8th Nov, 2025 A Call for Humility and Truth: Unpacking the Debate on Israel and the Church

There is a subtle—and sometimes not-so-subtle—tone of condescension and superiority that often creeps into theological debates, especially when long-held traditions are challenged. This is evident in some modern discussions about God’s plan for Israel, where those who disagree are dismissed as “ignorant,” “arrogant,” or “deceived.” Such rhetoric breeds pride and division rather than discernment. It creates an atmosphere of theological fisticuffs instead of the humility Christ commands.

Yet the Scriptures call us to a higher standard.

“The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.” — 2 Timothy 2:24–25

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” — 1 John 4:1

Our goal is not to win arguments, but to uphold truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We must test every doctrine against the Word of God, no matter who teaches it — for even religious leaders can deceive, whether knowingly or not (Matthew 7:21–23).

This article seeks to do precisely that: to respond to the dispensationalist view that divides God’s people into two groups — “Israel” and “the Church” — and to present the unified, Christ-centered revelation of Scripture.

We will address three vital questions:

• What is Israel?
• Who is Israel?
• What is God’s plan for Israel?

Through the whole counsel of God’s Word, we will see that the Bible reveals one people, one covenant, and one Savior — Jesus Christ, who fulfills every promise made by God.

1. What Exactly Is Israel? A People, Not Merely a Place

Israel began as a physical nation, descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But the Scriptures progressively reveal that this name carries a spiritual identity far deeper than ethnic descent.

The term ekklesia (“church” or “assembly”) was not invented in the New Testament.

“This is he, that was in the church [ekklesia] in the wilderness…” — Acts 7:38

Israel was God’s called-out assembly under the Old Covenant. Yet even then, Israel’s national story pointed beyond itself to something greater.

“Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn.” — Exodus 4:22

“Out of Egypt have I called my son.” — Hosea 11:1

“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken… Out of Egypt have I called my son.” — Matthew 2:15

Matthew’s inspired interpretation shows that what was true of national Israel finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true Israel, the perfect Son who obeyed where the nation failed. Every promise, every pattern, and every prophecy points to Him.

“For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20

2. Who Exactly Is Israel? The Children of Promise by Faith

If Christ is the true Israel, then those united to Him by faith become the true people of God.

Paul makes this plain:

“For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” — Romans 9:6

“That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” — Romans 9:8

Ethnic lineage never guaranteed covenant standing — faith did.

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” — Galatians 3:29

The “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16) refers not to a geopolitical entity, but to the redeemed people of God, the new creation in Christ — composed of both Jew and Gentile believers.

This is not replacement theology; it is fulfillment theology. The Church does not replace Israel — it is the faithful remnant of Israel, fulfilled in Christ and expanded to include all nations who believe.

Jesus Himself corrected those who trusted in their lineage:

“If ye were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham… Ye are of your father the devil.” — John 8:39, 44

And in Revelation He exposes those who “say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie” — Revelation 3:9.

Faith, not ancestry, defines God’s people.

3. What Exactly Is the Plan for Israel? One Body, One Hope, One Future

Dispensational theology teaches that God has two parallel plans — one for Israel and one for the Church. But this view overlooks how the apostles themselves understood the Old Testament promises.

The Olive Tree (Romans 11)

There is only one olive tree, representing God’s covenant people. Some Jewish branches were broken off through unbelief, and believing Gentiles were grafted in by faith.

“Boast not against the branches… be not high-minded, but fear.” — Romans 11:18, 20

When Paul says “all Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:26), he is describing the full number of God’s elect — Jew and Gentile alike — saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Deliverer who “shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”

The Land, the Temple, and the Kingdom

Each Old Testament symbol finds its spiritual and ultimate fulfillment in Christ:

• The Land:
• The Temple:
• The Kingdom:

Ezekiel’s Prophecy (Ezekiel 36–37)

The valley of dry bones is not about geopolitical restoration but spiritual resurrection.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” — Ezekiel 36:26

This promise finds its fulfillment in the New Covenant, realized in the rebirth of every believer through the Holy Spirit (John 3:3).

Conclusion: The Danger of a Divided Gospel

To claim that God has two peoples — an earthly Israel and a heavenly Church — divides the body of Christ and undermines the unity of the Gospel. It risks creating two gospels, two hopes, and two destinies — when Scripture teaches only one.

The truth of Scripture is clear:

1. All have sinned, Jew and Gentile alike (Romans 3:9).
2. Salvation is through faith in one name only — Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
3. All believers, from every nation, are one body and one Israel of God (Ephesians 2:14–16).
4. Our hope is not in political restoration or national revival, but in the return of our King and the glory of the New Jerusalem, where Christ reigns forever.

Let us therefore test every doctrine with humility, not pride; with Scripture, not tradition. Let us not be deceived by those who use the name of Christ to divide His body or to elevate earthly kingdoms.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…” — Matthew 7:21

The story of the Bible is one story — the story of redemption through Jesus Christ, the true Israel, the Son of God, the King of all nations. In Him alone, the promises are fulfilled, the covenants complete, and the people of God made one forever.

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

27th Sep, 2025 Wolves in sheep’s clothing

It’s a grievous thing to watch truth and error walking side by side, light and darkness mingled in the same field. Yet the Lord Himself told us it would be so. “Let both grow together until the harvest” (Matthew 13:30). The wheat and the tares—true sons of the Kingdom and those who only appear to be—will grow together until the end. It is not ours to rip up the field, but to walk carefully in it, discerning the difference and holding fast to the Light.

Jesus never spoke lightly of hypocrisy. He spoke directly to those who wore religion like a cloak but were void of the Spirit. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” He said, “for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith” (Matthew 23:23). Outward righteousness meant nothing to Him if the heart was far from God.

Paul asked the Corinthian church a sobering question: “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). When people try to blend true devotion to Christ with a self-serving, worldly spirit, it becomes a lie in disguise—a form of godliness, but void of power.

We ought to test the fruit, not the label. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15–16). Not everything that carries the name “Christian” is born of Christ. Some things wear His name but deny His nature.

And we must not forget what Jesus said about honoring the Word of God above the traditions of men. In Mark 7, He rebuked those who set aside the commandment to honor father and mother, justifying themselves with religious customs. “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:9). The test of sincerity often lies close to home—how we treat those God has placed in our daily lives.

Paul echoed the same when he wrote, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8). Real godliness begins not on a platform, but around the table, in the quiet acts of love and honor at home.

The spirit of self-righteousness is the great enemy of the Gospel. Jesus said of some, “They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43). And Paul, looking ahead to our day, warned that “men shall be lovers of their own selves… having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:2,5).

Self-glory wears many disguises, but it always reveals its true face in time. It will speak the language of faith but draw the eyes of others toward man, not Christ. It will mimic the Spirit, but leave no fruit of the Spirit behind.

So we watch—not with suspicion, but with sober discernment. We hold fast the truth. And we keep our eyes on Jesus, the true Light, that we might reflect Him faithfully even in a world full of confusion.

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

17th Sep, 2025 One Olive Tree: The Gospel, Israel, and the Church in the Word of God

Introduction

Many today are confused by teachings that suggest God has two separate peoples — Israel and the Church — or that there will one day be a special salvation for ethnic Israel apart from faith in Christ. Some call this “Replacement Theology” when the truth of Scripture is taught, hoping to discredit the Gospel. But the Word of God is clear and consistent.

From Genesis to Revelation, the promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ alone. There is one olive tree, one Gospel, and one way to the Father — through the Son (John 14:6). This teaching will set forth the truth plainly using only the King James Bible, so no one is misled by false interpretations.

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1. The Gospel is Unchanging

John 14:6 — “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Acts 4:12 — “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

No prophecy, no covenant, no promise can ever bypass this. If anyone teaches another path — even for Israel — they break the line of Scripture.

Q&A (English)

Q: Can Jews be saved by the old covenant without Jesus?
A: No. Paul makes clear that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness (Romans 10:4).

Q: Does the Gospel ever change for any group?
A: Never. Galatians 1:8 warns against any other gospel.

Q&A (Afrikaans)

V: Kan Jode gered word deur die ou verbond sonder Jesus?
A: Nee. Paulus sê duidelik Christus is die einde van die wet tot geregtigheid (Romeine 10:4).

V: Verander die Evangelie ooit vir enige groep?
A: Nooit. Galasiërs 1:8 waarsku teen enige ander evangelie.

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2. The Olive Tree: One People of God

Romans 11:17 — “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree…”

There is one olive tree. The unbelieving natural branches (unbelieving Jews) were cut off. Believing Gentiles were grafted in. But God can graft back in Jews through faith in Christ.

Q&A (English)

Q: Does the olive tree represent Israel only?
A: No, it represents the one people of God rooted in His promises, fulfilled in Christ.

Q: What happens to unbelievers, Jew or Gentile?
A: They are cut off (Romans 11:20). Faith alone keeps one in the tree.

Q&A (Afrikaans)

V: Verteenwoordig die olyfboom net Israel?
A: Nee, dit verteenwoordig die een volk van God, gewortel in Sy beloftes, vervul in Christus.

V: Wat gebeur met ongelowiges, Jood of Heiden?
A: Hulle word afgekap (Romeine 11:20). Slegs geloof hou jou in die boom.

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3. “All Israel Shall Be Saved” — What It Means

Romans 11:26 — “And so all Israel shall be saved…”

The phrase “And so” means “in this manner.” Paul is not teaching a future ethnic salvation event but describing the way salvation comes: through faith in Christ, for Jews and Gentiles alike.

Romans 11:23 — “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in…”

“All Israel” = the fullness of the elect remnant of Jews, together with the fullness of the Gentiles.

Q&A (English)

Q: Does “all Israel” mean every Jew in the future will be saved?
A: No. Romans 9:27 says, “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.”

Q: How then will all Israel be saved?
A: By faith, in the same way Gentiles are — through Christ.

Q&A (Afrikaans)

V: Beteken “gans Israel” dat elke Jood in die toekoms gered sal word?
A: Nee. Romeine 9:27 sê, “Al sou die getal van die kinders van Israel wees soos die sand van die see, net die oorblyfsel sal gered word.”

V: Hoe sal gans Israel dan gered word?
A: Deur geloof, op dieselfde manier as die heidene — deur Christus.

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4. Fulfillment, Not Replacement

Matthew 5:17 — “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

Jesus fulfills the promises made to Abraham. Believers in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, are Abraham’s seed.

Galatians 3:29 — “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

This is not replacement but fulfillment.

Q&A (English)

Q: Has the Church replaced Israel?
A: No. The Church is the fulfillment of the promises, not a replacement.

Q: Who are the heirs of Abraham today?
A: All who are in Christ (Galatians 3:29).

Q&A (Afrikaans)

V: Het die Kerk Israel vervang?
A: Nee. Die Kerk is die vervulling van die beloftes, nie ’n vervanging nie.

V: Wie is vandag die erfgename van Abraham?
A: Almal wat in Christus is (Galasiërs 3:29).

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5. Unity in Christ — Jew and Gentile Together

Ephesians 2:14–16 — “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us…”

In Christ there is no longer division between Jew and Gentile. There is one new man, one body, reconciled to God by the cross.

Q&A (English)

Q: Are Jews and Gentiles still two separate peoples of God?
A: No. Christ has made both one (Ephesians 2:14).

Q: Is there more than one way of salvation?
A: No. One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5).

Q&A (Afrikaans)

V: Is Jode en Heidene steeds twee aparte volke van God?
A: Nee. Christus het altwee een gemaak (Efesiërs 2:14).

V: Is daar meer as een weg tot saligheid?
A: Nee. Een Here, een geloof, een doop (Efesiërs 4:5).

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Conclusion

The message is consistent from beginning to end:

• The Gospel is unchanging (John 14:6).
• There is one olive tree (Romans 11).
• “All Israel” is saved only in Christ (Romans 11:26).
• The Church is the fulfillment, not the replacement (Galatians 3:29).
• Jew and Gentile are one in Christ (Ephesians 2:14–16).

Any teaching that breaks this consistency — whether by offering another covenant for Israel or by suggesting two separate peoples of God — is not the Gospel.

There is one way, one people, one salvation — all through Jesus Christ the Lord.

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

15th Sep, 2025 Vloekwoorde en die Christen: Wat sê die Bybel?

As Christene hoor ons dikwels dat ’n mens nie mag “vloek” nie. Maar wat beteken dit regtig? Is dit altyd sonde as iemand ’n vloekwoord gebruik? En hoe moet ons volgens die Bybel praat? Kom ons kyk na drie belangrike punte.

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1. Wie besluit watter woorde is “vloekwoorde”?

Eerstens moet ons onthou: woorde self is net klanke. Dit is mense en samelewings wat besluit om sekere woorde as “sleg” of “onaanvaarbaar” te merk. Woorde verander ook oor tyd.

Neem byvoorbeeld die woord “gay”. In Engels het dit oorspronklik “bly” of “gelukkig” beteken, maar vandag gebruik die samelewing dit hoofsaaklik as verwysing na homoseksualiteit.

Dit wys vir ons dat dit nie die klank van die woord is wat sondig is nie, maar die betekenis wat mense daaraan heg en hoe jy dit gebruik. Jesus het gesê:

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36, KJV)

Met ander woorde – God kyk nie net na die klank nie, maar na die bedoeling agter die woord.

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2. Is dit altyd sonde as ek ’n vloekwoord gebruik?

Nie noodwendig nie. Stel jou voor jy slaan jou vinger met ’n hammer en ’n woord glip uit. In daardie oomblik rig jy dit nie teen iemand nie – dit is ’n uitdrukking van pyn. Dit is nie dieselfde as om iemand te vloek of te beledig nie.

Maar as jy iemand direk aanspreek en hom met harde woorde afbreek, dan raak dit sondig. Jesus sê:

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…” (Matthew 5:22, KJV)

Die probleem is nie net die woord self nie, maar die haat en woede wat jy daarmee dra. Jy kan iemand verneder sonder om ’n “vloekwoord” te gebruik – en dit bly sonde. Aan die ander kant kan jy ’n “vloekwoord” gebruik sonder dat dit teen iemand gerig is – en dit is nie noodwendig sonde nie.

Jakobus herinner ons:

“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:10, KJV)

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3. Hoe moet ’n Christen praat?

Die Bybel is duidelik: ons spraak moet anders wees as die wêreld s’n. Nie omdat ons ’n lys van verbode woorde het nie, maar omdat ons woorde moet bou, nie breek nie.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29, KJV)

Ons woorde moet genade bring. As deel van die liggaam van Christus wys ons deur ons taal wie ons Here is. Paulus sê:

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6, KJV)

Ons taal moet sag, liefdevol en wys wees. Ja, jy kan dalk per ongeluk ’n woord sê wanneer jy seer kry – maar jou daaglikse manier van praat, hoe jy met ander mense omgaan, moet Jesus verheerlik.

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Samevatting

• Samelewing skep vloekwoorde. Woorde verander oor tyd – dit is die hart en bedoeling wat God beoordeel.
• Nie elke gebruik is sonde nie. ’n Uitroep in pyn is nie dieselfde as om iemand te vloek of te haat nie.
• Die Christen se roeping. Ons woorde moet genade en sagtheid dra, sodat ons die Naam van Christus eer.

Die Bybel se riglyn is eenvoudig:

“Let your speech be alway with grace.” (Colossians 4:6, KJV)

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Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

15th Sep, 2025 Die Kerk: Heilig, Afgesonder en Gestuur

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✝️ Die Kerk is nie bloot ’n gebou nie.

Die Bybel sê duidelik: dit is die liggaam van Christus – almal wat deur geloof aan Hom behoort (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22–23). Dit is mense, nie mure nie. Wanneer die liggaam bymekaar kom, is dit vir aanbidding, gebed, lering en die opbou van gelowiges (Hand. 2:42; 1 Cor. 14:26).

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🕊️ Die Bybelse “Gathering”

Die Nuwe Testament gebruik die Grieks ekklesia vir kerk, wat beteken “die uitgeroepenes” of “die vergadering van die geroepenes” (Matt. 16:18, “I will build my church”). Die Ou Testament het soortgelyke vergaderings gehad — qāhāl — waar Israel bymekaargekom het om God te dien (Deut. 9:10; Psalm 22:22). Gelowiges soos David en Daniel het geglo en saamgekom, maar dit was nie die kerk nie, want die liggaam van Christus is eers gebore na Jesus se opstanding en die uitstorting van die Heilige Gees (Acts 2:42–47; 1 Cor. 12:12–13).

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🕯️Die Samekoms van die Kerk is Heilig

Die samekoms is heilig en afgesonder:

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1 Cor. 11:28–29)

Selfs gelowiges moet onderskei wie deel kan hê. Ongelowiges kan nie deelneem aan die nagmaal, gebed of aanbidding nie. Die kerk is afgesonder vir die liggaam van Christus.

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🌍 Liefde en Evangelie vir die Wêreld

Jesus het met tollenaars en sondaars geëet en gepraat (Luk. 5:30–32), maar Hy het nie die heiligheid van die samekoms vermeng nie. Liefde beteken om die evangelie na die wêreld te bring (Mark. 16:15), maar die samekoms is vir die gelowiges. As iemand die Woord hoor en tot bekering kom, kan hy dan deel word van die liggaam (1 Cor. 14:24–25).

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⚠️ Waarskuwing teen vals werke

Mense kan selfs in Jesus se Naam wonders doen, maar nie noodwendig van Hom wees nie:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:22–23)

Die liggaam van Christus moet heilig bly en elke deelnemer getoets word aan die Woord.

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✅ Kernwaarheid

• Die kerk is die liggaam van Christus, nie ’n gebou nie (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22–23).
• Samekoms is vir gelowiges: aanbidding, gebed, lering en nagmaal (1 Cor. 11:28–29).
• Evangelie is vir die wêreld buite (Mark. 16:15; Luk. 5:32).
• Gelowiges kan liefdevol na die wêreld uitreik, sonder om die heiligheid van die liggaam te kompromitteer (2 Cor. 6:14).
• Die kerk is afgesonder en heilig, maar gestuur om die verlore te bereik.

💡 Kortliks:
Die kerk is heilig, afgesonder en gestuur. Die Liggaam van Christus, nie ’n gebou nie. Die samekoms is vir die gelowiges, die evangelie is vir die wêreld.

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Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

13th Aug, 2025 Who Is God the Father?

The Bible teaches that God is infinitely greater than our minds can comprehend. As the Psalmist declares:

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3).

Our human understanding is limited (Job 11:7–9), yet in His wisdom, God has revealed Himself in ways we can grasp — through His Word, through His creation, through His Son, and by the Holy Spirit. He has also placed in human life pictures and patterns — marriage, parenthood, and family — to teach us about the relationship He desires with us.

God the Father – The Unseen Glory

The Scripture makes clear that no man has ever seen God the Father in His full glory:

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18).

When the Bible speaks of “God the Father,” it often refers to God in His fullness — the eternal, invisible, all-glorious One. Paul writes:

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).

Even Moses, the man who spoke with God “face to face” (Exodus 33:11), was not permitted to see His full glory. The LORD told him:

“Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live” (Exodus 33:20).

This reveals that the Father’s presence in His fullness is beyond human capacity to behold in our current state.

The Son – The Revelation of the Father

Because no one can see God in His full glory, God has revealed Himself to humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said:

“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Abraham, Moses, and others in the Old Testament saw manifestations of the LORD — often understood as the pre-incarnate Christ (John 8:56–58; Exodus 3:2–6). But these were still limited revelations; none were the complete, unveiled glory of God the Father.

In Jesus, “dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). The Son makes known the character, will, and love of the Father in a way we can see and understand.

The Holy Spirit – The Presence of God With Us

The Spirit of God has been seen and experienced in various forms — as a dove (Matthew 3:16), as tongues of fire (Acts 2:3), as the rushing of a mighty wind (Acts 2:2). The Spirit’s role is to glorify Christ (John 16:14) and guide us into all truth (John 16:13), drawing us into fellowship with the Father through the Son.

Family – God’s Chosen Picture of Relationship

God designed marriage and family as living parables of His relationship with His people. The Scriptures call believers “sons of God” (1 John 3:1–2) and teach us to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).

As a father loves and provides for his children, so God loves and cares for His people. Jesus illustrated this with the parable of the prodigal son, showing the Father’s mercy and longing for His children to return (Luke 15:11–32).

Marriage itself reflects Christ’s relationship to the Church:

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23).

Through these earthly relationships, God teaches us to understand — in part — His love, authority, and desire for fellowship.

Awaiting the Day We Shall See Him

One day, the limitation will be removed. Those who are redeemed in Christ will see God face to face:

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
“They shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4).

Until then, we live by faith, worshipping the Father through the Son in the Spirit, knowing that His fullness is beyond our comprehension yet trusting His revelation.

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Conclusion:
God the Father is the eternal, invisible, all-glorious Creator. No man has seen Him in His full glory, but He has revealed Himself through the Son and by the Spirit. In His wisdom, He uses family relationships to help us grasp the love, care, and fellowship He desires with us. While our minds cannot yet contain the fullness of His being, we look forward to the day when faith becomes sight, and we behold Him in His glory forever.

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

11th Aug, 2025 Pork, the Law, and the Gospel: From Abraham’s Covenant to Christian Freedom

1. The Gospel Story in Brief

From Genesis to Revelation, God’s plan of salvation has never changed — it has always been by His grace through faith, not by human effort or rituals.

• God’s Covenant with Abraham – In Genesis 15, God made His covenant with Abraham while Abraham was asleep. This shows the covenant depended entirely on God’s promise, not man’s performance.
• The Promise – Through Abraham’s seed — Christ — all nations would be blessed (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16).
• The Law – Given later through Moses, not to save but to reveal sin and point to the need for a Saviour (Galatians 3:19–24).
• Christ’s Fulfilment – Jesus perfectly kept the Law, died for our sins, and rose again so we can be justified by faith alone (Romans 5:1).
• The Core Gospel – “That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

Bottom line: God saves by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone — nothing we do or keep can earn His favour.

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2. The Law About Pork in Its Place

In the Old Covenant, Leviticus 11:7 forbade Israel to eat pork. This was part of the ceremonial laws meant to:

• Set Israel apart from pagan nations (Leviticus 20:25–26)
• Teach holiness and separation from sin (symbolically)
• Foreshadow the complete purity found in Christ

These food laws were never the basis of salvation — they were temporary shadows pointing forward to Christ (Colossians 2:16–17).

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3. Jesus and the Apostles on Food Laws

• Jesus – “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man… This he said, making all meats clean” (Mark 7:15, 19).
• Peter’s Vision – “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15).
• Paul – “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself” (Romans 14:14). He also says all food “is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:3–5).

Conclusion: Under the New Covenant, eating pork is not sin — but how we use this freedom matters.

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4. Freedom Governed by Love – 1 Corinthians 10:23–33

Paul applies this principle when speaking about food that had been offered to idols, but the truth applies equally to any “clean/unclean” food debate:

• Freedom in Christ – “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).
  In Christ, we are free to eat all foods, including pork — but Christian love asks a further question: Will my choice strengthen others and honour Christ, or could it cause someone to stumble?
• Seek others’ good – “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24).
• Eat with thanksgiving – “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof” (1 Corinthians 10:25–26).
• Avoid causing offense – “If any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it” (1 Corinthians 10:28).
• Do all for God’s glory – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
• The Gospel first – “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33).

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5. The Unchanging Center: The Gospel

Whatever the topic — pork, feast days, or other outward practices — the key question is:

Does this point people to faith in Christ’s finished work alone, or does it add human rules as a condition for being right with God?

Anything that adds to the cross distorts the Gospel (Galatians 1:6–9).

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6. Final Thought

• The covenant with Abraham shows salvation is God’s work alone.
• The Law reveals our inability to achieve righteousness by ourselves.
• Christ’s death and resurrection provide complete righteousness for all who believe.
• Food laws — including the prohibition on pork — are fulfilled in Christ.
• Our freedom is real, but love and the Gospel govern how we use it.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

9th Aug, 2025 A Biblical Examination of Pornography

The Bible does not use the modern word pornography, but it speaks extensively about sexual immorality, lust, and the thought-life — which directly apply to pornography and its effects.

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1. What is Pornography in Biblical Terms?

Pornography is the visual or written depiction of sexual activity or nudity intended to arouse lust. In biblical terms, this falls under:

• Lust (inward desire for someone sexually outside of God’s design)
• Uncleanness (impurity of thought or deed)
• Fornication (sexual immorality)

Jesus makes it clear that lust is a sin even without physical contact.

Matthew 5:28 – “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

This means that watching pornography, which is created for lust, already brings the sin of adultery in the heart before God.

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2. God’s Design for Sexual Desire

The Bible teaches that sexual intimacy is a gift from God, created for marriage between a man and a woman.

Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

Pornography distorts God’s design, replacing real covenant love with self-centered fantasy.

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3. Lust and the Mind

Porn directly feeds sinful imagination and desire. The Bible commands us to control our thought life.

Job 31:1 – “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?”
2 Corinthians 10:5 – “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Porn encourages the opposite — feeding the mind with images that fuel sinful imaginations.

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4. Uncleanness and Impurity

Paul often warns against “uncleanness,” which includes sexual impurity of mind and body.

Ephesians 5:3 – “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.”
Colossians 3:5 – “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Pornography falls under uncleanness and evil concupiscence (lustful desire).

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5. Masturbation — Direct or Indirect Biblical Teaching

The Bible does not name masturbation directly. The only passage some use is Genesis 38:9-10, where Onan “spilled it on the ground,” but this was about refusing to fulfill Levirate marriage duty — not solitary sexual activity itself.

However, masturbation tied to porn or lust is still condemned by the principle of heart adultery in Matthew 5:28. The problem is not only the physical act but the thoughts and images driving it.

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6. The Spiritual Danger of Pornography

• It enslaves the mind – Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
• It replaces God with idols – Sexual lust becomes an idol when it rules the heart (Romans 1:24-25).
• It corrupts the conscience – Titus 1:15 “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”

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7. God’s Call to Holiness

The believer’s body and mind are for God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost… ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Watching porn or lusting in thought uses the body and mind against their God-given purpose.

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8. Victory Over Lust and Porn

The Bible gives practical commands for overcoming:

• Avoid sources of temptation – Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
• Renew the mind – Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
• Pursue purity actively – Philippians 4:8 “…whatsoever things are pure… think on these things.”

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Final Summary

From the KJV’s teaching:

• Pornography is lust in visual form → condemned in Matthew 5:28.
• It is part of uncleanness and fornication to be avoided (Ephesians 5:3).
• Masturbation tied to lust falls under heart adultery and impurity.
• God calls believers to flee sexual immorality, not entertain it.
• The battle is first in the mind and eyes — Job’s covenant with his eyes is the model.

Porn is not just “bad for you” — it is a sin before God because it breaks His holy standard for thought and sexuality, defiles the conscience, and robs Him of the glory due in our bodies and minds.

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Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

1st Jun, 2025 Sodom and Gomorrah Awareness Month

— A Biblical Reflection

As Bible-believing Christians, we are called not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). In recent times, movements and months have arisen in society to commemorate and normalize lifestyles and ideologies that stand in contradiction to the Word of God. If ever there were a time for “Sodom and Gomorrah Awareness,” it is now—not to celebrate, but to warn and call to repentance, as the Scriptures solemnly declare.

The Biblical Record: What Happened to Sodom and Gomorrah?

Sodom and Gomorrah were cities marked by great wickedness. Their judgment by God stands as one of the clearest biblical warnings against rebellion and moral corruption.

“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”
— Genesis 13:13

Their sin was so grievous that God Himself came down to verify the outcry against them (Genesis 18:20-21). The final judgment is recorded in Genesis 19, where fire and brimstone rained from heaven:

“Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities…”
— Genesis 19:24-25

This destruction was not arbitrary. It was the righteous judgment of a holy God against persistent sin, including sexual perversion, pride, violence, and neglect of the poor.

“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness… neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.”
— Ezekiel 16:49-50

The New Testament Reminder: A Warning to All Generations

The New Testament does not treat Sodom as mere history—it uses the example as a warning for future generations. Jesus Himself referred to Sodom when warning cities that rejected His gospel:

“Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
— Matthew 10:15

Peter reminds us that God’s judgment is not idle:

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;”
— 2 Peter 2:6

And Jude speaks directly to the unnatural lusts and eternal consequence of their rebellion:

“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
— Jude 1:7

What Should We Be Aware Of?

If we are to observe a “Sodom and Gomorrah Awareness Month,” let it be with biblical eyes:

• Awareness that sin, especially unrepentant sin, leads to judgment.
• Awareness that God is patient, but His judgment is certain.
• Awareness that Jesus Christ came to save sinners, and that there is mercy for those who repent (Luke 5:32, Acts 3:19).

Let the Church speak not with pride or hatred, but with truth and love—calling people out of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ (1 Peter 2:9).

Final Exhortation

“Remember Lot’s wife.”
— Luke 17:32

She looked back at what God was judging. Let us not do the same. Let us flee the sin that God condemns, and cling to the Saviour who redeems.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
— Jude 1:20–23

Let Sodom and Gomorrah Awareness not be a celebration of what God destroyed, but a sobering reminder of His justice—and His offer of grace.

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

25th May, 2025 One Gospel, One Body: How the Bible Calls Us to Truth, Humility, and Unity

Across centuries, nations, and cultures, the message of Jesus Christ has changed countless lives. And yet, even among those who claim His name, there is division—denominations, theological camps, and at times, open hostility between believers. Why is this so? The Bible gives us an honest answer: human nature. Even after receiving the truth of the Gospel, we still wrestle with pride, self-righteousness, greed, and the desire to be “right” more than we desire to love one another. And this matters deeply—because how believers treat one another can either lead people toward Jesus or drive them away.

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📖 The Biblical Gospel: Not Ours to Redefine

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (Romans 1:16). It is not a message we invented, and it is not one we are free to reshape. Paul writes clearly in Galatians 1:8 (KJV):

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

This Gospel tells us the truth we don’t want to hear: that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), that our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), and that no one is good (Romans 3:10). It calls us not just to believe in God—but to repent, trust Christ alone, and walk in newness of life (Mark 1:15, Romans 6:4). True salvation humbles us. It removes boasting (Ephesians 2:8–9) and unites us into one body in Christ—regardless of nationality, culture, or past (Galatians 3:28).

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🧬 Human Nature: Self-Righteousness, Greed, and Division

Even within the Church, we are not immune to the pull of the flesh. Paul admitted in Romans 7:18:

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing…”

Believers still battle the old nature. We see it in subtle ways: arguing over doctrine not to build up but to win, elevating our group or denomination as more “biblical,” or using theology to divide rather than edify. Consider how easily pride shows up in our approach to Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Each side can be tempted to exalt its system above the cross of Christ itself. We must ask: Are we defending truth—or defending our own importance? This is not new. In Philippians 1:15–17, Paul acknowledged that some preach Christ “even of envy and strife,” seeking their own gain. Yet Paul rejoiced that Christ was still preached. His focus remained on the Gospel, not the egos involved.

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🤝 Biblical Disagreements: Even the Apostles Had Them

Scripture does not hide the reality of disagreement—even among the most faithful. In Acts 15:39, Paul and Barnabas had such a sharp contention over John Mark that they parted ways. And in Galatians 2:11, Paul publicly rebuked Peter for hypocrisy. But what mattered was not the dispute—it was the heart. These men were servants of Christ, not slaves to pride. They did not let disagreement lead to bitterness, gossip, or division of the body. When correction came, it was for the sake of truth and love.

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🕊 How Should We Treat One Another? Biblical Guidelines

In a divided world, the Church must be different. Scripture is clear about how believers should engage—even in disagreement:

• With humility: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
• With patience and gentleness: “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men… in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.” (2 Timothy 2:24–25)
• Speaking truth in love: “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things.” (Ephesians 4:15)
• Avoiding foolish debates: “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” (2 Timothy 2:23)

When the world sees us slander each other, divide over non-essentials, or mock those who differ from us—they are not drawn to Christ. They are repelled. But when we disagree with grace, love, and clarity—holding the truth without abandoning humility—then Christ is glorified.

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⛪ Denominations and the Body of Christ

It is true: we have many denominations. Some of this comes from sincere convictions about Scripture. But often, division reflects pride more than principle. The Bible teaches that there is “one body, and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4–5). Though we may differ in practice or emphasis, those truly in Christ are part of the same Church. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:25:

“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”

We must guard against elevating our tradition above the Gospel. Christ is not divided—neither should His people be.

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🔥 A Caution Against a Comfortable Gospel

While our focus is not on trends, it is worth warning: many today follow a version of Jesus who makes no demands, avoids judgment, and fits perfectly into modern culture. This “Jesus” never speaks of hell, never rebukes sin, and never calls for surrender. But the Jesus of Scripture said:

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” — Matthew 4:17 “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake…” — Matthew 10:22 “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross…” — Matthew 16:24

We must test every teaching, every spirit, and every “gospel” against the unchanging Word of God (1 John 4:1; Galatians 1:8–9).

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💡 Final Thoughts: Let Us Be Known by Christ

The Gospel is true. Christ is Lord. We are saved by grace. And all who are in Christ are one. So let us be marked not by pride, but by love. Not by factions, but by faith. Let the world see not our debates—but our Savior.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35

And when we do disagree—as we surely will—let it be with humility, clarity, and grace. Let it point to Christ, not to us. Because in the end, it’s not about being right. It’s about being faithful.
Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

30th Apr, 2025 Come Out and Be Separate: What God Really Requires

In a world saturated with compromise and sugar-coated religion, it’s time to return to the only authority that matters—God’s Word. Not opinions. Not feelings. Not traditions. The Bible alone declares what God requires from those who say they belong to Him.

You Cannot Serve God and the World

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
— Matthew 6:24, KJV

There is no such thing as a divided heart in the Kingdom of God. You either belong fully to Christ, or you are still bound to the world. Serving two masters is not possible in the eyes of God.

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God Demands Separation from Sin and Compromise

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:14, 17, KJV

The Word of God commands believers to separate from sin, unbelief, and anything that defiles. That includes those within the church who profess Christ yet continue in sin.

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Repentance Is Not a Feeling—It’s a Turning

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
— Acts 3:19, KJV

“Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.”
— Ezekiel 18:30, KJV

True repentance isn’t just saying “sorry”—it’s a radical turning away from sin. Without it, there is no forgiveness.

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Even Family Will Divide Over the Truth

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”
— Matthew 10:34, 36, KJV

Christ Himself warned that His truth would divide even families. If you’re holding on to relationships at the cost of holiness, you’re choosing man over God.

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Human Understanding Will Deceive You

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
— Proverbs 14:12, KJV

God is not interested in what seems right to us. His Word is the only path that leads to life. Any deviation leads to destruction—even if it feels right or is popular.

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You Must Be Holy

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
— 1 Peter 1:16, KJV

Holiness is not optional. It’s the standard of every true believer. Not perfection, but a heart fully set apart unto God, constantly turning from sin and walking in the Spirit.

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Your Soul Is at Stake

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
— Mark 8:36, KJV

Nothing is more valuable than your soul. No friendship. No career. No earthly gain. If you lose your soul, you lose everything.

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Final Word: Choose Whom You Will Serve

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
— Joshua 24:15, KJV

This is not the hour to waver. The time for lukewarm religion is over. God is holy. He is just. He is not mocked. You must choose: serve Him fully, or keep serving the world and face the consequences.

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Let this not be a message you merely read—let it be the call to action for your life.

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
— Matthew 11:15, KJV

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

26th Apr, 2025 The Danger of Systems — The Call to Christ Alone

In every generation, believers have wrestled with understanding salvation. Some gather under names like Calvinism or Arminianism — systems built to explain the mysteries of God’s work.
But we must be warned: systems are not the Savior.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Systems can be helpful at times. They can highlight truths.
But when we cling to them instead of clinging to Christ, they become dangerous distractions.
They are man’s ideas trying to map out God’s infinite ways.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)

God’s plan was never about labels.
It was always about new life in Christ — a life birthed by the Spirit, not built by intellectual agreement with a system.

Jesus said plainly:

“Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

Not Calvin.
Not Arminius.
Not a denomination.
Christ alone.

Salvation is a gift, not an argument to be won:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The Holy Spirit was sent to guide us daily — into all truth, not into allegiance to theological camps:

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13)

Many will one day say, “Lord, Lord,” but Christ will answer, “I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:21-23)
Why? Because salvation is not about knowing a system — it is about knowing Jesus personally, being born again, and walking with Him by the Spirit.

Systems are tools at best, distractions at worst.
Jesus is the only foundation. Faith in Him alone saves.

So believer, today:

• Turn your heart fully to Christ.
• Let the Holy Spirit guide you daily.
• Refuse to be chained by labels.
• Live in the freedom and life of Jesus alone.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

18th Apr, 2025 The Gospel Thread in Eight Verses

Gen 1:1 – Jn 1:1-3, 14 – Jn 17:5 – Jn 3:3 – Ezek 36:26-27 – Jn 14:6 – Gal 3:29 – Matt 7:21-23

Have you ever wondered what the Bible is really about? It’s not just a book of stories or rules—it’s the unfolding revelation of God’s plan to create, redeem, and restore. The following eight verses trace a powerful path from creation, through Christ, to our new birth and eternal calling. Let’s walk through them.

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Gen 1:1 — The Beginning of Everything

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

This is where it all starts. God is the eternal Creator, the One who brought everything into being. Before there was time, space, or matter—there was God. This verse lays the foundation: God is the source of life and the Lord over all creation.

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Jn 1:1-3, 14 — The Word Who Was and Is God

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made by him… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

John brings us back to Genesis—but this time he reveals a mystery: The Word, who created all things, is Jesus Christ. He is eternal, divine, and He became flesh to dwell among us. Jesus is not just a prophet or a teacher—He is God revealed in human form.

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Jn 17:5 — The Preexistent Glory of Christ

“And now, O Father, glorify thou me… with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

In His prayer before the cross, Jesus reveals a profound truth: He shared glory with the Father before creation ever began. He didn’t begin at Bethlehem—He is eternal, equal with the Father, and willingly stepped into time and flesh to accomplish salvation.

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Jn 3:3 — The Need for New Birth

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

If Jesus is God and Creator, and He came to save, then how do we enter His kingdom? Jesus gives the answer plainly: You must be born again. This is not a physical birth, but a spiritual rebirth. No one enters God’s kingdom through religion, ritual, or heritage—only through a new heart and a new Spirit.

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Ezek 36:26-27 — God’s Promise to Transform the Heart

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you…”

This Old Testament promise echoes and explains John 3:3. The new birth is not something we earn or achieve—it’s something God does within us. He gives us a new heart, removes our stubbornness, and places His Spirit within us, enabling us to love and obey Him. This is the miracle of regeneration.

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Jn 14:6 — The Only Way

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Jesus makes an exclusive claim—He is the only way to the Father. There is no other path, no alternate door. Not good works, not other religions, not self-reformation—only Jesus. The new birth comes through faith in Him alone.

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Gal 3:29 — The True Heirs of God’s Promise

“If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Many people think being part of God’s family is about bloodline or background. But Paul says if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring—heirs of the promise. This includes people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Through faith, we are grafted into the family of God and inherit the blessings of His covenant.

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Matt 7:21-23 — The Sobering Warning

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…”

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a solemn warning. Religious words and works do not guarantee salvation. Many will claim His name and point to their deeds, but He will say, “I never knew you.” What matters is a real relationship with Christ, grounded in obedience and Spirit-led transformation.

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Final Reflection

These verses form a complete picture:

• God created all things.
• Jesus, the eternal Word, is God and Creator.
• He became flesh to bring us life.
• We must be born again—not by works but by the Spirit.
• This new life comes only through faith in Jesus.
• Those who are Christ’s are heirs of God’s promise.
• But only those truly known by Him will enter His kingdom.

This is not just a theological outline—it’s a call to examine our hearts. Have you been born again by the Spirit of God? Do you know Jesus—not just in name, but in truth?

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Let the Word search you. Let the Spirit renew you. And let Jesus be your way, your truth, and your life. Feel free to copy and share this blog post anywhere you’d like to encourage others with the truth of the gospel.

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

7th Apr, 2025 You Are the Church — Or You’re Not

I Need to Get Back to Church…” – But What Do We Really Mean?

“I haven’t been to church in a while.”
“I’m trying to go more regularly.”
“I used to go, but I fell off.”
“Which church do you belong to?”

These are the kinds of things we often hear. They sound familiar. Comfortable. Even spiritual.

But beneath the surface, these statements reveal something deeper — and far more concerning:
We’ve reduced the Church to a building, a program, a place we “go to” or “leave” — not what God actually says it is.

In this post, we’re not just rethinking our language.
We’re returning to Scripture to rediscover what the Church truly is — and who we truly are.

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The Church Is Not a Building — It’s the People of God

Let’s make one thing absolutely clear:
The Church is not a building. It never has been. It never will be.

Nowhere in the Bible does God define the Church as a structure made of bricks and glass.
Yet today, people talk about “church” the same way they talk about gyms or grocery stores:
A place you go, a place you leave, a service you attend, a building you walk into once a week.

But that is not Biblical.

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What Is the Church, According to the Bible?

1. The Church is the Body of Christ — Made of People, Not Walls

“Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:27

The Church is made up of born-again believers — men, women, and children who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It is not a location, but a living, breathing body of people across nations, languages, and generations — all united in one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

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2. The Church is the Household of God — Not a Denomination, Not a Brand

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
— Ephesians 2:19

It’s not about which “church building” you attend, what style of worship you prefer, or what your church logo looks like.
The true Church is God’s family — and only those adopted into that family by faith in Christ are part of it (John 1:12-13).

You don’t “go to church” — you are the Church, if you belong to Jesus.

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3. The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit — Not Made by Human Hands

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
— 1 Corinthians 3:16

The New Testament never commands us to build a “church building.”
Instead, God builds His Church by filling people with His Spirit.
In Acts 2:1-47, the Church was born — not in a cathedral, but in a house, where believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and went out to proclaim the gospel.

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So Why Do We Gather?

If the Church is not a building — then why do we meet together?

Because God commands it.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…”
— Hebrews 10:24–25

Gathering is not about attendance.
It’s not about checking a religious box.

It’s about mutual encouragement, teaching, correction, prayer, worship, the Lord’s Supper, and building one another up in the faith (Acts 2:42, Colossians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

We gather because we are one body — and the body cannot function in isolation (1 Corinthians 12:14–20).

Matthew 18:18-20
‘Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. ‘

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A Serious Word About Fellowship and the Breaking of Bread

True fellowship — the kind commanded by God — is holy.
It is the shared life of the redeemed, those who have been born again by the Spirit of God (John 3:3).

When the Church gathers, we pray, we worship, we build one another up — and we partake of sacred ordinances like the breaking of bread (Communion) and Baptism.

But God gives a fearful warning:
This gathering, and the sharing in the Lord’s Supper, is only for the saved — and only for those who walk in repentance.

Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit:

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
(1 Corinthians 11:27-29, KJV)

To take part in holy fellowship without being in Christ, or while living in willful sin, brings God’s judgment — not His blessing.

This is why even among true believers, the Bible commands that if a brother or sister persists in sin and refuses to repent, the Church must cast them out from fellowship:

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
(1 Corinthians 5:11, KJV)

And again:

“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”
(1 Timothy 5:20, KJV)

This is not cruelty — it is obedience.
It is a call to holiness, protecting the purity of Christ’s body and calling sinners to true repentance.

Fellowship is not a casual gathering.
It is the holy communion of the saints — those who have received a new heart and a new spirit through faith in Jesus Christ:

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you…”
(Ezekiel 36:26, KJV)

Visitors and unbelievers are welcome to observe and hear the Word of God — but they must not take part in the sacred breaking of bread until they too have been born again by faith.

The Church is the gathering of the redeemed.
Its fellowship is sacred.
Its holiness must not be profaned.

“Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
(1 Peter 1:16, KJV)

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Let This Sink In

If you think “going to church” makes you a Christian,
then you’ve misunderstood the gospel.

You can sit in a church building every Sunday and still be spiritually dead.
You can never step into a building and yet be fully alive in Christ — if you belong to Him.

The Church is not a weekend event.
It is the redeemed people of God, living in relationship with Christ and each other, carrying His mission into the world.

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Final Words

We must stop using worldly language that confuses buildings with believers.
The Church is not a place you go.
It’s who you are — if you are in Christ.

So the next time you hear someone say, “I need to get back to church…”,
ask them this:
“Do you know what the Church truly is?”
Because that question changes everything.

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

3rd Apr, 2025 Modern Jesus vs. Biblical Jesus

Modern Jesus	Biblical Jesus
Preaches only on love – Focuses solely on love and acceptance, avoiding topics like sin, judgment, and righteousness.	Preaches God’s righteousness – Teaches love alongside holiness, repentance, and righteousness. (Leviticus 19:17-18, Matthew 5:48, Mark 1:15, John 8:11, John 14:15, Romans 13:10, 1 John 5:2-3, 2 John 1:6, 1 Corinthians 13:6, Ephesians 4:15)
Gives you health & wealth – Promises personal success, prosperity, and a comfortable life.	Gives salvation, hope, peace & joy – Offers eternal life, spiritual peace, and joy despite earthly struggles. (Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 19:10, John 3:17, John 14:3, Matthew 12:21, John 14:27, John 16:33, John 15:11, Luke 10:21)
Never says anything negative – Avoids confrontation, correction, or discussing sin.	Warns of sin, judgment & hell – Speaks openly about sin, judgment, and the reality of hell. (Matthew 7:13-14, John 8:24, Mark 2:17, John 5:22, Matthew 12:36, Matthew 10:28, Mark 9:43-48)
Loved & accepted by the world – Fits into secular culture, embraced without challenge.	Hated & despised by the world – Rejected by many for His truth and teachings. (John 15:18-19, Isaiah 53:3, John 7:7)
Serves your will, not God’s will – Prioritizes personal desires and affirmations.	Exalts God the Father’s will – Submits to and fulfills the Father’s will. (John 4:34, John 6:38, Matthew 26:39, Luke 22:42)
Hates to offend you or others – Avoids saying anything that might upset or challenge people.	Offends the world with the truth – Speaks the truth even when it offends or convicts people. (Matthew 23:13-15, John 2:15-16, Matthew 13:57, John 6:61, John 8:40, John 14:6, John 3:19-20, John 8:9)

Conclusion

The contrast between the “Modern Jesus” and the “Biblical Jesus” highlights the shift in contemporary Christianity. The modern version often emphasizes comfort, prosperity, and personal desires, while the Biblical Jesus calls for repentance, sacrifice, and commitment to God’s will. The true message of Christ includes hope and peace, but also the reality of sin, judgment, and the necessity of transformation.

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

1st Apr, 2024 Only Jesus is LORD God and Saviour

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises, the only way to salvation, and the central figure in God’s plan of redemption. All aspects of Scripture point to Jesus and His role in establishing God’s kingdom and providing salvation for humanity, including the promise made to Abraham’s seed, which encompasses all who believe in Christ.

You cannot read the Bible without acknowledging God for who He is.

You cannot read and understand the Bible without Prayer and Faith.

You cannot read the Bible and neglect Jesus (referred to as LORD, Jehovah, Yahweh) as the central figure of all its contents.

Always ask yourself: What does this passage say or teach about Jesus and His message?

Romans 7:22-25

‘For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.’

The Bible as True and Inspired: The Bible is considered true and inspired by God. It is written by holy men of God who were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Luke 21:15). Prophets like Jeremiah, Moses, Isaiah and many more like Micah were given divine words to speak (Jeremiah 1:9; Exodus 4:12-13; Isaiah 50:4; Micah 5:2-4).

Jesus is God: Jesus is identified as God from the beginning, the first and the last, God Almighty, with various names such as LORD, Jehovah, Yahweh and The Word. He is the Creator of all things and the only way to salvation (John 1:1-5, 14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3; Genesis 17:1; Exodus 6:3; Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 11:17; Isaiah 44:6; Acts 4:12).

Jesus’ Covenant with Abraham’s Descendants: Jesus, identified as the LORD, appeared to Abraham and established a covenant with him and his descendants through Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 18:1-8; Exodus 6:2-3). The promise made to Abraham’s children extends to all who believe in Jesus, as seen in Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 3:6; Romans 9:7-8.

Galatians 3:28-29

” 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Ephesians 3:6

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Romans 9:7-8

7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

These verses emphasises that those who belong to Christ (through faith in Him) are considered Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise made to Abraham. This means that the promise of blessings extends beyond physical descendants to include all who have faith in Jesus Christ.

Remind yourselves when Jesus spoke to the unbelieving Jews or when the prophesy warns us about people that say they are Jews but are not.

John 8:39-47

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Revelation 2:9

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 3:9

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

New Covenant and Salvation through Jesus: Jesus unveiled the new covenant through His sacrifice, fulfilling the old covenant and providing salvation for all who believe in Him. The law served as a tutor leading to faith in Jesus, who is the only way to salvation (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 9:15; Matthew 26:28; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:5-11; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 5:11-12; Galatians 3:24-25; Romans 10:4; Romans 7:6).

Future Kingdom: Believers now await a new kingdom, where God Himself will rule. Jesus will reign until all enemies are put under His feet, and then He will deliver the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:22-28; Luke 22:18; Matthew 25:34; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 21:1-4).

The essence of the biblical teachings emphasizes that there is no distinct path to God’s final plan based on one’s ethnicity or heritage, as reiterated throughout the Scriptures. The focal point remains Jesus Christ, who embodies the fulfillment of God’s promises and serves as the singular means of salvation for all humanity. As elucidated in Galatians 3:28-29 and other passages, those who belong to Christ are considered Abraham’s seed and heirs to the promise, irrespective of their background. The covenant established with Abraham’s descendants extends beyond physical lineage to encompass all who believe in Jesus. Hence, the emphasis shifts from ethnic identity to faith in Christ as the defining factor. Jesus’ discourse with unbelieving Jews, as depicted in John 8:39-47, underscores the importance of genuine faith over mere lineage. Furthermore, Revelation warns against those who falsely claim to be of Jewish descent, emphasizing the primacy of true faith in Christ. Ultimately, salvation is through Jesus alone, as He ushered in the new covenant, fulfilling the law and providing salvation for believers. Thus, the focus should never be on ethnic distinctions but on embracing Jesus as the central figure and sole means of salvation in God’s redemptive plan.

The anticipation of Jesus’ return carries profound implications, as it signifies the culmination of God’s plan for redemption and the final judgment of humanity. This event will not herald Jesus’ arrival to establish an earthly kingdom but will instead unveil the full wrath of God upon the world. As stated in Revelation 19:11-16, Jesus will return as a conquering king, leading the armies of heaven, and executing judgment with righteousness. The imagery of Jesus coming on a white horse with eyes like flames of fire illustrates His authority and sovereignty over all creation. In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus Himself foretold of His return with power and great glory, accompanied by angels who will gather His elect from the ends of the earth. This moment signifies the ultimate separation between the righteous and the unrighteous, as described in Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus will judge all nations, rewarding the righteous with eternal life and condemning the wicked to everlasting punishment. Therefore, the prospect of Jesus’ second coming carries a weighty reminder of the finality of judgment and the necessity of preparedness for His imminent return.

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1. Is ethnic Israel still God’s chosen people today?

Answer: No. The New Testament redefines “true Israel” as those who follow Christ by faith, not by ethnicity (Rom. 2:28–29; Gal. 3:7, 29).

• Romans 9:6–8 – Not all ethnic Israelites are true Israel; only the “children of promise” (in Christ) are heirs.
• Galatians 6:16 – The “Israel of God” refers to the Church, the redeemed in Christ.

Gospel Alignment: Salvation is through faith in Jesus, not ancestry (John 1:12–13; 3:16).

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2. Did Jesus abolish God’s promises to Israel?

Answer: No—He fulfilled them (Matt. 5:17). The Old Covenant’s earthly promises (land, temple) pointed to Christ’s eternal Kingdom (Heb. 8:13; 10:1).

• Matthew 21:43 – The Kingdom is taken from ethnic Israel and given to a “nation” (the Church) bearing spiritual fruit.
• Acts 15:14–18 – Gentiles are grafted into God’s people, fulfilling Amos’ prophecy.

Gospel Alignment: Jesus is the true Temple (John 2:19–21) and Land (Matt. 5:5; Heb. 11:16).

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3. Should Christians support modern political Zionism?

Answer: No. Zionism (a secular movement for a Jewish state) is distinct from biblical Israel. Our allegiance is to Christ’s Kingdom, not earthly nations (John 18:36; Phil. 3:20).

• Matthew 6:33 – Seek God’s Kingdom first, not political agendas.
• Galatians 4:25–26 – Earthly Jerusalem (like Zionism) is in bondage; the heavenly Jerusalem (the Church) is free.

Gospel Alignment: The Gospel transcends nationalism (Col. 3:11; Gal. 3:28).

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4. What about Romans 11:26 (“All Israel will be saved”)?

Answer: This refers to a future mass conversion of Jews to Christ, not automatic salvation for ethnicity (Rom. 11:23–27).

• Zechariah 12:10 – Jews will recognize Jesus as Messiah at His return.
• Romans 11:5 – A remnant of Jews is saved now by grace through faith.

Gospel Alignment: Salvation is always through Christ alone (Acts 4:12; Rom. 10:9–13).

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5. Are Jews who reject Jesus still saved?

Answer: No. Salvation is only through faith in Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

• Romans 10:1–4 – Paul grieves for unsaved Jews who reject Christ.
• John 8:24 – Dying without faith in Jesus means perishing in sin.

Gospel Alignment: There is no salvation outside of Christ (1 John 5:12).

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6. What is the “New Jerusalem” in Revelation 21?

Answer: The eternal Church, God’s people (Jew and Gentile) united in Christ—not a political Israel.

• Hebrews 12:22–24 – Believers come to the heavenly Jerusalem.
• Galatians 4:26 – The Jerusalem above is our mother.

Gospel Alignment: Our hope is the New Creation, not earthly kingdoms (Rev. 21:1–4).

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7. How should Christians view the modern state of Israel?

Answer: As a geopolitical entity, not a divine mandate. Support justice for all (Palestinians included) and pray for Jewish salvation (Rom. 10:1).

• 1 Corinthians 7:19 – What matters is keeping God’s commands (love, justice), not ethnicity.
• James 2:1 – Favoritism (e.g., toward Jews) violates Christ’s law.

Gospel Alignment: The Church is God’s witness, not nations (Matt. 28:19; 1 Pet. 2:9).

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Summary: The Key Message

1. Jesus is the fulfillment of all OT promises—not ethnic Israel (2 Cor. 1:20).
2. True Israel = the Church (Gal. 3:29; 1 Pet. 2:9–10).
3. Salvation is in Christ alone, not ancestry (Rom. 10:12–13).
4. Reject nationalism—seek Christ’s Kingdom first (Col. 3:1–2).

Final Scripture:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).

This aligns wholly with the Gospel: Christ is all, and in all (Col. 3:11).

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Addendum: Interpreting Israel’s Restoration in Light of Christ

Some argue that the modern State of Israel is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about a national restoration of ethnic Jews. They cite verses like Ezekiel 36–37, Amos 9:14–15, and Jeremiah 16:14–15, pointing to modern events—such as the 1948 founding of Israel and Jewish immigration—as prophetic fulfillment.

However, this view breaks the consistency of the Bible’s message and misunderstands how the New Testament reinterprets and fulfills these prophecies in Christ and His Church. Here’s what the Bible teaches from Genesis to Revelation:

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What the Bible Clearly Teaches (Across All 66 Books)

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1. Christ is the Fulfillment of All God’s Promises

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20

This includes the Abrahamic, Davidic, and prophetic promises. Christ is:

• The true Seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16)
• The true Temple (John 2:19–21)
• The true Israel (Hosea 11:1 → Matthew 2:15)
• The one who reigns on David’s throne forever (Acts 2:30–36)
• The heir of all covenants

Everything in the Law and Prophets points to Him (Luke 24:44; John 5:39).

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2. God’s People Are Defined by Faith, Not Ethnicity

“It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise.” — Romans 9:8
“If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring.” — Galatians 3:29

• Faith in Jesus—not Jewish heritage—makes someone part of God’s covenant family (Romans 2:28–29; John 1:12–13).
• The Church is made up of believing Jews and Gentiles, united in Christ (Ephesians 2:11–22).

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3. Restoration Prophecies Are Applied to the Church in the New Testament

Old Testament prophecies of Israel’s restoration are reinterpreted by the apostles and applied to the multi-ethnic Church:

Old Testament Prophecy	New Testament Fulfillment
Amos 9:11–12 – Rebuilding David’s tent	Acts 15:14–17 – Inclusion of Gentiles in Christ
Jeremiah 31:31–34 – New Covenant	Hebrews 8:8–13 – Fulfilled in Jesus
Hosea 1:10; 2:23 – “Not my people” made God’s people	Romans 9:25–26 – Applied to Gentile believers
Isaiah 49:6 – Light to Gentiles	Luke 2:32 – Fulfilled in Christ
Isaiah 56:6–7 – All nations in God’s house	Matthew 21:13 – Jesus applies it to His ministry

The apostles saw the true restoration as the gathering of God’s people—Jew and Gentile—into one body in Christ (Ephesians 3:6).

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4. Land, Temple, and Kingdom Are Fulfilled Spiritually in Christ

The Old Testament types—land, temple, and kingdom—are fulfilled not through political means, but spiritually in Jesus:

OT Type	NT Fulfillment
Land	Abraham’s inheritance = the whole world (Romans 4:13)
Temple	The Church is God’s dwelling (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:21–22)
Kingdom	Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36); it is within believers (Luke 17:21)

Believers now await the New Creation (Revelation 21:1–4), not a geopolitical reign from earthly Jerusalem.

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What About Unfulfilled Old Testament Prophecies?

Some point to Ezekiel 40–48 or Zechariah 14, which describe:

• A restored temple
• Animal sacrifices
• A reign from Jerusalem

But the New Testament never reaffirms a return to temple worship or Old Covenant rituals:

• Hebrews 8:13 – The old covenant is “obsolete.”
• Hebrews 10:1–14 – Christ is the final and sufficient sacrifice.
• Galatians 4:26 – The focus is now on the Jerusalem above, not below.
• John 4:21–24 – Worship is no longer tied to a place, but done in Spirit and truth.

The OT prophecies were shadows, and Christ is the substance (Colossians 2:16–17).

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Misreading Prophecy Breaks the Unity of Scripture

To say God’s promises are fulfilled outside of Christ—based on DNA or modern migration—violates the unified message of the Gospel.

“They are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.” — Romans 9:6
“He is not a Jew who is one outwardly… but inwardly.” — Romans 2:28–29

God is faithful to Israel—but “Israel” is redefined in Christ as all who believe (Galatians 6:16).

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Key Takeaways

• The return of ethnic Jews to modern Israel is historically remarkable but not the prophetic fulfillment described in Scripture.
• The true restoration of Israel happens in Christ and through the New Covenant, not through the rebirth of a political nation.
• Modern Zionism is not the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
• The Church is the restored “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16), made up of all who believe—Jew and Gentile alike.
• The goal of prophecy is Christ, not nationalism, land, or ethnicity.

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Final Conclusion

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible consistently teaches that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all God’s promises. The people of God are those who belong to Christ by faith, not by ancestry. The restoration of Israel, the New Covenant, the Kingdom of God—all point to and are fulfilled in Jesus.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Galatians 3:28

“Christ is all, and in all.” — Colossians 3:11

Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

2nd May, 2023 Identity as children of God – Self-Respect

The Bible teaches that each person is created in the image of God and is therefore valuable and deserving of respect. Additionally, it encourages believers to have a healthy sense of self-respect that is grounded in their identity as children of God.

Here are some Biblical references that speak to the concept of self-respect:

Genesis 1:27 – “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This verse emphasizes that every person has inherent value and dignity because they are made in God’s image.

Matthew 22:39 – “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” This verse teaches that we should love and respect ourselves in the same way we love and respect others.

Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” This verse encourages believers to have a balanced and humble view of themselves.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” This verse reminds believers that their bodies are precious and deserving of respect because they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Overall, the Bible teaches that self-respect is an important aspect of our relationship with God and with others. It is grounded in the truth of our inherent value and dignity as God’s beloved children.

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30th Apr, 2023 General themes/subject matter covered in each book of the Bible

Old Testament:

Genesis – Creation, the Fall, and the Patriarchs
Exodus – Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and establishment as a nation
Leviticus – God’s instructions for Israel’s worship and daily life
Numbers – Israel’s wilderness wanderings and preparation to enter the Promised Land
Deuteronomy – Moses’ final address and exhortation to the Israelites
Joshua – Conquest and settlement of the Promised Land
Judges – Israel’s cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance
Ruth – A story of loyalty and redemption
1 Samuel – The rise of Israel’s monarchy and the reign of King Saul
2 Samuel – The reign of King David
1 Kings – The divided kingdom and the reign of King Solomon
2 Kings – The decline and fall of the northern and southern kingdoms
1 Chronicles – Genealogies and history of Israel from Adam to David
2 Chronicles – The history of the southern kingdom of Judah
Ezra – The rebuilding of the temple and the return of the exiles from Babylon
Nehemiah – The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem
Esther – The story of a Jewish girl who becomes queen of Persia and saves her people

New Testament:

Matthew – The life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Mark – The life and teachings of Jesus, with a focus on his actions and miracles
Luke – The life and teachings of Jesus, with a focus on his compassion and interactions with people
John – The life and teachings of Jesus, with a focus on his divinity and spiritual significance
Acts – The history of the early Christian church, from Jesus’ ascension to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome
Romans – An explanation of the gospel and its implications for Jews and Gentiles
1 Corinthians – Paul’s instructions and corrections to the church in Corinth
2 Corinthians – Paul’s defense of his ministry and instructions to the church in Corinth
Galatians – Paul’s defense of the gospel of grace and warning against legalism
Ephesians – Paul’s explanation of the church as the body of Christ and instructions for Christian living
Philippians – Paul’s thanksgiving, encouragement, and exhortation to the church in Philippi
Colossians – Paul’s defense of the supremacy of Christ and instructions for Christian living
1 Thessalonians – Paul’s encouragement and exhortation to the church in Thessalonica
2 Thessalonians – Paul’s correction of misunderstandings about the second coming of Christ
1 Timothy – Paul’s instructions to Timothy on church leadership and doctrine
2 Timothy – Paul’s final instructions and encouragement to Timothy
Titus – Paul’s instructions to Titus on appointing church leaders and teaching sound doctrine
Philemon – Paul’s appeal to Philemon to forgive and receive his runaway slave Onesimus
Hebrews – An explanation of the superiority of Christ and his work as high priest
James – Practical exhortations on Christian living and faith that works
1 Peter – Encouragement and exhortation to believers suffering persecution
2 Peter – Warnings against false teachers and the certainty of Christ’s return
1 John – Emphasis on love for God and one another, assurance of salvation, and warning against false teachers
2 John – Exhortation to love one another and warning against false teachers
3 John – Commendation of hospitality and support for missionaries and warning against Diotrephes
Jude – Warnings against false teachers and exhortation to contend for the faith
Revelation – Apocalyptic visions of the end times, the second coming of Christ, and the ultimate triumph of God over evil

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8th Apr, 2023 Jesus’ followers at the Cross.

According to the Gospel accounts, there were several followers of Jesus who stayed at the foot of the cross when he was crucified:

1. Mary, the mother of Jesus (John 19:25)
2. Mary Magdalene (John 19:25; Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40)
3. John, the beloved disciple (John 19:26-27)
4. Salome, the mother of James and John (Mark 15:40)
5. Mary, the wife of Clopas (John 19:25)
6. Other women who had followed Jesus from Galilee (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:41)

It’s worth noting that while these individuals are specifically mentioned as being at the foot of the cross, there may have been others who were present as well.

While the Gospel accounts do not specifically mention any of Jesus’ followers fleeing at the foot of the cross, there are a few instances where it is implied that some of his disciples abandoned him during his crucifixion:

1. Peter: Although Peter is not specifically mentioned as being at the foot of the cross, he is known to have denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion and then fled when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27). It is possible that he continued to stay away out of fear during the crucifixion.
2. The rest of the twelve disciples: According to the Gospel accounts, all of the disciples except for John fled and abandoned Jesus after he was arrested (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50).
3. Other followers: It is possible that other followers of Jesus who were not specifically mentioned also fled out of fear during the crucifixion.

However, it is worth noting that Jesus’ followers’ actions during the crucifixion should be understood in the context of the extreme danger they were facing as his followers. They were likely facing severe persecution and even death if they were seen as associating with Jesus at that time.

In the culture of the time of Jesus, women held a relatively low status in society compared to men. Women were generally not considered to be credible witnesses and were often excluded from public life and religious activities.

Therefore, it is significant that the Bible records women as being present at the foot of the cross and as the first witnesses to the resurrection.

The fact that women were present at the foot of the cross and were among the first to witness the resurrected Jesus highlights the credibility of their testimony. If the authors of the Gospel accounts were inventing the story, they would not have chosen women to be the first witnesses, as their testimony would not have been considered reliable in the culture of the time. The fact that they did choose women suggests that they were reporting what they believed to be true, even if it went against cultural norms and expectations.

Additionally, the inclusion of women in the Gospel accounts demonstrates Jesus’ radical approach to gender and social status. Jesus frequently challenged cultural norms and societal expectations, often by elevating the status of women and marginalized groups. By including women in the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection, the Gospel writers were emphasizing Jesus’ teachings and actions that affirmed the dignity and value of all people, regardless of gender or social status.

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7th Apr, 2023 Commandments

John 14:15‭-‬18 KJV

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Commandments for Christians as part of their life of faith and obedience to God. Here are some examples:

1. Love God and love your neighbor: Jesus affirms the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-39, saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
2. Follow Jesus: Jesus calls his disciples to follow him in Matthew 16:24, saying, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
3. Be baptized: Jesus commands his disciples to be baptized in Matthew 28:19, saying, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
4. Observe the Lord’s Supper: Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper as a way for his disciples to remember his sacrifice on the cross in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
5. Forgive others: Jesus commands his disciples to forgive others in Matthew 6:14-15, saying, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
6. Share the gospel: Jesus commands his disciples to share the gospel with others in Mark 16:15, saying, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Overall, the New Testament teaches that Christians are to live a life of faith, love, obedience, and service to God and others.

The old has past and the new has come as the apostle Paul indicates in Colossians 2:16-17, Paul writes, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

In the Book of Acts we see the following that can also be noted especially directed to the Gentiles.

Acts 15:22-29 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: and they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

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28th Mar, 2023 Sabbath | The Law | Grace | Worldview

The Sabbath

The Bible teaches that the Sabbath is a holy day set aside for rest and worship (Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 23:3; Mark 2:27). Even though Jesus and the apostles observed the Sabbath and attended synagogue services (Luke 4:16; Acts 13:42-44; Acts 17:1-4).
There is no explicit command in the New Testament for Christians to observe the Sabbath on any particular day. Instead, Christians began to gather for worship on the first day of the week, Sunday, in commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection on that day (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
The shift from Saturday to Sunday as the primary day of worship and rest was a gradual process that took place over several centuries in the early Christian church.
Another reason for the shift was the fact that Christianity was increasingly becoming a separate religion from Judaism, and the Christian leaders felt a need to distinguish themselves from Jewish practices, including Sabbath observance. This was especially important as the early church expanded beyond the Jewish community and began to include Gentile converts.

Ultimately, the day on which we observe the Sabbath is a matter of personal conviction and preference. What is most important is that we set aside time for rest and worship, and that we do so in a way that honours God and promotes our spiritual growth.

Romans 14:5-6 ⁵ One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. ⁶ He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

It is worth noting that while the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments, Christians are no longer bound to observe all of the Jewish laws and customs. In the New Testament, the apostles and early Christian leaders made it clear that Gentile converts to Christianity were not required to observe the Jewish laws and customs, including Sabbath observance.

The Law and Grace

Observing the Jewish laws and customs, including Sabbath observance, was a major issue in the early Christian church, especially for the Gentile converts. This issue was addressed in several places in the New Testament, including in the book of Acts (Acts 15:10-11; Acts 15:19-20) and in the letters of the apostle Paul (Galatians 2:15-16; Colossians 2:16-17)

These passages, along with the decision of the Council of Jerusalem, made it clear that Gentile converts to Christianity were not required to observe the Jewish laws and customs, including Sabbath observance. The focus of the Christian faith was on faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God, rather than on adherence to the Mosaic Law.

Galatians 3:23-25 – “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”

Here, the Apostle Paul argues that the Law of the Old Testament served as a temporary guardian for God’s people until the coming of Christ. Now that Christ has come and fulfilled the Law, believers are no longer under the Law as a means of salvation.

Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

In this passage, Paul asserts that believers are no longer under the Law because they are now under grace. This means that salvation is not earned through obedience to the Law but is a gift from God given through faith in Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17 – “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Here, Paul argues that the Old Testament laws regarding food, drink, and religious festivals were shadows that pointed to the coming of Christ. Now that Christ has come, these laws are no longer binding on believers.

Hebrews 8:13 – “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”

In this passage, the author of Hebrews argues that the Old Covenant has been made obsolete by the New Covenant established through Christ. The Old Covenant was based on the Law and required obedience to its commands, while the New Covenant is based on faith in Christ and the forgiveness of sins through his sacrifice.

Matthew 5:17-18 states, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (NIV).

As the Apostle Paul explains in his letter to the Galatians, “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:19-20, ESV).

So while Matthew 5:17-18 reminds us of the continuity between the Old Testament and the new covenant, it also points to the fact that the new covenant has replaced the old covenant as the primary means of our relationship with God.

The New Covenant is a central theme in the Bible
It is a covenant of grace and salvation that God made with His people through Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant was based on the Law of Moses, which required strict obedience to a set of rules and regulations. The New Covenant, on the other hand, is based on faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.

The New Covenant was prophesied in the Old Testament, particularly in Jeremiah 31:31-34. In this passage, God promises to make a new covenant with His people, which will be different from the covenant made with their ancestors at Mount Sinai. The new covenant will not be based on the Law of Moses, but on God’s grace and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself explains the New Covenant. In Luke 22:20, Jesus says, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled the requirements of the Old Covenant and established the New Covenant. Through His sacrifice, believers can be forgiven of their sins and reconciled to God.

The New Covenant is based on grace alone through faith alone. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This means that salvation cannot be earned through good works or strict adherence to the Law of Moses. Instead, it is a free gift of God’s grace that is received by faith in Jesus Christ.

Living under the New Covenant means that believers are no longer under the Law of Moses. In Romans 6:14, Paul writes, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” This does not mean that believers are free to sin, but rather that they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God.

In conclusion, the New Covenant is a covenant of grace and salvation that God made with His people through Jesus Christ. It is based on faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. Believers are no longer under the Law of Moses, but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God. This is a free gift of God’s grace that is received by faith alone.

The Creation Worldview

The consistent biblical creationist is one whose worldview is based on the Bible; this is his or her ultimate standard. As such, the creationist believes that an all-powerful (Matt. 19:26), all-knowing (Col.2:3), triune (Isa. 45:5; John 8:18) God created the universe in six ordinary days (Exod. 20:11) thousands, not billions, of years ago (based on genealogies such as Gen. 5:4–32). Today, God upholds the universe by His sustaining power (Heb. 1:3) in a logical and consistent way that we call the “laws of nature” or “laws of science” (Jer.33:25). The method by which God created the universe is not the same method by which He sustains it; God ended His work of creation by the seventh day (Gen. 2:2). The world was a paradise when it was first created (Gen. 1:31; Deut. 32:4). The first man (Adam) was given charge over all creation (Gen. 1:28, 2:15). Adam rebelled against the Lord (Gen. 2:16, 3:6). As a result, God cursed His creation (Gene. 3:14–19), which is why we now have death and suffering in the world (Rom. 5:12, 8:21–22). Since all humans today are descended from Adam (Acts 17:26), we all have a sin nature, and we too rebel against God —disobeying His commandments. Like Adam, we deserve death and eternal separation from God. In Christian theology, this is why God became a man ( John 1:1,14) and died on a cross. Jesus took our place as an act of mercy and has offered forgiveness for all who receive Him as Lord (Rom. 10:9–10). God had created the original animals and plants “after their kind” (Gen. 1:11, 21, 25; NASB), indicating that there are discrete barriers between basic animal and plants kinds, but that there can be variation within. The animals and plants we observe today are all variations of the original kinds (though some kinds have gone extinct). Natural selection happens . . . animals and plants can adapt somewhat to their environment. However, the processes involved never increase the information in the DNA and thus never result in a new kind of organism. God once flooded the entire earth in response to man’s wickedness (Gen. 6:5–7,17) but spared a few people in response to Noah’s obedience (Gen. 6:9, 18) and preserved them and the animal kinds by an ark (Gen. 6:19). Creationists believe that most of the fossils found on earth today are a result of this global Flood. This is only a very brief summary of the creationist position.

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26th Mar, 2023 The I AM / Almighty (A&Ω)

I AM

Exodus 3:13-14
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

John 8:56-59
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Almighty

Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Revelation 1:7-8
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

I am in the Father, and the Father in me

John 14:8-10
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Worship God – Proskuneo pros-koo-neh’-o Strong’s 4352

Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Revelation 22:8-9
And I John saw these things, and heard them . And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Matthew 8:2-3
And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 9:18
While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Matthew 14:31-33
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Matthew 28:8-10
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

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25th Nov, 2018 Not myself but in The Lord only.

‘Want wat baat dit ’n mens as hy die hele wêreld win, maar aan sy siel skade ly? Of wat sal ’n mens gee as losprys vir sy siel? ‘
(Matt. 16:26)

Mrk. 8:34-38
‘EN toe Hy die skare saam met sy dissipels na Hom geroep het, sê Hy vir hulle: Wie agter My aan wil kom, moet homself verloën en sy kruis opneem en My volg. Want elkeen wat sy lewe wil red, sal dit verloor; maar elkeen wat sy lewe om My ontwil en om die evangelie ontwil verloor, hy sal dit red. Want wat sal dit ’n mens baat as hy die hele wêreld win en aan sy siel skade ly? Of wat sal ’n mens gee as losprys vir sy siel? Want elkeen wat hom vir My en my woorde skaam in hierdie owerspelige en sondige geslag, vir hom sal die Seun van die mens Hom ook skaam wanneer Hy kom in die heerlikheid van sy Vader met die heilige engele.’

 

‘ Die beginsel van die wysheid is die vrees van die Here , en kennis van die Heilige is verstand. ‘
(Prov. 9:10)

John. 3:14-21
‘En soos Moses die slang in die woestyn verhoog het, so moet die Seun van die mens verhoog word, sodat elkeen wat in Hom glo, nie verlore mag gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe kan hê. Want so lief het God die wêreld gehad, dat Hy sy eniggebore Seun gegee het, sodat elkeen wat in Hom glo, nie verlore mag gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe kan hê. Want God het sy Seun in die wêreld gestuur nie om die wêreld te veroordeel nie, maar dat die wêreld deur Hom gered kan word. Hy wat in Hom glo, word nie veroordeel nie; maar hy wat nie glo nie, is alreeds veroordeel omdat hy nie geglo het in die Naam van die eniggebore Seun van God nie. En dit is die oordeel: dat die lig in die wêreld gekom het, en die mense het die duisternis liewer gehad as die lig; want hulle werke was boos. Want elkeen wat kwaad doen, haat die lig en kom nie na die lig nie, dat sy werke nie bestraf mag word nie. Maar hy wat die waarheid doen, kom na die lig, sodat sy werke openbaar kan word, dat hulle in God gedoen is. ‘

Luke. 12:4-5
‘EN Ek sê vir julle, my vriende: Moenie vrees vir die wat die liggaam doodmaak en daarna niks meer kan doen nie; maar Ek sal julle wys wie julle moet vrees: vrees Hom wat, nadat Hy doodgemaak het, by magte is om in die hel te werp; ja, Ek sê vir julle, vrees Hom! ‘

 

Moenie die wêreld liefhê nie.

I John 2:15-17
‘ Moenie die wêreld liefhê of die dinge wat in die wêreld is nie. As iemand die wêreld liefhet, dan is die liefde van die Vader nie in hom nie. Want alles wat in die wêreld is — die begeerlikheid van die vlees en die begeerlikheid van die oë en die grootsheid van die lewe — is nie uit die Vader nie, maar is uit die wêreld. En die wêreld gaan verby en sy begeerlikheid, maar hy wat die wil van God doen, bly vir ewig. ‘

James. 4:1-12
‘WAARVANDAAN kom oorloë en vegterye onder julle? Kom hulle nie hiervandaan, van julle welluste wat in julle lede stryd voer nie? Julle begeer en julle het nie, julle pleeg moord en is naywerig en julle kan niks verkry nie. Julle veg en maak oorlog, en julle het nie, omdat julle nie bid nie. Julle bid en julle ontvang nie, omdat julle verkeerd bid, om dit in julle welluste deur te bring. Egbrekers en egbreeksters, weet julle nie dat die vriendskap van die wêreld vyandskap teen God is nie? Wie dan ’n vriend van die wêreld wil wees, word ’n vyand van God. Of meen julle dat die Skrif tevergeefs sê: Met jaloersheid begeer die Gees wat in ons woon? Maar Hy gee groter genade; daarom sê Hy: God weerstaan die hoogmoediges, maar aan die nederiges gee Hy genade. Onderwerp julle dan aan God; weerstaan die duiwel, en hy sal van julle wegvlug. Nader tot God, en Hy sal tot julle nader. Reinig die hande, julle sondaars, en suiwer die harte, julle dubbelhartiges! Weeklaag, treur en ween. Laat julle gelag in treurigheid verander word en julle blydskap in bedruktheid. Verneder julle voor die Here, en Hy sal julle verhoog. Broeders, moenie van mekaar kwaad spreek nie. Dié wat kwaad spreek van sy broeder en sy broeder oordeel, spreek kwaad van die wet en oordeel die wet; en as jy die wet oordeel, is jy nie ’n dader van die wet nie, maar ’n regter. Een is die Wetgewer, Hy wat mag het om te red en te verderf. Maar jy, wie is jy wat ’n ander oordeel? ‘

Rom. 12:1-3
‘EK vermaan julle dan, broeders, by die ontferminge van God, dat julle jul liggame stel as ’n lewende, heilige en aan God welgevallige offer — dit is julle redelike godsdiens. En word nie aan hierdie wêreld gelykvormig nie, maar word verander deur die vernuwing van julle gemoed, sodat julle kan beproef wat die goeie en welgevallige en volmaakte wil van God is. Want deur die genade wat aan my gegee is, sê ek vir elkeen wat onder julle is, dat hy nie van homself meer moet dink as wat ’n mens behoort te dink nie; maar dat hy daaraan moet dink om besadig te wees na die maat van geloof soos God dit aan elkeen toebedeel het. ‘

 

Daarom, soos geskrywe is: Die wat roem, moet in die Here roem.
(I Cor. 1:31; II Cor. 10:17)

Jer. 9:17-26
‘So sê die Here van die leërskare: Let op, en roep die klaagvroue, dat hulle kom; en stuur na die wyse vroue, dat hulle kom; en laat hulle gou maak en oor ons ’n weeklag aanhef, sodat ons oë afloop in trane en ons ooglede stroom van water. Want die geluid van weeklag word uit Sion gehoor: Hoe is ons verwoes! Ons het diep in die skande gekom, omdat ons die land moet verlaat, omdat hulle ons wonings omgegooi het. Want hoor, o vroue, die woord van die Here , en laat julle oor opvang die woord van sy mond; en leer julle dogters ’n weeklag en vir mekaar ’n klaaglied. Want die dood het in ons vensters opgeklim, in ons paleise ingekom om die kinders van die straat af uit te roei, die jongmanne van die pleine af. Sê dit: So spreek die Here : En die lyke van die mense sal neerval soos mis op die oop veld en soos gerwe agter die maaier sonder dat iemand dit versamel. So sê die Here : Laat die wyse hom nie beroem op sy wysheid nie, en laat die sterke hom nie beroem op sy sterkte nie, laat die ryke hom nie beroem op sy rykdom nie; maar laat hy wat wil roem, hom hierop beroem dat hy verstaan en My ken, dat Ek die Here is wat goedertierenheid, reg en geregtigheid op die aarde doen; want in dié dinge het Ek ’n behae, spreek die Here . Kyk, daar kom dae, spreek die Here , dat Ek besoeking sal doen oor almal wat besny is, wat nogtans onbesnede is: oor Egipte en Juda en Edom en oor die kinders van Ammon en Moab en oor almal wat die rand van hulle hare wegskeer, wat in die woestyn woon; want al die heidene is onbesnede, maar die hele huis van Israel is onbesnede van hart.’

 

Want die woord van die kruis is wel dwaasheid vir die wat verlore gaan.
(1 Cor 1:18)

Heb. 4:11-12
‘Laat ons ons dan beywer om in te gaan in dié rus, sodat niemand in dieselfde voorbeeld van ongehoorsaamheid mag val nie. Want die woord van God is lewend en kragtig en skerper as enige tweesnydende swaard, en dring deur tot die skeiding van siel en gees en van gewrigte en murg, en is ’n beoordelaar van die oorlegginge en gedagtes van die hart. ‘

I Cor. 1:20-25
‘Waar bly die wyse? Waar bly die skrifgeleerde? Waar die redetwister van hierdie eeu? Het God nie die wysheid van hierdie wêreld dwaas gemaak nie? Want aangesien in die wysheid van God die wêreld deur die wysheid God nie geken het nie, het dit God behaag om deur die dwaasheid van die prediking die wat glo, te red; want die Jode vra ’n teken en die Grieke soek wysheid, maar ons verkondig Christus wat gekruisig is, ’n struikelblok vir die Jode en dwaasheid vir die Grieke; maar vir die wat geroep is, Jode sowel as Grieke: Christus, die krag van God en die wysheid van God. Want wat dwaas is by God, is wyser as die mense; en wat swak is by God, is sterker as die mense. ‘

I Cor 2:13-14
‘Daarvan spreek ons ook, nie met woorde wat die menslike wysheid leer nie, maar met dié wat die Heilige Gees leer, sodat ons geestelike dinge met geestelike vergelyk. Maar die natuurlike mens neem die dinge van die Gees van God nie aan nie; want dit is vir hom dwaasheid, en hy kan dit nie verstaan nie, omdat dit geestelik beoordeel word. ‘

Rom. 1:16-17
‘WANT ek skaam my nie oor die evangelie van Christus nie, want dit is ’n krag van God tot redding vir elkeen wat glo, eerste vir die Jood en ook vir die Griek. Want die geregtigheid van God word daarin geopenbaar uit geloof tot geloof, soos geskrywe is: Maar die regverdige sal uit die geloof lewe. ‘

Gaan dan heen, maak dissipels van al die nasies

Matt. 28:18-20
‘En Jesus het nader gekom en met hulle gespreek en gesê: Aan My is gegee alle mag in die hemel en op aarde. Gaan dan heen, maak dissipels van al die nasies, en doop hulle in die Naam van die Vader en die Seun en die Heilige Gees; en leer hulle om alles te onderhou wat Ek julle beveel het. En kyk, Ek is met julle al die dae tot aan die voleinding van die wêreld. Amen.’

Laat ons dan by die evangelie van Christus bly.

Gal. 1:6-10
‘EK verwonder my dat julle so gou afvallig word van hom wat julle deur die genade van Christus geroep het, na ’n ander evangelie toe, terwyl daar geen ander is nie; behalwe dat daar sommige mense is wat julle in die war bring en die evangelie van Christus wil verdraai. Maar al sou ons of ’n engel uit die hemel julle ’n evangelie verkondig in stryd met die wat ons julle verkondig het, laat hom ’n vervloeking wees! Soos ons vantevore gesê het, sê ek nou ook weer: As iemand julle ’n evangelie verkondig in stryd met die wat julle ontvang het, laat hom ’n vervloeking wees! Soek ek dan nou die guns van mense, of van God? Of probeer ek om mense te behaag? As ek nog mense behaag, dan sou ek nie ’n dienskneg van Christus wees nie. ‘

 

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27th Sep, 2017 Die Evangelie van Jesus

Vraag: “Wat is die evangelie van Jesus Christus?”

Die woord evangelie beteken ‘goeie nuus’.

• Die evangelie van Christus is die goeie nuus van sy koms om vergifnis van sondes te voorsien vir almal wat sal glo (Col 1:14; Rom 10:9).
• Sedert die eerste mens se sonde is die mens onder die veroordeling van God (Rom 5:12).
• Omdat almal God se volmaakte wet verbreek deur sonde te pleeg (Rom 3:23), is almal skuldig (Rom 5:18).
• Die straf vir die misdaad van sonde is die fisiese dood (Rom6:23) en dan is ‘n ewigheid in ‘n strafplek uitgegee (Rev 20:15; Matt 25:46).
• Hierdie ewige skeiding van God word ook die “tweede dood” genoem (Rev 20:14-15).

Die slegte nuus is dat almal skuldig is aan sonde en deur God veroordeel word.

Die slegte nuus word deur die evangelie, die goeie nuus van Jesus Christus, teengewerk.

• God het weens sy liefde vir die wêreld ‘n manier gemaak om die mens te vergewe van hulle sondes (Joh. 3:16).
• Hy het Sy Seun, Jesus Christus, gestuur om die sondes van die mens op Homself deur die kruisdood te neem (1 Pet 2:24).
• Deur ons sonde op Christus te plaas, het God verseker dat almal wat in die Naam van Jesus sal glo, vergewe sal word (Act 10:43).
• Jesus se opstanding waarborg die regverdiging van almal wat glo (Rom 4:25).

 

Vraag: “Wat beteken dit om in Jesus te glo?”

Die vraag: “Glo jy in Jesus?” klink amper soos “Glo jy in die tandemuis?”

Die vraag is eintlik: “Glo jy dat Jesus Christus is wie die Bybel sê Hy is, en vertrou jy in Hom alleen as jou Verlosser?”

Glo jy dat:

• Jesus God is? – (Joh. 1:1, 14)
•  Jy ewige skeiding van God en die ewige dood verdien (Rom 6:23)
• Jesus aan die kruis gesterf het om die straf vir jou sondes te betaal – (1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:21)
• Die offer van Jesus, die enigste voldoende betaling vir jou sondes is (1 Joh. 2:2; Joh. 14:6; Act 4:12)

Glo jy hierdie dinge? Indien wel, fantasties, maar om net op die feite oor Jesus te glo, is nie ‘n volledige getuienis nie. Bybelse geloof / oortuiging is veel meer as om net te glo dat sekere dinge waar is.
Bybelse reddende geloof, glo, vertrou en lewe, dag na dag op daardie feite.

‘N Stoel is ‘n goeie illustrasie.

Jy kan na ‘n stoel kyk en glo dit is gemaak van materiale wat sterk genoeg is om jou gewig te ondersteun, en jy kan glo dat dit korrek opgestel is. Maar dit is nie Bybelse geloof nie.
Bybelse geloof is as jy in die stoel sit. Jy gebruik die stoel omdat jy volkome vertroue het dat die stoel jou gewig sal dra en jou veilig van die grond af sal hou.

• Vertrou jy dat Jesus jou Verlosser is?
• Vertrou jy op Sy dood as die volle betaling vir jou sondeskuld?
• Is jy afhanklik van Sy opstanding as die waarborg dat jy ook na die dood na die ewige lewe verhoog sal word?

As jy verstaan ​​en glo wat die Bybel oor Jesus sê, en as jy op daardie waarhede vertrou as die basis vir verlossing, sal jy gered word! U glo in Jesus in die Bybelse sin. – (Joh 3:16, 36); (Rom 1:16, Rom 5:8, Rom 10:9); (Act 16:31)

 

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