Why do Christians drink wine at the Lord's Supper but at no other time?

Am I right in refusing to take the cup at the Lord’s Table because it is not “non-alcoholic”?

That the wine used by the Lord at the institution of the Lord’s Supper was the ordinary wine of the country, nothing but special pleading can deny. The vintage was then long past, so that any idea of fresh grape juice and water is ruled out. At Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11: ), the erroneous idea had crept in that the Lord’s Supper was to be a meal, and each brought his or her provisions, and “one was hungry and another drunken”! How does the apostle meet this scandal? Not by advocating the use of some substitute for the ordinary wine used, but by showing that it was not a meal, but a memorial act, for which a morsel of bread or a sup of wine sufficed. I am not advocating the habitual use of wine as a beverage; on the contrary, but for anyone to refuse to partake of the cup, which the Lord Himself instituted, because it contains wine, which some have abused, seems like setting up himself to be wiser than God, and to incur a serious responsibility.

W.H.

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Can a believer be possessed by a demon? Can demons attack us?

Can a believer be possessed by a demon? Can demons attack us?
Possessed? No.
Attacked? Yes.

Demons may enter the body of an unbeliever and take control of his thoughts and emotions but the Chrisitian is protected from Satan and his angels for the following reasons:

#1 Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit

1 John 4:4" TARGET="_blank">1 John 4:4 says

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

"He that is in you" refers to God, and more specifically, the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer since the moment of believing in Christ through the gospel.

Ephesians 1:13-14" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

#2 Christians are no longer under the power of Satan

Colossians 1:13-14" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

But what about demon-possessed people in the Bible?

There are a number of examples of people who were possessed by a demon, but none of them were believers. The demoniacs of Gadara (Matthew 8:28;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:2)" TARGET="_blank">Mark 5:2) are them most startling examples of demon possession. These show us the extreme change that came upon them once Christ had driven the demons from them. These were not mere problems such as "demons of depression" or "demons of mental illness" or "demons of alcoholism", but true possession of a demonic spirit.

Were Ananias and Sapphira possessed by Satan?

Were Ananias and Sapphira believers? Yes. They were true followers of Christ, who possessed eternal life and are now in heaven. They were in the "congregation of those who believed" (Acts 4:32)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 4:32) and were involved with the Holy Spirit (v. 3), but remained hypocrites. They sinned under the influence of Satan. Satan did not indwell or possess them, but he rather slyly suggested this sin of hypocrisy in their mind or heart.

What does delivered unto Satan mean?

1 Corinthians 5:4-5" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:4-5 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (5) To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

This discipline of sin the Church is further explained at the end of the passage.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:12-13 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? (13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Delivering one to Satan is therefore to put someone out of the communion, the protection and godly influence of the church and to let the believer live in the world, outside of the fellowship of the church. He is once again in Satan's realm.

A believer can be attacked by Satan, as seen in the story of Job in Job 1:1-20." TARGET="_blank">Job 1:1-20. He suffered the loss of home, business, health and family as a direct result of Satan's work. Ananias and Sapphira were the victims of his mental attacks. Believers must guard against his spiritual attacks (Ephesians 6:11-18)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:11-18) which are best combated by learning and holding to good doctrines.

Shad David Sluiter

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How do we properly display reverence for the Lord

How do we properly display reverence for the Lord’s presence in the assembly?

How wonderful to be at home in the Lord’s presence! Knowing He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:5), we can enjoy His presence when shampooing our hair or sipping our coffee. Yet, the more we know Him, the more we will fear - or revere - Him (Pro 9:10)." TARGET="_blank">Pro 9:10).

Our gathering together as an assembly publicly expresses His presence (1Co 14:25)." TARGET="_blank">1Co 14:25). We have come together as a "House of God" (1Ti 3:15)." TARGET="_blank">1Ti 3:15). The principles of the Old Testament do not change: "Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, forever" (Psa 93:5). Again, "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him" (89:7). We cannot view the House of God as merely another house like our own. As reverence for God becomes more foreign to our culture, it ought to be more highly prized by us.

Paul instructed the Corinthians to so consider one another and to so act in their gatherings that God’s presence was unmistakable. Our actions on entering (the assembly does not become "house of God" when the meeting begins), during, and after the gathering should express this reverence.

Our clothing likewise expresses this reverence. When Joseph went from the prison to the palace (Gen 41:14)," TARGET="_blank">Gen 41:14), he changed his garments - to look more casual? In the setting of teaching us principles regarding His visible presence among His people, the Lord specified garments unique to men who functioned in His presence (Exo 28:1-3). We worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23)," TARGET="_blank">John 4:23), not in form and ritual; therefore, we do not have "priestly garments," but we learn the principle that clothing expresses reverence. Paul taught that, in contrast to the immoral and immodest worship of Diana, believing sisters adorn themselves modestly (1Ti 2:9)." TARGET="_blank">1Ti 2:9). Our adornment reflects the character of the God we worship. Culture, relative poverty, necessity, or circumstances must be considered. Some must come from their work in work clothes. At least they are present. We cannot legislate what clothes others must wear, but, for the Lord’s honor, we ought to choose clothing that will express our reverence for Him and our recognition that being in His presence is a transcendent privilege. We buy our clothing in the same stores as "sons of this age" (Luk 20:34," TARGET="_blank">Luk 20:34, ESV), but the casual spirit of this age doesn’t dictate how we display reverence.

D. Oliver
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What is the full name of Jesus? Is it Lord Jesus Christ or just Jesus?

Is the name Jesus enough to refer to Christ or does he have a fuller title like "Lord Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Father of Eternity"? These, and many more titles, are not sufficient to capture the fullness of him who is "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." Colossians 1:15." TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:15.

Last names, or surnames, were not used in Jesus' time. It wasn't common in Europe for people to use them until the middle ages.

Surnames were initially based on who the father was (Mike Thomson), the occupation that one had (Mike Miller), or what town a person lived in (Mike Berlin).

Jesus might have been named Jesus bar Joseph, Jesus Carpenter, Jesus Nazareth if they used surnames. Yeshua bar Yosef (Aramaic name form) of Nazareth (Jesus son of Joseph of Nazareth).

A common way to refer to Christ is to use the three, short, but descriptive titles "Lord Jesus Christ" or "Jesus Christ". There is no one single formula used in the Bible. The appropriate name is used in all situations to emphasize something about Him. Sometimes, the name Jesus is used to emphasize his humble birth and earthly life (Acts 9:27;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 9:27; Acts 19:15;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 19:15; Acts 21:13;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 21:13; Acts 26:9)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 26:9).

Jesus is his earthly name, used to emphasize that he is the Savior (Matthew 1:21)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 1:21). The Bible refers to him as simply Jesus in many of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Certainly they show no respect to him for using his earthly name. He is referred to more fully in the epistles as Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23" TARGET="_blank">Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The name of Christ is "one who is anointed" by God which has the idea of being chosen or the Promised One. John 4:25-29" TARGET="_blank">John 4:25-29

John 4:25-29" TARGET="_blank">John 4:25-29
(25) The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." (26) Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." (27) Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you seek?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" (28) So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, (29) "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?"

He is Lord, in the full sense in that he is God. Acts 2:36" TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:36

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

Shad David Sluiter

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Should a friend mediate between me and someone who has offended me?

In Matthew 18:16," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:16, what is the role of the "two or three witnesses," and are they related to the "two" in verse 19 or the "two or three" in verse 20?

The two or three witnesses seem to do more than merely "witness," since the Lord Jesus adds, "if he shall neglect to hear them These accompanying brethren seem to make an appeal along with the offended brother, and subsequently bear witness to the failed attempts at reconciliation and the apparent intransigence of the offender. When this man’s rebellion extends to failure to "hear the church," discipline must be carried out. Heaven’s authority is behind the action of the assembly, for it is carrying out the mind of God (verse 18). It is perhaps part of their exercise for the offending man’s recovery that is motivating the praying brethren in verse 19, where it is interesting to note again the link between heaven and earth - this time displaying God’s response to the spiritual exercise of these brethren. An assembly’s authority and power - including its actions of "putting away" and receiving back - are based on its character as gathered to His Name (verse 20) and representing our Lord Jesus in this world.

E. Higgins
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Was Satan in Heaven when he sinned and fell?

This page was adapted from an answer at Truth and Tidings Magazine by David Oliver.

In the gospel of Luke 10:17," TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:17, the disciples were glad to be able to control the demons (v. 17). Christ gave them the authority to control Satan's agents; they acted in Christ's name. Christ then said, "I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:18)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:18). Comparing Christ's words with the eventual expulsion from heaven (Revelation 12:8)," TARGET="_blank">Revelation 12:8), some people see Christ's words as a prophecy of a future event. However, the word, "saw," means he was watching an event in the past rather than looking forward to the future. Most likely, the Lord is referring to his preexistence and supremacy. Being obedient to His name should not have surprised them. Satan’s expulsion, attributable to the Lord Himself, was like lightning: immediate; downward; devastating. "To fall from" sometimes expresses a fall from favor; in this case, it refers to Satan’s sin. In the future, he will be cast from the created heavens (Revelation 12:8, 9)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 12:8, 9). In the past, he fell from the uncreated heaven, the dwelling place of God.

Although God’s power was shown in expelling even Satan, it cannot rival the greatness of what God will accomplish by redemption (v. 20).

D. Oliver

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How long before a person put away from the assembly can be forgiven and comforted?

How long before a person put away from the assembly can be forgiven and comforted?

When Paul writes his second epistle to the Corinthians, he has received from Titus a report of conditions in Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:6, 7)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 7:6, 7). Now as he writes, he is careful in his wording. At least one person who was put away from the assembly is likely to hear what Paul is writing. Although that individual has caused Paul grief, he indicates that the greater concern is the grief that the sinning individual has caused to the entire assembly (2 Corinthians 2:5)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 2:5). The Revised Version’s translation of the latter part of the verse, "that I may not overcharge you all," seems more consistent with the context. A number of other translations indicate that Paul is not thinking of the assembly alone. The following verses support this. The excommunication had been sufficient to accomplish its purpose. Paul, informed by Titus, was aware that the sinning individual could be overcome with sorrow, so he spoke - and asked the assembly to act - in a way that would not overburden that individual with sorrow.

The passage in chapter 7 (vv 2-16) has a number of parallels with what Paul writes in chapter 2. A key difference is that chapter 2 deals with the recovery of a man who was put away and chapter 7 with the recovery of the assembly. The comments Paul makes about the assembly’s repentance and sorrow (vv 8-11) give us principles that apply to the individual. "Godly sorrow" produces repentance, which results in deliverance from the condition that caused the sorrow (vv 9, 10). Sorrow which results from submission to God and His Word results in repentance. Paul judged that sorrow had done its work in producing repentance; any further sorrow would be destructive.

The passage gives the answer to the question. The assembly’s forgiveness and comfort are predicated on the individual’s recognition of the seriousness of his sin in dishonoring the Lord, defiling the assembly, and grieving his fellow believers. His contrition of heart and submission to the discipline and to the Word of God will be evident. Determining this is a matter of spiritual discernment that assesses the work of God in that individual. This is not a matter left to the opinion of each believer in the assembly, with every man doing that which is "right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25)." TARGET="_blank">Judges 21:25). The elders who guided the assembly in the discipline of that individual will guide the assembly in recognizing when the assembly should confirm its love, forgive, and comfort the repentant believer.

D. Oliver
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How should 2 Thessalonians 2:2 be translated?

Which of the two readings of 2 Thessalonians 2:2" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 2:2 is correct?

The Authorized Version reads, "That ye be not soon shaken in mind,... as that the day of Christ is at hand." Darby's translation reads, "that ye be not soon shaken in mind, . . . as that the day of the Lord is present."

For some Bible students, this involves a very emotional issue. To them, suggesting a change in the King James Version is equivalent to changing the Bible. We must insist, with them, that the Word of God never changes (Psalm 119:89)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 119:89). Nevertheless, the King James Version is a translation from handwritten documents, manuscripts, that are copies (more likely, copies of copies of copies...) of the original writings. Researchers have discovered more ancient copies, for instance a manuscript (C. Beatty's) containing most of the New Testament and dated toward the end of the first century (thus, perhaps copied within 30 years of the original writings) was found in the 1930s. These older manuscripts have some differences from the manuscripts used by the KJV translators. It is worth emphasizing that "not one fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith rests on a disputed reading" (P. W. Comfort, "The Complete Guide to Bible Versions").

Without attempting in this brief format to answer the objections raised by those who defend the AV readings, I accept the view of reliable scholarship that supports Mr. Darby's translation.

D. Oliver
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Bible Puzzles Printout

Severl programs for Bible puzzles that you can printout are listed below.

or

Choose one of the 350 Sunday school worksheets that you can printout so student have several types of Bible puzzles including word find and crossword puzzles. You can printout the PDF files on 8.5x 11 paper.

Create and printout one of the following Bible puzzle programs.

Word Find

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How do we understand the meaning of "only begotten" Son?

How do we understand the meaning of "only begotten" Son?

The word translated "only begotten" appears nine times in our New Testament. Luke uses it three times in his gospel to describe either an only daughter (8:42) or only son (7:12; 9:38). The term also describes Isaac (Heb 11:17)," TARGET="_blank">Heb 11:17), which is instructive, because Isaac was not the only son born to Abraham. He was the father of Ishmael and six other sons (Gen 25:2)." TARGET="_blank">Gen 25:2). Isaac, however, was uniquely precious (22:2), because God promised to fulfil His covenant with Abraham through Isaac.

The remaining references to "only begotten" are from John’s pen and all refer to the Lord Jesus. The first mention in John is significant. Although the other four references (1:18; 3:16, 18; 1Jo 4:9)" TARGET="_blank">1Jo 4:9) have an article ("the") with "only begotten," the first reference does not. "We beheld His glory, glory as of an only begotten of a Father" (John 1:14," TARGET="_blank">John 1:14, YLT). The absence of an article does not mean He was like an only begotten son. He was and is "the only begotten Son." As Mr. Newberry points out, the missing article indicates character. John saw in Christ every evidence that He was the Son uniquely precious to His Father and every reason why He should be thus treasured by His Father.

Although John never refers to believers as "sons of God," he does tell us that we are begotten (a related word) by God (1Jo 5:1, 18)." TARGET="_blank">1Jo 5:1, 18). Since many are begotten by God, the term "only begotten" cannot refer to the act of "begetting." It cannot therefore imply a beginning of the Son’s existence, or His becoming the Son of God, or His birth into humanity. "Only begotten" expresses the uniqueness of the Son in the essential value He has to the Father and in the central place He has in all that the Father has purposed.

For those who find the expression "only begotten" rather archaic, the words "only Son" convey much the same truth, although "unique Son" may express the truth more completely.

D. Oliver
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