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Question 390: How Do I Know That I Am Saved?

Answer:

There are two kinds of "assurance," as taught by the creeds and both of them are matters of ordinary, everyday experience by many believers. There are certain clear statements in the Bible as to the kind of person a believer is. He must bear certain signs and marks and do certain things. He must love YHVH and his neighbour; he must love the Church; he must be earnest and patient and bear the various "fruits of the Spirit." Now, a person can tell whether he is doing those things, whether his soul has these marks or not. Added to this test however, is the direct "witness of the Spirit," the Spirit Himself "bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of YHVH" (Romans 8:16; 2 Corinthians 1: 22; Ephesians 1: 13). This is the voice of YHVH, assuring us that we are His. It is important to remember that we should not wait for assurance, but must persistently and with determination believe YHVH's Word. Anyone who is in doubt whether he is a child of YHVH or not should insist immediately upon beginning: to trust Him. We become believers by believing that Moshiach really does forgive our sins and receive us, remembering that He said: "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). As we continue to trust Him we shall find ourselves manifesting the fruits of the Spirit and YHVH will whisper to us that we are His.

Question 389: Is Wealth An Evil Or A Blessing?

Answer:

There are many passages in the Bible relative to riches and it’s opposite, poverty. Nowhere is poverty spoken of as a blessing, but rather as a trial and discipline; yet wealth is to be regarded either as a blessing or the reverse, according to circumstances. Riches that are gotten and not by right can never bring happiness or satisfaction and therefore result in sorrow or disappointment (Jeremiah 17:11). Moshiach taught His followers not to lay up for themselves "treasures on earth." He repeatedly warned them against the allurements of wealth. He declared wealth to be a great barrier to many - a hindrance to their eternal welfare. He taught His followers to set their minds on things above and to take no thought of amassing riches or goods. Usurers, brokers, exchangers and mere money-getters - those who set their hearts on wealth and made gold their YHVH - He specially denounced. Yet He never spoke, even by implication, a word against the reward of honest industry, but on the contrary commended it. Voluntary poverty was assumed by the earliest disciples and fathers in the Christian Church. There is no duty of this character specifically enjoined and we are told to "seek first the Kingdom" and all needful things will be added. "Neither riches nor poverty" is the ideal meant for a contented Christian, life. This is finely set forth in the beautiful prayer in Proverbs 30:8, Agur, the supplicant being, as is supposed a symbolical name for Solomon.

Question 388: Can A Wealthy Business Man Be A Practical Believer?

Answer:

Yeshua said it was a hard thing for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom; but He also showed, in the parable of the talents and other parables, that riches, properly regarded and not held as a personal possession to be used for selfish and worldly purposes, but as a trust to be applied conscientiously, may be made a source of blessing. There are many men of large wealth who are useful members of society and who administer their means wisely and conscientiously. Besides, we are not to be the judges of the hearts of men. It has become a habit with many to condemn wealth and its possessors indiscriminately; and it is true that there is much in the present conditions of society that is open to legitimate criticism, but honest men of strict integrity can be found in every honourable line of business and an active life is as much respected today as when Proverbs 22:20 was written. A man who directs his efforts mainly to the acquisition of wealth, without regard to its responsibilities, incurs great spiritual danger. For the use we make of our talents and opportunities we shall be held strictly accountable.

Question 387: What Is Transubstantiation?

Answer:

Transubstantiation (the term applied to the change of the substance of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Yeshua Moshiach at the Sacrament) is a doctrine held by some, but not all, of the Christian churches. The Church of England and a large number of Protestant bodies hold that the bread and wine are sanctified symbols. Chrysostom wrote that after divine grace had sanctified the bread, "it is no longer called bread, but dignified with the Name of the body of Elohiym, although the nature of bread remains in it." Theodoret declared that the bread and wine remain still in their own nature, after consecration. Augustine taught that what they saw upon the altar was bread and the cup, as their own eyes could testify; but that their faith required to be instructed that the bread is the body of Moshiach; and he added, "These things are therefore called sacraments, because in them one thing is seen and another is understood. That which is seen has a bodily appearance; that which is understood has a spiritual fruit." Isidore of Seville said: "These two things are visible, but being sanctified by Ruach HaKodesh,' they become the sacrament of Elohiym's body." Luther held the doctrine of the true presence of the body and blood of Moshiach saying, "The bread is the body, the wine is the blood of Elohiym," according to a sacramental union, but not in the manner of transubstantiation, adhering literally to the language of the Scriptures. The Catholic Church has always held the doctrine of the real, corporeal presence. With a few exceptions, the Protestants interpret the Saviour’s language figuratively and hold that Yeshua intended to convey to men the lesson that unless they voluntarily appropriated to themselves His death and sacrifice, so that they become their very life and nourishment, they can have no spiritual and eternal life at all.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Question 386: What Is Meant By Transfiguration?

Answer:

"Transfiguration" signifies a change of form or appearance. The forms of Moses and Elijah, when they appeared on the Mount, were spiritualized. Luke 9:31 speaks of the subject of their converse. Some commentators hold that both Moses and Elijah were honoured with an anticipatory resurrection, which would seem to be borne out by the fact of their presence at the transfiguration.

Question 385: Is It Possible For One To Be Saved Without Knowing It?

Answer:

Among the children of Christian homes or among conscientious heathen (see Romans 2:14, 15; Acts 10:34, 35), there may be cases in which a soul has salvation and is not definitely conscious of it. In the vast majority of cases however, since the turning toward sin has been definite and voluntary, so the turning from sin and the receiving of forgiveness and a new nature are so definite as to be matters of plain knowledge. The New Testament clearly teaches that those who become converted may receive the witness of the Spirit, assuring them that they have been born again (see Romans 8:16; 1 John 5:10). Anyone who wants to be a believer or hopes he is a believer may receive this assurance if he persists in trusting Moshiach. Our salvation depends, not upon our feeling, but upon the unchangeable fact of the atonement and upon the plain promises of YHVH's Word. When we definitely trust we become conscious of certain definite changes in our experience. Fear of YHVH changes to love of YHVH; we love YHVH’s people and His work. If we continue faithful the witness of the Spirit will be added to these signs and we shall know that we are children of YHVH.

Question 384: Can An Honest, Moral, Upright Life Save Anyone?

Answer:

People are constantly being misled in this matter because they fail to understand what salvation really is. Salvation is personal friendship and companionship with YHVH. It is hard to see how a man who is not a friend of YHVH at death will become one immediately after death. Being honest and upright does not really get us acquainted with YHVH. Paul was intensely moral before his conversion, but he found out later that he had been an enemy of YHVH all the time. Then too, salvation means humility and meekness. The man who believes he can save himself puts himself out of the Kingdom of Heaven by that very attitude of mind. For the Kingdom of Heaven is made up of people with childlike hearts, who have given up their pride and self-will. Nor will the mere naming of the Name of Moshiach and making a public confession make the necessary change. Yeshua said very distinctly: "Ye must be born again." It is extremely unwise and unsafe to quarrel or argue with Yeshua. He knows all about the human heart and all about the Kingdom of Heaven. The only thing to do is to accept His plan of salvation and let Him give us the new heart, the heart that is humble and obedient, that is not self-confident but trustful, the heart that loves YHVH and so will feel at home in YHVH's heaven. Scripture and experience alike teach that it is possible for one to have all the outward marks of religion, yet fail of possessing the real and vital thing. Saul of Tarsus was a most zealous man, trying to do the will of YHVH, but after his conversion he felt that his former life had been very sinful, because he had not submitted himself to the will of YHVH and accepted Moshiach's righteousness as his own. John Wesley's experience was similar and countless others of this and earlier days. It must be remembered that it is not outward conduct that makes the real believer; it is the inner life, the humility, the glad surrender to YHVH's will, the warm love felt for YHVH and for the souls for whom Moshiach died. It is not our good works that save us, but a simple, self-forgetful trust in Yeshua. This faith brings the life and love which constitute religion. A simple trust in the death of Yeshua as the remedy for our sin. A simple acceptance of Moshiach to be our righteousness and our salvation will bring the joy and power of a new life of real son-ship of YHVH and fellowship with Moshiach. See Romans 10:1-4; Philippians 3:3-9.

Question 383: Why Does YHVH Not Save The Entire Human Race?

Answer:

It is contrary to the Divine method of dealing with the human race, as we understand it, for Him to use compulsion with men. Apparently, His desire is to have a people who, being left free to choose, voluntarily choose righteousness. He draws them, He yearns over them, applies discipline, offers them His help, but beyond this He will not go in this life. A man who is good only because he is compelled to be good, is of a much lower type than he who, being free to become evil, seeks of his own accord to become good. It is this higher type that as we believe, YHVH is trying to produce.

Question 382: Is Trouble Sent As A Punishment?

Answer:

The Bible does not teach that all trouble comes from YHVH as a punishment. It recognizes the fact that trouble is in the world and, while it has some very definite things to say about it, it does not attempt to give a complete solution of the whole problem. Hebrews 12:5-11 declares that YHVH does in some instances, discipline or "chasten," those whom He loves, but this could hardly be called punishment. (See also Deuteronomy 8:5; Psalm 94:12; John 15:2.) Sometimes however, calamity is a definite punishment, as in many cases during the history of Israel and particularly in their exile. The book of Job is a beautiful explanation of a form of suffering which has the double purpose of disciplining the soul and glorifying YHVH. Nothing can bring such credit to YHVH as the demonstration made by a soul that trusts and praises Him in the midst of misfortune. Paul and the other apostles glorified in their opportunities to suffer for Yeshua' sake. They rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame in His Name" (Acts 5:41). They felt that He had borne so much for them that they wanted to bear something for Him. The Bible nowhere encourages people to dodge suffering; it exhorts them to bear it, while at the same time it exhorts them to lessen the sufferings of others and help them bear their woes. See James 1:2-5; 1 Peter 4:12-19; Galatians 6:2.