Have you had problems with your computer and had to talk to someone with someone who with whom you could not communicate. They were speaking English and so were you, but you could tell you were not speaking the same language. That happens in many areas of life also. It seems that each occupation has its own vocabulary. Those within that occupation can communicate well with each other, but when it comes to talking to some one outside that occupation it is hard to express what you want or what needs to be done. The same is true in religion. How many words are used in a religious sense that has one meaning to one group and another meaning to another group? Let us notice a few examples.
First, let us look at the word “baptism”. This is from Webster’s Dictionary: “A Christian sacrament signifying spiritual rebirth and admitting the recipient to the Christian community through the ritual use of water.” That sounds pretty good doesn’t it? But what is the mode of baptism? The idea is not expressed in the definition. When one looks at the dictionary closer at the word “baptize” the student will find this word comes from Gk (Greek) and means “to dip”. But how many in the religious world think that baptism means that one can have water poured on them or water sprinkled on them? We have not even begun the discussion of what is the purpose of baptism? Is it to join a religious group (The Lord adds; one does not join Acts 2:47)? Is it to be saved (1 Peter 3:21)? Is it to show an outward sign of an inward grace (There is no Bible for this one)?
Second, let us look at the word “miracle”. Let us see what Webster has to say again: “An extraordinary event manifesting a supernatural work of God 2; an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.” Most people would use this word with the second meaning. The first definition would be close to the Bible definition. People call many things today miracles that are really not a miracle according to the Bible. Childbirth is an extremely outstanding event, but is it really a Bible miracle? We know how babies are conceived. We know how babies grow. We know how long it takes for a baby to develop so that he can survive outside the womb. We “know” these things but let us look at what is called a miracle in the Bible. How did Jesus turn water into “wine?” This is the beginning of miracles that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee (John 2:11). Can anyone tell the process that took place to make this water into “wine?” The same could be said of healing the sick; today we take medicine when Jesus did it, how did He do it? That makes it a true miracle.
In the third place let us consider the word “pastor.” Webster defines it thusly: chiefly Southwest: herdsman 2: a spiritual overseer; esp : a clergyman serving a local church or parish.” This has been the meaning for a long time. Some old books have the preacher as the “pastor.” Even some schools among us have students studying 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus and call them “Pastoral Epistles.” A wrong idea is displayed in this designation. They are letters to preacher but not pastors. The term “pastor” is not in the New Testament. The term “pastors” is used only once, Ephesians 4:11. The term has to do with shepherding. Look at the definition again; it has to do with a herdsman. That is the idea of what the Bible calls elders. I am not the pastor here at Gray.
Let us learn to communicate. We study about our countries forefathers. They spoke differently than we do. Read the Constitution. They could communicate. We can too if we will take the effort to use the words as they were meant to be used.
Love, Keith
