Ecclesiastes 10 - Jan 5, 2014

Our Bible Study group begins meeting again on Sunday. Here’s a paragraph attempt at summarizing Ecclesiastes chapters 1-9. 

(1-2) All done “under the sun” is temporary, but God enables enjoyment of this temporary life. (3) There are lasting things “behind” what we see “under the sun.” The created world points to a grand Creator, who will settle all accounts in the end. (4) Don’t look for fulfillment in extremes. Laziness and work-a-holism both lead to ruin. (5)  Revere God. Money isn't the meaning of life. God alone can teach you to experience a fulfilling life. (6) In summary to this point… If God doesn't give a person the ability to enjoy what he has under the sun, all is utterly empty “under the sun.” (7) Seek the middle path which avoids extremes. Everyone’s a sinner. The wise aren't really all that wise. (8) Don’t let the prosperous wicked lead you to do evil. Seek the simple path of contentment. But know that the right way doesn't always lead to reward “under the sun.” Even the wisest cannot comprehend why things happen as they do “under the sun.” (9) Fate is not uniform and predictable. Yet living in an unpredictable world is better than being dead. Enjoy life, and go for the gusto! Death is coming…

Solomon has three chapters left to bring us to his ultimate insight on life, it’s meaning, and how to live it. Join us this Sunday in God’s Word. 

10am Bible Class and Sunday School
11am Worship
Un-decorating after worship. 

-Pastor Schaller

Ecclesiastes 8 - Wisdom and the Limits of Reason

Last Sunday our Bible Study group took a look at Ecclesiastes 7. Solomon has shifted from asking hard hitting questions about life and its meaning toward giving more direction and advice in the form of proverbs. Tomorrow we'll continue into chapter 8 where Solomon will continue to offer bits of wisdom, but will also bemoan the inability of even the wisest of people to comprehend why things happen as they do under the sun. Please join us in God's Word.

10am Bible Class (Kids have practice for the Christmas Eve service)
11am Worship 

-Pastor Schaller

Liturgical Worship - Sep 22, 2013

Last Sunday we learned about a worship format called, "Journey into the Holy of Holies". This particular format falls into the category of "Free Flowing Praise" style worship. This style is characterized by a large block of congregational singing at the beginning, which is followed by Scripture and a sermon.

This Sunday we'll be examining our own chosen format of worship - liturgical worship. Instead of a seamless, free flowing worship experience, liturgical worship consists of individual events strung together like beads on a necklace. Why do we stand and sit? Where do the responses come from? Introit? Gradual? Huh? Come learn what the pieces of liturgical worship mean.

10am Bible Class and Sunday School
11am Worship

-Pastor Schaller

Journey into the Holy of Holies - Sep 15, 2013

Last Sunday we learned about a popular worship format called, "Free Flowing Praise". In this format the worship leader uses carefully chosen songs (in one big block, joined seamlessly together) to bring the congregation through the following six phases. Invitation to worship, Engagement in worshiping God, Exaltation of God with stronger music, Adoration of God with a more personal tone, Intimacy with a quieter, more individual sense of communing with God, and a Closeout which leads the congregation out of intimacy and readies them for the next event in the service. The next event may be a sermon/message from the pastor after which the worship service is over.

This Sunday we're going to examine another worship format called, "The Journey into the Holy of Holies". The inspiration for this format is the Old Testament people of Israel making their way up to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple--going out of the hustle and bustle of the ordinary world, into the outer courts, and finally into the inner courts of the Temple.

Come join us to learn about different worship methods. Bible Study and Sunday School begin at 10am in the downstairs fellowship hall, with Worship at 11am.

-Pastor Caleb Schaller

Free Flowing Praise - Sept 8, 2013

Before we broke for the Summer, our Bible Study group was examining worship. We shared things that we consider beneficial about our current way of worshiping, as well as things that we don't. This Sunday our Bible Study starts up again with an examination of one form of worship very common in modern Churches - "Free Flowing Praise". 

To  DOWNLOAD a copy of today’s handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as". Older handouts are removed to conserve server space, but are available by request.

-Pastor Caleb Schaller

The Word Becomes a Light to Gentiles - Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Bible Class is studying "Acts". Luke wrote this book in chunks neatly organized by summary statements that come up every so often. This Sunday we'll be studying Acts 9:32-12:24, "The Word of the Lord Becomes a Light to the Gentiles". Notable stuff in this section: Peter preaches to a Roman Centurion, Paul and Barnabas set up a church in Syria, Herod gets  a divine beat-down, and we find out what tongue speaking was all about in the early church. Come be in the Word with us this Sunday at 10am. Be sure to read the section ahead of time since we won't be reading through it all in class.

-Pastor Schaller

Luke 20 - Jesus One, Enemies Zero

1-8 It seems that the religious authorities wanted Jesus to say He was from God. They could make this look bad, though it was true. "Look! He's crazy! He thinks he's from God!" Maybe they could also make Jesus seem dangerous to the Romans with these "incriminating" words from Jesus' mouth. Jesus turns it around on them. He asks them to identify the source of John's baptizing. God was the one who sent John to baptize - so God was the source. If they answered truthfully, they'd be speaking the same "incriminating" words they wanted to pin on Jesus! Not only that, they'd be condemning themselves since they hadn't accepted John's message and baptism. But if they said their real opinion, the "crazy" people would be enraged for they knew John was a prophet of God. The Scribes and elders weren't concerned with the truth, but only with using public opinion to accomplish their goals.

9-18 The prophets of God continually came to God's chosen nation and were rejected. Eventually God sent His Son, who was rejected as well - and murdered (see Matthew 23:29-36). God would soon take the Gospel from the rejecters and offer it to the Gentiles. Concerning Jesus, the Stone which the builders rejected - see Psalm 118:22 and Acts 4:11-12. The last line expresses the invincibility of Christ when attacked, and when He judges on the Last Day. Though rejected by the chosen nation of Israel, the Messiah would ultimately triumph.

19-26 The Jews knew what this coin's inscriptions said . On one side it said, “Tiberius, son of the god Augustus.” On the other, “Pontifex Maximus” (or high priest).See Exodus 20:1-6.Jesus deftly explains that you can honor the pagan emperor because his authority ultimately comes from God, while at the same refusing to give him the honor that belongs to God alone. Pay taxes to Rome, pay worship to God.

27-40 See Jesus' harsh reply in Matthew 22:29. The question was irrelevant because the next world doesn't will be different than this one (see Revelation 21:1 and following). With this one response Jesus slams the Sadducees rejection of angels, spirits and the resurrection. He also points out the source of their pitiful lack of knowledge. The Sadducees were poor theologians because they didn't know the Word of God as authoritative, nor did they believe God to have real power for their lives. Kinda like modern "churches" who dilute the Bible into a contemporary Aesop's fables only meant to teach morality through legends.

41-44 Jesus references Psalm 110:1. Luther says, "Here, as in nowhere else in the Old Testament Scriptures, we find a clear and powerful description of His person-who he is, namely, both David's promised Son according to the flesh and God's eternal Son" (Luther's Works 13:228, Cited by TLSB). The Jewish mind considered the father always of greater authority than the son who came from him. So, how could David's Son be greater than himself? David's Son was also His superior "Lord = Master" because He was also the divine Son of God.

45-47 After silencing His opponents, Jesus openly warns the people hearing Him: Don't be like the Bible scholars - who practiced their religion to gain prestige and authority, not in genuine worship of the true God and author of the Bible. See also Jesus' early warning to the people concerning the religious leaders in Matthew 5:20.

Luke 19 - Mar 4, 2012

Here's the texts and points we discussed today.

1-10 Son of Man came to rescue the lost.
11-27 Be trustworthy with whatever is entrusted you.(1)
28-40 Jesus is the Davidic King of 2 Samuel 7:12-13.(2)
41-44 Jerusalem was destroyed for rejecting the Messiah.(3)
45-48 The Temple was meant to be a spiritual sanctuary.

(1) This parable was used to counter the idea that the time of glory was immanent. (2) Zechariah 9:9. (3) This is the second time Jesus cleansed the Temple. For the cleansing that came at the beginning of Jesus' ministry see John 2:13-16.

Luke 18 - Feb 19, 2012

Here's a few points I found in Luke 18. Share your own. We got through verse 17 this Sunday. We'll continue next Sunday. Join us!

v1-8 Pray continually. Don’t give up on God.
v9-14 God opposes the proud but lifts up the humble.(1)
v15-17 People must receive the Kingdom of God like babies.(2)
v18-27 It is impossible for rich people to enter heaven.(3)
v28-30 Personal sacrifices don’t save a Christian, but they will be rewarded.(4)
v31-34 The suffering, death and resurrection of the Son of Man was foretold in the Old Testament, and pointed to by Jesus.(5)
v35-43 Spiritual and physical healing come through faith in Jesus.(6)

Footnotes: (1) 1 Peter 5:5-7 (2) Babies don’t earn. Everything they get is given to them. (3) Law mirror shows us our sin. It’s also impossible for the poor. God must open heaven and usher us in if we are to enter. (4) Colossians 3:23-24 (5) Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 (6) 2 Samuel 7:12-13 The Son of David = Descendant of David and Ruler of the Eternal Kingdom.

Luke 17

It helps me to crystallize the ideas of a section into one sentence (if possible). Below is what I came up with for Luke 17. We're got about half way through this chapter today. We'll take it up again next Sunday. Join us!

Luke 17

1-3a Death is preferable to causing someone to sin. (1)
3b-4 Rebuke sin. Respond to a change of heart with forgiveness. (2)
5-6 Faith is as powerful as that which it trusts in. (3)
7-9 Don’t expect cake and a party for doing your job. (4)
11-19 The fitting and faithful response to God’s grace is thanks and praise.
20-21 The reign of God begins in the heart.
22-24 Expect no secret return of Jesus – it will be obvious to all.
25 Jesus was rejected by His own generation.
26-30 The return of the Son of Man will be accompanied by destruction.
31-33 Have no regard for “stuff” on the Last Day.
34-36 No outward associations will matter on the last day.(5)

(1)Law. (2)Gospel. (3)Mt. 21:18 Peter asks if seven forgivenesses is enough… (4)In context: Don’t think yourself special for forgiving people. That’s your duty. (5)“Where too, Lord?” If this is the rapture, count me out.

Luke 16

Read Luke chapter 16 and think about the following take-away points this week. Compose a title for this chapter and share it during Bible Class next Sunday. Make the title catchy, and something that reminds you of the the chapter's main point.

Luke 16, Chapter Title__________________________________

1-9 Shrewdly use money to ensure your faith will grow.
10-11 Those irresponsible with earth riches won’t be trusted with heaven riches.*
12-13 Don’t use God to serve money. Use money to serve God.
14-15 What is exalted by man, is an abomination to God. **
16-17 The Gospel doesn’t void God’s law. It re-teaches God’s high standards and the steep price of the sinner’s salvation.
18 In an unscriptural divorce and remarriage, all parties are guilty of adultery.***
19-31 Miracles validate the message, but faith is created by the Word of God.

*This is God using the Law Mirror to shows our desperate need of the Savior!
**The Greek word for “abomination” comes from the idea of turning away from something because of the stench.
*** See Matthew 5:32.

The Gospel of Luke - Sep 12, 2010

We're just beginning a study of Luke's Gospel. Here's the rather "skeletal" notes I handed out before our study today. -Pastor Schaller

THE BOOK OF LUKE: background

The books of “Luke” and “Acts” indicate that they were written by the same individual. Early Christian sources tell us this individual was a man named Luke.

The writer of these books uses the terminology of a trained physician. One example is the phrase “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle”. Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25 both use the common word for needle, while Luke 18:25 uses the medical term.

The writer of Luke and Acts tends to record details that would be of particular interest to doctors. For example, he notes the length of time that people had been inflicted with their diseases (Acts 3:2, 9:33, 14:8). He also clearly distinguishes between cases of disease and demon possession (Acts 5:16, 19:12). One author points out (rather tongue in cheek) that in the case of the bleeding woman who was healed, Luke omits the detail that she had spent all her savings on doctors and yet had remained unhealed (Mark 5:26, Luke 8:46).

Before writing about Christ’s life, Luke consulted the testimony of eyewitnesses since he was not among Jesus’ first followers (Luke 1:1-4). From Colossians 4:11-15 we learn that Luke was a Gentile, a doctor, and a close friend of the apostle Paul.

In addition to writing the account of Paul’s missionary journeys, Luke also accompanied the apostle during parts of the second and third journeys. In his narrative, Luke indicates when he is with Paul by using “we” instead of “they”. On the basis of this evidence, Luke first joined Paul during his second missionary journey, at the city of Troas (Acts 16:10).

Luke was with Paul when he finally reached Rome at the end of Acts (Acts 28:16, Colossians 4:14, 18). Perhaps Luke wrote both his Gospel and Acts at this time, while his friend Paul awaited trial for two years.

Later, when Paul was imprisoned a second time at Rome, Luke alone remained with him (2 Timothy 4:11).

According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary…

· 17 of Christ’s parables are unique to Luke
· 7 miracles of Christ are unique to Luke
· The Old Testament is distinctly referenced 28 times

Judaism - Feb 14, 2010

Today our Sunday morning study group is examining what Judaism teaches. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to view or download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To VIEW the “Judaism” Bible Class handout, simply click here. To DOWNLOAD the “Judaism” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter 6 - Feb 7, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to view or download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To VIEW the “Daniel 6” Bible Class handout, simply click here.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 6” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter 5 - Jan 31, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning four our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 5” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Baptism - Jan 24, 2010

We know that Baptism is not something needed “in addition to” faith in Jesus in order for a person to be saved. So, what is Baptism?

Pieper says “Like the word of the Gospel, Baptism is a means imparting the remission of sins, for Scripture declares Baptism is to be used for the remission of sins…” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.264). In support of his statement, Pieper quotes the following passages.

Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
38Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16
16And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Ephesians 5:26
26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

Titus 3:4-7
4But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 3:21
21There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Some have said that if Baptism is a medium through which the forgiveness won by Christ is given, why are adults who already believe baptized? The answer is this, the creating and strengthening of faith is accomplished by God, through word of the Gospel and through “water and the Word”.

We do not believe that Baptism saves apart from faith in Christ. What we believe is that Baptism is a medium through which this faith is created or strengthened.

It is beyond argument that baptism is “for the remission of sins”. It does not replace the Gospel message but is to be practiced with it. This fact is clear in Christ’s great commission,

Matthew 28:19-20
19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In a similar way, the Lord’s Supper does not replace the simple Gospel message, but is to be use with the simple Gospel.

In still other passages Baptism is shown to be more than a symbolic gesture.

1 Corinthians 12:13-15
12For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14For in fact the body is not one member but many.

Luther says it plainly, as Pieper quotes,

“The question solely is (a) whether God has commanded Baptism with water, (b) attached to it His promise of the remission of sins, and (c) thus made it a medium of the forgiveness of sins and a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.268).

Baptism saves the sinner, but not apart from faith in Christ.

INFANT BAPTISM

The Scripture clearly speaks of adults being baptized, and these adults who have come to faith in Christ already. So what of infant baptism? Does Christ command this?

First of all, we know that all infants are born sinful.

Psalm 53:5
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Secondly, we know that infants can believe. Christ blessed the little children and even infants that were brought to Him.

Mark 10:13-16
13Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Luke 18:15
15Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

(Concerning the Greek word “Brephos” which is translated “infants” in the above passage. Luke 1:41, 1:44, 2:12, and 2:16 all use this same Greek word to refer to unborn children. 1 Peter 2:2 uses this word to describe children who desire milk. Acts 7:19 use the word for the newborns that Pharaoh instructed the midwives of Egypt to kill immediately upon recognition that they were boys. In 2 Timothy 3:15 Paul reminds Timothy that he has “known the Holy Scriptures” since he was a “Brephos”.)

Thirdly, Baptism is called the “circumcision of Christ” and a “putting off the body of the sins of the flesh”. The baptized are said to be “buried with Him in baptism” and raised “with Him through faith”. Thus Baptism connects one to Christ. Through it the Christian is buried and then raised to spiritual life with Christ.

Colossians 2:11-12
11In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

This connection to circumcision is significant. In the Old Testament it is infants who were circumcised (though at times also adults).

To this we also add that although Jesus does not specifically mention infants in His great commission, He also in no way ruled them out.

Matthew 28:19-20
19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In connection with this passage, we make it clear to parents desiring baptism for their newborn children that baptism is not a magical seal which then ensures a child will enter heaven. Just as any seed that is planted must be watered and cared for, so also baptized infants must also be raise to know Christ. Their faith must be nourished through childhood by continual feeding with God’s word, and the Gospel of Christ specifically.

“‘We shall therefore always be surer of fulfilling Jesus’ will if we receive the children by Baptism into the communion of the Christian Church than if we do not. Also the primitive Church, as we learn from Tertullian, had the custom of Baptizing the children, a thing they would not have done if the Apostles had denied Baptism to the children’(Dom. D. ev. Luth. K. II, 649 ff.)” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.278).

Surely we don’t want to look only to the practices of past Christians to establish a teaching. However, it is one more thing that points to the validity of infant Baptism.

One might question the sureness of an infant’s salvation. Does Baptism guarantee that an infant has saving faith in Christ Jesus? We point to the command of God: do this with water. We point to the promise if God: this is a medium of forgiveness. We point lastly to the love of God,

Ezekiel 33:11
…As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked…

1 Timothy 2:3-4
3For 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.

So, we simply baptize infants and leave it in God’s hands. Our confident that once this “water and the Word” is applied we have nothing to fear for this infant is solely based on a faith in God. He cleanses sinners through the medium of Baptism.

Ephesians 5:25-27
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

For absolute clarity concerning baptism and communion, we offer the following statement:

“Simply put, though: Jesus earned the forgiveness of sins on the cross once for all – the Means of Grace deliver it. The Bible itself does not save (it’s paper and ink), but it delivers Jesus and forgiveness of sins to me. Water of itself does not save, but with the Word in baptism it delivers Jesus and forgiveness of sins to me. Bread and wine of themselves do not save, but with the Word they deliver Jesus and the forgiveness of sins to me.

For forgiveness, life and salvation, we need Jesus. Here is where you will find Him” (Pastor Bruce Naumann).

Daniel Chapter 4 - Jan 10, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 4” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter 3 - Dec 6, 2009

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning four our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 3” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter I-II, Nov 22, 2009

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning four our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 1-2” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Tattoos and the Bible, Nov 1, 2009

Tattooing is putting ink into the skin in order to create a permanent mark. Historically this has been done for many reasons. These reasons range nearly as wide as the human imagination. Some have claimed tattoos create a connection between them and the spiritual world. Others regard them as mere bodily decoration. So what does the Bible say about tattoos?

The Bible says almost nothing directly about tattoos. A Hebrew phrase which might refer to a “tattoo” is found in Leviticus 19:28. A Greek word which definitely can be used to refer to a tattoo is found in Galatians 6:17. These are the only verses in the Bible, of which I am aware, which directly speak about tattoos. Lets look at them both in more detail.

Leviticus 19:29

“28You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord” Leviticus 19:28 (NKJV).

A more word-for-word translation of this passage would read:

“…and a mark cut not ye shall put on yourselves. I am Jehovah” (personal translation).

The word translated “mark” is quite common. It’s the noun used for any impression, inscription, or a mark that might be made. The word translated “cut” is a bit harder to define. It is used only here in the Old Testament. It is believed to come from a root word meaning “to cut off”.

Galatians 6:17

“12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:12-17 NIV).

The word that is here translated “marks” refers to a “mark or brand” . In the Graeco-Roman world this was usually not a good thing. See the following:

“People who are branded, e.g., criminals, prisoners of war, slaves, or deserters, are usually regarded as dishonored and are a butt of scorn in comedy. Caligula even has some citizens branded and sent to prison camps. Various devices are tried to remove the brands but without much success. Tattooed signs are placed on army recruits, usually on the hand” (Theological dictionary of the New Testament).

Nobody actually thinks Paul is referring to a religious ink tattoo in Galatians 6:17. Most believe Paul is referring to scars he has received because of his faithful preaching of the Good News of Jesus Christ. These he holds up as the “ownership marks” of Christ, his master, as opposed to the Judaizer’s cherished mark – circumcision.

In Leviticus and in Galatians, no ink is mentioned. Nor does it matter for our study here. The point is that a mark is created. It makes no difference whether that mark is visible because of ink or because of scar tissue.

The Freedom of the New Testament Era

“16So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV).

“11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean”” (Acts 10:9-15 NIV).

In the Old Testament, God gave the nation of Israel three types of Law. Ceremonial Law, how they were to worship Him. Civic Law, how the nation was to be governed and Moral Law, how God wanted them to treat Him and each other.

Many of the Old Testament laws were specifically intended to set the Israelites apart from neighboring pagan nations (see Deuteronomy 14:21). The great heaping up of laws to keep was also intended to show the Israelite people how sinful they were, and how desperately they needed the promised Messiah.

After the Messiah came, God made it clear through his apostles that many of these Old Testament laws had served their purpose and no longer needed to be carried out by the followers of God.

Generally speaking Old Testament Ceremonial Laws and Civic Laws no longer apply to the followers of God. The Moral Law, however, stands forever as God’s will for mankind. The moral law is generally summarized in the Ten Commandments (But even there, in the third commandment, we find a specific worship law given to the Jews about the Sabbath day).

Is the command given in Leviticus 19:28 one of the prohibitions meant to set the Israelites apart, or was intended to apply to all people of all time? Is this command part of the Ceremonial Law, the Civic Law, or the Moral Law? Let’s look at the context. Read through the chapter and identify each command as either:

· Civic Law
· Ceremonial Law
· Moral Law (Also identify which commandment it fits under)

Surrounding Practices: A Closer Look

“27You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 28You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:27-28 NKJV).

Some culturally different practices are mentioned here.

· Shaving the sides of the head and “trimming” the beard
· Cutting your own flesh for the dead

Both of these were done in connection with mourning for the dead.

“10 I will turn your religious feasts into mourning
and all your singing into weeping.
I will make all of you wear sackcloth
and shave your heads.
I will make that time like mourning for an only son
and the end of it like a bitter day” (Amos 8:10 NIV).

“4The day after Gedaliah’s assassination, before anyone knew about it, 5eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh and Samaria, bringing grain offerings and incense with them to the house of the LORD” (Jeremiah 41:4-5 NIV).

Whatever motivated these men to cut themselves, we know that the priests of Baal did it in order to get the attention or the good favor of their god.

“27And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." 28And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them” (2 Kings 18: 27-28 ESV).

Regardless of the customs of other nations the Israelites were not to do these things. They were to be different than the other nations, for they were His nation from which the Messiah would come.

“1“You are the children of the Lord your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave the front of your head for the dead. 2For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:1-2 NKJV).

“5“‘Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the edges of their beards or cut their bodies. 6They must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the offerings made to the LORD by fire, the food of their God, they are to be holy.
7“‘They must not marry women defiled by prostitution or divorced from their husbands, because priests are holy to their God. 8Regard them as holy, because they offer up the food of your God. Consider them holy, because I the LORD am holy—I who make you holy” (Leviticus 21:5-8 NIV).

Back to Tattoos

1 Corinthians 6:19 speaks of the moral crime of uniting one’s body with a prostitute and puts and exclamation point on the argument since the body is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Paul calls it the “Temple” of God.

“12“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:12-20 NIV).

“16Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

The main focus of the Scripture is to build Christians up in faith and train them in righteousness. Proper care of the human body is part of Christian life. It enables us to do His work. It is proper stewardship of God’s gift of a body.

However, Paul’s point in calling the body the “Temple of God” is that the Holy Spirit it there, not that we are being called to hit our target weight and increase our flexibility.

“6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
11Command and teach these things. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4: NIV).

It’s not hard to see Paul’s focus is more squarely placed on spiritual growth and maturity, not physical.

1 Corinthians 9:27 reminds us that the body is also in need of discipline (same word for “body” is used. “Soma”).

“24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV).

CONCLUSIONS:

A Christian who wants to get a tattoo may ask the question, “What does the Bible say about tattoos? Does the Bible say that getting a tattoo is morally wrong?”

· For an Old Testament Jew – it was wrong to get tattooed. It made a mark in the flesh, a thing which God told them not to do (Leviticus 19:28).

· The Old Testament prohibition against marking the flesh was part of the law that set the Israelites apart from other nations, not part of the moral law which is permanent.

· The prohibition against marking the body has not been reiterated in the New Testament. Therefore, for the New Testament Christian – getting a tattoo is not prohibited.

So, if tattoos are not inherently evil, I should get a tattoo? Maybe, maybe not.

Author Lorne Zelyck lists a number of compelling questions that a Christian might consider before getting a tattoo.

“1. What is your motivation for getting a tattoo? If you got a tattoo, would it violate your conscience or the conscience of your family members, friends, and fellow believers in Christ? Would this tattoo be considered by others as aesthetically pleasing? Is it legal in your state and at your age to be tattooed?”

2. Could this tattoo permanently harm your body? Is the tattoo parlor you go too certified? Is it clean? Have you seen other tattoos which your artist has done? How long have you thought about getting this particular symbol? Are you prepared to have this symbol marked on your body permanently? Are you addicted to tattoos? Are you able to not get the tattoo?

3. What will your parents think of your tattoo? If you are married, what would your spouse think? What would your fellow church members think? Is your tattoo auspicious? Are you able to cover it up? How will you feel about your tattoo in 10 years? 50 years? Will this tattoo hinder future relationships? Will this tattoo prevent you from getting a job in the future? Will this tattoo prevent you from accomplishing God’s will for your life?

4. What is the meaning of your tattoo? Does it symbolize a Biblical truth? Would God be honored by this tattoo? Does this tattoo symbolize something which is relevant to your relationship with Christ? Would this tattoo benefit or hinder your relationship with Christ?” (“The (Im)Morality of Tattoos”, by Lorne Zelyck).

“23“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV).