William Andrew Dillard
Apostasy
simply means the losing of one’s salvation. It is the
multiple-emphasized declaration of the Holy Word that salvation is
everlasting. Still some have trouble with such passages as Matthew
5:22, “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother
without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever
shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council:
but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell
fire.”
It is important to establish context. Verse one of the
chapter set it. It is the inaugural message of Jesus to His newly
called out church. The burden of the message is the difference
between the Old Covenant and the New one. As He spoke about personal
relationships, this verse that is problematic to some is spoken. The
idea of judgment is not a problem; the idea of the council is not a
problem, but to be put in danger of hell fire for using the label
“fool” to a brother is a problem that few know how to understand.
The exposition of its meaning is herewith offered as true and
harmonious with the non-contradictory nature of the Holy Word.
The
problematic terminology is “in danger of hell fire.” A survey of
original language of the scriptures shows this “hell fire” to be
an English translation of the Greek word, “Gehenna.” The hell
fire to which unbelievers,,the devil, and his minions will be
assigned is “Hades, hell” in the Koine Greek of the New
Testament. It is a place that born again people can never experience
on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.
On the other hand,
“Gehenna” is the name of the city dump of Jerusalem. In it were
discarded all things of no intrinsic value to be consumed by
fire.
If one can say to his brother (spiritual brother in
Christ; remember the context) you are a fool; a moron for living as
you do in/for Him, then it is open proof that the value system of
life of the one so saying is so far afield from God and the teachings
of Holy Writ that such life will be lost in the judgment fires of God
when ALL His people stand before Him, 2 Cor. 5:10. The apostle Paul
taught in I Cor. 3:9-16 that all the words and deeds of life would be
as six categories: wood, hay stubble, gold, silver, precious stones.
All will be tried in judgment fire. Of course, wood, hay, stubble are
consumed. And, there are some who will be saved, yet so as by fire.
They will be without reward of life lived on earth. The judgment of a
fellow brother in Christ as a moron is herewith underscored as wood,
hay, stubble, and not the life that will be rewarded. That in itself
is a catastrophe no believer should have, but it is a far cry from
apostasy.
Excellent! Love these short powerful
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Yes. he does such a good thoughtful job.
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