There is a question always looming over the head of Christian folks on whether or not Tattoos are permitted. I am sure that you have encountered someone who claims to be a Christian and has a Tattoo. I know that I am one of them. As a Christian I have tattoos. None of the tattoos I received was while I was a believer but rather living in sin. When I became a Christian it did not take a study in the scriptures to know that Tattoos were frowned upon. I remember when I came across a new believer who felt that a Tattoo of a Cross on his back was a form of honoring God. Even though the design looked nice there was something that just not go well with me.
So what does God say about Tattoos? Can a Christian have a Tattoo? Is it a sin to have a Tattoo? Would God send you to Hell for having a Tattoo?
I would like to answer the last question first. Even though there are a lot of things that you can do that may not send you to Hell, it should not be permitted.
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Just because it may not send me to Hell it does not mean I should do it. Even in this scripture the reference has to do with being a good witness. Which allows me now to answer the next question. Can a Christian have a Tattoo?
We are called to be good witnesses of Christ. We are to stand as representatives of God's Kingdom. Even though in this time of age a Tattoo is an accepted NORM it represents the world. A person who has a Tattoo is usually someone who is represented as worldly. Of course there is some exceptions but they are very few in between. If you have a Tattoo, ask yourself, why did I get this Tattoo? What is the meaning of the Tattoo? Why did I feel like I had to have this Tattoo? Much of the answer is Pride. It looked nice. I felt hip. It made me feel a little better. It makes me look tough. Many other answers are followed. If one of them were I wanted to honor God, then I can assure you that the person who got the Tattoo for that reason did not ask God what he thought. This brings us to the last question. Is a Tattoo a Sin?
Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
In the text above it is very plain that a Tattoo is a Mark Printed on you. So the answer is YES. Tattoos are a sin. They are disobeying the will of God. God does not intend for believers to have anything on them printed, marked or pierced that represents the World.
For the sake of exegisis, I would like to exegite this text further so that you may understand the deeper truth of it.
The word PRINT in the Hebrew is
"nâthan"
A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.):
The word MARK is
"kethôbeth"
keth-o'-beth
From H3789; a letter or other mark branded on the skin:
The purest form of this text is just that you shall not have a letter or mark branded on the skin.
Tattoos are forbidden by God. They do not honor God nor is God pleases when a Christian gets one.
As Christians we are called to a higher calling. A life for God and in God. To present our Bodies a living sacrifice. This means that our Bodies, our Skin, our Life belongs to God not us. We are to represent Him. Tattoos do none of that.
If you are a Christian and you received a tattoo as a believer you must repent. Ask God to forgive you for your ignorance to His Law. Ask him to cleanse you and that you will not show pride or be proud of the Tattoo but rather it will be looked at as immaturity and fleshly. When people ask about it you will use it as a Testimony of how you thought it was alright but it is not. That the only cutting of the flesh and marking of the flesh that Christ wants is that of the heart. God will lead you.
In Christ Name.
Pastor Michael Salman
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Is There a Rapture. New Study New Insight!!
Does the bible teach that there is a Rapture?
There are churches and so many that teach on this doctrine called the Rapture. The purpose of the doctrrie of the Rapture is based on the premise that God will not allow His beleivers to enter a time of tribulation and judgement on the earth. That prior to the great tribulation the Lord shall Rapture the believers and take them to heaven. The most famous of all texts used to prove the Rapture is found in 1 Thessolonians 4:16-18 which reads the following:
1Thessolonians 4:16-18
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Is this scripture really evidence of the Rapture? If we examine this scripture a little closer you will find a few key words and phrases that truly indicate what this event is.
1) The Lord Himself Shall Descend.
2) With a voice of the Arch-Angel.
3) With the Trumpet of God.
4) The Dead in Christ shall Rise First.
5) Then we who are Alive and Remain shall be Caught up to be with the Lord.
Now let us look at other scripture that pertains to the resurrection. It is important to note that the event of the Resurrection as all agree occurs at the end of the tribulation where the Rapture is before the tribulation.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
(51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
(52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Now after reading this we come up with these key phrases:
1) We will not all sleep (WHICH MEANS DIE) but we will all be changed.
2) In a twinkling of an eye, at the Last Trumpet.
3) The dead shall be raised.
In this text we can see such similiar factors found in 1 Thessolonians 4:16-18
1) When this event occurs there will be both Dead and Alive Christians who are resurrected.
2) There is a Trumpet, now this indicates not just any trumpet but at the LAST TRUMPET.
Some argue that this event is different than the Thessolonian Event. So before we come to a conclusion let us look at other scripture indicating the resurrection.
Revelation 11:15
(15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
......
......
Revelation 11:18
(18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Now let us look at some of the factors in this scripture:
1) The Seventh Angel Sounded this is the Seventh Trumpet (The LAST TRUMPET)
2) The Saints are resurrected for Reward and the Sinners are Judged.
It is plain that these scriptures have so many similiarites as those found in 1 Thessolonians when it pertains to the when the Saints are resurrected. So lets take a look at other scripture.
Matthew 24:29-31
(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
(30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
There is no greater evidence found in scripture than that found in the words of Jesus on the Resurrection.
1) Immedeitly After the Tribulation.
2) The Lord himself Descends on a cloud.
3) With the angels.
4) Sound of a great trumpet.
5) Then he shall gather the elect.
The words of Jesus in Matthew 24 and the words spoken by Paul in 1 Thessolonians on an event are identical. Except for the fact that Jesus states this will happen at the End of teh Tribluation and preachers and other teachers say it will happen at the beginning of the tribulation. So who do you believe???
To review we see the following.
1) A trumpet sound.
2) Angels
3) Jesus on the Cloud
4) The resurrection of dead believers
5) The resurrection or Rapture of alive believers.
6) At the Last Trumpet
7) At the end of the Tribulation.
So that settles it. The bible never teachs that Christians will be RAPTURED but rather resurrected at the end. What???? Still not convinced Alright lets look at this. In the first letter to the Thessolonians Paul writes on us being with the Lord and that it should be a comfort knowing the Lord shall unite us with Him and those who preceeded us. Now in his second letter he writes this:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5
(1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
(2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
(3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
(4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
(5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
He reminds them that the event of us being gathered will not happen until:
1) Christians Turn away from the faith.
2) The Anti-Christ sits in the temple and claims himself to be God.
In the Tirbulation Time Line. These events occur when the tribulation had already begun and in one case when the Tribulation is already in the 3.5 year mark. Jesus tells us the same:
Matthew 24:12-15
(12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
(13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
O.K. There. WHAT???? You need more. Fine. Lets now reason further. Why should there be a Rapture? Many will say the Rapture:
1) Is So that Christians do not suffer through the Tribulation.
2) Because Christians were not appointed to go through the tribulation.
Alright just by thinking about this we must ask ourselves:
1) Paul Peter and many of the Apostles and Christians suffered the greatest of all tribulation for 300 years. Were they appointed to die and be tortured while we are not?
2) If Christians are raptured so that they do not have to go through the tribulation and suffer, then why in 1 Thessolonians 4:16-18 are those who already died resurrected also. Can a dead man go through the tribulation also?
Folks it is so evident that the Rapture prior to the Tribulation is not a doctrine which any of the apostles or Christ himself taught. Rather to endure through suffering and to be strong during times of struggles looking to the end is what was taught.
For more information contact me at www.HCFAZ.org
Pastor Michael Salman
Harvest Christian Fellowship
There are churches and so many that teach on this doctrine called the Rapture. The purpose of the doctrrie of the Rapture is based on the premise that God will not allow His beleivers to enter a time of tribulation and judgement on the earth. That prior to the great tribulation the Lord shall Rapture the believers and take them to heaven. The most famous of all texts used to prove the Rapture is found in 1 Thessolonians 4:16-18 which reads the following:
1Thessolonians 4:16-18
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Is this scripture really evidence of the Rapture? If we examine this scripture a little closer you will find a few key words and phrases that truly indicate what this event is.
1) The Lord Himself Shall Descend.
2) With a voice of the Arch-Angel.
3) With the Trumpet of God.
4) The Dead in Christ shall Rise First.
5) Then we who are Alive and Remain shall be Caught up to be with the Lord.
Now let us look at other scripture that pertains to the resurrection. It is important to note that the event of the Resurrection as all agree occurs at the end of the tribulation where the Rapture is before the tribulation.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
(51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
(52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Now after reading this we come up with these key phrases:
1) We will not all sleep (WHICH MEANS DIE) but we will all be changed.
2) In a twinkling of an eye, at the Last Trumpet.
3) The dead shall be raised.
In this text we can see such similiar factors found in 1 Thessolonians 4:16-18
1) When this event occurs there will be both Dead and Alive Christians who are resurrected.
2) There is a Trumpet, now this indicates not just any trumpet but at the LAST TRUMPET.
Some argue that this event is different than the Thessolonian Event. So before we come to a conclusion let us look at other scripture indicating the resurrection.
Revelation 11:15
(15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
......
......
Revelation 11:18
(18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Now let us look at some of the factors in this scripture:
1) The Seventh Angel Sounded this is the Seventh Trumpet (The LAST TRUMPET)
2) The Saints are resurrected for Reward and the Sinners are Judged.
It is plain that these scriptures have so many similiarites as those found in 1 Thessolonians when it pertains to the when the Saints are resurrected. So lets take a look at other scripture.
Matthew 24:29-31
(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
(30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
There is no greater evidence found in scripture than that found in the words of Jesus on the Resurrection.
1) Immedeitly After the Tribulation.
2) The Lord himself Descends on a cloud.
3) With the angels.
4) Sound of a great trumpet.
5) Then he shall gather the elect.
The words of Jesus in Matthew 24 and the words spoken by Paul in 1 Thessolonians on an event are identical. Except for the fact that Jesus states this will happen at the End of teh Tribluation and preachers and other teachers say it will happen at the beginning of the tribulation. So who do you believe???
To review we see the following.
1) A trumpet sound.
2) Angels
3) Jesus on the Cloud
4) The resurrection of dead believers
5) The resurrection or Rapture of alive believers.
6) At the Last Trumpet
7) At the end of the Tribulation.
So that settles it. The bible never teachs that Christians will be RAPTURED but rather resurrected at the end. What???? Still not convinced Alright lets look at this. In the first letter to the Thessolonians Paul writes on us being with the Lord and that it should be a comfort knowing the Lord shall unite us with Him and those who preceeded us. Now in his second letter he writes this:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5
(1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
(2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
(3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
(4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
(5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
He reminds them that the event of us being gathered will not happen until:
1) Christians Turn away from the faith.
2) The Anti-Christ sits in the temple and claims himself to be God.
In the Tirbulation Time Line. These events occur when the tribulation had already begun and in one case when the Tribulation is already in the 3.5 year mark. Jesus tells us the same:
Matthew 24:12-15
(12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
(13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
O.K. There. WHAT???? You need more. Fine. Lets now reason further. Why should there be a Rapture? Many will say the Rapture:
1) Is So that Christians do not suffer through the Tribulation.
2) Because Christians were not appointed to go through the tribulation.
Alright just by thinking about this we must ask ourselves:
1) Paul Peter and many of the Apostles and Christians suffered the greatest of all tribulation for 300 years. Were they appointed to die and be tortured while we are not?
2) If Christians are raptured so that they do not have to go through the tribulation and suffer, then why in 1 Thessolonians 4:16-18 are those who already died resurrected also. Can a dead man go through the tribulation also?
Folks it is so evident that the Rapture prior to the Tribulation is not a doctrine which any of the apostles or Christ himself taught. Rather to endure through suffering and to be strong during times of struggles looking to the end is what was taught.
For more information contact me at www.HCFAZ.org
Pastor Michael Salman
Harvest Christian Fellowship
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sentenced To Jail For Worship at Home
On June 30th, 3011 the Judge Sallie Gaines sentenced me to 60 days in jail, $12,000 in fines and so forth. What was the crime? Having worship at my home. That's right. As some you know we have been worshipping at our home since 2002. We have had bible studies, worship and so forth and since we purchased our new home in 2005 we have conducted some kind of worship and bible study in the house. Even though our home is not open to the public the gathering of Christians at a private residence is against the law, according to the City of Phoenix Prosecutor John Tutelman. John Tutelman has been the force and pursuer of this case and other cases which involved religious prosecution. He was involved in the Methodist Church that was feeding the homeless, our home worship and our signage freedom of speech and religious exercise case. It seems that he really dislikes Christians and what they stand for. So we will continue to pray for him. If God changed a man named Saul who persecuted the Church, later to become Paul, who knows what he can do we John Tutelman. At least he does not have the power to crucify us or feed us to the lions.
Nonetheless our attorneys are fighting back and trying to get the stay in the courts. Which will hold back the wolves until we can get some constitutional right questions answered. Such as, are private religious gatherings permitted without a permit? Do people who gather in their homes for worship required to convert their home to meet commercial requirements?
Until we can get a stay I am to report to jail on August 29, 2011. So it gives us 60 days to petition the courts. Some people have asked how I feel about that. All I can say is, my other Christian Brothers and Sisters have suffered much more for much less. All Daniel had to do was stop praying for 30 days. All Shadrach, Meschach and Abendego had to do was bow down to an idol. I know my God is able to deliver me from such persecution but if he does not, I will continue to worship Him and Serve Him. As for me and in my house we will serve the Lord.
So many have asked what can you do. Here is what you can do:
1) Pray
2) Write a letter to the Mayor, the Governor and Senator.
3) Spread the word around to other Christan's. Let them know. The Christian community needs to stand against such unjust prosecution.
4) Write a letter to the court. Judge Sallie Gaines. Let them know that the prosecution against Michael Salman is not in the interest of the public but rather is a personal vendetta.
5) Nothing. There are so many who will do absolutely nothing because they are procrastinators, lazy or just plain forgot. If that is you don't worry, that is why my trust is in Christ. Just pray it will make you at least feel better about doing nothing. : )
So let me answer a couple of questions:
1) Do people who come to your home park in the street or block any driveways or cause traffic? NO. We own 4.6 acres and the 15 cars who park all park on our property behind a gate.
2) Do you cause any excessive Noise. Other than the occasional kids playing or people calling out to each other, no. We worship at 10 AM and everyone gone by 1:00 PM. We also worship at 7:00 PM usually Gone by 8:30 PM. The nearest home is at least 100 feet from our home.
3) Do you know why they do not want you to worship at your home? Technically they are claiming public safety. Reality, they just do not like the idea of a "CHURCH" being next to their home. Despite it is my residence the thought of Christians or any religious group meeting together weekly is repulsive to some. Even if the meetings don't bother them.
4) Do you cause traffic or crowd streets? Right across the street from us is a large public park. With 4 basketball courts, tennis courts, a baseball field and a couple of soccer fields and of course the playgrounds. What happens at my home on Sunday is minuet compared to what occurs across the street.
So there you have it. Here are some addresses for you to consider. Please send me a copy of any and all correspondence sent to anyone for my records. Thank you.
Michael Salman
Email: Harvestchristian@cox.net
Fax 602-424-0860
City of Phoenix
Municipal Court
Honorable Sallie Gaines
300 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602 262-6421
The full mailing address is:
The Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Telephone (602) 542-4331
In State Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883 (outside Maricopa County only)
Fax (602) 542-1381
City of Phoenix, Mayor's Office
200 W. Washington St., 11th floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 262-7111
Fax: (602) 495-5583
Email: mayor.gordon@phoenix.gov
City TTY Relay: (602) 534-5500
Mr. John Tutelman
Assistant City Prosecutor
P.O. Box 4500
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Nonetheless our attorneys are fighting back and trying to get the stay in the courts. Which will hold back the wolves until we can get some constitutional right questions answered. Such as, are private religious gatherings permitted without a permit? Do people who gather in their homes for worship required to convert their home to meet commercial requirements?
Until we can get a stay I am to report to jail on August 29, 2011. So it gives us 60 days to petition the courts. Some people have asked how I feel about that. All I can say is, my other Christian Brothers and Sisters have suffered much more for much less. All Daniel had to do was stop praying for 30 days. All Shadrach, Meschach and Abendego had to do was bow down to an idol. I know my God is able to deliver me from such persecution but if he does not, I will continue to worship Him and Serve Him. As for me and in my house we will serve the Lord.
So many have asked what can you do. Here is what you can do:
1) Pray
2) Write a letter to the Mayor, the Governor and Senator.
3) Spread the word around to other Christan's. Let them know. The Christian community needs to stand against such unjust prosecution.
4) Write a letter to the court. Judge Sallie Gaines. Let them know that the prosecution against Michael Salman is not in the interest of the public but rather is a personal vendetta.
5) Nothing. There are so many who will do absolutely nothing because they are procrastinators, lazy or just plain forgot. If that is you don't worry, that is why my trust is in Christ. Just pray it will make you at least feel better about doing nothing. : )
So let me answer a couple of questions:
1) Do people who come to your home park in the street or block any driveways or cause traffic? NO. We own 4.6 acres and the 15 cars who park all park on our property behind a gate.
2) Do you cause any excessive Noise. Other than the occasional kids playing or people calling out to each other, no. We worship at 10 AM and everyone gone by 1:00 PM. We also worship at 7:00 PM usually Gone by 8:30 PM. The nearest home is at least 100 feet from our home.
3) Do you know why they do not want you to worship at your home? Technically they are claiming public safety. Reality, they just do not like the idea of a "CHURCH" being next to their home. Despite it is my residence the thought of Christians or any religious group meeting together weekly is repulsive to some. Even if the meetings don't bother them.
4) Do you cause traffic or crowd streets? Right across the street from us is a large public park. With 4 basketball courts, tennis courts, a baseball field and a couple of soccer fields and of course the playgrounds. What happens at my home on Sunday is minuet compared to what occurs across the street.
So there you have it. Here are some addresses for you to consider. Please send me a copy of any and all correspondence sent to anyone for my records. Thank you.
Michael Salman
Email: Harvestchristian@cox.net
Fax 602-424-0860
City of Phoenix
Municipal Court
Honorable Sallie Gaines
300 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602 262-6421
The full mailing address is:
The Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Telephone (602) 542-4331
In State Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883 (outside Maricopa County only)
Fax (602) 542-1381
City of Phoenix, Mayor's Office
200 W. Washington St., 11th floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 262-7111
Fax: (602) 495-5583
Email: mayor.gordon@phoenix.gov
City TTY Relay: (602) 534-5500
Mr. John Tutelman
Assistant City Prosecutor
P.O. Box 4500
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
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