Posts made in October, 2018


Creation: Six Twenty-Four Hour Days

Creation: Six Twenty-Four Hour Days


Posted By on Oct 26, 2018

“Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” Jn. 20:29   The question many Christians wrestle with is did God create the universe, in billions of years or in six twenty-four hour days, according to Genesis chapter one?  The various answers given to this query have been the subject of theological debates for numerous years.  Many who are fastidious to the veracity of Scripture, surprisingly balk at God’s claim to the creation account in Genesis one.  Moreover, it is especially disturbing to learn that a vast majority of Christian teaching institutions, have abandoned the ostensive teaching of Genesis 1-3. Dr. John MacArthur, president of The Master’s Seminary observed:  “I recall reading a survey a few years ago which revealed that in one of America’s leading evangelical accrediting associations, whose membership boasted scores of evangelical Bible colleges and universities, only five or six college-level schools remain solidly opposed to the old-earth view of creation. The rest are open to a reinterpretation of Genesis 1-3 that accommodates evolutionary theories.” That said, if you interpret the creation account of Genesis literally and in context, you will unquestionably end up with a six twenty-four hour day creation: “And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”  The wording in the Bible is not only crystal clear, but fundamental  regarding God’s miraculous creation account.   The following points in this short article are for  the student of Scripture’ consideration,  to help determine the feasibility and probability of a six-day creation.   Yom “…And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”       Gen. 1:5 When the creation account in Genesis one is taken in context, the Hebrew word yom [day], clearly means a twenty-four hour period: “And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” (Gen. 1:5, also see 1:8, 13, 19, 22, 31).  One needs not be a Hebrew scholar, in order to understand that God communicated much of Scripture, especially the creation account, in a  simplistic manner.  Interestingly, He also employed a similar simplicity [in the New Testament Greek word construction] in the Gospel of John, so that there would not be any doubt as to Jesus Christ’ deity (Jn. 1:1-4).  However, despite the unambiguous translation from Hebrew to our English versions of Genesis one, many professing Christians deny, that the Bible claims a six twenty-four hour day creation.  For instance, they interpret yom [day], in Genesis one, to mean exceedingly long periods of time e.g., millions and millions of years. Dr. Allen P. Ross commenting on yom [day] made this assertion: “The meaning of the term “day” [yom]…can…mean a longer general period of time (Isa. 61:2)…however, it [yom], in...

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Fellowship and Suffering

Fellowship and Suffering


Posted By on Oct 7, 2018

It was one of the deepest, richest, and most wonderful days I had ever shared with my friend, and yet all we did was share our hearts with one another.  One beautiful summer morning my best friend came to pick me up so that we could enjoy brunch at a local restaurant.  We were eager to try their famous cinnamon rolls.  Yet, from the moment I got into her car, until the moment she dropped me off, seven hours later our conversation was nonstop.  It was an unusually focused and concentrated time, as if we had not been together for a very long time, and yet we had monthly craft time dates–making cards. At one point during our conversation, she surprised me as she began to discuss the millennial kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It wasn’t the topic which surprised me, as we always enjoyed our frequent theological discussions, rather her sheer delight on this topic.  Knowing my sister’s suffering, I listened closely as her focus and hope was Christ.  With a child like eagerness, she excitedly detailed wonders of Jesus earthly kingdom.  In fact, I will never forget her expression, as an angelic glow completely washed over her face, seemingly filled with a heavenly peace and joy.  Though she was oblivious, I could not stop gazing at her, as she vivaciously described what she looked forward to.  What joy our fellowship brought to us as we enjoyed the inexplicable “oneness” we have in Christ. Sadly, that was the last day I would see my sister in Christ, as God called her home, only a few short months after our extraordinary brunch date.  The horror, grief and shock felt almost debilitating for my inability to grasp the idea that my dearly and deeply loved friend was gone brought tremendous sorrow.  As I tried to go about each day, my friend was everywhere I turned, meaning that her influence and blessings were woven into the very fabric of my life.  Even now as I turn to craft time, I see her “fingerprint” as she was instrumental in getting me started making cards.  As time passed, I began to realize that I was not yet rejoicing as I believed I ought, knowing my beloved sister was in the very presence of our Lord Jesus.  Recognizing that grieving loved ones takes a long time, I knew I needed to balance my perspective.  So, I sought perspective in the Bible and found the most amazing hope, which I would like to share what I discovered with my sister’s in Christ. The first point I would like to make is the fellowship we...

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Right Hand of Fellowship

Right Hand of Fellowship


Posted By on Oct 7, 2018

“…James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we might go to the Gentiles…”  Gal. 2:9   It’s amazing how the Gospel of Jesus Christ unites people of various ethnicities, genders, cultures, and social statuses, into one equal organism the church (Eph. 4:16).  It’s also fascinating to witness a congregation made up of those distinctions, worshipping the same God through Christ.  Apart from the unifying blood of Christ, it would be highly unlikely that such a diverse group of people, would assemble under the same roof and of one accord.  That is because God shows partiality to no man and recognizes no distinctions (Acts 10:34, Rom. 2:11, Gal. 2:6, Eph. 6:9, Col. 3:25).  All who believe in Him sins are forgiven and stand perfectly equal in the eyes of God. Perhaps no group of people experienced the transforming power of the Gospel, more than the believing Jews of the early church.  Throughout biblical history Israelites despised Gentiles and had a deep-seated hatred for them, commonly referring to them as “dogs”.  During biblical times dogs were not kept as pets and were filthy animals that roamed the streets as scavengers; they were considered “unclean” by Jewish people.  To further illustrate their prejudice, if a Jew had to travel [on foot] from Judah to Galilee [approximately ninety miles], they would bypass taking the significantly shorter route through the city of Samaria (Samaritans were Jews and Gentiles mixed through marriage).  Because Jews despised the “half-blooded” Samaritans so vehemently, they believed setting foot in Samaria would defile them. Even Gentiles who became proselytes [converts to Judaism], had a designated area in the temple courtyard, known as the “court of the Gentiles”.  Gentiles, under no circumstance were allowed inside the temple.  Looking to bring charges against the Apostle Paul, the Jews [falsely] accused him of bringing Gentiles into the temple (Acts 21:28).  This was the main reason why a riot over Paul in Jerusalem and was attacked and severely beaten in the process.  These Jews considered Paul to be a traitor.  He most likely would have been killed, if not for the intervention of Roman soldiers who came to his rescue.  Under the soldiers protection, Paul was able to speak to the hostile mob.  He almost persuaded them with his words, for they intently listened to what he had to say, until he mentioned the Lord sent him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21-23).  When he mentioned the Gentiles, the multitude again began to furiously threaten him with violence, while screaming “…’Away with such a fellow from...

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