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Respect or Respect of Persons?
by John W. Ritenbaugh (Lancaster, South Carolina) The Bible frequently cautions us against respect of persons, yet we are also instructed to show proper respect for leaders, the elderly, and others. What is the proper balance? Unlike the current parental teaching, people in previous generations were taught to practice different attitudes of respect for people and property than the public generally holds today. Deference was given freely to many. Men and boys were expected to give up their seats on crowded buses and street cars to women, the elderly or disabled. People commonly addressed strangers—both rich or poor—as “Sir,” “Ma’am,” “Mister” […]
Was the Sop Leavened or Unleavened? (John 13:26-27)
by John W. Ritenbaugh (Lancaster, South Carolina) A rule of Bible study is never to base a doctrine on the meaning of a Greek or Hebrew word, and this controversy is a prime example. It is true that artos, used in all of the gospel accounts for the bread eaten during the Last Supper, is the Greek word for “bread.” However, this word is a very general or generic term, much like the English word “bread” is. We use “bread” for everything from white to whole wheat to pumpernickel bread. We also use it for breads made of corn, barley, rye, spelt, rice, […]
After Pentecost, Then What?
by John W. Ritenbaugh (Lancaster, South Carolina) Moses writes the story of the Israelites making the Old Covenant with God in Exodus 19-24. Most of the text of those six chapters is devoted to listing the terms of their agreement. The way the ratification of the covenant is presented in Exodus 24:1-8 can give the impression that the Israelites’ acceptance of the terms was almost casual. Perhaps they felt overwhelmed by God’s presence, and under the circumstances, they could only agree to it. They would have been truly inhuman not to be impressed with God’s overpowering presence on the mount. Moses, however, shows that they were […]