Join Mike Winger, a renowned theologian known for his insights on biblical interpretations, as he tackles some thought-provoking questions. He discusses when believers should abstain from communion, tackling the significance of intention over personal worthiness. Winger also explores the complexities of false prophets, dissolving misconceptions around their divine claims. He delves into whether Jesus inherited a sin nature and ponders the enigmatic presence of animal sacrifices in the Millennial Kingdom. A compelling blend of theology and practical faith!
Believers should approach communion with the right attitude of reverence, focusing on honoring Christ rather than their perceived worthiness.
Ongoing struggles with sin shouldn't prevent believers from participating in communion, which serves as a reminder of God's grace and forgiveness.
Concerns about false prophecies highlight the need for spiritual discernment and alignment with biblical teachings within church leadership.
Integrating psychological insights with biblical principles is crucial for Christian counseling, ensuring emotional healing is supported by scriptural truths.
Deep dives
Understanding Communion and Worthiness
Believers often question their worthiness to partake in communion, particularly when struggling with ongoing sin. This certain passage from 1 Corinthians emphasizes that the focus should not be on whether or not to take communion, but rather on how to partake in it correctly. The expectation is that all believers are encouraged to consistently engage in communion, approaching it with the right attitude of reverence and surrender to God. It is essential to recognize that partaking is not about one's righteousness but about honoring the significance of the act and acknowledging reliance on God's grace.
Communion Practices Across Traditions
Different religious traditions have varying approaches to communion. For instance, Jehovah's Witnesses limit communion to a select group, indicating that only a chosen few may partake, which does not align with biblical teachings about communion being accessible to all believers. In Roman Catholicism, there have been historical practices, such as withholding the cup from congregants, showing an evolution in understanding the necessity of both elements of communion. Overall, the underlying principle is that all believers should participate appropriately while upholding the sanctity of the ritual.
The Manner of Partaking in Communion
1 Corinthians presents that a genuine attitude is crucial when believers approach communion. Rather than questioning their right to participate, individuals should examine their approach, ensuring they engage with honor and respect for the body of Christ. The passage highlights that recognizing the significance of communion fosters unity among believers and deepens their understanding of Christ's love. Thus, the call is for self-examination to cultivate a heart willing to submit to God during the sacrament.
The Joy and Hope in Communion
For many, communion may evoke feelings of guilt surrounding past sins; however, it can also be an opportunity to celebrate forgiveness and unity within the body of Christ. When celebrating communion, believers should focus on the joy of being part of a loving community united in Christ rather than solely reflecting on their shortcomings. Emphasizing that Christ's sacrifice provides forgiveness and reconciliation encourages participants to approach communion with gratitude and hope. Ultimately, communion serves as a reminder of the believers' identity as part of Christ’s eternal family.
Clarifying the Role of Prophecy in the Church
Concerns often arise when a pastor claims frequent prophecies that seem inaccurate or vague; this raises questions about the legitimacy of spiritual authority. The reality is that individuals, including leaders, may struggle with understanding genuine spiritual experiences while transmitting them incorrectly or with personal biases. If such inaccuracies persist without correction, it may indicate a problematic church culture where false teachings go unchecked. In this context, it may be prudent to assess the spiritual direction of the church and seek clarity through consistent biblical teachings.
The Importance of Scripture in Counseling
When counseling, it is vital to integrate both psychological insights and biblical principles, acknowledging the strengths and limitations of both approaches. While psychology can provide beneficial information regarding human behavior, it must be rooted in a biblical understanding of sin, grace, and redemption. Therefore, it is essential for Christian counselors to emphasize scriptural truths as the foundation for addressing emotional and spiritual challenges. Balancing psychological insights with the transformative power of Scripture fosters comprehensive healing and guidance.
The Nature of Worship in the Trinity
Worship practices concerning the Holy Spirit often lead to discussions about the nature of worship directed toward the Trinity. While the New Testament does not explicitly instruct worship of the Holy Spirit as frequently as the Father or Son, it does not prohibit such worship either. This raises the question of balance in worship; while focusing on Jesus and God the Father, believers may also acknowledge the Holy Spirit's role in their lives. Ultimately, recognizing the distinct persons of the Trinity while also embracing their unity can lead to a fuller understanding of worship.
0:15 {When Should I NOT Take Communion?} When should a believer NOT take communion? Is finding myself repenting of the same sin over and over and having an ongoing struggle with the same sin a reason not to?
18:56 {Can A False Prophet Glorify God?} My parents sit under a pastor who claims to have a prophecy from God almost weekly. He preaches in Jesus’ name and glorifies God, but his prophecies are always totally wrong or incredibly vague. Can a man who glorifies God also prophesy falsely?
24:09 {Christ & H.S. In Us = Modalism?} At the end of Colossians, it talks about Christ in us, and in Galatians, it talks about the Spirit of His son in our hearts crying out “Abba, Father.” That sounds like the Holy Spirit, but is it Modalism to call Christ in you the Holy Spirit?
27:57 {Animal Sacrifices in Millen. Kingdom?} Why will there be animal sacrifices in the Millennial Kingdom?
35:25 {Should Slaves have Run Away from Masters?} In light of Ephesians 6:5-8 and Colossians 3:22-23, was it wrong for African slaves to run away from their masters?
42:48 {Do Our Prayers Need to be Specific?} People have been saying with increasing frequency, "Make your prayers specific.” I’m wondering why I keep hearing this lately. Is this biblical?
46:40 {Did Jesus Have a Sin Nature?} Was Jesus the biological son of Mary? If so, how did He not inherit a sin nature?
50:49 {Does Heaven Last for Eternity?} Do we live in Heaven for eternity, or will it be a finite time period (Isaiah 65:20)?
54:50 {Share Our Burdens?} Galatians 6:2 says to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ, but verse 5 says that each person should carry their own load. Should we share our burdens or carry our own?
59:13 {Reject the Church = Reject Christianity?} If I reject the Church as an institution, do I automatically reject the Christian faith?
1:02:00 {Committed Relationships as Good as Marriage?} How would you answer claims that “committed sexual relationships” have everything good that a marriage has? What’s the essence of marriage that withstands infertility/impotence/distance, etc.?
1:06:09 {Recovering from Works Based Thinking} I left the Hebrew Israelite movement 3 years ago, and since then, I’ve been struggling with my walk. I know we have God’s grace, but I was so used to doing works that I feel lost now. Any suggestions?
1:11:05 {Laws, Islam & Executing Apostates} Looking at Deuteronomy 13:6-10, is the apostasy law similar to Muslims? And is it inherently immoral for an apostate to be put to death because of their beliefs, according to the Old Testament?
1:16:48 {Was Jesus’ Body Broken For Us?} What are your thoughts on when people say “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.” To me, this is not accurate, as Jesus was not “broken” for us (no bones broken like the Passover lamb).
1:18:54 {Are Non-Believers Always Wrong? { Some Christians act like non-believers are inherently untrustworthy or dishonest, like they shouldn't be taken seriously. This feels really wrong. Can you please help me find biblical teaching on this?
1:23:01 {Our Bodies during the Millennial Reign} What kind of body will each "group" of people have during the Millennial Reign? I know the previously dead will receive knew bodies, and those that die in God during the Tribulation will get new bodies.
1:24:17 {The “Prize” in Philippians} What is the prize of the upward call" in Philippians 3:14?
1:27:56 {Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family} Is it wrong that I don’t want to raise my son around my unbelieving family members? They can even be hostile to the faith. I even have a transgender niece, and my wife and I don’t want our son around that.
1:30:49 {Praising the Holy Spirit?} A friend said that Scripture never calls us to praise the Holy Spirit despite numerous worship songs and the Doxology saying otherwise. Is he wrong? Should we only worship the Father and the Son?
1:33:36 {The Bible Harmonized w/Psychology?} How do we harmonize the Bible and psychology? I have some leaders that try to diagnose people’s sin through the lens of psychology and not Scripture (things like compulsive lying, laziness, etc.).
