God's Elect or World's Elite? XXXVII

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism" 

(Eph. 4: 5)

We have already seen how the believer is "enriched" (or "abounds") in 1) wisdom, 2) knowledge, 3) power and authority, 4) riches and inheritance, 5) logos or speech, 6) birth, class, and status. We have seen how "status" was very important to the Sophistic and elitist thinking of the Corinthians, including many who became converts and members of the church in Corinth. Sophistic and Greek ideas about status in the world were ingrained in the minds of the first converts in Corinth (and in other parts of the world too). This included ideas about  

1) being "gifted," by nature or the god(s), especially in wisdom, knowledge, rhetoric, and 

2) being "graced" or favored by the god(s), and 

3) being "chosen" by the god(s) (by way of merit, or in order to give excellencies), and 

4) being of a higher "calling" or station in the world, and 

5) being  "sanctified," i.e. distinguished, special, "set apart" from others, and 

6) being "noble" or high born, naturally superior in family and ancestry

These are the chief areas of status. They are the standards of measure for determining elite rank. This is true with status in "the age that now is" as well as in "the age to come." The former deals with status within human society, within the social world, and the latter deals with the church or body of Christ, with the society of believers in Jesus, with status with God in Christ. 

Elite status with God is not determined by elite status in the world. In fact, as we have seen, Paul avers that very few of the world's elite have good standing or status with God. Being unbelievers "the wrath of God abides upon them." (John 3: 36) This is contrary to the thinking of the world, especially of its rich ruling elite. They rather believe that their status in the world proves that they are the ones that God or the gods have favored or chosen. They believe their superior wisdom and knowledge, their superior gifts of speech and reasoning, etc., are evidences of their favored and elite status. 

Yet, as we have seen, when we look closer at the subject, believers in Jesus, though not now the elite of the present evil world, are nevertheless the truly elect, the ones favored of God and blessed with wisdom and knowledge, riches, and gifts, that far surpass anything unbelievers possess, although what they now possess is but a foretaste or down payment, for their elite status will become fully manifested in the age to come.

We have focused on Paul's words in his first epistle to the Corinthian believers where he said "you are enriched by him in everything," mentioning specifically the believer's enrichment in "all utterance (logos) and knowledge." (1: 6) We have seen how he also depicted the believer as being superior to the Sophist elites of Greek society in several other areas besides speech and knowledge, such as in wisdom, power, authority, rights and privileges, in family connection and noble birth, etc. In this chapter we will look at how the believer excels the unbeliever in regard to faith and religion.

Enriched In Faith

"Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also." (II Cor. 8: 7)

Enriched in faith would encompass several things. Faith, in the sense of subjective "trust" in another, or in God, is one way in which the believer is "enriched," increasingly "abounding" in his confidence in God and his word and promises as he is tutored in faith by the Holy Spirit. His convictions become firmly settled in his heart and mind as he increases in faith. There is a being "persuaded" and a being "fully persuaded." (Rom. 4: 21; 14: 5) Christians, being thus enriched, become more and more confident of the truth of the scriptures as they live the Christian life and "grow in grace and in knowledge of the truth." (II Peter 3:18) In fact, "confidence" would be a good word to use in some passages rather than "faith" or "belief."

But, "faith," or "the faith," oftentimes denotes not subjective trust or the act of believing, but denotes objective faith, that which is believed, i.e. "belief." In this sense "faith" or "belief" denotes the believer's "articles of faith," or religious "creed." Thus, by "the faith" is denoted the whole Christian system, or the entire written revelation. It is used as a synonym for "the doctrine," and for "the truth." Sometimes "the faith" is equated simply with "the word" (logos, translated as "utterance" in Corinthians). 

Let us notice some passages where "the faith" has such a meaning. The Greek noun for "faith" is "pistis" and one of its definitions is "the religious beliefs of Christians." In this definition, "faith" is almost always used with the definite article "the." 

The Faith Given To All Men

"Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance (pistin) unto all men, in that he has raised him from the dead." (Acts 17: 31)

The word "assurance" is from "pistin" and we must inquire as to why in this one place, and no other, did the KJV translators so translate it. But they are not alone. Others are similar to the KJV. Some give "proof" or "evidence" for the Greek word. None give "faith" or "belief" as the best English equivalent and yet this is the common way it is translated in all other places. 

There are several places in the new testament where "faith" is said to be given to some while not given to others. Faith is "the gift of God." (Eph. 2: 8; Etc.) Jesus said "no one can come to me except it be given to him of my Father." (John 6: 65) Thus, Paul affirms "all men do not have faith." (II Thess. 3: 2) But, it may well be said, all men have religious belief. But, the text in Acts 17: 31 says that God has given faith or belief to all men. Is this a contradiction? Obviously, translators realize that by "faith" (assurance or proof), in this instance, is used in the sense of "the faith," that is, of things to be believed, of the objects of faith. It is objective faith not subjective faith.

Faith, in this sense, is not mere opinion or unproven theory. The "faith" that God has given to all men is a set of facts, facts which have been verified. As such it is to be received by all creatures of God. To reject God's proofs, his testimony given in scripture, is most rebellious and merits condemnation, death, and everlasting punishment. When men reject God's revelation, his prophets and commissioned heralds, yea, his own Son and his oracles, they are rejecting the faith that God has given to them. The resurrection of Christ was the stamp of approval, the undeniable proof, of the veracity of the divine revelation of the holy scriptures.

The rejection of God's faith, God's religion, results from inborn depravity and original sin, from the bias and prejudice of carnal hearts and minds at war with God. This sin of rejecting God's revelation is increased even more when men not only refuse to worship God but give to other imagined gods and goddesses their religious devotions. Wrote the apostle John:

"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son." (I John 5: 9)

Men do not have a problem believing "the witness of men," especially when perjury is a serious crime. But, why then do they generally reject the "witness of God"? The resurrection of Christ, besides all the miracles of the Bible, demonstrates the reliability of the scriptures, of the apostles who were eye and ear witnesses of the things that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, did and said. The verse at the heading of this chapter says that "the faith" is none other than a "declaration of those things most surely believed among us" as believers of the word of God and of the witnesses' testimonies of the resurrection of Christ. Even the testimony of the eye witnesses, of the apostles, was attested to by miracles and supernatural phenomena. 

What a superior "faith" has God given to all men by the fact of the resurrection and glorification of Christ! The proof for the Christian faith lies in the resurrection of Christ. His resurrection, if true, is proof of his claims, which included claims of inspiration, claims to speaking without error. The fact of his resurrection is indisputable. Wrote Luke the historian: "To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days..." (Acts 1: 3) The "infallible proofs" are the foundation, the essential elements of "the faith" that God has given to all men by the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection of Christ substantiated the authority and truth of the holy scriptures. 

The superiority of this faith, this body of beliefs, lies chiefly in the fact that it is worship of the one true and living God. All false belief, all false worship and religion, has as its foundation a belief in a false god or gods. Of all Gentile false religions the apostle wrote: "the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons." (I Cor. 10: 20) Notice how all false faith and religion is "not to God," that is, not directed to the one true and living God, but is rather directed to idols, which in themselves are nothing, non entities, yet they are connected with demons which are real, as symbol is to substance, they being false gods, or demigods. Earlier Paul also said:

"We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. However, there is not in everyone that knowledge." (I Cor. 8: 4-7)

When Paul says "we know," he intends believers in Christ, believers in the holy books. Christians are they who know that there is but one God, known from ancient times as "Father," the Creator of all things. This is not believed by all polytheistic religions. Christians also know that the Father is one with his one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and that "through him" are all things. Such a "faith" or set of beliefs is what is embraced by Christians as foundation for their entire belief system and it is unique to them only. So Paul says "there is not in every man that knowledge." What does "that" refer to? Is it not to the propositions given by the apostle? To possess "that knowledge" is what constitutes one a believer or Christian. To not possess that knowledge constitutes one an unbeliever, an "infidel." Further, the scriptures testify abundantly that faith in the gospel, in Christ, in the holy scriptures, guarantees eternal salvation, while disbelief assures of final condemnation and eternal punishment. 

Bible Description Of False Religion

False religion, as previously stated, is never characterized in scripture as being a "faith," although it is so used today. To Paul the Pagans were people of "no faith," even though religious. We have observed how Paul referred to apostate Judaism as "the Jews religion" and of how James spoke of "pure religion" (and by implication "corrupt religion"). Other words used in the Bible to denote false religion and belief are "worship," "devout," "devotion," "way." Notice this text:

"Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious." (Acts 17: 22)

"Too Superstitious" is from the Greek word "deisidaimonesteros" and is often interpreted to mean "more religious," or perhaps  "overly religious," or "very religious." It involves fearing or reverencing a deity or deities, or demigods. It literally means “fearers of demons.” This fact would lend credence to the KJV's use of the words "too superstitious," for superstition often involves the spirit world. W.E. Vine says that δεισιδαιμονία (Feminine Noun Feminine of deisidaimon) literally means being "reverent to the deity" (deido, "to fear;" daimon, "a demon," or "pagan god"), occurs in Acts 17:22 in the comparative degree." 

Why does Paul refer to the deities of the Athenians as demons to be feared and worshiped, rather than as "gods" (Greek theoi)? He could have used either term in his Athenian address. He used both at times when he referred to the deities of the Polytheists in his writings. In fact, some Pagan Athenians supposed that Paul taught that Jesus was a demon or demigod. The Athenian demon servers (worshipers) said: "He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods (Greek demons): because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection." (Acts 17: 18) 

In the Greek pagan world there was a hierarchy of gods and goddesses. There were the lower and the higher gods. The higher gods were the gods who were never human, were always gods. The lessor gods, the demigods and/or demons, were lower level gods, were mortals who became immortals, such as may be seen in the case of some of the Greek heroes. In ancient Greece the word "daimon," derived from the Greek verb “daiesthai,” meant to divide, or to distribute, and had decidedly positive overtones. From the demons it was expected that good fortune could be obtained, they being the distributors of it. 

There were other Greek compound words that have "daimon" as one of its words besides "deisidaimonesteros," such as kakodaimon, agathodaimon, or eudaimon. The “good” demons were referred to as “Eudaimon,” Eudaimonia, or as “Agathodaimon,” meaning connotatively "noble spirits." The not so good daimons, resembling the jinns, or genies of Arab folklore, were called “Kakodaimon,” such as the “Keres,” daughters of Nyx (Goddess of night) and Erebus (personification of shadows), who escaped from the box, opened by Pandora. Inspired thoughts, intelligent observations, and creative force were all believed to come from a person's daimon according to Plato and Socrates. The demon or ascended spirit possessing a person was the reason for a person being a "genius" according to Greek and ancient thought. The demon was a kind of tutor. 

The Pagans who heard Paul denouncing the gods of the polytheistic world, said this about Paul's teaching regarding the gods:

"Moreover you see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods (theos), which are made with hands." (Acts 19: 26)

Why would the Pagans object to Paul's affirming that the pantheon of gods of the nations were "not made with hands"? Were their gods "made with hands"? Obviously these are the idols made of gold, silver, or costly stone. Paul affirmed, as we have seen, that the idols were "nothing at all," not real gods. They were imaginary deities that men set up in their minds and imaginations. (See Eze. 14: 3) As previously stated, though the idols are nothing but physical productions, statues, nevertheless the demons and gods of which they are a representation are real. Paul, in writing to the Galatian believers who were once polytheists, said: "But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods (theos)." (Gal. 4: 8) Most commentators think that "by nature" the apostle means "not real." 

Demons are demigods, believed to have divine or super human power, existing between heaven and earth, playing the role of intermediaries between humans and gods. "Demigod" is "a being with partial or lesser divine status, such as a minor deity, the offspring of a god and a mortal, or a mortal raised to divine rank." They were a kind of "half breeds," or hybrids, having a god for one parent and a human for another. The higher gods (theoi) were gods who descended from other gods and had no human parents. 

The Greeks, like other Pagan societies, had what is called a "pantheon" of gods and goddesses. Each polytheistic system had its own pantheon of gods and goddesses. It was a hierarchical system in the world of spirit. There were the firstborn gods, then the later begotten gods, then the demon gods, then the gods of the various physical substances, of emotions, etc. So there is a god of the wind, a god of the water, a god of the sky, a god of luck and fortune, a god of war, etc. 

Paul's use of the word "deisidaimonesteros" (KJV "too superstitious") is debated by scholars as I have intimated. Was it a positive or negative remark? Was it a kind of flattery? Flattery often was first on the list of priorities for a Sophist trained rhetorician as a method for setting the mood of an audience and winning their favor at the outset. But, Paul was not one to flatter in the least. So, to translate it as "I see that you are very religious" is probably not the proper translation to convey Paul's meaning. On the other hand, to translate it as "I see that you are too (or overly) religious" would have Paul beginning with a negative observation about the people, and though this is possible, it does not seem correct either. Some think that Paul was being ingenious in using "deisidaimonesteros," cleverly choosing this term precisely for the sake of its ambiguity, a kind of "back handed compliment." That is better. But, perhaps the literal is even better, and so we should translate as "I see that you all reverently fear the demons or demigods." In this same discourse to the Athenians Paul said:

"For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." (Acts 17: 23)

"Devotions" is from the Greek word "sebasma" and denotes "whatever is religiously honoured, an object of worship of temples, altars, statues, idolatrous images" (Strong). 

Notice that religious devotion must have an "object of worship." If we judge faith and religion by the quality of the deity or deities religiously served, then the faith of the Christian is superior to all other religions and belief systems. Another word, similar to "devotion" is the word "devout." It is used of people who are very religiously minded. "Devout" is from the Greek word "eulabes," an adjective literally denoting "taking hold well." It denotes one dedicated to religion. 

In another place, Paul referred to all false religions, most of which are historically polytheistic, as "will worship" or "self-imposed religion." Said Paul about the religion of the Gnostics:

"These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion ("will worship" KJV), false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh." (Col. 2: 23)

Religion and religious exercise involve both internals and externals. The internal involves the state of heart and the mind of the worshiper. The external involves religious ceremony and ritual. Paul acknowledges that false religion has "an appearance of wisdom," a "show," but not the real thing. Elaborate temples, statues of idols, choirs and symphonies, sacrifices and feasts, celebrations, finely dressed priests, numerous altars, toasts and words of praise directed to the various deities, etc., these are the stuff of religion. Of these we will have more to say in the next chapter. Some translators think that "appearance" is not the best translation and say "reputation" is a better word. The Greek word is "logon" (a form of the word 'logos') of which we have spoken already. I think it denotes in this context the rhetoric and message of the false religion, being a reference to the religious language of the various cults. It denotes "wise words," which would be a religion that promotes certain mottoes, certain maxims, proverbs, adages, slogans, formulas, keys of knowledge, etc. 

Paul mentions some of the religious observances of the false religions and their adherents, such as "false humility" and "neglect of the body." Many of these false Pagan religions had all the paraphernalia for exhibiting "humility," such as bowing, kneeling, prostrating of the body, "neglecting of the body" (as in abstinence rituals and vows of fasting and celibacy), yea, even in mutilating the body.   

All false religion is self created. It is the product of man's carnal reasoning in things pertaining to God. It is designed to please the flesh, the carnal man and his appetites, and not to please God. They are religious systems designed by men and for men. These make slaves of men who become bound by them. Bringing men into subjection to a man made religion is to put a "yoke" upon the neck of the worshipers. (See Acts 15: 10) In being "initiated" into one of the Pagan religions (or any false monotheistic religion) with its "mysteries," one became a "servant" (slave) to the deities of those religions, and this always involved itself into allegiance to the priests of those religious sects. Though this "service" to the false deities had its enticements and enjoyable aspects, yet it also had its detriments. All false religions, all false belief systems, have been created by the imaginations of sinful men. But, as we will see, the inspiration for these elaborate belief systems comes from the spirit world.

The Faith vs The Doctrines of Demons

"Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." (I Tim. 4: 1-3)

By "the faith" Paul means "the body of divinity," or "the bible's teachings." Luke, in the verse at the heading of this chapter, describes "the faith" as "a declaration of those things most surely believed among us." 

Notice how "the faith" or doctrine of Christians is set in opposition to the "doctrines of devils (Greek demons)." Paul could have said "faiths (beliefs, religions) of demons," for doctrine is a statement of faith, being religious dogma. However, Paul, as previously stated, never spoke of non Christian religious belief as being a "faith." We today use the word "faith" to speak of a person's religious belief, as when we say "Muslim faith (belief)" or "Pagan faith," etc. But, Paul does not refer to other religions in this way. When he refers to apostate Judaism he calls it "the Jews' religion," not "the Jews' faith." (Gal. 1: 13-14) When Paul refers to false religions he always refers to them as having "no faith," of being "without faith." When Paul says "all men have not faith" (II Thess. 3: 2) he does not mean "all men have not religion." He means all men have not true faith and religion; And, if you do not have Christian faith, then you have no faith.

Notice also how the "doctrines of demons" is a body of "lies," a body of false divinity. Teaching false doctrines is equated with "speaking lies." However, one who is teaching Christian doctrine is speaking truth. Notice also that when bible teaching is referred to it is called "the doctrine," and it is always in the singular. But, the false teachings of men and demons is in the plural, as in "doctrines of demons," "the doctrines and commandments of men" (15: 9; Col. 2: 22), and "various and strange doctrines" (Heb. 13: 9). Paul warns all professing believers to be careful not to be "carried away by every wind of doctrine." (Eph. 4: 14) The doctrine of God is a unified system of teaching, a single system. The doctrines of men and demons are not so. Wrote Paul:

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Tim. 6: 10; see also verses 20, 2)

To err from "the faith" is to err in religious belief, in things pertaining to God. Rather than depart from the teachings of scripture, believers are exhorted in scripture to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1: 3) The word "contend" implies opposition, and the Christian is exhorted to affirm and defend the truth in confrontation with those who oppose the Christian faith. Said Paul: "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." (II Tim. 3: 8) Every false religionist is "reprobate concerning the faith." 

The believer is enriched in faith. His faith is superior. In fact, he is the only one who has faith, true faith. His faith, based upon holy scripture, is truth, is real, is genuine. All those who reject God's revelation are they who "resist the truth," and we might add, resist the Holy Spirit (See Acts 7: 51). This is because they are possessed of "corrupt" and "reprobate" minds. Sin and the depraved nature blinds the sinner. His only hope is in God who is able to deliver him from such a state and enlighten him and give him revelation.