Is the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer?

Is the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer?

No. Many of the best known evangelicals have affixed their signature to a manifesto of Christian belief that espouses this. The consistent teaching of the New Testament is that we have been declared, have been reckoned, or have become "the righteousness of God." For instance, from 2 Corinthians 5:21," TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:21, some teach that God put our acts of sins on Christs account and He suffered for them. In a perfectly balanced way, they teach, God now puts Christs acts of righteousness on our account. Our sins became His; His righteousness become ours.

What became ours, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21," TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:21, was "righteousness of God" (without an article, "the"), which is not a term describing Christs righteous life on earth. Furthermore, despite the hymn writers words, "He took my sins and my sorrows; He made them His very own," Christ bore our sins, but was Himself holy; "He knew no sin" before, during, and after the cross. He paid the penalty of our sins, but they did not become His. We have become "the righteousness of God," righteous, as required by God, through Christs death, not His life.

D. Oliver
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What Asaph is it who wrote the Psalms bearing such a name?
There seems no reasonable room for doubt that the Psalmist is Asaph —son of Berachiah, a Levite of the family of Gershon, one of the leaders of David’s choir (see 1 Chronicles 6:39)." TARGET="_blank">1 Chronicles 6:39). The only other Asaph is generally known as “the Recorder,” but this seems to be based on a mistake, owing to a certain ambiguity in the English version—it seems more correct to understand Joah as the recorder, of whom Asaph (quite possibly the one mentioned above) was the father or progenitor. In any case, if they are distinct persons, the role of psalmist fits in better with the first named. He was then the author of Psalm 50" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 50: , and of the first eleven Psalms of Book Three. There are passages which must be understood prophetically whether the author lived in the days of David or of Hezekiah (e.g., Psalm 74:6;" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 74:6; Psalm 80:16)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 80:16). There is a didactic, historic character about Asaph’s Psalms. He was, like Apollos, “mighty in the Scriptures,” and he applied them to the present need.

W.H.

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Should our children be taught sex education in public schools?

Should our children be taught sex education in public schools?

In Old Testament days, God entrusted moral training to the family: "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6:7)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 6:7). God intended parents to discharge this responsibility diligently, deliberately (even when sitting to relax), decidedly (as inseparable from normal living as walking - or driving?), and daily (last thing at night, first thing in the morning). Since Paul (Ephesians 6:2)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:2) bases New Testament teaching about family relations on Old Testament principles, Christian parents still have the primary responsibility to teach their children morality. Scripture elevates such matters, although private and sensitive, to a place of honor (Hebrews 13:4)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:4) and consummate beauty (Ephesians 5:31, 32)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:31, 32). This moral training is a privilege and a responsibility.

Christian parents are dutybound to be aware of what is happening in their child's education. Since God's moral standards are "for our good always" (Deuteronomy 6:24)," TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 6:24), aren't parents responsible to protect their child if they discover that his classroom experience is (or will be) contrary to his home training?

D. Oliver

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How can the content of gospel messages be made interesting?

How can the content of gospel messages be made interesting?

Of first importance is the spiritual power of the message (1 Corinthians 2:4)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:4). Second is its clarity (1 Corinthians 14:8,9)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:8,9). For a message to reach an unbeliever, it must capture and retain his attention. Since the gospel is for the benefit of believers (Ephesians 4:12)," TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:12), they also deserve an interesting presentation of this beloved message.

True and relevant illustrations develop interest and fasten truth in the memory. They are supplements, however; Scripture is central. Variety is important, but that doesn’t require novel passages. The power of a passage is not in what is forced into it, but in what is found within it (Hebrews 4:12);" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 4:12); preaching communicates that power. The New Testament is the primary resource for a New Testament gospel. Many gospel principles and helpful illustrations come from the Old Testament, but their power is in their relationship to New Testament truth. The parables of the Lord and His miracles are rich resources. His interviews with individuals are instructive. The messages in Acts provide rich material for preaching. Great gospel texts, in both the Old and New Testament, are a staple for preaching. Preaching on Ephesians 2:8, 9," TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:8, 9, for instance, could take various forms: illustrated by the uplifted serpent or by David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9);" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 9); viewed from the standpoint of the Ephesians who first heard it; developed from the three major words of the text (grace, faith, saved); unified with all the Bible by tracing the thread of "grace" which runs through the New Testament or the entire Bible; compared to the Lord’s conversation with the rich, young ruler. The Bible’s living truth should be vibrant in our lives and our preaching.

D. Oliver
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What does the phrase mean We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed?

Can you please tell me the meaning of the verse in 1 Corinthians 15:51" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:51

Is it speaking of spirits?

It says...Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed.

First we must answer the question - what is a mystery in the Bible?

The word "mystery" in the Bible refers to a newly-revealed teaching that previous generations did not know. The word "mystery" carries with it the connotation of being creepy or mysterious as in a crime-solving story. However, the idea of a Bible mystery is that the truth was previously hidden, but not revealed.

There are several of these teachings revealed in the New Testament that were not known in the Old Testament including:
•   The Mystery of the Jew and Gentile sharing equally in God's Plan - Ephesians 3:1-12" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 3:1-12
•   The mystery that the Holy Spirit would indwell believers permanently - 1 Corinthians 2:6-16" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:6-16
•   The mystery that the Church would be raptured out of the world at the end of the age of the Church - 1 Corinthians 15:51-58," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:51-58, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18" TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
•   The mystery of the will of God - Ephesians 1:9" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:9
•   The mystery that God would come and live among us in the form of a man - 1 Timothy 3:16" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:16

The mystery of 1 Corinthians 15:51" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:51 refers to the moment of the rapture. All who believe in Christ will not remain in the grave. Believers in the Old Testament knew that they were awaiting eternal life for them, but the details of the nature of the resurrection were unclear until the New Testament was completed.

The chapter refers to spirits (or the souls) and bodies of believers who have died. The body appears to be asleep while dead. The Scriptures refer to the dead in Christ as sleeping. Those who die in their sins are "dead". However, the spiritual part of the person is "with Christ which is far better" (Philippians 1:23)" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 1:23) until the moment of the rapture. Christ will return to the earth, resurrect those who have died in Christ and take living believers directly to heaven.

Shad Sluiter

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If a damaging rumor about a believer proves to be false, should the person be cleared publicly?

If a damaging rumor about a believer proves to be false, should the person be cleared publicly?

If the inaccurate rumors were dealt with publicly (for example, by a public rebuke, 1 Timothy 5:20)," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:20), they should be cleared publicly. Otherwise, as is more usually the case, those who become aware that what they have heard or repeated is false should be as diligent to correct and contain the damage as they were to further it. They would do the right thing if they apologized to the individual, too. As far as the wronged believer is concerned, he may kindly request the believers who have told others these inaccuracies to repair the damage to the assembly's testimony by correcting their mistakes. Beyond that, the wronged believer should leave it to the Lord to vindicate his name (Proverbs 20:22)." TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 20:22). It's a safe "rule of thumb," that when a believer can trust the Lord to clear his name he is in the right; when he insists that others clear his name, he casts suspicion on his cause.

D. Oliver
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How will married believers relate to one another in heaven?

How will married believers relate to one another in heaven?

The Scriptures do not give us much direct teaching about this; however, we can be certain that in heaven the Lord will not take from us what brought righteous joy on earth. Would he remove the love that so enriches a believer’s life here? In a Christian’s marriage that love is a fruit of the Spirit’s working in the believer (Galatians 5:22," TARGET="_blank">Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:25" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:25 - same root words).

If we are assured from Scripture that we will know each other in our eternal state (Matthew 17:3, 4)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 17:3, 4), then believers will know and love their spouses to at least the same degree as they did on earth. How that will compare to a believer’s love for the many other fellow-believers may be difficult to answer, but at least the love for a spouse will not be less than it was on earth. We will find no disappointments in what grace has provided for us eternally in Christ! The grace of God - His very character - assures us of that.

D. Oliver
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What are the titles and names of Jesus Christ?

The Lord Jesus Christ has many titles and names. A person who is Almighty God cannot be described in just one name. Here are some of the names that describe his being...

Advocate (1 John 2:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2:1)

Almighty (Revelation 1:8;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:8; Matthew 28:18)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:18)

Alpha and Omega (Rev 1:8;" TARGET="_blank">Rev 1:8; Revelation 22:13)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:13)

Amen (Revelation 3:14)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3:14)

Apostle of our Profession (Hebrews 3:1)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 3:1)

Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2:2)

Author of Life (Acts 3:15)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:15)

Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 12:2)

Author of Salvation (Hebrews 2:10)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2:10)

Beginning and End (Revelation 22:13)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:13)

Blessed and only Ruler (1 Timothy 6:15)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 6:15)

Bread of God (John 6:33)" TARGET="_blank">John 6:33)

Bread of Life (John 6:35;" TARGET="_blank">John 6:35; John 6:48)" TARGET="_blank">John 6:48)

Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 9:15)

Capstone (Acts 4:11;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:7)

Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:20)

Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 5:4)

Christ (1 John 2:22)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2:22)

Creator (John 1:3)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:3)

Deliverer (Romans 11:26)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 11:26)

Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 1:2; 5:20)

Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:11)

Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:5)

Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3:14)

First and Last (Revelation 1:17;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:17; Revelation 2:8;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 2:8; Revelation 22:13)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:13)

Firstborn From the Dead (Revelation 1:5)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:5)

Firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:15)

Gate (John 10:9)" TARGET="_blank">John 10:9)

God (John 1:1;" TARGET="_blank">John 1:1; John 20:28;" TARGET="_blank">John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8;" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:8; Romans 9:5;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 9:5; 2 Peter 1:1;" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 1:1;1 John 5:20;" TARGET="_blank">1 John 5:20; etc.)

Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)" TARGET="_blank">John 10:11,14)

Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:20)

Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 4:14)

Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)

Heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:2)

High Priest (Hebrews 2:17)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2:17)

Holy and True (Revelation 3:7)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3:7)

Holy One (Acts 3:14)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:14)

Hope (1 Timothy 1:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 1:1)

Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:27)

Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:69)

I Am (John 8:58)" TARGET="_blank">John 8:58)

Image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 4:4)

Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 1:23)

Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:42)

King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 1:17)

King of Israel (John 1:49)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:49)

King of the Jews (Matthew 27:11)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 27:11)

King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:16)

King of the Ages (Revelation 15:3)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 15:3)

Lamb (Revelation 13:8)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 13:8)

Lamb of God (John 1:29)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:29)

Lamb Without Blemish (1 Peter 1:19)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:19)

Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:45)

Life (John 14:6;" TARGET="_blank">John 14:6; Colossians 3:4)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 3:4)

Light of the World (John 8:12)" TARGET="_blank">John 8:12)

Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:5)

Living One (Revelation 1:18)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:18)

Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:4)

Lord (2 Peter 2:20)" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:20)

Lord of All (Acts 10:36)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:36)

Lord of Glory (1 Corinthians 2:8)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:8)

Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:16)

Man from Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:48)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:48)

Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:15)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 9:15)

Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 9:6)

Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:16)

Offspring of David (Revelation 22:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:16)

Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18;" TARGET="_blank">John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 4:9)

Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)" TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:13)

Our Holiness (1 Corinthians 1:30)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:30)

Our Husband (2 Corinthians 11:2)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 11:2)

Our Protection (2 Thessalonians 3:3)" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Our Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:30)

Our Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:30)

Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:7)

Power of God (1 Corinthians 1:24)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:24)

Precious Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:6)

Prophet (Acts 3:22)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:22)

Rabbi (Matthew 26:25)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 26:25)

Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)" TARGET="_blank">John 11:25)

Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5)

Righteous One (Acts 7:52;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2:1)

Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:4)

Root of David (Revelation 5:5;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 22:16)

Ruler of God’s Creation (Revelation 3:14)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3:14)

Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Revelation 1:5)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:5)

Savior (Ephesians 5:23;" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:23; Titus 1:4;" TARGET="_blank">Titus 1:4; Titus 3:6;" TARGET="_blank">Titus 3:6; 2 Peter 2:20)" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:20)

Son of David (Luke 18:39)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 18:39)

Son of God (John 1:49;" TARGET="_blank">John 1:49; Hebrews 4:14)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 4:14)

Son of Man (Matthew 8:20)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 8:20)

Son of the Most High God (Luke 1:32)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:32)

Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Hebrews 5:9)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 5:9)

The One Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:5)

The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 4:11)

True Bread (John 6:32)" TARGET="_blank">John 6:32)

True Light (John 1:9)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:9)

True Vine (John 15:1)" TARGET="_blank">John 15:1)

Truth (John 1:14;" TARGET="_blank">John 1:14; John 14:6)" TARGET="_blank">John 14:6)

Way (John 14:6)" TARGET="_blank">John 14:6)

Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:24)

Word (John 1:1)" TARGET="_blank">John 1:1)

Word of God (Revelation 19:13)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:13)

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Why didn't Johanan succeed Josiah?

Why didnt Johanan succeed Josiah?

According to 1 Chronicles 3:15" TARGET="_blank">1 Chronicles 3:15 Johanan was Josiahs firstborn, making him heir to his fathers throne. Interestingly, he is the only one of the four sons mentioned who did not reign. Shallum (also called Jehoahaz, Jeremiah 22:11)" TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 22:11) was Josiahs first son to reign, although listed as fourth. Installed by Pharaohnechoh, Jehoiakim, the second son, reigned next. Zedekiah reigned last, installed by Nebuchadnezzar (1 Kings 23:21-24:19)." TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 23:21-24:19). Even if we assumed that Johanan had died, and there seems to be no evidence to support this, that wouldnt explain why Shallum reigned before his older brother Jehoiakim.

We read concerning three kings that the people made them kings (Uzziah, 2Chronicles 26:1;" TARGET="_blank">2Chronicles 26:1; Josiah, 2 Chronicles 33:25;" TARGET="_blank">2 Chronicles 33:25; Jehoahaz, 2 Kings 23:30)." TARGET="_blank">2 Kings 23:30). The first two were good kings. Their being made king showed unity and righteousness, respectively. Jehoahaz, with only a 3 month reign, distinguished himself by means of unrighteousness (2 Kings 23:37)." TARGET="_blank">2 Kings 23:37). Perhaps, then, the people expressed their true spiritual condition by choosing a wicked king. Is it possible Johanan was too spiritually inclined to be the peoples choice?

D. Oliver
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Do the two loaves of the Day of Pentecost represent the Jews and the Gentiles?

Do the two loaves of Levticus 23:17 represent Jews and Gentiles?

And why were they “baken with leaven,” which speaks of what is evil?

The feast of Leviticus 23:15-21," TARGET="_blank">Leviticus 23:15-21, called in Deuteronomy 16:10," TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 16:10, etc., “The Feast of Weeks”; in Acts 2:1," TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:1, etc., “The Day of Pentecost”: and in Numbers 28:26," TARGET="_blank">Numbers 28:26, “The Day of the First-fruits”; is doubtless, as C. H. M. expresses it, “a type of God’s people, gathered by the Holy Ghost, and presented before Him in connection with all the preciousness of Christ.” This being so, the presence of leaven in the two loaves is, as he further says, “because they were intended to foreshadow those who, though filled with the Holy Ghost, and adorned with His gifts and graces, had nevertheless evil dwelling in them.” But the leaven was not burnt on the altar to God, either in this case or any other (see v. 20). That the number “two” may represent the elements, Jew and Gentile, out of which the Church is formed, seems reasonable enough.

W.R.

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