Posted on 05/15/2008 10:36:22 AM PDT by Terriergal
There is also a good youtube video someone put together on the subject. From a European reader of Slice of Laodicea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txDEZ42tLM0
Years ago, I lived in the DFW area of Texas and attended a Friday morning men’s Bible study at a large, north Dallas church. Each year, in January & February, Tony Evans would be the guest speaker for 4 - 8 weeks, getting what he called his “annual Anglo fix”.
Evans told of a time he was invited to open the Dallas City Council with prayer and was warned NOT to mention the name of Jesus Christ (that’s His proper name, don’t ya know). Evans replied that he understood the rules. When he prayed at that meeting, he petitioned Jesus Christ by name, in the name of Christ, because there’s not other name, no other Lord Who can hear prayers; asking Christ to convict the people present of sin and call them to repentance, to save people and bring glory to Himself - closing in the powerful name above all names.
He was not asked back.
His point was that it’s far better to be well regarded by the Lord than by “powerful” men. I would add, this applies to “powerful” men in the church as well as those in the world.
Not only should Peter have denied Jesus three times, Paul never needed to spend the rest of his life proclaiming Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles!
Why would either man be crucified by Rome -- it was for the name of Jesus!
Hundreds of Christians prayed and sang the name of Jesus as they were torched, slashed and eaten by wild animals.
Wouldn't it have been much easier not to claim Jesus for all of these martyrs for His name?
Certainly, they would have not "given offense" to those present and saved their own lives in the process (much less not "offending" other non-believers) however, we are told that to lay down our lives for the name of Jesus is to save it.
"If you are ashamed of Me, I shall be ashamed of you before my Father." (paraphrase)
So, in other words, Tony Evans *did* agree not to mention Christ’s name, but it’s OK because he was lying? How Islamic of him.
Understanding the rules is one thing.
Doing what God calls us to do is another.
Understanding doesn’t mean agreement.
Slice has been all over this for several weeks now and I applaud Ingrid Schlueter for her tenacity in sticking with this. That FOF would go this route doesn’t really surprise me, they’ve been about money and power for some time now. That Ravi Zacharias would sign on to it, though, surprised me very much.
absolutely. This is such a slap in the face to Christ, and all those who have given their lives for the truth of the Gospel.
yup.
Rather than saying they’re all about money and power (I don’t know) I think they are all about changing the culture and other pragmatic concerns. They are not first and foremost about the Gospel, and the TRUTH. They don’t even understand that in reversing those two priorities, they negate both. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and ALL THESE OTHER THINGS shall be added unto you.” (rough paraphrase)
That is awesome of him! Wish more would take those kinds of stands.
At least Peter had the excuse of being in fear for his life. Ravi and Shirley deny Jesus Christ before men just so they can continue to hang out with the cool kids (so-called) and get lots of national publicity and accolades.
I hear ya. It is pathetic.
He understood the conditions under which he had been invited.
As I posted elsewhere, can anyone cite an example of a New Testament prayer that ends with “in Jesus’ Name.”???
As Christians, who are we to obey, God or man?
The CHRISTIAN God doesn’t command people to lie and trick their way into leading prayer. I think you’re thinking of Allah, maybe?
The Christian God does not condone lying. Correct.
The Christian God also told us to pray in JESUS’s name.
We are to obey our God. Not man. He was asked to pray CONTRAY to his faith. He did the right thing.
Besides, haven’t you heard of Freedom OF Religion. The Councilman had NO BUSINESS telling someone HOW to pray.
“John 14:12-14 (New International Version)
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 15:15-16 (New International Version)
15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Matthew 18:19-21 (King James Version)
19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Mark 16:17 (King James Version)
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”
He is telling his followers to petition (pray to) the Father in His name.
"In Jesus' Name" is an incantation that is not found in Scripture. It is possible to pray in the name of Jesus without using the incantation.
??? If my name is Joe and I tell you, “ask the Father in my name,” wouldn’t it logically follow that you would say, “Father, I ask for ______________, in Joe’s name.”
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