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ARE CHRISTIANS KINGS AND PRIEST?

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CHRISTIAN KINGS

kingBy Ken Blue

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:5-6.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9.

There are a few Baptist and a great many among the Charismatic crowd, who believe Christians are kings and priest. Of course, kings have subjects and priest have those for whom they offer sacrifices. We are yet to discover the subjects or the sacrifice.

The key to this misapplication of Scripture is a dispensational one. This always results when we fail to interpret Scripture with Scripture or follow the context rule. Peter is not writing to the church comprised of Jews and Gentiles. He is writing to the Jews of the dispersion. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” 1 Peter 1:1. His writings are classified among the Jewish epistles.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The key to this misapplication of Scripture is a dispensational one.[/perfectpullquote]

Members of the church, the body of Christ in this dispensation, are not the subjects of Peter’s letter. These are Jews who heard the gospel of the kingdom, received John’s baptism, and had repented of their sins. They were waiting for the soon appearance of the King to establish His kingdom in Israel. They were subjects of, and recipients of the Kingdom of Heaven ministry. Thus they were destined to realize the designation of Exodus 19:5- 6 and 1 Peter 2:9.

WHY CHRISTIANS DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO HEAL

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To  Heal or not to heal

By Ken Blue

Perhaps nothing has discredited Christianity or deceived more Christians than the “gifts and healing ministry.” These naive and misguided souls believe that the Kingdom ministry, offered to Israel during the transition period, is intended for the church, the body of Christ today.

We live in the dispensation of free grace. The sign ministry was designed to convince unbelieving Israel that Jesus was their Old Testament Messiah. With Israel’s rejection, the signs have been temporally set aside. This is easy to prove from Scripture and experience. When the Lord came to earth, He came to establish His earthly kingdom with the nation of Israel. Signs and wonders were a part of that ministry. However, when it became evident in the Acts period that Israel would not repent, the healing ministry disappeared with them.

Those who believe the miracle sign ministry is still here must be willing to admit that things are as they were in the Gospels and the Acts period. To believe otherwise, would be dishonest and deceitful. We say with assurance and confidence, that no believer has the gifts of healing or any of the miraculous gifts today. If we really believe those gifts are for the church and continue today, it should be easy to prove. Remember, the purpose of signs was to convince the unbelieving Jews that their Messiah had arrived.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…don’t fall for the healing hoax[/perfectpullquote]

Now let me ask you a few simple questions. If the signs are present today, wouldn’t they be an extension of those in the Gospels and Acts? Let’s see. Do you know any miracle worker who can turn water into wine? Do you know any who can feed thousands of people with a little bread and a few fish? Do you know anyone who was dead three days or more and called back to life by a faith healer? Do you know of one who was retarded and made whole in their mind through one with the gift of healing? Can you give us the name and address of any of the above, to whom we may write?

We hear a lot about those who claim to cast out devils and speak in tongues; but why stop there? Don’t you believe the rest of the verses? “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18.

We don’t expect to receive any positive responses to the above. Why? Because no one possesses the miracle ministry gifts today. The above text and others like them were for a different time, people, and purpose. This is the dispensation of Grace, and God’s grace is sufficient for you in your infirmities. So don’t fall for the healing hoax. You don’t have healing authority nor does anyone else.

FUNDAMENTALISM AND THE FUNDAMENTALS

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FUNDAMENTALS AND FUNDAMENTALISM

bible lightBy Ken Blue

There is a vast difference today between fundamentalism and the fundamentals of the faith. Every believer should understand what the fundamentals of Christianity are and adhere to them. The two words have been so misused, and abused by others, that they believe embracing the one is the same as embracing the other. That is, unless you embrace fundamentalism, you do not embrace the fundamentals; and if you believe the fundamentals you will agree with the fundamentalist. The sooner one realizes that the two are not the same, the better things will be.

Fundamentalism, in many cases, is not a good thing. The Muslim terrorists are fundamentalist, and most Muslims would condemn them if they didn’t fear for their life. Some sects of the Mormon Church are fundamentalist and practice polygamy. The word, fundamentalism, has fallen into ill repute in recent years because of its fanaticism and abuse by many.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Don’t allow control-freaks to abuse or confuse Fundamentalism and Christian fundamentals. The two are different.[/perfectpullquote]

Fundamentalism, in some circles, has degenerated to an attitude and appearance, instead of a body of sound doctrine. It has departed from its original intent and use. The proof of this statement is demonstrated by the reaction of those who will not allow you to differ or depart from the methods embraced and used by them. Even though you adhere to all the fundamentals of Christianity, if you embrace any methods not approved; you are no longer a fundamentalist. This shows their confusion concerning the two. They cannot make the distinction, or they fear to do so. Also, they want to control as many pastors as possible.

The fundamentals of aviation have never changed; the two are, thrust and lift. It is a long way from the Wright Brothers to the Boeing Dreamliner, but the principles are the same. If given a choice, between the two, the reader will choose to ride the Dreamliner every time.

The pastor must never abandon the fundamentals of Christianity. He should be clear of what they are. But he must also never fear to improve or change ministry methods when needed. You are no less spiritual or less fundamental by having air-conditioning, padded pews, modern sound system, background music, flushing toilets, drums, choir robes, guitars, overhead screen, podcast, bookstore, a kitchen, or a nursery. It is not a sign of spirituality if you reject any or all of these, it’s a sign of stupidity.

Fundamentalism and Christian fundamentals are two different things. So, don’t allow control-freaks to abuse or confuse the two in order to intimidate or control you. Do you really know who you are? (For real insight on this issue, see my book; Standards and The Standard).

WHEN TO STAND AND WHEN TO YIELD

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KNOWING WHEN TO YIELD

yield signBy Ken Blue

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3.

When one reads all that Paul had to say about circumcision, the above verse should shock him back into reality and give him a backbone that has the ability to bend. If we compare this verse with those in Romans and Galatians, we are hard pressed to reconcile them, but it can be done.

Dogmatism causes one to be unclear about what is important and what is most important. It was important to Paul that circumcision not be added to the gospel for salvation. But if circumcision would open the door so he could give the plan of salvation, he would do it.

The question is: what will your religion allow you to do? What traditions, standards, and assumptions would you disregard in order to open the door of salvation to others? Paul knew when to stand and when to yield. Do you?

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT/ BIBLICAL OR BIAS

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CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE BIBLE

Firing SquadBy Ken Blue
In the Old Testament the following crimes deserved the death penalty:

  1. Murder (Gen 9:6, Ex 21:12, Numb 35:16-21).
  2. Abuse of father or mother (Ex 21:15).
  3. Speaking a curse over parents (Ex 21:17).
  4. Blasphemy against God (Lev 24:14-16, 23).
  5. Breaking the Sabbath (Ex 31:14, Numb 15:32-36).
  6. Practicing magic (Ex 22:18).
  7. Fortune telling and practicing sorcery (Lev 20:27).
  8. Religious people who mislead others to fall away (Deut 13:1-5, 18:20).
  9. Adultery and fornication (Lev 20:10-12, Deut 22:22).
  10. If a woman has intercourse before marriage (Deut 22:20-21).
  11. If two people have intercourse when one of them is engaged. (Deut 22:23-24).
  12. The daughter of a priest practicing prostitution (Lev 21:9).
  13. Rape of someone who is engaged (Deut 22:25).
  14. Having intercourse with animals (Ex 22:19).
  15. Worshipping idols (Ex 22:20, Lev 20:1-5, Deut 17:2-7).
  16. Incest (Lev 20:11-12, 14, 19-21).
  17. Homosexuality (Lev 20:13).
  18. Kidnapping (Ex 21:16).
  19. To bear false testimony at a trial (Deut 19:16, 19).
  20. Contempt of court (Deut 17:8-13).

Execution could be stoning, burning, using a sword, spear or arrow (Lev 20:27, 21:9, Ex 19:13, 32:27, Num 25:7-8).

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”red” class=”” size=””]…is your opinion about the death penalty biblical or biased?[/perfectpullquote]

I, for one, believe in the death penalty for premeditated murder. It was practiced before the giving of the Law to Moses, under the Law and by the gentile nations during most of the dispensations. Its primary purpose was to show the value God places on human life. Without laws, no society can exist.

However, the question is, when you and I go through the above list, how do we justify selecting some and ignoring others? Has society set the standards for your thinking? Has your church influenced your selection or did you just pull them out of a hat? Would you approve of your son or daughter being executed for contempt of court or for cursing you? If your daughter had premarital sex, would you condemn her to death? I don’t think you would. In fact, if all the above were practiced today; you probably would not be reading this article and I would not be writing it. You know what I mean!

These were the laws for the nation of Israel. Certainly there should be and must be a penalty for all crimes, and God has left it up to other governments to establish what will be considered capital crimes. You must accept that conclusion, set your own standards, or incorporate all the Old Testament laws for capital crimes. So, is your opinion about the death penalty biblical or biased?