Question on oaths n n Can a Christian take an oath without sinning in doing so?

Question on oathsQuestion on oathsQuestion on oathsQuestion on oaths

Can a Christian take an oath without sinning in doing so?



What is an oath? horkos {hor'-kos} ¤ from herkos (a fence, perhaps akin to 3725); TDNT - 5:457,729; n m ¤ AV - oath 10; 10 ¤ 1) that which has been pledged or promised with an oath



What is an oath? horkos {hor'-kos} ¤ from herkos (a fence, perhaps akin to 3725); TDNT - 5:457,729; n m ¤ AV - oath 10; 10 ¤ 1) that which has been pledged or promised with an oath

It is in effect a promise where other things are sometimes named.


Can we take an oath in light of James 5:12 and Mat 5:33-37?


James 5:12 (NKJV) - But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.


Matthew 5:33-37 (NKJV) - “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.


36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.


Consider some of the use of oaths in the New Testament.


Good oaths- (Heb 6:16-17; 7:20-21,28; Lk 1:73; Acts 2:30; Mt 26:63-64)


Hebrews 6:16-17 (NKJV) - For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,


Hebrews 7:20-21 (NKJV) - And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn And will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’”),


Hebrews 7:28 (NKJV) - For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.


Luke 1:73 (NKJV) - The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:


Acts 2:30 (NKJV) - Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,


Matthew 26:63-64 (NKJV) - But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”


Are these examples of righteousness?


Are these examples of righteousness? Is there any need for men to name divine

things? (Rom 9:1-3)


Romans 9:1-3 (NKJV) - I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,


Bad oaths (Mt 26:72; Acts 23:12,14,21;Mt 14:7)


Matthew 26:72 (NKJV) - But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”


Acts 23:12 (NKJV) 12And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.


Acts 23:14 (NKJV) - They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.


Acts 23:21 (NKJV) - But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”


Matthew 14:7 (NKJV) - Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.


Why did Peter use an oath?


Why did Peter use an oath? Why were the other oaths bad?


Why did Peter use an oath? Why were the other oaths bad? The Christian must always tell the truth!

There is no need to name divine things to “strengthen” our words. We can however name divine things as a matter of truth.

Question on free will and foreknowledgeQuestion on free will and foreknowledgeQuestion on free will and foreknowledgeQuestion on free will and foreknowledge

When God chooses one as a “chosen vessel” as He did in the case of Pharaoh (Rom 9), does one (i.e. Pharaoh) still have free will? Could Pharaoh have let God’s people go at the first and God’s will be accomplished?


When God chooses one as a “chosen vessel” as He did in the case of Pharaoh (Rom 9), does one (i.e. Pharaoh) still have free will? Could Pharaoh have let God’s people go at the first and God’s will be accomplished?

When one hardens their heart against God then God can easily use that one for His purposes without violating their free will.


God has always willed that all men be saved. (1 Tim 2:3-4; 2 Pt 3:9-10)


1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) - For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.


2 Peter 3:9-10 (NKJV) - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.


If God made someone apart from their will to sin, then how could God be righteous in condemning and punishing such a one? (Psa 89:14)


Psalm 89:14 (NKJV) - Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.


What does the scripture say about Pharaoh? (Rom 9:14-23)


Romans 9:14-23 (NKJV) - What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.


17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.


19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?


22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,


How was Pharaoh “raised up?” Could he not have exercised his free will and been eliminated in this process? YES! Another would have taken his place.


How was Pharaoh “raised up?” Could he not have exercised his free will and been eliminated in this process? YES! Another would have taken his place.

Pharaoh had passed many “milestones” to reach the place he was. In some ways he is like king Saul! One can progress in sin to hardness. (Rom 1; Eph 4:17-19; 1 Tim 4:2)


Ephesians 4:17-19 - This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;


19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.


1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) - speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,


Those who crucified Jesus had deliberately rejected evidence that would have convinced them. God used these people! (1 Cor 2:7-8)


1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (NKJV) - But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Question on the Sadducees and the resurrectionQuestion on the Sadducees and the resurrectionQuestion on the Sadducees and the resurrectionQuestion on the Sadducees and the resurrection

Please discuss the idea of the resurrection from the view of those living under the law, specifically where did the Sadducees come up with the notion that there was no resurrection? How could they have any motivation for following the Law with such a view?


Please discuss the idea of the resurrection from the view of those living under the law, specifically where did the Sadducees come up with the notion that there was no resurrection? How could they have any motivation for following the Law with such a view?

There are many possible motives for false views of God’s word.


In NT times the Sadducees were a sect that demanded human loyalty.


In NT times the Sadducees were a sect that demanded human loyalty.

This spirit makes it difficult to know the truth. (Jn 5:41-44)


John 5:41-44 (NKJV) - “I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?


This spirit makes the party supreme and thus all other things secondary (including God’s word). (Acts 23:6-10)


Acts 23:6-10 (NKJV) - But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”


7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”


10Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.


Their specific view of the resurrection likely came from one esteemed man of the past taking one false view on a subject and then reinterpreting the rest of the scripture to “harmonize” with that view. (2 Pt 3:15-16)


2 Peter 3:15-16 (NKJV) - and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.


This danger is ever present today.


This danger is ever present today. Within the denominations there is

Calvinism, Premillennialism…..


This danger is ever present today. Within the denominations there is

Calvinism, Premillennialism….. In recent years systems of doctrine and

groups of men have formed around false views of “the deity of Christ, “divorce and remarriage,” ….


The Sadducees had no scriptural motivation with their view. (Acts 24:15)


Acts 24:15 (NKJV) 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.


They had plenty of motivation for the “here and now.”


They had plenty of motivation for the “here and now.”

Their reward was with men.

Question on social drinkingQuestion on social drinkingQuestion on social drinkingQuestion on social drinking

How do you answer those who say “wine is wine” and thus social drinking is fine for the Christian. Often they will use the example of Jesus turning water into wine.


How do you answer those who say “wine is wine” and thus social drinking is fine for the Christian. Often they will use the example of Jesus turning water into wine.

While the issue of social drinking and addiction are different but related issues, it is important to note that addiction has a start.


Over 70% of the people in this country drink.



Over 20 million are known alcoholics.



Over 20 million are known alcoholics. One out of seven who take their first drink

becomes an alcoholic.



Over 20 million are known alcoholics. One out of seven who take their first drink

becomes an alcoholic. What is the “strong” drink of the scriptures?

(Prov 20:1; 31:6)


Proverbs 20:1 (NKJV) - Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.


Proverbs 31:6 (NKJV) 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.


This is undiluted fermented grape juice. This is the equivalent of our modern day beer.


The typical use of wine both in the Old and New Testaments, involves a diluting of the grape juice with 3 to 5 parts water.


The typical use of wine both in the Old and New Testaments, involves a diluting of the grape juice with 3 to 5 parts water.

This process in fact acted as a purifying agent for the water. (1 Tim 5:23)


1 Timothy 5:23 (NKJV) 23No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.


There is no parallel with the common Bible wines and the modern social drink, except that of strong drink. This is everywhere condemned in the scripture.


There is no parallel with the common Bible wines and the modern social drink, except that of strong drink. This is everywhere condemned in the scripture.

There are different levels of drinking and they are all condemned. (1 Pt 4:3-4)


1 Peter 4:3-4 (NKJV) - For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.


Is drunkenness the only thing condemned? No! There is also “revelries, drinking parties.”



This denotes both the action of social intercourse and the kind of drinking itself!



This denotes both the action of social intercourse and the kind of drinking itself!

What other sins accompany the modern drink? (Gal 5:19-21)


Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV) - Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,


21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Question on Calvinism and electionQuestion on Calvinism and electionQuestion on Calvinism and electionQuestion on Calvinism and election

What role does the written word of God play to the Calvinist who believes God chooses individually who is lost or saved?


What role does the written word of God play to the Calvinist who believes God chooses individually who is lost or saved?

The Calvinist believes that word of God has no power at all unless the Holy Spirit operates directly upon the heart of the unbeliever. Without God’s action the word of God cannot work!


This makes God’s direct action responsible for who believes.


Does the Bible affirm this? (Mk 16:15-16; Rom 10:13-17)


Romans 10:13-17 (NKJV) - For “whoever calls on 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?


15And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.


It is hard to discuss this issue with one who believes that he has the perfect view while you cannot see even if you wanted to!



What does the Bible say? (Jn 7:17; Prov 2:1-5)



What does the Bible say? (Jn 7:17; Prov 2:1-5)

What did Jesus say? (Jn 5:41-44)

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Question on oaths n n Can a Christian take an oath without sinning in doing so?