Rajesh

Pray for the U.S. Supreme Court

May 16, 2012

Unless I am misinformed, the world is scheduled to learn sometime next month what the U.S. Supreme Court has decided concerning the constitutionality of the Obamacare legislation. The outcome of that case will likely have immense ramifications for all Americans, and especially for Bible-believing Christians.

As average citizens, it seems that we can do very little in terms of outward actions to affect the outcome of this case. As Christians, however, we can and must pray fervently for God to have mercy on us in this very serious matter.

While there is still time, let us seek God in the manner that the Chronicler writes:

“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).

Although this is a statement that the Lord made to Solomon in response to his prayer about God’s people, Israel, we serve the same God who delights in mercy that Israel did back then.

Heavenly Father, in wrath, please remember mercy.

In Prayer

Should Churches Sing Stanza Two of "O Church, Arise"?

May 14, 2012

Stanza two of the song, “O Church, Arise,” begins by saying, “Our call to war, to love the captive soul, But to rage against the captor.” Are these words that churches should sing?

Peter warns about speaking evil against “dignities”: “Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord” (2 Pet. 2:10-11). Jude seconds Peter by declaring,

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves (Jude 8-10).

This inspired teaching does not support the Church’s singing that its call is “to rage against the captor.”

Even if these words might have been intended to be a poetic way of saying that Christians should abhor all that is evil and do all that they can do righteously to oppose evil and the work of Satan in the world, these words are still problematic because many will likely understand them to be taken at face value in the sense of angry outbursts against Satan.

Churches, therefore, should not sing Stanza 2 of O Church, Arise as it is originally worded. Those who desire to sing the otherwise generally rich lyrics of this song should substitute some other scripturally appropriate phrase (e.g., “to stand against the captor”; cf. Eph. 6:11) in place of these seriously problematic words (“to rage against the captor”).

In Music

Paul or John: A Noteworthy Comparison

May 12, 2012

Who went further in the knowledge of God—the apostle Paul or the apostle John? The following comparison points to an answer to this question that may be at odds with certain perspectives that many believers have been taught, especially concerning their understanding of gospel ministry.

COMPARISON

Based on the information that we have available, eight points of comparison between Paul and John should be noted:

Contact with John the Baptist

Paul : no information about his having contact personally with John the Baptist

John: disciple of John the Baptist

Discipleship experience with Jesus

Paul: disciple of Jesus after His resurrection appearance to Him; no information that Paul knew Him personally during His earthly ministry

John: disciple of Jesus since His earthly ministry who knew Him personally

Extent of knowledge of Jesus’ Miracles

Paul: no information that he knew of the miracles that Jesus did that were not recorded in Scripture

John: had first-hand knowledge of a multitude of signs that Jesus did that were not recorded in Scripture

Contact with Mary

Paul: no information about contact with Mary, the mother of Jesus

John: knew Mary personally; cared for her in his home after the Crucifixion; thus he very likely knew a vast amount of information about Jesus that we have no way of determining if Paul also had that information

Contact with the glorified Jesus

Paul: saw the glorified Jesus

John: last disciple to see the glorified Jesus

Vision of heaven

Paul: had a vision of heaven and saw and heard things that he was not allowed to share; thus we have no way of determining what Paul did or did not know as a result of that vision

John: had a vision of heaven and saw and heard a vast number of things that he was directed to write about for our profit; we have no way to know if Paul ever knew of this information or not; it is very likely that he never knew all that John knew in this respect

Profiting from other Scripture

Paul:

-likely had no knowledge of what John wrote in at least his letters and in Revelation;

-perhaps he also had only limited knowledge of much of what John wrote in his Gospel;

-may have profited from 1 & 2 Peter and Hebrews

-very likely did not have any access to the book of Jude

John:

-likely profited from all of Paul’s epistles for at least a decade and a half before writing any of his books

-very likely profited from 1 & 2 Peter and Hebrews

-likely profited from the book of Jude

Authoring of Scripture

Paul:

-Wrote 13 epistles; did not write a Gospel; did not write any book comparable to Revelation

-Did not write any of the final five books of the NT in the current topical order

-Did not write any of the final five books of the NT chronologically

John:

-Wrote 3 epistles (7 more epistles in Revelation 2-3); wrote the final Gospel long after the Synoptic Gospels (and also all the Pauline epistles) had been written; also wrote Revelation— John thus wrote three different genres of inspired NT books while Paul only wrote one; he has the unique honor of being the only one chosen by God to do so

-Wrote four of the five final books of the NT in the current topical order, including the last book

-Wrote all five of the final books of the NT chronologically; John thus gave us all the final inspired revelation that we have

DISCUSSION

Based on this information, it seems that we should hold that John, and not Paul, had the most profound knowledge of the things of God of any of the writers of Scripture. His writings, therefore, should be viewed as at least as theologically advanced as anything that Paul wrote.

Thus any analysis of a subject that does not thoroughly account for whatever John may have written about that subject is necessarily lacking and should not be accorded ultimate authoritative status for the doctrine and practice of the people of God. Moreover, when formulating our understanding of any subject, we should value whatever John may have written about that subject at least as much as anything that Paul has written.

APPLICATION

A key area in which our understanding of biblical truth and our practice needs to be addressed in light of the discussion above is our understanding of apostolic gospel ministry. Specifically, we must recognize that God did not give us everything that we need to know about this subject through Paul’s writings. For if he had, what need would there have been for yet another Gospel to be written after the Synoptics and the Pauline Epistles had already been written?

We must not, therefore, attach undue importance to passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 at the expense of key truths that we are taught through John’s record of Jesus’ own dealings with people in salvation accounts. For example, when each of the salvation accounts in John 3, 4, and 5 are thoroughly analyzed, we see that Jesus evangelized lost people with an emphasis on truths that are not mentioned explicitly in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (e.g., Jesus as the One sent by the Father; Christ as God’s judicial agent).

Our understanding, therefore, of apostolic gospel ministry cannot be limited basically to what Paul taught in this passage. We must fill out our understanding of it through truths that are taught in many other key passages, including several that are found in John 3-5.

In Gospel, Interpretation, Theology

Guitar for Spanish Ministry Classes

May 11, 2012

Updated on 3.19.16 – I am not currently teaching any of these classes but would be interested in resuming such classes if there were enough people interested in taking such classes.

I am teaching four guitar classes for people interested in ministering with the guitar to Spanish people. The classes meets on Tuesday nights from 7:15-7:45 pm and 7:45-8:30 pm and on Thursday nights from 6:50-7:20 pm and 7:30-8:30 pm. All the classes are at Iglesia Bautista de La Fe here in Greenville, SC (2129 Poinsett Highway).

The four classes are for beginning (T 7:15 pm), intermediate (Th 6:50 pm and 7:30 pm), and advanced (T 7:45 pm) students, respectively. I would, however, be able to accommodate new students at all levels because I am teaching a new method especially geared for training people to minister with the guitar.

I have been teaching these guitar classes for more than a year now. There is no specified length of the course; the classes are open-ended and designed to take students as far they are able and willing to go.

No specific equipment is required other than a guitar (you will also need to bring your own music stand if you come to the Thursday evening class). The classes cost $10 per class.

There are no baby-sitting options at this time; however, families could possibly come with a student and take care of the kids while the student takes the class.

I speak Spanish at a basic level, and there are also current students who would be able to help students who do not speak English. It would be best if a prospective student speaks at least some English.

Space is limited; I could probably take at maximum 6-7 more students in each class. Please contact me if you or someone you know might be interested in learning guitar for Spanish ministry!

In Guitar Music, Music

David’s Remarkable Self-Designation Before God in Prayer

May 9, 2012

First Chronicles 17:16-27 records a marvelous prayer of David that he prayed after Nathan revealed to him (17:15) the wonderful things that God had ordained that He would do for him (17:3-14). In his prayer, David revealed his mindset before God by repeating a remarkable designation for himself ten times (17:17; 18 [2x]; 19; 23; 24; 25 [2x]; 26; 27):

1Ch 17:16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

¹⁷ And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

¹⁸ What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

¹⁹ O LORD, for thy servant’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

²⁰ O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

²¹ And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

²² For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

²³ Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

²⁴ Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

²⁵ For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.

²⁶ And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

²⁷ Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.

Though he was the God-appointed King (cf. 17:16), David never referred to himself as the king in his prayer. Instead, he spoke of himself exclusively with the designation, “thy servant.” This amazing emphasis on himself as God’s servant reveals the essence of his mindset in prayer.

Interestingly, the only reference to David in any recorded prayer of the apostles also features the same designation for him: “Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (Acts 4:25).” Based on this NT statement, it may be that we, too, should keep in our minds David’s remarkable self-designation before God in prayer and cultivate such a mindset in our own prayers.

Update on 3/14/23: Acts 4:29 shows that Peter, John, and some other NT Christians did in fact refer to themselves as God’s servants on an at least one occasion when they prayed to Him:

Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

In Interpretation, Prayer

Did Saul Inquire of God or Not?

May 5, 2012

First Samuel 28:6 says that Saul did inquire of the Lord, but 1 Chronicles 10:14 says that he did not:

1Sa 28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

1Ch 10:13 ¶ So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; ¹⁴ And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

How should we understand these seemingly contradictory statements?

John W. Haley argues,

It is sufficient to notice that two different Hebrew words [שָׁאוּל֙ vs. דָרַ֥שׁ ] of diverse meaning are employed here. Or, it may be correctly remarked that Saul’s attempts at inquiry were of so unworthy a nature that it would be an abuse of language to speak of him as really “inquiring of Jehovah.” (Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible, 360)

Matthew Henry comments on 1 Samuel 28:6,

In this distress Saul enquired of the Lord, v. 6. Need drives those to God who in the day of their prosperity slighted his oracles and altars. Lord, in trouble have they visited thee, Isa. 26:16. Did ever any seek the Lord and not find him? Yes, Saul did; the Lord answered him not, took no notice either of his petitions or of his enquiries; gave him no directions what to do, nor any encouragement to hope that he would be with him. Should he be enquired of at all by such a one as Saul? Eze. 14:3. No, he could not expect an answer of peace, for, 1. He enquired in such a manner that it was as if he had not enquired at all. Therefore it is said (1 Chr. 10:14), He enquired not of the Lord; for he did it faintly and coldly, and with a secret design, if God did not answer him, to consult the devil. He did not enquire in faith, but with a double unstable mind. 2. He enquired of the Lord when it was too late, when the days of his probation were over and he was finally rejected. Seek the Lord while he may be found, for there is a time when he will not be found. 3. He had forfeited the benefit of all the methods of enquiry. Could he that hated and persecuted Samuel and David, who were both prophets, expect to be answered by prophets? Could he that had slain the high priest, expect to be answered by Urim? Or could he that had sinned away the Spirit of grace, expect to be answered by dreams? No. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. (Commentary on the Whole Bible, 431; bold is in italics in original)

On 1 Chronicles 10:14, he remarks,

It is said (1 Sa. 28:6) that Saul did enquire of the Lord and he answered him not: but here it is said, Saul did not enquire of God; for he did not till he was brought to the last extremity, and then it was too late. (Ibid., 567; bold is in italics in original)

Robert Jamieson comments on the words and enquired not of the Lord in 1 Chronicles 10:14,

He had done so in form (1 Sam. xxviii. 6), but not in the spirit of a humble penitent, nor with the believing confidence of a sincere worshipper. His enquiry was, in fact, a mere mockery, and his total want of all right religious impressions was manifested by his rushing from God to a wretched impostor in the service of the devil. (JFB, 1:475).

These sources provide satisfactory explanations that resolve the apparent contradiction between 1 Samuel 28:6 and 1 Chronicles 10:14.

These passages should warn us about inquiring of God in a manner, in a way, or at a point in time such that He would regard our doing so as our not inquiring of Him at all.

In Apologetics, Interpretation, Prayer

The Autobiography of Dr. Frank Watson Garlock

May 1, 2012

Majesty Music, Inc., recently published an autobiography of Dr. Frank Watson Garlock, I Being in the Way, the Lord Me. This 164-page book details God’s work in his life to use him to advance His kingdom and righteousness through music and preaching.

Dr. Garlock writes in an easy-to-read style that holds the reader’s attention well. Sixteen pages of pictures that chronicle his life and ministry add a personal touch that provides the reader with faces to connect with the names of many key people spoken of in the book. Five appendices add interesting details on various subjects, including some rich poetry by his grandmothers.

The book records God’s amazing use of this dedicated servant of Christ in the lives of a vast number of people. It movingly reveals God’s faithfulness to use a man of God who was willing to be led throughout his life.

I found this book to be a stirring and inspiring read that challenged me about having God work in my life to use me in similar ways. Believers who are seeking to have their lives revitalized in the service of God will likely find this book to be a helpful resource that encourages and energizes them to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

See also this new book by Shelly Hamilton in which Dr. Garlock has written a lengthy concluding section.

In Christian Books

Fret Staff Sheet

April 28, 2012

This fret staff sheet provides music students with a resource that allows them to practice writing the treble clef notes for each note played on the guitar with an open string or on the first five frets of each string. To write the notes correctly, the student will have to supply one or more ledger lines for those notes that require them.

In Music

Fallen Spirits and Their Influences on Human Music – Part I

April 26, 2012

This is the first part of a series of articles that treat a much overlooked aspect about the believer and his music: Fallen Spirits and Their Influences on Human Music. I hope that it will shed needed light on important truths that should help us as believers address some of the issues that we are facing in the music debate of our day.

Introduction

Scripture reveals the existence of a vast number of fallen spirit beings (cf. Rev. 12:4). Based on various teachings of Scripture, the following points should be considered about fallen spirits and their influences on human music:

I. Fallen Spirits Are Able to Sing and Play Musical Instruments

The Scripture speaks of all heavenly beings singing at creation, when there would have been no unfallen heavenly spirit beings: “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7). All beings who are now fallen spirits thus had musical abilities at the creation.

Moreover, Revelation speaks of angels in the future who are given trumpets and sound them: “And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded . . .” (8:6-7; cf. 8:8, 10, 12; 9:1, 13; 10:17; 11:15). These verses show unfallen angels sounding a musical instrument.

Furthermore, saints in heaven are seen both singing (Rev. 15:4) and playing instrumental music (15:3), yet they have not received their glorified bodies.

Given both that all unfallen spirit beings sang at creation (Job 38:7) and also that such beings continue to sing (cf. Rev. 5:9) and play instruments (cf. 5:8, “having every one of them harps”) in worshiping God and given that the spirits of saints in heaven likewise engage in musical worship of God that includes both singing (14:1-3; 15:4) and playing musical instruments (14:2; 15:3), we must conclude that Satan and his demons are also musical beings that continue to have the ability to sing and play musical instruments.

In CCM, Music

Learning From a Unique Distinction of David and Paul

April 24, 2012

David and Paul are certainly two of the most important Bible characters. It is interesting that these two men have the unique distinction in Scripture of being the only men who are spoken of in a particularly remarkable way.

David

Three people tell David that they regard him in one manner or another as an angel of God:

“And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle” (1 Sam 29:9).

“Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee” (2 Sam. 14:17).

“To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth” (14:20).

“And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes” (2 Sam. 19:27).

In addition to the direct references about David himself, one reference speaks of David’s house being as God, as the angel of the LORD:

“In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them” (Zech. 12:8)

Paul

Paul is the only person in the NT who is likened to an angel of God, and remarkably, he goes on to add that he was received even as Christ Jesus:

“And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus” (Gal. 4:14)

Conclusion

David is the preeminent type of Christ in Scripture (cf. the use of Ps. 16 in Acts 2:25-33), and Paul is distinguished both as the exemplary follower of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1) and the only one who speaks of others receiving him as Christ Jesus (Gal. 4:14). The unique distinction that these two men share of being likened to an angel of God thus seems to be directly connected to how they were Christlike in one manner or another. For us, therefore, to be Christlike as fully as God would have us to be, we should give special attention to what we can learn from these men about being like Christ.

In Discipleship, Interpretation

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