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Proverbs warns of disaster for people who want to get rich quickly (28:20,22).
Wealth that comes easily goes just as easily (Prov. 13:11).
Wealth gained the wrong way breaks up families (Prov. 15:27).
Gambling can be addictive, and even if you don't fall prey to it as a compulsive habit, your example may cause others to be enslaved by it (I Cor. 8:9, 13).
I therefore would not say a person who does lottery is sinning but would consider it a irresponsible way to use our money.
Im sure after Jesus came all old laws were abolished doesnt that mean the law he said to the Levites that they cant mark their skin ?
Besides looking into what the Bible says about tattoos, together we'll consider the concerns surrounding tattooing today and present a self quiz to help you decide if getting a tattoo is right or wrong.
Answer: The answer, I believe, is yes and no.
This is a question many Christians struggle with. I believe tattooing falls into the category of "disputable matters" where the Bible is not clear. But wait a minute, you might be thinking. The Bible says in Leviticus 19:28, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord." (NLT) How much clearer can that be?
It's important, however, to look at the verse in context. This passage in Leviticus, including the surrounding text, is specifically dealing with the pagan religious rituals of the people living around the Israelites. God’s desire is to set his people apart from other cultures. The focus here is prohibiting worldly, heathen worship and witchcraft. God forbids his holy people to engage in idolatrous, pagan worship and sorcery which imitates the heathens. He does this out of protection, because he knows this will lead them away from the one true God.
It's interesting to observe verse 26, "Do not eat meat that has not been drained of its blood," and verse 27, "Do not trim off the hair on your temples or trim your beards." Well, certainly many Christians today eat non-kosher meats and get haircuts without participating in the forbidden worship of pagans. Back then these customs were associated with pagan rites and rituals. Today they are not.
So, the important question remains, is getting a tattoo a form of pagan, worldly worship still forbidden by God today? My answer is, this matter is disputable, and should be treated as a Romans 14 issue.
If you are considering the question, "To tattoo or not to?" I think the more serious questions to ask yourself are: What are my motives for wanting a tattoo? Am I seeking to glorify God or draw attention to myself? Will my tattoo be a source of contention for my loved ones? Will getting a tattoo cause me to disobey my parents? Will my tattoo cause someone who is weak in the faith to stumble?
We discover that God has given us a means to judge our motives and weigh our decisions where Romans 14:23 states, "...everything that does not come from faith is sin." Now that's pretty clear!
Instead of asking, "Is it okay for a Christian to get a tattoo," perhaps a better question might be, "Is it okay for me to get a tattoo?"
Since tattooing is such a controversial issue today, I think it's important to examine your heart and your motives before you make the decision.
Self Exam - To Tattoo or Not To?
Here is a self-exam based on the ideas put forth in Romans 14. These questions will help you decide whether or not getting a tattoo is a sin for you:
1. How does my heart and my conscience convict me? Do I have freedom in Christ and a clear conscience before the Lord regarding the decision to get a tattoo?
2. Am I passing judgment on a brother or sister because I don't have freedom in Christ to receive a tattoo?
3. Will I still want this tattoo years from now?
4. Will my parents and family approve, and/or will my future spouse want me to have this tattoo?
5. Will I cause a weaker brother to stumble if I receive a tattoo?
6. Is my decision based on faith and will the result be glorifying to God?
Ultimately, the decision is between you and God. Though it may not be a black and white issue, there is a right choice for each individual. Take some time to honestly answer these questions and the Lord will show you what to do.
If you look in Lev 28:19 it says "You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord."
Some would argue that this is in reference to the Old Testament & not relevant in the New Testament, as it is not mentioned anywhere in the N.T.
In Leviticus 19:29 it also says "Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness."
Since the O.T. is the foundation of what we believe & all things in the O.T. point to Christ, we need to ask ourselves "Just because some things are not mentioned in the N.T., does it make it ok to practice it? Remember, Christ was there before the foundation of the world and He is the "Word"
In the O.T., there are moral laws, which are eternal & ceremonial laws, which are for the Jews only.
Maimonides, a leading 12th century scholar of Jewish law and thought, explains that they do not practice tatooing, since it was common practice for ancient pagan worshipers to tattoo themselves with religious iconography and names of gods. Judaism prohibited tattoos entirely in order to disassociate themselves from other religions.
In modern times, the association of tattoos with Nazi concentration camps and the Holocaust has given an additional level for revulsion to the practice of tattooing, even among many otherwise fairly secular Jews.
As Christians we need to be careful & look @ the history & the spirit behind what we get involved in, otherwise we'll attach ourselves to things which will be difficult to shake off. (See below)
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/pagan.html
http://www.jesusisthelight.net/TATTOO.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo (Wikipedia)
I hope this is helpful to you.
Stay blessed
Sandra
If you look in Lev 28:19 it says "You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord."
Some would argue that this is in reference to the Old Testament & not relevant in the New Testament, as it is not mentioned anywhere in the N.T.
In Leviticus 19:29 it also says "Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness."
Since the O.T. is the foundation of what we believe & all things in the O.T. point to Christ, we need to ask ourselves "Just because some things are not mentioned in the N.T., does it make it ok to practice it? Remember, Christ was there before the foundation of the world and He is the "Word"
In the O.T., there are moral laws, which are eternal & ceremonial laws, which are for the Jews only.
Maimonides, a leading 12th century scholar of Jewish law and thought, explains that they do not practice tatooing, since it was common practice for ancient pagan worshipers to tattoo themselves with religious iconography and names of gods. Judaism prohibited tattoos entirely in order to disassociate themselves from other religions.
In modern times, the association of tattoos with Nazi concentration camps and the Holocaust has given an additional level for revulsion to the practice of tattooing, even among many otherwise fairly secular Jews.
As Christians we need to be careful & look @ the history & the spirit behind what we get involved in, otherwise we'll attach ourselves to things which will be difficult to shake off. (See below)
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/pagan.html
http://www.jesusisthelight.net/TATTOO.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo (Wikipedia)
I hope this is helpful to you.
Stay blessed
Sandra
I believe you should demonstrate to your parents your understanding of the Gospel and the reason for you wanting to be baptized. Also you should try to understand why your parent may be objecting to you being baptized. I would encourage you to submit to your parents and pray for them and wait on the Lord if you are serious about being baptized. Another thing to do is maybe have the youth leader/pastor speak with your parents if that is appropriate.
I probably means that you should consider helping your daughter understand how to have communion (fellowship) with the Lord, as the physical participation in the communion service should be outward demonstration of a reality and not just another church practice. please consider the meaning of the word communion " the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, esp. when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level" So Angie let your daughter share with you your times with the lord and mentor her teach her the meaning of communion and then when you feel she understands and is ready let her partake. Pastor Peter
Thanks, Yemi
The bible studies are named bible studies in brackets
Hi Yemi
Missed you thursday gone hope all is going well at UNI. You can listen to the bible studies in AUDIO last weeks should be uploaded soon i will see if i can get natalie to email you the notes. Please email your email address to pastorpeter@arc 4u.org.uk. God Bless
Thanks for your Question. I am not sure of the context the statement was made in I don't personally remember it If I was there. I am not going to try and support the statement or try to defend it. There is no biblical grounds for the statement Only if you interpret Malachi 3:10-11 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Particular attention given to God promising to rebuking the devour for our sakes when we bring the tithes. This may have be alluded to as a insurance policy.
Hope this answers your question.
Another question, pastor peter as i'm looking at the hot topic of giving,i would appericate your thoughts on this.
Do you belive in all the years you have studied the scriptures as a pastor and being in a relationship with GOD, who is love will God allow me to be cursed, lacking with money or sick, if i decide to no longer give ten per cent ??. Will it mean i no longer love God? I have heard many different teachings over the last year and thoughts on giving espeaically on the hot topic of tithing. Some have said we preach it strongly because some leaders do not trust God children with give,or the leaders themselves do not trust God to provide other then talking about faithful people who tithe. Pastor peter i trust you could shed more light on this. Thank you for you effort and time.
I will try and answer these questions with much care and little by little. Giving is not a small subject in the scriptures it is all over the Old and new Testament. First what is interesting to note is the the first death in OT was over Offering ie Cain killing abel and the first death in the new church age beginning in ACTS was over offerings ie Annanias and sapphire . Who Told abel to bring his FIRSTLINGS of his flock and who told Abraham to give a TENTH to melchezedech . Who Told Jacob to vow a tenth of all ~God blessed him with ? all these are in the introductionary book of the bible Geneses.
God is Love and God does not curse his children but we see through the scriptures Gods people who he loves CURSED because of their lack of obedience many times throughout scripture all to the displeasure of our loving father who delights to see his children blessed. I believe that the true test of love is found in our Giving. Love is best seen in its ability to give and this is not legalistic, its just love. I have preached on tithes maybe once in 13 years of arc ministry I probably should preach it more but I don't because I don't want people to give out of compulsion but out of Love. its a shame
that only 20 % of God's beautiful people tithe and then you consider what the kingdom could be and do if this practice was more practiced in love by God's people. I have more to say but I will stop here by saying my trust can only be in God and never in people because they are FICKLE and God never fails.
Hi Missy
Back in the bible days the firstborn son was alive to the inheritance and his siblings dead to it. When asking to bury his father you must understand the father was not dead yet, he was saying let me go and stay with my father until he dies, sort out the inheritance then i will come and follow. Jesus was telling him to follow NOW and let the dead (siblings) dead to the inheritance take care of the father.
hope this answers your question.
pastor P
So don't let the sun go down on your wrath. hope this helps
Pastor P
Some scriptures for contemplation: Matt 6:15, Matt 18:21-22, Mark 11:25, 1 Cor 13:5
ARMINIAN : 1.Free-Will or Human Ability 2.Conditional Election 3. Universal Redemption 4. The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted 5. Falling from Grace
CALVINISM: 1.Total Inability or Total Depravity 2. Unconditional Election 3. Particular Redemption 4.The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or Irresistible Grace 5. Perseverance of the Saints
call to salvation and even if answered we can fall from grace. Calvin believed the opposite he believed we are incapable of making a choice because we are so depraved therefore God has elected some to be saved and redeemed. We cannot resist the call of the holy spirit if we are elected and if saved you can never Fall or be lost.
So the term once saved always saved is a calvinistic term which is not a bible terminology. I Pastor Peter believe the truth is between the two conflicting arguments IE we are incapable of saving ourselves but we can exercise our will to choose. Many are called few are chosen the chosen being those who answer the call of whosoever will, Gods grace is irresistible but can be resisted and we can fall from grace but God is able to keep us from falling.
HOPE THIS HELPS
pp
Thank you Jeff !
Thank you again Jeff may God enrich you sincerely with his wisdom and grace as you pursue him.
I hope this makes sence..
I recently attended a New Members meeting and was quite excited to become a new member. However, after much umming and ahhing, life and things at home caught up with me and I wasn't able to attend church as much as I would have liked to.
Would you recommend me still attending and recommitting at the next meeting in October?
Thanks.
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