RLJ-902

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL ADULTERY?
PART 1

John S. Torell

December 7, 2003

The New Testament is teaching that the relationship between Christ and his disciples is like a marriage. Jesus Christ is the Groom and the saved people are called the Bride of Christ. Revelation 19:1-9

Beginning with the early church as Jesus set it up, marriage was to be a sacred union between one man and one woman, and both of them were to be faithful to each other and not commit adultery. Matthew 5:27-32; 19:3-12

For the last 1900 years in Christian circles it has been the accepted truth, that once a man married a woman, neither one of them could no longer run around with other men and women. From generation to generation this was passed on from parents to children. During the last 100 years, this great moral has been attacked and slowly eroded until divorce is now the norm for more than 60 % of married couples. Those who are married for a second time have a larger divorce rate yet. Movies, television shows and books are being produced in which men and women are unfaithful to their spouses. The teaching is that this is not "a big deal," after all, what’s wrong with" a little variety?"

Somehow the understanding that Christians are supposed to be faithful to God and his son Jesus Christ simply is not part of the thinking of most Christians!

When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the nation of Israel, God stated strongly in what is the First Commandment, that God will not tolerate spiritual adultery. Exodus 20:1-6

The apostle James does not hold back, friendship with the world means you are an enemy of God - James 4:1-5

God rejected the offering of Cain - Genesis 4:1-7

God did not only reject the offering of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, but he killed them and told Aaron and his family not even to mourn them, if they wanted to live themselves. Leviticus 10:1-6

The apostle Peter calls for holiness - I Peter 1:12-17

We must understand that it took some 65 years to set up the New Testament Church, the Body of Christ. Jesus was crucified and then resurrected when he was 33.5 years old. His apostles lived on earth for an additional time of around 65 years, some dying early and others dying later. John was the last to leave this earth when he was in his late 90's.

The first large conflict in the New Testament Church broke out in Antioch, when certain teachers from Jerusalem came, and told the Gentiles had to be not only born again, but also circumcised. The conflict was solved in Jerusalem. Here is how that discussion took place:

1. Was salvation from works or by grace - Acts 15:1-11
2. The Apostles discussed the issue - verses 12-21
3. The result was written down - verses 22-30

A doctrine was now given, having three points:

1. Eat nothing dedicated to idols
2. Don’t eat blood and strangled animals
3. Don’t fornicate

At this time the thinking and understanding of the apostles was that the return of Jesus was imminent and that he would come back in their life time. Thus, they were not interested in building for the future, just get as many people saved as possible before Jesus came back.

As the apostles grew older, the Holy Spirit moved upon them, that they needed to set up a solid doctrine that was going to be used for generations to come. None of the apostles could have dreamed that the church was going to last for some 1900 years after their death.

Some five years after the Jerusalem conference, Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans, around 52-53 AD. The three point doctrine to the Gentiles was now upgraded to the same standard as for born again Jews - Romans 3:20-31

Look at the date on the following epistles:

I Corinthians - 54 AD
II Corinthians - 55 AD
Galatians - 57 AD
Ephesians - 61-63 AD
Philippians - 61 AD
Colossians - 60 AD
I and II Thessalonians - 52-53 AD
I Timothy - 63-67
II Timothy - 67-68 AD
Titus - 65 AD
Philemon - 61-62 AD
Hebrews 67-69
James 62 AD
I Peter 65 AD
II Peter- 66-67
I John - 90 AD
II and III John 95-100 AD
Revelation - 95-96 AD

This information should not shake any Christian. Before his crucifixion Jesus told the apostles that there were more knowledge to come, but only after his resurrection and ascension to heaven. John 16:1-16

Christianity is a very narrow belief system, set up by God the Father himself, stating that only through his only begotten Son can man be saved and receive eternal life in heaven! It sets Christianity in conflict with all religions that the Devil has created on this earth! Here is what Jesus said: John 6:44 and 65; John 14:6 And here is what Peter told the Jewish leadership - Acts 4:1-22

To be continued...

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