Nostradamus – His “Prophecy” in Scriptural Perspective

• The first principle in interpreting Nostradamus – “Let the wish be father of the thought”!
• C II,51 –

“The blood of a just one at London will be lacking
Burnt by lightning of twenty three near six
The ancient lady shall fall from a high place
Many of the same sect shall be killed”.

• Erica Cheetham interprets this of the Great Fire of London, 1666AD.

Who was Michael de Nostredame?

• A medieval Jew, born 1503 A.C. in France, died 1566 A.D., at Salon in France
• A convert to Catholicism, accepting as truth the Catholics Errors of:

The trinity; immortality of the soul; a supernatural devil; the Kingdom of God, the church.

Rejecting as error the Bible Truths:

One God, the Father; man mortal; human nature, the devil; the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Israel restored by Christ.

• A claimant of prophetic powers who rejected the promises and prophecies of God –

• The tainted source of Nostradamus –

“Inspiration” – “occult powers” derived from Jewish superstition and medieval Gentile ignorance –

“The wand in the hand is placed in the middle of the tripod’s legs. With water he sprinkles both the hem of his garment and his foot. A voice, fear; he trembles in his robes. Divine splendour; the god sits nearby”. C I, 2.

But God Forbids this Ignorant Superstition

• Deuteronomy 18:9-14;        
• Acts 8:9-13,18
• Acts 13:6-11;                
• Acts 19:18-20;
• Isaiah 8:19-20

How Erica “dredged up” Hitler, Mussolini and the Pope out of the Danube!

C V, 29 –

“Liberty will not be recovered,
A black, proud, villainous one will occupy it:
When the matter of the bridge will be opened,
Of the Danube, the Republic of Venice vexed”.

Erica Cheetham interprets “Pont” (bridge) as Pope, and “Hister” (Danube) as Hitler, and Black = Fascisti = Blackshirts!

“That Wicked the Lawless One”

God warns in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 of the development of an ecclesiastical power which would assert its supremacy above all law, while also claiming to be the Church of Christ. This prediction has been amply fulfilled by the papacy, as history attests.

• “Innocent III laid down as a maxim that out of the plenitude of his power he might lawfully dispense with the law” (“The Middle Ages”, Henry Hallam, Vol. II, Page 209) Beginning of 13th Century, A.D.
• Paul II: “Thou bring us before the Judges? Wouldst thou know, that all laws are placed in the repository of our breast?… I am Pontiff: and upon the pleasure of my mind it depends both to rescind, and approve the acts of others.” (“Eureka, an exposition of the Apocalypse”, J. Thomas, Volume II, Page 618) 1463 A.D.

Papal Claims of Divinity

“The Lord our God no longer reigns: He has resigned all power to the Pope.”
TETZEL, Vendor of Indulgences to obtain money for the repair of St. Peters Basilica: Cited in “THE HISTORY OF PROTESTANTISM”, Vol. I pages 255-260

“The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ himself hidden under the veil of the flesh. Does the Pope speak? It is Jesus Christ who speaks…”
Pope Pius X, when Archbishop of Venice; Quoted by “Catholique Nationale”, July 13, 1895

“It is certain that the Pontiff was called a God by the Pious Prince Constantine.”
Canon Law, published by Gratianus, 12th Century

“The Most Holy and Most Blessed One, who hath Divine Judgment, who is Lord on Earth, successor of Peter, the Lord’s Christ, Lord of the Universe, Father of Kings, Light of the World, the Chief Pontiff Pope Martin.”
Annunciation of Pope Martin at the Court of the Greek Emperor. 13th Century.

Man of Sin

The distinctive marks of the man of sin, identified in 2 Thessalonians         2:

The Apostasy	abandonment of truth.	2:3
The Man Of Sin	an individual apostate.	2:3
The Man Of Sin	a religious organisation continuing from Paul’s time to Christ’s return.	2:3 to 2:8
Exalts Self Above All That Is Called God	claim to be vicar and vice-regent of both God and Christ.	2:4
Coming After The Working of Satan	disguising Apostacy under forms of Christian religion.	2:9
With All Power, Signs and Lying wonders	claiming power of priesthood, mediatorship, secular and spiritual government, and miraculous signs and healings.	2:9
Have Pleasure	In Unrighteousness – profligate, licentious and immoral.	2:12

The Meaning of Antichrist

• Antichrist is the Greek word “antichristos” transferred directly, and untranslated, into English.
• Antichrist has a meaning, translatable into English, which is “One instead of Christ”
• Antichrist is therefore someone who claims to be in Christ’s place.
• Antichrist is identical in meaning to the Latin term: “Vicarius Christi” – “Vicar of Christ”
• Vicar of Christ is one of many evidences which identify the papacy and Roman Catholicism with Antichrist.
• At the close of the council of Rome in AD 495, the assembled bishops thrice shouted in honour of the pope Gelasius: “Vicarium Christi te Vedemus”! – “We see thou art the Vicar of Christ”!

This is the Real Antichrist

• In assuming the title Vicar of Christ the papacy has identified itself as the Antichrist.
• The pope was frequently addressed as Christ, and received the title as distinctively and only his due.
• “Consider that thou art the Vicar of Christ, the Christ of the Lord.” C12, S. Bernard to Pope Eugenius.
• “…Christ’s vicar, the successor of Peter, has the power of transferring the empire from the Germans to any others soever, if he will” A.D. 1303, Pope Boniface to the Emperor.
• “Thee, as the true vicar of Christ and God, the ruler of the whole Christian republic, we recognise, confess, profess obedience to and adore, in thy name adoring Christ, whose representative thou art.” A.D. 1514, Ambassador of the King of Portugal to Pope Leo X.
• “Every title which is in Scripture given to Christ, appertains also to the Pope.” A.D. 1580, Cardinal Bellarmine to Pope Gregory XIII (Bellarmine was first proponent of a future Antichrist!).

Authority – Roman Catholic Barriers

VATICAN COUNCIL, 4th Session, Ch. 4, held 18th July, 1870 “Itaque nos traditions a fidei Christianae…”

“We, the Sacred Council approving, teach and define that it is a dogma divinely revealed: that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra – that is, when discharging the office of Pastor and Teacher of all Christians, by reason of his supreme Apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the whole Church – he, by the Divine assistance promised to him in Blessed Peter, possesses that infallibility with which the Divine Redeemer willed that His Church should be endowed in defining doctrine regarding Faith or Morals: and that therefore such definitions of the said Roman Pontiff are of themselves unalterable, and not from the consent of the Church.”

“Catholic Belief” J. F. Di Bruno, 5th edition, 1884
Burns, Oates & Washbourne, Ltd., London, U.K. Imprimatur, H.E. Cardinal Manning.

Creed of Pius 4 incorporating Acts of Council of TRENT – 1545-1563

1. Holy, Roman Catholic Church, Mother of all Churches.
2. God, a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
3. Submission to authority of Church, in faith and morals.
4. Interpret Holy Scriptures as authorised by Church.
5. Seven Sacraments, necessary for Salvation (1. Baptism, 2. Confirmation, 3. Eucharist, 4. Penance, 5. Extreme Unction, 6. Orders, 7. Matrimony)
6. Original Sin and Justification from it.
7. A true propitiatory sacrifice offered in the mass.
8. Transubstantiation of Eucharistic bread and wine into real body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ.
9. Purgatory, for help of souls to heaven by prayers, et cetera, of faithful.
10. Saints now reigning in heaven with Christ intercede for devotees by prayers to God, and to be invocated.
11. Relics of Saints to be held in veneration.
12. Images of Christ, Mary and other Saints to be kept and due honour and veneration to be given them.
13. Mary, Mother of God, ever virgin.
14. Power of granting indulgences left by Christ in the Church; use of them most wholesome for Christians.
15. Embrace apostolical and ecclesiastical traditions and all other observances of the Church.
16. Promise true obedience to Bishop of Rome, successor of St. Peter, Prince of Apostles, Vicar of Jesus Christ.
17. Undoubtingly receive all delivered, defined and declared about supremacy and infallible teaching of the Roman Pontiff.

THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT WAS CONVENED IN 1545 – TO MEET THE ERRORS OF THE FIRST PROTESTANTS, WHICH WERE THEN SPREADING.

“Authority in the ‘Church’”

2 Timothy 3

The fundamental authority rests with God alone and what He has written. John 10:34-36 – what the Bible says cannot be contradicted.

2 Peter 3:14-16 – Two significant statements:

• the wisdom of Paul was given, and
• his writings are on the same plane as the other Scripture – Old and New Testaments.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 – the Scriptures that were available when Timothy was a child was the Old Testament from God’s inspiration and able to enlighten for salvation. The teachings of the Old Testament on their own can save. The New Testament is an explanation of the substance of the Old Testament, compare Luke 24:13-27 (N.B. v27). Nothing since has altered the doctrine of the Old Testament because God hasn’t changed nor made mistakes.

Acts 26:22 – Paul’s words were only an explanation of the message of the prophets alone. Anything said in the name of God must accord with Old Testament teaching.

Revelation 22:18-19 announces the end of Divine revelation and determines any teaching not in accordance with Bible teaching stands accursed.

Deuteronomy 4:2 – The law given through Moses was fixed and finished when Moses died. Nobody can add quantitatively to the Scriptures – nor can anyone add a concept that the Scriptures don’t support (2 Peter 3:16).

(1 Chronicles 29:29 – other writings have come from God – but they have not been included in the Bible because they were not necessary for salvation.)

The Old Testament canon was settled 3 centuries BC. “The Changing World of Mormonism” – Tanner – a consideration was made of a number of extracts. God makes no mistakes; only men make mistakes.

Hebrews 7:7-13 – to abolish the law and Aaronic priesthood Christ came – it was correct in itself. Galatians 3:16-19 – though the law came later it didn’t change the promises. Vv23-25 the law had a specific purpose and a limited duration. Galatians 4:1-5 – the Levitican priests were mortal men – but in Christ there is an undying priest who cannot sin.

Examples of Doctrinal Contradictions: Within the Mormon Sacred Books and Between Them and The Bible

The Godhead
The Book of Mormon pronounces the Godhead to be One God, whereas Doctrine and Covenants declares it to consist of a vast number of Gods:

Mormon:

Alma 11: 26

“And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God. And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God. Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? And he answered, No. Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things? And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me”.

But contrast:         Doctrine and Covenants:

Sec. 132:19

“And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed… (132:20) Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; and therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them”.

Sec. 132:37

“Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods”.

The Bible’s doctrine of the Godhead, however, is that there is BUT ONE GOD, THE FATHER, beside whom there is, and will be, no other:

John 17:1,3

“These words spake Jesus… and said, Father: This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”.

1 Corinthians 8:4,6

“There is none other God but one… For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many and lords many), but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him”.

The Book of Mormon pronounces the Godhead to be unchangeable, as does Doctrine and Covenants, which then nonetheless goes on to declare doctrine that represents God as changeable. In addition, the Book of Abraham, printed in the Pearl of Great Price, asserts the existence of a number of Gods active in creation.

Mormon:

Moroni 8:18

“For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity”.

Doctrine and Covenants:

Sec. 20:17

“By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God…

But contrast:         Doctrine and Covenants:

Sec. 132:19

“And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed… (132:20) Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; and therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.”

And: Book of Abraham:

Sec. 3:15; 4:3,10,25; 5:8

“And the Lord said unto me: Abraham, I show these things unto thee before ye go into Egypt, that ye may declare all these words…”And they (the Gods) said: “Let there be light… And the Gods pronounced the dry land, earth… And the Gods organised the earth to bring forth the beasts after their kind… And the Gods planted a garden in Eden…”

In refreshing contrast, the Bible is clear and emphatic that Yahweh, the God of Israel and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, is omnipotent and supreme:

Isaiah 43:10

11         “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord … that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Yahweh; and beside me there is no saviour.”

Isaiah 44:6

“Thus saith Yahweh the King of Israel, and his redeemer Yahweh of Hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

The Book of Mormon pronounces the Godhead to be Almighty and Omnipotent, whereas Doctrine and Covenants exhibits it as limited, and able to be entered by men with whom the Deity must then share power and glory.

Mormon:

Mosiah 11:23

“…The Lord the Almighty God”.

But contrast:         Doctrine and Covenants:

Sec. 132:19

“And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed… (132:20) Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; and therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.”

By contrast, the Bible teaches that God, the Father, is supreme in power and glory and is the only source of both:

Revelation 19:6	“Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”.
Romans 13:1	“…For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God”.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18	“…I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”.
Isaiah 48:11-13	“…I will not give my glory unto another. Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens.”

God’s Rest – Commencement of a Great New Work

• God worked six days in creating the present physical order on earth – Genesis 1:31
• On the seventh day He rested and sanctified it – Genesis 2:2-3
• Nonetheless God’s work continued unabated throughout that and every subsequent Sabbath day – John 5:16-17
• But it was work of a different kind – He began the spiritual work of a new creation – Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17
• So God calls on us to cease our own work and to turn to doing His work each day of the week without ceasing – Isaiah 58:6-14

The Sabbath First Revealed at the Exodus

• Sabbath imposed on Israel to memorialise rest from bondage in Egypt – Deuteronomy 5:15-16
• The original observance initiated under Moses – Exodus 16:5,23-30
• The Sabbath first made known at the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt – Nehemiah 9:14
• The punishment for disobedience to the Sabbath law unknown before the exodus – Numbers 15:32-36

The Sababth Less in Importance than Circumcision and Animal Sacrifice

• Circumcision displaced the Sabbath when the two laws clashed – John 7:22-23. Ritual of sacrifice took precedence over the Sabbath each and every Sabbath day – Numbers 28:9; Matthew 12:2-8
• The Sabbath made for man and displaced by God when the needs of man require – Mark 2:27; Luke 6:5,9

Sabbath Observance Passed Away, Superseded by Christ

• The only things in the law “necessary” for Christians to observe exclude the Sabbath – Acts 15:28
• Christ did away with the Sabbath – Colossians 2:16. The term “Sabbaths” includes the seventh day Sabbath – Exodus 31:13-17

The Ten Commandments and the Rest of The Law Indivisible

• The sacrificial code was both Law of Moses and Law of God – 2 Chronicles 30:16; 31:3
• All the Law was “God’s law by the hand of Moses” – 2 Chronicles 34:14; 35:6; Leviticus 26:46
• The ten commandments are both “law” and “commandments” – Exodus 24:12
• The ten commandments are the “covenant” of God – Deuteronomy 4:13 and the “words of the covenant” which covenant was done away in Christ – Hebrews 9:1-4; Colossians 2:11-18; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11 because it was a ministration of death – 2 Corinthians 3:7
• The ten commandments were spoken by God in common with the rest of the law – Deuteronomy 5:22,31-33

How and Why the Sabbath Should be Kept?

Reading: Deuteronomy 5

Colossians 2:16-17 In Christ we have the reality; the law was but a shadow. v14 the handwriting was taken away. The Law of Moses made salvation impossible through law keeping. The only way to take the law from man was through the death of Christ. To save man it was necessary to get the law out of the way. v16 – Don’t let anyone attempt to regulate your life or criticise your way of life in regard to these things that have been removed. Seventh Day Adventists say that it is not the weekly Sabbath because the word is plural. This is not a case because it is common in the New Testament to describe the weekly Sabbath in plural form. Matthew 12:1-2, 5 (plural), v10 (plural – this time Pharisees speaking), v11 (he replies – Sabbath singular) v12. There is a progression of time in v16 – yearly, monthly, weekly. Luke 6:2, 9 (same incident as Matthew 12 – v2,9 – the term is identical to Colossians 2:16 Sabbaths “days” not in original).

Acts 16:13 (Greek – the day of the Sabbaths). “The Sabbaths” was the normal Jewish term describing the seventh day of the week. Acts 17:2 – yet obviously the normal weekly Sabbath (the word day not in original – so same as Colossians 2:16). Matthew 28:1 Sabbaths – plural, as also Luke 4:31.

Now consider the Old Testament context and compare:

Exodus 20:8-11, although vv8-11 clearly is singular in Hebrew, compare Leviticus 19:3-4 clearly referring to the commandments of Exodus 20. See Exodus 31:13-17 (Sabbaths obviously the weekly Sabbath – the background is Exodus 20 cp. v11) Sabbaths (same in LXX as Colossians 2:16) for IT is a sign. So in the Old Testament they are used in the same way as in the New.

Perpetual does not mean unending without break – cp. Levitical priesthood Exodus 40:15 (same word here translated everlasting). Cp. Hebrews 7:12 because there is a change in the priesthood there must be a change in the Law. Ohlam – time is a length of time to be determined by context. Exodus 31:17 – between God and Israel (and no one else) for the ohlam defined in Hebrews 9:24-26 (note THE END OF THE AGE i.e. of the Law’s duration, Greek AION = Hebrew OHLAM) and for which the Sabbath was instituted. The end of the Mosaic Age from the Exodus until the Roman overthrow. There is a contrast made between the covenant to be made at Christ’s return.

Hebrews 8:13 – the shadow gives way to the object which casts it. The Seventh Day Adventist’s main argument – two types of law – moral which remains and ceremonial which was done away. They say the 10 commandments are the moral and the rest was ceremonial. But the Sabbath is not essentially a moral commandment.

One can work to save on the Sabbath – that is moral. Compare 2 Chronicles 30:16 with 31:3-4 – shows that one cannot divide one as law of God and other as law of Moses (Passover therefore ceremonial says Seventh Day Adventists – but ch.31 says that law of Moses – ceremonial – is law of God).

The word of God doesn’t make the same distinction as do the Seventh Day Adventists, 2 Chronicles 34:14 (the first 5 books). Moses was not its author but God, cp. 35:6. Leviticus 26:46 – obviously God’s law is more than simply the 10 commandments.

Is there a difference between LAWS and COMMANDMENTS? No, they are the same thing, see Exodus 24:12 (speaks of the 2 tables). Cp. 2 Corinthians 3:3, 6-7 (the new covenant, cp. also Colossians 2:13-17).

The law kills but what God writes on your hearts saves, vv 8-9, 14-16 (cp. Acts 15: 21).

Deuteronomy 4:12-13 (two different Hebrew words are translated commandments – here Dabar = word/s). These words constituted a covenant, cp. Exodus 34:28; 2 Corinthians 3:6 7.

Mitzwah – used in Leviticus 21 of the 10 commandments. Compare Galatians 4:9-11. Hebrews 8:6-13 the “fault” was that they condemned rather than saved. The new covenant is of righteousness, forgiveness and grace.

How not to use the Bible!

Deuteronomy 5:22 – Seventh Day Adventists say that since God stopped speaking and added no more – so these are special. But note vv31-33 which shows that argument is obviously unsound. It was only on that time that he added no more. The greatest commandment of all “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart..” is not found in the 10 commandments, nor the second “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. They are in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18 (tucked away with a multitude of what is called by some “ceremonial” laws) yet v30 – Sabbaths mentioned – moral? or ceremonial? The distinction between ceremonial and moral is unscriptural. A typical institution but beneficial when used right to work hard for God (cp. Isaiah 58:6) and as Jesus said compassion can be shown even if it means working hard – e.g. pull an animal out of a pit.

Bible study which has the aim of discovering THE TRUTH of its saving doctrines depends on five clear, essential rules:

THE FIRST:

Interpret scripture language in its normal linguistic sense, having regard to:

• Grammatical construction
• Semantic content and history
• Usage
• Figures of speech

THE SECOND:

Adhere to the Bible’s inspired logic, ensuring that each interpretive step is:

• Necessary
• Consecutive
• Free from assumptions

THE THIRD:

Check the validity of your interpretations:

• By their agreement/disagreement with the immediate, surrounding context

THE FORTH:

Check the validity of your interpretations:

• By their agreement/disagreement with the relevant context of the whole Bible

THE FIFTH:

Apply each rule rigorously:

• So as to reinforce, not to cancel, the effect of the other rules

God’s Spirit

God’s spirit is His power. It has no personality, but is rather the means through which His will is accomplished.

It sustains all life –

“All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils” (Job 27:3)

“If He set his heart upon man, if He gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust” (Job 34:14-15)

How the Bible Defines the Spirit of God

The Bible uses the word “SPIRIT” in a widely extended range of meanings, but all stem from its primary significance, as describing God Himself:

• God is Spirit – John 4:24
• The power which emanates from God is therefore called Spirit – Acts 1:8; Micah 3:8. It fills heaven and earth – Psalm 139:7-12
• By the Spirit God inspired the writers of the Bible – 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 3:7;10:15
• Consequently, the word of God in the Bible is called Spirit – John 6:63; Ephesians 6:17; 1 John 5:6
• A holy mind developed by the word of God is called Spirit Romans 8:2,4-6; Philippians 3:3
• Any disposition of mind may be called Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:11; Ecclesiastes 7:9. So also mind itself – Proverbs 29:11; Genesis 26:35. Even an evil disposition Proverbs 16:18; Hosea 4:12.

God’s Holy Spirit

The words “Holy Spirit” literally mean separate, or special power. They refer to God’s spirit power only when it is used for special work. The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit as being associated with the work of redemption or salvation.

Whereas God’s spirit sustains all flesh, God’s Holy Spirit has never been upon all men (see Numbers 11:16-17,24-30).

As can be seen from the passage in Numbers, the possession of the ‘spirit of God’ in a special sense was evidenced by outward signs. It was the power which impelled men to write inspired and unerring Scriptural records (2 Peter 1:19-21).

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

In the New Testament the bestowal of the Holy Spirit was in the form of gifts – or empowering abilities. It is a much misunderstood subject. We will examine it under the following headings:

• What were the Holy Spirit Gifts?
• How were they given?
• Why were they given?
• How, why and when were they withdrawn?
• Are they available today?
• When will they be re-issued?

What were the Holy Spirit Gifts?

Read Acts 2:1-4. The disciples were gathered “with one accord” in the city of Jerusalem, and in fulfillment of the promise of Christ (Acts 1:8) they were anointed with the Holy Spirit.

The effect was instantaneous (v4).

It was said of Jesus Christ (v22) that the miracles were a sign that he was approved of God. Now it was true of his disciples (Hebrews 2:4).

1 Corinthians 12 gives us a list: tongues (i.e. a language not previously learnt), healing, wisdom knowledge, working of miracles, prophecy and discerning of spirits.

How were they given?

The modern world has become familiar with evangelists. Men, women and even children are among those claiming to possess miraculous gifts.

Some few years back a 10 year old child toured Australia from the U.S.A. claiming to have the gift of God and the power of miracles.

The Bible is quite specific as to the manner in which the gifts were bestowed. The first essential was understanding the Truth. The idea of a man teaching the immortality of the soul and possessing spirit gifts is quite foreign to the Word of God: people had to receive the Truth and then later the gift. Acts 2:38 cp. Acts 8:12-18.

From this latter passage in Acts it is evident that the apostles only had the power to confer the gift and this was done by the laying on of their hands (see also Acts 6:6; 19:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).

• Christ himself directly bestowed the Gifts of Holy Spirit on the apostles – John 15:26; 16:7; Acts 2:1-4 – and on the first gentile converts – Acts 10:44-47
• Thereafter Spirit gifts were bestowed by the apostles Acts 8:14-19 – who alone had that power; compare 2 Timothy 1:6 with 1 Timothy 4;14

Consequently, these Gifts could not endure more than a generation beyond the death of the last of the apostles.

• When given, the Spirit Gifts were designated for free bestowal on two generations of believers – Acts 2:38-39
• When the giving of these Gifts was prophesied, it was likened to a shower of rain – Joel 2:23: “For He hath given you the teacher of righteousness and He shall cause to descend for you a rain; a teacher and a latter rain in the first month”.

Why were they given?

Because of the great responsibility of preaching Jesus in a vast pagan world and among hostile Jewry. One reason they were given was to give a clear and accurate rememberance of the life of Jesus that it might be recorded (see John 14:26; 16:13).

They were given for the “perfecting” (better understood as a ‘bringing to maturity’) of the saints (1 Corinthians 13:10 compare Ephesians 4:11-12). For other occurrences of the word see 1 Corinthians 2:6 – the idea is of being grown up spiritually, see 1 Corinthians 14:20.

One of the main reasons that they were given was so that the Scriptures may be made complete – it is these that mature the saints.

The Holy Spirit gifts were a Divine endowment of supernatural powers given to chosen members of the first century ecclesias with certain specific and limited objectives:

• To evidence by miracle the Divine origin of the Gospel of Christ – Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3
• To prove beyond doubt that God offers salvation, not by works of law, but obedience that stems from faith in Christ – Galatians 3:2-5
• To bring the saints to maturity to build up the body of Christ, by establishing true doctrine – Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
• To testify with the force of Divine authority against Jewish rejection of Christ and the offer of salvation by faith in him – John 16:7-11

How, why and when were they withdrawn?

The fact that they were to be withdrawn is clearly shown in 1 Corinthians 13. They were aids to the infant ecclesia to assist it to grow up. Tongues, knowledge and gifts of prophecy would cease. Why? Because the job for which they were originally given had been completed (see Ephesians 4:11-12).

When did this occur? History shows that the gifts were not available or in fact to be found at all, beyond about the middle of the second century A.D. By this time the Jewish state had been overthrown (A.D. 70) and the gospel firmly entrenched in the pagan world. The word of God was then to be the entire source of authority. The gifts had served their function.

How did this occur? As 1 Corinthians 13 shows, a time would come when the gifts would be removed Acts 8:18 shows that only the Apostles could pass on the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands (even Philip the evangelist could not pass it on). When the last of the Apostles died around the end of the first century A.D. the ability to pass on the gift also ceased. This ability was not transferred to their ‘successors’ because it was not necessary that the gifts continue any longer. The result was that those who had received a gift, dwindle away in number to nothing during the second century.

Since the Holy Spirit Gifts were given for particular and limited purposes, God provided for the withdrawal of the Gifts when those purposes had been accomplished. The intended cessation of the gifts is announced in unambiguous terms:

1 Corinthians 13:

v8 “Whether (Gifts of – cf. 13:2) prophecies, they shall fail; whether tongues, they shall cease; whether knowledge, it shall vanish away”

v10 “That which is in part shall be done away”

v11 “When I became a man, I put away childish things”

The time for the cessation is when “THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME”. PERFECT is contrasted with PART BY PART 13:9-10, as adult is with childish 13:11.

God has pledged that “When the PERFECT is come, then THAT FROM PARTS will be done away” – 1 Corinthians 13:10

This defines THE TIME for the cessation of the Gifts.

• As PART BY PART describes a fragmentary revelation, so PERFECT describes a complete and finished revelation – consequently:

PERFECT means finished; cf. John 4:34; 5:36; 17:4; Acts 20:24

• As PART BY PART describes an infant and immature condition of the ecclesia of Christ, so PERFECT describes an adult, full-grown condition of the ecclesia of Christ -consequently:

PERFECT means adult, full-grown; cf. Hebrews 5:14; 1 Corinthians 14:20

• This means that “THE PERFECT” had come when the Bible was complete and the original ecclesias had been developed to maturity, cf. 1 Corinthians 2:6; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 1:28. Then in the first century the gifts began to vanish.

Are they available today?

The fact that there was such a gift as discerning of spirits is most significant. It shows that there were some claiming Holy Spirit power, and were probably supporting their claim with pseudo miracles e.g. healing see 1 John 4:1-3. The gift of discerning of spirits prevented the growth of charlatans and fakes. It restrained those who, possessing hypnotic power and being able to exert a magnetic influence on others, were deluded into imagining that what they did was by the Holy Spirit.

We do not deny the fact of modern ‘faith healing’ nor do we deny the power of prayer. But that is quite different from the gifts of the early Christian era. Most doctors acknowledge the need of ‘faith’ in effecting cures (e.g. the placebo).

Thus in the religious world there exists the spectacle of differing sects, antagonistic of each other, each accusing the other of being entirely erroneous (e.g. Catholics and Pentecostals), yet both claiming miraculous cures. God cannot be with both. Indeed, since none of them possess the Truth of the Scriptures, how could any of them possess the spirit gifts even if they were available?

What about the “miracles”? The answer is that they are not genuine miracles at all, but a phenomenon well known to science – mind over matter. For every claimed cure there are thousands of failures (naturally unrecorded). Natives can work their own ‘miracles’ e.g. voodoo and the Australian aborigines’ pointed bone. These are not miracles but psychosomatic.

We must discriminate between the true and false. How? By testing the doctrine, see Acts 19:13; 2 Timothy 3:8.

Holy Spirit in Your Life

The principles that apply:

1. The Gospel believed is God’s power to salvation – Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 20:24,32
2. The Bible was written under inspiration of the Holy Spirit – 2 Peter 1:21; John 6:63
3. Bible Truth is what sanctifies disciples of Christ – John 15:3;17:16; Psalm 119:9,11; Ephesians 5:26
4. Our spirit, or mind and heart, is what the Truth sanctifies – Ephesians 4:23; 6:18; Romans 1:9; 2:29; 7:6; 8:5-6; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:34
5. As a result, the Bible frequently uses the expression “a Holy Spirit” to describe our hearts when cleansed by the word of God – Jude 20; Romans 9:1; 14:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Acts 7:55,59; Titus 3:5.

When will they be re-issued?

The powers will return when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. In Ephesians 1:13-14 they are described as having been given in the first century as a deposit or down payment until Christ’s return. In Hebrews 6:4-7 they are described as ‘the powers of the age to come’. First century believers were merely given a foretaste of that which all saints would be given when the Kingdom is established on the earth.

What the Bible is

• A library of 66 books
• Written by 44 different “authors”
• From every social class and widely differing backgrounds
• Over a total span of more than 1500 years
• Yet it contains throughout its length consistent patterns of: –
• Prophecy fulfilled and fulfilling
• Morality in conflict with man
• Doctrine in conflict with man
• Unerring Historical Accuracy

The Bible Consists of the “Scripture”

• Written by divinely inspired penmen of God. (Matthew 22:29; Luke 24:25; John 7:38; Mark 14:49; 2 Peter 3:15-16)
• The scripture is infallible. (John 10:35)
• Three main divisions of the Old Testament –

1. Moses (Genesis to Deuteronomy)
2. The Prophets (Joshua to Malachi, except the Psalms)
3. The Psalms

• Three main divisions of the New Testament –

1. Gospels (Matthew to John)
2. Letters (Acts to Jude)
3. Revelation (Prophecy)

How the Content of the Bible was Settled

• The prophecy of any prophet was tested by its fulfillment. (Deuteronomy 18:19-22)
• Priests investigated and validated each prophet.
• Contemporary “school” of prophets also provided an inspired test. (1 Samuel 10:10; 19:20)
• This shown in action. (1 Kings 22:5-9,13-35)
• So each prophet prophesied some events soon to be fulfilled and some to be fulfilled in the distant future which were to be accepted on the basis of those prophecies already fulfilled.

In the New Testament Times Scripture Accepted on Basis of Inspired Test

• Spirit of “discerning spirits”. (1 Corinthians 12:6-10)
• False claimant to inspiration rejected (1 John 4:1-3)
• Even Apostle’s word to be tested. (1 Corinthians. 14:37)
• The true is to be approved and forgeries to be rejected. (2 Thessalonians. 2:1-12)

The Bible – Divinely Inspiried and Infallible

The Evidence:

A book whose origin is clearly DIVINE

The Bibles Testimony to it’s Divine Inspiration

• God has spoken, Hebrews 1:1
• His written word inspired by Him, 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
• The Bible is “the oracles of God’, 1 Peter 4:11; Hebrews 5:12; Romans 3:2
• The Bible is God’s word to us, 2 Corinthians 4:2; Acts 20:32, Ephesians 6:17; John 10:35; Mark 7:13; Acts 13:5,44; 26:22
• Our only source of knowledge of God, Job 11:7-9; Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 11:33-36

The Bible – A Perfect Doctrinal Unity

• The inspiration of the spirit of God in each Bible writer has ensured unflawed consistency of teaching on every Bible doctrine throughout – this is simply not possible without the inspiration of God.
• One God, the Father, Deuteronomy 6:4; John 17:3
• God’s kingdom on earth, Daniel 7:22,27; Revelation 5:9-10; Luke 1:31-33
• Jesus Christ, God’s Son, 2 Samuel 7:14; John 3:16
• Man is mortal, Psalm 78:39; James 4:14
• Jesus Christ, the only sacrifice for sin, Isaiah 53:4-6,10,12; Hebrews 10:10-14

The Bible – Source of Infallible Prophecy

• To predict the future – at a distance of centuries and millennia ahead – concerning clearly recognisable events of world significance is not possible to man. It in evidence of Divine inspiration. Such prophecies abound in the Bible.
• Israel dispersed and regathered, Jeremiah 31:10
• Succession of 4 human world empires, but no 5th, Daniel 2:36-45 Rise of Russia at same time as Israel return to their land, Ezekiel 38:1-8,14-17
• Tyre defeated, destroyed and scraped bare, Ezekiel 26:1-14

The Bible – Source of Divine Morality

• Mankind is sole author of every social and moral evil – persistent breaker of every Divine law, Romans 1:18-32;8:7. Self-evidently the Bible’s morality was not originated by man.
• Lie not one to another, Ephesians 4:25
• Love your enemies, Luke 6:27-31,35-36
• Avoid all sexual evil, 1 Corinthians 6:16-20
• Give yourself to God to do His will, Romans 12:1-2
• These are all contrary to man’s natural choice, Galatians 5:16-17

The Bible – Its Historical Accuracy

• Ur of the Chaldees – existence disputed – discovered by Sir Leonard Woolley.
• Jericho – existence disputed – discovered by J.B. Garstang.
• Pontius Pilate – existence disputed – inscription bearing his name discovered near Tiberius.
• Luke once questioned on “titles of officials in the Acts” now acknowledged as an historian without peer.

The Gospel and The Bible

“Things of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” – Acts 8:5,12,14,25

The message Jesus Christ proclaimed was “the gospel of the Kingdom of God” Matthew 4:23; Luke 8:1

The gospel was preached generations BEFORE Christ’s birth – Galatians 3:8; Hebrews 4:2

The gospel concerns the Hope of Israel – Acts 26:6-7; 28:20

“The gospel” means the Good News

The Essential Steps to Salvation

• God’s call by the gospel, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
• Belief of the gospel
• Baptism into Christ
• Gracious bestowal by God of immortality on all whom Christ judges to have fulfilled the first three steps, 2 Peter 1:2-11

Foreword

The late brother Rick O’Connor conducted First Principles’ Classes for 2 Sydney ecclesias on a weekly basis for over 9 years. This continuous effort has seen more than a dozen interested friends ‘put on the saving name of the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 4:12). These classes were undoubtedly our brother’s forte.

His presentations were frequently accompanied by colourful and well sequenced overhead projection transparencies. Many of these have been presented in a simplified format in these notes. They have been reproduced to encourage those who labour for a more effective presentation of the first principles of Truth to those seeking an answer of the hope that lies within us 1 Peter 3:15. And surely this applies to each one of us.

However, our late brother would not wish his work to supplant our own studies and research upon these topics. As a consequence the layout of many of these transparencies has not been enhanced sufficiently to allow enlargement and thermal copying (although this was the original intention of the editors).

Each one of us should follow the rules of Bible Exposition that were the guiding principles of our brother Rick’s approach to any subject. These rules are given on the first page of this volume. Then we may use the suitable material found in this volume as a support for our efforts. All material presented in a bold format should be suitable for enlarging and making into overhead projectuals.

The nature of the classes mentioned in the foreword was informal and allowed for the selection of a wide variety of topics. The editors have taken a selection from these and grouped them together into 5 broad topic areas:

1. The Bible: the only authority
2. God in Manifestation
3. The Nature of Man
4. The Atonement
5. Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

We trust that these notes will assist all who use them to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” Matthew 6:33.

Part of The Things Of The Kingdom And The Things Of The Name by Rick O’Connor.

Chapters

• Studying the Bible to Discover the Truth – the Five Essentials
• The Bible
• The Spirit of God
• The True Meaning of the Sabbath
• Mormonism
• Papacy
• Nostradamus

Cats do what they want.

They rarely listen to you.

They’re totally unpredictable.

When you want to play, they want to be alone.

When you want to be alone, they want to play.

They expect you to cater to their every whim.

They’re moody.

They leave hair everywhere.

Conclusion: Cats are tiny women in little fur coats.

The folly of trying to interpret spiritual realities with the carnal mind is illustrated by a story that is told about a debate between the Pope and a rabbi. According to the story, in the Middle Ages, the Pope decided that all the Jews had to leave the city of Rome. Naturally, there was a big uproar from the Jewish community. So the Pope made a deal. He would have a theological debate with any person selected by the Jewish community. If their representative won, the Jews could stay. If the Pope won, the Jews would have to leave Rome forever.

The Jews realized they had no choice. They looked around for a learned champion who could defend their faith, but no one was willing to volunteer. No one felt that he could equal the Pope’s vast knowledge and overwhelming eloquence. Finally they picked a man to represent them — an old rabbi named Moshe who was well past his prime and now spent his time sweeping the synagogue. Being old and slightly addled, he thought he had less to lose, and so he agreed. He asked only for one condition for the debate. Not being an eloquent man like the Pope, and not being proficient in Latin, he asked that neither side be allowed to talk. The Pope agreed.

The day of the great debate came. Moshe and the Pope sat opposite each other for a full minute without making a move. Then the Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. Moshe looked back at him sadly, shook his head, and raised one finger. The Pope waved his arms in a circle around his head. Moshe pointed to the ground where he sat. Then the Pope pulled out a wafer and a glass of wine. Moshe brought out an apple.

The Pope stood up and said, “I give up. This man is too good. The Jews can stay.” An hour later, the cardinals gathered around the Pope to find out what happened. The Pope said, “I’ve never met a man with such keen spiritual and theological insight. No matter what I said, he had an answer that reminded me of how little I really know. First I held up three fingers to assert that God was to be found through the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. He responded by holding up one finger to remind me that, even though He has manifested Himself in many ways, there is still only one God, and we both know His name. Then I waved my arms around me to show him that the greatness of God is written in the heavens. He responded by pointing to the ground, reminding me that God is in the midst of us through the presence of His Spirit. I pulled out the sacramental wine and wafer to show him that God’s Son absolves us from our sins. But he pulled out an apple to remind me that God has been dealing with sin as far back as the garden of Eden. He had an answer for everything! I cannot ask people with such deeply spiritual leadership to leave Rome. They can stay!”

Meanwhile, the Jewish community had crowded around Moshe, amazed that this old, almost feeble-minded man had done what all their young, eloquent scholars had insisted was impossible! “What happened?” they asked. “Well,” said Moshe, “first he said to me that the Jews had three days to get out of town. I told him that not one of us was leaving. Then he told me that this whole city would be cleared of Jews. I let him know that we were staying right here.” “And then?” asked a woman. “I don’t know,” said Moshe. “He took out his lunch and I took out mine, and it was all over.”