Cheat Sheet

[Jesus is speaking] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30)

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3)

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. (2 John 1:5-6)

[Jesus is speaking] If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15)

[Jesus is speaking] "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." (John 14:21-24)

[Jesus is speaking] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. (John 15:10)

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)

[Jesus is speaking] Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46)

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. (1 John 3:21-22)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. (James 2:18)

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:20-24)

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:25-26)

So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. (Acts 26:19-20)

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

In the above passages, notice how important our obedience is to God. Are you giving Him complete obedience? As we'll see in section #11, #12, and #13 in this article, we'll be disciplined (perhaps severely) both in this life and in heaven for not obeying Him.

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:30-32)

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many...At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:4-13)

At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. (Matthew 24:23-25)

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse! (Galatians 1:6-9)

But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. (Galatians 4:8-12 NKJV)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:11-14)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 5:6)

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer (1 Timothy 1:3)

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Timothy 4:1)

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)

Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:14-18)

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Timothy 4:2-4 NKJV)

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14)

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. (2 Peter 3:15-17)

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. (1 John 1:6)

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. (2 John 1:4-11)

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 1:3-4)

They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. (Jude 1:18-19)

In the above passages we're given strong warnings that we need to have proper beliefs. To learn how to study the Bible, and why it's so important to be thorough, objective, and unbiased when we study any doctrines or topics in Scripture, see my article called How to Study the Bible.

Are you absolutely certain that all of your Christian beliefs are proper, true, and accurate? If your beliefs are wrong, then your actions (based on those beliefs) are not in obedience to God, so you will be disciplined (perhaps severely) both in this life and in heaven (see section #11, #12, and #13 in this article).

If you [the disciples] were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19 NKJV)

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:11-23 NKJV)

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." (John 18:36 NKJV)

As the following passages show, we need to maintain the perspective that we are citizens of heaven right now and members of God's household right now, and we're here on earth with jobs to do as Christ's ambassadors. Therefore, we must set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household (Ephesians 2:19)

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

As the following passages show, we must not conform to or be polluted by the ways and thinking of this world, but instead we must be transformed in our minds to have the proper perspective (God's perspective). We're told that if we're friendly with (or love) the things of the world (i.e., if we take on the interests, fears, and concerns of the world as our own), having the world's values and worldly priorities, then we are spiritual adulterers and adulteresses against God, aligning ourselves with His enemies. We're told to keep our minds governed by the Spirit and not by fleshly, worldly thinking because when our minds are in the realm of our flesh nature or worldly nature then we cannot please God. We need to consider ourselves as being crucified to the world, and the world as being crucified to us:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)
["Living according to the lifestyle of "the present evil Age" (Gal 1:4; cf. Eph 1:21) must now be put aside. Then Paul commanded, But be transformed (pres. passive imper., "keep on being transformed") by the renewing of your mind. The Greek verb translated "transformed" (metamorphousthe) is seen in the English word "metamorphosis," a total change from inside out (cf. 2Co 3:18). The key to this change is the "mind" (noos), the control center of one's attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions (cf. Eph 4:22-23). As one's mind keeps on being made new by the spiritual input of God's Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship, his lifestyle keeps on being transformed." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, Romans 12:1-2).]

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship [philia] with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (James 4:4)
["In James 4:4, philia involves the adopting of the interests of the world to be one's own" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, philia).
"Instead of the customary "my brothers," James bristled with you adulterous people. Again he asked a pointed question: Don't you know that friendship (philia) with the world (cf. "world" in Jas 1:27) is hatred toward God? Then he added, Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes (lit., "is constituted") an enemy of God." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, James 4:4).]

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
["The world competes for the love of Christians and one cannot both love it and the Father at the same time. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. As James also had told his Christian readers, "Friendship with the world is hatred toward God" (Jas 4:4)." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1 John 2:15).]

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:5-9)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:21, 24)

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9:23-25)

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple...those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." (Luke 14:25-27, 33)
["To emphasize that discipleship is difficult, Jesus said that one must hate his own family and even his own life in order to be His disciple. Literally hating one's family would have been a violation of the Law. Since Jesus on several occasions admonished others to fulfill the Law, He must not have meant here that one should literally hate his family. The stress here is on the priority of love (cf. Mat 10:37). One's loyalty to Jesus must come before his loyalty to his family or even to life itself. Indeed, those who did follow Jesus against their families' desires were probably thought of as hating their families." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, Luke 14:25-27).]

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. (John 12:25-26)

As the following passages show, we need to offer ourselves completely to God, considering ourselves as His servants for carrying out His plans and purposes. We were bought at the price of Jesus' blood, so we need to humble ourselves and consider our lives as worth nothing to us, and run the race that God has marked out for each of us, fixing our eyes on Jesus:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1)

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:18-22)

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (Romans 12:3)

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
["The command humble yourselves (tapeinothete) could be translated "allow yourselves to be humbled."" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1 Peter 5:6-7).]

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:8)

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9)

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (Philippians 3:7-9)

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.' Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." (Luke 14:25-33)
["forsake all: The essence of discipleship is to place all things in God's hands. Jesus wants the crowds to understand this. Following Jesus is not a trivial matter. It is not how little you can give to God, but how much God deserves. cannot be My disciple: One is not really being a disciple if one is not fully devoted to God" (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary, Luke 14:33).
"says good-bye to all his property, "all his own belongings" (neuter plural participle used as substantive) as named in Luk 14:26. This verse gives the principle in the two parables of the rash builder and of the rash king. The minor details do not matter. The spirit of self-sacrifice is the point" (Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Luke 14:33).
"Forsaketh...Bids good-by to. Rev., renounceth. See on Luk 9:61. "In that forsaketh lies the key to the whole passage" (Trench). Christian discipleship is founded in self-renunciation." (Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament, Luke 14:33).]

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. (Acts 20:24)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

As the following passages show, we're repeatedly told not to be afraid, not to worry, not to let our hearts be troubled, and to be slow to become angry. God knows the outcome of everything that will happen in our lives and in the world, and He has planned everything out accordingly. We need to trust Him and follow His individual plan for our lives in order to have the best and safest outcome (see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance):

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:25-31)

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (Matthew 28:8-10)

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19)

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." (Luke 5:8-10)

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher anymore." Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." (Luke 8:49-50)

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:4-7)

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you - you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them." (Luke 12:22-30)

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19-20)

All of the passages in this section describe certain perspectives and attitudes that God commands us to have. Are these your perspectives and attitudes? If not, then it's likely that you're elevating your own feelings and desires above God's commands, which is the cause of sin (see the Introduction).

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:14-15)

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand (2 Corinthians 10:15)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:9-12)

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28)

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. (Colossians 4:12)

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14)

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2)

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39-40)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (1 Peter 2:2)

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

Many (perhaps most) Christians are living their lives the way they feel is best, and they don't show any interest in learning or understanding what the New Testament says, or obeying what it says. They're comfortable with what they believe so they're not growing and maturing. In books and online articles they're referred to as "complacent Christians" or "lukewarm Christians." Consider that some people like hot coffee and some people like cold (iced) coffee, but lukewarm coffee makes you want to spit it out of your mouth. With that in mind, notice what Jesus said:

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit [emeo] you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. (Revelation 3:14-19)

In the above passage, Jesus said that lukewarm Christians make Him want to vomit (the Greek word emeo is not used anywhere else in the New Testament, but it's used for "vomit" in the Greek version of Isaiah 19:14). He loves them but said that they need to be earnest or zealous and repent, otherwise they might be disciplined (as described in section #11 in this article).

Are you growing and maturing in faith and in the knowledge of God (in obedience to the passages in this section), or are you a complacent, lukewarm Christian who makes Jesus want to vomit?

"We've seen that we must choose to receive the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in obedience to God (after we automatically receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation) because it empowers us by providing certain gifts of the Spirit for the assignments that God needs us to do.

We've seen why it's referred to as being "baptized" with the Holy Spirit by demonstrating the similarities between Spirit baptism and the two forms of water baptism in the New Testament.

We've seen that for the apostles, speaking in tongues was the convincing evidence that Christians had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

We've seen the high degree of importance attached to the baptism of the Holy Spirit for receiving spiritual empowerment for the assignments that God needs us to do.

We've seen that there's a simple, straightforward reason why the disciples had two separate experiences of the Holy Spirit, and why sometimes there was a time lag between the moment when people received salvation and the moment when the Holy Spirit came on them (as in the case of the Samaritans). The reason is that the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is only available after salvation. The new Christians in Scripture automatically received the indwelling Holy Spirit at the moment of their salvation just like everyone else in the New Testament church does, and they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate event just like the rest of us are able to do. These are always two separate and distinct experiences of the Holy Spirit with two separate and distinct purposes. One experience is automatic, the other experience is a choice we make.

We've seen that when the New Testament describes certain Christians as being "anointed," this specifically means that they had received the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When I say that speaking in tongues is the outward evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I'm not referring to the spiritual gift of tongues. I'm referring to "praying in the Spirit" (as the New Testament calls it). Many Christians don't seem to realize it, but there are actually two forms of tongues in the New Testament. To learn all about the two scriptural purposes for speaking in tongues, my article called Praying in the Spirit Means Speaking in Tongues examines every New Testament passage on speaking in tongues."

Many churches teach that miracles, healings, and the so-called miraculous gifts of the Spirit ceased or died out during or shortly after the first century, and this view is known as cessationism. It would be easy for people in Protestant or Baptist or other cessationist denominations to dismiss the above points by saying that they're all "charismatic" views, but in reality the only issue that matters is whether or not the above points are what Scripture teaches. If those are what the New Testament teaches for all Christians then God expects all Christians to obey Him by receiving this gift (no matter what denomination you're a member of). In fact, my article called All Gifts of the Spirit Are Available Today shows that cessationism is a form of last-days apostasy (a falling away from proper beliefs) because the apostle Paul said that it's a very specific sign of the "terrible times in the last days." My article called End-Times Prophecies Are Coming to Pass Right before Our Eyes (see sign #19) shows even further that cessationism is a form of last-days apostasy.

As described in my article called How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit - Part One, here is every event in which Christians were baptized with the Holy Spirit. There are no other descriptions of Christians receiving the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit anywhere else in Scripture, so these four events are the only instructional examples that God has given us:

Pentecost

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on [eperchomai epi] you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:4-8)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
At the house of Cornelius the Gentile

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on [epipipto epi] all who heard the message. The circumcised believers [Jews] who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles [non-Jews]. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:44-48)

As I [Peter] began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on [epipipto epi] them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God? When they [the Jews who criticized Peter for breaking the Jewish law by eating with Gentiles at the house of Cornelius] heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles [non-Jews] repentance unto life." (Acts 11:15-18)
[According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments (Dr. Spiros Zodhiates), the Greek word eperchomai in Acts 1:4-8 (above) is a contraction of the Greek words epi and erchomai (Acts 19:1-6, below), and is synonymous with epipipto in the above passages and in Acts 8:14-20 (below).]

After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them [the Jews in Jerusalem]: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles [Cornelius and his household] might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith." (Acts 15:7-9)
The disciples in Ephesus

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on [erchomai epi] them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6)
The Samaritans

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on [epipipto epi] any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! (Acts 8:14-20)

Here is every New Testament verse that uses the phrase "baptize(d) with the Holy Spirit." Every one of these verses uses the Greek word en (meaning "in" or "with"), and every one of these verses makes a direct comparison between water baptism and Spirit baptism:

"I baptize you with [en] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with [en] the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11)

"I baptize you with [en] water, but he will baptize you with [en] the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8)

"John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with [en] the Holy Spirit and with fire."" (Luke 3:16)

"I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with [en] water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with [en] the Holy Spirit.'" (John 1:33)

"For John baptized with [en] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with [en] the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:5)

"Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with [en] water, but you will be baptized with [en] the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 11:16)

Just as we're baptized "in" or "with" water, we're also baptized "in" or "with" the Holy Spirit. There was nothing accidental or haphazard about the above passages referring to it as being "baptized" with the Holy Spirit because we can easily see the direct comparison between water baptism and Spirit baptism. Scripture consistently tells us that we're baptized in the living water of the Holy Spirit by Jesus.

Many churches and denominations (e.g., most Protestants and Baptists) wrongly teach that the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" means that the Holy Spirit automatically baptizes us into the body of Christ at the moment we receive salvation, based on this passage:

"For we were all baptized by [en] one Spirit so as to form one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV)

However, the NIV and certain other versions of the Bible have paraphrased the Greek word en as "by" instead of translating it using its normal meaning of "in" or "with." This sometimes causes people to assume that we are baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, even though there's not a shred of scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit does any type of baptizing.

When the Greek word en is translated with its normal definition of "in," the actual meaning of 1 Corinthians 12:13 becomes clear by comparing it with some other verses:

"In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized into [baptizo eis] Moses." (1 Corinthians 10:2 paraphrased)

"In water they were baptized into [baptizo eis] the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 19:5 paraphrased)

"in one Spirit were we all baptized into [baptizo eis] one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13 ASV)

It's now easy to see what the medium of baptism is in each verse. In the first verse, the cloud and the sea are the medium or the substance in which the Israelites were baptized. The Israelites were already united with Moses when they left Egypt, which was before they were "baptized into Moses" at the Red Sea. The cloud and the sea didn't cause them to be united with Moses.

In the second verse above, water is the medium or the substance in which Christians are baptized. Christians are united with Christ at the moment of salvation, which happens before we're baptized in water (see my series called Everything We Need to Know about Water Baptism). The water doesn't cause us to be saved or to be united with Christ.

In the third verse above, the living water of the Holy Spirit is the medium or the substance in which Christians are baptized. Just as water baptism does not cause us to be saved, Spirit baptism does not cause us to be included in the body of Christ (see my article called How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit - Part One). Receiving salvation is the point when we become included in the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14), and Spirit baptism is only available to us after we receive salvation (see my article above).

So 1 Corinthians 12:13 does not teach that the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit does not do any type of baptizing.

In every example that God has given us where Christians received the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (above), the Spirit baptism for spiritual empowerment always occurred after the Christians had received salvation. This is a consistent pattern, and it's a pattern that we're meant to follow today for our own spiritual empowerment.

Have you chosen to receive the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (in obedience to God) with the evidence of being able to speak in tongues? For all of the scriptural details about Spirit baptism and how to receive it and how to speak in tongues, see my series called How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 4:1)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! (Acts 4:8)

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31)

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:2-6)

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55-56)

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. (Acts 9:17-20)

News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. (Acts 11:22-24)

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. (Acts 13:8-11)

But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:50-52)

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Have you chosen to receive the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in obedience to God (see section #06 in this article), and are you allowing yourself to be filled with the Spirit every day, being led by Him and carrying out the assignments that He needs you to do?

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8)

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4-7 KJV)

How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! (2 Corinthians 12:13)

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31)

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:8-12)

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two - or at the most three - should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. (1 Corinthians 14:26-29)

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Have you chosen to receive the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in obedience to God (see section #06 in this article for more about this gift) and are you using all of the spiritual gifts that God wants to give you so that you can accomplish the assignments that He needs you to do?

Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop - some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown." (Mark 4:13-20)

And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?" And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:4-15 NKJV)

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. (Luke 6:44)

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (John 15:1-2)

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. (John 15:4-10)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:16)

So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4)

In the above passages we're told that we need to bear fruit for God, and we're told that "bearing fruit" means being obedient to God. In the Parable of the Sower (above), the people in the fourth group were endorsed by Jesus because they were fruitful, so they represent Christians who make it a priority to be obedient by doing whatever God wants. The people in the third group are choked and unfruitful since their priorities revolve around their own lives and worldly issues, so they represent worldly Christians (because we're told that they have no spiritual maturity - Luke 8:14, above). They're not trying to be obedient to God, so they're not storing up many treasures and rewards in heaven (see section #12 in this article).

In Luke 19:11-27 (below), Jesus told the Parable of the Minas, and in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus told the Parable of the Talents. The wording in both parables is similar in some respects and different in some respects, and they're often assumed to be essentially the same parable. However, my article called The Rapture of the Church - Part Eight explains that those two parables are not referring to the same groups of servants. In the Parable of the Minas (below), notice that Jesus once again distinguished between fruitful and unfruitful Christians:

"While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them - bring them here and kill them in front of me.'"" (Luke 19:11-27)

In the Parable of the Minas (above), Jesus said that a man went to a distant country to have himself appointed as king, which parallels the fact that Jesus died and went to heaven and has been exalted above all kings (e.g., Philippians 2:6-9). Before he left, the man in the parable gave each of his servants one mina (about three months' wages according to Bible commentaries) and expected them to be obedient and put the money to work until he returns, just as Jesus has given His servants (all Christians) the Holy Spirit and expects us to be obedient and use the gifts of the Spirit until He returns. The man in the parable returned and then judged each of his servants, who received rewards or suffered loss based on their obedience, just as Jesus will return and judge all Christians, and we will receive rewards or suffer loss based on our obedience (see section #12 in this article). One servant in the parable earned ten more minas, which represents Christians who are fruitful with their spiritual gifts because as we all use our spiritual gifts, then more and more people will be saved and have the Holy Spirit.

In the Parable of the Minas (above), the subjects are referred to as the king's enemies and they are put to death, so they represent all non-Christians. The servants in that parable represent all Christians (whether fruitful or unfruitful). The first servant was very fruitful and was told "Well done, my good servant!" However, the third servant did not obey his master's command to put his mina to work, so he was unproductive and unfruitful, which represents the worldly Christians in the third group in the Parable of the Sower (above). Notice that Jesus called him a wicked servant because he was "remiss, slothful" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, poneros). So the unproductive, unfruitful, wicked servant (representing worldly Christians) was negligent and lazy because he was not properly obeying his master, and he was rebuked and severely disciplined by his master.

These parables describe two types of Christians, and the type of Christian we are is based entirely on our own choice and priority. We can choose to make it a priority to be completely obedient to our Master and be told "Well done, my good servant!" or we can choose to have our priorities revolve around our own lives and worldly issues and be rebuked and disciplined (perhaps severely) for being negligent and lazy servants (the painful consequences for our disobedience are described in section #11, #12, and #13 in this article).

All throughout the New Testament we can see both types of Christians, and both types can be found in most churches. One type seems to have a fire inside to find out what God wants us to do, and obey Him. They're not satisfied with hearing a sermon once a week so they frequently study the Bible, and their Bibles tend to be filled with yellow, blue, or pink highlighter and sticky notes to mark different pages. Jesus and the authors of the New Testament said only good things about them (as in the parables above), and they're storing up treasures in heaven (see section #12 in this article).

The second type of Christian has no fire to find out what God wants us to do and obey Him, so they're lukewarm. They're comfortable with what they believe, comfortable with the way they're living their lives, and satisfied with hearing a sermon once a week (and occasionally reading a little bit in the Bible). Pastors often refer to them as complacent or lukewarm Christians (look up those terms online). Jesus and the authors of the New Testament said only bad things about them, referring to them as choked, not mature, wicked or lazy, worldly, spiritual infants, and adulterous against God (aligning themselves with His enemies). They're not storing up very many treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), and Jesus said that they make Him sick to His stomach (wanting to vomit):

[the Parable of the Sower, above] "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature." (Luke 8:14)

[the Parable of the Minas, above] "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'" (Luke 19:22-23)

"Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly - mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:11-14)

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

[Jesus is speaking to a Christian church] "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit [emeo] you out of my mouth...Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." (Revelation 3:15-19)

Some people like hot coffee and some like iced coffee, but people generally find lukewarm coffee to be disgusting. In Revelation 3:15-19 (above), Jesus said that He finds lukewarm Christians to be disgusting and they make Him want to vomit. (The Greek word emeo is not used anywhere else in the New Testament, but it's used for "vomit" in the Greek version of Isaiah 19:14.) He said that He loves them but they need to be earnest or zealous and repent, otherwise they might be disciplined as described in section #11 in this article. The painful consequences for our wrong beliefs or lack of obedience are no one's fault but our own. In section #12 and #13 in this article you'll see that the consequences for our lack of obedience will follow us to heaven. If we're not trying to be fully obedient to God in this life, we're jeopardizing our future in heaven.

In fact, the consequences of being lukewarm (the second type of Christian) will be far worse than we might realize. In the Parable of the Minas (above), notice that the wicked servant (who represents worldly, lukewarm, complacent Christians) had his mina taken away from him, and Jesus said, "to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away" (Luke 19:11-27, above). He said the same thing on other occasions as well:

"The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."" (Matthew 13:10-12)

[the Parable of the Talents] "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" (Matthew 25:26-30)

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them." (Luke 8:16-18)

Matthew 25:26-30 (above) is thoroughly discussed in my article called The Rapture of the Church - Part Eight, but in all of the other places where Jesus said, "whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them," He was describing what will happen in heaven when it's time for Christians to receive their rewards. The first type of Christian will receive rewards, but the second type will suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) and will be ashamed before Him (1 John 2:28) as explained in section #12 and #13 in this article. As we'll see in a moment, the first type of Christian usually allows Bible passages to "speak" to them and directly influence them, but the second type is the exact opposite because they usually do not allow Bible passages to "speak" to them and they are usually not influenced or impacted when they read Bible passages. The second type of Christian does not understand that Jesus repeatedly said it's our responsibility to hear what God's Spirit says:

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:7)

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:11)

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:17)

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:29)

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:6)

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:13)

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:22)

Jesus was speaking to Christians in the above passages, telling us to hear what God's Spirit says. Every Christian has God's Spirit in them, and therefore every Christian has spiritual ears:

"For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." (1 Corinthians 2:11-14)

Every Christian has spiritual ears, but only the first type of Christian is obeying Jesus' commands in the above passages where He repeatedly told us to hear what God's Spirit says. In other words, it's our responsibility to consider carefully the Christian teachings that we hear (or read in the Bible):

""If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear." "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."" (Mark 4:23-25)

"We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." (Hebrews 2:1)

Whether you're the first or the second type of Christian is based on where you choose to get your views. The first type chooses to try to understand what God has written in the Bible so that they can obey Him, even if they don't feel like it. The second type is the exact opposite because they choose not to try to understand what God has written in the Bible or obey it, but instead they choose to obey their feelings (what sounds right to them or what they're comfortable with) no matter what the Bible says. The first type will usually only change their Christian views or actions after they verify for themselves that the new views or actions are what Scripture says to believe or do; the second type will usually not change their Christian views or actions even when they see what Scripture says to believe or do. The sad irony is that the second type of Christian won't understand or believe that the above passages are referring to them because they're usually not influenced by what the Bible says.

Deep down, lukewarm Christians (the second type) don't want the Bible telling them what to do, so they rarely open their Bibles and they don't hear God speaking to them in the Bible. The way to become the first type and avoid being disciplined (perhaps severely) so that you can store up rewards in heaven and be told "Well done, my good servant" (Luke 19:17) is by making the choice to set aside your feelings about what's right and begin obeying what God says in His written instructions and His spoken instructions (even when you don't want to). Bible passages will make a lot more sense to you when you're willing to believe and obey them. For help in understanding His written instructions (the New Testament), see my article called How to Study the Bible. For help in discerning His spoken instructions, see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance.

(In order to be thorough, a third type of Christian can be seen throughout the New Testament, and they will suffer loss in heaven as we saw with the second type. These are false teachers and preachers who use smooth talk, appeal to people's emotions, and distort Bible passages for their own benefit, whether out of greed, to win their own followers, to gain power and prestige, or for other unchristian purposes. For example, see Acts 20:29-30, Romans 16:17-18, Galatians 4:17-18, Ephesians 4:14, Colossians 2:8, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Titus 1:10-16, 3:9-11, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 17-21, 3:15-16, and 1 John 2:26.)

Which type of Christian have you chosen to be? Have you chosen to be the first type, making it a priority to be completely obedient to God's written instructions and His spoken instructions (even when you don't want to), or have you chosen to be the second or third type, having your priorities revolve around your own life and worldly issues? As section #04 in this article explains, if we take on the interests, fears, and concerns of the world as our own then we're aligning ourselves with God's enemies, making us spiritual adulterers against Him (James 4:4, above).

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens [literally "whips"] everyone he accepts as his son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined - and everyone undergoes discipline - then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:5-11)

[Jesus is speaking] Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need...Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God." When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. (Acts 4:33-5:11)

Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them [the Israelites with Moses]; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry." We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did - and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did - and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did - and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Corinthians 10:5-12)

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:26-32)
["Sleep here refers to the death of Christians (1Co 15:18; 1Th 4:15-16). In this passage, it refers to untimely death, a punishment suffered by some Christians who failed to examine themselves at the Lord's Supper (v. 1Co 11:28)." (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary, 1 Corinthians 11:30).
"it is to be regarded as the chastisement of a father's hand, in order that we should not be condemned with the wicked. "We are under the discipline" (paideuometha) of the Lord; we are dealt with as children, and are corrected as by the hand of a father; compare Heb 12:5-10, and 2Co 6:9." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible, 1 Corinthians 11:32).]

The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." (John 5:13-14)

The above passages show that if we don't read and obey God's instruction manual (the New Testament) then we're likely to be disciplined through frustrating or painful events in our lives. So if you're going through something difficult or frustrating or painful, it's a good idea to ask the Lord if you're being disciplined (see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance). For example, recently I was frustrated by having insomnia every night. It turned out that I was being disciplined because God had told me to do something and I wasn't doing it correctly. When I asked how to do it correctly and was obedient, the insomnia immediately went away. This is one reason why it's important to learn how to discern God's guidance, because if we don't correct our disobedience then we're likely to be disciplined even more severely.

Are you reading and obeying the New Testament and listening to the Lord every day, being diligent to find out what He wants you to believe and do? Have you been experiencing frustrating or painful events in your life, and have you asked God if you're being disciplined?

You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10-12)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5)

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:4)

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. (1 John 2:28 NKJV)

[Jesus is speaking] Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. (Revelation 22:12)

[Jesus is speaking] Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)

[Jesus is speaking] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20)

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

The above passages show that all Christians will stand before God and He will judge the things we did on earth (Romans 14:10-12, above). Then we'll receive what is due us, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10, above). Many Christians will be ashamed before Him (1 John 2:28, above) and will suffer loss at this judgment (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, above).

Keep in mind that the New Testament is the instruction manual for all Christians (no matter what denomination you're a member of), written by God through human authors, and in His omniscience He made sure that it's relevant even to this day. In it, God tells us what to believe and what to do. If we don't properly obey Him, the painful consequences for our wrong beliefs or lack of obedience are our own fault for not being diligent enough to find out what He wants us to believe and do (see section #11 in this article).

The judgment in the above passages is not for determining who is or isn't a Christian because only Christians (i.e., the Church, the body of Christ) will take part in the judgment seat of Christ. Instead, the purpose of the judgment seat of Christ is to reward us for our obedience to the Lord while we were on the earth. All of the things we've done in obedience to the Lord are like gold, silver, or precious gems, but all of the things we've done that are not in obedience to the Lord are like wood, hay, or straw:

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

The above passage tells us that our earthly works will be tested with fire, and then we'll receive rewards (or we'll suffer loss as one escaping through the flames) based on the quality of our works. Therefore, we should examine ourselves while we still have time to "store up treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). Will we have any "gold, silver, and costly stones" (actions of faith and obedience) that will survive this fire? If we suffer loss at this judgment, it's our own fault for not being diligent enough to find out what God wants us to believe and do. If we're not trying to be fully obedient to God in this life, we're jeopardizing our future in heaven.

Even after reading this, most Christians will probably assume that they'll be fine at this judgment because they assume that they're being obedient to God. Yet how many of them are diligent enough to find out what the New Testament actually tells us to do (not just what they've been told or what feels right to them) so that they can be certain they're obeying God's instructions?

Are you reading and obeying God's instruction manual (the New Testament) and listening to the Lord every day (see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance), being diligent to find out what He wants you to believe and do?

[Jesus is speaking] Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! (1 Corinthians 6:1-3)

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us (2 Timothy 2:11-12)

[Jesus is speaking] To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' - just as I have received authority from my Father. (Revelation 2:26-27)

[Jesus is speaking] To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)

Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

The above passages show that Christians will have a certain degree of authority (e.g., ruling over cities or regions) in Jesus' future kingdom on earth after the Second Coming. As my article above explains, our level of authority will be directly tied to our level of obedience to the Lord while we were on the earth. We will not all be equal in Jesus' future kingdom.

In the following parable, the obedient servants are given authority over a certain number of cities in proportion to their level of obedience to their master, but the disobedient servant ends up suffering loss. This describes what will happen to obedient and disobedient Christians at the judgment described in section #12 (above):

While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. (Luke 19:11-26)

Again, our level of authority in Jesus' future kingdom will be directly tied to our level of obedience to Him while we were on the earth. Notice that even the original 12 apostles were not all treated equally by Jesus, just as we will not all be treated equally by Jesus in His future kingdom:

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them...As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves (Mark 9:2-10)

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James...He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat. (Mark 5:35-43)

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. (Mark 14:32-33)

As we've seen, Christians will not all be equal in Jesus' future kingdom. After you get to heaven, you won't have any more opportunities to be obedient to Him on earth, so if you don't want to find that you're among the least in heaven then it's important to begin obeying Him in all things while you still have the chance.

Even after reading this, most Christians will probably assume that they'll be fine at the judgment described in section #12 in this article because they assume that they're being obedient to God. Yet how many of them are diligent enough to find out what the New Testament actually tells us to do (not just what they've been told or what feels right to them) so that they can be certain they're obeying God's instructions?

Are you reading and obeying God's instruction manual (the New Testament) and listening to the Lord every day (see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance), being diligent to find out what He wants you to believe and do?

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:16-23)

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' (Matthew 10:34-36)

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. (Matthew 13:20-21)

"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields - along with persecutions - and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (John 15:19-20)

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. (John 17:13-14)

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:41)

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (Acts 8:1)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world - right up to this moment. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. (1 Thessalonians 3:2-4)

Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12)

For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:19-21 NKJV)

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:14-18)

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (1 Peter 4:14)

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:10-11)

The above passages show that we're likely to be persecuted and slandered and hated when we're fully obeying God, but we are blessed when people treat us that way.

Are you fully obeying God, and are you being persecuted and slandered and hated?

"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8)

"But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" (Romans 9:20-21)

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48)

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:41)

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man [the apostle Paul] is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." (Acts 9:15-16)

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:16-18)

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:5)

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:29-30)

I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:10-14)

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. (Colossians 1:24)

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3)

Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:8)

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:11-12)

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3)

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:8-10)

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings - what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:10-12)

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36)

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." (Hebrews 11:17-18)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:19-21 NKJV)

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:14-18)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (1 Peter 4:16)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:8-10)

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. (Revelation 2:10)

[the Parable of the Sower] Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:13-15)

Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. (Romans 16:10)

Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. (2 Corinthians 2:9)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11)

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness (2 Peter 1:4-6)

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:2-3)

This life is a testing ground for Christians because we're meant to become more and more like Jesus (see my article called Covenants, Dispensations, and the Ten Commandments - Part Two). We are periodically tested and then evaluated to see who will have obedient faith (doing what God tells us to do as His servants), not just complacent or lukewarm faith (believing in Jesus but living our lives the way that we want to). God is watching to see who will do what He says, in faith and perseverance, despite the difficulties and obstacles that He puts in our path.

When you're experiencing painful, frustrating, confusing, or frightening events in your life, keep in mind that God has not forgotten about you or abandoned you. He's either molding you (as a potter molds the clay) in order to strengthen and prepare you to be a useful vessel in His hands, or else He's disciplining you (see section #11 in this article). In order to determine if you're being disciplined by God, and the reason for it, and how to make it stop, it's important to know how to discern His guidance within you (see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance).

Are you able to discern His guidance within you? Are you persevering through whatever trials you're facing?

Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:20)

Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. (Acts 2:22)

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:8 NKJV)

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed...Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. (Acts 8:4-13)

Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:3 NKJV)

How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2:3-4 NKJV)

We're told to test and carefully weigh a message delivered through the gifts of the Spirit to ensure that it properly agrees with Scripture. We're also told to test the person who delivers a message to us or does miracles, and only believe them if they acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came in the flesh:

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. (1 Corinthians 14:29)

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)

Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist - denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:22-23)

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world...If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. (1 John 4:1-3, 15)

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:6-7)

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. (Revelation 2:1-2)

The ancient Jews believed that when the Messiah arrives He will be able to do things that no other person can do. For example, there were Jews who went around casting out demons (see Matthew 12:27 and Acts 19:13), but their method was to demand the name of the demon and then use that name to cast the demon out (for example, see The Footsteps of the Messiah, Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, p.205). Jesus possibly used this method in Luke 8:30. However, this method didn't work on "mute" demons who prevented the demonized person from speaking, but certainly the Messiah would be able to cast out this kind of demon. Therefore, when Jesus cast out a "mute" demon, people were astonished and they began to ask if He might actually be "the Son of David" (the Messiah - Matthew 22:42):

"Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"" (Matthew 12:22-23)

The people understood that only the Messiah will be able to do what Jesus did, so they said, "Could this be the Son of David?" (i.e., the Messiah). The Pharisees were faced with having to decide whether to accept Jesus as the Messiah, or whether to reject Him. But if they rejected Him as the Messiah, then how could they explain what He did?

They made their choice, and they committed "the unpardonable sin":

"But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."" (Matthew 12:24)

"And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons...He has an impure spirit."" (Mark 3:22-30)

The Pharisees officially rejected Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, and this is how Jesus responded:

"Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."" (Matthew 12:25-32)

In the above passage, Jesus made it very clear that when a miracle is done through the Holy Spirit, it is very dangerous for us to claim that it was a demonic miracle. As my article called The Second Coming describes, the Jewish leaders' "unpardonable sin" was a national sin and therefore many modern Bible scholars believe that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not an individual sin that people can make today. It was a national sin which only applied to that generation of Jews who rejected Jesus as a nation. But Bible commentaries point out that by saying that a miracle of God was done by the devil or a demon, this is a direct insult against the Holy Spirit who did the miracle (e.g., Hebrews 10:29), and is a sin against the Spirit because "anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven" (Matthew 12:30-32). Therefore, when God does a miracle then Christians who accuse the miracle of being demonic are speaking against the Holy Spirit and will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:30-32, above). This doesn't mean that they will lose their salvation; it means that they will be disciplined (perhaps severely) both in this life and in heaven (see section #11, #12, and #13 in this article).

It's also very dangerous to speak against those who are actively serving God. For example, Moses' sister and brother began talking against Moses, and God punished them by giving Miriam leprosy. Also, a man named Elymas opposed Barnabas and Paul (also known as Saul - Acts 13:9), so the Lord struck him blind:

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite...And the LORD heard this...At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, "Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you." So the three of them went out. Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam...The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them. When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam's skin was leprous - it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, and he said to Moses, "Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed." (Numbers 12:1-11)

The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. (Acts 13:7-11)

In addition to doing miracles to confirm a message (the Lord working with us and confirming His Word by the signs that accompany it), we're also meant to be using miracles for evangelism, just as we see the apostles and others doing in the New Testament (see chapter 1 in the free PDF of my book called "Divine Healing Absolutely Is for Today").

Notice what Jesus said and what He modeled for us:

"Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it [a demon] out?" So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."" (Matthew 17:19-20 NKJV)

"The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."" (Luke 17:5-6)

"Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."" (Matthew 21:19-22)

In the first two passages above, notice that Jesus described telling a mountain to move and telling a mulberry tree to be planted in the sea. In Matthew 21:19-22 (above), Jesus modeled telling a fig tree not to bear fruit and described telling a mountain to throw itself into the sea. He was teaching us that with the proper faith, any Christian can see miracles. With that in mind, here are several more actions that Jesus modeled for us:

"Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, "Where is your faith?"" (Luke 8:22-25 NKJV)

"Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her." (Luke 4:38-39)

"And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour." (Matthew 17:18 NKJV)

"When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face." (John 11:43-44)

In the above passages, we see that Jesus rebuked the wind and the water, He rebuked a fever, He rebuked a demon, and He resurrected Lazarus by speaking to him. He treated all of these incidents the same way, speaking to them rather than asking God to do anything. Jesus was God while He was on the earth (He always has been, and always will be, God), but we need to understand that He never used His divine power before the cross. Not even once (see my article called Understanding Jesus - Part Three). On earth before the cross, He was the perfect human and our perfect role model because He said we can do the same things He did (by the power of the Holy Spirit) (see chapter 1 in the free PDF of my book called "Divine Healing Absolutely Is for Today").

In the above passages, Jesus modeled for us that healing and miracles can be accomplished by speaking to the issues.

Here are some examples of New Testament miracles (walking on water (which is likely an example of levitation rather than the water turning solid), teleportation, and blindness for punishment):

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:22-33)

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. (John 6:16-21)
["They had rowed three or three and a half miles, so they were in the middle of the lake." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, John 6:18-19).
According to this passage, immediately the boat crossed the remaining 3.5 miles and reached the shore, which is what we would call teleportation.]

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" (John 20:19)
[Here Jesus teleported into a locked room.]

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" (John 20:26)
[Once again Jesus teleported into a locked room.]

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him...When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (Luke 24:13-31)
[Here Jesus teleported away from the two disciples.]

Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took [harpazo] Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. (Acts 8:38-40)
[Harpazo is the same Greek word used for the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and for a similar event in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. Philip was teleported away from the eunuch to a town called Azotus.]

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)
[Jesus said that with the appropriate faith we could teleport a mountain.]

Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." (Matthew 21:21)
[Once again Jesus said that with the appropriate faith we could teleport a mountain into the sea.]

He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." (Luke 17:6)
[Jesus said that with the appropriate faith we could teleport a mulberry tree into the sea.]

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2)
[Here the apostle Paul referred to having the appropriate faith that could teleport mountains.]

"They [Barnabas and Paul] traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord." (Acts 13:6-12)

Chapter 1 in the free PDF of my book called "Divine Healing Absolutely Is for Today" shows that Jesus used miracles to confirm His ministry and convince people to believe in Him, and He specifically told the Church body to do the same things that He did. This is why we see the apostles and other Christians doing miracles to confirm their ministry (in some of the above passages) and why we are meant to use miracles to confirm our ministries. For example, John the Baptist never did any miraculous signs, and Jesus said that His testimony was a greater witness than John's because of His miracles:

"Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John [the Baptist] had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true."" (John 10:40-41)

[Jesus is speaking] "You have sent to John [the Baptist], and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish - the very works that I do - bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me." (John 5:33-36 NKJV)

Jesus referred to miracles as His "works" in John 10:24-38 (search for "miracles" in these Bible commentaries

) and John 14:11-15 (search for "miracles" in these Bible commentaries

). Similarly, Jesus referred to miracles as His "works" in John 5:33-36 (above) (search for "miracles" in these Bible commentaries

).

Therefore, according to Jesus, a message that's confirmed by miracles is a greater witness than a message that's not confirmed by miracles.

Are you certain that you believe what God wants you to believe, and do you have faith for miracles? Is God confirming your views with miracles?

As you read this section, keep in mind that the New Testament is not merely a history book, it's meant to change us to become more and more like Jesus. When we read any passages in the New Testament, our goal should be to discern what God wants us to believe and do so that we can be obedient to Him.

In a moment we'll see that the Bible commands us to be led by the Spirit of God, so in obedience to God, every Christian needs to learn how to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit within them. He's the Teacher (John 14:26), and He will help us understand what the Bible says (1 Corinthians 2:14) and lead us on the individual path that God has in mind for each of us.

As Christians, we are called servants of the Lord (e.g., Matthew 6:24, Romans 6:22, 2 Timothy 2:24, Hebrews 9:14, Revelation 1:1, 2:20). Therefore, imagine a new butler to the lord of the manor at an English estate. He has the instruction manual describing the butler's duties and can perform some of his duties after studying the instruction manual, but those are not his only duties. In order to properly function as a butler to the lord of the manor, it's not his place to do whatever he feels like doing all day, but instead, he must be available to the lord of the manor all day, every day. In exactly the same way, as servants of the Lord, we should think of ourselves as His butlers. We must obey everything that the instruction manual (the New Testament) tells us to do, but those are not our only duties. In order to properly function as butlers to the Lord, it's not our place to do whatever we feel like doing all day, but instead, we must be available to the Lord all day, every day.

As described in section #02 in this article, Jesus is the Head and each Christian is a part of His physical body on earth. Just as your head constantly tells different parts of your body what to do, where to go, and what to say, our Head (Jesus) constantly tells different parts of His physical body what to do, where to go, and what to say. Each part of Christ's physical body (each Christian) needs to be listening to and obeying our Head because if we're not listening to Him then we're not fully obeying Him (think about it for a moment), and we'll be disciplined (perhaps severely) both in this life and in heaven (see section #11, #12, and #13 in this article).

Imagine that a family moves into your neighborhood. Over time, you learn some things about them from other people, but that doesn't mean you know them. If you go to their door and talk to them through the door without discerning any response, no matter how often you do this you still don't know them. The only way to know them is through two-way communication with them. In exactly the same way, we learn things about God from the Bible and from other Christians, but that doesn't mean we know Him (just like with the new neighbors). No matter how often we talk to Him in prayer without discerning any response, that still doesn't mean we know Him (just like with the new neighbors). The only way to know Him is through two-way communication with Him (just like with the new neighbors). Think it through for a moment.

One of the most important aspects of the Christian life is to continue growing in our relationship with the Lord. As the above illustration about new neighbors shows, we cannot and will not have the relationship with Him that we are meant to have unless we are experiencing two-way communication with Him. Keep in mind that Christianity is not actually a religion, it's all about our relationship with Christ. The only way to have a relationship with someone is by spending time with them and having two-way conversations with them. When my kids were little, I spent a lot of time with them (and still do as much as possible), talking with them, doing things with them, teaching them, guiding them, and so on. When I gave them chores and tasks to do, such as cleaning their room, cutting the grass when they were older, cleaning the bathroom, etc., they didn't particularly like those assignments but I had their best interests at heart because as a loving father I wanted them to be equipped to live successfully on their own when the time came. God is our Father, our Parent, and He wants to spend a lot of time with each of His children, talking with us, doing things with and through us, teaching us, guiding us, and so on. When He gives us tasks to do, we won't always like those assignments but He always has our best interests at heart because He is our loving Father. In the first chapter of the Bible, and in the last chapter of the Bible, and in every book in between (with very few exceptions), God spoke to people. That's what He does. He never stopped speaking to His people; His people stopped listening to Him.

Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches that are meant to bear much fruit (John 15:5-8). The trunk of a grapevine communicates directly with every branch, providing what each branch needs for growing and producing fruit. In exactly the same way, Jesus communicates directly with every Christian, providing what each of us needs for growing and "producing fruit" (i.e., accomplishing the assignments that He needs us to do here on earth). We need to be listening to Him throughout the day, every day.

To learn how to discern what He is telling you throughout the day, every day, see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance.

In the passages below, notice that Jesus said that those who are of God hear God's words. He said that He will not leave us as orphans, but that He will come to us through the Holy Spirit inside us. He also said that His sheep listen to His voice, and that we should not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. We're told that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of wisdom and revelation who fills us with the knowledge of His will so that we may know God better. We're told to live by the Spirit and be led by the Spirit, and that spiritual truths can only be discerned through the Spirit, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. We're also told that the Lord gives us insight into His will, and that we must listen to everything He tells us:

He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. (John 8:47 NKJV)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:16-20)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. (John 16:12-15)

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. (Acts 16:6-7)
[As my article called How to Discern God's Guidance explains, the Holy Spirit will also guide us if we're listening for His guidance.]

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation - but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:12-14)

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. (1 Corinthians 2:12)

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, "Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:14-16)
[Spiritual truths can only be discerned through the Spirit of God, so we need His help to properly discern and interpret the truths in the Bible.]

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law...Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-18, 25)

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people (Ephesians 1:17-18)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives (Colossians 1:9)

Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:5)

The Jews there were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having been taught?" Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. (John 7:15-17)

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice...I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd...The works I do in my Father's name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:2-4, 14-16, 25-28)
[As Bible commentaries point out, the "sheep" are Jewish Christians and the "other sheep" are Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians. There were no Gentile Christians until after the cross (Acts 10:1-11:18), so when Jesus said that "They too will listen to my voice," this means that hearing Jesus' voice was not just while He was on the earth. All Christians need to be listening to His voice even after the cross because we have His Spirit in our hearts to guide us and teach us.]

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:37)

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.' (Acts 3:19-23)

Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. (2 Corinthians 8:16)

Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from the Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts - deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds - [in that peaceful state] to which [as members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful - appreciative, giving praise to God always. (Colossians 3:15 AMP)
[The Amplified Version of the Bible (AMP) uses parentheses and square brackets to provide nuances and shades of meaning from the original Hebrew and Greek to help us better understand the intended meaning of Scripture passages.]

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (2 Timothy 2:4-7)

So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" (Hebrews 3:7-11)

The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (1 John 3:24)

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20)

In the above passages we are clearly told numerous times that we need to continually listen to the Lord through the Holy Spirit within us. Otherwise we are violating and disobeying the spirit of every one of the above passages.

Keep in mind that when we think we've discerned something from God, we need to make absolutely certain that it does not contradict the proper understanding of Scripture.

Some of the apostles and other Christians received new revelation from God concerning Christian doctrines, which they recorded in the Bible. But throughout the New Testament we also see examples of Christians receiving messages from God through prophecies, visions, tongues and interpretation, or other means. Some of these messages are recorded in Scripture, and we can see that they're not doctrinal truths for the entire church but instead they are messages for a specific person, a local church, or some other group:

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road - the desert road - that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official...The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:26-31)

Meanwhile, Saul [soon to become the apostle Paul] was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." (Acts 9:1-12)

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) (Acts 11:27-28)

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3)

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10)

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. (Acts 18:9-11)

After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'" (Acts 21:10-11)

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (Acts 23:11)

So in the New Testament we see examples of Christians receiving messages from God through prophecies, visions, or other means. These are not doctrinal truths for the entire church, but instead they're messages for a specific person, a local church, or some other group. God still speaks messages to Christians today that are not intended to be new Scripture or new doctrinal truths. For example, in the following passages we're told that people had (or will have) dreams, visions, prophecies, tongues and interpretation, or other types of messages from God:

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.'" (Acts 2:14-18)

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. (Acts 19:1-7)

Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. (Acts 21:8-9)

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. (1 Corinthians 14:1-5)
[Paul's comments about speaking in tongues in this passage are often misinterpreted. My article called Praying in the Spirit Means Speaking in Tongues examines every passage on tongues throughout the New Testament so that we can see the full picture. In this passage Paul said that prophecy edifies the church, and that tongues plus interpretation from the Holy Spirit edifies the church.]

What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two - or at the most three - should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged...If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (1 Corinthians 14:26-40)

Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. (Galatians 2:1-2)

And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:3)

In the above passages we're told that God gave messages to various Christians but we're never told what those messages were. Therefore, those messages were not new doctrines for the church; they were messages from God specifically for a person, a local church congregation, or some other group of people. If God gives messages to Christians today through such things as dreams, visions, tongues and interpretation, or prophecies, this is not going beyond what is written because what is written in the New Testament shows that miraculous experiences such as these were never intended to be limited to the first century (see my article called All Gifts of the Spirit Are Available Today). Those messages are not adding to Scripture because they're not new doctrines for the church and they don't fit the criteria for adding Scripture to the New Testament canon (see my article above). Instead, they are messages for a specific person or group, telling them what they need to do or giving them guidance, instruction, or warning.

If we believe we've received a message from God, we're told to test and carefully weigh the message to ensure that it properly agrees with Scripture. We're also told to test the person who delivers a message to us, and only believe them if they acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came in the flesh:

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. (1 Corinthians 14:29)

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)

Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist - denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:22-23)

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world...If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. (1 John 4:1-3, 15)

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:6-7)

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. (Revelation 2:1-2)

In the above passages we're told to test messages that might be from God such as prophecies, but we're never told to test Scripture. Therefore, prophecies and other messages from God are not the same as Scripture.

In the passages in this section we're clearly told to continually listen to the Lord through the Holy Spirit within us.

Are you able to discern His guidance within you, and are you listening to Him and obeying what He says all day, every day?

"The one loaf of bread, of which all partake, pictured their unity as members of the one body of Christ." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, emphasis added)

The one loaf is a picture of our unity in Christ, so breaking the bread and eating the broken piece symbolizes our individual participation in the body of Christ as Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (below). If you receive a wafer or square of bread in church for the Lord's Supper, that's your one loaf. To get the symbolism right, you need to break it and eat only part of it.

We know that symbolism is important to God because symbolism is found throughout the entire Bible. The bread and the wine or juice do not literally and physically become the body and blood of Christ because when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, He was physically present and alive at the table while the disciples ate the bread and drank the wine. Instead, the bread and the wine or juice are symbolic, and it's very important that we get the symbolism right and observe the Lord's Supper correctly.

According to 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (below), many of the Christians in Corinth were weak and sick and had died because they had been observing the Lord's Supper improperly. (Death is figuratively referred to as "sleep" in the New Testament, e.g., Matthew 27:51-53, John 11:11-14.) This demonstrates how critical it is to observe the Lord's Supper correctly. Notice that Paul said that they were not properly discerning the body of Christ (not His blood but His body), which caused many of them to be weak or sick or to die. Since they did not discern that Jesus' body was broken (His stripes) for our physical healing, represented by the bread that we break, this affected their physical health.

In the Atonement (when Jesus was humiliated and brutally tortured and executed and resurrected), Jesus gave His blood and His body for us, but He gave each of them for different reasons (see chapter 3 in the free PDF of my book called "Divine Healing Absolutely Is for Today"), which are symbolically pictured in the Lord's Supper. We break the bread in remembrance of the fact that His body was broken (His stripes), enabling us to receive physical healing, and we eat the broken piece of bread to symbolize that we are each a piece of the one true loaf that is Christ. The wine or juice symbolizes the New Covenant in Jesus' blood, and we drink it in remembrance of the fact that His blood enables us to receive forgiveness of sins.

Relevant passages:

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28)

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. (Mark 14:22-24)

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (Luke 22:17-20)

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:23-32 NKJV)
["Sleep here refers to the death of Christians (1Co 15:18; 1Th 4:15-16). In this passage, it refers to untimely death, a punishment suffered by some Christians who failed to examine themselves at the Lord's Supper (v. 1Co 11:28)." (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary, 1 Corinthians 11:30).
"it is to be regarded as the chastisement of a father's hand, in order that we should not be condemned with the wicked. "We are under the discipline" (paideuometha) of the Lord; we are dealt with as children, and are corrected as by the hand of a father; compare Heb 12:5-10, and 2Co 6:9." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible, 1 Corinthians 11:32).]

These are all of the passages in the New Testament that describe the Lord's Supper, and notice that we're never told where or when or how often to do it. Some churches do it weekly, some monthly, some bi-monthly, some quarterly, and some yearly or on some other schedule. Christians sometimes assume that it must be done every week on the first day of the week based on Acts 20:6-11, but my article called Covenants, Dispensations, and the Ten Commandments - Part Three shows that this is a false assumption. The New Testament never tells us to do it on a specific schedule.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (above) we're told to examine ourselves so that we don't observe the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner, and we're told to make sure that we're doing it for the right reasons and with a proper understanding. Non-Christians (and children who are too young) don't have a proper understanding, so they should not participate in the Lord's Supper.

Personally, I observe the Lord's Supper at home by myself every Saturday evening so that I can do it properly and with the proper focus (on the Atonement). The only reason why I do it on Saturday evenings is because that just happens to be the day and time when I first did it myself at home, and I've simply kept that as my regular routine. I get a slice of bread and pour a glass of red wine (the wine is alcoholic - see my article called Alcohol in Moderation Is Not a Sin). I pour enough wine for three sips; I'm not sure why, that's just what the Lord told me to do (perhaps it's related to the Trinity). This is what I say:

"Lord, thank You for everything You went through for me in the Atonement. I break this bread [break a small piece off] in remembrance of the fact that Your body was broken with stripes for me so that I can receive physical healing, and I eat this piece of bread to symbolize that I am a piece of the one true loaf that is You [eat the small piece of bread]. This wine symbolizes the New Covenant in Your blood, and I drink it in remembrance of the fact that Your blood enables me to receive forgiveness of sins [take three sips]. Thank You, Jesus!"

Are you observing the Lord's Supper correctly and on a regular basis?

Flesh:

"Metonymically meaning flesh as used for the body, the corpus, the material nature as distinguished from the spiritual and intangible (pneuma [G4151], the spirit)...implying sinfulness, proneness to sin, the carnal nature, the seat of carnal appetites and desires, of sinful passions and affections whether physical or moral" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, sarx)

Soul and spirit:

"The spirit is that part that can live independently of the body...Soul and spirit are very closely related because they are both immaterial and they both contrast with body (soma [G4983]) and flesh (sarx [G4561]). Scripture, however, introduces a distinction between the two immaterial aspects of man's soul and spirit. That they cannot mean the same thing is evident from their mention together in 1Th 5:23, spirit, soul, body. The same distinction is brought out in Heb 4:12. The spirit is man's immaterial nature which enables him to communicate with God, who is also spirit. 1Co 2:14 states that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God . . . because they are spiritually discerned." What is translated "natural man" in Gr. is psuchikos (G5591), psychic or soulish meaning the soul of man. The soul is the aspect of his immaterial nature that makes him aware of his body and his natural, physical environment. The difference between soul and spirit is not one of substance but of operation. Man's immaterial aspect is represented in Scripture by the single terms pneuma, spirit, or psuche, soul, or both of them together" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, pneuma)

Heart:

"The seat and center of human life. In the NT, used only figuratively. (I) As the seat of the desires, feelings, affections, passions, impulses, i.e., the heart or mind." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, kardia)

Mind:

"the organ of mental perception and apprehension, of conscious life, of the consciousness preceding actions or recognizing and judging them, intelligent understanding. (I) As the seat of emotions and affections, mode of thinking and feeling, disposition, moral inclination, equivalent to the heart...While, in the OT, the heart (kardia [G2588]) is used to represent man's whole mental and moral activity (Gen 6:5), the word "mind [nous]" in the NT is used to denote the faculty of thinking, especially the organ of moral consciousness." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, nous)

Conscience:

"that faculty of the soul which distinguishes between right and wrong and prompts one to choose the former and avoid the latter" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, suneidesis)

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (below), the apostle Paul referred to us as having a spirit, soul, and body. Your spirit is constantly in contact with God, your body is constantly in contact with the world, and everything else (your mind, will, emotions, personality, etc.) is your soul, your human nature:

"The "spirit" is the part of us that enables us to communicate with God. The "soul" makes us conscious of ourselves. The "body" is the physical part that expresses the inner person." (Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - see Dr. Constable's Expository Notes)

"The spirit, which is the ruling faculty in man and through which he holds communication with the unseen world--the soul, which is the seat of all his impulses and affections, the center of his personality--the body, which links him to the material world and is the instrument of all his outward deeds" (Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - see Contending for the Faith)

[The soul is] "the natural life of the body...the immaterial, invisible part of man...the seat of personality...the seat of the sentient element in man, that by which he perceives, reflects, feels, desires...the seat of will and purpose...the seat of appetite" (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, "Soul")

"2. The word soul also refers to the inner life of a person, the seat of emotions, and the center of human personality...The soul is described as the seat of many emotions and desires: the desire for food (Deu 12:20-21), love (Son 1:7), longing for God (Psa 63:1), rejoicing (Psa 86:4), knowing (Psa 139:14), and memory (Lam 3:20)." (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, "Soul")

When the New Testament uses the word "flesh," it's not necessarily referring to our physical bodies. Frequently, it's referring to our human nature that is focused on issues of the earthly realm, such as cares, worries, fears, pride, anger, goals, or pleasures rather than focusing on the spiritual realm. We can choose which realm to set our minds on, as this Greek dictionary entry for nous ("mind") points out:

"The mind, as man's highest natural faculty, thus stands between the flesh, being the lower, sinful principle of his nature, and the spirit which is the distinctive principle of the divinely given Christian life. Just as the mind may be dragged down by the flesh until it becomes a "mind of the flesh" (a.t.), so it may also be raised up and reformed by the Spirit until it becomes a "mind of the Spirit."" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, nous, emphasis added)

Relevant passages:

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:5-9)

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God's grace. (2 Corinthians 1:12)

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. (2 Corinthians 8:16)

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)

As the above passages show, we are described as having a body, flesh, soul, spirit, heart, mind, conscience (and possibly other parts).

One example is that when we understand the way that inward faith and outward works go together, this helps us resolve these two seemingly contradictory passages about Abraham:
1. "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about - but not before God. What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." (Romans 4:2-5)
2. "You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." (James 2:20-24)
Imagine two people, Alice and Bob. If Alice only looks at passage #1, she would be adamant that Abraham was justified (declared righteous) based on his inward faith and not based on any outward works.

If Bob only looks at passage #2, he would be equally adamant that Abraham was justified (declared righteous) based on his inward faith plus his outward works.

Notice that Alice and Bob have completely contradictory views. This demonstrates why it's so important to try to see the full picture of a topic in the Bible, because looking at only a partial picture (as Alice and Bob have done) leads to contradictions and wrong views.

In passage #1, Paul was explaining that we are justified solely through our inward faith, and that we can't earn or merit or deserve justification through any outward works. In passage #2, James was explaining that our inward faith needs to be the type of faith that's willing to do outward works of obedience because otherwise we have nothing but a dead faith. These are two sides of the same coin, so to speak. James was not saying that our outward works can save us, but instead he was describing the type of inward faith that we need to have in order to receive salvation.
Speaking of receiving salvation, some denominations teach that we only need to believe in Jesus, and some denominations teach that we must believe and be baptized in water, and some denominations teach that we must believe and confess something (e.g., confessing Jesus or confessing our sins and repenting).

We can make a convincing case for each of those views if we only focus on certain passages below. But in order to understand the full New Testament teaching on how to be saved and have our sins forgiven and wiped out, we need to take into account all of these representative passages:
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31, spoken by Paul)

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out (Acts 3:19, spoken by Peter)

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16, spoken by Jesus)

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38, spoken by Peter)

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:21, quoted by Peter from Joel 2:32)

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10, dictated by Paul)
The above passages demonstrate that different people in the New Testament described receiving salvation and forgiveness in different ways. They're all Scripture, so they're all true and they don't contradict each other. Therefore, there's more to being saved and forgiven than just believing in Jesus. For example, what do we need to believe about Him? Is water baptism a requirement for going to heaven, and if so then how does it need to be done? (Different denominations have different views about how baptism should be done, but for the full New Testament teaching see my series called Everything We Need to Know about Water Baptism.) Is repentance a separate requirement for being forgiven and saved? Do we need to confess our sins or confess anything else? Is calling on the name of the Lord a separate requirement for being forgiven and saved? All of these questions are easily answered when we look for the full picture and see the patterns that God has given us.

Notice that even demons believe and confess that there is one God and that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah:
"When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."" (Matthew 8:28-31)

"In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him." (Luke 4:33-35)

"Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah." (Luke 4:41)

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." (James 2:19)
Demons believe and confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, yet they are doomed to destruction and cannot receive salvation (see my article in the next paragraph). So the complete picture of receiving salvation involves more than believing in Jesus and confessing Him as the Son of God.

For the full New Testament teaching on how to receive salvation and be allowed into heaven, and how to have the assurance of your salvation, see my article called How to Receive Salvation.
Notice that these two passages appear to contradict each other:
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing [katargeo] in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace (Ephesians 2:14-15 NIV - 1984 edition)

Do not think that I have come to abolish [kataluo] the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish [kataluo] them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17 NIV - 1984 edition)
Prior to the 2011 edition, the NIV used the word "abolish" in both of the above passages, which makes it appear as if Paul's statement in Ephesians 2:14-15 contradicts Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:17. However, Paul and Jesus actually used different Greek words for "abolish" that have different meanings.

In Ephesians 2:14-15 (above), Paul used the Greek word katargeo, which means "to render idle," "to render inactive," "to cause to cease," "put an end to" (see Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary, Thayer's Greek Dictionary, and Zodhiates' Greek Dictionary).

In Matthew 5:17 (above), Jesus used the Greek word kataluo, which means "to destroy," "demolish," "throw down," "subvert," "overthrow" (see Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary, Thayer's Greek Dictionary, and Zodhiates' Greek Dictionary).

So Jesus said that He was not overthrowing or subverting or destroying the Law of Moses, which is the meaning of the Greek word for "abolish" that He used. On the other hand, Paul said that Jesus had put an end to the Law of Moses, rendering it inactive, which is the meaning of the Greek word for "abolish" that he used. For the full New Testament teaching on the Old Covenant and the Law of Moses being canceled at the cross, see my article called Covenants, Dispensations, and the Ten Commandments - Part Three.

When we dig deeper rather than just reading what's on the surface, this helps us resolve any apparent contradictions and wrong assumptions.
Many Christians assume that all of Jesus' healings happened instantly, but they haven't seen the full picture. For example, in one case Jesus laid hands on a blind man twice before his sight was restored, and in another case some lepers were healed "as they went" (i.e., not instantly):
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (Mark 8:22-25)

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. (Luke 17:11-15)
It's easy to have wrong assumptions if we don't look for the full picture of a topic in the Bible.
In the first century, Jesus ascended up to heaven from the Mount of Olives, and many Christians believe that He will descend directly to the Mount of Olives when He returns to the earth. This view is based on the following passages:
"After [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city." (Acts 1:9-12)

"A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls...On that day [the Day of the Lord] his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives" (Zechariah 14:1-4)
On the surface, these two passages seem to imply that Jesus will descend directly to the Mount of Olives at the Second Coming, but let's look carefully at what the above passages actually say. Acts 1:9-12 (above) tells us that Jesus will return in the same way that He went, but notice that it doesn't tell us where He will return to. Zechariah 14:1-4 (above) says that Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives on the Day of the Lord (the future seven-year Tribulation period followed by the Second Coming and on into eternity as we'll see in section #25), but notice that it doesn't say that He will descend directly to that spot.

It turns out that there are no passages of Scripture which say that Jesus will descend from heaven straight back to the Mount of Olives at the Second Coming. This is just an assumption that many Christians make because they're reading things into the above passages, which is very easy to do if we study the Bible without trying to be thorough, objective, and unbiased in order to see the full picture for a topic.

Jesus will return in the same way that He left, just as Acts 1:9-12 (above) says, and He will stand on the Mount of Olives on the Day of the Lord, just as Zechariah 14:1-4 (above) says. However, the Bible gives us a great deal of specific information about what will happen after Jesus descends to the earth and before He stands on the Mount of Olives. At the Second Coming, Jesus will return to the earth in southern Jordan rather than descending directly to the Mount of Olives as is commonly believed. For all of the fascinating scriptural details, see my article called The Second Coming.

The Bible also gives us an amazing amount of specific information about what will happen after the Second Coming and on into eternity (see my article called What Will Happen after the Second Coming?).

Again, these are examples of passages that seem to contradict each other, or passages that make it easy for Christians to form wrong assumptions, demonstrating how important it is to search for the full picture of a topic in the Bible rather than basing our views on only one passage or just a few passages. To understand why it's so important to try to find everything that the Bible says for each doctrine (rather than looking at only a few Scripture passages), see my article called How to Study the Bible.

For more on alleged contradictions in the Bible, see section #28 in this article and also see Inspired!: 191 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved

.

Are your Christian views based on only a few passages rather than being based on the full picture? Have you ever tried to find the full picture for each scriptural doctrine or topic?

"I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:11)

"As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:18-23)

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:11-16)

The above passages say that Jesus prayed for us to be brought to complete unity so that we may be one just as the Father and the Son are one, and the apostle Paul expected us to work toward complete unity. Therefore, all Christians being in unity is very important to God, so we need to take the idea of being in unity very seriously.

But if you think about it, Christian unity is a huge task that will have a huge world-wide impact. This is because the body of Christ is fractured into numerous divisions such as denominations, all of which disagree with each other in various areas of biblical doctrines, views, or practices.

If you search online for "how many Christian denominations," you'll find that there are hundreds or thousands of self-described Christian denominations. It's not always clear which person or group founded each denomination, but here are some examples that I found online:

The Baptist denomination was founded by John Smythe, so all Baptists are in effect saying, "I follow John Smythe's views."
The Lutheran denomination was founded by Martin Luther, so all Lutherans are in effect saying, "I follow Martin Luther's views."
The Methodist denomination was founded by John Wesley, so all Methodists are in effect saying, "I follow John Wesley's views."
The Presbyterian denomination was founded by John Knox, so all Presbyterians are in effect saying, "I follow John Knox's views."
The Seventh-day Adventist denomination was founded by James and Ellen White and Joseph Bates, so all Seventh-day Adventists are in effect saying, "I follow James and Ellen White's and Joseph Bates' views."
The Mennonite denomination was founded by Menno Simmons, so all Mennonites are in effect saying, "I follow Menno Simmons' views."
The Amish denomination was founded by Jacob Amman, so all Amish are in effect saying, "I follow Jacob Amman's views."
The Salvation Army denomination was founded by William Booth, so all Salvation Army church members are in effect saying, "I follow William Booth's views."

Again, I found this information online, and perhaps not everyone will agree with everything in the above list.

The purpose of the above list is simply to make the point that every denomination was founded by a person or group, and each denomination's members are followers of most or all of the views and practices of the person or group that established those denominations. For example, the denominational website for The United Methodist Church

refers to Methodists as "followers of John Wesley," and you can find similar statements at other denominational websites.

So what is God's perspective on denominations?

When the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he began his letter with greetings and thanksgiving, as he frequently did in his letters. Immediately after that, he launched into an urgent appeal for them to be perfectly united in mind and thought and to have no divisions among them:

"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions [schisma] among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Paul then made it clear what he meant by "divisions":

"My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."" (1 Corinthians 1:11-12)

Sound familiar? The situation that we have today with denominations ("I follow John Smythe's views," or "I follow Martin Luther's views," or "I follow John Wesley's views," etc.) is exactly the situation that Paul denounced in the above passage, referring to those divisions as "quarrels."

Paul went on to say:

"Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:13)

The above questions are clearly intended to be answered with "no." Paul's point was that we're not meant to be followers of a person or group (such as being a follower of Paul), and that Christ is not divided in any way (so the body of Christ should not be divided in any way).

Paul went on to say:

"I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name." (1 Corinthians 1:14-15)

Again, Paul didn't want anyone to have any reason to feel that they should be followers of Paul.

Later he wrote this to the Corinthian church:

"Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other." (1 Corinthians 4:6)

Again, Paul didn't want anyone to be followers of Paul or Apollos or anyone else (such as John Smythe, Martin Luther, John Wesley, or any other denominational founders).

He also wrote this to the Corinthian church:

"Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly - mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task." (1 Corinthians 3:1-5)

In the above passage, Paul said that if we follow this person's or that person's Christian views (such as the leaders of any denomination) then we are not living by the Spirit (i.e., we are not obeying God), but instead we are still worldly and we are mere infants in Christ. Clearly, separating ourselves into divisions (e.g., by being followers and members of any denomination) is not what God wants.

Later in 1 Corinthians Paul said:

"But God has put the body [of Christ] together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division [schisma] in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:24-27)

Once again, we see that God wants no division in the body of Christ.

Elsewhere in 1 Corinthians Paul said:

"In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions [schisma] among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences [hairesis] among you to show which of you have God's approval." (1 Corinthians 11:17-19)

In 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 (above) and 11:17-19 (above), the Greek word schisma ("division") is the same word that Paul used earlier when he appealed to them to have no divisions among them (1 Corinthians 1:10, above). Here he said that he could barely believe that they were separating themselves, and that they were doing more harm than good. In the above passage, the Greek word hairesis means:

"Heresy, a form of religious worship, discipline, or opinion...hairesis may represent a divergent opinion but still be part of a whole. One can hold different views than the majority and remain in the same body, but he is a heretic (hairetikos [G141]). However, when he tears himself away (schizo [G4977]), then he is schismatic. Heresy may lead to schism which is when actual tearing off and separation occur." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, hairesis)

So in 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 (above) and 11:17-19 (above), Paul was once again denouncing the fact that some of them were separating themselves into divisions based on their different views. He essentially said that those who were not separating themselves showed that they had God's approval. We've seen that he made this same point over and over throughout the book of 1 Corinthians (denouncing them for separating themselves into divisions), so this is clearly a very important point.

It's such an important point, in fact, that Jesus and Paul and other New Testament authors repeatedly emphasized the dangers of divisions and factions, and the need for unity and oneness in the body of Christ:

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:14-16)

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6)

"I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them." (Romans 16:17)

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:3-6)

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27)

"then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." (Philippians 2:2)

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned." (Titus 3:9-11)

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them - bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute." (2 Peter 2:1-2)

"These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (Jude 1:19)

So Jesus and Paul and other New Testament authors repeatedly emphasized the dangers of divisions and factions, and the need for unity and oneness in the body of Christ.

To further confirm this point, notice that the New Testament repeatedly tells us that there is one church, called "the body of Christ" and "the church" (not a collection of different denominations with conflicting or mutually exclusive views): Matthew 16:18, Acts 5:11, 20:28, 1 Corinthians 10:32, 11:22, 12:28, 15:9, Ephesians 1:22-23, 3:10, 5:23-32, Philippians 3:6, Colossians 1:18, 24, 1 Timothy 3:15.

Notice that the New Testament repeatedly refers to Christianity as "the faith" (not as a collection of conflicting or mutually exclusive beliefs in different denominations): Matthew 24:10, Acts 6:7, 13:8, 14:22, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Galatians 1:23, 3:23, Ephesians 4:13, Philippians 1:25, 27, Colossians 2:7, 1 Timothy 1:2, 19, 3:9, 4:1, 6, 5:8, 6:10, 12, 21, 2 Timothy 3:8, Titus 1:13, Philemon 1:6, 1 Peter 5:9, Jude 1:3.

Notice that the New Testament repeatedly refers to Christianity as "the light" (not as a collection of conflicting or mutually exclusive versions of "the light" in different denominations): Luke 16:8, John 1:4, 5, 3:20, 8:12, 9:5, 12:35, 36, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6, Ephesians 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, Hebrews 10:32, 1 John 1:7, 2:9, 10.

Notice that the New Testament repeatedly refers to Christianity as "the way" (not as a collection of conflicting or mutually exclusive versions of "the way" in different denominations): Matthew 22:16, Mark 12:14, Luke 20:21, John 14:6, Acts 9:2, 18:25, 26, 19:9, 23, 24:14, 22, 1 Corinthians 14:1, Ephesians 5:2, 2 Peter 2:2, 21.

Notice that the New Testament repeatedly says that Christianity contains "the truth" (not a collection of conflicting or mutually exclusive versions of "the truth" in different denominations): Matthew 22:16, Mark 12:14, Luke 20:21, John 3:21, 5:33, 8:32, 14:6, 17:17, Acts 20:30, 2 Corinthians 13:8, Galatians 2:5, 14, 5:7, Ephesians 4:21, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12, 13, 1 Timothy 2:4, 3:15, 4:3, 2 Timothy 2:18, 25, 3:7, 8, 4:4, Titus 1:1, 14, Hebrews 10:26, James 3:14, 5:19, 1 Peter 1:22, 2 Peter 1:12, 1 John 2:21, 5:6, 2 John 1:1, 2, 4, 3 John 1:3, 4, 8, 12.

Notice that the New Testament repeatedly says that Christianity contains "the traditions" and "the teaching" (not a collection of conflicting or mutually exclusive traditions and teachings in different denominations): Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6, 2 Timothy 1:13-14.

Notice that the New Testament repeatedly commands us to avoid quarrels and controversies (which can lead to Christians separating into different denominations): Romans 14:1, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 3:3-4, 1 Timothy 1:3-7, 3:2-3, 6:3-5, 2 Timothy 2:14, 23-26, Titus 3:9-11, James 4:1-2.

As we can clearly see throughout the entire New Testament, Christianity has always been intended to consist of believers in unity with each other, never as a collection of divisions such as denominations.

To confirm even further how important this point is, notice what Jesus said:

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." (Mark 3:24-25)

The implications from these passages are huge. The New Testament clearly says that all Christians need to be in unity with each other, and it clearly denounces all divisions within Christianity such as denominations because a house divided against itself cannot stand.

As we saw in the bullet points earlier, all denominations are human inventions. God is not Baptist, God is not Lutheran, God is not Methodist, God is not Presbyterian, God is not Seventh-day Adventist, and so on. We can't say that God is all denominations because some denominations' views are mutually exclusive with other denominations' views. God is no denomination, as the above passages clearly show, and we are told to be non-denominational as well ("no divisions").

There will always be differences of opinion among Christians (e.g., different views on end-times prophecies), but if we label ourselves as being a member of one group or another then we're identifying with a division in violation of all of the above passages. For example, in my articles you can see that I agree with certain charismatic views (e.g., that all gifts of the Spirit are available today), but I don't label myself as a charismatic because that's a division within Christianity. We can hold various views without labeling ourselves as members of divisions or denominations that have those views.

If you consider yourself as a member of a denomination or other type of division within Christianity, then you're disobeying God. Instead, we all need to consider ourselves as non-denominational Christians rather than as Protestants, Baptists, Catholics, charismatics, cessationists, evangelicals, and so on. God wants us to go to a specific church, and if we're paying attention then He will lead us to it (see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance).

Have you stopped labeling yourself as a member of divisions within Christianity, and do you consider yourself as a non-denominational Christian in obedience to God?

, emphasis added)

According to Psychology Today, "Confirmation bias occurs from the direct influence of desire on beliefs. When people would like a certain idea or concept to be true, they end up believing it to be true. They are motivated by wishful thinking. This error leads the individual to stop gathering information when the evidence gathered so far confirms the views or prejudices one would like to be true. Once we have formed a view, we embrace information that confirms that view while ignoring, or rejecting, information that casts doubt on it. Confirmation bias suggests that we don't perceive circumstances objectively. We pick out those bits of data that make us feel good because they confirm our prejudices. Thus, we may become prisoners of our assumptions." (What Is Confirmation Bias?

, emphasis added)

My article called How to Study the Bible explains in detail why it's so important to be as thorough, objective, and unbiased as possible when we study the Bible, to prevent confirmation bias. Unfortunately, at denominational seminaries, their goal (according to their websites) is to create confirmation bias in people when they study the Bible, as the quotes below demonstrate. Therefore, denominational pastors are not trained to be thorough, objective, and unbiased and to look for the full picture in the Bible for each doctrine or topic.

When we look in the Bible to find passages that support what we already believe, this is not the way to find out what the Bible really teaches. When we study the Bible and we only see what our denomination believes, this is not the way to find out what the Bible really teaches. These are examples of confirmation bias, which will bring judgment on those who teach things that do not line up with the Bible:

"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

There are hundreds or thousands of self-described Christian denominations and they all disagree with each other in certain areas, so they can't all be right. Imagine a hypothetical denomination that has completely accurate beliefs for every Christian doctrine and practice. Since it's teaching the truth for every biblical topic, this means that all of the hundreds or thousands of other denominations are teaching falsehoods in every area where they disagree with that hypothetical denomination, leading their congregations astray in those areas. Realistically, there isn't any denomination that's teaching accurately in every area (see section #21 in this article), so all denominations are leading their congregations astray in certain areas. Therefore, it's irrational and unwise to blindly believe everything that our church or denomination teaches us. As described in section #03, we're given numerous warnings against listening to those who are deceiving us, even unintentionally.

The New Testament is the instruction manual for all Christians (no matter what denomination you're a member of), written by God through human authors, and in His omniscience He made sure that it's relevant even to this day. In it, God tells us what to believe and what to do. If we don't properly obey Him, the painful consequences for our wrong beliefs or lack of obedience are our own fault for not being diligent enough to find out what He wants us to believe and do (see section #11 in this article).

In order to properly understand the Bible, we need to know that it was written by God and we need to study it without allowing any confirmation bias to influence our interpretation of what God has written.

For example, imagine doing a jigsaw puzzle. You dump all of the puzzle pieces out of the box, and you use the picture on the box to guide you in assembling the puzzle pieces together correctly. But if someone had put the pieces into the wrong box, then you're assembling the puzzle based on the wrong picture. The Bible contains the "puzzle pieces" that teach us what we need to know about every doctrine, but we'll see below that seminaries in different denominations are giving their students different pictures to use for assembling the "puzzle pieces" from the Bible (based on the denomination's traditions and beliefs). Their stated purpose is to create confirmation bias in their students because Baptist congregations want their pastor to be a proper Baptist, and Presbyterian congregations want their pastor to be a proper Presbyterian, and so on. However, we've seen that being biased is not the way to find out what the Bible really teaches.

Here are some quotes from different pages at seminary websites in various denominations (emphasis added), showing that their goal is to create confirmation bias in people (based on the denomination's tradition and beliefs) when they study the Bible:

Assemblies of God seminary

"As a graduate-level educational institution within the evangelical and Pentecostal tradition, the seminary affirms the Bible as God's written Word, the inspired, infallible, and authoritative rule for faith and conduct. Affiliated with The General Council of the Assemblies of God, the seminary's doctrinal commitment is found in the Statement of Fundamental Truths. Objectives...To provide culturally relevant professional skills training for pastors, missionaries, evangelists, military and institutional chaplains, teachers, and others." (https://agts.edu/about/who-we-are/mission-and-objectives/)

Baptist seminaries

"Though we teach our courses with pastoral ministry in mind, we also teach them with an eye to current trends in important theological debates. CBTS is founded on a commitment to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. For us it is the finest historic confession available to the church today. CBTS fully subscribes to it and insures that all our teaching remains faithful to it. In this way you may be assured that the teaching you receive through CBTS is not novel, but reflects the great tradition of Reformed Baptist thought growing out of the Reformation." (https://cbtseminary.org/president/)

"The seminary's commitment to the Scriptures leads to a framework of doctrine in which the great fundamentals of the Christian faith are armed and expounded. The doctrines of evangelical orthodoxy are taught in the framework of premillennial, dispensational theology, derived from a consistent grammatical-historical interpretation of the Bible...Training for vocational ministry is the primary purpose for which the seminary was founded and now exists." (https://www.dts.edu/about/what-we-believe/mission-statement/)

"For those called to minister in today's changing world, the Master of Divinity degree from Southern Seminary offers trusted and comprehensive theological education...As a convictional institution, Southern Seminary faculty all teach in accordance with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and the Abstract of Principles, an historic confession of faith written by the seminary's founders in 1859." (https://www.sbts.edu/mdiv/)

"With a commitment to biblical authority, Clarks Summit University serves undergraduate, graduate and seminary students by preparing them for lives of significant service for the cause of Jesus Christ in a variety of ministries and careers...We value the local church, the pillar and foundation of truth, along with the rich spiritual legacy of our Baptist distinctives and history." (https://baptistseminary.clarkssummitu.edu/about-bbs/core-values/)

"Whether God is calling you as a pastor, missionary, counselor, youth minister, educator, worship leader, apologist, or something else entirely, NOBTS has a ministry training option for you...All the faculty members of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary subscribe to the school's historic confession, the Articles of Religious Belief, and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000...New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention." (https://www.nobts.edu/about/default.html)

"Upon the founding of the seminary in 1957, Midwestern Seminary's trustees declared that the seminary would adopt, as its own, the Baptist Faith and Message...Like our faculty and staff, our students are committed to theological education in preparation for the practice of ministry." (https://www.mbts.edu/about/what-we-believe/)

Church of Christ seminary

"Lancaster Theological Seminary, a graduate school affiliated with the United Church of Christ, is known for academic excellence, celebration of differences across Christian traditions, and creative engagement on issues important to our world. Our mission is to educate and nurture leaders to join in God's redemptive and liberating work so that all creation may flourish." (https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/)

Episcopalian seminaries

"Led by the Holy Spirit, Virginia Theological Seminary forms and educates leaders who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and helps others participate in God's mission throughout the world. We are a racially and culturally diverse residential community of The Episcopal Church" (https://vts.edu/mission/)

"General Seminary's mission, to educate and form leaders for the church in a changing world, has been a central focus throughout its long history. Chartered by General Convention in 1817, General's very name was chosen to reflect the intention of its founders: that it would serve the entire Episcopal Church. Church leaders, with a burst of national vision, conceived a theological institution that would belong to the whole Episcopal Church, where students from all parts of the country would come to prepare for ordination." (https://www.gts.edu/our-history)

Lutheran seminaries

"The Doctor of Ministry program focuses on reaching the unreached in a secular age from a specifically Lutheran perspective. Students are pastors with at least three years continuous experience who want to deepen their perspectives and hone their strategies for the church's apologetic, evangelistic and catechetical tasks." (https://www.ilt.edu/doctor-of-ministry-dmin)

"Our graduates are skilled and artful leaders who have learned how to think - how to draw on the breadth of the Lutheran tradition and make it come alive for a new day." (https://elcaseminaries.org/wartburg-theological-seminary/)

Methodist seminaries

"As the founding school of Boston University (BU) and the oldest United Methodist seminary in North America, BU School of Theology has been preparing leaders to make a positive difference for nearly two centuries. Rooted in the Wesleyan tradition" (https://www.bu.edu/sth/)

"The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is a 78-credit degree program that provides professional graduate education for those seeking to be: Ordained pastors or deacons...Rooted in the long tradition of Wesleyan and Methodist commitment to higher education" (https://drew.edu/theological-school/academics/master-of-divinity/)

"Candler School of Theology is grounded in the Christian faith and shaped by the Wesleyan tradition of evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern. The school's mission is to educate faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries throughout the world." (http://candler.emory.edu/about/mission.html)

Pentecostal seminaries

"Our roots are planted firmly in the Church of God and Pentecostal traditions, and we are constantly seeking to explore the depths of Christianity through these roots...The Seminary is committed to the absolute authority of Scripture and to the Holiness-Pentecostal interpretation of the Christian faith as set forth in the Declaration of Faith of the Church of God. As a denominationally sponsored institution, the Pentecostal Theological Seminary is fully committed to the spiritual, doctrinal, and ethical emphases of the Church of God and is firmly dedicated to serving and training its ministry...From its beginning, the Pentecostal Theological Seminary has followed a model for ministerial development drawn from the Scriptures and the heritage of Wesleyan-Pentecostalism: the community of faith. The underlying thesis of the model has been that equipping persons for ministry is the responsibility of the church and must be done in the context of being the church. The Seminary is the church of God gathered for theological education." (https://www.ptseminary.edu/story-of-ptseminary.php)

"Master's Pentecostal Seminary (MPS) was established in 1996 to provide biblical, theological and practical training for ministry within a Pentecostal context...MPS serves both professional ministers and others who desire theological training." (https://mpseminary.com/about)

Presbyterian seminaries

"Many seminaries are denominationally aligned, with a mission to prepare priests, pastors, and ministers specifically for the clergy requirements and standards of their church tradition." (https://www.westernseminary.edu/admissions/why-go-to-seminary)

"Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary opened its doors on October 1, 1902, to educate ministers to serve in the emerging frontier of the Southwest and meet the needs of a rapidly growing Presbyterian Church." (https://www.austinseminary.edu/about/mission-history)

"More than 160 years old, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary has been building up the Body of Christ in a tradition rooted in Scripture and the Reformed tradition while developing innovative ways to respond to contemporary society's needs...Moving forward, Louisville Seminary will continue to prepare individuals for ministry and service in an increasingly pluralistic world." (https://www.lpts.edu/mission/)

"We provide, using the best available technology, innovative and effective programs of theological education, grounded in the Reformed theological tradition, that inspire and empower learners for bold service to God's Reign in the world through individual, congregational, and community ministries." (https://www.upsem.edu/about/mission-vision/)

"The mission of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary is to educate students who love the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word, equipping pastors for the ministry of the gospel and preparing others in the Church for effective service in His Kingdom, all within the framework of the historic Reformed faith. The founding purpose of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary was to train pastors for the Gospel ministry within the sponsoring denomination. This fundamental purpose remains unchanged in the twenty-first century. As God has provided opportunity, the mission of the Seminary has expanded to include the training of men and women from many Reformed and evangelical churches, and from various cultures and nations, for a variety of ministries, including missions, Christian education, youth and campus work, and other specialized fields of service. Our instruction is guided by the theology and practice of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, a denomination which wholeheartedly embraces the historic Reformed faith, while stressing Christ's Kingship over every area of life." (https://www.rpts.edu/)

Seventh-day Adventist seminary

"The primary mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary is to prepare ministers and teachers to serve in the Seventh-day Adventist Church...Vision Statement: The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary prepares spiritual leaders to impact the world for Christ by teaching the Gospel summarized in the Three Angels' Message of Revelation 14:6-13...Core Values:...Being faithful to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and God's prophetic leading in our story..." (https://www.andrews.edu/sem/)

Again, in order to properly understand the Bible, we need to know that it was written by God and we need to study it without allowing any confirmation bias to influence our interpretation of what God has written.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" (Matthew 28:18-20)

In the above passage, notice that Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples and then baptize them. As my series called Everything We Need to Know about Water Baptism explains, water baptism is not a requirement for receiving salvation because it's only for people who have already received salvation, and it must be done by full immersion.

After the cross we see a consistent pattern in which people were baptized in water immediately after they believed in Jesus. Here are all of the passages after the cross that describe people being baptized in water:

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." (Acts 2:41)

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw." (Acts 8:12-13)

"The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him." (Acts 8:34-38)

"The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days." (Acts 10:45-48)

"One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us." (Acts 16:14-15)

"He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized." (Acts 16:30-33)

"Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized." (Acts 18:8)

"While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 19:1-5)

The above passages show that people were baptized in water immediately after they believed in Jesus, just as He commanded us to do in the Great Commission (above).

We've seen that Jesus commanded that His disciples must be baptized in water (Matthew 28:19), and we've seen that new disciples were baptized in water immediately after they received salvation, and my series on water baptism (above) shows that full immersion is the only proper method of baptism. After the cross, a "disciple" is a person who has received salvation through proper faith in Jesus (for the full New Testament teaching on how to receive salvation and make sure you're going to heaven, see my article called How to Receive Salvation). If the only baptism you've received was as an infant or by some method other than full immersion then you've never had a valid Christian baptism. If you've never had a valid Christian baptism, this won't keep you out of heaven (as my series on water baptism shows) but it means that you're living in disobedience to God and you'll be disciplined (perhaps severely) both in this life and in heaven (see section #11, #12, and #13 in this article). In order to get into obedience concerning baptism, find the right church and tell them that you're a Christian and you need to be baptized in water by full immersion. God wants us to go to a specific church, and if we're paying attention then He will lead us to it (see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance).

Have you been baptized in water by full immersion as Jesus commanded, after you were old enough to understand what Jesus did for us and then became a Christian through proper faith in Him?

and online articles).

Personally, I enjoy Christmastime and the secular trappings of Christmas such as Christmas music, Christmas lights, decorating a tree, putting out wreaths and garlands, exchanging gifts, etc., but I don't treat it as Jesus' birthday. As you can see in numerous articles online, Jesus was never "the reason for the season" because celebrating on December 25 and most of the other elements of Christmas are rooted in pre-Christian pagan traditions and practices. Due to these pagan origins, a number of Christians refuse to celebrate Christmas in any way.

Since we're never told to celebrate Jesus' birth, and since most of our Christmas traditions come from pagan origins, is it wrong to celebrate Christmas with trees, gifts, lights, songs, and all of our other traditions?

The answer is no, it's not wrong. Notice that if people in pre-Christian pagan religions had certain practices, this does not automatically mean that anyone who does something similar is worshiping or invoking false gods or trying to ward off evil spirits as the pagans did. Consider some examples:

Pagan religions tend to believe in good spirits and evil spirits. Yet Christians also believe in good spirits (angels) and evil spirits (demons).
In movies that show druids or voodoo practitioners or tribal religious celebrations, we sometimes see them leaping and dancing before their gods. Yet God's chosen people (the Jews) are sometimes described as leaping and dancing before God (e.g., 2 Samuel 6:14-16, Exodus 15:19-21).
Some pagan religions involve animal sacrifices. Yet God's chosen people (the Jews) also had animal sacrifices (e.g., Leviticus 1).
In pagan religions, people have been known to go into trances. Yet we see apostles going into trances (e.g., Acts 10:9-10, 11:4-5, 22:17-18).
Pagan religions built altars to their gods (e.g., the altars to Baal in Judges 6:25, 1 Kings 16:30-33, 2 Kings 11:17-18). Yet God's chosen people (the Jews) built altars to God (e.g., Exodus 17:15, 20:22-25, Judges 6:24).
People in pagan religions sometimes do (or attempt to do or pretend to do) supernatural things such as sorcery, witchcraft, and casting spells (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:9-14, Isaiah 47:8-12, Micah 5:10-12, Acts 8:9-13). Yet we see Christians doing supernatural things such as signs, wonders, and miracles (e.g., Mark 16:20, Acts 6:8, 8:4-13, 14:3).
Searching online shows that pagan religions have been known to practice some forms of speaking in tongues. Yet we see Christians speaking in tongues (e.g., Acts 2:1-4, 10:44-46, 19:1-7, 1 Corinthians 14:26-29).
Pagans sometimes make decisions by casting lots (e.g., Jonah 1:7, Esther 3:6-7). Yet we see God's chosen people (the Jews) as well as Christians making decisions by casting lots (e.g., Leviticus 16:3-8, Joshua 18:10, Nehemiah 10:34, Acts 1:21-26).

As we can see in the above examples, God's people throughout the Bible did certain things that are also found in pagan religions, yet it was proper for them to do so. They were not participating in pagan rituals in those examples because their purpose was different. In the same way, if we do things that pre-Christian pagans did, such as celebrating on December 25th, bringing trees into our homes, hanging mistletoe, exchanging gifts, etc., we are not participating in pagan rituals because our purpose is different. We're not doing these things to honor false gods or ward off evil spirits as the pagans were, just as God's people were not doing the things in the above examples for the same reasons that pagans were. Again, if people in pre-Christian pagan religions had certain practices, this does not automatically mean that anyone who does something similar is worshiping or invoking false gods or trying to ward off evil spirits as the pagans did.

However, some people believe that the Bible specifically forbids Christmas trees based on this passage:

"This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter."" (Jeremiah 10:2-4)

When people say that Christmas trees are forbidden in the Bible, they're simply looking on the surface of the above passage and jumping to the conclusion that it's describing Christmas trees. However, this is not the way to properly understand Bible passages (see my article called How to Study the Bible). When we look at the above passage in context, it becomes clear what that passage is referring to:

"This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman [haras] shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good...They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols. Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz. What the craftsman [haras] and goldsmith have made is then dressed in blue and purple - all made by skilled workers."" (Jeremiah 10:2-9)

The above passage says that after a tree is cut down, a craftsman (haras in Hebrew) shapes the wood with his chisel, then the wood is covered with hammered silver and gold plating and dressed in blue and purple. The above passage specifically says that the finished product is a wooden idol, and the Hebrew word for craftsman in that passage is sometimes used throughout the Old Testament for people who make their living by creating idols:

"[haras is] A masculine noun meaning craftsman, artisan, and engraver. This Hebrew word denotes a craftsman who is skilled in a given medium. It appears in reference to one skilled in metalwork (1Ch 29:5; Hos 13:2); one skilled in woodwork (1Ch 14:1; Isa 40:20); and one skilled in stonework (Exo 28:11). More broadly, the term is applied to those who make their living by fashioning idols (Isa 45:16); or one highly skilled in his or her vocation (Eze 21:31 [36])." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, haras, emphasis added)

For example, here are passages which use that Hebrew word specifically in the context of creating idols out of various materials:

"And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: 'Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman [haras], and sets it up in secret.' And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen!'" (Deuteronomy 27:14-15 NKJV)

"As for an idol, a metalworker [haras] casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker [haras] to set up an idol that will not topple." (Isaiah 40:19-20)

"The metalworker [haras] encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer spurs on the one who strikes the anvil. One says of the welding, "It is good." The other nails down the idol so it will not topple." (Isaiah 41:7)

"All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing? People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen [haras] are only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and shame. The blacksmith [haras] takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint. The carpenter [haras] measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it." (Isaiah 44:9-15)

"All the makers [haras] of idols will be put to shame and disgraced; they will go off into disgrace together." (Isaiah 45:16)

"Samaria, throw out your calf-idol! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity? They are from Israel! This calf - a metalworker [haras] has made it; it is not God. It will be broken in pieces, that calf of Samaria." (Hosea 8:5-6)

"Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen [haras]. It is said of these people, "They offer human sacrifices! They kiss calf-idols!"" (Hosea 13:2)

In the above passages we see craftsmen who cut down trees, shape the pieces of wood with chisels, overlay them with hammered gold and silver, then nail them down so they won't topple or totter. These craftsmen made wooden idols to be worshiped, and notice that these descriptions are exactly what we see in Jeremiah 10:2-9 (above). When we try to be thorough, objective, and unbiased in order to properly understand Scripture passages, we can clearly see that Jeremiah 10:2-9 (above) is not describing Christmas trees. The Bible does not forbid Christmas trees.

Christians have the freedom (see my article called Covenants, Dispensations, and the Ten Commandments - Part Three) to celebrate Christmas as Jesus' birthday, or to enjoy the Christmas traditions without treating it as Jesus' birthday, or to refuse to celebrate Christmas in any way due to the pagan origins of our Christmas traditions. None of those choices are violating Scripture because God never commanded anyone to celebrate or commemorate Jesus' birth. But when Christians refuse to celebrate Christmas due to its pagan origins, they might not understand that there are a number of other modern traditions and things that they do that come from pagan origins (as you can see online). For example, in many languages the names of the months and the days of the week are based on the names of false gods and goddesses. Wearing a wedding ring on our "ring finger" comes from ancient pagan beliefs. The original purpose for having bridesmaids at a wedding was for them to wear dresses and veils identical to the bride's to trick evil spirits so that they would attack a bridesmaid instead of the bride. The bouquet of flowers that a bride carries at her wedding was originally intended to mask her human smell from evil spirits. Placing candles on birthday cakes was originally meant to ward off evil spirits and beckon good spirits. Covering your mouth when you yawn was originally for the purpose of preventing evil spirits from taking your life force out of your throat.

So there are a number of things that we do today that come from pagan origins (according to articles online), but the important issue is that we're not doing these things for their original reasons or purposes. We're not doing these things in order to participate in pagan religious rituals or customs, just as God's people were not doing the things in the above examples for the same reasons that pagans were.

Similarly, many Christians and churches celebrate Easter every year to commemorate Jesus' resurrection. But if God wanted or commanded us to specifically celebrate Jesus' resurrection then He would have said something about it in the Christian instruction manual (the New Testament). The New Testament never tells us to specifically celebrate Jesus' resurrection every year, and there are no examples in the New Testament of any Christians specifically celebrating Jesus' resurrection every year. For example, I used my Bible software to search for every occurrence of Greek words for concepts such as "resurrection" or "risen" throughout the New Testament (for more on this, see my article called How to Study the Bible), and here's every passage I found that mentions Jesus' resurrection: Matthew 16:21, 17:9, 23, 20:19, 26:32, 27:63-64, 28:6-7, Mark 8:31, 9:9-10, 31, 10:34, 14:28, 16:6, 9, 14, Luke 9:22, 18:33, 24:6-7, 34, 46, John 2:19-22, 20:9, 21:14, Acts 1:22, 2:24, 31-32, 3:15, 4:10, 33, 5:30, 10:40-41, 13:30-37, 17:3, 31-32, 26:23, Romans 1:4, 4:24-25, 6:4-9, 7:4, 8:11, 34, 10:9, 14:9, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:4, 12-23, 2 Corinthians 4:14, 5:15, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:20, Philippians 3:10, Colossians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:14, 2 Timothy 2:8, 1 Peter 1:3, 21, 3:21.

As we can see in those passages, in every place where Jesus' resurrection is mentioned we're never told to celebrate it annually and we never see any Christians celebrating it annually. Therefore, specifically celebrating Jesus' resurrection is not scriptural and we have no reason to think that Easter honors or pleases God or means anything to Him because it's not something that He wanted or commanded us to do. It's not that there's anything wrong with specifically celebrating Jesus' resurrection, but we should understand that Easter and most of the Easter Week traditions are nothing more than human inventions, and many of our Easter traditions such as Easter eggs and the Easter bunny and possibly even the name "Easter" come from pagan origins as you can see online.

Since Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday (see my article called Who Wrote the New Testament? for the reasons why it was probably on April 5, AD 33), many Christians assume that Sunday is called "the Lord's Day" in the New Testament, and many Christians assume that the Old Testament Sabbath has been changed to Sunday or that Sunday is now the "Christian Sabbath," and many Christians assume that first-century church services were held on Sunday to commemorate the Resurrection. However, my article called Covenants, Dispensations, and the Ten Commandments - Part Three explains in scriptural detail why these assumptions are all wrong. As that article shows, there's not a shred of scriptural evidence that first-century Christians were commemorating Jesus' resurrection every week because there's not a shred of scriptural evidence that they had the custom of going to church services on Sunday.

What we are told to commemorate in the New Testament is the Atonement (when Jesus was humiliated and brutally tortured and executed and resurrected). We're never told where or when or how often to commemorate the Atonement, but we're told how to do it: by observing the Lord's Supper. Notice that we do this in remembrance of the entire Atonement, not specifically Jesus' resurrection. Churches observe the Lord's Supper in their Easter services (and other times as well), but most of them are not doing it correctly (see section #18 in this article).

Even though there's nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas or Easter, there's a potential danger in blindly following what others tell us (such as our pastor or church). Notice how harshly Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their human rules and traditions:

"So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?" He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions." And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!...Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."" (Mark 7:5-13)

If we blindly follow the rules and traditions that we're taught in church, we might be in danger of setting aside the commands of God and worshiping God in vain, as Jesus said in the above passage. We've seen that Christmas and Easter are merely human traditions, human inventions, but they're not setting aside or disobeying any commands in the New Testament so we're free to celebrate them if we wish. However, there are plenty of other human rules or human traditions or human inventions being taught and practiced in many churches that are setting aside or disobeying what we're told in the New Testament as you can see throughout this article. As described in section #11, #12, and #13 in this article, we're likely to be disciplined (perhaps severely) both in this life and in heaven for following human traditions that disobey the Christian instruction manual (the New Testament).

God is the One who gets to decide what He wants us to believe and do. Just because Christians believe with all their hearts that their views and actions are correct and pleasing to God, this doesn't mean they actually are correct and pleasing to God. Our views and actions are only correct and pleasing to God if they are properly supported in the instruction manual (the New Testament).

Personally, I don't celebrate Easter in any way (or Lent, or Good Friday, etc.) for the reasons described above. Instead, I observe the Lord's Supper at home by myself every Saturday evening so that I can do it properly and with the proper focus (on the Atonement). The only reason why I do it on Saturday evenings is because that just happens to be the day and time when I first did it myself at home, and I've simply kept that as my regular routine. To learn the correct way to celebrate the Lord's Supper, see section #18 in this article.

Our enemy, the devil, is described as being filled with fury at God and God's people, waging war against them and God's angels, and prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (e.g., 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:7-9, 12, 17). He's described as a thief, a robber, a murderer, a schemer, a cunning deceiver, a liar, and the father of lies, whose goal is to steal and kill and destroy (e.g., John 8:44, 10:1, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Ephesians 6:10-11, 1 Timothy 4:1-2). In order for him to wage war against God, one effective strategy would be to create deception and confusion by prompting people to invent and believe in numerous false religions and false deities over the millennia. To do this, we're told that he uses false Christs, false prophets, false apostles, false teachers, deceitful workers, destructive heresies, counterfeit or false miracles, and "every sort of evil that deceives" (e.g., Matthew 24:24, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Peter 2:1-2, Revelation 13:11-17).

We're told that the devil is "the god of this age" who blinds people's minds to the truth of the Gospel message (2 Corinthians 4:4), who deceives people and leads their minds astray with a different gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3-4), who deceives the inhabitants of the earth (Revelation 13:11-17) and leads the whole world astray (Revelation 12:7-9) using his servants who masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) so that people will follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Again, in order for him to wage war against God, one effective strategy would be to create numerous false religions, and another effective strategy would be to incorporate elements from Old Covenant Judaism and New Covenant Christianity into many of these false religions (see the bullet points above) to add more deception and confusion for leading people away from God's truths. These forms of counterfeit Christianity and counterfeit Christs are what you'll find if you dig deeper into the pagan background of many of our Christmas and Easter traditions.

Some of the passages in the previous two paragraphs involve the devil leading Christians astray. One way that he does this is by prompting Christians to violate Scripture by fracturing the body of Christ into divisions such as denominations (see section #21 in this article), and another way is by prompting many Christians to believe the apostasy known as cessationism (see my article called All Gifts of the Spirit Are Available Today). He also leads Christians astray into disobeying God (see most of the sections in this article) or being in a church where God does not want them to be (such as a church that's not properly teaching God's truths).

To help you discern the Lord's guidance about these or any other issues, see my article called How to Discern God's Guidance.

[Jesus is speaking] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day...No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day...Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. (John 6:39-54)

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." (John 11:23-24)

[Jesus is speaking] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. (John 12:48)

[Jesus is speaking] My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3)

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. (1 Corinthians 1:7)

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body...And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep [die], but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:41-53)

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up [in the Latin Vulgate Bible, the Latin word for "caught up" is where we get the English term "Rapture" for this event] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us - whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter - asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)

It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12-13)

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:4)

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

[Jesus is speaking] Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. (Revelation 22:12)

As my series called The Rapture of the Church explains, the above passages are not referring to the Second Coming (when Jesus will return to the earth and set up a kingdom on earth that will last for 1,000 years). Instead, the above passages describe what will happen at the Rapture. Jesus will come down from heaven (but not all the way to the earth), then He will snatch up all Christians to meet Him in the clouds. The dead Christians will be resurrected into their physical bodies, then all of our physical bodies will be transformed to become immortal, just like Jesus' body. Then He will take us all up into heaven where He will judge our lives and give us the rewards that are due us for our obedience on earth (or we will lose out on rewards if we have not been obedient). This is the judgment described in section #12 in this article. Almost immediately after the Rapture, the Day of the Lord will begin, which is the seven-year Tribulation period, followed by the Second Coming, and on into eternity (as my above series on the Rapture explains). At the Second Coming, everyone in heaven will return to earth with Jesus (for the fascinating scriptural details, see my article called The Second Coming).

Passages such as 1 Peter 1:3-13 (below) tell us that God "has given" (past tense) new birth to Christians. However, in that passage Peter also told his readers that they "are receiving" (present tense) the salvation of their souls. In that passage and in the other passages below, we're also told that our salvation (which includes righteousness, eternal life, and our adoption as God's children) is "an inheritance" that is "kept in heaven" for us and will be "brought to" us (future tense) when Jesus is revealed at His coming:

God "will repay each person according to what they have done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (Romans 2:6-7)

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:22-25)

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11)

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls...Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. (1 Peter 1:3-13)

Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 1:21)

When the above passages refer to Jesus' revealing or appearing or coming, they're not referring to what we call the Second Coming. The Bible never refers to His birth on earth as "the First Coming" or "the First Advent," and it never refers to His return to the earth as "the Second Coming" or "the Second Advent." Those are just convenient terms that pastors and Bible teachers use. The above passages are referring to the Rapture because they describe us receiving our rewards when He's revealed at His coming, which is explained in detail in my series called The Rapture of the Church. As the above passages show, we will receive our salvation and eternal life at the Rapture, which might happen at any moment (possibly even before you finish reading this article). See my series above and also my article called End-Times Prophecies Are Coming to Pass Right before Our Eyes to get an idea of how close we are to the Rapture and the Second Coming.

Since Christians will receive our salvation in the future, are we guaranteed to receive salvation or is there a chance that we might lose our salvation before Jesus returns? My article called Our Lives Are Not Predestined shows that believers (who have the proper faith in Jesus) have assurance of their salvation, but if they choose to reject their faith in Jesus then they are no longer believers and no longer have assurance of their salvation. This is why we're told to stand firm in our faith until the end (e.g., Matthew 10:22, 24:12-13, Mark 13:13, 1 Corinthians 10:11-12, Colossians 4:12, Hebrews 3:6, 14, 10:39, Revelation 2:10). My article called How to Receive Salvation explains how to receive salvation in order to be certain that you'll be allowed into heaven, and how to have the assurance of your salvation.

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)

However, the arguments for the idea that the Holy Spirit is female don't stand up to scrutiny.

God is a Spirit, so He didn't have a physical body or any physical characteristics when He created man and woman in His own image. Therefore, being created in His image doesn't refer to our physical bodies. Since man and woman together are in His image, it's best to say that somehow God has both masculine and feminine qualities or characteristics, without trying to assign any of the Trinity as being God the Mother because the Bible never says such a thing.

One argument that people sometimes make is that the word "Spirit" is a feminine noun in Hebrew, which implies that the Holy Spirit is feminine or female. However, this is a wrong conclusion because (for example) only men have foreskins, yet the Hebrew word for foreskin is a feminine noun (Old Testament Hebrew Lexical Dictionary

). The fact that a word is a feminine noun does not mean that it's only associated with females. Similarly, only women have wombs, yet a Hebrew word for womb is a masculine noun (Old Testament Hebrew Lexical Dictionary

). The fact that a word is a masculine noun does not mean that it's only associated with males.

Another argument is that the Holy Spirit seems to be associated with wisdom in both the Old and New Testaments:

"Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses." (Deuteronomy 34:9)

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (Ephesians 1:17)

The argument that some people make is that wisdom is personified as a woman in Proverbs, as in this example:

"Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: "How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"" (Proverbs 1:20-22)

However, this personification does not imply that the Holy Spirit is feminine or female or God the Mother. For example, notice what we're told about wisdom later in Proverbs (in several different translations):

"I, wisdom [hokmah], dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion...The LORD brought me forth [qanah] as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was formed [nasak] long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth [hiyl], when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth [hiyl], before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth." (Proverbs 8:12-26 NIV)

"I, wisdom [hokmah], dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion...The LORD possessed me [qanah] at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. I have been established [nasak] from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth [hiyl], When there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth [hiyl]; While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world." (Proverbs 8:12-26 NKJV)

"I, wisdom [hokmah], dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion...The Lord created me [qanah] at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. From eternity I was established [nasak], From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. When there were no ocean depths, I was born [hiyl], When there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was born [hiyl]; While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world." (Proverbs 8:12-26 NASB)

We can see that people who made various versions of the Bible used different translations from the original Hebrew into English, based on their assumptions about what the above passage says. Here are some definitions of the above Hebrew words plus quotes from some Bible commentaries:

hokmah:
"The high point of this word and its concept is reached in Pro 8:1, Pro 8:11-12. In Pro 8:22-31, wisdom is personified. It is God's gracious creation and is thus inherent in the created order...God is the master, creator, and giver of wisdom (see Job 28:27; Pro 8:22-23)...The portrayal of wisdom in Pro 8:22-24 lies behind Paul's magnificent picture of Christ in Col 1:15-16, for all the treasures of wisdom are lodged in Christ (cf. Col 2:3).
Wisdom, ordained and created by God, manifests itself in many ways in the created universe." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, hokmah, emphasis added)

"Many regard the passage as a description of the Son of God by the title, Wisdom, which the older Jews used (and by which He is called in Luk 11:49), as Joh 1:1, etc., describes Him by that of Logos, the Word. But the passage may be taken as a personification of wisdom: for, (1) Though described as with God, wisdom is not asserted to be God. (2) The use of personal attributes is equally consistent with a personification, as with the description of a real person. (3) The personal pronouns used accord with the gender (feminine) of wisdom constantly, and are never changed to that of the person meant, as sometimes occurs in a corresponding use of spirit, which is neuter in Greek, but to which masculine pronouns are often applied (Joh 16:14), when the acts of the Holy Spirit are described. (4) Such a personification is agreeable to the style of this book (compare Pro 1:20; Pro 3:16, Pro 3:17; Pro 4:8; Pro 6:20-22; Pro 9:1-4), whereas no prophetical or other allusions to the Savior or the new dispensation are found among the quotations of this book in the New Testament, and unless this be such, none exist. (5) Nothing is lost as to the importance of this passage, which still remains a most ornate and also solemn and impressive teaching of inspiration on the value of wisdom." (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Proverbs 8:1-4, emphasis added)

qanah:
"In its participial form, it may refer to an owner (Lev 25:30). It is used of God's possessing wisdom in the creation (Pro 8:22)...It is used of acquiring a child from God (Gen 4:1); of God acquiring, creating the heavens and earth (Gen 14:19); of His creation of Israel (Deu 32:6); of forming a fetus in the womb (Psa 139:13). It can be used of God's creation of wisdom (Pro 8:22)" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, qanah, emphasis added)

"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way: The Hebrew verb for possessed can mean "brought forth" or "created." Melchizedek used the same word to identify God as creator of the universe (Gen 14:19). God, who is ever wise, produced wisdom" (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary, Proverbs 8:22-31, emphasis added)

"possessed - or, "created"; in either sense, the idea of precedence." (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Proverbs 8:22-31, emphasis added)

nasak:
"A verb meaning to pour out. Frequently, this term refers to pouring out drink offerings or libations." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, nasak)

"I was set up - Rather, "I was anointed" (compare Psa 2:6 margin: 2Ch 28:15). The image is that of Wisdom anointed, as at her birth, with "the oil of gladness."" (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible, Proverbs 8:23, emphasis added)

hiyl:
"This word is often used to describe the labor pains of giving birth (Psa 29:9; Isa 26:17-18; Isa 51:2) but can also imply God's creating work (Deu 32:18; Job 15:7; Psa 90:2; Pro 8:24-25)." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, hiyl, emphasis added)

"Wisdom is pictured as having been born (Pro 8:24-25)." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, Proverbs 8:23-26, emphasis added)

Every Bible commentary that I've seen views wisdom in Proverbs 8:12-26 (above) as either a picture of Jesus or a personification of the attribute of wisdom, and many of those Bible scholars describe wisdom as having been created or born (based on passages such as Proverbs 8:12-26, above). Numerous other descriptions of this passage can be seen in these Bible commentaries on Proverbs 8:22

and these Bible commentaries on Proverbs 8:24

, for example. Not a single one of these Bible scholars sees wisdom as being the Holy Spirit, so there's a lack of scholarly evidence and there's not a shred of scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit is female based on the personification of wisdom as a woman.

In addition, we're told that Jesus (who is always described as a male throughout the Bible) is the wisdom of God:

"Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:22-24)

This Bible commentary quote concerning Proverbs 1:20 (above) further explains that Jesus is the wisdom of God:

"Here the person instructing throughout this whole book is represented under the name of "Wisdom"; by which we are to understand not the attribute of divine wisdom displayed in the works of creation; nor the light of nature in man; nor the law of Moses given to the Israelites; nor the revelation of the divine will in general, as it is delivered out in the sacred Scriptures; nor the Gospel, and the ministry of it, in particular; but our Lord Jesus Christ; for the things spoken of Wisdom, and ascribed to it in this book, especially in the eighth and ninth chapters, show that a divine Person is intended, and most properly belong to Christ; who may be called "Wisdoms" (b), in the plural number, as in the Hebrew text, because of the consummate and perfect wisdom that is in him; as he is a divine Person, he is "the Logos", the Word and Wisdom of God; as Mediator, "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid" in him, Col 2:3; and, as man, "the Spirit of Wisdom" rests upon him without measure, Isa 11:2. This, with what follows to the end of the chapter, is a prophecy of the ministry of Christ in the days of his flesh, and of the success of it; and of the calamities that should come upon the Jews for the rejection of him" (John Gill's Exposition of the Bible, Proverbs 1:20, emphasis added)

Again, there's a lack of scholarly evidence and there's not a shred of scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit is female based on the personification of wisdom as a woman.

Another argument that people sometimes make is that the Holy Spirit is God the Mother based on the word "mother" in certain Old Testament passages.

Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is occasionally referred to as God's adulterous wife and a prostitute, and the Israelites are referred to as God's children (with Israel as their mother), as in these examples:

"When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD."" (Hosea 1:2)

"Say of your brothers, 'My people,' and of your sisters, 'My loved one.' Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adulterous look from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. Otherwise I will strip her naked and make her as bare as on the day she was born; I will make her like a desert, turn her into a parched land, and slay her with thirst. I will not show my love to her children, because they are the children of adultery. Their mother has been unfaithful and has conceived them in disgrace. She said, 'I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my olive oil and my drink.' Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.'" (Hosea 2:1-7)

""Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." "What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth - then my judgments go forth like the sun."" (Hosea 6:1-5)

"This is what the LORD says: "Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away."" (Isaiah 50:1)

"During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, "Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. Because Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense," declares the LORD. The LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah. Go, proclaim this message toward the north: 'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the LORD, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am faithful,' declares the LORD, 'I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt - you have rebelled against the LORD your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,'" declares the LORD. "Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband. I will choose you - one from a town and two from a clan - and bring you to Zion."" (Jeremiah 3:6-14)

"The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices and say, '...when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. 'I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD. 'But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his...And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols. Was your prostitution not enough? You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols." (Ezekiel 16:1-15, 20-21)

"The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother. They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed. The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem."" (Ezekiel 23:1-4)

"The LORD said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then confront them with their detestable practices, for they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them."" (Ezekiel 23:36-37)

The above passages are examples of the many places where Israel is referred to as God's adulterous wife and a prostitute, and the Israelites are referred to as God's children (with Israel or Jerusalem as their mother).

In Hosea 2:1-7 (above), Israel is twice referred to as the "mother" of the Israelites, and two chapters later in Hosea 4:5 we see another reference to their "mother." Notice what it says in several different translations:

"You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother" (Hosea 4:5 NIV)

"Therefore you shall stumble in the day; The prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; And I will destroy your mother." (Hosea 4:5 NKJV)

"So you will stumble by day, And the prophet also will stumble with you by night; And I will destroy your mother." (Hosea 4:5 NASB)

"You will stumble by day; the prophet will also stumble with you by night. And I will destroy your mother." (Hosea 4:5 HCSB)

"And thou hast stumbled in the day, And stumbled hath also a prophet with thee in the night, And I have cut off thy mother." (Hosea 4:5 YLT)

In Hosea 4:5 (above), God said that He would destroy or cut off their mother, which echoes what He said earlier in Hosea 2:1-7 (above). The Hebrew word for "destroy" or "cut off" in the above passage means:

"to cease, to cause to cease, to be silent, to destroy. It is used in reference to beasts that die (Psa 49:12 [13]); a prophet who feels undone when he sees the Lord (Isa 6:5); Zion's destruction (Jer 6:2); eyes that weep without ceasing (Lam 3:49); the destruction of people who have no knowledge (Hos 4:6); the destruction of merchants (Zep 1:11); the destruction of the nation of Edom (Oba 1:5)." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, damah)

In Hosea 4:5 (above), God was saying that He will destroy Israel for their unfaithfulness, and in Hosea 6:1-5 (above) we see a prophecy of the Israelites after God cuts them in pieces along with His prophets. So in the context of the book of Hosea, and in the greater context of the Old Testament, the "mother" in Hosea 4:5 (above) is the full community of the Israelites, whether in Israel, Jerusalem, or Samaria. There's not a shred of scriptural evidence that Hosea 4:5 (above) refers to the Holy Spirit as God the Mother, or God cutting off the prophets from the Holy Spirit, and there's no scholarly evidence because not a single one of these Bible commentaries on Hosea 4:5

sees the "mother" in that verse as being the Holy Spirit.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul referred to the heavenly Jerusalem as our "mother":

"For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: "Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman." (Galatians 4:22-31)

Just as we saw in Hosea, Paul was using Jerusalem as a metaphor of a mother and her children. He said that the Old Covenant (that God made with the Israelites through Moses) corresponds to the earthly city of Jerusalem and is the mother of the Jews, who were essentially enslaved to the rules of the Law of Moses. Then he said that the New Covenant corresponds to the heavenly Jerusalem (also mentioned in Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 3:12, 21:2, and 21:10-27) and is the mother of all Christians, who are under the freedom of God's grace and forgiveness. In Revelation 21:10-27, the apostle John gave us descriptions of the heavenly Jerusalem, with its high wall with twelve gates and twelve foundations, laid out as a square. Paul referred to this city as the Christians' "mother," just as the earthly city of Jerusalem was the Israelites' "mother." Paul was not making any kind of reference to the Holy Spirit being God the Mother, and nowhere else is there any shred of scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit is female or God the Mother.

Another argument that people sometimes make is that the word "hovering" in Genesis 1:2 is translated from the same Hebrew word that describes a mother eagle hovering over her young in Deuteronomy 32:11:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering [rahap] over the waters." (Genesis 1:1-2)

"like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers [rahap] over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft." (Deuteronomy 32:11)

Genesis 1:2 (above) describes the Holy Spirit hovering over the earth just as a mother eagle hovers over her young. However, this does not imply that the Holy Spirit is God the Mother, as some people assume. The writers of the Bible frequently used flowery or poetic language, figurative language, symbolism, etc., and they were very free with their metaphors. For example, sometimes Paul used the metaphor of himself as a father, and sometimes he used the metaphor of himself as a mother:

"Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." (1 Corinthians 4:15)

"My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you" (Galatians 4:19 NKJV)

So when we see metaphors or descriptions that are masculine or feminine, they don't mean that someone is male or female. In the same way, if Genesis 1:2 (above) is intended to describe the Holy Spirit as a mother hen hovering over her nest, as people sometimes claim, this doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit is female or God the Mother. As another example, notice that Jesus is a man and yet He described Himself using the metaphor or simile of a mother hen:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37 NKJV)

The above passage doesn't mean that Jesus is female, just as Genesis 1:2 (above) doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit is female.

In fact, notice how the apostle Paul described himself in this passage:

"We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children" (1 Thessalonians 2:6-11)

In the above passage, Paul described himself as a young child, a nursing mother, a brother, and a father, all in the same passage. Again, the writers of the Bible were very free with their metaphors and similes, using any descriptions that got the point across best. The above passage doesn't mean that Paul actually was a young child or a mother or a father. In exactly the same way, the feminine descriptions or metaphors concerning the Holy Spirit don't mean that the Holy Spirit is female or God the Mother.

There appears to be evidence that some early Christian authors thought of the Holy Spirit as Mother, as in this article: The Holy Spirit as feminine: Early Christian testimonies and their interpretation

.

One thing to notice in that article is that there are very, very few Scripture passages mentioned, because the Bible doesn't present the Holy Spirit (or any part of God) as being female. Maybe the Holy Spirit is female or the Mother, we just don't have any actual scriptural evidence of that.

When we read the writings of early Christian authors, should we trust that their views and opinions were accurate or true since they lived so close to the first century? Take a look at these passages:

"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)

"But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" (Galatians 4:9)

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them - bringing swift destruction on themselves." (2 Peter 2:1)

In Acts 20:29-31 (above), Paul said that even after teaching them in person for 3 years, he knew that after he left, there will be people who will start distorting the truth. In Galatians 4:9 (above), Paul said that after teaching them in person and then moving on to another city, it didn't take long before the Galatian Christians started turning back to their former views. So just because early Christian authors (such as the ones mentioned in the above article) lived close to the first century, this doesn't mean that their views and opinions were accurate or true. All humans are fallible. Their views and opinions must be compared with Scripture, but Scripture doesn't say anywhere that the Holy Spirit is female. Maybe the Holy Spirit actually is God the Mother; we just don't have any definite scriptural evidence of that.

"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up [egeiro] from your slumber [hupnos], because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." (Romans 13:10-14)

"Wake up [gregoreuo]! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up [gregoreuo], I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:2-6)

In the above passages, the Greek words for "wake up" (egeiro) and "slumber" (hupnos) in Romans 13:10-14, and "wake up" (gregoreuo) in Revelation 3:2-6, mean:

"Metaphorically, to wake up from sluggishness, lethargy (Romans 13:11 [cf. Ephesians 5:14])" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, egeiro)

"Figuratively of spiritual sleep, sloth (Romans 13:11)" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, hupnos)

"a mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an alert mind, keeps it from all drowsiness and all slackening in the energy of faith and conduct...The duty of alertness as opposed to a slack or sleepy spirit is proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 16:13; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 3:2-3; Revelation 16:15." (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, gregoreuo)

Here's what various Bible commentaries say about the above passages:

"sleep: Believers are pictured as being asleep or inactive." (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary, Romans 13:11)

"It is high time to awake out of sleep. To awake from carelessness and indifference." (The People's New Testament commentary, Romans 13:11-14)

"to awake out of sleep - of stupid, fatal indifference to eternal things." (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Romans 13:11)

"a backwardness to duty, and a slothfulness in the performance of it; in resting in the outward duties of religion; in lukewarmness about the cause of Christ; in an unconcernedness about sins of omission and commission; and in a willingness to continue in such a sluggish frame" (John Gill's Exposition of the Bible, Romans 13:11)

"Be watchful - Ye have lost ground by carelessness and inattention. Awake, and keep awake!" (Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, Revelation 3:2)

"Be watchful - Be wakeful; be attentive and earnest - in contradistinction from the drowsy condition of the church." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible, Revelation 3:2)

As the above passages, and the above Bible scholars, point out, many (if not most) Christians have a sluggish, lethargic, drowsy, slack, or sleepy spirit concerning their Christian lives and have a "stupid, fatal indifference to eternal things" (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, above). They are comfortable, complacent, and lukewarm in their Christian lives, and worldly, negligent, and lazy in their Christian lives, and not continuing to grow and mature in faith and in the knowledge of God. These things are disobedience to God and will be disciplined (perhaps severely) by Him both in this life and in heaven as we saw.

Other passages, such as the ones below, also describe the need for us to be awake, alert, watchful, and keeping ourselves clothed with the white robes that represent Jesus' righteousness (as alluded to in some of the above passages and in Revelation 3:17-19, 6:9-11, 7:9, 13-16):

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV)

"for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Galatians 3:27)

"You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6)

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

"Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed." (Revelation 16:15)

In the parables shown in section #10 in this article, two types of Christians are described. The way to be awake, alert, watchful, and keeping ourselves clothed with the white robes that represent Jesus' righteousness is by being the first type of Christian (diligently studying the Bible and obeying God in all things even when you don't want to), not the second type (being comfortable, complacent, and lukewarm in your Christian life).

Are you comfortable, complacent, lukewarm, worldly, negligent, or lazy concerning your Christian life and the things of God? If so, you'll be disciplined (perhaps severely) both in this life and in heaven, and it's no one's fault but your own.

An OB/GYN is a doctor who specializes in such issues as pregnancy and childbirth. Imagine a male OB/GYN whose wife is visibly pregnant, and he says to his young son, "Mommy has a baby in her tummy." One might ask, how can anyone ever trust anything he says as a doctor if he doesn't even know that babies (fetuses) are not in a woman's stomach? However, in reality he did not make an error; he simply spoke to his little boy in terms that a young child can understand, and none of us would have a real problem with his describing pregnancy that way to his son.
Astronomers sometimes speak of "the dome of the heavens" or "the dome of the sky." One might ask, how can anyone ever trust what they say concerning astronomy if they don't know that there's not actually a dome over the earth? However, in reality they're not making an error; they're simply using a poetic or flowery form of speech, and none of us would have a real problem with their describing the sky in that way.
Sometimes a scientist will mention that there was a Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago, and another scientist will mention the Big Bang that occurred 14 billion years ago. On the surface it sounds like they're contradicting each other or getting their facts wrong, but in reality one of them has simply rounded up for convenience, and none of us would have a real problem with their doing that.
When scientists say that the universe is expanding like a balloon, should we assume that they actually think that the universe is made of a stretchy, rubbery material that someone or something is blowing air into? No, they're simply speaking metaphorically (in this case using a simile of a balloon) based on their observations, and none of us would have a real problem with their describing their views about the universe in that way.
As any police officer will tell you, eyewitness accounts of a crime are often very different from each other. Some witnesses might have had a different angle with less obstructions than other witnesses. Some witnesses might recall seeing three people involved in the crime, while others recall two or four. Some witnesses might describe the events in a different order than other witnesses. Some witnesses might highlight certain aspects that they think are important, while other witnesses might focus on other aspects, and so on. None of these are actual errors, they are simply different people's recollections and what they consider to be important or useful information, and everyone understands that discrepancies such as these will happen with eyewitness accounts.
After the printing press was invented around 1440, if an author wrote a book containing accurate facts and figures, there might be typos introduced by the person operating the printing press, resulting in incorrect facts in the published book. In this case, the original manuscript was inerrant but there were printing mistakes, and everyone understands how easily that can happen during a manual printing process.
In section #24 in this article we can see that Jesus was most likely born in the spring or summer, not in the winter, yet we sing a Christmas carol about His birth that says:
"In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago."
As you can see online (e.g., Was Jesus born in the bleak midwinter? ), a number of pastors refuse to allow this song to be sung in their services at Christmastime because it's theologically and historically inaccurate since Jesus was not born during the winter. But are the lyrics really in error? No, because this song is from a poem that uses metaphors, similes, and poetic imagery to describe the bleak condition of the world (due to sin), and we all understand that metaphors, similes, and poetic imagery are not meant to be taken literally.
If I say that online there are billions and billions of examples of figurative speech such as in the above points, am I making a factual error? No, I'm simply using hyperbole, which is a form of exaggeration that everyone on the planet uses (see what I did there?), and we all understand that hyperbole is not meant to be taken literally.

The Bible is filled with allegories, allusions, eyewitness accounts, figures, hyperbole, imagery, metaphors, parables, parallels, personifications, poetic or flowery language, similes, symbolism, types and foreshadowing, and other forms of figurative speech that are not meant to be taken literally. None of those are factual errors, just as we don't accuse people of making factual errors when they say things similar to the examples shown above.

When people make lists of alleged errors and contradictions in the Bible, it's often because they went looking for errors and contradictions, and people tend to find what they're looking for even when it's not there. Usually they haven't made an honest effort to discern and understand the intended meanings and truths in those passages; they just wanted to have a long list of errors and contradictions in the Bible so that they can "prove" that the Bible is not inerrant.

But debating over inerrancy misses the point, just as we're missing people's points in the above illustrations if we accuse them of factual errors.

Consider that all parents are flawed human beings, so what they teach their children will be imperfect at times. For example, if parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing a road because otherwise they might be hit by a car, this is a very important truth. Still, a child might look both ways, not see any cars, step into the road, and be hit by a bus. What the parents had said was flawed and imperfect in the sense that they didn't say to watch for buses, trucks, taxis, motorcycles, bicyclists, skateboarders, and so on. But even though their teaching was not inerrant (depending on how we define inerrancy), the spirit of what they said is absolutely true. Teaching truths does not require flawlessness and perfection. If it did, then all teachers would be out of a job because they're all flawed human beings (like the rest of us) and will teach imperfectly at times.

The word "infallible" essentially means "incapable of error" (Merriam-Webster

), so whether or not the original manuscripts of the Bible were infallible depends on whether or not they were capable of error. Since the inerrancy debate misses the point, the infallibility debate also misses the point.

For Christians, the point is that God wanted us to know certain things about Himself, His ways, His commands, etc., so He prompted a number of people to write things down (apparently in their own words since the styles are different throughout Scripture) and then to assemble those writings into a book that we call the Bible. God had the motive, the power, and the omniscience to ensure that the original manuscripts of the Bible all taught the truths that He wants us to know, and to ensure that the New Testament (the Christian instruction manual) would be relevant and binding even in modern times. Shortly after the exodus from Egypt around 1446 BC

, God initiated the Old Covenant between Himself and the Israelites, which contained the code of conduct (starting in Exodus 19) for all Jews for the next 1,500 years (approximately) until Jesus died on the cross. It was their written and binding instruction manual. At the cross, Jesus initiated the New Covenant, which contains the code of conduct (the New Testament) for all Christians for the next 2,000 years (approximately) until Jesus returns for us at the Rapture. It's our written and binding instruction manual.

As Christians, our goal should be to discern the truths being taught in the Bible and determine if and how those truths apply to us today (see my article called How to Study the Bible), even when those truths are taught in ways that are not literally true, such as allegories, hyperbole, metaphors, parables, poetic or flowery language, symbolism, and other forms of figurative speech, or the types of issues shown in the above bullet points.

For a discussion of numerous alleged contradictions in the Bible (all of which were actually expressed by atheists or other biblical skeptics), see: Inspired!: 191 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved

"And Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days [ahariyt yom]"" (Genesis 49:1 NKJV)

"And now, indeed, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days [ahariyt yom]." (Numbers 24:14 NKJV)

"When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days [ahariyt yom] you will return to the LORD your God and obey him." (Deuteronomy 4:30)

"For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days [ahariyt yom], because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands." (Deuteronomy 31:29 NKJV)

"The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days [ahariyt yom] you will understand it perfectly." (Jeremiah 23:20 NKJV)

"The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it, And until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days [ahariyt yom] you will consider it." (Jeremiah 30:24 NKJV)

Some of the above passages might be referring to what we call the end-times, but we can't really be certain.

These passages also use the Hebrew words for "last days" (ahariyt yom), and they describe certain things that will happen after Jesus returns:

"In the last days [ahariyt yom] the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." (Isaiah 2:2-4)

"Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days [ahariyt yom]." (Hosea 3:5)

"In the last days [ahariyt yom] the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." (Micah 4:1-3)

""Yet I will bring back the captives of Moab In the latter days [ahariyt yom]," says the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab." (Jeremiah 48:47 NKJV)

"'But it shall come to pass in the latter days [ahariyt yom]: I will bring back the captives of Elam,' says the LORD." (Jeremiah 49:39 NKJV)

"You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days [ahariyt yom] that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes." (Ezekiel 38:16 NKJV)

"Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days [ahariyt yom], for the vision refers to many days yet to come." (Daniel 10:14 NKJV)

Isaiah 2:2-4 (above), Hosea 3:5 (above), and Micah 4:1-3 (above) are referring to Jesus' thousand-year reign on earth after the Second Coming (see my article called What Will Happen after the Second Coming?). Jeremiah 48:47 (above) and Jeremiah 49:39 (above) are also probably referring to Jesus' thousand-year reign on earth after the Second Coming, according to a number of Bible commentaries, because "bring back the captives" can also be translated as "restore the fortunes." Ezekiel 38:16 (above) is part of an end-times prophecy concerning a Russian invasion of Israel, which has not yet happened but will take place before the Second Coming (see sign #15 in my article called End-Times Prophecies Are Coming to Pass Right before Our Eyes). Daniel 10:14 (above) is part of a number of prophecies given to Daniel by the angel Gabriel that describe the activities of various kings and armies (many of which were fulfilled long ago), leading up to the activities of the Antichrist during the seven years before the Second Coming (see my series called The Rapture of the Church).

The above passages are all of the places in the Old Testament that use the Hebrew words for "last days," and we can see that they're not always referring to what we would call the end-times.

These passages are all of the places in the New Testament that use the Greek words for "last days" (eschatos hemera):

"On the last day [eschatos hemera], that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."" (John 7:37 NKJV)

""And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day [eschatos hemera]. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day [eschatos hemera]." ..."No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day [eschatos hemera]...Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day [eschatos hemera]."" (John 6:39-54)

"Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day [eschatos hemera]."" (John 11:23-24)

"There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day [eschatos hemera]." (John 12:48)

"Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days [eschatos hemera], God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.'"" (Acts 2:14-18)

"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days [eschatos hemera] he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days [eschatos hemera]." (James 5:1-3)

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days [eschatos hemera]. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

"Above all, you must understand that in the last days [eschatos hemera] scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."" (2 Peter 3:3-4)

John 7:37 (above) refers to the last day of the week-long Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2). John 6:39-54 (above), John 11:23-24 (above), and John 12:48 (above) all refer to the Rapture, when Jesus will "snatch up" all Christians to meet Him in the clouds (resurrecting all of the dead Christians) and take us back into heaven, seven years before the Second Coming (see my series called The Rapture of the Church). Acts 2:14-18 (above) took place just after the original 120 disciples spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost. This passage tells us that in one sense, the last days began in the first century. Hebrews 1:1-2 (above) and James 5:1-3 (above) also indicate that the last days began in the first century. As my article called The Rapture of the Church - Part Six shows, most of the authors of the New Testament expected that Jesus would return in their lifetime, so they believed they were living in the last days or the end-times. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (above), the apostle Paul said that there will be (future tense) terrible times in the last days, and 2 Peter 3:3-4 (above) says that in the last days scoffers will come (future tense), so those passages place the last days in their future.

The New Testament doesn't use the expression "end-times" or "end times" or "endtimes," but it sometimes refers to "times" or "ages":

"We should not test Christ, as some of them did - and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did - and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come." (1 Corinthians 10:9-11)

"but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake." (1 Peter 1:19-20)

"Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Hebrews 9:26)

"he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." (Ephesians 1:9-10)

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6-7)

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth." (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (Jude 1:17-19)

In 1 Corinthians 10:9-11 (above), 1 Peter 1:19-20 (above), and Hebrews 9:26 (above), Paul and Peter and the author of Hebrews referred to the first century as "the culmination of the ages" and "these last times." But in the other passages above, Paul and Jude spoke of the coming ages and the last times as being in their future.

What we've seen is that when the human authors of the Bible talked about "the last days" or "ages" or "times," they didn't always have the same last days or ages or times in mind. As always, the context is important when studying the Bible, and it's also very important to try to be thorough, objective, and unbiased so that we can see the full picture when we study the Bible (see my article called How to Study the Bible).

Again, when modern Christians talk about the last days or the end-times, they're usually referring to the final years of the Church Age before Jesus returns. As my article called The Rapture of the Church - Part Six shows, Jesus' return was considered to be imminent all throughout the New Testament, so in that sense they believed they were living in the last days or the end-times. His return is still imminent, as my series on the Rapture shows, so in that sense we're always in the last days, even if He doesn't return for another hundred or thousand years.

However, notice that Jesus repeatedly spoke about "the end of the age":

"Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear."" (Matthew 13:36-43)

"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:47-50)

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" (Matthew 28:18-20)

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."" (Matthew 24:3-8)

In Matthew 13:36-43 (above) and Matthew 13:47-50 (above), Jesus gave us the order of events that will happen shortly after the Second Coming, which are described in detail in my article called The Rapture of the Church - Part Eight. Notice that He referred to the Second Coming as "the end of the age." In Matthew 28:18-20 (above), Jesus said that He will be with us to the very end of the age, helping us carry out the Great Commission (see chapter 1 in the free PDF of my book called "Divine Healing Absolutely Is for Today"). Jesus told us to pay attention to the signs of the times so that we'll know when we're in the season of His return (Matthew 16:1-3, Luke 21:27-31), and in Matthew 24:3-8 (above), the disciples asked Him what will be the sign of His coming and of the end of the age. In that passage, He gave us the one specific sign to watch for that will tell us when we're in the season of His return, and He compared that season with a woman's birth pains (because when her labor pains begin, it means that the baby is on its way).

So Jesus gave us one specific sign to watch for that will tell us when we're in the season of His return. What most Christians probably don't realize is that this one specific sign happened early in the twentieth century, and ever since then, many very specific prophecies of the end-times described in the book of Revelation and in other prophetic passages have already been fulfilled or else they are well underway, and the world is shaping itself into an exact picture of the end-times world described in Bible prophecy. All of these very specific signs of the times are described in my article called End-Times Prophecies Are Coming to Pass Right before Our Eyes.

When a woman goes into labor, it might last a few minutes, or several hours, or even longer. That's the human time frame for labor. In God's time frame, we really don't know how long the "birth pains" (as Jesus called them) will last. But the "birth pains" have begun. We're in "labor" right now. We're in the season of Jesus' return, and we've been in this season since early in the twentieth century.