BQA3
Should a Christian get tattoos or support others who get tattoos?
The Christian should realize that his or her body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you . . . and you are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19). Since your body is God’s sanctuary, where His presence dwells, many feel that putting tattoos on the human body is like putting graffiti on the church building.
In the Old Testament, when a person bought a slave, he took an awl and bored a hole in the slave’s earlobe, indicating ownership.
In the same way, tribes tattooed, or marked, their young for ownership. A Christian should not have tattoos because they send a mixed message. They are not telling people “God owns him.” God says, “Know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you . . . For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19–20).
In the Old Testament the Lord commanded His people, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD” (Lev. 19:28). The marks that God prohibited were actually identification with the heathen religion, tribe, and/or god; acts of worshiping a heathen god; or other forms of rebellion against God. God did not want His people to identify with heathen cultures, religions, or gods. Therefore, God demanded no compromise with heathen practices.
Markings in reverse indicated that the person was not a part of God’s people. When a person became a follower of God, he would cover his markings out of repentance from the old, but also out of embarrassment for his former rebellion against God. The new follower wanted to be identified with God, not with the former style of life.
Is belief in eternal security necessary for a person to be saved?
No, the doctrine of eternal security does not save anyone. It is Jesus Christ that saves. A person must know the plan of salvation: (1) that the person is a sinner (Rom. 3:23), (2) that sin will be judged (Rom. 6:23), (3) that Jesus has paid the price for that sin (Rom. 5:8), and (4) that believing in Jesus Christ actually saves a person (Rom. 10:9).
The book of Romans declares, “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). Therefore, anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The phrase eternal security is not in the Bible, and yet it is a point of controversy. Many Christians “fight” over it because some believe in it and others completely reject it. However, those who understand that being in Jesus Christ makes them secure have wonderful confidence and assurance.
Those who do not understand that Jesus gives eternal life, which lasts forever, have missed a great joy in life. They are saved; however, they may be missing a great joy or may allow tension and doubt to take away their peace. All people who trust in Jesus Christ are saved and saved forever whether they believe in eternal security or deny it.
©alexanderthomas.org
