Q&A – Page 98 – Church of the Eternal God

Were There "Christians" in Old Testament Times?

September 10, 2004

Not in name, of course, but yes, if we understand properly what the word “Christians” stands for. Prior to New Testament times, nobody was called a “Christian,” per se. We read, in Acts 11:26, that “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Subsequently, the term became known as a description for Christ’s followers, and was used both by unconverted people (Acts 26:28) and by converted disciples (1 Peter 4:16).

A Christian, in the true sense of the word, is one in whom Jesus Christ lives — through the Holy Spirit. Paul said that Christ was living in him (Galatians 2:20), and that we are only true Christians, if His Spirit dwells in us: “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9). Paul even adds the thought that we will only enter the kingdom of God by a resurrection from the dead, if the Holy Spirit dwells in us at the time of our death (Romans 8:11).

What does the future hold for Ireland, prior to Christ's return?

September 3, 2004

Ireland consists of two separate countries — the South, also known as Eire, and the North. The North (or Northern Ireland) has been historically linked with Great Britain. The British people, and the people in Northern Ireland, are descendants from Ephraim, one of the two sons of Joseph (a son of Jacob or Israel). The people in the South (or Southern Ireland) are descendants from ancient Dan, one of the 12 sons of Jacob. (Please note that the descendants of Dan can also be found today in Denmark. This Q&A only discusses Dan’s descendants in Southern Ireland).

History shows that the original settlers of the Emerald Isle were the “Thuatha De Danaan” – – descendants from ancient Dan.

We read the following prophecies about Dan: “Dan shall judge his people As one of the tribes of Israel” (Genesis 49:16). This did happen, to an extent, in the ancient past, and it will happen again in the future, AFTER Christ’s return. We also read, in Deuteronomy 33:22: “Dan is a lion’s whelp; He shall leap from Bashan.” Genesis 49:17 states: “Dan shall be a serpent by the way, A viper by the path, That bites the horse’s heels So that its rider shall fall backward.” We find an example of such cunning cruelty in war, which could also be compared, at times, with modern-day Guerilla warfare, in Judges 18:27: “So they… went to Laish, to a people quiet and secure; and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burnt the city with fire.” We also find described, in verse 29, their custom to name cities after the name of their forefather Dan; and we note their ancient and modern involvement with idolatry, as described in verses 30-31, and in Amos 8:14.

I have heard it said that true Christians may die because of time and chance. Is this your understanding, too?

August 27, 2004

It is not! Nowhere is this concept taught in Scripture. Those who have this understanding and preach it, do so against the clear teaching of the Bible. Actually, the Biblical proof that true Christians do NOT die because of time and chance is overwhelming. For a thorough discussion of this important question, please listen to our sermon on “Time and Chance,” which is posted on our Webpage.

Briefly, those who claim and teach this erroneous concept quote as proof a passage in Ecclesiastes 9:11, which states: “I returned and saw under the sun that — The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.”

According to the Jewish Tanakh Bible, the last phrase is an euphemism, simply pointing out that all will die. But the question still remains, HOW will they die?

Please note that Solomon said: “Time and chance happen to THEM all.” He did NOT say — “to all men,” or “to all of us.” In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was mainly addressing and writing about people in this world — people who only live and work for material possessions (Eccl. 5:13-17); or who don’t understand God’s plan (Eccl.8:17). When he addressed true Christians, however, he referred to them as “you” (compare Eccl. 9:10: “Whatever YOUR hand finds to do, do it with YOUR might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where YOU are going.”).

What does the Church teach about Church Eras?

August 20, 2004

The concept of “Church Eras” is derived from the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, reporting messages of Jesus Christ to the “seven angels” of the “seven churches.” Although these churches were quite literal congregations, they have also been understood as representing seven Church eras, beginning at the time of the early apostles and leading to the time of the return of Jesus Christ.

Note, for example, the following comments from the Ryrie Study Bible: “The 7 churches addressed in chapters 2 and 3 were actual churches of John’s day. But they also represent types of churches in all generations. This idea is supported… by the statement at the close of each letter that the Spirit was speaking to the churches.” This means, that all seven letters are warnings to every church in every age.

Many Christian organizations and individuals refer to Jesus Christ as "the Lord." Other people variously refer to Him as "Savior," "Jesus" or "Christ." Are any of these expressions wrong? Are there additional expressions we could use? What is the correct name to use when speaking of the Messiah?

August 13, 2004

This is important to understand, and the Bible reveals Who Jesus Christ is and by what name we should address Him. Peter, in speaking before the Sanhedrin in defense of healing a lame man, said: “‘let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole'” (Acts 4:10). Continuing in verse 12: “‘Nor is there salvation in any other, for there in no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'”

At another time, Peter again taught the power and significance of Jesus Christ.

This time, he was addressing the Gentile household of Cornelius, and he explained about Jesus in this way: “‘To Him all the prophets witness that, THROUGH HIS NAME, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins'” (Acts 10:43).

How do you view the issue of adopting children?

August 6, 2004

Before answering this question specifically, let us briefly review why children are being adopted. Adoption in this day and age is usually done because the couple do not have children of their own and want to raise one or more children, or, if they do have their own children, they wish to add to the family fold. This last possibility requires the co-operation of the other children, since it will impact them. In addition, single parents may also want to adopt children. An unfortunate modern trend is for homosexuals and lesbians to adopt children, bringing them up to accept their “alternative lifestyle,” which is clearly condemned by God in the Bible, for instance, in Romans 1:24-27. This unbiblical development only compounds the problem by the social acceptance and proliferation of more deviant sexual behavior. (You may want to read, in this context, our article in the World News Headlines section on “Germany’s Homosexuals.”)

Who is the king of the South?

July 30, 2004

Many believe, based on prophecies contained in the 11th chapter of the book of Daniel, that immediately before the return of Jesus Christ, a powerful Arab leader or “king of the South” will still arise in the Middle East. Daniel 11:40-41 says: “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack [or: push at] him [the king of the North]; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown…”

Historically, and following the entire Biblical prophecy in the 11th chapter of the book of Daniel, we can determine that at the time described in verse 40, the king of the North constituted the ninth resurrection of the ancient Roman Empire, or the sixth resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire, led by Mussolini and Hitler, and that the king of the South was at that time Ethiopia, formerly Abyssinia. And in fact, Mussolini came against Ethiopia like a whirlwind, using airplanes, and conquered it.

When we fast, do we go without food and water as on the Day of Atonement, or are we just to abstain from food during ordinary fasting?

July 23, 2004

We are addressing here strictly the Biblically described spiritual fasting — not fasting for health reasons. The fast during the Day of Atonement — one of God’s annual Holy Days — is the only commanded fast in the Bible (Leviticus 23:27, 29, 32). The fast on the Day of Atonement, referred to by the commandment to “afflict your souls,” has been rightly understood as abstaining from food and drink for 24 hours. (For more information, please read our free booklet, “God’s Commanded Holy Days.”). However, we find that God’s people fasted, or were asked to fast, on other occasions as well (compare, for example, Joel 2:12; Nehemiah 1:4; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Matthew 17:21; Daniel 9:3; Acts 13:2-3; Acts 14:23).

David, a man after God’s own heart, wrote in Psalm 35:13: “I humbled [or: afflicted] my soul with fasting.” Here, David fasted in the same way, as it was required on the Day of Atonement — by afflicting his soul. This would mean that he abstained from food and drink during his fast.

In fact, all Biblical passages, defining or describing the manner of fasting, make clear that it is being done by abstaining from food and drink. We read in Esther 4:16, that the queen told her uncle Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Sushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise.”

We read in Matthew 27:52 that many saints were raised at the time of Christ's death. How can Christ then be called the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18)?

July 16, 2004

You are correct that Christ is indeed referred to as the “firstborn from the dead.” Our free booklet, “Are You Already Born Again?“, explains on pages 7 and 8:

“Christ… became born again when He was resurrected to Spirit. It was at that time that He became the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29 tells us that we are to be ‘conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.’ We also read in Colossians 1:15, 18: ‘He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation… And He is… the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.’

“Christ was the first human who became born again as a Spirit being. The Greek word for ‘firstborn,’ ‘prototokos,’ designates the person who is born first. It can refer to the firstborn Son of the spiritual Family of God, and it can also refer to the firstborn son in a physical family. We read, for example, in Hebrews 11:28 that Moses kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood by faith, ‘lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.’ Christ was also, quite literally, Mary’s firstborn Son (Compare Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:7. The Greek word, ‘prototokos,’ used here does not mean ‘only’ or ‘only begotten’ son. That concept is conveyed by the Greek word ‘monogenes’…). Since Christ was Mary’s firstborn Son, it goes without saying that Christ as a human being had younger brothers. In fact, He also had sisters (compare Matthew 13:53-58).

You teach that Christians must keep Old Testament laws, including the Sabbath. Don't you know that all these laws have been abolished through Christ's death? After all, Christ did away with the entire law of Moses, that is, the laws of the Old Testament.

July 9, 2004

No, we don’t know that we are cursed when we keep the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath. But we do know that humans are cursed if they don’t keep them (compare Matthew 25:41, 46).

To fully understand this serious question, which might very well determine one’s eternal life or death (compare Revelation 21:8; 22:15), we must fully realize what the Bible means with the “law of Moses”; what the apostle Paul taught; and what the Church decided in Acts 15.

We have thoroughly discussed and answered these and many other related questions in our free booklet, “And Lawlessness Will Abound….”

We want to quote, to begin with, from pages pages 15-16 of our booklet, to explain what Paul meant with his statement in Galatians 3:10-13. Did Paul say that we are cursed when we keep the Ten Commandments? In addition, did the Church decide in Acts 15 that Christians don’t have to keep the Ten Commandments and can still be saved?