Thoughts on Holiness by David Bernard

[Sam]

some good (in my opinion) quotes on facebook by David Bernard

Holiness is the process of separating ourselves from sin and dedicating ourselves to God.
6/7/11

Holiness is the process of walking by faith, living in the Spirit, letting the Lord progressively transform us by His grace. 6/6/11

Heb 12:14 does not say we must attain absolute perfection to see the Lord, or no one could qualify, but to pursue perfection. 6/3/11

When we fail to follow holiness, we can repent, make things right with those we have wronged, and keep growing into maturity. 6/2/11

We can faithfully speak the truth but learn to speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15 5/25/11

We can act in a loving way even toward those who attack us, and in doing so we display the holiness of God. Matt 5:43-48 5/24/11

We can treat fellow believers and even unbelievers with integrity, courtesy, and respect without compromising our convictions. 5/23/11

We cannot manufacture our own holiness; instead, we are to be “partakers of His holiness.” Heb 12:10 5/17/11

Jesus summed up our responsibilities in two commands: love God with our whole being and love fellow humans as ourselves. Matt 22:35-40 5/16/11

We need good relationships both horizontally and vertically: seeking peace with others and seeking God’s holiness in our lives. Heb 13:14 5/13/11

As Christians we should seek both ethical, harmonious relationships with others and a consecrated, life-changing relationship with God. 5/11/11

[Pressing-On]

I am sure DKB is so happy that you agree with him, Sam.

[NorCal]

David K. Bernard
Secularization forces us to be more apostolic—to rely supremely on the gospel’s power rather than on support from culture or society.

[Michael The Disciple]

DKB

Heb 12:14 does not say we must attain absolute perfection to see the Lord, or no one could qualify, but to pursue perfection. 6/3/11

Dave teaches to please men apparently. Jesus said only the "pure in heart" shall see God. The verse he refers to in Hebrews says:

Follow peace with all men AND HOLINESS without which no man shall see the Lord.

Holiness means "state of purity".

A Christian is to be holy even as YHWH is holy.

1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16

[NorCal]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Dave teaches to please men apparently. Jesus said only the "pure in heart" shall see God. The verse he refers to in Hebrews says:

Follow peace with all men AND HOLINESS without which no man shall see the Lord.

Holiness means "state of purity".

A Christian is to be holy even as YHWH is holy.

1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16

Being at peace with men, is not the same thing as pleasing men. You know the old "We agree to disagree".

Also, you can never be Holy. Holiness is only a path to becoming Holy. GOD is the ONLY holy one. "The Holy ONE of Israel".

Context and congruencey is very important when teaching biblical principles.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by NorCal

Being at peace with men, is not the same thing as pleasing men. You know the old "We agree to disagree".

Also, you can never be Holy. Holiness is only a path to becoming Holy. GOD is the ONLY holy one. "The Holy ONE of Israel".

Context and congruencey is very important when teaching biblical principles.

Where did you get your doctrine that you can never be holy? Look again at what the Apostle Peter wrote to the saints.

1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16 1 Peter 1:14-16

This is what the God of the Bible requires. Men say "not so Lord!"

There is not one verse in all of scripture that says the saints are never able to be holy. Our holiness is OF YHWH. Yet he commands us BE YE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY.

[acerrak]

his book on holiness and standards is very boring, and it is denominational centered.

There are many good ideas in the book, but he gets down to looking at caffine intake and everything. Personally we dont need a manual for Holiness we have the Spirit.

so basically his book is just another form of traditions of men written by the elders, but ofcourse now he is a "bishop"

[NorCal]

Originally Posted by acerrak

his book on holiness and standards is very boring, and it is denominational centered.

There are many good ideas in the book, but he gets down to looking at caffine intake and everything. Personally we dont need a manual for Holiness we have the Spirit.

so basically his book is just another form of traditions of men written by the elders, but ofcourse now he is a "bishop"

Never heard of Caffeine Addiction? Anything that alters the mind can be considered unclean.

I have read his book on Holiness, and I believe he brought it up as an example of things that can ride the line.

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by NorCal

Never heard of Caffeine Addiction? Anything that alters the mind can be considered unclean.

I have read his book on Holiness, and I believe he brought it up as an example of things that can ride the line.

unfortunatle i have several of his books, and really its a traditions of man book all rolled up with a cover, that future liscensed preachers must read for the upci

however he does make a chart out and compares legalisn and carnality as being closely together, however his views and standards he tries to convey is legalistic in the same sense.

He then tries to go on the offensive and basically states men driven after their own lust will go against the standards trying to preach liberty.

Im sorry i know you like bernard, but it doesnt make his view correct.

he also puts faith love and holiness to equal perfection.

However the Holiness the bible speaks of is the Inward Holiness produced by God. however with his book he has basically interpreting for God how these standards should be, just as the elders did for israel. there is no difference.

[NorCal]

Originally Posted by acerrak

However the Holiness the bible speaks of is the Inward Holiness produced by God. however with his book he has basically interpreting for God how these standards should be, just as the elders did for israel. there is no difference.

Ah, you need to read the bible more. You are coming from the point of view that the Old Testament no longer matters. When you come from the point of view of "Outward Holiness is brought by a change in Inward Holiness" then you will come unto his understanding.

Legalism is a the thought that Outward Holiness will save you. We as Christians need Outward Holiness to show the inward change. For if you receive Christ, but change not, ye are none of his.

The problem is, with our society, churches have become so Secular, that there is to clear distinction between the "Church" and the "World", yet our society had become more "Moralized" by using the teachings of "Christian-ism".

I know some of you hate this, but if you take a look at the world in the late 1000's to early 1900's, 99.99% of your women were modest in dress and action. Why? Because of the hard line rule of "legalism" dominated by the Catholic Church and Reformed Churches. If you look at society now (from the mid 1900's to present) you will see a big swing toward Secularism, Paganism, and Humanism. You have Christians that think tattoos are a way to display there "Love for Christ". They have taken a pagan ritual and brought it into the Church. That is heresy to the highest. You have the same Christians that were a cross, that do the same thing.

We, as Christians, should not desire to be like that, but "Come out and be ye separate". Do I agree with the hard line, "Your sleeve needs to be X long", type of belief? No. Emphatically no. The change must start by the renewing of the soul first, and that will in change, display in an outward Holiness.

Do I believe in standards for those in charge. Yes, even Paul gave instructions to those that desire to rule. Is it a salvation issue? No.