From one of our readers....

Celebrating Three Years of Scripturist

Tell a friend about the SCRIPTURIST today.

A Scripturist Read writes.... Long way back, I read the evangelists posting on tithing. I was a bit hesitant because it seems to lump offerings and tithes together. Nevertheless I heeded his warnings and immediately changed our family's tithing habits. So now, we tithe to the church we attend. And we don't hoard the tithe in a savings account for months. We give it weekly. We never miss a service. Good things started happening in our walk with the Lord following this. So I'm thankful for the Scripturist's post on tithes. I do think this changed my outlook on a few things. He should know he made a positive difference in our lives and in the Kingdom of our Lord.

Read the post on tithing by clicking here

Praise God for His word and using flawed people like us to deliver his message of truth, repentance, righteousness, forgiveness, hope and joy.

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Let the reader understand....

Click on the Pic

Run to win the prize!

You may disagree with me but I thought last weeks super bowl was one of the best in NFL history. Watching the Patriots get beat and watching Eli Manning join is brother in football immortality was almost as exciting as when the Colts won the super bowl. Did you see it?

Here’s what got me. They presented Eli with the keys to a brand new Cadillac Escalade. Now a loaded Escalade prices out at $69,515. I know that because I looked it up.

But did you notice Manning’s response? Exactly! There wasn’t one……at least not much of one. Not that he was rude. He acknowledged the gift but his mind was on a greater prize. He saw the Vince Lombardi trophy and the joy of being the Super bowl MVP. Besides with his salary and bonuses and his newly found advertising appeal….he could have a dozen Escalades if that’s what he wanted. Who cares about a free car when the real rewards are there for the taking?

Get the picture? You have an inheritance that the Holy Spirit guarantees. Why get wrapped up in the glitz of this world. Paul even makes an athletic distinction in Corinthians. Athletes compete for a perishable wreath but we an imperishable one. Who cares about earthly windfalls when eternal treasures are there for our inheritance?

1 Corinthains 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

-copied. This was sent to me by a Scripturist reader and I pass it on to you. If you missed the thrilling ending to the superbowl feel free to click on the pic and watch the game winning drive.

Can They Steal Your God?

Tales of corruption, looting and religious rivalry are swirling around the spot where Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment in eastern India some 2,500 years ago, sullying one of Buddhism's holiest sites.

Priests and monks allege that thousands of dollars in temple donations have mysteriously vanished, that a thick branch of the ancient holy Bodhi tree was lopped off and sold in Thailand in 2006, and that ancient gold idols have disappeared.

Charges have been brought against the powerful former secretary of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, a Hindu, as well as the committee's former public relations officer and the former Buddhist chief priest of the temple.

Clad in white robes, the barefoot and bearded Brahmachari excitedly points out the spot where the branch was chopped off, as well as empty niches around the temple grounds where he says statuettes of Buddha stood until recently.

Can Your God Be Stolen?

We "enlightened" westerners often cast a condescending eye upon those who worship idols, mere objects created by man. We laugh at people worshiping creation rather than the creator. But in all our arrogance many westerners don’t realize our own forms of foolish idolatry. We laugh at the idea that someone could steal your God. We read the story of Laban in the book of Genesis and laugh at the idea that his own daughter stole his gods (Genesis 31:19). A god is no God that can be stolen.

But could someone stop us from worshiping by stealing some items from our church? I know a Christian church that has an old catholic Bible in the auditorium. One of their past preachers wanted to remove the catholic Bible because it had the extra inter-testamental books, but the elders were concerned that many of the older members would be upset because that Bible was donated by their ancestors to the church years ago. It was a sacred cow.

I have also seen a picture of Jesus worshiped. This picture of a blond haired blue eyed Jesus in a eastern meditation pose adorned the wall behind the pulpit since the 1950s through three different auditoriums. Once it was taken down for a Christmas play and some people threw a fit. No one dared consider the idea of removing it permanently. It was sacred to some. If they came to church and it was not there, they would not have been able to worship. God's men always destroy sacred cows. Moses did.

I have also seen this idolatry with music. If some young people go to a service and hear hymns rather than modern worship music, they can’t sing. They can’t worship. The style of worship has become their god. Likewise, I have heard traditionalist say when new worship songs were introduced, “When they took away my hymns, they took away my worship.” If you have to have a certain type of music to worship, isn’t the music style what you are worshiping rather than God?

Can someone steal your music like the Hindus stole the Buddhists idols? Can they steal your God?

I knew a church that sold their building to another congregation and built a new bigger building down the road. One lady refused to leave the old building. When the other congregation that didn’t even share her beliefs on core doctrines moved in the old building she stayed worshipped with them. Her father helped build that building and she went there all here life and she wasn’t leaving. The building was more important than what she believed, saving souls or who she fellowshipped with. The building was her god.

Could someone sell your God like this woman’s god was sold? What is the sacred cow at your church or in your life? Moses melted the golden calf and made those who worshipped it drink it to their own demise. Idolatry is a sin. For many in American their god is money. Greed is their god. Others worship pleasure. As the Bible says of these false teachers, their god is their stomach?

All of those gods can be stolen. But the one true God can’t be stolen. You can take away a building, a picture, pleasure or music but the true God will be worshipped by faith no matter what. You can take away possessions, homes, money or even lives, and true worshipers will worship in spirit and in truth. First, true worshipers love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Secondly they love their neighbor as themselves. They are not bound to buildings, pictures, music styles or money. They love God first and others second and themselves last. They love God and long to do His will. And they know his will is that they love others and lead them to salvation found only in him. Their loyalty is to God and His will not buildings, pictures, music styles, or money. The Christian has a Kingdom that cannot be stolen or taken away. The gates of Hell cannot prevail against it.

Hebrews 12: 26-29 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken— that is, created things— so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."

Again I ask you, can someone steal your god?

The Storm Is Coming. Are You Ready?

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received. A steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.

Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming!

Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down.

Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

Matthew 7:24-27 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Put the words of Jesus into practice. That is wisdom. That is the only way to be ready for the inevitable storm. Will all you have built withstand the storm? Are you wise or foolish?

Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let’s go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we’re going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.

Is you faith ready for the strom. Are you prepared for the stroms of life? Can you rest easy and sleep during the storm?

-Author Unknown

Who Should Ordain New Elders?

Question: Our church just voted on putting in some new men as elders. Our preacher is going to ordain them. Is that biblical? When I was a boy our elders would ordain the elders. Which is right or does it matter?

Answer: The Bible clearly teaches that Evangelists (preachers) should ordain Elders. Here are the reasons your Preacher (Evangelist) should be the one ordaining your Elders.

1. Because that is what the Apostle Paul commanded Evangelists (preachers) to do:

Titus 1:5 “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.”

1 Timothy 5:22 “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others.”

2. Because Evangelists and not Elders are the ones given the qualifications for Elders (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-8)

3. Because we don’t have any example of or command for Elders to ordain Elders.

4. Because Elders ordain Evangelists (Preachers) and Evangelists (Preachers) ordain Elders creating a checks and balance of mutual doctrinal accountability.

Titus 1:5 “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.”

In 1 Timothy 4:14 Paul tells the young evangelist “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”

5. Both Elders and Evangelists have the responsibility to hold the other mutually accountable to follow Biblical doctrine.

In Titus 1:9 the Elder is told that “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

Timothy, the young evangelist is told rebuke a sinning elder publicly in 1 Timothy 5:19-20 it says, “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.”

The young evangelist, Timothy is also commanded by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:3 “stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer.” And we know that Paul had prophesied to the elders at Ephesus years earlier that the false teachers would be some of the elders (see Acts 20:30). So Timothy was told to command some false teachers at Ephesus not to teach anymore and we know some of them were elders.

It is clear from scripture that…

• Preachers are commanded in multiple places to ordain elders


• Preachers are given the qualifications for Elders in multiple books


• There is no example or command for Elders to ordain Elders


• Elders ordain preachers and preachers ordain elders


• There is to be mutual doctrinal accountability between elders and preachers creating a checks and balance against false doctrine.

Below are two objections I have heard to Evangelists ordaining Elders:

Objection #1
They say, “Yes, Titus is told to ordain elders but that was because they didn’t have any elders yet at the in those churches to do it. Once elders are in place, the elders not evangelists should ordain future elders.”

Answer:
Where is the scriptural command or principle written that would lead us to believe that once elders are in place they should do the things scripturally assigned to the preacher? If Elders are to take over one task assigned to preachers, why shouldn’t they take over all things assigned to the preacher to do? By this logic, there is no longer any need for preachers at all.

It is an assumption, that there were no elders in Crete. How do we know that Titus was not just ordaining more elders? There may not have been elders on Crete or there may have been. We don’t know. Insisting there were not any is an assumption.

If elders once in place are to be the ones who ordain new elders, then why is Timothy, the young evangelist told not to be quick to ordain elders (1 Timothy 5:22), when there were already elders at the church in Ephesus for at least a decade before Timothy came (Acts 20:17)? Churches with elders still need preachers.

Objection #2
They say, “The bible says in 1 Timothy 5:17 ‘The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.’ See, elders are to rule the church and therefore they should ordain new elders not the evangelist”

Answer:
The word translated “rule” in 1 Timothy 5:17 means “to stand firm before.” It does not mean to be Lord over. In fact elders are told NOT to “Lord it over” their fellow Christians. Elders should “stand firm before” others in teaching the Bible.

In Luke 22: 25-26 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves."

1 Peter 5: 2-3 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

In the NASV the word translated “rule” in 1 Timothy 5:17 is used nine times in the New Testament and only translated “rule” in this one verse. It is never used of kings, government rulers, or slave masters. It is used of husbands toward wives, fathers toward children, church leaders toward members, individuals toward their own moral behavior, and of an inanimate object, rain (James 5:7). It means to “stand firm before” in teaching and preaching not to “Lord over” flock by assuming authority given to the preacher. It does not give Elders permission to set aside Biblical doctrine in order to ordain other Elders.

Send your questions to scripturist@hotmail.com

Top Ten Reasons We Know Santa Clause Is Evil

Top Ten Reasons We Know Santa Clause Is Evil
10. Uses Midgets as slave labor
9. Takes credit for all the gifts that parents really give
8. Was adapted from a pagan God called Joulupukki
7. He discriminates against Jewish and Muslim children
6. Ran over some goof ball singers grandma
5. Sees you when you are sleeping
4. Breaks into children’s houses at night
3. Greedily licensed his image out to thousands of commercials
2. Santa has the same letters as Satan
1. Causes Children to forget who the first six letters in Christmas are for

What is important this Christmas?

Check out what Christmas should be about but isn't for far too many.