06/24/2019
__________________________________________________________________________
Abortion is a controversial
topic. While it’s been settled in the Supreme Court for decades, it remains an
actively debated moral issue, packed with difficult questions.
Does a woman have full
autonomy over her body, even if another human is dependent on her body?
Let me answer this question
with the love of God the best way I can as a human being. If you are NOT saved then
you have a worldly view about the human existence which is at odds with the
Creator {Romans
8:5-7; James
4:4; Proverbs
14:12}. Since you are already at odds with God then you have no need to
have any regard for the life of the child developing inside you. So from a
worldly point of view you absolutely have full autonomy over your body.
On the other hand, if you are
a woman of God who has accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior
then you have been bought with the price of His blood and you no longer have
any say over your own body {1
Corinthians 6:19-20}. However, you still have free will to do what you want
just know that when you do things the world does you can no longer under the
protection God {1
John 2:15-17}.
As a child of God I would
hope life would be more precious to you than your own selfish desires and you
would do what pleases God instead of what would make your life more convenient.
I pray you will go forward
with an open heart and see what the Word of God says about how precious life is
to your Heavenly Father.
Is a fetus a person, and
therefore entitled to basic human rights? We will take a look at what “Science”
has to say about the “fetus” today.
On either side of the debate,
you’ll find people passionately defend the morality of their position. When it
comes to determining right from wrong, Christians generally take their cues
from the Bible. However, what about when the Bible doesn’t specifically address
an issue? There’s no “abortion verse” or “fetus verse.” So does the Bible have
anything at all to add to the discussion?
Although the Bible never
specifically states that “the fetus is a person” and “Thou shalt not have an
abortion,” it is misleading to insist that the Bible has nothing to say about
the moral status of the unborn.
The general tenor of Scripture is resoundingly pro-life.
Although some texts on the surface appear to support a pro-choice position, this doesn’t hold up when we examine the
texts in context.
Genesis 1:26-31; 2:4-25 ~ From the very beginning of mankind {men
and women} God created the life we live in the image of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. We are spiritual beings from the moment of conception therefore
being like our Creator. God has given mankind dominion over every living thing
{that includes the fetus} so the power to take a life or let it live rests in
their hands.
While there are no passages
that say outright, “Unborn babies are people and deserve the same rights as
adults,” that statement appears to reflect the way that Scripture treats the
unborn.
The Bible is not “the law of
the land.” But if Christians want their moral system to be informed by
Scripture, then their understanding of human life and the status of the unborn
should come from the passages that talk about the unborn.
The Bible uses birth and
conception interchangeably—it talks about the fetus in the womb the same way it
talks about the baby out of the womb.
The Bible also appears to assign the same
penalty for killing a person in the womb as it does to killing a person outside
of it.
So if the Bible is our guide,
fetuses deserve human rights, including that most basic right—the right to
life.
God is deeply involved in
fashioning the unborn in the womb and thus deeply cares about the unborn.
Abortion is an unjustified interference in God’s sacred role in the womb. When abortion occurs, it involves not only
the termination of a pregnancy, but also the termination of God’s work in the
womb.
God makes us, and He values us!!! God
told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you
[and approved of you as My chosen instrument], and
before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
God loves us so much that He sent His son
to die for our sins so we could spend an eternity with Him. Jesus taught the
crowds of people and the religious leaders that children are so precious in the
eyes of God that one must become like a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4 ~ He called a little child and set him before them,
and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live
changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven.
Romans 5:6-8 ~ While we were still helpless [powerless to provide
for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the
ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life
even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and
selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die. But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by
the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:14-18 ~ Just as Moses lifted up the
[bronze] serpent in the desert
[on a pole], so must the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], so that whoever believes
will in Him have eternal life [after physical death,
and will actually live forever]. “For
God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One
and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have
eternal life. For God did not
send the Son into the world to judge and
condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final
judgment of the world], but that the world might be
saved through Him. Whoever
believes and has decided to
trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no
judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one
who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as
personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and
trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is
truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him].
The Scriptures are straight forward when it
comes to murder {killing another human being}.
Exodus 20:13 reads; “You shall not commit murder (unjustified,
deliberate homicide).” Then again we read the same commandment in Deuteronomy 5:17. For those who only follow the teachings
of Jesus from the New Testament; Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder” in Matthew 19:18.
Abortion is death. Christ came to conquer
death; and therefore to save children from abortion. It is the number one
priority of the enemy of God {Satan} to kill, steal and destroy the very life
God has given us to live.
John 10:10 ~ The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and
destroy. I came that they may have and
enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till
it overflows].
1 Peter 5:8 ~ Be sober [well balanced and
self-disciplined], be alert and
cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a
roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
One of my favorite Scriptures
which shows how much God VALUES the LIFE {fetus} in the womb is Luke 1:14-15 which states, “You will have great joy and delight, and many
will rejoice over his birth, for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink
wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his
mother’s womb.”
Let us take a moment to see how much God
hates abortion; after all aborting a child is murder; which makes it a sin and God forgives us of our sins.
Proverbs 6:16-19 ~ There are six things
the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands
that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises
wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a
false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs
up conflict in the community.
In the eyes of God all of
mankind’s sins carry the same weight; that is they are all equal in His eyes.
Therefore, if we confess our sins He is faith and just to forgive us our sins {1 John 1:9}. He has also said in Isaiah 1:18 that He will make your scarlet sins white
as snow and wool.
God did warn us in His Word
that people would one day turn away from sound doctrine accumulating for
themselves preachers who would tell them what they want to hear because they no
longer want to hear the TRUTH from God’s Word {2 Timothy 4:3-4}. In 2 Timothy 3:1-9 we read, “But understand this that in the
last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult
days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic,
self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant,
revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural
human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips,
devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good,
traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers
of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have
denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith].
Avoid such people and keep far
away from them. For among them are those who worm their way into homes and
captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed
down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses, always
learning and listening to
anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the
truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres [the court magicians of Egypt] opposed Moses,
so these men also oppose the
truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and
worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith. But they will not get very far,
for their meaningless nonsense and
ignorance will become obvious to everyone, as was that of Jannes and Jambres.”
Extra biblical
Jewish Literature
The non-canonical
Jewish wisdom literature further clarifies first-century Judaism’s view of
abortion. For example, the Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides 184–186
(c. 50 B.C.–A.D. 50) says that
“a woman should not destroy the unborn in her belly, nor after its birth throw
it before the dogs and vultures as a prey.” Included among those who do evil in
the apocalyptic Sibylline Oracles were women who “aborted what
they carried in the womb” (2.281–282). Similarly, the apocryphal book 1
Enoch (2nd or 1st century B.C.) declares that an
evil angel taught humans how to “smash the embryo in the womb” (69.12).
Finally, the first-century Jewish historian Josephus wrote that “the law
orders all the offspring to be brought up, and forbids women either to cause
abortion or to make away with the fetus” (Against Apion 2.202).
Contrast
these injunctions with the barbarism of Roman culture. Cicero (106–43 B.C.) records that according to the Twelve Tables of Roman
Law, “deformed infants shall be killed” (De Legibus 3.8). Plutarch
(c. a.d. 46–120) spoke of those who he said “offered up
their own children, and those who had no children would buy little ones from
poor people and cut their throats as if they were so many lambs or young birds;
meanwhile the mother stood by without a tear or moan” (Moralia 2.171D).
Early Christian
Literature
Against the
bleak backdrop of Roman culture, the Hebrew “sanctity of human life” ethic
provided the moral framework for early Christian condemnation of abortion and
infanticide. For instance, the Didache 2.2 (c. A.D. 85–110) commands, “thou shalt
not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born.” Another non-canonical
early Christian text, the Letter of Barnabas 19.5 (c. A.D. 130), said: “You shall not
abort a child nor, again, commit infanticide.” There are numerous other
examples of Christian condemnation of both infanticide and abortion. In fact,
some biblical scholars have argued that the silence of the NT on abortion per
se is due to the fact that it was simply assumed to be beyond the pale of early
Christian practice. Nevertheless, Luke (a physician) points to fetal person-hood
when he observes that the unborn John the Baptist “leaped for joy” in his
mother’s womb when Elizabeth came into the presence of Mary, who was pregnant
with Jesus at the time {Luke 1:44}.
More than
merely condemning abortion and infanticide, however, early Christians provided
alternatives by rescuing and adopting children who were abandoned. For
instance, Callistus (d. c. A.D. 223) provided refuge to
abandoned children by placing them in Christian homes, and Benignus of Dijon
(3rd century) offered nourishment and protection to abandoned children,
including some with disabilities caused by unsuccessful abortions.
Medical Fact’s
concerning life beginning at conception
LIFE IN THE WOMB
Science
tells us that human life begins at the time of conception. From the moment
fertilization takes place, the child's genetic makeup is already complete. Its
gender has already been determined, along with its height and hair, eye and
skin color. The only thing the embryo needs to become a fully-functioning being
is the time to grow and develop.
Individual life begins with conception by the union of the sex
cells or gametes of the mother and father. The 23 chromosomes of the paternal
sperm (male pro-nucleus) fuses with the 23 chromosomes of the maternal oocyte
(egg or female pro-nucleus) at fertilization
to create a single cell embryo or zygote
containing 46 chromosomes. Thus, while the zygote receives cells from the
mother and the father, it is neither the mother nor the father. The
fertilization process takes about 24 hours. The new human zygote has the
inherent capacity or potential to become a fully rational and cognizant person.
Each one represents a unique, irreplaceable, never-to-be-reduplicated human
being!
As physicians do not know when fertilization occurs, one measures the term of the baby from the first day of the last menstrual period, which is approximately two weeks prior to fertilization, and this is known as the Gestational Age.
There are traditionally three phases in the prenatal development of an individual: the Germinal and Embryonic phases of the Embryo, which lasts from fertilization through the eighth week after conception or tenth week of gestation. These phases are characterized by dramatic cell differentiation through the eighth week after conception, so that the beginnings of all essential organs of the human body are present. The Fetal Phase proceeds from the beginning of the ninth week after conception until birth, generally until the 38th week after conception or the 40th week of gestation.
The Germinal Phase of the embryo extends from the moment of fertilization of the ovum through the second week after Conception or fourth week of Gestation. During this phase, the zygote undergoes continual cell division, implants in the uterus, and forms the embryonic disc, which will produce the primary germ layers that give rise to the organs of the human body.
The zygote begins dividing about every 12-20 hours, first into 2 cells called blastomeres. The blastomeres divide repeatedly without growth and thus decrease in size. By three days division into 16 cells has taken place, and the zygote assumes the shape of a mulberry, becoming known as a 16 cell morula. The morula then leaves the Fallopian tube and enters the uterine cavity three to five days after fertilization. Cell division continues, and a cavity known as a blastocele forms in the center of the morula. With the appearance of the cavity in the center, the entire structure is now called a blastocyst.
The presence of the blastocyst indicates that two cell types are forming: the embryo blast (inner cell mass on the inside of the blastocele), and the trophoblast (the cells on the outside of the blastocele). The inner cell mass becomes the embryonic disc, and the trophoblast becomes the placenta. The blastocyst begins implantation into the endometrial lining of the uterus via its trophoblast from the 7th to 10th day after fertilization. Implantation is generally complete by the 14th day and the embryo is receiving nourishment from the mother.
The Embryonic Phase of the embryo extends from the beginning of the third week through the eighth week after conception. During this phase, the formation and development of the three primary germ layers, the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, take place. These germ layers will fashion the beginnings of all the organ systems of the human body. The ectoderm develops into the brain, spinal cord, nervous system, and skin. The mesoderm forms the heart and circulatory system, the blood cells and bone marrow, the reproductive system, kidneys, musculature, bone and cartilage. The endoderm forms the thyroid gland, the lining of the lungs and digestive tract, the liver, pancreas and biliary system, and the urinary system including the bladder and vagina.
A human embryo is fully recognizable after the eighth week of conception!
The human embryo now measures just over one inch long and it weighs about 4.5 grams.
As physicians do not know when fertilization occurs, one measures the term of the baby from the first day of the last menstrual period, which is approximately two weeks prior to fertilization, and this is known as the Gestational Age.
There are traditionally three phases in the prenatal development of an individual: the Germinal and Embryonic phases of the Embryo, which lasts from fertilization through the eighth week after conception or tenth week of gestation. These phases are characterized by dramatic cell differentiation through the eighth week after conception, so that the beginnings of all essential organs of the human body are present. The Fetal Phase proceeds from the beginning of the ninth week after conception until birth, generally until the 38th week after conception or the 40th week of gestation.
The Germinal Phase of the embryo extends from the moment of fertilization of the ovum through the second week after Conception or fourth week of Gestation. During this phase, the zygote undergoes continual cell division, implants in the uterus, and forms the embryonic disc, which will produce the primary germ layers that give rise to the organs of the human body.
The zygote begins dividing about every 12-20 hours, first into 2 cells called blastomeres. The blastomeres divide repeatedly without growth and thus decrease in size. By three days division into 16 cells has taken place, and the zygote assumes the shape of a mulberry, becoming known as a 16 cell morula. The morula then leaves the Fallopian tube and enters the uterine cavity three to five days after fertilization. Cell division continues, and a cavity known as a blastocele forms in the center of the morula. With the appearance of the cavity in the center, the entire structure is now called a blastocyst.
The presence of the blastocyst indicates that two cell types are forming: the embryo blast (inner cell mass on the inside of the blastocele), and the trophoblast (the cells on the outside of the blastocele). The inner cell mass becomes the embryonic disc, and the trophoblast becomes the placenta. The blastocyst begins implantation into the endometrial lining of the uterus via its trophoblast from the 7th to 10th day after fertilization. Implantation is generally complete by the 14th day and the embryo is receiving nourishment from the mother.
The Embryonic Phase of the embryo extends from the beginning of the third week through the eighth week after conception. During this phase, the formation and development of the three primary germ layers, the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, take place. These germ layers will fashion the beginnings of all the organ systems of the human body. The ectoderm develops into the brain, spinal cord, nervous system, and skin. The mesoderm forms the heart and circulatory system, the blood cells and bone marrow, the reproductive system, kidneys, musculature, bone and cartilage. The endoderm forms the thyroid gland, the lining of the lungs and digestive tract, the liver, pancreas and biliary system, and the urinary system including the bladder and vagina.
A human embryo is fully recognizable after the eighth week of conception!
The human embryo now measures just over one inch long and it weighs about 4.5 grams.
The prenatal infant at this point is called
a Fetus, from the beginning of
the ninth week after conception to birth, generally to the thirty-eighth week
after conception or fortieth week of gestation. This Fetal Phase is characterized by rapid growth and continued
tissue and organ differentiation. Viability
is the time when the fetus can live outside of the womb, independently of the
mother.
The human being takes 38 weeks (266 days)
to develop in the womb from conception to birth, and the Gestational Age is
given as 40 weeks (280 days) or 10 lunar months (each lunar month being 28
days), or roughly 9 calendar months and 7 days. This time is divided into the
three trimesters of pregnancy lasting 3 months each.
Society continually seeks to devalue the lives of the unborn, creating
its own definitions of humanity based on distorted views of morality. But the
undeniable fact is that life begins at creation, and a human is created as soon
as he or she is conceived. God is present at our creation; He is, in fact, our
Creator. Our value as human beings created in His image is conceived even
before we are.
If we believe what the Bible says, we must
come to the conclusion that in both physical and spiritual terms, an unborn
child is the blueprint for a fully-formed human being.
As an interesting aside, you may not know that light is actually involved in conception. When the sperm meets up with the egg, there is a biochemical reaction that facilitates entry of the DNA from the sperm to join the DNA within the egg. During the fertilization process, photons are released and create a "light-show". At this time, all of the DNA and "messages" that will eventually result in birth are present. Biblically, light and life are often intricately intertwined {see, for example, John 1:1–5; 8:12}. How fun that God celebrates the beginning of a new life with a "light-show" in the womb.
As an interesting aside, you may not know that light is actually involved in conception. When the sperm meets up with the egg, there is a biochemical reaction that facilitates entry of the DNA from the sperm to join the DNA within the egg. During the fertilization process, photons are released and create a "light-show". At this time, all of the DNA and "messages" that will eventually result in birth are present. Biblically, light and life are often intricately intertwined {see, for example, John 1:1–5; 8:12}. How fun that God celebrates the beginning of a new life with a "light-show" in the womb.
Sacrificing
your child
The
horrific practice of child sacrifice has been committed throughout the world
for thousands of years. Generally, the sacrifice of a child was intertwined
with the worship of a pagan deity, often a fertility god. Worshipers sought to
obtain a blessing from their god(s) or to confirm or complete a vow taken in
the name of the god.
Ancient Aztecs, Incas, and a few other peoples in South and Central America practiced child sacrifice. The same is also true for the Druids of Europe. The city of Carthage in North Africa contains evidence of child sacrifice related to the worship of Ba’al Hammon, a god imported from Phoenicia. Many Roman writers refer to this barbaric act in Carthage.
Ancient Aztecs, Incas, and a few other peoples in South and Central America practiced child sacrifice. The same is also true for the Druids of Europe. The city of Carthage in North Africa contains evidence of child sacrifice related to the worship of Ba’al Hammon, a god imported from Phoenicia. Many Roman writers refer to this barbaric act in Carthage.
The Bible
contains the heart-breaking tale of child sacrifice practiced in the name of Molech
(also spelled Moloch or Molek), a god of the Ammonites. Molech worship was practiced
by the Ammonites and Canaanites, who revered Molech as a protecting father
figure. Images of Molech were made of bronze, and their outstretched arms were
heated red-hot. Living children were then placed into the idol’s hands and died
there or were rolled into a fire pit below. Some sources indicate a child might
also be “passed through the fire” prior to the actual sacrifice in order to
purify or baptize the child. Molech worship occurred in the Hinnom Valley near
Jerusalem. Because of this, the valley became associated with the idea of
Tophet, or hell {Isaiah 30:33; Jeremiah 19:12; Mark 9:45}.
God prohibited Israel from child sacrifice in general and Molech worship in particular. Leviticus 20:2-5 states, “Moreover, you shall say to the children of Israel, Any Israelite or any stranger residing in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech (the god of the Ammonites) [as a human sacrifice] shall most certainly be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones. I will also set My face against that man [opposing him, withdrawing My protection from him] and will cut him off from his people [excluding him from the atonement made for them], because he has given some of his children to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name. If the people of the land should ever tolerate that man when he gives any of his children [as a burnt offering] to Molech, and fail to put him to death [as My law requires], then I shall set My face against that man and against his [extended] family, and I will cut off from their people both him and all who follow him in playing the prostitute (commit apostasy) with Molech.” Many other Old Testament passages affirm God’s zero-tolerance for child sacrifice.
Sadly, King Solomon became involved in this horrendous practice, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:4-11, “For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not completely devoted to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the [fertility] goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the horror (detestable idol) of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil [things] in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as his father David had done. Then Solomon built a high place for [worshiping] Chemosh the horror (detestable idol) of Moab, on the hill which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the horror (detestable idol) of the sons of Ammon. And he did the same for all of his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. So the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not follow other gods; but he did not observe (remember, obey) what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.”
Later, the evil king Manassah offered his own son as a sacrifice {2 Kings 21:6}, as did King Ahaz {2 Chronicles 28:1-4}. The people of Judah participated in this crime against their own sons—a sin so “detestable” that God said it had never even crossed His mind {Jeremiah 32:35}. Child sacrifice was one reason for the Babylonian captivity {verse 36}.
Today, child sacrifice is practiced throughout the world. There has been a resurgence of child sacrifice in Uganda. Witch doctors have been implicated in the mutilation and death of children who were killed in an effort to bring good fortune and wealth to those willing to pay for it. There is also a correlation between child sacrifice and modern-day abortion. Unprecedented numbers of children have been “sacrificed” at the hands of abortionists for the sake of convenience, immorality, or pride. Hundreds of thousands of babies have been killed so that their parents can maintain a certain lifestyle. God hates “hands that shed innocent blood” {Proverbs 6:17}, and we can be sure that God will judge this horrendous sin.
God prohibited Israel from child sacrifice in general and Molech worship in particular. Leviticus 20:2-5 states, “Moreover, you shall say to the children of Israel, Any Israelite or any stranger residing in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech (the god of the Ammonites) [as a human sacrifice] shall most certainly be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones. I will also set My face against that man [opposing him, withdrawing My protection from him] and will cut him off from his people [excluding him from the atonement made for them], because he has given some of his children to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name. If the people of the land should ever tolerate that man when he gives any of his children [as a burnt offering] to Molech, and fail to put him to death [as My law requires], then I shall set My face against that man and against his [extended] family, and I will cut off from their people both him and all who follow him in playing the prostitute (commit apostasy) with Molech.” Many other Old Testament passages affirm God’s zero-tolerance for child sacrifice.
Sadly, King Solomon became involved in this horrendous practice, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:4-11, “For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not completely devoted to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the [fertility] goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the horror (detestable idol) of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil [things] in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as his father David had done. Then Solomon built a high place for [worshiping] Chemosh the horror (detestable idol) of Moab, on the hill which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the horror (detestable idol) of the sons of Ammon. And he did the same for all of his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. So the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not follow other gods; but he did not observe (remember, obey) what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.”
Later, the evil king Manassah offered his own son as a sacrifice {2 Kings 21:6}, as did King Ahaz {2 Chronicles 28:1-4}. The people of Judah participated in this crime against their own sons—a sin so “detestable” that God said it had never even crossed His mind {Jeremiah 32:35}. Child sacrifice was one reason for the Babylonian captivity {verse 36}.
Today, child sacrifice is practiced throughout the world. There has been a resurgence of child sacrifice in Uganda. Witch doctors have been implicated in the mutilation and death of children who were killed in an effort to bring good fortune and wealth to those willing to pay for it. There is also a correlation between child sacrifice and modern-day abortion. Unprecedented numbers of children have been “sacrificed” at the hands of abortionists for the sake of convenience, immorality, or pride. Hundreds of thousands of babies have been killed so that their parents can maintain a certain lifestyle. God hates “hands that shed innocent blood” {Proverbs 6:17}, and we can be sure that God will judge this horrendous sin.
Some critics
of the Bible point to the story of Abraham, who laid his son Isaac on an altar
and prepared to sacrifice him as directed by God {Genesis 22:1-14}. However, in this case, God was testing
the obedience and faith of Abraham. God stopped him from actually following
through and provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice.
I want to
wrap this up today by saying I personally will NEVER JUDGE anyone for what they
decide to do with their body. My job as a minister of the Gospel is to teach
the TRUTH from the Gospel and allow you to make your own personal decision as
to whether you will follow the Lord Jesus Christ or NOT. Of course it would be
my hope and prayer that you will choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ so that
you will have a blessed and happy life. I will say that every woman I know who
has had an abortion has regretted the day they had it. I also know a very
special woman {God rest her soul} who made the decision along with her husband
to keep a child that was conceived from rape. That man raised that child as his
own in a Christian home and that child turned out to be a wonderful man of God.
God will
always turn what may seem like a bad situation into a GREAT outcome so He can
be glorified if you will let Him.
Forever in
Christ Jesus Service,
Scriptures
for further study
Deuteronomy 5:17 ~ You shall not murder.
Genesis 9:6 ~ Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their
blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.
Deuteronomy 30:9-20 ~ Choose Life ~ Then the Lord your God shall make you abundantly prosperous in everything that you
do, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in
the produce of your land; for the Lord will again delight over you
for good, just as He delighted over your fathers, if you listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written
in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (your entire
being). “For
this commandment which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you,
nor is it out of reach. It is not [a secret hidden] in heaven, that you should
say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear
it and obey it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross
the sea for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?’ But the
word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey
it.“Listen closely, I have set before you today life and
prosperity (good), and death and adversity (evil);in that I
command you today to love the Lord your God,
to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in His ways and to keep His
commandments and His statutes and His judgments (precepts), so that you will
live and multiply, and that the Lord your God
will bless you in the land which you are entering to possess. But
if your heart turns away and you will not hear and obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve
them, I declare to you today that you will certainly perish.
You will not live long in the land which you cross the Jordan to enter and
possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have
set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, you shall
choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the
Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding closely to Him; for
He is your life [your good life, your abundant life, your fulfillment] and the
length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord promised (swore) to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob.”
2 Kings 17:17-18 ~ They made their sons
and their daughters pass through the fire [as human sacrifices], and used
divination [to foretell the future] and enchantments; and they sold themselves
to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking
Him to anger. Therefore the Lord was very
angry with Israel and removed them from His sight; none [of the tribes] was
left except the tribe of Judah. {Notice that this practice was a religious ritual. Not even for
"religious freedom" can the killing of children be tolerated.}
Job
10:8-12 {Msg} ~ You made me like a handcrafted piece of
pottery—and now are you going to smash me to pieces? Don’t you remember how
beautifully you worked my clay? Will you reduce me now
to a mud pie? Oh, that marvel of conception as you stirred together semen and ovum—what a miracle of skin and bone, muscle and brain! You gave me life itself,
and incredible love. You watched and guarded every
breath I took.
Job 31:15 ~ Did not He who made me in the womb make
my servant, and did not the same One fashion us both in the womb?
Psalm 8 ~ O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic and
glorious and excellent is Your
name in all the earth! You have displayed Your splendor above the heavens. Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babes You have established
strength because of Your adversaries, That You might silence the enemy and make the revengeful cease. When I
see and consider Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which
You have established, What is man that You are mindful
of him, And the son of [earth-born] man that You care
for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All
sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, How majestic and glorious and excellent is Your name in all the earth!
Psalm 22:9-10 ~ Yet You are He who pulled me out of the
womb; You
made me trust when on my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth; From my mother’s womb You
have been my God.
Psalm 51:5 ~ I was brought forth in [a state of]
wickedness; In
sin my mother conceived me [and from my beginning I, too, was sinful].
Psalm 71:6 ~ Upon You have I relied and been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me
from my mother’s womb and You
have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is
continually of You.
Psalm 100:3 ~ Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]. We are His people
and the sheep of His pasture.
Psalm
106:35-38 ~ But they mingled with the [idolatrous] nations and learned their ways,
And served their idols, Which became a
[dreadful] snare to them. They even sacrificed their
sons and their daughters to demons And shed innocent
blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their
daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
And the land was polluted, with their blood.
Psalm
127:3 ~ Behold, children are a heritage and
gift from the Lord, The fruit of the womb a
reward.
Psalm 139:13-16 ~ For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in
my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was
not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and
skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the
earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written the
days that were appointed for me,
When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape].
Isaiah 44:24 ~ For the Lord, your
Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb says this, “I am the Lord, Maker of all things, Who alone stretches
out the heavens, Who spreads out the earth by Myself”
Isaiah 49:15 ~ [The Lord answered]
“Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no
compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may
forget, but I will not forget you.”
Matthew 19:17-19 ~ Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about
what is
[essentially] good?
There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter
into eternal life, keep the
commandments.”
He said to Jesus, “Which commandments?” And Jesus answered, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You
shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; Honor
your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself” [that is, unselfishly seek the best or
higher good for others].
Galatians
1:15-16 ~ But when God, who had chosen me and
set me apart before I was born, and called me through His grace, was pleased to
reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles [as the good
news—the way of salvation], I did not immediately consult with anyone [for
guidance regarding God’s call and His revelation to me].
Ephesians 1:3-5 ~ Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms
in Christ, just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ
[actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the
world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him,
purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love He
predestined and lovingly
planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus
Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will.
Romans 8:29 ~ For those whom He foreknew [and loved
and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His
Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be
the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 ~ For the time will come when people will
not tolerate sound doctrine and
accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled
[with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers
[one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold,
and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will
accept the unacceptable].
1 John 1:9 ~ If we [freely] admit that we have sinned
and confess our sins, He is
faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our
sins and cleanse us continually
from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His
will and purpose].
Revelation 22:15 ~ Outside are the dogs
[the godless, the impure, those of low moral character] and the sorcerer’s
[with their intoxicating drugs, and magic arts], and the immoral persons [the
perverted, the molesters, and the adulterers], and the murderers, and the
idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying (deception, cheating).
The Didache
The Didache is also
called the "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles." It was possibly
written around 65 - 80 A.D. and is supposed to be what the twelve apostles
taught to the Gentiles concerning life and death, church order, fasting, baptism,
prayer, etc. There is debate as to its authenticity. The work is
cited by Eusebius who lived from 260 – 31 and Athanasius 293-373. It
seems to be referenced by Origen who lived from 185-254. In the Didache,
16:2-3 is quoted in the Epistle of Barnabas in 4:9, or vice versa. The Epistle
of Barnabas was written in 130-131 A.D. The Didache is not inspired, but
is valuable as an early church document.
Translated by Charles H.
Hoole. The Didache is in the public domain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 1
1:1 There are two paths, one
of life and one of death, and the difference is great between the two paths.
1:2 Now the path of life is
this -- first, thou shalt love the God who made thee, thy neighbor as thyself,
and all things that thou wouldest not should be done unto thee, do not thou
unto another.
1:3 And the doctrine of these
maxims is as follows. Bless them that curse you, and pray for your
enemies. Fast on behalf of those that persecute you; for what thank is
there if ye love them that love you? Do not even the Gentiles do the
same? But do ye love them that hate you, and ye will not have an enemy.
1:4 Abstain from fleshly and
worldly lusts. If any one give thee a blow on thy right cheek, turn unto
him the other also, and thou shalt be perfect; if any one compel thee to go a
mile, go with him two; if a man take away thy cloak, give him thy coat also; if
a man take from thee what is thine, ask not for it again, for neither art thou
able to do so.
1:5 Give to everyone that
asks of thee, and ask not again; for the Father wishes that from his own gifts
there should be given to all. Blessed is he who gives according to the
commandment, for he is free from guilt; but woe unto him that receives.
For if a man receive being in need, he shall be free from guilt; but he
who receives when not in need, shall pay a penalty as to why he received and
for what purpose; and when he is in tribulation he shall be examined concerning
the things that he has done, and shall not depart thence until he has paid the
last farthing.
1:6 For of a truth it has
been said on these matters, let thy almsgiving abide in thy hands until thou
knowest to whom thou hast given.
CHAPTER 2
2:1 But the second
commandment of the teaching is this.
2:2 Thou shalt not kill; thou
shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not corrupt youth; thou shalt not commit
fornication; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not use soothsaying; thou shalt
not practice sorcery; thou shalt not kill a child by abortion, neither shalt
thou slay it when born; thou shalt not covet the goods of thy neighbor;
2:3 thou shalt not commit
perjury; thou shalt not bear false witness; thou shalt not speak evil; thou
shalt not bear malice;
2:4 thou shalt not be
double-minded or double-tongued, for to be double tongued is the snare of
death.
2:5 Thy speech shall not be
false or empty, but concerned with action.
2:6 Thou shalt not be
covetous, or rapacious, or hypocritical, or malicious, or proud; thou shalt not
take up an evil design against thy neighbor;
2:7 thou shalt not hate any
man, but some thou shalt confute, concerning some thou shalt pray, and some
thou shalt love beyond thine own soul.
CHAPTER 3
3:1 My child, fly from
everything that is evil, and from everything that is like to it.
3:2 Be not wrathful, for
wrath leadeth unto slaughter; be not jealous, or contentious, or quarrelsome,
for from all these things slaughter ensues.
3:3 My child, be not lustful,
for lust leadeth unto fornication; be not a filthy talker; be not a lifter up
of the eye, for from all these things come adulteries.
3:4 My child, be not an
observer of omens, since it leadeth to idolatry, nor a user of spells, nor an
astrologer, nor a travelling purifier, nor wish to see these things, for from
all these things idolatry arises.
3:5 My child, be not a liar,
for lying leadeth unto theft; be not covetous or conceited, for from all these
things thefts arise.
3:6 My child, be not a
murmurer, since it leadeth unto blasphemy; be not self-willed or evil-minded,
for from all these things blasphemies are produced;
3:7 but be thou meek, for the
meek shall inherit the earth;
3:8 be thou longsuffering,
and compassionate, and harmless, and peaceable, and good, and fearing alway the
words that thou hast heard.
3:9 Thou shalt not exalt
thyself; neither shalt thou put boldness into thy soul. Thy soul shall
not be joined unto the lofty, but thou shalt walk with the just and humble.
3:10 Accept the things that
happen to thee as good, knowing that without God nothing happens.
CHAPTER 4
4:1 My child, thou shalt
remember both night and day him that speaketh unto thee the Word of God; thou
shalt honour him as thou dost the Lord, for where the teaching of the Lord is
given, there is the Lord;
4:2 thou shalt seek out day
by day the favor of the saints, that thou mayest rest in their words;
4:3 thou shalt not desire
schism, but shalt set at peace them that contend; thou shalt judge righteously;
thou shalt not accept the person of any one to convict him of transgression;
4:4 thou shalt not doubt
whether a thing shall be or not.
4:5 Be not a stretcher out of
thy hand to receive, and a drawer of it back in giving.
4:6 If thou hast, give by
means of thy hands a redemption for thy sins.
4:7 Thou shalt not doubt to
give, neither shalt thou murmur when giving; for thou shouldest know who is the
fair recompenser of the reward.
4:8 Thou shalt not turn away
from him that is in need, but shalt share with thy brother in all things, and
shalt not say that things are thine own; for if ye are partners in what is
immortal, how much more in what is mortal?
4:9 Thou shalt not remove
thine heart from thy son or from thy daughter, but from their youth shalt teach
them the fear of God.
4:10 Thou shalt not command
with bitterness thy servant or thy handmaid, who hope in the same God as
thyself, lest they fear not in consequence the God who is over both; for he
cometh not to call with respect of persons, but those whom the Spirit hath
prepared.
4:11 And do ye servants
submit yourselves to your masters with reverence and fear, as being the type of
God.
4:12 Thou shalt hate all
hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to God;
4:13 thou shalt not abandon
the commandments of the Lord, but shalt guard that which thou hast received,
neither adding thereto nor taking there from;
4:14 thou shalt confess thy
transgressions in the Church, and shalt not come unto prayer with an evil
conscience. This is the path of life.
CHAPTER 5
5:1 But the path of death is
this. First of all, it is evil, and full of cursing; there are found
murders, adulteries, lusts, fornication, thefts, idolatries, soothsaying,
sorceries, robberies, false witnessing, hypocrisies, double-mindedness, craft,
pride, malice, self-will, covetousness, filthy talking, jealousy, audacity,
pride, arrogance;
5:2 there are they who
persecute the good -- lovers of a lie, not knowing the reward of righteousness,
not cleaving to the good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for the good
but for the bad, from whom meekness and patience are afar off, loving things
that are vain, following after recompense, having no compassion on the needy,
nor laboring for him that is in trouble, not knowing him that made them,
murderers of children, corrupters of the image of God, who turn away from him
that is in need, who oppress him that is in trouble, unjust judges of the poor,
erring in all things. From all these, children, may ye be delivered.
CHAPTER 6
6:1 See that no one make thee
to err from this path of doctrine, since he who doeth so teacheth thee apart
from God.
6:2 If thou art able to bear
the whole yoke of the Lord, thou wilt be perfect; but if thou art not able,
what thou art able, that do.
6:3 But concerning meat, bear
that which thou art able to do. But keep with care from things sacrificed to
idols, for it is the worship of the infernal deities.
CHAPTER 7
7:1 But concerning baptism,
thus baptize ye: having first recited all these precepts, baptize in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water;
7:2 but if thou hast not
running water, baptize in some other water, and if thou canst not baptize in
cold, in warm water;
7:3 but if thou hast neither,
pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
7:4 But before the baptism,
let him who baptizes and him who is baptized fast previously, and any others
who may be able. And thou shalt command him who is baptized to fast one
or two days before.
CHAPTER 8
8:1 But as for your fasts,
let them not be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth days
of the week, but do ye fast on the fourth and sixth days.
8:2 Neither pray ye as the
hypocrites, but as the Lord hath commanded in his gospel so pray ye: Our Father
in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
as in heaven so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive
us our debt, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from the evil: for thine is the power, and the
glory, forever.
8:3 Thrice a day pray ye in
this fashion.
CHAPTER 9
9:1 But concerning the
Eucharist, after this fashion give ye thanks.
9:2 First, concerning the
cup. We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine, David thy Son, which
thou hast made known unto us through Jesus Christ thy Son; to thee be the glory
forever.
9:3 And concerning the broken
bread. We thank thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which thou
hast made known unto us through Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory forever.
9:4 As this broken bread was
once scattered on the mountains, and after it had been brought together became
one, so may thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth unto thy
kingdom; for thine is the glory, and the power, through Jesus Christ, forever.
9:5 And let none eat or drink
of your Eucharist but such as have been baptized into the name of the Lord, for
of a truth the Lord hath said concerning this, Give not that which is holy unto
dogs.
CHAPTER 10
10:1 But after it has been
completed, so pray ye.
10:2 We thank thee, holy
Father, for thy holy name, which thou hast caused to dwell in our hearts, and
for the knowledge and faith and immortality which thou hast made known unto us
through Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory forever.
10:3 Thou, Almighty Master,
didst create all things for the sake of thy name, and hast given both meat and
drink, for men to enjoy, that we might give thanks unto thee, but to us thou
hast given spiritual meat and drink, and life everlasting, through thy Son.
10:4 Above all, we thank thee
that thou art able to save; to thee be the glory forever.
10:5 Remember, Lord, thy
Church, to redeem it from every evil, and to perfect it in thy love, and gather
it together from the four winds, even that which has been sanctified for thy
kingdom which thou hast prepared for it; for thine is the kingdom and the glory
forever.
10:6 Let grace come, and let
this world pass away. Hosanna to the Son of David. If anyone is
holy let him come (to the Eucharist); if anyone is not, let him repent.
Maranatha. Amen.
10:7 But charge the prophets
to give thanks, so far as they are willing to do so.
CHAPTER 11
11:1 Whosoever, therefore,
shall come and teach you all these things aforesaid, him do ye receive;
11:2 but if the teacher
himself turn and teach another doctrine with a view to subvert you, hearken not
to him; but if he come to add to your righteousness, and the knowledge of the
Lord, receive him as the Lord.
11:3 But concerning the
apostles and prophets, thus do ye according to the doctrine of the Gospel.
11:4 Let every apostle who
cometh unto you be received as the Lord.
11:5 He will remain one day,
and if it be necessary, a second; but if he remain three days, he is a false
prophet.
11:6 And let the apostle when
departing take nothing but bread until he arrive at his resting-place; but if
he ask for money, he is a false prophet.
11:7 And ye shall not tempt
or dispute with any prophet who speaketh in the spirit; for every sin shall be
forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.
11:8 But not everyone who
speaketh in the spirit is a prophet, but he is so who hath the disposition of
the Lord; by their dispositions they therefore shall be known, the false
prophet and the prophet.
11:9 And every prophet, who
ordereth in the spirit that a table shall be laid, shall not eat of it himself,
but if he do otherwise, he is a false prophet;
11:10 and every prophet who
teacheth the truth, if he does not what he teacheth is a false prophet;
11:11 and every prophet who
is approved and true, and ministering in the visible mystery of the Church, but
who teacheth not others to do the things that he doth himself, shall not be
judged of you, for with God lieth his judgment, for in this manner also did the
ancient prophets.
11:12 But whoever shall say
in the spirit, Give me money, or things of that kind, listen not to him; but if
he tell you concerning others that are in need that ye should give unto them,
let no one judge him.
CHAPTER 12
12:1 Let every one that
cometh in the name of the Lord be received, but afterwards ye shall examine him
and know his character, for ye have knowledge both of good and evil.
12:2 If the person who cometh
be a wayfarer, assist him so far as ye are able; but he will not remain with
you more than two or three days, unless there be a necessity.
12:3 But if he wish to settle
with you, being a craftsman, let him work, and so eat;
12:4 but if he know not any
craft, provide ye according to you own discretion, that a Christian may not
live idle among you;
12:5 but if he be not willing
to do so, he is a trafficker in Christ. From such keep aloof.
CHAPTER 13
13:1 But every true prophet
who is willing to dwell among you is worthy of his meat,
13:2 likewise a true teacher
is himself worthy of his meat, even as is a laborer.
13:3 Thou shalt, therefore,
take the Firstfruits of every produce of the wine-press and threshing-floor, of
oxen and sheep, and shalt give it to the prophets, for they are your chief
priests;
13:4 but if ye have not a
prophet, give it unto the poor.
13:5 If thou makest a feast
take and give the Firstfruits according to the commandment;
13:6 in like manner when thou
openeth a jar of wine or of oil, take the Firstfruits and give it to the
prophets;
13:7 take also the
Firstfruits of money, of clothes, and of every possession, as it shall seem
good unto thee, and give it according to the commandment.
CHAPTER 14
14:1 But on the Lord's day,
after that ye have assembled together, break bread and give thanks, having in
addition confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure.
14:2 But let not anyone who
hath a quarrel with his companion join with you, until they be reconciled, that
your sacrifice may not be polluted,
14:3 for it is that which is
spoken of by the Lord. In every place and time offer unto me a pure
sacrifice, for I am a great King, saith the Lord, and my name is wonderful
among the Gentiles.
CHAPTER 15
15:1 Elect, therefore, for
yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not
covetous, and true and approved, for they perform for you the service of
prophets and teachers.
15:2 Do not, therefore,
despise them, for they are those who are honoured among you, together with the
prophets and teachers.
15:3 Rebuke one another, not
in wrath but peaceably, as ye have commandment in the Gospel; and, but let no
one speak to anyone who walketh disorderly with regard to his neighbor, neither
let him be heard by you until he repent.
15:4 But your prayers and
your almsgivings and all your deeds so do, as ye have commandment in the Gospel
of our Lord.
CHAPTER 16
16:1 Watch concerning your life;
let not your lamps be quenched or your loins be loosed, but be ye ready, for ye
know not the hour at which our Lord cometh.
16:2 But be ye gathered
together frequently, seeking what is suitable for your souls; for the whole
time of your faith shall profit you not, unless ye be found perfect in the last
time.
16:3 For in the last day’s
false prophets and seducers shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned
into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate;
16:4 and because iniquity
aboundeth they shall hate each other, and persecute each other, and deliver
each other up; and then shall the Deceiver of the world appear as the Son of
God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his
hands; and he shall do unlawful things, such as have never happened since the
beginning of the world.
16:5 Then shall the creation
of man come to the fiery trial of proof, and many shall be offended and shall
perish; but they who remain in their faith shall be saved by the rock of
offence itself.
16:6 And then shall appear
the signs of the truth; first the sign of the appearance in heaven, then the
sign of the sound of the trumpet, and thirdly the resurrection of the dead
16:7 -- not of all, but as it
has been said, The Lord shall come and all his saints with him;
16:8 then shall the world
behold the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment