Call-In Classic Christianity Radio – Bob George P427 (3-29-19)
Bob received a from Mark from Ketchner, Ontario asking about the meaning of the priesthood of believers. He also wanted to know if there is any association of the Catholic priesthood to the scriptures. Prior to the cross and throughout the Old Covenant, the Levites were the only priests in existence. The Roman Catholic priesthood came much later and is a man-made tradition. When Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross, he initiated a New Covenant with men, abolishing the Old Covenant with all its animal sacrifices and need for priests to carry out those duties for a temporary covering for sin. For a Catholic priest to say that he can absolve sins of man is heretical teaching. For such a Catholic system of sacrifice to exist today is in total contrast to God’s word. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. What basis is there for a continual, unbloody sacrifice of the mass? None! Jesus Christ sacrifice, his blood shed on the cross, was once and for all, and all sufficient to take away the sins of the world. No other sacrifice is needed nor is there any sacrifice besides the death of Jesus on the cross that can take away sin. When there is a change in the priesthood by necessity there is a change in the law. Jesus is the high priest of a different order, of an indestructible life. He rose again from the dead to offer new life to man, having set aside all of the law, with its rules and regulations set against us; the law requiring perfection with penalties for disobedience, and the ultimate price is that the wages of sin is death. No one, other than Jesus, could ever meet the perfect demands of the law. Man is born spiritually dead, having inherited the sin nature in Adam. Jesus was never born in Adam but was born by God’s seed planted in Mary. Jesus, being God in the flesh, died to take way sin, the cause of death, in order to offer new spiritual life to man, the very Spirit life that is in him.
Another caller asked for understanding of Revelation in regards to letters written to angels and the Nicolaitans. The word angel also means messenger, so in context, might logically referring to a message to the church, to the leaders of the churches. Any denomination today can line up with what the Spirit spoke to the seven churches listed in Revelation. The Spirit spoke to the leadership over those churches and were instructed to repent or God would remove their influence, their lamp stand, among men. As far as being bound on earth as it is bound in heaven is referring to the truth of God’s word. We can tell others about the forgiveness of sin because of what Christ already did. There is no new revelation or practices by which sins can be forgiven before God today.
Several other callers asked for practical advice on difficult circumstances. One lady called about someone who was causing trouble for her mother in the hospital. She was deeply bothered by someone who might possibly be her niece. Bob cautioned her to be careful not to judge someone’s motives. You can only judge the actions and if you are not certain about someone’s actions or who even was doing such troubling actions, then you cannot bring accusation from presuppositions. You can state what you observed has happened and then ask the person if he knows anything about this.
Another caller also asked concerning a strained relationship with his mother and his wife. His wife has withdrawn from any relationship with his mother because of her domineering and controlling influence. That has led to strain in their marriage. Bob encouraged him to consider the scripture that instructs the man to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. He is no longer under the authority of his mother and he needs to confront his mother with the truth and move on with his new life with his wife. He needs to tell her to stop telling them what to do. If she listens and agrees with you, you have won her over to the truth. If she fails to respond in agreement, then let the chips fall where they may and you move on with your life. The responsibility is on his shoulders, not his mother’s, to lead his wife.
Mark from Ketchner, Ontario
Mark asked three questions for Bob. “Where is the Roman Catholic priesthood in the New Testament? What is the meaning of the priesthood of all believers? Also what is this about Nicolaitans in Revelation?”
First of all, Jesus says to not call anyone father. You only have one father and one teacher.
Matthew 23:8-10
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
As far as us, we are part of a priesthood, but we are not the priest. We are called children of the living God. A priest intercedes to God on behalf of men. There is only one mediator between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
Before Jesus came and instituted a new covenant with men, the priests in the Old Testament performed religious duties as a temporary covering for sin. Such a system of priests, who administered to carry out the required sacrifices of bulls and goats, to atone for sin, was only to last until the time of Christ.
Galatians 3:19
But this system of law was to last only until the coming of Christ, the Child to whom God’s promise was made. (And there is this further difference. God gave his laws to angels to give to Moses, who then gave them to the people;
Hebrews 10:11
Under the old agreement the priests stood before the altar day after day offering sacrifices that could never take away our sins.
All of the Levitical priesthood, came far before any priests in Catholicism. The only priests in existence before Christ were the Jewish priests.
The reason the old priesthood was set aside was because it could never make anyone righteous before God. It can only condemn men for failing to live up to its standard. The law had to be set aside for man have any hope of life. But the just requirement of death for sin still had to be paid if God is a just God. God is perfectly loving and just. Jesus came to fully meet the just requirements of the law for us. Therefore Jesus came and changed the law from the law of sin and death to the law of the spirit of life from the dead, a life-giving Spirit or the law of grace.
Hebrews 7:11-12
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also
So the Jews are no longer under the Levitical priesthood. When anyone comes to faith in Christ, they are under a new priesthood, under Jesus as the high priest.
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
Therefore, there is only one priest who intercedes for us between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has risen from the dead and lives forevermore.
The scripture that references believers as being a part of a royal priesthood is in 1 Peter 2:9.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Those who are born again spiritually, whether Jew or Gentile, have received the very life of God by the Holy Spirit who has come to dwell within them the moment they believed. So we serve as priests, proclaiming what God has one for us, proclaiming His praises. Everything comes from God.
Matthew 18:18
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
What is the meaning of the phrase, “whatever you bound on earth will be bound in heaven?” There is no authority to come up with anything new than what has already been laid by Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
We have no authority to forgive sins. But we do have authority to tell people their sins are forgiven because Jesus has already done that. We are part of a royal priesthood because we have the ability to interpret scriptures to the world, and this not of ourselves but by truth revealed to us by The Holy Spirit within us, the very mind of Christ. We do not have our own interpretation. The Spirit of God living in us explains truth to us. But if we do not rely on the Spirit of God to teach us the meaning of the word of God then we are leaning on own understanding. If we try to discern according to our own bias or make up things then there is a perversion of truth.
As far as being a part of His family, He is our priest and we are part of Him.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Now in regards to what is said to be written to the angels in Revelation, we do know what said about the Nicolaitans.
In Revelations 2, Jesus said he hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans.
Revelation 2:6
You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
In a broader picture, Jesus is speaking to the seven churches that existing during that time period in history. Those churches, as far as I know, do not exist today. But the Spirit thought it worthwhile for our learning and admonition to take heed what he said to those churches.
Who is Revelation 2 written to? You read that a letter was written to the angel of the church in Laodicea, for example. How do you write to an angel is beyond me unless my interpretation is wrong. The word angel can also be messenger. If reading it as to a messenger to a church then the passage makes more sense. How do you write to an angel?
All of these churches are gone as far as I know. These were written at that time. I can go through every one of those churches and could put a modern day denomination to any one of those. Bob could name a denomination that would fit totally but he won’t do that though.
The Spirit was writing to the leader of those churches. In some cases, he is saying they are lukewarm. Is that talking to individuals? No, he is talking to the leaders. Leaders today exist that are neither hot nor cold. God is saying that in spite of their wealth, they should wake up and recognize they are poor, blind and naked.
Revelation 3:16-18
16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Those are strong rebukes.
Today we hear about churches marrying homosexual couples and putting people in positions of leadership who are homosexuals. If that is so, why not put an adulterer in such a position? God’s instruction in regards to homosexuality is quite strong, and should be, for it is a sin.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Instead of encouraging such people by putting them in positions of leadership, why not follow the advice of the Apostle Paul in regards to a brother who had his Father’s wife?
1 Corinthians 5:1-3
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.
A lot of that going on today just as it did back then. If you do not start and come back to the Savior you originally came to, then I am going to write it is finished. Does it mean certain members who are sound biblical people? Yes, there are members who are sound biblically, but God is addressing the leaders and those whose sin is damaging the church, where sin is overlooked and excused by the proud of heart.
Mark then asked, “How did the Roman Catholic church come on the scene historically.
From scripture, we understand Jesus is the high priest. There is no explanation or scriptural basis in truth for the Catholic Church doing what they. They are priests of their own man-made rules and making. It like naming a Pope a saint. I hate to think of people having a vote to determine if someone is a saint, presumably from someone who had two miracles performed through them. They are called a saint because they are born again. What were the Corinthians doing when Paul came? Living in sin. Yet Paul addressed them as saints. People make themselves what God did not make you. Why do people go along with that? Tradition.
Jesus dealt with the religions Pharisees in his day, who honored their tradition above the love of God and the commandments of God as those under the law.
Matthew 15:2-4
2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’
Elaine from British Columbia
Her mother is in the hospital and two people annoying her mother. She has done nothing wrong to these people. They said horrible things about her. A hundred phone calls and pick up phone nobody there. She has strong desire to confront.
Bob asked, “Do you know your cousin has done this?” If you have ought against a brother, the bible instructs you to go to that person to confront them.
Matthew 18:15
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
But you have to know what the fault is and who is doing it. You cannot judge motives. I would go to the person and tell them about certain things that are happening. Ask him, “Do you have any idea where the source of these things are happening?” A person will either be honest and say he is or he will say he did not. You cannot judge motives. You have to have proof of their actions.
Explain what someone is doing and ask if anyone knows who is doing it. If they deny doing it, then you can explain that you hope they are happy whoever he is, but he should be ashamed of himself. You cannot accuse someone unless you know definitely that he is the one doing it.
Do you have any idea who is behind this? You cannot make judgments on suppositions and make accusations. You can only stick with what you know that someone is acting strange to someone. God does not want us to judge motives of man but only actions.
Daniel from Phoenix, Arizona
Daniel explained how has been bothering him these past three years. He has been married three years. Other than having a happy marriage and a happy life, life is unstable. Every move we make to find happiness is thwarted. Her wife was not a Christian when he met her. After a week of being married, she gave her life to the Lord. His mom is controlling. His wife feels like his parents do not accept her and are always critical towards her. If his mother is acting carnal and not biblical, then he tries to explain it to her. She is okay with not talking at all to his mother. One or the other is not wanting to talk. She does not even want kids to see his parents. He does not want parents to hate him and still wants to honor parents. So how do I work this situation out. As a father of his own home, there is a limit, a boundary he must keep.
In first place, your mom add dad are not your parents anymore. They ought to stay out of your life. The problem is with your mom. You have to stand up. The bible tells the man to leave his father and mother, and cleave to one another, and become one. The man tends to hang on to the skirt tails of his mother. Mother wants to continue mothering a child who has grown.
Genesis 2:24
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
So leave and cleave, so you are the head of a new entity, a new household. The problem is not with your wife but your mom. You are in a position where you do not want to offend anyone. But you have to stand up and offend someone, and that someone needs to be your mom. Sit down with your mom and tell her it is your family and tell her not to control your family.
Daniel continues elaborating on his situation, “Moving from one house to another and supposed to stay a little bit. At first hit off well. Yet, mom felt had right to say certain thing. She is my wife and do want her to accept my wife and rather her not accept me.”
Bob interrupted and told him to quick going over and over these things again and again. He directed him to what he should be doing and leave those thoughts behind. They certainly are not doing anybody any good going over these things. You need to take the initiative to communicate the matter with your mother.
The issue is that you are married and have become one. Leave the decision in her hands, whether she is going to accept correction to stop controlling your family. Get on with your own life and do not worry about it anymore. If she ever comes to her senses, then praise God. If not, go on with your life and let the chips fall where they may. You cannot fix her if she has a heart that is wanting to control. You have to leave her in the hands of God. You and your wife are together. Tell your wife, “If you are mad at my mom, I understand but try loving her like Christ, but we are going on with our marriage regardless of my mom’s choices.”
