The Impact of Technology

Great observations and recommendations in this linked post.

The Impact of Technology.

Walter Scott and the Presentation of the Gospel

Walter Scott was born October 31, 1796 in Moffat, Dumfrieshire, Scotland and made his way to America July 7, 1818.  An influential leader in the restoration movement during the early 1800’s, he passed away April 23, 1861 during the beginning of the Civil War.

Scott was a powerful evangelist who labored with Alexander Campbell and others as they presented the call to go “back to the Bible.”  His biographer, William Baxter documented Scott’s presentation of the Gospel as he went through the countryside preaching in the villages.

Riding into a village near the close of the day, he (Walter Scott) addressed himself to the school children who were returning home from school in such a way that he soon had quite a circle of them gathered round him. He then said to them: “Children, hold up your left hands.” They all did so, anticipating some sport. “Now,” said he, “beginning with your thumb repeat what I say to you: Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit – that takes up all your fingers. Now, again: Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit. Now, again, faster, altogether: Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit” – and thus he continued until they all could repeat it in concert, like a column of the multiplication table. They were all intensely amused, thinking that he was a harmless, crazy man. He then said: “Children, now run home – don’t forget what is on your fingers, and tell your parents that a man will preach the gospel tonight at the school house, as you have it on the five fingers of your hands.” Away went the children in great glee, repeating as they went, “Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins. gift of the Holy Spirit” – and soon the story was rehearsed in nearly every house of the village and neighborhood. (The Life of Elder Walter Scott. The Bethany Press, SI. Louis, MO 1926.)

Walter Scott was not the author of the Gospel, remember Jesus saves, through his death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).  Restoration is all about “uncovering” what God has already recorded and bound upon man in the dispensation we are living under (for us today, the New Testament).  Scott presented faith to change the heart, repentance to change the life, baptism to change the state, remission of sins to cleanse from guilt, the gift of the Holy Spirit to address the power of sin in our lives and eternal life in heaven as the result of living the faithful Christian life.

Many of us grew up with the steps, hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized.  These points are Scriptural and tend to summarize everything from our works of obedience, whereas Scott’s points remind us that God provided the plan of salvation and He is the one who produces remission of sins, gives the gift of the Spirit and grants us eternal life.

On Scott’s headstone at his grave at Mays Lick, Kentucky:  ”The words which thou gavest me, I have given unto them” (John 17:8).  May we present the gospel to the lost and fulfill His Will through us.

SM

Old Testament Prophecy and the Church

Is it possible, that God knew Jesus would die, but that He did not plan that the church would be purchased as a result?

Many claim that the church of Christ was an afterthought, or an accident.

Premillennialists teach that “the kingdom of Matt. 3:2 was prophesied, but the Jews rejected Christ and the kingdom, and in its place Christ established the church. The kingdom was postponed until His second coming. This means that the Old Testament did not prophesy the church of the New Testament. To put it another way, the gospel age, which is the church age since the church was created by the gospel (Acts 20:28), was not prophesied” (James Bales, Prophesy And Premillennialism. p. 92).

“Premillennialism” literally means pre “before” and millennium “the thousand years.” A general definition given by a premillennialist is that: Christ’s second coming precedes His establishment of a glorious kingdom of peace and righteousness on earth. He shall personally reign from Jerusalem with His saints (Ludwigson, A Survey of Bible Prophecy, p. 115) (“Dispensational Premillennialism” Therefore Stand, Vol. 14, No. 3, p. 17).

Notice some of the identifying marks of the false doctrine of Premillennialism regarding the church and the kingdom: 1. One who teaches the failure of the Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ coming to earth to establish the Messianic kingdom. 2. One who makes a distinction between the kingdom the prophets saw and the church that Christ established on Pentecost. 3. One who draws lines between the church of Christ and the kingdom of God by stating the former is now here, but the latter is yet future.

Premillennialism plainly denies the biblical fact that Jesus fulfilled God’s will.  Bales has correctly reasoned, “This author is convinced, however, that Jesus did what He came to do. He came to fulfill the law and the prophets, and He did (Matt. 5:17-18). If the kingdom was prophesied, but not established, and if the church was not prophesied, but was established, Christ did not do what He came to do, i.e. to fulfill the law and the prophets” ( p. 17). As God planned the death of Christ for the redemption of men, so He planned the church which is the number of the redeemed.

The trouble with too many is that they do not understand the meaning of the term “kingdom” and the term “church.” Kingdom describes the government; church, the people called out. God called out his people; this called out group is the church. This is what the word “church” means; a called out people to serve God; called out, of course, by the gospel. Now this “called out group” was not left without a government, hence the government that rules them is this “kingdom of Christ on David’s throne.” They are the same people, at the same time and both were included in the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament” (E.R. Harper. Living Issues. P 64).

The church/kingdom of Jesus Christ was deliberately purposed in the mind of God before time began (Ephesians 3:3-11; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Acts 20:28). The church of Christ and the Kingdom of God are one and the same institution.

SM

United in our Understanding

 

This article concludes a trio of studies intended to remind us of the precision by which we must interpret the Word of God.  Jesus said “whoever reads, let him understand” (Matthew 24:15). “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).  Paul wrote: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). Can two or more people study the Bible and come to the same conclusions? Yes! The Bible attests to the fact that God has given us His will that we can read, understand, and have biblical unity.

We must realize that our differences result from dividing over things not found in the Bible.  “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). This principle is at work in the following slogan. “We speak where the Bible speaks, and we are silent where the Bible is silent.”

Division Is Over Things Not In the Bible

The following examples serve to remind us to respect the silence of the Bible.

God appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-4). What kind of bush was it? God did not reveal what kind it was, therefore we must set aside the answers of men and conclude that it is unrevealed. We can give our opinion, but we must not bind it. We must use these examples to realize God’s divine principle in matters that are revealed, and unrevealed.

Paul’s thorn in the flesh is recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:7-8. Did Paul have a thorn in the flesh? Yes. We are all agreed because this is revealed. What was it? This is not revealed, it is a matter of opinion. Commentators vary in their answers; false teachers, uncontrollable temper, fleshly desires, mental depression, eyesight. God did not reveal Paul’s thorn in the flesh, so we can conclude that Paul did have a thorn in the flesh, but we cannot say exactly what it was.

Music in the worship. What does the Bible say concerning music in worship? The following passages in the New Testament authorize singing only in worship (Matthew 26:30; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13; Hebrews 2:12; 13:15).  When someone wants instrumental music in worship, they want something the Bible does not authorize. We are all agreed the Bible authorizes congregational singing, but we are divided over instrumental music. Man makes divisions, not God! People add to and pervert the word of God when they add instrumental music, or anything not authorized by the scriptures!

“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11). We are not to align or associate ourselves with error, because if we do we become partakers of their evil deeds. We can understand the Bible alike when we do only what is authorized by God as revealed in His word.

SM

The Big Game

Super Bowl XLVI features the New York Giants vs. New England Patriots this evening at 6:30 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.  Advertisers have spent as much as 3.5 million for a 30 second spot.  It is one of the major sport events in our nation which will be watched by millions of people.

Sports fans in general are known for their loyalty, dedication, and deep commitment toward the players involved and the teams they represent.  In many cases, fans will go to extreme lengths to follow or support their favorite player or team.

It has been pointed out that there are certain characteristics of Fans:

They arrive early

They don’t care when they get home

Will endure any kind of weather

Want the best possible seats

Never miss a game

Memorize statistics

Pay the price

Vocalize whose side they are on

Now apply these characteristics to our dedication as Christians!  Do we measure up?   Are we more committed to our favorite sport, hobby, individual, or ________________than we are to Jesus Christ?

Do we show up early to fellowship and to welcome visitors?

Are we annoyed to see a baptism, or someone asking for prayer causing a delay in  our plans?

God is looking for some people who say I can’t wait to get to God’s house.

We need to ask ourselves am I really passionate about the Lord?

Are you a faithful attender?  You won’t miss a game.  What about a worship service?

We need to get into the Word

We sacrifice to pay for tickets.  What do we sacrifice for God?  Christ? Church?

Will you be vocal in telling others about His Son?

Our daily existence as a Christian is eternally more important than any game or worldly event.   “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).

                                                                                                                       SM

Why People Do Not Understand the Bible Alike

 

     In our previous article we noticed how God expects us to understand His Word alike.  Harmony and unity is a reality when we submit to God’s Word as the final revelation.  There are some reasons why many people are not united in their understanding of God’s Will.   

Blindness. Isaiah stated, “And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘ Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive” (Isaiah 6:9). Jesus quoted Isaiah, in Matthew 13:14-15 and revealed characteristics of people of his day that can be applied to many in our day and time. There are those who see and hear the truth, but do not understand it or obey it, simply because they have blinded themselves toward the truth of God.

In order to understand the Bible, one must love the truth. “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold” (Psalm 119:127).

Some do not want to face reality. Many do not wish to look into the mirror of God’s Word, because it reveals their sinful condition. “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was” (James 1:23-24).

Some would rather follow denominational doctrines. Sadly, there are those who do not have the conviction of Peter, and the other apostles, when they said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Satan has established denominations to help confuse sincere souls who are looking for the truth. Jesus said those who follow the doctrines and commandments of men are worshiping in vain (Matthew 15:9).

Some would rather follow their parent’s example and not understand the Bible alike. Parents who do not believe we can understand the Bible alike, often influence their children into the same false belief. We must continue teaching that one must seek the Lord first, and follow Him only (Matthew 6:33).

There Is a Divine Rule That All Should Follow

God has two, and only two classes of things: revealed and unrevealed. “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). The revealed things belong to man, the unrevealed belong to God. Another passage providing the same principle is “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). When men “preach the word,” we have the authority from Christ to preach it anytime and anyplace, and also to reprove, rebuke, and exhort. Man must also approach the Bible with the conviction to not add to or take away from the sacred oracles.

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will addto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Revelation 22:18-19).  If this divine rule is followed, all see alike, if not, then all do not see alike.

SM

Can We Understand the Bible Alike?

The Bible declares that God has spoken to man. God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2) This passage reveals to us that:

1 God has spoken to man,

2 God has spoken at different times and in different ways,

3 God spoke to the fathers by the prophets,

4 He now speaks to us through his Son, Jesus Christ, and

5 It shows the delegation of authority from the Father to the Son.

The methods of God speaking to man have varied.

1 God spoke directly (Hebrews 1:1),

2 Through angels (Hebrews 2:2),

3 Through prophets (Hebrews 1:1),

4 Through his Son (Hebrews 1:2), and

5 Through the apostles, by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

The purpose of God’s speaking to man is: God created mankind, and he communicates His will to man by speaking to him (Genesis 1:26-28). Since the Garden of Eden, God has communicated His will to man in some way.  God’s Word; the Bible, is the final revelation from God to man. It is important to understand the Bible. It is evident that many today have a problem understanding the Bible alike. Why is this? One reason is that division is prominent and extensive in the religious world today. There are hundreds of denominations right here in our country alone. The majority of these people believe that they are right in God’s sight.

What does the Bible say? MUST ALL UNDERSTAND ALIKE? Peter says, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8). “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1). Likewise, the apostle Paul stated to the Corinthians when he addressed their divisions, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). To the Romans, Paul revealed, “Be of the same mind one toward another…” (Romans 12:16). “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:6). As Paul closed out what we know as Second Corinthians, he exhorted them by writing, “Finally, brethren, farewell, Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (13:11). To the saints at Philippi, “…that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (1:27. See also 2:2; 3:15-16; 4:2).

God requires all to be of the same mind, or to see alike. We can clearly see that God wants this believing world to be ONE, in understanding, obeying, and practicing his will in our lives. Even though misguided, false teachers have turned this world into a battleground of contending faiths, the word of God still requires us to be alike in understanding his Divine will! Since God did not intend for His word to be understood differently, how far must we understand God? Remember that there is always perfect harmony where there is perfect understanding. There should be a harmonious understanding of God’s will within the limits of the Bible.

SM