That's in the Bible

What is Judgment Day? Judgment Day is the day described in the Bible when God will judge all those who have lived. Those judged guilty for committing sin will be destroyed with the earth and will eventually pay for their sins in eternal punishment. Watch time: 17:06 • That’s in the Bible • Hosted by Brother Bob Pellien Scripture references: Hebrews 9:27 Acts 17:31 Romans 7:12 1 John 3:4 Romans 3:23 Romans 6:23 Revelation 20:14, 10 2 Peter 3:7 & 10 Matthew 24:36 John 10:9 _________________________________________________________________________ In this episode [1:30] Judgment Day will happen [2:55] What is Judgment Day [5:49] Those affected by Judgment Day [10:18] When is Judgment Day [11:56] What happens on Judgment Day [12:42] Summary and Review Click to expand transcript BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: As Christians, we believe we will be judged by our actions in this life. In the Bible, it describes a day when that will happen. But is that just a Judgment Day myth? Or is Judgment Day real? [SHOW OPEN] The Bible: the basis of our faith in the Church Of Christ, which answers questions about proper worship, the right relationship with God, and most importantly, salvation. That’s in the Bible. BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: I’m Bob Pellien, and welcome to the program That’s in the Bible. Dear friends, we received a question regarding a very specific biblical topic. Lester from Salinas, California, asked, Is Judgment Day really going to happen? Rather than answering your question immediately with a quick “yes”, let’s break down this topic in order to fully understand the answer that’s in the Bible. So to help us in our discussion, we’ll answer these main questions today. First, will Judgment Day happen? And secondly, what is Judgment Day ? And thirdly, who is affected on Judgment Day. And when is Judgment Day? And what will happen on Judgment Day? [1:30] Judgment Day will happen So, dear friends, to begin, let’s start with that first question. Will Judgment Day happen? And you know, did God give us any assurance that Judgment Day will really happen? Let’s read God’s assurance that He did provide. As it’s recorded in Hebrews 9:27, I quote: And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27 New King James Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Here, dear friends, we can see two things that God has appointed. What are they? One, it is appointed for men to die. Two, there is judgment. Now here’s the thing. The same God that appointed death, well, it’s the same God that appointed judgment. And death is a reality that no one can deny. Therefore, we are sure the judgment is a coming reality. Having confidence, though, that Judgment Day will come because, well, the Bible teaches it, that’s a good thing. However, much more important information about the Day of Judgment is needed by everyone. [2:55] What is Judgment Day So let’s pose some follow up questions together. What is the Judgment Day that the Bible teaches about? What’s it about? We’ll start by reading once again from the answers of the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. And for that we turn to the Book of Acts, chapter 17 and we’ll read together verse 31, and it says: because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31 New King James Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Here, dear friends, we can see that God has appointed a day. What’s His purpose in appointing this particular day? As we have just read, He will judge the world. This is, of course, additional biblical evidence that there will really be a day in which this world will be judged. And who has God appointed to carry out this judgment? The Bible also said, the man whom he has ordained, which is none other than His begotten son, our Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ. Okay, so what will be used to judge the people of the world whether they’re innocent or guilty? Remember what we read? He said He will judge the world in righteousness. Dear friends, what is the righteousness which will be the basis of God’s judgment? We turn again to the Holy Scriptures for the Bible’s answers to these important questions, and we do so turning to Romans chapter seven, verse 12, where it states this: So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good. Romans 7:12 New International Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So according to what we can read here the law, the commandment of God, is what will be used to judge the world. That is how a distinction will be made between those that lived by following God’s law , or lived by breaking God’s law. By the way, what does it mean to break God’s law? First John chapter three, verse four: Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law, because sin is a breaking of the law. 1 John 3:4 Good News Translation BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So here we can read, dear friends, the answer of the Bible, the biblical definition, in fact, of the term sin. The Bible states that sin, it’s a breaking of God’s law. Break God’s law–you have committed sin. What’s the judgment of those who commit sin? They’re judged guilty. Guilty. [5:49] Those affected by Judgment Day And that leads us then to our important next question. Who is affected on Judgment Day ? And the answer is those that have committed sin, those that are found guilty. Since Judgment Day will greatly affect those who have sinned, [we] should also know how many people in this world have committed sin, making them or rendering them then guilty on Judgment Day. Romans chapter three, verse 23 reads this way: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 New King James Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So according to the Bible, all have sinned and therefore would be judged as guilty on Judgment Day, guilty. So to ensure one is not judged guilty on that day, an action to obtain salvation is required. Because dear friends, what’s the sentence or the payment for being found guilty of sin on Judgment Day? Romans chapter six, verse 23 answers this way: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 New King James Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: And in fact, if we were to read that verse in other translations like, for example, the GOD’s WORD Translation, it even describes the wages of sin as the payment of sin, and that payment is death. [ON SCREEN GFX] The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 GOD’S WORD Translation BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Initially, though, you know, one might think, well, death, it’s not such a bad wage or payment for being guilty of sin. Since we all die eventually anyway, right? So we can clearly see then that all people, good, bad, innocent, guilty, everyone eventually dies, right? So we have to ask then, is that the full payment of sin? Is the mere ending of one’s life here on earth the full or complete payment of sin? It is not. Why are we sure? Because the Bible describes another death. What death is the full payment for those guilty? Judged guilty? Well, for that we turn to the Book of Revelation and in Revelation 20:14 it reads this way: Then death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And including verse ten, it goes on to read: The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:14, 10 New King James Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Here, dear friends, the Bible teaches that there is a second death. And what’s the second death? As we just read, it’s described as a lake of fire. This is the second death. And we have to ask, what’s going to happen to those who were deceived by the devil and therefore judged guilty of sin on the Day of Judgment? The Bible says that they will be thrown into that lake of fire. And what will happen? They will be tormented. And how long is the sentence? We also read in this verse that they’ll be tormented day and night forever and ever. Dear friends, it’s a terrible price. A terrible price to pay for breaking God’s law. And this is what will be implemented on Judgment Day. So we, dear friends, all of us need to do something, right? We need to do something to ensure that we’re not judged as guilty on that Judgment Day. [10:18] When is Judgment Day And before we get to what that action exactly is, let’s ask next: When is this Judgment Day going to take place? When? The Bible responds this way in Second Peter chapter three, verses seven and ten, I quote: But God has commanded the present heavens and earth to remain until the day of judgment. Then they will be set on fire, and ungodly people will be destroyed. The day of the Lord’s return will surprise us like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a loud noise, and the heat will melt the whole universe. Then the earth and everything on it will be seen for what they are. 2 Peter 3:7 & 10 Contemporary English Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Friends, when is Judgment Day? It’s not answered here in the Bible by giving us a calendar date, but rather by telling us it will be on the day when the heavens will disappear and this earth will be burned up. The Bible also teaches that the Day of Judgment is also the day of the Lord’s return. So asking when is Judgment Day, well, it’s the same as asking when will Christ return, right? And the Bible teaches us that only the Father knows the time of Christ’s return. [ON SCREEN GFX] “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:36 New King James Version [11:56] What happens on Judgment Day BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So the more important question, however, dear friends, is this: what’s going to happen on that Judgment Day? How does the Bible further, let’s say, further illustrate that day? It says the heavens will disappear with a loud noise. The Bible said that heat will melt the whole universe and the earth, and everything on it will be seen for what they are. It will be set on fire, and ungodly people will be destroyed. Therefore, the Judgment Day, which is the day Jesus Christ returns, it’s also the last day of this earth. [12:42] Summary and Review We started our discussion with five main questions. Let’s review what we have learned so far from the Bible and on this topic. We asked: Will Judgment Day happen? How did the Bible answer? Yes, God appointed it to happen and that’s what’s recorded in the Bible. What is this Judgment Day? The Bible answered, it’s the day that God appointed to carry out His judgment of the people of the world. Who’s affected on Judgment Day? The Bible answered, those who have committed sin will have to pay for breaking God’s law. When is Judgment Day? The Bible provided the answer. It is the last day of this earth when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. Only the Father knows the exact time of that. What will happen on Judgment Day? The Bible answered. The heavens and earth as we know them will be destroyed, which of course includes all ungodly people. Dear friends, Lester, who posed the question about Judgment Day as well, now that we have answered the these main questions that we posed together about the biblical teachings of Judgment Day, dear friends, even if, even if you know every detail of what’s going to happen on Judgment Day, but you don’t know how to be saved from the violent destruction to take place on that day, well, then all the information gained, it’s wasted. So dear friends, do you want to be saved on Judgment Day? If your answer is yes, what’s the invitation of Jesus? He stated the following and it was recorded by the Apostle John in John 10:9 I quote: I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, … John 10:9 New King James Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: That’s the invitation to be saved from the horrific elements of destruction on the Day of Judgment. What was the invitation? He said one must enter. He invited them to enter in, enter in to Christ, which we have often studied how we do that here inside the Church Of Christ. We studied how the scriptures teaches when Jesus said to enter into him, it’s enter into his body, Colossians 1:18. [ON SCREEN GFX] And He is the head of the body, the church, … Colossians 1:18 New King James Version BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: And that body is identified as the church. And what church is that? We often read Acts 20:28 where it teaches us that’s the Church Of Christ, that he purchased or redeemed with his shed blood. [ON SCREEN GFX] Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed your overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood. Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So Lester from Salinas. California, you asked: Is Judgment Day really going to happen? The answer is a resounding yes, Lester. Get ready for it by joining with us inside the Church Of Christ, because that’s in the Bible. Dear friends, we’d like you to continue learning about the teachings of the Bible taught here inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ. To do so, please visit us online and browse the different topics, or set up an appointment to meet with the Minister of the gospel at the local congregation of the Iglesia Ni Cristo nearest to you. And if you have any questions about the Bible or salvation, please email them to us. I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching. See you next time here on That’s in the Bible. Related Questions What does heaven look like? Is hell a real place? What is salvation? Bible Verses Referenced in Video I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, … John 10:9 New King James Version But God has commanded the present heavens and earth to remain until the day of judgment. Then they will be set on fire, and ungodly people will be destroyed. The day of the Lord’s return will surprise us like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a loud noise, and the heat will melt the whole universe. Then the earth and everything on it will be seen for what they are. 2 Peter 3:7 & 10 Contemporary English Version Then death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:14, 10 New King James Version For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 New King James Version Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law, because sin is a breaking of the law. 1 John 3:4 Good News Translation So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good. Romans 7:12 New International Version because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31 New King James Version And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27 New King James Version Key Takeaways Judgment Day is an event in the future, no one except God knows when it will be. On that day, all will be judged and given salvation or punishment. No one will be judged for the actions in their lives until the Day of Judgment. We will all be affected on Judgment Day because we have all sinned, but to be sure of salvation there are steps to take. Want to learn more about what the Bible truly teaches? What you’ve heard is just an introduction to the teachings written in the Bible and taught inside the Church Of Christ. The Iglesia Ni Cristo bases all its doctrines on the Holy Scriptures, not on human tradition.

Summary: The Church Of Christ does not use the sign of the cross in its houses of worship and worship services. The Bible describes a mark that will be used by Satan that will be placed on the right hand and forehead of those he has deceived. The sign of the cross was established by the Roman Catholic Church to identify its members, which is why the Church Of Christ does not use it. Scripture references: Revelation 13:16 Revelation 14:9-11 In this episode: [0:35] Viewer questions [1:20] Definition of the sign of the cross [3:50] Meaning of the cross to Catholics [7:08] What the Bible says about this mark [12:12] Summary and review Click to expand transcript Full Episode Transcript Brother Bob Pellien: In the sight of many, the cross has become an identifying symbol of Christianity . But why doesn’t the Church Of Christ use it? Or should we? Brother Bob: The Bible. The basis of our faith in the Church Of Christ, which answers questions about proper worship, the right relationship with God, and most importantly, salvation. That’s in the Bible! Brother Bob Pellien Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: I’m Bob Pellien. Welcome to the program, That’s in the Bible . We received an email from a viewer and she asked the following: Why doesn’t the Church Of Christ use the sign of the cross? [0:35] Viewer question Why doesn’t the Church Of Christ use the sign of the cross? Ivy Brother Bob: Thank you very much, Ivy, for your email question, and thank you also for the opportunity to give a biblical answer. Let’s frame our topic of discussion around these initial questions in order to give a clear and thorough answer: What is the sign of the cross? What does the sign of the cross actually mean or signify? How does the Bible describe that mark or sign? [1:20] Definition of the sign of the cross So, before we turn to the Holy Scriptures for the Bible’s response, Ivy, to your question, for the sake of our viewers and of those of other Christian-professing religions that, well, may not know what’s really being referred to as the “sign of the cross,” let’s take a look at a couple of video clips that show what is the sign of the cross that is being done by the Roman Catholic Church . Take a look. Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Voiceover: We begin with what is perhaps our earliest personal religious memory and practice–the sign of the cross. An indulgence of 100 days is granted for making the sign of the cross and saying the words. And indulgence of 300 days for making the sign of the cross, with holy water. Voiceover: As often as we make the sign of the cross, repeating at the same time these words, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” Brother Bob: So we can see that the sign of the cross is a sign that the members of the Catholic Church have made for themselves and we can see it everywhere in their religion. We can see the cross on their worship buildings. We can see the cross on their rosaries, which they always use when they pray , right? We can see also the cross in so many places and it’s become such a prevalent visual symbol, and everyone is convinced, of course, that it is a good symbol. What have they themselves said, in fact, however, about the importance of that sign that the Catholic authorities have branded or required their believers to use? Well, we have here their book and it’s entitled the Externals of the Catholic Church , and here on page 218, let’s take a look at what they have written about the cross: The ordinary method of making the sign of the cross is that which every Catholic learns in early childhood—the putting of the right hand to the forehead… Externals of the Catholic Church John F. Sullivan, p. 218 Brother Bob: So, dear friends, what they’ve written here in their book then, is that it’s a sign that starts by putting one’s right hand to the forehead. And take note the use of the left hand, that’s wrong. That would be incorrect. That would not be the proper procedure. Bringing the right hand to the forehead is the method they teach to begin the sign of the cross. [3:50] Meaning of the cross to Catholics And because, you know, they are very particular on how to make the sign of the cross, what does the sign of the cross mean or signify for them? And how valuable is the sign of the cross to Catholics? You know, in another book, this one is entitled 1000 Questions and Answers on Catholicism . Page 240, this is stated: What is the significance of the sign of the cross? The sign of the cross is an inseparable symbol of the Catholic faith. 1000 Questions and Answers on Catholicism Philip O’Reilly, p. 240 Brother Bob: Well, so they claim that the sign of the cross, it’s an inseparable symbol. And it’s what identifies them as a Roman Catholic . It’s their symbol. It’s their sign. And because of this, just how often is the sign of the cross made or performed? In another one of their books, this one is entitled My Catholic Faith , and it’s written by the authoritative writer of the Catholic Church, the Bishop, Louis La Ravoire Morrow, and he writes here on page 392 in his book. It’s very interesting, what he wrote: We usually begin and end our prayers with the sign of the cross…. Nothing in the Church is begun, carried out, or completed, without the sign of the cross. It is used in innumerable blessings and ceremonials of the Church. At Mass alone it is used fifty-one times. My Catholic Faith Bishop Louis La Ravoire Morrow, p. 392 Brother Bob: Here, dear friends, we can learn how important it is to the Catholic Church. In fact, they use it fifty-one times in the Mass alone, and the mass, well, that’s their worship gathering. It is used, and as they said here, in the beginning of their prayers, at the end of their prayers for a total, as we cited there, fifty-one times. And in all the other ceremonies that they hold as well. So, according to Catholic authorities, is the sign of the cross a symbol for just anyone and everyone? In fact if we’ll go back to that and even on the same page, page 392, it says: The sign of the cross is the most common way of confessing our faith. By it we can know Catholics from non-Catholics. My Catholic Faith Bishop Louis La Ravoire Morrow, p. 392 Brother Bob: So, clearly that is a sign founded and made inside the Catholic Church, and as they stated here, for what purpose? To brand or to identify or to mark a Catholic from a non-Catholic. For clarification, the word ‘Catholic’ itself means ‘universal’ or ‘extending all over the world.’ So the cross, then, is to mark or to identify themselves as Catholics. [7:08] What the Bible says about this mark So now that we know what the sign of the cross is, what it means, how it is made, and who it is for, let’s now turn to the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, and find out how this sign or mark is described. How does the Bible describe this mark or sign? In fact, dear friends, does the Bible make any mention of a sign that would identify or mark those in a Catholic or in universal church? We turn to Revelation chapter 13, verse 16 wherein it says this: He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, Revelation 13:16 New King James Version Brother Bob: The Bible does mention then a sign or a mark given to a multitude of people, and where is this mark? It is said that it’s “on their right hand or on their foreheads.” Now you know we’ve heard these arguments, some may argue that, well, you know, the sign of the cross of the Catholic Church, it’s just a hand gesture, they might say, which starts by putting, yes, the right hand to the forehead. It’s not a mark that is visually seen on the forehead or on the hand. But, dear friends, is that true? The cross is not a mark? Is the sign of the cross ever at any point in time a visual mark placed on their forehead? Of course it is! Every year we are able to visually see Catholics branded with or receiving a mark of the cross on their foreheads as they celebrate what they call “Ash Wednesday,” which all Catholics are encouraged to do. So what does the Bible say about those who have received this sign or mark? What awaits people who possess or brand themselves with the sign of the cross on their forehead, or on their hand, or both for that matter? Is it a good sign? Should we all be making that sign of the cross? We turn again back to the Holy Scriptures for the answer of the Bible, and we turn to the book of Revelation 14:9, 10 and 11. Let’s find out, good sign or not a good sign: Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11 New King James Version Brother Bob: So dear friends, is it a good sign or not? Definitely not! The Bible describes what’s going to happen to those who have received this mark on their forehead or on their hand . What will happen to them? As we have read, “they have no rest day or night.” Why no rest ever? What’s the horrible fate that awaits them? Also as we read here, it will “be tormented with fire and brimstone… And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever.” Who will this happen to? As we read, “whoever receives the mark of his name.” Therefore, dear friends, the sign of the cross, it’s not a sign from God. It’s not mentioned or taught by Christ’s apostles anywhere in the Bible. We should understand back in that first century, they had capital punishment back then and the cross was the instrument that was used to murder our Lord Jesus Christ. Ironically, a multitude of people have been taught and believe that the cross is a holy symbol. Now we know that it is a sign identifying someone that has been deceived by the ultimate deceiver, the devil, Satan , and he is branding them to be tormented in the lake of fire. [12:12] Summary and review So now that we have received a better understanding of this topic, let’s review so we can finally give a clear answer to the question of Ivy when she asked: Why doesn’t the Church Of Christ use the sign of the cross? What is the sign of the cross? Well, we’ve learned that it’s a mark or gesture that Catholics do during Mass and ceremonies. It involves the right hand and the forehead. What does the sign of the cross mean or signify? We also learned that the sign of the cross is an inseparable symbol of the Catholic faith and is used to identify, mark, or know Catholics from non-Catholics. How does the Bible describe that mark or sign? Is it a good sign, bad sign? The Bible says it’s a sign that marks those who have been deceived into a belief that leads them to everlasting torment with fire and brimstone. Brother Bob: So to answer Ivy’s question: Why doesn’t the Church Of Christ use the sign of the cross? Well, members of the Church Of Christ do not use the sign of the cross because we are not Catholic, or Protestant for that matter, and we do not want to have the mark of those that will be tormented forever and ever. We will not use that mark. To our friends and family who may be Catholic watching this program, in no way do we share these truths to offend or hurt your feelings in any way. In fact our intention is the extreme opposite of that. We love you, we love you so much that we cannot bear even imagining anything bad happening to you. That is why we bring to you the truth even if you will say, “That hurts.” It is because… We bring it to you because that’s in the Bible. We’d like you to continue learning about the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ . To do so, please visit us online. Visit incmedia.org Brother Bob: And browse the different topics or set up an appointment to meet with a minister of the gospel . Visit the congregation of the Church Of Christ that’s nearest to you. answers@incmedia.org Brother Bob: And if you have any questions about the Bible or salvation, you can also email them to us. Brother Bob Pellien Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time right here on That’s in the Bible! Related Questions Is the Catholic Mass biblical? Does the Catholic Church have the right Jesus? What does the Bible say about priests and nuns? Bible Verses Referenced in Video Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11 New King James Version He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, Revelation 13:16 New King James Version Key Takeaways The Church Of Christ does not use the sign of the cross or display crosses or crucifixes in its houses of worship. The Bible describes a mark on the right hand and forehead that will be used to mark those deceived by Satan. The Catholic Church established the sign of the cross as a mark for Catholics to identify themselves. Have a question you’d like answered on That’s in the Bible? Submit your question and we’ll use the guidance of the Holy Scriptures to help you find the answer—the truth that’s in the Bible.

Isaiah 46:11 describes a bird of prey that would do God’s work at a certain time and place. Some point to Cyrus of Persia as the fulfillment of that prophecy. But inside the Church Of Christ we know and believe that Brother Felix Y. Manalo was the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 46:11. Watch time: 11:07 • That’s in the Bible • Hosted by Brother Bob Pellien Scripture references: Isaiah 46:11-13 Ezra 1:1 Isaiah 44:28 Romans 9:4 Romans 1:16-17 In this episode [0:30] The prophecy of Isaiah 46:11 [1:45] Three conditions the Bible gives [2:57] What the Bible teaches about Cyrus [7:30] Whoever fulfills the conditions, fulfills the prophecy [8:48] Proofs of Brother Felix Y. Manalo’s fulfillment Click to expand transcript Full Episode Transcript [On-screen text graphics] My pastor told me that the one prophesied in Isaiah 46:11 is not Felix Manalo, but Cyrus. Why don’t you believe that Cyrus is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 46:11? Russelly Brookner of Seattle, WA Brother Bob : We’re very thankful to you, Russelly Brookner from Seattle, Washington, for that question, also for the opportunity to give you a different point of view from that of your pastor . [0:30] The prophecy of Isaiah 46:11 Brother Bob : You know, since we’re discussing a particular prophecy and what it’s referring to, let’s examine the prophecy, and learn what are the conditions that one has to meet in order to be the fulfillment of that prophecy. The particular prophecy in question for today is recorded in Isaiah 46:11. And let’s read that verse, and even continue down all the way through verse 13. Here’s where it’s recorded, here’s what it says: Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory. [Isaiah 46:11-13 New King James Version] [1:45] Three conditions the Bible gives Brother Bob : Dear friends, we should notice three conditions that the Bible gives in order to describe this particular servant of God. Place of origin was the first. What was it? A far country in the east or Far East. The second, the task that was given to accomplish. What was it? To execute God’s counsel by bringing His righteousness near to people. [On-screen text graphics] Place of origin: a far country in the east or Far East Task given to accomplish: execute God’s counsel by bringing His righteousness near to people Brother Bob : God’s righteousness, as we have learned from other lessons, Romans 1:16 and 17, is the gospel. So, his role: to preach the gospel . And the third, people that God will send this servant to. Who were they? They are those who are far from righteousness, or far away from the true gospel. [On-screen text graphics] People that God will send this servant to: those who are far from righteousness Brother Bob : So, we pose the question: Does Cyrus meet those Biblical conditions? Could Cyrus be the fulfillment of that prophecy, being the one referred to there? [On-screen text graphics] QUESTION: Does Cyrus meet these biblical conditions proving to be the one referred to? [2:57] What the Bible teaches about Cyrus Brother Bob : He can’t! Why not? What’s the proof? Let’s go over clearly what the Bible teaches about Cyrus. For example, in terms of the place of origin, where is Cyrus from? [On-screen text graphics] QUESTION: Where is Cyrus from? Brother Bob : The Bible teaches this in Ezra, chapter 1, verse 1, wherein it says this: Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, [Ezra 1:1 New King James Version] Brother Bob : Let’s pause there. We [already have] our answer. According to what we have read, Cyrus was from what place? Persia. [On-screen text graphics] Cyrus was a Persian Brother Bob : In fact, he was the king of Persia, and Persia is not a far country in the east, as the prophecy describes. Persia is in the near east. Let’s take a look at another element of the prophecy, in terms of the task or the assignment, that God gave to Cyrus to accomplish. Was Cyrus to preach the gospel? Was it his assignment to preach the gospel, or to bring God’s righteousness near again to people? [On-screen text graphics] QUESTION: Was Cyrus a preacher of the gospel to bring God’s righteousness to people? Brother Bob : Let’s find out! Isaiah 44, verse 28, reads this way: Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.” ’ [Isaiah 44:28 New King James Version] Brother Bob : Dear friends, the Bible teaches the assignment of Cyrus, teaches that Cyrus was sent by God to restore Jerusalem and to restore the temple, not to preach the gospel to those that were far from the gospel, or far from righteousness as Isaiah 46:11-13 described. That was not the assignment given to Cyrus. Cyrus cannot, therefore, be the fulfillment of that prophecy. How about the people that God sent Cyrus to? [On-screen text graphics] QUESTION: How about the people God sent Cyrus to? Brother Bob : Were those people far from righteousness, as the prophecy in Isaiah 46 indicated? Well, we have already learned that God sent Cyrus to restore Jerusalem and the temple, which was for God’s nation of Israel. What was the condition of Israel? Were they far from God’s words? Far from His righteousness? Far from His teaching? Far from His law, that they needed to be brought near to it again by Cyrus? We can read the answer to that in Romans. In the book of Romans, chapter 9. Let’s listen together to what’s recorded here in verse 4, [it’s described] like this: the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. [Romans 9:4 New International Version] Brother Bob : Dear friends, the Bible makes [it] clear here that Israel [was] not far from God’s righteousness, or far from God’s law. In fact, they were the ones that already had the law. Therefore, we can safely conclude that the messenger being mentioned in the prophecy written in Isaiah 46:11 is definitely not Cyrus. [On-screen text graphics] The messenger being mentioned in the prophecy written in Isaiah 46:11 is definitely not Cyrus Brother Bob : It’s impossible. Why? He does not fit that prophecy. He is from the wrong place [and] he did not do what the prophecy indicated. Why should we believe this? Because this is not merely an option that we feel, an opinion that we feel, but this is the truth, because that’s in the Bible. [7:30] Whoever fulfills the conditions, fulfills the prophecy Brother Bob : So, dear friends, if Cyrus is definitely not the messenger prophesied in Isaiah 46:11, then who is the one who fulfills the conditions described in the prophecy of Isaiah 46:11 and many more Biblical prophecies? It is none other than Brother Felix Y. Manalo. Remember the three conditions that we learned about earlier, from the prophecy that the Bible gives to describe this particular servant of God? First, place of origin. What did we read? [A] far country in the east or Far East. What was the second? The task or the assignment given to accomplish. What was it? To execute God’s counsel, or His words, by bringing His righteousness —God’s righteousness. [On-screen text graphics] Place of origin: a far country in the east or Far East Task given to accomplish: execute God’s counsel by bringing His righteousness near to people Brother Bob : God’s righteousness is the gospel. Romans 1:16 and 17. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” [Romans 1:16-17 New King James Version] Brother Bob : [Brother Felix Y. Manalo’s] assignment [was] to bring that gospel, bring God’s righteousness near, again, to God’s people. Number three, the people God will send a servant to was [an] important part of the prophecy. Who were they? Those who are far from righteousness, or far from the true gospel. [On-screen text graphics] People God will send this servant to: those who are far from righteousness [8:48] Proofs of Brother Felix Y. Manalo’s fulfillment Brother Bob : Brother Felix Manalo was from the Philippine Islands, which is the Far East, a far country in the east. He was also a preacher of the pure gospel, never teaching personal opinions, but rather, always reading the Bible’s answers to questions. He was sent to people, who, until actually hearing what he preached from the Bible, were not even aware of how far away from the truth they really were. [On-screen text graphics] Brother Felix Y. Manalo: from the Far East (Philippine Islands) preacher of the pure gospel sent to those who are far from righteousness Brother Bob : That’s the reason why members of the Church Of Christ, from which this program is produced, believe it cannot be Cyrus. It’s not Cyrus, but instead, Brother Felix Manalo . He brought the true gospel near to people—brought those who were far from it, in false religions, brought them back to the true gospel, in fulfillment of the prophecy. He is the fulfillment of what is recorded here in the Bible. When you’re ready to learn more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church Of Christ, visit us at incmedia.org . Brother Bob : Why? There, you are going to find various series of programs all dedicated to answering your spiritual questions. You can also follow our Facebook pages at Iglesia Ni Cristo News and Updates , as well as Iglesia Ni Cristo Media . There, you can view more of our shows. If you want to see how, for example, how the Church gets involved with our communities, you can go to incgiving.org . [On-screen text graphics] incgiving.org Brother Bob : If you want to find a house of worship that is nearest to you, so you can join us and our worship services, visit the iglesianicristo.net . And if you have questions you’d like addressed here on the show, please email them to us at answers@incmedia.org . [On-screen text graphics] Do you have questions about the Bible? Send your videos to: answers@incmedia.org Brother Bob : Thank you all for joining us. We’ll see you again next time on That’s in the Bible !

Christians should not consume alcohol in any setting, including casual or social drinking. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not serve alcohol or intoxicating drinks. Watch time: 22:26 • That’s in the Bible • Hosted by Brother Bob Pellien Scripture references: Luke 21:34 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 1 Peter 2:21-22 Proverbs 23:31-32 1 Corinthians 5:11 Proverbs 31:5 Ephesians 4:27 _____________________________________________________________________________________ In This Episode: 3:03 What does the Bible say about getting drunk? 6:04 Did Jesus Christ drink or serve alcohol? 12:10 Is social drinking bad for Christians? Click to expand transcript Full Episode Transcript Brother Bob Pellien: May a Christian drink alcohol as long as they don’t get drunk? [SHOW OPEN] The Bible, the basis of our faith in the Church Of Christ, which answers questions about proper worship, the right relationship with God, and, most importantly, salvation—That’s in the Bible. Brother Bob: I’m Bob Pellien, and welcome to the program, That’s in the Bible . We’ve received quite a number of questions through email, and social media and such that pertains to a common issue, which is drinking alcohol or intoxicating drinks that can lead to getting a person drunk. Here are some of what we have received. The first is from Faye and she asks: [On-screen text graphic] Faye Am I forbidden to have a drink of wine or a drink with a meal, not to get drunk but enjoy a drink with a meal? What is the true definition of drunkard as it pertains to the bible? Brother Bob: And we received this one from someone in Las Vegas named Jesse who asked: [On-screen text graphic] Jesse What was the significance of Christ giving Judas the bread dipped in wine? Brother Bob: Well dear friends, here we can see that the question is regarding the wine the Lord Jesus Christ used. Similarly, in one of our other programs also produced in the Church Of Christ called The Message , in an episode regarding why Christians should not drink alcohol , and we received a comment for that argument that Jesus is ok with drinking alcohol. Royce asked: [On-screen text graphic] Royce Dela Cruz The transformation of water into wine at the wedding at Cana (also called the marriage at Cana, wedding feast at Cana or marriage feast at Cana) is the first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John. Does this mean Jesus is doing the wrong thing? Brother Bob: Well, thank you all for your important questions and also giving us the opportunity today to clarify the Bible’s teachings on these. So, let’s begin. Let’s learn, “What does the Bible actually teach regarding alcohol and intoxicating drinks that can get a person drunk?”. In order to accurately answer these questions, let’s frame our discussion together around these sub-questions: What does the Bible say about getting drunk? Did Jesus Christ drink or serve alcohol? What is forbidden so Christians will not fall into drunkenness? 3:03 What does the Bible say about getting drunk? Brother Bob: Alright, let’s start with the first question. What does the Bible actually instruct regarding getting drunk? Let’s turn to the Bible and open it to Luke 21:34 wherein the following is recorded: “Be careful not to spend your time having parties and getting drunk or worrying about this life. If you do that, you won’t be able to think straight, and the end might come when you are not ready. [Luke 21:34 Easy-to-Read Version] Brother Bob: Notice who is giving the instruction: this is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ himself. What did Christ instruct? He said, “ Be careful”. What should we be careful NOT to do? He said, “ Be careful not to spend your time… worrying about this life… don’t spend your time having parties and getting drunk.” So according to Christ these are things that we should not do. According to the Bible then, the Savior Himself prohibits getting drunk. Why? “What’s so bad if one gets drunk?” one may say. Some might even say “It’s just having fun, it’s harmless.” What are the consequences however that the Bible makes mention which we should understand? Dear friends, let’s go again to the Bible, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: …Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. [1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New Living Translation] Brother Bob: Here we can see dear friends, we can read a long list of sins. What does the Bible make clear about people who commit these kind of sins? It says, “ none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.” And, did you notice? Who’s among those that will not inherit the Kingdom of God or not be saved? Who’s included in this list was “ drunkards”; or those who habitually drink. Now we know why the Lord Jesus Christ prohibits getting drunk. Some even go so far though as to think that “Jesus drank alcohol and even served it to His disciples,” right? That was Jesse’s and Royce Dela Cruz’s question as you can recall, they brought up Jesus using wine at the Last Supper as well as during the wedding in Cana. Royce even asked if Jesus did something wrong because he used wine in those instances. 6:04 Did Jesus Christ drink or serve alcohol? Did Jesus Christ drink or serve alcohol? Since Christ is the One who, as we already read, prohibits getting drunk, would He then commit the sin of being the stumbling block or assisting others in their drinking and getting drunk? Of course not. Why are we sure? What’s the proof? We turn this time to the writings of the Apostle Peter. He wrote the following in 1 Peter 2:21-22: For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; [1 Peter 2:21-22 New King James Version] Brother Bob: So dear friends, the Bible makes it very clear that “ Christ… committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”. What did we learn from that? Since He prohibits getting drunk, He will not commit the sin of deceitfully serving something that can get people drunk, or of course even drinking it Himself. But look, now we know that there may be those, there may be even many who are probably wondering at this point in our discussion about the wine mentioned in the Bible then, that Christ clearly served. We have to understand that not all wines are the same, and there is a winemaking process of aging fruit juices into alcoholic beverages. So within this aging process, or fermentation, of winemaking, would Jesus Christ be drinking and serving wine that is already fermented and can therefore get people drunk? Of course not! But wait, is it just us who is saying that? Why are we so sure, why are we so confident in saying that? Are we the only ones who say it? Are we the only ones with that stand? Take a look. According to some scholars in the biblical languages which are Hebrew and Greek, what do these Bible scholars explain regarding the words that have been translated to English as “wine”? Let’s read from a published article from online, entitled “ What Kind of Wine Did Jesus Drink?”: The word “wine” in the Bible is not always alcoholic or equivalent to modern wine. The Bible uses one Greek word for “wine” and “grape juice” which could mean alcoholic wine of varying amounts or non-alcoholic grape juice (1 Tim 3:8; Titus 2:3). The Hebrew word for “wine” is yayin and the Greek is oinos (MT; LXX). Biblical “wine” is grape juice that may or may not have fermented. However, the wine of today has considerably more alcohol than wine in the first century because of modified yeast. The Bible includes a number of examples of unfermented “wine:”… These references reveal that the word “wine” in Hebrew and Greek often refers to non-alcoholic grape juice in the Bible. … The Bible does not contain one positive statement about intoxicating wine or any such drink. The Bible does include positive words about generic “wine” that is grape juice. [“What Kind of Wine Did Jesus Drink?” Accessed 09 Feb 2023 https://godsbreath.net/2011/05/20/did-jesus-drink-wine/ ] Brother Bob: Friends, what did we learn from these scholars of the Bible languages? They say, “ The Bible uses one Greek word for “wine” and “grape juice” which could mean alcoholic wine of varying amounts or non-alcoholic grape juice”. If one word is used in the Bible for the varying degrees of fermentation of grape juice into alcoholic wine, which should we understand the word to mean then? Simple grape juice, or intoxicating wine? As we read, “ the word “wine” in Hebrew and Greek often refers to non-alcoholic grape juice in the Bible”. So, what should we understand about the times the Bible is referring to alcoholic wine or intoxicating drink? They say, “ The Bible does not contain one positive statement about intoxicating wine or any such drink.” Therefore dear friends, the wine that Christ served and even miraculously made from water was not an intoxicating wine like what we know today that people would drink and get drunk. Those biblical verses cannot therefore be used as a basis or justification to drink alcohol. 12:10 Is social drinking bad for Christians? Well, what about just “moderate-drinking”? What about “social-drinking”? Some even claim they can “hold-their-liquor” meaning to say they know when to stop drinking, to drink but not be drunk. Faye, as you can recall her question, even asked about drinking not to get drunk, but to enjoy a drink with a meal for example, she said. So Is social drinking bad for Christians? Is it ok? So let’s answer that question. Is merely getting drunk the biblical prohibition? What is forbidden? Let’s turn again to the Holy Bible this time, we go to the book of Proverbs 23:31-32 which reads: Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end, it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. [Proverbs 23:31-32 New International Version] Brother Bob: So dear friends, the Bible clearly says here “ Do not”. And you know, we all know that when it begins that way, it’s presenting a prohibition. What’s the Bible prohibiting? It says, “ Do not gaze at wine ”. We need to understand what “gaze” means right? Because as we just read, we’re forbidden to do this to wine. According to Dictionary.com , let’s take a look at the definition: “ Gaze: to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure, or wonder”. [Dictionary.com https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gaze ] Brother Bob: Dear friends, to gaze at wine is not to simply look at it; we don’t have to avoid passing through that section in the grocery store. But gazing at alcohol or wine is to look at it with pleasure, and with intent. The way we think of wine, as though with admiration and significance, that is what God prohibits His people to do. Why? How is it described? You heard me read it dear friends, the Bible described it and said that it “ poisons like a viper”. Who in their right mind would argue to be a “moderate or a social -drinker” of poison? Likewise, how can one argue that drinking is ok when the Bible is instructing us not to even gaze at it, or think of wine with intent? So we can see here dear friends that getting drunk is not the only prohibition when it comes to intoxicating drinks. No. Not only is it a sin to be drunk, but what else does God forbid so that His people will not make the mistake of getting drunk? 1 Corinthians 5:11 further clarifies this, I quote: But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. [1 Corinthians 5:11 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Here we receive another prohibition. What’s the prohibition regarding? It’s whom we should “ not keep company with”. Who should we avoid or not keep company with according to what we have read? It’s “ with anyone… who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler,… or an extortioner… or a drunkard”. Therefore the Bible is not only prohibiting God’s people from getting drunk, or drinking, or thinking about drinking, but even associating with people who drink and get drunk. Dear friends, why does God not want His people to drink? Let’s read what happens when people drink in Proverbs 31:5 it says: When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need. [Proverbs 31:5 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: This biblical truth can be seen in so many that break the law, dear friends. What is the correlation one may say of people drinking alcohol and breaking the law? The Bible said here, “ When they drink, they forget the laws”. One causes the other, that’s the correlation. What proves that these words written here in the Bible are really true, which is why God is forbidding His people to drink alcohol and intoxicating drinks? Consider, according to Alcoholrehabguide.org, what happens when people drink and forget the laws? Take a look: Alcohol plays a large role in criminal activities and violence. Excessive drinking has the ability to lower inhibitions, impair a person’s judgment and increase the risk of aggressive behaviors. …roughly 40% of inmates who are incarcerated for violent offenses were under the influence of alcohol during the time of their crime. [Alcohol Rehab Guide Alcohol-related Crimes https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/alcohol/crimes/ ] Brother Bob: So we can see that God’s instructions to His people are for their own good and His command to stay away from alcohol guides us to abide by the laws of the land. If we forget about the laws of the land, well that would be bad enough. But what’s even worse, if we would forget God’s laws which reigns supreme over His people, which again is the reason why He prohibits drinking alcohol, even if it’s legal in our country. For those who thought the Bible was merely prohibiting getting drunk, not simply drinking alcohol, you should acknowledge that no one ever got drunk by not drinking, whereas drunkenness always begins with one drink. So to serve as a basis to not even have one drink or even want to drink, what biblical instruction are we given? Let’s read yet once again from the Holy Bible, and we turn to Ephesians 4:27, it simply says: Don’t give the Devil a chance. [Ephesians 4:27 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: This biblical instruction should keep us from rationalizing the idea of drinking alcohol. Why? Our enemy, the devil , is not one to be underestimated. If given a chance, he will take advantage of our weaknesses, and deceive us. That’s why in one of the verses we have read earlier it taught, “ Don’t fool yourselves”. Dear friends, we started this discussion with these main questions in mind, let’s review what we have learned as the answers from the Holy Bible: What does the Bible say about getting drunk? Well, the Bible was very clear, right? God Himself and also our Lord Jesus Christ are both prohibiting getting drunk. Did Jesus Christ drink or serve alcohol to others? We learned that Jesus, He never drank or served alcohol or intoxicating drinks. No. The translated word “wine” that Christ used it’s not the same as the word “wine” that we commonly use today, which is why it cannot be a basis to justify drinking alcohol. What is forbidden so Christians will not fall into drunkenness? As we learned from the Bible, the Bible prohibits associating with people who drink and get drunk, think about drinking, and actually are drinking even if it’s not to get drunk. Brother Bob: As members of the Church Of Christ, we’re so thankful to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ that they care so much about our welfare as to continue guiding us on how to live a life of holiness that will lead us to eternal life with them in the holy city, the kingdom of heaven. Join with us as well. To do that, we’d like to continue inviting you to learn more about the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ. To do so, please visit us online and browse the different topics or set up an appointment to meet with a minister of the gospel here in the Church Of Christ. [On-screen text graphic] Visit incmedia.org If you have any more questions about the Bible or salvation, please email them to us. [On-screen text graphic] answers@incmedia.org I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching. See you next time right here on That’s in the Bible! [On-screen logo graphic] That’s in the Bible Related Questions How can we deal with alcoholic family members? Can I sell alcohol as a Christian? What are the beliefs of the Church Of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo)? Bible Verses Referenced in Video “Be careful not to spend your time having parties and getting drunk or worrying about this life. If you do that, you won’t be able to think straight, and the end might come when you are not ready. [Luke 21:34 Easy-to-Read Version] …Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. [1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New Living Translation] For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; [1 Peter 2:21-22 New King James Version] Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end, it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. [Proverbs 23:31-32 New International Version] But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. [1 Corinthians 5:11 New King James Version] When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need. [Proverbs 31:5 Good News Bible] Don’t give the Devil a chance. [Ephesians 4:27 Good News Bible] Key Takeaways The Bible is very clear: God Himself and also our Lord Jesus Christ are both prohibiting getting drunk. Jesus never drank or served alcohol or intoxicating drinks. The translated word “wine” that Christ used it’s not the same as the word “wine” that we commonly use today, which is why it cannot be a basis to justify drinking alcohol. The Bible prohibits associating with people who drink and get drunk, think about drinking, and those who drink even if it’s not to get drunk. Want to learn more about what the Bible truly teaches? What you’ve heard is just an introduction to the teachings written in the Bible and taught inside the Church Of Christ. The Iglesia Ni Cristo bases all its doctrines on the Holy Scriptures, not on human tradition. Find a congregation near you • Request a free Bible study • Frequently Asked Questions Have a question you’d like answered on That’s in the Bible? Submit your question and we’ll use the guidance of the Holy Scriptures to help you find the answer—the truth that’s in the Bible.

Click to expand transcript Who Was God Talking to in Genesis 1:26? Brother Bob Pellien: When God said, “Let Us make man in Our image,” who was He talking to at this time of creation? Does that point to a trinitarian or plural god that many believe in? [Show open] Brother Bob: The Bible. The basis of our faith in the Church Of Christ, which answers questions about proper worship, the right relationship with God, and most importantly, salvation. That’s in the Bible! [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: I’m Bob Pellien, and welcome to the program, That’s in the Bible . In one of our other programs produced in the Church Of Christ called Face the Truth , an episode received various comments for the argument that Jesus is God, and part of a trinity that makes up God. Included in those comments is this one from Miguel. He writes: [On-screen text graphics] Miguel Aguinaldo Genesis 1:26 And GOD said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… (pure evidence of trinity) in old testament as well. Brother Bob: Well we’d like to thank you, Miguel, for your comment and, well, this opportunity to clarify biblical teachings. So together, let’s learn what the Bible is actually teaching in that verse that you’re pointing to. Miguel, you allege that the verse Genesis 1:26, you’re saying that it serves as a basis for belief in a trinitarian concept of God. So, let’s frame that topic of discussion around these questions: What is actually written in the verse mentioned there, Genesis 1:26? Why did God say, “Let Us make man in Our image”? Who is God speaking to? Are those whom God is addressing, are they involved in the actual creation? Brother Bob: Well, let’s begin and find out first what is written in the verse mentioned, Genesis 1:26. Let’s turn to the pages of the Holy Bible. It says: Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” [Genesis 1:26 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Dear friends, here we can clearly see that, well, it’s God Himself, first of all, that is speaking. And what is He discussing? He was speaking about the making or the creating of mankind. What did He have to say? He said, “Let Us make man in Our image.” Well, what did He mean? He said, “according to Our likeness.” What can we clearly notice? God is not alone in heaven. Proof? Well in the verse that we’ve just read, He said and used the pronoun, “Us” and “Our,” which refers, of course, to a plural number or more than one. How many more? The verse does not specify. It could be one more, it could be two more, it could be three more, or millions more. Now we understand that those who believe in the trinity believe with all their heart that they know the specific number, although it’s not specified in the verse. And the number they’ve come up with is two. Not only that, they’ve even assigned exactly who those two actually are. They conclude that they are our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, believing that this verse, therefore, establishes proof of the trinity, or that God is composed of three parts. But that is not what is written in the verse. It’s not what’s written in the Bible. What would be the harm in agreeing with or believing those assumptions of Miguel and others? Well, it would contradict what Jesus Christ Himself taught in John 17:3 and 1, which we have shared many times in our programs, that is that the Father is the only true God . [On-screen text graphics] 1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Faither, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. [John 17:1,3 New King James Version] Brother Bob: So instead of assuming, or jumping to conclusions about what the Bible means there in Genesis 1:26, and then, of course, taking a huge risk of being wrong, let’s simply ask why did God say, “Let Us make man in Our image”? Who is God speaking to? Who else was in heaven at this time that God could have spoken to? Well, in Matthew 24:36, our Lord Jesus Christ, of course, provides us the answer, as He discussed the day of judgment. I quote: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [Matthew 24:36 New International Version] Brother Bob: Who did He say regarding who is with God in heaven? Jesus mentioned that it’s the, “angels in heaven.” So in this reference then that Jesus made as to who is in heaven with God, therefore, could have been spoken to at the time of creation? Those that God was speaking to when discussing making or creating mankind were the angels that were actually there with Him in heaven. How many angels are there in heaven? The Bible also mentions in Hebrews 12:22 that there are countless multitudes of angels. [On-screen text graphics] But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering, [Hebrews 12:22 Amplified Bible] Brother Bob: What should we also notice in Christ’s teaching? Christ is admitting that there are things that the Father knows, which He does not. What in particular did Christ mention? When the Judgment Day would be. What did He say regarding the specific day or hour? [On-screen text graphics] “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [Matthew 24:36 New International Version] Brother Bob: Well He said, “no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Why does the Father know? Because He is the all-knowing. He is the only true God . Now that we know who God was referring to when He said, “Let Us make man in Our image,” are those angels involved in the actual creation? God Himself answers our question, and He does so in Isaiah 44:24. Here’s what He said: “I am the LORD, your savior; I am the one who created you. I am the LORD, the Creator of all things. I alone stretched out the heavens; when I made the earth, no one helped me. [Isaiah 44:24 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: Dear friends, although God was speaking to the angels when making man, here He clarifies regarding who was involved in actually creating mankind. He said “I am the one who created you… I alone…,” and what else did He say? “No one helped me.” So we can see that when we learn what is actually written in the Bible, not only is there no biblical evidence of the trinity, but we can even find evidence against that belief that there’s three gods in one. We started this discussion with these main questions in mind. Let’s review them and what we have now learned from the teachings of the Holy Bible. Number one, we asked: What is written? What is actually written in the verse mentioned, Genesis 1:26? Can we read evidence of the trinity? And what did we learn? Nowhere in the verse is the trinity mentioned. There is no mention of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all being together in one God. It’s not there. Why then did God say, “Let Us make man in Our image”? Who was God speaking to? We learned from the Bible that the One and only true God was speaking to the angels that were with Him in heaven. Are those God is addressing, are they involved in the creation? We learned from the Bible the angels were not involved in the creation of all things because God Himself, He’s the One who said He’s alone in creating all things. No one helped Him. Brother Bob: So, it’s very important, Miguel, it’s very important to all who are believing such. Be careful to not go beyond what is written in the Holy Bible. Those that believe that Genesis 1:26 is teaching the trinity, they are adding to what is actually recorded there in that verse, and adding is strictly prohibited by God. We do thank you for giving us this opportunity to use the Bible to provide clarification on this very important topic. Thank you, Miguel. We’d like you to continue learning about the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ, and to do so: [On-screen text graphics] Visit incmedia.org Brother Bob: Please visit us online, browse the different topics or set up an appointment to meet with a Minister of the gospel inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ. And if you have any questions about the Bible and salvation, please email them to us: [On-screen text graphics] answers@incmedia.org [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching. See you next time right here on That’s in the Bible! [Show close]

Click to expand transcript Voiceover : Next on That’s in the Bible! Patrick (Michigan, USA) : Why is Easter in March? Nida (Phoenix, Arizona) : What does Palm Sunday have to do with Easter? Brother Bob Pellien : The Bible’s response is simple and direct. Julie (Sydney, Australia) : Hi, my name is Julie, and I’m from Sydney, Australia. And my question is “Should Christians really be celebrating Easter?” Brother Bob : How can we, in the true Church Of Christ participate in what comes from service to an ancient pagan goddess? [Show Open] Brother Bob: Hello, I’m Brother Bob Pellien. Thanks for joining us on this special episode of That’s in the Bible, where today we’ll answer people’s questions about the Easter holiday. When is Easter weekend? Our first question for today comes from Patrick McDonald in Michigan. Let’s hear what Patrick asks about Easter. [Video begins] Patrick: Why is Easter in March? [Video ends] Brother Bob: Thank you for your question, Patrick. You know, Easter is not always in the month of March. In fact, let’s take a moment to quote an excerpt from a book entitled My Catholic Faith written by Louis LaRavoire Morrow, and he writes—on behalf of the Catholic Church—their explanation about the choosing of the date of Easter. Here’s what’s cited in that book on page 81: [On-screen text graphics] [Source: My Catholic Faith , pg. 81] Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon of spring; the feast therefore is moveable, and can fall between March 22 and April 25. The Paschal season lasts till Trinity Sunday; till then joyous alleluia resounds. Brother Bob: So here, Patrick, the Catholic Church writes not only about the moveable date of the Easter, here in this book My Catholic Faith , they also write about a season that they have created that begins with Ash Wednesday, which is also a moveable season. But what is that season they call Lent ? What’s it all about? They answer that in another of their books entitled The Visible Church . On page 184, they write: [On-screen text graphics] [Source: The Visible Church , pg. 184] Lent is a season of penance set apart by the Church in memory of the fast of our Lord in the desert,… The date of the beginning of Lent varies from year to year, according to the date of Easter. In Latin it is called Quadragesima (fortieth), from which are taken the Italian Quaresima and the French Carame. The English name is from Anglo-Saxon Lenten, which means Spring. Brother Bob: So there they speak of the season beginning with Ash Wednesday, which they call Lent. It’s a season of penance and that week [actually] leads up to Easter Sunday. They have Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. And during that week they have what they call Holy Thursday. They have also Good Friday, they have Holy Saturday, which are special holidays inside the Catholic Church all pertaining to Easter. Easter and Palm Sunday Which brings us right into the next question, which is a question specifically about that Palm Sunday from Nida who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Let’s listen to her question. [Video begins] Nida: What does Palm Sunday have to do with Easter? [Video ends] Brother Bob: Thank you, Nida. Palm Sunday, one week prior to Easter, is what was made by the Catholic Church and they write about it also in this book entitled The Visible Church . Let’s turn to page 171 where they write: [On-screen text graphics] [Source: The Visible Church , pg. 171 ] It is likely that the use of palms in our churches began in early Middle Ages… The palm is a symbol of victory. Among pagan nations victorious armies decked themselves and their chariots with palm branches. The Jews used palms to express rejoicing especially on their great Feast of Tabernacles. Brother Bob: Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, is a Sunday which they use a lot of palms in their mass, and it has its roots in ancient pagan culture wherein their pagan armies would use palms as a symbol of victory with their armies. And maybe they would say, “Well, we would want to use that ancient pagan custom and attach it to Christ for a victory. Let’s call it a victory of Jesus and let’s also use that pagan cultural tradition. Let’s turn to Holy Scriptures for the Bible’s response to that way of thinking. In Titus chapter 1 verse 14: Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. [Titus 1:14 New King James] Brother Bob: When the Jews of the first century incorporated those pagan practices and began to use them during the time of our Lord Jesus Christ—that being the use of palms—which is currently being used today, and Palm Sunday in the Roman Catholic Church, the Bible’s response is simple and direct. We should not implement, we should not use or give heed to such kind of Jewish fables and such and the commandments of men and not of course most especially the commandments and traditions of ancient pagan cultures. Palm Sunday is something that we should not participate in inside the true Church. Should Christians celebrate Easter? Another question submitted by Julie from Sydney, Australia. Julie asks this: [Video begins] Julie : My question is should Christians really be celebrating Easter? [Video ends] Brother Bob : I think of all, that’s the most important question. Should we be celebrating it? Even if we will master all of its history, master all of the traditions attached to Easter, and understand all of their roots and origins, it follows [that] question that you ask. Should we participate in it? Should we incorporate that mindset that “well because it’s fun and because children enjoy it by having Easter eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies, and we have Palm Sunday, and we have Easter celebrations. Should true Christians of today participate? It’s important to understand the origins of the whole Easter [tradition]. The Catholic Church wrote inside their Encyclopaedic Dictionary on page 161 a very important piece of information that we have to consider when answering that question “Should we participate in it?” They wrote: [On-screen text graphics] [Source: The Catholic Encyclopaedic Dictionary, pg. 161] EASTER (etymology uncertain: St. Bede derives it from Eastre, a forgotten dawn goddess). The English name for the Sunday of the Resurrection of Our Lord,… Meat, eggs, and other foods formerly forbidden in Lent are blessed and there are still numerous local customs, some of pagan origin. Brother Bob : In this Catholic Encyclopaedic Dictionary , they write about Easter, [mentioning] that it is derived from Eastre, a forgotten dawn goddess. Should we, whether it’s from Eastre or it’s from Ishtar, from Babylonian and ancient Egyptian times and if it has such kind of origin, how can we in the true Church Of Christ participate in what comes from service to an ancient pagan goddess? What does the instruction of God through the apostles have to say if there’s a tradition or if there’s something that is absent from the Bible (which Easter is absent from the Bible) if there is a holiday being practiced today called Easter with a season of Lent leading up to it having various practices of pagan origin? What are the instructions of the Lord for all who want to serve the Lord properly today? Apostle Paul wrote the following, I Corinthians chapter 10 and beginning in verse 20 it says: No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. [1 Corinthians 10:20 New International Version] Brother Bob : That’s a very powerful response of the Lord here, dear friends, through the apostles. “I do not want you to be participants with demons” and if in the eyes of the Lord participating in traditions and practices that have their origin and roots in service to ancient pagan goddesses—if he considers that a demonic practice, then as members of the Church Of Christ, we’ll follow that instruction of God through the Apostle Paul when he said, “I do not want you to be participants in that.” Here inside the Church Of Christ, we will not participate in the practices that are correlated with Easter traditions of today not found in the instructions of our Lord in the Holy Bible. In fact, there is another instance wherein Apostle Paul was addressing such things in his letter this time to the Ephesians. What did he write to them about these pagan traditions and pagan cultures? Should we allow them to be incorporated into Christian practices in service to the one true God? Here is what he wrote in his letter to the Ephesians. I quote 4:17: Therefore I say this—indeed, in union with the Lord I insist on it: do not live any longer as the pagans live, with their sterile ways of thinking. [Ephesians 4:17 Complete Jewish Bible] Brother Bob : Dear friends, the instruction is clear. Do not live in the ways of paganism. If these practices of Easter—being it with the rabbit, and the egg, and the Palm Sunday palms, and the various other elements and such holidays as Easter have their roots in paganism—God prohibits his people from participating. Response of someone: “Hey, it’s no big deal. We’re just going along with the tradition for fun. We’re not connecting ourselves to its roots in paganism. We just want do it because it’s fun for the children,” they would say. Or “It’s just something that’s part of our lifestyle of today in service to the Lord.” If we will violate these principals of God and then try to call it a worship to Him, will He find it acceptable? God’s answer was written in Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Here in chapter 2 in verse 22 as well as 23. He writes: These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. [Colossians 2:22-23 New International Version] Brother Bob : If we would put into practice that Lenten season, whether it’s to be fasting and self-abasement, allegedly, in service to the Lord in attempt to prepare for Easter, the Lord calls such regulations that are imposed by human traditions in such things is that, He said they will have no value. They teach that it will restrain a person from sin and it will give glory to God. It will cleanse them from their human iniquities. The Bible is clear. It has no value in such ways. Well, dear friends, members of the Church Of Christ, therefore, do not participate in the practices of the Easter and Lenten season. Instead, we give thanks to the Father for sending His Son to redeem us through his shed blood on the cross and we will worship Him with all our heart and soul in compliance with the laws and ways of worship given in the Holy Bible. That’s all we have time for today. Dear friends, what you have heard is just an introduction to the teachings of the Bible taught in the Church Of Christ. We invite you to learn more and join with us. And if you have questions you’d like answered on this show, email them to us and we’ll use the guidance of the Holy Scriptures to help you find your answer, the truth that’s in the Bible. Thanks for watching. I’m Brother Bob Pellien and we’ll see you again next time.

Click to expand transcript Is Tithing Applicable Today? [On-screen text graphics] Question: I know that Iglesia Ni Cristo members don’t give tithes to the Church or 10% of their income. However, many Protestant churches today are upholding that type of doctrine. Is tithing really still applicable in the Christian Era? Why or why not? Ralph Joel Bayot Bacolod City, Philippines Brother Bob Pellien : Thank you so much, Ralph, for your question, and the opportunity to read to you the answer that’s here in the Holy Bible . Now, dear friends, as Ralph stated in his email—and it’s really true because many Protestant churches do, today, practice a Biblical doctrine called tithing, which by the way, is referring to the offerings to God—but his question specifically is whether or not that’s still applicable today. So before we get into the Bible’s answer to Ralph’s question, let’s just make sure that we properly define and understand the terms for everyone watching who might not yet fully understand what tithing is all about and who were really commanded by God to give tithes. Is that us? Is tithing still to be done by Christians today? [On-screen text graphics] Question: What are tithes? Who were commanded by God to give tithes? Is tithing still to be done by Christians today? The truth about tithing in the Old Testament Brother Bob: So let’s get right to it, as I said, and what are tithes then as defined here in the Holy Bible? Well, we can read the answer recorded in the Scriptures here in Leviticus 20, chapter 27. We’re going to read verses 30, 32, as well as 34: And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord…And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord…These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai. [Leviticus 27: 30, 32, 34 New International Version] Brother Bob: So dear friends, here, the Bible clearly explains that a tithe is the one-tenth, or the 10% of the harvest, the 10% of the livestock, or whatever source of livelihood that the children of Israel had during that time that was commanded to be offered to God. [On-screen text graphics] Tithe 1/10 or 10% of the harvest, the livestock, whatever source of livelihood the children of Israel would offer to God. Brother Bob: This was God’s command to them, and, as we just read, through Moses. Because this is a command regarding the offering, God is very specific on how it should be performed. Is there proof of this that He even makes very clear where, when, and how these tithes were to be done and performed? Yes. Let’s take a look at it. The first is where. Where was the nation of Israel instructed by God to bring their offerings or tithes? We can also read that answer in Deuteronomy chapter 12, verse 11, and it says that here like this: The Lord will choose a single place where he is to be worshiped, and there you must bring to him everything that I have commanded: your sacrifices that are to be burned and your other sacrifices, your tithes and your offerings, and those special gifts that you have promised to the Lord. [Deuteronomy 12:11 Today’s English Version] Brother Bob: So as we have just read here, dear friends, when it comes to the giving of offerings to God, like the tithes as was instructed to the nation of Israel, He instructed that it should be done in a single place that He chooses. He chose those to be brought to Him in the worship service offered to Him. This is what we have learned thus far. Let’s have a brief recap. First, who was commanded to offer? The Bible’s answer? God’s nation of Israel. [On-screen text graphics] Who was commanded to offer? God’s nation of Israel Brother Bob: Number two, what was to be offered? The answer of the Bible? The result of their harvest or their herds. [On-screen text graphics] What to offer? Result of harvest of herds Brother Bob: Number three, how much was to be offered? What was the answer of the Bible? The 10%, which the Bible called tithing. [On-screen text graphics] How much to offer? 10% or tithes Brother Bob: How about when we asked where to offer? The answer of the Bible? In the place chosen to hold worship service. [On-screen text graphics] Where to offer? In the place chosen to hold worship service Brother Bob: And how about the ‘’when’’ question? The answer of the Bible? During the worship service. [On-screen text graphics] When to offer? During worship service Are Christians commanded to tithe today? Brother Bob: So now that we can better understand, first of all, what tithes are or the offerings that were commanded by God in the Old Testament to the nation of Israel, in order to answer Ralph’s question, however, he asks if tithes like that are still applicable in the Christian Era. [On-screen text graphics] Is tithing still to be done by Christians today? Brother Bob: We need to learn, we need to understand what are God’s commands regarding these things in the New Testament all that God has instructed regarding offering now. Well, let’s go ahead and open up the Bible once again. To begin responding, we turn to the writings of Apostle Paul, II Corinthians 9:7, which reads this way: So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. [2 Corinthians 9:7 New International Version] Brother Bob: Here we can see, dear friends, what God commands the Christians. He was specific. He specifies, first of all, who should give. What did He say? Each one should give. What else was the instruction? How much should each one give? What was the Bible’s answer? We just read it together. He said, “What he purposes in his heart.” So not 10% anymore. Now it’s what the person purposes in his heart. It’s from their heart. What does the Bible say about offering? Brother Bob: And what else was answered in this verse? How one should feel when he does offer. What’s the expectation of God that we just read through the writings of Apostle Paul here? He’s looking for a cheerful giver. What other instructions are given to Christians regarding their offerings? We can also read in I Corinthians. This time we read in I Corinthians, chapter 16, verse 2. This commandment of the Lord concerning offerings is given: On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. [I Corinthians 16:2 New International Version] Brother Bob: In this verse, what is to be offered? What is it? Is it still the fruit of the land as we read in the early verse concerning tithing? Is it still a one-tenth of the herd of livestock? Is that what it is? What did we read in the Christian Era? Money was set aside in accordance with their income. How about the question [of] how it should be prepared? Apostle Paul also answered that. It should be set aside or budgeted weekly. How about God’s command on the place where one should give their share, give [the] offerings they have set aside for Him? That is answered in Hebrews. Hebrews chapter 13, verses 15 and 16, wherein this is instructed: Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. [Hebrews 13:15-16 Revised Standard Version] Brother Bob: So, dear friends, it’s quite obvious that these verses are referring to worship service offered to God. Why are we sure? Well, it speaks of praising God. It speaks of acknowledging His name to the fruit of our lips, for example, praying and hymn singing of praises to the Lord. And we can see that God gave a commandment concerning offering. What did He say? Don’t neglect. Don’t forget to bring your share or sacrifice offering. And that’s what we do when we come before Him in worship as members of the Church Of Christ, as one purposes in their heart, they cheerfully bring their sacrifice offering, not a tithe that was commanded specifically 10% in the ancient times as God dealt with the nation of Israel. Unfortunately, if there are Protestant groups, be it Seventh Day Adventist or other groups that set aside a commandment to their people on how much they will offer, that’s wrong based on what the Bible teaches. So just as in the Old Testament , the command given to us today is to bring our offerings. Bring it in the place of worship. Bring it during the worship service. But the difference? It’s not a tithe. It’s a free will, voluntary, sacrifice, offering that one cheerfully brings as their offering to God. [On-screen text graphics] It’s NOT a tithe. It’s a free will, voluntary, sacrifice. It’s an offering that one cheerfully brings to God. Brother Bob: So, dear friends, this is what we have learned about God’s command concerning offering in the New Testament. We’ve learned who was commanded to offer. What was the Bible’s answer? God’s nation in the Christian Era. [On-screen text graphics] Who was commanded to offer? God’s nation in the Christian Era Brother Bob: We posed the question, “Where should our offerings be brought?” And the Bible answered again. It should be brought in the place chosen by God to hold worship service. [On-screen text graphics] Where to offer? In the place chosen to hold worship service Brother Bob: We asked the question, “When should we offer?” And the Bible answered that too: during the worship service. [On-screen text graphics] When to offer? During worship service Brother Bob: We asked the question, “What should be offered?” And the Bible again gave a response: the monetary offering set aside from our income. [On-screen text graphics] What to offer? Money set aside from their income Brother Bob: We also asked the question, “Well, how much should we offer? Should it be a tithe? Should it be 10% as was commanded during the ancient nation of Israel’s time?” The Bible answered again: the amount is what is purposed in one’s own heart. [On-screen text graphics] How much to offer? Amount purposed in heart Brother Bob: So, dear friends, the command of God to the Israelites regarding the amount to offer, the amount of offering He is to receive, it’s different from His commandment that He gives in our time to the true Christians. The amount He commanded to Israel, that offering of the 10% or a tithe, that’s different than His instruction today. God’s command to the Christians is that we are to offer what is purposed in our heart. [On-screen text graphics] God’s command to the Christians is to offer what is purposed in our heart. Brother Bob: Well, it could be 10% or it could be more than 10%. It is what is purposed in one’s own heart. Therefore, the answer to Ralph’s question regarding if tithing is still applicable today in the Christian Era is a resounding no. We have learned that God is very specific when it comes to offerings to Him. The tithing that others are enforcing today, where 10% is taken, some of them even take it out of a person’s bank account in order to make sure they give their tithe. That’s way outside of what God is commanding from His people today. Tithing cannot be enforced today because God did not command tithing for His people today. [On-screen text graphics] Tithing cannot be enforced today Brother Bob: This is what we believe. This is what we do inside the Church Of Christ. Why? Because that’s in the Bible. Dear friends, when you’re ready to learn more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church of Christ, please visit incmedia.org . [On-screen text graphics] Learn more at incmedia.org Brother Bob: There, you’ll find various series of programs dedicated to answering your spiritual questions . You can also follow us on our Facebook pages: Iglesia Ni Cristo News and Updates and Iglesia Ni Cristo Media, where you can view more of our shows and see how the Church gets involved and interacts with the communities. [On-screen text graphics] Follow us on Facebook: /IglesiaNiCristoNewsandUpdates /IglesiaNiCristoMedia Brother Bob: You can find also a worship service and a house of prayer near to your home. Visit the iglesianicristo.net . There, you’ll find a directory of houses of worship. [On-screen text graphic] Find a house of worship near you: IglesiaNiCristo.net/directory Brother Bob: Find the one that’s near to you and you can go there. Join with us. Meet the minister. Meet the brothers and sisters inside the Church Of Christ. Learn the basic fundamental teachings we embrace, here, inside the Church. Join us in worship. And if you have questions that you’d like even answered here on the show, please email them to answers@incmedia.org. [On-screen text graphic] Do you have any questions about the bible? answers@incmedia.org Brother Bob: Thanks for joining us. We’ll see you again next time on That’s in the Bible !

Click to expand transcript [On-screen text] That’s in The Bible Live Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you for being here! Thank you for being here and being our studio audience today here in Burlingame studios. We appreciate it really, very much. [On-screen text] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: I’m Brother Bob Pellien . Welcome to everyone here. Welcome to everyone viewing us on the internet as well as on Direct TV channel 2068. Thank you all and welcome. As you know, on this show, That’s In The Bible , we explore the Bible’s teachings on all things relevant to salvation and eternal life . As it was mentioned earlier, questions do really pour in from all over the globe, and we always turn to the pages of the Holy Scriptures , and we get our answers directly from this book, from the Bible. Today we actually have three questions, but all of the three questions that we’ll be addressing, they have the same interwoven theme. Let’s take a look at the first two questions. [Video question] [On-screen text] Idris Bashil London, England Idris: Why God, as a Father, had to send His Son, Jesus to die for our sins, including mine? In the world today, nobody can be guilty for anybody’s sin. We all pay penalties for our sins. So why does Jesus have to die for my own sins if He’s innocent? [Video ends] [Video question] [On-screen texts] Jon Seligmda San Diego, CA Jon: And my question is, If Jesus is not God, then Him dying on the cross—what significance is that? How does that save us from our sins? [Video ends] Brother Bob: Those are very good questions, do you agree? Audience: Yes. Brother Bob: Our final question was written by Cathy Do. She’s from Hampton Park, Australia, and she had a very similar question. She wrote it in via e-mail and she simply asked the question that was very much like that. She asked, “Why was Jesus Christ crucified?” [On-screen text] Why was Jesus Christ crucified? Cathy Do Hampton Park, Australia Brother Bob: Well, thank you very much Idris. Thank you very much Jon. Thank you very much Cathy, and even all of the others that have reached out to us via email or letters with questions all along these same lines. The Biblical event where our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, well that’s not a secret. That’s very well known almost to all people and of course especially those within so-called Christianity. But what’s unclear to many, which prompted these kinds of questions, is “why?” Why did that happen? Even though there might be some that they can site the verse in the Bible, for example 1 Corinthians 15:3, that says that Jesus died for our sins, it still leaves many perceiving it to be an [incomplete] answer. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [1 Corinthians 15:3 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Many still beg for more of an explanation because they really want to understand fully. So, since many already know that Christ died on the cross, they have heard that He died for the forgiveness of sins. In order for us to really understand why, what’s that all about, there’s some important preliminary information that we got to receive first. For example, what’s “ sin ” in the first place and why is that so bad? What kind of consequences and results does committing sin actually bring? [On-screen text] Why did Jesus have to die? Brother Bob: So let’s answer those questions first and we’ll be taking the questions that they have addressed there and answering them in phases. First, what’s “sin” in the first place? Let’s begin turning to the pages of the Holy Scriptures and we do so at the outset of our study, reading 1 John 3:4. The definition of sin, if you will: Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law, because sin is a breaking of the law. [1 John 3:4 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: Very simple and direct Biblical answer, right? Sin, according to the Bible, is when one breaks God’s law. And when it comes to laws, we know that ignorance of the law is no excuse. That’s a very common saying as well. Therefore, since we all live under the law, it’s our responsibility to seek, a responsibility to learn, a responsibility to understand how to live within the confines of the law. What are the consequences if one sins or breaks the laws of God? How bad are the results of that? This is very important. I’m going to ask you to please remember this as our lesson unfolds. The consequence of sin? [Verse] 59:2 the Prophet Isaiah writes this: It is because of your sins that he doesn’t hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him. [Isaiah 59:2 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: That’s so important, audience. Please remember that. We’re going to come back to that. If I will ask you during the course of our study, what happens because of sin? What’s the answer? He doesn’t hear you. It is because of your sins that he doesn’t hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him. [Isaiah 59:2 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: There’s a consequence to sin. A separation from God. According to the Bible, there’s a dividing wall that’s now there. We’re separated from God. He no longer hears, He no longer listens. One then could be praying, one then could be worshiping, doing all kinds of things, but when that wall of separation is there, that’s it. A person is no longer acceptable to God and He said, “I won’t even hear.” But, of course, then one might think or say, “Hey, I’ll just pray. I’ll just ask God to forgive me.” But we can’t forget what we just learned here. He’s no longer listening to the prayers or listening to the worship. [Of] whom? Those that have committed sin, those who have violated His laws. So a sinner has no more relationship with the Creator because of sin that has divided and separated from God. Remember that because that’s an integral part of the unfolding of our answer to the questions that we have heard from those posing questions for our study today. So it was asked earlier, what’s so bad about committing sin? Why is it so serious? Why is it so tragic? Why is such a brutal response such that God will no longer even listen, we will be separated from Him? It is because of sin we’re separated, but it gets much worse than that. We know that when one breaks the law he’s got to pay for it, right? Agreed? Audience: Yes Brother Bob: You go to pay for it. When anyone breaks the law, what’s the payment? What’s the price to be paid according to the Holy Scriptures? We often read this verse because it’s so important, but let’s go ahead and do so once again in our study for today. [Romans] 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, … [Romans 6:23 New king James Version] Brother Bob: Read it with me audience. What does it say? Audience: Death . Brother Bob: The wage or price to be paid for sin is death. The Bible makes clear that the payment for committing sin, it’s not an insignificant payment. It’s death. Now one might be thinking like this for example, “Hey. Come on. That’s not so bad. I thought it was going to be much worse than that. I’m going to die anyway so I guess when I die my sins are all going to be finished. It’s all going to be paid for.” Not necessarily so because is death, the mere ending of our biological existence, is that the full payment for sin? The death that we all know is when a person stops breathing, right? Somebody says you’re going to die, everybody knows what that means. The wage or price for sin is death, but not just the ending of our breath. What death is the Bible calling the payment or the price to be paid for sins that we have committed, and how long is the payment? How long is this sentence of the punishment? We turn to the Bible once again. In the Book of Revelation 20:14,10: Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. [Revelations 20:14,10 New King James Version] Brother Bob: It’s not merely then just the ending of our biological existence, the ending for our breathing, but the Bible mentions a second death, and that’s a very serious event, that’s a second death in the lake of fire, and one would be tormented there. The sentence is eternal torment. That’s very tragic. That’s very serious. Breaking God’s law places a person into such a horrific predicament that we would find ourselves in because of sin. What we need is to find a way out of that, right? We got to change that. We got to find a way so that we don’t have to face the consequence. Because facing that consequence and avoiding that consequence has to become—and I think everybody here would agree—has to become the top priority of a person who has committed sin. Do you agree? What do you say? Audience: Yes. Brother Bob: That’s got to be top priority for sure. This is where one will see then and this is where the role of our Lord Jesus Christ starts to enter in and become so extremely important to understand. OK. So a recap of our initial segment of our study. [On-screen text] >> 1. Committing sin or breaking God’s law is no trivial thing. [On-screen text] >> 2. The moment one commits sin — knowingly or unknowingly — he or she is separated from God. Brother Bob: What happens to our relationship with God? It becomes what? It’s severed, it’s separated, severed, cut, or whatever word you want to use. It is no more. [On-screen text] >> 3. They must then pay the price, in the lake of fire forever and ever. Brother Bob: There’s a price to be paid for that and that price to be paid is a death, second death, eternal torment in what the Bible calls a lake of fire. This is serious stuff. This is very, very important. When people ask those questions that were posed and they asked, “Well why did Jesus die on the cross?” Because of what we have just discussed, it makes the answer to their question so vital. They’ve got to know it. Let’s ask two more important questions before we learn and get to the real meat of the significance of what our Lord Jesus Christ did there on that cross. And to give a better perspective all about that subject, let’s ask another question, which is how many people are in that horrific predicament in the first place, having committed sin, been separated, from God and are on their journey to the lake of fire and eternal torment? How many people have committed sin? What do you think, studio audience? Some? Most? All? None? Audience: All. Brother Bob: Wow. You have certainty in your answer. You seem very, very sure. Are you really, really sure of your answer? Audience: Yes. Brother Bob: 3:23 in the book of Romans. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [Romans 3:23 New King James Version] Brother Bob: You’re correct. All have committed sin. It’s a Biblical truth everyone has sinned and whether or not we would not want to admit it, none of us raise our hand and say, “Hey, I’m perfect. I’m good enough already. I haven’t committed any sins.” We are all in the horrific predicament of needing to find a way out of that predicament and be saved from the punishment that is due to us because of our humanity, our human weakness and propensity to sin and violate the law, God’s law. So what’s our options? We can all pay for our sins. You can pay for our own sins, but that wouldn’t be wise. That would mean that we’re going to be cast into that lake of fire that we read about and be punished forever. So that’s not a good option to choose. Can someone else pay for our sins? Can you pay the sin of the one sitting next to you? Can I pay for your sin? Can you pay for my sin? There is a law regarding sinners. A law of God pertaining to those who have committed sin. What’s the law of God pertaining to sinners? I’m going to ask the audience to please remember this. We’re going to come back to this too. What’s the first one I said we’re going to come back to? Isaiah 59:2 right? What happens because of sin is, what? OK you go that one already. Separation. Now the law of God pertaining to sinners. Deuteronomy 24:16: “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin. [Deuteronomy 24:16 New King James Version] Brother Bob: So let’s remember this. Is it an option to get out of the horrific situation because of sin? Can we have someone else answer for our sin? What do you say? Audience: No. Brother Bob: No. God’s law states very, very clearly there, and I’m going to ask you to remember it. It’s very important. We’re going to come back to it at the very end. God’s law states clearly: a person shall be put to death for their own sin. Meaning God does not allow anyone to pay for the sin of somebody else. So when I ask, what is the law of God pertaining to sinners? What’s our answer? Everyone has to answer for their own sin. OK? Got it? We can understand the fairness of that, you agree it’s fair? Everyone’s got to answer for their own. Nobody can be punished for the sin of somebody else. That’s fair, right? We can easily agree with that. We can understand the fairness of that law. In fact, even laws of governments, a lot of laws of government that are patterned after that principle in order to be just, in order to be fair. Now there might be some, that when they hear these verses in the Scriptures that we’re reading, they would say, “Well if that’s God’s law, then how did the Lord Jesus pay for the sins of others?” You get the point? Seems like there’s some kind of conflict there, they would say. Did Jesus break God’s law? Is Jesus exempt from following God’s law, following God’s justice, God righteousness? Are we accusing Jesus of breaking that law? It was God’s law that said nobody can answer for the sin of somebody else. Are we accusing Jesus of violating the law? What do you think? Of course not. In 2 Corinthians chapter 5, I will read how this came to be. In 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, there’s a lot of important information contained here in verse 21: Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God. [2 Corinthians 5:21 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: I’m going to come back and ask you that again a couple of times, too. Was Jesus innocent or guilty of sin? Audience: Innocent. Brother Bob: Innocent. Very clearly and directly stated here. Christ was without sin. Forgive me if I pause again. We read Romans 6:23, right? For the wages of sin is death, … [Romans 6:23 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Jesus didn’t commit any sin, right? Should He die? Seems like He should not die, right? But did He die? That’s what brought about the question that all of us viewed from the videos, right? Why did He die? Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God. [2 Corinthians 5:21 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: Dear friends, we asked earlier, did Christ break God’s law? He did not. He did not break it. We’re sure of it because what was the first sentence here? That’s why I paused and emphasized that. What was the first sentence? He committed no sin. Sin is a violation of the law. Christ did not break God’s law. It seems like we’ve got a conflict here if you’re really paying attention closely. Does Jesus not have to, is He exempted, does He [not have] follow God’s justice, God’s law, God’s righteousness? The truth is that Christ, of course, follows these laws and commands and righteousness of God. “But I thought that no one can die for the sin of somebody else? That’s God’s law.” But here, Apostle Paul said that God made Jesus share our sin in order that once we entered into union with Him, then we’d be able to share His righteousness. We need some more explanation about that, agreed? Yes. We got to understand that because that seems to create a conflict. Jesus didn’t commit any sin but He’s made to be sin, for us? Then He gets nailed and crucified on the cross for it. It seems there’s a violation of God’s law. So our question now is, “How did He do that?” How does he share our sin? How did Christ then pay for the sins of others, saving them from the horrific punishment that we read about together, and at the same time not violate or break God’s law? How did He do that? How did He fix that conflict? OK. Don’t forget that question. Therein is the real response to the questions these people have posed to us. But for the fullest of understanding of the response we’re going to have to answer and give you some additional important information first. Key information that will help us understand the response. One of the keys in understanding what Christ did is knowing first the only way that God will pardon, the only way God will forgive someone who has sinned or has broken or violated His Law. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of people who believe that they’ll be forgiven for breaking the law by just praying to God. “OK, Lord. Please forgive me. Then presto, automatically I’ll be forgiven. Or maybe by doing good deeds, I’ll be forgiven. Having a deep strong faith, then I will be forgiven. Changing my way of life, then I’ll be forgiven for my sins. God will forgive me. God is very nice.” We have to remember, because of the sin that was committed, that’s why I told you to remember that, what happened because of sin? We’re separated from God. We read Isaiah 59:2. What did He say? “I’m not going to listen, I’m not going to accept their worship.” It is because of your sins that he doesn’t hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him. [Isaiah 59:2 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: That’s a horrific condition so one can not just say, “I’ll just pray. I’ll just pray.” The major problem here is sin. It’s not something that can be ignored. It’s not something that can just be covered up. It’s not just something that can be erased by being a good deed doer. So how can one receive the forgiveness of sin? We have to understand these points first before we move on in the sequence of our study. For example Hebrews, the Bible responds in 22, 9:22 of Hebrews it says: Indeed, according to the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out. [Hebrews 9:22 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: Sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out. The Bible did not say, “Sins will be forgiven by being a good deed doer. Sins will be forgiven by being a nice guy. Sins will be forgiven by praying or doing this or doing that.” That may be nice things that true servants of God do, but those are not the things that bring about the forgiveness of sin. But what is? Shedding of blood. That’s the way, that’s the only way sins are forgiven. Nobody can change that. That’s the Biblical truth. It’s only if the blood is poured out. Pouring out of blood, of course, symbolizes a sacrifice that has been made. But it’s not just that anyone’s blood that can be poured out, and then presto, sins are forgiven. Whose blood? Whose blood only will bring about the forgiveness of sins? Let’s return again in the book of Hebrews chapter 9, this time verse 14: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? [Hebrews 9:14 New King James Version] Brother Bob: You can see it’s only the blood of Christ that can be used to pardon or forgive someone’s sins. No one else’s because everyone has committed their own sins. No one can answer for the sins of somebody else. We need to answer for our sin. If one is fortunate enough, then, to be redeemed or under the saving umbrella of the blood shed by our Lord Jesus Christ, then that Isaiah 5

Click to expand transcript Who Can Preach the Gospel? [On-screen text graphic] Kristina Larsen: How can we tell if God is speaking to us through a pastor? Brother Bob Pellien : Thank you so much Kristina for that very insightful question. We say insightful because there might be some who have never been concerned with or even thought to wonder if their pastor, their priest, their bishop, their minister or whatever they call their preacher is actually preaching the true word of God to them. And of course on the flip side of that is the mentality, which is that well there doesn’t even need to be a preacher in order to hear the word of God. Dear friends as we always do in this program and in every program produced by the Church Of Christ we will address these questions by reading the answers right here recorded in the Holy Bible . Kristina’s question of how can we tell if God is speaking to us through a pastor. [On-screen text graphic] Question: How can we tell if God is speaking to us through a pastor? Brother Bob: It’s actually perfectly aligned with the instruction to us from the apostles. And let’s read one of those in this recorded in 1 John chapter 4, verse 1: My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere. [1 John 4:1 Good News Translation] False Preachers Brother Bob: According to what is written here, dear friends, we should not believe—were instructed not to believe just anyone who may be claiming to have the spirit or presents [themselves] as a messenger sent by God . Why? Because there are many false prophets according to the Apostle John, many false prophets who have gone out into the world. Therefore, Kristina you are on the right track or Kristina has the proper frame of mind to ask that question, how can I tell? How can we tell, dear friends, know even if the one is sent by God or not? [On-screen text graphic] Question: How can we tell if God is speaking to us through a pastor? Brother Bob: The Bible’s instruction was clear. He said test them to find out. So obviously the next question that we have to pose together is, what’s the test and how do we test those who would be presenting themselves as a preacher or a spokesperson of God, true preacher? [On-screen text graphic] Question: What’s the test? How do we test those who present themselves as a “preacher” or a “spokesperson” of God? Brother Bob: But before we delve into the Bible’s explanation of how to test the preacher to see if he’s really sent by God, let’s first understand, why is it so important to do that? “How can they hear without a preacher?” Brother Bob: Why do we need to know that? Dear friends, because what would be the harm if one ended up listening to and following a preacher that is not sent by God? Maybe many would think that, “Well, they’re safe as long as they’re holding, as they’re reading from the Bible. That should be good enough.” But listen to the response of the Holy Scriptures , this time in the writings of Apostle Peter. Second Peter 3:16, he wrote: This is what he says in all his letters when he writes on the subject. There are some difficult things in his letters which ignorant and unstable people explain falsely, as they so with other passages of the Scriptures. So they bring on their own destruction. [2 Peter 3:16 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: So we can clearly see here, dear friends that there are people who are explaining the passages of the scriptures, but doing so falsely . And although all you know they might sound like they know what they are saying, what did the Bible call them? The Bible calls them ignorant and stated here that they are bringing on their own destruction. So consider this, if the false preacher is headed to destruction where do you think all those who listen, all those who follow him are also heading? Destruction too, of course. Exactly. [On-screen text graphic] It’s so vital to know if a preacher is truly from God. Brother Bob: That’s why it’s so vital to know if a preacher is truly sent by God. So dear friends, what is the benefit of actually hearing a genuine preacher of God? Again, we go to the Bible for the answer and this time is recorded in the book of Romans, Chapter 10, in fact verses 14 and 15. It says this: How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? . . . [Romans 10:14-15 New King James Version] Who can preach the gospel? Brother Bob: So the benefit of hearing a genuine preacher of God is actually learning then how to properly call upon God. Notice the sequence of events that was recorded in these verses in the Bible so that that could happen. First, one cannot properly call to God or have his or her prayers heard by Him if they don’t believe in the Biblical instructions that God established to be heard. [On-screen text graphic] One cannot properly call to God if he doesn’t believe in God’s biblical instructions. Brother Bob: Then next, there’s no way that one would be able to believe in those biblical instructions if in fact they have never been taught those instructions. [On-screen text graphic] One cannot believe in those biblical instructions if he has never been taught those commands. Brother Bob: And one would not correctly be taught God’s commands if they never encounter or hear a genuine preacher sent by God. [On-screen text graphic] One would not correctly be taught God’s commands if he never encounters or hears a genuine preacher from God. Brother Bob: Therefore, dear friends, finding a genuine preacher is the first step that one has to take in order to be able to call upon God. Again, that’s why it’s so vital to know if a preacher is truly from God or not. So we should take notice that a genuine preacher has the authority from God to preach. [On-screen text graphic] A genuine preacher has an authority from God to preach. Brother Bob: It’s not just their own proclamation, “I’m a preacher.” Why? Because God is the one who sends him. That’s what we just read. And if one is not sent by God he will not be able to correctly preach God’s words. That’s what the Bible says. And how so they preach unless they are sent? Preaching the gospel: The difference between true and false preachers Brother Bob: So now that we know the value of a true preacher sent by God, let’s find out, [how] are we going to be able to tell if one is true or not true? Well what’s the test that only a true preacher, one who has the spirit and is truly sent by God? What is the test that only he can pass? Well, listen to what’s recorded here in the Holy Scriptures. The writings of the Prophet Isaiah 8:20 says: To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word. It is because there is no light in them. [Isaiah 8:20 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Dear friends, the Bible clearly states that one has to speak according to the law and speak according to the testimony, in order to prove that there is light or truth in him. It’s the criteria that a preacher has to meet in order to prove or demonstrate that they are indeed sent by God to preach. So what is that law mentioned here? What’s the law and what is that testimony referred to here in the prophecy of Isaiah that will serve the evidence that a preacher is truly sent by God? Let’s take a look at those two criteria. Let’s find out first, what is that law that was mentioned there and how would a true preacher speak according to the law? [On-screen text graphic] Question: What is the law and how would a true preacher of God speak according to the law? Brother Bob: Jesus Christ , of course being an undisputed true preacher sent by God, well he’s the one who gives the answer and he does so here in John Chapter 7 verses 16, 17 and 18. I quote: Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory on the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. [John 7: 16-18 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Here, dear friends, Jesus Himself explains that we would be able to know who is true. How? Concerning that doctrine or God’s law. Jesus did not preach His own doctrine. [On-screen text graphic] Christ, being a true preacher from God, spoke only to God’s law and not His own. Brother Bob: Christ Himself, of course being a true preacher sent from God, spoke only according to God’s law and not His own. It’s already known that God’s laws and doctrines are written right here in the Holy Bible . A true preacher sent by God to preach God’s words will teach by reading God’s words written here in the Bible. Then if someone is preaching claiming that what they’re preaching is from the Bible, he must then read it to prove that he is speaking according to the law. If he cannot read what he is preaching then it’s a clear sign that he is not speaking from God, but instead is speaking from Himself. And of course then this would prove that he’s not sent by God to preach and would automatically then disqualify him from the test. In short he fails the test. There are many preachers that are well versed in the Bible even if they could memorize it you know, citing different biblical passages in their sermons. We have already learned very important truths. Number one: false preachers will also use the Bible but will explain it falsely. That’s why we read that from Apostle Peter. [On-screen text graphic] 1. False preachers will also use the Bible but will explain the meaning falsely. 2. Reading the Bible is not the only criteria of the test. Brother Bob: Number two: reading the Bible is not the only criteria of the test. Remember that one must speak according to the law and according to the testimony. That’s what we read in Isaiah 8:20. So let’s find out now what is the testimony that a true preacher of God will speak according to? And we can read here in the book of Revelation 19:10: And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” [Revelation 19:10 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Dear friends, this is so important the testimony that a true preacher from God will speak according to the spirit of prophecy because God is the one who sends His messengers to preach. He is also the one, then, who validates them. How does he do that? Through biblical prophecy. A true preacher sent by God would be able to speak according to the particular prophecy about him, which would testify that he is indeed from God. So let’s take a look at this a little bit deeper. [On-screen text graphic] Question: Who are some examples of messengers sent by God to preach that spoke according to the biblical testimony of their authority? Three Biblical examples of messengers sent by God Brother Bob: Let’s look at some examples of messengers sent by God to preach that spoke according to the biblical testimony of their authority. Let’s take a look at three examples. Lord Jesus Christ Let’s start with our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, one of God’s own prophecies regarding His son Jesus Christ. [On-screen text graphic] Jesus Christ Brother Bob: Well we all know is the greatest messenger of all. We can read that testimony recorded here in the writings of Prophet Isaiah 61, verse 1 and 2: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, [Isaiah 61:1-2 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Dear friends, we should take notice in this verse that in this prophecy there is no mention of the messenger’s name. How would we know? How would we know whom then it’s referring to? Who then will explain and speak according to the testimony of the messenger mentioned here? It will be that particular messenger himself. How did Jesus do that? How did he speak according to this prophecy that testified of His authority being sent by God? Here it is. It’s recorded in Luke Chapter 4 verses 17 through 21: And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” [Luke 4:17-21 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Jesus Himself explained that He was in fact the one referred to in the prophecy. John the Baptist is another example of one sent by God to preach and he spoke according to biblical testimony concerning his authority. What was God’s prophecy regarding him? Let’s read that as well. It’s also recorded in the writings of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 40, verse 3: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Notice again that the messenger’s name is not mentioned, the one referred to as crying in the wilderness. John the Baptist It did not mention his specific name but how did John the Baptist speak according to this testimony concerning him? Him being sent by God? let’s read that. It’s recorded in the in the writings of apostle John, chapter 1 verses 19 through 23: Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’as the prophet Isaiah said.” [John 1:19-23 New King James Version] Brother Bob: John the Baptist here, dear friends he explained, he himself is the one that explained that while he was in fact the one referred to in the prophecy of Isaiah. That prophecy gave testimony of him. Apostle Paul Another example of this is Apostle Paul . We can read another prophecy. In this prophecy is a testimony of Apostle Paul’s authority. Let’s read one more testimony. This one again going back to the prophet Isaiah 49:6: Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” [Isaiah 49:6 New King James Version] Brother Bob: By now, dear friends, we should notice God’s policy. His policy when making a prophecy regarding a messenger he will send in the future. First of all, He does not include the name of the messenger. That’s one. It is the messenger himself that will speak according to the testimony. Did Apostle Paul make known that he was God’s messenger? In Acts 13:46 and 47 it says this. Let’s listen to the to the Apostle Paul here: Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” [Acts 13:46-47 New King James Version] Brother Bob: As we can see here, dear friends, in these Biblical examples the messenger of God sent to preach His words not only speaks according to the law of God or the true doctrine, but also reveals the prophecy validating that God Himself is the one that has really sent them. In this way we would always be able to know who is actually sent by God and who is just claiming to be because anyone can make the claim. Some might think you know that, “Can a false preacher just make a claim like that? Well the Apostle Paul made the claim. John the Baptist made a claim. Jesus made the claim.” But they read the testimony. They read the prophecy concerning them, the Bible verse. They could say that anyone could just claim to be a messenger of God. How can we know, how could we do the test, apply the test? How to prove a preacher is the fulfillment of a Biblical prophecy [On-screen text graphic] Question: How can we tell if a particular preacher is actually the fulfillment of a biblical prophecy? Brother Bob: If a preacher is speaking to the testimony or a biblical prophecy is it really truly about them? It’s a very good question that’s posed there because the best one to answer that, first of all it can’t be said it has to be Jesus Himself because many people, in fact, did not even believe Him even after He revealed the prophecy that He was a messenger sent by God. Let’s take a look at what was recorded here in John Chapter 5:36: But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. [John 5:36 New King James Version] Brother Bob: It’s so important, dear friends, because Christ explains that it’s the work being done or accomplished. If it’s the same work that God gave in the prophecy, which proves then or bears witness that one is a messenger sent by God or that that one is fulfilling the prophecy, if they don’t do the work contained in the prophecy it can’t be speaking about them. Being able to fulfill the work stated in the biblical prophecy is something that a false preacher will never be able to do and that will reveal who is true, who is false. So as the apostle stated in the verse we read earlier, we should not believe just anyone who presents themselves as a preacher from God. [On-screen text graphic] We should not believe just anyone who presents themselves as preachers from God, but instead we need to test them first. Brother Bob: What was the instruction? He said test them first. Because if one cannot read in the Bible what is the authority for their preaching , if he cannot reveal the biblical prophecy that testifies of their authority as a messenger of God, if one has not accomplished the work stated in the prophecy, then that person, that preacher fails the test. And then he’s not sent by God should not be listened to. He is a false preacher. One has no right to preach God’s words unless God sends him to do so. But if we are fortunate enough to encounter a genuine preacher sent by God in connection with the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, we should pay very close attention to it to every word that is preached. Why? Because God will make His will known through him. This is what we should believe. This is what we believe also here inside the Church of Christ. Why? Because that’s in the Bible. Dear friends, when you’re ready to learn more about this and all the other fundamental teachings found here inside the Church of Christ please visit incmedia.org . [On-screen text graphic] learn more at incmedia.or

[Video starts] Travis: Hi my name is Travis, from San Leandro, California and I just wanted to know if cremation is practiced by the people of God. [Video ends] Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you, Travis, for your question. Death is something that no one living in this world can avoid. It’s important to note first off that here—there’s no religious rituals that are performed for any member of the Church Of Christ who passes away. For example, there’s no prayers of the dead, there’s no religious ceremonies or services that members of the Church Of Christ take part in after losing a loved one. Why not? Well according to the Bible the dead will never again take part in anything that happens in this world. That’s mentioned in the Bible in Ecclesiastes chapter 9, verse 6: They will never again take part in anything that happens in this world [Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: Nevertheless, the bereaved of the dead strive to give a proper or decent burial for their deceased loved ones, and well, this is understandable and of course very reasonable as well. But, Travis, everything that we do, all of our actions during this highly emotional moment in one’s life as to be—which by the way, is often influenced by cultural norms, whatever those actions may be, they have to be guided by God who is the One who, of course, then will be the One to comfort people in their time of loss by means of the power of the Holy Spirit . Should we cremate our deceased loved ones? What is cremation? Brother Bob: First, well, what does that even mean? Through cremation the remains of the deceased will be burned, and the ashes will be placed in an urn or sometimes dispersed over soil or water. [On-screen graphics] cre-mate past tense: cremated; past participle: cremated dispose of (dead person’s body) by burning it into ashes, typically after a funeral ceremony] What happened to people who died in the Bible? Brother Bob: Let’s take a look at how the people of God have set the example for us regarding this. We turn to the book of Genesis verses 1-4 we’ll also read verses 10 and 11 Good News Bible: Sarah lived to be 127 years old. She died in Hebron in the land of Canaan, and Abraham mourned her death. He left the place where his wife’s body was lying, went to the Hittites, and said, “I am a foreigner living here among you; sell me some land, so that I can bury my wife.” Ephron himself was sitting with the other Hittites at the meeting place at the city gate; he answered in the hearing of everyone there, “Listen sir; I will give you the whole field and the cave that is in it. Here in the presence of my own people, I will give it to you, so that you can bury your wife. [Genesis 23:1-4, 10-11 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: So, Travis, dear friends, burial was clearly the practice of God’s people, for example, in this case of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Abraham, well he mourned her death and buried her body into the ground. There [are] so many more examples in the Bible that really show to us God’s people burying their loved ones into the ground. For example in the book of Genesis 50:26: They embalmed his body and put it in a coffin. [Genesis 50:26 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: As well in the book of Joshua 24:32: Now they buried the bones of Joseph, [Joshua 24:32 Amplified Bible] Brother Bob: In those verses the Bible speaks about the processes that Joseph’s family went through, so as to obey God’s expectations or commandment of burying those who had served the Lord God in ancient times. One of the most famous individuals mentioned in the Bible is Moses, of course. Everyone has heard of Moses. What did God himself do with Moses after he died? Did He burn him, cremate him, and sprinkle his ashes? Let’s turn to the book of Deuteronomy this time wherein the Bible gives a response to that, verses 5 and 6. Let’s take a look at what’s recorded there: So Moses, the LORD’s servant, died there in the land of Moab, as the Lord had said he would. The LORD buried him in a valley in Moab, opposite the town of Bethpeor, but to this day no one knows the exact place of his burial. [Deuteronomy 34:5-6 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: So, dear friends, clearly God himself even took the act of burying Moses to further emphasize how important burial really is. So it’s a normal practice of burying those who have passed away. How about our Lord Jesus Christ , the savior, in the Christian Era of time? Was there any example given in the Holy Scriptures or any information provided to us about Jesus himself regarding this topic? Here in the book of John chapter 19, verses 40, 41, and 42: The two men took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices according to Jewish custom of preparing a body for burial. There was a garden in the place where Jesus had been put to death, and in it was a new a new tomb where no one had ever been buried. Since it was the day before Sabbath and because the tomb was close by, they placed Jesus’ body there. [John 19:40-42 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: So dear friends, Travis, even our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God, was also buried after He passed away. So if God’s people are to be buried is there any record in the Bible which shows how God himself then feels about cremation , or the burning of bodies. What does the Bible say about cremation? Brother Bob: Is there anything that the Bible shows us wherein God would not approve of that option? Let’s again turn to the Holy Scriptures in the book of Amos chapter 2, 1 and 2 it says: The LORD says, “The people of Moab have sinned again and again, and for this I will certainly punish them. They dishonored the bones of the king of Edom by burning them to ashes. I will send fire upon the land of Moab and burn down the fortresses of Kerioth. The people of Moab will die in the noise of battle while the soldiers are shouting and trumpets are sounding. [Amos 2:1-2 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: So clearly God was angry with the people. Why was He angry with the people of Moab? Because of what they had done with the king of Edom. What did they do? They burned his bones. The Bible makes very clear that they had dishonored his bones by burning them to ashes. Hinduism practices cremation Brother Bob: So, dear friends, if God is truly angered by the burning of the deceased, how then did cremation come about in the first place? What religious custom is the burning of the dead or cremation connected to? If it’s not connected to God, and not connected to the Bible (and that is what God’s people are supposed to be doing), how did it come about? In the Britannica Encyclopedia of World Religions here on page 268: In HINDUISIM in India, cremation is the preferred form of disposing the dead. The placing of the body into the fire is regarded as a kind of final sacrificial offering, and the burning of the body is often understood to begin the process of REINCARNATION;” [Britannica Ency. Of World Religion p. 268 (2006)] Brother Bob: Therein lies the truth: cremation is the practice of Hinduism because they believe it’s the start of the reincarnation process, which of course is not in the Bible, and it is not in accordance with God’s teachings. Resurrection of the dead Brother Bob: But what can a true servant of God hope for if they pass away and are properly buried? Here in Psalms 49:15, the following is recorded: But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for he shall receive me. [Psalms 49:15 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Travis, dear friends, they will be redeemed, they will be resurrected from the grave , not from an urn or from ashes being sprinkled somewhere, but they will be resurrected from the grave to life, true life in the kingdom of heaven . We, inside the Church Of Christ, believe in these biblical teachings. We follow these instructions as well. Why, dear friends? Because that’s in the Bible. Thank you, Travis, for your question, and if anyone viewing the program today has questions of your own, please send in your videos to us here at the email shown on the screen: answers@incmedia.org . [On-screen text graphic] Do you have questions about the Bible? Send us your videos to: answers@incmedia.org Brother Bob: Visit our site incmedia.org because there you’re going to find many shows similar to this one wherein the true teachings of our Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ are upheld by the true Church, the Church Of Christ, the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Thanks for watching. I’m Brother Bob Pellien . We’ll see you next time on That’s in the Bible .

Click to expand transcript Is God’s Love Conditional? Announcer: We’d like to introduce to you our host for that for That’s in the Bible Live, Brother Richie Juatco! Brother Richie: Hello Seattle! How’s everyone? How’s everyone today? Welcome to That’s in the Bible Live. We’re actually live here on location in beautiful Seattle, Washington. And we’re here at the INC Media Experience event or INCMX. For those that don’t know what That’s in the Bible is, it’s a program where we take questions from people all around the world, wondering what is in the Bible and how it applies to our lives. Now, prior to this event, we actually sent out a camera crew to your beautiful city to find out if there was anyone in the city that had any questions that they’ve been wondering for some time. And they were hoping that they could find an answer from the Bible. So first of all, we would like to thank all those that asked questions to our camera crew, even those that reached out to us via email. But we wouldn’t especially like to thank Robert, Mark and Tyswanekwa, because the questions that they asked, we’re going to feature on our show today. [On-screen graphic] Topic: Following The Rules Set By A Church Robert Nichols Bothell, Washington Topic: Spiritual vs. Religious Mark Sokup Topic: Conditions On Who To Love Tyswanekwa Crosby Federal Way, Washington Brother Richie: Now these are the questions that they asked. Robert, the topic of his question was following the set rules by a church. So he wanted to know did he have to follow those rules. Mark asked about spiritual versus religious, there might be some of us that have heard that or someone wondering the difference between that; and Tyswanekwa, she asked conditions on who to love. She wanted to know if there was anything in the Bible that made her have to love someone a certain way. We’re going to use those three questions, to answer an overarching question, which is: Is God’s love unconditional? And we hear that all the time, right? We hear that “God’s love is unconditional. No matter how you choose to live your life, He’s going to love you just the same.” And it’s so nice to hear, it makes you feel good. But we want to know: what’s in the Bible? Is that according to the Bible? What is a “condition”? So what we’re going to do is we’re going to find that out. But before that, let’s find out what “condition” is. What’s the definition of “condition” [and let’s find out if God has any for His love]. So [a condition] is something that must exist before something else can happen. Another word to say that is a “prerequisite” or a “requirement” or “rule” or “restriction.” So does God not have [conditions]? We’ll find out. Let’s go to Tyswanekwa’s question first. We can actually hear it from her: [Video starts] So even when I was at my grandma’s church yesterday, they made this statement that God did not make man and man to be together, woman and woman to be together. But I believe God [doesn’t] make mistakes…It’s almost like you make Him less comforting, less inviting. So I’m grateful that I’ve decided to have my own relationship outside of church…but I don’t agree with making them feel bad…Where in the Bible does it tell us to be conditional lovers? Where does it tell us to only love someone “this” way or if they are like “this”? Tyswanekwa Crosby Federal Way, Washington [Video ends] Does the Bible give conditions on who to love? Brother Richie: So again, we’d like to thank Tyswanekwa for her question. And just so that we can see if we can know where she’s coming from. Let me see a raise of hands: who here wants someone to give them conditions on who to love ? Is there anyone here that wants to be told who to love? So we can kind of see where she’s coming from, right? Because when it comes to love, if someone is going to give their love, he or she is going to come up with their own conditions that someone has to meet to give that love, right? Love can’t be forced, you can’t force someone to love someone else. For example, this gentleman here, you can’t be forced to love this lovely lady, right? By the way, are you two married? You are, so you do love each other! You love each other because you had your own conditions to be met, and you met those conditions. And that’s how it is, right? It’s your love, it’s your life, it’s your choice. And there are many people, they choose who to love without worrying about what is written in the Bible. So why are there some [that asked] that question from the Bible? Why is it that, not only Tyswanekwa, but many people, [want] to know what is in the Bible regarding that? Well, to many, the ideal situation is: choose who to love, and have God’s love upon you and upon the one that you love as well, right? Because that would actually be [a] great situation. Who does God choose to love? So when it comes to God’s love…now we’re on the topic of God’s love. Does He have conditions? We all have conditions for our love. And many people say, “No, God’s different. He doesn’t have any conditions. Well, we don’t want to answer for God because His words are written in the Bible, we’ll just read His answer. When it comes to God giving His love, what is it that [He] requires, if He does have any requirements. Let’s read what is written in the Bible, we’re going to read from what’s recorded here in Deuteronomy. We’ll read chapter 7. We’ll read it together here, we’ll put it on the screen. Here in verse 6 to 7, it says: You are a holy nation. The Lord your God has set you apart for himself. He has chosen you to be his special treasure. He chose you out of all the nations on the face of the earth to be his people. The Lord chose you because he loved you very much… [Deuteronomy 7:6-7 New International Reader’s Version] Brother Richie: When it comes to God giving His love, how is it that the Bible describes that? Well, here we can read that He did give His love to the ancient nation of Israel. Now, what’s the proof that He loved them? Well, according to what we’ve read, it says He chose them to be His people. Some might say, “I don’t understand” or “aren’t we all God’s people? God created all of us.” And that’s true. God created every single one of us. But as we have learned, He doesn’t love everyone the same. What’s the proof? It says that He chose some to be His special treasure. He set them apart to be His people. So, now when it comes to God giving His love, just like the rest of us, that’s His choice, right? It is His choice. He’s the one that comes up with the conditions that have to be met. And really God’s love…that’s what we want. Right? That is so important to have. If there’s anyone’s love that we’re going to work for, that we’re going to try to win over, it should be God’s. Now, some might think, “Why? Well, what’s so great about having God’s love?” Well, if that’s the question, why is that such a wonderful situation to have God’s love in our life? Again, let’s go to what is recorded. We’ll read the situation that God makes for those that He does choose to love. We’re going to read from what is recorded here in the book of Psalm, Chapter 91, we’re going to read verses 14 to 15. It says: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [Psalm 91:14-15 New International Version] What does it mean to love God? Brother Richie: According to the Bible, what kind of a situation is it if God chooses to love someone? That’s a wonderful situation. Our God Himself said that the one He loves, he’s going to protect, He’s going to deliver, He’s going to honor, He’s going to rescue those that love Him. If they call to Him, He’s going to answer them. If they’re in trouble, He’s going to be with them in trouble. Who here wants that situation? Who here wants God to be with them always? We all do. But just because we want it, does it mean we get it? Well, this particular servant, how come he got it? Well, God gave the answer. He answered and He said, “Because he loves me.” So there was a condition met. Our God gave him the love and the protection that he needed. So, if someone thinks, “Well, I love God , too.” And we can all say that (we should say that) we all love God. But we know that love is much more than words. There’s a saying that we all know when it comes to talk, right? They say talk is…”talk is cheap.” Anyone can say that. The ladies that are here: If someone says they love you, is that all you need to believe it? No, even us as human beings, right? For us to believe someone that they love us, they’ve got to prove it. So when it comes to God’s love, does that have to be proven? Again, some might say, “No, God is different!” Well, wait a second, let’s use God’s words. If someone loves God, what does that mean? Let’s read His words. From what is written here in 1 John, we’re going to read chapter 5, verse 3. This is what it actually says: For our love for God means that we obey his commands. And his commands are not too hard for us, [1 John 5:3 Good News Translation] Brother Richie: What is the biblical definition of loving God? Well, according to what we have read, it says it means we obey His commands. So His commands are what we need. Someone might think, “Well, what are God’s commands? I thought [there’s] only ten ?” There [are the] first ten commandments that were written down. But God has a whole Bible of commandments. For our life, from the very first time we receive life to the time that we lose it. Our God gives us commandments, He gives us instructions, He shows us how to live our life the way that He intended . He shows us how to think when we’re in trouble. When we face certain challenges , He shows us how to surround ourselves with the right people . He is the one that is guiding us and instructing us. And if we follow all those commands we prove that we love Him. Now in all the commands that God gives, so that we can show that we love Him, is there any command regarding whom we should love? Because that goes right into what Tyswanekwa was asking, you know. She said, “Well, show me in the Bible that I have to love someone this way, if they’re like this…” Does God have any commands regarding whom we should love? Let’s find out. We’ll read here from what’s recorded in 1 John, we’re going to read chapter 2, and the verses are 15 to 16: Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. Because everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. [1 John 2:15-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible] Brother Richie: Does our God give instructions regarding whom we should or shouldn’t love? Yes. What is it that we read? He said, “Do not love the world or the things [in] the world.” We have to understand there’s only two types of people: one who loves God, it means they’ve learned His commandments, they follow His commandments; and the second, the ones that don’t, they are of the world. What is it that God said? “Do not love the world or the things [in] the world.” But I would like to ask, please answer this question: Despite God’s command, despite His instruction to us, do we still get to choose who to love? What’s your answer? We do. That’s our choice. Whatever we want, whoever we want, we can love. But can we say, “God will love me unconditionally, regardless of whom I choose to love.” Can we say that? No. We could say that, but that won’t be the truth. So to summarize, the Bible’s answer to Tyswanekwa’s question, we can see that: [On-screen text] God chooses whom He loves based on His personal conditions We prove our love for God by obeying His commands We lose His love if we disregard His commands Brother Richie: God chooses whom He loves based on His personal conditions. We can understand that because that’s how we give our love. What else, we prove our love for God by obeying His commands. And we lose His love if we disregard His commands. That’s what we should believe in because that’s in the Bible. So that is our first question. The difference between spiritual and religious Let’s go to our second question. And this is actually what Mark had to ask: [Video starts] What’s the difference between being spiritual and religious? Mark Sokup [Video ends] Brother Richie: So again, we thank Mark for that question. And we know that this question is very interesting, because if you Google this question, “spiritual versus religious,” you know how many results you’re going to get? We did that just recently. And we can see, we had hundreds of millions of results. It was just in a fraction of a second, I believe it was 332 million posts of everyone answering, right? So it is a very interesting question. Well, let’s just go to the definition, let’s find out. So what’s his definition of “spiritual”? It says: [On-screen text] spiritual (adjective) relating to deep feelings and beliefs, especially religious beliefs of or relating to the inner character of a person Brother Richie: It says “relating to deep feelings and beliefs, especially religious beliefs…of all relating to the inner character of a person. [On-screen text] religious (adjective) living and worshiping according to the beliefs of a particular religion having a strong belief in a god or gods Brother Richie: Okay, how about “religious”? The definition of religious, we can see that it’s very close, it says, living and worshipping according to the beliefs of a particular religion; having a strong belief in a god or gods. So they actually have a commonality about beliefs about God: about having to be how to be with God, how to connect with God. So why are people trying to differentiate between the two? Well, let’s see a show of hands. Has anyone here heard the term or the trend, “spiritual but not religious”? Is there anyone that has heard that? That term is when someone rejects organized religion as a primary means of enhancing their spiritual progress. And you know, we don’t blame a lot of people, we actually understand that. We understand why people are leaving organized religion, because most of the time when someone wants to connect with God, they’ll go to religions to find the truth, to find guidance. But unfortunately, many times what they find are lies, corruption in religion, and they find religious preachers saying, really whatever they want, or whatever other people want. So there are those that opt to having a life with God [away from] those religions. They feel, “if these religions are just coming up with their own way of being with God, I’m better off going direct.” Therefore, the term: “spiritual, but not religious”. [On-screen text] “According to the public religion research Institute, 33 percent of Seattle residents are religiously unaffiliated.” Source: Are We Losing our Religion? Searching for Spirituality in Seattle seattlemag.com Brother Richie: In fact, Mark’s not alone and asking that question. Just here in your own backyard here in Seattle, we can see that there are 33% of Seattle residents are religiously unaffiliated , this is according to seattlemag.com. But because it’s so diverse, religion is so diverse, it’s hard to break it up as [an] either/or, to lump religion all together, because we know they’re not all the same. Saying that religion is all the same, that’s already a mistake. But to get away from getting in all the complexity, let’s just go straight to the point. You know, the question is: Which one should I be? How should I be with God? Right? If that is how someone wants to be [saying], “Okay, this is my life, right? What’s the best way to be with God to have him in my life? How is it that I can tailor fit what I have so far, and have God with me?” How can I be put right with God? So we can ask the Bible that. What does the Bible say about those [who] want to be with God, kind of on their own terms where they are in life. Let’s read from what’s recorded here in Romans, chapter 10. This is what God through Apostle Paul says very clearly about those that want to be with God. He says here: I can assure you, they are deeply devoted to God; but their devotion is not based on true knowledge. They have not known the way in which God puts people right with himself, and instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and so they did not submit themselves to God’s way of putting people right. [Romans 10:2-3 Good News Translation] Brother Richie: According to what we are learning from what is in the Bible, God has His own way of putting people right with Himself. So again, God’s the One that comes up with the way. He’s the one that comes up with the conditions, He’s the one that has His own terms on how to connect with Him. And the people that don’t know that way, the Bible says they’ve resorted to coming up with their own way. We can attest to that. We can see there are so many different people coming up with different ways. And although they might be very devoted in the way that they have selected, the Biblical truth is: it’s not based on true knowledge. So instead of asking, the question “Should I be spiritual? Should I be religious?” The question we should ask is, “What’s God’s way? How is it that I can be with Him?” If we’re asking for God’s way, we can just come up with it on our own? Let’s go to His answer. What is it that God teaches, so that we can be with Him we can be amongst those considered, or at least He considers His people? Let’s read here. God does give this answer and reply here in Jeremiah 7, the verse is 23. He said: but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. [Jeremiah 7:23 New International Version] Brother Richie: According to Him, to be with Him, to be part of His people, we have to obey all the commands He has for us. So we are learning, just as we learned earlier, actually, it’s being reinforced now that there is a way to have a connection with God. But in pursuit of that, we can’t disregard that He has commandments. He has prerequisites, He has conditions that have to be fulfilled first. So again, another question to everyone. These commandments that are being mentioned in the Bible; are we forced to follow these commandments? No, I mean, someone can try but they can’t, right? But can we say God is going to connect with us our way? No, we can say that either. Because we have learned, we can even come up with our own way to be with God. [On-screen text] Trying to come up with our own way won’t lead to God God has His own way of letting people connect with Him If we want God in our lives, we can’t avoid obeying His commands Brother Richie: So let’s summarize the Bible’s answer to Mark’s question, we can see that trying to come up with our own way, won’t lead to God. We’ve also learned that God has his own way of letting people connect with him. And if we want God in our lives, we can avoid obeying His commandments, that really is the truth. Why do we say that? Because that’s in the Bible. Am I obligated to follow church rules? Brother Richie: Let’s go to our final question that we’re going to feature today. And this is from Robert, listen to what Robert asked: [Video] If I attend a church, am I morally obligated to adhere to the rules that they believe in their church or am I allowed to believe how I feel? Robert Nichols Bothell, Washington [Video ends] Brother Richie: You know, there’s probably a lot of people just like Robert. They want to belong to a church, they probably grew up in a church, but what they are hearing, what they know is being taught in the church that they’re in, they don’t think that it’s right. So they have this dilemma. What is it that they should do? We commend Robert and all those that asked

Click to expand transcript Is Jehovah the True Name of God? Brother Bob Pellien: Hello, and welcome everyone to this program That’s in the Bible . I’m Bob Pellien . [On-screen text] Brother Bob Pellien Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: In our episode for today we’ll be responding to a question of a Mr. Randy Capilitan who asks—which is a very common question that we receive here—but Randy asks, “What is the true name of God? Is [Jehovah] the name of God? Is it necessary to call Jehova as His name?” Different variations of this question have, like I said, often been received here [at] our program and asked. So today we’re going to use once again the Holy Bible as a basis to respond to Randy’s question and questions regarding the name of God that we’ve been receiving regularly concerning the different names of God. How does Jesus want people to address God? How should we address God, dear friends? Does God even have a name? This is a very important question on our episode for today, and it’s especially important for those who want to properly worship God. So for us living in this day and age in the Christian Era, we follow the lead of our Lord Jesus Christ since He’s the begotten Son of God, He’s the one of course qualified to teach us how to approach God as His children. And Lord Jesus Christ does truly teach us this and let’s read His words. In the Book of Matthew 6:9: In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven,… [Matthew 6:9 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Dear friends, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray . He said “in this manner, pray.” And if we read all the subsequent verses following that, [it’s] all the different guidance that He gave them relative to proper prayer. What was the first that we just read? How to address God. What did He teach? He said, “Our Father in heaven.” So He taught His disciples (likewise, all of us), He taught us how to pray and how to address God. And He does so by showing us how to call upon God. And what He taught was to call Him (God) “Father.” We call God our Father. Now, did Christ put into practice what He instructed His disciples concerning how to address God, when Jesus Himself prayed? Did He use a personal name of God when He addressed God? Let’s, let’s check in the Book of John 17:1: Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, [John 17:1 New King James Version] Brother Bob: What did Jesus do when He prayed to God? He addressed God as “Father,” not any specific personal name. Now, how else can we call God? The apostles gave us some important additional insight on that. How did the apostles also call God in the Book of Acts 4:24: So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, [Act 4:24 New King James Version] Brother Bob: The apostles also prayed to God, and likewise addressed Him as “Lord.” So we’re also taught then to refer to our Creator as “Lord.” And that’s because He’s the One and Only true and Almighty, all-powerful God that we all came from. Therefore, He is our Father, and we should obey Him, because He is our Lord God. Are there different names for God in the Bible? Brother Bob: Now, dear friends before we start reading additional biblical passages here regarding the name or names of God, a couple of things we should understand regarding the significance of a personal name. Now without getting into them, the specific meaning of any particular name, let’s just understand first: what’s the basic purpose of a personal name in the first place? Is it not to be able to identify one person from another? This is why there’s always a link between name and identity. And the truth is that names are a part of every culture, and they’re of great importance, both to the individual who receives the name or has been named, and to the societies that have given them a name. Why? Because it’s what helps distinguish one individual from another. That distinction is made by virtue of name. OK, with all that having been said, because there is only one true God, with no one else to mistakenly identify as another god, there’s only one God. He does not have, nor does He need to have a personal name like the rest of us do. Again, why? There’s only one true God so there’s no need to distinguish Him from any other. So in view of this, let’s study the different names or appellations, that the Bible does attribute to God and their meanings. For example, the Holy Scriptures [introduce] various names and appellations of the one true God throughout the history in the Holy Scriptures. For example, in Exodus 3:14, God addressed Himself to Moses. Did God address Himself to Moses with a personal name? What did He say? “I am who I am.” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” [Exodus 3:14 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Or in some other translations of the Bible, when God introduced Himself to Moses, He said, “I will be what I will be.” We can see how [the Bible] makes very clear here that there was no one else that could be referred to as God. There was no need for God to give a personal name. He just said, “I am who I am.” “I am who I will be.” That’s it. He is God. He is the Father. He is the Creator in Isaiah 42:5 and 8. He also called Himself as “Lord”: Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it:…I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. [Isaiah 42:5,8 New King James Version] Brother Bob: And also in the book of Exodus 34:14. He likewise used the name “Jealous”: (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), [Exodus 34:14 New King James Version] Brother Bob: In Amos 5:27 [and] Amos 4:13, He was also named “God of hosts”: Therefore I will send you into captivity beyond Damascus,” Says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts….For behold, He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to man what [b]his thought is, And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth—The Lord God of hosts is His name. [Amos 5:27, 4:13 New King James Version] Brother Bob: In Isaiah 57:15. He is also named as “Holy”: For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. [Isaiah 57:15 New King James Version] Brother Bob: What can we see? We can see here that when it comes to the names of God, the Bible gives so many various names. It would be wrong to just hone in on any one of them and say, “That’s the ultimate.” No, there’s no such basis for that. Where did the name “Jehovah” come from? Should we call God Jehovah? Brother Bob: We find it necessary for a moment here, dear friends, let’s pause and tackle the claim of some who say things like this: “Jehovah. That’s His one and only name, Jehovah.” And there’s another group popping up nowadays [and] they’re using the term“Yahuah.” And they’re insisting that’s the one and the only name of God and the only name that should be used in reference to God. Since we already stated that God does not have a personal name like we do. [On-screen text] God does NOT have a personal name Brother Bob: Why? Because there’s no other true God to distinguish Him from. Let’s learn how this term “Jehovah” came about, and how it has also came to be viewed in the way that it’s being viewed by others in the world nowadays. Dear friends, if we reference Hebrew manuscripts; Hebrew of course being the language of the Old Testament, one of the names of God cannot be pronounced and it cannot be pronounced because it consists of four Hebrew consonants: Y, H, V, H. [On-screen text] 4 Hebrew consonants: Y H V H Brother Bob: The Hebrew letters: Y, H, V, H, commonly referred to as the Tetragrammaton. So when the Scriptures were being read during that time and when one came across these four consonants (Which were not intended to be pronounced. They’re consonants.) What would be pronounced [instead] is one of the other names of God. For example, as we read earlier when God said, “I am who I am,” or “I will be what I will be,” or simply, “Lord.” [On-screen text] I am who I am – Exodus 3:14 NKJV I will be what I will be – Exodus 3:14 CJB Lord – Isaiah 42: 5, 8 NKJV Brother Bob: None of these are, of course, a personal name. Where and when did the name “Jehovah” come about? It was over 1,000 years after the Bible’s completion. It appears first and about 1520 A.D. when some thought these four consonants (which was, as I said earlier, not intended to be pronounced at all), they thought, “Well, it should be pronounced.” So you might wonder how did they pronounce a word or come to pronounce a word that has only four consonants and no vowels? Well, what did they do? They simply just used the vowels of another word. And we can read this in the New international Dictionary of New Testament Theology . Let’s take a look at what’s recorded here in Volume 2 pages 69 and 70: [On-screen text] The form Jehovah arose out of a misunderstanding which in turn arose out of the reluctance of pious Jews to pronounce the divine name (c. 300 BC). Instead they uttered the word ‘adonay, my Lord. In the MT [Masoretic Text] the divine name was written with the consonants of YHVH and the vowels of ‘adonay, as a reminder to say the latter whenever the word was read. The divine name appears as yehowah in the MT…. The form Jehovah is thus a malformation giving what is virtually a transliteration of a word which is found in the text of the Heb. OT, but which was never actually used as a word. [New international Dictionary of New Testament Theology Vol. 2, pgs. 69-70] Brother Bob: And you know, dear friends, the same point was made in the reference of Harper’s Bible Dictionary, page 1,036. Let’s take a look at how they described what happened: [On-screen text] The hybrid word ‘Jehovah’ is a combination of the vowels of ‘Adonai’ with the consonants of the tetragrammaton; its appearance in the KJV was the result of the translators’ ignorance of the Hebrew language and customs. [Harper’s Bible Dictionary, p.1036] Brother Bob: “ Jehovah,” as the supposed name of God, in which some believe is His only true name, [is] a mistaken form of the divine name of the Creator. To insist on using this term in reference to God is [to] propagate an error. It should be understood that God’s name cannot be played with. It’s important that God would be always addressed correctly. God’s name must not be taken in vain, used uselessly, for He had laid down a very important prohibition on those who would invoke His name. What was that prohibition? Well, let’s, let’s go ahead and read that in Exodus 20:7: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. [Exodus 20:7 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Let’s simply follow the teaching. Follow the example of our Lord Jesus, our Savior, and address God as “Father.” This is what we should all believe. This is what we should all follow because that’s in the Bible. Dear friends, when you’re ready to learn more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church Of Christ , please visit us online, incmedia.org . Or visit any of our various social media accounts ( Instagram , Facebook , Twitter ). To speak to a minister of the Gospel and worship with us, you can find a directory of our houses of worship online as well. And if you have any questions about the Bible, please email us for a chance to be featured on the show. I’m Bob Pellien. Thank you for joining us and we’ll see you again next time right here on That’s in the Bible.

Click to expand transcript [Show open] Brother Bob Pellien : Thank you very much everyone for joining us in our studio audience here for That’s in the Bible Live. We appreciate [you] joining us in our study, and we believe that we will spend this time together and it will be beneficial for everyone. On this show, That’s in the Bible , we explore the Bible’s teachings on just about any topic imaginable and questions come into us from places all over the globe. We always get the answers to all these questions directly from here–the Holy Scriptures , also known as? Audience: [Mixed answers] Brother Bob: The Bible, yes. You’re a very funny audience. I can tell this is going to be a very nice session. Our question for today, let’s take a look at it first. It proposes a very interesting question that we’ll address and talk about today. Let’s take a look at it. [Video begins] [On-screen text graphics] Why are there so many different Christian teachings and Churches? Feraidoon Hezoda Feraidoon Hezoda: So many church[es], but so many bibles. So many teach the people. Why don’t [they] teach the people one thing if one Bible [comes] from God? [Video ends] Brother Bob: Well we thank Mr. Hezoda for that really wonderful question. We’d like to thank him for his question and we hope to receive many more questions as we go along. It’s really not surprising from someone, or anyone, viewing Christianity from outside of it. They would be perplexed or even confused when they see all the different denominations , all the different churches, all the different religions, so a full spectrum of religious beliefs all under the umbrella of so-called Christianity. And that’s very confusing to many people. So, we’re very thankful for that question because it’s a really relevant question in the minds of many people nowadays. A Bible-based Church where there’s only one God It’s our belief , inside the Church Of Christ, that there is only one true faith, one set of true doctrines, and one true service to God. Not many. We believe in that adamantly. Only one basis of faith, one sole basis of faith, and that, of course, is the Bible. Although the Bible may be translated—it’s been said in an article not too long ago, it’s been actually translated into 1,854 different languages and dialects all over the world. It remains for us the absolute sole basis of our faith. Why do we believe that to be the sole basis of our faith? Why do we believe that there is only one faith that one must embrace when wanting to serve the one true God? Okay, let’s turn to the Holy Bible and begin researching the responses to the important question posed by Mr. Hezoda. In Ephesians chapter 4:4-6: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [Ephesians 4:4-6 New International Version] Brother Bob: There are a lot of times in that verse where the word one, o-n-e, is used. I would like to ask the studio audience here this afternoon, reading the verses along with us on the screen, how many faiths are there based on what we just read? How many faiths, studio audience? Audience: One. Brother Bob: One faith. How many bodies, studio audience? Audience: One. Brother Bob: How many Lords? Audience: One. Brother Bob: We believe there is only one true faith. Why? Because? Audience: That’s in the Bible. Brother Bob: We believe that there is only one true God because? Audience: That’s in the Bible. Brother Bob: We believe that there is only one body because? Audience: That’s in the Bible. Brother Bob: Because that’s in the Bible. What’s being referred to as that one body? We often read in Colossians 1:18, here in this program: “ And he is the head of the body, the church;…” Brother Bob: What is it? Audience: The church. Brother Bob: The church. One faith, one body, one church according to the Holy Scriptures. And that’s what we believe. Again, once more, studio audience. Why? Because? Audience: That’s in the Bible. Brother Bob: Here’s the thing, if all of that is so clearly indicated in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, why do things get all twisted up? Why do things become confusing and why do people become so perplexed as they view the religious scene of the world nowadays? What’s happened? What we read was not so complicated. That’s pretty direct. Do you agree? Audience: Yes. Brother Bob: What has transpired? Allow me to cite, this time, the writings of Apostle Peter. II Peter 3:16: Speaking of this as he does in all of his letters. There are some things in those [epistles of Paul] that are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist and misconstrue to their own utter destruction, just as [they distort and misinterpret] the rest of the Scriptures. [2 Peter 3:16 Amplified Bible] Beware of people trying to mislead you Brother Bob: Why is it all so perplexing for so many people who are trying to serve God and understand the truth? Answer of the Bible, what was it? Because there are preachers who are misinterpreting, there are preachers who are twisting , and there are preachers who are misconstruing things that they see and read. And, of course, therefore leading people away from the truth. And they do so because they are not understanding what they are reading. So, what was the warning? Verse 17 will explain. We will continue reading: Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard,… [2 Peter 3:17 Amplified Bible] Brother Bob: Dear friends, that’s a very important warning from the Lord. That’s not from me or from the kind of individual that invited you to join our study here this afternoon. That’s the Lord Himself through the apostle Peter saying, let me warn you, you need to guard against something. What? Let’s continue: Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind]. [2 Peter 3:17 Amplified Bible] Brother Bob: What was the warning? The warning was that there could be those that would mislead you and try to carry you away from the spiritual condition you need to remain in. It happens because there are preachers who are teaching but not understanding what they are teaching. So what do they end up doing? They end up misinterpreting, as we all read it together, and twisting the message . So, by show of hands, how many of you have seen preachers online, or turning on the television on a Sunday morning, and you could see them preaching the most confusing and perplexing ideological principles and trying to convince people to believe? How many of you have seen this confusion that we just read about being done by preachers in the world nowadays? A lot. That’s why the question from Mr. Hezoda is such a common question. Why [are there] so many religions? Why are [there] so many things being taught? And there’s the Bible’s answer. There are those who are twisting and teaching false things. The question now we pose together is this: well if that is what is transpiring, why [are] there are so many people that are becoming so easily victimized and led by such individuals who have unscrupulous ideologies and unscrupulous intentions when they put and hold the Bible in their hand? Why are people allowing themselves to become victims? Okay, you’re with me on the question, right? Follow along, as God inspired the apostle Paul to give an answer to that. In Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy. Here in II Timothy chapter 4, let’s read together verse 3: For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction,… [2 Timothy 4:3 Amplified Bible] Brother Bob: Allow me to pause. What was the prediction of the Lord, here, through the apostle? Prediction about people? What did he say? They’re not going to tolerate sound doctrine. They are not going to want sound biblical truth anymore. So what did He say would transpire? …but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, [2 Timothy 4:3 Amplified Bible] Brother Bob: Why do people become victims? Because they embrace this exact principle forewarned by the Lord through the apostle. They gather for themselves preachers who will tell them what they’re itching to hear, or preachers that will tell them what they believe is okay. Let’s just consider a very obvious example, and that’s the mantra of Protestantism. What’s Protestantism? What’s the mainstay of Protestantism? Faith alone. “Just believe. Just accept Jesus as your Lord and personal savior and that’s it. You will be saved.” A person will hear that. Consider the verse we just read together, right, people will gather preachers that will tell them what they’re itching to hear. “Faith alone? I just need to believe and I will be saved? That’s easy! I like it. I think i’ll go join that religion.” No longer discerning whether or not that principle is true or not. So what have these preachers done, not in our measurement, but what have these preachers done in the eyes of God? It’s not for us to give answers to these questions. We just turn to the pages of the Holy Scriptures for the answers. This is [always] our way. Mark chapter 7, verse 6 and 7: Jesus answered them, “How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! You are hypocrites, just as he wrote: ’These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!” [Mark 7:6-7 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: They may have tried to honor the Lord, but they failed. Why did they fail? Well, Mr. Hezoda noticed—Mr. Hezoda the one who asked the original question—and maybe there are others in the studio audience or on the online audience viewing our program, or on Direct TV channel 2068 who are also viewing our program. They are here who might have that same kind of question. But here inside the Church Of Christ, we adhere to a very, very important biblical principle, which has been missed by all of those preachers and have been noticed then by Mr. Hezoda and, like I said, so many others. It has caused so much perplexity and confusion in organizations all claiming to be under the umbrella of Christianity. They have missed an important biblical principle, which we’ve got to hold tight to. And we do, here inside the Church Of Christ . Don’t go beyond what is written in the Bible What principle do I refer to? We are not allowed to go beyond what is written. Whose rule is that anyway? We turn again to the Holy Scriptures for a response. Apostle Paul wrote the following. I Corinthians, chapter 4, verse 6: Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. [1 Corinthians 4:6 New International Version] Brother Bob: Beloved audience, whose rule is it? Is it our rule? We believe in this rule. Why? Because? Audience: That’s in the Bible. Brother Bob: What was the rule? Don’t go beyond what is…? Audience: Written. Brother Bob: Don’t go beyond what is written. You can’t add to it. When we pose questions, you just have to turn to the Holy Scriptures and get the answer from God. He inspired, more or less, forty-two different chosen writers over a time span of so many years to compile these truths. So that when we pose questions, we won’t have to try to dream up our own opinionated answers. It’s there. Here inside the Church Of Christ, this is how we learn . This is the way that we are taught. It may not be the most entertaining format, but we are preserved from the opinions of any individual, and we are, therefore, tied to the truths of God recorded, here, in the Holy Scriptures. We always adhere to the instruction that we have just read together, “Don’t go beyond what is written.” Everything that we believe has to come from the Holy Scriptures. So, I pose this question to the audience, once again. Did anyone know that that was the commandment of God before we just read it from the Bible and put it up on the screen, that you could not go beyond what was written? How many knew that rule of God before we just read it together? Raise your hand. More or less. About a half. So there’s the answer to Mr. Hazoda’s question: half did not even know that that was a rule. And because half and so many others and preachers and such in this world also do not yet know that rule, they just go and preach whatever they think. Their own idea of right and wrong, good and bad, and that confuses and perplexes people such as Mr. Hazoda and so many others to wonder why is Christianity all under the umbrella of Christianity all teaching so many different things? Well there you go. There’s the Bible’s answer. Because there are people out there teaching things that have been added to it or subtracted from it and confusing people. So upon close examination you will see that many churches and religious groups and preachers, like what was mentioned by the individual who posed the question for today’s episode in that opening video, he’s noticing the preachers that are just not following that rule. Instead what’s being put forth, sad to say, are teachings inspired—and we heard that as we have read Mark chapter 7—teachings inspired by man’s own rules. Not God. And these falsehoods have been inserted in every Christian-professing religion since the very beginning. The very beginning of Christianity. Except for one. Except for one. The true Church Of Christ built by Jesus. And beloved guests, audience online and on Direct TV, today, here in this studio audience, and on the online studio audience as well, you have found that one true Church Of Christ established by Jesus that does adhere to the instruction to use the Bible as the sole basis of our faith. Do not add to it, do not subtract [from] it. You must continue therefore to study with us . For now, that’s all we have time for, but may it inspire you to continue learning more and continue studying with us here inside the Church Of Christ. We want to thank, so much, our studio audience for joining us, taking the studio tour, and posing questions as many of you have done. There is no question that is too basic. There is no question that cannot be answered by the Bible when it comes to our lives, when it comes to our salvation. If you would like to know more about the basic fundamental teachings found inside the Church Of Christ please visit [On-screen graphic] Learn more at incmedia.org Brother Bob: And pause it because I want to ask you to memorize it in case you haven’t yet. Please visit incmedia.org. Okay say it without me. Visit? Audience: incmedia.org Brother Bob: There you will find many more of these episodes of That’s in the Bible , as well as episodes of The Message . You will find our doctrines and teachings in the Church Of Christ that are in Spanish, in French, in German, in Italian, etc. And there you will find the beliefs we embrace inside the Church Of Christ. These are the things that we believe because…? Audience: That’s in the Bible. Brother Bob: You can send your video questions just like the gentleman did there. Send your video questions to [On-screen graphic] answers@incmedia.org Email us your questions Brother Bob: If you would like to see your questions answered here, of course, on this program…? Audience: That’s in the Bible Brother Bob: You’re getting slower. We’re almost finished now. That’s okay. Thank you very much for joining us. We’ll see you again next time. [Show Close]

[Show open] [Video starts] Chuck Horner: I’m Chuck Horner, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in South Hayward. My question is what must we do to be right with God to be saved? [Video ends] Brother Bob Pellien : Welcome everyone, and thank you particularly so much, Mr. Horner, for your question for today. And your question is a question that’s, well, it’s often heard from people who are really seeking to understand about God’s ways. The problem is that many people, however, have made the mistake of drawing their own conclusions, even their own strategies, let’s say, about how to put themselves right with God. [On-screen text graphic] QUESTION: What must one do to be put right with God? Brother Bob: But as always, here in the Church Of Christ , and on this program, That’s in the Bible , the answer to your question will always come from this book—the Holy Scriptures . Can devotion alone lead to being saved? So what has the Apostle Paul, for example, said, Mr. Horner, about your question? Did he provide any warning or guidance to us? We turn to the book of Romans 10, verse 2 and 3. He gave this warning: I can assure you that they are deeply devoted to God; but their devotion is not based on true knowledge. They have not known the way in which God puts people right with Himself, and instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and so they did not submit themselves to God’s way of putting people right. [Romans 10:2-3 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: So Chuck, the answer to your question is not, therefore, just being devoted to God as so many people think. Chuck, what will be the danger if one would just choose their own way of putting themselves right with God? Their own strategy to do that? Here in Proverbs 14, and let’s listen together what’s recorded here in verse 12. It says this: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. [Proverbs 14:12 New King James Version] What does the Bible say about the second death? Brother Bob: So clearly here, Chuck, the Bible teaches that although it may seem right to a person—their own strategy, their own idea, maybe just being devoted or whatever—but the Bible says what seems right to a person may in fact lead them to death. And it’s not only the death referred to here. It’s not only the ending of our biological life, it’s also the infliction of a second death—a death. And how does the Bible further describe that death? It’s mentioned in the book of Revelation chapter 20, verse 14 like this: Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [Revelation 20:14 New King James Version] Brother Bob: The Bible calls it a second death, a death in the lake of fire. So in fact, what if a person will decide to make the next step and say, “Well then I guess if it’s not my own strategy that I need to implement to make myself right with God, then what do I need to do?” Maybe they’ll conclude, “Well I just need to be worshipping God . As long as I’m worshipping God, then I’ll be right with God.” The Lord Jesus answers that question, Chuck, like this. In the book of Matthew 15, verse 9, he said it like this: And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ [Matthew 15:9 New King James Version] All have sinned Brother Bob: So although they may make their own conclusion like, “Well all I need to do is to be worshipping,” Jesus responds how? He said, well, their worship will be in vain. Why would it be in vain? If they’re still using doctrines or commandments of men as the basis of their worship that makes the worship vain or useless. So we must acknowledge that this vain worship is the result of man’s being separated from God in the first place. Separated from God due to what? The iniquities and sins, as was mentioned by the Prophet Isaiah in 59: 2. Because of sin, because of iniquity, man has become separated from God: But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. [Isaiah 59:2 New King James Version] Brother Bob: In fact, if we read Apostle Paul’s statement in Colossians 1: 21, what did he call people that have been separated from God because of sin? He referred to them as, “enemies:” And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet know He has reconciled [Colossians 1:21 New King James Version] Brother Bob: And who has committed sin? Romans 5:12 makes mention all people have committed sin . People need to be reconciled to God, need to have themselves put right with God. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned- [Romans 5:12 New King James Version] Brother Bob: But it is not just by saying, “Well I’m going to worship, I’m going to be devoted, I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that.” If then, it’s not just following what we, ourselves, may think is the good way or think is the right way of serving God, putting ourselves right with God, maybe following some trending, religious ideology of the times. Then what must you mean all people do to achieve the needed reconciliation with God? Is it, like others would say, is it just proclaiming that we have faith in God, faith in Jesus, and then automatically we’ll be saved? Again we turn to the Holy Scriptures once more to the words of our Lord Jesus in the book of Matthew chapter 7, verse 21: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. [Matthew 7:21 New King James Version] Joining the body of Christ Brother Bob: What’s to be done? We have got to do the will of the Father in heaven . What is the will of the Father in heaven that all must do in order to put themselves right with God? Again we turn to the Bible. Ephesians 1:9 and 10: Having made known to us, the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth- in Him. [Ephesians 1:9-10 New King James Version] Brother Bob: So Chuck, that’s the will of God that you, me and all people have to comply with. The will of God that all would be gathered together in one, in Christ. When the first century followers of Christ in the Apostles heard the Apostles teaching these things, how did they comply? How did they fulfill that will of God and thus make themselves right with God? Romans 12, verse 4, verse 5: For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. [Romans 12:4-5 New King James Version] Brother Bob: What did they do? They all joined together in one body with Christ as the head. They joined together. Although they were many, they joined as one in Christ. And they joined in that one body. All of them were so many. What was the one body into which they joined together? In Colossians 1: 18, the body was identified: And He is the head of the body, the Church [Colossians 1:18 New King James Version] Brother Bob: That body is the Church. Which Church is the body of Christ, according to the Bible? Here in Acts 20, verse 28, the name of the Church is made mentioned like this: Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ, which he has purchased with His blood. [Acts 20:28 Lamsa] Brother Bob: The Church? Church Of Christ. So then, Chuck, the Bible responds to your question, how do we put ourselves right with God? The Bible tells us how not to do it and the Bible tells us how to do it. [On-screen text graphic] Find a congregation near you: iglesianicristo.net/directory Brother Bob: And the Bible tells you, me, and all people who want to be saved to fulfill the will of God, which is to be part of the body of Christ, the Church He shed his blood for, the Church Of Christ, the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Chuck, that’s in the Bible. [On-screen text graphic] Do you have questions about the Bible? Send us your videos: answers@incmedia.org Brother Bob: There’s no question that is too basic, no question that cannot be answered by the Bible when it comes to our lives and of course, our salvation . And we’ll respond to them here on this program. If you’d like to learn more about these basic, fundamental teachings found here inside the Church Of Christ, visit incmedia.org . There, you’re going to find various religious programming that will answer your spiritual questions . Thank you for joining us today and we’ll see you again next time on That’s in the Bible .

Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you all very much! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome everyone to this program That’s in the Bible Live today. I’m Brother Bob Pellien and we thank you all for joining us today, being our studio audience. We are very thankful, as well, to all those who will be watching this recorded broadcast later on in various Church mediums like Direct TV, incmedia.org , INCTV America, and several others. Now those who have been tuning into our program on a regular basis, you know already that in this show, That’s in the Bible , we explore the Bible’s teaching on many topics. Topics relating to salvation and relating to proper service to God. Today’s topic: [On-screen text graphics] What Does Celebrating Easter Say About You? Brother Bob: If you’re celebrating Easter, you’re probably one of three types of people. You may be like the first: you’re fully aware of everything about Easter, you’re aware of the origins of the Easter holiday, and, for you, it’s really nothing that you’re too concerned about. [On-screen text graphics] 1 – You’re fully aware of the origins of this holiday and it’s really nothing that you’re too concerned about. Brother Bob: Or you might be the second type of person. Maybe it could be described like whether or not you know the origins, or you really know the history of Easter in the essence of this holiday for you, but it’s just fun, right? [On-screen text graphics] 2 – Whether or not you know its origins or history, in essence the holiday is just a fun thing to participate in. Brother Bob: It’s nice to participate in the various traditions of Easter. Or you might be a third kind of person. You maybe don’t know much yet about Easter or the origins of the various Easter traditions, but you are interested to find out. [On-screen text graphics] 3 – You don’t know much about Easter or the origins of its traditions, but are interested to find out. Brother Bob: We challenge you. We ask you today to fit yourself into one of those personas as we go on in our study together. Our That’s in the Bible team went out right here in the San Francisco Bay trail. They gathered some video interviews of real people just talking about how they celebrate Easter. I’m very sure that many of the things that you’re about to hear may seem very familiar to you. Let’s take a moment and look. [Video Starts] [On-screen text graphics] Do you celebrate Easter? Interviewee 1 : We celebrate Easter every year. Interviewee 2 : Personally, my husband and I don’t really celebrate it. Interviewee 3 : I celebrate it at church and with my family. [On-screen text graphics] How do you celebrate Easter? Interviewee 4 : I celebrate it with the family. That’s the most important thing. So friends and stuff like that little most important family. Interviewee 2 : I don’t celebrate Easter by going to church, but I certainly do plan Easter egg hunts for my kids. Interviewee 1 : I not only celebrate Easter at church, but I also celebrate with my family. Interviewee 4 : You know, of course the Easter egg basket though traditional stuff, but some of us go to church. Some don’t. Then we just get together and just eat and have a good time and celebrate. Interviewee 3 : Last year I did little goodie bags [that] said ‘Jesus is alive.’ Interviewee 5 : Being Christian I go to church and put my family together. We pray. But of course, being here in Western country you have to do what kids like. So egg hunt for the kids! [On-screen text graphics] How do you prepare for Easter? Interviewee 1 : Well before that is Lent, I believe, and you’re supposed to give up stuff for Lent. Interviewee 3 : And as far as 40, the Lent thing, I grew up Catholic so I kind of used to do that but I didn’t really understand it. Interviewee 1 : I was going to give up sweets or something this year, but anyway, not really good at giving up anything. Interviewee 2 : We just try to say, “Hey, remember you celebrated Easter,” but not really opening up a Bible or something to explain to them what it is because we ourselves are not very educated in that area. Interviewee 3 : My family does that. It kind of kicks off the 40 days before Easter, which is the day Jesus rose from the dead. [On-screen text graphics] What do you know about Easter? Interviewee 2 : So I don’t know. It’s just happy, fun, bunnies and stuff. Where I grew up from … grew up at and I’m not Christian so we were not educated with it. Interviewee 3 : I think it’s just mostly [a] time of just really reflecting on the reason why all this was happening and who Jesus was. Interviewee 2 : We still try to educate them [on] what it what it is. It’s not all about candy, right? But we certainly try to make it fun. Interviewee 3 : I’ve had funny stories like I’ve taught Sunday school on Easter, and we’ve asked the kids, like, “Where did the Easter eggs come from?” And one kid said, “Jesus laid them,” which is really funny, but, we had to tell them what the meaning was behind that. It’s just all symbolism, but what does it really mean? it just means new life that, you know, Jesus died so that we can live again with him. [Video Ends] Brother Bob: So there you go, a full spectrum of ideas and perceptions of about Easter and how to celebrate it, and things like that, right? Now whether or not you celebrate Easter for its religious aspect, as you heard a couple of them say, or you’re just into it because well, it’s family fun time. As we saw, there’s a lot of ways to celebrate Easter being undertaken in the world nowadays. So what does celebrating Easter—back to our original question right? What does celebrating Easter, what does it really say about you? Easter symbols, traditions, and practices Brother Bob: What we will do is briefly go over a few of the popular symbols, or let’s call them traditions, practices of this holiday called Easter. Let’s first start with the term itself—Easter. You might be surprised about the meaning of that term. According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia , let’s take a moment to read what is recorded here on on page 6: Since Bede the Venerable (De ratione temporum 1:5) “the origin of the term for the feast of Christ’s Resurrection has been popularly considered to be from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre, a goddess of spring. [New Catholic Encyclopedia Vol 5 Page 6] [On-screen text graphics] Pagan Fertility Goddess Ishtar (Babylonian) Ashtaroth (Hebrew) Astarte (Greek) Eastre (Anglo-Saxon) Easter (English) Brother Bob: Easter was also known to the Babylonians and others as Ishtar, Easter, and other similar names in ancient religions, all connected to what is now been Christian-ized into mainstream Christianity today. [On-screen text graphics] “Easter” – goddess of Fertility Rabbit – Symbol of Fertility Brother Bob: What’s another tradition of Easter? They said it on the video. Easter eggs. Audience: Eggs. Brother Bob: And bunnies. Audience : Bunnies. Brother Bob: Easter eggs and Easter bunnies. By the way, just a little side biological note, bunnies don’t lay eggs. They’re mammals. But that’s another whole discussion. Easter Bunny, Easter eggs, and the symbols all of those kinds of symbols, which are quite synonymous with the Easter holiday. In this Catholic Dictionary on page 169, what is noted here regarding those traditions like Easter eggs, Easter baskets, and things like that, it’s not of course into Holy Scripture. So, where then, what then, is it all about? Take note: [On-screen text graphics] Easter eggs may possibly be a “baptized” pagan custom, since they are an obvious symbol of fertility, and many places it is still the practice to paint the eggs and bring them to church and decorated baskets for a blessing before or after mass. Chocolate eggs and such like-fooleries are a degeneration of no significance. [A Catholic Dictionary Page 169] Brother Bob: That is the official book of Roman Catholicism . These things are from what origin? The Bible? No, they are from pagan origins. But what’s paganism in the first place? What’s the big deal? That’s what a lot of people say. “Pagan. So what?” Can we say so what? What do we need to understand about paganism? What is a pagan? Here’s one definition. You can see it on the screen from dictionary.cambridge.org . The Cambridge Dictionary says: [On-screen text graphics] paganism noun a religion that worships many gods, especially a religion that existed before the main world religions Brother Bob: Easter bunny, Easter egg, the Easter goddess of fertility from the Babylonian goddess of fertility, Easter, Ishtar, those are ancient pagan gods and goddesses that come not from the Bible. What does it say, then? I pose this question to everyone: what does it say about anyone who is okay with that? In the New Encyclopedia Britannica and on page 605, what do they have to say about some of these origins of various Easter traditions? I quote: [On-screen text graphics] As at Christmas, so also at Easter, popular customs reflect many ancient pagan survivals-in this instance, connected with Spring fertility rites, such as the symbols of the Easter egg, and the Easter hare or rabbit. [New Encyclopedia Britannica MACROPEDIA, 15th Edition, Vol 4 Page 605] Brother Bob: So the Easter egg [and] the Easter rabbit are symbols of spring fertility rites used in ancient pagan worship to ancient goddesses of fertility, not anything that has to do with Jesus and His death and resurrection whatsoever. Lent Brother Bob: Everyone has heard about Lent , and, a couple of those that we interviewed outside here on the trail, as you saw [in] the video, they spoke about the 40 days of Lent. We all know that it’s the 40 days of fasting done in the Catholic Church in preparation for Easter. In the Catholic Encyclopedia on page 69. This important statement was made: [On-screen text graphics] No distinct traces of the quadragesimal observance are discernible until the fourth century. The decrees of the Council of Nicea in 325 contain the earliest mention of Lent. [The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol 1 Page 69] Brother Bob: A popular 40 day period prior to Easter is called what, studio audience? Audience: Lent? Brother Bob: How many days is it? Audience: 40. Brother Bob: 40. It was invented in the Bible. It was instructed to be done in the Bible. True or false? Audience: False. Brother Bob: Where did it come from, then? Lent is not a biblical instruction. It was made up, as you saw me read from the Catholic book. The Catholic Church invented it—brought it into use. What century? Fourth century. And what year? 325 AD at the Council of Nicea. And to learn more about these and in greater depth thorough detail, we would like to recommend checking out incmedia.org/easter. You can learn more about the history of Lent, many things about Lent, more things about the Easter traditions themselves, the Holy Week, stations of the Cross and all that leading up to Easter and the various celebrated practices and traditions of each one of them relative to what the Bible actually says about them. Everyone should become very well educated about all the history of those things, but here right now, knowing—that was just some highlights, right? Knowing where Easter truly came from and where the traditions really came from, out of the three types of people, then, which type of person are you? Are you persona number one? You knew these things already, but to you, “No big deal. I like chocolate.” [On-screen text graphics] 1 – You’re fully aware of the origins of this holiday and it’s really nothing that you’re too concerned about. Brother Bob: Or maybe your persona number two. [On-screen text graphics] 2 – Whether or not you know its origins or history, in essence the holiday is just a fun thing to participate in. Brother Bob: You didn’t know these things before. You didn’t know that it was rooted in a history of service to Ishtar, Babylonian goddess of fertility. Her symbols were the egg and the rabbit. “I didn’t know that.” But even after learning it here now, it’s not really too concerning of an issue. It’s not really going to “pull at your heartstrings”, as the saying goes. Or you are person number three? [On-screen text graphics] 3 – You don’t know much about Easter or the origins of its traditions, but are interested to find out. Brother Bob: Now that you know that its practices are not from the Bible, but instead from ancient worship to pagan gods, you are very concerned about that, and you would like to know what is actually written in the Holy Scriptures so as to properly commemorate the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ . Are you one, two or three type of a person? If you are a person number one or two, you are definitely entitled to your way of thinking. That is your right and we respect everyone. But if you are the third type of person, we share with you now, today, what the Bible actually teaches to protect us, and to keep us from straying away from God, our Creator . Today, we turn to the Bible, inside the Church Of Christ . We are guided by the Bible only to know what is right and wrong, good and bad for us to do and to know what is acceptable to God when it comes to our service to Him. The Bible is the sole basis of our faith. What does the Bible say about Easter? Brother Bob: So having said all that, let’s take a look together right now at the things the Bible actually does say, or more importantly does not say about Easter. Most Christian-professing religions consider this to be the most sacred of seasons. Easter, for many, is the one holiday of the year they strive to be religious. What did they do? Well, they probably gather up the families for a special meal, they participate in various traditions, like we heard from the interviews that we did, and from the history and we all know the Easter baskets and all those kinds of things. As we look at the following Bible verses I asked you then to consider evaluating your own self. Should we all go hide easter eggs? Should we? Should we color the egg? Should we make chocolate Easter bunnies? I can’t believe I’m saying something against chocolate again. Here I go. Do all those things and say maybe “It’s fun. It’s enjoyable. The kids are happy. What’s wrong with that?” The children may like it. And isn’t it true, those of us who are parents, isn’t it nice to see your children happy? What parent doesn’t want that? But what does the LORD Himself say about adopting these practices, which, by the way, as we’ve been saying, have their origins in paganism which remember is the worship to ancient gods and goddesses. What does the Lord say about that? [On-screen text graphics] paganism noun a religion that worships many gods, especially a religion that existed before the main world religions Brother Bob: It doesn’t have anything to do with worship to God nor in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross . So what then is the instruction of the LORD exactly? All right, let’s get to it. Jeremiah the prophet, Chapter 10, verse 2: Thus says the Lord, “Do not learn the way of the [pagan] nations, … [Jeremiah 10:2 Amplified BIble] Brother Bob: That’s a very clear directive, “Do not learn the way of the pagan nations…” But not only have people learned them, they have learned them and incorporated them into their culture, incorporated them into their practices. And they call it service to the LORD in remembrance of Christ. No, no, no pagan ways are from the Catholic Church. People are practicing them with all kinds of enthusiasm. But what is it that the LORD said? You saw it on the screen. Thus says the Lord, “Do not learn the way of the [pagan] nations, … [Jeremiah 10:2 Amplified Bible] Brother Bob: Don’t do it. And as we’re discussing many may want to respond to say that, “Those details about pagan roots and all that, that’s not important, right?” You know, “It’s okay if we ignore—let’s not just pay attention to the roots of those practices, their origins, as long as we have good intentions and we’re trying to do it in our service to the LORD, right?” That would be the mindset of a lot of people. Are there any biblical principles or expectations of God that we can read here in the Holy Scriptures that have to be considered when answering that question? [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: Let’s just say right out absolutely, yes. And here’s one of them. Exodus chapter 20: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,… [Exodus 20:3-5 New International Version] Brother Bob: God gave a very clear and definitive answer, did He not? He said, “Don’t have any other gods, don’t make any image of them, and don’t bow down. I’m a jealous God.” That’s not safe then to do that, because God said he would be jealous. Why? Because they’re replacing Him with [a] pagan goddess. They’re replacing God. And of course, you would be saddened by being replaced by another, which, what’s the very meaning of the word “jealousy”? Being sad because you have been replaced by another. “But wait!”, you may say, you know, “You mean to say that the practices of Easter wouldn’t constitute the replacement of God, would it?” Yes! Clearly that would not be okay with the Lord. What then is essential and a real element of Easter that one should consider before you will entertain the idea of applying Easter practices and then say, “It’s my intent to give honor to God. It’s my intent to give honor to His son, our Lord Jesus Christ ”? The celebration is an obvious service to another God, in that God’s name was Easter name for the goddess Easter. [On-screen text graphics] Pagan Fertility Goddess Ishtar (Babylonian) Ashtaroth (Hebrew) Astarte (Greek) Eastre (Anglo-Saxon) Easter (English) Brother Bob: And that’s not in the Bible. Dear friends, that’s what is called idolatry, worship to false gods or goddesses . And that’s what God does not allow, of course. What then, I pose this question, what does it say about you if you don’t care about that? Do you care about what God cares about? God will not tolerate, then, any service to other gods or other goddesses like Easter, the Babylonian goddess. That’s very clear. But many still believe that all of this is truly harmless. It’s truly harmless. Isn’t it possible to just say traditions like the Easter Bunny, it’s just for fun. It’s just for the children and it’s really harmless. Can we say that? These things may not be in the Bible. Many would say, “I know it’s not biblical, but surely the LORD would accept them as a service to Him. It’s not as a worship to Him, right?” We can’t answer that, but God Himself gives a profound answer about that and it was mentioned and recorded here. I quote Matthew. I quote the Bible once again, Matthew chapter 15, verse 9: And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’“ [Matthew 15:9 New King James Version] Brother Bob: What did it say about their worship? It’s vain, it’s useless. But can’t we just overlook the pagan origins of these things and just let it be enjoyed? Why dig into the roots and details about all these things and read God’s responses in the Holy Scriptures ? [On-screen text graphics] What if Easter is just for fun and not a form of worship? Brother Bob: “What if my personal celebration of Easter is just for fun and what if I don’t even mean it as a form of worship?” I know. That question continues to be asked by a lot of people, but here’s the thing, we can’t just ignore warnings. Consider that. I’m going to repeat it. We cannot just ignore warnings given to us in the Holy Scriptures. “Warning? What warning?” Let’s let’s take a look at an example. This is mentioned here by Apostle Paul in Colossians chapter 2, verse 8. “Beware.” What’s the meaning of that word, by the way, “Beware”—it’s already announcing what? Danger, rig

Should We Observe The Sabbath? [On-screen text graphic] I’ve read that the Bible indicates that the Sabbath is on Saturday. Why then is the Sabbath celebrated on a Sunday instead of Saturday, even though the Lord told us to keep the Sabbath? Sulamithe Zurich, Switzerland Brother Bob Pellien : Thank you so much, Sulamithe, for your question, and it’s so nice to receive a question all the way from Zurich, Switzerland. I think this is the first time that we’ve had a question from Switzerland and we’re very thankful and we welcome you all from Switzerland. Regarding your question concerning the Sabbath, there are so many questions that come up about the Sabbath and a lot of those questions are just like yours. [On-screen text graphic] Sabbath Brother Bob: The questions are also asked by many preachers and people who have just not yet fully understood the topic about the Sabbath. So we’ll turn to the Holy Scriptures and ask these important questions that you’ve raised. To begin with, Sulamithe, your question already assumes that we should all be adhering to the Sabbath and the Sabbath rules in our era of time, albeit on a Saturday, Sunday, or any day at all for that matter. The very first thing we need to address is do we need to define who God commanded, really, to first observe the Sabbath in the first place? [On-screen text graphic] Question: Should we be celebrating the Sabbath? Brother Bob: The second part of the question is, until when? Well we have to determine that first before we can claim whether or not we should even be celebrating that ourselves and then determine, as your question posed to be done on a Saturday or a Sunday. [On-screen text graphic] Question: Should we even be celebrating it? What Does the Bible Say About the Sabbath Day? Brother Bob: What does the Bible say about the Sabbath? [On-screen text graphic] What does the Bible say about the Sabbath? Brother Bob: Let’s begin turning to the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Malachi in chapter 4, verse 4: “Earnestly remember the Law of Moses My servant, the statutes and the ordinances which I commanded him on [Mount] Horeb [to give] to all Israel. [Malachi 4:4 Amplified Bible] Brother Bob: So dear friends the Sabbath was definitely a commandment of God — was one of the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses. No question about that. Who Should Observe the Sabbath? Brother Bob: But to be observed by whom? The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. [Exodus 31:16 New International Version] Brother Bob: Answer of the Bible: to be observed by the people of ancient Israel. Why? As a symbol of the Lord’s covenant with them. It was also an observance commanded by God to commemorate something else. What’s that? Let’s turn to Deutoronomy 5:15: Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. [Deutoronomy 5:15 New International Version] Brother Bob: So dear friends, God commanded the Israelites to celebrate the Sabbath and to commemorate how God delivered them out of Egypt. [On-screen text graphic] God commanded the Israelites to celebrate the Sabbath Brother Bob: Are you an Israelite that was enslaved in Egypt? Because the instruction was very clear: to remember that he brought them out of their enslavement in Egypt. If you were there, if you were a slave in Egypt, you should be celebrating the Sabbath. If not, well, then not. God Commands to Stop Observing the Sabbath Brother Bob: In fact can we even pinpoint in the Bible specifically where God actually gave the instruction to stop it, where he took away or retracted the commandment? [On-screen text graphic] God gave the instruction to stop the Sabbath Brother Bob: In Hosea 2:11, the Bible answer this way: “I will put an end to all her festivities—her annual and monthly festivals and her Sabbath celebrations—all her religious meetings.” [Hosea 2:11 Today’s English Version] Brother Bob: Dear friends, that was God himself speaking very clear saying they got to put a stop to it. The Prophet Jeremiah also gave testimony further to God’s decision to put an end to the observance of the Sabbath. What did he have to say? The prophet Jeremiah in the book of Lamentations, chapter 2 verse 6: “He smashed to pieces the Temple where we worshipped him; He has put an end to holy days and Sabbaths. King and priest alike have felt the force of his anger.” [Lamentations 2:6 Today’s English Version] Brother Bob: So dear friends, what does this show? Well it shows that after the Israelites turned away from God, their observance of the Sabbath had become actually abominable in the sight of God. [On-screen text graphic] The Sabbath became abominable to God Brother Bob: The Sabbath ended completely and the Sabbath was never again commanded to be observed after the time of the Israelites. God put a total and complete end to that commandment. Does the Sabbath apply today? Should Christians keep the Sabbath? Brother Bob: Inasmuch as we’re living much later, was there any guidance from Jesus and His disciples concerning the Sabbath in this, what is known as the Christian era of time, and thus would be followed by the Church? [On-screen text graphic] Question: Is there a Sabbath in the Christian time? Brother Bob: There is. The Lord Jesus himself stated that it’s lawful to do good on the Sabbath. How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. [Matthew 12:12 New International Version] Brother Bob: He was criticized harshly for that. He healed sick people on the Sabbath day and so many other things. When the Pharisees saw him doing this on the day that, well the Jews had considered a sacred day, they accused him of not even being from God. But we all know that our Lord Jesus Christ did not commit any sin when he did not observe the Sabbath. Why not? He knew there was no more Sabbath. He knew it. The Christians in the Gentile world, likewise, they too did not celebrate the Sabbath. Let’s take a look at the evidence for that. Here in Colossians chapter 2, verse 16, we’ll also read verse 23: “Let no one criticize you in matters of food or drink or for not observing festivals, new moons or the Sabbath. “These doctrines may seem to be profound because they speak of religious observance and humility and of disregarding the body. In fact, they are useless as soon as the flesh rebels.” [ Colossians 2:16, 23 Christian Community Bible] [On-screen text graphic] Apostle Paul considered the Sabbath useless Brother Bob: So dear friends, here Apostle Paul regarded the observance of the Sabbath as useless, a useless doctrine. Those who observe the Sabbath, despite having known the true God and been in the true faith, are turning back and are being again enslaved by weak and miserable principles by observing special days, special months, special seasons, special years, or Sabbaths. We have learned the instruction for the Sabbath [has] nothing to do with what day Christ was risen from the grave as you, Sulumithe, posed in your question. Maybe some other preachers may be teaching that or suggesting that in their service. Was the Saturday Sabbath Changed to Sunday? Was the Sabbath observance changed from Saturday to Sunday? [On-screen text graphic] Was the Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday? Brother Bob: Simply, no, because the real question is whether a Christian should even be observing the Jewish Sabbath to honor God’s covenant with His ancient nation. A covenant which they ended up breaking anyway. When that covenant was broken, so too was God’s instruction to observe it’s remembrance. It was God himself who put an end to the observing of the Sabbath. [On-screen text graphic] It was God Himself who put and end to the Sabbath Brother Bob: Sulumith, from Zurich Switzerland, and everyone of us joining us in this program, that’s in the Bible. Thank you so much for your question about the Sabbath and we hope that you will also send more questions to this program. [On-screen text graphic] Do you have questions about the Bible? Send us your videos to: answers@incmedia.org Brother Bob: There’s no question, in fact, that is too basic, no question that cannot be answered by the Bible when it comes to our lives, when it comes to our salvation . If you’d like to know more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church Of Christ , please visit incmedia.org . [On-screen text graphic] incmedia.org Brother Bob: There you’ll find a variety of programs, just like this one, dedicated to answering your spiritual questions. Thanks for joining us. I’m Bob Pellien . We’ll see you next time on That’s in the Bible .

Was Thomas Wrong in John 20:28? Brother Bob Pellien: Thomas, often referred to as “Doubting Thomas,” took one look at the resurrected Jesus and said “My Lord and My God”, and that’s recorded in John 20:28. Dear friends, was he wrong, or was he right? [Show open] Brother Bob: The Bible , the basis of our faith in the Church Of Christ , which answers questions about proper worship , the right relationship with God, and most importantly, salvation. That’s in the Bible! [On-screen text graphic] Brother Bob Pellien Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: I’m Bob Pellien, and welcome to the program That’s in the Bible . We received a comment on YouTube from a viewer making the argument that Jesus is God, specifically referencing that verse John 20:28. Here’s his comment: “ You forgot what St. Thomas said, ‘My Lord and my God.’ Did anyone complain, or stop, or correct St. Thomas? Even our Savior didn’t correct or deny what St. Thomas said. But rather, the Lord said, ‘You believe because you saw Me. Blessed are those who did not see and yet believe.’” That came from Jonathan. Well, thank you, Jonathan, for your comment and the opportunity here today to clear this up for you. Let’s frame our topic of discussion around these sub-questions: Why did Apostle Thomas say to Jesus, “My Lord and My God”? Was Apostle Thomas the only one who made this assumption? Is it true that Jesus Christ did not correct Apostle Thomas and the other apostles? What did Jesus Christ teach to Thomas and to all His disciples regarding the difference between God and Himself? Well, the verse that Jonathan referenced is recorded in the writings of the Apostle John, as I mentioned, in John 20:28. Let’s go ahead and take a look at the verse. You’ll be able to see it there on the screen. John 20:28 reads this way. And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” [John 20:28 New King James Version] Brother Bob: So, dear friends, why did Thomas react this way? Why did he say such a thing to Jesus after seeing Him? You have to remember, they had all witnessed, they knew, Jesus had been crucified. They saw Him die there on the cross. Yet, here He was standing there, right in front of them. It’s important at this point that we read the verses prior to Thomas’s reaction, which is at the core of our discussion, right? Let’s do that, back up to verse 24, same chapter: One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. [John 20:24 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: So, let’s pause here for a second, dear friends. Wait a minute. We can see here that Jesus had already appeared to some of His disciples, prior to this moment. But what else can we notice? Thomas was not among them at the time. So, when Thomas finally saw Jesus after His resurrection it was already the second time that Jesus had shown Himself to them. Considering that, let’s continue verse 25: So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” [John 20:25 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: So, we can see the mindset, or the way of thinking, that Thomas had and is recorded here in this verse. Thomas did not believe that Christ was resurrected back to life. What happened when Christ appeared again to the disciples, this time with Thomas, present? Let’s continue, verse 26 and 27. A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!” [John 20:26-27 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: So, after Jesus showed the doubting Thomas He was really there, or truly resurrected from the dead, what then was the reaction of Thomas? In verse 20:28: Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” [John 20:28 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: So, dear friends, after learning the context, or the full situation, we can understand the startled reaction of Thomas. In this verse we just read, Thomas is not preaching that Jesus Christ is God, as if that is what Christ had taught him. But rather, he said it from his shocking amazement that Jesus is there, standing in front of them alive again. But the vital question here, dear viewers, is simply this: Was Thomas even correct in saying that, “My Lord and my God” when referring to Jesus? He was not. Why are we certain? First of all, was Thomas the only one who made such a wrong conclusion when they saw the resurrected Jesus? No. What’s the proof? Let’s turn to the Book of Luke, chapter 24, verse 33, where here the Apostle Luke, he wrote about the same incident from his vantage point. He wrote in 24:33 the following: So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, [Luke 24:33 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Let’s pause again. Here, we can see that in this gathering where Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, all the other apostles were present. Now, did the other disciples react any differently from Thomas? Let’s continue in verse 36 and 37: Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. [Luke 24:36-37 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Friends, according to the Bible here, the writings of Apostle Luke, it was not only Apostle Thomas that was startled but the others as well. The Bible said that “they were terrified and frightened.” What did they suppose they were seeing? As we read here, they supposed that they had seen a spirit. We can see that the other disciples had the same kind of reaction as Apostle Thomas. Why can we firmly say that they had the same reaction? Because Jesus already had taught His disciples about the nature of the true God , and that was recorded back in John 4:24, where He taught them that God is Spirit. The mere fact, this is important dear friends, the mere fact that they think that Christ is a spirit, God is a spirit , so they jumped to that sort of equivalency, they jumped to the conclusion, therefore, Christ is God. And that’s incorrect. It was the same big mistake that Apostle Thomas made by calling Jesus God. The commenter on YouTube said Jesus Christ didn’t correct Thomas. But is that true? Did Jesus correct Thomas and, in fact, correct all the disciples from thinking that He is God or a spirit? What we need only to do is to continue reading the answers and clarifications from the Holy Bible. Verse 38 and 39, same chapter, Luke 24: And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” [Luke 24:38-39 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Jesus points out here, dear friends, the doubt that was in their hearts. What did he ask them? He asked them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?” But the argument of some people is, for example Jonathan and his comment on YouTube that began our discussion, their comment is that Christ did not correct them, because they cannot read in the very next verse that Christ issued an immediate correction there. So, they jumped to the conclusion that, therefore, Jesus accepted the statement of Thomas. We would like to make very clear, right here, that Jesus, in fact, did correct Thomas, and the rest of the disciples for that matter, who made the wrong assumption of Him. Although the correction was not recorded in the writings of Apostle John, Apostle Luke recorded the same event, and shows us Christ’s response to all those who made such wrong assumptions about Him. Again, how did Jesus correct Thomas, and the others, when they jumped to the wrong conclusion that Jesus was a spirit or therefore God? Did Jesus allow them to think that way, or did He correct them? What did He say? As we read, He said, “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit,” and as He clarified, God is a spirit, “a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” He corrected Thomas, He corrected the other disciples. How did he do that? He made the clear distinction between Himself and God, who is a spirit. Having already taught them that God is spirit, Christ proved that’s not what He is by telling the apostles, he said come on, handle me, touch me, you’ll see. Christ made it, therefore, very clear, right there and then, the difference between Himself and God. We repeat, He showed His disciples that a spirit, or God, does not have flesh and bones, “as you see I have,” said Jesus. And what further did Jesus mean when He said that He, Himself, He has flesh and bones? He answers that here in John, chapter eight, recorded here in John 8:40, let’s quote the words of our Lord Jesus: But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. [John 8:40 New King James Version] Brother Bob: When He said He has flesh and bones, when He said that to His disciples, He was teaching them what? He was teaching that He is a man, and not God. Did He ever teach His disciples that, in fact, He is their God? Absolutely not. In fact, He taught them He is a man. In fact, if we go back to that verse where Thomas says, “My Lord and My God,” that’s John, chapter 20, verse 28. But in that same Book of John, in fact, same chapter 20, let’s just back up a couple of verses. And listen, dear friends, listen closely to the words of Jesus as He clarifies who their God is. I quote, John 20:17, it says: Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” [John 20:17 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Christ clarifies here distinctly, dear friends, His God is the Father, which is the same God as His disciples. He said, “My Father and your Father, and My God, and Your God.” We started this discussion with four main questions. Let’s go back and review those questions and what we have learned from these Bible verses we have read together: Why did Apostle Thomas say to Jesus, “My Lord and My God”? Answer: He mistakenly called Jesus that in his shocking amazement that Jesus is alive again. He was wrong, and he was not teaching. The conversation was about Christ’s resurrection from the dead, not anything about Christ being God. Was Apostle Thomas the only one who had that wrong assumption? No. Other disciples of Christ had similar reactions, in fact. They were terrified, they were frightened to see Him alive again, and thought that He was a spirit, and mistook Him for God who they knew to be a spirit. Is it true that Jesus Christ did not correct Apostle Thomas and the other apostles? Christ did correct Thomas, and He did correct the other apostles, and even pointed out they were doubting His teachings that He and God were different. What did Jesus Christ teach regarding the difference between God and Himself? We read, Christ made clear distinction that God is a Spirit, which means God does not have flesh and bones as Jesus does, said Christ. We hope this answers the curiosity of those who believe in the Trinity , or that Jesus is God, or they misunderstand John 20:28 and Apostle Thomas. The true disciples of Christ back then, and even now, believe that Christ is not God. He is very different from God, and He lovingly corrected his followers who made that mistake. We know there are verses that people use to try to prove that Jesus is God, but there is no properly translated verse of the Bible that will ever teach that Jesus is God. The trinity is a false doctrine. We serve the true God here inside the Church Of Christ , because That’s in the Bible . We’d like you to continue learning about the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ. To do so, [On-screen text graphic] Visit incmedia.org Brother Bob: please visit us online, browse the different topics, or set up an appointment to meet with the minister of the gospel. And if you have any questions about the Bible or salvation, please email them to us. [On-screen text graphic] answers@incmedia.org Brother Bob: I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching. See you next time on That’s in the Bible! [Show close]

Brother Bob Pellien: Hello, and welcome, everyone! [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: I’m Brother Bob Pellien and thanks for joining us today in this episode of That’s in the Bible . Today we’re going to be addressing what you may have seen on social media recently. There’s quite a debate brewing. A lot of elementary schools are removing Halloween , and the parents are in quite an uproar about it saying things like, “Well, schools are just taking away the fun for the children. It’s a nice candy day for the kids.” Dear friends, there would not be such a debate if in fact everyone really understood the symbolism of Halloween, the origin, the history, and what it is all about. That’s precisely what was written into our program by Dianey. She wrote and she asked us this question, “Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start?” [On-screen text graphics] Question: Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start? Dianey Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start? Brother Bob: Well, Dianey, we’re not going to turn to the Holy Scriptures to find the origins of Halloween. [On-screen text graphics] We’re NOT going to turn to the HOLY SCRIPTURES to find the ORIGINS of HALLOWEEN Brother Bob: Why, you may ask? This is the program That’s in the Bible . Well it’s because that’s actually not in the Bible. [On-screen text graphics] HALLOWEEN’S NOT in the BIBLE Brother Bob: In fact, it has its origins in ancient pagan cultures, otherwise known as non Christians who are worshipping multiple gods. [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: So dear friends, before you place any of ourselves on either side of that ongoing debate, we need to educate ourselves. So together, let’s take a look into Halloween’s history. Where did Halloween come from? [On-screen text graphics] Where did Halloween come from? Brother Bob: In a book entitled Catholic Customs & Traditions, which is a popular guide written by Greg Dues. Here on page 196 this is what’s written: There are several possibilities for the origin of the tradition of giving treats as part of trick or treating…The more probable origin lies in the pagan New Year celebration among the Celts. It was thought that the ghosts who roamed freely that night would be satisfied with a banquet table laid out in homes. For a while after Christianity arrived in Celtic lands, there was an attempt to transfer this custom to the eve of All Souls Day (November 2). Masked children would go from door to door to pray for the departed loved ones in return for a treat. [Catholic Customs & Traditions: A Popular Guide, pg. 196] Brother Bob: So here, dear friends, we could see then, and Dianey, thank you for your question, the origin of Halloween and some of its customs in trick or treating and such, the origin of Halloween is not in the Bible at all, but rather it has its roots in ancient pagan cultures. [On-screen text graphics] The ORIGIN of HALLOWEEN is NOT in the BIBLE at all What is the history of Halloween? Brother Bob: What is this Halloween holiday all about? Let’s delve into a little bit further so you know which side of that debate you should put yourself on. If we look further into the history of Halloween, for example, if we turn to the very popular Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume II, page 15, right here it says the following about Halloween: HALLOWEEN (in Medieval times “All Hallows”) kept on October 31, the eve of All Saints’ Day, was the Celtic festival at the end of summer named Samhain. It was connected with…the practice of divinations and its association with the dead, whose souls were supposed to revisit their homes on this day. [Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume II, pg. 15] Brother Bob: So, once again, it did not have and does not have a biblical origin. But as we just read there, history tells us it instead has its origin in ancient pagan cultures, and refers back to particularly a Celtic festival at New Year’s time, the end of summer at the end of the year, called Samhain, and it was connected with divination. [On-screen text graphics] Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start? Brother Bob: Now, the dead souls at that time—and this is an important thing—because the dead souls were supposed to return to their homes during that festival. [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel What every Christian should know about Halloween Brother Bob: Does the Bible have anything to say about these practices of Halloween, the divination, ghosts returning to the homes, the trick or treat and all the various things like that? All right then, let’s go to the Holy Bible . We turn to Leviticus 19:26 wherein it says the following: “‘Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. “‘Do not practice divination or sorcery. [Leviticus 19:26 New International Version] So the Bible does have a response regarding these things. It says first of all, “Don’t do that.” This is what every Christian should know about Halloween . The Bible specifically prohibits such things. [On-screen text graphics] Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start? What about Trick or Treating? Brother Bob: And what about the pagan practice to prepare a banquet table for the dead returning to their home, which contributed to the current customs of receiving treats when you go to the homes and yell, “Trick or treat!” Trick or treating is an important and popular part of the Halloween festivities. Dear friends, the Bible also addresses that and does so here in the book of Job chapter 7: As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, So he who goes down to the grave does not come up. He shall never return to his house, Nor shall his place know him anymore. [Job 7:9-10 New King James Version] Brother Bob: So dear friends, the Bible makes it very clear [that] there’s no returning to the home anymore as a ghost or as a skeleton or such things like that, the kind of costumes that parents put their children in, ghosts and skeletons and all that things is part of the traditions of this history we’re discussing here. [On-screen text graphics] Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start? Brother Bob: And they do so to get treats from the banquet table on that particular night. So, Dianey, we again, thank you for your question. Understand, the Bible clearly teaches against such things. So that is why Christians shouldn’t celebrate Halloween . [On-screen text graphics] Christian should NOT celebrate HALLOWEEN. Brother Bob: But let’s continue with both sides of the debate because some will say, “Well, even though it has those kind of pagan cultural origins, it’s just a fun thing for children to do. Why take it out of the schools?” They say, “Why not encourage the children to participate? It’s just fun. It’s an old tradition.” They say, “Kids love it.” We get it. We understand that side of the debate. [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: But look, here’s what the what the Scriptures and has to say. It was Apostle Paul’s a letter to Timothy where he addressed it in these terms. Let’s take a look here at 1 Timothy chapter 4, it says in verse 7 the following: But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. [I Timothy 4:7 New King James Version] Halloween and the Devil Brother Bob: So the biblical instruction is very explicit, dear friends. It says to reject such kind of fables and exercise, instead, godliness. There’s another element of Halloween that I suppose many do not know, and that element of Halloween was described [also] in the Encyclopedia Britannica. Let’s take let’s take a look at it. It’s recorded in Volume II also on page 15: The autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, fairies and demons of all kinds…It was the only day in which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes. [Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume II, Pg. 15] Brother Bob: Imagine that, dear friends? Imagine Halloween was the day [on] which they were able to invoke or ask, and that was the practice, to ask the assistance of none other than the devil himself. Obviously we here inside the Church Of Christ use these reasons for not celebrating Halloween. How could we? [On-screen text graphics] Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start? Brother Bob: But then, maybe there would be those who would want to say, “Well look, we’re not thinking of it’s pagan origins and we’re certainly not going to invoke the help of the devil, of course. So we’re just doing this because it’s cute to see the children wearing costumes of the devil, costumes of ghosts, and costumes of all these different things and the children enjoy going to Halloween parties and they get all kinds of candy for their kids.” [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel What does the Bible say about pagan practices? Brother Bob: So is there any biblical guidance that God would want us to know and understand as we listen to the ongoing debate at schools whether or not Halloween should be something Christians should participate in ? Dear friends, we turn again to the Holy Bible and this time it’s Apostle Paul’s letter. He wrote the following to the Ephesians. Ephesians 4:17 which reads this way: Here then is my word to you, and I urge it on you in the Lord’s name: give up living as pagans do with their futile notions. [Ephesians 4:17 Revised English Bible] Brother Bob: Does the Bible give any instruction? Does the Bible give any guidance? What’s the instruction? Absolutely it gives us instruction. And what was it? He said, “Give up all those things that have to do with pagan origin.” [On-screen text graphics] GIVE UP all those things that have to do with PAGAN ORIGIN Brother Bob: That’s the instruction, dear friends. So if we’re going to consider the ongoing debate, which side should we be on? Here inside the Church Of Christ, we’ll be on the side of doing it the Lord’s way and give up those Halloween practices that go against the teachings of God. [On-screen text graphics] Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start? Brother Bob: Why are so many people choosing pagan cultures and incorporating their traditions into the holidays of current times? There’s something that they have missed, and what they have missed was mentioned by Apostle Paul in the format of a warning. What was the warning of the Apostle Paul given in the Holy Scriptures? Here’s what he said. He said it in his letter to the Colossians 2:8 is where it’s recorded. Don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high- sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ. [Colossians 2:8 New Living Translation] Brother Bob: So, the Bible is very clear. It clearly issued the warning not to let anyone lead you astray with human traditions, human ideologies and philosophies that they have themselves simply invented or incorporated from pagan cultures. [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: There was a direct instruction as well, also from Apostle Paul, when he spoke in a similar way to the to the Galatians. Not only was his advice,” Don’t let someone lead you astray.” That’s what people miss. They missed the point that they’re being led astray by those things. But he went on to say to the Galatians in Galatians 1:8: But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. [Galatians 1:8-9 New King James Version] Brother Bob: So dear friends, even if others will say or try to convince us, “It’s just for fun.” And if they will say, ”No one thinks of it as pagan practice.” [On-screen text graphics] Why shouldn’t we celebrate Halloween, and how did it start? Brother Bob: Truth of the matter is, it doesn’t erase where this holiday came from. Simply put, celebrating Halloween means to embrace something that is not Christian . To conclude, therefore, on that point I would like to read one more Bible verse. Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2: Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. [I Corinthians 15:1-2 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Halloween, dear friends, may seem harmless on the surface. But after gaining this knowledge, we urge you to make an informed decision regarding whether or not it’s something you want to participate in, you want your children to participate in. Apostle Paul said to hold on to what was preached if we want to be saved. [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien | Minister of the Gospel Brother Bob: Here in the Church Of Christ, we use the Bible only as the basis of our beliefs . We stand by it, no matter what people around us may say, or do, or believe about us. Dianey, we are so very thankful for your question. And when you’re ready to learn more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church Of Christ, please visit us online or visit any of our various social media accounts. [On-screen text graphics] Learn more at incmedia.org [On-screen text graphics] Follow us on Facebook: /IglesiaNiCristoNewsandUpdates /IglesiaNiCristoMedia Brother Bob: To speak to a Minister of the Gospel or to join us in worship, you can find a directory of our houses of worship online, also. [On-screen text graphics] Find a house of worship near you: IglesiaNiCristo.net/directory Brother Bob: If you have any questions about the Bible, please email us for a chance that your question would be featured on the show. [On-screen text graphics] answers@incmedia.org EMAIL US YOUR QUESTIONS Brother Bob: Well, dear friends, I’m brother Bob Pellien, and we want to thank you once again for joining us! We’ll see you again next time on That’s in the Bible .

Does God Accept Me? Voiceover: You might find yourself devoted to doing what you are really convinced and believe is the right thing, and trying your very best to be a good person. But, does it seem sometimes like God is not by your side? Does it feel like He isn’t accepting you? And when you pray, asking for help from God, does He answer? Unfortunately, this has left many asking the question: Why won’t God help me? Let’s find the answer in the Bible. [Show Open] Brother Bob Pellien: Hello, everyone, welcome. Welcome to That’s in the Bible . The basis of the teachings here in the Church Of Christ is first and foremost, the Bible or the Holy Scriptures. So, we want to clarify that well, even if the Bible is asked and posed every imaginable question, but it does not answer just any and all questions. But regarding proper worship, regarding the right relationship with God, and most importantly, salvation; those answers are definitely here in the Holy Bible. Dear friends, as people continue to encounter deep heartbreak in life, some have begun to pose questions, as we’ve said, like “Why won’t God help me?” Many are feeling rejected by God or that He refuses to accept them. People believe that God should be hearing them and God should be responding to their prayers, helping them get through tough times in life. Because they’re in a church, they’re in a religion that’s offering up a kind or form of service to Him. Others believe it doesn’t matter to God which religion the person belongs to, or how the service that they’re rendering to God is done. Why? Well, because they believe what matters is that one will just be dedicated to serving God in the religion of their own choice. Though, to understand why God may not be accepting or listening to you, despite how devoted you may be to serving Him, well, we’re going to turn here to the Holy Bible, for the responses for the answers. There, we’ll study together: If God isn’t helping you, does that make one’s worship of God useless? Is there a proper way of following what God wants from all of us? Who, then, will be accepted by God? Let’s turn to the Holy Bible for the answers. What we’ll read is here in Matthew 15:9, it says: And in vain they worshipped Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” [Matthew 15:9 New King James Version] Brother Bob: So dear friends, in rendering worship to God, one must make sure that this basis for doing so is not the commandments or the teachings of men. Why? God does not want and will never accept any worship that is based on man-made doctrines. Even if a person deeply believes in certain teachings, if those teachings are wrong, if those teachings are based upon man-made doctrines, their service rendered, becomes vain, or useless. Therefore, anyone who is worshiping God must understand that God will not accept his worship, and it is done based on man’s own instruction, rather than God’s will. What else must be considered? What if you think that you already know and recognize God? And maybe we know a lot of people who think that way. “I know God, I recognize God, then there’s no need for me to really determine if the teachings believed in are true or not, or if the need to obey God’s pristine commandments…well, that’s not what’s important,” others might think. How does the Bible respond to anyone holding on to that way of thinking? And the Bible’s response is recorded in I John 2:3-4: If we obey God’s commands, then we are sure that we know him. If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. [I John 2:3-4 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: So on the other hand then, dear friends, one who claims that by saying they know God, but does not obey Him, is called a liar. By whom? That’s written here in the Holy Scriptures, and of course, therefore cannot truly please God. Why not? Because the Bible said, “there’s no truth in [him].” There are those who are very devoted [to] bowing down to statues and images. But God said, do not bow down to statues and images. Therefore, those who would render worship within the context of following commandments that are not from God, [they renders] their worship in vain. That’s just one example. So dear friends, that person then, like so many others, has fallen into the wrong way of recognizing and the wrong way of serving God. Why? Because he’s not submitted to the righteousness of God, which is right here. The Gospel, as is mentioned in Romans 1:16-17, the righteousness of God, that’s the gospel. Well, what have they done, then? What have they done, instead of following the gospel instead of submitting to the righteousness of God? Let’s turn to the Bible’s answer once again, and we do so reading Romans 10:2-3: I can assure you, that they are deeply devoted to God; but their devotion is not based on true knowledge. They have not known the way in which God puts people right with himself, and instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and so they did not submit themselves to God’s way of putting people right. [Romans 10:2-3 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: Therefore, any recognition or service that they render to God, it’s not based on his words recorded here in the Bible. But instead, based on the ideas or the interpretations of people, their opinions, their own idea of righteousness; that kind of worship, prayers offered by those who are worshiping God from that mindset become what? Worthless or vain in the sight of God. So dear friends, if you’re going to worship God, no one can simply do it their own way. It must be done God’s way. How’s that? That’s by obeying His commandments. But you know, there are those who claim their basis of faith and their basis of serving God, well [what do they say]? “It’s rooted here in the Holy Bible and the word of God.” However, what did they do? They failed to comply with the policy or the rule of God regarding His commands. What’s that policy or rule? It’s recorded here in Deuteronomy 12:32, and it says this: “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; You shall not add to it, nor take away from it. [Deuteronomy 12:32 New King James Version] Brother Bob: Therefore, dear friends, when a person is serving God, and what do they do, they add to it, or they take away from His commands—maybe by injecting their opinions or their interpretations or something like that—then they’re not observing carefully the rules, [the] commands of God. And then they render their worship and their service. But what happens to it? Their worship and services [become] unacceptable to God. But some ask this: “Can’t I just worship God anywhere I want, anywhere I choose?” We’ll tell you right at the outset, dear friends, the answer is what? No. Why are we so sure about that? Because one of the commandments that God has given one of the commandments that He made, has to be observed by anyone and everyone who wishes to perform true and acceptable service to Him. And what’s that instruction? It concerns the specific place that the Lord has chosen, where His people should perform their services to Him. Where they could rightfully obey His commands and then that service would be acceptable to the Lord. So we’ll read the response of God, dear friends, here in Deuteronomy chapter 12, verse 5, then we’ll also go directly reading as well, verses 13 and 14: Out of the territory of all your tribes the Lord will choose the one place where the people are to come into His presence and worship him. You are not to offer your sacrifices wherever you choose; you must offer them only in the one place that the Lord will choose in the territory of one of your tribes. Only there are you to offer your sacrifices that are to be burned and do all the other things that I have commanded you. [Deuteronomy 12:5, 13-14 Good News Bible] Brother Bob: So dear friends, services performed by anyone that [is] not in the place chosen by God, well, they become unacceptable, worthless before His sight. It’s, therefore, necessary for one to examine first if his services to God are based on God’s commandments and if he’s offering those services in the one place chosen by God, where He promised to accept them. What else must be considered, dear friends? Who has the right to serve God and be confident it is the right way to worship God? They are the ones who truly serve God, and have been appointed or chosen, given the right to do so, the privilege to perform true service to Him. But you know, many would hesitate to accept that very direct statement. But let’s turn to the Holy Bible and hear what the Apostle Paul has written regarding this. I Timothy 1:12, it says this: I gave thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work. I thank him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve him, [I Timothy 1:12 Good News Translation] Brother Bob: Dear friends, he was appointed to serve; didn’t just decide and choose and do it any just way, no, he said there was a choosing there was an appointment to serve. What else proves that one cannot just offer their service to God and the Lord is going to find that acceptable without yet being appointed to do so first. Evidence of the Holy Scriptures is recorded also in the writings of Apostle Paul, this time in Colossians 1:12-14 It reads: giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. [Colossians 1:12-14 New Kings James Version] Brother Bob: Dear friends, we have to remember that ever since man committed sin, he’s lost that right to serve, lost the right to worship God. Man has been separated from God—in Isaiah 59:2 that’s stated very directly—when a man has been separated from God because of his iniquities, because of sin. So there’s a need to be forgiven for our sins. There’s a need to regain the right regain the privilege to serve God and be found with acceptable service. And as we just read, this is done how? Through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ shed on the cross. What happened? Redemption, they were redeemed by that shed blood. And as we’ve learned earlier, we have to carefully follow God’s commandments regarding proper or true worship, no adding, no subtracting. So according to God’s commandments, there’s only one place where we can find those who are qualified. One place to find those who are accepted by God. One place has been redeemed or purchased by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, therefore [given] the right to serve again. So who then do the apostles testify? Who are they? Who [did] the apostles give testimony to as was who was redeemed, who was purchased with the blood of Christ? Is it just anyone who wants to serve God? Anyone who says they’re serving God? Anyone who wants to be heard, when they pray? Acts 20:28 tells us this, tells us who they are. 20:28 reads this way: Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood. [Acts 20:28 George Lamsa Translation] Brother Bob: Who did the apostles testify? They testify that it is none other than the Church Of Christ. What did they say about the Church Of Christ? It was redeemed or purchased with what with the blood of Christ, that’s the Church of Christ, then is that Kingdom of the Son, the Kingdom of the Son, where redemption is found. It’s where people can render true and acceptable worship the God. Many may have worshiped God in their own way. Wondering why they still felt as though God wasn’t with them. God wasn’t helping them. God wasn’t accepting them wasn’t hearing their prayers. Dear friends, today we have learned that worshiping God is useless if we do it our own way, instead of following the way God wants us to worship Him. To prove that we’ve truly acknowledged God, we have to obey Him. We’ve also learned that the way God wants us to obey Him is carefully not adding or subtracting from His commands. So when it comes to worshiping God, we must carefully observe that there is only one place where people can perform valid and acceptable service to God. Those that are qualified or those that have been appointed, chosen to serve Him, are therein. So one must carefully make sure first, that he is among the ones appointed or chosen or elected by God by becoming a member, not just of any religion, but of the one that was redeemed, purchased with Christ’s blood. And the Bible clearly states that is none other than the Church Of Christ, which is why we always invite you continue learning about the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ. Visit us online, browse the different topics or set up an appointment to meet with a minister of the gospel here inside the Church Of Christ. If you have any questions about the Bible, or salvation, email them to us. I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching. See you next time right here on That’s in the Bible . May you please [join us] in a concluding prayer. Almighty Father, dear God, we thank you for allowing us to hear from Your holy words, the guidance that is needed each and every day of our life. Father, we pray, most especially for all our guests and visitors joining us in our study, may they understand the importance of continuing their studies with us. May they understand the value of worshiping You properly guided by Your rules, policies, laws, commandments and instructions, so that we may serve You, O God, acceptable in Your holy sight. May You inspire everyone to unite under Your laws and commandments here inside the Church Of Christ. Please forgive whatever shortcomings You may see in us. Always bless this program, and all the programming inside Your holy Church, most especially when we assemble in the houses of worship, and we sing and pray and worship You Lord with all our heart. May You find us worthy, always and acceptable in Your holy sight. We pray for this always, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Brother Bob: I’m Brother Bob Pellien . Thank you for joining us on this podcast episode of That’s in the Bible . Our next set of questions comes from two individuals. And in fact, there are many who often ask questions like this. Let’s hear the first one from Ryan Foster from San Diego, California. His question is this: [Video question] Ryan Foster: My question is, who’s to say the Bible isn’t fictional? [Video ends] What is the identifying characteristic of the word of God? Brother Bob: And we have a lot of very similar questions. Let’s post up another one that comes from Magda Staunch from the faraway land of New Zealand. Here’s her question: “You get all your answers from the Bible. How do you know that it is the right book? What about the Quran and other religious books?” Brother Bob: Well, it’s true that there’s a lot of world renowned religions that use so many different books and claim those books to be the foundation of their faith because they are from God via the Quran of the Islam religion or be at the Catechism of Catholicism or other religious world renowned books that people use as the foundation of their faith. If all of those books were piled up in front of us on a table, and there they are all claiming to be the word of God in order to find which one truly is, one has to know the identifying characteristic of the word of God. For example, if a person was given the assignment to find an automobile, but they don’t know what an automobile looks like, they don’t know how big it is, what it sounds like, what material it’s made of, they might go out on the street and get run over by an automobile and wouldn’t know yet that they have found an automobile because they need to know it’s identifying characteristics. The same with the word of God. So what did Jesus mention regarding the identifying characteristic of the word of God in the book of John 17:17 he said: Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. [John 17:17 New King James Version] How is truth measured? Brother Bob: Identifying characteristic: truth . That’s where many would probably want to inject and say, “Well what is true? Your definition of truth? My definition of truth? Or what is truth? Is truth measurable by what a yardstick?” How can truth be measured and verified? Let’s consider what was quoted by the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 46, verse 11, it says: Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. [Isaiah 46:11 New King James Version] Brother Bob: How is truth measurable? Not by a yardstick or some kind of measuring instrument like that. Truth is verifiable by its fulfillment. Like here, the prophet Isaiah quoting God saying, “What I have spoken, I will bring it to pass.” Very different than the word of men; we can say, “We will do this tomorrow, we will do that tomorrow or next week.” We don’t even know if we’ll be alive tomorrow or next week, it may not be within our human capacity to fulfill what we say. And therefore what we say, could not be verified as truth until it actually happens. The fulfillment is the evidence, the tangible verification that what was spoken is truth. So now we have that characteristic, the identifiable characteristic of the word of God. It’s truth. Of all the books there piled in front of us, one of them has to emerge and prove itself to really be true. True and proven so by the fulfillment of what is recorded therein. And we can cite so many, many [pieces of evidence] of that—what’s recorded here in the Bible . We are the mere eyewitnesses to their fulfillment; therefore proving what’s contained here is true. Truth is the word of God. What is a truth fulfilled in the Bible? But let’s just take a couple of brief examples, like the character of people in the particular timeframe that we all live in nowadays.There was a prophecy stated in the writings of Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy, 2 Timothy 3, beginning in verse 1: But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! [2 Timothy 3:1-5 New King James Version] Brother Bob: There’s a prophetic statement of Apostle Paul regarding the nature of people. And we are all the living eyewitnesses that clearly describe the nature of people nowadays. If we took time to read for example, Daniel chapter 12 verse 4 [it mentions] our technological advancements because of the increase [of] the knowledge of mankind fulfilled in our time. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke all throughout chapter 24 of Matthew, regarding events like World War I, World War II and other events which we can clearly see fulfilled, all of which prove the Bible is true, the Bible is the word of God. All the other books may be nice reading, might discuss how to interact with people, love your neighbor, all such things, but do not pass the “truth test.” Only the Bible passes the truth test. Only the Bible therefore, is worthy of our trust as the word of God. Thanks for listening. I’m brother Bob Pellien, and we hope you join us next time on That’s in the Bible. Please feel free to email your questions to answer@incmedia.org . For more programming of the Iglesia Ni Cristo , Church Of Christ and to find a local congregation near you, please visit incmedia.org .