THE LORD OF THE SABBATH

 

 

By

Shelby G. Floyd

Perhaps you have heard the humorous anecdote about governments and two cows. Socialism would have you give one of your cows to your neighbor and you could keep the other. Communism would insist that you give both cows to the state, and if you were lucky you might be fortunate enough to get some milk and butter occasionally. Nazism would shoot you and take both of your cows. In democracy you would sell one cow and by a bull. In legalism there would be so many rules and regulations concerning the keeping of cows that nobody would want them anyway!

In the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell who was religiously devout, forfeited his chances to run in the 1924 Olympic 200 meter dash held in Paris because it would be held on Sunday, which he called the Sabbath. He steadfastly refused to compromise his convictions, which is a commendable thing to do. As a result one of his teammates allowed him to run in his place in the 400-meter dash where he won a gold medal. Eric Liddell said he felt like he could honor God by competing in winning a gold medal for his country of Scotland. He said God made me fast. Like Eric Liddell we must live by our convictions and at the same time we must make sure that our convictions are founded upon truth. Continue reading “THE LORD OF THE SABBATH”

WHAT IS GOD’S NAME?

By

Shelby G. Floyd

gods-name

God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and revealed himself to the great prophet. He promised Moses he world be with him when he went before Pharaoh to demand that he let the children of Israel go free from their slavery.

“I AM WHO I AM”

Moses replied to God that the Israelites would want to know God’s name. He asked what he should say. God’s answer was, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:13-14). “I AM” is God’s name and his name means “The Self Existent One.” God is also known by “God Almighty”—El-Shaddai; “Elohim”—Lord; and “Jehovah.” God also said to Moses, “I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.” (Exodus 6:2-3). The name “Lord” in the Hebrew is equal to I AM (Exodus 3:15). Continue reading “WHAT IS GOD’S NAME?”

THE GODHEAD

By

Shelby G. Floyd

Trinity Godhead

“7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one” (1 John 5:7-8).

The Bible teaches that there is just one God or Godhead, but this one Godhead involves three distinct persons. In a discussion with a Jewish scribe, Jesus referred to the Old Testament Scriptures which taught that God is one Lord. The scribe had asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Mark 12:29). Jesus here referred to the statement of Moses as found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Continue reading “THE GODHEAD”