Monday, October 12, 2015

Evolution, science, and the Bible

Evolutionists ridicule the Biblical account of Noah's ark and the universal flood. Supposedly those are against "science". What is "science"? Webster's 1828 Dictionary says, "knowledge, or certain knowledge; the comprehension or understanding of truth or facts by the mind". Knowledge comes from witnesses and evidence. Nothing is proven without witnesses and evidence. Is the story of Noah "science"? Yes. We have a witness, the Bible. We also have evidence in nature that there was a universal flood. The Atheists contention with the Christian is that they do not believe that the Bible is a reliable witness. In other words, why should we believe the Bible?

We should believe the Bible because of its scientific and historical accuracy. The Bible is pure and without error (Ps. 12:6-7, John 17:17). The Bible clearly has no errors or contradictions and it is obviously written by God and not man. The scientific facts stated in the Bible were not discovered by man until recently, yet they have been recorded in the Bible for thousands of years. This is proof of why we should trust and believe the Bible.

Here are some of the scientific facts in the Bible (some taken from "A Few Scientific Facts Recorded In The Bible" by John Henry: http://reason.landmarkbiblebaptist.net/BibleScience.html )

1.) The Bible states plainly that the universe is expanding.
  • Isaiah 42:5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. 
  • Jeremiah 51:15: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
  • Zechariah 12:1:  The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 
2.) The Bible states plainly that all the stars are different.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.  
3.) The moon does not give off its own light.

  • Job 25:5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.
4.) Light travels.
  • Job 38:19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
5.) The stars are innumerable. 
  • Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 
  • Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;  
  • Jeremiah 33:22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
6.) The earth rests on nothing.
  • Job 26:7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

7.) The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy). This law states that everything in the universe is running down and deteriorating.
  • Psalms 102:25-26 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
  • Romans 8:20-22 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
8.) The sea has springs in it.
  • Job 38:16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
  • Proverbs 8:28-29 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
9.) The earth is round. The Lord said that at His return that some people would be sleeping at night and that there would be other people working in the fields (day time labor). This is clearly an indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring at the same time.
  • Luke 17:34-36  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
  • Isaiah 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
10.) The continents are moving (continental drift).
  • Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
11.) Running water is most sanitary.
  • Leviticus 15:13 And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.  
12.) Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes.
  • Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear
13.)  The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive.
  • Job 38:35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
"A Few Scientific Facts Recorded In The Bible" by John Henry:  
http://reason.landmarkbiblebaptist.net/BibleScience.html

COSMOLOGY & ASTRONOMY:

1.  The earth free-floats in space, affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true.

Job 26:7: He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

2.  The earth is an orb or sphere.  At a time when many thought the earth was flat, the Bible told us that the earth is spherical. 

Isaiah 40:22: It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.

Webster's 1828 Dictionary's definition of CIRCLE.  "In popular use, the line that comprehends the figure, the plane or surface comprehended, and the whole body or solid matter of a round substance, are denominated a circle; a ring; an orb; the earth."

3. Scripture assumes a revolving (spherical) earth. Jesus said that at His return some would be asleep at night while others would be working at day time activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring simultaneously.

Luke 17:34-36I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

4.  Black holes and dark matter anticipated. Cosmologists now speculate that over 98% of the known universe is comprised of dark matter, with dark energy and black holes. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever."

Matthew 25:30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jude 13: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

5.  Incalculable number of stars.  At a time when less than 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate.

Jeremiah 33:22As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.

6.  The number of stars, though vast, are finite.  Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite. Of course God knew this all along. 

Isaiah 40:26: Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

7.  The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore.  Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe.

Genesis 22:17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.

8.  The universe is expanding. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!

Isaiah 42:5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.

Jeremiah 51:15: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

Zechariah 12:1The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

9.  Each star is unique. Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew: each star varies in size and intensity!

1 Corinthians 15:41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

10.  The sun goes in a circuit.  Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago!

Psalm 19:6:  [The sun's] going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.



PHYSICS:

1.  Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes. Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.

Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

2.  Light can be divided. Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared it four millennia ago!

Job 38:24By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

3.  Light travels in a path. Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: derek, literally a traveled path or road]. Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at 186,000 miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light.

Job 38:19Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof.

4. The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive.

Job 38:35: Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

5.  The First Law of Thermodynamics established. The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis.

Genesis 2:1-2: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.  And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

6.  The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, and constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:20-22).  Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is growing "old as doth a garment'' (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this, the most tested of all scientific laws.

Psalm 102:25-26Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.  They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.

Romans 8:20-22: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.   For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.



BIOLOGY:

1.  Law of Biogenesis explained. Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution requires). Therefore, life, God's life, created all life.

Genesis 1:11, 20, 24: And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. ... And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. ... And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

2.  The earth was designed for biological life. Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited.

Isaiah 45:18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

3.  God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life. We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it.

Isaiah 40:12Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

4.  Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth.

Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 3:19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

5.  Life begins at fertilization. God declares that He knew us before we were born. The Biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death (Exodus 21:22-23). Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen.

Psalm 139:15"My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."

Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6.  God fashions and knits us together in the womb. Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet thousands of years ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an intricate unity' in the womb.

Job 10:8-12: "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.  Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?  Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?  Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.  Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."

7.  The seed of a plant contains its life.  As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple!

Genesis 1:11-12: "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.  And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

8.  A seed must die to produce new life.  In John 12:24 is remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: 1) Cells arise only from existing cells. 2) A grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain.

John 12:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."

1 Corinthians 15:36-38"Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:  And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:  But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."



MEDICINE & HEALTH:

1.  Blood is the source of life and health. Up until a little over a hundred years ago, sick people were "bled" and many died as a result (e.g. George Washington). Today we know that healthy blood is necessary to bring life-giving nutrients to every cell in the body. God declared that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" long before science understood its function.

Leviticus 17:11, 14"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. ... For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off."

2.  Blood not to be consumed. A common ritual in many religions in the ancient world was to drink blood. However, the Creator repeatedly told His people to abstain from blood (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 3:17; Acts 15:20; 21:25). Of course, modern science reveals that consuming raw blood is dangerous.

Leviticus 17:12"Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood."

3.  Circumcision on the eighth day is ideal.  Medical science has discovered that the blood clotting chemical prothrombin peaks in a newborn on the eighth day. This is therefore the safest day to circumcise a baby. How did Moses know?!

Genesis 17:12: "And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed."

Leviticus 12:3: "And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised."

4.  Microorganisms anticipated.  The Bible warns us not to eat "any flesh that is torn of beasts" or to defile one's self with it. Today we understand that a decaying carcass is full of disease causing germs.

Leviticus 22:8: "That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I am the LORD."

Exodus 22:31: "And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs."

5.  When dealing with disease, clothes and body should be washed under running water. For centuries people naively washed in standing water. Today we recognize the need to wash away germs with fresh water.

Leviticus 15:13: "And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

6.  The Bible cautions against consuming fat. Only in recent decades has the medical community determined that fat clogs arteries and contributes to heart disease.

Leviticus 7:23-24: "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.  And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it."

7.  God has given us the leaves of the trees as medicine (Revelation 22:2). Ancient cultures utilized many herbal remedies. Today, modern medicine has rediscovered what the Bible has said all along - there are healing compounds found in plants.

Ezekiel 47:12"And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine."

8.  Scripture warns against eating unclean aquatic creatures. The Bible states that we should avoid eating aquatic creatures which do not have fins or scales. We now know that bottom-feeders (those with no scales or fins) tend to consume waste and are likely to carry disease.

Leviticus 11:9-12"These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.   And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:  They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.   Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you."

9.  The Bible warns against eating birds of prey. Scientists now recognize that those birds which eat carrion (putrefying flesh), often spread disease.

Leviticus 11:13-19: "And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the osprayAnd the vulture, and the kite after his kind;  Every raven after his kind;  And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,  And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,  And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,  And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat."

10.  Olive oil and wine useful on wounds. Jesus told of a Samaritan man, who when he came upon a wounded traveler, he bandaged him - pouring upon his wounds olive oil and wine. Today we know that wine contains ethyl alcohol and traces of methyl alcohol. Both are good disinfectants. Olive oil is also a good disinfectant, as well as a skin moisturizer, protector, and soothing lotion. This is common knowledge to us today. However, did you know that during the Middle Ages and right up till the early 20th century, millions died because they did not know to treat and protect open wounds?

Luke 10:34: "And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him."
 

GENETICS:

1.  DNA anticipated.  During the 1950s, Dr. Watson and Dr. Crick discovered the genetic blueprint for life. Three thousand years ago the Bible spoke of a book with all our members recorded therein.

Psalm 139:13-16: "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."

2.  The Bible states that God created life according to kinds. The fact that God distinguishes kinds, agrees with what scientists observe - namely that there are horizontal genetic boundaries beyond which life cannot vary. Life produces after its own kind. Dogs produce dogs, cats produce cats, roses produce roses. Never have we witnessed one kind changing into another kind as evolution supposes. There are truly natural limits to biological change.

Genesis 1:24-25And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.  And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

3.  God has created all mankind from one blood (Genesis 5).  Today researchers have discovered that we have all descended from one gene pool. For example, a 1995 study of a section of Y chromosomes from 38 men from different ethnic groups around the world was consistent with the biblical teaching that we all come from one man (Adam)

Acts 17:26: "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation."

4.  Man is fearfully and wonderfully made.  We are only beginning to probe the complexity of the DNA molecule, the eye, the brain, and all the intricate components of life. No human invention compares to the marvelous wonders of God's creation.

Psalm 139:14"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

5.  Which came first, proteins or DNA?  For evolutionists, the chicken or egg dilemma goes even deeper. Chickens consist of proteins. The code for each protein is contained in the DNA/RNA system. However, proteins are required in order to manufacture DNA.  So which came first: proteins or DNA?  The ONLY explanation is that they were created together.

Revelation 4:11"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

 
Also see James Melton's Interesting Bible Stuff For Bible Believers Copyright © 1997 James L. Melton Published by Bible Baptist Church, Sharon, Tennessee.....

"Old Scientific Discoveries

The Bible always runs a few thousand years ahead of "science". Notice the following facts that were revealed in the Bible long before man discovered them with telescopes, microscope, and scuba divers:

No actual "moon light" Job 25:5
Light travels Job 38:19
Stars cannot be counted Genesis 15:5; 22:17
Cosmic light Gen. 1:3; Psa. 74:16
Empty place in North Job 26:7
Earth suspended in space Job 26:7
Entropy increases Psa. 102:25-27
Sound waves from stars Job 38:7
Pleiades star cluster Job 38:31
Sea mounts Jonah 2:3-6
Sea springs Job 38:16; Pro. 8:28
Submarine canyons II Sam. 22:16
Ocean currents Psalm 8:8
Earth not flat Isaiah 40:22
Running water more sanitary, Leviticus 15:13
Circumcision on 8th day Genesis 17:10-12
Electric telephone & TV Job 38:35"

Is evolution a scientific fact (or even a theory) or is it just a religion based on the philosophies of man?  
First we need to define "evolution"...
 
Cosmic evolution: the origin of time/space/matter from nothing in the supposed “Big Bang” 
(The atheists cannot tell us how time, space, and matter evolved. They have no clue and their attempted explanations make no sense whatsoever. Cosmic evolution has no observable, testable, or demonstrable facts to back it up.) 
 
Chemical evolution: all the elements “evolved” from hydrogen.
(Atheists believe that all of the elements on the periodic table "evolved" from hydrogen, which makes no sense, is scientifically impossible, and is not observable, testable, or demonstrable...it is not science.)
 

Stellar evolution: stars formed from dust clouds.
(We have never seen a star form, not once. We see stars fizzle out (stellar explosion) all the time, but we never see stars form. This is in accordance with the Bible's second law of thermodynamics, entropy. This law states that everything in the universe is running down and deteriorating.

  • Psalms 102:25-26 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
  • Romans 8:20-22 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Stellar "evolution" is not observable, testable, or demonstrable...it is not science.)  
 
Organic evolution: life formed from non-living matter.
(This idea is clearly unintelligent, makes no sense, never happens, and is not observable, testable, or demonstrable...it is not science. 'Theories' like "organic evolution" are in no way credible and only children would even consider such thoughts. Children are the only ones that pretend that their non-living toys can come to life. In spite of this, atheists still believe that all animals, plants, and humans all came from a common ancestor (rocks) which demonstrates their fanciful imaginations and immaturity.)

Macro-evolution: plants and animals produce offspring different than their ‘kind’.
(We do not see this happening today and there is no indication that it happened in the past. You can believe that non-living lava/rock eventually "evolved" into living organisms, but that is religion and not science. Macro-evolution is not observable, testable, or demonstrable...it is not science.)  
 

Micro-evolution: variations develop within the kind such as big dogs and little dogs; bacteria becoming resistant to drugs; etc.
(This is true and we can see it happening today, however, this does not prove that God and the Bible are not true.)

--Eli Caldwell

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3)


Question for Baptists: Why do we need the "sinner's prayer"?

I have made several posts exposing the so called "sinner's prayer" as a man made false gospel.

http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-baptist-false-gospel-sinners-prayer.html

http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-gospel-of-grace-of-god-vs_5.html 

I would like to ask any Baptists (or anyone else) why they choose to give the "sinner's prayer" as the way to receive Christ. Why do they do it?

The Baptists are divided on whether or not a sinner must say the sinner's prayer or is faith in Christ alone sufficient for salvation under Grace. Some of them say that you "must" say the sinner's prayer and others say that you do not have to say the prayer but that it is a legitimate option.

Examples of Baptists that believe the "sinner's prayer" is a requirement for salvation are Bob Nappier with Local Church Publishers and John Davis of "Time for Truth" in the UK.

Bob Nappier--"You must believe with all your heart, and call on the Lord to save you. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)" (my emphasis)

John Davis of "Time for Truth"--"If you haven't asked JESUS CHRIST to forgive your sin & come & save you, you're NOT saved; for HE ALONE is the ONLY ONE who can save you!" [His emphasis] (TFT News Issue 28)

An example of a Baptist that does not believe that the "sinner's prayer" is a requirement for salvation but that it is a legitimate option is the excellent Bible defender and teacher, Dr. Peter Ruckman.

"There is nothing in the Scriptures that says you have to pray to get saved." (pg. 406 The Bible Believer's Commentary on Romans BB Bookstore Copyright 2003)

"Now, if prayer is a form of calling upon the name of the Lord (and it certainly is) then if a man confesses his faith in Jesus Christ to God in prayer then he is saved. He might not have to do it just that way, but if he does he isn't working his way to heaven. After all, it isn’t his prayer that saves him anyway, it is Jesus Christ that saves him. But Jesus Christ saves the sinner when he places his faith in Him, and the same Lord who told the sinner to believe, also told him to confess Him with the mouth and call upon His name. You can do both in prayer (Rom 10v13)." (pg. 407 The Bible Believer's Commentary on Romans BB Bookstore Copyright 2003)

My question, why do we need the sinner's prayer, is for those Baptists who believe that the "sinner's prayer" is optional but not required. If they believe that salvation can be received through faith in Christ's shed blood as the Bible states (Rom. 1:16-17, 3:19-28, 4:1-9, 4:21-5:1, Eph. 1:13, 2:8-9, John 1:12-13, 5:24, 11:25-26, 12:36, 12:46), why do they even add the "sinner's prayer" to it? If someone tells you that they are "fully persuaded" and "strong in faith" that Christ died for his/her sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rom. 4:20-21)...why would you then tell them to ask Jesus to save them if you know they are already saved? By doing that, aren't you really saying that faith is not enough to save them? For example, look at this common scenario.

Baptist: Do you believe that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, not trusting your own works to save you but fully trusting Christ's payment for your sins?

Sinner: Yes, I believe that fully in my heart.

Baptist: Then bow your head and ask the Lord to save you and come into your heart.
[By adding the statement "Then bow your head and ask the Lord to save you..." doesn't this mean that the sinner was not saved by believing on Christ? Isn't the Baptist suggesting that the sinner is not saved and does not have the Holy Spirit in his/her heart by believing on Christ, that he/she must say a prayer?]

Which is why I ask: Why do we need the "sinner's prayer"?

The sinner's prayer is unbiblical and is a false gospel. What good does it do anyone? The Lord does not desire to hear a verbal plea for salvation...

Psalms 34:
[15] The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
[16] The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth
.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Proverbs 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

The Lord looks on the heart of man, He does not listen to a sinner. 


John 2:
[24] But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
[25] And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man
.

1 Samuel 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Three reasons why you should not tell someone to say the "sinner's prayer":

1.) It is found nowhere in the Bible.

2.) Audible/verbal prayer is a work (Col. 4:12), which means telling someone to receive Christ through prayer is a works-salvation false gospel (Gal. 1:5-12, Titus 3:4-7, Eph. 1:13, 2:8-9).

3.) Someone may very likely not be confessing Christ in faith when saying the "sinner's prayer". Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

4.) The Lord sees man's faith, He does not need to hear your confessional works: Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Luke 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Get saved and give the PURE gospel of the GRACE of God! --Eli Caldwell

John 1:29... Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

1 Corinthians 15:
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
:

Romans 5:
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life
.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Acts 15:
[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith
.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full...

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Spiritual gifts, signs, and tongues.

Discussions on "spiritual gifts" are often heated and emotional. A lot of people believe that they have seen "miracles" such as healings. Many people believe in laying on of hands, anointing with oil, speaking in tongues, prophesying, etc. These people use personal experiences to back up their 'theology'. On the other hand there many people who have never seen a miraculous healing and do not speak in tongues. Here are some Biblical facts about signs and gifts:

1.) Signs were God's method for the Jews to be convinced of Him and to help them believe.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  
  • John 4:48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. [That is not a compliment]
  • Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
2.) Signs such as healing, tongues, and prophecy are NOT signs of spirituality. Judas Iscariot worked miracles and he was a devil. Paul said that charity was more important.
  • John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
  • Matthew 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3.) Satan uses signs and wonders to deceive people.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
  • Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
4.) The gift of tongues was the ability to speak other languages that you did not already know. Therefore all those who claim to be speaking in tongues today must be doing it in the presence of someone who does not speak English. I have heard people speak in tongues at a church in south Georgia where everyone present already spoke English, which means the 'tongue talker' was just a fool pretending that they could speak in tongues. Not only that, nobody interpreted what was said. [By the way, those south Georgia red necks need someone to teach them good English before they worry about speaking other languages.]
  • Acts 2:4-8 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
5.) There were rules for speaking in tongues.
  • Women were never given the gift of tongues in churches. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
  • Only 2-3 men were allowed to speak in tongues at once. 1 Corinthians 14:27-29 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
  • Someone was to always interpret the tongues.1 Corinthians 14:27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
  • The tongues and prophecies were the word of God and commandments of God, not something made up by the speaker. If the exact statements that were supposedly prophesied were not found in the word of God, then the prophecy was not of God. 1 Corinthians 14:36-37 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
  • The church service is to always be done decently and in order with absolutely no confusion. Therefore if anyone ever claimed to be speaking in tongues and it was confusing, then it was not of God. 1 Corinthians 14:31-33 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
  • The gift of tongues had nothing to do with the edification of believers, its only purpose was to give the gospel to an unbeliever that spoke a foreign language. 1 Corinthians 14:22-23 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
  • Paul said it was better to speak in your own tongue than in an unknown tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

All of those Biblical facts eliminate all of the Charismatics, Pentecostals, and "full gospel" (read that fool gospel) people from being real Christians. Their tongues and prophecies are not of God, they are filled with "another spirit" that is not the Holy Spirit...

2 Corinthians 11:
[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
[4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him
.

The spirit of the Pentecostals is the "spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience"...

Ephesians 2:
[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others
.

Charismatics do not follow the Biblical spiritual gift rules, what they do is not edifying to anyone at all, and nobody ever learns anything from them. The "full gospel" people do not preach the full gospel, which is the sacrificial death/burial/resurrection of Christ and that all who believe will be justified from all their sins (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Acts 13:38-39, 16:30-31, Eph. 1:7, 1:13, 2:8-9).

Are spiritual gifts still in operation today? What is 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 referring to? 

1 Corinthians 13: 
[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known
.    

Is 1 Corinthians 13:8 referring to the completion of scripture or something else? I believe that the Bible teaches that it is referring to the completion of scripture. However, some teach that it is referring to either the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennial Reign of Christ, or when the believer dies and goes to heaven.

Here is why I believe it is referring to the completion of scripture.....

1 Corinthians 13:

[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.


There is our verse. Prophecies, tongues, and supernatural giving of knowledge would cease according to Paul. The issue is when would this occur.

[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Paul states that the supernatural giving of knowledge and prophecies were only PARTIAL revelations, not complete. 

[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

In contrast to the partial revelations of tongues and prophecy, Paul states that something PERFECT will come. When that perfect/complete revelation comes, then the partial revelations of tongues and prophecies will be done away. Now we must conclude what the revelation that is "perfect" is. Is it the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, or when the believer gets to heaven? Or is it the complete scriptures? The context is about having a PERFECTION of what Paul currently only had in PART. That can only be applied to the word of God. Paul did not partially have the Second Coming of Christ waiting to have the complete event. Nor did he partially have the millennial kingdom waiting for a complete one. The context is receiving WORDS from God through tongues and prophecies.   

[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

This statement by Paul further proves that he is referring to the completion of the word of God. Becoming a "man" rather than a "child" has to do with the SCRIPTURES, not the Second Coming or Millennium. That is how Paul uses the phrases in the very next chapter.....


1 Corinthians 14:
[20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Knowing the word of God is what makes you a "man" rather than a "child"!

2 Timothy 3:
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Corinthians 3:
[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

1 Peter 2:
[1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Hebrews 5:
[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

This further proves the point. Paul compares having partial revelations (tongues/prophecies) to looking into a glass darkly. But when the perfect revelation comes (the word of God), that will be like looking into the glass clearly, it will no longer be dark. Then he will be able to see himself (reflection) clearly. James talks about the word of God in the same way using a mirror as an example.


James 1:
[21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
[22] But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
[24] For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
[25] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

The gifts of giving someone the word of God through tongues (human languages), prophecies, and visions ceased when God gave man the last book of the Bible.

The gifts of revelation to man have clearly ceased with the completion of Scripture according to 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. Anyone who claims that God has given them revelation either through tongues, prophecy, or the supernatural giving of knowledge is either a liar or they have been deceived by Satan.

However, spiritual gifts can be divided up into categories.
  1. Revelation gifts: the giving of the word of God to someone supernaturally through psalms, doctrines, tongues, word of wisdom, prophecies, etc. (1 Cor. 12:8, 14:6, 14:26, 14:36-37).  
  2. Sign gifts: healing of deadly wounds and diseases, ability to take up serpents, ability to drink poison, raise the dead, casting out devils, speaking in tongues (Mark 16:17-18).
  3. Ministry gifts: faith, helps, governments (1 Cor. 12:9, 12:28-29). 
The sign gifts, which were for Israel, obviously ceased when God set Israel aside in blindness after the elect remnant believed Paul's gospel and became part of the Church (see the first half of Romans 11). The elect remnant of Israel was saved over the Acts period (Rom. 11:1-14, Acts 13:45-46, 18:5-6, 28:28). Therefore, their sign gifts ceased (1 Cor. 1:22, John 4:48). In Paul's post-Acts epistles he no longer has the gift of healing (1 Tim. 5:23, 2 Tim. 4:20, Phil. 2:25-30).

The revelation gifts obviously ceased when the word of God was completed (1 Cor. 13:8-12).

But what about the ministry gifts of faith, helps, and governments? Governments=bishops and deacons, local church government. Helps=evangelists and teachers. Have these gifts ceased? I believe they have. I do not believe that people are supernaturally given faith or the ability to teach. However, I do believe that there are evangelists and teachers today, only that these were not positions or abilities that they received supernaturally through laying on of hands or anything like that. I do not believe that God gives someone faith miraculously, I believe we have as much faith was we have belief in the word of God. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Likewise I believe that the other ministry gifts can be obtained by studying the word of God in faith (2 Tim. 2:15, Heb. 4:2). I believe Ephesians 4:11-16 explains this.         

Ephesians 4:
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love
.

Verse 11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" This was a past tense giving, Paul did not say that "He gives", he said "He gave".

Verse 12 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" This was the purpose of the gifts.

Verse 13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" This was the duration of the gifts. What is the unity of the faith? Well the faith is obviously the word of God (Titus 1:4, 1:9, Acts 13:7-8) and the unity of the word of God would be the completion of it. That which is perfect, whole (1 Cor. 13:10). Before all 66 books of the Bible were completed the word of God was being given by prophets and apostles, but after the 66 books were finished the Body of Christ no longer needed the apostles and prophets to give them the word of God. We now have the unity of faith. Ephesians 4:13 goes on to say "of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man" which clearly is referring to the word of God. The knowledge of the Son of God comes from the Scriptures (John 5:39, 5:46-47, 1 Cor. 2:13). All the knowledge of the Son of God that we are going to get in this life comes from the word of God, not listening to apostles, evangelists, pastors, or prophets. How do we come to the "knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man"? All scripture is given by inspiration of God,..That the man of God may be perfect (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Verse 14 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine"  This statement by Paul further proves that he is referring to the completion of the word of God. Becoming a "man" rather than a "child" has to do with understanding the scriptures, not listening/learning from pastors/evangelists/apostles. Being a man vs a child is always connected with the scriptures......


  • 1 Corinthians 14:20-21 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
  • 2 Timothy 3:13-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
  • 1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
  • Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
--Eli Caldwell