“How do these resurrections you talk about fit in with the rapture? Do they take place before the tribulation, when Jesus comes and takes all of the Christians out of this world?” Isaac inquires. “Did you know that rapture is derived from the Latin verb rapere? It means to carry off, or, to catch up. That's what Jesus is going to do with all of the Christians. He is going to come back and get us Christians and leave all the sinners on earth to go through the tribulation. Do you know about the tribulation? When God punishes all sinners left on the earth, with dreadful punishments. It will be the worst time in the history of mankind.”
“Ya, I have heard about it. The ‘Left Behind’ books were based on the belief,” Adam states skeptically. “Are you familiar with the verses that support the belief of being raptured away?”
“You don't sound all that enthusiastic about it. Oh let me guess. You don't think the verses say what I think they say. You probably think I am taking them, out of context,” Isaac says with a dramatic flair and a wave of his hand.
“Talk about a conspiracy addict. You don't seem to believe in anything that normal Christians believe in. Is there an anti-establishment conspiracy that you’re caught up in? Isaac says, frustrated by Adam's nonstop demand for scriptural proof of his religious beliefs and doctrines.
Adam speaks bluntly to Isaac. “Well, has my skepticism been unwarranted so far?
Was mankind created immortal in Genesis as you had thought? How about Sunday, is it commanded to be kept holy? Or, how strongly do the scriptures support the notion that Christians go to heaven once they die? Are you bothered that my questions challenge your beliefs, or that your beliefs aren't as scripturally supported as you had thought? What's better, being faithful to the Bible, or to denominational doctrines?”
Isaac pauses for a moment and then sheepishly answers. “Ya, you’re somewhat right. Your points have made me re-evaluate some of my beliefs. The meaning you bring out of the scriptures is definitely different from what I have ever heard before. It's just that, no matter what belief I talk about, you seem to disagree with it.”
“It's all not that bad,” Adam says encouragingly. “We agree on the essential lifesaving beliefs. People must accept Jesus in order to be saved from their sins and gain eternal life. You and I have the same desire to follow God where ever he may lead us. We both want to live our lives as if Jesus was alive in us. The rest is peripheral. Like the story with Paul and the believers that didn't know about the baptism of the Holy Ghost. God used them with the knowledge they had, and he led them into greater wisdom as they followed him.
Making sure people know all mysteries at the start isn't that critical to God, if it were, he would have made things more obvious and given us a test before we could become a Christian. The most important thing is the love people have inside of them and displaying it to others. Love will be what's most important in the Kingdom. After we are in the Kingdom it won't be important how we got there. Prophesies, discernment of spirits, healing powers, things that we think are important now, won't be of much use or value once we are living in the Kingdom with God as our father.”
“What story about Paul are you talking about? I'm not familiar with it. I'll have to look it up.” Doing a few searches Isaac finds the passage. “Here it is.
Acts 19:1-7
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.”
“That's the one,” Adam says. “They were believers without even knowing about being baptized into the name of Jesus, how long they were in the dark we can only guess, but God led them to where he wanted them in his time. There is a similar story about a preacher, I think it was Apollos. He was instructed by other believers into a better understanding of baptism.”
Isaac starts to type right away. “I think I remember this one,” he says. Finding it quickly Isaac starts to read.
“Acts 18:24-28
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
OK I get it. We don't have to know everything right away, we grow in our understanding as God directs.”
“Yes, we learn by following where God leads us,” Adam agrees. “Usually through people we come into contact with. It is by talking about scripture with others that we can grow in the knowledge of God. Iron sharpens iron, our beliefs and doctrines mean nothing if we can't support them from the Bible.
We need to be discerning, judging good from evil, for it's our salvation that is at stake. We need to prove our beliefs for ourselves and not outsource them to others. Like the Bereans did, proving what was true. Once we have the basics understood the Holy Spirit will guide us into more important areas of our Christian faith. We need to worship God in spirit and in truth, and then we can show the full love of Jesus to our fellow man, so that they might praise God because of that love.”
“Are there references for that? Who were the Bereans anyway? Isaac asked as he started typing. “I will try to get your references in order but you made several points all at once.”
Isaac mumbles to himself before he reads aloud. “God teaches us through other people.
Romans 10:12-17
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We sharpen our beliefs by discussing scripture with other people.
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
2 Timothy 3 KJV
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Finding more proof, Isaac continues. “Need to have our beliefs supported by the Bible.
Hebrews 5:12-14
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are becom
e such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Our salvation depends on how we respond,” Isaac calls out.
Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Who were the Bereans?” Isaac answers his own question.
“Acts 17. 10
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Basics first, then go on to perfection.
Hebrews 6:1-3
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Then, worship God in Spirit and truth.
John 4:24
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Dut da da du.” Isaac sings a vocal fan fair. “And lastly, love is the best.
1 Corinthians 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
“Are you going to look up all of my references?” Adam questions bewilderedly.
“Sure am. Like you said, I need to prove all things to see if it’s true or not,” Isaac replied with a smile. “It's my salvation and I need to be sure that I’m on the right path. Just like a Berean.”
Chapter Nine
Left Behind