Paul’s Plans, Final Instructions, and Greetings

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 16

 

1 Corinthians 16:15-16

 Now I urge you, brothers^[c]—you know that the household^[d] of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— ¹⁶ be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 

(ESV)

 

As the book of 1 Corinthians ends, Paul offers his plans to visit them, gives them some final instructions and encouragement, and gives them greetings from other Churches and Church leaders. While these instructions from Paul apply to the Church in Corinth, they have practical application to the Church of today. This is especially important to today’s Church living in the digital age with increased temptation and persecution. In this text, Paul provides his,

 

1)      Plans for receiving a collection for the Church in Jerusalem and travel (1 Corinthians 16:1-11) – Paul plans to come to Corinth to collect an offering for the Church in Jerusalem. He wants the Corinthians to collect the offering before he comes to them and when he arrives send men with the gift to Jerusalem and if it is advisable to have Paul go with them. Paul also plans to visit the Church at Corinth after passing through Macedonia. Even though Paul stated he could accompany the men with the offering to Jerusalem, he planned to stay in Corinth for a while. However, he has a wide-open door to minister in Ephesus and will remain there till Pentecost. He instructs them to put Timothy at ease when he comes and not to despise him.

2)      Final instructions (1 Corinthians 16:12-18) – Even though strongly urged by Paul, Apollos does not intend to come to Corinth but will come when he has an opportunity. Paul’s final instructions to the Corinthians in this letter include being watchful, firm in their faith, to act like men, to be strong, and to do all with love. Paul urges them to be subject to men such as Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus who have been of immense help to Paul.

3)      Greetings (1 Corinthians 16:19-24) – The Corinthians receive greetings from the churches in Asia, Aquila and Prisca along with the Church in their house, and all the brothers. Paul personally wrote this greeting in his own hand and told them that anyone without love for the Lord is accursed. He concludes by asking that the grace of the Lord and his love be with them.

 

In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul has addressed many problems in the Church. In these final instructions we see Paul instructing them to be watchful against false teaching and deception (1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:33). They are to stand strong in the faith and not fall into immorality or compromise with the world (1 Corinthians 5, 6:12-20). They are to act like men and not have childish divisions among them like which minister they prefer and instead be men of God, following Christ (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). Finally, they are to be strong against any persecution that will come (Romans 8:35-39). Paul urged the Corinthians to subject themselves to leaders devoted to serving the Lord like Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and teachers of the word of God like Timothy. Paul sends them his love and God’s grace until he can visit them (1 Corinthians 16:23-24).

 

I have heard it said that if we find the perfect Church, leave it before we mess it up. There is no perfect church for the Church consists of fallen people, redeemed by the blood of Christ. while these redeemed people have a right standing with God, they are not perfect and need to confess their sins to God and receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Therefore, every Church has aspects of the problems found in the Church in Corinth and must follow the final instructions of Paul,

 

1)      We must be watchful and stand against false and deceptive teaching because, with the invention of digital media, deception spreads quickly. Therefore, the Church must also use digital media to quickly reveal deception when it becomes aware of it.

2)      We must be strong in faith and not give in to the temptation of immorality. The prevalence of pornography readily available on digital devices like computers, tablets, and phones means one needs to be diligent in his or her faith to remain strong.

3)      Have spiritual maturity through diligent study of Scripture. It is also crucial for unity in the body of Christ to hold each other accountable and help in the development of spiritual maturity for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

4)      Remain strong when facing tribulation, something Jesus said would come, remembering Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

 

If anyone is reading this and has not prayed to receive Jesus as their savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Avoiding Dangerous and Deceptive Apostasy

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 12:1-28

 

Ezekiel 12:27-28

“Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ ²⁸ Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord

(ESV)

 

We live in a world full of deception and why we must check all information for its authenticity. This is especially true in the information age where anyone can find information on the internet that may or may not be true because anyone can post something deceptive or false online. Checking information is especially vital for information presented as coming from God and why we must weigh all words presented as coming from God against the source, the Bible.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord that begins with the Lord reminding Ezekiel he lives in a rebellious house that refuses to see or hear from the Lord (Ezekiel 12:1-2). The Lord then instructs Ezekiel to prepare an exile’s baggage and go into exile by day in the sight of the people in the hope the people will understand the words from the Lord despite their rebellion (Ezekiel 12:3). The Lord also instructs Ezekiel to go out in the evening like one forced into exile (Ezekiel 12:4). Ezekiel is to dig through the wall and bring his baggage through the wall, carrying it over his shoulder covering his face so he does not see the land as a sign for the house of Israel (Ezekiel 12:5-6). Ezekiel did as God instructed (Ezekiel 12:7).

 

In the morning after doing what the Lord instructed, Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord asking Ezekiel if the house of Israel has asked him what he is doing (Ezekiel 12:8-9). In response to this question, Ezekiel is to tell them what he has done illustrates what is going to happen to them. The house of Israel shall go into exile (Ezekiel 12:10-11). Ezekiel tells the prince of Jerusalem that he shall lift his bag over his shoulder at dusk and go out through a hole in the wall, covering his face so he shall not see the land (Ezekiel 12:12). The Lord will spread His net over the prince, taking him in his snare, bringing him to Babylon but he will not see it and die there (Ezekiel 12:13). The Lord will scatter those around the prince including his helpers and troops, coming after them with the sword so they know the Lord is the Lord as the Lord disperses them among the nations (Ezekiel 12:14-15). However, the Lord will let some escape the sword, famine, and pestilence so they can declare their abominations among the nations, knowing the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 12:16).

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord telling Ezekiel to eat his bread with quaking and drink water with trembling and anxiety (Ezekiel 12:17-18). The word from the Lord also tells the inhabitants of Jerusalem to eat their bread with quaking and drink their water with trembling and anxiety (Ezekiel 12:19). This is because the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become desolate so the inhabitants of Jerusalem will know the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 12:20).

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord regarding a proverb among the people that says the time of Ezekiel’s word that the people will go into exile has grown long and the visions of Ezekiel have not yet come to pass (Ezekiel 12:21-22). Ezekiel is to let them know this proverb is going to end because the words of the Lord spoken by Ezekiel and his visions are going to come to pass (Ezekiel 12:23). The Lord declares an end to false visions and flattering words in Israel because He is the Lord and will perform all that He has declared (Ezekiel 12:24-25). The concluding vision of the Lord to Ezekiel declares there will no longer be any delay because the Lord will perform what He has spoken (Ezekiel 12:26-28).

 

False prophets have been tickling the ears of the people of Israel, telling them what they want to hear, that they will not be going into exile. The Lord has had enough of these false prophecies and instructs Ezekiel to illustrate what is about to happen to the people with the Lord warning them that time is short and that they will be going into exile. Ezekiel is not the only prophet to call out the false prophets for Jeremiah compared these false prophets to wind void of a Word from the Lord also letting the people of Judah and Jerusalem know they would go into exile (Jeremiah 5:12-17). Yet the people of Judah and Jerusalem ignored the words from the Lord uttered by both Jeremiah and Ezekiel and went into exile.

 

Jesus entrusted His Church with the mission of spreading the Gospel or Good News of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). However, the Church acts as a watchman and must guard against false and deceptive doctrine infiltrating the Church that tickles the ears of the congregation and does not align with the truth of the Bible. Paul warned his protégé Timothy that the time would come when Church congregants would find teachers that suit their own needs (1 Timothy 4:3). A look at the teaching propagated in many churches, on TV, on radio, and on the internet indicates that time has come.

 

The true Church teaching the principles of the Bible must fulfill the role of Ezekiel and speak out against any false doctrine propagated in the Church or over media. This includes Churches that diminish or do not speak of the sin in the lives of people, replacing it with a self-help message that God will give one anything they want, confusing wants with needs (Philippians 4:19). This also includes the adoption of the wokeness that has infected our culture that is racist pitting one group against another, fails to speak out against abortion on demand, supports same-sex marriage, and believes that God can make mistakes with the gender He gives to people. A word of warning to ministers supporting these issues, you will face God someday and give account of your support of these teachings. Fortunately, it is not too late to repent of teaching these false doctrines and return to teaching the truths contained in Scripture.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus the Lord of your life with the reward of eternal life (John 3:16), I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Merry Christmas to everyone and please read the Christmas stories in Luke 2:1-21 and Matthew 2:1-12, taking time to reflect on the reason we celebrate Christmas. 

A Mystery Bringing Hope and a Sense of Urgency

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

 

1 Corinthians 15:55

“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

(ESV)

 

The struggles and challenges of life can cause one to lose hope, especially if one does not have hope in Christ from a personal relationship. However, even those who know Jesus as their personal savior can lose hope during times of struggle by focusing on their circumstances instead of the eternal hope they have in Christ. In this text, Paul reveals a mystery that should bring us hope but also create a sense of urgency to remain diligent and steadfast in declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

The text begins with Paul telling the Corinthians that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:50). This means it is not our present flesh and blood bodies that move on for eternity, but the resurrected bodies provided at the resurrection of the dead. However, there is a mystery Paul must reveal that all will not experience death but instead experience change in an instant at the last trumpet. When the last trumpet sounds the dead will rise in their resurrected bodies and those in Christ who are alive changed (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Our perishable mortal bodies must change into imperishable and immortal bodies to inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:53). This transformation brings victory over death as those in Christ receive their imperishable immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:54).

 

At this moment in the text, Paul taunts death asking where its victory and sting are (1 Corinthians 15:55). The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law with the resurrection of Jesus Christ freeing us from sin’s sting and power over our lives (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). Therefore, Paul urges the Church in Corinth to remain steadfast, immovable, and abounding, or diligent, in the work of the Lord, because our work in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

 

After Paul’s teaching of the resurrection of Christ providing the path to salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-11), the importance of believing in the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-34), and the resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15:35-49), Paul unveils the mystery of the rapture of the Church (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Paul began this chapter by teaching how the resurrection of Jesus Christ not only provided a path to salvation, but that Jesus was the first fruit of the resurrection of the dead, indicating there would be others. However, it is not possible to believe this if one does not believe in the resurrection of the dead, an issue Paul handles in 1 Corinthians 15:12-34. Paul then describes the qualities of the resurrected body with this text explaining the mystery of how believers will receive their resurrected body (1 Corinthians 15:50-58), something reinforced in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. This passage provides hope of eternity with Christ, but Paul also calls the Corinthians to abound in the work of the Lord knowing it is not in vain but points to eternal life with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:58).

 

As we look at what is occurring in our world, we observe ungodliness at an unprecedented level. Abortion murdering the unborn before they can even take their first breath. Society's acceptance of homosexuality with pressure put on the church to accept it with many Churches giving in to the pressure. Transgenderism changing society's definition of what it is to be a man or a woman, slapping God in the face for the gender He provided them. The world needs Jesus but the clock is ticking, creating a sense of urgency to tell everyone about the Gospel before the Lord raptures the Church so no one left behind does so without warning.

 

Like the Corinthian Church, the Church today must be diligent in their work of spreading the Gospel and making disciples (1 Corinthians 15:58). However, the Church of today more resembles the Laodicean Church believing their wealth and prosperity were all they need and that they did not need Christ (Revelation 3:15-17). The Church lacking a sense of urgency in spreading the Gospel risks Jesus standing outside a closed door when the rapture comes (Revelation 3:20) instead of an open door like the Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7). The Church today needs to return to the mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples with a sense of urgency because the time is short (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). If anyone is reading this and has not prayed to accept Jesus as their personal savior, I urge them to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

Israel's New Heart and Spirit

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 11:14-25

 

Ezekiel 11:17-19

 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ ¹⁸ And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. ¹⁹ And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.

(ESV)

 

The Lord gave His Church a clear mission, to share the Gospel or good news of salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). However, before one will accept the message of the Gospel, they to know why they need to make this important change in their lives. The biblical reason for needing the Gospel is sin for we have all sinned and have a death penalty for that sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Therefore, part of presenting the Gospel involves the mention of sin in one’s life, answering the question of why one needs salvation. Unfortunately, in many churches there is a lack of mentioning sin and why people need Jesus.

 

God gives Ezekiel a word for those among them that they can go far from following the Lord because God has given them the land as a possession (Ezekiel 11:14-15). God tells Ezekiel to tell the people that even though they are scattered among the nations, God has been a sanctuary to them, protecting them while in exile (Ezekiel 11:16). Ezekiel then gives a prophecy from God, telling the people they will return to the land, remove all the detestable things from the land, and God will give them a new heart and spirit of obedience to God (Ezekiel 11:17-20). However, those choosing not to repent of their detestable and abominable sins will suffer the consequences of their sins (Ezekiel 11:21).

 

Ezekiel then sees the cherubim lift their wings with the wheels beside them with the glory of the Lord of Israel over them (Ezekiel 11:22). The glory of the Lord then lifted up from the middle of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city (Ezekiel 11:23). The Spirit then lifted Ezekiel up to Chaldea and the exiles with Ezekiel telling the exiles what the Lord had shown him (Ezekiel 11:24-25).

 

According to Jeremiah 29:11, the exile of the people of Israel was not for their destruction but for their correction. Ezekiel 11:14-25 is a promise of returning to Israel for those repenting of their detestable and abominable acts. However, those choosing not to accept the correction of the Lord through lack of repentance for their detestable and abdominal acts will suffer the consequences of their actions (Ezekiel 11:21). As the watchman for Israel, Ezekiel tells the exiles the intention of the Lord to return those repenting to Israel (Ezekiel 11:22-25).

 

Many Churches today have abandoned the mission given to them by Jesus (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), a mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and instead more resemble a social club or a self-help organization. While social activities that promote fellowship among believers in Christ and believers receiving encouragement from the Word of God are good, the Church must not lose its missional focus. In fact, some Churches, even some mega-churches no longer mention sin and instead give congregants the impression the Bible promises an abundance of material prosperity with sin not a problem because of God’s grace (John 10:10). They also quote Philippians 4:19 confusing needs with wants, interpreting this verse to promise God will give believers everything they want if they have enough faith.

 

Those preaching this prosperity gospel use God by taking passages of scripture out of context to increase membership and contributions by using Luke 6:38 to mean giving to their ministry guarantees prosperity. These ministers are like those mentioned by Ezekiel who said, “Go far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.” Even though God created everything we see in the world, God is a good father who does not want to spoil his children with everything they may want. Instead, God does not want anyone to perish in their sins (2 Peter 3:9) but to repent and have salvation from their sins through confession of their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). If you have never repented of your sins and found salvation through belief in Jesus as your savior, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Resurrection Body: God’s Gift of Grace to Humanity

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

 

1 Corinthians 15:48-49

As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall^[b] also bear the image of the man of heaven.

(ESV)

As I grow older, I have grown to look forward to the receipt of my spiritual body, a body free of aches, pains, and disease. While I would prefer receiving my spiritual body at the rapture escaping death, I do not care if God wills that I receive it through death (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The resurrected body a believer receives at the resurrection of the dead is a reward a believer can look forward to, especially as he or she grows older.

 

Paul begins this text with questions of how the dead are raised and what kind of body they will have (1 Corinthians 15:35). He then says that the questions are foolish using an agrarian example of how a seed planted does not come to life unless it dies (1 Corinthians 15:36). The bodies we presently have are not what we will have for eternity but must die and be buried to resurrect into the body God has chosen for us (1 Corinthians 15:37-38). Not all flesh is the same in God’s creation and there are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies because the glory of the heavenly body differs from the glory of the earthly body (1 Corinthians 15:39-40). All of God’s creation has a unique glory of its own (1 Corinthians 15:41).

 

The illustration of the seed illustrates the nature of the resurrected body. The natural body is sown in death with dishonor and in weakness but resurrected imperishable with glory and in power (1 Corinthians 15:42-43). We presently have a natural body that dies and is buried in the grave and at the resurrection of the dead we will receive a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:44). At our natural birth we receive a natural body and inherit our sinful nature and why all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23). Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be born again or experience a spiritual birth so we can receive a spiritual body at the resurrection of the dead from the life-giving spirit, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45; John 3:1-8). The natural man is of the dust and at death returns to the dust but the spiritual man is from heaven, coming to earth in a natural body and dying without sin but rising from the dead and ascending to sit at the right hand of God in heaven (Acts 7:56; 1 Corinthians 15:46-48). While on this earth we have the image of the man of dust, the flesh, but through belief also bear the image of the man of heaven which will manifest as a resurrected body at the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:49).

 

With an established belief in the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-34), Paul now begins a discourse on the resurrected body (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). God created the first Adam as a living being but because of his sin, Adam died (Genesis 3). The second Adam, Jesus, took on the form of the first Adam but without the corruption of sin, taking the curse of sin upon himself and buried it with him through death only to arise a spiritual being (1 Corinthians 15:42-45; 2 Corinthians 5:21). One living without a belief in the resurrection of the dead has no hope for they believe death is final. Better to have a belief in the resurrection of the dead and a hope of eternal life after death with Jesus.

 

John 3:16 is the most quoted and memorized verse in the Bible but with its frequent quoting and memorization, we can recite it without taking time to interpret what it says and apply it to our lives. Let us take a moment to look at this verse for within it we find the most foundational theology of the Church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

1)      God’s love for humanity – “For God so Loved the World.” Humanity was the highest order of God’s creation and given one simple command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). Adam and Eve disobeyed this one command (Genesis 3:6) and because of their sin were evicted from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). If God did not love humanity, the Bible would have ended with Genesis 3, but God loves the world and humanity offering a promise of a redeemer in Genesis 3:15 with the rest of the narrative of the Bible a love story of Gods plan to redeem fallen humanity.

2)      The gift of God’s son – God gave humanity the greatest gift of love He had to offer, his only son Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is God (John 1:14), those who saw Jesus were seeing God (John 14:9). God then does the unthinkable and allows Himself to be crucified for the sins of humanity and by resurrecting from the dead, provides humanity with an opportunity to have a resurrected body for eternity (2 Corinthians 5:21).

3)      God’s grace – For anyone to have an eternal relationship with God like God intended, is not something one earns but something given to anyone who believes, but what does one need to place their belief in? According to Romans 10:9-10, it is a belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through confession with one’s mouth. The gift is given through God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) but one must accept the gift (Romans 10:9-10).

4)      Resurrection to eternal life – One accepting the gift of grace from God receives eternal life and a resurrected body. Believers who once bore the image of Adam, the man of dust, now have the image of the man of heaven, Jesus, and will receive a resurrected body like that of Jesus, minus the scars (Colossians 1:15).

 

If you are reading this and have not accepted the gift of grace from God, I invite you to do so by praying with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

Judgment of Wicked Counselors

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 11:1-13

 

Ezekiel 11:1-2

The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the house of the Lord, which faces east. And behold, at the entrance of the gateway there were twenty-five men. And I saw among them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. ² And he said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity and who give wicked counsel in this city.

(ESV)

 

We appear to be living in the time foretold by Paul to Timothy, a time when people turn away from listening to the truth of the Word of God and instead seek teachers suiting their own passions (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The Church is full of Jaazaniahs and Pelatiahs who condone iniquity by not teaching the consequences of sin and instead preach a theology of cheap grace that allows individuals to continue living in sin. As watchmen in the Church, those believing that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that we are not to continue living in sin but live transformed lives (Romans 6:1-4, 12:1-2) must speak out.

 

The Spirit of God lifts Ezekiel up and brings him to the east gate of the house of the Lord where he sees twenty-five men. Among the twenty-five men are Jaazaniah and Pelatiah who are princes of the people (Ezekiel 11:1). The Lord then tells Ezekiel that Jaazaniah and Pelatiah are the men who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in Jerusalem telling the people the time is not near and+ to build houses (Ezekiel 11:2-3). The Lord then tells Ezekiel to prophesy (Ezekiel 11:4).

 

Then the Spirit of the Lord fell on Ezekiel telling him to remind Jaazaniah and Pelatiah that the Lord knows the things that come into their minds (Ezekiel 11:5). Jaazaniah and Pelatiah have devised iniquity and given wicked counsel that has filled the streets of Jerusalem with the slain, turning the city into a cauldron, but the Lord shall remove Jaazaniah and Pelatiah from it (Ezekiel 11:6-7). Jaazaniah and Pelatiah have feared the sword and now the sword will come upon them declares the Lord (Ezekiel 11:8). The Lord will take them out of the city and give them into the hands of foreigners, executing judgments upon them (Ezekiel 11:9). Jaazaniah and Pelatiah will fall by the sword, be judged at the border of Israel, and know that the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 11:10). Jerusalem will not be a cauldron to Jaazaniah and Pelatiah with them judged at the border of Israel (Ezekiel 11:11). God wants these men to know that He is the Lord and that they have not walked in the Lord’s statutes or obeyed His rules and instead have acted according to the rules of the nations that are all around Israel (Ezekiel 11:12). However, while Ezekiel is prophesying, Pelatiah dies leading to Ezekiel falling on his face, asking if the Lord God intends to eliminate the remnant of Israel (Ezekiel 11:13).

 

Jaazaniah and Pelatiah are the wicked counselors who have devised iniquity and provided wicked counsel in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 11:2-3). Their wicked counsel provides false security for the people of Jerusalem, allowing them to continue in their iniquity without fear of any consequences. As a watchman, Ezekiel must prophesy against them as instructed by the Lord (Ezekiel 11:4). These men fear the sword and will have the sword brought upon them but not in Jerusalem and instead at the hands of foreigners (Ezekiel 11:8-10). However, Pelatiah dies while Ezekiel is prophesying, leading Ezekiel to fall on his face and cry out asking if God will make a full end of the remnant of Israel (Ezekiel 11:13).

 

Woe to Church leaders who teach that the grace of God covers all iniquity so one can have security in their salvation while continuing to live in sin. The Apostle Paul spoke out against such an abuse of grace, asking why one who has died to sin would continue to live in sin (Romans 6:1-4). Like the false comfort given to Israel by Jaazaniah and Pelatiah, telling the people to go ahead and build houses because the time of God’s judgment on them was not near, not warning believers about sin in their lives provides a false sense of hope. While it is true that the grace of God saves us (Ephesians 2:8-9), the Bible also tells us not to conform to the world but to experience transformation in our lives through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).

 

Like Ezekiel who had the calling of a watchman carrying the responsibility to warn people of the consequences of sin in their lives (Ezekiel 3:16-21), Church leaders are the watchman of their congregations and must warn people of the consequences of continuing in sin. Since all in their congregations have sinned (Romans 3:23), it is a dereliction of duty for them to fail to mention sin from the pulpit out of fear of offending someone. I urge all Church leaders not to be like Jaazaniah or Pelatiah and give their congregants false hope by abusing God’s grace and instead, declare the truth of God’s word that leads to a closer relationship with God in their lives. If you are reading this and have not prayed to enter into a personal relationship with God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Resurrection of the Dead

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

 

1 Corinthians 15:12

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

(ESV)

 

I once heard a pastor equate the celebration of Resurrection Sunday or Easter to the Super Bowl saying that the celebration was Super Bowl Sunday for Christians. In the text of 1 Corinthians 5:12-34, the Apostle Paul enters the disagreement between the Sadducees and Pharisees regarding the belief in the resurrection of the dead, bringing the resurrection of Jesus Christ into the discussion. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundational component of Christian theology with one unable to have this belief without a belief in the resurrection of the dead.

 

The text begins with Paul asking how one could proclaim Jesus arose from the dead and believe there is no resurrection of the dead, asking how Christ could resurrect from the dead if there is no resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-13). Since Paul’s preaching has the resurrection of Jesus as its foundation, belief in no resurrection of the dead would mean the preaching of the Gospel and faith in Christ for salvation are in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14-17). Lack of the resurrection of Christ would also mean those who have died in Christ have perished leaving one placing their hope in Christ with no hope (1 Corinthians 15:18-19).

 

Paul then states his belief Christ resurrected from the dead and is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep and will join Christ in the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Through Adam death entered the world but Christ conquered death, bringing eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:21-22; John 3:16). Jesus is the first to experience resurrection from the dead with those who have died in Christ joining Him at the rapture of the Church (1 Corinthians 15:23). After this will come the destruction of the world order brought on through the enemy of Christ, Satan with all things put under subjection to Christ (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).

 

Now the Apostle Paul makes an unusual mention of baptism on behalf of the dead. This is not Paul condoning the practice of baptism for the dead for this does not align with Paul’s other teachings. However, this practice was prevalent in Greek culture and something that many in Corinth believed in. Therefore, Paul’s mention of the practice in this context is an illustration of the futility of this practice if there is no resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:29). Paul then states he dies every day and is in constant danger due to his pride in the believers in Corinth (1 Corinthians 15:30-31). Why would Paul fight for the faith like he did in Ephesus if there was no resurrection of the dead and instead live life for the day and it’s pleasures because tomorrow, he may die (1 Corinthians 15:32). Paul then tells the Corinthians not to be deceived by false teachings like no resurrection of the dead and not to continue in sin believing death is the end with no resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).

 

If Jesus did not resurrect from the dead, then he cannot be God for God cannot die. It is the resurrection of Christ from the dead that makes Christianity different from other religions for Jesus is alive and sits at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for believers (Romans 8:34). In His death, Christ took the sins of those professing faith in Him to the grave and through His resurrection declared victory over sin and death (Isaiah 25:8; Romans 5:8). The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection from the dead, had infiltrated the Corinthian Church causing some to deny their faith having no hope beyond what is in this life. This leads to one living their life here in sin so they can have some enjoyment until everything ends in death (1 Corinthians 15:32).

 

While most Christian churches and denominations do not deny the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, it is sadly not the main foundational truth taught from the pulpit. Instead, they are either legalistic or liberal in their theology. Legalistic churches do not deny the resurrection of Christ but have a works-based theology like that of the Judaizers who believed Gentile believers needed to adhere to Jewish law for salvation (Acts 15). Since the Jewish law existed before the birth of Christ, we must question the need for Jesus's coming since all one had to do for salvation was adhere to the Jewish law. In Ephesians 2:8-9 Scripture reminds us that salvation comes by God’s grace through faith and not according to ones works.

 

However, one must not abuse God’s grace by continuing to live in sin after accepting salvation through God’s grace. When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery into the Temple Jesus confronted her accusers by writing something on the ground causing them to leave leaving Jesus alone with the woman. Jesus had challenged the Scribes and Pharisees to throw the first stone if they were without sin and they left (John 8:7-9). This left the woman with the only one without sin who could stone her but instead of stoning her, Jesus extended His mercy and grace to her but also told her to go and sin no more (John 8:10-11). God’s grace saves us, but we must not use God’s grace as an excuse to keep on sinning for when we accepted God’s gift of salvation, we placed our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:1-4). Salvation is by grace but came at a high price, the death of God’s Son who arose from the dead so we can walk in a newness of life, abandoning our life of sin.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for forgiveness of sin and to accept God’s gift of salvation through grace, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.