Is Sunday the Christian Sabbath?

Is Sunday the Christian Sabbath? That’s in the Bible - NOT! 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 describes a fundraiser for Jerusalem, not necessarily a collection at Sunday services. Acts 20:7 is a special farewell service, not necessarily a regular Sunday service. Romans 14:5-13 gives permission to worship on any day we choose. Hebrews 4:9 says that there remains a Sabbath rest still to come, referring to our eternal rest. Colossians 2:16 suggests that we should not allow others to judge us by mandating certain days. There is always a tendency to criticize people for the days they prefer. Christians are free to keep any rest day they choose, following the spirit of the law: one day in seven.

Is Human Nature Evil?

Is human nature intrinsically evil? That’s in the Bible — not! Didn’t Jesus say that people were evil and didn’t Paul describe the “natural man” as refusing the things of the Spirit of God (Matthew 7:11; 1 Corinthians 2:14). Jesus was not describing human nature and Paul described a sensual, unspiritual person, not the nature with which humanity was created. For that we have to go to Genesis 1:26-31 which describes humanity’s creation in God’s image as “very good.” Adam and Eve were not created flawed, but had the ability to choose between good and evil, and they chose sin. Humans thus became faulty images of God, like an image in a broken mirror.

What about Informal Marriages?

Does Christian marriage need a formal ceremony and a marriage certificate? That’s in the Bible — not! In Genesis 2:24 Adam and Eve were united as one flesh, but no formal ceremony was recorded. Malachi 2:14 supports a marriage covenant, without specifying what. Romans 13:1-2 encourages obedience to civil authorities, but some modern governments recognize informal marriages. In Bible times, marriage was by private arrangement, not by the church or the state. If modern non-traditional unions are closer to Bible marriages, why judge them by modern rather than Bible standards? On the other hand isn’t legal protection and a good reputation wise? Isn’t a church marriage good and like recapturing God’s blessing in the Garden of Eden?

Is Religion Wrong?

Have you ever heard people say they prefer Christianity without the religion? That’s in the Bible — not! James 1:26-27 tells us the real story. “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” So, in the Bible, purity of religion is the goal. And it has nothing to do with the style of liturgy or the ways that we do church, but whether or not we control what we say, care for the needy and avoid corruption.

Is Christmas Pagan?

Have you ever heard someone say that Christmas is pagan? That’s in the Bible — not! Christmas was not generally observed until around the 300’s. Some Christians avoid it because of its pagan roots, but God only forbade evil pagan worship like child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21) and idolatry (Jeremiah 10:1-5). He did not forbid prayers, music or even using pagan dates for Christian worship (Romans 14:5-6; Colossians 2:16). Pagans used trees, but God did so first (Genesis 2:9; 3:22-24; Proverbs 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Revelation 2:7; 22:14, 19). Christ’s birth is in the Bible (Luke 2). The angels celebrated that wonderful event and so can we.

Is there One Antichrist?

Have you ever heard people preach about a future world leader called the Antichrist? That’s in the Bible — not! The word Antichrist is only found in the Bible four times (1 John 2:18; 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7). Already many Antichrists have appeared. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Someone claiming to be a prophet and yet not acknowledging the truth about Jesus, has the spirit of the Antichrist. Anyone denying that Jesus Christ came in a real body is a deceiver and an antichrist. Rather than support any theory about a single apocalyptic figure, these verses suggest the idea that there have been many anti- or against Christ.

Is Dancing Sin?

Have you ever heard that dancing is a sin? That’s in the Bible — not! David danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:13-15). There is a time to mourn and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:3-5). When God promised to bless Israel he said they would again be happy and dance (Jeremiah 31:3-5). God turns our mourning into joyful dancing (Psalm 30:10-12). We are encouraged to praise his name with dancing (Psalm 149:2-4; 150:3-5). Obviously lewd dancing or dancing to worship false gods would inappropriate and sinful, but not all dancing is wrong. God encourages the right kind of dancing, like joyful and worshipful dancing.

Is Government Welfare Wrong?

Some Christians claim that taking care of the poor is for churches and individuals but not for governments. That’s in the Bible — not! God required Israel to collect a national tithe for the poor (Deuteronomy 26:12) as well as individual duty (Leviticus 19:19). God expects courts to treat rich and poor equally (Exodus 23:2-8; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; 10:17-19). The New Testament praises helping the poor (Acts 10:2-4, 31; Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 9:9; 1 John 3:17). After Constantine, when Rome became Christian, they found many principles of righteous government from the entire Bible, including Psalm 72, which holds national leaders responsible to defend the poor and rescue the needy.

Is Tongues-Speaking Necessary to be Spirit-Filled?

To be spirit-filled do you have to speak in tongues? That’s in the Bible — not! Let’s look at spirit-filled experiences in the Bible. Elizabeth prophesied to Mary (Luke 1:39-56). Bezalel was given craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3; 35:31). John was spirit-filled before birth (Luke 1:15). Zechariah prophesied (Luke 1:67-68). Jesus was led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1). The church spoke in known tongues (Acts 2:4). Seven deacons had wisdom (Acts 6:3-5). Stephen saw heaven (Acts 7:55). Saul preached (Acts 9:17-20). Barnabas brought many people to God (Acts 11:24). Paul had insight (Acts 13:9-10). Believers had joy (Acts 13:52). Many non-Christian religions speak in tongues. The fruit of the Spirit is the best evidence (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Was Jesus Immersed in Baptism?

Have you ever heard someone say that if baptism by immersion was good enough for Jesus, then it’s good enough for me? Yeah! Right! That’s in the Bible — not! People claim that the Bible proves Jesus and the Ethiopian eunuch were immersed (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, & Acts 8:38-39), but it does not. Coming up out of the water could mean that they came up the bank out of ankle deep water. The Greek can also be translated as coming up away from the water. This is inconclusive and proves nothing. Was God was not interested in inspiring exact detail about baptism? Is the mode of baptism far less important to God than the fact of baptism?