Pelajaran Alkitab: November 2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

Insight Magazine Online

Insight Magazine Online

I feel punished by God because of the church I’m stuck with. My church has only a few young people, and when I go to large churches that have a lot going for young people, it makes my church seem useless. The youth program (if you can call it that) at my church has been in a sad state. I feel unwanted and neglected by my church, and I wonder if God is punishing me. My faith is getting weaker and weaker, just like my church. I have nowhere to go.—Help Me

Steve Case responds:

Dear Help Me,

First of all, let me say I’m sorry for what you’re feeling. It sounds horrible to me! You feel punished, unwanted, neglected, and weakening in faith. I hear a feeling of helplessness. I’m thinking depression as well. Yuck! I’m sorry!

When I go on the Ultimate Workout mission trip for teens each July, we always have some young people who face a similar situation to yours. Some of them have families that are dying or have self-destructed or are hostile. I’m amazed at how they continue. But to the parched faith of a teen making one final grasp for God, being on a mission trip for two weeks with a bunch of teens is like getting a tank of oxygen or a huge gulp of water.

Sometimes I wonder, What if God doesn’t come through? Sometimes I feel responsible to “make it happen” for the young person. But I’ve found that I can’t make God appear the way a magician pulls a rabbit out of a hat. I can’t make a teen feel accepted just because I do my best to communicate acceptance. I can’t make a young person’s family come together or their home church come alive or love its young people. I wish I could make those things happen, but I can’t.

Can Jesus make those things happen? Can Jesus make broken families whole, make dying churches live? Can the reality of God show up in visible form?

I think the answer is yes, but He usually doesn’t. Occasionally God seems to overwhelm human beings with His majesty and power. When that happens, people tend to end up falling on the ground and acknowledging what seems obviously supernatural. Humans also do that when a bomb goes off, or an earthquake shakes, or a tornado strikes, or a gunman makes demands.

But God isn’t a bully who coerces us to follow Him. If that were His way of operating, Satan would have been annihilated thousands of years ago.

God is interested in a long-term relationship with us. In fact, the “long-term” nature of it is forever! Think of it this way: God yearns for a friendship with us that includes time, commitment, intimacy, doing stuff together, learning to trust, creating history together, clearing up misunderstandings, having fun together, asking and giving forgiveness, and many other things.

Here’s the challenge: how can you and I do this with an invisible God?

We end up looking for visible approximations of what we think is good and godly. We might describe it as a large and lively church with lots of young people who come together and worship this friendly and magnetic hero called God. Such a God gives us quick responses to our requests. Everybody gets along well. Church potlucks have plenty of good-tasting food, and there’s no indigestion. We love our pastor, and our pastor loves us and is always available to each person in the congregation and the community, just as God is always at our beck and call. We feel happy all the time. Everyone wants to join our church. The facilities are state of the art. Each Sabbath is like the final episode of American Idol or Dancing With the Stars. We can hardly wait for it to begin, and God’s decisions and preferences always match ours. This must be heaven, or at least as close as heaven can get to earth.

I would like that, wouldn’t you?

Then I look at the Bible for examples. I find heaven on earth in the Garden of Eden, and then I’m appalled that Adam and Eve opted out of it and were so gullible that they chose a snake instead of God—unbelievable! I look at the end of sin and the City of God likened to the Garden of Eden again. But in between those two video clips I find the history of this world—which seems distinctly different. It has snippets of heaven, but it often appears unfair, hostile, gloomy, wicked, greedy, destructive, and dying.

The Bible has many examples of heroes who lived for God and even experienced supernatural moments, but who also at some point had their problems. Hebrews 11—the faith chapter—talks about some of them. These people kept on trusting God even when it seemed there was no hope. And it sounds to me as though you are in need of a fresh dose of hope! Where can you get some hope?

Well, hope comes from faith, which sprouts from love. Let me reverse the order. I have found that when I sense God’s love (step 1), my faith grows (step 2) because I trust God more based on His love for me. When I trust God, I sense hope (step 3) because it’s not just me against the whole world, or the whole world against me. As Paul said (Romans 8:31), “If God is for us, who can be against us?” That’s a rhetorical question—the answer is so obvious it doesn’t need to be said: no matter who is against us, they are like nothing compared to God. And God loves you and me!

You have plenty of evidence that people don’t care about you, that your church doesn’t care about you, that you no longer care about you. Therefore you start to think, God doesn’t care about me. You need to reverse that thought process. Don’t start with others or even with yourself. You’ll end up depressed, and you’ll have a god that’s no bigger than you!

Instead, start with God. God loves you! Based on the fact that God loves you, you have good reason to love yourself—not blindly and not ignoring any defects you might have, but loving yourself because God loves you. God’s not an idiot. He chooses to love you. So go with God’s determination.

When you start to love yourself (because God loves you), then you can love others (including those at church). But this love isn’t based on what they do for you. That’s moving in the wrong direction. You love them because God loves you and that love has filled you and is spilling out so you can love others. It came from God, not in response to others giving you a cool youth Sabbath school or saying nice things to you every Sabbath.

As you develop the habit of loving others at church, by continuing your connection with God you will have love for others in this world, including those outside of church. You’ll start to love everyone based on God, not based on them. That’s just the opposite of most people! You’ll view life very differently then!

Here’s the way Paul wrote it in Romans 5:1-5:

“Since then it is by faith that we are justified (connected to God), let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things he has for us in the future. This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a hope of future joys—we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. These very things will give us patient endurance; this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady hope, a hope that will never disappoint us. Already we have the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us” (Phillips).*

*Bible texts credited to Phillips are from J. B. Phillips: The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition. © J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Co.

Steve Case is a youth pastor, popular speaker, and mission trip leader. He’s also president of Involve Youth, an organization energizing young people for service. He writes from Sacramento, California. Got a spiritual question? Send it to: Pastor Steve, Insight, 55 W. Oak Ridge Dr., Hagerstown, MD 21740-7390, or insight@rhpa.org.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Sabat dalam Alkitab (Sabtu atau Minggu)

Anda mungkin pernah terfikir mengenai bilakah hari ketujuh yang sebenarnya? Ada segelintir daripada kita yang mungkin mengatakan bahawa, hari ketujuh itu tidak penting. Apa yang penting ialah kita meletakkan satu hari dalam satu minggu untuk meluangkan masa kita menguduskan hari Tuhan. Ataupun anda hanya mengikut doktrin gereja anda yang menyatakan bahawa anda perlu ke gereja pada hari ahad? atau anda tidak peduli lansung? Mari kita sama -sama baca pernyataan ini untuk membuktikan bahawa ada beberapa perkara yang anda perlu tahu tentang hari yang ketujuh, sama ada hari ketujuh itu hari sabtu atau hari minggu.

Kita sebagai Kristian, Hukum sepuluh itu adalah suatu perkara yang biasa untuk kita. Tiada satu hukum pun yang kita patut lupakan kerana itu adalah perkataan Allah yang Allah turunkan kepada kira dalam Kitab Taurat Musa untuk kita. Dan hukum sepuluh itu masih wajib untuk kita ikuti sehingga sekarang.-Mat 5:18 Karena Aku berkata kepadamu: Sesungguhnya selama belum lenyap langit dan bumi ini, satu iota atau satu titikpun tidak akan ditiadakan dari hukum Taurat, sebelum semuanya terjadi.-

Hukum sepuluh terletak dalam Ulangan 5:7-21

7 Jangan ada padamu allah lain di hadapan-Ku.
8 Jangan membuat bagimu patung yang menyerupai apapun yang ada di langit di atas, atau yang ada di bumi di bawah, atau yang ada di dalam air di bawah bumi.
9 Jangan sujud menyembah kepadanya atau beribadah kepadanya, sebab Aku, TUHAN Allahmu, adalah Allah yang cemburu, yang membalaskan kesalahan bapa kepada anak-anaknya dan kepada keturunan yang ketiga dan keempat dari orang-orang yang membenci Aku,
10 tetapi Aku menunjukkan kasih setia kepada beribu-ribu orang, yaitu mereka yang mengasihi Aku dan yang berpegang pada perintah-perintah-Ku.
11 Jangan menyebut nama TUHAN, Allahmu, dengan sembarangan, sebab TUHAN akan memandang bersalah orang yang menyebut nama-Nya dengan sembarangan.
12 Tetaplah ingat dan kuduskanlah hari Sabat, seperti yang diperintahkan kepadamu oleh TUHAN, Allahmu.
13 Enam hari lamanya engkau akan bekerja dan melakukan segala pekerjaanmu,
14 tetapi hari ketujuh adalah hari Sabat TUHAN, Allahmu; maka jangan melakukan sesuatu pekerjaan, engkau atau anakmu laki-laki, atau anakmu perempuan, atau hambamu laki-laki, atau hambamu perempuan, atau lembumu, atau keledaimu, atau hewanmu yang manapun, atau orang asing yang di tempat kediamanmu, supaya hambamu laki-laki dan hambamu perempuan berhenti seperti engkau juga.
15 Sebab haruslah kauingat, bahwa engkaupun dahulu budak di tanah Mesir dan engkau dibawa keluar dari sana oleh TUHAN, Allahmu dengan tangan yang kuat dan lengan yang teracung; itulah sebabnya TUHAN, Allahmu, memerintahkan engkau merayakan hari Sabat.
16 Hormatilah ayahmu dan ibumu, seperti yang diperintahkan kepadamu oleh TUHAN, Allahmu, supaya lanjut umurmu dan baik keadaanmu di tanah yang diberikan TUHAN, Allahmu, kepadamu.
17 Jangan membunuh.
18 Jangan berzinah.
19 Jangan mencuri.
20 Jangan mengucapkan saksi dusta tentang sesamamu.
21 Jangan mengingini isteri sesamamu, dan jangan menghasratkan rumahnya, atau ladangnya, atau hambanya laki-laki, atau hambanya perempuan, atau lembunya, atau keledainya, atau apapun yang dipunyai sesamamu.

Persoalannya sekarang, adakah kita masih konsisten melakukan semua hukum-hukum Tuhan? Saya percaya tiada siapa pun kristian yang sedang membaca pernyataan ini mengaku yang mereka tidak melanggar satu pun hukum Tuhan. Anda mungkin akan berkata begini, saya sentiasa konsisten ke gereja setiap minggu, saya masih mengikut hukum Allah. Saya yakin, percaya dan mesti konsisten melaksanakannya, sebab itu perintah suci yang datang lansung dari Allah.

Untuk menjadi seorang kristian yang baik, benar dan setia, salah satu syaratnya ialah dengan melakukan semua yang diperintahkan Allah dan menjauhkan diri dari apa yang dilarangNya.

Mari kita kupas lebih lanjut tajuk kita pada kali ini, dengan satu persoalan- adakah baik Katolik mahupun protestan semuanya melaksanakan sepuluh firman Tuhan?-Kebanyakan Kristian pastinya bersetuju kerana Firman Allah itu suci, bahkan ditulis oleh jari Allah sendiri pada dua loh batu kemudian diberikan kepada musa untuk disampaikan kepada segenap manusia, sebagai umat Kristian, baik Katolik ataupun Protestan harus memelihara dan menjalankan semua hukum-hukum tersebut. Sekiranya ada satu pun perintah Allah tidak dihormati oleh umat Kristian, mereka dianggap sesat!

Semua umat Kristian pasti mengakui bahawa mereka melaksanakan Hukum Allah. Firman itu kekal dan harus dilakukan dengan sepenuh hati. Saudara saudari yang saya hormati sekalian, salah satu hukum yang tertulis dalam hukum sepuluh ialah, Menghormati dan menguduskan hari Sabat sebagai hari perhentian pada hari ke tujuh. Namun pertanyaan saya kepada anda semua, hari apa yang anda kuduskan setiap minggu?

Semua Kristian menguduskan hari Minggu kecuali golongan minoriti Adventist yang beribadah pada hari Sabtu. Adakah anda tahu sama ada hari sabat itu sebenarnya hari apa? Hari Sabtu ata Hari Minggu. Menurut umat-umat Adventist, Hari Sabat itu jatuh pada hari Sabtu, tetapi Protestan dan juga Katolik hari Sabat itu jatuh pada hari Minggu. Pernahkan anda terfikir mengapa terdapat perbezaan diantara Sabtu dan Hari Minggu? Adakah dalam seminggu itu mempunyai dua sabat?

Kita semua tahu yang dalam seminggu itu mempunyai satu Sabat sahaja.

Tahukah anda Umat Advent meraikan Sabat pada hari Sabtu kerana mengikuti kalender Yahudi dan sementara umat yang meraikan sabat pada hari minggu, mereka mengikuti Kalender Gregorian. Apa perbezaan di antara kalender Yahudi dengan kalender Gregorian Kalender Gregorian hari pertama adalah hari isnin secara lansung mengatakan hari minggu itu adalah hari ketujuh manakala kalender Yahudi mengatakan bahawa hari minggu itu adalah dari yang pertama dan hari Sabtu itu adalah hari yang ketujuh. Jadi kalender yang mana satukah yang anda ikuti?

Dalam alkitab jelas menyatakan bahawa hari pertama itu ialah hari minggu dan bukannya hari isnin. Kalender Gregorian baru diperkenalkan pada tahun 1582, kemudian orang Scotlandia menyetujui kalender Gregorian baru pada tahun 1600an. Jerman, Denmark dan Swedia baru menerimanya pada tahun 1700an, Malah Inggeris baru menerimanya pada tahun 1752. Ini bererti bahawa kalendar Gregorian baru dikenali sekitar 300-400 tahun yang lalu. Manakala apa yang tertulis dalam Alkitab, bahawa hari pertama, Hari Minggu telah kita ketahui sejak ribuan tahun yang lalu.

Ada beberapa dominasi gereja yang menyatakan bahawa hari itu tidak penting bagi mereka, apa yang penting dalam setiap minggu itu harus ada hari perhentian, yang dikuduskan untuk berbakti atau beribada kepada Allah. Saya secara peribadi juga mempunyai pegangan yang sama pada satu ketika yang dulu. Tertanya -tanya tentang bila sebenarnya hari Sabat yang dipilih Tuhan untuk kita. Sewaktu Allah menurunkan Wahyu nya, kalender masih belum ada. Setelah orang yahudi membuat kalender, ternyata bahawa hari ketujuh sebagai hari perhentian yang disucikan dan dikuduskan adalah hari Sabtu.

Jika anda menanggap bahawa hari itu tidak penting, bermakna orang Kristian atau kita boleh meraikan hari Sabat itu bila-bila sahaja yang kita mahu. Namun begitu, bagaimana dengan perintah Allah tentang hari yang harus dikuduskan itu? Kalau kita menganggap hari itu tidak penting bermakna, firman Tuhan itu sudah menjadi tidak jelas kerana manusia yang telah menentukan bila hari Sabat itu. Dan kalau kita menganggap bahawa hari itu tidak penting, itu bermakna kita boleh meraikan hari Sabat pada hari isnin, selasa ataupun rabu dan seterusnya?..

Dimana bukti yang menunjukkan bahawa Alkitab menunjukkan yang hari pertama itu adalah hari minggu, bukan Isnin dan Sabat itu jatuh pada hari Sabtu.

Matius 28:1
Setelah hari Sabat lewat, menjelang menyingsingnya fajar pada hari pertama minggu itu, pergilah Maria Magdalena dan Maria yang lain, menengok kubur itu.

Markus 16:9
Setelah Yesus bangkit pagi-pagi pada hari pertama minggu itu, Ia mula-mula menampakkan diri-Nya kepada Maria Magdalena. Dari padanya Yesus pernah mengusir tujuh setan.

Lukas 24:1
tetapi pagi-pagi benar pada hari pertama minggu itu mereka pergi ke kubur membawa rempah-rempah yang telah disediakan mereka.

Yoh 20:1
Pada hari pertama minggu itu, pagi-pagi benar ketika hari masih gelap, pergilah Maria Magdalena ke kubur itu dan ia melihat bahwa batu telah diambil dari kubur.

Yohanes 20:19
Ketika hari sudah malam pada hari pertama minggu itu berkumpullah murid-murid Yesus di suatu tempat dengan pintu-pintu yang terkunci karena mereka takut kepada orang-orang Yahudi. Pada waktu itu datanglah Yesus dan berdiri di tengah-tengah mereka dan berkata: "Damai sejahtera bagi kamu!"

Setelah membaca enam ayat di atas, kita mendapati bahawa hari minggu itu adalah hari yang pertama, secara tidak lansung mengatakan bahawa hari Sabtu itu adalah hari yang ketujuh.

Hari minggu disebut sebagai Hari Tuhan, hari yang dikuduskan sebagai hari kebangkitan Yesus. Kebanyakan umat yakin dan percaya bahawa Yesus bangkit pada hari minggu. maka gereja menetapkan bahawa hari minggu itu sebagai hari yang harus diperingati sebagai hari suci. Kerana pada waktu itulah Yesus bangkit dari kuburnya. Sebab jika Yesus tidak bangkit, maka sia-sialah kematianNya. Kebangkitan itu adalah hari kemenangan dari dosa, di mana Yesus telah mati dan bangkit kembali untuk menebus dosa manusia.

Namun begitu, adakah itu bererti bahawa Tuhan menyuruh umatNya untuk menguduskan hari tersebut? Jika Tuhan menyuruh untuk menghormati dan menguduskan hari tersebut, di mana bahagian yang membuktikan bahawa Tuhan menyuruh kita untuk menguduskan Hari Minggu?? hanya ada yang tertulis, iaitu Kuduskanlah Hari Sabat.

Mari membaca lebih lagi untuk membuktikan bahawa hari Sabtu itu adalah Hari sabat.

Di dalam Lukas 23:52-54 mengatakan bahawa;

23:52 Ia pergi menghadap Pilatus dan meminta mayat Yesus.

23:53 Dan sesudah ia menurunkan mayat itu, ia mengapaninya dengan kain lenan, lalu membaringkannya di dalam kubur yang digali di dalam bukit batu, di mana belum pernah dibaringkan mayat.

23:54 Hari itu adalah hari persiapan dan sabat hampir mulai.
Dalam Lukas 23:55-56 ;
23:55 Dan perempuan-perempuan yang datang bersama-sama dengan Yesus dari Galilea, ikut serta dan mereka melihat kubur itu dan bagaimana mayat-Nya dibaringkan.

23:56 Dan setelah pulang, mereka menyediakan rempah-rempah dan minyak mur.Dan pada hari Sabat mereka beristirahat menurut hukum Taurat

Dalam Matius 28:1
Setelah hari Sabat lewat, menjelang menyingsingnya fajar pada hari pertama minggu itu, pergilah Maria Magdalena dan Maria yang lain, menengok kubur itu.

Ayat-ayat di atas dengan jelas mengatakan bahawa hari Sabat itu ialah hari sabtu, dan bukannya hari Minggu. Jika anda percaya bahawa Yesus telah mati pada hari Jumaat, dan bangkit pada Hari minggu, ayat - ayat di atas dengan jelas menunjukkan di mana, hari sabat itu adalah hari Sabtu. Kita tahu bahawa selepas Jumaat itu adalah Sabtu dan seterusnya Ahad melainkan kita memnpunyai turutan hari yang berbeza.

Cuba fikir, kalau anda mengatakan bahawa hari itu tidak penting dengan mengatakan bahawa firman Allah diturunkan sebelum adanya kalendar, dan hari sabat nya mengikut kalendar Gregorian, anda sememangnya tidak rasional. Bahkan menurut kalendar Gregorian Yesus mati pada hari Jumaat, dengan itu tersebutlah Jumaat Agung, tetapi oleh gereja, hari kebangkitan Yesus itu adalah hari minggu iaitu hari yang perlu dikuduskan sebagai pengganti hari Sabat orang Yahudi. Namun kalender Gregorian hari pertama iaitu hari isnin dan hari ketujuh itu adalah hari minggu.

Kebenaran Alkitab sudah nyata. Sabat sebenarnya jatuh pada hari Sabtu dan perhatikan ayat-ayat seterusnya

Keluaran 20:8-11.

20:8 Ingatlah dan kuduskanlah hari Sabat:

20:9 enam hari lamanya engkau akan bekerja dan melakukan segala pekerjaanmu,

20:10 tetapi hari ketujuh adalah hari Sabat TUHAN, Allahmu; maka jangan melakukan sesuatu pekerjaan, engkau atau anakmu laki-laki, atau anakmu perempuan, atau hambamu laki-laki, atau hambamu perempuan, atau hewanmu atau orang asing yang di tempat kediamanmu.

20:11 Sebab enam hari lamanya TUHAN menjadikan langit dan bumi, laut dan segala isinya, dan Ia berhenti pada hari ketujuh; itulah sebabnya TUHAN memberkati hari Sabat dan menguduskannya.

Saudara-saudari yang kental mencari kebenaran, Allah itu sangat jelas, Dia menyuruh kita berhenti berkerja pada hari ketujuh dan menguduskan hari sabat kerana itulah hari yang Dia berkati untuk kita, kita seharusnya patuh pada perintah Allah daripada perintah gereja bukan? Tidak ada satu pun tertulis dalam alkitab yang menyatakan bahawa, Tuhan menguduskan hari Minggu.

Hukuman bagi orang yang melanggar perintah Allah;

Keluaran 31:12-18

31:12. Berfirmanlah TUHAN kepada Musa:

31:13 "Katakanlah kepada orang Israel, demikian: Akan tetapi hari-hari Sabat-Ku harus kamu pelihara, sebab itulah peringatan antara Aku dan kamu, turun-temurun, sehingga kamu mengetahui, bahwa Akulah TUHAN, yang menguduskan kamu.

31:14 Haruslah kamu pelihara hari Sabat, sebab itulah hari kudus bagimu; siapa yang melanggar kekudusan hari Sabat itu, pastilah ia dihukum mati, sebab setiap orang yang melakukan pekerjaan pada hari itu, orang itu harus dilenyapkan dari antara bangsanya.

31:15 Enam hari lamanya boleh dilakukan pekerjaan, tetapi pada hari yang ketujuh haruslah ada sabat, hari perhentian penuh, hari kudus bagi TUHAN: setiap orang yang melakukan pekerjaan pada hari Sabat, pastilah ia dihukum mati.

31:16 Maka haruslah orang Israel memelihara hari Sabat, dengan merayakan sabat, turun-temurun, menjadi perjanjian kekal.

31:17 Antara Aku dan orang Israel maka inilah suatu peringatan untuk selama-lamanya, sebab enam hari lamanya TUHAN menjadikan langit dan bumi, dan pada hari yang ketujuh Ia berhenti bekerja untuk beristirahat."

31:18 Dan TUHAN memberikan kepada Musa, setelah Ia selesai berbicara dengan dia di gunung Sinai, kedua loh hukum Allah, loh batu, yang ditulisi oleh jari Allah.

Allah tidak berhenti bekerja pada hari Minggu.
Allah dan Yesus tidak pernah memberkati hari Minggu.
tidak ada hukum yang menyuruh memelihara hari Minggu
Allah dan Yesus tidak pernah mengkuduskan hari Minggu
tidak ada pelanggaran hukum jika bekerja pada hari Minggu
tidak ada berkat yang dijanjikan jika memelihara hari Minggu
Alkitab tidak pernah menyebutkan hari minggu sebagai hari yang kita patut kuduskan sebagai seorang Kristian.

Yohanes :

14:15
"Jikalau kamu mengasihi Aku, kamu akan menuruti segala perintah-Ku.

15:10
Jikalau kamu menuruti perintah-Ku, kamu akan tinggal di dalam kasih-Ku, seperti Aku menuruti perintah Bapa-Ku dan tinggal di dalam kasih-Nya.

Kalau anda berfikir bahawa hanya cukup dengan mencintai Yesus sahaja walaupun cara yang berbeza, maka anda bukan pengikut Allah tetapi mengikut ajaran gereja anda atau pendeta anda. Apa yang perlu kita lakukan ialah meninggalkan ajaran manusia tetapi mengikuti ajaran Yesus. Renungkan ayat alkitab di bawah ini kembali;

Matius

5:18
Karena Aku berkata kepadamu: Sesungguhnya selama belum lenyap langit dan bumi ini, satu iota atau satu titikpun tidak akan ditiadakan dari hukum Taurat, sebelum semuanya terjadi.

Ini bererti bahwa seluruh hukum Taurat itu masih berlaku dan harus kita perbuat, termasuk mengkuduskan hari Sabat. Artinya anda harus tinggalkan beribadah hari Minggu dan kembali ke hari Sabtu. Apalagi seumur hidupnya Yesus hanya beribadah dan mengkuduskan hari Sabat, dan tidak sekalipun Yesus beribadah dan mengkuduskan hari Minggu!

Terima kasih kerana masih membaca sehingga ke ayat ini..Semoga anda menemui kebenaran, dan melembutkan hati menerima ajaran Yesus..Tuhan memberkati kita semua..

Friday, November 9, 2012

Memimpin Mereka Pulang

Kepimpinan Ezra menunjukkan keinginan untuk berada di dalam perhubungan yang betul dengan Tuhan dan mempunyai keinginan untuk umat-umat Tuhan-Kualiti yang masih ddiperlukan untuk pemimpin masa kini-

CERITA ALKITAB HARI INI:-
ESTER 7-10

Ezra sedang bersedia untuk membawa anak - anak israel untuk pulang-sekurang-kurangnya sesiapa saja yang mahu ikut Ezra untuk pulang. Ezra ialah seorang yang kuat dan terpelajar. Dia merupakan pemimpin, guru dan penurut kepada undang-undang dan keinginan Tuhan. cerita diteruskan dengan memberitahu kita bahawa terdapat ramai umat israel telah kembali dengan Ezra walaupun dia terpaksamelakukan pelbagai rayuan untuk mendapat apa yang dia perlukan untuk dibawanya bersama.
Ezra menyedari bahawa walaubagaimanapun sebegitu ramai orang israek yang kembali bersama dengan dia tidak mengikut kehendak Allah. Ezra juga perlu berhadapan dengan isu perkahwinan campur. Poin utama sebenarnya lebi besar daripada isu kahwin campur ; ianya adalah tentang mengikut perintah -perintah Tuhan.
Minggu ini kita akan belajar tentang bagaimana kita perlu sedar bahawa menjadi seorang pemimpin adalah sesuatu yang semua orang boleh buat dengan sikap dan keinginan untuk mempelajari kehendak Tuhan. Walaupun kita tidak tahu Ezra sebenarnya bagaimana, tetapi kita boleh menduga yang dia adalah seorang yang berdisiplin, mempunyai keinginan untuk belajar yang tinggi dan kegairahan untuk membantu umat-umat Tuahn. kita seharusnya mengajar anak-anak muda untuk kearah nilai-nilai yang sama.
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Ilustrasi:-

Alexander the Great, the Greek king, once led his
troops across a hot, arid desert. After nearly two
weeks of marching, he and his soldiers were near
death from thirst, yet Alexander pushed ahead.
In the noonday sun, two of his scouts brought
what little water they were able to find. It barely filled a
cup. Alexander’s troops were shocked when he
poured the water into the burning sand.
The king said, “It is of no use for one to drink when
many thirst.”

Sementara Alexander mencapai banyak kemenangan, dia juga mempunyai beberapa kelemahannya yang tersendiri. Apabila kita membandingkan kepimpinan Alexander dengan kepimpinan Ezra, kita boleh melihat perbezaan yang sangat ketara.
Sementara Ezra sanggup untuk menjadi pemimpin yang selalu ada semasa kesusahan, dia juga mempunyai titik permulaan yang berbeza dengan Alexander.

Kepimpinan Alexander lebih kepada dirinya sendiri, manakala Ezra selalu mencari kasih Tuhan dalam memimpin umat-umat Tuhan. Ezra tidak pernah membiarkan egonya melebihi tanggungjawabnya kepada Tuhan dan kepada orang yang mempercayai dia.

Sebagai pemimpin yang hidup dalam kepimpinan Tuhan, kita hendaklah rela menyerahkan diri kita untuk menurut kehendakNya, sentiasa mencari kasihNya dan mempelajari setiap perkataanNya. Apabila kita merendahkan diri di hadapan Tuhan, Dia akan memberikan kita kekuatan dan kebijaksanaan untuk memimpin umat-umat Nya walau ke mana sekalipun Tuhan ingin mereka pergi.
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Apa Pendapat Anda??

Adakah anda suka pulang ke kampung halaman anda?

Tidak ada sesuatu yang lebih indah daripada pulang ke kampung halaman selepas satu tempoh yang panjang. anda boleh bayangkan bagaimana perasaan anda pulang setelah sekian lama?

TAHUKAH ANDA?

Sekitar 40,000 orang israel telah kembali bersama dengan Ezra pada waktu itu. Ini bukanlah keseluruhan bangsa Israel, tetapi ini merupakan satu jumlah yang besar. Persoalan mengapa ramai yang tidak kembali ke Yerusalem pada waktu itu juga harus dipertimbangkan. Mungkin kita boleh melihatnya pada ayat-ayat yang berikut, perkahwinan campur merupakan satu masalah yang besar pada waktu itu. Kemungkinan juga oleh kerana dalam masa penawanan yang begitu panjang sehingga mereka merasa begitu selesa dengan hidup di negara asing dan mereka tidak sanggup lagi meninggalkannya. sekiranya anda berada di tempat mereka, adakah anda akan pulangke yerusalem ataupun tinggal di negara asing tersebut?

Friday, November 2, 2012

Kemenangan Ester

Kemenangan kita di dalam menentang kuasa iblis terletak dalam kuasa Tuhan. Namun untuk menggenggam kemenangan

tersebut memerlukan keberanian iman.

Ayat alkitab untuk hari ini = Ester 5:3

Tanya raja kepadanya:"Apa maksudmu, hai Ratu Ester, dan apa keinginanmu? Sampai setengah kerajaan sekalipun akan diberikan kepadamu."

ESTER 7
Datanglah raja dengan Haman untuk dijamu oleh Ester, sang ratu.Pada hari yang kedua itu, sementara minum anggur, bertanyalah pula raja kepada Ester: "Apakah permintaanmu, hai ratu Ester? Niscaya akan dikabulkan. Dan apakah keinginanmu? Sampai setengah kerajaan sekalipun akan dipenuhi."Maka jawab Ester, sang ratu: "Ya raja, jikalau hamba mendapat kasih raja dan jikalau baik pada pemandangan raja, karuniakanlah kiranya kepada hamba nyawa hamba atas permintaan hamba, dan bangsa hamba atas keinginan hamba. Karena kami, hamba serta bangsa hamba, telah terjual untuk dipunahkan, dibunuh dan dibinasakan. Jikalau seandainya kami hanya dijual sebagai budak laki-laki dan perempuan, niscaya hamba akan berdiam diri, tetapi malapetaka ini tiada taranya di antara bencana yang menimpa raja." Maka bertanyalah raja Ahasyweros kepada Ester, sang ratu: "Siapakah orang itu dan di manakah dia yang hatinya mengandung niat akan berbuat demikian?" Lalu jawab Ester: "Penganiaya dan musuh itu, ialah Haman, orang jahat ini!" Maka Hamanpun sangatlah ketakutan di hadapan raja dan ratu. Lalu bangkitlah raja dengan panas hatinya dari pada minum anggur dan keluar ke taman istana; akan tetapi Haman masih tinggal untuk memohon nyawanya kepada Ester, sang ratu, karena ia melihat, bahwa telah putus niat raja untuk mendatangkan celaka kepadanya. Ketika raja kembali dari taman istana ke dalam ruangan minum anggur, maka Haman berlutut pada katil tempat Ester berbaring. Maka titah raja: "Masih jugakah ia hendak menggagahi sang ratu di dalam istanaku sendiri?" Tatkala titah raja itu keluar dari mulutnya, maka diselubungi oranglah muka Haman.Sembah Harbona, salah seorang sida-sida yang di hadapan raja: "Lagipula tiang yang dibuat Haman untuk Mordekhai, orang yang menyelamatkan raja dengan pemberitahuannya itu, telah berdiri di dekat rumah Haman, lima puluh hasta tingginya." Lalu titah raja: "Sulakan dia pada tiang itu."Kemudian Haman disulakan pada tiang yang didirikannya untuk Mordekhai. Maka surutlah panas hati raja.

Cerita kali ini kita boleh dapat dalam Ester 7. Akhirnya apabila Ester yakin yang dia telah mendapat kedudukan di hati raja, dia mengambil keputusan untuk mendekati raja walaupun ianya sangat berisiko tinggi unduk mendapat hukuman mati.
Namun begitu, apabila raja mengambil keputusan untuk melanjutkan tongkat tanda persetujuan raja terhadap permintaan Ester, Ester tidak pula datang sebaliknya menjemput raja dan Haman untuk ke satu jamuan. Di dalam jamuan itulah Ester membangkitkan tentang isu deskriminasi terhadap orang - orang Yahudi.

Adakah Ester takut? mengatur strategi?berlambat-lambat? Walau apa pun, hujah dan usaha-usaha ester mendapat hasil yang baik. Kaumnya mendapat perlindungan dari raja dan Haman mendapat hasil sebaliknya.Kini Haman menjadi mangsa kemurkaan raja. Ester, mordekhai dan kaum yahudi mendapat kemenangan dari Allah.

Pelajaran kita kali ini memberi tumpuan terhadap kemenangan melalui Kristus terhadap dosa dan godaan. kemenangan kita dalam menentang kuasa iblis adalah kerja Tuhan tetapi menggenggam kemenangan memerlukan keberanian seperti yang terdapat pada Ester. Ia juga memerlukan iman bahawa Tuhan boleh membawa kita keluar dari keadaan yang paling teruk sekalipun.

TAHUKAH ANDA?
Pada zaman dahulu, musuh yang dikalahkan akan mengalami keadaan yang teruk. semua tawanan perang berkemungkinan untuk dibunuh atau diambil sebagai hamba. tetapi beberapa tawanan yang kaya, dapat melepaskan diri dengan memberikan wang tebusan.

Namun begitu hanya sedikit sahaja yang bernasib baik. mereka berkemungkinan akan didera, digantung ataupun dihalau dari kediaman mereka, dipancung, disalibkan ataupun dibakar, dan semua ini bergantung kepada teknologi yang dimiliki oleh pihak yang menawan.

Alkitab mengatakan bahawa selepas Ester memberitahu raja bahawa dia berkemungkinan akan menjadi mangsa oleh rancangan Haman, Haman akhirnya digantung di tali gantung yang dibina untuk Mordekai. Tidak lama kemudian, Ester meminta supaya anak-anak Haman yang 10 juga digantung-adalah kebiasaan bagi mereka yang menang untuk memusnahkan semua ahli keluarga musuh mereka, supaya tidak ada lagi yang akan melakukan kejahatan yang sebelumnya.

Sebagai Kristian, kita diberitahu untuk mencintai musuh kita. Bagaimanakah kita melihat idea mengenai membalas dendam kepada musuh yang dikalahkan sesuai dengan idea Yesus mengenai pengampunan? Apakah jenis "kemenangan" yang Tuhan janjikan kepada kita?

BAHAGIAN PERBINCANGAN
1. Beberapa cerita alkitab, seperti cerita Ester, bermaksud kemenangann kepada musuh yang mengancam kita. Adakah anda mempunyai musuh seperti itu? Tuhan menjanjikan kemenangan kepada kita dalam pencubaan dalam dunia ini, dosa, dan juga cabaran di dalam hidup kita. Dalam bahagian apakah yang anda mahu lihat kemenangan dalam hidup anda masa ini?Cuba fikirkan masa dalam hidup anda apabila Tuhan memberikan anda kemenangan untuk melalui situasi yang sukar. Apakah reaksi anda?

2. Apakah yang akan anda lakukan jikalau raja memberikan tawaran "separuh daripada kerajaannya?" Tawaran yang sangat murah hati daripada Raja Arthasta ini cuba menunjukkan kepada kita bertapa murahnya hati raja tersebut. Tapi Raja kita di syurga tidak membuat janji-janjij yang keterlaluan.(EFESUS 3:20) Jika anda berjalan menuju kepada takhtha Tuhan dan dia memberikan tawaran lebih daripada yang anda boleh minta dan bayangkan, apakah perkara yang akan anda minta daripada Tuhan?

3."Musuh" kita mungkin manusia yang sebenar, mungkin pembuli yang suka membuli anda, ataupun mereka yang menghalang kita daripada menghalang kita daripada melakukan perkara yang benar. Tetapi lebih kerap "musuh" yang kita cuba lawan adalah lebih kepada "musuh" kerohanian, dan musuh tersebut berakar dalam diri kita-pencubaan dan cabaran yang perlu kita atasi. (ROMA 8:31 dan EFESUS 6:10-12)

4.Kadangkala apabila anda berada dalam situasi yang rumit, sama seperti Ester, sukar untuk mempunyai iman di mana Tuhan akan memberikan kemenangan kepada kita. Berfikir tentang cerita Alkitab juga pengalaman-pengalaman di mana Tuhan menang, boleh menyebabkan iman kita akan lebih kuat lagi.Sementara anda meikirkan situasi "peperangan" anda sendiri, Cerita iman dari Alkitab, dari mereka yang anda kenal, ataupun dari pengalam anda sendiri-memberikan anda dorongan dan juga inspirasi?Renungkan cerita tersebut dan ingat mungkin, ia akan mengambil sedikit masa, tetapi Tuhan sentiasa menjanjikan kemenangan.

Source:Cornerstone connections

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Beliefs Fundamental

1. Holy Scriptures:
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God's acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.)

2. Trinity:
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.)

3. Father:
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.)

4. Son:
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)

5. Holy Spirit:
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ's life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)

6. Creation:
God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In six days the Lord made "the heaven and the earth" and all living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day of that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His completed creative work. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was finished it was ``very good,'' declaring the glory of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)

7. Nature of Man:
Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)

8. Great Controversy:
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)

9. Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)

10. Experience of Salvation:
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)

11. Growing in Christ:
By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience. (Ps 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; Luke 10:17-20; Eph 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Matt 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39; 1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.)

12. Church:
The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.)

13. Remnant and Its Mission:
The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)

14. Unity in the Body of Christ:
The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children. (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.)

15. Baptism:
By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)

16. Lord's Supper:
The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all believing Christians. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)

17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries:
God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement of people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God's varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)

18. The Gift of Prophecy:
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

19. Law of God:
The great principles of God's law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God's love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God's covenant with His people and the standard in God's judgment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is an evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow men. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. (Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.)

20. Sabbath:
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God's creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)

21. Stewardship:
We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for their proper use. We acknowledge God's ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow men, and by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The steward rejoices in the blessings that come to others as a result of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.)

22. Christian Behavior:
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things which will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)

23. Marriage and the Family:
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between partners who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church. Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. Although some family relationships may fall short of the ideal, marriage partners who fully commit themselves to each other in Christ may achieve loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each other toward complete maturity. Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a loving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who wants them to become members of His body, the family of God. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. (Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.)

24. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary:
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)

25. Second Coming of Christ:
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.)

26. Death and Resurrection:
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.)

27. Millennium and the End of Sin:
The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; Eze. 28:18, 19.)

28. New Earth:
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.) Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word.

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