From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Nov 1 06:03:09 2007 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 07:03:09 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) CHRISTIANS AND FELLOWSHIP Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Thursday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my ancient files: CHRISTIANS AND FELLOWSHIP INTRODUCTION: -- Today we want to study that which is call- ed "fellowship" in the New Testament. Fellowship has been a problem among various religious people for a long time. Diff- erent religious groups have found this a problem and thus there has been "open" and "closed" fellowship and there still is. Christians (those who have heard the gospel and believed who have repented of their sins and have been baptized for the remission of their sins upon a confession of their faith in Christ) have had and still do have a lot of problems with fellowship, too. Can such people go to worship and work with the Baptists or the Methodists or with any of the denom- inations? It is not a question about whether these people are honest and sincere and respected people. Can Christians have fellowship with them? Furthermore, can Christians go to church with, worship, and work with those churches of Christ which practice and participate in things for which we cannot find authority in the New Testament? If we answer "no" to these questions, then we ought to be able to give an answer as to why not. WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED FELLOWSHIP?: -- What is the meaning of fellowship? We are talking about the word as you find it in the New Testament. We are not talking about what many religious people call fellowship, i.e., eating and playing together. This is so common that churches build that which they call fellowship halls for such activities. The word "fellowship" as it is found in the New Testament refers to "partaking together" and/or entering into a joint effo- rt together. Thus, it is what is done together. Furthermore, it is a yoking together (2 Cor. 6:14). This is what people are together. That paragraph in 2 Cor. 6:14-18 uses other terms to describe this being tied together. Communion, concord, and agreement are such terms used, all indicating what peop- le are together. Thus, when people go to worship and work with a group, they do certain things together and they are united together. They are in fellowship with one another. GOOD OR BAD?: -- Fellowship can be good (Gal. 2:9). Both of these men were doing the same thing. They had fellowship and it was good. If this church here is doing the rigth things and only the right things, then this fellowship is good. On the other hand, if this church is doing things for which there is no authority in the New Testament, then this fellowship is not good. 2 Cor. 6:14-18 lists a number of things which are bad fellowship and even points out that the church could be in fellowship with idols. The appeal is then made to those at Corinth to come out from among them. I can and will say at this point that I do not want to be in fellowship with any group regardless of their name if that group is in error. I would pre- fer to meet in someone's home or in a rented building or in a little meeting house in an out of the way place than to be a part of and have fellowship with a church in error no matter how large and influenctial and popular it might be. BUT HOW CAN I TELL?: -- But how can I tell about fellow- ship? First of all, how can I tell if I can fellowship with the de- nominational churches? These Christians, whom we identi- fied in the introduction, are called to fellowship. 1 Cor. 1:9 says: "God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." These were the chruch at Corinth. They were such because they having heard, believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8). How can these have fellowship with those who have not done that which is required to become Christians? That ought to settle the matter of whether a Christian can work and worship with the denominations. Still, we must go one step further. We have learned that Christians are to have fellowship with each other. There is a standard by which this is to be done, i.e., by all speaking the same thing (1 Cor. 1:10). 1 Cor. 4:6 insists that Christians must not go beyond that which is written. Some churches of Christ are not worthy of fellowship either. Christians must not be a part of a church where false teaching is the thing (Rom. 16:17). Christians must not be a part of a church where sinful things, whatever they may be, are tolerated (2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:6-11). There are many churches of Christ of such descriptions. In all my years of acquaintance with churches of Christ, there have always been some which were not worthy of fellowship for one reason or another. The number seems to grow. THE FORMULA OF 1 JNO. 1:3-7: -- The formula for true fellow- ship is found in 1 Jno. 1:3-7. The apostle said he was writing to tell these how to have fellowship with the apostles. Their fellowship was with God and with Christ. Thus, according to that which has been written, we can have fellowship with the apostles and with God and with Christ by following the instru- ction of the apostles. When we do that, we will have fellow- ship with each other. It naturally follows that when we do not follow these instructions, we do not have fellowship with God and with Christ and with the apostles. That tells us with whom we can have fellowship upon the earth. ---- Curtis E. Flatt, in Gospel Guide, Vol. 27, No. 10, Nov. 1995. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071101/e35a6dc2/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Nov 1 06:03:17 2007 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 07:03:17 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) SOUND DOCTRINE PRODUCES SOUND CHURCHES... Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my ancient files. Use to the glory of God. SOUND DOCTRINE PRODUCES SOUND CHURCHES DEMAND- ING SOUND DOCTRINE. "I church you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will judge the living and the dead at His appear- ing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long- suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Tim. 4:1-4). A local church is going to be about as strong and sound as the preaching it receives and is willing to endure and supp- ort. Paul's solemn charge to Timothy had a sense of urgency about it. Preach the word now, while brethren will endure it, or face a time when they will not. For several years this writer has been paying particular attention as seasoned brethren (preachers and otherwise) express their concerns about the churches of today. The one dominant concern seems to be the caliber of preaching coming from our pulpits of late. As one old soldier of the cross expressed it to me, "I am getting tired of going to gosp- el meetings and hearing 'fluff.'" He went on to explain what he meant by "fluff," preaching that contained very little real Bible teaching. Brethren, strong congregations cannot be built and main- tained on "fluff." Did you every buy cotton candy? Then you know what "fluff" is. I remember, as a youngster, that I would spend my dime on a huge stick of it at the county fair. It was spun and displayed so as to make me think that I was getting a lot more for my money than I was. I soon learned that I had bought mostly fluff -- very little candy inflated with a lot of air. The sad thing about it all is that many churches had rather have "fluff" than real spiritual food. As long as churches de- mand it, there will be those who are willing to be paid to spin it out for them. Sermons and classes with real doctrine content are held in disfavor by many of today's churches. The demand is for mroe "relevant" (?) matters. Themes more suited for psycho- logists and sociologists are replacing basic Bible topics. Topics that address so-called "real problems" and "real life concerns" of "today's Christian" are replacing those that deal with what the Book says about man's basic spiritual problem, sin; and his real basic needs -- conviction of sin and the salva- tion of his soul. Lectures aimed more at enhancing man's present happiness and welfare than ensuring his eternal well- being are by far the most widely received. Preachers that ent-ertain and make brethren feel good about themselves, rather than producing godly sorrow leading to repentance or any real depth of Scriptural knowledge, are given the most favor- ed status among brethren. Sermons that really teach the Bible are considered "uninteresting," "too structured," and even "crude" by some. All too often preachers who resort to such are asked to find some place else to do their preaching. We have observed a rash of this lately. Subjects more suitable for a civic club seminar than for a gospel meeting are commonly announced Sunday after Sun- day, if what I hear is accurate, talks that would be welcomed in any denominational church in town are passed off as gos- pel sermons. Unfortunately, as the title of the old country song put it, "What Lola Wants Lola Gets." So, all too often, preachers and elders bow to the press- ure of those who want this "fluff." We know a good preacher who is capable of making Bible studies interesting, who began a study of Isaiah (with its emphasis on the Messianic prophecies) for a college-age class. There was so much opp- osition to it by some members of the class that the elders saw fit to set up an alternate class -- so that those who want- ed to could study something more "interesting" and "relevant". As my Daddy used to say, "Now isn't that a pretty come off?" A congregation constantly fed on "fluff" will not develop an appetite for sound doctrine. Any who may have had an appetite will soon lose it. Without a desire for sound doctrine churches are vulnerable to all kinds of fables. Neither motivational hype nor emotional manipulation is gospel preaching. Such may produce increased activity of a sort. It may even build and inspire audiences after a fashion. It may enhance the speaker's standing with brethren as a dynamic speaker. But, it will not produce a well-grounded faith based upon a "thus saith the Lord." Brethren, our preaching must follow the pattern that Paul outlined to Timothy. In form, it must have a well-rounded combination fo convincing (reproving-KJV), rebuking and ex- horting (or encouraging). In substance, it must have teaching (doctrine) at the base. It is not accident that Paul, in the pre- ceding chapter, shows the Scriptures to be profitable for doc- trine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Book, chapter, and verse preaching/teaching that quotes or reads Scriptures and then makes clear applications of the reading seldom sweeps folks along on clouds of ecstasy. Nor does it flow quite as smoothly as Dale Carnegie trained orations. Nor is it likely to make folks jump up and down with uncontrollable joy nor roll in the aisles with laughtr. It will likely cause them to mostly sit and ponder on the validity of the message -- comparing it with the Scriptures before them. Once convicted of the validity of the message, they will then be motivated to act with both an intelligent and emot- ional response to the great message preached. They are then moved by the power of the gospel preached more than the charismatic personal power of the preacher/teacher or dynamic qualities of his delivery. We need preachers who will preach it just like Paul and other inspired men wrote it. Preachers who will preach the word in season and out, without regard to whether churches will endure and support it. We need churches who not only endure sound doctrine, but demand it of those they support in local work, in gospel meetings and throughout the world. Unless we have this we will continue seeing churches slide toward religious error and philosophical foolishness and away from the sound doctrine based on "what saith the Scriptures." ---- Edward O. Bragwell in Gospel Guide, Vol. 27, No. 12, Dec. 1995. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071101/e3d88c7d/attachment-0001.html From GLClair at aol.com Thu Nov 1 08:25:31 2007 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 09:25:31 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] HILLIARD BULLETIN for November 2007 Message-ID: HILLIARD BULLETIN Published by the church of Christ 4840 Cemetery Road ? P.O. Box 96 ? Hilliard, OH 43026 Phone: (614) 876-4089 ELDERS: Owen Gary Brewer ? (614) 832-2569 John Buchanan ? (614) 893-3277 Preacher and Editor: Garreth L. Clair Phone: (614) 850-7252 =========================================================================== Volume 9 Number 11 November 2007 =========================================================================== BIBLE STUDY - Matthew 28:18-20, 18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.? ASV These are the statements given by Jesus after his resurrection and appearance to his disciples for the first time. In these three verses of Scripture we have what is referred to by commentators as the ?Great Commission?. The title indicates that Jesus is giving a Great commission [i.e. assignment] to his disciples. The Great Commission is stated by Jesus in clear language, ?GO YE THEREFORE, and MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS?.? Jesus also tells them in these instructions, ?TO BAPTIZE THEM INTO THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT [i.e. by the authority of God]. The instructions do not stop there, Jesus also tells them to ?teach those baptized {i.e. that are new Christians] to observe all things He has commanded? and He reminds them that ?He will always be with them EVEN until the end of the world.? Jesus is still with His people today, as they do His will and serve the one true God faithfully. ... glc AN HONEST LOOK AT MARK 16:15-16 ?15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.? ASV This passage of Scripture is simple to understand for the honest and sincere seeker of truth. The passage says that ?... He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.? NOT: ?he that believeth shall be saved and then baptized. ? NO: the passage does not say ?He that believeth shall be saved.? WHY IN THE WORLD: Would a person professing to be religious and possessing a good knowledge of the English Language and often with knowledge of the original language [i.e. Koine Greek] in which the Bible was written so misapply the teaching of this verse? I WILL TELL YOU WHY: Many people are so blinded by a false religion established by mankind that they cannot see the truth of a simple Bible statement because they have been so conditioned through acceptance of that which is error that they are blind [i.e. spiritually], just like many of the Jewish Scholars of the 1st Century Jewish Religion ? cf. Matthew 15:12-14, ?12 Then came the disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind , both shall fall into a pit.? ASV CONCLUSION: Some folks are forever studying and seemingly learning but are never able to arrive at the truth ? cf. 2 Tim 3:5-7, ?5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. 6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, 7 ever learning , and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.? ASV Whenever we study the Bible or any part of it our interest in knowing has to do with our desire to know so that we will be able to have God?s approval. We do not study and seek deeper meanings to Biblical passages simply for entertainment or for some personal advantage over another person, indeed; we seek knowledge so that we may be acceptable to our God. Matthew 6:33-34, ?But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.? ASV KNOWING OURSELVES One of the important pieces of knowledge that each person needs to possess is to know themselves. Now, knowing oneself is not as easy as one might think. There are many problems that the individual must overcome before they will be able to objectively examine themselves and come up with the accurate knowledge ? to really know self. As we contemplate an examination of self we must be completely honest with ourselves about many things, a list follows: Our feelings toward those that disagree with us ? do I dislike them for that? Our feelings about our sexuality ? am I doing the right thing? Our feelings about other races and the nationality of other people Our feelings about our current role in our chosen field of employment Our feelings about our own health ? why do I feel bad? Our feelings about death ? is there really a hell and heaven Our honest feelings about God and the things HE expects of me ? I know I should but I won?t. The truth of the matter is; if we want to really know ourselves we must do an examination of ourselves with complete honesty about every thought process in our mind and body. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT: A personal examination of self is extremely important for the purpose of happiness and assurance of heaven someday. Indeed, God wants us to know ourselves for through knowledge of ourselves we can compare ourselves honestly with God?s Written Instructions and know if our faith is secure ? cf. 2 Cor. 13:5, ?Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?? KJV 2 John 7-11, ?7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.? CONSIDER THIS: Is your faith secure? Note the following admonition; 2 Cor 13:5-7, ?5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own s elves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.? KJV ? Garreth L. Clair ? Hilliard Bulletin November 2007 RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION The Biblical cases of righteous indignation are several; I will deal with but one such case in the New Testament in this study. DEFINITION: In some Christian doctrines, righteous indignation is considered the only form of anger which is not sinful. Conversely, it is considered sinful to fail to stand up for what is righteous. [Source - wikipedia.org] The case I wish to examine in this study is found in three places; in Matthew, Mark, and John. A great lesson in love for righteousness is displayed by our Lord on this occasion. Jesus is overcome by a deep and abiding loyalty to the Father?s rights and the responsibilities of man. Matthew 21:12-13, ?12 And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; 13 and he saith unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers.? ASV Mark 11:15-17, ?15 And they come to Jerusalem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; 16 and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers.? ASV John 2:14-16, ?14 And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their table; 16 and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.? ASV Jesus was overcome by desire to do the will of the Father, He exhibited a case of righteous indignation that is often overlooked in Bible study. John 2:17, ?His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up.? ASV _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) --- Hilliard Bulletin for November 2007 ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071101/76aee373/attachment-0001.html From GLClair at aol.com Thu Nov 1 08:33:56 2007 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 09:33:56 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] HILLIARD BULLETIN for November 2007 Message-ID: HILLIARD BULLETIN Published by the church of Christ 4840 Cemetery Road ? P.O. Box 96 ? Hilliard, OH 43026 Phone: (614) 876-4089 ELDERS: Owen Gary Brewer ? (614) 832-2569 John Buchanan ? (614) 893-3277 Preacher and Editor: Garreth L. Clair Phone: (614) 850-7252 =========================================================================== Volume 9 Number 11 November 2007 =========================================================================== BIBLE STUDY - Matthew 28:18-20, 18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.? ASV These are the statements given by Jesus after his resurrection and appearance to his disciples for the first time. In these three verses of Scripture we have what is referred to by commentators as the ?Great Commission?. The title indicates that Jesus is giving a Great commission [i.e. assignment] to his disciples. The Great Commission is stated by Jesus in clear language, ?GO YE THEREFORE, and MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS?.? Jesus also tells them in these instructions, ?TO BAPTIZE THEM INTO THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT [i.e. by the authority of God]. The instructions do not stop there, Jesus also tells them to ?teach those baptized {i.e. that are new Christians] to observe all things He has commanded? and He reminds them that ?He will always be with them EVEN until the end of the world.? Jesus is still with His people today, as they do His will and serve the one true God faithfully. AN HONEST LOOK AT MARK 16:15-16 ?15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.? ASV This passage of Scripture is simple to understand for the honest and sincere seeker of truth. The passage says that ?... He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.? NOT: ?he that believeth shall be saved and then baptized. ? NO: the passage does not say ?He that believeth shall be saved.? WHY IN THE WORLD: Would a person professing to be religious and possessing a good knowledge of the English Language and often with knowledge of the original language [i.e. Koine Greek] in which the Bible was written so misapply the teaching of this verse? I WILL TELL YOU WHY: Many people are so blinded by a false religion established by mankind that they cannot see the truth of a simple Bible statement because they have been so conditioned through acceptance of that which is error that they are blind [i.e. spiritually], just like many of the Jewish Scholars of the 1st Century Jewish Religion cf. Matthew 15:12-14, ?12 Then came the disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind , both shall fall into a pit.? ASV CONCLUSION: Some folks are forever studying and seemingly learning but are never able to arrive at the truth ? cf. 2 Tim 3:5-7, ?5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. 6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, 7 ever learning , and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.? ASV Whenever we study the Bible or any part of it our interest in knowing has to do with our desire to know so that we will be able to have God?s approval. We do not study and seek deeper meanings to Biblical passages simply for entertainment or for some personal advantage over another person, indeed; we seek knowledge so that we may be acceptable to our God. Matthew 6:33-34, ?But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.? ASV KNOWING OURSELVES One of the important pieces of knowledge that each person needs to possess is to know themselves. Now, knowing oneself is not as easy as one might think. There are many problems that the individual must overcome before they will be able to objectively examine themselves and come up with the accurate knowledge ? to really know self. As we contemplate an examination of self we must be completely honest with ourselves about many things, a list follows: Our feelings toward those that disagree with us ? do I dislike them for that? Our feelings about our sexuality ? am I doing the right thing? Our feelings about other races and the nationality of other people Our feelings about our current role in our chosen field of employment Our feelings about our own health ? why do I feel bad? Our feelings about death ? is there really a hell and heaven Our honest feelings about God and the things HE expects of me ? I know I should but I won?t. The truth of the matter is; if we want to really know ourselves we must do an examination of ourselves with complete honesty about every thought process in our mind and body. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT: A personal examination of self is extremely important for the purpose of happiness and assurance of heaven someday. Indeed, God wants us to know ourselves for through knowledge of ourselves we can compare ourselves honestly with God?s Written Instructions and know if our faith is secure ? cf. 2 Cor. 13:5, ?Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?? KJV 2 John 7-11, ?7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.? CONSIDER THIS: Is your faith secure? Note the following admonition; 2 Cor 13:5-7, ?5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.? KJV ? Garreth L. Clair ? Hilliard Bulletin November 2007 RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION The Biblical cases of righteous indignation are several; I will deal with but one such case in the New Testament in this study. DEFINITION: In some Christian doctrines, righteous indignation is considered the only form of anger which is not sinful. Conversely, it is considered sinful to fail to stand up for what is righteous. [Source - wikipedia.org] The case I wish to examine in this study is found in three places; in Matthew, Mark, and John. A great lesson in love for righteousness is displayed by our Lord on this occasion. Jesus is overcome by a deep and abiding loyalty to the Father?s rights and the responsibilities of man. Matthew 21:12-13, ?12 And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; 13 and he saith unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers.? ASV Mark 11:15-17, ?15 And they come to Jerusalem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; 16 and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers.? ASV John 2:14-16, ?14 And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their table; 16 and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.? ASV Jesus was overcome by desire to do the will of the Father, He exhibited a case of righteous indignation that is often overlooked in Bible study. John 2:17, ?His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up.? ASV _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) --- Hilliard Bulletin for November 2007 ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071101/e23fa2cd/attachment-0001.html From dmartinbtbq at comcast.net Thu Nov 1 09:36:42 2007 From: dmartinbtbq at comcast.net (Don Martin) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 08:36:42 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Limited atonement (question/answer) Message-ID: <007701c81c94$ab3dc9f0$6401a8c0@533034B8A6DF4D9> Don Martin with question/answer number 1, 635 since our tenth year, July 16, 2007: Hello Murry, Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible Questions. Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org Please check out Bible Truths http://www.bibletruths.net Go to the archives section of these sites for material and also go to the archives search page and type in any subject or word you wish to explore. New material is constantly being added to both sites. Any help you can give us in telling others of these sites will be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in really learning more about the Bible, there is an online Bible study course located in Bible Truths. While on the home page, scroll down and enter. While on the Map Site Page, click on "Online Bible Study Course" in the table. Click on http://www.bibletruths.net to go there. You asked: Jesus "died once and for all" what does this mean when it comes to pre-destination I have people explain to me that it doesnt mean all men Reply: Calvinistic predestination teaches limited atonement, as you indicate in your good question. However, the scriptures plainly teach that Jesus' atonement is for all men who will accept and appropriate it (I John 2: 2). Consider the below relative to Bible predestination: Speaking in human terms, God has the supernatural ability to peer out into the future and see the kinds of choices people are going to make. The scriptures certainly talk about God's ability to see the future (1 Samuel 23:10-12; Isaiah 42:9; 44:7; 45:11; 46:9,10; 48:3,5,6; Jeremiah 1:5; Daniel 2:28,29; Matthew 6:8; 24:36; Acts 15:18; Romans 8:29; 11:2; 1 Peter 1:2). Such is the basis for all the fulfilled prophecies that establish the Scriptures as being from God. At the same time, the scriptures teach about "predestination" and God's eternal will and purpose for mankind (Eph. 1:3-12; 2:8-10; 3:8-12; 2 Tim. 1:8-9; Titus 1:1-2; James 1:18). But the scriptures also talk about man's ability and responsibility to choose between right and wrong, good and evil as a free moral agent. Genesis 3:1-19; Joshua 24:14-15; John 3:16; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 2:6; 2 Peter 3:9; and many other scriptures show this. So we had better get busy, learn what He wants us to do, and obey Him (Matt. 7:21-27; 2 Peter 1:10-11; 1 John 1:6-2:6; 2 John 6-11). Just because God knows the future does not mean He forces it to happen. And Biblical predestination cannot mean God arbitrarily chooses specific individuals who will be saved or condemned without giving them any choice in the matter (Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 2:1-13; 1 Peter 1:17; 2 Peter 3:9). The correct answer is found by properly harmonizing all that the scriptures teach on this (or any other) subject. As one of our archived articles says in part: "Many have charged God with being a respecter of persons based on their understanding of predestination. However, the Bible plainly asserts and affirms God is no respecter of persons. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said," we are told, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10: 34, see also Rom. 2: 6-11, Eph. 6: 9, Col. 3: 25, Jas. 2: 1). Any doctrine, then, that places God in a position of being an arbitrary respecter of persons is patently false. Not only did Peter declare that God is no respecter of persons, but he proceeds to unmistakably show those whom God accepts. "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." Some confuse and equate Divine foreknowledge and foreordination" To read the material in full, simply go to http://www.biblequestions.org and click on the "Archives" button. Select the letter "P", scroll down to the topic of "Predestination", and click on the article entitled "Predestination (BT)". For additional information from the Bible Questions archives, you might also try "S" for "Salvation", "N" for the "Nature of Man" & "Nature of God", "C" for "Called of God", and "O" for "Obedience". The articles marked with a "(BT)" can also be accessed from the Bible Truths website. You can get to them directly if you go to http://www.bibletruths.net and enter through the door on the home page. While on the Site Map Page, click on "Archives and Index" in the table and then click on "Study of Bible Predestination" in the subject index on the Archives page. Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference (web addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both Bible Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom of the home page in Bible Truths). Cordially, Don Martin From dmartinbtbq at comcast.net Thu Nov 1 09:50:02 2007 From: dmartinbtbq at comcast.net (Don Martin) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 08:50:02 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Did Jesus preach in hades? (question/answer) Message-ID: <011601c81c96$87d87080$6401a8c0@533034B8A6DF4D9> Hello Sally, Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible Questions. Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org Please check out Bible Truths http://www.bibletruths.net Go to the archives section of these sites for material and also go to the archives search page and type in any subject or word you wish to explore. New material is constantly being added to both sites. Any help you can give us in telling others of these sites will be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in really learning more about the Bible, there is an online Bible study course located in Bible Truths. While on the home page, scroll down and enter. While on the Map Site Page, click on "Online Bible Study Course" in the table. Click on http://www.bibletruths.net to go there. You asked: Where in scripture can I find where Jesus when down to sheol and preached to the dead? Reply: When Jesus died (spirit left his body, Jas. 2: 24-26), he went to hades (Acts 2: 31). This was during the three day period prophesied. However, there is no teaching as to what he "did" during the three days. I Peter 3: 18-20 is adduced to show what he did, but I do not believe these scriptures pertain to the three day period. Consider the below: Jesus did not himself preach to the "spirits in prison" but did so "by the Spirit" (vs. 18, 19). These spirits or people were disobedient during the days of Noah (vs. 20). I believe, therefore, that Jesus preached to them by the Spirit and through Noah, during the time of Noah. Since or at the writing of I Peter, these antediluvians were dead and in "prison" (hades). Out of all the views, I believe this one is the most plausible. I recommend you read, "Jesus - the Perfect Preacher" found in Bible Truths (excerpt below). To read the material in full, click on http://www.bibletruths.net and enter through the door. When on the Site Map page, click on "Archives and Index," and then click on the letter "J" on the Archives page. Here is the excerpt: "...When many think of Jesus, they do not consider him as being a preacher. However, Jesus was a preacher. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me," Jesus said of himself, "because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor." (Lk. 4: 18). Notice that Jesus preached the gospel. In view of Jesus being a preacher, the question is, what kind of preacher was Jesus? Jesus was an original preacher. Jesus spake as none other, we are told (Jn. 7: 46). Jesus did not teach as the scribes of his day, engaging in the painstaking presentation of tautological tradition (Matt. 7: 29). It is also evident that Jesus was not simply a people pleasing preacher. Jesus spoke the truth even at the risk of repelling others, even his own disciples (Jn. 6: 60). Jesus was original in two principle ways: Jesus was not bound by the Jew's traditional notions and preoccupations that characterized their teachings, and he presented and revealed truths of God as only the Son of God could (cp. 2 Tim. 1: 10)....." Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference (web addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both Bible Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom of the home page in Bible Truths). Cordially, Don Martin From rankinjmecoc at earthlink.net Thu Nov 1 14:01:56 2007 From: rankinjmecoc at earthlink.net (joey rankin) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 14:01:56 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Dickson Analytical Study Bible Message-ID: <000001c81cb9$ac991460$2101a8c0@JoeyRankin> Brethren, I am looking to purchase a leather bound Dickson Analytical Study Bible in very good or like new condition for a gospel preacher in Nigeria, West Africa. If you have one you would be willing to part with or know of some one who might have one they are willing to sell please contact me privately by email. Thank you for your consideration. In His Service, Joey H. Rankin -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071101/424f1205/attachment-0001.html From thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Thu Nov 1 16:37:44 2007 From: thornhill1 at frontiernet.net (thomas thornhill) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 16:37:44 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] The Buckhorn Teacher 11-3-07 Message-ID: <002601c81ccf$7f6f55b0$04fea8c0@your4dacd0ea75> THE BUCKHORN TEACHER "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2.Tim.4:2 Buckhorn church of Christ - Thomas Thornhill - editor. 13675 Hwy 341, Randolph MS 38864-9117. Tel. 662-568-2960. Cell 662-419-5378. E-mail thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Vol.6 November 3, 2007 No.12 MAN'S NEED FOR BIBLE AUTHORITY - No.7 In the last issue three ways men have found useful through the years in determining what God authorizes or permits man to do in religious service to Him were listed; namely commands/statements, approved examples, and necessary inferences or implications. These rules are by no means exhaustive in determining biblical authority for what God wants us to believe and practice. They only serve as a beginning place for learning how God's will applies to us today. There are other aspects that must also be considered in interpreting and understanding how the Bible teaches. Once the basic premise of how authority is established other things must also be taken into consideration. For instance, when a command is given is it general or specific in nature? If a command is general, then men have some freedom in choosing the method used in obeying the command. If specific, then man has no choice but to obey the command exactly as specified. Then, there is the matter of expedients. Expedients are tools used in carrying out the instructions. When is a thing expedient and when does it become an addition? Some things taught come by way of approved examples. Examples are demonstrations of people acting in a given situation. All examples are not approved by God, others are not applicable for us today, so how do we know which examples are approved and binding and which are not? With necessary implications or inferences how do we determine what is necessary and what is not? There is also the matter of incidentals. Some things mentioned in a text are not necessary in following the example, but are there because of circumstances or customs. Some teachings are limited by time because of their temporary nature and were never intended to be permanent. But, even then there are principles taught that are always applicable. One must also consider the silence of scripture. If God has not chosen to speak on a matter, does this give man the right to speak for Him? Does silence authorize or prohibit? Each of these areas is important for anyone who wants to properly understand and interpret scripture, to know whether something is to be believed or practiced. They will be explained and covered more fully in the articles to come. Before I proceed further, let me answer a question some have asked in the past? Where are these rules spelled out in the Bible? My answer: It doesn't. The Bible doesn't list a specific set of rules by which one can read and understand what it teaches. But they are there if one looks for them. That is why we are told to search out and study God's word so we can discern right from wrong, and present ourselves "approved unto God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2.Tim.2:15; "who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" Heb.5:14. The technical name for this is hermeneutics (the science of interpretation) but in reality it is man's use of the inherent ability God gave him from the beginning. God created man with a brain to think with, and the intelligence to use it. As we grow up we learn to apply the things we have seen, heard, and read to our understanding of what is right or wrong in word or deed. The rules by which we live day by day whether at home, at the workplace, or at school, are not all spelled out in specific do's and don'ts. Many of them are learned by examples (observation of others), and many by inferences drawn from what we have seen and heard. Many call this logical use of the mind, common sense. This same logical use of common sense is the approach mankind has used through the centuries to understand any piece of literature, not just the Bible. For example, how do the courts determine whether something is lawful or not? They use all the sources available to the matter; the written documents pertaining to the issue, any statements, commands, and examples from previous case studies that apply to the situation, then draw a necessary conclusion as to whether it is lawful or not. If these methods are acceptable in authorizing matters of secular law, then why can they not be used in learning what God permits or prohibits? Now back to how the Bible authorizes? As written earlier, the three ways the Bible authorizes are simply the beginning place for establishing authority. Once it has been established that a thing is authorized by a command or statement, we must then determine whether the command is general or specific. A general command is the opposite of a specific command. If a command is general, then, according to "Webster's dictionary" it would include any method or way of doing the thing commanded as long as the method being used is of the same class, kind, or order. Thus, men have freedom to choose which method will be used in fulfilling the command as long as it was of the same class, kind, or order. A specific command is precisely formulated or restricted only to that which is specified. With a specific command there is no choice allowed, one must do exactly as stated. This might also be called the law of exclusion. A statement or command to do on thing authorizes only the doing of the thing specified. "The inclusion of one is the exclusion of another. The certain designation of one person is an absolute exclusion of another." Black's Law Dictionary" p.687, via "Bible Authority" p.25, by Ferrell Jenkins. The difference between a general command and a specific command can be illustrated in God's command to Noah to build an ark. General command, "build an ark." Gen.6:14. Since God did not specify what tools to use, then Noah had a choice in whatever equipment he chose to use in constructing the ark. Specific command, - build the ark of gopher wood Gen.6:14. When God specified an ark, the law of exclusion allowed no other type boat that man might build, whether rowboat, canoe, etc. When God specified gopher wood, that excluded any other wood, pine, oak, etc. Other illustrations can be given, for example, man is commanded to be baptized to be saved Mk.16:16; Acts 2:38. Specifically that is the only way to be saved. But generally man can use any place where there is sufficient way to immerse a person, thus a baptistery is authorized since the place of baptism is not specified. (More next issue) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071101/7ec34b1a/attachment-0001.html From minister at lavistachurchofchrist.org Thu Nov 1 17:05:26 2007 From: minister at lavistachurchofchrist.org (Jeffrey W. Hamilton) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:05:26 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Looking for J. R. Bronger Message-ID: <472A4DA6.3070604@lavistachurchofchrist.org> A reader, who is a member of the Nazarene church, would like background information on J. R. Bronger, who wrote an article "Why I Am Not a Nazarene ." He plans on citing information from the article, but would like to know in general who brother Bronger is, such as if he is a preacher or not. -- Jeffrey W. Hamilton Minister for the La Vista Church of Christ, near Omaha Nebraska http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071101/0a74ea97/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: minister.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 328 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071101/0a74ea97/attachment.vcf From jerry at hendersons.net Thu Nov 1 22:20:55 2007 From: jerry at hendersons.net (Jerry Henderson) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2007 21:20:55 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Question Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20071101211759.00bbbf18@mail.hendersons.net> Brethren, I am looking for some thoughts on 1Cor 6:2 concerning the phrase "saints shall judge the world". I would appreciate your thoughts on this passage. Please email me privately unless you have articles or sermons on this passage that would be of interest to the list and does not violate the rules. Thanks, Jerry Jerry L. Henderson Preacher for the Thorn church of Christ 1431 CR 424 Houston, MS 38851 662-456-5441 From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Nov 2 05:42:39 2007 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 06:42:39 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Friday morn- ing to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my recent files: GOD HAS SPOKEN God instituted marriage in the beginning, as asserted by Jesus Christ (Matt. 19:4,5; Gen. 2:18-25). He designed it to be lifelong, ended by the death of one or both of the spouses (Rom. 7:1-3; Matt. 19:6). Through this marriage relationship the family is built, and it serves as life's first school. Even as husbands and wives learn together to build a life together and be one, they are the primary teachers, examples, and dis- ciplinarians of their children. The health of the family is the basis of the well-being of a community and nation. If God is acknowledged and obeyed, the family is on solid ground, and a nation prospers. As the family declines, so does the streng- th of a community or nation. Most of the woes of our nation today can be traced back to lack of faith in God, failure to obey Him, and thus the decline of the family. When the divine origin of marriage is rejected, marriage becomes an ever-changing relationship with no solid structure. God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). Jesus and the Father are in perfect agreement on this and all other matters (Jno. 10:30 17:21,23). Jesus authorized divorce only on the unfaithful- ness of one spouse to the other -- that is, for adultery. The one guilty of adultery can be put away (Matt. 5:32; 19:9; Mk. 10:11,12; Lk. 16:18). People have the capability of divorcing their spouses for other reasons, but all such divorces are un- lawful and sinful before God. Sinful divorces are real (Matt. 5:32; 19:9), but they are transgressions of the law of God. The world in which we live has almost utterly rejected the law of God in this and other matters when God's law is deemed inconvenient to them. What a sorry mess such people make of their lives and the lives of their children! The path to a successful and enduring marriage is simple, but often difficult. Husbands and wives must learn patience, unselfishness, godly love, sacrifice, and contentment. They must be true to one another and to themselves, enduring the trials that are a part of all unions in marriage. Discretion, chastity, leadership and submission, goodness, and an abid- ing sense of responsibility before God are essential to a good marriage (Titus 2:4,5; Eph. 5:22-33). It is a sad day for the church of our Lord when the ways of the world are adopted and excuses are made for sinful divorces, when the Scriptures are tortured and twisted beyond recognition in order to justify those living in sinful relationships. There was a time in the lifetime of aged ones that divorce was catastrophic, shameful, and practically un- heard of among the people of God. What has happened to faith in God and in the faith? ------ Gilbert Alexander. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071102/81b73a14/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Nov 2 05:42:49 2007 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 06:42:49 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) "THE WORD OF GOD" Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my ancient files. Use to the glory of God. (I will be away from my computer for a few days. I hope you miss me. I will miss being with you through my posts, JWS). "THE WORD OF GOD" "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper that any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discern- er of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). Being the Word of God means that it is of divine origin. It is from One who is infinitely powerful. He said to Abraham, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless" (Gen. 17:1). It is from One Who is eternal. Moses beautifully accla- imed this characteristic of God, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God" (Psa. 90:2). His understanding is beyond human calculation. "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite" (Psa. 147:5). Job also recognized qualities of God that go for beyond human abilities. "I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You" (Job 42:2). This means that no book other than the Bible has such an author. From the above Scriptures we want to consider some of the characteristics of the worderful Word of God. It Is Living: -- It is current -- up to date. Though language may change with the passing of time the contents, the mean- ing of God's Word never becomes obsolete. It meets the needs of man in the twentieth century as well as it did in the first century. This is true even though there are some today who argue that the Scriptures might have met the needs of times gone by in a slow moving, simple society but are not equal to the needs of our complex, sophisticated society today. When one reads the Beatitudes he must realize there is just as much need for these great principles to govern our lives as there was for those who lived in the first century. People were guilty of grievous sins in the past. People continue to practice these same sins today. Sins that con- demned then condemn our generation today and will have the same consequences as long as the earth stands. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9,10). As there is the negative side of God's Word to condemn, there is also the positive side to give man complete guidance to salvation. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thorou- ghly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Further, God's Word is living in the sense that it gives life, spiritual life. "It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (Jno. 6:63). It is living in the sense that it is indes- tructible. Jehoikim, king of Judah, tried to destroy it by cutt- ing to pieces and burning the scroll upon which it was written (Jer. 36). Jehoikim has long since passed from this life, while the Word of God continues to live and produce godly behav- ior in the lives of those who believe in and honor God's Revel- ation. Translators of the Scriptures have been martyred, have been burned at the stake, have suffered various horrible and agonizing deaths. Though they died, their work of giving the Word of God to the people in their own languages contin- ues to live on and bless the human race today. It Is Powerful: -- When One, out of nothing, can speak into existence the heavens and the earth in all their vastness, in their complex and yet precise mathematical order, we must recognize that His Word is powerful beyond measure. Over and over again men have tried to explain the origin of the phy- sical universe. Their efforts have been failures because they have left out of their theories the very One Who created the heavens and the earth. Their efforts have often been contra- dictory. They have changed their theories from time to time. They have vainly tried to explain life at some point evolving from dead, inanimate matter. They have failed to explain where the dead matter came from in the first place. Was it particles of dust? Was it in the form of gas? What was it, and how did it come into existence to begin with? Did this great and marvelous universe come into existence by chance? There could be no more possibility that the creation of the heavens and the earth could be attributed to chance than the origin of this marvelous machine which I am using to write this article could be attributed to chance. Did this computer develop from magnetized particles of dust, or gas, over eons of time by chance? If you read the history of the computer, you will find that the modern computer was de- veloped in recent years by long hours of hard work by very highly skilled and intelligent men. Left to chance there could never be such a useful machine. The heavens and the earth are not here by chance but by the power of God's Word. Someone has said, "God spoke and from the womb of His Word came forth a million glittering worlds." It Is Sharp And Piercing: -- It is the sword that will cut down Satan. Would Satan tempt Christ with anything less than his most powerful and subtle temptations? If he could cause Christ to sin, God's plan to save man would be utterly destroyed. Yet when Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness, Christ cut him down with three little verses of Scripture, taken from one book of the Old Testament under which He lived (Deut. 6:13,16; 8:3; Matt. 4:1-10). The Word of God as the sword of the Spirit is a part of the Christian's armor (Eph. 6:17). It will cut down error, as Christ did when He cut down the error of the Saducees "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God." They did not believe in the resurrection, but He showed them from the Old Testament Scriptures under which they lived that there would be a resur- rection. The Word of God exposed their ignorance and cut down their error (Matt. 22:23-33). The Word of God will cut down barriers to heaven -- pride, arrogance, lust (Dan. 4; Prov. 16:18; Jas. 4:10; Matt. 5:27,28). It pierced the hearts of those who heard Peter's words on the Day of Pentecost. When they heard his condemnation of their evil deeds in crucifying Christ, they "were cut to the heart" and asked what to do to be saved. When Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins, about 3000 gladly received the word and were baptized that day (Acts 2:36-41). Truly the Word of God is living, powerful, piercing -- and all for our good. ------- Billy Norris in Gospel Guide, Vol. 27, No. 10, Nov. 1995. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071102/b0282f7a/attachment-0001.html From kthomas at ntslink.net Fri Nov 2 11:13:22 2007 From: kthomas at ntslink.net (kenneth Thomas) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 11:13:22 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Poem, Living The "Golden Rule" Message-ID: <472B4CA2.000003.03724@KENSCOMPUTER> Living The "Golden Rule" By Kenneth E. Thomas Just imagine what this world would be like If we each followed the "Golden Rule" Treating others like we wish to be treated Would bring utopia on earth and that?s cool Pure love would exist for one another No lying nor deceit would be known We don?t wish to be deceived or lied to It would bring these traits to our homes Brethren would be kind to one another Confusion and strife would?t be known If we only did what we want done to us In the church in business and in our homes But alas Satan influences even Christians And the "Golden Rule" is then set aside Doing the will of the "god of this age" Sometimes we fuss, we fume, we deride True Christians are more givers than takers Doing what this "Golden Rule" suggest You see why Matt. 7:12 is called "Golden" It is just because it?s life lived at its best! There is no more abuse of little children There is nothing known as spousal unrest There is no stealing what belongs to others We?d all give what we want and that?s best. (Matt. 7:12; Eph. 4:22-32; Rom. 14:19; 2 Cor. 4:4; James 3:1-18; 1 Peter 2:21-23). Kenneth E. Thomas Pekin church of Christ 1451 Valle Vista Blvd. Pekin, IL 61554 1 (309) 347-3582 - Office 1 (309) 347-5645 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071102/34317c01/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 251 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071102/34317c01/attachment-0003.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071102/34317c01/attachment-0004.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 20554 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071102/34317c01/attachment-0005.gif From jerry at eldorable.kscoxmail.com Fri Nov 2 13:52:28 2007 From: jerry at eldorable.kscoxmail.com (Jerry Blount) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 12:52:28 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Apostles, Prophets and Demons Message-ID: <06d301c81d81$84dde360$1c02a8c0@dadsdell> Jerry Blount to the list _____ Hi 1) We have been having some success at locating conservative minded Christians interested in starting a new congregation in the Lake of the Ozarks area of Mo. Do you know of any others? It is looking like a viable location may be Camdenton, Mo. 2) Warnings concerning the "Golden Compass". A children's movie have been circulating on the internet for the last week or so. It is an atheist's answer to the C.S. Lewis Narnia Stories. This movie was written by Pullman , an aggressively anti Christian. It stars Nicole Kidman and premiers in December. I try not to buy into hype. But as I have looked into this, this is obviously a subtle, powerful, attack on Christianity. I have concluded there is real danger here. Kids tend to buy into sequels and book series. This film will likely result in the kids buying the book series and being sucked into the mentality. The movie is based on a three book series that reveals a fantasy world in which the kids eventually kill God off and then they do anything they want. Here is a link so that you can check it out on Snopes. this hype is true. This is no kids' movie! http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp 3) Today's article will seek to answer one specific question that keeps coming in. . . . What happened to the Apostles, Prophets and .. Demons? It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 3 Wow! What do the Apostles and demons have in common? Answer. They are both manifestations of miraculous activity within God's creation. They have also both ceased to operate in a miraculous way. How did this happen? Let's see. Today as the overall knowledge of Bible related things has declined, I have noticed a rise in an almost mystical religion among those professing Christianity. As my involvement on the internet increased, I have become alarmed as I have realized how many folks are still floating around claiming to be prophets and prophetesses. Folks regularly claim to be "led" here or there. It is quite common for someone to just explain away some Bible precept on the basis of "God given" feelings. One of the net effects of this rise is a mystically distorted version of "Christianity." Many well intentioned people have been floundering as they grasp at straws for often contradictory so called "truths." Neighbor! It doesn't have to be this way. If fact God has gone to a great deal of trouble to give us something better. He gave us the word of God. He also told us to GROW UP! Long ago priests, prophets and eventually Jesus' apostles had the task of revealing the word of God. It was a time that was fraught with testing to see if it was true. This testing was often difficult. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." I Peter 1:21 This was during the infancy of the world and during the infancy of the church. Both the OT prophets and the Apostles described a better time when all could rely on something final, tested and completed. Paul describes this process thusly; "When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things." I Corinthians 13:11 Jesus promised the Apostles that, "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:26 Jesus later followed that promise up and added to it, "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear {them} now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:12-13 Compare this to the words of Jesus' brother, the prophet Jude, "I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." Jude 3 So. it was delivered in a complete way during the first century. Notice that not only is this a "once for all" thing, but Peter makes a promise that we would all have access to it even after he was dead! "I consider it right, as long as I am in this {earthly} dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my {earthly} dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind." II Peter 1:13-15 >From the forgoing reading, let's craft a summary statement . The role of the Apostles and prophets was to take "all the truth" and to deliver "once for all time." While alive, they would continue to "remind" or "stir up" . But their final task (and Peter's specific promise) was to be sure that after they were dead we would still have what they had delivered. We call the fulfillment of this promise "the Bible." The church is no longer in it's infancy! Jesus is at the right hand of God leading His church through this word. So, does the Bible speak of an end to the miraculous revelations when the Word was completed in it's delivery? Actually, yes it does. It speaks directly. The Corinthian church was a very worldly church coming out of paganism and struggling to shed the baggage of their background. Some of them had the miraculous gifts of prophecy, tongue speaking, interpretation (translation) and the like. Likely because of their background, for them the possession of these spiritual gifts became a badge of aristocracy within the church. Paul pretty much chews them out over their attitude. "All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not {workers of} miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way." I Corinthians 12:29-31 Paul then uses the occasion to point out that the end of miracles, prophets etc. was already taking place. Let's follow this discussion in it's context. I Corinthians 13 1. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2. If I have {the gift of} prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3. And if I give all my possessions to feed {the poor,} and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 4. Love is patient, love is kind {and} is not jealous; love does not brag {and} is not arrogant, 5. does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong {suffered,} 6. does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. After dealing with the attitude of chapter 12 Now, notice the end of the "time of the prophets," various gifts etc. . . . 8. Love never fails; but if {there are gifts of} prophecy, they will be done away; if {there are} tongues, they will cease; if {there is} knowledge, it will be done away. Note. these are all dealing the partial revelation. Jesus promised a full one.. 9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; Paul is describing the implications of Jesus' promise! What happens when they have it all? 10. but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. Note the language used above about the church's infancy. 11. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. Note the change in tense. it was already taking place as Paul wrote I Corinthians.. I.E. the church is growing up and the revelation of God is being completed! I Corinthians (this letter) is a part of that "perfect." 13. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. The main reaction of the modern day so-called tongue speakers and so-called prophets is to confuse the term perfect and very piously note that only Jesus is perfect. Jesus' brother James would correct them on this. James wrote. . . "But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the {law} of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25 Note that Jesus' own brother ascribes this "perfect" to the law of God! This perfect law was once for all delivered first to fleshly men (Apostles, prophets, etc) but it was written down so that it would be remembered. Since it is completed, no longer in parts, the partial deliverers (Apostles and prophets) are no more needed. Paul has given us his part, so has Peter, James, and Jude. These all come together to complete the whole. I Corinthians 13:10 But when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. Many are familiar with this New Testament passage. Almost none are familiar with the fact that it had to happen. What do I mean . "Had to happen?" Jesus made a promise that "Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Luke 24:44 The prophets had prophesied that with the coming of Jesus both prophecy and demonism would end! For Jesus to be the Messiah. prophecy had to end! Zechariah 13 1. "In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. Note the phrase "In that day." In the Old Testament that is generally a heads up that you are speaking of Messiah, or the church etc. This is no exception. The fountain for sin must be the blood of the Lord Jesus.. 2. "It will come about in that day," declares the LORD of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land. Note that when the miraculous means of dealing with demon possession was taken away or ended so did the problem. Various aspects of scripture deal with Jesus reining in Satan. Satan is still a vicious killer. However, Satan's agents can no longer forcibly take over. Note that "prophets" also occur in the I Corinthians 13 list already introduced. They are to cease to be active when the "perfect," mature or completed revelation is completed. 3. "And if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, 'You shall not live, for you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD'; and his father and mother who gave birth to him will pierce him through when he prophesies. According to the prophet Zechariah .. What is anyone after the time of the New Testament claiming to be A prophet, tongue speaker etc. ? Ouch! A Liar! But. how do we know this is really dealing with Jesus' time? 6. "And one will say to him, 'What are these wounds between your arms?' Then he will say, '{Those} with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.' 7. "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, And against the man, My Associate," Declares the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones. This is the passage Jesus quoted for Himself . Jesus applied this passage to all the Apostles on the night He was betrayed. In other words, according to Jesus, this is also the prophecy of the desertion of all His apostles and Peter's denial. (See Matthew 26:31) One final thought. Note the warning of the Apostle Peter as he prepared for his own death and wrote saying goodbye to the church . . . "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves." II Peter 2:1 Did you notice that while the danger to the Old Testament people was false prophets. the real danger to the Christians of the New Testament will be false teachers. Why? Because among folks familiar with what the Bible teaches. everyone who claims to be a prophet will be known to be false. False teachers will be more difficult. Joseph Smith was only a threat to the ignorant. That Jeffries fellow that is currently in trouble over polygamy is no threat to those familiar with Bible teaching. All prophets today are immediately known for what they are.. Anyone claiming to be a prophet of God today . . . Is actually stabbing Christ Jesus in the back! Or perhaps we should say . . . Driving another nail into His cross. PS. Consider a practical note to make in your Bible. Go to I Corinthians 13 and note somewhere to go back to Zechariah 13. Most Christians are familiar with the love section of I Corinthians 13 and the follow up discussion on tongue speaking etc. Almost none realize that it was prophesied that it had to happen in the OT also. Yours in Christ Jerry Blount Minister for Pleasant Valley church of Christ 3317 Amidon rd. Wichita Kansas, 67204 3163204321 WWW.letJesusleadus.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 6879 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071102/2699eedd/attachment-0006.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 39504 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071102/2699eedd/attachment-0007.jpe From wswalker310 at juno.com Fri Nov 2 17:00:08 2007 From: wswalker310 at juno.com (Wayne S Walker) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 17:00:08 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] hymn study, "You Never Mentioned Him to Me" Message-ID: <20071103.085623.3072.3.wswalker310@juno.com> Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study. "YOU NEVER MENTIONED HIM TO ME" "...If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way,...his blood will I require at thine hand" (Ezek. 33.8) INTRO.: A song which emphasizes the consequences of not speaking to warn the wicked from his way is "You Never Mentioned Him to Me" (#598 in Hymns for Worship Revised, and #92 in Sacred Selections for the Church). The text was written by James Rowe (1865-1933). A prolific gospel song text writer who worked with many different composers, Rowe is perhaps best remembered for "Love Lifted Me" with Howard E. Smith, as well as "After the Shadows" and "Home of the Soul" with Samuel Beazley, "God Holds the Future in His Hands" and "He's My King" with James D. Vaughan, "I Walk With the King" and "I Would Be Like Jesus" with Benton D. Ackley, "Looking to Thee" with Herschel M. Eagle, "I Have Been Redeemed" with Stancel A. Ganus, "What Is He Worth to Your Soul?" with William B. Walbert and Adger M. Pace, and "Wonderful Jesus" with James P. Denton, among others. The tune was composed by James W. Gaines (1880-1937). Other hymns by Gaines that have appeared in many of our hymnbooks include "In That Home of the Soul" from 1907, and "Take My Hand and Lead Me" from 1924. "You Never Mentioned Him to Me" dates from 1929. Several of our books have used an arrangement by Homer F. Morris for their book Favorite Songs and Hymns copyrighted in 1939 by Stamps Baxter Music and Printing Co. Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the song appeared in the 1938/1944 New Wonderful Songs edited by Thomas S. Cobb; the 1943 Standard Gospel Hymns and the 1965 Great Christian Hymnal No. 2 both edited by Tillit S. Teddlie; the 1944 Gospel Songs and Hymns and the 1952 Hymns of Praise and Devotion both edited by Will W. Slater; the 1959 Majestic Hymnal No. 2 and the 1978 Hymns of Praise both edited by Reuel Lemmons; and the 1963 Abiding Hymns edited by Robert C. Welch. Today it may be found in the 1971 Songs of the Church edited by Alton H. Howard; the 1978/1983 Church Gospel Songs and Hymns edited by V. E. Howard; and the 1992 Praise for the Lord edited by John P. Wiegand; in addition to Hymns for Worship and Sacred Selections. The song points us to the need to be busy in the work of sharing the gospel with the lost. I. Stanza 1 reminds us of the coming judgment "When in the better land before the bar we stand, How deeply grieved our souls may (will) be, If any lost one there should cry in deep despair, 'You never mentioned Him to me.'" A. "The bar" is an often-used poetic expression referring to judgment, in which all shall stand: Rom. 14.10 B. This includes God's people, and if we have any unforgiven sin against us, our souls will surely be deeply grieved, since "justment must begin at the house of God," and Peter asks, "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?": 1 Pet. 4.17-18 C. We know that many will be lost, but in view of the coming judgment, every child of God should work so that there will no one whom they have known and failed to tell the gospel story who will be among that number who shall go away into everlasting fire: Matt. 25.41 II. Stanza 2 reminds us of the need to help others prepare for judgment "O let us spread the word where'er it may be heard, Help groping souls the light to see, That yonder none may say, 'You showed me not the way, You never mentioned Him to me.'" A. Our obligation is to spread the word wherever it may be heard, as the early disciples did: Acts 8.4 B. Our purpose in doing this must be to help groping souls the light of the gospel to see: 2 Cor. 4.3-4 C. Therefore, we need to be helping others prepare for judgment so that they will not hear those words, "Depart from me": Matt. 7.21-23 III. Stanza 3 reminds us of the results of helping others prepare for judgment "A few sweet words may guide a lost one to His side, Or turn sad eyes on Calvary; So work as days go by, that yonder none may cry, 'You never mentioned Him to me.'" A. A few sweet words may guide a lost one to Christ: Acts 11.14 B. The goal of these words should be to turn sad eyes on Calvary where Christ was crucified: 1 Cor. 2.2 C. In view of the resurrection and final judgment, this is the primary work in which we are to be abounding for the Lord: 1 Cor. 15.50-58 CONCL.: The chorus "'You never mentioned Him to me; You helped me not the light to see. You met me day by day and knew I was astray, Yet never mentioned Him to me." I have heard an objection to this song that there is no passage of scripture which indicates that anything like this will happen at judgment. Since none of us has ever been to judgment, we really do not know for sure one way or the other. However, simply imagining what it might be like at judgment should something like this occur should be a powerful motivating factor to encourage us to labor in sharing the gospel so that no one would say, "You Never Mentioned Him to Me." Brotherly, Wayne S. Walker 9024 Amona Dr. Affton, MO 63123 home phone: (314) 638-4710 office phone: (314) 544-1612 e-mail: wswalker310 at juno.com website: www.defenderoftruth.com Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com. And if you would like to receive a similar daily hymn study by e-mail, you can join the Hymn of the Day list by sending a blank e-mail to hymnoftheday-subscribe at yahoogroups.com or subscribing from the Web at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hymnoftheday/ . Also, since this has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them with Yahoogroups. From kthomas at ntslink.net Sat Nov 3 10:30:54 2007 From: kthomas at ntslink.net (kenneth Thomas) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007 10:30:54 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Poem, It Takes Jesus' Blood Message-ID: <472C942E.000006.01060@KENSCOMPUTER> It Takes Jesus? Blood By Kenneth E. Thomas It takes Jesus? blood to wash away sins Not just any blood need I say my friend Jesus the Son of God lived a perfect life Only His blood, can pay sin?s awful price. Although Jesus "tasted death for every man" Man too must play a part in God?s salvation plan He must believe, repent, confess and be baptized For the Scriptural reasons to receive God?s prize. "Baptism into Christ?s death" is our Lord?s design That?s where He shed His blood for all of mankind If you believe in Jesus why not turn from your sins Go down into the "watery grave" arise a brand new man This will make you a Christian and that?s quite enough None of this "join the church of your choice" and such That which makes a Christian makes a church member too They?re not two different actions, if to Christ you?re true (Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:22; 1 Pet. 2:21-25; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Heb. 2:9; Jno 3:16; Rom. 5:6-10; Rom. 6:3-6; 6:16-18; Gal. 3:26-29; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:20-22). Kenneth E. Thomas Pekin church of Christ 1451 Valle Vista Blvd. Pekin, IL 61554 1 (309) 347-3582 - Office 1 (309) 347-5645 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 17991 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071103/085dd7e8/attachment-0005.gif From kthomas at ntslink.net Sat Nov 3 11:09:24 2007 From: kthomas at ntslink.net (kenneth Thomas) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007 11:09:24 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] A Question Message-ID: <472C9D34.000010.01060@KENSCOMPUTER> Dear brethren: Who among you wants to comment on the statement, found in 1 Timothy 1:20, ". .whom I have turned over to Satan, So that they may learn not to blaspheme?" Can this be used to speak of somone who has been withdrawn from by the local congregation? What does the phrase (turned over to Satan) actually mean? May we do the same today? Kenneth E. Thomas Kenneth E. Thomas Pekin church of Christ 1451 Valle Vista Blvd. Pekin, IL 61554 1 (309) 347-3582 - Office 1 (309) 347-5645 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071103/03af502f/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 251 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071103/03af502f/attachment-0003.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071103/03af502f/attachment-0004.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 17991 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071103/03af502f/attachment-0005.gif From harperwest at yahoo.com Sat Nov 3 11:39:33 2007 From: harperwest at yahoo.com (Steven C. Harper) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007 09:39:33 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] A> Which Jesus Do You Follow? [2] Message-ID: <000601c81e38$1e35bfe0$6401a8c0@Steven> From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. Editor: Steven Harper November 4, 2007 Which Jesus Do You Follow? [2] Last week, we looked at a 'Jesus' or two that many in the religious world love to follow, but noted that each did not match with the real Jesus - the one found within the written word of God, the Bible. As sad as it is, the "Jesus" that many follow is not the one that died for their sins and is not the one who will save them; it is a "Jesus" of their own invention who only says what they like to hear and would never condemn anything they did or ever wanted to do. This self-deception is cloaked in a desire of religiosity that gives them a comfortable feeling that they are "following Jesus" and "right" in the sight of God but, in all reality, does nothing to get them even one step closer to God and eternal life. One of our enemy's greatest weapons is the deception that gets many to believe they are safe when they are actually headed down the path to eternal destruction. One of those deceptions is a false "Jesus" that never condemns anyone or who says we should "just love one another," but there are other deceptions about Jesus, too. So, I must again ask you - the reader - Which Jesus do you follow? Is He: The One Who Says Is Doesn't Matter What You Believe? This "Jesus" is also very popular in our modern society; in fact, He is most popular among religious people who claim to be His followers! If you listen to the message preached in this country's churches who claim to be "part of" His church, you won't necessarily hear this "Jesus" being preached, but once you start asking questions about their doctrines and practices, all of a sudden a different "Jesus" comes to light and the proponents of error now start promoting a different "Jesus" than the one they preached in the pulpit! You see, this is the "Jesus" that the denominationalists and false teachers want us to believe because it gives them a cover for what they are teaching and practicing when they are unable to do so with Scripture. In the pulpits, they can teach the Jesus of the Bible [up to a point; they will not teach His words which contradict their own beliefs and practices] because everyone present in the auditorium has a favorable attitude toward God and His word; but when someone questions something they said or something they practice and they ask for the Scripture that authorizes it, all of sudden their "Jesus" transforms into someone who suddenly doesn't care what anyone believes and these men appear offended that anyone would question them! The sad part about this deception is that many of the men who teach this "Jesus" teach a lot of truth - even a lot of the truth about the real Jesus - but just not the whole truth. They are glad to talk about the great sacrifice of Jesus for our sins, the love and mercy and grace of God, and even the need to resist sin, but if their false teachings are exposed as false and their practices challenged as something without authority, then their "Jesus" becomes a different "Jesus" altogether. Now, their "Jesus" chastises their critics as "unloving" and "factious" because they have challenged someone to show from Scripture that this is actually authorized by the Jesus of the Bible. Those who believe this "Jesus" will condemn those who criticize them [apparently, they follow a paradoxical "Jesus" who condemns only those who condemn error (?)] and then change their attitude towards the Bible and they begin speaking of a "Jesus" who welcomes any and all beliefs and practices and they tell us, "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you're sincere." Let's take this last statement and see how "logical" it is, shall we? If it doesn't matter what we believe, then please explain to me why Christ died? If this "Jesus" is the same one of the Bible, why did He die? What would be the purpose? I could claim to believe there is no God; is that just as good as belief in God? "Of course not!" they will say. "You must believe in God." Okay, well what if I claim to believe that Jesus was a fraud? "Oh, no!" they will say. "You must believe in Jesus." Okay, well what if the Jesus I believe is a fraud? "Oh no!" they say. "You must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." Okay, well what if I believe that Jesus is the Christ, but I believe He approves of homosexuality, adultery, drunkenness, and various other sins? "Oh no" they say. "You must believe in the Jesus of the Bible who teaches we must live free from sin and live a life of holiness." Okay, well what if I believe in a Jesus who condemned error (Matt. 22:29ff), who said there was only one church (His, Matt. 16:18), who teaches the necessity of belief and baptism for salvation (Mark 16:16), and who commanded His disciples to teach others the necessity of observing all things He had commanded (Matt. 28:20)? Silence. You see, that is the Jesus of the Bible - and for that Jesus, they have no answer. The "Jesus" they want us to believe is the one who will never condemn the things they want to believe and practice. They love the Jesus of the Bible only up to the point where His words condemn their deeds and words. Again, this is a "Jesus" of their own invention - not the real Jesus! But maybe this is not the "Jesus" you follow. Is the "Jesus" you follow: The One Who Teaches Everyone Will Be Saved, In The End? The way this "Jesus" is proclaimed will be subtle; this "Jesus" will not be taught openly, but it is a "Jesus" that is part of official church doctrine and he becomes very popular when our loved ones have passed on from this life. Some may teach publicly that all men must believe that Jesus is the Christ, but back of off of such a "strong" stand when confronted personally or privately by those of other religions, those who do not believe in God or Jesus at all, or those who might dare question their doctrines and practices. In such circumstances, their "Jesus" loses all authority, condemns no one, and apparently would never call anything "sin" or "error." Yes, this "Jesus" is part of the official church doctrine - at least part of the official Roman Catholic Church doctrine. This is not something you will hear promoted heavily [except around this time of year, when one of their priests is questioned on national television about the status of the Islamists], but it is official church doctrine nonetheless. According to the Catechism, "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place among whom are the Muslims." [Catechism, para. 841, pp. 242-243.] While other denominations do not have such an idea embedded within official church doctrine, it is promoted occasionally when their leaders cannot find the courage to condemn error or when they are unable to defend their own beliefs and practices. Sadly, this "Jesus" is taught most often at the funerals of people who have never expressed faith in God or Christ - and often by men who should know better. It is spoken as a means of comforting the loved ones who remain, seeking to not offend or cause any more grief than what they already are suffering. While I can sympathize with the great sadness of losing a loved one, I do no one any favors by giving them a false comfort; I must continue to teach the Jesus of the Bible if I am to ever lead one to the truth and the salvation it brings. Jesus said we must believe the gospel or we will be condemned (Mark 16:16); He said we must believe He is God or we will die in our sins (John 8:24); He said we must repent or we will perish (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30); and He said we must be born again or we cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5). So, which Jesus do you follow? If it is salvation and forgiveness you seek, follow the Jesus of the Bible. -- Steven Harper -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071103/290ead30/attachment-0001.html From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Sat Nov 3 20:31:10 2007 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007 21:31:10 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Good News for Norwalk: Volume II, Number 44: November 04, 2007 Message-ID: Good News for Norwalk For I am not ashamed of the good news, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16) A publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio Volume II, Number 44: November 04, 2007 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unplanned Consequences The girl heard the news and began to sob. She could feel all of her dreams and expectations for life changed on account of the unplanned consequences of her fornication. When the drunk finally regained consciousness and the news of his actions and upcoming trial were brought to him, he was dumbfounded. He could never have imagined the unplanned consequences of his drunk driving. The children were no longer the same. Happy and bright young boys and girls were now moody, depressed, and restless teenagers. The parents mourned the unplanned consequences of their divorce. Such stories, while heartbreaking, represent common themes in our current society. How many people, had they recognized the unplanned consequences of their deeds, would have acted differently? How often is the old adage repeated, "Hindsight is 20/20?" Such, however, represents the nature of sin: sin seduces with fleeting pleasure without betraying its terrible consequences (Hebrews 3:12-14, 11:25). Christians understand that sin has unplanned consequences, and such is part of the reason we must so strongly proclaim God's truth so that more can be delivered from the darkness of sin and be transferred to the Kingdom (Colossians 1:13). We sympathize with people living with unplanned consequences for sin, having once been sinful and without hope ourselves (Titus 3:1-8). Do we deceive ourselves, however, into thinking that unplanned consequences only come upon people in such situations? Should we also not consider how our own actions and attitudes may have unplanned consequences? What if, as Christians, we choose to spend more time with worldly associates and less time with fellow Christians? Sure, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with spending time with people of the world, and if we are to promote the Gospel in this world, we must have such association at times (1 Corinthians 5:9-10, Matthew 5:13-16). Yet we are told to prefer one another and to consider fellow believers as brothers and sisters, as dear or more dear than physical family (Romans 12:10, Matthew 12:46-50). The unplanned consequences could involve one falling away on account of the bad influence (1 Corinthians 15:33), a spiritual weakening for the same reason, or seeing the same trend in one's children who are never as faithful as they ought to be. What if, as Christians, we frequently choose social or sporting events, television shows, minor ailments, or any other reason over assembling with the saints? While we may not be violating the letter of Hebrews 10:24-25, we certainly violate its spirit. The unplanned consequences of such preferences could include a lack of encouragement or even discouragement of other Christians, spiritual laxity and weakening, and a negative pattern established for our children. What if, as Christians, we can only complain and speak negatively of Christians and the church? Such is against Philippians 4:8 and James 5:9. Furthermore, the negative consequences can include further sliding into spiritual weakness, discouraging those with whom you communicate to the point of spiritual weakness and apostasy, and children who understandably want little to nothing to do with such a source of negativity in the lives of their parents. While unplanned consequences of sin in life can often be endured, we must always be sober minded and strive to avoid difficulties when possible. Why should we even flirt with the possibility of becoming spiritually discouraged, impacting others negatively for their faith, or even being a reason for the eventual unfaithfulness of children? Let us determine to do away with unplanned consequences and follow God today! Ethan R. Longhenry evangelist at norwalkchurch.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scriptures to Consider Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality (Romans 12:9-13). If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory (Colossians 3:1-4). Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors. Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord (James 5:8-10). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies! Our location: 386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits) Norwalk, Ohio 44857 Our assemblies: Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm Our Bible studies: Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For More Information If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist at norwalkchurch.org. Good News for Norwalk is a publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio, for the promotion of God's truth in our world. For more information about the church of Christ in Norwalk, please visit our website at norwalkchurch.org. Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio (http://www.norwalkchurch.org) Website: http://www.deusvitae.com AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056 MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae at hotmail.com Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus Subscribe to Good News for Norwalk! goodnewsfornorwalk-subscribe at norwalkchurch.org From tedwards at onemain.com Sat Nov 3 20:52:48 2007 From: tedwards at onemain.com (tedwards at onemain.com) Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:52:48 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] B> Gospel Observer 10/28/07 Message-ID: <472CDFA0.7403.36A27A@localhost> ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ October 28, 2007 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Be Ye Thankful (Irven Lee) 2) Three Responses (Acts 17:32-34) (David Cox) 3) Perils to the Soul (Rick Duggin) ____________________________________________________ -1- Be Ye Thankful by Irven Lee "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful" (Col. 3:15). The Bible is a good book that points out many things that are good for man and pleasing to God. We should stop to consider all his advice and commands. Gratitude expressed is obviously a good and pleasant thing. God loved the world and gave his Son that we might be saved. He gave us his word also. By all means, we should be thankful for these great gifts. The earth is the Lord's, and from it we get food, fiber, wood, minerals, and fuel. Take time to express sincere thanks for the good earth. Should we not also consider the beautiful colors of the different seasons and the songs of the birds? They are not here by accident. Be ye thankful! I have lived in the USA all of my life and during a time of amazing changes. The freedom to move about and to plan our own lives is a wonderful reason to be glad and to count our blessings that we are Americans. There are many dangers to our spiritual values, and we should have proper concern for ourselves and for our descendants, but we need not overlook the good. I am glad to have lived in America. The strife-ridden world does not offer too many places where we might consider living. My family includes my wife who has been a wonderful help to me. My two daughters and their husbands are faithful and active Christians, and their love is precious to me. My four grandchildren are young adults whose faith is strong in this skeptical world. My only grandson-in-law is the grandson of two whom I baptized in 1940. He is active in church work. Should I not give God thanks for them? The Bible influence is the power that has made their lives beautiful. Are you thankful enough for your family? The family of God or the church is made up of excellent people, and in preaching in many places I have come to know this to be a fact. There are imperfections within the assemblies. The members are human and are tempted by the world. Let us face every sin among us with boldness, love, patience, and determination to make things better. As we help others improve, let each of us improve. One of the things that has contributed so much happiness to my life is the close association with my brethren. I have faced problems and heartaches in preaching, but there has been much satisfaction in association with the devout saints. "I praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psa. 139:14). You and I should know right well that the human body is wonderful. The digestive system, the nervous system, and the respiratory system to do their work each day. Each is wonderful beyond words. There are many glands to regulate blood chemistry and many other essential things. Our body temperature remains the same when we are well. Should we not all give thanks? We may take good health for granted until we lose it. Take some time now to give thanks and count your blessings. We all realize that some do not have such health. We should "visit the sick." This means more than that we go and sit with them and talk. We are to bear one another's burdens and help as we can. With age we become weak and have many limitations. Old age is the time in life to look back over the decades to recall the great blessings, and it is also a time to recall things we said and did that were out of place. We all need mercy. "We all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Sinful deeds are not pleasant to recall, but realizing that we have erred makes us look to God for help. His obedient servants are forgiven. Think of our own bodies, nature about us, and the evidence in the Bible and have strong faith. It then should be a natural thing to turn to the Lord in repentance and baptism. We should confess and praise his name again and again. There is no reason to be ashamed of him. He doeth all things well. We seldom hear the name of Jesus mentioned on television and in a typical conversation. Why? We have not been across the river of death to the new world, but our Lord and his Spirit-guided apostles have told us enough to know that it is a wonderful place to be. Life there will be a gift of God just as this life is a gift from him. "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it" (1 Pet. 3:10). Being a servant of the Lord means much more than being baptized. We are raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). Hope is an anchor to the soul. Let us give thanks for the one hope. -- Via Guardian of Truth XXXII: 4, pp. 97, 119, February 18, 1988 ____________________________________________________ -2- Three Responses (Acts 17:32-34) by David Cox As Paul had preached his sermon to the men of Athens at Mars Hill, he concluded by telling them that God commands all men to repent and then reminded them to the coming judgment. Beginning in verse 32 we have three responses of those that heard Paul. "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them" (Acts 17:32-34). We are told that some mocked him (v. 32). We read that some heard Paul preach the truth of the gospel but, instead of accepting the preaching of Christ by Paul, they were unwilling to change their lives acceptable to the will of God. The response of some was the same as those on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:13): they made fun or mocked the preaching of Paul. This is the type of disposition Paul mentioned to the Corinthians when he referred to people thinking the preaching of the cross as foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18,21). Another response seen in verse 32 was "We will hear thee again of this matter." They were wanting to wait. Perhaps it was a difficult decision for some to hear the truth and obey it. They still desired to learn more, but they needed to respond. The disposition of some was like that of Felix (Acts 24:25). The parable of the virgins in Matthew 25 teaches the importance of not waiting, for, while we are delaying, our lives may end without being prepared. Lastly, we read that through Paul's preaching there were some that had believed. These were those that, as Paul preached the word of God, their hearts were pricked and they responded and continued on in the work of the Lord. The response to Paul's sermon was threefold, and the responses Paul encountered are the same responses people have today to the preaching of God's word. What is our response to the preaching of the gospel? Do we mock the word of God by defying the necessity to obey or mock those that are striving to live right? Are we waiting to hear more? Or, do we believe the truth of God's word? Are we ready to make the commitment to obey and cleave to God's word? Let us remember the lessons of God's word and believe and obey Him now; not mocking or waiting until a convenient time. -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, September 23, 2007 ____________________________________________________ -3- Perils to the Soul by Rick Duggin Have you noticed the growing fascination that some have with other people's perils? They pay good money to watch stunt drivers jump a string of cars, or a tightrope walker make his way across a tiny rope 200 feet above the pavement. We marvel when someone unnecessarily puts himself at risk. The greatest risk of all is the danger that threatens our soul. Paul warned that perilous times would bring dangers that threaten to undo us (2 Tim. 3-4). These perils include. . . 1. Ignorance of God's Word. Some will "creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (3:6-7). Those who do not know God's word are fair game for religious racketeers. 2. Doctrines of Men. "Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith" (3:8). The Egyptian magicians resisted Moses by imitating his works. Satan is the great imitator. What God does, he counterfeits, forcing us to distinguish between truth and error. 3. Prejudice. "But they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was" (3:9). One who judges before he knows the facts is prejudiced. Some students searched the Scriptures and rejected the truth, while the Bereans searched the same passages and received the truth (read John 5:39; Acts 17:11). How can the same act (studying the Bible) produce such different results? The first group was prejudiced; the other, honest. 4. Desire to Please Men. Paul warns Timothy that God will judge him (2 Tim 4:1), and therefore he must continue to tell people what they need to hear, whether they like it or not (vs. 2). One of Timothy's greatest problems would be the "itching ears" of those who demand something besides truth (3-4). Covet correction and don't let these perils steal your soul! -- Via The Exhorter, Oakland church of Christ, March 2007 ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards at onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________ From gharmon at idworld.net Sun Nov 4 13:37:30 2007 From: gharmon at idworld.net (Gary H. Harmon, Jr) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 13:37:30 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Group in Sioux Falls SD? Message-ID: <001301c81f1a$23d8f150$4a01a8c0@garyh4i1k3x2lw> Is there a group meeting in the Sioux Falls SD area? Vr, Gary H. Harmon, Jr. / K5JWK 6003 Archwood San Antonio, TX 78239-1504 210.657.1549 h / 210.884.6926 c "Retirement - Everyday is a Saturday except Sunday" -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071104/ca70f4bc/attachment-0001.html From richardthetford at msn.com Sun Nov 4 20:17:38 2007 From: richardthetford at msn.com (Richard Thetford) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 19:17:38 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] Walking in the Light (11/04/07) Message-ID: Walking in the Light "For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light." "The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...." (Psalm 36:9; 119:130; 1 John 1:7a) November 4 www.thetfordcountry.com --- INFORMATION: My WEB Site www.thetfordcountry.com has just been updated to include the articles and sermons listed below. All the sermons posted each week to my web site are in .pdf format. The PowerPoint charts are also included with ALL the sermons that are posted to the web site. To access the sermons page, visit the site and click on "Richard's Page" and then click on "sermons." Please visit the "Reference Works" links page for updated links to various Bible study resources. If you are a newcomer to the area or wanting information concerning the San Juan church of Christ here in Montrose, Colorado, then click on the San Juan church of Christ Web Site at www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org. Thank you for visiting my web site and as always, your comments are welcome. If you know of someone that would like to receive the "Walking in the Light" electronic bulletin each week, please send an e-mail message to Richard at Thetfordcountry.com with their name and e-mail address and I will add them to the list. --- CONTENTS: "Having All Things in Common" (Richard Thetford) "How Many Baptisms Are There?" (Carrol R. Sutton) "Truth and Freedom" (Richard Thetford) "What Makes A Pattern in Christianity?" (B. G. Hope) --- HAVING ALL THINGS IN COMMON Richard Thetford In Acts 2:44 we read "And all that believed were together, and had all things common;". There is nothing like Christians getting together to share their thoughts, hopes, and love with each other! I remember when I was a child it seemed to me that Christians got together much more than they do today. Christians need the love and fellowship with each other as often as we can do so. The ones that gathered on the day of pentecost to hear Peter's sermon were truly "pricked in their heart" (Acts 2:37), and wanted to do anything they could for the cause of Christ and for each other. They realized that nothing was as important as Jesus Christ and obeying His commandments. Do we feel that way today? When we become so convicted to Christ and his love that we would actually sell our property and possessions, and share them with all that had a need (Acts 2:45), then I would say that yes, we have reached the point of true Christianity. This is the attitude that we should have developed within us. Not that we actually have to go out and sell everything to give to others, but the attitude that if I needed to do so to help my fellow brother and sister in Christ I would do so. Those early Christians were truly devoted to Jesus and wanted to do all they could for Him. When we spend more time with each other and desire to be with other Christians to gain strength and encouragement then we will develop into the kind of Christians that God would want us to be. We will be of one mind, sincere, praise God, and have favor with all people (Acts 2:46-47). --- HOW MANY BAPTISMS ARE THERE? Carrol R. Sutton There are a number of baptisms mentioned in the Scriptures. The Hebrew writer mentions "the doctrine of baptisms" (Heb 6:1). Note the fact that "baptisms" is plural. Let us consider different baptisms that are mentioned in the New Testament Scripture. There are at least six. 1. BAPTISM UNTO MOSES: In 1 Cor 10:1-2, Paul made note of the fact that all the Israelites who passed through the sea "were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and to the sea." 2. BAPTISM OF JOHN: The baptism of John is mentioned a number of times in the Scriptures. Here are some of the passages: Matthew 3:1-2; 21:23-27; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:3-17; and Acts 19:1-7. John baptized "with" and "in" water. He baptized where there was "much water" (John 3:32). John's baptism was "for the remission of sins." 3. BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT: Both John and Jesus Christ mentioned Holy Spirit baptism (Matt 3:10-12; Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:16-17; John 1:30-34; and Acts 1:1-8). John promised Holy Spirit baptism to some people of his generation. His promise did not extend beyond that generation. Jesus Christ was the administrator of Holy Spirit baptism. It was limited and temporary. 4. BAPTISM OF SUFFERING: This baptism is referred to in Matthew 20:22-23; Mark 10:38-40; and Luke 12:50. 5. BAPTISM OF FIRE: This baptism is mentioned in Matt 3:11 and Luke 3:16. In view of the general context as well as the immediate one, it seems to me that this probably referes to the wicked being cast into hell. 6. BAPTISM OF GREAT COMMISSION: This is the baptism that Jesus mentioned when he commissioned His disciples to go and teach all nations (Matt 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16). This baptism would be administered by the disciples in water "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). It is a baptism that puts penitent believers INTO Christ (Gal 3:26-27). >From the above information we can see that at least six baptisms are mentioned in the scriptures. The baptisms served (or will serve) different purposes. They were given for different reasons. However, by the time the apostle Paul penned Ephesians 4:5 (probably about A.D. 64) he declared that there is "ONE baptism." How many baptisms are there now? When we consider all that God has spoken on the subject in the New Testament, we must conclude that there is ONE baptism today! If you believe there is more than one baptism in effect today, you need to study God's Word (the Bible) carefully to "rightly divide" the words God has provided, which we must accept and live by, regardless of what we may LIKE! --- TRUTH AND FREEDOM Richard Thetford Not every slave wears a chain. In John 8:34 Jesus said: "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." And in Romans 6:16 the apostle Paul said: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" When one commits sin they are serving sin. Each individual must make up their own mind to whom they are going to obey. Jesus teaches that no one can serve two masters (Matt 6:24). When one knows the truth then one can know freedom. Jesus said: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Only the truth of the word can set us free. However, the only way that the truth will be able to set us free is by learning what the truth is and then obeying the words of Jesus. It takes more than just believing in Jesus to be saved. He is the author of eternal salvation ONLY to those that obey Him (Heb 5:9)! If we do not strive to KNOW the truth, then freedom will not exist. Please come visit us at the San Juan church of Christ where freedom in Christ rings! --- WHAT MAKES A PATTERN IN CHRISTIANITY? B. G. Hope The sum total of what God has said about anything becomes the pattern for it. Examine the following statements. Are they true or false? 1. All that God has said about the plan of salvation is a pattern for salvation to every person. 2. All that God has said about the New Testament church is a pattern by which it is identified. 3. All that God has said about becoming a member of the Lord's church is a pattern for everyone. 4. All that God has said about the acts of worship is a pattern. 5. All that God has said about the day to observe the Lord's Supper is a pattern for Christians. 6. All that God has said about the church and the support of preaching is a pattern to observe. 7. All that God has said about the church and helping the needy is a pattern for Christians today. 8. All that God has said about following Christ in Spirit, etc., is a pattern for us. I count it safe to follow the information we have in the Bible. I commend what it says to everyone. James said, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). --- SERMON Ask For the Old Paths (with PowerPoint Charts) Sermons can viewed at my web site: www.thetfordcountry.com --- Meets at: 1414 Hawk Parkway, Unit C Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-8116 www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE SUNDAY Bible Study....................10:00 A.M. Worship.........................11:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY Bible Study......................6:30 P.M. Evangelist Richard Thetford (970) 626-5558 E-Mail: Richard at Thetfordcountry.com Web Site: www.thetfordcountry.com --- Richard Thetford E-Mail: Richard at Thetfordcountry.com 1491 Canyon Drive, Ridgway, CO 81432 Home: (970) 626-5558 Please visit my web site: www.thetfordcountry.com Evangelist, San Juan church of Christ www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071104/d1bc3200/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 70059 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071104/d1bc3200/attachment-0001.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 5253 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20071104/d1bc3200/attachment-0007.gif From GLClair at aol.com Sun Nov 4 20:55:10 2007 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 21:55:10 EST Subject: [Biblemat] Article - "WHERE TRUE UNITY EXIST" Message-ID: WHERE TRUE UNITY EXIS