Is Tithing A New Testament Requirement?

 A.C.Pike

Introduction

In this article, I will address the subject of Tithing and see if it is still binding on Christians, Today? Some Pentecostal churches require their members to tithe money to their Pastor. Even some Presbyterian churches require their congregants to tithe money as part of the Minister salary? But what does the Bible say?

Old Testament Tithing

In the nation of Israel, there were Tweleve Tribes of Israel. Each of these tribes could be traced back through Jewish History to Abraham and the Patriarchs. Jesus was/is of the tribe of Judah. Hence his title 'The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.' Of these Twelve Tribes, Eleveen of them had secular jobs. The Twelth Tribe (The Levites) worked all day in the Temple offering up sacrifices for the people. This was a full-time job for them. Due to this, they could not go out to work and earn a living, and they could not go into the field to plant, harvest, and pick crops. So they needed some kind of means to sustain and feed themselves. So the Jews (the other Eleveen Tribes) were required to make a ten percent tithe of what they had to the Levites so that the Levites had a source of living (Numbers 18:21-32).

What Did The Jews Tithe?

It is surprising to learn that the Jews (the other Eleveen Tribes) never tithed money! That's right, they never gave a monetary donation as a source of income to the Levites. So what did the Jews tithe? Here is a list of some of the things that the Jews tithed to the Levites:

1) Corn (Deuteronomy 14:23).

2) Oil (Deuteronomy 14:23).

3) Wine (Deuteronomy 14:23).

4) Herds/Flock (Deuteronomy 14:23).

5) Seed (Leviticus 27:30).

6) Fruit (Leviticus 27:30). 

7) Grain (2 Chronicles 31:5).

8) Honey (2 Chronicles 31:5).

9) Dough (Nehemiah 10:37). 

10) Jesus mentions herbs and spices being tithed (Matthew 23:23).

So as we can see, a tithe was a food item given to the Levites as part of a means of living. 

Christian Giving

As Christians, we are no longer under the Ceremonial or Judicial Laws that were once a part of the nation of Israel. We no longer have a Levite class offering up sacrifices for our sins. We no longer have to provide food for the Levites while they are offering service in the Temple. 

As Christians, we give to those in need (2 Corinthians 9:1), and we do this out of the goodness of our hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Quotes

All quotes taken from the Authorised Version (king James) Bible

Acts 3 Past And Furture

 A.C.Pike

Introduction

I am currently having a debate online with a Christian with regard to Scriptures fulfilled, and Scriptures not yet fulfilled. These Scriptures mentioned are in Acts chapter three. Below, I will explain the context of these.

Acts Chapter Three

The two Scriptures discussed are Acts 3:18 and Acts 3:20-21.

The first Scripture, Acts 3:18 mentions all the prophecies being fulfilled with regard to the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The first time Jesus came to earth was as the suffering Servant, the Lamb of God who died for the sins of mankind. The text of Scriptures informs us that, "By the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled" (verse 18 AV/KJV). All prophecies pertaining to Christ's sacrificial death and suffering are fulfilled. 

The Second Scripture, Acts 3:20-21, mentions Jesus being sent again, a second time, - Heaven is holding him "Until the times of restoration of all things" (verse 21 AV/KJV). Jesus will one Day return to this earth to restore all things.

The Second time Jesus comes, he will be as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He will return in judgment to punish the wicked and to reward the Saints (Revelation 20:11-15).

There are Old Testament Scriptures that have not been fulfilled. These will be fulfilled when Jesus returns. These Scriptures talk about Jesus removing sin and death from the earth.

Conclusion

Acts Chapter Three is mentioning two different events. One, Christ's suffering sacrificial death that was fulfilled. Two, the return of Christ to restore all things (removing sin and death).

References

AV/KJV Bible

All Men Unto Me (John 12:32)

 A.C.Pike

Introduction

In John 12:32, Jesus says that he will draw "all men" unto him. Most Christians (Arminians) take this to mean all human beings - the offer of universal salvation. However, some Christians (Calvinists) take this to mean all kinds of men - Jehovah choosing in his sovereignty who will be saved.

So which is correcrt?

Scripture

In the context of the Scripture Jesus is in Bethany (Israel). He is speaking to the Jews (verses 9-11). Then, Jesus starts heading to Jerusalem (verse 12). Many of these Jews went to meet him (verse 12). There were Pharisees (Jews) present (verse 19). His followers (Jews) were also with him (verse 22). We then read that some Greeks "came up to worship at the feast (verse 20). So there were both Jews and Gentiles (Greeks) there.

We now have the context and setting of this Scripture. 

All Men Unto Men

As we know from Scripture, not all men are saved. The Bible says that the way to life is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:14), but the broad way leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). Only a few (not many) people are saved - the majority of people go into destruction (Hell). 

In Romans 9:21-23, we read that God who is the Potter of his clay (human creation) has predestined "vessels of wrath" to destruction and "vessels of mercy" to glory. In his sovereignty as the Creator he has chosen to save some people and to condemn others. 

These Scriptures refute Universal Salvation.

Conclusion

As we can see, Jesus didn't save every human being that has ever lived. He saved all kinds of men, both Jew and Gentile. 

Notes

All quotes taken from the AV/KJV Bible

Who Are The Sons Of God?

 A.C.Pike

Introduction

Who are the sons of God? There are two groups of Christians who have different views with regards to who the sons of God are mentioned in Genesis chapter Six? Some Christians believe that they are fallen Angels. Where as, another group of Christians believe they are human beings from the faithful line of Seth. So which viewpoint is correct?

In this article, I will give my reason, from Scripture, why I believe that the sons of God in Genesis chapter Six are faithful human beings from the line of Seth.

Fallen Angels

In the book of Job, the holy Angels in Heaven are called the "sons of God" (Job 1:6 & Job 2:1). This, along with the reference to the phrase the "sons of God" (Genesis 6:1), are two Old Testament quotations to this term. It is on this basis that some Christians believe that Moses is referring to fallen Angels (Job 1:6 & 2:1). The Genesis account records how the sons of God looked upon the daughters of men lustfully and fell for them. People who hold the view that Angels married women believe that a super-hybrid race of beings was created in this interaction. And it is these Creatures that God sent down into Tartarus. 

The Line Of Seth

The other view is that there were faithful men of the line of Seth who fell for ungodly women. These men were truned away from serving the Lord to worshiping other deities. - We have many references to human beings being called "sons of God." These Scriptures (Romans 8:14,19; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-2) all call human beings sons of God.

The Book Of Enoch

There is a book called Enoch that dates to 100BC with some of it's fragments dating to 200-300BC. This book gives an account of Angels marrying women. But what we must remember as Christians is that this book is not a part of divinely inspired Scripture and therefore not canonical. We have to put the Bible first in all matters of faith. 

Angels Or Humans

As we have seen, the Bible calls both Angels (Job 1:6 & 2:1) and humans (Romans 8:14,19; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-2 sons of God.

So which is correct?

Genesis "After Ther Kind."

In Genesis 1:25, we read that God created the animals "after their kind." In other words, animals were created into specific groups i.e. 1) Dogs and Wolves are related. 2) Demesicated Cats and big Cats (Lions) are related. 3) Doves and Pigeons are related. We can not breed a Lion with a Dog. In a similar way, we can not breed a human with an Angels.

Jesus' Own Words

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is refuting the Sadducess with regards to marriage in the resurrection. The Sadducess were a group of Jews who didn't believe in either the resurrection of the dead or Angels. They tried to tempt Jesus by giving him an account of a woman who's husband had died, then after his death, she married his all Seven brothers. They posed the question to Jesus asking him who's wife she would be in the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33). Jesus said, "In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven (Matthew 22:30 AV/KJV). In other words, Angels don't marry and reproduce. So in the future resurrection of the dead, neither will human beings.

Conclusion

So, as we can see from Scripture (Jesus' own words) Angels don't marry. So they, the sons of God mentioned in Genesis Six, are men.

References

The Authorised (King James) Bible.

The Ruler Of The Air

 A.C.Pike

Introduction

This post is not to glorify Satan in anyway whatsoever, but to show from Scripture that Satan is the evil ruler of this present world (age/system). 

Kingdoms Of The World

In two of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew and Luke), we see Satan trying to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ (Chapter Four). In this temptation, Satan offers Jesus the kingdoms of this world if he will bow down and worship him (Matthew 4:8-10). If these kingdoms were not Satan's to give, then how could he offer them to Jesus?

After Jesus' ascension into Heaven (when he receives all power and authority), we read in the book of Revelation that the Dragon (Satan) "gave power unto the beast" (Revelation 13:4). This beast has ten horns on it's heads (Revelation 13:1). These horns are ten kings that rise up (Revelation 17:12). As we know, kings have to have kingdoms to rule over. So these horns are kings who reign over kingdoms. 

Their (The Beasts And Kingdoms) Ruler

The Apostle Paul in his Second letter to the Corinthians calls Satan the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), stating that Satan is the present ruler of this world (age).

In another letter, the Apostle Paul calls Satan "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). The Greek reads "the ruler of the power of the air."

The Apostle John who wrote the book of Revelation, says that "the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19). The Greek word for wickedness can also be translated as "the evil one" (NKJV).

Jesus himself calls Satan the "prince of the world" (John 14:30), clearly stating that Satan is the ruler (prince) of the world (order).

As we can see from the above Scriptures, Satan is the "god" and "ruler/prince" of this present wolrd (fallen age/order).

The Sovereign Lord

I would like to say that the absolute ruler of the Heavens and the Earth is the only true God, Jehovah. It is he alone that is Universal Sovereign and Supreme Ruler of all things. 

Notes

The first beast mentioned in Revelation 13 is the combining of the four major kingdoms (Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greece, and Rome) that Satan uses to attack Israel.

Scriptures

All Bible quotes taken from the AV/KJV Bible except for 1 John 5:19 where both the AV/KJV and NKJV are referenced. 

An Antichrist (2 John 1:7)

 A.C.Pike

Introduction

In this brief article, I will explain who the 'antichrists' of the Apostle John's Day were. 

Scripture

The Bible reads, "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." (2 John 1:7).

Text

In the above Scripture ( 2 John 1:7), John mentions that there were "many deceivers" in the world. These false teachers went out into the world teaching false doctrines. The false doctrine that they were teaching was that Christ had not come in the flesh. 

One of the core Christian tenets is the belief that Jesus Christ came in the flesh (born of a virgin) and lived a human life. There was a group of people called the Gnostics who believed that flesh is evil. There was also another group of people called the Docetists who taught that Jesus appeared as a mere human. These two groups of people denied the literal physical body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The belief that Jesus was human (flesh) is equally important as the Doctrine of the Trinity or the belief of being saved by grace.

Conclusion

As we can see, John makes it clear that to be a TRUE believer of Jesus, you have to believe that he had (and has) a literal physical human body.

Notes

The Authorised (King James) Bible.

Key Biblical Words In Eschatology And Prophecy

 A.C.PIke

Introduction

In this brief article, I am going to mention and explain some key terminologies to help us understand the meaning of eschatology and Prophecy.

Terminology

The Seven churches (Revelation 1-3) are the seven locations where Christians are gathered for worship and fellowship. 

The seven bowls, seals, and trumpets are God's jugements. 

The Great Red Dragon, the original Serpent, the prince of the air, the god of this system, Belial, Satan the Dragon, is a fallen Angel.

A third of the stars that fell from Heaven are Demons.

Michael is the Archangel or Chief Angel.

Angels (Messengers) are spirit beings who serve and worship God.

The woman who flees is 'true' Israel - God's people.

The Synagogue of Satan are Jews who have rejected Jesus as the Messiah.

The Head of gold/The Lion with Eagle's wings is Babylon.

The Arms of silver/The Bear/The Two Horned Ram is the Medo-Persians.

The body of brass/bronze/ The Leopard/ The Ram is Greece.

The Little Horn is Antiochus VI.

The King of the North and the King of the South are Egypt and Syria, respectively. 

The Legs of Iron/The Terrible Beast/The Beast from the Sea is Rome.

The Ten Heads/Ten Horns/Ten Crowns are the Pagan nations that later become the European kingdoms.

The Little Horn is the Papacy.

The Great City is Rome. This is the geographical location of Imperial and Papal Rome. 

The Beast represents a Kingdom, the Woman represents a False Religion, and the Merchants represent Traders.

The False Prophets is a false Religious System (apostate Christians).

The sheep are believers (one fold of Jews and Gentiles) coming together to worship God.

The Goats are the unbelievers. 

The Wheat are the true believers, the Tares are false Christians, and the Field is the world.

Conclusion

As we can see, knowing the above terms helps us to understand eschatology and prophecy more clearly.

Addition

I am mentioning these terms because, God willing, I hope to do an in-depth article about Eschatology and biblical prophecy. 

Notes

More to be added along with Scriptural References.