Two Questions
Hello!
Recall the two questions I posted last week:
1.) What is the meaning of lukewarm in the book of Revelation?
The meaning of lukewarm has always been assumed to be those Christians who are not really living right with God, thereby not exactly hot (burning for God) and yet not cold (unsaved). One alternative explanation was proposed some time ago, as something akin to a revelation in itself. Essentially, it is purported that both cold and hot water are useful, while lukewarm water is not. The following quote is taken from Forerunner Commentary:
"Cold water stimulates and invigorates. Nothing refreshes more than drinking a glass of cold water on a hot day. And hot water? It is useful for health. Not only do we mix it with teas, herbs, broths, and the like, but it also works as a solvent, good for cleaning just about anything." http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/247/Lukewarm.htm
Of course, there is a lot of logic in this. It is well-known that lukewarm water produces nausea, and causes one to vomit. This effect may have been alluded to when the Lord said that He would spit out the church of Laodicea.
However, as for the references of "cold" and "hot", the above quote appears to be somewhat unconventional. In fact, I have not found another such explanation in any other resource, apart from the Forerunner Commentary. Also, it is noted that the Commentary is not published (it is a digital resource), meaning the reliability of the material may be in question. I have already asked Pastor Mark to have a look at the Commentary, to ensure the veracity and accuracy of the information. That said, I pray that all of us will be discerning in our selection of materials, to always check the stand, the doctrine and the Biblical correctness of the references we use. While this current example is a rather trivial difference, the same may not necessarily be said of other articles (which have not been thoroughly looked through). The safest way is to use only trusted, mainstream and recommended references!
Supposing we are to take the conventional view, how is it better to be cold? After all, an unbeliever is surely condemned, while a lukewarm Christian may yet be saved! But look at this uncomfortable situation clearly. A lukewarm Christian is one who professes belief, but does not practise it. On the other hand, the unbeliever at least practises what he preaches. So it is that the pretense and the hypocrisy does not go down well with our Lord. Numerous times we see Him in the gospel accounts, rebuking the Pharisees, scribes and hypocrites.
May the Lord help us, that we not fall into the trap of such as these, and that we may actually live our lives in the way that we have said we do. If you are lacking in any area, it is better to humbly admit and confess, and so repent, than to deceive all, perhaps including yourself, that you are doing everything in God's will.
2.) What is the meaning of Baptism? How many types of Baptism are there?
Definition of Baptism
Thayer's Greek Dictionary
(βαπτίζω)
1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe
3) to overwhelm
Matthew 3:11
NIV 11"I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
NASB11"As for me, (A)I baptize you [a]with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; (B)He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
NLT 11"I baptize with[a] water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am--so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave.[b] He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[c]
The Message (incl. v. 12)11-12"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
Baptism with (in) fire
- To burn away the chaff (v. 12 says "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.") ;
- The phrase to "dip in the fire of the law" was a common Jewish expression;
- To baptize in fire would suggest the purifying process in which a person's life is refined through his acceptance of Christ and the inward changes (see The Message translation).
Baptism with water
- John says in Matthew 3:11 that , "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance", wherein the word "unto" (Greek εἰς) also translates to "at" or "upon";
- The repentance is not achieved through baptism; rather, the baptism comes after repentance;
- The baptism of water is an act of profession of repentance.
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
- To be immersed in the Spirit;
- Some have suggested that the Pentecost is an extraordinary event, and will not happen again. However, we should rather see it as a start, just like how Christ's crucifixion is a single event in history, but continues to have saving power.
Essentially, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from conversion. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the receiving of the extraordinary gifts are also distinct events. Why else would Paul ask us to yearn for greater gifts, if these were all given at the outset? The gifts are given according to the Spirit's dicretion, but we are not completely passive either, being able to ask for them from the Spirit. However, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a prerequisite to receiving spiritual gifts.
Ultimately, it must be noted that there are many doctrinal difficulties with respect to certain parts of the Bible. So it takes much study and meditation to understand the Word of God, a process I am going through right now.
That's all for now, folks. More coming soon.
Cyrus
Recall the two questions I posted last week:
1.) What is the meaning of lukewarm in the book of Revelation?
The meaning of lukewarm has always been assumed to be those Christians who are not really living right with God, thereby not exactly hot (burning for God) and yet not cold (unsaved). One alternative explanation was proposed some time ago, as something akin to a revelation in itself. Essentially, it is purported that both cold and hot water are useful, while lukewarm water is not. The following quote is taken from Forerunner Commentary:
"Cold water stimulates and invigorates. Nothing refreshes more than drinking a glass of cold water on a hot day. And hot water? It is useful for health. Not only do we mix it with teas, herbs, broths, and the like, but it also works as a solvent, good for cleaning just about anything." http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/247/Lukewarm.htm
Of course, there is a lot of logic in this. It is well-known that lukewarm water produces nausea, and causes one to vomit. This effect may have been alluded to when the Lord said that He would spit out the church of Laodicea.
However, as for the references of "cold" and "hot", the above quote appears to be somewhat unconventional. In fact, I have not found another such explanation in any other resource, apart from the Forerunner Commentary. Also, it is noted that the Commentary is not published (it is a digital resource), meaning the reliability of the material may be in question. I have already asked Pastor Mark to have a look at the Commentary, to ensure the veracity and accuracy of the information. That said, I pray that all of us will be discerning in our selection of materials, to always check the stand, the doctrine and the Biblical correctness of the references we use. While this current example is a rather trivial difference, the same may not necessarily be said of other articles (which have not been thoroughly looked through). The safest way is to use only trusted, mainstream and recommended references!
Supposing we are to take the conventional view, how is it better to be cold? After all, an unbeliever is surely condemned, while a lukewarm Christian may yet be saved! But look at this uncomfortable situation clearly. A lukewarm Christian is one who professes belief, but does not practise it. On the other hand, the unbeliever at least practises what he preaches. So it is that the pretense and the hypocrisy does not go down well with our Lord. Numerous times we see Him in the gospel accounts, rebuking the Pharisees, scribes and hypocrites.
May the Lord help us, that we not fall into the trap of such as these, and that we may actually live our lives in the way that we have said we do. If you are lacking in any area, it is better to humbly admit and confess, and so repent, than to deceive all, perhaps including yourself, that you are doing everything in God's will.
2.) What is the meaning of Baptism? How many types of Baptism are there?
Definition of Baptism
Thayer's Greek Dictionary
(βαπτίζω)
1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe
3) to overwhelm
Matthew 3:11
NIV 11"I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
NASB11"As for me, (A)I baptize you [a]with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; (B)He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
NLT 11"I baptize with[a] water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am--so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave.[b] He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[c]
The Message (incl. v. 12)11-12"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
Baptism with (in) fire
- To burn away the chaff (v. 12 says "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.") ;
- The phrase to "dip in the fire of the law" was a common Jewish expression;
- To baptize in fire would suggest the purifying process in which a person's life is refined through his acceptance of Christ and the inward changes (see The Message translation).
Baptism with water
- John says in Matthew 3:11 that , "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance", wherein the word "unto" (Greek εἰς) also translates to "at" or "upon";
- The repentance is not achieved through baptism; rather, the baptism comes after repentance;
- The baptism of water is an act of profession of repentance.
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
- To be immersed in the Spirit;
- Some have suggested that the Pentecost is an extraordinary event, and will not happen again. However, we should rather see it as a start, just like how Christ's crucifixion is a single event in history, but continues to have saving power.
Essentially, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from conversion. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the receiving of the extraordinary gifts are also distinct events. Why else would Paul ask us to yearn for greater gifts, if these were all given at the outset? The gifts are given according to the Spirit's dicretion, but we are not completely passive either, being able to ask for them from the Spirit. However, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a prerequisite to receiving spiritual gifts.
Ultimately, it must be noted that there are many doctrinal difficulties with respect to certain parts of the Bible. So it takes much study and meditation to understand the Word of God, a process I am going through right now.
That's all for now, folks. More coming soon.
Cyrus
posted by Cyrus at 9:16 PM
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