Does the example of women publishing tidings about the Ark give weight to the idea of preaching?

The R.V. of Psalm 68:11" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 68:11: “The women that publish the tidings are a great host,” has been used in favour of public preaching of the Gospel by women. What is its real meaning?

Psalm 68" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 68 is primarily connected with the bringing up of the Ark by David to the “resting place” (Psalm 132:8," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 132:8, R.V.) which he had, in accordance with his boyhood’s vow, prepared for it; though, of course, prophetically it looks forward to events far beyond that. It begins in v. with the words uttered by Moses on the occasions when the Ark was being taken up to move onward through the wilderness (Numbers 10:35);" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 10:35); and in its earlier verses it recounts in few words the bright side of Israel’s past history, as connected with what the Ark symbolised—the presence and power of God with His people. Their march through the desert; their arrival in the promised inheritance; and their victories over the nations that dwelt there, and those others that surrounded it; are pictured as won by the Presence of God with them. On various occasions these were celebrated in song, especially by their women-folk; and it is to such celebrations that the words quoted in the question refer.

See examples of them, in Exodus 15:20, 21," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 15:20, 21, after the Red Sea crossing; in Judges 5:1-3," TARGET="_blank">Judges 5:1-3, after Barak’s defeat of the host of Sisera; and in 1 Samuel 18:6, 7," TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 18:6, 7, after David’s own victory over Goliath. Also compare the rejoicing on this occasion of the bringing up of the Ark as described in 2 Sam. 6. 15-22." TARGET="_blank">2 Sam. 6. 15-22. It is worthy of note that in many respects our psalm may be compared with the above-mentioned Song of Deborah. Those who advocate that women should do what in the New Testament they are forbidden to do, must be hard bestead for proof, if they have to come to Psalm 68:11" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 68:11 for it.

W.R.

Other pages in this section

About this site

How can I overcome being nervous about talking about the Bible?

How can I overcome being nervous about witnessing?

Unfortunately, many face nervousness when seeking to witness for the Lord. Feelings of inadequacy, a lack of Bible knowledge, and the fear of man can hinder some from sharing the gospel in a calm and collected manner.

Keeping three things in mind helps overcome this difficulty: 1. All without Christ are lost and in danger of perishing eternally; therefore view people with compassion as did the Lord, seeing them as sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36); 2." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 9:36); 2. Interest individuals in God's Word and make the Bible the basis of your beliefs and discussion (1 Peter 3:15); 3." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 3:15); 3. Rely on the Holy Spirit to work through you as you share the greatest message in the world (Acts 1:8)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 1:8).

The Scriptures illustrate many interesting ways to initiate conversations about spiritual things. The Lord spoke about the new birth after Nicodemus opened the door by mentioning miracles (John 3)." TARGET="_blank">John 3). In the next chapter with the woman at the well, the Lord used the subject of water to lead into a conversation about true satisfaction.

Be constantly alert for openings to speak for Christ and do it in His strength (Philippians 4:13)." TARGET="_blank">Philippians 4:13).

B. Funston

Other pages in this section

About this site

Were OT believers born again?

Were Old Testament believers born again?

All believers in any dispensation are born again. Without the new birth, no one can see the kingdom of God (John 3:3)." TARGET="_blank">John 3:3). The Lord teaches there must be a new life to enter the kingdom of God, whatever the dispensation (John 3:5)." TARGET="_blank">John 3:5). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets will be seen in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:28)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 13:28). Abraham and Moses knew God in an intimate way. John 17:3" TARGET="_blank">John 17:3 teaches that knowing God requires eternal life (being born again).

J. Abernathy

Other pages in this section

About this site

Can Atheists Disprove that God Exists?

While atheists can try to give evidence that God does not exist, they cannot disprove that God exists. Similarly, even though theists can give evidence that God does exist, we cannot prove that He does exist. Despite this, a very good case can be built that shows that it is highly irrational to say that God does not exist.

Atheists have a difficulty if they want to try to show that God does not exist in that it is much easier to show that something does exist rather than that it does not exist. Pretend that I have told you many things about my supposed friend George yet you have never seen or spoken to him. In fact, the only reason you know about George is because I told you about him. You have to decide for yourself if you will believe what I say. I can tell you about George until your ears fall off, but it ultimately comes down to your personal decision whether you choose to believe that George exists or not.

This is the same thing with God. Some people—such as myself—have a true friendship with God. It would seem ridiculous to you if I tried to convince you that your best friend didn’t exist. Because I have a friendship with God, it seems ridiculous to me that someone would say that God doesn’t exist. But the great thing about God is that I don’t have to prove Him to you, He speaks for Himself in many different ways.

One way that God shows us He is real is through creation. As Psalm 19:1" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork”. His glory can be seen in that even though we humans think we are so important, we are but a pale blue dot in comparison to the rest of the universe. Our world barely makes a mark in the solar system, and there is so much out there that we don’t know.

And then our minds can once again be amazed when we consider the complexity of the smallest things in our universe. Scientists used to consider the atom the smallest thing in the universe, but now we know that atoms are merely the beginning. When before we thought we knew everything there was to know, now we have just started to understand how much stuff there is that we don’t understand about how the universe works. Something of this complexity must have a Creator.

Another way in which He speaks to us is through the Bible. It is in the Bible that we read that God loves us but hates our sin. He loves the person (John 3:16," TARGET="_blank">John 3:16, Romans 5:8)," TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:8), but is unable to allow the sin into Heaven (Revelation 21:27)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 21:27). It is in the Bible that we read about the life of Jesus and how He died to pay for sin (1 Peter 2:24," TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:21). God tells us in the Bible that “the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7" TARGET="_blank">1 John 1:7 ESV).

But perhaps the most direct way in which God spoke to us is by His Son. The Son of God actually came down from Heaven and lived the life of a human from birth until death (John 1:14," TARGET="_blank">John 1:14, Hebrews 1:2)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:2). Many of His actions are recorded in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) all the way from His birth to His death to His resurrection and return to Heaven. This God-man is not a mere imagination of a human author; He actually lived and died on this earth.

God has shown Himself to us in many ways, now it is the responsibility of each person to choose. We must each choose to either believe what God says about Himself or to reject it. But please, consider the evidence for yourself—in light of even these few items, how can someone rationally deny that God exists?

Anthony Elliott

Other pages in this section

About this site

How can an assembly deal with damaging rumors about an assembly believer?

How can an assembly deal with damaging rumors about an assembly believer?

Apart from a personal confession, the Old Testament principle of "two or three witnesses" (Deuteronomy 17:6)" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 17:6) applies in all assembly matters. An assembly can't act on rumors.

"Two or three witnesses" does not include two or three stories about similar incidents. Each incident must have "two or three witness" to receive consideration. In the case of drunkenness, for instance, elders would need to verify sufficient incidences of this kind before guiding the assembly to put away the individual.

In the case of serious but unsupported rumors, the assembly can take no action. The overseers would help the individual by visiting him and helping him to understand that he is responsible for the appearance of wrongdoing in his life (Romans 12:17" TARGET="_blank">Romans 12:17b). If anything he is doing contributes to these rumors, even though the rumors are not accurate, he would be wise, safe, and godly to make changes so that no one would even consider repeating such obvious lies.

D. Oliver
Other pages in this section

About this site

Will the Church be present in the tribulation?

Will part of the Church, according to the AV reading, be present during the tribulation?

We are not at liberty to decide which reading we prefer based on its support for our interpretation of the Scriptures. That decision must rest on manuscript evidence.

The "Day of Christ" (Philippians 1:10; 2:16)" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 1:10; 2:16) is linked with the end of our testimony on earth and the assessment of our service at the judgment Seat. Following 2 Thessalonians 2:2," TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 2:2, Paul writes, "...that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed..." The earliest "that man of sin" could be revealed would be at the beginning of the 7 year period (Daniel 9:27)," TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9:27), generally referred to as "The Tribulation." This would appear to teach that the Rapture follows the beginning of the Tribulation, a teaching inconsistent with several other passages.

D. Oliver
Other pages in this section

About this site

Was the descent at the time of Pentecost gradual?

Was the descent at the time of Pentecost gradual?

If the question refers to the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, the answer is in verses 2 to 4 of Acts 2" TARGET="_blank">Acts 2: "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, … And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." With unexpected suddenness (Strong’s Dictionary), the sound filled the house, divided tongues (ESV) appeared and rested on the believers, the Holy Spirit filled them, and they spoke in tongues.

However, perhaps the question addresses the descent or decline of Israel’s place of privilege. During the period covered in the Book of Acts, the gospel went "to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 1:16). In Ezekiel’s visions, the glory of the Lord gradually moved away from the temple, the land, and the nation. The Lord did not rush to withdraw from His people. The prophet received the message of judgment before the glory departed, but God carried out the judgment with apparent reluctance, which is both instructive and touching. So during the book of Acts, Israel’s removal from its position of privilege took place gradually. The Lord had announced it before the cross, and made it clear that the reason was the slaying of the beloved Son (Matthew 21:33-43)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 21:33-43). He taught that after He ascended back to heaven, the nation would seal its doom by sending after Him the message, "We will not have this Man to reign over us" (Luke 19:12-14)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 19:12-14) and by declining the invitation of the King’s messengers (Matthew 22:1-7)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:1-7). The same leaders who plotted the death of Christ sent their message of determined rejection ("We will not have this Man . . .") back to heaven when they stoned Stephen (Acts 7)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 7). They imprisoned and beat the messengers (ch 5). They proved that their slaying of Christ was not accidental; they were not manslayers (Deu 19:1-4)," TARGET="_blank">Deu 19:1-4), but, as Stephen said (Acts 7:52)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 7:52), were murderers (Deuteronomy 19:11, 12)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 19:11, 12). They had no refuge from the sword of judgment. As the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome in Acts, the Jewish leaders affirmed the nation’s rejection of Christ and His messengers, although individual Jews were saved.

The nation rejected Christ and His kingdom when they crucified Him. As the gospel spread, the nation’s rejection of the message spread; the pall of darkness and blindness (Romans 11:25)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 11:25) settled over Israel. With apparent reluctance, God gradually removed the place of privilege from the nation that had rejected His Son. That generation crucified the King and therefore would not share in His kingdom. That was settled before the beginning of Acts. During Acts, God gradually removed their place of privilege as the message went from Jerusalem to Rome. After the end of Acts, the army came from Rome to Jerusalem to destroy the city (Matthew 22:7)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:7). The decline was gradual, but the result inevitable.

D. Oliver
Other pages in this section

About this site

Should a Christian celebrate the Passover?

Should a Christian celebrate the Passover?

The Jewish holiday of Passover commemorates the Exodus of the children of Israel from their slavery in Egypt. Moses commanded the people to choose a lamb, prepare it with bitter herbs and apply the blood to the doorposts and lintel of the doors of their houses. Those Egyptians who chose not to participate in this ceremony, lost their first born sons at midnight. Pharaoh then permitted the people of Israel to leave the country. Jewish homes still celebrate the Passover today with some changes to the original details of the meal as recorded in Exodus 11" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 11 and12.

The New Testament says that Christ is the fulfillment of the Passover event (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:7-8) and that Christians should recognize the spiritual significance of the feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately precedes the Passover.

There are some Christians who not only see the spiritual lessons of Christ’s salvation prefigured in the Passover, they also wish to celebrate the Passover in all of its details. They say that the Passover is a cultural event. Continuing the supper allows Jewish believers to retain their cultural heritage and at the same time embrace Christ as their savior. A second reason for a Christian to celebrate the Passover is to use the event as an evangelism tool to explain the gospel to Jewish friends.

A Christian may choose not to celebrate the Passover based on the teaching of the Epistle of Hebrews. The whole point of the Book of Hebrews is that Christ is the fulfillment of the law. All Old Testament rituals were mere shadows of the coming Promised Messiah. We should leave all old practices now that they have become obsolete. Hebrews 13:10-13" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:10-13

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

The “Last Supper” of the Lord Jesus and his disciples was a commemoration of the Passover of Moses. It was the last time to be practiced before Christ introduced the New Covenant. (Matthew 26:28)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 26:28). The epistles never command us to remember the Passover, but to break bread remembering the death of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23-34)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:23-34).

If a believer chooses to celebrate the Passover, he should be fully aware that there is no sanction for it in the Bible. However, it would be wrong for another believer to condemn him for doing so. Colossians 2:16-17" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 2:16-17 and Romans 14:5" TARGET="_blank">Romans 14:5 say that believers are free to conduct celebrations of Sabbaths and other holidays.

Shad David Sluiter

Other pages in this section

About this site

Are there two types of "rest" in Matthew 11:28-29?

Are the “rests” of Matthew 11:28," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 11:28, 29 two distinct “rests”, or does it mean that the rest is not obtained by soul approach, but by taking the yoke, and learning of the Lord?

I judge that two “rests” are indicated, or perhaps I should say, two distinct stages of rest: the one, rest of conscience for the soul who has never known true rest in Christ; and the other, rest from a restless will, unsatisfied desires and self-seeking service. The word for “rest” is the same in both cases (anapausiS—or up-rest), which might be illustrated by the action of the Good Samaritan: first he relieved the smitten one, pouring in oil and wine, and then set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn (set him down there) and took care of him. This latter action may denote the “rest” (katapausis—down-rest) of Hebrews 3" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 3 and 4, where this root is always used, except in verse 9: “There remaineth, therefore, a rest for the people of God.” The word here means a “Sabbath rest” (Sabbatismos)—the true spiritual thought of the Sabbath—a resting from our own works. This does not describe a future heavenly rest, but a Christ-rest, to be enjoyed here and now by all the people of God.

W.H.

Other pages in this section

About this site

What are the marks of the Spirit

What are the marks of the Spirit’s leading in a meeting?

In light of the foregoing principles, our participation should make it easier for and encourage others to participate. What we have contributed should often become a building block that amplifies others’ contributions. If a deadening silence follows our participation, quiet submission to the Lord may produce an awareness of a wrong condition in the soul. If there is honestly no awareness of wrong, then we commit this to the Lord with a humble admission that we have tried to please him. A feeling of depression or elation that follows our participation may not be the most reliable guide. Being willing to wait God’s time for encouragement is essential. He will give the needed encouragement in His own way as well as through others, which is most valuable when it comes from respected believers.

We must move in the presence of God and not live for or by the praise of men. We nonetheless value others and want to move in fellowship with them.

D. Oliver
Other pages in this section

About this site

Main Menu