Were Jesus and the Disciples Influenced by Psychedelics?

Were Jesus and the disciples influenced by psychedelics best is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. And yes, we do get some doozies you can call us right now with your question. At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 or four months of the open for the next 25 minutes or so.

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You can do that every weekday at 11:30 AM and you can send us a message through our YouTube channel as well. Course are always welcome to email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today. Here is a question we received from one of our listeners via voicemail hi, I always wondered about the story in Genesis 32 I think it is where Jacob wrestles with a man who is called God or an angel. I'm confused about that and would like to understand what that's about. Thank you may think that question I was had the privilege of preaching through this text a handful of weeks back into such an interesting story there. In Genesis 32 coupling maybe it is read beginning in verse 22. That same night he arose and took to his two wives. His two female servants and his 11 children and crossed the Ford of the J book. He took them and sent them across the stream and everything else that he had an Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day when the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket and Jacob's hip was put out of joint.

As he wrestled with him. Then he said let me go for the day is broken, but Jacob said I will not let you go unless you bless me and he said to him, what is your name and he said Jacob then he said your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed. Then Jacob asked and please tell me your name and he said why is it that you ask my name and there he blessed him so Jacob called the name of the place but Neil saying, for I have seen the face I've seen God face-to-face and yet my life has been delivered now. Couple of things. It is the context Jacob is here running from his brother Esau or hiding from his brother really a lot of cowardice actually in in the section leading up to this season is about to see his brother got his call them to go back home after a period of several years away and he's terrified because the last he heard his brother Esau wanted to kill him. And so he's he's hiding he's afraid and see got imagine as as he's confronted in the middle the night all by himself. He probably thinks that the person who is attacking him wrestling with him is Esau's brother. This is this is who he's thinking about, he can't sleep because he knows Esau is close by so he probably thinks this is Esau.

He says bless me. I'm not let you go in and until you give me a blessing member that would conflict earlier in the book of Genesis related to the blessing and taking the blessing from his brother, and then he realizes what wait a minute this is an Esau at all. This is the angel of the Lord. Does this figure this mysterious fear touches him is his hip is, you know, knocked out of joint. If you will. And then he gives him a brand-new name what you have here is actually a lot of sort of baptismal imagery that he crosses through the J book, which was an extension of the Jordan River.

He's in this this trial if you will. This ordeal this conflict and God. There through this process gives him a brand-new name. It's sort of how we think about baptism going into the water and then coming through at this this trial if you will. This ordeal this judgment with the new identity in Jesus Christ. And so it's clear that this is an encounter that he has with the true and the living God or the angel of the Lord actually in the book of Hosea in Hosea chapter 12 we read in verse three in the womb.

He took his brother by the heel. This is speaking of Jacob again and in his manhood. He strove with God. He strove with the angel, and prevailed. He wept and sought his favor. I think the picture here is Jacob whose is relied on his own cunning and wisdom and even deceit for so long, is now being humbled by the Lord. He walks away with a limp, and with the new trust in God's is this the section in Genesis continues. It's amazing how how essential you have the sort of transformation no longer you to be called Jacob, but Israel and so you have this picture of new life if you will of been confronted by God and challenged called to confess even your sins and quit when he says who are you the angel and the Lord knows who Jacob is enzyme Jacob that name means deceiver Ursa planter and Cézanne was confessing.

This is who I am and God says not anymore. And that's that's precisely what the Lord does for us in baptism we come through the waters, confessing our sins and God gives us a new identity in his son Jesus and so a lot of things going on there, but hopefully that that gives you some insight into the text.

God bless thanks for that intro. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez's would love to hear from you. If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life doctrine or theology or what's happening in our culture right now and how your Christian faith intersects with that give us a call for the next 20 minutes or so 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. There's been a lot of discussion about marriage in our culture over the last couple of years in various voices with various opinions on marriage. But what is God's view of marriage. We actually have a booklet that dives into that very important topic that once again this is a resource you want to put in your hand is called why would anyone get married and you know what, with all of the questions that people have today about relationships, about marriage. I know a lot of younger people of my generation putting marriage officer what's what's the what's the purpose you know what's the big deal that you know we could just live together.

That kind of a thing, but what does the Bible say about marriage know what what does God have to say about the union between a man and a woman. What we want to learn more about the suite of this will encourage you whether you're married or not round you and what the Scriptures teach on this subject, so get a hold of three first by going over the core, Christianity.com again it's called, why would anyone get married.

This will help you answer some of the difficult questions that you might be asked by nonbelievers about marriage and give you a chance to share about the beauty and the wonder of God's design and will make this available to you for donation of any amount to go to our website and find it core, Christianity.com/offers just look for why would anyone get married. Let's go back to a voicemail that we received from one of our listeners.

This is from westward in. No doubt that I brother thank you for that question. It's something that has been suggested by people even even prominent broadcasters out there that that really mean what where did Jesus get his wisdom is insight. You know it where the disciples get that from Will Lewis through psychedelic trips that they were on taking mushrooms in those kinds of the thing those kinds of things now.

Is there any biblical basis. Truly, for believing that no effect, just the opposite. In the couple things I'll say one thing the Bible makes absolutely clear is that Jesus was sinless that he was led by throughout his entire life. The Holy Spirit, if you will, as a second person of the holy Trinity in the entrance of the reason that's important is because there are prohibitions in Scripture related to drunkenness related to being under the influence out of out of control. If you will, that we would succumb that sin and we know according to Scripture that Jesus never sinned, so that there is that right there, but another thing the Bible makes absolutely clear is that when it comes to insight in the wisdom Jesus received. It wasn't as though it was mediated by some sort of substance Jesus as the second person of the holy Trinity, God himself is the Lord that in the doesn't need anything in terms of the you know the sort of mediating his spiritual experience when he assumed humanity.

He breathed forth the Spirit of God to that humanity as it were, and lived under the grace of the Holy Spirit throughout his whole life, and this is precisely what John says in John chapter 3 he who comes from heaven is above all, he bears witness to what he has seen and heard.

Yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony.

Such a seal on this, that God is true for he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The father loves the son is given all things into his hand.

Whoever believes in the son has eternal life. Whoever does not obey the son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him were Jesus get his teaching from the authority. It wasn't from psychedelic mushrooms. It was this is the true and the living God come to us from heaven sent by the father full of the Holy Spirit without measure and so that the insights the wisdom of the gospel that he proclaims comes directly from heaven directly from him and so you know when people try to try to say things like oh well you know may be these visions that they were having and so on and so forth. They were there induced by the substance is what it is not reading the Scriptures mean that the word of God tells us where this came from and and so we have to we have to submit to that to what the Scriptures say thank you for your question and God bless your listing core, Christianity, and were always open to your questions you can call us or email us anytime 24 hours day.

We try to check our voicemails regularly and respond to our emails and we have a call right now from Troy in Nashville, Tennessee Troy, what's your question for pastor. Israel will not lose.

First of all, your ministry, and my question is his own YouTube and Google. Anyone can find there that Elon musk is manufactured a company that is building to her sick brain waves from Dobson to the chip in order to function together and he said it is to intersect the conscience and that the chip in the brain will work together and he also has experimented on a piggy was pseudo-new tool that is already done that and they his Senate is going to assume the male part of society is one of his cohorts. Her own YouTube is saying this to just want to know what you think about this in the for the whole church to be aware of is that something like this was going on and is not a fake. You can find out for yourself and I wonder what you think about it all is, if the question is, you know, do I think that this is you know, kicking off the end times are that this might be the mark of the beast.

Or maybe what leads to the mark of the beast because I know this idea was properly popularized by by certain books that were recently written this idea.

You know the mark of the beast is a microchip or something that can be placed in an individual's hand or on their forehead. I think that that's not really the best way to read the book of Revelation, the book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature. It's it's prophetic. You have so many symbols there, and often times the numbers are symbolic, oftentimes the imagery that's painted forces. John is having these visions. Also, your dreams under the things that he sees are symbolic of something else. So for example you have at the beginning of the book of Revelation 7 golden lampstands. Those are symbolic of the seven churches that were there in Asia minor to get understand the book of Revelation. According to its context, and when it talks about people being marked with this mark.

The mark of the beast, describing in places like the end of Revelation chapter 13, more than anything. I think that's association with that the pagan worship. The system there of idolatry, a rejection of the gospel, not believing in Jesus Christ and and and embracing of false worship. Idolatry misses specifically, it was interesting is you know in other places throughout the book of Revelation that the children of God are marked as well. They have the name of God written on. Therefore, had you see this at the very beginning of chapter 14 so right on the heels of a description of the mark of the beast.

14.

One says then I looked, and behold on Mount Zion stood the Lamb with and with him 144,000 who had his name and his father's name written on their foreheads. So yeah this contrast here between those who embrace this idolatrous system of worship. This false worship marked by the beast, characterized by by the beast and those who embrace Christ and the gospel sealed with the Holy Spirit, you cannot. I don't believe that an individual can take the mark of the beast accidentally and that's what a lot of people are concerned about Troy, Jenny, think about this technology that's out there and what a fight. What if I get this or that and and I accidentally took the mark of the beast and I'm eternally condemned know if you believe in Jesus Christ. If you're a follower of Christ. If you trusted in him truly and you belong to the true and living God. You have been sealed.

You belong to the Lord. You do not accidentally take the mark of the beast.

So I think it's it's unhelpful to so to speculate about these things are in with technology and all that. I think we have to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus through his word obviously want. We want to be aware of the things that are happening around us, but we don't want to, you know, just speculate about all this must be the mark of the beast and that's probably the Antichrist that kind of thing know you fix your eyes Troy on Christ and on the word and being plugged into a solid local church men. That's what God calls you to and I pray that as you do, that the Lord give you peace in the midst of all the things that are happening around us.

Douglas thanks Troy appreciate you calling in and being a regular listener to core Christianity would love to hear from you. If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life doctrine or theology. Our phone lines will be open for the next six of the minutes or so will take your call at 833 the core by the way were to record a second program today after our live show so you can actually call him for the next 30 minutes or so.

35 minutes or so. If you have a question, 1-833-843-2673 go to David from St. Louis, Missouri David, what's your question for pastor. Israel, yeah can hear good David with your question. So question in all guy contact social media obviously a draft email for financial help and here we live near our community to live the real and we we pray together regularly and actually probably spot have taken no responsibility for the ministry for 25+ all and all that completely would and shortly after midnight, and obviously I'm a little gadgets reluctant to send her money. Obviously, all lightly but shortly after we met all of my sons running which all boy God is the one girl wanted to start going to church so now found myself now is not not responsible ministry for 15 boys in my neighborhood that without fathers so my question is my discernment. I believe in God. I feel like God is calling you to somehow financially send him whatever I can. So what is your advice you man will one. Praise God says what it would cool opportunity first with with the friends of your son. You said, who are coming around man praise the I came to faith really him.

He began walking with the Lord through through the hospitality of a Christian family, just having me in their home. They they had a son who was my agent to spend time with them so you never know how God is going to use you your family are hospitality now love your desire not just to care for the people in your community, but also for the saints who are brought in. Of course that's commended throughout Scripture. I think a second Corinthians chapter 8 we want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that is been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed, and a wealth of generosity on their part, for they gave a court of their means as I can testify and beyond their means of their own accord.

We are called then you know this to be to be generous to support our brothers and sisters who are in need. Now generally I am suspicious of of the kinds of things that you get, you know, sent to you on socially I get those kinds of messages to on social media people with me to send me pictures of orphanages and and those kinds of things in. I think if you talk to missions agencies. They will they will also highlight you know there's a lot of shady stuff out there. Sadly, and there are a lot of people trying to take advantage you have resources that are sent towards missions that don't actually get used for the mission or for those who are in need. It's it's so so there's I think your wise and wanting to be careful and I think doing as much resources at research and getting it as much information as you can is is good and if you can.

If you can corroborate that the sort of story that your hearing you know that might be helpful.

Generally speaking for me, as a rule in a like III don't necessarily buy would respond to those kinds of requests that I received on social media, which doesn't mean you don't that they're all bad for Sammy. I did. I just don't know. So you need to do the research and and in and check that out to see if it if it passes muster and so I would say at the end of the day. You know you have to do that and if you feel like you can with a clear conscience.

Go ahead and and send some help then then you know do it and I think that the Lord will bless you and honor you and that but I just would hate to see you take advantage of so sounds to me like your ear you having conversations you've you've zoomed with with these folks may be even that I think reaching out to some other many missions agencies and see you know is is that these kinds of scams happening and see if they could give you any any insight.

Besides one site may the Lord may the Lord bless you in in your desire to be generous, and especially in here is your ministering to the kids in your neighborhood. May God give you wisdom and I just favor with them as you share the love of Christ David God bless some great counsel Andrew.

I love that idea of checking with some of the submissions agencies that are on the ground in that area to see if this is legitimate and doctors that we wouldn't want to David be taken advantage of so many people have been in the past so could be a risk. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder we have this great booklet on marriage available basically talks about what is the meaning and purpose of marriage according to the Bible when a lot of people are asking questions about marriage these days you can find that on our website.

Core, Christianity.com/offers it's called, why would anyone get married would love to get that into your hands for a donation of any amount. Let's get back to the phones we have Taylor on the line from Springfield, Missouri, Taylor, what your question for pastor. Israel and well guy you like my relationship what online you know so my question is that I know you.

But I I am struggling to connect or to understand the Holy Spirit and like the direction and counsel from the Holy Spirit.

I'd like to know. I think I'm just so you and I can't hear the spirituality part of it. I just struggling a little bit Taylor I'm so grateful to hear how the Lord is been working in your life and what an exciting time as is a newer believer in there can be so many feelings and emotions associated with that season of the Christian life see this her newlywed days of walking with Jesus and maybe for the first time understanding the gospel what it's all about experiencing God's presence. I think sometimes in our lives as is, new Christians, God gives us just a special sense of his presence. Almost as if to to show us yes I am real you can trust in me. But those feelings aren't always there, and I remember from me as a new Christian when when those feelings left. I really I really struggle, I would. What did God leave me did I do something wrong but I think what the Lord is try to teach me meet with the Lord is wanting to teach you is to trust in his word, not in how we feel in one of the ways that the primary way that the spirit speaks today. Taylor is through Scripture illuminating the word of God.

And so if you want to grow in your ability to hear God speaking to be led by the spirit which were called right and it is something were called it did to do is to be filled with the spirit to be led by the spirit.

What happens as you're grounded in the word of God and so can I just encourage you one make sure that you're in a solid church that faithfully teaches the word, but to you know be be in the word consistently in your own life, asking God the Holy Spirit to speak to you to reveal his truth to you more and more. Sometimes we call the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

God the Spirit inspires the words of Scripture for us so we can we can take the bank as it is God's word and now as we read he illumines it to our minds and hearts so that we might receive it for ourselves, and may God do that for you Taylor in this season of your life. God bless.

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