What are the five cups of the Passover?

Bible Answer: The account of the Passover is described largely in Exodus 12:1-28. Five cups are never mentioned here or in the New Testament references.

The Jewish tradition (not in the Bible) references four cups, not five. The following article relates the Jewish tradition and biblical references:

The Feast of Passover (Exodus 12:1-28) 
 

The Passover meal was (and still is) held as an annual event in each Jewish household. The meal commemorates the deliverance and Exodus of the children of Israel from the dominion of Pharaoh as slaves in Egypt, around 1450 BC.

The First Passover
The first Passover is described in Exodus chapter 12: one lamb was slain for every household and the blood painted onto the lintels and doorposts. This was done in order that the angel of Death would not slay the first-born son of the Jewish households, but only those of Pharaoh's people, whom God had warned He would judge. "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" the Lord told the children of Israel (Exodus 12:13). They were to eat the lamb, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, in haste prior to their departure from Egypt. The eating of unleavened bread was to continue for seven days, as their sustenance to exit Egypt and escape Pharaoh's slavery. God ordained that the children of Israel would commemorate the Passover every year to remember their deliverance, almost 3,450 years ago.

Early Commemorations of The Passover
Commemoration of the Feast of Passover was the first major event after the Tabernacle was first built. The building was finished on schedule, two weeks prior to the first anniversary of the Exodus. The Tabernacle was consecrated and anointed with oil (Exodus 40:9, a definite foreshadow of the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ). Aaron and his sons (the Levites) were also consecrated and anointed to serve in the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:13).

During the first four decades of the Tabernacle, all of the children of Israel were together in one place in the wilderness to commemorate the Passover. Once they had entered into the good land of Canaan, Jerusalem eventually became the focus of worship, at the time of King David, around 1000 BC. From then onwards, the Feast of Passover was to be held every year in Jerusalem, in accordance with God's word to Moses in Deuteronomy 16:1-8.

The ordinances of the Passover, specified in Exodus chapter 12, state that the lamb was to be examined for four days, to ensure it was without blemish. Then at evening (Jewish days begin at sunset) the lamb was to be slain, its blood applied to the lintels and doorposts and then roasted for sustenance for the Exodus journey.

How is the Passover commemorated today?
Today, the Passover (Seder) meal follows a fairly standard pattern in every Jewish household. There is a 'Haggadah' (which means 'telling', 'portraying', see Galatians 3:1) to guide the proceedings, which is based on four 'Cups'.

At the start, candles are lit and a prayer is offered to bless the First Cup of wine: "Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, the Creator who brings forth the vine from the earth with its fruit" (Genesis 1:11). This First Cup is called the Cup of Sanctification, signifying "I the Lord will bring you out from under the yoke of slavery" (Exodus 6:6); this was God setting the children of Israel apart for Himself.

Next all the participants wash their hands: "Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart" (Psalm 24:3-4). This was probably the point where Jesus washed His disciples' feet (John 13:4-12).

Then each person takes some herbs (usually Parsley) and dips them in salt water and eats them (Matthew 26:23; also, it was probably at this point that Jesus gave the sop to Judas, John 13:26). The salt water and herbs remind all present that the Passover was originally eaten with 'bitter herbs' (Exodus 12:8). The herbs are dipped in salt water to remember the tears as "the Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help went up to God" (Exodus 2:23). In connection with the herbs, the Lord is remembered and blessed as the Creator of the fruits of the earth.

Next, the head of the family takes the middle one of the three flat cakes of unleavened Matzah bread; he breaks it and puts one half aside, wrapped in a white linen cloth. The hidden bread is called the 'Afikomen' (meaning dessert). There are three pieces of bread to remember that the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is One who keeps His covenant; He it is that delivered the children of Israel from bondage (Exodus 6:2-9). But why is it the middle piece that is broken? This is because the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is an indication of the tri-unity of God. Just as Abraham was willing to offer up His "only son" (Genesis 22:2,12), so God the Father willingly offered up His Son, Jesus (John 3:16). Jesus was broken on the cross for our redemption (I Corinthians 11:24) and wrapped in linen for burial (Luke 23:53).

Part of God's purpose in requiring the children of Israel to remember the Passover was to inspire questions from future young generations, for their instruction (Exodus 12:26-27). Children customarily have to ask four questions:

Why tonight?

A night to remember (Exodus 12:42)

Why bitter herbs?

To remember the anguish of slavery (Exodus 2:23)

Why dip the bitter herbs in the salt water twice?

It was really bad in slavery, but our HOPE was in God (Psalm 42:5)

Why do we eat reclining?

Because now we are free to come to God (Exodus 3:18-20; Galatians 5:1; Matthew 11:28)

The history of the first Passover is read aloud from Exodus chapter 12 and Psalms 113 and 114.

The second cup, the Cup of Plagues is filled and passed round. The ten plagues on Pharaoh's Egypt are verbally recounted (Exodus 7:14-12:36):

Blood!

Frogs!

Lice!

Flies!

Cattle Disease!

Boils!

Hailstones!

Locusts!

Darkness!

Death of the Firstborn!

This Cup of Plagues is the last cup before the Passover Lamb is considered (see Luke 22:17).

The climax of the Seder meal should be the festive meal of roast lamb. However, since the Temple no longer stands in Jerusalem (where the Passover lamb was sacrificed), a shankbone is presented as a reminder of the Passover Lamb.

It was after this point that Jesus instituted 'the Lord's Supper'. He took the Afikomen bread (laid aside earlier) and gave thanks (Matthew 26:26): "Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, the Creator Who brings forth bread from the earth", according to the Jewish Haggadah. Then He broke the Afikomen bread and passed round the third cup of wine, called the Cup of Blessing or the Cup of Redemption. Jesus said "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20).

(Incidentally, Jesus' words "this is ..." (Matthew 26:26,28) must mean 'this represents...' since He was Himself there, giving the disciples the bread and wine.)

The final cup of wine, the Cup of Praise, is drunk as the Seder meal concludes with the singing of the remaining 'Halel' (or Hallelujah) Psalms (115-118) and the 'Great Halel', Psalm 136 "God's love endures forever". These psalms are probably the 'hymn' mentioned in Matthew 26:30. Psalm 116 is particularly pertinent to the Lord's prayer in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39,42).

The final sentence expresses the hope of how next year's Passover will be remembered:

"Next year in Jerusalem!"

The setting of the Lord's Supper at the heart of the Passover meal explains its meaning. Jesus Christ is Himself the Passover lamb, offered up for the redemption and deliverance of His people (I Corinthians 5:7), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The bread and wine speak of His death, and of the new covenant it ratifies, reconciling God and man. Jesus says "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19; I Corinthians 11:24-25), telling His disciples that the Passover is fulfilled in Him. Until He comes again (Luke 22:18; I Corinthians 11:26), we are to remember the significance of what He has done for us.

Authored by Martyn Barrow.

 

How is paying tribute different from paying tithe?

Your Question:

How is paying tribute different from paying tithe? Why didn’t Jesus feel it right to pay tribute? Are churches not asking for people to pay tribute and masking it as tithes? After paying your tithe is it right for the church to pass the plate for other projects or should they not be using the tithes that they already have and maintaining that budget? I sometimes feel trapped when a singer that I don’t particularly like sings for the church and then passes the plate, you feel like you have to give because they already sung for you. What do you think about that?

Bible Answer:

Well, Jo-Ann, I don’t know if you are speaking of a Bible passage per se, but tribute, tithing and the collection the saints made in the New Testament are three different things. They are not related to each other at all.

As for the tithe, I’ve written on that subject before. That was something the Jews did in keeping with the Mosaic Law. You can read more about it here:

http://crosswordspage.blogspot.com/search/label/tithing%2Foffering%2Fcontribution

In particular http://crosswordspage.blogspot.com/2008/03/is-10-of-my-income-what-i-should-be.html which talks about the difference between contributing and tithing.

Our contribution to churches is largely governed by the principle of giving with joy in your heart and not under compulsion, as explained in the previous link.

Tributes are like taxes. We only pay those to the government or other entities. It seems to me your church is selling services it doesn’t belong selling. Singing for money is something done in a stadium for entertainment purposes, not in the assembly of the saints. We do not see such practice in the New Testament.

I would like for you to examine the teachings of your church and make sure they are in keeping with the Spirit of God. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 that the Father seeks worshippers who worship Him in spirit and in truth. You need to be willing to be a student of the word to be sought by the Father and learn to please Him.

Dangers of the "Safe" Church

Sharing the Good News of Jesus I often come across people who tell me they are not interested in hearing the message of the cross. When I asked them if they go to church or are a part of a fellowship, they respond they've tried and it did nothing for them.

Maybe they visited a “safe” church.

 

 

 

In a safe church:

• The message makes you feel better.
• You’re never confronted about your sin.
• No one rocks the boat.
• You don’t have to change.
• You never encounter the Holy Spirit of God that gives life to the dead.

 

When I read about the church in the New Testament, a church like us, I read it was full of people with dangerous faith. While we certainly should make our environment welcoming our message should remain as dangerous to the flesh and the worldly attitudes and as challenging to the soul as the message of the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

The power to free us from the danger of our pride and reliance on self lies in the unadulterated, unrated, non-PC and graphic message of the Gospel:

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

• We’re called to leave everything to follow Christ.
• We’re invited to believe God for the impossible.
• We’re told to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
• We’re told that to find our life we have to lose it first.

The effectiveness of the Gospel is void by political correctness, "soft" love, (which is no love at all) and fear of acceptance. All these are fatal flaws that we may allow to creep into the fellowship if we are persuaded by the world and our heart instead of by the love of Christ that compels us (2 Co 5:14). We need to allow the Spirit to break us free from these sleepy excuses and call everyone higher to Christ!

There is nothing safe to the flesh about the message of the Gospel. May our church become a safe place to encounter that dangerous message.

What are some of the ways you offer a welcoming environment while presenting a dangerous message?

Si Dios permitió mi matrimonio, ¿por qué fallo?

Recibi esta pregunta:

…mi esposa y yo nos separamos y no sabe cuanto me ha dolido eso. me deprimo much y ultimamente he fijado mi mirada en Dios como nunca, siempre pense que si Dios permitio que ella y yo nos casaramos, tambien pense que era para toda la vida. bueno ahora tengo un niño y de verdad no sabe cuanto me duele. ella es testigo de jehova y lo radical que ellos son, que en estos momentos ella no me dirije la palabra y me da mas dolor a mi corazon... usted cree que si fue la voluntad de Dios, el tambien permitio que ella se fuera?

 

Mi breve respuesta:

Gracias por escribir y buscar la verdad y el consejo del Señor. Hermano, permítame decirle que usted cometió un error. Si yo le hubieses aconsejado antes de casarse le hubiera dicho que estaba cometiendo un error casándose con alguien que no conoce de Dios. Dios permitió que usted tomara esa decisión. Usted la tomo y ahora vive con la consecuencia. Suena algo duro pero es la verdad. La biblia nos dice:

2 Corintios 6:14-17 NVI No formen yunta con los incrédulos. ¿Qué tienen en común la justicia y la maldad? ¿O qué comunión puede tener la luz con la oscuridad? 15 ¿Qué armonía tiene Cristo con el diablo? ¿Qué tiene en común un creyente con un incrédulo? 16 ¿En qué concuerdan el templo de Dios y los ídolos? Porque nosotros somos templo del Dios viviente. Como él ha dicho: "Viviré con ellos y andaré entre ellos; yo seré su Dios, y ellos serán mi pueblo."* Por tanto, el Señor añade: 17 "Salgan de en medio de ellos y apártense. No toquen nada impuro, y yo los recibiré."

Claro que se siente deprimido. Has formado una yunta con alguien que en realidad nunca estuvo cerca de su corazón. No niego que forjaron lazos emocionales pero por eso Dios no advierte que no formemos yuntas con personas que no están conectadas a él ya que es más probable que nos partan el corazón y nos distraigan de la labor en el reino de Dios.

A través de este dolor que sientes lo mejor que puedes hacer por ti es usar ese dolor para conectarte más a Jesús. El sabe tu dolor y sabe lo que es ser traicionado por personas que dicen que le aman. Puedes profundizarte más en el amor de Dios usando ese dolor como David lo hizo y nos muestra en los Salmos. No desperdicies el dolor en la depresión o en tratando de buscar culpa. Estas cosas pasan y lo mejor que puedes hacer es usar la experiencia para conectarte más a nuestro Señor.

Mateo 11:28-30 NVI "Vengan a mí todos ustedes que están cansados y agobiados, y yo les daré descanso. 29 "Carguen con mi yugo y aprendan de mí, pues yo soy apacible y humilde de corazón, y encontrarán descanso para su alma. 30 "" Porque mi yugo es suave y mi carga es liviana."

Deja que el Señor te eleve de tu depresión ya que en el siempre hay esperanza.

God on the Economy

 

by Stephen Kovaka, CPA | Financial Sense University (www.financialsense.com)

Everywhere we turn we are confronted with news stories, articles, videos and TV programs presenting the economic opinions of various bankers, politicians, investors, celebrities and gurus.  In spite of this outpouring of dubious wisdom, the depression gathers momentum like an avalanche.  World leaders addicted to debt have yet to come clean and admit the causes of this disaster, if they even understand them.  Until they do, there is little chance of them doing anything constructive about it.  All their attempts to fight fire with large volumes of gasoline are a futile waste of time and resources.

As in “God on Money”, I propose here to consult one Person who really did “see it coming”, diagnosed the problem, and long ago prescribed how to  not only cure the disease, but prevent its reoccurrence.  His principles are simple and easily understood.  They are valid today.  But as usual, man thinks he knows better.

Click –> Link for full article

Is there a right way to be baptized?

At the end of Acts 18 and the beginning of Acts 19, we have a very interesting account of salvation.  The account is one in which those who were candidates of salvation submitted to two different baptisms, the baptism of John, and then, the baptism of Jesus.  This account is an interesting one, because it teaches us some things about baptism that are not found anywhere else in the Bible.  Let's study this passage together and see if we can learn some things from God's word. 

Well spend some time in Acts 18 and 19. In Acts 18:24 we find Apollos:

Acts 18:24-26 ESV Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

1. A Jew.

2. Born at Alexandria.

3. An eloquent man.

4. Competent in the scriptures.

5. Came to Ephesus.

6. Instructed in the way of the Lord.

7. Fervent in spirit.

8. Spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus.

9. Knew only the baptism of John

Apollos was both instructed in the way of the Lord, and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, yet, he did not know the Lord's baptism? How can this be? Evidently, Apollos had been around Jerusalem sometime during the earthly ministry of both John the baptizer and Jesus, but Apollos had missed the Lord's critical teaching about baptism during the period of the Great Commission. Therefore, he did not know that baptism was now being administered in the name of Jesus, namely, by the authority of Jesus.

This is significant since only an immersion in water by the authority of Jesus (in the name of Jesus) sanctions (permits) a death in Jesus for the purpose of being claimed (redeemed) by Jesus blood and raised with Jesus in newness of life as Paul explains in Romans 6:3-4.

Those who submitted to the baptism that Apollos knew were not submitting to the authority of the Lord. Did Apollos teach that Jesus was the Lord? Yes. Did he teach others to believe in the Lord Jesus? Yes. It should be obvious that just because one believes in Jesus doesn't mean that one's baptism is sanctioned by God.

I come across this all the time in my Bible studies with people online and offline. They have been taught Jesus is Lord, they have accepted Jesus as Lord and declared saved through a prayer or some other type of incantation, later on to be baptized, as an afterthought (even sometimes in the name of the Lord) but clearly not for the purpose the Lord expresses clearly in the scriptures. If they were saved without being baptized that would mean their sins were washed away and forgiven. But we know that being baptized is how we receive forgiveness (Acts 2:38) so how can anyone presume to be declared saved without being baptized, and that by the authority of Jesus?

In the case of these Ephesians we see the Lord gave them an opportunity to get their baptism right. After all, if you really love the Lord and have a desire to be united to him you will want to submit to His lordship. That is what Jesus’ warning was all about in Matthew 7. People were calling Him “Lord, Lord”, and yet were not obeying Him. This is the scenario we see today in many churches that have hijacked the opportunity of salvation from earnest people. So, if your baptism isn't right, you've got to get it right! Paul came after Apollos to the same city, Ephesus, and inquired about the baptism of these disciples. We read about this in Acts 19:1-3:

Acts 19:1-5 ESV And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." 4 And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul used a process of discovery to determine if their baptism was valid or not. He first asked if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed. (Again, notice the text says they had believed. They believed that Jesus was the Christ, but their baptism was not by Jesus’ authority.)

Their response was that they had not heard of the Holy Spirit. This response was indicative of their baptism, because Paul then asked, "Into what then were you baptized?" They should have heard of the Holy Spirit at their baptism because receiving the Spirit of God had been prophesied since the time of Joel. When Peter preached the first Gospel message he declared that those who would be baptized would receive the promised Holy Spirit! The receiving of the Holy Spirit of God is central to the work Jesus did on the cross! Receiving His Spirit is the goal Jesus worked toward – it is the goal of His sacrifice of atonement! The fact that they did not hear about the Holy Spirit indicated to Paul that they were not baptized into Jesus, hence his question: “into what then were you baptized?” Their baptism wasn't right and they had to get it right!

This points out that a person needs to be aware of certain things, needs to have learned of certain things to be able to partake in a baptism authorized by Jesus. “The Holy Spirit indwelling” was a test Paul utilized to determine if baptism was in the name of Jesus. Apparently knowledge of the Spirit’ coming to work in you is something you need to want and accept since you would be dying to self in Jesus to receive this precious gift from God. The doctrine and work of the Spirit is central to a baptism authorized by Jesus. This is why baptism cannot be given in someone else’s name or taken in someone’s name. People who are unconscious, dead or unaware cannot receive a baptism in the name of Jesus anymore than they could receive matrimony. Many have been baptized as babies or even children. Not even the state would accept a contract with them, how much more are they able to receive this baptism?

Paul explained what John’s baptism was about: a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." The phrase “in the name of the Lord Jesus” means by the Lord’s authority.

John's baptism was not based upon the authority of the Lord Jesus. Was it based upon the belief that the Messiah was coming? Yes it was (Luke 2:4). Was it based upon repentance unto forgiveness of sins? Yes it was (Luke 3:3). Was it water baptism? Yes it was (Luke 3:16). Was it immersion? Yes it was (John 3:23). What was different about the baptism of John from the baptism of Jesus? The baptism of Jesus was based upon the authority of Jesus as given in the Great Commission. Jesus said, “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.” This meant that after this time, John’s baptism had no more authority. If our baptism is not based upon the authority of Christ, then all we did was get wet like these men at Ephesus. What then is the right baptism – based upon the authority of Christ?

It is baptism for salvation (Mark 16:16); it is baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38); it is a baptism unto discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20); it is baptism for washing away sins (Acts 22:16); it is the point at which we believe God forgives us of sins (Colossians 2:11- 13); it is baptism that saves (1 Peter 3:21); it is where we died with Jesus and are joined to Him to be raised to live a new life (Romans 6:3-4)! It has the power to destroy the body of sin and set you free in Jesus by His power and authority (Romans 6:6-8)! It gets you ready to receive the Holy Spirit of God that His mighty work may be done in you, preparing you for His return (Titus 3:4-7)! John’s baptism did not have THIS kind of authority! No other baptism for any other reason can be done truly in the name of Jesus!

Let us always respect the authority of Christ in baptism and understand that one may teach that Jesus is Lord, yet teach baptism wrong.  Let us understand that if your baptism is not right, you’ve got to get it right!  And let us understand that correct baptism only comes as authorized by Jesus today and that His authority has placed baptism and salvation together (Mark 16:16).  “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” Mark 16:15, 16.

Ricci Gambino

Pedro Gelabert

Es la fe una emoción o un entendimiento?

Recibi esta pregunta:

…Llevaba muchos anos si visitar la iglesia y no queria volver a la catolica, pues la encontraba muy aburrida y demasiado tradicional, me hablaron de esta (bautista) y a la verdad que me gusta mucho. Tienen buena musica y las predicaciones son modernas, adaptadas a nuestros tiempos y muy interesantes. No te puedo decir que estoy totalmente entregado por que todavia me falta mucho, todavia no me siento como muchas personas que conozco que sienten algo que todavia yo no siento. Solo se que me siento muy bien cuando voy al servicio, y que hay algo que me dice que necesito estar alli. Quisiera sentir eso que me falta, por que se que es lo que necesito en mi vida, para hacerla mejor y arreglar cosas que tengo que arreglar, pero sinceramente no se como llegar alli, espero algun dia llegar.

 

Mi breve respuesta:

Pues amigo, hablemos de eso. La religión a mí nunca me intereso. Vine a conocer a Dios porque sé que El me llamo y me lo comprobó usando la razón y lógica limitada a mi entendimiento. No la emoción. La verdadera religión viene por convicción, no por sentimiento. La fe no es una emoción sino un razonar que te lleva a una conclusión.

Hebreos 11:1 NVI  Ahora bien, la fe es la garantía de lo que se espera, la certeza de lo que no se ve.

1 Pedro 3:15-16 NVI  Más bien, honren en su corazón a Cristo como Señor. Estén siempre preparados para responder a todo el que les pida razón de la esperanza que hay en ustedes.  16  Pero háganlo con gentileza y respeto, manteniendo la conciencia limpia, para que los que hablan mal de la buena conducta de ustedes en Cristo, se avergüencen de sus calumnias.

Como ves en el texto biblico la fe que salva es una fe cierta, no a tientas. Esta fe conoce la garantia de la esperanza porque busca la razon de su existencia en la palabra de Dios y no en presunciones humanas.

Por años yo no sentía nada “espiritual” por lo cual ninguna religión o iglesia me estuvo atractiva. Sabía que había algo más allá de mi, que existía el bien y el mal y que yo quería ser parte del bien. Pero muchos religiosos que “sentían” cosas me parecía bastante superficial y la verbosidad de muchas iglesias me parecía hipócrita. Es más, ¡descarte todo eso como el opio de las masas!

Mas bien, cuando decidí investigar por mi cuenta a Jesús, (gracias a un amigo en la universidad) de acuerdo a la historia, de acuerdo a lo que hay en la Biblia (después de comprobar que si puedo confiar en lo que dice el texto bíblico), por primera vez aprendí de Él y mi entendimiento no dependió mas de otros si no de mi. Dios me hablo a mí. Me guio con palabras que entendía. Dios utilizo Su palabra para sembrar una semilla que he estado alimentando ya por 22 años.

La mayoría de lo que ves en el mundo religioso es superficial e hipócrita. Tú lo sabes. Pero hay un remanente del cual se habla en la Biblia que conoce de Dios y conoce a Dios tanto como Dios nos conoce a nosotros. Este fiel remanente, que se decide regir por las palabras de Dios y no por opiniones ni filosofías ni presunciones humanas es la iglesia por cual Cristo murió y son los que esperan su retorno con deseo y esperanza. Este remanente sabe lo que es al amor, la esperanza y la paz y perseveran en estas cosas. No son perfectos pero son amados en Cristo y dan evidencia de ese amor en todo lo que dicen y hacen. Conocen la verdad porque la practican.

Te pregunto, ¿deseas ser parte de este remanente?