Question 395: Should All Believers Confess Moshiach?
Answer:
Yes. There are very many good godly people who never realize the true joy that belongs to the followers of Yeshua, because they do not live in the sunlight. Some are so exceedingly sensitive about personal religion that they shrink to talk of it, even to their intimate friends. Even though they believe, they yet stand "afar off"; they have not been sufficiently drawn by love for the Master or by zeal for His service, to come near enough to the Cross to feel the glow that stimulates the ardent believer. When once these timid souls can shake off their reticence and come boldly forward and confess Moshiach before the world, a transformation takes place. There is a very real blessing which follows the confession of our faith before men. Yeshua Himself said "Everyone who shall confess Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father, which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32.) The knowledge of such recognition, following our open acknowledgment of Yeshua as Saviour, gives courage to the believer and, like a loyal soldier who sees the flag of his country waving above him and who salutes it, his whole being thrills with zeal for service for the Great King of Salvation. Thus, at every fitting opportunity the believer should run up the flag and let the world see whom he is serving.
Question 394: What Is The Examination Necessary To Eating And Drinking Worthily At Communion?
Answer:
A personal self-examination of the heart. If a man is conscious of hatred toward any one, of malice, of sinful purposes, of sinful connections which he ought to sever, but has not severed or of cherishing any feeling inconsistent with his relation to Moshiach, he should not partake of the communion. This does not imply that only perfect persons should do so. If a man is honestly and earnestly striving after holiness and doing all that lies in him to live consistently; and sincerely deplores every failure and means to strive to avoid them in the future; if he loves Moshiach and is trusting in Him for salvation, he is right in partaking of the communion although he may be conscious of having fallen into sin. (1 Corinthians 2:26, 28.)
Question 393: Can A Person Become A Believer Without The Baptism Of Ruach HaKodesh?
Answer:
As the word is usually understood, the baptism of Ruach HaKodesh was to confer special gifts for Moshiach's service. We have no reason to suppose that any man becomes a believer without the influence of Ruach HaKodesh. The question is profitless, inasmuch as YHVH gives Ruach HaKodesh freely. It would be impossible to state positively in what way the first impression comes in any individual case, but we may be sure that in some way Ruach HaKodesh's power has operated. This does not relieve any one from responsibility, because YHVH is more willing to impart than men are to receive; but He does not force His gifts upon men.
Question 392: Can One Be Converted And Saved Without Baptism?
Answer:
Moshiach Commanded baptism and we cannot understand any person who really desires to serve Him neglecting to obey Him in so simple a matter. Still, it lowers the reverence we have for YHVH to believe that He would exclude any really repentant, believing person from heaven simply because He had not been baptised. The person might have been converted on his death-bed or if he was among Baptists he might die between the time of his conversion and the time set for administering the rite. YHVH is not unjust and would not hold a man responsible in such circumstances. Do you suppose the thief who repented on the Cross was baptised? Yet Yeshua promised Him an entrance into Paradise. Baptism generally followed conversion in the time of the Apostles, as it does now generally in heathen lands.
Don't consider anyone's opinion or status when giving testimony in court; just tell the truth based on actual evidence. Judges should never consider the wealth, poverty, race, religion, or social class of the parties in a lawsuit or trial. The goal is to determine the truth, whatever it is. Not to redefine reality or promote your pet social justice cause at the expense of truth.
#exodus 23:2-3 #mishpatim
Frequently asked questions and answers
Question 391: Why Is It Wrong To Harbour Angry Feelings?
Answer:
YHVH forbids it (Ecclesiastes 7:9; Matthew 5:22; Romans 12:19); it is a characteristic of fools and a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20; Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 27:3; Ecclesiastes 7:9). Anger is connected with pride, cruelty, clamorous and evil speaking, malice and blasphemy, strife and contention (Proverbs 21:24; Genesis 49:7; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; Proverbs 21 :19; Proverbs 29:22) and brings its own punishment (Job 5:2; Proverbs 19:19). Scripture teaches us that grievous words stir up anger that it may be averted by wisdom and that meekness pacifies (Judges 12:4; Proverbs 29:8, 15:1). We are enjoined to be slow to anger, to avoid those given to it, to be free from it in prayer and not to provoke children to it (Proverbs 15:18, 16:32; Titus 1:7; James 1:19; 1 Timothy 2-8; Ephesians 6:4).
“When the Lord (Yahuwah) brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.
Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.”
Psalms 126:1-6 NKJV
You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
#exodus 23:1 #mishpatim
Did you think Paul was making a new command when he said not to engage in vain and worthless talk? Think again. As with everything else he wrote, he was teaching Torah.
If talking about someone else serves no useful or edifying purpose, then don't do it. It doesn't matter if it's true. Keep it to yourself.