Times were hard in Austria, and my father wanted to enter Germany to live there. However the European borders were closed due to the war, so he determined to emmigrate to America to find a better life. People wanting to enter America needed to be sponsored, and the Catholic Church had a sponsorship program which met the requirement. This resulted in a certain moral commitment to the Catholic Church. In May of 1952, we sailed for America. My father worked as a ship’s laborer to pay our passage, and there were friends in Chicago which we could live with until we could get on our feet. Things didn’t work out in Chicago, and we moved to Milwaukee, where we settled permanently.

When it was time for my brother and I go to school, we were enrolled at Saint Michaels’ Elementary School which offered grades one through eight. Except for a few lay-ladies who taught in a few of the lower grades, the School Sisters Of Notre Dame staffed the school. All of the classes attended mass (the Catholic worship service), every morning, and went to confession (the Catholic Sacriment of Penance), once a month. My brother and I went to church every Sunday as well. My mother went to Sunday services only occasionally, and my father only at Christmas and Easter.

The only discussions about religion I ever remember having at our home were some personal experiences my father told me about. When he was a child in grade school, his class was receiving religious instruction from the parish priest. The priest was teaching the doctrine of the Trinity, and said that there was the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. He then asked my father how many Gods there were. My father replied that there were three Gods, assuming from the lesson that it was the correct answer. The priest then slapped my father, and declared in anger that there was only one God. Years later, when my father was a young adult, the same priest apologized to my father for that incident. The priest also made another statement that would affect my father’s perspective on religion. He told my father that when he had first come to the village as a young parish priest, he arrived with only the clothes on his back, but in the succeeding years, he had accumulated so many things that he would need a train to carry them all away. He unknowingly convinced my father that religion was a business that served the leaders at the expense of the led.

When I was in fourth grade, I came to what I would call a spiritual crossroad. I began to suspect that what I was being taught in catechism class was not entirely true. For example, I was told that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had to be sinless, because only a sinless person could give birth to another sinless person. It was apparent to me that if that were true, since Mary was sinless, then Mary’s mother would also have to be sinless, and that her grandmother would have to be sinless for the same reason. This pattern would logically have to continue all the way back to Eve, who was a known sinner. However, it was taught that Mary’s mother was indeed a sinner, and that only Mary was special in this regard. Something wasn’t adding up. There was also the matter of indulgences. How did they know, I wondered, that reciting a certain prayer a set number of times, or paying for masses to be said for the dead, would let people out of purgatory early according to the set number of days that they specified? There were timetables that were very specific as to how many days each indulgence would shave off the total number each person would have to endure in that hell-like place. I didn’t know where these timetables came from, but it was obvious to me that they were not from God.

Eventually, I asked my teacher, a nun, if I should read the Bible. She replied that it would be pointless, since only the theologians could understand it. The conclusion of that comment was that I would have no basis for determining truth, since all that was left was what man said. I also asked her if I should believe the creation story of Adam and Eve, or believe in evolution. Her reply was that it didn’t matter. “How could it not matter?” I thought. If that didn’t matter, then what did matter? I now realize that if there was no Adam and Eve, there could also be no original sin, a cornerstone of the Catholic religion. I wrestled with these things for a time, and then decided to express my concerns to a priest. Since I was too shy to actually talk to a priest face to face, I chose to bring up my doubts in the confessional, assuming the priest wouldn’t know who I was. When I asked the priest what to do about my doubts, he was silent for a moment, and then replied that I “should just have faith.” This was not nearly adequate for me. Have faith in what? The Bible was a closed book, and the teachings of men were obviously misguided. That event marked the end of my faith in Catholic teaching. I had been told that the Catholic Church was the “one true church,” but not finding that believable, I reasoned that there must not be any true church, and that God probably didn’t exist. By the time I was through public high school, my reasoning had led to my becoming an atheist. In those days I would defend my atheistic beliefs against anyone who challenged them. Nevertheless, I still feared inwardly that God might exist, in which case, I would probably not be on His good side. I now know that atheists are afraid of God; they just won’t admit it to anyone.

In February of 1969, five months after my wife and I were married, I was drafted into the US Army. I was sent to Germany, and after a few months, my wife joined me there. We lived off-base in the village of Germersheim. In August of 1970, our first child was born, and my wife wanted to have her baptized. I willingly went along with this, just in case I was wrong about God. We went to one mass on the base to set up the baptism with the priest, and went back the next week to have our daughter baptized. Those were the only two times we attended mass in our eighteen months in Germany. Our daughter was five months old when my military duty ended and we returned to the United States.

When the first of our four sons was born three years later, we again attended mass to set up a baptism for him at a church we had picked randomly. I was still avowing atheism, but we would have him baptized “just in case”. At the baptism, there were three or four other couples that were going to have their babies baptized also. When our turn came, the priest referred to my wife by her maiden name. Bacause we weren’t married in the Catholic Church, he didn’t consider us married at all. We were shocked and appalled that he would do this, making it appear that our son was illegitimate, and we never attended a Catholic service again.

It was during this period that I secured a machinist apprenticeship at the factory where I worked. There were several other apprentices in my social group, among whom was Gary, a “born again” Christian. Gary shared Bible verses with me and expressed a concern for my salvation. However, I would not be deterred from my atheistic beliefs, and Gary was not having much success in his efforts to win me to Christ. Finally Gary gave me a Bible. He said he could see that what he was telling me wasn’t having any effect, and that I should read the Bible for myself. My thought was, “I’m not afraid of this,” and determined to read the Bible, though I felt I mostly knew what was in it because of my years in Catholic elementary school. So I began to read in the book of Genesis and made it to Leviticus before completely bogging down. The genealogies were just too much for me. Some months later I tried again, and again, I got only as far as Leviticus. After a while, I determined to start reading in the New Testament, thinking the going would be easier. By the time I made it through the gospels, I was convinced that the Bible was the Word of God, and that I fell far short of going to heaven. Also, I was utterly amazed at the difference in teaching between the Bible and the Catholic Church. I began to realize that I had been deliberately shielded from many Biblical truths by the Catholic priests.

While continuing to read the New Testament, and then returning to finish reading the Old Testament, I abandoned my atheistic beliefs and determined to be a Christian. I distinctly remember deciding to believe in the Biblical story of creation, rather than evolution. The only reason I had to change my view was because it was what the Bible taught. I had come to the place where the Bible took precedent over all other authorities in my life. I read it constantly, seeking to know just what was in those pages. I was also starting to look for a church to attend. In my meager efforts to witness to my co-workers, one of the men asked me which church I attended. I replied that I didn’t attend church. He sort of mocked me, saying that it was odd for someone to talk about the Bible as I did, and not even attend a church. So I began to look for a church that preached the Bible.

I attended eleven different churches in all before settling on one that I felt taught the truth. Many of the churches were not much more than social clubs, and visitors were not very welcome at some of these institutions. My wife was interested in attending church, so one Sunday morning, she and our two children accompanied me. Cathy had bought a dress for the occasion since she didn’t own one at the time. As we walked from our car to the church for the first time, I was reflecting on the change that had taken place in my life. Here I was, going to church with my wife and children. The thought was overwhelming to me; so great had been the change and direction of our lives. I was in awe of what was happening.

Even with all this, I could tell that something was missing, although I didn’t know what it was. I believed all that the Bible said, and now was defending rather than challenging it. I believed in Christ, who had died for me. But for all this, I didn’t feel complete. I didn’t feel secure. And I wasn’t really sure I was going to heaven. I tried to dismiss these feelings, since I was a Christian now (or so I thought), but I did wonder why I was feeling this way. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was insecure because I wasn’t saved. The Spirit of God wasn’t witnessing with my spirit that I was a child of God. I believed all the right things, but I hadn’t accepted Christ and been born again. I didn’t know any of this; I just didn’t feel quite right.

Our family attended that church for a total of four weeks. On the fourth week, I filled out a visitor’s card, and checked the box that requested a visit from the pastor. I don’t remember my reason for doing that, but I do remember regretting it as soon as the card was put into the offering plate. I had felt intimidated by the Catholic priests, though there was no obvious reason for it, and I was also intimidated at the thought of a pastor coming to my house. The evening the pastor arrived, I was so nervous that my hand was shaking, and I could hardly drink my coffee. As we began to converse, unknown to me, the pastor was seeking to lead me to Christ. He could tell that I wasn’t saved; it was I that didn’t know it. Finally he asked me if I was willing to pray with him and receive Christ as my Savior. My inner thought was that I was already a believer, and what need was there of receiving Christ? But I also thought that if I said no to this invitation, it would be like denying Christ, and that was unthinkable. So I agreed to follow him in a prayer of receiving Christ. He also asked my wife if she would pray. She said that she would pray in her heart, but was actually thinking that she already had a relationship with God, and that this wasn’t necessary.

As the pastor led me in prayer, a great change took place in my life. In those moments I was gloriously saved! It was the deep-down, full assurance kind of salvation experience that leaves no room for doubt. After the prayer was finished, I was joyful and elated. I had passed from death into life, and I knew it. My wife hadn’t experienced anything since she wasn’t accepting what the pastor was saying. She questioned whether a person needed to be born again as I was, and the next day called a liberal pastor in the area to ask him about it. He said that being born again certainly wasn’t a necessity to go to heaven, and with that, she was content in believing that she was acceptable to God. Since she felt uncomfortable with the pastor that had led me to Christ, we moved on to attend other churches. One year later she also accepted Christ as her Savior.

In the years that followed, I never had any doubts about my salvation as many do. There were times, however, when my old atheistic thinking would invade my mind, and I would question whether God actually existed. Whenever I had these thoughts, I would think to myself, “Well if God exists, I am definitely saved; but if this is all a dream, and God doesn’t exist, I’m alright too, because there’s no hell”. Using that logic would get me past those thoughts. After four or five years, I finally came to the simple realization that if God didn’t exist, I wouldn’t exist either. After that, I never again struggled with those kinds of thoughts.

Many years ago, when I first began to read the Bible, I just wanted to know what was between the covers of that sacred Book. Now that I am familiar with the Bible, I have a need to know how I should understand its messages. As a rusult, I’ve been studying the Bible to the best of my limited ability. Sometimes my studies have resulted in written documents that I would like to share with others. This webpage has become my vehicle to with which to share what God has given me. I hope you find it useful, and enjoy in reading, as mush as I have enjoyed writing it.

Pride is at the center of all teaching that is “in the flesh.” The Holy Spirit will step out of the way, and let us do the teaching instead of Him, if that’s what we want. The goal of teaching in the flesh is self-fulfillment.

Although we are most often concerned with what to say, an equal problem is knowing what not to say. It is better to give no advice than bad advice, but we feel better when we’ve given advice because it puts us in the position of authority, and increases our self image.

We are teaching “in the flesh” when:

1. We become agitated that the person “isn’t getting it.” When we are teaching “in the Spirit,” we have confidence in the message that God has given us to share. Agitation is a sign of fleshly motives.
2. We’re “trying hard” to get our message across. The work of the Spirit is easy, and the words flow like cool waters on a thirsty soul. His burden is easy; let God lead in the work.
3. The conversation’s volume begins to increase. We aren’t getting the attention we demand, and so we begin to talk louder. Others will notice this before we do. We have begun arguing and usually don’t recognize it.
4. We think of the person we’re trying to talk to as “ignorant,” or we have some other derogatory sentiment toward them. Our mindset has gone from being a help to being superior.
5. We use attacks rather than reason and the Scriptures to prove our point. For instance, if we call the other person’s view “immature,” we denigrate not only their position, but them as well.
6. We use terms like “you people,” thereby setting that person in a class of rejects.
7. We consider opposition a rejection of our person, rather than a rejection of Biblical truth. This happens most often within families. Opposition brings out our insecurities when we are in the flesh.
8. We want the other person to see our point “right now.” We are unwilling to let God work in His own time.
9. We go to great lengths to explain our position, even though the other person is bored with the conversation. We are fulfilling our need to talk (to edify ourselves), while not considering the other person’s needs.
10. We’re unwilling to break off the conversation even though we know the other person doesn’t want to continue it. We’re using force to get our words out, and closing the door to future opportunities to win them.
11. We “shoot the other person down” with “proof text verses” or “superior intellect” or “superior training.” Persons untrained in the Bible make easy targets for knowledgeable Christians, but we are really just abusing them.
12. We feel good because we got the last word in. But do they feel good about it?
13. When we say, “Well, he didn’t want to hear it, but I let him have it anyway!” we are speaking of things we’ve said in the flesh.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  (Romans 3:10 KJV)

Can it be true that there is not even one righteous person in the entire world? So many of us see ourselves as good people, and yet God sees us for what we really are. Oddly enough, most believe that only the worst of sinners go to hell, but if salvation was based on a person’s relative righteousness, where would the cut-off point be? If we were truly righteous, we would be free from all sin, not just the worst of sins.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (Romans 3:23 KJV)

Yes, all have sinned. That includes me, and if you are honest, you will admit that it includes you as well. What then is sin? Any thought or deed that is contrary to the will of God. Some have done a better job in this than others, but the fact remains; we have all come short of God’s perfect standard of holiness.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  (Romans 5:12 KJV)

The first man brought sin into the world through his disobedience to God’s clear command. Just as parents pass on their physical traits to their children, Adam passed on his spiritual traits to his descendants. Because Adam was a sinner, we are sinners also, and our lives are the proof of it. God created man to live forever, but man changed that by an act of his self-will. Now men must die, both physically and spiritually.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Romans 6:23 KJV)

Let’s take this verse in two parts. The first part tells us what will happen to us because we have sinned against God. We will receive the wages of our sin, what the Bible calls the second death in the lake of fire. So why doesn’t God just forget about our sin, and bring us into heaven? Because that would not be just and right. We cannot earn a place in heaven, but we can, and do, earn a place in hell. If the company you work for didn’t pay you, you would probably be upset about it. You might say, “I want what I’ve got coming.” God is rightly giving sinners what they have coming, the wages of their sin.

The second part of the verse tells us that the gift of God is eternal life. A gift is something you get for free. If you pay even one penny for something, it is no longer a gift. On the other hand, the giver of the gift does have to pay for it. Jesus paid a great price for our salvation, even the price of shedding his own blood on the cross. If you will receive it, the gift he offers can be yours.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  (Romans 5:8 KJV)

We love those that love us, but God loved us when we were alienated from him. He proved his love by having his own Son die in our place. The judgment of God requires that the penalty of sin be paid. The love of God was expressed in that he himself paid that penalty. The question we must answer is whether we will accept the gift of God’s payment, or insist on making our own payment.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (Romans 10:9 KJV)

After we understand that Christ died for us, and believe that we need to be saved, we then need to consummate our faith toward God. In other words, it is not enough merely to agree with what God has said; we need to act on it. God has made a promise that all who confess Jesus, believing that he was raised from the dead as our Savior, will be saved. God’s promises are not like man’s promises; what God says he will do.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  (Romans 10:13 KJV)

Now that you know what God has said, isn’t it time for you to call upon God for the forgiveness of your sins, and receive a new life? When God says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord,” He is serious. There is no one excluded from God’s promise. “Whosoever” is all-inclusive, even to the best and worst of sinners.

Just bow your heart right now and pray: Oh God, I know that I am a sinner, and that because of my sin, I deserve to go to hell. I now believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Oh God, I accept the salvation that you offer through your Son, Jesus. Help me to live for Him all my days. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Bible says:

As it is written, . . . whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  (Romans 9:33b KJV)

Go and tell others what a great thing God has done for you, sharing the good news of God’s gift of salvation far and wide.

If you made the choice to accept Christ, or if you’re still thinking about it, please contact me, and I would love to be a help in any way I can.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  (John 3:1 KJV)

The Pharisees were a particularly strict sect of the Jewish community. Many of the Pharisees opposed Jesus vehemently, but we find Nicodemus coming to Jesus and seeking to understand spiritual truths from him.

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  (John 3:2 KJV)

No one knows for sure why Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night. We do know that if he had come during the daytime in the presence of his fellow Pharisees, he would have been ridiculed. Would your church friends scorn you if they knew you were serious about Jesus, or about being “born again”? Nicodemus admits here that he believes Jesus is from God, but he doesn’t know what to do with that information.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  (John 3:3 KJV)

Jesus knows exactly what Nicodemus needs, and why he came to him. Nicodemus is a religious man in need of salvation. Jesus uses the image of birth to illustrate salvation to Nicodemus. The first birth is the one that we all have. We became the children of our parents by way of physical birth, and we must become the children of God by way of spiritual birth. Jesus is telling Nicodemus that without the second birth, there is no salvation.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  (John 3:4 KJV)

Because Nicodemus is not saved, he doesn’t understand. Nicodemus knows about the first birth, but the second birth is a complete mystery to him. If it is a mystery to you also, then perhaps you have not yet received it either. Nicodemus is thinking in physical terms, but Jesus is speaking in spiritual terms.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  (John 1:12 KJV)

When we agree with God that we are lost sinners, and receive from God the free gift of salvation through Jesus, God births us into his family.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (John 3:5 KJV)

Some would pervert the message of the gospel by saying that we are saved through baptism, and assert that the “water” of verse five alludes to it. However, Jesus is reiterating to Nicodemus that there are two births, one physical and one spiritual. In physical birth water is expelled when the “bag of waters” erupts. Thus, the water is a sign of the coming physical birth. The Spirit of verse five refers to God’s Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. When the Spirit is working within a person, it is a sign that something is happening, and that a spiritual birth may be drawing nigh.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  (John 3:6 KJV)

In verse six, Jesus makes it plain what is meant by verse five. The “flesh” is the water of physical birth, and the “Spirit” is the Spirit of God. This entire passage of scripture deals with birth, and nowhere is baptism mentioned.

What remains to be asked is whether or not you have been “born again”. Are you a religious person as Nicodemus was? Church attendance, tithing, making many prayers, and doing good deeds do not add up to a new birth. Only receiving Jesus as your Savior can make you a child of God.

If you now realize that you need to accept Christ to be saved, then bow your heart right now and pray: Oh God, I know that I am a sinner, and that because of my sin, I deserve to go to hell. I now believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Oh God, I accept the salvation that you offer through your Son, Jesus. Help me to live for Him all my days. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Bible says:

As it is written, . . . whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  (Romans 9:33b KJV)

Go and tell others what a great thing God has done for you, sharing the good news of God’s gift of salvation far and wide.

If you made the choice to accept Christ, or if you’re still thinking about it, please contact me, and I would love to be a help in any way I can.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)

We should not pray to Mary or to the “saints.” Prayer is worship, and only God should be worshipped. The Bible teaches that Mary is not an acceptable mediator (intercessor) between God and man, because only Jesus can occupy that role.

And Mary said, . . . my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  (Luke 1:46-47 KJV)

Mary needed to be saved from her sins, just like all of mankind, and she testified to that fact by calling God her Savior. Jesus was the only person ever born without a sinful nature.

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.  (Matthew 1:25 KJV)

Mary and Joseph had a normal marriage after Jesus was born. The idea that Mary retained her virginity for her whole life is false according to the Bible.

Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?  (Matthew 13:55-56 KJV)

After the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph had children together. These were the half-brothers and sisters of Jesus.

I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.  (Psalms 69:8-9 KJV)

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.  (John 2:17 KJV)

Some people say that the brothers of Jesus were only his cousins, but the prophesy in Psalms makes it clear that they were indeed the children of Mary.

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.  (Mark 3:31-35 KJV)

Mary’s role was similar to that of all Christians who serve Christ. She was a servant. Jesus puts all of his faithful servants on an equal footing with Mary.

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.  (John 7:1-5 KJV)

Jesus’ half-brothers rejected his ministry during his life. It was his disciples who helped him carry the load of ministry during his earthly years, while family ties were not helpful.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  (Matthew 6:7 KJV)

Repetitious praying, such as using the rosary, is denounced by Jesus as a heathen practice.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. . . . And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  (Mark 7:7,9 KJV)

Tradition should never overrule the Bible, as it does in the Catholic religion.

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.  (Titus 1:14 KJV)

When the commandments of men are contrary to the Bible, they turn people from the truth. The Catholic church has its own set of commandments, which are mostly contrary to biblical teaching. The so called “sacrament of penance” is but one example of a rule that is entirely in conflict with biblical principles.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.  (Acts 5:29 KJV)

Peter did not create edicts contrary to the Bible. Also, there is no mention of any papal system in the Bible.

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  (Romans 10:1-3 KJV)

A sincere religious zeal is of no value if it is not based on Bible truths.

Neither is there salvation in any other [except Jesus]: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  (Acts 4:12 KJV)

Only Jesus can save a sinner from hell. Sinners are saved through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, not through faith in their church.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV)

There is no such place as purgatory, since at death, Christians go directly into the presence of Jesus in heaven.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.  (Psalms 116:15 KJV)

Could a believer’s death be precious if he wound up burning in purgatory? Of course not! All Christians are called saints in the Bible.

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  (2 Corinthians 11:28 KJV)

Paul had the care of the Gentile churches, while Peter looked after the Jewish believers. Neither was a pope.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV)

Catholic priests are forbidden to marry. Abstinence from meat on Friday was required in the past. The Bible makes it clear where these teachings came from.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  (Hebrews 9:24-26 KJV)

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  (Hebrews 10:14 KJV)

The continual sacrifice of the mass is contrary to the Biblical teaching of the “once for all time” sufficiency of the sacrifice of the cross.

But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.  (Mark 1:30 KJV)

Peter (Simon) was married. Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. The Catholic laws against marriage were never taught in the Bible.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.  (Revelation 18:4 KJV)

We need to separate ourselves from false religions that do not believe or obey the Word of God.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  (Matthew 23:9 KJV)

There is only one Holy Father, and that is God. We are instructed never to refer to men as our spiritual father. Calling the priest or pope “father” is unbiblical and wrong.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV)

Redemption cannot be bought through the purchase of indulgences, by giving money for masses, by paying religious people to pray for the deceased, etc.

They also added the word “Jehovah” to the New Testament 237 times, replacing the word “Lord” whenever it refers to God the Father. They left the word “Lord” alone, however, whenever it refers to Jesus, thereby deceitfully using translating to suit their own doctrines. Also, like the Catholic system, which has its Vatican, the Jehovah Witnesses have a centralized rule in Brooklyn : the “Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.” Whatever doctrines the “Council of Twelve” (the leaders of the religion) hand down, must be immediately accepted by the faithful around the world as God inspired. This is just like the Popes’ decrees to Catholics, and the Catholic doctrine of papal infallibility. Mormonism has a similar setup in Salt Lake City, Utah, with its “prophet” system. Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the deity (Godness) of Christ, and say that Jesus is Michael the angel. The Bible states that Jesus is not an angel. Hebrews 1:5,”For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” The answer, of course, is that he never said it to any angel. Jesus is shown to be God in the Bible. Thomas was speaking to Jesus, and Jesus confirmed Thomas’s words. John 20:28, “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” The Jewish rulers understood that Jesus claimed he was God. John 5:18, “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”

The Heavenly Father referred to Jesus as God. Hebrews 1:8, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the bodily resurrection of Christ. They say that it was his spirit that was raised, and we cannot tell what happened to his earthly body. This, in fact, denies that there was a resurrection at all, for the resurrection refers to the body. Luke 24:39, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” John 20:20, “And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the doctrine of the Trinity, teaching that the Holy Spirit is only an “active force,” something like electricity. The Bible amply affirms the truth of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit experiences the emotion of grief, showing him to be a person, since you must have intellect to experience emotion. Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” The Holy Spirit can be lied to as only a person can; you cannot lie to electricity. Acts 5:3, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”

The Jehovah’s Witnesses detest I John 5:7, even claiming it should not be in the Bible. I John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” The three persons of the Trinity are depicted in the following verse. Luke 3:22, “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” The Old Testament also depicted the Trinity. In the following verse, Jesus is speaking of the Father and Holy Spirit sending him to his ministry on earth. Isaiah 48:16, “Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.” Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the existence of a literal hell, saying that it is merely an allegory for suffering and the grave. The discussion of this topic is somewhat lengthy, so suffice it to say that in every instance hell is mentioned in the Bible, they have developed a loop-hole in order to defeat the real intent of scripture.

The interpretations of parables by Jesus were always literal. In this case, the interpretation says the wicked shall burn in hell.

The Parable:

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.  (Matthew 13:24-30 KJV)

The Literal Interpretation:

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  (Matthew 13:41-42 KJV)

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have tried to discredit the story of the rich man in hell (Luke16:19-31) by claiming it as a parable. It is true that Jesus taught in parables (Matthew 13:34, “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them.”), but the question is not whether the story of the rich man in hell is a parable, rather what the definition of a parable is. The dictionary defines a parable as a “short religious allegory.” The dictionary defines an allegory as a “story used to illustrate a truth.” The dictionary does NOT say that the story, allegory, or parable is not factual. In other words, a parable can be a factual or fabricated story. An example of Jesus using a factual story as a parable (other than the Luke 16 story), is His reference to the account of Jonah. Matthew 12:40, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whales belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses allow that the account of Jonah is true and factual, yet Jesus used it as a parable to illustrate a truth. Therefore, the “parable” of the rich man in hell is not to be discounted as not factual simply because Jesus used it as an illustration of the results of covetousness.

Here are some verses that contradict the belief that there is no hell. Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Revelation 14:11, “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Isaiah 33:14, “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that only 144,000 people will enter into heaven. However, in the last 100 years of their existence, they have basically run out of “slots for heaven.” Therefore (according to them), they must settle for a spot in the earthly kingdom. The 144,000 were all Jewish male virgins. Revelation 14:4, “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Compare to Revelation 7. Paul taught that all believers go to heaven immediately after death. II Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Luke 6:23, “Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teaching is remarkably similar to that of the Pharisees, which Jesus denounced with the following words: Matthew 23:13, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” There are other false doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses which would take many pages to address. As with most religions, the people are sincere, but are not encouraged to study the Bible on their own. The leaders fear that the Bible will be detrimental to the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ allegiance to “The Society.” (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society)

One of the pet themes of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is that so-called “Christian” nations go to war with one another, thereby proving that they are not of God. The problem is that the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not understand the distinction between the “church” and civil government. Jesus made it clear that even iniquitous civil government was appointed of God, and that the role of government was to provide a good society. John 19:11, “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” John the Baptist did not tell the soldiers to quit the army, but rather not to forcefully take away anyone’s money. Luke 3:14, “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” We are to be subject to the governmental authorities. Romans 13:1-6, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.” II Peter 2:9-12, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.”

1. The Bible says that Jesus made water into wine John 2
2. Jesus supposedly drank wine at the Last Supper Luke 22:17
3. Paul told Timothy to “drink a little wine for his stomach’s sake” 1Timothy 5:23
4. There was scarce, or polluted, water available for drinking, and so wine was used as a healthy substitute.
5. Because of the hot climate, grape juice could not be stored, but must have quickly fermented into wine.
6. The Jewish tradition then as now, was to drink wine at the feasts, and at meals.
7. The Jews accused Jesus of being a winebibber, which “proves” Jesus drank as least some wine.
8. Scholarly works, such as Strong’s Concordance (dictionary section), Thayer’s Lexicon, and a mountain of other books by noted biblical scholars, are in support of the idea that wine is God approved.

Each one of these points will be answered in these pages. If I have learned anything as a Christian, it is that the Bible is its own best defender, and that we need not fear to discuss any point of doctrine.

Chapter 1

The Facts of Wine and Vinegar Manufacture

One of the chief obstacles in understanding the Biblical teaching on wine, is that people have an inaccurate concept of how wine is made. I remember the shock of several of my children when they were very young, and they first found out that meat from the grocery store was the flesh of animals, and that milk comes from the underside of a cow. In our technologically sophisticated day, we often are ignorant of the most basic facts of life as they were practiced in times of old.

The Facts of Wine manufacture

The following excerpts are from the pages of the paperback book:

“The Art of Making Wine” Stanley F. Anderson with Raymond Hull Longmans Canada Limited The Alger Press Limited

1) Noah’s manufacture and use of wine (yayin). Gen. 9:20-27 (from page 1)

“The Bible reports that Noah invented the arts of vineculture and winemaking after the flood” Besides giving an incorrect analysis of the account of Noah being the first winemaker, which he likely was not, this book does not report the immoral result of his winemaking. Ignoring or downplaying the sin which alcohol brings into ones life is typical of those who favor wine. From this first portrayal of wine in the Bible and onward, it brought great sin into the lives of men and women.

2) The use of grapes to make wine (from page 4)

“The grape is the only fruit which contains all the ingredients, in the right proportions, for making perfect wines.”

Other fruits will also ferment, but will normally require added sugar for complete fermentation. Incomplete fermentation results in a very low level of alcohol content.

3) The “bloom” (from page 5)

“As the grape ripens, it develops a bloom, a cloudy appearance on its skin, rather like the mist you make by breathing on a cool window-pane. The bloom is actually a fine, waxy film covered with the microscopic cells of windborne wild yeasts and molds.”

The bloom is where the yeast came from in the pre-scientific winemaking era. The grapes in your local grocery store usually have been treated to kill the yeasts in the bloom. The bloom contains a mixture of what would be considered good, and, bad, yeasts and moulds for winemaking.

4) The “must” (from page 5)

“The ripe grapes are rushed from the vineyard to the winery, and immediately crushed. The stems are removed at this stage. They contain a lot of tannin, and if left in, would make the wine bitter. The quantity of tannin in the pips (seeds), is usually sufficient to make a flavorful wine. The remaining mass of juice, pulp, and seeds is called the “must”.

Therefore the “must” is the mass of crushed grapes. When you see pictures of people stomping, in a mash of crushed grapes, it is the “must” that they are stepping on in order to extract the juice from the grapes. Of coarse modern day wineries use machines to extract the grape juice.

5) Color of the wine (from page 5)

“Treatment of the must at this stage determines, in many cases, the colour of the finished wine. Some grapes, such as the Alicante variety, have red juice, so they will make only red wine. But in other varieties, such as Grenache, Mission, and Zinfandel, the red colour is not in the juice, but in the skins. The so called white grapes have green or yellow pigment.”

“So at this stage, for white wine, the juice is pressed out of the must and fermented without the skins in the vat, because the skins serve no purpose. For red wine however, the entire must is fermented for several days, while the alcohol extracts the desired amount of pigment from the skins.”

You could do a bit of experimenting yourself, as I did. Take a cluster of purple grapes and crush them. When you drain off the juice you will notice that it is tan colored. Now take another cluster of the same grapes, and after crushing them, boil the juice with the skins for 15 minutes (this simulates fermentation). The juice becomes as dark as the skins. Why then is grape juice purple colored in the store? For the same reason that butter is yellow in Wisconsin. The manufacturers added the color because that is what consumers have come to expect. A recent experiment by the Pepsi Cola company with clear colored Pepsi failed, because it wasn’t the color Pepsi drinkers came to expect.

6) Sulphiting and inoculating with wine yeast (from page 6)

“The sugar and acid content of the must is measured, and corrected if necessary. In the pre-scientific winemaking era, the must was allowed to start fermenting by itself. The wild yeast on the skins (in the bloom) would go to work, turning the grape sugar into alcohol. But this was a chance process. There was no knowing what kinds of yeast might be present. Results could be excellent with one batch, mediocre with a second, bad with a third. Or perhaps there might not be enough wild yeast to get a strong fermentation started, in which case molds or vinegar bacteria would take over and spoil the whole batch of must. To eliminate risk of loss, and to obtain a uniform product, modern winemakers inhibit the growth of the wild yeasts, moulds, and bacteria at this stage with sulphur dioxide. This process is usually called sulphiting. After sulphiting, the must is inoculated with a culture of selected wine yeast. These yeasts are bred over many years as carefully as racehorses, and chosen to give exactly the desired strength and flavor of the finished wine. A winemakers stock of yeasts is one of his most valued assets.”

The amateur winemaker also treats his must with sulfur dioxide. He then inoculates the must with wine yeasts purchased for that purpose.

It cannot be stressed too strongly how important it is to know that wine is made with yeast, if you miss this point, you can never come to the proper conclusions regarding this subject.

Yeast is called leaven in the King James Version of the Bible.

7) Spoilage bacteria and temperature during the fermentation process. (from page 7)

“The rising bubbles of gas carry with them particles of skin and pulp which float on the surface, forming what is called THE CAP. This cap must be broken up from time to time. If it is allowed to dry out, it forms a favorable breeding ground for spoilage bacteria. The primary fermentation generates considerable heat which is drawn off, if necessary, by circulating a refrigerant through coils running through the must, or by pumping the must through cooling-coils. For red wines the temperature of the must is kept below 85 degrees F., for white wines, below 65 degrees F.”

If the temperature rises above 85 degrees, the spoilage bacteria find the conditions very favorable, and the must will start to decay.

Now we can answer the assertion that in the hot Palestinian climate, grape juice could not be stored without turning into wine. The fact is, that above 85 degrees that grape juice would spoil, and not ferment.

The Facts of Vinegar manufacture

Many people may be surprised to find out how vinegar is made. Even more surprising, is that the particulars about vinegar are of great importance in understanding biblical teaching on wine. From the Code of the Nazarite, to the drink of the cross, vinegar is a substance of much significance.

Excerpts on vinegar making are from the pages of:

“The Good Cooks Book of OIL and VINEGAR” Michele Anna Jordan – author Addison Wesly – publisher Copyright 1992 pages 42 & 43

1) The legal definition of vinegar in the United States

“All types of vinegar must contain a minimum of four grams of acetic acid per 100 cubic centimeters and all must be a product of alcoholic fermentation and the subsequent acetic fermentation of one of the following liquids.” 1) the juice of grapes: wine vinegar 2) the juice of apples: vinegar, cider vinegar, apple cider vinegar 3) an infusion of barley malt or cereals, the starch in which has been converted by malt: malt vinegar 4) sugar syrup or refiners syrup: sugar vinegar 5) a solution of glucose or dextrose: glucose vinegar 6) dilute distilled alcohol: spirit, distilled, or grain vinegar

“Simply put, vinegar is the by-product of a single species of bacteria upon alcohol. In the presence of oxygen, acetobacters digest the alcohol in a liquid, producing acetic acid, which gives vinegar it characteristic sour taste.”

“Our word vinegar comes from the French, vinaigre, which means literally, wine sour: vin aigre.” Wine is fermented grape juice, and vinegar is fermented wine. Notice the definition of fermentation below.

Fermentation: A chemical decomposition of an organic compound induced by living organisms or by chemical agents.

Most of the kitchens of our western culture don’t use wine vinegar (or apple-cider vinegar). The wine vinegar that we see on store shelves, is the type of vinegar that was used throughout the ages. Wine vinegar, and apple-cider vinegar contain no alcohol, they are so named because they were made from either wine or alcoholic apple-cider.

Most homemakers use clear vinegar which is manufactured directly from alcohol, and is cheaper to buy.

We will call upon the facts of wine and vinegar manufacturing when interpreting the various portions of scripture that require it.

Chapter 2

Methods of Avoiding Fermentation

We have seen that there are physical laws governing the fermentation process. The liquid, sugar, and yeast must be in the proper proportions, and under the proper conditions for a successful fermentation. To avoid the onset of fermentation then, some element of this process needs to be defeated. Thus if we eliminate an element of the fermentation process, such as removing the yeast, no fermentation can take place. Or we could alter the balance of the elements, such as reducing the liquid volume, to prevent fermentation.

1) Using heat to destroy the yeast and prevent fermentation.

Quote from: “The Good Housekeeping Cookbook” (page 499 in section on yeast breads), by Dorothy B. Marsh, Good Housekeeping Book Division

“Because yeast is a living plant, too much heat can kill it’s action, while not enough heat can slow it down”

As any baker knows, yeast is used in bread to make it rise. The yeast feeds on the sugar in the recipe, and on natural sugars in the batter, creating carbon dioxide gas. Before adding yeast to the bread the baker usually activates the yeast by mixing it with warm water. Yeast is a living plant, and begins to revive and grow in the warm mixture. Care must be used not to overheat the water however, or the yeast will literally be cooked, killing it. Obviously then if the yeast is dead it cannot provide the fermenting action needed to raise the bread. This simple fact tells us how to avoid the fermentation process with grape juice. The ancients merely heated the juice until the yeast mold was killed. With no living yeast in the juice, fermentation could not begin. (This same process is still in use among those who make homemade grape juice.) The juice was then stored in the fruit cellar for up to one year.

It would be well to mention here that the juice would lose some it’s liquid volume if cooked for a prolonged period of time. This loss of volume would be advantageous both because less storage space would be needed to keep it at home, and because a traveler could more easily carry it with him. The juice would then be reconstituted with water, just as we do with fruit concentrates today.

All this is not to say that all Jews of the biblical ages wanted their juice to be unfermented. Only those who wanted to avoid the sin that attends alcohol would likely have bothered to prevent fermentation. The many accounts of drunkenness in the Bible, even by otherwise godly people, is undisputable. However the sin of some is not the sin of all in any age, and those believers who desire to honor God in any age, will do whatever it takes to put Him first.

Proverbs 23 – An Illustration Of The Physical Laws Of Fermentation

Proverbs 23 well illustrates the proper conclusions a person can come to, if they are aware of the facts of fermentation.

In Proverbs 23:29-35 we find the admonition against, and result of, intoxicating drink. The six sorrows of the drinker of wine are first brought to our attention.

1) Proverbs 23:29 Who hath woe? a passionate cry of grief or despair

2) who hath sorrow? unfulfilled desire, mental anguish, unhappiness

3) who hath contentions? squabbling, disagreements, disputes

4) who hath babbling? normally translated “complaint” in the KJV, prating, running on verbally

5) who hath wounds without cause? bruises, cuts, injuries

6) who hath redness of eyes? bloodshot, sore, and pained eyes

Notice that this sin begins by seeking wine, (“they that go to seek” vs. 30) i.e. going to the tavern, or going to the store to bring it home.

The sin continues by drinking that which was illicitly sought after. (“they that tarry long”)

Proverbs 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine (yayin); they that go to seek mixed wine (mamcak Strong’s number 04469)

The end of the sin is complete drunkenness, and all of the woes that accompany it.

The admonition to refrain from wine begins anew in verse 31 with the injunction to not even look at it. Looking can turn into longings of the heart.

Proverbs 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine (yayin) when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

Eve looked, and then yielded to sin.

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

David looked, and then yielded to sin.

2Saamuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

Verse 31 tells us when the wine is to be avoided when it is red, and when it moves.

Proverbs 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine (yayin) when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

As previously noted in the section on the fermentation process, wine takes its red (or dark) color from the skins of the grapes during fermentation. The Bible is telling us that wine is to be avoided when it is red, that is, when the fermentation process has taken place and the juice has taken on the pigment of the skins. Some might say that the wine is red because it is being seen through the bloodshot eyes of the drinker. That is just plain foolishness. If the person were already drunk, and it is then far too late to avoid the effects wine. The curse of verse 29 “who hath redness of eyes”, would already apply to such a person, making the admonition to abstain meaningless.

But there is a further word of caution in verse 31.

31 Look not thou upon the wine (yayin) when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

Besides not looking at the wine when it has taken on the telltale color of fermentation, we are to avoid it when “it moveth itself aright”. Again the laws of fermentation tell us how to interpret this. During the fermentation process the “must” bubbles, as carbon dioxide gas is produced. Therefore when the wine is moving itself as it becomes an intoxicant, and is to be avoided. There are those who would say that it “moveth itself” because of the unsteady condition of the drinker. However as noted before, if the effects of drunkenness are already evident in the drinker, it is far to late to avoid this liquid and the sins of drunkenness. The injunction not to sin at all, by avoiding this substance completely, is clearly presented in this portion of the Bible.

Again, it is obvious that alcohol, sexual sins, and foul language go together, as stated in verse 33.

Proverbs 23:33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

Even though the drinker is greatly harmed by his sin, the chains of alcohol draw him again and again to it.

Proverbs 23:34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

What then is the result of first looking, and then tarrying? It is the fruit of this sin. Verse 32, the stupefying effect of a poisonous snake bite, verse 33 immorality and a foul mouth, verse 34 loss of equilibrium, verse 35, numbness, beatings, and addiction. Why on earth would anyone want to do this to themselves? Only the devil could blind men so completely as to make them think this is normal.

Chapter 3

The Miracle Of Cana – A Commentary by Ernst Klaus revised 4/27/2009

The turning of water into wine at the marriage feast of Cana is beyond doubt the single most misused scripture used to affirm that Jesus approved of the drinking of alcohol. Because of the primacy of this argument, it is necessary to give the fullest possible explanation of the biblical account of this miracle. In this section we will deal not only with the reasons why the wine was actually grape juice, but as completely as possible with the entire range teaching that this miracle is intended to present.

The miracles of Jesus are actually parable object lessons. Truths are sometimes presented in such a way, that the reader of scripture must apply himself very diligently to discover them. We sometimes see the apostles coming to Christ after He told a parable, and asking for the explanation. At one point, Jesus questioned their lack of understanding of even the simplest parables.

Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

At other times there was no doubt as to the message of the parable, and even the enemies of Jesus understood its implications.

Mark 12:12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

As with the parables, the miracles are rich in symbolism. In the parables, leaven represents sin, and in the miracles leprosy represents sin. In curing leprosy, Jesus illustrates His power over sin as well. He can make the leper clean, and He can make the sinner clean. Such is the purpose of the miracles, to teach truths about Himself and the Kingdom of God.

John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Statement Of Affirmation:

This miracle is the announcement to the world of the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. This miracle is a picture of the blood atonement of Christ, and of the superiority of the blood of Christ over the works of the law.

Alcoholic wine, which is made with leaven, cannot fulfill that picture, but only corrupt it. The unleavened juice of the vine is uncorrupted, and perfectly fulfils the picture of Christ’s blood.

End Of Statement

Verse 1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

In this first verse God is connecting this miracle to what had happened three days previously. A careful study will reveal that it cannot be stated with any degree of certainty what event had occurred three days previous to this marriage. What we can recognize is that God has inserted that number here for a reason. The fact that there were three days from the crucifixion to the resurrection cannot be ignored. This is of course an important timeline, as Jesus later pointed out to the Pharisees.

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The mention of Jesus’ mother is important to this miracle as well. It was she that God used to bring Christ into the world. Her faith in believing the words of the angel, are a contrast to the unbelieving heart of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. Gabriel told each of a miraculous birth, but only one believed immediately. Now here at Cana, Mary’s’ faith would again be evident, and God would use it

Verse 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

Of course we also see that the occasion of this miracle is a marriage. Jesus did not come to the Cana marriage feast alone, for His disciples were called as well. The time is again coming when all of Jesus’ disciples will be called together to a marriage feast with Him.

Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Therefore this marriage supper at Cana, is a picture of that future supper where Christ Himself shall receive His bride.

Verse 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Somehow, Mary became aware of a need. If the need could have been humanly met, it would have been. The difficulty seemed insurmountable. I often think of King Asa when there is a need. Asa had a testimony as a good king.

IIChronicles 14:2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:

But in time of Asa’s greatest need, he forgot God.

IIChronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

Mary did not forget, and although she had never seen her divine Son perform a miracle, she expressed her faith in Him by communicating the dilemma to her Son as a simple statement of need.

Jesus responded to Mary with two statements. The first is “Woman, what have I to do with thee?”.

Verse 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

Although throughout the New Testament Mary is referred to as Jesus’ mother, it is never recorded in the Bible that Jesus called her “mother”. Here in verse four He calls her “woman”. Especially now, as Jesus has entered into His public ministry, He finds it appropriate to equate her and all his physical kin with those who serve Him faithfully.

Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

It is revealing to compare Jesus’ answer to Mary, with His answer to the woman of Canaan who had a daughter vexed with a devil. He also calls this person “woman” in verse 28.

Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Jesus words to Mary “Woman, what have I to do with thee?”, are essentially the same as those He spoke to the woman of Canaan. Neither Mary nor the Canaanite woman was offended at Jesus. Rather they overcame a seeming rebuke to express an unquenchable faith in what Jesus could do for them. Clearly in their humility they had passed a test of faith. And faith is shown to be an absolute necessity to access what Jesus has to offer. Therefore the answer to Jesus’ question “what have I to do with thee?” is whatever my faith will allow!

Verse 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

Continuing in verse four, we find Jesus also makes the statement: “mine hour is not yet come“.

The “hour” that Jesus is speaking of is the time of His suffering and death. Jesus would again speak of His death using the term “this hour”.

John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

While Mary spoke of the need for drink, Jesus spoke of the hour of his death. This same type of conversation also took place between Jesus and his half-brothers. Here Jesus uses the phrase “my time”.

John 7:3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

Jesus stated to his brothers in verse 6 that the hour of His suffering had not yet come, but that their time to accept the atonement that His death would provide was ready and waiting.

In Jesus’ response to Mary we find the intent of the miracle to come. It will illustrate the purpose of Christ’s coming to this earth. His death on the cross and shedding of His blood for sins.

Mary, thus energized by faith, acts upon it.

Verse 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Mary has commanded the servants. However it must be noted that she is not the governor of the feast. She is a guest called to the wedding, and no more. But look how her faith has prevailed. She has infected others with it, and they move to do her bidding. She has directed them to serve Christ, and made them willing. They will now do whatsoever He says to do. We should also heed her words. “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

There are three things to comment on in verse six. The first is the number and materiel of the waterpots.

Verse 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

It has been generally established that the number six represents man in the Bible. Man was created on the sixth day. Therefore these six waterpots represent something about man, but what? I believe that the stony materiel that here represents the heart of unregenerate man.

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

In the previous verse, God tells us that the heart of stone is not good. It is a heart that does not follow after God. God’s desire it to replace the stone with that which is pliable and workable in His hand. The heart of stone is not one that has a right spirit before God.

The second thing of note in verse six is the use of the waterpots.

Verse 6 …after the manner of the purifying of the Jews…

These six waterpots were used for ritual purifying, and represent the Old Testament Law of the Jews. Jesus shows in this miracle that the works of the Law needed to be replaced with the blood of Christ.

The symbolism of Jewish ritual washing has been well established in scripture. The Jews of Jesus day had come to the place in their religion, where washing with water literally took away their uncleanness (sin). Pilate used the ritual of hand washing to place the blame for his sin on the Jews. They understood full well that he was using their own religious practices against them, and agreed to it wholeheartedly!

Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Verse 6 …containing two or three firkins apiece. (two and one half firkins)

A firkin was a little less than 9 gallons. ( Two or three firkins, lets say two and a half ) 2.5 x 9 gallons x 6 waterpots = 132 gallons

The fact of the great amount of juice tells us that it is sufficient for all that require it. The marriage feast would at last have no lack of that which was so necessary. But the amount of liquid is also a testament to the fact that the liquid could not have been alcoholic wine.

Jumping down to the comments of the governor of the feast in verse 10 for a moment, we see that there is no injunction to be careful to drink only a small amount of the drink provided.

But first lets look at the Greek word “methuo” which is translated as “well drunk” in verse 10.

The Greek word “methuo”

KJV Usages From The Online Bible 3184 methuo AV-be drunken 5, have well drunk 1, be made drunk 1; 7

Every instance of the word methuo in the Bible is translated as “drunken”, except here in John 2:10. For example lets look at Matthew 24:48-49

Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken (methuo);

This tells us that the marriage ceremony had been continuing for some time, and that the guests were completely filled with the drink provided by the bridegroom. Now we can proceed to see how Jesus provides abundant drink after what man has provided has been exhausted and fount to be completely insufficient.

Verse 10 …and when men have well drunk (methuo)

There is much discussion in our society these days on whether a bartender is responsible for the drunken condition of those he has provided with alcoholic drink. This is especially true when a serious car accident, or family disturbance ending in injuries is perpetrated by the drunken person that the bartender has served. With that in mind lets look at the following verse.

Habakkuk 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

Proverbs 23:33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

It is obvious that alcohol and sexual sins go together, as Habakkuk 2:15 and Proverbs 23:33 make clear. Is it reasonable to assume that just because the bartender didn’t intend for bad to happen through his action of providing alcoholic drink, that he is innocent of whatever evil may follow his actions? Jesus provided a great amount of juice for the feast, and if it were alcoholic, it is entirely reasonable to assume that some would have become inebriated.

Another thing to consider is whether Christ would put a limit on the blessings He provides.

Song 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

The garden feast of the Song Of Solomon gives us a good idea of the limits of God’s blessings. There are none! As is stated in the verse above, “drink abundantly”, without shame, limit, or harm. So too, Jesus gave the drink of the marriage feast without limit, and it would certainly be without harm.

Verse 7 … Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

After the waterpots were filled, the water became the pure unleavened juice of the grape, which represents the blood of Christ.

How do we know this? From the last supper. The drink of the Last Supper represents the blood of Christ

It is important to note that the word “wine” is never used of the drink of the last supper.

The Old Testament required that nothing made with leaven could be found in the house during the Passover

Exodus 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

Of course leaven is yeast. Leaven is very often used in the Bible to represent sin. Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

1Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

We know and are sure, that the bread of the Lord’s Table must be unleavened, because that bread represents the body of Christ, and His body cannot be represented with something that contains the substance that is the picture of sin.

Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. The unleavened bread clearly representing the sinless body of Christ.

Mark 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

The unleavened drink clearly representing the sinless blood of Christ.

How then, can the drink that represents the pure sinless blood of Christ be leavened? In even greater measure than the bread, the drink that which represents the atoning blood of Christ cannot contain the substance that represents sin.

And, where did this unleavened juice come from, if all of the grape juice of Palestine were allowed to ferment and become wine? It is obvious that there must have been unfermented juice available to the Jews in order to properly fulfill this picture of Christ’s blood at the Passover.

Verse 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. These waterpots were stationary. Two and one half firkins of juice in each one would weigh about 154 pounds ( 22 gallons times 7 pounds per gallon ). Add to that the weight of the stone waterpots and the total weight would probably have been around 300 pounds. Since the servants were told to draw out some of the juice, they would have used a small pail or a ladle, and taken it to the governor of the feast. Verse 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: ( but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

The terms the ruler of the feast and the governor of the feast refer to the same person. The governor of the feast represents God the Father, because it is God the Father who determines what is an acceptable offering for sin.

That God the Father is in charge of the wedding, is illustrated in the parable of the wedding feast. Notice in the following parable how the King, the Father, takes care of the wedding details.

Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

The juice is offered to the governor, who tastes it and declares it a higher quality that that which was previously available.

In verse 9, the bridegroom is recognized by the governor of the feast as the provider of the juice. Jesus is the bridegroom and we are the bride. We recognize Jesus as the provider of our salvation through the provision of his blood. The bridegroom is called into the presence of the one who has the power to decide the value of that which is provided. Verse 9 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

Although the earthly governor of this feast didn’t know it, he was speaking the words that God the Father would say to Christ. The old covenant of the law could never take away sin. It merely served as a schoolmaster to show us the uselessness of our own efforts toward salvation.

The Bible declares that the new covenant of the New Testament in Christ is better than the old covenant of the law.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To review the purpose of this miracle.

Verse 1 – It was a picture of the future marriage feast of the Lamb and of the blood atonement and resurrection. Verse 2 – Jesus and his disciples will be present at this marriage feast. Verse 3 – There was a recognition of a need that only Jesus could fulfill. Verse 4 – Faith was a necessary component of accessing that which Christ would provide at His “hour”. Verse 5 – Action was a necessary component of accessing that which Christ would provide. Verse 6 – 7 The provision of the Law was deficient to the needs of man. Verse 8 – Christ presented His blood in the New Covenant Verse 9 – Christ is called before the Father to hear the pronouncement of the value of His blood. Verse 10 – The blood of Christ is declared superior to the Law.

Some principles we can note in this miracle.

The miracle will be of like character as the doer of the miracle. Jesus have not have to tell them to drink too much. If this were wine, then would they have to switch to some other beverage after the first, second, or third cup? Were the children allowed to drink? Could they drink intoxicating wine abundantly without ungodly results?

Chapter 4

Hebrew Words Translated as “Wine”

Probably the greatest hurdle for those who wish to teach the truth about the subject of wine, is the problem of communicating the definitions of the various Hebrew words which are so translated into the English. To the average Bible reader, wine is wine. In other words, those who propose that wine may not be wine after all, but some other substance, are going to be fighting an uphill battle. However the news is not all bad. The Bible itself very clearly verifies that the substance called wine, may be in some instances something else entirely. Again, the careful exploration of the texts involved will render a different picture than the furtive glance.

It will be well to note here that the etymology of several of the Hebrew words in question are a subject of some dispute. The subject of wine is not alone in this battle over etymology. Many who teach infant sprinkling believe that the Greek word, baptizo, means to “wash”. Those who teach baptism by immersion assert that it means “to dip”. You can see that where doctrinal lines are concerned, the etymology of the word takes on a greater significance. Although determining the origins of a word may involve some “educated guessing”, the proof of its correctness will lie in the ability to apply the etymology in present contexts. In other words, if the present day usage cannot be reconciled with the previously assumed etymology, the etymology becomes suspect.

Of course it is also true that some words have departed so far from their origins, that their etymology becomes essentially insignificant.

Knowing the semantic range of a word is also vitally important to determining its usage in any given passage in the Bible. All words have a semantic range to one degree or another. The etymology of a word, and the many contexts it is found in, are the most useful tools in determining its range of use.

Some words can be thought of as “generic” words. If I were visiting at someone’s house they might offer me apple cider to drink. Apple cider may be non alcoholic, or it could be “hard”, having alcohol. I would probably have some idea of which kind of apple cider it is depending on the person I was visiting.

The various Hebrew words which are translated as “wine” are subject to the same rules. Lets look at just a few of the many Hebrew words that are translated “wine”.

Credit must be given here to Robert Teachout. In his 462 page doctoral thesis “The Use Of Wine In The Old Testament”, he expounds in a most scholarly way upon the various Hebrew words which are pertinent to this subject. Any one desiring the fullest possible understanding in this subject should procure his thesis which is available at the UMI ProQuest online dissertation service. The cost for a loose-leaf edition is about $50.

The Hebrew word “yayin”

KJV Usages From The Online Bible 03196 yayin AV-wine 137, vine 1, banqueting 1, winebibbers + 05433 1; 140

The word most often translated as “wine” in the Hebrew is “yayin”. A careful analysis of the contexts this word is found in will reveal whether it is alcoholic or not.

The following verse is an obvious example of yayin as an alcoholic drink. As is often the case, drunkenness and sexual sins resulted from the use of this substance.

Genesis 19:33 And they made their father drink wine (yayin) that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

The very definition of yayin as an intoxicant is given in the next verse.

Proverbs 20:1 Wine (yayin) is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Rulers should have nothing to do with it, because no-one knows what their drinking will lead to. This injunction is against what might happen, not what is intended to happen.

Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine (yayin); nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Few people realize that God actually uses sarcasm to describe the fate of the wicked. Those that stiffen their neck at the call of God could experience His retribution in their time judgment.

Proverbs 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

I chose the previous verses to illustrate the following verse, where God is using sarcasm toward the person who is so far from desiring the presence of God, that God has given him over to his sin, and will have nothing more to do with him. This person is enjoined to become so drunken that he actually loses his memory.

Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Then there is the use of the word yayin not as an intoxicant, but as good and harmless grape juice. What is gathered out of the field? Not alcohol!

Jeremiah 40:10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine (yayin), and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.

And what is in the winepress? Again, not alcohol. This describes the substance in the process of being treaded out.

Jeremiah 48:33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine (yayin) to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.

The account of Melchizedek can help in our understanding of “yayin” as grape juice. Melchizedek brought bread and wine (grape juice) to Abraham after the slaughter of the kings. Remember that leaven as a type is representative of that which is sinful. Here are some verses on leaven and the sacrifices and Passover.

Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine (yayin): and he was the priest of the most high God.

I will go out on a limb and say that I believe Melchizedek was bringing forth the substances which would later represent Christ’s body and blood. Why else would he bring what he did? Therefore my position is that the wine was unleavened, and that Abraham was in some way given a picture of Christ’s death.

The Hebrew word “shekar”

KJV Usages From The Online Bible 07941 shekar AV-strong drink 21, strong wine 1, drunkard 1; 23

The etymology of the work shekar is especially useful to this discussion, because it carries with it the idea of “abundance”. When this word is used of alcoholic wine, drunkenness always results. When it is used of grape juice, blessing is the result. Some might be tempted to believe that strong drink is something more alcoholic than wine. However the apparatus to distill alcohol wasn’t available in Palestine during the biblical period.

Several instances of the wrongful use of shekar are presented below.

Isaiah 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink (shekar); that tarry late into the night, till wine inflame them!

Isaiah 28:7 And even these reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink (shekar), they are swallowed up of wine, they stagger with strong drink (shekar); they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

However God approved of the drink that His people drank during the special time of worshipping Him in Jerusalem.

Deuteronomy 14:26 and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink (shekar), or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household.

The Hebrew word “shakar”

KJV Usages From The Online Bible 07937 shakar AV-drunken 12, drunk 4, filled with drink 1, abundantly 1, were merry 1; 19

The word shakar is the verb form of the noun shekar., and is very helpful in coming to an understanding of shekar.

Shakar also has the ilea of abundance. When that abundance is united with alcoholic wine, there is drunkenness, and as illustrated in Lamentations 4:21, nakedness.

Genesis 9:21 and he drank of the wine, and was drunken (shakar). And he was uncovered within his tent.

Lamentations 4:21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz: The cup shall pass through unto thee also; thou shalt be drunken (shakar), and shalt make thyself naked.

The very same word which is so often translated drunkenness, is translated quite differently when that abundance is united with harmless grape juice. In the following verse the King James translators recognized that the godly character of Joseph could never allow the passage to be translated as a drunken feast. KJV Genesis 43:34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry (shakar) with him.

Numerous modern translators do not exercise the same principles. Here is the same verse translated by Jay P. Green Sr. in his formal equivalence Literal Version of 1985. LITV Genesis 43:34 And one carried portions from before him to them, and Benjamin’s portion was greater than the portions of all of them, five hands. And they drank and were drunken (shakar) with him.

Again, the King James translators recognized that the following verse was speaking of joy, abundance, and blessing.

KJV Song 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly (shakar), O beloved.

This time Mr. Green decided not to translate the word shakar as drunken, choosing rather to go with the idea of abundance. Apparently in this context his hermeneutical inclinations overwhelmed his love of the literal translation of words.

LITV Song 5:1 I have come into My garden, My sister, My spouse; I have gathered My myrrh with My spice. I have eaten My honeycomb with My honey; I have drunk My wine with My milk. Eat and drink, O friends; yea, drink fully (shakar), beloved ones.

However the translators of the Contemporary English Version, put forth by the American Bible Society, decided that the message of this verse needed to be a little stronger than simple abundance.

CEV Song 5:1 My bride, my very own, I come to my garden and enjoy its spices. I eat my honeycomb and honey; I drink my wine and milk. Eat and drink until you are drunk (shakar) with love.

The Hebrew word “tiyrowsh”

KJV Usages From The Online Bible 08492 tiyrowsh AV-wine 38; 38

The vineyard epitomizes the blessing which God choose to give his people Israel. The Hebrew word tiyrosh is a word often used in this context.

Though the lexicon defines tiyrosh as wine, in reality it is usually grape juice. Because it is often found in the same verse as yayin, the normal Hebrew word for wine, tiyrosh is often translated as “new wine”. However when tiyrosh is alone in a verse, it is sometimes translated merely as “wine”, or as “sweet wine”.

Somehow the idea that no-one would want to drink grape juice when wine was available has infiltrated out thinking. In the next verse we find that even Pharaoh enjoyed grape juice, when he could have had any drink in the kingdom.

Genesis 40:11 And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.

Isaac mistakenly blesses Jacob with the fruits of the field and vine.

Genesis 27:26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. 27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: 28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine (tiyrosh).

Moses speaks to the people of the promised land.

Deuteronomy 7:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: 13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine (tiyrosh), and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

The fact that the land produced an abundance of grape juice was a testimony to the material blessings which God had given the Israelites.

Zechariah 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine (tiyrosh) the maids.

The world says that the alcohol is what makes the maids cheerful, by lessening their inhibitions perhaps. How does corn then make the young men cheerful? Certainly not because it is intoxicating, but because of their joy in receiving the harvest that had been so long in coming. Our cultural imprinting can be a great hindrance in understanding these kinds of passages properly.

Juice was one of the items which were offered in the sacrificial system, and God was cheered to see their willing obedience in offering it. This cheer cannot come from the process of alcohol’s affect on the brain, for that would be sinful. The idea of cheer in God and man has nothing to do with alcohol, which brings only sin and misery.

Judges 9:13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine (tiyrosh), which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

How does wine cheer God? God is cheered when His people make proper use of the blessings He has provided them. Could anyone say that the cheer God feels is the result of drinking alcoholic wine?

Some people would like to use the examples of David getting Uriah drunk, or Absalom getting Amnon drunk, to prove that wine was used as a drink. I would only ask this, what was the spiritual state of David and Absalom during these incidents, if not devilish and murderous. Notice how wine was used as a means to deceive Uriah and Amnon to their own hurt. Truly wine is a mocker (Pr. 20:1). As for Uriah, the taste of wine had captured even his upright heart, as it had Noah’s, so long before. Truly the drinking of wine leads unavoidably to drunkenness, even in the saints of God.

Consider the account of Absalom’s conspiracy against his brother Amnon.

2Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. 29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

The so called merriment of alcohol was intended to lull Amnon into a stupor so he could be more easily murdered! The result of drinking alcohol is never good.

And the account of David and Uriah.

2Samuel 11:13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

David wanted Uriah to become drunk and go to his house so that David’s sin could be hid. Where the sin of social drinking didn’t suffice, murder did!

And the account of Nabal.

1Samuel 25:36 And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

Nabal’s heart was merry in his drunkenness, that is the biblical definition presented here. God struck him down for being such a wicked man.

So, how merry did wine really make these men. Not much!

Notice in Judges 9:13 that the vine asks if it should leave its “wine”. Is it wine or grape juice found in the cluster of grapes? We know that it is juice that the vine would have to leave, for the vine could never leave alcoholic wine.

Judges 9:13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine (tiyrosh), which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Where is the “new wine” found? What does that say about what it is?

Isaiah 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine (tiyrosh) is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servant’s sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

Is it wine or grape juice that bursts out of the press?

Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine (tiyrosh).

It is likely that the term “best wine” in the next verse congers up images of alcohol in your mind. In our culture the “best wine” is that which has been aged well and come from a fine vintage (favorable growing season). Few in this culture would ascribe the term “best wine” to grape juice. However the truth is, that the “best wine” is that which is the result of the first pressing. Later batches may come from a second or third pressing and be of lower quality. This is true of both grape juice and alcoholic wine. Notice how our thought patterns are affected by western culture. What about the miracle at Cana, where it was said that the best was saved for last? Notice also that in the next verse the word tiyrosh is translated as “wine” instead of the phrase “new wine” as is customary.

Numbers 18:12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine (tiyrosh), and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.

Hezekiah had storehouses for grape juice.

2Chronicles 32:27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; 28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine (tiyrosh), and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

Nehemiah had storehouses for grape juice.

Nehemiah 13:5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine (tiyrosh), and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.

Here it is the sweet wine which is treaded upon, obviously still in the fruit, just as the olive oil is still in the olives while the treading is taking place.

Micaih 6:15 Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine (tiyrosh), but shalt not drink wine (yayin).

The following passage in Hosea, is one of few place where tiyrowsh is spoken of in a negative way. Looking at the verse we can see that there are three evils in view here. Whoredom refers to all sexual sins, and wine (yayin) refers to riotous living which includes drunkenness. The new wine (tiyrosh) therefore refers to a third thing, somewhat different from the first two, the life of ease.

This is seen more easily when we look at the sin of Sodom. Besides the obvious sexual abominations, there were other sins which God found Sodom to be guilty of. Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Recognizing the context of Ezekiel 16:49 we can more easily understand the statement of Hosea 4:11

Hosea 4:11 Whoredom and wine (yayin) and new wine (tiyrosh) take away the heart.

God had chosen to manifest his blessing upon the people through the provision of a fruitful land. The vine was especially signaled out as being a sign of the blessing of God. However, when the people were established in the land, the consciousness of their need of God diminished, and their sins increased. Therefore Hosea is saying that the ungrateful heart begins to love what God provided, more than the God who provided it.

The Hebrew word “tiyrowsh”

KJV Usages From The Online Bible 0809 ashiyshah AV-flagon 4; 4

The term “flagons of wine” in the Old Testament, is the Hebrew word “ashiyshah”. When we do a word study the correct definition of this word becomes more apparent.

What is a flagon? Funk & Wagnall’s Desk Standard Dictionary, copyright 1921, tells us that a flagon is: “a vessel with a handle and a narrow mouth, used to serve liquors.”

The idea of a flagon being associated with the dispensing of alcohol is so ingrained in our cultural thinking, that we scarcely can conceive of an alternate possibility.

Robert Teachout, in his thesis writes the following.

“The translation of the Hebrew word “ashiyshah” as “flagons of wine” does not provide us with a good understanding of the words usage. It was actually a raisin-cake, used in sacrificial feasts, which may have been reconstituted with water to provide the drink offering which was required with the animal sacrifices.” Notice in the next verses how King David provides the three elements of worship for his people. 1) the flesh of an animal 2) the flour, (baked in this instance) 3) the drink, (as a raisin cake, or reconstituted as juice).

2Samuel 6:19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine (ashiyshah). So all the people departed every one to his house.

The same verse is translated quite differently in the Holman Christian Standard Bible

2Samuel 6:19 Then he distributed a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake to each one of the whole multitude of the people of Israel, both men and women. Then all the people left, each to his own home.

Hosea’s wife Gomer was not getting drunk, as first glance would assume, but went to worship other gods, and took the means of worship with her.

Hosea 3:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine (ashiyshah).

Robert Teachout points out that in Song 2:5 raisins and apples are much more congruous than wine and apples.

Song 2:5 Stay me with flagons (ashiyshah), comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.

Although the word ashiyshah does not play a major part in the subject of biblical wine, it does show the presuppositions that alter our thinking from what is correct.

******************************************* end of revised work

Subjects not included due to needing to have notes updated.

the important facts of vinegar manufacture

wine and vinegar relationship

The relationships between: myrrh, gall, and the drink at the cross

exposition of various OT and NT passages

the correct understanding of “mixed wine”

the fact that biblical wine lacked the alcoholic content to purify water

the false idea that the water of Palestine was unhealthy

the Last Supper

the vow of the Nazarite

wine cellars – storehouse

winevat (winefat)

What a simple question it was, and yet those hapless Pharisees could return no answer. Not that they had no answer, for they had many. When the disciples plucked grain on the sabbath, the indictment came rigidly.

And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?  (Mark 2:24 KJV)

But Jesus used scripture to refute their accusation.

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?  (Matthew 12:3-5 KJV)

And another time, when they were at a synagogue, the ruler proudly stated his conviction.

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.  (Luke 13:14-17 KJV)

In that instance Jesus used simple logic to show the truth.

Let’s go back to the first question. Why could not the Pharisees bring an answer to Christ? They knew that they were in the presence of someone who would not blindly accept the tenets of men, and who would hold their feet to the fire if their answer were not of God.

What a simple question it was, and we could have easily returned an answer. Yes Lord, it is lawful to do good on the sabbath days.

But what is good on the sabbath? Now there is a question!

Is it good to work at the electric company so that homes and churches may have light?
Is it good to work at the gas company so that hospitals and nursing homes may have heat?
Is it good to work at the nursing home, so that the infirm may have care?
Is it good to work at the fire department, the police department, the water department, the sewer department?
Is it good even if you’re the janitor?
Is it good to drive a plow so that the streets may be cleared of snow?
Is it good to plow the snow off of the church parking lot?
Is it good for a doctor to spend the day in the hospital emergency room?
Is it good even if he gets paid very well?
Should there be a secretary to take information for the medical records?
Should there be maintenance men to run emergency equipment in case of a power failure?
Is it good to work in the kitchen so that our family and the guests may eat dinner?
Is it good to shop for groceries?
Is it good to work at the grocery store?
Is it good to work at the gas station, the motel, the restaurant?
Is it good to buy gas, stay at a motel, or eat out?

What a simple question it was, but perhaps the answer isn’t so simple! Christians of this age have embroiled ourselves into same situation that the Pharisees found themselves, an ever changing set of rules that have no authority from the Bible even to exist.

We could return an answer to our fellow Christian friends, in accordance to our own understanding, but what if it were Jesus asking us these questions?

Standing there before the throne of Christ, answering his questions, self-assurance would not come quite so easily!

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Matthew 3:16 – And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Mark 16:16 – He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Luke 5:20 – And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. (man let down through the roof)

Luke 23:43 – And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (thief on the cross)

John 3:23 – And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

Acts 2:41 – Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:12 – But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:36 – And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
7 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
8 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

I Corinthians 1:17 – For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Romans 6:3 – Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Acts 10:47 – Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Cornelius)

I Corinthians 1:16 – And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Acts 16:15 – And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. (Lydia)

Acts 16:32 – And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. (Philippian Jailer)

Acts 18:8 – And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Colossians 1:12 – Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

I Peter 3:21 – The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (baptism does not put away sin)

Matthew 19:13 – Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. (did not baptize them)

John 4:1 – When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Bodily Resurrection of Christ

Job 19:25 – For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

John 2:19 – Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Matthew 27:62 – Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

I Corinthians 15:14 – And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Psalms 16:10 – For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 2:25 – For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 2:30 – Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

I Corinthians 15:3 – For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

John 20:27 – Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Luke 24:36 – And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.

Acts 1:3 – To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Romans 8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

John 10:17 – Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

I Corinthians 6:14 – And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

Matthew 28:12 – And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

I Thessalonians 4:14 – For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Romans 8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

I Corinthians 15:49 – And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Philippians 3:21 – Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Charismatic Movement

Acts 2:4 – And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (People heard in a real language)

II Timothy 4:20 – Erastus abode at Corinth : but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (Paul could not heal later in his ministry)

I Corinthians 12:30 – Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (Not all had tongues)

I Corinthians 1:22 – For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (Sign gifts are not for Gentiles edification)

I Corinthians 14:22 – Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (Tongues are to convict unbelievers)

Revelation 14:6 – And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (Tongue refers to a real earthly language)

Dedicating Our Life to Christ

Romans 8:29 – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Collosians 4:12 – Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

James 1:4 – But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

I John 2:15 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

John 15:1 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Hebrews 13:20 – Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 5:10 – But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Departing From Sin

Romans 6:21 – What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

I Corinthians 3:17 – If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

I Corinthians 6:19 – What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

I Corinthians 10:13 – There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

II Timothy 2:19 – Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

II Peter 2:20 – For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Deity of Christ

Micah 5:2 – But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (eternality of Jesus Christ)

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 5:18 – Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. (Jesus claimed to be equal to God)

John 10:32 – The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (Jesus claimed to be God)

John 20:28 – Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. (Thomas called Jesus his God)

Philippians 2:6 – Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (Jesus was equal with God)

I Timothy 3:16 – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Hebrews 1:8 – But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (God the Father addresses God the Son as God)

John 3:13 – And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (Jesus existed before he was born of Mary)

Collosians 2:8 – Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Forgiveness through Christ

Psalms 51:7 – Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Isaiah 1:18 – Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah 43:25 – I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 44:22 – I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

I Corinthians 6:11 – And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Hebrews 7:25 – Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Revelation 7:14 – And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Hell

Isaiah 33:14 – The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

Psalms 9:17 – The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Proverbs 27:20 – Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Isaiah 5:14 – Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Matthew 23:33 – Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Luke 12:5 – But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Luke 16:23 – And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Matthew 25:41 – Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Revelation 14:10 – The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Revelation 20:10 – And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Origin and Authority of the Scriptures

Psalms 138:2 – I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Luke 24:25 – Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Acts 17:11 – These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Bereans)

I Corinthians 15:3 – For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

II Timothy 3:15 – And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

II Peter 1:16 – For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

II Peter 1:21 – For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

II Peter 3:15 – And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Matthew 22:29 – Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Salvation

Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Romans 3:20 – Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Galatians 3:8 – And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
(Genesis 12:3)

Galatians 3:26 – For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:17 – That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Colossians 1:27 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Hebrews 7:25 – Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

John 3:36 – He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

I Corinthians 2:14 – But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Security of the Believer

John 3:36 – He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 5:24 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6:47 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

I Peter 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I John 5:11 – And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Ephesians 1:13 – In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.

Six Day Creation

Matthew 19:4 – And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Exodus 20:11 – For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

II Peter 3:4 – And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Hebrews 4:4 – For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

Standards

I Corinthians 11:14 – Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her

I Timothy 2:9 – In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

I Corinthians 6:19 – What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

The purpose of this study is to disprove the premise that when a person’s name has been changed by God, it indicates that that person has at that point become a believer. In fact, there is no place in the Bible that I am aware of where a name change indicates a salvation experience.

As to where this belief came from, I can only speculate. Perhaps it has been handed down as an ongoing tradition, from teacher to student without challenge or investigation. Possibly because the name change of Jacob (trickster), who became Israel (prince with God), was looked upon as his salvation experience, and was then mistakenly used as a de-facto rule for all name changes. In any case, as we investigate several instances of name changes, we will see that there is indeed a pattern to be found, but not one of coming to salvation.

The first and most notable name to be changed by God is that of Abram to Abraham. Before we attend to Genesis 17, let’s see what Abram’s life was like before the name change.

Genesis 14:14 – And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Genesis 14:20 – And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

The incident of Abram’s slaughter of the kings took place sometime before the birth of Ishmael. The birth of Ishmael took place some thirteen years before Abram’s name was changed to Abraham. Here we find Melchizedek, who is believed to be the pre-incarnate Christ, bringing to Abram bread and wine. It is certainly no stretch to believe that the bread and wine here represent the body and blood of the Lord Jesus, and to see that Melchizedek was fellowshipping with Abram, both blessing him, and even bringing the signs of the future Passover, and beyond that, of the Lord’s Table. All of this happened when Abram was less than 86 years old. Can we believe that Abram was at this point an unregenerate man? To believe that would be to believe that we should invite the unsaved to fellowship with us at the Lord’s Supper.

Now let’s turn our attention to the passage where Abram’s name is changed, and see why it was changed.

Genesis 16:16 – And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Genesis 17:1 – And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
Genesis 17:13 – He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

When Abram was 99 years old, God appeared to him and changed his name. In Genesis 17:5, we are specifically told why his name is changed.

Genesis 17:5 – Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

God said that Abram’s name is being changed to reflect his new status as the father of many nations. The name Abram means “exalted father,” but the name Abraham means “father of a multitude.” Not only is Abram’s name to be changed, but Sarai’s name is changed as well. Her name will be changed from Sarai which means “princess,” to Sarah which means “royalty.”

Genesis 17:15 – And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

Thus we find that as the founders of many nations in general, and of the nation of Israel in particular, God has given them names which reflect that fact. Abraham and Sarah will become the original king and queen of the nation; they will be its royalty, and a multitude shall come of them.

There are other points which we can add here as well. The text says nothing of changes which accompany salvation. Abraham was righteous before his name change. He communed with God as the two angels went to Sodom, and as the one Angel answered his request concerning the destruction of Sodom. He communed with Melchizedek, and shared in the knowledge of his sufferings. He was already a believer. And what about Sarah? She was not even present when her name was changed. Only when Abraham informed her of the change did she realize it, but when a person is saved, they know of the change without someone else having to tell them there was one. We see no hint of repentance or the turning from sins that are signs of salvation.

The next person that we are going to look at is Jacob. Let’s look at the first instance where his name was changed.

Genesis 32:24 – And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Here we find Jacob wrestling with God. The nature of this wrestling can be seen in the goal of Jacob: to get God’s blessing. Have not all believers wrestled with God in this way?

Luke 18:7 – And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Jacob was in a difficult position. His brother Esau was coming in his direction, and was probably going to avenge himself for the ill that Jacob had done to him. Now Jacob needed an answer to prayer, and he would not quit until he had it. Does God at all rebuke Jacob for his actions? No; he rather commends him, and gives him his request. God also changes Jacob’s name, which means “trickster”, to Israel, which means “prince with God.” If we stopped here, we might have little to add about Jacob’s name change. Since we do not find that Jacob behaves any differently after this event than before it, we cannot say that he has repented unto salvation. He also does not believe anything different about God, nor has any outward change that would give us a clue that at this point he has become a believer. If we are going to find out why his name was changed we will have to look at the second occasion of his name being changed by God.

This verse is here for background. We see in verse four that after Jacob prevailed over the Angel, the Angel found Jacob again in Bethel at a later date.

Hosea 12:3 – He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

This next passage is where we find the answer to why Jacob’s name was changed. This is the second time that Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. The first occurrence was at the river Jabbok.

Genesis 32:22 – And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

This second occurrence of Jacob’s name change took place much later at Bethel. We find that after Jacob entered into Canaan, he traveled to Succoth, where he built and lived in a house.

Genesis 33:17 – And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

After he had lived a while at Succoth, he traveled to Shalem, where the incident with Dinah took place.

Genesis 33:18 – And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.
19 And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money.

Finally, God told Jacob to go back to Bethel and live there.

Genesis 35:1 – And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

When Jacob arrives at Bethel we find in Genesis 35:9 that the Angel that Jacob wrestled with at the river Jabbok again finds him, and again changes his name to Israel. If we did not have the testimony of Hosea 12:3, we might think that this was a flashback to the wrestling match between Jacob and the Angel. However, the passage in Hosea makes it clear that this is a separate occurrence. We are also told in Genesis 35:15 that this incident took place in Bethel.

Genesis 35:6 – So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.
7 And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
8 But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.
9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

This time we are told why Jacob’s name is being changed. Just as Abraham’s name was changed because he was the father of many nations, Jacob’s name was being changed to illustrate his status as head of the tribes of Israel. Not only was Jacob’s name being changed, but his new name would become the name of the nation. God makes the connection to Abraham in his statement about Jacob’s new name, because the reasons for the change of names of Abraham, Sarah, and Jacob were all the same; they were the patriarchs and matriarch of a nation. There is nothing at all in any of these name changes to indicate that the New Birth had at that point taken place in the heart of previously unregenerate people.

Genesis 35:11 – And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.
13 And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.
14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.

The most obvious of all questions is whether a person can get saved twice. Of course he cannot! Therefore, since Jacob’s name change occurred twice over a period of time which may be as short as several months, or as long as many years, it could not possibly indicate the point of salvation in his life. However, God is here at Bethel reiterating his covenant with Abraham, which he illustrated with a change in Abraham’s and Sarah’s names, and in changing Jacob’s name, he is giving him the same sign of the promise to come in the new name of Israel.

Of course, there are also several names that were “changed” in the New Testament, and having explored the Old Testament record, we will find it quite easy to understand those name changes as well. Peter, James, and John all had names added to them by Christ. Here are some verses where the additions are mentioned.

Mark 3:16 – And Simon he surnamed Peter;
17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

To give someone a surname is far different than actually changing their name. A surname is an addition to your name, whereas a name change is a replacement of your name.

Looking into the name addition of Peter, one glaring fact springs out at us. See if you can tell what it is by looking at the following verses.

John 1:40 – One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
John 6:8 – One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
Acts 10:18 – And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

It seems that after Simon’s name change to Peter, he still was called Simon! Now if the name change was an indication of salvation, would he not have ceased to be called Simon? If the name of Simon denoted his unregenerate state, and Peter his regenerated state, only one of the names could be used, for you cannot be unregenerate and regenerated at the same time! After all, Abraham was not called Abram after his name change. And what of James and John? Their names were added to as well, but their new name of Boanerges is never used! Although this may or may not be the case, some say that the name Boanerges was given to James and John on account of their “fervid and impetuous temper”, and quote the following verse to illustrate it.

Luke 9:54 – And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Looking at the name changes of Abraham and Sarah gives us our best clue for the new surnames for Peter, James, and John. Note the emphasis in the following verses.

Romans 4:16 – Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
I Peter 3:6 – Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Christians are called the children of Abraham, and Christian women are called the daughters of Sarah. These are New Testament truths, because they were the beginners of not only the Jewish nation, but in a sense, of the Christian realm as well. And who were the chief leaders of the Church of Christ, which the gates of hell could not prevail against?

Galatians 2:9 – And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Of course, it was the apostles Peter, James, and John whose names Jesus added to, not to denote their salvation, but rather to emphasize their new status as the chief leaders of a new dispensation.

The name of Peter especially makes clear his new status as a leader. He was known as Simon, which was a form of the name Simeon, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Christ gave him the name of Peter, which denotes a rock or stone, and shows us the steadfast character which he would in a future time assume as the leader of the church.

John 1:42 – And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

In examining the text where Jesus makes the name addition, we see no signs of an unregenerate man realizing his lost condition, repenting, and becoming born again. There is no evidence that this was the time of Peter’s salvation experience. And what of the “Sons of Thunder”? I believe that this name is given them because their voices will demand to be heard. They have a message, and it must be proclaimed far and wide, not as the scribes, but as their Lord, with authority and power. What an appropriate analogy to thunder. Children of the gospel.

The last person that we will look into is one that didn’t have his name changed at all, although many assume that he did, and that is the apostle Paul. We see that before his conversion he is called Saul. Now King Saul, the first king of Israel, was a Benjamite.

Acts 13:21 – And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

We find also that he was the tallest of the Israelites.

I Samuel 9:2 – And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

The apostle Paul was also a Benjamite, and he was the son of as Pharisee.

Philippians 3:5 – Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

When it came time to name their new baby boy, the parents of Paul chose the name of the greatest Benjamite they could find, that of King Saul. Although King Saul became an unrighteous and wicked man as he grew older, he started out well, and the memory of him was still revered by the people of the tribe of Benjamin. We know also that the apostle Paul was a Roman citizen. Only if the parents of a child were Roman citizens, could the child be born into this condition.

Acts 22:28 – And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
Acts 22:25 – And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Therefore, when Paul was born, his parents gave him the name “Saul” to show his Hebrew birth and tribal affiliation. They also gave him the name “Paul” to show his Roman birth and heritage. It is an interesting point to note that while Saul was the tallest man in Israel, the name Paul actually is the Latin word for “small”. Of course, Latin was the language of the Romans. The possibility that Paul was a short person is found in II Corinthians 10:1.

II Corinthians 10:1 – Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

The Strong’s concordance has as one of the definitions for the word “base” as “not rising far from the ground”. We find that Paul is still called Saul by God several years after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Saul continued to use his Hebrew name because his life was centered around the Christian church, which was filled with Jewish believers. Again, it is the Holy Spirit that expressly called Paul “Saul” in this verse. This fact certainly completely disconnects the name Paul from any theory that it is connected to Paul’s salvation.

Acts 13:2 – As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

The first instance of his name “Paul” being used is when Paul was on the very first leg of his first missionary journey to the Gentiles. Some commentators have said that many Jews had Gentile names, as well as Jewish names, and that they used their Gentile names when they were among Gentiles.

Acts 13:9 – Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

In the case of Paul, he began to be known by his Gentile name, at least as far as the scriptural references to his name are concerned, at the very time that he began to become the missionary to the Gentiles. Thus, the scriptural pattern of a new beginning (not a new salvation) is being marked by a change of name once more. Even though he had received his “new” name at birth, Paul was the missionary to the Gentiles, and here at the very onset of that ministry, God places the name Paul in the scriptures.

One last question to be addressed is if a name change denotes salvation, does the lack of a name change denote a lost condition? The vast majority of believers never had their name changed or added to, and it said nothing of their eternal destiny. Consistency is lacking in the belief that a name change denotes a salvation experience.

Finally, this is certainly not a subject which is packed with far reaching consequences. It is just a small matter, and yet, why not get it right? Some things will never be understood in this life and we can leave those with God. Other things require very little effort to see correctly, and this is one of those things.