RAVKAI TATNIMEI GE (LAM/THOUC)

(Mi blogpost hei Mukti Namdai Baptist Church tuang KaanpatNgai-KaithanKumei-Jubilee Celebration tuang Souvenir khou contribute sulou mei article e. Posted with permission. For an English version mi khou click/tap sulou nu e.)

Aniu namdic hei Khristian riak tatchuy mak bam sinic Khristian ningmei raana dithe. Aseikum hei, aniu kapumna Khristian ningmei raana dithe tuna “Kaanpatmei Ngai,” raengclou bam the. Howzat zat makmei Ravkai gayhak meine kasiamh luailou bamthe! Tiki aniu Ravkai khatni Ravkai kunimei ge thay minc bam dai cho? Samlapna khou, Nang Ravkai kulinhg/tatlingh bam dai cho? Mei nche (article/latdin) khou Ravkai tatnimei ge kathay ncham kho.

Reymei khou, Ravkai tabui cho tumei zaengrui:

Khristian ningmei guay hei paapc kandic khou rui Ravkai lungc khou kau lou tuang e. Mi Ravkai kiu Poubaumei Jisu Khrista pumc kahak kiu the! Khristian ningmei guay, (kaganv kathuic, kabamv kathuic, zaatc kathuic) Khrista Pumc, Ravkai tumei khou bam e (1Korinthian 12:12-13). Ravkai khou kazauh makna, meic Khristian sw makge! Khristian kathuic hei Khrista khang e, khatnic Khrista khou bam e.

Kummetiki, mikrui howmei phwamling, thing-ntauh rui kasiamh loumei Ravkai, Khristian ningmei guay rui kubammei ninai e. Kabamv azuh khou, mik rui howmei Ravkai peyna nai e.  “Tiki, mik rui howmei Ravkai the tuna sana bam mei guay ko Ravkai ling day cho?” tuna thanv khang ni nai e. Baibal, Kathancmei Latding khou mikrui howmei Ravkai peyna nai e. Kathaichuymei nunc ruina Ravkai twna kau khang key nganvmei khou kalangv kathumh taanv, taanc nina e tuna sa e: 1. Ravguangc lat (Baibal) dinhmei 2. Kristian thiak suihmei (Duilupmei khatni Maniak taektw) 3. Sinriapmei. (Matthiu 18:15-20 kathai lou pu o).

Heizaengrui, kabamv akhat khou Baibal kathai nchamcmei phwam, kai akhat khou Rakalum kariumei, hamhethei kamung akhat khou dungc kariumei, twmei guay hei Ravkai twna kau khang kazi makge. Internet, YouTube khou Baibal pary nkingmei, hamhethei TV khou Ravkai service zaohmei, twmei guay hei– Ravkai, meictuang phwamling khou kumei lev khatse nchammak ge. Kapaengc-kazaengc khou bam mei guay nunc rui mi hei kakhanh chuy lou o.

Kaneimei khou, Ravkai lwnlung zaengrui:

Ravkai lwnlung zauc pukhou, Khristian kathuic Ravkai kulingh nina e. Ravkai (Phwamling) hei teipumc (meipum) kumcna ring e. Kristian kathuic, meic-sing khang Bumaeng kaipat kei-nganv mei khou akhat khat nai e. Aposal Paul ruina 1Korintian 12:12-31 khou, Khristianmei nunc ta meipumc nanu khang kida lou e: Khristian asaek hei, meimik e tei, asaek rui nukuanc, baanh, tan, le na e. Aniu Khrista pumc khou e; Kamei rui Kapi the. Aniu khat khat khang pumhsuna ringh khang siamruai sw kari nina e.

Aniu asaek meizak makna kumsa e, “Ravkai tatmei guay ko kumhmei khiatnahmei naibo? Nchamc rap! Tingkao tatnimei, meicram, lum lum ruideh! Ganvkhat ta latzan suri o!” Tikih, ringhmei malav nuh-makmei Ravguangc lat ruina tho, nang, ai Khrista pumc khou bam nina e tuna dinclou e. Nukuancna swna, hamhethei, mikna suna ringc bammei mak e. Jared C. Wilson rui, “Nguay, Aniu meira meirana swna kanloumei/ ringhbamv phang e (khristian su e), tikih meira meirana Khristian ningni nimei thiak khou ningkhang hamhmak e” tuna saamei tei nchumh e!

Asaek rui meizakna sa e, “Ai kumhmei rui tabui siamruai sungam, sw thayna cho!?” Nchumh nana Ravkai khou guangmeina sinina peyna khang siamruai e twmei, zaengayhakna thaylou o. Ravkai khou, mei guang rauna, dungc nru rangh rang bam ethei, mansei guang dungc bammei guay, thith thithna, zaengsina dungc bam tanc e. Kalingsa pw khou, tingsi, neihsu, puanlu, ganhkey, khumngai, lat-lu naibam sini, Ravkai khou guang tanh tanmei guay ta howna peyna khang lungning mik rak gaanc kah kah e. Neihla e, nzian e, pian e. Ravkai guangmei zaengrui, heikummei gay kanmei ta malaa rio. Machunh o.

Heininai e twmeithu, kapahloumei/langloumei Ravkai Gaanthaih nunc hei Phwamlingmei nunc ta lauziugaengpou kumc gaengclou khang e. Kaniu rui dinclou, zaylou, makavlou, nchamlou nina e– phwamling taanv taanc thuih ngam khang. (Ephesiamei 4:7-16). Ravkai kulingmei nunc rui Khrista lwn luicna daicthau puni e. Ibrimei 13:17 khou hylou e, “Nangniw ta zayloumei nunc lat tei piu o. Kaniwbangc khou bam o. Kaniw tuang taanv chakh tei kaniw Ravguangc khou tiini la pui zaeng rui, kaniw nangniw bumaengc ta kadanna zauc bam tuang e. Kaniw neihlana taanc bam khang latpiu o. Kaniw chwn sw ryanrana taanc e thei hei tei nangniw khang gaengmak ge.” Aniu Ravkai tatmei hei Ravguangc rui chakbam e.

Kathumhmei khou, Ravguangc lat rui katiumei zaengrui:

Ibrimei 10:24-25 khou kumna katiulou e, “Nzian thay khang khatni gaytaanv taanc thay khang khatkhat ta akumhna katiu thau kho cho twmei kakhanh kho. Meic gaanv saekc kaniw chav sw bammei tei kumcna, aniu guang kariumei khoun taamv rikho. Poubauhmei tuang Tingmik anaguang the twmei nangniw howpui thei layna aniu khat khat ta katiu thau mbu hay hay bam di kho.”“Ntaamvrikho” (v.25) tuna sabammei hei, kum tanctipui zaeng rui e. Ravkai guang-nliauhmei, guang makmei nai geic tipui zaeng rui e. Kaling sa pwkhou, nang, ai ne aliauh hak thao rapmei neic tho nai ding e. Asaekc tho Ravkai guang makmei kacha sw the (aniu tingzin Ravkai guang rau meikum). Khatzat tho sa e thei, Paul ruina kum sa tuang e, “Ravkai guang tanh tan kho!” Guangliang guat, kanei meita hamh e, tiki guang tanh tanmeita e. Ravkai ku alingh nina e.

          Ravkai guang nini mei ganv khou guangna, tat dat, khangni hamh makge. Mansei “guayna guang kariu” nina e (v25). Khat khat ta ntinna thay nina e. (Ntinna thay mak ge thei, ntinna thay mak san guang kariu ni tuang e.) Aniu guang kariumei hei khat khat ta katiu thau karih khang ni e. Ravkai khou reireina dungna tat dat tumei hei ravchap tat duhmei nunc thiak hamh e, aniu Ravguangc tani kachuc, Ravguangc lat ni nking, khat khat ta ni kachuc ni tuang e. Kum pu khou rui aniu “nzian thay” khatni “gaytaanv taanc” pat geicpuni (v.24).

Luaimei khou, aniu mi lat than kho, “Nang, ai Khristian sw khang (tingkao ku khang) Ravkai tat tanh tan ni tuang cho?” Meiko changh tho hamh makge! Nnaumei guay Ravkai guang ngam makmei gan nai e. Ravchap tatmei Doctors nunc guay ni, meicpui nah puanc nimei nai ethei, Ravkai khou rui sini katum kaluakna mipui daeng tho nkhav lou khang tat re. Tikih Kristianmei de tuna sana, pumhgay lana Ravkai guang hak makmei nunc tei tho, kaniu Khristian ling hamh makmei ram lung e. Aniu Khristianmei nunc Khrista rui kunghmei Phwamling ta nzianna Kalumlu hymeipu kumna, sa lak na cho, “Ai RINGHPOUC khou ramh khat ney e; ramh khatna ai kahaw e: ai ringh saanv RINGHPOUC kai khou bam khang, mi khou tei karamgay ta makumh bam khang, khatni kamei rui zaylou khang ney bam khang e” (Kalumlu 27:4); “Nang tuang Ravkai khou zaeng neihkhat bam lou mei hei; kabamv baih thangc zaeng 1000 bammei suangc gay e. Ai mu meicsimei kai khou lungc bammei suangc, aRacguangc kai kaimun nkhwanmei sw kannii e” (Kalumlu 84:10)?


Ronglat khou hilou mei asaek hei ni palou nu e:
1. BAIBAL PAC NI KIH PAC THUYLAK E TA (If You Struggle To Read The Bible)
2. RAVKALUM LINGH NI KIH KALUM THUYLAK E THEI... (If You Struggle To Pray)

Image Scripture: Proverbs 3:3-4

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Last time I met a shopkeeper who said that his philosophy of sale is "Honesty is the best policy." I also know a lady friend of mine who is determined to “have courage and be kind” in all situations, inspired by the movie Cinderella (2015). It is one of the most recurring themes of that movie.

It is good to have a motto or philosophy of life. Try Proverbs 3:3-4, “Always be Merciful and Truthful!” This could be our philosophy especially when it comes to our relational aspect of life.

Importance of Church Attendance

Mukti Namdai Baptist Church

Our society is a Christian society at least in the name even if not in practice. Also, there are lots of churches around us, but do we really understand what a church is and the importance of church attendance? Or to be succinct, do you attend church regularly? Here, in this short article, I would like to explain why church attendance is important.

First, because of what the Church is:

Every Christian is called out from the sinful world to the Church, which is the body of Christ. It is also known as the Universal Church, to which every Christian of all times of all places of all tongues belong (1Corinthians 12: 12-13). No Christian exists outside the Church; every Christian belongs to Christ and is in Him. However, we also have a Local Church, a visible congregation of believers in a particular place, that’s what we want to talk about. Yet, how does one know if what calls itself a church is really a church? The godly Reformers have concluded that there are three distinguishing marks of the church (Belgic Confession, 1561, Article 29): 1. Preaching of God’s Word 2. Practicing Ordinances (baptism and communion) and 3. Practicing Church Discipline. (Sadly, most churches abused or neglected the biblical method of Church discipline, which is laid out in Matthew 18:15-20).

Therefore, a small group bible study, prayer meeting, or campus ministry aren’t a church at all. Moreover, watching live streaming of a church service or listening to sermons on YouTube is not equivalent to attending a local church. If you haven’t been a member of a local church where the word of God is preached, where you are accountable to the leadership of the church, and participating in its ordinances, would you look out for one (especially you city dwellers, who are far away from home, or else, you have never been to a church for long long time!)?

Second, because of the nature of the church:

The nature of the church requires us to attend church regularly. The church functions as a body. Each Christian is gifted by the Spirit to serve one another. Apostle Paul in 1Corinthians 12:12-31 compared us to the members of the body: one is an eye, and others are ear, hand, feet, and so on. For those of us who often have the habit of saying, “Church is full of hypocrites, my relationship with God depends on my faith, don’t you dare to judge others,” well, the Scripture is rebuking you. You must be in the body of Christ! There is nobody who is just an eye or just an ear and exists. Jared C. Wilson rightly wrote, “We are saved as individuals, but we are not saved to an individualized faith.”

Have you ever realized that your regular church attendance (even if you do nothing exceptional) serves as an encouragement to others? Personally, it makes me cheerful when members come to the church regularly even in the sunshine, rain, and storms. Some members feel discouraged (and even uncomfortable and boring) when the attendance is so thin. Don’t underestimate this gift of encouragement.

Furthermore, the elders of the church are to shepherd the flock of God (Acts 20:28). They must equip each member for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:7-16). Regular attendance of church will make the members equipped to grow up in all things into the likeness of Christ. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey those who rule over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Our church attendance matters to God.

 Third, because the Scripture commands us:

Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” It is expressed negatively (“not forsaking”) because they (the original audience) and we have the tendency to skip church. Some have formed the habit of skipping it whatever their excuses are. Positively, it is saying, “Let us Keep Coming To The Church!” It has the idea of regularity, not a one-time gathering. Church attendance must be regular, and the fellowship must be often as it can be. It is also not an individual fellowship according to one’s likes, but an assembling of more; we must get along with one another.

We are also to Keep Communicating With Others for it says “exhorting one another.” We come to church not just to listen to sermons or to talk to God, but also to talk to one another to stir up love and good works.

In conclusion, let’s consider this question: Does one need to attend church regularly in order to be a Christian or to go to heaven? The answer is “No!” A sick person might not be able to turn up to the church meetings. A devoted Christian doctor might (sometimes) need to rush to the hospital to assist a woman delivering a baby. But a professing Christian who hardly comes to a church fellowship is likely to be a false convert! Should we Christians who love Christ not cherish His bride and say like the Psalmist, “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: ​​that I may dwell in the house of the LORD, ​​all the days of my life, ​​to behold the beauty of the LORD, ​​and to inquire in His temple” (Psalms 27:4), “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. ​I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God ​​Than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalms 84:10)?

Recommended Readings:

1. The Marks of the Church by Mark Dever

2.  Attending Corporate Worship by Jared C. Wilson

Christian Decision Making

        Every day we make a decision. Making Decisions come naturally. Sometimes, we made a wrong decision, and regret bitterly for its consequence. There are times when we get stuck in our decision-making process because we want to discern the will of God. God is alive and active and is overseeing everything in our universe. Nothing, not even a speck of tiny dust in the sunrays moves without the knowledge and will of God. As Luther says, “Even the devil is God’s devil!”

Here in this video clip, Justin Peters is helping us how to go ahead with our Decision Making as Christians.

Below is the transcript of what he said:

“We cannot interpret the Bible by what we experience, we must interpret our experiences by the Bible, by the prophetic word made more sure.

Well, the Bible doesn’t tell me where to go to college. The Bible doesn’t tell me who to marry. It tells you to marry a believer, but it doesn’t really tell me who to marry. The Bible doesn’t tell me what job to take or what house to buy or which car I should by. The Bible doesn’t tell me, “Should I be an engineer or a dentist?”

How do I know God’s will for my life? How do I know God’s will for my life? Here’s how you know God’s will for your life. Read, study, and obey God’s Word. Read, study, and obey God’s Word. If you’re not doing that, then nothing else matters anyway. Read, study, and obey God’s Word.

And then if you’ve got some situation in your life, you’ve got some decision to make and you’re not real sure what it is to do, some crisis and you’re not sure the right thing to do, or you want to know God’s will for a particular thing that’s going on in your life or in your church or whatever, read, studying God’s Word, obey God’s Word. Pray for wisdom. James tell us that: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.”

Now if you’re not reading and studying and obeying God’s Word, then don’t bother praying for wisdom, He’s not going to give it to you. But if you are, pray for wisdom. And then, seek godly counsel. The Bible says there is wisdom, there’s safety in a multitude of counselors. And if I’ve got something going on in my life or my ministry and I’m not sure what to do, you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to seek godly counsel. The first person I’m going to go to is my wife Kathy and talk about it with her first. And if both of us together decide, you know, we need some other voices on this, I’ve got some men in my life that I go to from time to time; and I’ll say, “Brothers, this is what’s going on in my life, this is what’s going on in the ministry. Give me your counsel. What do you think?” There’s wisdom in doing that.

So read, study, and obey God’s Word; pray for wisdom, seek godly counsel; and then Proverbs 3:5 and 6 it: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not unto your own understanding. But in all of your ways acknowledge Him, and” – He might direct your paths; He’ll direct your paths if He’s got nothing better to do – “He will direct your paths.” How does God do that? I don’t have the slightest idea, I just know He does.

Friends, He spoke the universe into existence; I think He can direct our paths. You don’t have to worry, “Oh, well if I choose this when I really should have chosen this, everything’s just going to fall apart and unravel like a row of dominoes.” Relax. Relax. He spoke the universe into existence; He can certainly direct your paths.”

Book Application: A Glorious Institution: The Church in History

A Glorious Institution: The Church in History

-         Stanford E. Murrell

This book is published by Chapel Library, Florida, USA. I find it to be not only factual but also theological because it is about the church of Christ. The author helps readers to see Jesus Christ building His church amidst all heresies, corruptions, and persecutions. Here are the Ten Applications I deduce implicitly or explicitly after reading this book:

1. Do not REACT against heresy; rather CONTEND the Faith.

Arius was reacting against the teaching of Sabellianism too much that he became heretic. It is wrong to react against anything. The Bible tells us to contend for the faith. It is to defend the gospel in such a way that we protect the sheep from the influence of false teachers. Furthermore, the Bible tells us to be as harmless as doves and as wise as serpents (Matt10:16). There are lots of factions and divisions among Christians. Denominations are popping up here and there condemning one another. If we are not reactive but try to sort out things according to the teaching of the Bible, this thing would not happen so.

In the church, we have even seen bloodshed and tortures because of reacting against one another. Any reaction is always accompanied by waves of anger that produce sins. Christians must be well equipped with Scripture to refute false teaching and to protect the sheep. If we are not well equipped, we would run short of knowledge and would compel us to react against them.

The other thing to overcome reaction is to be depending on God. We should not rely on our strength to fight against the schemes of Satan (heresy). We have to be prayerful for wisdom to answer them. Our goal also includes bringing them to the light of the truth- that the Holy Spirit will open their eyes and grant them repentance (Acts 8:18-24)

2. Do not be OVERWHELMED with the rise of the world, Christ is building His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Bishops, ecumenical council)

The early century churches were not only persecuted by the world but were also influenced by the culture of the world. There were godly men who had the zeal for the spread of the gospel for the fame of Christ. However, their methods were not always right.  The formation of the ecclesiastical hierarchy was neither scriptural nor justifiable. Rather, it brought an abuse of power and corruption of the church as a whole. The corrupt leaders extinguished the light of the truth. One of the reasons for the formation of the hierarchy is to protect and shepherd the church from false teaching. The Bible requires that a pastor is the shepherd of the local church - not needed to be accountable to bishops or popes. He is the under-shepherd of Jesus the Great Shepherd.

When crisis comes, Christ is big enough to solve it in His ways - not through ecumenical means. Christ is present in His church. He is building it, nothing can demolish His building even if it is attacked. Christian must not be overwhelmed to be looking for one man on earth to make a decree, Christ should be the one. Nor necessarily be forming a council to prevent it. Christ is actively alive!

3. Do not think Church History as just factual; it is theological studies. (Sovereignty of God)

In the Old Testament, history, we see not only factual events, but also the hand of God in preserving the remnants, and His finger in judging the wicked. That is exactly true as we see the Church History. He raised up nations, empires, kingdoms that sometimes favored and sometimes persecuted the church. God is totally sovereign over it.

When there were influential heresies, God raised up an equally potential man of God to counter it. We see Athanasius for Arius, Augustine for Pelagius, Luther for Erasmus and the Church of Rome. God did not leave His church as an orphan to be attacked and be devoured by savage wolves. As we see the pages of history, we see the character of God. We see God’s providence, His grace, His judgment. It’s a theological study.

Christians must be very well aware of Church History for this reason. It does not only protect us from heresy. It does not only equip us for the battle, but it also gives us comfort and confidence and trust to stand true for Christ because God is sovereign. He is preserving His people.

4. Do not go after influential men; look for faithful men!

In Church History, we see the false teachers were all influential people. They were not only influential, but they also occupied some of the greatest influential positions of the church hierarchy. Often the great heresy came from within the church. For this reason, when we appoint for church leadership we should be careful of their doctrines. We should not look for their eloquence, nor should we look for their intellectual prowess. We can’t look for their social position or economic status too. We should be looking for faithful men.

Even from the Scripture, we see the Judaizers were influential men coming from Jerusalem, who had the reputation of being the men of James. They swayed away even Christians. A church that has influential people will command the congregation for good or bad. If he is a leader how much would be the impact? Scripture tells us to look out for faithful men (2 Timothy 2:2).

In the later part of the Church History, before the reformation, the church leadership positions were bought by people with wealth. The people who elected the pope were of the noble Italians in Rome. In Christianity, leadership is judged by faithfulness. When we are faithful, Christ rewards us that we would be influential like the light on a hill - shining brightly for all to see and come to Christ.

5. Be careful/discerning of children who profess to have “spiritual” knowledge.

In the days of the crusade (1212 AD), a German youth claimed that God had entrusted him for the crusade. 30,000 young people joined him. Many died of hunger, some were devoured by wolves. In the same year, another guy Stephen claimed to be of God and marched out with 20,000. They got shipwrecked and died. Those who survived were sold as slaves. What an insane to pay attention or yield to the claim of a mere child! Christian must be very careful of children no matter how talented or prodigious they may be. The church of Christ is reasonably sound and spiritually sound, adequate time must be given to show the fruit of their conversion.

For that matter, children should not be given a pulpit ministry as seen in lots of charismatic churches. Moreover, even for the enrollment of membership in the church or in baptism, children should be evaluated carefully.

6. A plurality of elder is a must.

The church had faced lots of corruption at the leadership level, which in turn had blinded the whole members of the church. The hierarchy of leaders was established, which felicitated the abuse of power by the leaders. They had become lovers of money, glory, and even sensuality. Of course, there were remnants who were faithful. However, they too were the product of their times found difficult to discern it or were not aware of some important matters.

These problems would have been reduced if they had a plurality of elders, instead of leadership hierarchy. The Biblical model of church leadership is plurality as is seen with Paul instructing the churches to appoint elders. In such a model, there would be checks and balances in everything. They would be accountable to each other. The church would be healthy. The church would be free from corruption, and it would yield much fruit.

In one instance the church has 3 popes (1033-1050). The popes excommunicated one another.  The author commented that “the depth of human depravity became manifested” (Chapter 11). Such incident rings out loud that the plurality of leadership which is the model of the New Testament church is the best and only form of church leadership.

7. Do not let any philosophy be equal with the Bible.

Church theologians and philosophers like Thomas Aquinas tried to synthesize Aristotelian philosophy and biblical theology which has been highly criticized by Protestants. Most of the time, philosophies developed or discovered by the wise people of the world are contradictory to the teaching of the Bible. Paul warned the philosophy of the world in Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

 Moreover, we need to realize that Scripture is given because no man can be saved by studying the natural revelation. For that matter, the “natural theology” should not be studied as equal to studying the Bible. Bible stands above all. It is the only source that teaches man the way of Salvation and of Christ.

By the way, the heresy of Arianism and Sabellianism are deeply rooted in worldly philosophy. They were influenced by pagan philosophy. They did not originate from the Scriptures. They tried to accommodate the teaching of the Bible in the philosophy prevailing in their times.

Moreover, it is also true that there is a mystery in the Trinity. No human ideas can comprehend the depth of it. Attempting to understand it or deduce it by mere human philosophy is impossible. In fact, if we can do it, God will not be God. Human beings are not only depraved beings but also are finite creatures with finite knowledge. So God gives revelation (Scriptures), that we may know what is needed, which we would never discover by our philosophy. Every Philosophy should be scrutinized under the lens of Scripture.

8. Reform the church; don’t break the church.

When Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses it was not to break the church but to reform it. John Wycliffe and John Huss were not having any intention to break with the church. They were not trying to make their name or to become popular. They wanted to bring out the true teaching of the Bible. With great pain, they had to accept the consequence of what happened when they started proclaiming the truth.

In our days, the church us splitting every now and then. Rebellion against authority is rampant. Floating new organizations (in the form of para-churches) and new churches that are not under any form of accountability have become normal. Nobody seems to love the unity of the church; everyone seems to love building their own empire under the name of truth. So, there are confusions among young Christians. The testimony of unity is greatly affected. Moreover, the churches and the organizations though claimed to have been formed for purity and truth. They have become more immature and easily attacked by false teachings.

We do need to learn from the past reformers. They were first learned man who had a deeply religious life who lived for the fame of God. They were the people who loved people. They were the preachers. They were the shepherds. They knew and were concerned about the people of their times. It was because of these affections, they could reform the church to bring truth and deliverance for their people from the corrupt leaders of the church.

Our times are totally different. Leaders who break away from the churches seem to be very careless of the spiritual condition of the people and are concerned about their emotional condition. We do need reformation all the time, especially when our practices omit or exceed the teaching of the Bible. But our concern must be to bring back to Scripture, not to break away from a church, on this lies the spiritual maturity.

9. Reject the traditions when they conflict with the teaching of the Bible.

From the early century, the church had lost itself to traditions. These traditions were good at their time, but not necessarily good for our times. In fact, as culture changes, preference also changes, and some of the traditions of the past are not only meaningless but disturbing. Traditions are things not found in the Bible but are handed down to the church from across the Church History.

Some of these traditions are heresy like ‘Mass,’ ‘Veneration of Mary.’ Some are just problematic like the position of church leadership: Bishops and Popes. We must reject them. We do not need bishops. Elders in the church are sufficient for the individual believers for spiritual guidance, in fact, he has the Holy Spirit as the true teacher. Christ is the builder and nourisher of the church. One must yield to His leadership and not to the imaginary leadership in the form of man (Pope and bishops).

 Furthermore, all kinds of traditions concerning dresses and celebration of days must not be legalized. Even the established traditions concerning such as baptism must be in accordance with the scripture.

10. Be equipped to counter heresy; it never dies.

Heresy existed right from the times of the Apostles. The Judaizers of the New Testament church had reappeared in the form of Roman Catholicism. Recently it appeared in the form of a New Perspective on Paul (NPP). The Gnosticism of the Bible appears in the form of Jehovah's Witnesses and others. The heresy of Pelagianism in the form of Arminianism. Heresy never dies. It just comes in new clothing.

We must be well equipped. Paul, Peter, and Jude warn us to do that. We are not to give up the fight but must contend for the faith. This equipping is not only for protecting ourselves but also for the congregation who are under the care of shepherds. Pastors are accountable to God for the sheep under his care.

In the olden times, people condemned heresy by forming a church council. In our days, church councils are formed to not condemn heresy, but to get along with it. We are living in a difficult time where heresy is acceptable and even endorsed. People are pleasing the sinners to come to church, rather than to please the One who called them to holiness. We must be well equipped not only to detect heresy but also to rescue the people who are held captive by it.

Chastise vs Chasten: Chastisement vs Chastenment [Biblically]

       I.            They were said to be used interchangeably till the early 19^th century. But now, ‘chastise’ has the idea of punishing, and ‘chasten’ has the idea of disciplining. And if you are confused about what to use, it is said that “chastise” is the safer word. [according to grammarist.com]

   II.            What does the Bible speak of Chastisement? (22 times by 5 translations)

1.      NKJV: 10 Verses of Chastisement of which 6 verses are actions of sinfulness. Only 2 verses in NT, and are negative actions of Pilate deciding to chastise Christ.

2.      NASB: 8 verses of Chastisement. All of them in OT.

3.      ESV: 4 verses of Chastisement (3 in OT and 1 in NT).

4.      NIV: No reference of Chastisement.

5.      HCSB: No reference of Chastisement.

III.            What does the Bible speak of Chastenment? (39 times by translations)

1.      NKJV: 26 Verses of Chastenment. All actions of Chastenment are positive.

2.      NASB: 11 verses of Chastenment. All of them in OT

3.      ESV: No reference for Chastenment.

4.      NIV: 2 verse of Chastenment. All in OT

5.      HCSB: No reference for Chastenment.

IV.            Are they used interchangeably by different translators? Yes

a.      Hebrews 12:6 – NKJV is “chastens” and ESV is “chastises”

b.      Isaiah 53:5 – NASB is “chastening” and NKJV and ESV is “Chastisement”

c.      Deuteronomy 21:18 – NKJV is “chastened” and NASB is “chastise”

d.     Hosea 10:10 – NKJV IS “chasten” and NASB is “chastise”

    V.            What about in Greek, Septuagint, Hebrew, and Modern Hebrew Bible?

a.      Hebrews 12:6 – (paideuo)

b.      Isaiah 53:5 – (paideia)

c.      Deuteronomy 21:18 – (paideuo)

d.     Hosea 10:10 – (paideuo)

a)     Hebrews 12:6 – (yaw-kach') as in Ps. 94:10, Proverbs 3:12

b)     Isaiah 53:5 – (moo-sawr')

c)     Deuteronomy 21:18 – (yaw-sar')

d)    Hosea 10:10 – (yaw-sar')

VI.            Some Bible Verses:

a.      Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” [NKJV]

b.     1 Corinthians 11:32 “But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” [NKJV]

c.      2 Samuel 7:14 “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. [NKJV]

d.     Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, And whom You teach out of Your law” [NASB]

e.      Psalm 38:1 “O LORD, rebuke me not in Your wrath, And chasten me not in Your burning anger.” [NASB]

f.       Deuteronomy 21:18 “If any man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father or his mother, and when they chastise him, he will not even listen to them,” [NASB]

g.      Hebrews 12:6 “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” [ESV]

h.     Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” [NKJV]

Conclusion: They can be used interchangeably. However, Chastenment seems to convey the idea of correction and disciplining better, which is what the Bible talks about. On the other hand, Chastisement could include the idea of Chastenment and chastisement, whereas Chastenment could exclude the idea of Chastisement (mere punishing).