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以西结书 第二十章（英文）

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Meditating in the field

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Holy day, holi-day, holiday…

Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy (Ezekiel 20: 12)

In a conversation with a colleague’s wife, she explained he did not take a single day off in the pre-tenure years. He worked every single day. Holy day, holi-day, holiday… in my head I counted away the number of holi-days he missed. There are 52 Sabbaths per year. The pre-tenure years were 7 years. 52 times 7 makes 364 days. That’s 364 days (one day short of a year) of paid holi-days forfeited! To put it another way, for every 7 years, one would work for another year for free! Why would anyone want to do that?! Or, maybe we often would, or cannot help but, do exactly that?

What is so special about the holi-days?

It is the seventh day of the week, when God rested from His work of creating the world (Gen 2:3). Yet God rested not because He was tired. In the Book of Mark Jesus explained, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath” (2: 27, 28). Very curiously, in the Chinese lunar calendar, the seventh day of the first month is also designated the “human day” (人日). Ancient civilizations may be culturally distinct and yet conceptually similar. In other words, there is an interlocking relationship between God, humans, and the Sabbath. God is greater than the humans, who are greater than the Sabbath (God >humans>Sabbath). God designed and designated the Sabbath for the humans so they can lead a humane lifestyle. But it does not mean the humans can abolish or act freely on the Sabbath. After all, God is Lord of the Sabbath, not humans.  

Through the various bible passages, we understand the Sabbath is holy, solemn, and sanctified. To maintain the sanctity of this special day, humans rest from their labor ( Exo 20:8-11; Lev 23:3; Deu 5: 12-14). In the stillness that comes through resting, God wants all to know that He is God (Psa 46: 10) and He is the one that saves (Deu 5: 15). The Sabbath was made not to constrain or burden the humans, but rather to liberate, nurture, and heal (Mat 12:12; Luk 13: 10-17). God explicitly states in the Book of Isaiah: 

If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob. The mouth of the Lord has spoken (58: 13 and 14). 

Isn’t this something?! The Lord has spoken. If we keep His holi-days there will be blessing galore. Even a president cannot guarantee the citizens that they would be blessed if they rested on the National Day. I mean resting in itself is already a blessing. But God is saying on top of getting a good rest, there will be plenty other benefits (which we might not yet fully realise or comprehend). 

God’s foresight is immeasurable. He is the maker of time. Every single breath of ours keeps count of its passage. Right from day one of the world, God already knew one day the logic of capitalist economy would take over. Rest will be stolen. People will be busy making more of everything that they will not have time to rest. His people will be dehumanized. More is good, more is prosperous, more is successful. Within this logic, God has no place. The world spins fast and furious. Humans invent machines to increase product yield and convenience, and to save time (because time is money). Yet humans end up working like machines. Lethargy, fatigue, chronic physical sickness, mental ill health, broken personal relationships, exploitation subsequently ensue. Through the Sabbath, God mandates time for resting. He insists on us to slow down, pause, reflect and return to resist social forces that dehumanize. 

While God has shown us Sabbath keeping as the way towards a better life, it is also a reminder of our own mortality. Yes, sooner or later all of us, with no exception, will see death in the eyes. The Sabbath is a sign between God and observers of Sabbath that one day they will enter eternal rest (Heb 4:11). Limited by our own finite being, it is challenging for humans to fully understand what infinite rest means. Through Sabbath, God allows us to get a foretaste of what being still in His presence might be like. 

Mid-year resolution: go sleep by 10pm on Fridays…

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Can I Go To Any Church?

Can I Go To Any Church?

Christianity today is very divided and is vastly different from the church established by the apostles. There are many denominations, each interpreting the Bible in their own way. Yet to most Christians, many of these differences don’t matter and all churches still collectively belong to the body of Christ. As such, they believe that as long as one is Christian, they can be saved. I once invited a Christian friend to church. He was confused and said, “But… I already go to a church, why don’t you ask others who aren’t Christians?” Is it true that you can go to any church, and that you can be saved as long as you are Christian? Are all churches part of the body of Christ? Some Christians believe that, which is why it does not matter which church you go to. “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23 NKJV “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18 NKJV It is a biblical concept that the church is the body of Christ, and Christ is head of the church. The bible goes on to say the following: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV There is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. Is this reflected by all of Christianity today? Can we say we have one baptism today? Different churches preach different things about baptism. Some are for infant baptism, some are against it. Different churches have different takes on how baptism is conducted and whether it pertains to salvation. Is this considered “One baptism”, as it should be in the body of Christ? This points us to the issue of one Spirit. It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that the church was established on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). In the Acts of the Apostles, we also see clearly how the Holy Spirit guided the actions of the apostles (Acts 16:6). Moreover, the Holy Spirit was also referred to as the Spirit of Truth by the Lord Jesus Himself: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 NKJV If all churches are led by and established by the one Holy Spirit, how is it that there are so many versions of “truth”? As mentioned earlier, different churches have different takes on baptism. Other differences include tongue speaking. Some churches speak in tongues, while some don’t, who instead claim that tongues have ceased. Some churches hold services on the Sabbath and uphold it is a holy day, while most churches worship on a Sunday and claim that it is not important to worship on the Sabbath. Are all these contradictory pieces of information all from the same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth? This brings me to my next point: One faith. Can we all say that we have the one same faith, if we have so many differences in our doctrines? Some Christians may argue that we can say we have the same faith, because we all believe in the same Lord Jesus who has given us salvation. These differences in doctrines do not matter. This, I think, is the fundamental reason most may give to justify why going to any church is fine. And they quote: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NKJV Yes, as written above, it is through believing in Jesus that we can be saved. But is it right to say that nothing else matters? Is that all the Bible says about being saved? Did not Jesus also say, for example, that baptism is necessary for salvation in Mark 16:16? Can believing that baptism is necessary for salvation, and not believing that baptism is necessary for salvation, be considered to be the same faith, simply beacuse both parties believe in Jesus Christ? We can see how highly Paul esteems the oneness of the gospel in his warning to the Galatians, who were pressured to keep the Jewish law, including circumcision: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9 NKJV Let us look at what the Lord Jesus once said, which some may find shocking: ““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV We see here that the Lord Jesus has denied salvation to these people, who clearly believed in Him! If we truly believe in what Jesus says here, we ought to realise that it is not a mere belief and confession in Jesus that saves. If we say we believe in Jesus, yet do not believe in what He says, for example, regarding baptism for salvation, can we really say we believe in Him? This brings us to the last point: One body. If all churches were established by the Holy Spirit, there will not be so many versions of doctrines. These different beliefs cannot all be considered to be one faith, grouped under the umbrella of “believing in Jesus Christ”. There is only one gospel, as Paul says. There is only one complete truth that saves. After all, doesn’t it make sense that Jesus has only one message of salvation for us in the Bible, that should not be open to human interpretation, but rather by revelation of the Holy Spirit? And the role of the church is to uphold the truth! As Paul writes: “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” I Timothy 3:15 NKJV The church is meant to be the pillar and ground of the truth, that is, to uphold the truth. If these churches do not have the truth, how then can they be considered to be the church of God, the body of Christ, in the Bible? As mentioned in Ephesians 4, there is one faith and one body. That means there is one church with the one complete truth that saves. Do you think you can be saved if you go to a church that does not have the complete truth of salvation, and is not truly part of the body of Christ? Today the True Jesus Church believes that we are the one true church of God that preaches the complete truth, passed down by the apostles through the Bible. The True Jesus Church preaches that Baptism, Foot washing and Holy Communion are sacraments necessary for salvation. We also observe the Sabbath, and believe that receiving the Holy Spirit, evidenced by tongue speaking, is necessary for salvation. These doctrines, can all be substantiated by the Bible and it is the same one faith practiced by the Apostles in the Bible. These will not be discussed in detail in today’s article, but please do reach out to us if you are interested in the learning the truth of salvation.

Should We Conduct Infant Baptism?

Should We Conduct Infant Baptism?

Some argue that as infants are unable to believe, they should not be baptised. They quote the incident of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, where Philip told him that if he believed with all his heart, he could get baptised (Acts 8:36-37). However, the True Jesus Church believes that we should, in fact, conduct infant baptism! While it is true that water baptism is an act of faith, it is more than just a confession of one’s faith, but also carries with it important spiritual implications. Let us look at it from a few angles. Firstly, water baptism is necessary for salvation. We can see this from Jesus’ command to the disciples to preach the gospel and baptise people. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16 NKJV Some argue that it is the faith that saves and not baptism. However, in 1 Pet 3:21, Peter mentions explicitly that baptism saves! “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” I Peter 3:21 NKJV Baptism saves, because through it we now have a good conscience before God. That means our sins are forgiven! And this is corroborated by Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16. “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NKJV “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’” Acts 22:16 NKJV From these verses, we can see that water baptism is necessary for salvation, because our sins are washed away through baptism. The Bible tell us that death came into the world through the sin of Adam. And death spread to all man, because all sinned! Death is a result of sin, and all are condemned because of Adam’s offence. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—” Romans 5:12 NKJV “And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.” Romans 5:16 NKJV All humans, from the point of their birth, are subject to death. That is a reflection of the sin that is in us. We are, by default, because of Adam’s sin, sinners as well, and subject to eternal condemnation. That means that if an infant dies, he/she will also be condemned eternally! As such, water baptism should also be conducted for infants for the remission of their sins. Infants also need salvation! Secondly, it is through baptism that we become part of the body of Christ. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” I Corinthians 12:13 NKJV “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” I Corinthians 12:27 NKJV Paul also links the idea of the body of Christ to salvation, saying that Jesus Christ has reconciled both Jews and Greek, in one body, to God. “and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:16 NKJV Without baptism, infants are not part of this body of Christ that is reconciled to God. How then, can they be saved without baptism? Thirdly, baptism in the new testament, is likened to circumcision in the old testament. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12 NKJV Interestingly, circumcision was also a requirement to be considered a part of God’s people! Even foreigners who want to be included as God’s people, and keep the Passover, also have to be circumcised. “And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”” Genesis 17:14 NKJV “And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it.” Exodus 12:48 NKJV We can see from the above verses that circumcision was very important, and was a requirement to be the people of God. But, what was the significance behind the action? Was it just a physical act, or a work of the law? “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.” Romans 4:11-12 NKJV Paul explains that circumcision was a sign given to Abraham of his righteousness, as a result of his faith in God! And that he might be a father of faith, to those who believe (but are uncircumcised), and those who are not only circumcised, but walk in faith! That is to say, circumcision is actually a sign that one is a descendant of Abraham, the father of faith, and likewise walks in faith in God. When then is circumcision performed on the Israelites? When they are merely 8 days old! “He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.” Genesis 17:12 NKJV Even though it is a sign of faith, we can see that God commanded the Israelites to be circumcised when they were only eight days old, an age where it is basically impossible for these neonates to show any signs of faith. God wants these children to be part of His people as early as possible! Since baptism is likened to circumcision in various ways, namely an act required to be part of God’s people, and also a sign of faith in God, why should infants be denied baptism, the way of entry into the body of Christ, simply because they are too young to confess their faith? The Bible places an importance on parental faith. In the case of the Philippian jailer, by his faith, his whole household was saved. That would have included his children as well. “So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Acts 16:31-33 NKJV We can also see how Jesus saved the children of the nobleman and the Canaanite woman, because they both had faith in Jesus. “The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.” John 4:49-50 NKJV “Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28 NKJV The Bible also tell us that it is the parent’s responsibility to train up children in fearing God. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 NKJV “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV Therefore, children of believers, who are not old enough to understand the concept of faith, should still be baptised, if their parents have faith. In fact, they need to be baptised to be part of the body of Christ and to have their sins forgiven! The responsibility of teaching them how to fear God and walk in faith thereafter, lies with their parents. In conclusion, let us remember that Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God (Mk 10:13-16).” Let us not deny these children from being a part of His body and salvation.

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