TheosGuy

Here are some Scriptures that deal with a believer and debt. Let’s review them first and then I will give some thoughts on how to interpret.

Do Not Borrow:

(Romans 13:8 NKJV) Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

(Proverbs 22:7 NKJV) The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

(Deuteronomy 15:6 NKJV) For the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.

(Deuteronomy 28:12 NKJV) The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

Do Not Be a Surety:

(Proverbs 6:1 NKJV) My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,

(Proverbs 17:18 NKJV) A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.

(Proverbs 22:26-27 NKJV) Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?

When looking at these Scripture, what is the definition of debt? If this is a strict admonition against borrowing money, then why are there rules (e.g., Exodus 22:25) for lending money to God’s people? In addition, in Psalm 37:21 it tells us that the wicked are those who borrow and do not repay. So what about those who borrow and do repay? It would seem that they are not categorized in with the wicked. Also, Psalm 37:26 it says that the merciful lend. But would we be merciful to lend if borrowing were strictly prohibited? So I believe we must be careful in our interpretation and application of these Scriptures.

Let’s take a quick look at the Hebrew word, lavah, which is translated borrow and lend. It appears to have a connotation of one who is joined with another. In fact that is one of the translated English words of lavah. In Gesenius’s Lexicon it also gives a sense of a debt where repayment would result in being put into slavery. Indentured slavery was a common practice in that time. Where a creditor took a debtor on as a slave until the account was paid.

It would be easy to say that since that isn’t a practice today then it doesn’t apply. But I would not go that far. I know many people who are so much in debt that they are not free. Their debtors are ever present on their mind. They are not free to spend time with their families because they have to work two or three jobs to pay the bills. Now I commend them for being honorable and repaying the debt (c.f., Psalm 37:21). However, it does seem that their creditors reign over them (c.f., Proverbs 22:7 and Deuteronomy 15:6.

I believe the admonition to not borrow is a good one. In the context that I see in the Scriptures, I would make a distinction between borrowing and financing. What does that mean? Well I would say that you have borrowed when there is no asset of sufficient quick sale value to pay the debt. And you have financed something when the underlying quick sale value of the asset is greater than the loan. So if I go buy a new $20,000 automobile and borrow $20,000 for the purchase, then that is borrowing. Why? Because as soon as I drive it off the lot, it becomes a used car and is now worth several thousand dollars less (let’s say $17,000). So if for some reason I lose my job and cannot pay the monthly payments and they come and repossess the car, I will still owe several thousand dollars.

However, if I only took out a loan of $10,000 to buy the car and put $10,000 down, then in the above circumstances, I will probably be able to make a quick sale of the car more than the underlying loan. This is the theory behind the down payment on the purchase of a house. You put 20% down, as your investment into the house. In a stable economy, you would think you could sell the house for more than your underlying mortgage. Of course, at the time I write this (June 2009) in Orange County, California, there are a lot of people who are upside down on their houses, due to the poor economy and the crash in real estate value.

So to summarize, I think we can see the great wisdom in the Scriptures telling us to not borrow money.

Tags: Living

At least three books are maintained before God. Revelation 20:12 says “books” which is plural (i.e., at least two) plus the Book of Life. What are the books?

• The Book of Life and the book of deeds. The name “Book of Life” is given in Scripture and is used herin as the title of the book. The “books” that are not the “Book of Life” are not given a specific title or name. However, the dead are judged out of things written in the books, and it is implied from the text that their works are contained therein (at least one or some of them).

(Revelation 20:12 KJV) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

• This could be another reference to the book(s) of deeds. Matthew Henry also brings forth the idea that these books may also include a book of standards (laws) by which the people are judged.

(Daniel 7:10 KJV) A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

• Book of Remembrance seems to be a book listing the occurrences of when God’s people spoke about the LORD.

(Malachi 3:16 NKJV) Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.

Tags: Bibliology, Living

Here are some admonitions from God’s Word about not adding anything to it.

You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (Deu 4:2 NKJV)

Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. (Deu 12:32 NKJV)

Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. (Pro 30:6 NKJV)

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book. (Rev 22:18-19 NKJV)

Tags: Bibliology

Here are some Scriptures that tell us about what happens when we do not come to the LORD in prayer!

• They were deceived by the Gibeonites.

Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD. (Joshua 9:14 NKJV)

• Praying for God’s people is God’s will. To stop praying for them is sin.

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. (1 Samuel 12:23 NKJV)

• To pray to false gods is to say that the One True God does not exist!

Then he said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ” (2 Kings 1:16 NKJV)

• To seek spiritual guidance from demonic forces rather the God can result in dire consequences.

So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:13-14 NKJV)

• If we do not seek God in our daily living, it too can have dire consequences. David did not consult the LORD on the proper method to transport the Ark of the Covenant. As a result, Uzza died trying to “save” the Ark from falling (1 Chronicles 13:7-14).

For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order. (1 Chronicles 15:13 NKJV)

• The Apostles were unable to cast out a demon because it required prayer and fasting.

So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29 NKJV)

Tags: Prayer

The Lord uses parables and types (models) to speak to us. Here are some scriptures supporting this statement.

I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets. (Hosea 12:10 NKJV)

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV)

which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— (Galatians 4:24 NKJV)

Tags: Bibliology

The word “all” or “every” does not necessarily mean every single individual entity. It means all or every of whatever the context is talking about. For example, it would be common for someone to say something like, “After church, we all went out to lunch together.” Quite clearly, the person was not speaking of every single individual on the earth. In fact, he probably (although possibly) was not even speaking of every single individual in the church. He was speaking of all of a smaller group defined by the subject of the sentence, “we.” Who is encompassed in the “we” would only be known by the context. This situtation can lead to some problematic interpretations of verses that use the word “all” and “every” in the Bible.

• Gen 6:17; 7:4: All flesh was not destroyed. Nor did everything die. Noah and his family, the animals on the ark and the sea life were not destroyed.
• Dan 4:1; 2:37-40; 4:11-12, 20: Says Nebuchadnezzar was king of ALL the earth. Yet he did not rule over Greece, Rome, Others
• Dan 2:39: Greece did not rule over ALL the earth; e.g., Spain, Italy, others.
• Dan 7:23: Rome did not rule over ALL the earth; China, Japan, etc.
• Mat 3:5-6: Did EVERY single Pharisee and Saduccee get baptized? Not according to Matthew 21:25.
• Luke 2:1-3: Did even the Australian aboriginees get taxed by Rome?
• Rom 1:8; 10:8: Did every single person on the earth hear about the church in Rome?
• Col 1:23: Did the gospel get preached to every ant and worm in the South Pacific?

Many times when the Bible says “all people,” it is referring to:

• Hebrews and Greeks as groups.

[Gal 3:28 NKJV] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

• Or all groups of men: Kings, noble, free and slaves.
  

  [1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV] Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, [2] for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

  Compare the above to 1 Timothy 4:10, where I believe the interpretation is all and everyone, since believers are clearly indicated as a special subset of “all men.”

[1 Timothy 4:10 NKJV] For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach,* because we trust in the living God, who is [the] Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

• Or back to a previously defined group.The “all” in 2 Peter 3:9 most likely by grammatical rules refers back to “us-ward”. The previous verse tells us that Peter is speaking to the “beloved,” i..e, believers.

[2 Peter 3:9 KJV] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

So the context of the paragraph determines to what or who “all” and “every” is referring.

Tags: Bibliology

One of the most important rules of hermenuetics (the interpretation of Scripture) is that the scripture must be interpreted in light of its context. Many problems with beliefs of the cults is that they take Scripture out of its context. Following are some examples.

Out of Context: Colossians 2:21 if not quoted with 2:20 is out of context! It can be used to define a system of legalism that is not Biblical.

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations; [21] “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, [Col 2:20-21NKJV]

Collapsing Contexts: Two or more verses which have little or nothing to do with each other are put together as if one were a commentary on the other(s). Example: the Mormons associate Jeremiah 1:5 with John 1:2, 1:14 and thus imply that both verses talk about the premortal existence of all human beings. Jeremiah 1:5, however, speaks of God’s foreknowledge of Jeremiah (not his premortal existence) and John 1:2 refers to the pre-existence of God the Son and not to human beings in general.

They also combine with: John 1:2,14; 8:56-58; 16:27-30; 17:3-5; Acts 17:26-29; Heb. 5:8;

Letterism: Letterism is the taking of the literal reading beyond its context. The literal method of interpretation understands based upon the customary usage of language, i.e., it understands that both figurative and non-figurative language is used.

The letterist would imply that God has wings from Psalm 91:4. John 4:10-11; John 7:38 speaks of Jesus as living water. In John 6:48, Jesus says that, “I am the bread of life.” In Matthew 16:18 and 1 Peter 2:7 Jesus is referred to as the Rock. Clearly, Jesus is not a chicken, nor water, nor bread, nor cement. These are figurative words. But the concepts behind them are true. He protects us as a mother bird would protect its little ones. He is the Sustainer (water and bread). The Church is built upon Jesus (the cornerstone) and we can stand firm on this Rock for all that He has promised us.

See post entitled “All Not Everyone.”

Tags: Bibliology

1. The Holy Spirit is revealed as a divine Person. This is expressly declared (e.g. John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Mt. 28:19), and everywhere implied.
2. The revelation concerning Him is progressive:
1. In the O.T. (see Mal. 2:15, note) He comes upon whom He will, apparently without reference to conditions in them.
2. During His earth-life, Christ taught His disciples (Lk. 11:13) that they might receive the Spirit through prayer to the Father.
3. At the close of His ministry He promised that He would Himself pray the Father, and that in answer to His prayer the Comforter would come to abide (John 14:16-17).
4. On the evening of His resurrection He came to the disciples in the upper room, and breathed on them saying, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22), but instructed them to wait before beginning their ministry till the Spirit should come upon them (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8)
5. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit came upon the whole body of believers (Acts 2:1-4).
6. After Pentecost, so long as the Gospel was preached to Jews only, the Spirit was imparted to such as believed by the laying. on of hands (Acts 8:17; 9:17, etc.).
7. When Peter opened the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles (Acts 10), the Holy Spirit, without delay, or other condition than faith, was given to those who believed. (Acts 10:44; Acts 11:15-18). This is the permanent fact for the entire church-age. Every believer is born of the Spirit (John 3:3, 6; 1 John 5:1), indwelt by the Spirit, whose presence makes the believer’s body a temple (1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 8:9-15; 1 John 2:27; Gal. 4:6), and baptized by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13; 1 John 2:20, 27), thus sealing him for God (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
3. The N.T. distinguishes between having the Spirit, which is true of all believers, and being filled with the Spirit, which is the believer’s privilege and duty (cf. Acts 2:4 with 4:29-31; Eph. 1:13-14 with Eph. 5:18)—”One baptism, many fillings.”
4. The Holy Spirit is related to Christ in His conception (Mt. 1:18-20; Lk. 1:35), baptism (Mt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22; John 1:32-33), walk and service (Lk. 4:1-14), resurrection (Rom. 8:11), and as His witness throughout this age (John 15:26; 16:8-11, 13, 14).
5. The Spirit forms the church (Mt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23) by baptizing all believers into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13), imparts gifts for service to every member of that body (1 Cor. 12:7-11, 27, 30), guides the members in their service (Lk. 2:27; 4:1; Acts 4:6-7), and is Himself the power of that service (Acts 1:8; 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:4).
6. The Spirit abides in the company of believers who constitute a local church, making of them, corporately, a temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17).
7. Christ indicates a threefold personal relationship of the Spirit to the believer: “With,” “in,” “upon” (John 14:17; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8). “With” indicates the approach of God to the soul, convicting of sin (John 16:9), presenting Christ as the object of faith (John 16:14), imparting faith (Eph. 2:8), and regenerating (John 3:3-16). “In” describes the abiding presence of the Spirit in the believer’s body (1 Cor. 6:19) to give victory over the flesh (Rom. 8:2-4; Gal. 5:16-17), to create the Christian character (Gal. 5:22-23), to help infirmities (Rom. 8:26), to inspire prayer (Eph. 6:18), to give conscious access to God (Eph. 2:18), to actualize to the believer his sonship (Gal. 4:6), to apply the Scriptures in cleansing and sanctification (Eph. 5:26; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2), to comfort and intercede (Acts 9:31; Rom. 8:26), and to reveal Christ (John 16:14).
8. Sins against the Spirit committed by unbelievers are: To blaspheme (Mt. 12:31), resist (Acts 7:51; Heb. 10:29, “despite,” lit. insult). Believers’ sins against the Spirit are: To grieve Him by allowing evil in heart or life (Eph. 4:30-31), and to quench Him by disobedience (1 Thes. 5:19). The right attitude toward the Spirit is yieldedness to His sway in walk and service, and in constant willingness that He shall “put away” whatever grieves Him or hinders His power (Eph. 4:31).
9. The symbols of the Spirit are:
1. oil (John 3:34; Heb. 1:9);
2. water (John 7:38-39);
3. wind (Acts 2:1; John 3:8);
4. fire (Acts 2:3);
5. a dove (Mt. 3:16);
6. a seal (Eph. 1:13; 4:30);
7. an earnest or pledge (Eph. 1:14).

Adapted from Scofield, C. I. The Scofield Study Bible.

Tags: Trinity

1. The personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit appear from the attributes ascribed to Him, and from His works.
2. He is revealed as sharing the work of creation and therefore omnipotent (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4; Psa. 104:30); as omnipresent (Psa. 139:7); as striving with men (Gen. 6:3); as enlightening (Job 32:8); enduing with constructive skill (Ex. 28:3; 31:3); giving physical strength (Jdg. 14:6, 19); executive ability and wisdom (Jdg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25); enabling men to receive and utter divine revelations (Num. 11:25; 2 Sam. 23:2); and, generally, as empowering the servants of God (Psa. 51:12; Joel 2:28; Mic. 3:8; Zech. 4:6).
3. He is called holy (Psa. 51:11); good (Psa. 143:10); the Spirit of judgment and burning (Isa. 4:4); of Jehovah, of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, good, knowledge, the fear of the Lord (Isa. 11:2), and of grace and supplications (Zech. 12:10).
4. In the O.T. the Spirit acts in free sovereignty, coming upon men and even upon a dumb beast as He will, nor are conditions set forth (as in the N.T.) by complying with which any one may receive the Spirit. The indwelling of every believer by the abiding Spirit is a N.T. blessing consequent upon the death and resurrection of Christ (John 7:39; 16:7; Acts 2:33; Gal. 3:1-6).
5. The O.T. contains predictions of a future pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel (Eze. 37:14; 39:29), and upon “all flesh” (Joel 2:28-29). The expectation of Israel, therefore, was twofold—of the coming of Messiah-Immanuel, and of such an effusion of the Spirit as the prophets described. See Mat. 1:18, refs.

1. Scofield, C. I. The Scofield Study Bible.

The major works and attributes of God are ascribed separately to each person of the Holy Trinity, as shown in the following table.

Tags: Theology, Trinity