Are we taking God's name in vain? Probably!

Exodus 20:7, Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Like a parent who gives his child a curfew, God has given us rules to follow.  Also, like a parent, these rules aren’t meant to be abusive or arbitrary, nor are they “suggestions.”  They are given so that we might live happy, healthy, and productive lives.  God, being perfect, knows best what is important for us.  It’s not a coincidence that the first four of the Ten Commandments focus on our relationship with Him.  The 3rd commandment, the prohibition of taking His name in vain, should be of great importance to us.  

The Scribes and Pharisees prided themselves on their strict adherence to the letter of the Law.  Concerning this commandment, they were so obsessed with the letter of the Law that they would not even speak God’s name aloud.  While reading Scripture, whenever they came across the name of God (the Tetragrammaton, YHWH), they would say, “Adonai” (meaning Lord), instead.  We see a legacy of this practice in many of our translations of the Bible.  Whenever the word LORD appears in all capital letters, the original word being translated is the Tetragrammaton, the name God gave to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:13-14).

Now, I don’t claim to be a Bible scholar but I just don’t believe that God intended us to never speak His name.  But if the command is not against speaking His name in general, then what does the commandment mean?  When I was teaching my children about this commandment, I explained it this way: don’t say the word God unless you’re talking about God.  Never use it as a curse nor speak it in exclamation.  Never! I felt that was appropriate advice for a child but, at that time, even my own understanding of this verse was somewhat child-like.

I used to think this was an easy commandment to keep.  I know I get angry sometimes and there have been times I’ve said things I later regret.  But I have long since disciplined myself that no matter how angry I get and no matter what I might say, I will NOT say “G*d” - certainly not G.D. I will not even say, “OMG.”  So I’m innocent of breaking this command, right?  Wrong!!

2 Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Have you ever noticed in this passage who God is speaking to?  He’s not talking to the heathens.  He’s not talking to the unbelievers.  He’s not talking to the lost people of this world.  He’s talking to His people - those who are called by His name!  God isn’t saying He will heal our nation when the wicked repent.  He’s saying He will heal the land when the people who call themselves believers repent!

We call ourselves Christians.  The word Christian literally means “like Christ.”  So how are you doing being like Christ?  For good or bad, when we call ourselves Christians, we are calling ourselves by His name.  What we do and how we act directly impacts our testimony.  If you’re going to call yourself a Christian, you need to act like a Christian.  You need to act like Christ.  Do you love like Christ?  Do you pray like Christ?  Do you preach repentance like Christ?  

I know that as long as we live in our bodies of flesh, we will struggle with sin.  Even so, Christ has told us to keep His commandments.  When we say we are Christians, yet continuously engage in unrepentant sin, we are certainly not being like Christ.  In that case, I very much believe that we are using His name in vain!

A Christian not being Christ-like

Things we may have wrong about the Nativity

It’s that time of year when front lawns and fireplace mantles are adorned with a nativity.  I have to admit it’s probably my favorite decoration to see at Christmas.  To many people, the nativity is an iconic representation of Christmas.  Yet when we compare the popular scene to what the Scriptures say, I think we’ve gotten a few things wrong.  In this post, I’ll examine some of the more obvious errors.

THE TRIP TO BETHLEHEM

I’m not sure of where we got the postcard image of Joseph walking through the desert at night leading a donkey with Mary riding it but it’s almost certainly not the way it happened.  Remember that this was a census for the purpose of collecting taxes and everyone was required to go to his own city (Luke 2:1-3).  Every member of Joseph’s and Mary’s family would have been of “of the house and lineage of David.”  This would include any living parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews; they all would have had to make the trip and it only makes sense for them to all travel together.  Where are they on the postcards?  

THE DAY OF THE BIRTH

For some reason, movies like to show the couple arriving in Bethlehem with Mary already in labor.  In a hurry to find accommodations, all they can arrange is makeshift quarters in the inn keeper’s stable where Mary gives birth that same night.  It’s quite dramatic.  

The Bible, however, merely says that she delivered Jesus, “while they were there” (Luke 2:6).  More precisely, the verse says, “while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered,” strongly suggesting they arrived in Bethlehem at some point in Mary’s pregnancy, and remained there until Jesus was born.  They could have been there for days, weeks, or even months!

WAS JESUS BORN IN A STABLE?

My next point is probably the most controversial and puts me at odds with most Christians but I don’t believe Jesus was born in a stable.  What we think of as an inn (like a hotel or motel) didn’t exist in the 1st century - especially in a small town like Bethlehem.    The word translated as inn in the KJV (Strong’s 2646, kataluma, καταλύμα) is the same word used in Mark 14:14 to refer to the room where Jesus had the Last Supper.  In Mark, the word is translated as guestchamber and suggests it was just an area in a residence available for guests.  Typical Jewish homes in the 1st century weren’t spacious buildings with many bedrooms.  Instead, they were smaller buildings built upward with a second floor.   Mundane living, cooking, and family gathering was done on the 1st floor during the day.  At night, the animals (typically some goats or maybe a donkey) were brought inside, and the family slept on the 2nd floor.  As already discussed, Mary and Joseph would have had family in Bethlehem and they likely would have been staying with them.  Because of the census, many members of the same family were probably staying in the same house, making the normal sleeping areas overcrowded.  This, combined with Mary nearing delivery and so would have had difficulty climbing to the 2nd floor, means Mary and Joseph may have been sleeping on the 1st floor where the animals were kept.  This is the type of situation Jesus likely was born into - a poor, overcrowded home - not a stable.

THE WISE MEN

The final misconception many people have about the Nativity is that the wisemen weren’t there!  This point really isn’t debateable.  The coming of the wise men discussed in Matthew 2 happened when Jesus was nearing 2 years old.  Matthew 2:16 says that Herod ordered the murder of all children up to two years old “according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.”  In other words, the wise men had seen the “star” as long as two years earlier and had just then arrived to worship the Savior.

Oh, and by the way, nowhere does the Bible say there were 3 wise men.  Since the word being used is plural, we can only say there was more than one.  Beyond that, how many there were is speculation.  Perhaps the idea of 3 became popular because there were 3 types of gifts given - gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Tradition also says there were 3 and even claims to have their names: Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar.  Regardless of tradition and speculation, the Bible is silent on the number.  Whatever the number, they weren’t there on the night of Jesus’ birth.

In conclusion…

When I point out these little details, some people despair.  I’m not sure why.  I guess it’s because it upsets the scene of that night they have always pictured in their minds but there’s no need to lament.  The most important details about Jesus’ birth have been recorded correctly.  It’s the message given by the angel to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-14:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.   And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Wow, that is good news!!

The Comforter

John 14:26, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

In this passage, Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His apostles (and ultimately to the whole world). He described the Holy Spirit with the term parakletos, (παράκλητος, Strong's Number 3875). 

Parakletos is a compound word: para (παρά, Strong’s Word 3844) which means near or beside and kaleō (καλέω, Strong’s Word 2564) which means to call or to bid.  The term is translated many different ways including Comforter, Helper, and Advocate. Its parts literally mean, “Called beside.” This paints a picture of the Holy Spirit as One who stands beside us, helping us, encouraging us, and comforting us. It’s a marvelous picture of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

As I was reading 1 Thessalonians 4, where Paul mentions the Rapture of the Church, Paul concludes his thoughts with this, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).   The word comfort sort of leapt out at me.  I looked up the Greek word being used and saw that it was parakaleō (παρακαλέω, Strong’s Word 3870) which is the verb form of parakletos (the same way “drive” would be the verb of “driver” in English).  

I thought it was interesting that the same word used to describe the Holy Spirit would be used to command Christians how to act.  What He is to us, we are also commanded to be to one another: helpers, comforters, and advocates. We are to stand beside them, encouraging them, just as the Holy Spirit stands by us. To be sure, we are poor shadows of the True Spirit but we are called to comfort, help, and encourage notwithstanding.

So how do we go about this task? I suggest we should let the Spirit be our Guide. See again what Jesus said of the Spirit:

He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Wow, Paul’s instructions are similar to what Jesus said of the Spirit: “Comfort one another with these words.”  That’s how we can be a comfort to others, by reminding them of the words of Jesus.

Do you know someone who is struggling in a relationship?  Tell them what the Bible says!

Is there a parent in despair over a wayward child?  Tell them what the Bible says!

Is someone convicted by sin in their life? Tell them what the Bible says!

How simple. When people need to be comforted or encouraged, we need only remind them of the words God has given us! 

Why I’m a cessationist… sort of

Mark 16:15-18, And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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.

Jesus promised His disciples that, when He ascended to the Father, He would send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who would dwell inside them and abide with them forever (John 14:16-17).  Acts 2 describes how the Spirit appeared to the Apostles as “cloven tongues like as of fire” and descended upon them like “a rushing mighty wind.” Being filled with the Holy Ghost, the Apostles began preaching to the crowd gathered for Pentecost, speaking in new languages (tongues) and declaring the wonderful works of God.  In Mark 16, cited above, Jesus promised that similar signs - like speaking in new tongues or healing the sick - would follow the believers in the new covenant once they accepted Christ and were filled with the Spirit.

Today, many churches still practice “speaking in tongues.”  There are still churches that practice “faith healing.”  There are even a few churches that practice snake handling because of this passage from Mark.  Yikes!  However, there are many other churches that believe these signs don’t continue anymore.  They do not speak in tongues, they don’t practice faith healing, and they certainly don’t handle snakes!  The question, then, is this: which view is correct?  Do the signs promised to the early church continue or don’t they?

The idea that the signs given to the early church have ceased is called cessationism.  It’s the belief that God would sometimes give the ability to do miracles to His prophets, with the understanding that it was a unique and temporary ability meant to demonstrate that the prophet was speaking with the authority of God.  

We see the giving of signs first used with Moses in Exodus 4.  When God had commanded Moses to go free His people, Moses raised this objection: “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee” (Exodus 4:1).  God gave Moses 3 miracles to perform, and if the people doubted he was truly sent by God, he was to perform these miracles in front of them.  After all, anybody could say he spoke for God but not just anybody could perform miracles to prove it.  If a person could do something miraculous, it was evidence that God was with him.

We see this same thing in John 3, when Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus.  In John 3:2, Nicodemus confirmed he knew Jesus was sent by God because of the miracles Jesus performed; in his own words, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”  

Jesus Himself attested that His miracles testified to His own authority.  He demonstrated that He could forgive sins when He healed the paralyzed man (Mark 2:5-12).  He demonstrated that He was the Resurrection and the Life when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:17-44).  Jesus told the Pharisees that the works He did testified that He was sent by the Father (John 10:25).  These are just a few examples of how miracles are meant to be signs for unbelievers.

Jesus also gave the ability to do miracles to His apostles when He commissioned them and sent them out to preach the good news.  Mark 3:14-15 says this: “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.”

So we see that, time after time, miracles were given by God as a sign that the person performing them had the authority of God behind him.  They were used only at certain times and special circumstances.  When Moses went to the Jews in captivity, for example, there was no Bible.  It was only because of the miracles they’d seen Moses do, that they received the Five Books revealed to him by God which became the first Bible.  Later, as other prophets came, they added more books revealed by God.  Eventually, the entire Old Testament was canon.  

After Jesus came, the New Testament began being written by the Apostles like Paul, John, Peter, and Matthew.  They had been given the gifts of miracles so that people would receive their teachings.  But, just as in Mark 16, the subject verse of this post, God also gave signs to all new believers.  He gave them the authority to speak in tongues and prophesy.  As the New Testament was being compiled, God gave believers a supernatural ability to preach the resurrection of Jesus and speak of the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11).

But just as in all the instances of miracles in the history of the Bible, I believe these gifts were given for a limited time for a specific purpose.  In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, we read this:

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

The word perfect in the Bible typically means, complete or finished (teleios, τέλειος, Strong’s Word #5046).  Though there is some debate among Christians, it is my interpretation that the “perfect” thing being discussed in this passage is the Bible.  Paul had his revelation.  John had his revelation, as did Peter, James, and Matthew.  They each knew, “in part.”  Now we have the complete Bible, the entire revelation from God.  There is no more need for tongues, prophesy, or knowledge like there was for the 1st century church.  Neither are there any more prophets nor apostles.  That which is perfect has now come!

But wait a minute - why do I say I’m “sort of” a cessationist?  It’s because there continue to be gifts of the Spirit.  I Corinthians 12 tells us that there are diverse gifts of the Spirit that all work together for the edification of the Church.  Paul used the analogy of the members of a body that all work together.  Verse 12 says, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”  

Paul lists several examples of charismatic gifts including, “first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” If we say there are no more apostles or prophets, do we also say there are no more teachers or helpers?  You can see how that becomes problematic.  I think the understanding lies in what is meant by these terms.

APOSTLES

If God appoints some to be apostles, we could say, “Yes He does and He named 12 total!”  That does align perfectly with Scripture and needs no further explanation.  However, the term apostle literally means someone who is sent (apostolos, ἀπόστολος Strong’s Word 652).  Jesus appointed the first Twelve (the 12th being Paul, by the way, not Judas) to go and preach the gospel.  Yet even today, churches still send people into different parts of the world to preach the gospel.  We normally call these people missionaries, but I wouldn’t object to them being called apostles as long as it’s understood they don’t have the exact same authority Christ gave the original 12.  I mean, they can’t write epistles that we later make canon! 

PROPHETS

In English, we often think of prophecy as telling the future.  Many times in the Bible, prophets would talk about the future but, in the most fundamental sense, a prophet simply is someone who spoke the words of God.  Prophets often began their messages with, “Thus saith the LORD….”  Again, it is the messages of the prophets that were written down and eventually became the Old Testament.  

Today, there are no more prophets in the same sense as Moses or Daniel.  However, there are still people who speak God’s Word.  We call them preachers.  If you want to say preachers have the gift of prophecy, again, I’m fine with that but they can’t give new revelation which is equal to the authority of the Bible!  I would say the role of a preacher/pastor/prophet today is to boldly speak the Word of God and his message must comport with what has already been revealed in Scripture.  

TONGUES

There is a lot of misunderstanding about the gift of tongues.  In Acts 2, when the apostles first began speaking in tongues, it’s clear they were speaking in a language that the people hearing could understand.  Acts 2:7-8 says, “And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” 

God was able to help these poor fishermen, from the backward area of Galilee, preach the gospel to Asians, Africans, Arabians, and Greeks with the fluency of a native.  The gift of tongues helped the apostles preach Christ’s message all around the world without any type of language barrier.  

Today, people are still called to go into other countries with the good news.  I believe the Spirit still helps some people learn the new language quickly and fluently - though perhaps not instantly like the early believers.  We also translate the Bible into many languages so the gift of tongues continues to allow us to tell other people in the world about the wonderful things of God.  

Tongues were always about sharing the gospel in a language the hearer could understand.  It was never the meaningless gibber we sometimes see in churches today.  

In conclusion, if miracles were ordinary, they would no longer seem miraculous.  This world is not our reward.  The Holy Spirit was given as the down payment of the inheritance we have waiting for us in heaven (Ephesians 1:10-14).  The gifts of the Spirit and the signs shown by the apostles, prophets, and early believers are the evidence that the promises they made are true and that our eternal reward is sure.  Let us not be like the ungrateful crowds who, after being fed when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish, demanded still another sign before they would believe (John 6:30).  The record of all the signs is right there in the Bible already.  What else do we need?!