The Truth About the “Thief” on the Cross

An APOSTOLIC RESPONSE 
to the FALSE DOCTRINE concerning
the “THIEF” on the CROSS

In the past few years, there have been several posts on social media similar to the following:

“The thief on the cross didn’t have the opportunity to go to church, get baptized, speak in tongues, help other people, or preach the gospel. He had nothing to offer Jesus. He had wasted his life and was just a few hours away from death. Why would Jesus save the thief and give him the promise of paradise? For the same reason that Jesus saves us. Because He loves us. Jesus didn’t die for us because we had so much potential to serve Him. We are failures and make so many mistakes and yet Jesus died for us. It is because He loves us so much and wants to have a relationship with us. We don’t have any more to offer Jesus than the thief on the cross. We, too, have wasted much of our lives and let God down so many times. What a great privilege that we can have the promise of being in paradise with Him for all of eternity. Jesus offers everyone salvation, and all we have to do is believe and accept this great gift.”

Sadly, those who believe this are ignorant of the fact that the “thief” was in the Old Testament, and thus in the Old Covenant era of the TORAH. The New Covenant theology, however, is all about the Gospel of Jesus Christ — His Death, Burial, and Resurrection. The dramatic events that transpired while Jesus was on the Cross belong entirely to the previous era, and it is a theological error of the first order of magnitude to compare what happened there with the demands of the New Testament Gospel plan preached and practiced by the apostles and the Early Church, beginning in the second chapter of Acts at Pentecost.

Just to clarify: the entire Bible is consistently the true Word of God, including both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

However, when speaking of the “New Covenant”, it is in contrast to the “Old Covenant” that God made with the People of the Nation of Israel at Sinai with the giving of the Torah.

Perhaps this passage from the book of Hebrews will help clear up the misunderstanding.

Hebrews 8 [Amplified Classic]
6 But as it now is, He [Christ] has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is as much superior and more excellent [than the old] as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is superior and more excellent, [because] it is enacted and rests upon more important (sublimer, higher, and nobler) promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been without defect, there would have been no room for another one or an attempt to institute another one.
8 However, He finds fault with them [showing its inadequacy] when He says, Behold, the days will come, says the Lord, when I will make and ratify a new covenant or agreement with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day when I grasped them by the hand to help and relieve them and to lead them out from the land of Egypt, for they did not abide in My agreement with them, and so I withdrew My favor and disregarded them, says the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their minds, even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding, and engrave them upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
11 And it will nevermore be necessary for each one to teach his neighbor and his fellow citizen or each one his brother, saying, Know (perceive, have knowledge of, and get acquainted by experience with) the Lord, for all will know Me, from the smallest to the greatest of them.
12 For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more.
13 When God speaks of a new [covenant or agreement], He makes the first one obsolete (out of use). And what is obsolete (out of use and annulled because of age) is ripe for disappearance and to be dispensed with altogether.

The New Testament clearly states that the Old Covenant of the TORAH (the “LAW”) was a “teacher” (KJV “schoolmaster”) that was to bring us to Christ.

Galatians 3:24 [Amplified Classic]
So that the Law served [to us Jews] as our trainer [our guardian, our guide to Christ, to lead us] until Christ [came], that we might be justified (declared righteous, put in right standing with God) by and through faith.

The TORAH also provided patterns and examples — “types and shadows” — of the New Covenant that would follow it.

Colossians 2:17 [Amplified Classic]
Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ.

Hebrews 8:5 [Amplified Classic]
[But these offer] service [merely] as a pattern and as a foreshadowing of [what has its true existence and reality in] the heavenly sanctuary. For when Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was warned by God, saying, See to it that you make it all [exactly] according to the copy (the model) which was shown to you on the mountain.

Hebrews 10:1 [Amplified Classic]
For since the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come—instead of fully expressing those things—it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars].

The New Testament clearly states that the Old Covenant of the TORAH (the “LAW”) was temporary and would be replaced with the New Covenant.

2 Corinthians 3 [Amplified Classic]
7 Now if the dispensation of death engraved in letters on stone [the ministration of the Law], was inaugurated with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its brilliance, [a glory] that was to fade and pass away,
8 Why should not the dispensation of the Spirit [this spiritual ministry whose task it is to cause men to obtain and be governed by the Holy Spirit] be attended with much greater and more splendid glory?
9 For if the service that condemns [the ministration of doom] had glory, how infinitely more abounding in splendor and glory must be the service that makes righteous [the ministry that produces and fosters righteous living and right standing with God]!
10 Indeed, in view of this fact, what once had splendor [the glory of the Law in the face of Moses] has come to have no splendor at all, because of the overwhelming glory that exceeds and excels it [the glory of the Gospel in the face of Jesus Christ].
11 For if that which was but passing and fading away came with splendor, how much more must that which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!
12 Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly.
13 Nor [do we act] like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze upon the finish of the vanishing [splendor which had been upon it].
14 In fact, their minds were grown hard and calloused [they had become dull and had lost the power of understanding]; for until this present day, when the Old Testament (the old covenant) is being read, that same veil still lies [on their hearts], not being lifted [to reveal] that in Christ it is made void and done away.
15 Yes, down to this [very] day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their minds and hearts.

IN SUMMARY….

The “thief” on the Cross lived and died under the Old Covenant of the Torah. After the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus, the only way to obtain salvation is to be Born Again of the water and the Spirit (John 3:3,5,7) through obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as preached by Peter on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:38:

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

To believe, preach, or practice anything other than this is an egregious insult to the supreme sacrifice our Savior made when He gave His life for us after He endured the suffering, shame, disgrace, and pain on the Cross of Calvary, and furthermore is not in agreement with the message and practice of the Early Church as documented in the Acts of the Apostles.

Rev. Tim D. Cormier
Bristol, Tennessee

Is Hallowe’en Evil, in and of itself?

Does the devil own October 31?

Only if we relinquish our ownership of it!

In other words, we have to give up our rights and abandon our legal title to this day in order for it to belong to the devil.

It is an insult to the goodness and greatness of God to insist that the dark forces of evil have successfully hijacked one whole day of the year and completely depleted it of any and all possible spiritual benefit.

It is also an insult to rational, intelligent, and thoughtful minds to suggest that, just because wicked and profane people have boasted that this day, October 31, belongs to them, we must forfeit our God-given ownership of it.

October 31 does not belong to the devil, nor does it belong to witches, wizards, magicians, sorcerers, shamans, medicine men, voodoo women, etc., regardless of how loudly they boast as they try to claim it.

Rather, October 31, as much as any other day in the year, can rightly be described as “the day the LORD has made,” and, as such, we have a Bible right to rejoice and be glad in it! (See Psalm 118:24.)

Sadly, in an effort to distance themselves from any association with evil, many have completely abandoned this day (and several other days, as well), and have consigned to the very clutches of Satan himself all who do not comply with their ignorant zeal!

To such ill-advised alarmism we can only shake our heads in wonder and disbelief.

We refuse to give any place or any day to the devil! (See Ephesians 4:27.)

Never is it proper or beneficial to throw out the proverbial baby with the proverbial bathwater.

Therefore, we will continue to daily abstain from every form, shape, and appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22), as we faithfully resist conformity to the age in which we live (Romans 12:2).

Yet, even while we refuse to partake of others’ sins (1 Timothy 5:22; Revelation 18:4), we will not succumb to the ongoing efforts of those who would shackle us in our darkened homes on October 31 by their incessant gaslighting tactics.

We refuse to be overcome by evil!

Instead, we choose to overcome evil with good. (See Romans 12:21.)

Does the devil own October 31?

Only to the degree that we give it to him!

Rev. Tim D. Cormier
Bristol, Tennessee

Disclaimer for the sake of clarification

I realize that there are many dark, evil things that are associated with this day. It just bothers me when some folks are so eager to paint everyone with such a very broad brush of condemnation. I came out of that camp many years ago. I remember when we would sit in our houses on this day with the lights out and pretend we were not home so no one would stop at our house asking for candy. I remember when we wouldn’t buy candy right before or right after this day, because it had been “sacrificed to idols”, and it was therefore an abomination. It’s really sad to see how narrow-minded some people can be. I guess I’m just trying to bring balance into the equation…. Of course, we don’t advocate or condone anything that promotes or subsidizes satanism, witchcraft, magic, or occultism of any form or fashion. Nor do we endorse the celebration of horror themes, vampirism, or anything macabre in nature. I personally do not believe it is a good Christian witness for our children to dress up in costumes and masks and go around the neighborhood begging for candy. But that act, in and of itself, is not evil.

The Problem With A Little Leaven

Bible Study Notes

LEAVEN – figuratively represents sin (morally).

1 Corinthians 5:6-11

6 Your glorying is not good.
Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven,
that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.
For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

8 Therefore let us keep the feast,
not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness;
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world,
or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters;
for then must ye needs go out of the world.

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company,
if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator,
or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner;
with such an one no not to eat.

LEAVEN – figuratively represents sin (doctrinally).

Galatians 5
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord,
that ye will be none otherwise minded:
but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

LEAVEN Defined

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (1 Cor. 5:6 & Gal. 5:9)

“Leaven” is used as both a noun and a verb in these verses.

Leaven (as a noun) is a substance that leavens (as a verb), resulting in a leavened substance.

When something is leavened it undergoes the process of fermentation – which is also known as decomposition or decay.

It would also be correct to say leaven is a substance that causes something to rot, spoil or putrefy [or FERMENT].

1. Definition of LEAVEN*

noun

1

a : a substance (as yeast) used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid; especially : sourdough

2. Definition of FERMENTATION*

noun

1

a : a chemical change with effervescence

b : an enzymatically controlled anaerobic breakdown of an energy-rich compound (as a carbohydrate to carbon dioxide and alcohol or to an organic acid); broadly : an enzymatically controlled transformation of an organic compound

3. Definition of DECOMPOSE*

transitive verb

2: rot

intransitive verb

: to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process : decay, rot <fruit decomposes>

Synonyms: break down, corrupt, decay, disintegrate, fester, foul, mold, molder, perish [chiefly British], putrefy, rot, spoil

4. Definition of DECAY*

intransitive verb

5: to undergo decomposition <decaying fruit>

transitive verb

2: to destroy by decomposition

*All definitions taken from the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary]

©2011 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

SIN is spiritual LEAVEN,
the corrupting or defiling influence
– both morally and doctrinally –
that ultimately will cause a person to be lost.

James 1
12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation:
for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted,
I am tempted of God:
for God cannot be tempted with evil,
neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted,
when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived,
it bringeth forth sin:
and sin,
when it is finished,
bringeth forth death.

LUST: innate, inherent appetites and desires of the body and mind

“conception” + ”gestation” = ”birth”

SIN: consummation of lust

“finished” = ”fully completed”

DEATH: eternal separation from God in fiery punishment

The PASSOVER and LEAVEN

Exodus 12 provides the instructions given by YHVH to Israel for the night of the Passover and the subsequent memorials they were to observe concerning it.

8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread [matzah]; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread [matzah]; even the first day ye shall put away leaven [seor] out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread [chametz (n)] from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread [matzah]; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread [matzah], until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

19 Seven days shall there be no leaven [seor] found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened [chametz (n)], even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened [chametz (v)]; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread [matzah].

34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened [chametz (v)], their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

39 And they baked unleavened [matzah] cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened [chametz (v)]; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

CHRIST our PASSOVER [1 Cor. 5:7]

JESUS was sinless – completely UNLEAVENED by SIN!

2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him –i.e., Christ—to be sin for us,
who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Peter 2
21 For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example,
that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth:

Even in DEATH Jesus’ body did not rot or decompose!

Psalm 16:10 [quoted in Acts 2:27, 13:35]
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Elements of the Lord’s Supper

Luke 22
14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide [it] among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Unfermented/Unleavened Bread – symbolic representation of the body of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 11:24 [Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19]
And when he had given thanks, he brake [it (the bread)], and said,
Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you:
this do in remembrance of me.

Unfermented/Unleavened Cup – symbolic representation of the blood of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 11:25
After the same manner also [he took] the cup,
when he had supped, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood:
this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.

Rev. Tim D. Cormier
Bristol, TN
April 5, 2017

My Thoughts on Facial Hair on Men

Facial hair, by definition, covers a man’s face.

Thus, it is a mask, hiding his real face.

Therefore, facial hair is a disguise that conceals a man’s true identity and often blocks his emotional expressions from others’ view.

Sometimes facial hair is deliberately worn to alter a man’s physical profile (e.g., a weak chin). When a man wears facial hair for cosmetic reasons, it is an expression of vanity. This is obviously an outward symptom of inward pride, and a proud look tops the list of the things that are an abomination to God! We have learned from the sacred lessons of Scripture that pride is not only the persistent precursor to rebellion, but it is also the harbinger of destruction!

Be a real man, sir! Show us your real face!

Don’t be a coward and hide behind your beard and mustache!

Anyone who really believes that facial hair defines masculinity needs an education beyond the scope of this writing—and shouldn’t expect to be taken seriously by intelligent and rational people.

I do not trust a man with facial hair….

• A man with facial hair essentially has two faces—one with hair, and one without hair.
• A man with two faces has two minds—one for each face.
• A man with two minds is double-minded.
• A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
• Therefore, a man with facial hair is not to be trusted—at least not with my soul’s salvation!

Come on, men!

Be real! Be true! Be sincere!

Away with your pretentious piety and sanctimonious stuffed shirt pseudo-spirituality!

Shave!

Get back to your real face; let us know the real you.

Enough with the masquerade!

It takes effort, sure. Every day you will have to look yourself in the mirror and remind yourself (while deliberately and methodically attacking the new carpet of whiskers sprouting on your face) that, if you don’t make a daily effort to be a Spiritual Man, you will slowly but surely morph into an earthy, carnal beast.

Pastor Tim D. Cormier

June 3, 2014

Bethlehem in Judah

… where God became Man,

where the Root became the Offspring,

where the Father became the Son,

where the King became the Servant,

where the Shepherd became the Lamb,

where the Word became Flesh,

where a Noun became a Verb,

where an Idea became a Deed,

where Eternity redeemed Time,

where Heaven kissed Earth,

where Light overcame Darkness,

where Truth trumped Deception,

where Mercy dethroned Judgment,

where Life superseded Death,

where Good confounded Evil,

where the Supernatural infused the Natural,

where Love outmaneuvered Hate,

where Joy overwhelmed Despair,

where Peace undermined Trouble,

where Grace became a Face — JESUS CHRIST!

Matthew 1
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Pastor Tim D. Cormier

December 25, 2022

What’s In A Name?

Refuting the claim that the Hebrew “YESHUA” is the only valid pronunciation of our Savior’s Name

John 19:19-20
And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross.
And the writing was, JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS.
This title then read many of the Jews;
for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city;
and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

Isn’t it strange that the Holy Spirit moved John to record the fact that the Savior’s name was posted on the cross by Pilate in three different languages?

How can it be possible that the ONLY VALID PRONUNCIATION of the name of Christ is the Hebrew YESHUA, seeing that we are informed by God – through the writing of the Apostle John – that this precious name was indeed written in two other languages and placed on the cross by Pilate?

If this was a mistake, and something that was not valid and should never be repeated or copied, then this was the perfect place to inform the readers of scripture. However, no such admonition is present, leaving us with the assurance that the Lord recognizes His Name in whatever language it is written or spoken.

On the Day of Pentecost, the newly converted disciples of Jesus were heard and understood by Jews belonging to 17 different named ethnic groups, each of which had a unique language!

Acts 2:5-11
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together,
and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another,
Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia,
and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene,
and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

It doesn’t matter what language you use to call on JESUS – He knows and understands all languages!

• Hebrew: Yeshua [ישוע]
• Greek: Iesous [Ιησούς]
• Latin: Iesu
• English: Jesus
• Spanish: Jesús
• French: Jésus

All these are different forms of the same name and are equivalent.

There is no scriptural basis whatsoever for the claim that the name of our Savior must ONLY be invoked in the Hebrew language [Yeshua].

Pastor Tim D. Cormier
Bristol, Tennessee

Can a Born-Again Believer Lose Their Salvation?

Scriptural reasons why OSAS doctrine is heresy

[OSAS: Once Saved, Always Saved – Unconditional Eternal Security]

Lessons Jesus taught in the Parables….

• Matthew 13 – Only the seed that fell on GOOD GROUND produced fruit for the harvest! The seed that fell on the stony ground and among thorns germinated and produced a viable plant, but the environment and circumstances in which they grew prevented them from being fruitful. This clearly shows that not everyone who is Born Again perseveres in spiritual growth and produces spiritual fruit. Jesus clearly tells us He is the Vine, and we, his children, are the branches; and that every branch that does not bear fruit is taken away and ultimately cast into the fire (John 15:1-6).
   
• Luke 15 – In this passage we see a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. This clearly shows that it is possible for a sheep to stray from the fold and be lost. Also, it is possible for someone to lose a divine endowment. And finally, it is possible for a son to walk away from the father’s house and sink to a very low level. Thankfully, this passage also teaches that the lost sheep can be found; the lost coin can be recovered; and the lost son can come to himself and find his way home to the father’s house!

Passages from the Writings of the Apostles that prove it is possible for a born-again believer to lose their salvation.

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway [adokimos: rejected, reprobate].

1 Corinthians 10
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Galatians 5:4
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Hebrews 6
4 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.

Hebrews 10
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 12
14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fall from [fail of] the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;

James 5
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

2 Peter 1
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

2 Peter 2
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

2 Peter 3:17
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

1 John 5:16
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Revelation 3:5
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Once a SON, always a SON….

In the natural realm, once a child has been born, there is no way it can be “unborn” – it will never cease to exist.

So it is in the spiritual realm: once an individual has been BORN AGAIN, their status has been elevated to the rank of a CHILD of GOD. Regardless of their actual relationship status with their Savior, they will never be what they previously were in their un-born-again state.

However, it is possible for an individual to allow sin and carnality to cause them to lose communion and fellowship with Jesus. In this state a CHILD of GOD is said to have been disinherited (the unrighteous shall not inherit – 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:20-21).

Hebrews 12
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Notice the natural principle concerning children and inheritance:
An “illegitimate” CHILD cannot INHERIT.

The Lord lets us know in this passage that uncorrected, undisciplined CHILDREN are DE-LEGITIMIZED and therefore WILL NOT INHERIT the Kingdom of God.

In the language of TYPES and SHADOWS, once the Children of Israel left Egypt by the Passover and received the TORAH, the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Ministry of the High Priest with the Atonement, they never ceased to exist as a nation – even though they were carried away captive and dispersed throughout the world because of their backslidings.

But their unfaithfulness caused YHWH to ultimately disinherit them.

Notice, however, the generation that was SAVED out of EGYPT was destroyed by God in the Wilderness because of their unbelief and disobedience.

Jude 1:5
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

The inspired writer of Hebrews built on this same theme as he wrote about the Children of Israel having been delivered from Egypt and how the hardness of their hearts grieved God as they traveled in the wilderness!

Then he clearly states that it is possible for us who are partakers of the New Covenant to likewise depart from the living God!

Hebrews 3
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].
11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Conclusion….

There are many other examples in the Scripture, but these that are listed here show conclusively, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is entirely possible for a born-again believer to lose their salvation.

Rev. Tim D. Cormier
Bristol, TN

JESUS CHRIST: the Sum Total of All Things Divine

“Let me tell you who JESUS is!”

Hebrews 3:1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 8:1-2
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest [i.e., Jesus Christ – Heb. 3:1], who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Colossians 2:9 – In JESUS dwells all the FULNESS of DEITY bodily!

JESUS is the SUM TOTAL–at once both the CULMINATION and CONSUMMATION–of ALL things DIVINE!

Jesus Christ is –

• GOD’s ANSWER to mankind’s every question
• GOD’s SOLUTION to mankind’s every problem
• GOD’s SUPPLY to mankind’s every need
• GOD’s CURE to mankind’s every sickness
• GOD’s REMEDY to mankind’s every quandary
• GOD’s REPAIR to mankind’s every brokenness
• GOD’s REST to mankind’s every weariness
• GOD’s RESCUE to mankind’s every calamity
• GOD’s DELIVERANCE to mankind’s every bondage
• GOD’s ATONEMENT to mankind’s every sin
• GOD’s LIGHT to mankind’s every darkness
• GOD’s HOPE to mankind’s every despair
• GOD’s TRIUMPH to mankind’s every defeat
• GOD’s SATISFACTION to mankind’s every longing
• GOD’s PEACE to mankind’s every storm

Let us consider who JESUS is from many different perspectives.

To All Creation, Jesus is The CREATOR, [Gen. 1:1]
–the Beginning of the Creation of God [Rev. 3:14]
–the everlasting God, the LORD,
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
who fainteth not, neither is weary,
and there is no searching of his understanding [Isa. 40:28]
–the LORD that created the heavens;
God himself that formed the earth and made it;
who hath established it,
who created it not in vain,
who formed it to be inhabited:
who said, I am the LORD; and there is none else [Isa. 45:18]
–the faithful Creator unto whom
we commit the keeping of our souls [I Pet. 4:19]
–our Creator, whom we Remember now,
in the days of our youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when we shall say,
we have no pleasure in them [Eccl. 12:1]
–The Word by Whom all things were made,
and without Him there was nothing made
that was made [John 1:1,3]
–The One who created all things,
that are in heaven, and that are in earth,
visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers:
all things were created by Him, and for Him;
and for His pleasure they are and were created [Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11]

To the Mathematician, Jesus is
–The FIRST and The LAST [Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev. 1:11, 17;2:8; 22:13]
–The Holy ONE of ISRAEL [Ps. 16:10; Isa. 43:15; Luke 4:34; Acts 3:14; 1 John 2:20]
–Our Lord who is Great, and of great power:
his understanding is infinite [Ps. 147:5]
–He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth; [Isa. 40:22]
–the One who numbers every hair on your head; [Mark 10:30]
–He who telleth the number of the stars
and calleth them all by their names; [Ps. 147:4]

To the Writer, Jesus is
–The ALPHA and The OMEGA,
The ALEPH and The TAV,
every letter of every alphabet [Rev. 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13; John 5:39]
–the pen of a ready writer [Ps. 45:1]
–the spoken and written Word [John 1:1, 14; Heb. 4:12 ]
–the Breath of God
by which all Scripture is inspired [John 20:22]

To the Thinker/Philosopher, Jesus is
–The power of God, and the wisdom of God,
in Whom is hidden all the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge [Col. 2:3]
–The foreknowledge and eternal purpose of God [Eph. 3:11]

To the Speaker, Jesus is
–The LIVING WORD, both LOGOS and RHEMA [John 1:1, 14; Heb. 4:12]
– a Mouth and Wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist [Luke 21:15]

To the Hungry, Jesus is
–The Bread of Heaven [John 6:41, 51]
–The Table before me
in the Presence of Mine Enemies [Ps. 23:5]
–the Hidden Manna [Rev. 2:17]
–the Bread of Life [John 6:48]
–our Daily Bread [Matt. 6:11]
–Food convenient for me [Pro. 30:8]

To the Thirsty, Jesus is
–The Water of Life (fountain and river) [Rev. 21:6; 22:1, 17]
–A WELL OF WATER
springing up into Everlasting Life [John 4:14]
–OUT OF HIS BELLY flows Rivers of Living Water [John 7:38]
–Rivers of Water in a dry place [Isa. 32:2]
–The Rock of Horeb from which waters flowed in Sinai, and they did all drink of that spiritual Rock …; and that Rock was Christ! [Ex. 17:6; 1 Cor. 10:4]

To the Storm-tossed, Jesus is
– a Hiding Place from the wind,
and a Covert from the tempest [Isa. 32:2]
–the Peace Speaker,
for he commandeth even the winds and water,
and they obey him;
even the winds and the sea obey him! [Mark 4:39; Luke 8:25; Matt. 8:27]

To the Weary, who Labor and are heavy laden,
Jesus is
–the true REST or SHABBAT [Heb. 4:9]
–The Rest wherewith ye may cause
the weary to rest [Isa. 28:12]
–the Refreshing [Isa. 28:12]
–Rest for your souls [Jer. 6:16; Matt. 11:29]
–the Shadow of a Great Rock in a weary land [Isa. 32:2]

To the Sheep and Shepherds, Jesus is
–The CHIEF SHEPHERD from whom
we shall receive a crown of glory
that fades not away [1 Pet. 5:4]
–LAMB of GOD who took away
the SIN of the WORLD [John 1:29]

To the Lost Sheep, Jesus is
–The GOOD SHEPHERD
who leaves the ninety and nine and goes and searches until He finds the Lost Sheep [Luke 15:4-6]
–the One who lays down His Life for His sheep [John 10:11, 15]

To the Sheep in the Fold, Jesus is
–The GREAT SHEPHERD who is the SLAIN LAMB
who was brought again from the dead through
the blood of the everlasting covenant [John 1:29; Heb. 13:20]
–The GOOD SHEPHERD who supplies your every need according to His riches in Glory [Phil. 4:19]
so you can say “I shall not want”;
who makes you lie down in green pastures;
who leads you beside still waters;
who restores your soul;
who leads you in paths of righteousness
for HIS NAMES’s SAKE;
who is with you even though you walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
so you need fear no evil;
whose rod and staff comfort you;
who prepares a table before you
even in the presence of your enemies;
who anoints your head with oil
and who causes your cup to run over;
whose Goodness and Mercy will follow you
all the days of your life,
so that you may dwell in HIS HOUSE FOREVER! [Ps. 23]

To the Lost, Jesus is
–The WAY [John 14:6]
–a Highway, a Way called The Way of Holiness or THE HOLY WAY that the unclean shall not pass over; [Isa. 35:8]
–the OLD PATH wherein is the GOOD WAY [Jer. 6:16]

To the Deceived, Jesus is
–The TRUTH, and His Spirit is the Spirit of Truth [John 14:6,17;16:13]
–The AMEN, the Faithful and True Witness [Rev. 3:14]

To the Dead, Jesus is
–The Resurrection and the LIFE [John 11:25]
–The QUICKENING or LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT [1 Cor. 15:45]
–the firstborn from the Dead [Col. 1:18]

To the Poor, Jesus is
–The PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL [Matt. 11:5; Luke 4:18]
–El Shaddai, the God of Bountiful Supply [Gen. 17:1]
–God who will supply all your need,
according to His riches in glory [Phil. 4:19]

To the Brokenhearted, Sad and sorrowful, Jesus is
–The ONE WHO HEALS and BINDS UP
the broken hearts [Luke 4:18]
–Comforter, Paraclete [John 14:16-18]
–the Joy of the Lord [Neh. 8:10; Isa. 12:1-3]
–the ONE in Whose Presence is fullness of Joy [Ps. 16:11; Acts 2:28]
–He Who gives the Garment of Praise
in exchange for the spirit of heaviness,
and the Oil of Joy for mourning [Isa. 61:3]

To the Bound, Battered, Bruised and Abused, Jesus is
–The GREAT LIBERATOR and EMANCIPATOR [John 8:31-32; Luke 4:18]
–The OPENER of the prison cell [Luke 4:18]

To the Blind, Jesus is
–The RESTORER of sight [Matt. 11:5; Luke 4:18; Luke 7:21; John 9:18]
–The OPENER of eyes [John 10:21; Acts 26:18]

To the Surrounded by Darkness, Jesus is
–The LIGHT of Men the shines in Darkness
and Darkness comprehends it not [John 1:3]
–God who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness and who has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ [2 Cor. 4:6]
–The LIGHT of the World [John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46]
–The TRUE LIGHT the enlightens all mankind [John 1:9]
–The Sun of Righteousness [Mal. 4:2]
–The Rising Day Star [2 Pet. 1:19]
–The Bright and the Morning Star [Rev. 22:16]
–The Star of David [Rev. 22:16]
–The TRUE Star of Bethlehem [Luke 2:11; Matt. 2:9-11]
–the Great Light which the people that walked in darkness have seen, and which hath shined upon them that dwell in the land of the shadow of death [Isa. 9:2]

To the Man longing for Messiah, Jesus is
–Jacob’s Ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it [John 1:51]

To the Returning Prodigal, Jesus is
–The LOVING FATHER who never stops waiting [Luke 15:20]
–The REPAIRER of the breach [Isa. 58:12]
–The RESTORER of paths to dwell in [Isa. 58:12]

To The Builders, Jesus is
–The Ancient Landmark [Pro. 22:28]
–The STONE which was set at nought of the [ungodly] builders, which is become the head of the corner [Acts 4:10-12]
–A STONE laid in Zion for a FOUNDATION,
a Tried Stone, a Precious Cornerstone,
a Sure Foundation [Isa. 28:16; Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:6]
–the Smiting Stone that was cut out without hands which will one day smite the image of Babylon upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever; and that Stone that smote the image shall become a great mountain/kingdom,
and fill the whole earth. [Dan. 2:34-35]
–The ROCK OF ETERNAL AGES, [Isa. 26:4]
the FOUNDATION upon which HE is building HIS CHURCH
against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail! [Matt. 16:18]
–the Stone on which every man must fall and be broken, or else it will fall on you and grind you to powder [Matt. 21:44]
–the ONLY FOUNDATION that can be laid, upon which the NT Church is built [1 Cor. 3:11]

To the True Israel of God, Born Again of Water and Spirit, the Priests of the New Covenant, Jesus is
–the FULFILLMENT of the OT TORAH! [Matt. 5:17]
>The LAWGIVER of Mt. Zion
>The TRUE PASSOVER LAMB
>The REMOVER OF ALL LEAVEN
>The FIRSTFRUITS of all Creation
>The CONSUMMATION OF ALL SABBATHS
in the FULLY COME PENTECOST or SHAVUOT
>The VOICE OF GOD in the FINAL TRUMP
>The HIGH PRIEST after the Order of Melchizedek
who ATONES by HIS OWN BLOOD
>The INCARNATE WORD of God who was made FLESH
and TABERNACLED among us
>The LINEN FENCE of separation
from all that is profane
>The BRAZEN ALTAR
bringing judgment upon all sin
>The BRAZEN LAVER
washing away all defilement of sin
>The TABLE of SHEWBREAD]
>The SHEWBREAD [prothesis: purpose]
>The MENORAH
>The OIL in the Menorah
>The FLAME OF FIRE
burning the Oil in the Menorah
>The GOLDEN ALTAR of INCENSE by which we offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God
>The VEIL OF SEPARATION rent in twain by crucifixion,
allowing us access to the HOLIEST PLACE and through which we may come boldly
to the Throne of Grace
>The ARK OF THE COVENANT containing
the Hidden Manna,
the Living [“budding”] Rod of Absolute Authority,
and the New and Living Oracles of God,
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone,
but in fleshy tables of the heart.
>the Lid or Covering of Atonement on the Ark,
the MERCY SEAT
> the LORD OF HOSTS, GOD OF ISRAEL,
that DWELLEST BETWEEN THE CHERUBIM,
who is THE GOD, even Him alone,
of all the kingdoms of the earth,
He who has made heaven and earth

To the New Testament Church, Jesus is
–The WORD who was God who was made FLESH and tabernacled among us [John 1:1,14]
–The SON, the FLESHLY BODY OF THE LIVING GOD [Heb. 1:1-3]
–The LAMB OF GOD
who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29]
–The VISIBLE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD [2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15]
–the HEAD of the BODY
who has PREEMINENCE in all things [Col. 1:18]
–The LAST ADAM in whose image
the FIRST ADAM was formed [Gen. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 15:45]
–the FAITHFUL WITNESS,
the FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD,
the PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH
WHO LOVED US,
and WASHED US FROM OUR SINS in his own blood,
And HAS MADE US A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS [Rev. 1:5-6]
– HE that holds the seven stars in his right hand,
who walks in the midst
of the seven golden lampstands [Rev. 2:1]
– the first and the last, which was dead,
and is alive forevermore [Rev. 2:8]
– he which hath the sharp sword with two edges [Rev. 2:12]
– the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass [Rev. 2:18]
– he that hath the seven Spirits of God,
and the seven stars [Rev. 3:1]
– he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens [Rev. 3:7]
– the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God [Rev. 3:14]
–the ONE who sits on the throne [Rev. 4:2]
– the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,
who hath prevailed to open the book,
and to loose the seven seals thereof [Rev. 5:5]
–the Lamb who had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth, who came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne [Rev. 5:6-7]
– the root and the offspring of David,
and the bright and morning star [Rev. 22:16]
–the AUTHOR and the FINISHER of our FAITH [Heb. 12:2]
–SOON COMING KING of KINGS
and LORD of LORDS [Rev. 19:16]

Let me tell you who JESUS is!

JESUS CHRIST – the SUM TOTAL of all things DIVINE!

You will never see GOD until you see JESUS!

You will never hear GOD until you hear JESUS!

You will never talk to GOD until you talk to JESUS!

You will never know GOD until you know JESUS!

You will never be filled with GOD’s SPIRIT until you are filled with the SPIRIT OF JESUS – which is the Holy Ghost!

You will never truly love GOD
until you fall in love with JESUS!

You will never worship God until you worship JESUS!

You cannot pray to GOD unless you pray to JESUS!

You cannot repent to GOD unless you repent to JESUS!

GOD will not remit or wash away your sins until you have been BURIED WITH JESUS in Water Baptism “in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST”!

You will never be saved
unless you call on the Name of Jesus!

Neither is there salvation in any other [but JESUS];
for there is none other NAME
under heaven given among men
whereby we must be saved –
because God has highly exalted HIM
and given HIM “THE NAME”
which is above every name,
and at the name of JESUS
every knee shall bow
and every tongue shall confess
the JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
[Acts 4:12; Phil. 2:9-11]

Let me tell you who JESUS is!

Jesus Christ –
The SUM TOTAL
of All Things Divine!

JESUS is …

• Wonderful
• Counsellor
• The Mighty God
• The Everlasting Father
• The Prince of Peace
• Emmanuel–God with us!
• Elohim & El–God
• El Shaddai–God Almighty
• El Elyon–Most High God
• El Olam–Everlasting God
• Adonai–Lord, Master
• Yahweh–LORD, I AM that I AM
• Jehovah Nissi–LORD My Banner
• Jehovah-Raah–LORD My Shepherd
• Jehovah Rapha–LORD That Heals
• Jehovah Shammah–LORD Is There
• Jehovah Tsidkenu–LORD Our Righteousness
• Jehovah Mekoddishkem–LORD Who Sanctifies
• Jehovah Jireh–LORD Will Provide/Be Seen
• Jehovah Shalom–LORD Our Peace
• Jehovah Sabaoth–LORD of Hosts

Today is a great day to get to know JESUS!

Let me tell you who JESUS is!

Jesus Christ –
The SUM TOTAL of All Things Divine!

Do you know JESUS?

I encourage you today as Paul did those in Athens at Mars Hill (Acts 17:27) to “Seek the Lord, if haply you might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us”….

Rev. Tim D. Cormier
Bristol, Tennessee

The Rock That “Followed” Them

1 Cor. 10:4 KJV
And did all drink the same spiritual drink:
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them:
and that Rock was Christ.

What is meant by this passage – “that spiritual Rock that followed them”?^*

There is nothing in Scripture to indicate that the physical Rock of Horeb literally moved around behind the Children of Israel as they traveled through the wilderness. Nor does the idea of Christ following the People as they wandered fit with our understanding that He was leading them during that time – a fact that is explicitly stated no less than ten times in the OT: Ex. 13:18; Deut. 8:2, 15; 29:5; 32:10; Ps. 106:9; 136:16; Isa. 63:16; Jer. 2:6; Amos 2:10.

Upon closer examination of the Greek text in 1 Cor. 10:4, it becomes apparent that the word “them” is supplied by the translators – thus the phrase is correctly rendered “that spiritual Rock that followed”. Of course, this implies something was prior to the Rock, but the antecedent is not explicitly defined.

καὶ πάντες τὸ αὐτὸ πόμα πνευματικὸν ἔπιον ἔπινον γὰρ ἐκ πνευματικῆς ἀκολουθούσης πέτρας ἡ δὲ πέτρα ἦν ὁ Χριστός

–1 Cor. 10:4, Textus Receptus, Online Blue Letter Bible

ἀκολουθούσης [akolouthouses] – that followed

Presumably, the antecedent reference is to the other Divine Interventions on behalf of the People of God that are listed in this context. In other words, the miracle of water coming from the Rock followed the other miracles listed.

The initial reference made is to “the cloud and the sea” – the daily provision of the pillar of fire and cloud and their passing through the Red Sea.

1 Cor. 10

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Then we are told about “the spiritual food” – the manna from Heaven that they ate daily.

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat [food];

What “followed” these miraculous interpositions was “the spiritual drink” – water flowing from the Rock of Horeb.

This event came in sequence after the previous three events – it “followed” them in succession.

This also is the precise chronological order in which these events occurred, as related to us by the Scripture.

1. Exodus 13:21

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

2. Exodus 14:22

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

3. Exodus 16:15

And when the children of Israel saw [it], they said one to another, It [is] manna: for they wist not what it [was]. And Moses said unto them, This [is] the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

4. Exodus 17:6

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Again, the smiting of the Rock and the flowing of the water is seen to happen chronologically after the other Miracles that God performed for His People.

Thus, instead of the Rock of Horeb “following” God’s People – whether literally or metaphorically, the scripture is merely pointing out that this great event occurred after the others that were previously mentioned.

Rev. Tim D. Cormier
Bristol, Tennessee

^*FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY….

The “spiritual” Rock was a TYPE of CHRIST, as 1 Cor. 10:4 plainly indicates.

MOSES represented the TORAH, and in smiting the ROCK the first time he foreshadowed the crucifixion of CHRIST by the TORAH.

John 19:7

The Jews answered him, We have a law/TORAH, and by our law/TORAH he ought to die….

The weakness of Moses revealed (in the language of types and shadows) the weakness of the TORAH (Romans 8:3). His personal failure and consequent ban from entering the Promised Land foreshadowed the inevitable inability of the TORAH to transport its adherents into the New Covenant Kingdom of Christ (Heb. 10:1).

When MOSES smote the ROCK the second time (instead of speaking to it), it foreshadowed the fierce persecution of the BODY of CHRIST (the NT CHURCH) by the Jews in their misguided, ignorant ZEAL for the TORAH (which had been fulfilled in CHRIST). And just as his action prevented MOSES from entering the PROMISED LAND, so did their actions prevent them from entering the KINGDOM.

What Moses did “physically” had “spiritual” significance. Physically, he smote the rock, driven to disobedience by the disobedience of the People he led. Spiritually, his actions failed to show Faith in God, thus preventing the Grace and Greatness of God from being correctly manifested (Num. 20:12 — you believed me not to sanctify me in the eyes of the Children of Israel).

Yet, like Judas, even in his “failure” he succeeded in bringing about the ultimate Plan of God!

The Trinitarian’s Thorny Theological Problem

The trinitarian God is triune, i.e., “tri-personal” – “God the Father”, “God the Son”, “God the Holy Spirit”.

This composite deity is known as the “Holy Trinity”.

All three “persons” together are considered “God”, while, at the same time, each “person” alone is also considered God, and is not the other “persons”.

Therefore, in the trinitarian theology, every instance of the term “God” in the Bible must be examined to determine if the reference is to all three “persons” of God – the “Holy Trinity” – or to only one of the three “persons” of God.

“God” is explicitly referenced at least 3879 times in Scripture.

• Elohim is translated “God” 2346 times in the OT.
• El is translated “God” 213 times in the OT.
• Theos is translated “God” 1320 times in the NT.

The thorny theological problem presents itself when it becomes apparent that the meaning of the term “God” in Scripture cannot be gathered in the trinitarian hermeneutic if the term is taken alone.

Rather, we must add to the Scripture a modifier – or qualifier – to clarify the precise semantic application of the term – God “the Holy Trinity” (or the “Triune” God), God “the Father”, God “the Son”, or God “the Holy Spirit”.

Of course, such a system of interpretation soon becomes an unfathomable quagmire of illogical postulates.

John 1:1 illustrates this rather strikingly.

In the beginning was the Logos,
and the Logos was with God,
and the Logos was God.

Postulate #1

In the beginning was the Logos,
and the Logos was with God “the Holy Trinity”,
and the Logos was God “the Holy Trinity”.

This postulate is not valid from the trinitarian perspective.

Does anyone believe that the Logos is all three persons of the “Triune God”?

Postulate #2

In the beginning was the Logos,
and the Logos was with God “the Holy Trinity”,
and the Logos was God “the Son”.

This postulate fails because if the Logos were God “the Son” then it would be illogical to say the person of God “the Son” was with all three persons of God “the Holy Trinity” – God “the Father”, God “the Son”, and God “the Holy Spirit”.

Postulate #3

In the beginning was the Logos,
and the Logos was with God “the Father”,
and the Logos was God “the Son”.

This postulate fails because it excludes the person of God “the Holy Spirit”.

Postulate #4

In the beginning was the Logos,
and the Logos was with God “the Holy Spirit”,
and the Logos was God “the Son”.

This postulate fails because it excludes the person of God “the Father”.

Postulate #5

In the beginning was the Logos,
and the Logos was with God “the Son”,
and the Logos was God “the Son”.

This postulate must be rejected because this logic has been deemed invalid from the trinitarian perspective in their arguments against the Oneness view of this passage:

In the beginning was the Logos,
and the Logos was with the One and Only God,
and the Logos was the One and Only God.

I do not know the actual trinitarian position on this verse.

There are many other postulates that must be considered for this verse – as well as for every other occurrence of the term “God” in Scripture.

The bottom line: everywhere the term “God” appears in the Bible, the trinitarian theologian must assign one of four possible meanings to it – God “the Holy Trinity” (or the “Triune” God), God “the Father”, God “the Son”, or God “the Holy Spirit”.

In other words, “God” is either referring to all three “persons” of the “Holy Trinity” or it is referring to only one of the three “persons” of the “Holy Trinity”.

What a convoluted and contorted mess!

This is confusion thrice confounded!

Rev. Tim D. Cormier
Bristol, Tennessee

The trinitarians thorny theological problemDownload