Talk of JESUS . com

Tag: exodus

The Idolatry of Baptism – the Idolatry of Communion
What is Idolatry?

In this section of his first letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul has been addressing idolatry.

I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

1 Corinthians 10:15 NIV
```
For the context of what Paul is about to say about baptism, communion and communion and other feasts take a look beginning at 1 Corinthians 8.
```
Idols – Stumbling in Christian Liberty – 1 Corinthians 8
- INSTRUCTION CONCERNING FREEDOM IN CHRIST
Am I not free? Religion 1 Corinthians 9
- ILLUSTRATION CONCERNING OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST
And now in 1 Corinthians 10 the Apostles warns Christians to avoid the IDOLATRY that CORRUPTS or compromises OUR FREEDOM in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:14 NIV

So just what is IDOLATRY?

Let’s start with: WHAT IS AN IDOL? (Seems simple enough.)

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. – Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8 LSB

But what about this explanation of idolatry given by Samuel to Israel’s first King Saul?

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the LORD,
he has rejected you as king.”

1 Samuel 15:23 NLT

Although Saul plead for mercy, the LORD had already judged Saul.

Idolatry of your past

WE remember the golden calf, right?

And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” – Exodus 32:4b ESV

The Apostle Paul is about to issue a warning of yet another type of idolatry from the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt.

1 Corinthians 10:

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized [baptizō] into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 NIV

Baptism

What is baptism?

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Gospel of Mark 1:4 LSB
- of John’s baptism, that purification rite by which men on confessing their sins were bound to spiritual reformation, obtained the pardon of their past sins and became qualified for the benefits of the Messiah’s kingdom soon to be set up.
- of Christian baptism; a rite of immersion in water as commanded by Christ, by which one after confessing his sins and professing his faith in Christ, having been born again by the Holy Spirit unto a new life, identifies publicly with the fellowship of Christ and the church.
  - Source: Lexicon :: Strong’s G908 – baptisma
So what is Paul saying here about the Hebrews’ crossing through the sea?

It was a baptism of sorts of those Hebrews who continued to follow Moses.

And how was that also a type of communion?
- They all ate the same spiritual food.
- and drank the same spiritual drink
for they drank from the , and that rock was Christ.

The Apostle’s warning

Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written:

“The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”

Exodus 32:6 [quoted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:7 NIV]

We must not indulge in sexual immorality [porneuō] as some of them did,
and twenty-three thousand [23,000] fell in a single day.
1 Corinthians 10:8 NIV
```
Remember that Paul has just compared 'the spiritual rock that accompanied them' with Christ.
```
Let us not test Christ as some of them did
- and were killed by snakes.
And do not grumble as some of them did
- —and were killed by the destroying angel.
These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.

No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB

‘flee from idolatry’
```
Paul presents religious implications and consequences of our own tendency towards idolatry rooted in self rather than our sacrifice of obedience to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 
```
So then, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I am speaking as to sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I am saying.

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 CSB

flee from idolatry [εἰδωλολατρία] eidōlolatria –

Pronunciation – i-do-lol-at-ri’-ah
```
Sounds similar to adultery, doesn't it? 

In practice idolatry is adultery against the Lord God and our Saviour Christ Jesus! 
```
Idolatry – N.T. definition
- worship of false gods
a 21st c. C.E. question:

Are Hindu gods false? Buddha? Moroni? Smith? Mohammed? Mary? Dead Saints of the Church? A Pope, Earth or Heaven? A philosophy or practice of the past?
- idolatry – formal sacrificial feats held in honour of false gods
- of avarice, as a worship of Mammon
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Gospel of Matthew 6:24 KJV a caution of our Lord Jesus Christ
- in the plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it
  - Source: Blue Letter Bible
NEXT:

a CONTEMPORY look at Communion
```
Some 21st c. CE Christian saints will balk at this, but communion has become a stumbling block between the Orthodox, Roman and Protestant divisions (denominations) of Christ. 
```
Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
January 24, 2025
Anoint, Consecrate and Sanctify – more Biblical jargon
And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

Exodus 28:41 KJV

Do you understand what takes place when you hear Biblical words like ‘anoint?’ Can you picture the process of ‘consecrating them‘ or understanding the full weight of ‘sanctification?’

Although this Biblical jargon seems foreign to Common Era christians WE are expected to know what they mean when the preacher throws this Christian jargon about.
```
Before we begin, let's take a look at a first impression and artificial intrusion of human-less analysis. I'm referring to the  Artificial Intelligence directing what WE humans read and write.

Although this is not my main purpose today, never-the-less, I seek to prove these computer programmers wrong.  
```
Anoint, Consecrate and Sanctify

If you think that any instructions of Almighty God to a mere human being are unemotional and unpowerful to the faithful or simply Biblical jargon; think again, my fellow Common Era Christian and read your Bible better.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

WE will start here. Comment at the bottom and tell me which one of these THREE WORDS is simply jargon.

Anoint, Consecrate, Sanctify: Which do you understand least?

Think about Aaron and his sons, priests of the LORD, and tell me how you think they felt (compared to our impression on AI) about representing God and the process involved.
```
To be continued... 
```
No comments yet. So I guess that you understand all of these important Biblical terms.

So let’s begin with anoint; since most of the Common Era world is watching the United States of America anoint a new President today.

Anoint (according to God’s word)

מָשַׁח māšaḥ

The KJV translates Strong’s H4886 in the following manner:
- anoint (68x), painted (1x).
1. (Qal) to smear
2. to anoint (as consecration)
3. to anoint, consecrate; (Niphal) to be anointed
I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst H4886 the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me:

Genesis 31:13a KJV

And thou shalt anoint H4886 Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

Exodus 30:30 KJV

Anointing and consecration to a vow and task are a very public witness before Almighty God and those you serve confirming the vow of what you will surely do for those you serve.

Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

1 Samuel 15:1 KJV
```
Yet beware! And remember your vow unto the Lord you God.
```
1 Samuel 16 excerpt KJV

.. fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

.. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

.. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward…

Anointed Kings in years of our Lord

ἀλείφω – aleiphō (Greek) – anoint
```
A glance from a scene with Jesus joining a Pharisee (Rabbi) to a feast at his house.
```
.. and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his place at table.

.. a woman of the city, who was a sinner.. standing behind him (Jesus) at his feet, weeping.. kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
```
Gospel of Luke 7:36-38 excerpt RSV 
```
Then turning toward the woman he (Jesus) said to Simon, .. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Application of a Common Era Anointing

A prayer of the Apostles Peter and John in Jerusalem after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts of the Apostles 4:23- RSV

“Sovereign Lord, who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, didst say by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things?

The kings of the earth set themselves in array, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’–

for truly in this city there were gathered together against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever thy hand and thy plan had predestined to take place…”

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts of the Apostles 4:23-28,31 excerpt RSV
January 18, 2025
Thanks Black Friday Cyber-Santa Specials
Black Friday Deals Are Here – Epic Deals. All Week Long
2024 CE Amazon AD

Black Friday to Xmas

I don’t know about you, but once again Thanksgiving seems to be upon us, a prerequisite observance overrun by the rush of DEALS for the Christmas holidays.

Aren’t you THANKFUL for this holiday season immediately following Halloween?

Innumerable lights blinding in darkness and gift buying lasting forever and ever…

Black Friday HOLIDAY Deals Drive-thru

I have previously mentioned this hustle and bustle of black Friday having overtaken the archaic imagery of worshiping pilgrims. Yet each year’s commercial focus on a relatively minor Jewish holiday and formerly insignificant Christian observance grows more and more into a worship of our prosperity (for which we give thanks).
```
You might even see NEW deals for this Black Friday if you click on these old links.
```
A Puritan Thanksgiving in colonial America
```
from which our Thanksgiving traditions supposedly celebrate
```
Perhaps our 17th century Puritan forefathers who celebrated this uniquely American Thanksgiving holiday weren’t far from the truth of this holiday season.

Puritans forbade Christmas, considering it too pagan. Governor Bradford actually threatened New Englanders with work, jail or fines if they were caught observing Christmas.
Christianity.com

THANKS to BLACK FRIDAY & Cyber Monday this holiday provides little rest and even less thanks.
Roger@TalkofJesus.com

Thanks giving?

Set aside your devices and distractions for a moment as you gather together with family and you will see much bounty, a recurring theme for America.

Who will you thank?
- Your host and hostess? Sure.
- Or maybe family who have made this gathering possible? Perhaps.
- Yet the thanks giving of those faithful to the Lord is always to God.
No book better expresses our worship, our praises, and singing with joy to the LORD than Psalms, which is the hymnal of Jewish and Christian worship.

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

[136:1 הֹודוּ לַיהוָה כִּי־טֹוב כִּי לְעֹולָם חַסְדֹּֽו׃]

²⁵Who giveth food to all flesh:

for his mercy endureth for ever.

²⁶O give thanks unto the God of heaven:

for his mercy endureth for ever.

King James Version (KJV)

This is giving thanks as the Pilgrims of America’s founding would have given to God – not only on this holiday, but also in other worship.

Thanks is often a theme of worship, therefore thanking God is the first fruits of harvest for believers of all faiths who landed in this new world.

Yet we have forgotten the lessons of the Lord — He who has preserved us for bounty and blessings of a new land.

Are we so unlike those who worshiped the Lord before, yet then neglected to thank their Provider?

Let the people of AMERICA, bless GOD

Psalm 95

Worship

¹Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord,
shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!

²Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving;
let us shout triumphantly to him in song.
Psalm 95 CSB

a Consumer WARNING for a Common Era Black Friday

Hear this caution from the Psalm, that we might not give our thanks lightly, forgetting the worship of Almighty God our Creator.

6 Come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
the sheep under his care.

The Psalmist then reminds worshipers of those who had previously turned from the Lord.

Warning

Today, if you hear his voice:
8 Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the wilderness
9 where your fathers tested me;
they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
Psalm 95, referring to exodus 17:17

Wilderness of the Negev

Meribah מְרִיבָה means testing and is the place where the Hebrews escaping Egypt tested the Lord, rather than giving thanks to the Lord.

And Massah מַסָּה means quarreling, the politics of an ungrateful saved people in the wilderness.
```
Sound familiar?
```
The Lord saved many who had fled to the New World from persecution and death in the seventeenth century.

The Pilgrims and others gave God thanks for this.

Yet the Psalmist reminds worshipers of a blessed people:

Do not harden your hearts.

Those escaping to a new land had far to go and much to learn of community, lessons about authority and of thankfulness.

Because of their testing and quarreling, the promise of the Lord would not be fulfilled in their generation.

Therefore let us heed these cautions of the Psalmist in our attitude of thanks to the Lord.

Even today, in these Common Era seasons of Black Fridays,

If you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.

10 For forty years I was disgusted with that generation;
I said,

“They are a people whose hearts go astray;
they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger,
“They will not enter my rest.”

Do you thank the Lord this day?

OR

are BLACK FRIDAY and every other Common Era christmas consumer shopping day

gourging our mortal flesh in the delicacies of death without the Manna of our Redeemer and Lord?
November 28, 2024