Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Maintaining Unity In The Local Congregation
The challenge of "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism" to a great extent revolves around the problem of religious division that begins in the local church. Every denomination today began as a result of religious division. And religious division normally finds it origin with brethren in a local congregation unable to resolve their differences. While having the same standard of authority is essential to unity in religious matters, I also stated that it alone is insufficient, as suggested in this quote by Barton W. Stone:
"But should all the professors of Christianity reject all their various creeds and names, and agree to receive the Bible alone, and be called by no other name than Christian, will this unite them? No, we are fully convinced that unless they all possess the spirit of that book and name they are far, very far, from Christian union." (As quoted by J. M. Powell, The Cause We Plead: A Story Of The Restoration Movement, 20th Century Christian, 1987, p. 56).
It is essential that those who seek to allow the Bible, and in particular the New Testament, to be their standard of authority possess the proper Christian attitudes and to apply those attitudes when handling the Word of God -- Otherwise, the "sword of the Spirit" (Ep 6:17) will be abused to the detriment of all parties involved. To appreciate what I mean, in this lesson we shall examine how Paul dealt with the problem of division in the early church, and the solution he offered that we might "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We begin by first noticing what Paul described as a major cause of division by looking at the situation at Corinth.
Paul found it necessary to write "that there be no divisions among you" - 1 Co 1:10. There were contentions among them, manifested by breaking up into parties and calling themselves after different men - 1 Co 1:11-12 "Several people from Chloe's family have already reported to me that you keep arguing with each other. They have said that some of you claim to follow me, while others claim to follow Apollos or Peter or Christ." -- Sounds a lot like religious division today, doesn't it?
Let’s look at Paul’s evaluation of the problem. As Paul wrote to them, he realized he was dealing with "babes in Christ", who instead of being "spiritual" were "carnal" - 1 Co 3:1-3a "My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That's why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, because you are not yet spiritual." Indeed, the root of their envy, strife, and divisions was their carnality - 1 Co 3:3b "You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world." -- Conditions today are not really all that much different; where division exists, carnality (or spiritual immaturity) is often a major cause of the problem! This is not to say that there are never any substantive issues at stake when division occurs. But any hope for resolving differences over such issues is stifled when the parties involved are filled with envy and strife. This may help us appreciate why Paul so frequently focused his attention on the development of attitudes which increase the likelihood of overcoming differences so that unity might prevail.
Let's take a look at these attitudes for maintaining unity. To the church at Ephesus, Paul taught the virtue of "Lowliness" - Ep 4:2 "Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other." This word means:
The having a humble opinion of one's self.
A deep sense of one's (moral) littleness.
Modesty, humility, lowliness of mind.
Without this virtue, members in the body begin trying to be the "head" of the body, a role reserved only for Christ.
"Gentleness" - Ep 4:2 (see above). This word can be translated as gentleness, mildness, meekness. It is not a quality of weakness, but of power under control. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3), but capable of great strength and boldness. Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart" (Mt 11:29), but we see where He drove the money changers out of the temple. Thus it is being gentle, even when there is the potential for being harsh, but gentleness is more conducive for maintaining unity.
"Long-suffering" - Ep 4:2 (see above "Patiently"). The idea here is one of patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs. When the body consists of members who are not perfect, and often sin against each other, maintaining unity is not possible unless they are willing to endure each other's imperfections.
"Put up with one another in love" - Ep 4:2 (see above). Similar to longsuffering, "bearing" means to sustain, to bear, to endure. What makes such "longsuffering" and "forbearance" possible is another virtue: "love". As Paul wrote in his chapter on love: "love suffers long...is not provoked" - 1 Co 13:4-5 "Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do.". Indeed, the virtue of love is the "tie" that binds all these virtues together - Co 3:12-14 "Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together."
"Endeavor" - Ep 4:3 "Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace." Displaying these virtues does not come naturally nor easy, nor does maintaining unity. Thus the need for much effort, as Paul uses a word which means "to exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence" -- Only by giving diligence to display ALL these virtues, can we hope to "keep (maintain) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" - Ep 4:3
To the church at Philippi, Paul directed them to "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit" - Ph 2:3. It is necessary to point out those attitudes we should NOT have! For possessing these attitudes will destroy unity. Both involve a "self-centered" attitude rather than a "Christ-centered" attitude. Therefore, it is required that we rid ourselves of:
The desire for exalting self ("selfish ambition")
The improper estimation of self ("conceit")
In place of these, we should substitute "in lowliness of mind" - Ph 2:3. In other words, humility as in Ep 4:2. This will effectively replace the problem of "conceit". Humility should be easy to maintain if we remember our own faults and "let each esteem others better than himself" - Ph 2:3. This should be easy for us to do for we are aware of our own defects, but we do not have the same clear view of the defects of others. We can only see their outward conduct; in our own case, we can look within. We see our own hearts, with all its faults; we cannot so look into the hearts of others. In writing to the brethren at Rome, Paul exhorted them to outdo one another in this regard - "in honor giving preference to one another" - Ro 12:10b. "look out...for the interest of others" - Ph 2:4. This attitude eliminates the problem of "selfish ambition". It is the attitude of maturity, and was the attitude of Christ! - Ro 15:1-3 "If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ So it should be the attitude of every Christian! As strongly suggested by Ph 2:1-2, these qualities in verses 3-4 contribute to the unity that produces fullness of joy!
To the churches of Galatia, Paul cautioned against the improper use of our liberty in Christ. While it is true that we must stand fast in our liberty and not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage... - Ga 5:1 "Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again." ...we should use our liberty as an opportunity to serve one another in love - Ga 5:13-14 "My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. All that the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself." Otherwise, abuse of our liberty gives the flesh opportunity to destroy one another! - Ga 5:15 "But if you keep attacking each other like wild animals, you had better watch out or you will destroy yourselves."
To the church at Rome, Paul wrote that we should pursue things that lead to peace and edification - Ro 14:19 "We should try to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith." That the strong should be willing to bear with the scruples of the weak - Ro 14:1 "Welcome all the Lord's followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don't criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours.", 13 "We must stop judging others. We must also make up our minds not to upset anyone's faith."; 15:1-3 "If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ That the weak in faith must be careful not to judge (condemn) those whom God has received! - Ro 14:3-4 "But you should not criticize others for eating or for not eating. After all, God welcomes everyone. What right do you have to criticize someone else's servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right, and the Lord will make sure that they do right." -- Such attitudes are necessary, or we will not be able "with one mind and one mouth [to] glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!" - Ro 15:5-7.
Finally, to the church at Corinth Paul made it clear that knowledge can puff one up, but it is love that edifies ("builds up", in contrast to knowledge which "puffs up") - 1 Co 8:1 "In your letter you asked me about food offered to idols. All of us know something about this subject. But knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others." That we who have liberty in Christ should be careful that we don't use it to the destruction of our brethren who are weak - 1 Co 8:9-12 "Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. You know all this, and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ." That we should therefore be willing to forego our liberties if it can help keep a brother from stumbling - 1 Co 8:13 "So if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live."; 10:31-11:1 "When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church. I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved. You must follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
From personal experience, I can attest that where members display these attitudes in addition to their devotion to "the apostles' doctrine"......there will be a congregation of Christians in which love and unity will prevail. That's not to say there will always be perfect understanding and agreement on every subject. When people from every conceivable background come to Christ, we should expect some differences. When there will always be brethren at various levels of spiritual growth, we can expect some challenges. But if we can agree that the teaching of Christ as expounded in "the apostles' doctrine" is our standard of authority in religious matters and inculcate the Christian attitudes described in this lesson into the heart of every member then we shall be able to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ep 4:3) as we all continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ" (2 Pe 3:18), to the glory of God!
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part Two
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part Two
Another question that often arises when the subject of authority in religion is being discussed: "Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go?" I.e., must we have authority for all that we do in religious matters? To help answer such questions, consider these warnings found in the New Testament. We must not change it’s message! This is especially true in regards to the gospel of Christ! - Ga 1:8-9 "I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed." Even if we claimed a change was authorized by an angelic messenger, we would be accursed! Therefore, the gospel of salvation in Christ must be preserved in every respect!
We must not add or take away from it. We find such a warning at the conclusion of the last book of the Bible - Re 22:18-19 "Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: If you add anything to them, God will make you suffer all the terrible troubles written in this book. If you take anything away from these prophecies, God will not let you have part in the life-giving tree and in the holy city described in this book." Though primarily applicable to the book of Revelation, this warning is consistent with others pertaining to the revelation of God's will to man - Deu 4:2 "and now he is your God. I am telling you everything he has commanded, so don't add anything or take anything away."; Pro 30:5-6 "Everything God says is true-- and it's a shield for all who come to him for safety. Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar."
We must abide in the doctrine of Christ. Otherwise, we will not have fellowship with the Father and the Son - 2 Jn 9 "Don't keep changing what you were taught about Christ, or else God will no longer be with you. But if you hold firmly to what you were taught, both the Father and the Son will be with you." Is this passage referring to the doctrine "about" Christ, or the doctrine "taught by" Christ (along with His apostles)? As pointed out in the Expositor's Bible Commentary, the question is of little importance for John holds equally to both positions. It is fundamental to the faith to hold to the proper views about Christ - 2 Jn 7 "Many liars have gone out into the world. These deceitful liars are saying that Jesus Christ did not have a truly human body. But they are liars and the enemies of Christ." It is fundamental to the faith to obey the commandments of Christ - 1 Jn 3:24 "If we obey God's commandments, we will stay one in our hearts with him, and he will stay one with us. The Spirit that he has given us is proof that we are one with him." Thus what John says here applies in either case.
We must not allow "traditions of men" to make the "commands of God" of no effect. Jesus charged the Pharisees with "vain" worship for doing this - Mk 7:5-13 "The Pharisees and teachers asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? Why do they eat without washing their hands?" Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, "All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans." You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings! Didn't Moses command you to respect your father and mother? Didn't he tell you to put to death all who curse their parents? But you let people get by without helping their parents when they should. You let them say that what they own has been offered to God. You won't let those people help their parents. And you ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do a lot of other things that are just as bad." In view of this warning, we should evaluate our religious practices: Are they based upon "traditions of men", or the "commandments of God"? If "traditions of men", does our keeping them render the "commands of God" of no effect? For example, by keeping the man-made tradition of sprinkling for baptism, the command of God for immersion (Grk. "baptizo") is rendered of no effect.
We must not abuse our liberty in Christ. In Christ we enjoy wonderful freedom, but we must be careful in our use of it - Ga 5:1 "Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.", 13 "My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love." We must be considerate of our brothers' consciences - Ro 14:14-15:3 "The Lord Jesus has made it clear to me that God considers all foods fit to eat. But if you think some foods are unfit to eat, then for you they are not fit. If you are hurting others by the foods you eat, you are not guided by love. Don't let your appetite destroy someone Christ died for. Don't let your right to eat bring shame to Christ. God's kingdom isn't about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ in this way, you will please God and be respected by people. We should try to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith. Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat. It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes problems for other followers of the Lord. What you believe about these things should be kept between you and God. You are fortunate, if your actions don't make you have doubts. But if you do have doubts about what you eat, you are going against your beliefs. And you know that is wrong, because anything you do against your beliefs is sin. If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ We should be willing to forego our liberty rather than let it destroy a brother - 1 Co 8:9-13 "Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. You know all this, and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. So if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live." We should not only ask "Is it lawful?", but also "Does it edify?" - 1 Co 10:23-24 "Some of you say, "We can do whatever we want to!" But I tell you that not everything may be good or helpful. We should think about others and not about ourselves.", 31-33 "When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church. I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved." With such "warnings" weighing upon our hearts, we are more likely to approach the Word of God with the humility it deserves as we seek to establish the authority for our service to God.
But one last question related to having the same standard of authority: Will it "guarantee" unity among the followers of Christ? No, because agreeing upon the same will not guarantee unity. There are still other challenges to face. Which commands are binding today? Some commands must be understood to be limited in application. Effort must be made to determine whether a command was intended to be limited or universal in application. Which approved examples are to be considered normative for the church today?. Much of what we learn about the church pertaining to its work and organization is by example, not precept. Effort must be made to determine whether an example should be understood as teaching a binding principle for the church to observe universally. When are necessary implications really necessary implications? People often infer things from the Bible and call their conclusion a "necessary" implication. But it may only be a "possible" implication, not one "necessarily" inferred -- These are some of the questions or challenges faced by every congregation of Christians.
As Christians seek unity, we need more than just the same standard of authority. Barton W. Stone, an effective promoter of Christian unity in the early 1800's, had these insightful words in an article entitled "Christian Union" published in The Christian Messenger (1828): "On no other foundation can the parties ever meet, than on the Bible alone, without note or comment; and in no other name will they ever unite, but in that given to the disciples at Antioch--CHRISTIAN. But should all the professors of Christianity reject all their various creeds and names, and agree to receive the Bible alone, and be called by no other name than Christian, will this unite them? No, we are fully convinced that unless they all possess the spirit of that book and name they are far, very far, from Christian union." (As quoted by J. M. Powell, The Cause We Plead: A Story Of The Restoration Movement, 20th Century Christian, 1987, p. 56). In addition to agreeing on the same standard of authority (i.e., the Word of God), we need the proper spirit to "rightly divide the word of truth" - 2 Ti 2:14-16 "Don't let anyone forget these things. And with God as your witness, you must warn them not to argue about words. These arguments don't help anyone. In fact, they ruin everyone who listens to them. Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message. Keep away from worthless and useless talk. It only leads people farther away from God." As Paul told Timothy, the servant of the Lord must carefully apply the Word when seeking to teach others - 2 Ti 2:23-25 "Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble, and God's servants must not be troublemakers. They must be kind to everyone, and they must be good teachers and very patient. Be humble when you correct people who oppose you. Maybe God will lead them to turn to him and learn the truth."
The apostle Paul has more to say on the attitudes necessary to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace", but we will consider those in our next lesson. My purpose in this lesson has been to share some thoughts that I pray will help steer us in the right direction as we "Follow Jesus Without Denominationalism": The Bible teaches us, not only by way of direct commands, but through approved examples and necessary implications. It is helpful to understand the principles of general and specific authority, and when something may be expedient to fulfill things that are authorized. Warnings throughout the scriptures should serve to keep us on the "straight and narrow". But as valuable and needful the same standard of authority may be, simple agreement on what the standard is will not guarantee unity - we need to apply the proper spirit of love, patience and humility as we grow together towards unity in Christ. What is your attitude toward the authority of God's Word? Are you willing to accept the authority of Jesus Christ, as delegated to His apostles? - Mt 28:18-20 "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world."
Ac 2:36-38 "Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross. When the people heard this, they were very upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Friends, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part Two
Another question that often arises when the subject of authority in religion is being discussed: "Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go?" I.e., must we have authority for all that we do in religious matters? To help answer such questions, consider these warnings found in the New Testament. We must not change it’s message! This is especially true in regards to the gospel of Christ! - Ga 1:8-9 "I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed." Even if we claimed a change was authorized by an angelic messenger, we would be accursed! Therefore, the gospel of salvation in Christ must be preserved in every respect!
We must not add or take away from it. We find such a warning at the conclusion of the last book of the Bible - Re 22:18-19 "Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: If you add anything to them, God will make you suffer all the terrible troubles written in this book. If you take anything away from these prophecies, God will not let you have part in the life-giving tree and in the holy city described in this book." Though primarily applicable to the book of Revelation, this warning is consistent with others pertaining to the revelation of God's will to man - Deu 4:2 "and now he is your God. I am telling you everything he has commanded, so don't add anything or take anything away."; Pro 30:5-6 "Everything God says is true-- and it's a shield for all who come to him for safety. Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar."
We must abide in the doctrine of Christ. Otherwise, we will not have fellowship with the Father and the Son - 2 Jn 9 "Don't keep changing what you were taught about Christ, or else God will no longer be with you. But if you hold firmly to what you were taught, both the Father and the Son will be with you." Is this passage referring to the doctrine "about" Christ, or the doctrine "taught by" Christ (along with His apostles)? As pointed out in the Expositor's Bible Commentary, the question is of little importance for John holds equally to both positions. It is fundamental to the faith to hold to the proper views about Christ - 2 Jn 7 "Many liars have gone out into the world. These deceitful liars are saying that Jesus Christ did not have a truly human body. But they are liars and the enemies of Christ." It is fundamental to the faith to obey the commandments of Christ - 1 Jn 3:24 "If we obey God's commandments, we will stay one in our hearts with him, and he will stay one with us. The Spirit that he has given us is proof that we are one with him." Thus what John says here applies in either case.
We must not allow "traditions of men" to make the "commands of God" of no effect. Jesus charged the Pharisees with "vain" worship for doing this - Mk 7:5-13 "The Pharisees and teachers asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? Why do they eat without washing their hands?" Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, "All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans." You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings! Didn't Moses command you to respect your father and mother? Didn't he tell you to put to death all who curse their parents? But you let people get by without helping their parents when they should. You let them say that what they own has been offered to God. You won't let those people help their parents. And you ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do a lot of other things that are just as bad." In view of this warning, we should evaluate our religious practices: Are they based upon "traditions of men", or the "commandments of God"? If "traditions of men", does our keeping them render the "commands of God" of no effect? For example, by keeping the man-made tradition of sprinkling for baptism, the command of God for immersion (Grk. "baptizo") is rendered of no effect.
We must not abuse our liberty in Christ. In Christ we enjoy wonderful freedom, but we must be careful in our use of it - Ga 5:1 "Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.", 13 "My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love." We must be considerate of our brothers' consciences - Ro 14:14-15:3 "The Lord Jesus has made it clear to me that God considers all foods fit to eat. But if you think some foods are unfit to eat, then for you they are not fit. If you are hurting others by the foods you eat, you are not guided by love. Don't let your appetite destroy someone Christ died for. Don't let your right to eat bring shame to Christ. God's kingdom isn't about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ in this way, you will please God and be respected by people. We should try to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith. Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat. It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes problems for other followers of the Lord. What you believe about these things should be kept between you and God. You are fortunate, if your actions don't make you have doubts. But if you do have doubts about what you eat, you are going against your beliefs. And you know that is wrong, because anything you do against your beliefs is sin. If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ We should be willing to forego our liberty rather than let it destroy a brother - 1 Co 8:9-13 "Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. You know all this, and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. So if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live." We should not only ask "Is it lawful?", but also "Does it edify?" - 1 Co 10:23-24 "Some of you say, "We can do whatever we want to!" But I tell you that not everything may be good or helpful. We should think about others and not about ourselves.", 31-33 "When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church. I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved." With such "warnings" weighing upon our hearts, we are more likely to approach the Word of God with the humility it deserves as we seek to establish the authority for our service to God.
But one last question related to having the same standard of authority: Will it "guarantee" unity among the followers of Christ? No, because agreeing upon the same will not guarantee unity. There are still other challenges to face. Which commands are binding today? Some commands must be understood to be limited in application. Effort must be made to determine whether a command was intended to be limited or universal in application. Which approved examples are to be considered normative for the church today?. Much of what we learn about the church pertaining to its work and organization is by example, not precept. Effort must be made to determine whether an example should be understood as teaching a binding principle for the church to observe universally. When are necessary implications really necessary implications? People often infer things from the Bible and call their conclusion a "necessary" implication. But it may only be a "possible" implication, not one "necessarily" inferred -- These are some of the questions or challenges faced by every congregation of Christians.
As Christians seek unity, we need more than just the same standard of authority. Barton W. Stone, an effective promoter of Christian unity in the early 1800's, had these insightful words in an article entitled "Christian Union" published in The Christian Messenger (1828): "On no other foundation can the parties ever meet, than on the Bible alone, without note or comment; and in no other name will they ever unite, but in that given to the disciples at Antioch--CHRISTIAN. But should all the professors of Christianity reject all their various creeds and names, and agree to receive the Bible alone, and be called by no other name than Christian, will this unite them? No, we are fully convinced that unless they all possess the spirit of that book and name they are far, very far, from Christian union." (As quoted by J. M. Powell, The Cause We Plead: A Story Of The Restoration Movement, 20th Century Christian, 1987, p. 56). In addition to agreeing on the same standard of authority (i.e., the Word of God), we need the proper spirit to "rightly divide the word of truth" - 2 Ti 2:14-16 "Don't let anyone forget these things. And with God as your witness, you must warn them not to argue about words. These arguments don't help anyone. In fact, they ruin everyone who listens to them. Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message. Keep away from worthless and useless talk. It only leads people farther away from God." As Paul told Timothy, the servant of the Lord must carefully apply the Word when seeking to teach others - 2 Ti 2:23-25 "Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble, and God's servants must not be troublemakers. They must be kind to everyone, and they must be good teachers and very patient. Be humble when you correct people who oppose you. Maybe God will lead them to turn to him and learn the truth."
The apostle Paul has more to say on the attitudes necessary to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace", but we will consider those in our next lesson. My purpose in this lesson has been to share some thoughts that I pray will help steer us in the right direction as we "Follow Jesus Without Denominationalism": The Bible teaches us, not only by way of direct commands, but through approved examples and necessary implications. It is helpful to understand the principles of general and specific authority, and when something may be expedient to fulfill things that are authorized. Warnings throughout the scriptures should serve to keep us on the "straight and narrow". But as valuable and needful the same standard of authority may be, simple agreement on what the standard is will not guarantee unity - we need to apply the proper spirit of love, patience and humility as we grow together towards unity in Christ. What is your attitude toward the authority of God's Word? Are you willing to accept the authority of Jesus Christ, as delegated to His apostles? - Mt 28:18-20 "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world."
Ac 2:36-38 "Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross. When the people heard this, they were very upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Friends, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, October 30, 2006
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part One
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part One
In the past two lessons in this series, I have stressed that to be free of religious division we must have the same "standard of authority". That standard is the Will of Christ as revealed in the "apostles' doctrine", that is, the teaching of Christ's apostles, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, and preserved for us in the pages of the New Testament. Other standards, both objective and subjective, are not suitable guides to lead us in the way of salvation. Not the Old Testament, majority rule, parents, preachers, creeds and traditions of men, nor conscience, human wisdom, or feelings.
Before we leave the subject of authority, there are some questions I believe worthy of our consideration. Exactly how does one use the New Testament to establish authority? Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go in matters of religion? Will having the same standard of authority "guarantee" unity among followers of Christ? -- In this lesson I wish to share some thoughts along these lines. Beginning with how authority is established.
Authority can be established in one of three ways. Direct command or precept - a direct statement of something that can or cannot be done. Example one, "repent and be baptized" - Ac 2:38. Example two, "love one another" - Jn 13:34. Example three, "abstain from sexual immorality" - 1 Th 4:3. Approved example - an illustration that shows a practice was done with the approval of the Lord's apostles. As an apostle, Paul taught by both precept and example. He encouraged others to imitate him, and sent Timothy to remind people of "his ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church" - 1 Co 4:16-17. The God of peace will be with those who do the sort of things both heard (precept) and seen (example) in an apostle like Paul - Ph 4:9. So when we have an example that meets with apostolic approval, we know there is authority for the practice. Such as, having a plurality of elders in one church - Ac 14:23; 20:28; Ph 1:1. Or, meeting on the first day of the week for the purpose of breaking bread (such as, the Lord's supper, 1 Co 10:16-17) - Ac 20:7. Necessary implication, or "forced conclusion" - something neither expressly stated nor specifically exemplified, yet it is necessarily implied by the clear import and meaning of the language used so that one can only draw a particular conclusion. Jesus appealed to necessary implication when He reasoned that there must be a resurrection of the dead based upon the implication of God's statement to Moses - Mt 22:29-33. Peter and the brethren in Judea understood the necessary implication of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit, that it meant Gentiles were permitted to be baptized and enjoy the repentance that leads to life - Ac 10:44-48; 11:15-18. Therefore, if the evidence of the Scriptures warrant it, we may draw certain conclusions because of the necessary implication, for example, the issue of baptizing infants. The prerequisites for baptism include faith and repentance - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 8:37. Infants are incapable of faith and repentance. Therefore the necessary implication (or forced conclusion) is that baptism is not required of infants. Another example is the matter of using unleavened bread in partaking the Lord's Supper. There is nothing expressly stated nor specifically exemplified in reference to using unleavened bread as we observe the Lord's Supper. But when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper at the Last Passover, we know that He was using unleavened bread - Lk 22:7-19. Therefore the necessary implication is that we should use unleavened bread as we keep His command to observe the Lord's Supper.
There is both "general" and "specific" authority. Using a "direct command" as an example, sometimes it is "general" in its authority. That is, "not limited in scope, area, or application" (American Heritage Dictionary) For example, the command to "go" in Mt 28:19 is generic enough to authorize all methods of transportation. Sometimes a "direct command" is "specific" in its authority. That is, "explicitly set forth; definite" (American Heritage Dictionary). The example would be, when God commanded Noah to build the ark with "gopher" wood (Gen 6:14), the specific nature of the command ruled out using any other kind of wood. A "specific" command may itself have a degree of "general" authority. As an example, the command to "sing" specifically authorizes acapella music. It is not generic enough to authorize instrumental music which is totally different class (or kind) of music, but it is generic enough to authorize different aids or "expedients" (see below), such as song books, to carry out the command to sing.
"Expedients" may be used to carry out authorized practices, such as singing. "Expedient" means "appropriate to a purpose" (American Heritage Dictionary). Thus an "expedient" is an aid that is suitable for carrying out that which is authorized. Sample "expedients" based upon what is authorized in the Scriptures:
Assembling is authorized, so the meeting house is an expedient to carry out the command to assemble.
Teaching is authorized, so arrangement in classes is an expedient to carry out the command to instruct.
Giving is authorized, so collection baskets are an expedient for gathering the contribution.
Baptism is authorized, so the baptistery is an expedient to provide a place for immersion.
Singing is authorized, so hymn books are expedient to helping us sing.
These principles on how to establish authority from the Scriptures may seem prosaic, but they can be very useful in applying the "apostles' doctrine" (i.e., the Word of God) to our lives. When properly understood and applied correctly, they can be useful "tools" to maintain the unity and peace of a local congregation.
Another question that often arises when the subject of authority in religion is being discussed: "Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go?" I.e., must we have authority for all that we do in religious matters? We will look into the answers to this question in our continuation of this lesson in Part Two.
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part One
In the past two lessons in this series, I have stressed that to be free of religious division we must have the same "standard of authority". That standard is the Will of Christ as revealed in the "apostles' doctrine", that is, the teaching of Christ's apostles, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, and preserved for us in the pages of the New Testament. Other standards, both objective and subjective, are not suitable guides to lead us in the way of salvation. Not the Old Testament, majority rule, parents, preachers, creeds and traditions of men, nor conscience, human wisdom, or feelings.
Before we leave the subject of authority, there are some questions I believe worthy of our consideration. Exactly how does one use the New Testament to establish authority? Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go in matters of religion? Will having the same standard of authority "guarantee" unity among followers of Christ? -- In this lesson I wish to share some thoughts along these lines. Beginning with how authority is established.
Authority can be established in one of three ways. Direct command or precept - a direct statement of something that can or cannot be done. Example one, "repent and be baptized" - Ac 2:38. Example two, "love one another" - Jn 13:34. Example three, "abstain from sexual immorality" - 1 Th 4:3. Approved example - an illustration that shows a practice was done with the approval of the Lord's apostles. As an apostle, Paul taught by both precept and example. He encouraged others to imitate him, and sent Timothy to remind people of "his ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church" - 1 Co 4:16-17. The God of peace will be with those who do the sort of things both heard (precept) and seen (example) in an apostle like Paul - Ph 4:9. So when we have an example that meets with apostolic approval, we know there is authority for the practice. Such as, having a plurality of elders in one church - Ac 14:23; 20:28; Ph 1:1. Or, meeting on the first day of the week for the purpose of breaking bread (such as, the Lord's supper, 1 Co 10:16-17) - Ac 20:7. Necessary implication, or "forced conclusion" - something neither expressly stated nor specifically exemplified, yet it is necessarily implied by the clear import and meaning of the language used so that one can only draw a particular conclusion. Jesus appealed to necessary implication when He reasoned that there must be a resurrection of the dead based upon the implication of God's statement to Moses - Mt 22:29-33. Peter and the brethren in Judea understood the necessary implication of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit, that it meant Gentiles were permitted to be baptized and enjoy the repentance that leads to life - Ac 10:44-48; 11:15-18. Therefore, if the evidence of the Scriptures warrant it, we may draw certain conclusions because of the necessary implication, for example, the issue of baptizing infants. The prerequisites for baptism include faith and repentance - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 8:37. Infants are incapable of faith and repentance. Therefore the necessary implication (or forced conclusion) is that baptism is not required of infants. Another example is the matter of using unleavened bread in partaking the Lord's Supper. There is nothing expressly stated nor specifically exemplified in reference to using unleavened bread as we observe the Lord's Supper. But when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper at the Last Passover, we know that He was using unleavened bread - Lk 22:7-19. Therefore the necessary implication is that we should use unleavened bread as we keep His command to observe the Lord's Supper.
There is both "general" and "specific" authority. Using a "direct command" as an example, sometimes it is "general" in its authority. That is, "not limited in scope, area, or application" (American Heritage Dictionary) For example, the command to "go" in Mt 28:19 is generic enough to authorize all methods of transportation. Sometimes a "direct command" is "specific" in its authority. That is, "explicitly set forth; definite" (American Heritage Dictionary). The example would be, when God commanded Noah to build the ark with "gopher" wood (Gen 6:14), the specific nature of the command ruled out using any other kind of wood. A "specific" command may itself have a degree of "general" authority. As an example, the command to "sing" specifically authorizes acapella music. It is not generic enough to authorize instrumental music which is totally different class (or kind) of music, but it is generic enough to authorize different aids or "expedients" (see below), such as song books, to carry out the command to sing.
"Expedients" may be used to carry out authorized practices, such as singing. "Expedient" means "appropriate to a purpose" (American Heritage Dictionary). Thus an "expedient" is an aid that is suitable for carrying out that which is authorized. Sample "expedients" based upon what is authorized in the Scriptures:
Assembling is authorized, so the meeting house is an expedient to carry out the command to assemble.
Teaching is authorized, so arrangement in classes is an expedient to carry out the command to instruct.
Giving is authorized, so collection baskets are an expedient for gathering the contribution.
Baptism is authorized, so the baptistery is an expedient to provide a place for immersion.
Singing is authorized, so hymn books are expedient to helping us sing.
These principles on how to establish authority from the Scriptures may seem prosaic, but they can be very useful in applying the "apostles' doctrine" (i.e., the Word of God) to our lives. When properly understood and applied correctly, they can be useful "tools" to maintain the unity and peace of a local congregation.
Another question that often arises when the subject of authority in religion is being discussed: "Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go?" I.e., must we have authority for all that we do in religious matters? We will look into the answers to this question in our continuation of this lesson in Part Two.
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, October 22, 2006
What Many Accept As Authority In Religion - Part Two
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
What Many Accept As Authority In Religion - Part Two
We left off our lesson by looking at just one objective standard used for authority in religion. We will look at some more of these objectives as we continue this study.
Another objective standard used for authority comes from parents. Some think "If it was good enough for Mom and Dad, it is good enough for me.". Yet as much as we may love and respect our parents, Christ must come first - Mt 10:37 "If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples." If every generation had simply followed their parents, then we who are Gentiles would likely still be idol-worshippers and polytheistic!
Yet another objective standard people follow is preachers. It is common for people to place their trust in their "preacher," "priest," or "pastor". They reason in their hearts that surely these "men of God" could not be wrong or lead them astray. Yet Paul warned of how we can easily be misled - 2 Co 11:13-15 "Anyway, they are no more than false apostles and dishonest workers. They only pretend to be apostles of Christ. And it is no wonder. Even Satan tries to make himself look like an angel of light. So why does it seem strange for Satan's servants to pretend to do what is right? Someday they will get exactly what they deserve." And Jesus warned about the "blind leading the blind" - Mt 15:12-14 "Then his disciples came over to him and asked, "Do you know that you insulted the Pharisees by what you said?" Jesus answered, "Every plant that my Father in heaven did not plant will be pulled up by the roots. Stay away from those Pharisees! They are like blind people leading other blind people, and all of them will fall into a ditch."’ Our attitude needs to be like that of the Bereans, who carefully examined Paul's teachings in light of the Scriptures - Ac 17:11 "The people in Berea were much nicer than those in Thessalonica, and they gladly accepted the message. Day after day they studied the Scriptures to see if these things were true." Yet many accept blindly what they are taught.
The final objective standard people follow are creeds and traditions. This is where the denominations really get most of their authority. Indeed, adherence to the creeds of men is what produces denominations. Accept the Bible only, and you become a Christian only. Accept the Bible along with some Creed, and you become something else! Accept the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and you become a Mormon. Accept the Bible and papal authority, and you become a Roman Catholic. Accept the Bible and the Lutheran Catechism, and you become a Lutheran. Creeds are really not even necessary. If they say more than what the Bible says, they say too much. If they say less than what the Bible says, they say too little. If they say exactly what the Bible says, then why not let the Bible be our creed book? The fact is, creeds are filled with the traditions and commands of men, many of which conflict with and displace the commands of God! - Mk 7:6-9 "Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, "All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans." You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings!"
Creeds of men, preachers, parents, majority rule, even the Old Testament itself, are some of the objective standards that people turn to rather than the authority of the Lord's apostles. But there are also "Subjective" standards of authority people look to or follow. One of those is "Let your conscience be your guide" is the motto of many. But our conscience cannot always be reliable. Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his life - Ac 23:1 "Paul looked straight at the council members and said, "My friends, to this day I have served God with a clear conscience!". Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! - Ac 26:9-11 "I once thought that I should do everything I could to oppose Jesus from Nazareth. I did this first in Jerusalem, and with the authority of the chief priests I put many of God's people in jail. I even voted for them to be killed. I often had them punished in our meeting places, and I tried to make them give up their faith. In fact, I was so angry with them, that I went looking for them in foreign cities." Our conscience is like a clock, which works properly only if set properly. Once our conscience has been "set" by "the apostles' doctrine", then it can be a good guide.
Another "Subjective" standard many feel is that through their own wisdom they can determine right and wrong. But God's thoughts and ways are not always our own - Isa 55:8-9 "The LORD says: "My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours." In fact, God has chosen to save man in a manner specifically designed to confound those who depend solely upon human wisdom - 1 Co 1:18-29 "The message about the cross doesn't make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God's power at work. As God says in the Scriptures, "I will destroy the wisdom of all who claim to be wise. I will confuse those who think they know so much." What happened to those wise people? What happened to those experts in the Scriptures? What happened to the ones who think they have all the answers? Didn't God show that the wisdom of this world is foolish? God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him. Instead, God chose to save only those who believe the foolish message we preach. Jews ask for miracles, and Greeks want something that sounds wise. But we preach that Christ was nailed to a cross. Most Jews have problems with this, and most Gentiles think it is foolish. Our message is God's power and wisdom for the Jews and the Greeks that he has chosen. Even when God is foolish, he is wiser than everyone else, and even when God is weak, he is stronger than everyone else. My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn't think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame. What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important. God did all this to keep anyone from bragging to him." For us to know God's will, it was necessary for Him to reveal it to us - 1 Co 2:9-12 "But it is just as the Scriptures say, "What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!" God's Spirit has shown you everything. His Spirit finds out everything, even what is deep in the mind of God. You are the only one who knows what is in your own mind, and God's Spirit is the only one who knows what is in God's mind. But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us." This He has done through His Spirit-inspired apostles. Who in turn shared it with us through their writings - Ep 3:1-5 "Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles. You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets."
Feelings are often the "standard of authority" for many people who go by whatever "feels right". They place stock in a religion "better felt than told". Yet the Bible declares the danger of trusting in "feelings". "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." - Pr 14:12. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool..." - Pr 28:26. "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." - Jer 10:23
Because the way we should live is "not in man" we need an "objective standard" for our authority in religion. We can't depend upon "subjective standards" like conscience, human wisdom, or feelings. But which "objective standard"? Not creeds of men, preachers, parents, majority rule, or even the Old Testament. Only "the apostles' doctrine", i.e., the New Testament is the objective standard we should follow. For the apostles were personally selected to be Christ's ambassadors. For the apostles were inspired by the Holy Spirit, to be guided into all the truth and they were inspired to write all that Christ would have us to know and do. When we are content to abide in "the apostles' doctrine", then we can be assured that we are "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism"! Are you following Jesus by "continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine"? Or do you follow some other standard of authority in religion?
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What Many Accept As Authority In Religion - Part Two
We left off our lesson by looking at just one objective standard used for authority in religion. We will look at some more of these objectives as we continue this study.
Another objective standard used for authority comes from parents. Some think "If it was good enough for Mom and Dad, it is good enough for me.". Yet as much as we may love and respect our parents, Christ must come first - Mt 10:37 "If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples." If every generation had simply followed their parents, then we who are Gentiles would likely still be idol-worshippers and polytheistic!
Yet another objective standard people follow is preachers. It is common for people to place their trust in their "preacher," "priest," or "pastor". They reason in their hearts that surely these "men of God" could not be wrong or lead them astray. Yet Paul warned of how we can easily be misled - 2 Co 11:13-15 "Anyway, they are no more than false apostles and dishonest workers. They only pretend to be apostles of Christ. And it is no wonder. Even Satan tries to make himself look like an angel of light. So why does it seem strange for Satan's servants to pretend to do what is right? Someday they will get exactly what they deserve." And Jesus warned about the "blind leading the blind" - Mt 15:12-14 "Then his disciples came over to him and asked, "Do you know that you insulted the Pharisees by what you said?" Jesus answered, "Every plant that my Father in heaven did not plant will be pulled up by the roots. Stay away from those Pharisees! They are like blind people leading other blind people, and all of them will fall into a ditch."’ Our attitude needs to be like that of the Bereans, who carefully examined Paul's teachings in light of the Scriptures - Ac 17:11 "The people in Berea were much nicer than those in Thessalonica, and they gladly accepted the message. Day after day they studied the Scriptures to see if these things were true." Yet many accept blindly what they are taught.
The final objective standard people follow are creeds and traditions. This is where the denominations really get most of their authority. Indeed, adherence to the creeds of men is what produces denominations. Accept the Bible only, and you become a Christian only. Accept the Bible along with some Creed, and you become something else! Accept the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and you become a Mormon. Accept the Bible and papal authority, and you become a Roman Catholic. Accept the Bible and the Lutheran Catechism, and you become a Lutheran. Creeds are really not even necessary. If they say more than what the Bible says, they say too much. If they say less than what the Bible says, they say too little. If they say exactly what the Bible says, then why not let the Bible be our creed book? The fact is, creeds are filled with the traditions and commands of men, many of which conflict with and displace the commands of God! - Mk 7:6-9 "Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, "All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans." You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings!"
Creeds of men, preachers, parents, majority rule, even the Old Testament itself, are some of the objective standards that people turn to rather than the authority of the Lord's apostles. But there are also "Subjective" standards of authority people look to or follow. One of those is "Let your conscience be your guide" is the motto of many. But our conscience cannot always be reliable. Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his life - Ac 23:1 "Paul looked straight at the council members and said, "My friends, to this day I have served God with a clear conscience!". Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! - Ac 26:9-11 "I once thought that I should do everything I could to oppose Jesus from Nazareth. I did this first in Jerusalem, and with the authority of the chief priests I put many of God's people in jail. I even voted for them to be killed. I often had them punished in our meeting places, and I tried to make them give up their faith. In fact, I was so angry with them, that I went looking for them in foreign cities." Our conscience is like a clock, which works properly only if set properly. Once our conscience has been "set" by "the apostles' doctrine", then it can be a good guide.
Another "Subjective" standard many feel is that through their own wisdom they can determine right and wrong. But God's thoughts and ways are not always our own - Isa 55:8-9 "The LORD says: "My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours." In fact, God has chosen to save man in a manner specifically designed to confound those who depend solely upon human wisdom - 1 Co 1:18-29 "The message about the cross doesn't make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God's power at work. As God says in the Scriptures, "I will destroy the wisdom of all who claim to be wise. I will confuse those who think they know so much." What happened to those wise people? What happened to those experts in the Scriptures? What happened to the ones who think they have all the answers? Didn't God show that the wisdom of this world is foolish? God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him. Instead, God chose to save only those who believe the foolish message we preach. Jews ask for miracles, and Greeks want something that sounds wise. But we preach that Christ was nailed to a cross. Most Jews have problems with this, and most Gentiles think it is foolish. Our message is God's power and wisdom for the Jews and the Greeks that he has chosen. Even when God is foolish, he is wiser than everyone else, and even when God is weak, he is stronger than everyone else. My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn't think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame. What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important. God did all this to keep anyone from bragging to him." For us to know God's will, it was necessary for Him to reveal it to us - 1 Co 2:9-12 "But it is just as the Scriptures say, "What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!" God's Spirit has shown you everything. His Spirit finds out everything, even what is deep in the mind of God. You are the only one who knows what is in your own mind, and God's Spirit is the only one who knows what is in God's mind. But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us." This He has done through His Spirit-inspired apostles. Who in turn shared it with us through their writings - Ep 3:1-5 "Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles. You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets."
Feelings are often the "standard of authority" for many people who go by whatever "feels right". They place stock in a religion "better felt than told". Yet the Bible declares the danger of trusting in "feelings". "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." - Pr 14:12. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool..." - Pr 28:26. "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." - Jer 10:23
Because the way we should live is "not in man" we need an "objective standard" for our authority in religion. We can't depend upon "subjective standards" like conscience, human wisdom, or feelings. But which "objective standard"? Not creeds of men, preachers, parents, majority rule, or even the Old Testament. Only "the apostles' doctrine", i.e., the New Testament is the objective standard we should follow. For the apostles were personally selected to be Christ's ambassadors. For the apostles were inspired by the Holy Spirit, to be guided into all the truth and they were inspired to write all that Christ would have us to know and do. When we are content to abide in "the apostles' doctrine", then we can be assured that we are "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism"! Are you following Jesus by "continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine"? Or do you follow some other standard of authority in religion?
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, October 15, 2006
What Many Accept As Authority In Religion - Part One
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
What Many Accept As Authority In Religion - Part One
In our previous study, I endeavored to show that it is through the writing of the apostles, "the apostles' doctrine", that the Lord speaks to and directs His Church. That the New Testament is how Christ speaks to us today and leads us to life everlasting. That it is "the apostles' doctrine" which ought to be our standard of authority in matters of religion in which we must "continue steadfastly"! - Ac 2:42
Many people say that they accept "the apostles' doctrine" as their authority in religion. But when faced with an issue in which a cherished position or view is being challenged they often appeal to a source for their authority that is quite different. This is easy to do, and perhaps the best way to avoid this is to be aware of other sources of authority in religion. Some are objective standards of authority - sources outside of ourselves that we look to direct us. Others are subjective standards of authority - where we look within ourselves for the answers we want. In this study we shall briefly touch upon various standards that people commonly turn to when faced with questions about what they believe and why they practice the things they do in religion.
Let's start with the "Objective" standards of authority beginning with the Old Testament. It is common for people to resort to the O. T. to provide authority for some practice(s) when they can't find authority for it in the teachings of Christ and/or His apostles. For example, a clergy-laity system, burning of incense and use of instrumental music in worship, keeping the Sabbath, etc. But the O.T. was designed to be temporary, to fulfill a specific purpose and as a covenant has been replaced by the New Covenant (i.e., the New Testament). It was given because of transgressions, till Christ should come - Ga 3:19 "What is the use of the Law? It was given later to show that we sin. But it was only supposed to last until the coming of that descendant who was given the promise. In fact, angels gave the Law to Moses, and he gave it to the people." For those under the Law (Israel), it was a tutor. A tutor (teacher) designed to lead them to Christ - Ga 3:24 "In fact, the Law was our teacher. It was supposed to teach us until we had faith and were acceptable to God." A tutor that has been taken away - Ga 3:25 "But once a person has learned to have faith, there is no more need to have the Law as a teacher." When those who were under the Law came to Christ they became dead to the Law - Ro 7:4 "That is how it is with you, my friends. You are now part of the body of Christ and are dead to the power of the Law. You are free to belong to Christ, who was raised to life so that we could serve God." They were delivered from the Law - Ro 7:6 "But the Law no longer rules over us. We are like dead people, and it cannot have any power over us. Now we can serve God in a new way by obeying his Spirit, and not in the old way by obeying the written Law."
As prophesied by Jeremiah, God has made a "new covenant" to replace the "first covenant" which is now obsolete - He 8:7-13 "If the first agreement with God had been all right, there would not have been any need for another one. But the Lord found fault with it and said, "I tell you the time will come, when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and the people of Judah. It won't be like the agreement that I made with their ancestors, when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They broke their agreement with me, and I stopped caring about them! "But now I tell the people of Israel this is my new agreement: 'The time will come when I, the Lord, will write my laws on their minds and hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Not one of them will have to teach another to know me, their Lord.' "All of them will know me, no matter who they are. I will treat them with kindness, even though they are wicked. I will forget their sins." When the Lord talks about a new agreement, he means that the first one is out of date. And anything that is old and useless will soon disappear." In their handling of the issue of circumcision, the apostles demonstrated that one cannot use the O.T. to teach something which the apostles themselves did not command. Some sought to enforce circumcision and the Law upon Gentile believers - Ac 15:1 "Some people came from Judea and started teaching the Lord's followers that they could not be saved, unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught.", 6 "The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles." But the apostles, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were able to defuse the problem by simply stating they themselves "gave no such commandment" - Ac 15:22-29 "The apostles, the leaders, and all the church members decided to send some men to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Silas and Judas Barsabbas, who were two leaders of the Lord's followers. They wrote a letter that said: We apostles and leaders send friendly greetings to all of you Gentiles who are followers of the Lord in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. We have heard that some people from here have terribly upset you by what they said. But we did not send them! So we met together and decided to choose some men and to send them to you along with our good friends Barnabas and Paul. These men have risked their lives for our Lord Jesus Christ. We are also sending Judas and Silas, who will tell you in person the same things that we are writing. The Holy Spirit has shown us that we should not place any extra burden on you. But you should not eat anything offered to idols. You should not eat any meat that still has the blood in it or any meat of any animal that has been strangled. You must also not commit any terrible sexual sins. If you follow these instructions, you will do well. We send our best wishes."
This is not to say the O.T. is not of value to Christians. It was written for our learning, to provide patience, comfort, and hope - Ro 15:4 "And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope." It was written for our admonition, that we not make similar mistakes - 1 Co 10:6 "What happened to them is a warning to keep us from wanting to do the same evil things.", 11 "These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days." ...we just can't use it to enjoin religious practices upon others which the apostles' themselves did not teach!
Another objective standard is Majority Rule. Many people accept whatever the majority thinks about something. But consider the words of Jesus, in describing the end of the majority - Mt 7:13-14 "Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it." If you had followed the majority in Noah's day, you would have perished in the flood. In Joshua's day, you would have perished in the wilderness. Rather than simply following the majority, let our attitude be like that of Joshua: "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - cf. Jos 24:14-15
This is just one of several objectives that we want to look at. We will continue to look at more when we continue this lesson in Part Two.
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What Many Accept As Authority In Religion - Part One
In our previous study, I endeavored to show that it is through the writing of the apostles, "the apostles' doctrine", that the Lord speaks to and directs His Church. That the New Testament is how Christ speaks to us today and leads us to life everlasting. That it is "the apostles' doctrine" which ought to be our standard of authority in matters of religion in which we must "continue steadfastly"! - Ac 2:42
Many people say that they accept "the apostles' doctrine" as their authority in religion. But when faced with an issue in which a cherished position or view is being challenged they often appeal to a source for their authority that is quite different. This is easy to do, and perhaps the best way to avoid this is to be aware of other sources of authority in religion. Some are objective standards of authority - sources outside of ourselves that we look to direct us. Others are subjective standards of authority - where we look within ourselves for the answers we want. In this study we shall briefly touch upon various standards that people commonly turn to when faced with questions about what they believe and why they practice the things they do in religion.
Let's start with the "Objective" standards of authority beginning with the Old Testament. It is common for people to resort to the O. T. to provide authority for some practice(s) when they can't find authority for it in the teachings of Christ and/or His apostles. For example, a clergy-laity system, burning of incense and use of instrumental music in worship, keeping the Sabbath, etc. But the O.T. was designed to be temporary, to fulfill a specific purpose and as a covenant has been replaced by the New Covenant (i.e., the New Testament). It was given because of transgressions, till Christ should come - Ga 3:19 "What is the use of the Law? It was given later to show that we sin. But it was only supposed to last until the coming of that descendant who was given the promise. In fact, angels gave the Law to Moses, and he gave it to the people." For those under the Law (Israel), it was a tutor. A tutor (teacher) designed to lead them to Christ - Ga 3:24 "In fact, the Law was our teacher. It was supposed to teach us until we had faith and were acceptable to God." A tutor that has been taken away - Ga 3:25 "But once a person has learned to have faith, there is no more need to have the Law as a teacher." When those who were under the Law came to Christ they became dead to the Law - Ro 7:4 "That is how it is with you, my friends. You are now part of the body of Christ and are dead to the power of the Law. You are free to belong to Christ, who was raised to life so that we could serve God." They were delivered from the Law - Ro 7:6 "But the Law no longer rules over us. We are like dead people, and it cannot have any power over us. Now we can serve God in a new way by obeying his Spirit, and not in the old way by obeying the written Law."
As prophesied by Jeremiah, God has made a "new covenant" to replace the "first covenant" which is now obsolete - He 8:7-13 "If the first agreement with God had been all right, there would not have been any need for another one. But the Lord found fault with it and said, "I tell you the time will come, when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and the people of Judah. It won't be like the agreement that I made with their ancestors, when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They broke their agreement with me, and I stopped caring about them! "But now I tell the people of Israel this is my new agreement: 'The time will come when I, the Lord, will write my laws on their minds and hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Not one of them will have to teach another to know me, their Lord.' "All of them will know me, no matter who they are. I will treat them with kindness, even though they are wicked. I will forget their sins." When the Lord talks about a new agreement, he means that the first one is out of date. And anything that is old and useless will soon disappear." In their handling of the issue of circumcision, the apostles demonstrated that one cannot use the O.T. to teach something which the apostles themselves did not command. Some sought to enforce circumcision and the Law upon Gentile believers - Ac 15:1 "Some people came from Judea and started teaching the Lord's followers that they could not be saved, unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught.", 6 "The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles." But the apostles, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were able to defuse the problem by simply stating they themselves "gave no such commandment" - Ac 15:22-29 "The apostles, the leaders, and all the church members decided to send some men to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Silas and Judas Barsabbas, who were two leaders of the Lord's followers. They wrote a letter that said: We apostles and leaders send friendly greetings to all of you Gentiles who are followers of the Lord in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. We have heard that some people from here have terribly upset you by what they said. But we did not send them! So we met together and decided to choose some men and to send them to you along with our good friends Barnabas and Paul. These men have risked their lives for our Lord Jesus Christ. We are also sending Judas and Silas, who will tell you in person the same things that we are writing. The Holy Spirit has shown us that we should not place any extra burden on you. But you should not eat anything offered to idols. You should not eat any meat that still has the blood in it or any meat of any animal that has been strangled. You must also not commit any terrible sexual sins. If you follow these instructions, you will do well. We send our best wishes."
This is not to say the O.T. is not of value to Christians. It was written for our learning, to provide patience, comfort, and hope - Ro 15:4 "And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope." It was written for our admonition, that we not make similar mistakes - 1 Co 10:6 "What happened to them is a warning to keep us from wanting to do the same evil things.", 11 "These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days." ...we just can't use it to enjoin religious practices upon others which the apostles' themselves did not teach!
Another objective standard is Majority Rule. Many people accept whatever the majority thinks about something. But consider the words of Jesus, in describing the end of the majority - Mt 7:13-14 "Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it." If you had followed the majority in Noah's day, you would have perished in the flood. In Joshua's day, you would have perished in the wilderness. Rather than simply following the majority, let our attitude be like that of Joshua: "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - cf. Jos 24:14-15
This is just one of several objectives that we want to look at. We will continue to look at more when we continue this lesson in Part Two.
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Determining Our Standard Of Authority
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Determining Our Standard Of Authority
As dealt with in previous lessons, following Jesus without denominationalism begins by heeding the call of the gospel. For the Lord "calls" us through His gospel - 2 Th 2:14. As we respond to the call, the Lord Himself adds us to His church (His "called-out" group of people), not a man-made denomination - Ac 2:41,47. But I also suggested that if we are to be simply Christians, members of the Lord's church as we read about in the New Testament, then we must follow the example of the early church who "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." - Ac 2:42.
The importance of this relates very closely to the subject of authority in religion. It is impossible to maintain unity unless we can agree upon a "standard" of authority. This is true in all areas of life. Imagine the confusion if we did not have a standard of authority relating to weights and measures. We could not even agree on the length of a line, the volume of a tank of gasoline, etc. Confusion would reign supreme in the market place if we did not all agree on one standard of authority in regards to weights and measures. An essential key to having unity on any subject is this: We must accept and submit to the same standard of authority! This is especially true in matters of religion. If people can agree on the standard of authority in religious matters, unity is possible when we submit to that same standard. There are other elements necessary to have unity (which I will discuss in a later lesson), but without a standard of authority upon which we all agree, unity is impossible!
What should be the standard of authority for Christ's church? Let's begin with a point with which I am sure all those professing to be Christians can all be in agreement with. Jesus Christ has been given all authority. He claimed all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him - Mt 28:18 "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth!" He therefore expects us to observe all things He has commanded - Mt 28:19-20 "Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world." His Apostles taught that He is HEAD of the BODY (the church) - Ep 1:22-23 "God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. The church is Christ's body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything." As such, we are to submit to Him in everything - Ep 5:23-24 "A husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, which is his own body. Wives should always put their husbands first, as the church puts Christ first." If Jesus were on earth today, we could solve all religious questions by simply asking Him. But since He is not on earth, what then? This leads to our next point that Jesus has delegated some of His authority to His Apostles.
To receive Christ, we must receive His Apostles as Jesus taught in Jn 13:20 "I tell you for certain that anyone who welcomes my messengers also welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." Please note that the word "apostle" means "one sent". So as Jesus speaks of "whomever I send", He has particular reference to His apostles. The apostles were sent as "ambassadors" for Christ - 2 Co 5:20 "We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God." Therefore the early church "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - Ac 2:42
To ensure reliability, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would teach the apostles all things, reminding them of what Jesus spoke to them - Jn 14:26 "But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you." The Spirit would guide the apostles into ALL truth - Jn 16:12-13 "I have much more to say to you, but right now it would be more than you could understand. The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn't speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen." The Holy Spirit guided them into "all" the truth. Paul said he taught "the WHOLE counsel of God" - Ac 20:27. Peter wrote God "has given to us ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness" - 2 Pe 1:3. So the apostles were given ALL the truth God (and Christ) wanted us to know. If the apostles were on earth today, we could simply ask them to settle religious differences. But again, they are not on earth. What then?
In the New Testament (NT), the Apostles have written what Christ wants us to know! In the NT, we have what the Apostles were given by the Holy Spirit. As Paul explained in Ep 3:1-5 "Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles. You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets." He wrote, so that when we read his writings we can have his same understanding. Peter wrote his epistles that we might always be reminded - 2 Pe 1:12-15 "You are holding firmly to the truth that you were given. But I am still going to remind you of these things. In fact, I think I should keep on reminding you until I leave this body. And our Lord Jesus Christ has already told me that I will soon leave it behind. That is why I am doing my best to make sure that each of you remembers all of this after I am gone."; 3:1-2 "My dear friends, this is the second letter I have written to encourage you to do some honest thinking. I don't want you to forget what God's prophets said would happen. You must never forget what the holy prophets taught in the past. And you must remember what the apostles told you our Lord and Savior has commanded us to do."
In the NT we have the commandments of the Lord himself. As Paul made clear in 1 Co 14:37 "If you think of yourself as a prophet or a spiritual person, you will know that I am writing only what the Lord has commanded." As Peter confirmed, such writings as Paul's were considered Scripture - 2 Pe 3:15-16 "Don't forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too." Therefore, when we have questions about what the Lord would have us to do we don't have to ascend to heaven for an answer. We don't have to ask Jesus personally, nor His apostles. We simply need to turn to the apostles' writings (i.e., the New Testament)! In the New Testament, the repository of the "apostles' doctrine", is where we can turn to learn the will of Jesus, given through His selected and inspired ambassadors, the apostles. But this raises another question: Is the New Testament a complete guide for us today? Is it sufficient?
Let’s turn our attention to answering this question. It must be complete, for "the faith" has been revealed "once for all" - Ju 3 "My dear friends, I really wanted to write you about God's saving power at work in our lives. But instead, I must write and ask you to defend the faith that God has once for all given to his people." "Once for all" literally means "one time for all time". We cannot expect further revelation in the future. The writings of the apostles as collected in the New Testament are all we have. Our task, is not to look for further revelation, but to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints"!
According to the Apostles themselves, these writings (scriptures) are indeed sufficient! Sufficient to make one complete, furnished unto every good work - 2 Ti 3:16-17 "Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God's servants to do all kinds of good deeds." They provide all we need to enjoy life and godliness - 2 Pe 1:3 "We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness." By heeding the writings of the apostles we will have the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:8-9 "If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. But if you don't grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven." An abundant entrance will be supplied into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:10-11 "My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever."
We are left with God’s providence and His Word. As Paul prepared the elders of the church at Ephesus for his departure, he commended them to God and the word of His grace - Ac 20:32 "I now place you in God's care. Remember the message about his great kindness! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people." He did not instruct them to appoint apostles to take his place. He did not instruct them to seek further revelation (for Paul had already proclaimed "the whole counsel of God" to them - Ac 20:27 "I have told you everything God wants you to know.") He simply directed them to two things: To God Himself (i.e., His Divine Providence). The word of His grace (that word which had been revealed by Paul himself). These two blessings, Paul was confident, were able to do two things. Build them up and give them an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
"The New Testament", then, is how Christ speaks to us today. He leads us to life everlasting! It is through the writing of the apostles, "the apostles' doctrine", that the Lord speaks and directs His Church! It is "the apostles' doctrine" that is the standard of authority in matters of religion. It is "the apostles' doctrine" in which we must "continue steadfastly"! - Ac 2:42
There is more to be said about authority in religion, which we will cover in the next lesson. But I hope that our attitude is such that what was said about the Thessalonians can also be said of us:
"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." - 1 Th 2:13
Is that your attitude toward "the apostles' doctrine"?
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Determining Our Standard Of Authority
As dealt with in previous lessons, following Jesus without denominationalism begins by heeding the call of the gospel. For the Lord "calls" us through His gospel - 2 Th 2:14. As we respond to the call, the Lord Himself adds us to His church (His "called-out" group of people), not a man-made denomination - Ac 2:41,47. But I also suggested that if we are to be simply Christians, members of the Lord's church as we read about in the New Testament, then we must follow the example of the early church who "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." - Ac 2:42.
The importance of this relates very closely to the subject of authority in religion. It is impossible to maintain unity unless we can agree upon a "standard" of authority. This is true in all areas of life. Imagine the confusion if we did not have a standard of authority relating to weights and measures. We could not even agree on the length of a line, the volume of a tank of gasoline, etc. Confusion would reign supreme in the market place if we did not all agree on one standard of authority in regards to weights and measures. An essential key to having unity on any subject is this: We must accept and submit to the same standard of authority! This is especially true in matters of religion. If people can agree on the standard of authority in religious matters, unity is possible when we submit to that same standard. There are other elements necessary to have unity (which I will discuss in a later lesson), but without a standard of authority upon which we all agree, unity is impossible!
What should be the standard of authority for Christ's church? Let's begin with a point with which I am sure all those professing to be Christians can all be in agreement with. Jesus Christ has been given all authority. He claimed all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him - Mt 28:18 "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth!" He therefore expects us to observe all things He has commanded - Mt 28:19-20 "Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world." His Apostles taught that He is HEAD of the BODY (the church) - Ep 1:22-23 "God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. The church is Christ's body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything." As such, we are to submit to Him in everything - Ep 5:23-24 "A husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, which is his own body. Wives should always put their husbands first, as the church puts Christ first." If Jesus were on earth today, we could solve all religious questions by simply asking Him. But since He is not on earth, what then? This leads to our next point that Jesus has delegated some of His authority to His Apostles.
To receive Christ, we must receive His Apostles as Jesus taught in Jn 13:20 "I tell you for certain that anyone who welcomes my messengers also welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." Please note that the word "apostle" means "one sent". So as Jesus speaks of "whomever I send", He has particular reference to His apostles. The apostles were sent as "ambassadors" for Christ - 2 Co 5:20 "We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God." Therefore the early church "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - Ac 2:42
To ensure reliability, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would teach the apostles all things, reminding them of what Jesus spoke to them - Jn 14:26 "But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you." The Spirit would guide the apostles into ALL truth - Jn 16:12-13 "I have much more to say to you, but right now it would be more than you could understand. The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn't speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen." The Holy Spirit guided them into "all" the truth. Paul said he taught "the WHOLE counsel of God" - Ac 20:27. Peter wrote God "has given to us ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness" - 2 Pe 1:3. So the apostles were given ALL the truth God (and Christ) wanted us to know. If the apostles were on earth today, we could simply ask them to settle religious differences. But again, they are not on earth. What then?
In the New Testament (NT), the Apostles have written what Christ wants us to know! In the NT, we have what the Apostles were given by the Holy Spirit. As Paul explained in Ep 3:1-5 "Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles. You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets." He wrote, so that when we read his writings we can have his same understanding. Peter wrote his epistles that we might always be reminded - 2 Pe 1:12-15 "You are holding firmly to the truth that you were given. But I am still going to remind you of these things. In fact, I think I should keep on reminding you until I leave this body. And our Lord Jesus Christ has already told me that I will soon leave it behind. That is why I am doing my best to make sure that each of you remembers all of this after I am gone."; 3:1-2 "My dear friends, this is the second letter I have written to encourage you to do some honest thinking. I don't want you to forget what God's prophets said would happen. You must never forget what the holy prophets taught in the past. And you must remember what the apostles told you our Lord and Savior has commanded us to do."
In the NT we have the commandments of the Lord himself. As Paul made clear in 1 Co 14:37 "If you think of yourself as a prophet or a spiritual person, you will know that I am writing only what the Lord has commanded." As Peter confirmed, such writings as Paul's were considered Scripture - 2 Pe 3:15-16 "Don't forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too." Therefore, when we have questions about what the Lord would have us to do we don't have to ascend to heaven for an answer. We don't have to ask Jesus personally, nor His apostles. We simply need to turn to the apostles' writings (i.e., the New Testament)! In the New Testament, the repository of the "apostles' doctrine", is where we can turn to learn the will of Jesus, given through His selected and inspired ambassadors, the apostles. But this raises another question: Is the New Testament a complete guide for us today? Is it sufficient?
Let’s turn our attention to answering this question. It must be complete, for "the faith" has been revealed "once for all" - Ju 3 "My dear friends, I really wanted to write you about God's saving power at work in our lives. But instead, I must write and ask you to defend the faith that God has once for all given to his people." "Once for all" literally means "one time for all time". We cannot expect further revelation in the future. The writings of the apostles as collected in the New Testament are all we have. Our task, is not to look for further revelation, but to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints"!
According to the Apostles themselves, these writings (scriptures) are indeed sufficient! Sufficient to make one complete, furnished unto every good work - 2 Ti 3:16-17 "Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God's servants to do all kinds of good deeds." They provide all we need to enjoy life and godliness - 2 Pe 1:3 "We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness." By heeding the writings of the apostles we will have the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:8-9 "If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. But if you don't grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven." An abundant entrance will be supplied into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:10-11 "My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever."
We are left with God’s providence and His Word. As Paul prepared the elders of the church at Ephesus for his departure, he commended them to God and the word of His grace - Ac 20:32 "I now place you in God's care. Remember the message about his great kindness! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people." He did not instruct them to appoint apostles to take his place. He did not instruct them to seek further revelation (for Paul had already proclaimed "the whole counsel of God" to them - Ac 20:27 "I have told you everything God wants you to know.") He simply directed them to two things: To God Himself (i.e., His Divine Providence). The word of His grace (that word which had been revealed by Paul himself). These two blessings, Paul was confident, were able to do two things. Build them up and give them an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
"The New Testament", then, is how Christ speaks to us today. He leads us to life everlasting! It is through the writing of the apostles, "the apostles' doctrine", that the Lord speaks and directs His Church! It is "the apostles' doctrine" that is the standard of authority in matters of religion. It is "the apostles' doctrine" in which we must "continue steadfastly"! - Ac 2:42
There is more to be said about authority in religion, which we will cover in the next lesson. But I hope that our attitude is such that what was said about the Thessalonians can also be said of us:
"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." - 1 Th 2:13
Is that your attitude toward "the apostles' doctrine"?
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Is Baptism A Necessary Part Of The Gospel? Part Two
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Is Baptism A Necessary Part Of The Gospel? Part Two
As we continue this lesson allow me to expand on the point that baptism is integral to the gospel. I am encouraged to see a return to this emphasis. I am excited to see that many people are beginning to carefully restudy the biblical evidence concerning baptism, and returning to what was taught for nearly 1500 years. For example, G.R. Beasley-Murray, Principal of Spurgeon's College in London, later Senior Professor at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY, wrote a modern classic, Baptism In The New Testament. He gives chapters which thoroughly discuss baptism in the Gospels, in Acts, in Paul's writings, and in other apostolic writings. In his introduction, Beasley-Murray said:
"This book is intended to offer a Baptist contribution to the discussions on baptism that are taking place throughout the Christian world." "But the indefinite article should be observed; the impression must not be given that my interpretations are characteristic of Baptist thought generally. At most it can be claimed that they represent a trend gaining momentum among Baptists in Europe." "I have striven to interpret the evidence of the New Testament as a Christian scholar, rather than as a member of a particular Christian Confession." -- G. R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism In The New Testament, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1962, pp. v-vi.
From his chapter on baptism in Acts, Beasley-Murray said: "Consequently, baptism is regarded in Acts as the occasion and means of receiving the blessings conferred by the Lord of the Kingdom. Admittedly, this way of reading the evidence is not characteristic of our thinking, but the intention of the author is tolerably clear." (Ibid., p. 102). "Whatever the relationship between baptism and the gift of the Spirit elsewhere in Acts, there appears to be no doubt as to the intention of Acts 2:38; the penitent believer baptized in the name of Jesus Christ may expect to receive at once the Holy Spirit, even as he is assured of the immediate forgiveness of his sins." (Ibid., p. 108).
Some concluding statements from his chapter on baptism in Acts, Beasley-Murray said::
"In light of the foregoing exposition of the New Testament representations of baptism, the idea that baptism is a purely symbolic rite must be pronounced not alone unsatisfactory but out of harmony with the New Testament itself. Admittedly, such a judgment runs counter to the popular tradition of the Denomination to which the writer belongs..."
"The extent and nature of the grace which the New Testament writers declare to be present in baptism is astonishing for any who come to the study freshly with an open mind."
"...the 'grace' available to man in baptism is said by the New Testament writers to include the following elements:
forgiveness of sin, Ac 2.38 and cleansing from sins, Ac 22.16, 2 Co 6.11; union with Christ, Ga 3.27, and particularly union with Him in his death and resurrection, Ro. 6.3ff, Co 2.11f, with all that implies of release from sin's power, as well as guilt, and the sharing of the risen life of the Redeemer, Ro 6.1-11; participation in Christ's sonship, Ga 3.26f; consecration to God, 1 Co 6.11, hence membership in the Church, the Body of Christ, 1 Co 12.13, Ga 3.27-29; possession of the Spirit, Ac 2.38, 1 Co 6.11, 12.13, and therefore the new life in the Spirit, i.e., regeneration, Ti 3.5, Jn 3.5; grace to live according to the will of God, Ro 6.1ff, Co 3.1ff; deliverance from the evil powers that rule this world, Co 1.13; the inheritance of the Kingdom of God, Jn 3.5, and the pledge of the resurrection of the body, Ep 1.3f, 4.30. -- Ibid., pp. 263-264 (No scripture text has been inserted by this teacher in order to keep the quotes of the originator as they originally appear. I leave it to the reader as a student to open their own Bibles. JMN)
One cannot and should not preach the Gospel without teaching the command to be baptized. Peter proclaimed the command to be baptized in the first gospel sermon - Ac 2:36-38. Philip, when he preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch, must have proclaimed baptism in his message about Jesus, in view of the question raised: "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" - Ac 8:35-36. Indeed, Beasley-Murray stated the following conclusion in a chapter entitled "Baptismal Reform and Church Relationships":
"First, there ought to be a greater endeavor to make baptism integral to the gospel."
"It is taken as axiomatic amongst us [Baptists] that the proclamation of the Gospel consists of making the redemptive acts of God in Christ known and calling for faith in Christ as the due response; baptism is then a proper subject for exposition in the enquirers' class, along with instruction as to the nature of the Church, of worship, of Christian obligation in the Church and to the world, etc."
"Peter's response, however, to the cry of his conscience stricken hearers on the Day of Pentecost was not "Repent and believe", but "Repent and BE BAPTIZED"! (Ac 2.38).
"Naturally faith was presumed in repentance, but Peter's answer told the Jews how to become Christians: faith and repentance are to be expressed in baptism, and SO they are to come to the Lord."
"Baptism is here a part of the proclamation of Christ. In an Apostolic sermon it comes as its logical conclusion."
"An effort ought to be made to restore this note in our [Baptist] preaching." -- Ibid., p. 393
I could not say it better myself, other than to add that an effort ought to be made to restore this note in EVERYONE'S preaching! Let's be sure to follow the example of apostolic preaching (cf. Ac 2:36-38)... Calling upon people not only to believe in Jesus and repent of their sins, but to climax their response to the gospel by submitting to the Lord's command to be baptized for the remission of their sins. For then we can be assured that we will receive all those blessings the Bible ascribes to the act of baptism (see Beasley-Murray's summary above), by virtue of God's gracious working! Dear friend, have you responded to the saving call of our Lord's wonderful gospel? "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Ac 22:16
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is Baptism A Necessary Part Of The Gospel? Part Two
As we continue this lesson allow me to expand on the point that baptism is integral to the gospel. I am encouraged to see a return to this emphasis. I am excited to see that many people are beginning to carefully restudy the biblical evidence concerning baptism, and returning to what was taught for nearly 1500 years. For example, G.R. Beasley-Murray, Principal of Spurgeon's College in London, later Senior Professor at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY, wrote a modern classic, Baptism In The New Testament. He gives chapters which thoroughly discuss baptism in the Gospels, in Acts, in Paul's writings, and in other apostolic writings. In his introduction, Beasley-Murray said:
"This book is intended to offer a Baptist contribution to the discussions on baptism that are taking place throughout the Christian world." "But the indefinite article should be observed; the impression must not be given that my interpretations are characteristic of Baptist thought generally. At most it can be claimed that they represent a trend gaining momentum among Baptists in Europe." "I have striven to interpret the evidence of the New Testament as a Christian scholar, rather than as a member of a particular Christian Confession." -- G. R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism In The New Testament, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1962, pp. v-vi.
From his chapter on baptism in Acts, Beasley-Murray said: "Consequently, baptism is regarded in Acts as the occasion and means of receiving the blessings conferred by the Lord of the Kingdom. Admittedly, this way of reading the evidence is not characteristic of our thinking, but the intention of the author is tolerably clear." (Ibid., p. 102). "Whatever the relationship between baptism and the gift of the Spirit elsewhere in Acts, there appears to be no doubt as to the intention of Acts 2:38; the penitent believer baptized in the name of Jesus Christ may expect to receive at once the Holy Spirit, even as he is assured of the immediate forgiveness of his sins." (Ibid., p. 108).
Some concluding statements from his chapter on baptism in Acts, Beasley-Murray said::
"In light of the foregoing exposition of the New Testament representations of baptism, the idea that baptism is a purely symbolic rite must be pronounced not alone unsatisfactory but out of harmony with the New Testament itself. Admittedly, such a judgment runs counter to the popular tradition of the Denomination to which the writer belongs..."
"The extent and nature of the grace which the New Testament writers declare to be present in baptism is astonishing for any who come to the study freshly with an open mind."
"...the 'grace' available to man in baptism is said by the New Testament writers to include the following elements:
forgiveness of sin, Ac 2.38 and cleansing from sins, Ac 22.16, 2 Co 6.11; union with Christ, Ga 3.27, and particularly union with Him in his death and resurrection, Ro. 6.3ff, Co 2.11f, with all that implies of release from sin's power, as well as guilt, and the sharing of the risen life of the Redeemer, Ro 6.1-11; participation in Christ's sonship, Ga 3.26f; consecration to God, 1 Co 6.11, hence membership in the Church, the Body of Christ, 1 Co 12.13, Ga 3.27-29; possession of the Spirit, Ac 2.38, 1 Co 6.11, 12.13, and therefore the new life in the Spirit, i.e., regeneration, Ti 3.5, Jn 3.5; grace to live according to the will of God, Ro 6.1ff, Co 3.1ff; deliverance from the evil powers that rule this world, Co 1.13; the inheritance of the Kingdom of God, Jn 3.5, and the pledge of the resurrection of the body, Ep 1.3f, 4.30. -- Ibid., pp. 263-264 (No scripture text has been inserted by this teacher in order to keep the quotes of the originator as they originally appear. I leave it to the reader as a student to open their own Bibles. JMN)
One cannot and should not preach the Gospel without teaching the command to be baptized. Peter proclaimed the command to be baptized in the first gospel sermon - Ac 2:36-38. Philip, when he preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch, must have proclaimed baptism in his message about Jesus, in view of the question raised: "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" - Ac 8:35-36. Indeed, Beasley-Murray stated the following conclusion in a chapter entitled "Baptismal Reform and Church Relationships":
"First, there ought to be a greater endeavor to make baptism integral to the gospel."
"It is taken as axiomatic amongst us [Baptists] that the proclamation of the Gospel consists of making the redemptive acts of God in Christ known and calling for faith in Christ as the due response; baptism is then a proper subject for exposition in the enquirers' class, along with instruction as to the nature of the Church, of worship, of Christian obligation in the Church and to the world, etc."
"Peter's response, however, to the cry of his conscience stricken hearers on the Day of Pentecost was not "Repent and believe", but "Repent and BE BAPTIZED"! (Ac 2.38).
"Naturally faith was presumed in repentance, but Peter's answer told the Jews how to become Christians: faith and repentance are to be expressed in baptism, and SO they are to come to the Lord."
"Baptism is here a part of the proclamation of Christ. In an Apostolic sermon it comes as its logical conclusion."
"An effort ought to be made to restore this note in our [Baptist] preaching." -- Ibid., p. 393
I could not say it better myself, other than to add that an effort ought to be made to restore this note in EVERYONE'S preaching! Let's be sure to follow the example of apostolic preaching (cf. Ac 2:36-38)... Calling upon people not only to believe in Jesus and repent of their sins, but to climax their response to the gospel by submitting to the Lord's command to be baptized for the remission of their sins. For then we can be assured that we will receive all those blessings the Bible ascribes to the act of baptism (see Beasley-Murray's summary above), by virtue of God's gracious working! Dear friend, have you responded to the saving call of our Lord's wonderful gospel? "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Ac 22:16
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Is Baptism A Necessary Part Of The Gospel? Part One
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Is Baptism A Necessary Part Of The Gospel? Part One
Before begin study in this lesson I would like you to note that where the scriptural text appears it will be from the ASV, being the more literal translation, will be used in order not loose scriptural meaning. Now let us begin.
Following Jesus without denominationalism begins by heeding the call of the gospel. For the Lord "calls" us through His gospel - 2 Th 2:14 “whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” As we respond to the call, the Lord Himself adds us to His church (His "called-out" group of people), not some man-made denomination - Ac 2:41 “They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.”, 47 “praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.”
In the previous lesson, I presented the gospel of Christ as containing "Facts" to believe:
1) Jesus was crucified for our sins
2) Jesus was raised from the dead
3) Jesus is exalted as king and savior
4) Jesus is coming again
I presented the gospel of Christ as containing"Commands" to obey:
1) Believe the gospel concerning Jesus Christ
2) Confess your faith in Jesus as Lord
3) Repent of your sins
4) Be baptized for the remission of your sins
5) Be faithful unto death
I presented the gospel of Christ as containing"Promises" to receive:
1) The remission of sins
2) The gift of the Holy Spirit
3) The gift of eternal life
In most cases, I have found that there is very little exception taken to the above, save for one thing: the suggestion that baptism is a necessary part of the gospel of Christ. Many people have a problem with the idea that baptism is for the remission of sins; they believe Baptism has nothing to do with God's plan of salvation. They believe to suggest baptism is necessary is to deny we are justified by grace through faith. They believe to teach baptism is for the remission of sins is to teach a salvation by works, not by grace. This raises the question, "Is Baptism A Necessary Part Of The Gospel?" In other words, is baptism really for the remission of sins? If so, then how can we say that we are justified by grace through faith, and not of works?
I believe it is helpful to answer these questions by first observing a few quotations by certain individuals none would ever question of denying that we are saved by grace through faith, Augustine, Aquinas and Luther.
AUGUSTINE (A.D. 354-430)
Referring to the efficacy of baptism, he wrote that "the salvation of man is effected in baptism"; also, that a person "is baptized for the express purpose of being with Christ." (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The Remission of Sins, College Press, 1990, p. 30)
In regards to the necessity of baptism, he refers to the "apostolic tradition, by which the Churches of Christ maintain it to be an inherent principle, that without baptism...it is impossible for any man to attain to salvation and everlasting life." (ibid., p. 30)
THOMAS AQUINAS (A.D. 1225-1274)
"...Men are bound to that without which they cannot obtain salvation. Now it is manifest that no one can obtain salvation but through Christ..."
"But for this end is baptism conferred on a man, that being regenerated thereby, he may be incorporated in Christ."
"Consequently it is manifest that all are bound to be baptized: and that without baptism there is no salvation for men." (ibid., p. 31)
MARTIN LUTHER...
In answer to the question, "What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?", Luther replied in his Small Catechism, "It effects forgiveness of sins." He also wrote concerning the sinner: "Through Baptism he is bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins." Again, he wrote: "To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save." (ibid., p. 32-34). In his commentary on Ro 6:3, he wrote: "Baptism has been instituted that it should lead us to the blessings (of this death) and through such death to eternal life. Therefore IT IS NECESSARY that we should be baptized into Jesus Christ and His death." (Commentary On Romans, Kregel Publications, p. 101). In his commentary on Ga 3:27, he wrote: "This is diligently to be noted, because of the fond and fantastical spirits, who go about to deface the majesty of baptism, and speak wickedly of it. Paul, contrariwise, commendeth it, and setteth it forth with honourable titles, calling it, 'the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost'. And here also he saith, that 'all ye that are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.' Wherefore baptism is a thing of great force and
efficacy." (Commentary On Galatians, Kregel Publications, p.222).
I trust that we all know that these individuals believed strongly in justification by grace through faith, and not of works (see Ep 2:8-9). How then could they say such things about baptism? The key is to understand "who" is at work in baptism. Is it man, or is it God? The saving power involved in baptism does to sve because the subject merits salvation. Nearly everyone I talk to who takes issue with baptism being necessary, or having any part of the gospel plan of salvation, initially misunderstands this point. They assume that if baptism is necessary, one is saved by meritorious works. They assume that if one is baptized for the remission of sins, one has earned their salvation. The majority believe this because this is what they have been taught by the clergy of their denomination. But they need to listen carefully to Martin Luther. In response to those who would call this a kind of works-salvation, he said "Yes, it is true that our works are of no use for salvation. Baptism, however, is not our work but God's." (ibid., p. 32-34). Again, "Luther correctly describes the working of baptism thus: 'How can water do such great things? It is not the water indeed that does them, but the Word of God which is in and with the water (God's giving hand), and faith which trusts such word of God in the water (man's receiving hand).'" (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, page 398-399).
Baptism saves because “God” is at work. Note that Peter clearly says that "baptism doth also now save us" (KJV) - 1 Pe 3:21. But as observed by Luther, it is God who saves us in baptism:
He is the one at work in baptism - Co 2:11-13 ("the working of God") “in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;”
Other than possessing faith in Christ and God, MAN IS PASSIVE in baptism like a patient submitting to the skill of a physician to remove cancer. So we, seeking the removal of the cancer of sin, submitting to the Great Physician to cut away our sins by the blood of Christ, which He does in baptism It is God who makes us alive together with Christ, having forgiven all trespasses
- Co 2:13 (see above). As stated in ISBE: "Baptism does not produce salutary effects ~ex~opere~operato~, i.e. by the mere external performance of the baptismal action. No
instrument with which Divine grace works does. Even the preaching of the gospel is void of saving results if not 'mixed with faith' (Heb 4.2, AV)." It is not the "act" of immersion that saves, though salvation occurs at that time. It is GOD who saves in baptism, by virtue of grace, when one believes in Christ! But because God commands baptism, and saves us in baptism, it is proper to say with Peter: "baptism doth also now save us" - 1 Pe 3:21 and with Jesus: "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved..." - Mk 16:16. When we properly understand that it is God doing the work of salvation in baptism, then we can better understand why the command to be baptized is such an integral part of the gospel.
Is Baptism A Necessary Part Of The Gospel? Part One
Before begin study in this lesson I would like you to note that where the scriptural text appears it will be from the ASV, being the more literal translation, will be used in order not loose scriptural meaning. Now let us begin.
Following Jesus without denominationalism begins by heeding the call of the gospel. For the Lord "calls" us through His gospel - 2 Th 2:14 “whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” As we respond to the call, the Lord Himself adds us to His church (His "called-out" group of people), not some man-made denomination - Ac 2:41 “They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.”, 47 “praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.”
In the previous lesson, I presented the gospel of Christ as containing "Facts" to believe:
1) Jesus was crucified for our sins
2) Jesus was raised from the dead
3) Jesus is exalted as king and savior
4) Jesus is coming again
I presented the gospel of Christ as containing"Commands" to obey:
1) Believe the gospel concerning Jesus Christ
2) Confess your faith in Jesus as Lord
3) Repent of your sins
4) Be baptized for the remission of your sins
5) Be faithful unto death
I presented the gospel of Christ as containing"Promises" to receive:
1) The remission of sins
2) The gift of the Holy Spirit
3) The gift of eternal life
In most cases, I have found that there is very little exception taken to the above, save for one thing: the suggestion that baptism is a necessary part of the gospel of Christ. Many people have a problem with the idea that baptism is for the remission of sins; they believe Baptism has nothing to do with God's plan of salvation. They believe to suggest baptism is necessary is to deny we are justified by grace through faith. They believe to teach baptism is for the remission of sins is to teach a salvation by works, not by grace. This raises the question, "Is Baptism A Necessary Part Of The Gospel?" In other words, is baptism really for the remission of sins? If so, then how can we say that we are justified by grace through faith, and not of works?
I believe it is helpful to answer these questions by first observing a few quotations by certain individuals none would ever question of denying that we are saved by grace through faith, Augustine, Aquinas and Luther.
AUGUSTINE (A.D. 354-430)
Referring to the efficacy of baptism, he wrote that "the salvation of man is effected in baptism"; also, that a person "is baptized for the express purpose of being with Christ." (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The Remission of Sins, College Press, 1990, p. 30)
In regards to the necessity of baptism, he refers to the "apostolic tradition, by which the Churches of Christ maintain it to be an inherent principle, that without baptism...it is impossible for any man to attain to salvation and everlasting life." (ibid., p. 30)
THOMAS AQUINAS (A.D. 1225-1274)
"...Men are bound to that without which they cannot obtain salvation. Now it is manifest that no one can obtain salvation but through Christ..."
"But for this end is baptism conferred on a man, that being regenerated thereby, he may be incorporated in Christ."
"Consequently it is manifest that all are bound to be baptized: and that without baptism there is no salvation for men." (ibid., p. 31)
MARTIN LUTHER...
In answer to the question, "What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?", Luther replied in his Small Catechism, "It effects forgiveness of sins." He also wrote concerning the sinner: "Through Baptism he is bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins." Again, he wrote: "To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save." (ibid., p. 32-34). In his commentary on Ro 6:3, he wrote: "Baptism has been instituted that it should lead us to the blessings (of this death) and through such death to eternal life. Therefore IT IS NECESSARY that we should be baptized into Jesus Christ and His death." (Commentary On Romans, Kregel Publications, p. 101). In his commentary on Ga 3:27, he wrote: "This is diligently to be noted, because of the fond and fantastical spirits, who go about to deface the majesty of baptism, and speak wickedly of it. Paul, contrariwise, commendeth it, and setteth it forth with honourable titles, calling it, 'the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost'. And here also he saith, that 'all ye that are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.' Wherefore baptism is a thing of great force and
efficacy." (Commentary On Galatians, Kregel Publications, p.222).
I trust that we all know that these individuals believed strongly in justification by grace through faith, and not of works (see Ep 2:8-9). How then could they say such things about baptism? The key is to understand "who" is at work in baptism. Is it man, or is it God? The saving power involved in baptism does to sve because the subject merits salvation. Nearly everyone I talk to who takes issue with baptism being necessary, or having any part of the gospel plan of salvation, initially misunderstands this point. They assume that if baptism is necessary, one is saved by meritorious works. They assume that if one is baptized for the remission of sins, one has earned their salvation. The majority believe this because this is what they have been taught by the clergy of their denomination. But they need to listen carefully to Martin Luther. In response to those who would call this a kind of works-salvation, he said "Yes, it is true that our works are of no use for salvation. Baptism, however, is not our work but God's." (ibid., p. 32-34). Again, "Luther correctly describes the working of baptism thus: 'How can water do such great things? It is not the water indeed that does them, but the Word of God which is in and with the water (God's giving hand), and faith which trusts such word of God in the water (man's receiving hand).'" (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, page 398-399).
Baptism saves because “God” is at work. Note that Peter clearly says that "baptism doth also now save us" (KJV) - 1 Pe 3:21. But as observed by Luther, it is God who saves us in baptism:
He is the one at work in baptism - Co 2:11-13 ("the working of God") “in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;”
Other than possessing faith in Christ and God, MAN IS PASSIVE in baptism like a patient submitting to the skill of a physician to remove cancer. So we, seeking the removal of the cancer of sin, submitting to the Great Physician to cut away our sins by the blood of Christ, which He does in baptism It is God who makes us alive together with Christ, having forgiven all trespasses
- Co 2:13 (see above). As stated in ISBE: "Baptism does not produce salutary effects ~ex~opere~operato~, i.e. by the mere external performance of the baptismal action. No
instrument with which Divine grace works does. Even the preaching of the gospel is void of saving results if not 'mixed with faith' (Heb 4.2, AV)." It is not the "act" of immersion that saves, though salvation occurs at that time. It is GOD who saves in baptism, by virtue of grace, when one believes in Christ! But because God commands baptism, and saves us in baptism, it is proper to say with Peter: "baptism doth also now save us" - 1 Pe 3:21 and with Jesus: "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved..." - Mk 16:16. When we properly understand that it is God doing the work of salvation in baptism, then we can better understand why the command to be baptized is such an integral part of the gospel.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Accepting The Call Of The Gospel - Part Two
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Accepting The Call Of The Gospel - Part Two
Dear friend, has faith in what Christ did for you on the cross and sorrow over your sins moved you to the point that you have made the decision to change? If so, then you are ready for the culminating act of faith and obedience to the gospel of Christ. To be baptized for the remission of your sins. Baptism is clearly a part of the gospel message that Jesus wanted His disciples to proclaim - Mk 16:15-16 "Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned."; Mt 28:18-20 "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world." Peter proclaimed baptism for the remission of sins in his first sermon - Ac 2:38 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit." Paul related that he was commanded to be baptized "to wash away sins" - Ac 22:16 "What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord."’ Not that there is anything in the act of immersion (the meaning of "baptizo") that merits or earns forgiveness, but it is simply the point of time in which God by His grace unites us with Christ in His death, and by His working in conjunction with our faith raises us to walk in newness of life! Ro 6:3-6 describes baptism as the point in time we are united into the death of Christ at which point we die to sin and thereby raised to newness of life. Co 2:11-13 reveals that in baptism we are buried with Christ and then raised through faith in God's working who makes us alive in Christ by forgiving us of our sins! Dear friend, have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? If not, are you willing to let God cleanse you through the blood of His Son and raise you to a new life?
Those who gladly received the preaching of the apostles were baptized, and the Lord added them to His church - Ac 2:41,47 "On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized." - "while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved." So while in one sense the "commands" of the gospel end with the command to be baptized, there is also the command of our Lord for faithfulness. Jesus wanted His disciples to teach others "to observe all things that I have commanded you" - Mt 28:19-20. Jesus exhorted His church in Ephesus: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." - Re 2:10. The need for continued faithfulness is paramount: For believers can develop an evil heart of unbelief in falling away from God - He 3:12 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God." For believers can become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin - He 3:13 "You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn." And believers become partakers of Christ only "IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" - He 3:14 Therefore the need for such exhortations as the one given by Paul: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Co 15:58
Finally, to fully accept the call of the gospel, we need to receive the "promises" of the gospel. The first as stated in Acts 2:38 is to receive the remission of sins, so that your sins will be forgiven. As stated by Jesus, remission of sins was to be proclaimed among all nations - Lk 24:47-48 "They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened." Faithful to the Lord's charge, the early Christians offered this wonderful promise to those who would heed the commands of the gospel - Ac 2:38 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."; 3:19 "So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven."; 22:16 "What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord."’ In their epistles, the writers would often refer to this wonderful blessing - Ep 1:7 "Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us." -- Don't you want the assurance that your sins have been forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ? Then heed the commands of the gospel! - Ac 2:38
Jesus had spoken of those who believe in Him receiving the Spirit in a special way - Jn 7:37-39 "On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, "If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say." Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory." Thus Peter offers the gift of the Spirit to those who will obey God - Ac 2:38-39 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children. It is for everyone our Lord God will choose, no matter where they live."’; 5:32 "We are here to tell you about all this, and so is the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to everyone who obeys God." The blessing of having the Spirit in our lives is related to His indwelling. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit - 1 Co 6:19 "You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own." With the aid of the Spirit, we are able to put to death the deeds of the flesh - Ro 8:9 "You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God's Spirit, who lives in you. People who don't have the Spirit of Christ in them don't belong to him.", 11-13 "Yet God raised Jesus to life! God's Spirit now lives in you, and he will raise you to life by his Spirit. My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God's Spirit you say "No" to your desires." Indeed, the Holy Spirit is an instrumental agent by which the Father imparts strength to the Christian - Ep 3:16 "God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers", 20-21 "I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen." -- Dear friend, God does not expect you to live the Christian life solely by your own strength; don't you wish to receive all of the aids (the Holy Spirit is only one such aid) that God affords His children? Then heed the commands of the gospel! - Ac 2:38
The last promise we want to look at is the gift of eternal life. The expression "eternal life" is an interesting one, evidently used in two different ways in the scriptures. It is used to describe the reward of the faithful, received on the day of judgment. Jesus used it this way in Mt 25:46 "Then Jesus said, "Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life."’ Paul, likewise, describing it as gift from God through Jesus Christ - Ro 6:23 "Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord." (See 6:22; also 2:5-8). It is also used to describe the spiritual life we now enjoy by virtue of our knowledge of (or fellowship with) the Father and the Son. Jesus describes it as such in Jn 17:2-3 "And you gave him power over all people, so that he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent." As well as His beloved disciple, John, in 1 Jn 5:11-13 "God has also said that he gave us eternal life and that this life comes to us from his Son. And so, if we have God's Son, we have this life. But if we don't have the Son, we don't have this life. All of you have faith in the Son of God, and I have written to let you know that you have eternal life." Thus the gift of eternal life is one that has "promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (to borrow a phrase from Paul)-- Aren't you tired of the shallow life this world has to offer? Don't you wish to receive that "abundant life" that Jesus came to give (see Jn 10:10)? Then heed the commands of the gospel! - Mk 16:16 "Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned."
These wonderful promises (and there are many more) can be received by anyone who is willing to heed and accept the call of the gospel of Christ. Those who do, will not only receive these blessings, but they will also be added by the Lord to His church, that great assembly of "called-out" ones who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Have you accepted the "call" of the gospel? Have you believed the "facts" of the gospel? Obeyed the "commands" of the gospel? Thereby received the "promises" of the gospel? It is possible that you have only obeyed some of the "commands" of the gospel. Many have believed, repented, confessed, but were never baptized. Because you rarely hear preachers stressing that aspect of the gospel in their preaching. Sadly, I fear that many have reacted to one "perversion" of the gospel (adding meritorious works) by going to the other extreme where they commit another "perversion" of the gospel (taking away a command of God). I plan to discuss the subject of "baptism" more closely in the next lesson, but if you are convinced that you need to obey Christ in this regard, why not do so today?
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Accepting The Call Of The Gospel - Part Two
Dear friend, has faith in what Christ did for you on the cross and sorrow over your sins moved you to the point that you have made the decision to change? If so, then you are ready for the culminating act of faith and obedience to the gospel of Christ. To be baptized for the remission of your sins. Baptism is clearly a part of the gospel message that Jesus wanted His disciples to proclaim - Mk 16:15-16 "Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned."; Mt 28:18-20 "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world." Peter proclaimed baptism for the remission of sins in his first sermon - Ac 2:38 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit." Paul related that he was commanded to be baptized "to wash away sins" - Ac 22:16 "What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord."’ Not that there is anything in the act of immersion (the meaning of "baptizo") that merits or earns forgiveness, but it is simply the point of time in which God by His grace unites us with Christ in His death, and by His working in conjunction with our faith raises us to walk in newness of life! Ro 6:3-6 describes baptism as the point in time we are united into the death of Christ at which point we die to sin and thereby raised to newness of life. Co 2:11-13 reveals that in baptism we are buried with Christ and then raised through faith in God's working who makes us alive in Christ by forgiving us of our sins! Dear friend, have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? If not, are you willing to let God cleanse you through the blood of His Son and raise you to a new life?
Those who gladly received the preaching of the apostles were baptized, and the Lord added them to His church - Ac 2:41,47 "On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized." - "while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved." So while in one sense the "commands" of the gospel end with the command to be baptized, there is also the command of our Lord for faithfulness. Jesus wanted His disciples to teach others "to observe all things that I have commanded you" - Mt 28:19-20. Jesus exhorted His church in Ephesus: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." - Re 2:10. The need for continued faithfulness is paramount: For believers can develop an evil heart of unbelief in falling away from God - He 3:12 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God." For believers can become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin - He 3:13 "You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn." And believers become partakers of Christ only "IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" - He 3:14 Therefore the need for such exhortations as the one given by Paul: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Co 15:58
Finally, to fully accept the call of the gospel, we need to receive the "promises" of the gospel. The first as stated in Acts 2:38 is to receive the remission of sins, so that your sins will be forgiven. As stated by Jesus, remission of sins was to be proclaimed among all nations - Lk 24:47-48 "They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened." Faithful to the Lord's charge, the early Christians offered this wonderful promise to those who would heed the commands of the gospel - Ac 2:38 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."; 3:19 "So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven."; 22:16 "What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord."’ In their epistles, the writers would often refer to this wonderful blessing - Ep 1:7 "Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us." -- Don't you want the assurance that your sins have been forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ? Then heed the commands of the gospel! - Ac 2:38
Jesus had spoken of those who believe in Him receiving the Spirit in a special way - Jn 7:37-39 "On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, "If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say." Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory." Thus Peter offers the gift of the Spirit to those who will obey God - Ac 2:38-39 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children. It is for everyone our Lord God will choose, no matter where they live."’; 5:32 "We are here to tell you about all this, and so is the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to everyone who obeys God." The blessing of having the Spirit in our lives is related to His indwelling. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit - 1 Co 6:19 "You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own." With the aid of the Spirit, we are able to put to death the deeds of the flesh - Ro 8:9 "You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God's Spirit, who lives in you. People who don't have the Spirit of Christ in them don't belong to him.", 11-13 "Yet God raised Jesus to life! God's Spirit now lives in you, and he will raise you to life by his Spirit. My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God's Spirit you say "No" to your desires." Indeed, the Holy Spirit is an instrumental agent by which the Father imparts strength to the Christian - Ep 3:16 "God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers", 20-21 "I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen." -- Dear friend, God does not expect you to live the Christian life solely by your own strength; don't you wish to receive all of the aids (the Holy Spirit is only one such aid) that God affords His children? Then heed the commands of the gospel! - Ac 2:38
The last promise we want to look at is the gift of eternal life. The expression "eternal life" is an interesting one, evidently used in two different ways in the scriptures. It is used to describe the reward of the faithful, received on the day of judgment. Jesus used it this way in Mt 25:46 "Then Jesus said, "Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life."’ Paul, likewise, describing it as gift from God through Jesus Christ - Ro 6:23 "Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord." (See 6:22; also 2:5-8). It is also used to describe the spiritual life we now enjoy by virtue of our knowledge of (or fellowship with) the Father and the Son. Jesus describes it as such in Jn 17:2-3 "And you gave him power over all people, so that he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent." As well as His beloved disciple, John, in 1 Jn 5:11-13 "God has also said that he gave us eternal life and that this life comes to us from his Son. And so, if we have God's Son, we have this life. But if we don't have the Son, we don't have this life. All of you have faith in the Son of God, and I have written to let you know that you have eternal life." Thus the gift of eternal life is one that has "promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (to borrow a phrase from Paul)-- Aren't you tired of the shallow life this world has to offer? Don't you wish to receive that "abundant life" that Jesus came to give (see Jn 10:10)? Then heed the commands of the gospel! - Mk 16:16 "Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned."
These wonderful promises (and there are many more) can be received by anyone who is willing to heed and accept the call of the gospel of Christ. Those who do, will not only receive these blessings, but they will also be added by the Lord to His church, that great assembly of "called-out" ones who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Have you accepted the "call" of the gospel? Have you believed the "facts" of the gospel? Obeyed the "commands" of the gospel? Thereby received the "promises" of the gospel? It is possible that you have only obeyed some of the "commands" of the gospel. Many have believed, repented, confessed, but were never baptized. Because you rarely hear preachers stressing that aspect of the gospel in their preaching. Sadly, I fear that many have reacted to one "perversion" of the gospel (adding meritorious works) by going to the other extreme where they commit another "perversion" of the gospel (taking away a command of God). I plan to discuss the subject of "baptism" more closely in the next lesson, but if you are convinced that you need to obey Christ in this regard, why not do so today?
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Accepting The Call Of The Gospel - Part One
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Accepting The Call Of The Gospel - Part One
In the last lesson I proposed the following as the way out of religious division. First, follow the example of Jesus and maintain a "non-sectarian"relationship with God. Living under the Old Covenant, He was simply an Israelite, as the Law intended. Living under the New Covenant, His disciples were simply called "Christians", and so should we! - Ac 11:26; 1 Pe 4:16. Second, to ensure that we are truly members of Christ's body, the church (i.e., His "called-out" ones), let us be sure that we have answered the call of the gospel, by which He adds us to His Church (and not some denomination begun by man) - 2 Th 2:14; Ac 2:41,47. Let us follow the example of the early church, who "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - Ac 2:42
An important key, then, is that we properly answer the call of the gospel. For through the gospel Christ is calling us into His church. When we accept the gospel call, by God's grace we receive salvation and the Lord adds us to His church. Unfortunately, there have always been those who have "perverted" certain elements of the gospel. In the first century, Paul wrote of those who had perverted the gospel by trying to add elements of the Old Law to it - Ga 1:8-9 "I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed."; Ac 15:1 "Some people came from Judea and started teaching the Lord's followers that they could not be saved, unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught.", 6 "The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles." Later, others attempted to change the basis of salvation by teaching a salvation of works, rather than by grace through faith. Even today, many pervert the gospel by the manner they call upon people to respond to the gospel, leaving out the proper response as taught by Christ and His apostles. -- For this reason, it is important that we understand the gospel of Christ, and how to properly accept the call of the gospel!
There are several good ways to summarize the gospel that makes it easy to remember, and one was that suggested by Walter Scott. Not Sir Walter Scott, the British author who wrote "Ivanhoe", but a kinsman born in Scotland (1796), who came to America and proclaimed the gospel throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Kentucky. In his study of the gospel, Walter Scott summarized it as containing:
1) Facts to be believed
2) Commands to be obeyed
3) Promises to be received
Indeed, accepting the call of the gospel involves a person accepting the "facts," "commands," and "promises" contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To elaborate, let's consider first of all that to accept the call of the gospel one must believe the facts of the Gospel. Fact, Jesus was crucified for our sins. The death of Jesus for our sins is a fundamental part of the gospel - 1 Co 15:1-3 "My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don't, your faith was all for nothing. I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is: Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say." It was foretold by Isaiah - Isa 53:4-6 "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (ASV). It's necessity is seen in that all are sinners, and the wages of sin is death - Ro 3:23 "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory."; 6:23 "s28 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." But in love, God sent His son to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins - 1 Jn 4:9-10 "God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven."
Fact, Jesus was raised from the dead. Together with His death and burial, the resurrection of Christ is fundamental to the gospel - 1 Co 15:4 "He was buried, and three days later he was raised to life, as the Scriptures say." In the first gospel sermon recorded, Peter centered his message around proving that God raised Jesus from the dead - Ac 2:22-32. Without the resurrection of Christ, the gospel is meaningless - 1 Co 15:14-19 "And if Christ wasn't raised to life, our message is worthless, and so is your faith. If the dead won't be raised to life, we have told lies about God by saying that he raised Christ to life, when he really did not. So if the dead won't be raised to life, Christ wasn't raised to life. Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins. And those people who died after putting their faith in him are completely lost. If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else."
Fact, Jesus is exalted as King and Savior. Peter proclaimed at the climax of his first gospel sermon - Ac 2:33-36 "Jesus was taken up to sit at the right side of God, and he was given the Holy Spirit, just as the Father had promised. Jesus is also the one who has given the Spirit to us, and that is what you are now seeing and hearing. David didn't go up to heaven. So he wasn't talking about himself when he said, "The Lord told my Lord to sit at his right side, until he made my Lord's enemies into a footstool for him." Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross." All has been put under His feet, and made subject to Him - Ep 1:19-22 "I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything."; 1 Pe 3:22 "Christ is now in heaven, where he sits at the right side of God. All angels, authorities, and powers are under his control." Therefore He is truly "the ruler over the kings of the earth"! - Re 1:5
Fact, Jesus is coming back again as prophesied in the Book of Revelation - Re 1:7 "Look! He is coming with the clouds. Everyone will see him, even the ones who stuck a sword through him. All people on earth will weep because of him. Yes, it will happen! Amen." As proclaimed by the "two men in white apparel" when Jesus ascended to heaven - Ac 1:9-11 "After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. They said, "Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way that you have seen him go."’ The purpose of His coming? To execute judgment and be glorified! - 2 Th 1:6-10 " It is only right for God to punish everyone who is causing you trouble, but he will give you relief from your troubles. He will do the same for us, when the Lord Jesus comes from heaven with his powerful angels and with a flaming fire. Our Lord Jesus will punish anyone who doesn't know God and won't obey his message. Their punishment will be eternal destruction, and they will be kept far from the presence of our Lord and his glorious strength. This will happen on that day when the Lord returns to be praised and honored by all who have faith in him and belong to him. This includes you, because you believed what we said. God chose you, and we keep praying that God will make you worthy of being his people. We pray for God's power to help you do all the good things that you hope to do and that your faith makes you want to do."
Certainly there are other elements of the gospel necessary for us to believe (such as the virgin birth of Christ, His deity, etc.), but in the preaching of the gospel as recording in the book of Acts, the facts which I have described were emphasized time and again. Do you believe the "facts" of the gospel? If so, that is wonderful, for when you have such faith you will be prompted to accept the call of the gospel and to obey the "commands" of the gospel.
Command, we are to believe the gospel message concerning Jesus Christ. Yes, this sounds redundant, but it is important to stress two things:
That there are indeed "commands" one must obey to be saved,
And that the first command is to "believe"!
Unless one believes the gospel, there is no hope - Mk 16:15-16 "Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned." The gospel is God's power unto salvation, but only to those who believe - Ro 1:16 "I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles." Faith (along with confession) is a necessary step leading to salvation - Ro 10:9-10 "So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others." Without faith it is impossible to please God - He 11:6 "But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him." Without faith, one will not act upon the other conditions of the gospel (such as confession, repentance, etc.). Do you lack faith? Then I direct you to the four gospels (Matt, Mark, Luke, John). For they were written to produce faith - Jn 20:30-31 "Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life." For faith comes from hearing the Word of God - Ro 10:17 "No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ."
In addition to the command to believe, there is the command to confess Jesus as Lord - Ro 10:9-10 "So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others." This means to acknowledge that you believe Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God, who is "King of kings, and Lord of lords". An example of such a confession is found in Ac 8:37 "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (KJV) Without confessing Jesus before men, we have no hope that He will confess us before His Father in heaven - Mt 10:32-33 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Are you willing to confess that you believe Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God?
We have the command to repent. To "repent" means to have "a change of mind", in which case you make the decision to turn from your sins and turn toward living for God. It is brought about by a "godly sorrow" for your sins - 2 Co 7:10 "When God makes you feel sorry enough to turn to him and be saved, you don't have anything to feel bad about. But when this world makes you feel sorry, it can cause your death." And it will produce a visible change in one's life - 2 Co 7:11 "Just look what God has done by making you feel sorry! You sincerely want to prove that you are innocent. You are angry. You are shocked. You are eager to see that justice is done. You have proved that you were completely right in this matter." Jesus said that "repentance" should be preached in His name among the nations - Lk 24:46-48 "He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened." Indeed, the apostles Peter and Paul both stressed repentance in their gospel preaching - Ac 2:37-38 "When the people neheard this, they were very upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Friends, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."; 3:19 "So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven."; 17:30-31 "In the past, God forgave all this because people did not know what they were doing. But now he says that everyone everywhere must turn to him. He has set a day when he will judge the world's people with fairness. And he has chosen the man Jesus to do the judging for him. God has given proof of this to all of us by raising Jesus from death."
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Accepting The Call Of The Gospel - Part One
In the last lesson I proposed the following as the way out of religious division. First, follow the example of Jesus and maintain a "non-sectarian"relationship with God. Living under the Old Covenant, He was simply an Israelite, as the Law intended. Living under the New Covenant, His disciples were simply called "Christians", and so should we! - Ac 11:26; 1 Pe 4:16. Second, to ensure that we are truly members of Christ's body, the church (i.e., His "called-out" ones), let us be sure that we have answered the call of the gospel, by which He adds us to His Church (and not some denomination begun by man) - 2 Th 2:14; Ac 2:41,47. Let us follow the example of the early church, who "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - Ac 2:42
An important key, then, is that we properly answer the call of the gospel. For through the gospel Christ is calling us into His church. When we accept the gospel call, by God's grace we receive salvation and the Lord adds us to His church. Unfortunately, there have always been those who have "perverted" certain elements of the gospel. In the first century, Paul wrote of those who had perverted the gospel by trying to add elements of the Old Law to it - Ga 1:8-9 "I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed."; Ac 15:1 "Some people came from Judea and started teaching the Lord's followers that they could not be saved, unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught.", 6 "The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles." Later, others attempted to change the basis of salvation by teaching a salvation of works, rather than by grace through faith. Even today, many pervert the gospel by the manner they call upon people to respond to the gospel, leaving out the proper response as taught by Christ and His apostles. -- For this reason, it is important that we understand the gospel of Christ, and how to properly accept the call of the gospel!
There are several good ways to summarize the gospel that makes it easy to remember, and one was that suggested by Walter Scott. Not Sir Walter Scott, the British author who wrote "Ivanhoe", but a kinsman born in Scotland (1796), who came to America and proclaimed the gospel throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Kentucky. In his study of the gospel, Walter Scott summarized it as containing:
1) Facts to be believed
2) Commands to be obeyed
3) Promises to be received
Indeed, accepting the call of the gospel involves a person accepting the "facts," "commands," and "promises" contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To elaborate, let's consider first of all that to accept the call of the gospel one must believe the facts of the Gospel. Fact, Jesus was crucified for our sins. The death of Jesus for our sins is a fundamental part of the gospel - 1 Co 15:1-3 "My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don't, your faith was all for nothing. I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is: Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say." It was foretold by Isaiah - Isa 53:4-6 "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (ASV). It's necessity is seen in that all are sinners, and the wages of sin is death - Ro 3:23 "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory."; 6:23 "s28 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." But in love, God sent His son to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins - 1 Jn 4:9-10 "God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven."
Fact, Jesus was raised from the dead. Together with His death and burial, the resurrection of Christ is fundamental to the gospel - 1 Co 15:4 "He was buried, and three days later he was raised to life, as the Scriptures say." In the first gospel sermon recorded, Peter centered his message around proving that God raised Jesus from the dead - Ac 2:22-32. Without the resurrection of Christ, the gospel is meaningless - 1 Co 15:14-19 "And if Christ wasn't raised to life, our message is worthless, and so is your faith. If the dead won't be raised to life, we have told lies about God by saying that he raised Christ to life, when he really did not. So if the dead won't be raised to life, Christ wasn't raised to life. Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins. And those people who died after putting their faith in him are completely lost. If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else."
Fact, Jesus is exalted as King and Savior. Peter proclaimed at the climax of his first gospel sermon - Ac 2:33-36 "Jesus was taken up to sit at the right side of God, and he was given the Holy Spirit, just as the Father had promised. Jesus is also the one who has given the Spirit to us, and that is what you are now seeing and hearing. David didn't go up to heaven. So he wasn't talking about himself when he said, "The Lord told my Lord to sit at his right side, until he made my Lord's enemies into a footstool for him." Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross." All has been put under His feet, and made subject to Him - Ep 1:19-22 "I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything."; 1 Pe 3:22 "Christ is now in heaven, where he sits at the right side of God. All angels, authorities, and powers are under his control." Therefore He is truly "the ruler over the kings of the earth"! - Re 1:5
Fact, Jesus is coming back again as prophesied in the Book of Revelation - Re 1:7 "Look! He is coming with the clouds. Everyone will see him, even the ones who stuck a sword through him. All people on earth will weep because of him. Yes, it will happen! Amen." As proclaimed by the "two men in white apparel" when Jesus ascended to heaven - Ac 1:9-11 "After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. They said, "Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way that you have seen him go."’ The purpose of His coming? To execute judgment and be glorified! - 2 Th 1:6-10 " It is only right for God to punish everyone who is causing you trouble, but he will give you relief from your troubles. He will do the same for us, when the Lord Jesus comes from heaven with his powerful angels and with a flaming fire. Our Lord Jesus will punish anyone who doesn't know God and won't obey his message. Their punishment will be eternal destruction, and they will be kept far from the presence of our Lord and his glorious strength. This will happen on that day when the Lord returns to be praised and honored by all who have faith in him and belong to him. This includes you, because you believed what we said. God chose you, and we keep praying that God will make you worthy of being his people. We pray for God's power to help you do all the good things that you hope to do and that your faith makes you want to do."
Certainly there are other elements of the gospel necessary for us to believe (such as the virgin birth of Christ, His deity, etc.), but in the preaching of the gospel as recording in the book of Acts, the facts which I have described were emphasized time and again. Do you believe the "facts" of the gospel? If so, that is wonderful, for when you have such faith you will be prompted to accept the call of the gospel and to obey the "commands" of the gospel.
Command, we are to believe the gospel message concerning Jesus Christ. Yes, this sounds redundant, but it is important to stress two things:
That there are indeed "commands" one must obey to be saved,
And that the first command is to "believe"!
Unless one believes the gospel, there is no hope - Mk 16:15-16 "Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned." The gospel is God's power unto salvation, but only to those who believe - Ro 1:16 "I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles." Faith (along with confession) is a necessary step leading to salvation - Ro 10:9-10 "So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others." Without faith it is impossible to please God - He 11:6 "But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him." Without faith, one will not act upon the other conditions of the gospel (such as confession, repentance, etc.). Do you lack faith? Then I direct you to the four gospels (Matt, Mark, Luke, John). For they were written to produce faith - Jn 20:30-31 "Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life." For faith comes from hearing the Word of God - Ro 10:17 "No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ."
In addition to the command to believe, there is the command to confess Jesus as Lord - Ro 10:9-10 "So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others." This means to acknowledge that you believe Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God, who is "King of kings, and Lord of lords". An example of such a confession is found in Ac 8:37 "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (KJV) Without confessing Jesus before men, we have no hope that He will confess us before His Father in heaven - Mt 10:32-33 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Are you willing to confess that you believe Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God?
We have the command to repent. To "repent" means to have "a change of mind", in which case you make the decision to turn from your sins and turn toward living for God. It is brought about by a "godly sorrow" for your sins - 2 Co 7:10 "When God makes you feel sorry enough to turn to him and be saved, you don't have anything to feel bad about. But when this world makes you feel sorry, it can cause your death." And it will produce a visible change in one's life - 2 Co 7:11 "Just look what God has done by making you feel sorry! You sincerely want to prove that you are innocent. You are angry. You are shocked. You are eager to see that justice is done. You have proved that you were completely right in this matter." Jesus said that "repentance" should be preached in His name among the nations - Lk 24:46-48 "He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened." Indeed, the apostles Peter and Paul both stressed repentance in their gospel preaching - Ac 2:37-38 "When the people neheard this, they were very upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Friends, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."; 3:19 "So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven."; 17:30-31 "In the past, God forgave all this because people did not know what they were doing. But now he says that everyone everywhere must turn to him. He has set a day when he will judge the world's people with fairness. And he has chosen the man Jesus to do the judging for him. God has given proof of this to all of us by raising Jesus from death."
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, September 03, 2006
The Way Out of Religious Division - Part Two
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
The Way Out Of Religious Division - Part Two
When we read what the Bible says to us about the Lord's church, we learn that by responding to the gospel and paying close heed to the "apostles' doctrine" (cf. Ac 2:42), people in the first century were able to be Christians only, without all the confusion prevalent today. Is it possible for us to do this today? Yes! Here is the way out of religious division. Accepting the call of the gospel is the first step.
Remember, Christ calls us into His ekklesia (church "a called-out group, an assembly, a congregation") through the gospel. Therefore, we can begin by obeying the same instructions that Peter gave on the Day of Pentecost - Ac 2:38 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit." Repenting of our sins, and being baptized for the remission of our sins, we then receive the same blessings as did the 3000 on that day: salvation! By being saved in this manner, we know that the Lord truly adds us to His church just as He added them - Ac 2:47 "while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved."
What then...? Follow the example of the early Christians. The early Christians continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine - Ac 2:42 "They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together." They joined no other religious organization, and neither should we! In Christ, we are automatically united with all others who are in Him! As members of the Lord's church, we should study carefully the New Testament description of the church that continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. This description is found in the Book of Acts and in the Epistles which follow it. It is here that we will find instruction from the Lord's apostles on HOW:
1) To worship the Lord acceptably
2) To be scripturally organized as local congregations
3) To live and work together as Christians, spreading the gospel of Christ through word and example.
Since the apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit, we may be sure their instructions were exactly what Jesus wanted them to be! If we duplicate the early churches by following the apostles' instructions, we will simply be "Christians", and we can be certain the Lord is pleased with us. As Jesus said to His apostles about those who would receive or reject their instructions: "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." - Lk 10:16
Simply being a Christian, and duplicating a New Testament congregation is not as difficult as one might think. There are literally thousands of such congregations throughout the world. There is likely one in your area right now! (Feel free to contact me if you would like to try and locate the nearest one.) There is also the option of starting a congregation in your own home. By following the example and teachings of Jesus, as revealed by His apostles, we can be led out of the religious confusion that dominates the religious world today! Do you want to be simply a Christian, a member of the Lord's church we read about in the New Testament? If so, then I plead with you to first render obedience to the gospel of Christ as proclaimed by Peter and all the apostles - Ac 2:36-38. You have the assurance of God's Word that you will then be added by the Lord Himself to His church - Ac 2:47. Then, you have the responsibility to learn and follow the apostles' doctrine as you serve the Lord Jesus in your life - Ac 2:42. If you have not yet responded to the commands of the gospel as put forth by Peter in Ac 2:38, why not let the reaction of those who did on the Day of Pentecost describe your actions today:
"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." - Ac 2:41
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Way Out Of Religious Division - Part Two
When we read what the Bible says to us about the Lord's church, we learn that by responding to the gospel and paying close heed to the "apostles' doctrine" (cf. Ac 2:42), people in the first century were able to be Christians only, without all the confusion prevalent today. Is it possible for us to do this today? Yes! Here is the way out of religious division. Accepting the call of the gospel is the first step.
Remember, Christ calls us into His ekklesia (church "a called-out group, an assembly, a congregation") through the gospel. Therefore, we can begin by obeying the same instructions that Peter gave on the Day of Pentecost - Ac 2:38 "Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit." Repenting of our sins, and being baptized for the remission of our sins, we then receive the same blessings as did the 3000 on that day: salvation! By being saved in this manner, we know that the Lord truly adds us to His church just as He added them - Ac 2:47 "while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved."
What then...? Follow the example of the early Christians. The early Christians continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine - Ac 2:42 "They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together." They joined no other religious organization, and neither should we! In Christ, we are automatically united with all others who are in Him! As members of the Lord's church, we should study carefully the New Testament description of the church that continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. This description is found in the Book of Acts and in the Epistles which follow it. It is here that we will find instruction from the Lord's apostles on HOW:
1) To worship the Lord acceptably
2) To be scripturally organized as local congregations
3) To live and work together as Christians, spreading the gospel of Christ through word and example.
Since the apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit, we may be sure their instructions were exactly what Jesus wanted them to be! If we duplicate the early churches by following the apostles' instructions, we will simply be "Christians", and we can be certain the Lord is pleased with us. As Jesus said to His apostles about those who would receive or reject their instructions: "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." - Lk 10:16
Simply being a Christian, and duplicating a New Testament congregation is not as difficult as one might think. There are literally thousands of such congregations throughout the world. There is likely one in your area right now! (Feel free to contact me if you would like to try and locate the nearest one.) There is also the option of starting a congregation in your own home. By following the example and teachings of Jesus, as revealed by His apostles, we can be led out of the religious confusion that dominates the religious world today! Do you want to be simply a Christian, a member of the Lord's church we read about in the New Testament? If so, then I plead with you to first render obedience to the gospel of Christ as proclaimed by Peter and all the apostles - Ac 2:36-38. You have the assurance of God's Word that you will then be added by the Lord Himself to His church - Ac 2:47. Then, you have the responsibility to learn and follow the apostles' doctrine as you serve the Lord Jesus in your life - Ac 2:42. If you have not yet responded to the commands of the gospel as put forth by Peter in Ac 2:38, why not let the reaction of those who did on the Day of Pentecost describe your actions today:
"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." - Ac 2:41
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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