Apostasy [With the Word Friday Issue]

 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

1 John 2:19 (ESV)

Summarize in a Word: Apostasy

Key Principle: Apostasy is around us

Key Application: We must persevere in the faith

Main point of the Reflection: Apostates were never saved since the beginning, and will be manifested by the truth.

Illustration: The Deviation of Charles Templeton and Barth Ehrman

Exhortation: Do not be too quick to label anybody non-Christian out of your emotion. Examine his faith.

Many Christians find disturbing to see people like Charles Templeton and Barth Ehrman deviating from the faith they once were so devoted. Some say it is the failure of the Church since they were the products of the church. Really?

Image Scripture: Philippians 3:8

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Thanks for the time of Reflection,

R. Solomon

Best Free Bible Software for Computer

It has been reported recently in Christianity today that Chinese are finding more difficult to get a print Bible. Bible is not welcome by many people and organizations, not just in China, but even in some part of India too. Years ago, one young boy from our fellowship narrated me how his parent thrashed him for possessing a Bible. Why are some people so hostile and antagonistic to the Bible? We know it is because they misunderstood the Faith of Christianity and the Nature of Bible.

Many hate Christian activities because they thought we are trying to convert them as if we can convert anyone anytime. On the contrary, we, Christian know that we cannot convert anyone, nor do we try. Conversion is a gracious act of God. Yes, we long for everybody’s conversion, not because we want to be the majority in world religions, but because we want them to be Saved from the coming judgment of God. What we do and all that we can do is to present the gospel to them, and give answers to their doubts. The gospel we have received, and believed, and that we present to others does not come from any culture or philosophy. Neither an invention nor development of anyone. The Gospel that saves, comes from God and is revealed perfectly in the Bible. That’s the reason why we value Bible so much.

However, Bible is not just about the Gospel that saves. It is the daily bread and living water for Christian. To be a Christian and not read the Bible is an oxymoron. Psalmist says in Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” We need Bible all the times at all places. It is imperative that we (who are in the free country) possess a print Bible, but it looks difficult for our brothers and sister in hostile places. So, in the providence of God, technology can come to our aid through the internet, computer, and phone. According to InternetWorld Stats, China and India are the top internet user countries, higher than even USA. Cheer up! Brothers and Sisters!

Thanks be to God! Bible is available online. It is available even offline through Bible Software for Computer and Bible App for Smartphone. Anybody with a computer or phone can access Bible easily now. We no longer have any excuses for not reading the bible. In fact, there are lots that one wonders what will benefit us more. Today I would like to recommend Bible Software for Computer. (Next time BibleApp for Smartphone.)

For Computer:

I have 4 Bible Softwares on my laptop: Logos 7 (Bronze), BibleWorks 7, theWord 5, and e-sword. The first two are expensive and the latter two are free of cost. Many Bible students and teachers usually recommend expensive Bible Softwares.

However, I am glad to recommend free software theWord to all. I am not an expert in any of these Bible Softwares I have been using. So, my recommendation is purely based on my experience.

Top 4 Reasons why I recommend theWord Bible Software.

1.     It is a free Bible Software (Logos and BibleWorks are expensive). Also, you may want to click here

2.   One can install other modules freely (also modules from the third party), which in other Softwares programs could cost thousands of dollar (eg. ICCNT). For all the available modules Click here

3.   It has a wonderful yet easy layout. (I know this is an issue of preference, but I challenge you to explore the layout).

4.   It has clipboard-monitoring feature. This feature allows you to read any files (word, pdf, etc.) that have scriptural reference without going back to software. You just have to run the software in the background, and copy the scripture reference whenever you encounter it.

In fact, I always open theWord Bible Softwares mainly because of the 4^th Reason (clipboard-monitoring feature). I have not seen such feature in the other 3 (if you happen to know, please tell me too). In addition, I open my Logos and BibleWorks in my studies because I have purchased-Resources in them, which I have not bought in theWord Softwares. I have uninstalled e-sword from my laptop just because my laptop cannot bear too many Softwares.  Btw, if you are rich, you are encouraged to try other Bible Software in addition to theWord.

I trust that your Bible study will be more effective from now onwards.

R. Solomon

Cajoling God [With the Word Friday Issue]

Can you cajole God?

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” – Numbers 23:19 [ESV]

Summarize in a Word: Cajoling God

Principle: God’s word is unchanging

Application: Do not try to tamper God’s word

Main point of the Passage: God will do exactly what He says whether we like it or not.

Illustration: One Hindu tricked his god. Christian marrying non-Christian

Exhortation: Would you please submit to God’s word and not tamper it?

Book Application: The Story of the Puritans

The Story of the Puritans

-         Errol Husle

This booklet (article) was published by Reformation and Revival Journal, Volume 5, Number 2 ●Spring 1996. I read it in November 2016 as a part of the required reading for the class of Church History. Here are the Two Applications I deduced after reading it:

1.      The Importance of Reading Books (especially the Foxe Book of Martyrs)

Rev. Errol Husle, the author observed four formative influences in the making of the golden era of Christian Church History – the Puritans. He includes John Foxe’s Books, The Book of Martyrs in 2^nd position (page 18.) After that, he demonstrated how the successive puritans were encouraged and followed the Martyrs such as John Bunyan (page 43.)

            The Puritans were not just preachers, they were writers. Their writings were not just theoretical for they had lived out and demonstrated their writings to their congregations. Those books were as the results of their studies and applications from their studies of the Bible. It did not come from the ivory tower. Here is a lesson for pastors and church leaders, to read their (Puritans) writings and also to reproduce the same for their own congregation (like Puritans) based on their reflection of the teaching of the Bible.

            There are scores of people who have gone ahead and have left their footprints on the page of history that will have eternal fruitfulness. Their lives were not an easy life. Their legacy lives and causes others to reproduce the same committed people like them through their death as a martyr. We do need to read this book, the Book of Martyr, both pastors and congregations to be faithful to the Caller of the church, Lord Jesus Christ.

2.      The Importance of Christian Family and Community.

On page 48-49, the author wrote about the creation of the Christian family in the English-speaking world and its influences on the whole part of the world. It is also about their Unity in the Community to live as Christians. They have “constancy in prayers” (John Bradford of page 23). They sanctified even a horse to God (p.48). They enjoyed Lord’s Day. What a blessed family and community theirs are!

            In this modern world, people demand that religion must be privatized. One is not supposed to discuss religion in the market and Public Square. One is allowed to talk about football stars, movie stars, politicians, intellectuals, but not about Christ. Religion is not even discussed in the family. It is personal and private things. Puritans were not. Christianity (the Gospel) penetrated the family, community, and all their lives. Christ of the Bible and His teachings became the foundation, sustainer, problem-solving, comforter, joy, and delight of their lives. We need to reflect on the lives of these people. Our society and families are torn. We need to follow them. If we want our children to be successful, we need to follow their example. If we don’t want our children to bring grief to our souls, we need to follow their lives. We are not to privatize religion (the Gospel). We are to live out. We are to proclaim it. We are to persuade others to believe the Gospel too. We are to swim against the current of the culture of “tolerance” and “political correctness.”

The Unprofitable

Should I call this "the theology of Unprofitable?"

Book Review: One Perfect Life

One Perfect Life by John MacArthur

I have read One Perfect Life, Dr. John MacArthur’s book last year. This January, I got a chance to read again. I cannot make a scientific attempt to summarize it, but let me just give a simple review. I read an Indian Edition, 2013. It is the complete story of the Lord Jesus Christ – a blended harmony of the four Gospels account with other Scripture passages of the whole Bible.

I am impressed that the blending is based on the Gospel of Matthew, as Matthew is the first canonized book placed in the New Testament. Moreover, the book begins with the account of Genesis, and then pull in all important passages of the whole Bible: Genesis through Isaiah through Colossians through Revelation. It is interesting to see different authors of the Bible at different places at different times (over 1600 years) wrote about the same Person, and this book is the demonstration of their writings.

The Introduction clearly states that the objective of this book for the believer is to be sanctified, and for the non-believer to be saved. Thus making this book appealing to everyone. Some of the interesting things in this book are:

1.      The blended Scripture is interesting enough to read on and on (though 516 in pages), but the inclusion of footnotes is really a treat. Footnotes comprise 40-50 percent of the whole book. By the way, Dr. MacArthur is known for footnotes, not just in writings but in sermons and “Questions and Answers” times.

2.    The book is set chronologically, not just of the events at the time of Christ, but the accounts of the different writers (from Genesis to Revelation). The inclusion of the First Part “Anticipating the Lord Jesus Christ” and the Last Part “New Testament Reflections on the Gospel of Jesus Christ” in this book are very insightful and well thought-out!

3.    One will discover that the seeming discrepancies in the accounts of the different writers are just not true, rather it brings more light. Such as the story of Jesus commissioning the Twelve, regarding the things they should not take along with them (p.192), resurrection account (p.47-471)

4.    Also, one will be enamored to see that some of the seeming parallel stories are not the same story but a repetition such as the argument about the greatness, cleansing of Temple, washing of Jesus’s feet (p.160-161).

5.     Textual Criticisms are employed such as in the account of the “adulterous woman” (p. 256), “waiting for the moving of the water” in the story of a Lame man on the Sabbath (p. 121).

6.    The Historical settings are made available to have the clearest understanding of the story. Such as the “Coming Messiah” (p.30, 53), “eye of a needle” (p.335), widow’s mite (p.382).

7.     The Cultural Contexts which is necessary to help us understand the intent of the author is included. Such as the story of disciple plucking the heads of grain (p.127) mourning of Lazarus’s death (p.185), Jesus, Son of Mary (p.188), “take his cross and follow me” (p.194)

8.    The Geographical descriptions are just wonderful, as if one had been there, and know what the author is talking about. Such as the Sea of Galilee (p. 105, 178), the mount of Transfiguration (p.230),

9.    The authenticity, relevance, and sufficiency of the Bible confirmed in this book is mind-exhilarating. Such as Jacob’s well in the story of Samaritan Woman. “The spring is still active today” (p.95) the story of rich man and Lazarus (p.315).

10.                        Personally, the account of the Lord’s Supper is made clear to me in the footnotes such as the “dip” (p.405), “third cup” (p.411). Also. The footnotes serve a great light what (the occasion or event) made Jesus wash the disciple’s feet. The question and arguments about the greatness (p.407).

If I were to make a suggestion to the author is to include a Scriptural Index at the back. Of course, not necessary for the Gospels but the other books of the Bible, especially for the Old Testament.

My Final note: I have never read a book such as this. It is just second to the Bible because this book is completely the Scriptures except the footnotes given by the author. One may read Scripture from the Bible, but this book comes with the footnotes that exposit the text. Though no book can never substitute the Gospels of the Bible, this book is the greatest book I can pick up concerning the life of Jesus Christ. You do well if you read this book whoever you are!

Reading Through The Bible Is Not A Big Deal!

How many dresses have you bought in 2015? How many will you buy this year? How many phones have you used? How many exercise notes have you bought for you academic purpose? Or how many books have you bought and read them? Or, how many WhatsApp Posts, Facebook Comments, Blogs, SMS have you read? Lots and lots, and the number is hardly memorable.

What about this? How many Bibles have you bought? How many times have you read it through? Certainly Christian must answer this boldly. We Christians seem to love the Bible so much that we hardly use it; or are we deceived, for we do not live out? Non-Christian like Mahatma Gandhi and Man Mohan Singh read the Bible and quoted it. On the other hand, many book-reading professing Christians seem to be more familiar with the story of Jesus depicted in Dan Brown’s Novel than the actual story written in the pages of the Scriptures.

Let me tell you few things about Bible to encourage you reading it, and in doing so, your love for Christ will grow deeper. Also that you will not be ashamed of your faith, but be equipped to answer who ask you. In fact, reading the Bible REGULARLY is a must for Christian. Also, none can be saved without knowing or hearing the words of the Bible. So there is no excuse for anyone who seeks after God. It is true that the Bible is the best-selling book and the most influential book of all times for centuries. That alone should draw anyone to read the Bible. We Christians, testify that “any book can inform,

Bible is not a very big book! It is not that much difficult to read through as most people think! You can finish reading the Bible in 70 – 100 hours, depending on how slow or fast you read it. Yes, you can read Genesis through Revelation in 1 week if you invest your time like you have done in reading novels, or like the time you spend in your studies, or like the time you spend in social networking sites. So any book reader can finish it in a week easily.

The Bible has 66 books in it. Some books are just a one-page book. Few books like Psalms will take you longer to read it through. So, reading 1 book each a day might not be a wise thing! If you spend 1 hour a day in Bible you can complete reading it in 3 months. There are many Christians who read like that – 4 times in a year, three months each time.

Bible has 1189 Chapters. Old Testament has 929, and the New Testament has 260. Each chapter is a page long on average. Psalm 117 is the shortest, and the longest chapter of the Bible is Psalm 119. Reading a chapter a day will not let you through the Bible in a year! If you read 3 chapters of Old Testament, and 1 chapter of New Testament a day you will be able to walk through the Bible in a Year. Just do a simple Math!

My experience of Bible reading tells me that if you spend 15 – 20 minutes each day you will be able to read through the Bible in a year. 15 – 20 Minutes will amount to 4 chapters (3 OT and 1 NT). If you spend 1 hour each day you will get through 4 times a year. 1 hour reading Bible will accomplish you 10 – 15 chapters, depending on the length of the individual chapters.

Spending 15 – 20 minutes is not a big deal even for children! Yes, Reading through Bible once a year is not difficult. There are over 200 different Bible versions in the English language. Reading different version each year is a wonderful discovery. Buying New Bible each year is not costly. Some Bibles are free of cost, others cost just below 300 rupees. Only Fancy and Exhaustive Study Bible cost much.

I have been reading the Bible consistently and curiously and joyously since 2005. I started reading it for achievement, “I have read it!” but as days passed on, I realized, I have to read all the time. I will never reach the summit to say “It’s done! I have read it.” I have read through some of the most popular version once or twice. This year I am reading English Standard Version.

As the New Year sets in, some of you must be having the resolution to read more books. Make sure you include Bible. I heard that Isaac Newton, the Scientist read the Bible more than any other books. Charles Spurgeon said of John Bunyan (the author of Pilgrim’s Progress,) that if you cut him, he will bleed Bibline. Book-reader knows if you read books you can have an efficient literary conversation, but Bible-reader knows if you read Bible you can have conversations for all matters of life and beyond.

New Year 2016 has come!

Hello!

God is faithful! That is the testimony of every Christian, no matter what! Like the Israelite we need to raise up an Ebenezer, "a stone of help" to remind us the faithfulness of God. "Thus far God has helped us," and will continue to help.

Was 2015 a hard year, and you are feeling discouraged or intimidated as the new challenges of the New Year 2016 coming? Recall the faithfulness of God like the Psalmist, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. Lamentation 3: 18, 21 reads, "And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope."

Book Review: Once Saved Always Changed

Once Saved Always Changed by Steve Fernandez

This book has six chapters on the topics: 1. Significant of Regeneration: Crucial Truth, 2. Necessity: Sin, Depravity, Gospel, 3. Character: Radical Renewal, 4. Consequences: Changed Lives and Sin in the Church, 5. Order: Conviction, Regeneration, Saving Faith, 6. Implications: Evangelism, Discipleship, Counselling. As the subtitle of the book claims itself, it is about the meaning of new birth or regeneration of a believer. He wrote about the aspects, necessity, nature, and consequences of regeneration, and also about the relationship between regeneration and faith. The book ends with practical implication of the doctrine of regeneration.

It begins by stating that new birth (or regeneration, to use the theological term) is a radical change of the core disposition and nature of a person that fundamentally transforms both their attitudes and behavior of life. The author contends that the biblical and historical Christian position is that regeneration actually breaks and dethrones the general controlling power of sin so that the believer’s basic life-direction is now away from self and sin, and toward God and holiness.  He rightly refers to regeneration as the root of obedience and holiness. He writes that Christ’s purpose with Nicodemus (as with the entire Sermon on the Mount) was to show that external righteousness is totally inadequate. Regeneration is necessary because of man’s depravity. Man is born with a sin-corrupted nature and is an object of God’s wrath. Man is spiritually dead, he cannot be revived. Man has a God-hating heart and cannot welcome truth and needs a recreation through regeneration by God Himself. When a person is regenerated, it gives him not only a new birth but a new capacity, and new conduct which always follows because it made him a new person. He is born of the Spirit and it produces the life of the Spirit. Without Him, there can be no Salvation. He possesses a single nature, radically transformed, but with sin remaining as a vestige and remnant of the old man. He does not possess an “old nature” and a “new nature” as is commonly taught.

In chapter 5, Steve deals with the order in which God brings sinners, dead in their sins, to personal salvation and life in Christ under the term “calling.” God not only invites to salvation (the general external call heard by many through the preaching of the gospel), He also effectively brings specific people to the saving relationship with Himself. This call is the internal or effectual call. The initial step is the proclamation of the gospel. Next is the conviction process. When exposed to the truths of the gospel, the person becomes aware, and even concerned about their need to turn to Christ and of their guilt before God. Conviction, however, is not efficacious. That is, it does not bring a person to saving faith. People, because of their hardened heart, would not turn to Christ. The heart of a person must change, this is regeneration. God must do a further work in regeneration, or there will be no embracing of Christ in saving faith. The Word of God is the instrument (I Pet 1:2), and the Holy Spirit is the agent, but the new birth itself is totally the work of God acting directly upon in the person. Faith is exercised as the immediate and inseparable result of the new birth. Instantly and inseparably the sinner renounces sin and exercises trusting, reliant faith as he gladly embraces Christ. The reason he exercises saving faith, the reason he has come to salvation, is God Himself, in His love, interposing and regenerating and renewing his heart. It is to Him all the glory goes!

Steve, in the last chapter, writes about the implications of regeneration: to pray for the work of the Holy Spirit before evangelism and witnessing and not manipulations of tactics, and to avoid giving false assurance.

Recommendation:

It is the first book of Steve Fernandez I ever read. It motivates me to take prayer seriously for unregenerated people, especially those we are about to witness. It reminds me to take prayer seriously, and not just to rest on the power of the gospel, and not on intellect. It also reminds me of the depravity of myself, and mankind and the saving works of God. The implication of regeneration will force every reader to depend on the Holy Spirit and not on psychology or methods of counselling.

I recommend this book to every professing Christian to read this book and examine oneself and our church members on what it really means to be born again.

June 13, 2014