giving us that which is needed so that we are able to accomplish HIS will. GOD's grace
is usually HIS word sent in some form but it also could be HIS power or some
special ability given to the believer. Howbeit, it is usually only given to responsible
believers who will be faithful stewards of that grace. GOD's grace is sort of
like credit. It is originally given freely, but afterwards in accordance to how
we either use it or abuse it. If one
frustrates GOD's grace by his continued disobedience, he may fall from it (GALATIANS 2:21; 5:4
HEBREWS 12:15).
There is no
"age of grace" written of in the Scriptures. That phrase is an invention of man
because of his misunderstanding of oikonomia (see above). Grace is
GOD's love poured out in our hearts" (ROMANS 5:5).
To read a short study see
The
Grace of GOD.
Faith.
I think
that when one doesn't understand what faith is, then he must think it means four
or five different things. Faith means one simple thing. Faith is a process that
occurs within us. When we hear the words of GOD, we decide
within our minds to either obey what we have heard or to disobey what we have
heard. If we choose to obey, then we are ready for the next hearing. Hearing,
obeying and then hearing more is the simple process called "faith" (ROMANS
10:16, 17). Of course, we can't hear unless GOD first speaks. This is why
faith requires the grace of GOD. Without GOD first offering HIS word (i.e.
grace), we have nothing to hear, nothing to obey, thus no faith. Faith is to be
"enslaved to GOD" (ROMANS 6:22). To read a short
study about true faith, see The
Way of Faith.
Righteousness.
Righteousness is the lifestyle that is produced by faith. As faith is not
possible without GOD's grace, so righteousness is not possible without faith.
Howbeit, righteousness is not something magically and instantly given to us when we are born
again, but is developed over time, as we "live by faith" (ROMANS 1:17; 6:17, 18).
Thus, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness" (2 TIMOTHY 3:16). To obtain righteousness requires our
obedience to Yahweh's instructions. To read a short study about the
righteousness of GOD, see
The Crown of
Righteousness.
Sin. If I were
shooting an arrow at a target I am either going to hit the mark or miss the
mark. To miss the mark is in a nutshell what sin is. Missing it, I have sinned
because I have in some way failed to follow GOD's instructions. HE wouldn't
show us HIS desires and instruct us on how to fulfill them if it were not
possible for us to accomplish them. Howbeit, our failing to hit the mark never
separates us from GOD. Only a hard heart which refuses instruction can shut
the door on GOD (ROMANS 2:5 EPHESIANS 4:18).
To read a short study on sin and fellowship with GOD, see
Fellowship with HIM.
Life and Death.
There is a spiritual life and death just there is a physical life and death.
Each of us is born physically but to be alive spiritually we must be born again,
spiritually (JOHN 3:6). This is
accomplished as GOD impregnates our minds with HIS word, then over time HE
nourishes us with that word within the spiritual womb, after which we are then
born “again”. To read a short study on being born
again, see Born from Above.
Resurrection. For the most part,
all who have ever died are still dead. The only exception to this is of course
Yeshua (Jesus) and possibly Elijah who was carried into heaven. This is why the
Resurrection is so important and such a great hope and comfort for all believers
(1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18). Some day,
all believers will be resurrected with their new bodies (LUKE 24:39
PHILIPPIANS 3:21), to live eternally. Though the bodies will be
new, the mind will be retained.
Kingdom of GOD, Kingdom of Heaven,
Kingdom of Christ
(different aspects of the same place). Many are surprised to discover
that Scripture never tells us that we enter GOD's kingdom when we die or are
resurrected. Rather, GOD's kingdom is available to those who repent (MATTHEW
4:17), are born of the spirit (JOHN 3:5),
or who are translated into it (COLOSSIANS
1:13, see LUKE 16:4
for first usage). GOD's
kingdom is not up in the ethereal blue yonder or awaiting us somewhere in the
future. It is here and now. Always has been. It is lying in another dimension,
if you will (2 KINGS 6:17). Flesh cannot find the "narrow
way" to this spiritual place. Only the mind by way of the truth can enter in. We
should be careful not to confuse the Kingdom of GOD with the kingdom of Israel (ACTS
1:6).
