It can be relatively easy to read, misread, misunderstand or take a different view of almost anything where an individual may feel that his or her opinion is the right one.  However, when we talk about the Bible, there is a clear statement in Deuteronomy 4:2 where we read: 

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”

What must also be uppermost in our minds is that Satan will try his best to confuse and redirect the people of God away from the Truth.  His influence is everywhere to be seen.  He is described in the Bible in Ephesians 2:1-2 as follows:

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…”

Continue reading "How careful should we be in making false biblical assumptions? (Part 1)"

Some may wonder why we hold a conference for the ministry. What is the purpose of meeting together?

Before we answer this question, some background history might be helpful.

In July of this year, it will mark the 25th year of existence for the Church of the Eternal God (CEG). While this is a good and impressive milestone, what is most important is that we continue doing the Work of God with fervency and zeal. Many people at the time when CEG was started stated that this organization would not last more than a few months. Yet, by the grace of God, we continue to operate and God continues to help open doors for us to preach the Gospel to the world (Matthew 28:19-20; 16:17-18).

One of the core tenets of CEG found in our Statement of Beliefs is the following:

“The Church’s Commission:

Continue reading "Why do we have a ministerial conference?"

Abram was tested when God told him, as related in Genesis 12:1, “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house To a land that I will show you.” And Abram obeyed. Genesis 12:4 states: “So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.” Although this is not stated as a test, Hebrews 11:8 informs us that, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” This would certainly have been a test to Abram, but God tested him more severely when He asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Genesis 22:1-2 reads: “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’”

Continue reading "Does God know what we will do in the future? (Part 2)"

We live in a world of constant surveillance, where governments and companies constantly monitor our communications. They use this information in many ways; for example, knowing what we purchase can help with tailored advertising. Other information can help governments know who we will vote for (even though we in God’s Church should not vote in governmental elections). This is usually with the aim of knowing our future actions and possibly influencing them for some purpose, whether political or commercial. As an example, this information can be used in “Nudge Technology”, a system where people are nudged to vote a certain way or purchase a certain product, or even partake of a medical procedure like a vaccine, and believe that they are making a free will choice, because there may be no mandate or coercion, but the desired aim of the government or company  is still achieved.

Continue reading "Does God know what we will do in the future? (Part 1)"

My staff at work have come to expect my request to hear the end of a story before they launch into a long explanation for something that may or may not be significant. I make clear that I will listen to the story if they first succinctly share what happened. This has become a standard that even my board members expect of us. It makes us more effective in getting to the point and not drifting. Everything in the Bible is significant and mustn’t be abbreviated; however, it is beneficial never to lose sight of Scriptures that God wants us to live by. For example, John 3:16 is a foundational Scripture for all true Christians, and it sets the context for all that follows in the life of Jesus. Sadly, this Scripture has been widely messaged in greeting cards and billboards by mainstream “Christianity,” thus trivializing this amazing gift from God. 

Continue reading "Was Christ’s death just the beginning?"

Many young people today, when asked what they would like to be when they grow up, say that they would like to be famous.   Being a celebrity has attractions that many would seem to covet.   However, an immediate transformation from being a nobody to a somebody is a work-free promotion that many would not be able to cope with, nor would it be good for them.  Having the adulation of many seems to be exciting, but dangers can lie ahead for those who suddenly become, for whatever reason, an icon, a famous figure and someone to follow.  The cult of celebrity is alive and kicking and coveted by those who feel that it is for them.

One writer opined that “Having rejected the morality of the Judeo-Christian basis for western society, we have turned to the lifestyle of celebrities to inform us as to right and wrong.”    There are many examples of this by Hollywood actors and producers living and celebrating wrong life-styles which influence so many who look up to these “idols” and other “celebrities” who think that they know better than their Creator!

Continue reading "Is the cult of celebrity the opposite of true Christianity?"

We read: “‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey”’” (1 Samuel 15:2-3).

Note that God says, “I will punish Amalek…”

Following their crossing of the Red Sea, the children of Israel encamped at Rephidim (Exodus 17). There, the Amalekites fought with Israel. The Amalekites, a tribal people living in the Negev and in the Sinai Peninsula, are first mentioned in Abraham’s time (Genesis 14:7). Amalek was one of Edom’s grandsons; Edom being Turkey today. Amalek’s descendants would include certain violent groups such as the PLO. In this battle, God helped Israel be victorious, but it was done through Moses holding up the Staff of God as Joshua and the Israelites fought with Amalek:

Continue reading "Why did God command Saul to utterly destroy Amalek rather than doing so Himself?"

More specifically, can you use a sourdough starter, or allow it to live in your fridge through the spring Holy Days? 

There are a few bakers in the Church who have received sourdough starters and have started to make sourdough bread. A sourdough starter is essentially flour, water and salt. Once these ingredients are added together it begins to ferment. There is natural wild yeast that is on ground flour that begins the process of fermentation when it is combined with the water and salt. The longer a starter is allowed to grow and be used, it gains flavor characteristics, and older starters are prized as having a fuller flavor and stronger binding properties. 

Some of the oldest actively used sourdough starters are over a century old, with notable examples including a 120-year-old Yukon Gold Rush starter and San Francisco starters dating back to the mid-19th century. Many family-kept starters are 50–100 years old. Recently, there was even an experimental, 4,500-year-old yeast from Egyptian pottery that has been revived and used to bake bread. 

Continue reading "Is sourdough bread allowed during the Days of Unleavened Bread?"

In the last four Q&As, we covered Paul’s first and second missionary journeys, and we also began to cover his third journey. We focused on events in Ephesus and will continue to describe what happened there. We are informed in Acts 19:20 that the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed in the city, and so Paul was desirous of going to Jerusalem and Rome (verse 21). Reaching both destinations would not happen right away; in fact, we read in the letter to the Romans that he had planned to go to Rome on several occasions, but was hindered from doing so (Romans 1:13).  

We read that Paul stayed for a time in Ephesus, and because of the great impact of Christianity, a riot occurred there. Acts 19:24-28 tells us:

Continue reading "Would you please explain in detail Paul’s three missionary journeys? (Part 5)"

In the last three Q&As, we covered Paul’s first and parts of his second missionary journeys. We discussed his experiences in Athens where most rejected his teachings. He then departed from there and went to Corinth. He arrived there about 50 AD.

Corinth was an extremely evil city, filled with temple prostitutes who “served” during the day in the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of “love,” and would come down in the evening for their sexual activities. Some of those problems of the Corinthians were carried into the church which Paul would establish (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-2), and Paul later wrote two letters to the Corinthian church, while he was in Ephesus, correcting illicit behavior. He also pointed out that some of the brethren had been fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals and sodomites, but upon baptism, they had been washed, sanctified and justified (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Continue reading "Would you please explain in detail Paul’s three missionary journeys? (Part 4)"