Baptism: Part 2 - What to believe?

Welcome back to my blog! Today's exciting topic is baptism. Last time we covered the definition of the word and young people’s experience with baptism.

As a reminder of my admonition stated in the last blog, baptism is a very controversial subject and people's beliefs can often be based on feelings or tradition. However, as Bible based Christians, we first consider the scriptures to differentiate what the epistles say to the church about baptism from opinion and tradition. Further reading is referenced below (1,2).

Types of baptism

In the New Testament, baptism use can be divided generally from two sections: the historical books and the epistles.

• Historical books (the gospels and the book of Acts)
  • Historical precedent – Baptism as a rite was known among the Greeks and Jews.
  • The Greek mystery religions practiced baptism in the entry of new members into their societies (3).
  • Jews practiced baptism with water under undescribed conditions (4).
    • Accordingly, it appears that baptism as a rite was performed in the gospels and Acts in several instances among the Jews (please also see just below).

• Specific types of baptism are mentioned in the gospels and Acts:
• John the Baptist – He administered the baptism of repentance preparing the way of Christ (Matthew 3:7). This baptism was specific to John the Baptist.
• Christ’s baptism (Matthew 3) – This was specific to Jesus and his commission to be our Savior and the associated testimony of the Holy Spirit and God.
• Baptizing by the disciples – This was done apparently under the direction of Christ (John 3:26; 4:2). Its purpose is not described. It may reflect a baptism of repentance associated with the offer of the Kingdom. However, it would differ from John’s in that Christ had come.
• Baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11) – This meaning is controversial. It may be part of the presentation of Christ and specific to his commission to be our Savior. It may also be associated with the testimony of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Further, it might be to the purifying nature of Christ’s teaching (5). In contrast, it might reflect future punishment for sinners who do not repent.
• Christ baptism for which he was baptized (Matthew 20:22-23) - This appears to reflect his role, not a rite, as Savior leading to the cross by His obedience. His upcoming suffering is implied in the passage. His disciples wanted to sit with Him in heaven. Christ asked if they could tolerate the suffering on the cross (baptism) with which He was commissioned.
• Baptism in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20) – This refers to baptism most likely in the time of the church. It might refer to the rite of baptism or to the regeneration associated with preaching the gospel as described in the epistles. Spiritual baptism, almost exclusively, is the type mentioned in the epistles.
• Water baptism in the early church (Acts) – The rite of water baptism appears to have been practiced in the early church. This baptism used water at least in one case (Acts 8:36) but the precise method of baptism is not described in any scriptural instance.

Water baptism in the early church period appears to occur when the church was primarily Jewish, based in Jerusalem. It may have been performed because of Jewish traditions and to show the association of the new formed church to Christ.

Later mentions of baptism are fewer as the church expanded and matured throughout the Roman Empire, but again almost always included Jews or appear Jewish focused (instances up to Acts 19 and 1 Corinthians 1). Events in Acts described after chapter 19 do not specifically mention the rite of baptism again.

Nonetheless, the church after the Bible times did perform water baptism (2^nd century and beyond). The practice of this rite after the Bible times is at a minimum evidence for our great freedom in how we structure the church in time and place (6).

• Therefore, scripture by either what it says or does not say about water baptism provides several key messages:
  • We are not commanded in the epistles, which contain the direction of Christ to the church, to be water baptized. A believer and a church are free to implement the rite out of faith in the manner they believe is correct.
  • Water baptism, when performed by any method, might be understood as a public statement of a person’s commitment to Christ by faith to salvation or a symbol of the regenerative work of the Spirit in the person’s life (7).

Baptism In the epistles - The epistles are the letters in the New Testament, generally written from the apostles, and provide to the church specifically the manner by which we should live our lives for God. Baptism in the letters is spiritual baptism in every instance except one passage (1 Corinthians 1). Spiritual baptism also is discussed in Security of Salvation in Know the Bible.

• Spiritual baptism – This is an important biblical truth which is vital in understanding who we are as Christians. Our knowledge about baptism can transform the way we think!
• When we become a Christian, we are identified with Christ’s gracious death and His resurrection. Otherwise, at salvation our old self died and was buried with Christ. We are raised now to new life with Him and we sit with Him on the right hand of God the Father (Romans 6:2-12; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:12-13). Similar concepts in scripture that also appear to speak to spiritual baptism are: regeneration (Titus 3:5), born again (John 3: 5) and a new man (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). The importance of spiritual baptism is at least the following:
  • Power over sin – Although every believer sins, we can say ‘no’ to sin because as a new person in Christ we have the power to live a victorious life.
  • End of depravity - When Adam fell into sin in the garden it became depraved, in body and mind that was by nature sinful, so he could not Say no to sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). Our identification with Christ resurrection provides us a new life with a new spiritual body that can approach God that holiness (Hebrews 10:19-22; Romans 6:2-11).
  • Ability to serve - Being identified with Christ’s resurrection provides for us a new mindset that allows us the capacity to serve God in the way in which he wishes (Romans 6:12-16; Ephesians 2:10).
  • New life – the reason for the resurrection – Baptism teaches us the importance of the resurrection because we are raised with Christ to new life without which we would still be dead in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).
  • Eternal security – Baptism helps prove we cannot lose our salvation. because scripture does not indicate that if we commit sin that our new self can be killed and the old dead self re-resurrected like some bad re-make of the ‘Night of the Living Dead’!
    • In other words, you are transformed permanently to a new life, resurrected with Christ and sitting with Him in heaven. These changes cannot be reversed. What a great comfort we have in truth of scripture.
    • Therefore, as a new person, we are liberated from sin and are free to serve Christ. We cannot be defeated by the misdeeds of our old self.

• Baptism of the dead – This is a difficult and controversial verse (1 Corinthians 15:29). In context, this wonderful chapter deals with the importance of the resurrection and the rapture. The Apostle Paul indicates in verse 30 and 31 how he suffers on behalf of those unbelievers to bring them the gospel. These two verses may integrate with Matthew 20: 22-23 with Christ’s question to the apostles if they can tolerate the ‘baptism with which he is baptized’, which was to suffer on the cross for all men’s sins.
  • Therefore, Paul possibly was saying that he was baptized, as an apostle, with a similar mission as Christ to take the gospel to unbelievers, with the accompanying suffering, as a part of his own mission (Colossians 1:24). The verse reflects Paul’s commitment to God’s purpose for his life (Romans 15:15-19).

In summary, so we've seen that baptism, although it has a variety of meanings in the New Testament, in the epistles intended for the church, it signifies spiritual baptism - our identification with the death and resurrection of Christ.

Thanks for joining me today. Next time we will discuss communion, remembering the death and resurrection of our precious savior.

William C. Stewart

1. Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth. Moody Publishers, 1999.
2. Chafer LS. Systematic Theology. Abridged Volume II. Kregel Publications, 1947.
3. https://www.britannica.com/topic/mystery-religion/Beliefs-and-practices
4. https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/was-baptism-originally-jewish/
5. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb.html
6. http://www.equip.org/article/new-testament-baptism/
7. http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/101-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

Defeating sin – You can do it (with the Spirit’s help)

The Christian life is an exciting process of being obedient to God’s word, while using biblical tools to build a more God-like character. This process was outlined in the blogs just prior to this one (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7).

However, there are a number of additional issues in the Christian life that are quite important in scripture and to Christians. This blog deals with one of several of these important topics: dealing with sin.

 

Defeating Sin

 

How do we handle sin as a born-again believer? This is a big question and plagues each of us some time in our lives. The understanding of a proper answer, based in scripture, is so important to our mental health and relationship with God.

 

Recurrent sin - How then does a Christian conquer, in a biblical manner, the issue of sin, real or perceived? Not only is the sin itself a problem but it often produces guilt which might further reduce the quality of relationship with God. Here are some tips from scripture and what is not in scripture. The New Testament epistles indicate the following:

• Perceived sin – Make sure your sin is actually viewed by God as sin and you’re not responding to:
• A self-imposed expectation
• Social Christian expectations from family or friends
• Legalism derived from other believers

 

For example, watching a movie is not a biblical sin but you may feel guilty based on self-imposed restrictions, your reasons for watching the film (careful: might include sin), or the perceived expectations of your church or Christian colleagues. As 1 Timothy 4:4-5 states, everything we do and use in this world should be filtered through prayer and God’s word.

 

Remember if you do see the movie (or do anything), do so out of faith, because anything we do without faith itself is sin (Romans 14:23). Further, only see it if you do not make fellow Christians stumble (Romans 14:13-21).

 

·       Obey – This is the predominant response to sin for Christians in the epistles: simply obey (Romans 6:12-16; Romans 12:1-2). We are to be God’s worthy servant! Importantly, we love God and others by obeying Him (1 John 5:1-3).

 

·       Hate sin – God hates sin as it is contrary to His righteousness (Hebrews 1:9). Sin ultimately hurts us and potentially others. Part of maturity as a person of God is understanding the ill effects of sin and to hate it as God does (Proverbs 8:13).

 

·       Defeat sin – We are to destroy sin in our lives. We can do this for two amazing reasons:

 

• The Holy Spirit – God gave us His powerful Spirit to help us defeat sin (Romans 8:13).

 

• Regeneration – The Holy Spirit regenerated us (Titus 3:5) when we believed at salvation to a new person who is not bound by sin (Ephesians 2:1-3) but it’s free to serve God (Romans 6:2-16).

 

·       We are forgiven (Romans 3:23-26; Colossians 2:13) – We do not need to ask for forgiveness because Christ covers our sins by our faith in His sacrifice on the cross for us .

 

Some view 1 John 1:9 as saying we should ask for forgiveness; if so, it’s the only such passage in the epistles. In context, this passage presents a foundation for fellowship among believers through our salvation in Christ, before the author proceeds to discuss in Chapters 2 through 4 how a believer acts and believes. John assumes a concept of sin (1 John 3:4-10), and of not obeying the commandments (1 John 2:2-6), as a continual action that, if it defines a person’s life, they probably are an unbeliever. Therefore, John is not using the term ‘sin’ in 1 John 1:9 as a daily sin of a believer that must ask routinely for forgiveness. The verse relates to unbelievers who need forgiveness to salvation.

 

• Nonetheless, it is healthy to recognize our sin (Romans 8:13) before our holy Father and change our life (please see next point), but forgiveness is not in view.

 

·       Spiritual warfare – Remember our fight is against Satan and not merely against institutions and people in this world. Our tools to defeat Satan, beyond our salvation, are:

 

o   Be alert – Satan wishes to devour you (1 Peter 5:8).

 

o   Remember his methods – Keep from giving him a place and ability to snare you (Ephesians 4:27), caused by:

 

Ø  Not knowing biblical truth or being mature in Christ (Hebrews 5:14; 1 Timothy 3:7).

 

Ø  Incorrect emotions such as anger, lack of forgiveness or temptation! (Ephesians 4:27; 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Corinthians 2:7).

 

o   Resist him – James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11

 

Ø  Put on the whole armor of God – This is vital and was discussed in the blog about the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-17).

 

o   Flee sin – 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to run away from temptation.  We are not to surround ourselves with tempting situations to try to measure our spiritual strength.  God tells us to put on our running shoes and escape!

 

·       What not to do – There is no need to feel guilty, kick yourself, and act defeated. Instead get up on your feet and obey the word of God! Get over it and get busy allowing God to use your good service to Him.

 

Bonus section, the unpardonable sin 

 

This important passage is in Matthew 12:31-32. These verses are often misunderstood, and Christians apply them to themselves.

 

• Remember, you should interpret the gospels through Jewish eyes! In this passage Christ was addressing the Pharisees, who were Jewish leaders. They had the witness from the Holy Spirit, descending upon Christ at His baptism (Matthew 3), which was a testimony He was the promised king bringing salvation as prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 59:20-21; 2 Samuel 7:12-16).

 

• The Pharisees rejected the testimony of the Holy Spirit and so rejected the message of the kingdom and the gospel. Of course, this was unpardonable (rejecting the gospel).

 

• For true believing Christians, we have not rejected the gospel but are saved and secure through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Accordingly. the passage does not apply to Christians.

 

These mental disciplines regarding handling of sin are critical to a healthy mindset. God has graciously given us a provision of unimpeded access to Him in prayer through our forgiveness in Christ. Join us again next time as we deal with the issue of guilt.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

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Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

 

 

 

Christian Life Part 4: Borders for the Christian Life

Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring Biblical concepts in the Christian life. We spoke initially about the three sanctifications (being set apart for holiness) which delineate our Christian experiences:

·       Salvation - Our legal sanctification by the blood of Christ in faith (Romans 3:21-26)

·       The Christian life - We seek to become sanctified in our actions and thoughts as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16)

·       Heaven - Christ takes us to our eternal home when our bodies will be sanctified (1 Corinthians 15:50 ff)

Importantly, when one sanctification is complete and we progress to the next, we cannot return to the prior sanctified state. This helps us know that we have eternal security and confidence in our relationship with God; please review the last blog about this important lesson.

We then discussed scripturally based goals for Christian living and the tools God provides by which we can accomplish them.

·       Be holy as God is holy - We should strive to develop godly characteristics in our life (1 Peter 1:16)

·       Live a life of faith – God is pleased by our faith, not guilt and legalism (Romans 14:23; Colossians 2:6)

·       Serve God with your entire life  – In accomplishing this goal we have great freedom to live by faith within the broad bounds of the New Testament epistles’ commands (Romans 12:1-2)

Most recently we discussed the tools that God gives us to accomplish these goals which are the Bible and His power as manifested through His Holy Spirit.

Borders for the Christian life

Although we have great freedom to pursue God in faith, He does place wise borders on our lives to keep us on the scriptural playing field so we do not run out of balance and take ourselves out of the action.

·       Admonishments for the Christian life – These exist to fulfill two general purposes from a holy God:

• Maintain an orderly society – These are reflected in commands such as “do not murder” or “do not steal” and are often repeated from the Old Testament. God’s order commands are interspersed throughout the epistles. In general, His commands are few and protective to us and society, leaving us a broad path in life in which He wants us to live by faith to serve Him.

• Note: Old Testament and gospel commands – These commands reflect God’s holiness. Nonetheless, they are dictates for another time when God administered His people differently. We obey commands within the epistles because these are for the church time in which we now live.

• Live a wise and godly life – Like the commands related to orderliness, these injunctions also are interspersed throughout the epistles and provide wisdom about how to lead the Christian life. Interestingly, research in the medical literature has shown that when such admonishments are obeyed they increase wellbeing, such as producing hope, forgiveness, thankfulness, and joy (https://teleiosresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CV-Teleios-Wellbeing-Review-JRH.pdf). Further, Teleios’ research has shown that Christians who study the Bible and practice what it says its precepts on average have better wellbeing than those who do not. God made us and He knows our psychological profile and what is healthy for us.

• Use your freedom wisely - Although God grants us wide freedom in our Christian walk, the Apostle Paul tells us not to misuse this freedom if we're causing other believers, who are following legalistic non-biblical commands out of faith, to stumble (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8; 1 Corinthians 10:23ff). An example of this might be drinking alcohol. Scripture tells us that we should not become drunk (Ephesians 5:18) but does not tell us not to drink alcohol. Therefore, we are free to partake of alcohol in a responsible way (1 Timothy 4:4-5) in which we remain sober. However, we should not drink if we are causing a Christian who believes that we should refrain from alcohol to become discouraged in their faith.

God has granted us great freedom to live in faith in accordance with broad scriptural commands. Our ability to know truth helps us navigate life in a productive and joyful way. We thank God for His provision and wise and truthful word.

We will discuss in the next blog the methods God graciously provides us to use to mature ourselves in Him.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

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Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

The Christian Life Part 3: Tools

Welcome back to my blog. We are discussing the Christian life. God gives us so much that makes our lives abundant!

We discussed last time goals for the Christian life and started exploring the two primary tools to accomplish these goals. The first tool is God's word. Please review last week's blog below. Now let us explore the second tool, the Holy Spirit and His power to accomplish Christian living.

God’s power

God’s power in the New Testament for believers is manifested generally in two ways:

• The gospel (Romans 1:16-17) – This is the power of God to salvation! The Holy Spirit is active in the process by convicting unbelievers of their sin (John 16:10).
• In the Christian life (Ephesians 6:10-17) – The magnificent armor of God passage is critical to understanding our Christian life because it instructs us how to access God’s power by describing a Greek hoplite soldier and his armament. Often Christians wonder how they can know the power of God. These great verses describe it! However, it is also important in showing the role of the Spirit because His mighty actions are linked to each of the pieces of armor in other scripture.
• Truth (our belt to prepare us V.14) – Living in truth is a fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:9) and prepares our mind to make proper decisions and actions.
• Righteousness (our breastplate V.14) – A fruit of the Spirit is a holy heart that is set apart to serve God and perceives and rejects sin (Ephesians 5:9).
• Share the gospel (the shoes to carry us to battle V.15) – By telling others the message of salvation we see the power of God to change others and positively affect our society, which is assisted by the Spirit (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 1:7; John 16:8-11).
• Faith (our shield V.16) – Another fruit or evidence of the Spirit is faith by which we make our decisions and do what God desires from us (Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 14:23).
• Eternal security (our helmet V.17) – The sound knowledge of our security of salvation protects our heads as we face troubles in this world and its function comes from the Spirit (Romans 15:13, Romans 8:16).
• The Bible (our sword V.17) – The power of God we experience in our Christian life is through the action of the Spirit in accordance to the Bible (Hebrews 4:12).

What great truths! What a privilege to know God through His word and live a holy life which pleases Him.

Thank you for joining me today. Please return next time as we continue the exciting discussion of the Christian walk that's associated benefits in life.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…
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 Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

The Christian Life Part 1 - The Foundation

The term Christian life roughly refers to how we live as a believer. Our Christian life is vital to gain and know the fruit of the Holy Spirit, derived from obedience, as well as to serve our Savior who saved us (Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 2:12; Romans 12:1-2).

Importantly, two preconditions exist to enjoy the Christian life. If you are unsure If you meet these conditions, please review Chapters 1-3 of Know the Bible on the Teleios website.

The preconditions: Salvation and assurance

• Being saved by grace, having received the forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection to new life (Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 10:9).

• Security of salvation, as we can only adequately live a fruitful Christian life when we are confident of our salvation (1 Peter 1:4-5, Romans 8:28-39).

If a person does not believe In Christ to salvation, they do not have the understanding or capacity to live the Christian life (Romans 3:10-18). Further, if we are not convinced that God keeps our salvation then we will not have the confidence to life as a Christian and serve God.

Based on these two foundations, how the does the Bible tell us to live the Christian life?

Progressing from Salvation to live the Christian life (Hebrew 6:1-2).

How do we then mature in our faith after salvation?

o   Three sanctifications – Critical to understanding the Christian life are the three different sanctifications. These are defined in the Dallas Theological Seminary doctrinal statement and are very useful. Sanctification as a term is defined by our setting apart as holy to God.

Ø  First or past sanctification – This is legal holiness based on our forgiveness of sins by Christ’s death in the cross through faith. We are created new beings in Christ who can serve him (Romans 6:2-11; Titus 3:5).

Ø  Second or present sanctification – This describes our actions, by which we become holy as we live a life of faith and obedient in our service to God throughout our lifetime (Romans 6-12-16; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:4-10).

Ø  Third or future sanctification – This is the change in our bodies at the rapture that become holy; completing the sanctification process (1 Corinthians 15:1-49).

o   Importantly, the three sanctifications are separate in implementation and do not mix.

Ø  Transition from first to second sanctification – When Christ was resurrected to new life He then ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 8:1). This action signified that His glorious work in bringing salvation to man was finished. His sacrifice was sufficient for all sins for all time and did not need to be repeated (Hebrews 10:10-19). His sacrificial work being complete, Christ now heads continuously the church and helps believers in their Christian life.

• Likewise, as Christians when we believed on salvation and received forgiveness (Romans 3:23-26) it is once for all time. We also were resurrected to new life and sit at the right hand of God the Father with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-9). Consequently, our work of being saved is finished. We now serve Christ continuously through the church (second sanctification). We do not need to revisit our first sanctification.

• So as Christ was resurrected to new life we also are resurrected to new life through Him (Romans 6:2-9). As Christ’s saving work was finished on the cross, so our process to salvation was finished at conversion. As new regenerated person we are now able and free to serve Him, unburdened with insecurities over the security of our salvation or if God may not accept us for some sin (Romans 6:11-16).

Ø  Transition from the 2nd to the 3rd sanctification – When Christ comes again in the clouds to take His church home our bodies will be changed instantaneously to a heavenly body (1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:49-54). This completes our sanctification.

So, by definition, in the Christian life we have progressed from the first to the second sanctification. It is based upon the fact that you have been saved by grace through the blood of Christ with your sins forgiven. In addition, we have been given the positions of being placed in God's family, found innocent by the blood of Christ, sealed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. These unalterable promises and being changed into a new person provide a security to salvation and confidence in our relationship with God.

Therefore, we move forward in the Christian life serving God with confidence and joy.

Join us next time as we further describe this wonderful process of God bearing fruit in our life and our service to Him. 

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

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Disclaimer – I am not a trained pastor or psychologists. Please contact the appropriate medical or pastoral practitioner for professional help beyond what lay people can provide. This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.