Doctrine on restitutions – CALVARY LIGHT OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH

Holding on to the twenty two doctrines of the Bible, requisite for readiness for the imminent rapture.

Revelation 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

So Jesus in love exhorted all Bible believing believers to live in readiness for the imminent rapture or eternity with God.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

However from glory our Lord affirmed that, the Bible believing believers that shall be part of the imminent rapture or eternity with God, are those that hold unto the totality of the doctrines till He comes.

The blessed Holy Spirit said that for both the minister and the members of the church who desire eternity with God, must live by the totality of the doctrines of the Bible.

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

No wonder when our Lord was to ascend back to heaven, He gave a firm instructions that His church must be taught the totality of God’s unfailing unchanging infallible eternal words in the Bible.

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This becomes a compulsion for every Bible believing believers who desire eternity with God or partaking in the imminent rapture.

TODAY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE SHALL BE STUDYING IN DETAILS, BIBLE DOCTRINE 6. : RESTITUTION

God’s Word teaches:

That Restitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellow men, restoring stolen things to their rightful owners, paying debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and man – Genesis 20:1-8,14-18; Exodus 22:1-7; Leviticus 6:1-7; Numbers 5:6-8; 2 Samuel 12:1-6; Proverbs 6:31; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Matthew 5:23,24; Luke 19:8,9; Acts 23:1-5; 24:16; James 4:17; 5:16.

Restitution on marriage.

Genesis 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. 20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife. 20:4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? 20:5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. 20:6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. 20:8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

20:14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. 20:15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. 20:16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

Restitution on stolen things

Exodus 22:1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 22:2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 22:3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 22:4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution. 22:6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. 22:7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.

Restitution on deceit and fraud

Leviticus 6:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; 6:3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 6:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, 6:5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. 6:6 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: 6:7 And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.

Restitution done to the Lord.

Numbers 5:6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; 5:7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed. 5:8 But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD, even to the priest; beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him.

Restitution in the time of the kings.

2 Samuel 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 12:2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 12:4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 12:5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 12:6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

Restitution in the times of the prophets

Ezekiel 33:14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; 33:15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 33:16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

Restitution taught by Christ.

Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Restitution taught by the apostles.

Acts 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Restitution is the act of making amends for wrongs done against our fellowmen; restoring stolen or misappropriated things, properties or persons to their rightful owners; paying back just debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men.

This is done whether the person injured knew it or not, for God knows (Hebrews 4:13).

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

We receive forgiveness when we confess and forsake our sins.

We get cleansed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Sin against God and man.

When a man sins against God, we often find that other people suffer as a result of that sin.

Sin against man and God.

It is also true that when a man sins against his neighbour, he sins against God in the same act, because one of God’s commandments has been broken.

God willingly forgives the sins committed against Him when there is repentance and forsaking of sin.

However, God requires that a man make amends to any person he has injured or wronged as a mark among other things, that repentance is genuine.

We need to bear fruit that signify to all that we have become new creatures indeed (Luke 3:8-14; Romans 8:1,2; Acts 24:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Listen to example of fruit.

Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Jacob and his children

Genesis 43:1 And the famine was sore in the land. 43:2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: 43:12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

Making restitutions ensure that we have right relationship with our fellowmen after we are reconciled with God.

Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

The Bible doctrine on restitution in practice and precept spans virtually all the dispensations of God’s dealings with men till present day.

The revelation of God’s will and word before the Mosaic laws demands that we make restitution (Romans 1:19,20)

Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Jacob told his sons to restore the money found in their sacks, when they went to buy corn in Egypt m

Genesis 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: 43:12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

. Therefore, this teaching or doctrine of God’s word, which had been established many years before the law cannot be abolished with the law.

Restitution is part of the moral law.

Most sins committed by men are against God as well as their neighbour.

So repentance toward God for the children of Israel included restoration to man of all properties gained by fraud, lying or pretence of whatever kind (Exodus 21:18,19,22,26-36; 22:1-15; Leviticus 6:2-5; Numbers 5:6-8).

Rulers in Israel reflected and embraced this teaching on restitution.

It is vital today that rulers, temporal and spiritual reflect this commitment to God’s moral requirement for all men (cf.2 Samuel 16:5-8 with 19:16-23; Proverbs 6:30,31; 1 Kings 20:34; 2 Kings 8:1-6).

Proverbs 6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

1 Kings 20:34 And Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.

The prophets of Israel also preached, explained, and emphasized the need to make restitution by every backslidden Israelite who is returning to God (Nehemiah 5:6-13).

Nehemiah 5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. 5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. 5:9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? 5:10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. 5:11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. 5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

The prophets proclaimed and prophesied much of the coming Christ and the atoning sacrifice.

They were quick to recognize the need for the blood of the lamb to cleanse sins, yet they did not lessen God’s requirement of the necessity of restitution.

The ministry of preachers today is akin to that of the Old Testament prophets.

Restitution is a doctrine of Christ, confirming his word that “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled”.

Every believer must earnestly and whole- heartedly contend for and practice all that Christ taught (Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3-5; 19:8-10).

Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Zacchaeus’ encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ is an object lesson.

He wanted nothing to stand between himself and salvation – not even his wealth, especially that part that was ill-gotten.

Though the people murmured that Jesus was going to be a sinner’s guest, Jesus pronounced that salvation has come to Zacchaeus’ house since he as a son of Abraham not only by birth but now by faith, is ready to make right his life and wholly follow the Lord

. The salvation experience makes a person feel like returning all possessions that rightfully belong to others.

The Apostles in the early church also practiced and taught restitution. In fact, the whole church of God lived by this teaching (Matthew 28:19,20; John 14:26; Acts 2:42; 16:4,5; Philemon 7-21)

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Restitution promised by Paul to do to Philemon

Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 1:8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 1:9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 1:10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 1:11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 1:12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 1:15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 1:16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 1:17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 1:18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 1:19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

. The rules of righteous living are just as high (or even higher), under the dispensation of grace, as those in the Old Testament.

Restitution is as much a part of the gospel as conversion or water baptism.

It is not a self- righteous act to merit pardon. When a man is saved, he will not only make right matters of money such as theft, dishonest gains and unpaid bills; he will also confess his lies, slanderous reports, unjust criticisms, hatred, malice – those things in which one may have injured others in word or in deed.

One may say, “my brother or sister does not know that I talked evil of him.” But what about the person to whom you talked? Without doubt you have harmed him, and perhaps he repeated it to others. You should go to the one to whom you talked and confess it. It is better that we make right all previous wrongs here and now than face it in eternity.

The great ‘Counsellor’ who never lost a case can go before us and soften the hearts of those whom we have wronged (1 Timothy 5:24).

1 Timothy 5:24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Making restitution can be likened to a spiritual warfare in which we need God’s help and wisdom to undertake for us and quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:10-12,16).

Some restitutions are delicate. These are restitutions that may implicate or bring injuries or harm to others that may be unsaved or the need to settle issues with individuals or organizations that may affect other people in an adverse way.

These also include cases in which we do not have clear leading from God’s word as to what steps to take.

For delicate restitutions, we need fervent prayers, wisdom and counseling from Spirit-filled preachers of God’s word who believe and teach the whole counsel of God (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6).

The civil laws in a country may not always govern in matters of restitution. For example, the law may provide a time limit for certain classes of debts and obligations, after which they become lapse; but no debts are outlawed with God. Time cannot cancel moral obligations.

Restitution is usually considered at the time of salvation because God will only forgive when a man is willing, so far as it lies within his power, to make right every wrong that he has committed against others.

There would be need, however, throughout life as a Christian to be ready to make restitution where need be, when others are offended, for example, out of human error of judgment (Acts 23:1-5; Matthew 5:23,24).

God demands that restitution be made. A far-reaching benefit in God’s plan as regards restitution is that an undeniable testimony is directed to the people who otherwise might never

seriously hear the story of the gospel.

A religion that compels a man to pay his just debts, restore back the things he has stolen, and uncover his crimes demands confidence from the men of the world.

When restitutions are made, and past wrongs are settled, the peace of God floods the believer’s heart.

There is confidence towards God in prayer and the believer makes progress in the Christian life as sense of guilt is removed (Romans 8:1,2).

Ecclesiastes 3:15

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

God requires that which is past to be corrected.

What are you now going to do with this revelation of scriptures?

Listen to Jesus again.

Beloved brethren, because you want to be part of imminent rapture or eternity with God and don’t want to experience great tribulation, then doing your restitution now is a must, so that you don’t do it after the imminent rapture.

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

May the good Lord help you in particular to be wise unto salvation in Jesus name.

Let us pray.

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