News and Views

NEWS and VIEWS

DEFENDING THE CHRISTIAN’S RIGHT

TO ”STAND FIRM“

After 50+ years of preaching and teaching God’s word you would think that I would be softened a bit about pointing out error or wickedness of others. Well; it just is not going to happen! I have always stood firm and unashamed to admit my mistakes and errors and have been just as firm to point out error and false religious teaching in the lives, actions, and teaching of others. We are told by Holy Scripture to do this; Reference follows:

2 Timothy 4:1-5

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. KJV

1 Co. 16:13-14

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

14 Let all your things be done with charity. KJV

Eph. 6:13-14

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having KJV

Today there is an attitude of calm in the face of false religious philosophy, wickedness in the life of political and religious leaders and their errors and their dangerous and condemning positions need to be exposed. Whenever a righteous soul (i.e. man or woman) reveals the wicked facts about another person (regardless of who that person is or what position that person holds; in religion, politics, or occupation). Their false religion and their sinful ways must be announced to whosoever will listen. This exposure of false religion, false religious teachers, false and dishonest politicians, preachers and teachers, must be exposed and efforts must be made to correct their actions that influence or may influence others to follow their teaching or actions whether in religion, education, or politics. References follow …

Acts 13:10

And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? KJV

2 Peter 2:9-19

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: And heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. KJV

CONCLUSION:

May we all regard sin as awful and that which we must condemn wherever it occurs. Let us recognize the concepts used by the wicked such as deceit, the use of repeated phrases or actions designed to break down our resistance to sins of the flesh or defense of marriage, honesty, integrity, political office, etc. Remember this; the Christian, the church, or the nation’s leaders (political) are accountable to Almighty God just like the peasant in the labor force in America and all other countries on earth. Indeed, let us stand and defend both for the righteousness of God and because we are advocates of the righteousness of God on earth today. God indeed, has no voice but the voice of dedicated Christians today –

”therefore stand“.

glclair@aol.com - December 15, 2009

The Unavoidable Events in Life;

How to Deal With Them

Human life is really a series of changes that take place over a period of years. We all know that there is no way to predict before hand all the changes that will take place in life as we enter upon life’s forward pathway. Yet, we do know and gradually become aware of those changes of life that occur simply because we choose to make those changes happen.

Some changes in life are out of our control or as some said beyond our control. These are events that occur without effort on our part such as learning to walk and to talk early in childhood. We did not plan to walk or plan to talk yet we simply exercised our inborn source (i.e. gifts from God) as we crawl, walk, and speak as well as exercise our built in senses (i.e. hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, etc.). These characteristics mentioned in the previous sentence indicate that some great power beyond human understanding is controlling many events and circumstances on earth; from birth to quality of life as well as all other facets to human existence here on this planet. Indeed, it is God who is behind the science pulling the strings when needed to continue His Glorious Plan for the universe and all that pertains to it –

cf. - The History of Creation (Gen 2:4-9; Job 38:4-11; John 1:1-5)

Gen. 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NKJV)

Creation of man and gave him everything to function and continue intact from generation to generation - Gen 1:26-28, 26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them,“ Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (NKJV)

Upholding all things by His Power - Heb 1:2-3, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (KJV)

We must eventually reach a point in life where we will naturally be able to make decisions between differing objects or circumstances. This is known as ”free-moral-agency“; this was given us by God so that we could choose between good and bad circumstance in life. One of the first choices we make in life is whether we will obey our parents or as we grow or to ultimately reject our parents instruction and wishes. – cf. Eph. 6:1-2, 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (KJV)

Col. 3:20-21, 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

One of the unavoidable decisions that every person will make in their life that will effect the course of the rest of their life is made by most people early in their life; that decision is whether to serve God or serve the Devil –

Jeremiah 10:23, O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (KJV)

The same choice that Joshua called upon the people of his day to make will face each person regardless of who they are – it is an unavoidable choice to make – cf. Josh. 24:15-16, 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve ; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; (KJV)

We will make many decisions when we come of age (i.e. are responsible for our actions – Ezek 18:19-20, 19 yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father; neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (KJV)

CONCLUSION:

There are many unavoidable choices that we will make in life, the greatest decision that faces man is whether he will serve God or the devil. It is a fact that one cannot avoid making the decision; if one thinks he/she may not decide and simply play a neutral hand; by the choice to remain neutral their choice has been made to reject God’s way of life. One cannot avoid the decision; ”will you make the correct decision today? You must know that the decision you should especially if in your own heart the decision is pending!“

glclair@aol.com

January 29, 2009-01-27

Evil Surmising

DEFINITIONS:

Evil:

That which is contrary to righteousness

The Bible is clear on the subject of evil from Genesis to Revelation.

Evil is that which men choose to do voluntary; god has given every person the right to choose between good and evil yet many people choose evil and order their lives in pursuit of it.

Surmising - sur·mise:

/v. s?r'ma?z; n. s?r'ma?z, 's?rma?z/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [v. ser-mahyz; n. ser-mahyz, sur-mahyz] Show IPA Pronunciation

verb, -mised, -mis·ing, noun

–verb (used with object)

1.	to think or infer without certain or strong evidence; conjecture; guess.

–verb (used without object)

2.	to conjecture or guess.

–noun

3.	a matter of conjecture.

4.	an idea or thought of something as being possible or likely.

5.	a conjecture or opinion.

Origin:

1350–1400; ME surmisen < AF surmis(e), MF (ptp. of surmettre to accuse < L supermittere to throw upon), equiv. to sur- sur- 1 + mis (masc.), mise (fem.) < L missus, missa, equiv. to mit(tere) to send + -tus, -ta ptp. suffix

Definition of ”evil surmising“ then; is the imagined or conjecture without creditable evidence of wrong doing. This tendency of ”evil surmising“ on the part of a Christian would be a grievous sin (i.e. evil) against God, or perhaps against another person that crossed the path of one with these evil quality; with or possessing a dislike without justifiable cause brought on by jealousy or some other sinful quality. Some passages of Holy Scripture that condemn this evil disposition in a person follow; please note the underlined parts of each reference:

Ps. 56:5, Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. (KJV)

Prov. 2:12-15, 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil , and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: (KJV)

Prov. 3:28-32, 28 Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. (KJV)

Prov. 12:20, Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil : but to the counselors of peace is joy. (KJV)

Prov. 14:22-25, 22 Do they not err that devise evil ? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. 23 In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. (KJV)

Prov. 16:27-30, 27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29 A violent man entices his neighbor, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. (KJV)

Isa. 5:20, Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Matt. 5:11, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (KJV)

Luke 6:22, Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil , for the Son of man's sake. (KJV)

Acts 14:2, But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. (KJV)

Rom. 1:30-31, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (KJV)

Eph. 4:31, Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (KJV)

1 Tim. 6:4, He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strafes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, (KJV)

James 4:11, Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (KJV)

1 Peter 2:1, Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (KJV)

2 Peter 2:12, But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; (KJV)

Jude 10, But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. (KJV)

CONCLUSION:

Indeed, Christians must beware of those that speak evil of their brethren, who invent circumstance and events having no evidence, only their own evil surmising.

There is a kind and considerate spirit that ought to reside within very Christian both men and women. The kind and honorable spirit that Christians ought to possess will honor God the Church of Christ, our Savior, the brethren and sisters in Christ, they will be considerate of the poor, the ill, and the shut in. The good that will emanate from their heart will never stoop to say or surmise evil against another Christian or another congregation of God’s people elsewhere.

Dear friends, seek that which strengthens and builds up the cause of Christ, the church as well as the individual Christian need to be held high in conversation so that the world will know that we are sincere, honest, and Children of God – Col. 3:17-24, 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (KJV)

glclair@aol.com

January 26, 2009

SOME RESPONSIBILITIES OF

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

There is a common misconception about a Christian’s responsibility to the congregation to which they belong that needs to be examined publicly. To this objective I offer the following observations that may or may not assist us in understanding our responsibility as Christians to the congregation.

Whenever a person is converted to Christ; they become a member of the Body of Christ; after baptism many new converts remain with the congregation where they were converted. In some cases the person baptized in to Christ will not be a part of the congregation where they were baptized but will seek to place membership with another congregation perhaps across town or down the road. Whenever a new Christian seeks to place membership they congregation may ask for creditable evidence that they are a Christian; this is consistent with the Bible’s teaching on the subject as can be determined by the case of Saul (i.e. Paul) whenever he attempted to establish fellowship with congregation assembling in Jerusalem – cf. Acts 9:26-28, 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. (KJV) After one has established fellowship (i.e. placed membership) in a sound congregation they learn of responsibilities to that group, a list of some the responsibilities follow:

One is to grow spiritually;

2 Peter 3:18, But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (KJV)

One is to seek to develop a stronger and more knowledgeable character:

2 Peter 1:4-10, 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 but he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (KJV)

One is to contribute to unity and peace in the congregation:

Eph. 4:1-3, 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (KJV)

One is to practice and develop a love for:

God – Matt. 22:37-38, 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. (KJV)

Neighbor – Matt. 22:39, 39 and the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. (KJV)

Brothers and sisters in Christ - 1 John 3:11-14, 11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (KJV)

Develop skills to do personal evangelism (i.e. convert the lost):

Acts 8:4, Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Meet regularly to encourage and edify others:

Heb. 10:24-25, 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (KJV)

Give liberally of one’s material wealth:

2 Cor. 9:6-7, 6 but this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.“

1 Cor. 16:1-2, 1 now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (

Set a goal to be faithful until death:

Rev. 2:10, Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (KJV)

CONCLUSION:

From this short dissertation one can see that there are certain obligations that we volunteer to perform as part of the congregation to which we belong. Often members will ignore the needs and obligations that they owe to the church where they have their membership. This matter of failing to support the work and the growth as well and the unity needed for the congregation to expand and grow is a great failing and ought to be taught to new church members early after their conversion to Christ.

glclair@aol.com

Monday, February 1, 2009

REMEMBER THESE FACTS

AS YOU OFFER SPIRITUAL ADVICE TO OTHER PEOPLE

God has no voice but your voice, 2 Timothy 2:2

God expects you to teach, Matthew 28:18-20

God expects you to pray, Colossians 1:9

God expects you to love Him, Luke 10:27

God expects you to love the brethren, 1 Peter 1:22

God expects you to love the world {i.e., people}, James 2:8

God wants you to work now, Titus 3:1

God wants everyone to come to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9

God wants us to exhibit our love for Him, John 14:15

glclair@aol.com

SATAN'S PLAN FOR DESTROYING YOUR LIFE

In our lives we are constantly hounded and encouraged by the Devil to follow the world’s morals. ethics, and religions. God tells us the opposite in His Book (i.e. the Bible). Indeed we are to reject the Devil and all his evil suggestions in life so that we may be right with God and eventually god to heave. We are involved in a ware during our lifetime here on earth as a Christian. The war is between God -God’ people and the Devil. Fortunately for us, God has briefed us on our enemy. He tells us how he works and how to beat his schemes (2 Cor. 2:11).

Consider four ways the Devil may attack us:

He May Discourage Us: Satan will work to discourage you from worshipping God. Wasn't this what he did with Job? Job was going about his business serving God while oblivious to Satan's schemes. God had expressed pleasure in Job yet Satan accuses the Patriarch of serving God only because of his blessings. Satan says, "Touch all that he has and he will surely curse you to your face" (Job 1:11). A battle begins and Job is the battleground. The crosshairs are on him and the issue to be settled is this: will a man serve God when God is all He has? God says he will. Satan says he will not.

Satan's cruelty is seen in what he does to Job. The day starts off like an ordinary day and then everything breaks loose. With one wave of devastation upon another, Job loses all of his possessions. And when you think it can get no worse, a great wind collapses the house and he loses all ten of his children!

Satan then gets more personal. Skin for skin! Job is tormented

with boils form the crown of his head to the sole of his feet.

We are aware of Satan's purpose; His intent was to beat Job down until he was so discouraged he would curse God and never worship Him again. And he will do it still. You ask, "To me?" Yes, to you. He may do it in the same way he did with Job but he can and does heap on discouragement in vicious ways today.

Is there any amount of financial pressure that could turn you away from your devotion to God? Could there be enough family conflict to make you give up? Could health issues bring you to throw in the towel? What about the sudden loss of a child or all of your children?

Job's answers; "Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him" (13:15). What amazing commitment to God! Job served God when God was all he had. Could we do that?

2) He Distracts You: Satan will work to distract you from serving God. As soldiers we are warned against distraction - "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Tim. 2:4).

Satan has weapons he may use. He would love nothing more than to distract us from spending time with God or working for Him. Some things are not of themselves sinful but they do weigh us down (Heb. 12:1). In the parable of the sower, Jesus warned about getting choked with cares, riches and pleasures of life (Luke 8:14). Satan wants to turn your everyday cares into fears. He loves to make you worry about things that never happen. He wants sports, leisure activities, entertainment and television to consume excessive amounts of the time you might otherwise use for God. A faithful soldier will not allow it to happen. They don't get entangled.

3) He Deceives You: Satan will work to deceive you into disobeying God. His greatest thrill is to wreck your life and cause others watching you to become disillusioned about the worth of Christianity. It happens. Have you ever known a Christian to abandon their mate for someone more appealing? Or a Christian who lets the allure of money traps him into an illegal business scheme? Have you ever wept with a Christian enslaved to pornography or sexual immorality? They didn't intend to end up there. They were picked off. They were deceived.

Eve was deceived; Satan skillfully worked to convince Eve that she was missing out because God was holding her back from real fulfillment (Gen. 3:1-6). How deceived she was (3:13). Sin doesn't satisfy your cravings. It only intensifies your cravings until you are consumed by your own desires. James says, "Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren" (1:14-15).

4) He Lies to you or about you: He causes you to misunderstand the truth or causes you to doubt God - John 8:43-44, ”43 Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.“ (KJV)

Conclusion:

Satan is always evil; there is no good in the Devil. You cannot rationalize that there is good in all people either – many times the Devil uses people to corrupt or destroy your relationship with God.

Satan used all his abilities to corrupt Job but filed miserably. Do you know why he failed? He failed because Job possessed a strong consistent faith.

Indeed, Satan is always piloting to destroy your life. Indeed, - Eph. 6:10-13, ”10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.“

glclair@aol.com - Sermon & Power Point - January 30, 2009

Brotherhood

The Bible concept of brotherhood deals with a relationship between people that requires a number of qualities that many church member’s today lack. This impression that I suggest is the result of observation among church members over fifty years within that fellowship. I have observed this impression from within the system (i.e. as an active member in the church of Christ). I do not consider myself to be an authority on the subject of behavioral habits of church members but the facts have been and still are observable to anyone who is conscious of the Biblical teaching regarding this matter.

There is a right (acceptable to God) disposition that members of the Body of Christ are to possess;

Consider This:

Some of those qualities that church members must posses are:

Gal. 5:22-6:10, 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness , goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Gal. 6:1, 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicates unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (KJV)

The Christian in their relationship as well as disposition toward other Christians in the local congregation is always to be as brethren - James 4:10-11, 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (KJV)

1 Peter 1:22, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (KJV)

1 John 2:7-10, 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. (KJV)

Heb. 3:12-13, 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called to day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (KJV) - 1 Tim. 4:6, If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

The church universal is to be considered a brotherhood under the care of Jesus Christ (i.e. the head and savior of the Body – Eph. 5:23-24, 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

The relationship within the Body of Christ as well as within the local congregation is to be love. Now, love is paramount in our dealings with one another in the church; if we do not possess love for one another we will find that our service to God is boring, unsatisfactory, with regret, unstableness, with dread and we will find no happiness or peace in our relationship. Since the Bible indicates that love is paramount to the brotherhood concept taught via the Holy Scriptures let us understand from the following reading that love is a key quality to brotherhood:

1 Cor. 13:13, And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (KJV)

Gal. 5:22-25, 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love , joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV)

glclair@aol.com - February 5, 2009

Brotherhood (Part 2)

In a previous article I discussed the nature of the brotherhood that all Christians belong to. The brotherhood relationship requires certain actions on the part of each person who is a part of it:

A person must hear (i.e. understand) the gospel – Rom. 10:17
A person who becomes a part of it is to believe the gospel – Mark 16:15-16;
A person must repent of past sins – Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38
A person must confess with the mouth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (i.e. the Jew’s Messiah) – Romans 10:9-10
A person must be baptized (i.e. immersed) in water – ”for the remission of sins“) – Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-6; 1 Peter 3:21

NOTE:

The previous 5 point plan of God makes one a Christian (i.e. a babe in Christ; a new Creature and a brother in the vast brotherhood of the saved) – SEE Acts 2:47

After one has exercised their faith and obedience in becoming a Christian they are to seek membership in a sound congregation. A general example of this action may be found in Paul’s actions recorded at Acts 9:26-28, 26 and when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. (KJV)

As part of the Brotherhood the new Christian is to participate in the brotherly activities of the local church where they have placed their membership (i.e. so that they can participate in the worship functions and learn (i.e. grow into mature Christians) over time. Some of those activities that they will participate in with other Christians are:

The Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7
The opportunity to contribute of their money into the weekly collection – 1 Cor. 16:1-2
The song service - 1 Cor 14:15; Heb 2:12
The teaching and preaching – Acts 20:7
The prayer service – 1 Tim 2:8; 1 Thess 5:17

NOTE:

1. These previous five items constitute the spiritual worship that the Lord accepts – John 4:24, ”God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV)

2. Since the Lord’s Day (i.e. Sunday) occurred weekly; the Christian will proceed to perform these worship activities each 1st Day of the week – Acts 20:7.

glclair@aol.com - February 6, 2009

WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER

One of the continuing activities of some church members (i.e. including elders(?), preachers(?), and both men and women) is to gossip and seek to demean members of other congregations in their community. This is an action that cannot and should not take place among Christians who general hold to the same tenants of the faith (i.e. those who consider that they have an acceptable fellowship) with one another in a geographical area. One after another I have witnessed the actions of brethren and sisters who for some reason are busy in sowing discord among brethren, usually in another congregation or are busy backbiting in the congregation that they have volunteered to work and worship with. I am amazed to discover that there are some whose only purpose in life seems to be to talk down some other person or some other congregation. In many cases this ungodly activity is propagated by persons who hope to gain preeminence or some personal advantage of some sort; if their verbal and backbiting is successful.

These kinds of tactics are un-Christian and soul damming for anyone professing to be a Christian. The person who uses his or her privileges in a local congregation to talk down the leadership or to sow discord among the membership ought to be ashamed of themselves. The Bible clearly teaches that we are to interact in the congregation with one another through love and concern for one another – cf. James 3:2-6 - 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body , and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (KJV)

Rom. 12:3-10 - 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;

CONSIDER THIS:

People who gossip, and back-bite other Christians as well as other congregations in the same general area for ulterior and selfish motives ought to be ashamed. Those that hope to profit or gain some personal victory at the expense of other faithful Christians ought to repent and cease their malicious activities. Remember this, Solomon stated long ago --- cf. Prov. 6:14-19 - 14 Forwardness is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he soweth discord. 15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among g brethren. (KJV)

REMEMBER THIS:

We are not in a fight with other sound brethren for preeminence, fame or fortune; we are in a life and death battle with the Devil as long as we live here in the world – cf. 1 Peter 5:8-9 - 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion , walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (KJV)

glclair@aol.com – considermagazine.com

Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Unavoidable Events in Life;

How to Deal With Them

cf. - The History of Creation (Gen 2:4-9; Job 38:4-11; John 1:1-5)

Gen. 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NKJV)

Col. 3:20-21, 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Jeremiah 10:23, O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (KJV)

CONCLUSION:

glclair@aol.com

January 29, 2009-01-27

SOME RESPONSIBILITIES OF

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

One is to grow spiritually;

2 Peter 3:18, But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (KJV)

One is to seek to develop a stronger and more knowledgeable character:

One is to contribute to unity and peace in the congregation:

One is to practice and develop a love for:

God – Matt. 22:37-38, 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. (KJV)

Neighbor – Matt. 22:39, 39 and the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. (KJV)

Develop skills to do personal evangelism (i.e. convert the lost):

Acts 8:4, Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Meet regularly to encourage and edify others:

Give liberally of one’s material wealth:

Set a goal to be faithful until death:

CONCLUSION:

glclair@aol.com

Monday, January 1, 2009

GOSPEL MEETINGS DECLINE

Garreth L. Clair

The gospel meeting [i.e. old time revival meeting] is a subject that does not get much attention today. I do not know why the gospel meeting concept is not as popular among churches of Christ [cf. Romans 16:16] as it was in past ages but there can be no real doubt that they are not being used by congregations as they once were. Perhaps there are many reasons that this old and tried method of evangelizing [i.e. teaching] our neighbors and edifying the membership has fallen on less popular times. In this dissertation let us examine some possible reasons for this change in evangelistic fervor.

This change in popularity of gospel meetings began in the late 50s and has continued to the present time. Many congregations began by limiting their involvement in protracted meeting to one each year. This practice led to the three day meeting, including one Sunday [i.e. usually]. Today we have heard of some churches that have abandon the yearly gospel meeting all together, they have no gospel meetings.

REFERENCE --- Col 1:10, ”to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;“ ASV

2 Cor 9:8, ”And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:“ ASV

2 Tim 2:21, ”If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work.“ ASV

Titus 3:1, ”Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work. ”ASV

First, the membership of most congregations is so busy with the secular workplace that they have hardly any spare time. Many families are living lifestyles that forces both husband and wife to work so that they may make ends meet. This of course is a lifestyle choice that has surely extinguished the time for religious observances beyond the Sunday morning worship. This fact in no way excuses the Christian of their responsibilities to God and to the support of the local congregation’s work commitments.

REFERENCE --- Matthew 6:32-34, ”32 for after all these things do the Gentiles seek [glc – material security, things, status,]; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 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.“

Secondly, the sports and activities of our public school system have increased dramatically in the past 60 years. This increase is seen in the introduction and increase in popularity of soccer, martial;-arts, and other new innovations in sports and physical activities offered by the educational system. This has surely taken away from Christian parent’s valuable time because of their children’s involvement in some of these activities. There is also the tremendous increase of girls [i.e. women’s] sports activities in the school system, this has also brought dad and mom into the time consuming activities of providing transportation and materials for out of school activities for both sons and daughters.

REFERENCE --- Again parents and young people see - Matthew 6:33-34, ”33 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

Thirdly, we must also note the increase of martial problems throughout our culture, the ever eroding concepts of marriage, living together, etc of our society today. The acceptance of living together without marriage is nothing less than fornication and uncleanness yet it is accepted in our society today. All this change of attitude toward marriage, divorce, living together, and homosexuality has lessened the interest of our society in spiritual [i.e. religious] matters. People who know their lifestyle violates the teaching of the Bible simply reject the Bible and all religion that condemns them. This change in our culture has deadened the influence that gospel meetings have had in the past.

REFERENCE --- Matt 5:32, ”but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication , maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery. ”ASV

1 Cor 5:1-2, ”1 It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one (of you) hath his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you.“ ASV

1 Cor 6:13-18, ”13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication , but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body: 14 and God both raised the Lord, and will raise up as through his power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid. 16 Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? for, The twain, saith he, shall become one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication . Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.“ ASV

Heb 13:4, ”4(Let) marriage (be) had in honor among all, and (let) the bed (be) undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.“ ASV

For those who live these wicked lives there is only one hope, that they will one day see the error of their way and turn to God’s way. Only then, will there be zeal for gospel meetings and for things of a religious nature. Mankind must return to the foundations of true religion established by our Lord Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago. Matthew 16:18, ”And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.“ (ASV)

Let us all seek the things of God, let us concentrate ourselves to God’s Truth John 17:17. As we consider the failings and the causes of our failing to serve God as faithful as our for-fathers, let us rededicate ourselves to the principle of truth; ”seek ye first the kingdom of God [i.e. the things of God] first in our personal, martial, family, neighbor, and all things.

INFORMATION PLEASE!

BROTHERHOOD PUBLICATIONS [i.e. hard copy]

As of 2007

Heritage and History

1. The Christian Baptist (1823-30) was edited by Alexander Campbell with emphasis on "A Restoration of the Ancient Order of Things." Campbell's Millennial Harbinger (1830-70) continued this emphasis but moderated to promote the missionary society and similar organizations unauthorized by the ancient order of things.

2. The Gospel Advocate (1855-61, 1865-present) has been edited by Tolbert Fanning, William Lipscomb, David Lipscomb, E.G. Sewell, F.D. Srygley, J.C. McQuiddy, A.B. Lipscomb, H. Leo Boles, James A. Allen, Foy E. Wallace, Jr., John T. Hinds, B.C. Goodpasture, J. Roy Vaughn, Ira North and Guy N. Woods jointly, and F. Furman Kearley. In the early years, the Gospel Advocate was a stalwart in defending the Bible pattern against the onslaught of instrumental music and missionary societies. F.B. Srygley said of "the second generation of writers for the Advocate," "Soft preaching was not characteristic of the preaching of any of them" (Gospel Advocate, 2 Mar. 1939, p. 193). Under Goodpasture (1939-77), the Gospel Advocate began to moderate and drift. The Gospel Advocate became an advocate of many things not found in the gospel such as institutionalism and related practices.

3. The American Christian Review (1856-87), edited by Benjamin Franklin, helped to hold the line against instrumental music and missionary societies in the north and midwest.

4. Lard's Quarterly (1863-68), edited by Moses E. Lard, carried many strong articles and protested any departure from the truth but tried to accommodate the missionary society.

5. The Octograph (1883-87), Octographic Review (1887-1913), Apostolic Way (1914-40), and Apostolic Review (1920-40) were edited by Daniel Sommer, who was influenced greatly by Benjamin Franklin.

6. The Firm Foundation (1884-present) has been edited by Austin McGary, G.H.P. Showalter, Reuel Lemmons, William S. Cline, and H.A. Dobbs. In its early years, it helped hold the line against instrumental music and missionary societies west of the Mississippi River. Lemmons led the Firm Foundation away from the firm foundation of truth on institutionalism and related practices.

7. The Gospel Guardian (1935-36) was edited by Foy E. Wallace, Jr., and the Bible Banner (1938-49) by Foy E., Jr. and Cled E. Wallace jointly, with much help from Roy E. Cogdill beginning in March of 1946. Both were strong papers during the battles over premillennialism and the rising tide of pseudo-unity movements. The Bible Banner openly opposed and restrained the move to get colleges in church budgets.

8. The Gospel Guardian (1949-80) began with Foy E. Wallace, Jr.'s blessings and was edited by Yater Tant, William Wallace, Eugene Britnell, and James W. Adams. Roy E. Cogdill was owner and publisher of the Gospel Guardian during 1949-62, and wrote often in its pages. It focused on defending the Bible pattern against the onslaught of institutionalism and related issues. After the last copy of the Gospel Guardian appeared in December of 1980, it merged with Truth Magazine to form the Guardian of Truth.

9. Truth Magazine (1956-80) has been edited by Bryan Vinson, Jr., Cecil Willis, and Mike Willis. Roy E. Cogdill was close to Cecil Willis and had a significant influence on Truth Magazine until his death in 1985. At first, Truth Magazine focused on modernism in the Chicagoland area, where seventeen preachers had been lost in seventeen years. Then, the paper faced the onslaught of institutionalism, and fought back a false unity movement in the 1970s-80s. Under the name Guardian of Truth, it continues to provide a forum for preaching the gospel and defending sound doctrine in the face of current dangerous trend.

10. Searching the Scriptures (1960-92) was first edited by H.E. Phillips and James P. Miller jointly, then by Connie W. Adams. Searching the Scriptures was a strong voice for the truth first in Florida, then in the southeast and finally nationwide. After the last copy appeared in December 1992, it merged with Guardian of Truth.

11. Preceptor- current editor for information --- DBrown1224

12. Gospel Truths - current editor for information --- tulsa33@juno.com

RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

Note:

The term "religious tolerance" has three distinct meanings:

Among conservative Protestants, it often means the viewpoint that all religions and their beliefs are true. If diverse beliefs are all true, and if various religions teach different beliefs, then one can conclude that absolute truth does not exist.
Among other individuals and groups, it generally means to avoid oppressing or discriminating against persons whose religious beliefs happen to be different from yours. We use the second definition. However, we are continually criticized because some of our visitors assume that we use the first meaning.
Certain religious doctrines with some religious people cannot be compromised. Such things as God is creator of the universe, The Bible is absolutely the Written Word of God, and the interpretation of the Bible is critical to fellowship with other Bible believers. [via Garreth L. Clair - 4-18-08]

Anon (taken from the Native American Indian Traditional Code of Ethics. Inter-Tribal Times, 1994-OCT)

"8. All the races and tribes in the world are like the different colored flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be respected."

Anon

"Toleration isn't much. But it is the first step towards curiosity, interest, study, understanding, appreciating and finally valuing diversity. If we can get everyone on the first step of tolerance, at least we won't be killing each other."

Abdul Baha, "I Heard Him Say"

"Let us have love and more love; a love that melts all opposition, a love that conquers all foes, a love that sweeps away all barriers, a love that aboundeth in charity, a large-heartedness, tolerance, forgiveness and noble striving, a love that triumphs over all obstacles."

Dr. Erhard Busek, M.P., Austria

"The struggle against intolerance is a duty of the individual as well as an obligation of the society."

George W. Bush, President:

Address to a joint session of Congress, 2001-SEP-20.

"I ask you to uphold the values of America and remember why so many have come here. We're in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith."

At a news conference on 2005-APR-28:

"Role of religion in our society? I view religion as a personal matter. I think a person ought to be judged on how he or she lives his life or lives her life. And that's how I've tried to live my life: through example. Faith plays an important part in my life individually. But I don't ascribe a person's opposing my nominations to an issue of faith….The great thing about America is that you should be allowed to worship any way you want. And if you chose not to worship, you're equally as patriotic as somebody who does worship. And if you choose to worship, you're equally American if you're a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim."

Alexander Chase, journalist and editor:

"More and more people care about religious tolerance as fewer and fewer care about religion."

Garreth L. Clair, Evangelist Church of Christ: ”Tolerance is always a wise and useful virtue; no nation or group of people can survive without it. Tolerance in religious matters has limits; only that which is opinion can contribute to toleration. Those things that are clearly taught upon the pages of the Holy Scriptures, properly interpreted cannot be a contributing factor to religious tolerance…“ John 8:32 - John 17:17 - John 12:48...

Sermon – 3-8-1998 – considermagazine.com

Lee R. Clancey, Mayor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in a Proclamation promoting diversity & tolerance:

"...tolerance is a personal decision that comes from an attitude that is learnable and embraceable - a belief that every person in earth is a treasure, vital to the health and prosperity of all..."

James Dobson, founder and president of Focus on the Family" interviewed by Tony Snow of Fox News Channel, 2001-SEP-20

"It is very important to understand that pluralism is part of our system. We don't all think the same thing and part of our strength is that we come from different perspectives. We have to respect one another even when we disagree with each other. There has to be a spirit of tolerance for the views of others, while also being deeply committed to the positions we hold. If we do that, I think we can coexist and learn to love each other better." 2

Albert Einstein

"The wiser you are, the more you believe in equality, because the difference between what the most and the least learned people know is inexpressibly trivial in relation to all that is unknown."

George Eliot

"The responsibility of tolerance lies with those who have the wider vision."

Walter Farrell, "The Looking Glass"

"Tolerance does not...do anything, embrace anyone, champion any issue. It wipes the notes off the score of life and replaces them with one long bar of rest. It does not attack error, it does not champion truth, it does not hate evil, it does not love good."

Robert I. Gannon

"Tolerance...is the lowest form of human cooperation. It is the drab, uncomfortable, halfway house between hate and charity."

Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese artist & poet (1883 - 1931)

"I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers."

Goethe, "Maxims and Reflections"

"Toleration ought in reality to be merely a transitory mood. It must lead to recognition. To tolerate is to affront."

Senator Barry M. Goldwater, 1981-SEP-16

"The great decisions of government cannot be dictated by the concerns of religious factions.... We have succeeded for 205 years in keeping the affairs of state separate from the uncompromising idealism of religious groups and we mustn't stop now. To retreat from that separation would violate the principles of conservatism and the values upon which the framers built this democratic republic."

David Grayson

"Commandment #1 of any truly civilized society is this: Let people be different."

Joshua Liebman, social critic:

"Tolerance is the posture and cordial effort to understand another's beliefs, practices, and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I have a dream...that some day my children will be judged not by the color of their skin but rather by the content of their character."

Dr. Thomas Klestil, President of the Federal Republic of Austria:

"The more people come together, the more borders will be opened and people and opinions get together, the more unrenouncable tolerance will be a fundamental part of our social life. Without tolerance there is no religious liberty, no freedom of conscience and no freedom of thought."

C Everett Kopp, former U.S. Surgeon General

"The American ideal is not that we all agree with each other, or even like each other, every minute of the day. It is rather that we will respect each other's rights, especially the right to be different, and that, at the end of the day, we will understand that we are one people, one country, and one community, and that our well-being is inextricably bound up with the well-being of each and every one of our fellow citizens."

Eric von Kuehnelt-Leddihn, "Principles of the Portland Declaration" 1

"19. Tolerance can be exercised only by those who have well-grounded convictions (although it will not always be exercised even by them). For such people tolerance is an act of self-abnegation; although they are convinced that those who differ from them must be wrong, they nevertheless will protect their rights."

Martin Luther

"Peace if possible, but truth at any rate."

Richard D. Mohr, "A More Perfect Union"

"Religious belief is a fine guide around which a person might organize his own life, but an awful instrument around which to organize someone else's life."

Bill Moyers

"If being tolerant of differing opinions, if believing that America has to make it as a pluralistic nation, if being civil, if that makes you a liberal, I plead guilty."

Prophet Muhammad: Riyadh us-Saleheen Volume 1:632

"You have two qualities which God, the Most Exalted, likes and loves. One is mildness and the other is toleration."

Prof. Fritz Muliar, Austrian actor

"Tolerance is obvious, but tolerance alone is not enough. Tolerance means more than toleration. I want more."

From the home page of this web site on 2002-SEP-11:9-11:

A time to look backwards and condemn the religious intolerance that drove (and drives) religious fanatics to murder innocent people in New York, Washington, Sudan, Bosnia, etc.

A time to look forward and dedicate ourselves as individuals to the creation of a just world, free of religious hatred.

A time for us to hold our faith groups to a higher standard of love and justice.

A time for us to realize that our perception of God's light can guide us or can blind us."

Senator Warren Rudman

"The millions of Christians in this country reflect just about every conceivable political point of view. For one highly conservative group to proclaim itself 'the Christian Coalition' strikes me as decidedly un-Christian arrogance.... We reflect countless races, religions and lifestyles, and we often differ on questions of morality and behavior. The only way so diverse a nation can survive is by all of us practicing a high degree of tolerance. But tolerance is not the way of the Christian right. Its leaders want to impose their one-size-fits-all morality on everyone. It won't work. When any group tries to impose its values on everyone else, the result will inevitably be resentment, hatred and violence.

John Shelby Spong, Episcopal Bishop

"When the dust settles and the pages of history are written, it will not be the angry defenders of intolerance who have made the difference. The reward will go to those who dared to step outside the safety of their privacy in order to expose and rout the prevailing prejudices."

Martin Niemoller

"In Germany, the Nazis first came for the Communists, and I did not speak up, for I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up, for I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak up, for I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I did not speak up, for I was a Protestant. And then they came for me, and by that time, no one was left to speak up."

National Conference of Christians and Jews: Statement on Religious Freedom and Mormonism

"It is not the policy of the National Conference to promote one religious faith over another or to champion the views of any religious group. However, it is our intent and our very purpose to oppose vigorously the actions of any group, religious or secular, that would enhance or engender religious prejudice."

Brian Trent: (from his historical novel "Remembering Hypatia:"

"What matters," Synesius [of Cyrene] said excitedly, "is the actions of any given people. Suppose you were a Babylonian, and you worshipped Marduk, and the way you worshipped him was to dance around a fire, throwing spices into the flame. . . or suppose you worshipped Dionysus. . . but suppose that whoever you worshipped, you were kind to your neighbors, loving to your children, respectful of the elderly. It wouldn’t matter what God or Gods you bow before!"

Simon Wiesenthal

"Tolerance and human rights require each other."

Wendell Willke

"No man has a right, in America, to treat any other man TOLERANTLY, for TOLERANCE is the assumption of superiority."

Zain Winter

"The idea that a country or a people could somehow be ordained by heaven to commit unspeakable acts in God's name is insane. Unfortunately, history is full of inhuman acts by religious leaders in the name of their dogma or holy war. Only when the world accepts there are no chosen people and no chosen religions will we earn the right to call ourselves human beings."

NOTE BY glc:

CONCLUSION:

It is apparent that many people from all walks of life have a yearning to be tolerant. Well, that is ok up to a point but I must disagree with many of the comments; actually I must disagree with most of the statements contained in this listing of statements of toleration. Perhaps, I am just too religious to compromise the truth as I believe it exist in the religious realm. There is only one truth, that truth emanates from GOD. The only standard authorized by God for man's religious practice is the Bible. Since this is true I have no options when it comes to truth, if the Bible says it it is the truth --- if the Bible does not teach it it is not the truth. Please examine the following scripture references:

John 8:32-36, "32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered unto him, We are Abraham's seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. 35 And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever. 36 If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." ASV

John 17:17, "17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth." ASV

John 12:48, "48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." KJV

Heb 5:8-9, "8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;"

CONSIDER THIS:

Is it possible that mankind has become so hardened to sin that he no longer considers it important to follow any prescribed course by God in any arena? Perhaps we have encouraged ourselves so long to exercise tolerance that we do not know the difference between tolerance and intolerance. Yes, there are times when the true Christian must practice intolerance. The Lord was intolerant with the sinfulness in people of his day and was crucified for it. Let us hope that we can be intolerant of sin and the disregard for truth toady without suffering death for it. May God continue to bless all who will stand up for the "TRUTH". glclair@aol.com

A HARD TIME REACHING THE LOST (1)

(The Corruption of Mankind)

FACT: The great work of interesting sinners in Jesus Christ and the gospel is more difficult today than at any time in my lifetime. I have been preaching the gospel for 50 years and have experienced several difficult areas in which to interest the masses in the gospel; yet, I believe from all that experience today is the most difficult time to reach the sinner with the gospel. I am not sure I know why; but there are some glaring issues that we will all acknowledge relating to the lack of interest in Divine things today. Some of the hindrances that are evident today that have influenced and in many cases caused the negative attitude of the masses toward the God of the Bible and the church Jesus built. These are the issues I want us to consider herein. Since World War II ended there have been a consistent ”deadening-of-the-senses“ of the general population in America.

These following moral and ethical downward methods have been used by the mass electronic media (i.e. Movies, T.V., recorded music, and the internet, etc) to present never before concepts and taboos as normal fare in the lives of normal family programming.

To this assault on morals and ethics that had existed from the agrarian period in America came the assault about the same time of the printed media (i.e. porn-magazines),

anti-God assaults by the ACLU

and the general destruction by those with actions and passions like Madelyn Murray O'Hair (i.e. the Anti-God atheist).

These named actions along with a very liberal U.S. Supreme Court which approved the killing of literally millions of unborn and partially born children have left our world population with corrupt and evil minds with no guidelines to assist in their survival in this world.

A HARD TIME REACHING THE LOST (2)

(The Corruption of Mankind)

FACT 2: I cannot define the current state of the American attitudes toward the Bible and the church Jesus Built without also giving credit to the phony, misguided religions and religious leaders of the past 60 years. The proliferation and media spread of false religious conduct and false religious leaders and their hypocrite actions have also deadened the senses of many people.

The claims of Oral Roberts of seeing a hundred foot Jesus; Robert’s so called vision where he was told if he did not raise a certain amount of money that he (i.e. Oral) would be called home, etc;

Jim Jones and his insanity in the name of God where 900 followers and Jones committed suicide in Guinea; The case of Heaven's Gate was an American UFO Religious sect based in San Diego, California and led by Marshall Applewhite (1931-1997) and Bonnie Nettles (1927-1985). The group's end coincided with the appearance of Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997 – All committed suicide.

From 1972-until 1989 Jim and Tammy Fay Baker built a religious empire that was called PTL – This TV program, hotel, and amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina was run by what one reporter stated --- Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, said Jim and Tammy Faye's legacy will be of two charismatic charlatans.

Among the Roman Catholic leaders some have been convicted of child molestation and others of illegal sex acts with under age children. Whenever we examine these events and honesty look at the exposure given them by the mass media; these events too, have had a disastrous impact on the hearts of many people regarding true religion.

I suggest no moral and ethical guidelines simply because the Creator (i.e. GOD) has spoken through the ancient Prophet, Jeremiah long ago and defined man’s situation without guidance – Jeremiah 10:23, ”O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.“

----- MAN NEEDS GOD TO TELL HIM HOW TO LIVE -----

Indeed, man is without guidance when he rejects the only source of correct human orientation (i.e. the Written Word of God – the BIBLE). Mankind (i.e. both male and female) are adrift without Divine Guidance; if you doubt this look at the proliferation and encouragement of homosexual conduct in much of American culture See Romans 1:18ff). It is surely time in the life of God-fearing-people on this planet to turn back to the perfect guide and follow it in all areas of human interaction today – that is, back to the Written Word of God.

glclair@aol.com

November 14, 2008

APPROACHING THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE

[How are we to approach the contents of the Bible?]

Explanation by Garreth L. Clair

About Understanding God’s Dealings with Mankind

[The Question of a Divine Pattern]

A STARTING PLACE:

With regard to any subject it is necessary that we determine standards before we proceed. The concept of standards or the following of patterns is not simply a biblical philosophy, the idea of patters is important in ever major human endeavor. Whenever a plan is devised to build any new building [a house, a shopping mall, or an automobile factory the creators and planners will first prepare a pattern that is to be followed by those that build the edifice]. Whenever a new automobile comes to the showroom of our automobile dealers, the car has first been planned by its creators based on a drawn scale or blueprint. The same is true whenever we want to make a measurement of distance, we have to appeal to a rule, [i.e. a foot is 12 inches, a yard is three feet, a mile is 5280 feet, a football field is 100 Yards or 300 feet], you see, in every endeavor it is necessary to follow a pattern.

Understand this, if there is no pattern to follow in building anything or determining values of materials, distances, weights, measure, and any other quality we could not exist in the world in any orderly fashion. As we come to understand this fact about patterns, measurements, and gauges, we are better prepared to follow the Divine Pattern that our Creator has given to us.

GOD IS COMPLETELY PERFECT:

Matt 5:48, ”Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“ ASV

God cannot give an imperfect pattern to mankind because HE IS PERFECT and HE HAS CREATED MAN. Since HE HAS CREATED MAN the GUIDEBOOK THAT HE HAS GIVEN MAN IS ALSO PERFECT. The Bible is perfect because God is perfect and God would not provide mankind with a guidebook that contained error or patterns that were imperfect. God has given mankind a Book to guide him through life and acquire eternal life as he understands and complies with God’s instruction. This is absolutely the truth – one cannot understand further than this if one is an atheist, agnostic, an individual that doubts the accuracy of the Bible or anyone that rejects the Bible or any part of it.

GOD HAS GIVEN MANKIND A GUIDE [A Pattern]:

The Bible is a book of Divine patterns:

CONSIDER THIS:

God gave us a pattern to rightly divide the Bible:

THE BEGINNING PATTERN:

1. 66 Books make up the Bible

2. There is an Old Testament and a New Testament

3. There are three primary dispensations:

Patriarchal – From Adam to the Law of Moses [Ten Commandment Law]

The Ten Commandment Law given at Mount Horab – From Law of Moses to the establishment of Christ’s church [Kingdom], Acts 2

The Christian Dispensation beginning at Acts 2

POINT: "Today we live under the Christian Dispensation.

God gave Adam and Eve a pattern to follow – Gen 2:16-17 - ”16 And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.“ ASV

God gave Noah a pattern to follow – Gen 6:8-22, ”8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah.

9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, (and) perfect in his generations: Noah walked with God.

10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 And the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God saw the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah. The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

15 And this is how thou shalt make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

16 A light shalt thou make to the ark, and to a cubit shalt thou finish it upward; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

17 And I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon this earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is in the earth shall die.

18 But I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.

20 Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.

21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.

22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.“ ASV

God gave Moses a pattern to follow –Heb 8:5, ”who serve (that which is) a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned (of God) when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount.“ ASV

Joshua followed the Divine Pattern - Josh 22:28, ”28 Therefore said we, It shall be, when they so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we shall say, Behold the pattern of the altar of Jehovah, which our fathers made, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice; but it is a witness between us and you.“ ASV

King Ahaz followed the Divine Pattern - 2 Kings 16:10, ”10 And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar that was at Damascus; and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.“ ASV

David followed the Divine Pattern – 1 Chron 28:11-12, ”11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch (of the temple), and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the mercy-seat; 12 and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of Jehovah, and for all the chambers round about, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things;“ ASV

God gave a pattern to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego – Daniel 3:1-29

Daniel followed the Divine Pattern – Daniel 6:1-28

God gave Christ a pattern to follow – Matt 11:27, ”27 All things have been delivered unto me of my Father : and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father ; neither doth any know the Father , save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal (him.).“ Luke 2:49-50, ”49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.“ ASV

Heb 5:8-9, ”8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;“ ASV

Christ gave his apostles a pattern to follow – John 1:17, ”For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.“ ASV

John 8:32, ”and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.“ ASV

John 16:13, ”Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth. for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, (these) shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.“ ASV

John 17:17, ”Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.“ ASV

Paul Instructed Timothy to follow the pattern - 2 Tim 1:13, ”Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.“

Christ gave the church a pattern to follow – Matt 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

Composed of members – all have followed the same pattern to become Christians:

They have heard [or have learned] the truth – Rom 10:13-17, ”13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So belief (cometh) of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.“ ASV

They have believed the gospel – 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

They have repented of sins – Acts 2:37-38, ”37 Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.“ ASV

They have confessed Christ with the mouth – Rom 10:9-10, ”9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus (as) Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:

10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.“ ASV

They have been baptized for remission of sins – Acts 2:38, ”38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.“ ASV

1 Peter 3:21, ”21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, (even) baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;“ ASV

NOTE:

The above plan of salvation is a pattern from God revealed to all mankind so that man may be saved from sin – no person will be saved from sin unless this Divine Plan is followed. Everyone that is saved from sin follows the same plan and receives the same results [i.e. ”salvation from sin“].

They have been added to the church by Christ – Acts 2:47, ”47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.“ ASV

Composed of men and women of all nations, all have followed the same pattern –

Matt 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

Acts 20:21, ”21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.“ KJV

Rom 3:29, ”29 Or is God (the God) of Jews only? is he not (the God) of Gentiles also? Yea, of Gentiles also:“ ASV

Composed of pattern worship – ”In spirit and in truth“ – John 4:24

Assemble - Heb 10:24-25, ”24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting (one another); and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.“

Pray - 1 Thess 5:17, ”pray without ceasing;“ ASV

1 Tim 2:8, ”I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.“ ASV

Acts 12:5, ”Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.“ ASV

Teach/Preach - Acts 20:7, ”7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.“ ASV

Lord’s Supper - 1 Cor 11:23-29,

”23 For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

24 and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink (it), in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.

28 But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body.“ ASV

Contribution into a common treasure - 1 Cor 16:1-2,

”1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.“ ASV

Sing --- with out mechanical music – Heb. 2:12, ”saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise.“

1 Cor. 14:15, ”What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.“ ASV

THE BIBLE IS TO BE CORRECTLY HANDLED:

2 Tim. 2:15, ”15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.“ ASV

THE BIBLE IS GOD’S INSTRUCTION BOOK FOR MANKIND:

There is no reason to go elsewhere for information about God or how to live acceptable to God.

2 Peter 1:3, ”seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;“ ASV

2 Tim. 3:16-17, ”Every scripture inspired of God (is) also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.“

WE WALK BY FAITH - 2 Cor. 5:6-9, ”6 Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord

7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight);

8 we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

9 Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.“ ASV

NOTE:

The ”faith“ in Jude 3 is the system of truth:

Walking by faith means that we live out our lives according to God’s pattern - Jude 3, ”3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.“

THE BIBLE IS THE PATTERN:

CONSIDER THIS:

The individual, who for whatever reason decides to resist the teaching of the Bible will not become a Christian. The person with a disposition to dispute the teaching of the Bible or any part of it will not come to Christ on His terms, but will be as the Pharisees and Sadducees of Christ day, ”will become a blind leader“ who will attempt to lead others but will lead them only to his/her own philosophy. Whenever one comes to God’s Book there is humble acceptance or stubborn resistance.

Those actions by Christians and those actions performed by the congregation are to be performed according to the Divine Pattern [i.e. the Written Word of God]. Indeed, the Bible is to be correctly interpreted and this action is dependant upon the actions of men with pure and holy motives. The Bible is a Book that is divided into dispensations, these dispensations consist of Patriarchal, the Law of Moses [i.e. the Ten Commandment law given to the Jews], and the Law of Christ [the Christian].

The first step to rightly dividing the Divine Pattern is to understand that mankind lives today under the Law of Christ, the other three dispensations have been taken out of the way. Since the other two dispensations have been completed, the Law of Christ is the Divine Pattern now to be followed by everyone [i.e. both Jews and Gentiles].

The Law of Christ consists of several patterns within God’s Book of instructions for mankind, they are:

Pattern for the salvation of mankind:

Salvation for the individual [i.e. the plan of salvation – a pattern]: Hearing, Believing, Repenting, Confessing Christ as Messiah, being baptized ”for the remission of sins“].

The life of the individual Christian [i.e. manner of life – lifestyle]: ”Faithful to the instructions that God has provided for us in the New Testament [examples: no fornication, no lies, no stealing, etc and, love one another, forgive the sinner who repents, faithful to God in all things, etc.].

Pattern for the church [congregational relationship of the Christian]

Lord’s Day worship [A Biblical Pattern]: Assembled, In Spirit and in truth, Singing, Prayer, Teaching, Lord’s Supper, Giving

SOME FINAL REQUESTS BY GARRETH

ABOUT INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE

Since God is perfect, God would not give to man a book that contained error of any kind.

Since the above point is true we may rightly conclude that the Bible has no error in it.

Since we are God’s created beings we will follow God’s Written instructions for us even when we do not understand everything about God’s wishes for us.

Whenever we study God’s Written Word, we will always seek to understand it as it has been written.

We will also consider the WRITER,
The TIME of writing,
To WHOM THE STATEMENT OR SENTENCE IS DIRECTED,
Whether the statement is a GENERAL or a SPECIFIC statement
We will be honest about the conclusion that we are forced to accept.

We will also understand that expedients are used in interpreting the Bible but we will also understand that any expedient must be authorized by Scripture before it is acceptable.

There are three factors involved in an acceptable interpretation of Scripture they are:

A direct command
An approved apostolic example
A necessary inference

We will also seek to understand FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE and we will not press prophetic language beyond its fulfillment unless the context demands a secondary application.

We will also examine parables and other figures of speech in their proper setting so that we will correctly understand God’s intention for us.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTS ABOUT

THE DIVINE PATTERN

[i.e. Previous articles]

THE WISE PERSON

A great and wise person is that person who is lead by God’s Written Word [i.e. the Bible]. There can be no wisdom in any of us without seeking it in the proper place. Wisdom, the kind of wisdom that aids man in his life here in this world surely comes from sources that are truly reliable. Indeed, the only source of true wisdom or if I may say, the only source of absolutely dependable knowledge about life and all things that pertain to it comes from man’s Creator [i.e. God]. Without recognition of this source we cannot attain sufficient truth to be wise or to make wise choices about the problems and opportunities of life. God makes this very clear through Jeremiah the ancient prophet in Jeremiah 10:23, ”O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.“ ASV

FURTHER THOUGHTS ABOUT WISDOM or BEING WISE

OF TRUE WISDOM:

God (i.e. speaking via the Bible) says that a person's choices in life will come back to trouble or to aid him/her sometime in the future - The idea of the old adage, "You will reap whatever you sow" is found to be true.Galatians 6:7-10, "7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (NKJV)

WISDOM IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S COMMANDS:

Wisdom is seen whenever a person understands the concept of obedience to God's instruction and obeys God. The person who really believes in God as the Author of the Bible will gladly demonstrate that belief (i.e. faith) in God by obeying all of God's commands that apply to him. Even if the person cannot obey God's instructions always, he/she will constantly plead with God for strength and seek greater understanding for the purpose of being pleasing to God through obedience. Please notice the following passages of Scripture from God's Book that teaches this concept:

JEREMIAH, the Old Testament Prophet of God understood this principle when he returned to Jerusalem and saw the desolate condition of the city and the fortifications, He therefore honestly sought to lead the people back to God so that God would bless them in the work of rebuilding after the seventy-years of captivity in Babylon - Daniel 9:3-5, "3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplication, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments ; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from" (KJV).

SOLOMON, the wisest man of all history understood this principle of obedience too: - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, "13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments : for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (KJV).

THE APOSTLE JOHN, understood this principle too: - 1 John 2:3-5, "3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments . 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (KJV).

1 John 3:22, "22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments , and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 5:2-3, "2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments . 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments : and his commandments are not grievous" (KJV).

WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THIS TRUTH TOO

July 10, 2007

THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHORITY

THE CONSTITUTION:

Without the American constitution those of us who are citizens in America would not have rules to live by with regard to responsibilities and rights. The constitution gives all citizens the same rights and privileges. Since the previous sentence is true, we must make sure that we are citizens of this great country - if we want the rights and privileges we will surely find out how to be a citizen and do whatever we need to do to become one.

As citizens of America we understand that our rights and privileges are simply laws by which we live and conduct our affairs while we live here. The constitution, although an important document to all citizens cannot guarantee our survival in this world. The survival [i.e. life expectancy], of anyone of us will depend upon many things and our life may end at any time regardless of the protection under our republic form of government guaranteed by the constitution.

Yet, whether we live as model citizens or as rebellious citizens, our rights and privileges under the constitution continues to exist. Even though these conclusions are correct, our life will one day come to an end. Whenever we die we will be buried somewhere, where will be determined either before we die or after we die - perhaps by a family member.

After physical death what can the constitution, what can the government, what can the army, navy, marines, etc. do for us? "NOTHING."

After death we are either annihilated {forever gone as is a dog, or a fish} or we will live again in another circumstance {i.e. we know not what}. Have we considered the possibility that we may live again?

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT ONE MAY DO THAT WILL HELP BEYOND THE GRAVE? ”YES!“

John 3:16; Acts 2:37-39; Matthew 25:14-33

EVANGELISM

Matt 28:18-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you." Imagine that Jesus saying these words to eleven of us today and we were one of the eleven. What would be our reaction? Impossible? Incredible? Absurd? Or Lord don't you see there are only eleven of us? Or would we think "Yes Jesus really means me also." We are also under this obligation to teach others. Jesus had just commanded the eleven to go teach and to teach those who were converted to observe all things he had command them which included that we are also to be taught to go and teach.

Paul says in Romans 1:14, "I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise." In like manner today we are debtors to every non-Christian because we have the good news that can save his soul. This places us under obligation to share the gospel with the lost so they can be saved. Because someone loved us enough to teach us the truth, shouldn't we do as much for someone else? What if you were unsaved and doomed to Hell, wouldn't you want someone to teach you the saving gospel of Christ?

If people have not heard and learned the gospel they cannot obey it. In

1 Peter 4:17 the question is asked, "What shall be the end of those who do not obey the gospel?" The answer is given in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 which says when the Lord comes He will come "In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." We should not want to see anyone lost but as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:11, "Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men." People are going to be lost forever if we don't teach them now!

The Lord doesn't want anyone to be lost. We read in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord...is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." They can only come to repentance when they know what to do. We also read in 1 Timothy 2:4, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth." Because of what the Lord has done for us, we have the obligation to teach others so they can come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:16, "Woe is to me if I preach not the gospel." How are we going to answer the Lord if we haven't bothered to tell the good news to others?

Our Lord in teaching His disciples, tells them in John 4:35, "Do you say there are still four months then comes the harvest? Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields for they are white already to harvest." Our Lord was speaking of the spiritual harvest of souls who would be lost in eternity if they are not harvested. There is an urgency to teach the lost for Jesus says in Matthew 9:37-38, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." We must work in the Lord's harvest because if we don't then those we could have taught will be lost and we don't want that to happen.

Teaching the lost is the work the Lord has commanded each of us to do. Successful evangelism is accomplished one person at a time. Evangelism is not only to be done in distant lands, but we must also teach those near us, our next door neighbors. God will be with us as we teach His word to the lost. We will be successful because we read in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." When we do what the Lord says to do we will not fail.

When we teach the lost we cause all of Heaven to rejoice. Jesus tells us that there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7, 10). The joy of teaching one the gospel and seeing them obey it is beyond description.

Plan to be with us Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 6:00 PM too; you will always be welcome and the church members will appreciate your encouragement.

Perhaps you have not been to our services before – come on and get acquainted with us.

Psalms 118:24, ”This is the day which Jehovah hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.“ ASV

Psalms 122:1, ”I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the house of Jehovah.“

SEE YOU IN WORSHIP!

WHO DECIDED?

Often today as I travel from place to place I notice that many churches advertise two or three kinds of worship. Recently I saw a sign telling interested people that travel near the church that the times of worship were 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 1:00 PM on Sunday. The worship times did not get my attention but the stated type of worship did; the first worship was referred to as traditional worship, the second worship was referred to as contemporary worship; and the third was referred to as rock/rap worship.

I do not understand where authorization from God comes from that states that there can be two or three kinds of worship. I do not understand how three kinds of worship could be acceptable to God based upon the concept that they are each different from one another. Now, I know that the Bible [i.e. New Testament} authorizes one kind of worship on the Lord’s Day which includes some specific items, such as:

Worship God in spirit and in truth - John 4:23-24, ”23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.“ ASV

Worship God with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs [i.e. with the voice] - Eph 5:19, ”speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs , singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;“ ASV Col 3:16, ”Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms (and) hymns (and) spiritual songs , singing with grace in your hearts unto God.“ ASV

Worship God by laying by in store each 1st day of the week – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, ”1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.“ ASV

Worship God through teaching/preaching – Acts 20:7, ”And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.“ ASV

Worship God through prayers - Rom 12:12, ”Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;“ KJV

Worship God through the communion [i.e. Lord’s Supper] – 1 Cor 10:16, ”The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?“ ASV

Conclusion

Now, other than these actions noted for Sunday Worship of the one true God I do not know of any other kind of worship or additions that God will approve. This being the truth, I would suggest that those kinds of worship that leave the pattern noted herein have left the faith and are in need of conversion to the truth of God’s Pattern for Worship. The Holy Scriptures are clear on the importance of ”TRUTH“ --- John 8:32-36, ”32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.“ KJV

glclair@aol.com

FALSE TEACHERS ARE GOOD AT

CREATING A DIVERSION

Sometimes when a false teacher is confronted directly with his/her false concepts that they are fostering as coming from the Bible, rather than facing the truth they will seek to divert the truth seeker away from their public error. This tacit is often referred to a divisional; this evasive concept is often utilized by our denominational neighbors whenever we confront them with the truthfulness of a Biblical proposition. There is no possible way for the proponents of the faith only doctrine of salvation from sin to use the Bible to teach such a philosophy. Yet, in spite of this fact they will seek to teach this doctrine openly and often with great enthusiasm even to the point of creating a diversion when a knowledgeable Bible student confronts them with the teaching of the Bible.

An example of this is found in many historical public debates between faith-only advocates and members of churches of Christ. Perhaps a good illustration of this can be shown from an examination of the way the very first converts to Christ were saved from sin. Please look at the passage of Scripture --- cf. Acts 2:37-42,

”37 Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

NOTE --- This question by the multitude has reference to the guilt that they felt from understanding that they were involved in the wickedness of rejecting and crucifying Jesus Christ, they showed great faith [i.e. belief] in the truthfulness of the sermon they had just heard and sought information about how to be forgiven for their sin.

38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

NOTE:

Peter answered their question by telling the believing audience [i.e. the Jews possessed faith only at this point], Peter says repent and be baptized [i.e. immersed] for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

FURTHER NOTE HERE:

We understand from this verse that salvation from sin was to be received by those who already possessed faith after they repented and were baptized.

The result of their belief, repentance, and baptism, as stated in verse 38 is ”remission of sins“ --- See the results in verse 41.

39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, (even) as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. 40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. 41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added (unto them) in that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.“ ASV

Creating a diversion:

Whenever a faith only teacher is confronted with an exegesis such as this by the editor, they will not respond directly to the truthfulness of the exegesis but will seek to divert the argument away from these verses and inject such references as John 3:16 or similar passages seeking to contradict the exegesis of Acts 2. Yet whenever one is successful in showing that no contradiction exists between the selected verses of Scripture. The false teacher’s next diversion will be directed to the Greek text and the word and, eis which they will contend is the correct use of the word, and {i.e. eis}, in the text of Acts 2. Indeed, the preposition eis may be interpreted a number of ways but the context here in Acts 2 is correctly stated in the ASV and the KJV, repentance and baptism are both ”for the remission“ of sin.

These diversionary moves are a waste of good energy but to the false teacher who subscribes to the ”faith only doctrine“ nothing will dissuade him/her from diverting attention away from truth. In some discussions I have found that even when one is successful in dealing with all these and other diversions, the false teacher will not acknowledge his error. Is there anywhere else that we may be able present in dealing with such false teachers? The only other place where I have found any satisfaction in dealing with faith only teachers is that found in James 2:1-25, ”17 Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. 18 Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from (thy) works, and I by my works will show thee (my) faith. 19 Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. 24 Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.“ ASV

CONCLUSION:

Remember, dear brethren, no false teacher with an image problem, possessed by dishonesty, or ignorant will be easily led away from his/her error. The Bible is clear about this matter ---

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, ”11 and for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.“ ASV

James 5:20 ”let him know, that he who converted a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.“ ASV

1 John 4:6, ”We are of God: he that Chynoweth God hearth us; he who is not of God hearth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.“ ASV

Garreth L. Clair

CREMATION AND SOME ANSWERS

In a message dated 8/7/2007 9:32:16 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, Tombstonefisher writes:

1. Could you explain the 3 heavens and what it means and which would we go to??

2. When we are raised to be saved,are we raised with flesh and changed to spirit.

3. Fisher is concerned with cremation, if it is ok to do. That is what Ken did.

ANSWERS IN ORDER:

1. 1. Could you explain the 3 heavens and what it means and which would we go to?

2 Corinthians 12:2, "I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven." ASV

Comment FROM THE PEOPLE'S NEW TESTAMENT:

"2 Cor 12 verse 2. I know (not knew) a man above fourteen years ago. He knows the man and could name him, since the man was himself. See verse 7. Above fourteen years ago this man was caught up, etc. This letter was written A.D. 57. The being caught up was then in A.D. 43. This is about the time that Paul was at Antioch with Barnabas, or at Tarsus (Acts 9:29, 30). It could not have been at conversion, for that was about twenty years earlier than A.D. 57, nor could it be the trance in the temple (Acts 22:17) for that was too late. Whether in the body or, etc. A person could then be caught up, see and hear, without his body, in Paul's view. Hence the human spirit is not material. The third heaven, is a Jewish expression for that heaven which was beyond (1) the air, and (2) beyond the sun and stars; the secret place of the Almighty. 3. I know such a man. Why does he not use the first person? Because it would seem more like he was glorying in his own exaltation. 4. He was caught up into Paradise. Paradise and ”the third heaven“ evidently mean the same. The term applied to a blessed abode beyond the life in Luke 23:43 and Rev 2:7. Heard unspeakable words. Words that would be neither right nor possible to reveal in human speech. 5. Of such an one will I glory. One so favored had ground for boasting, but of himself personally he will not glory, save in his infirmities. See note on 11:30. While he glories of such an one, if he glories of himself it will be in his weaknesses." {From The People's New Testament}.

2. 2. When we are raised to be saved,are we raised with flesh and changed to spirit.

THE RESURRECTION OF EVERYONE IS A FACT:

It does not matter whatever happens to the human body after death, The Lord will call everyone who has ever died from what ever cause to come forth from the grave at the trumpet [i.e. resurrection day - "THE LAST DAY"] of God. The body will decay into dust after 100s of years in the ground, what is the difference in one pile of dust and another pile of dust, God knows where the dust is.

1 Cor 15:52-54,

"52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Philippians 3:20-21,

"20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body , that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body , according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." KJV

1 Corinthians 15:35-58,

"35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body .

39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44 It is sown a natural body ; it is raised a spiritual body . There is a natural body , and there is a spiritual body .

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." KJV

1 Cor 15:16-24 (NKJV), "16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power." (NKJV)

3. 3. Fisher is concerned with cremation, if it is ok to do. That is what Ken did.

Cremation is a simple hastening of turning the physical body to dust after death.

Once a person if buried they begin immediately to decay [i.e. turn back to dust].

The Bible says clearly that whenever physical death occurs the spirit goes to God and the body [i.e. physical] goes back to dust ---

SEE;

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7,

"6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern [i.e. describing death].

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." KJV

Ecclesiastes 3:19-21,

"19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" KJV

Ecclesiastes 12:7,

"7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." KJV

FINAL NOTE DEAR FRIENDS:

Hope this helps in understanding death, and events at the resurrection.

In Our Master's Service

glclair@aol.com

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER PHYSICAL DEATH?

The spirit leaves the dead physical body and returns to God. Eccl 12:6-7, ”6 before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.“ ASV

David was confident even in his day that the soul will survive through physical death shown in the Psalms: NOTE the passages of following passages of Scripture; Psalms 16:10, ”For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.“ ASV

Psalms 25:13, ” His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the land.

Psalms 30:3, ”O Jehovah, thou hast brought up my soul from Sheol; Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.“ ASV

Psalms 33:19-20, ”19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul hath waited for Jehovah: He is our help and our shield.“ ASV

Psalms 49:15, ”But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; for he will receive me. (Selah)“ ASV

Psalms 23:1-6,

”1 Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.“ASV

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS:

A CASE OF LIFE AFTER DEATH - THE SOUL [I.E. SPIRIT] CONTINUES ON, THE SPIRIT IS CONSCIOUS DURING THIS PERIOD ACCORDING TO THE TEXT HERE IN Luke 16.

Luke 16:19-26,

”19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:

20 and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 and desiring to be fed with the (crumbs) that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus , that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.

26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.“

COMMENTS:

Verse 22, tells us that THE BEGGER WAS IN PARADISE AFTER HE DIED

Verse 23, 24, tells us that the rich man was in a place of torments [plural]

Verse 25, 26 tells us that the two souls {i.e. the rich man & Lazarus] were in the same state but were separated from each other by an impassable gulf [great gulf].

From research through the years I am convinced that there is a place prepared by God to receive the soul [i.e. spirit] of each person, reserving them for the great day of judgment that will occur someday yet future; cf. Rev 20:13-15, ”13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, (even) the lake of fire. 15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.“ ASV

John 12:48, ”He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.“

After the trumpet of God sounds, all that are alive will be changed, The dead small and great will arise,

The death [i.e. the grave] and Hades will give up their dead,

1 Thess 4:15-5:1,

”15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;

17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.“ ASV

1 Cor 15:51-53,

”51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed .

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.“ ASV

END NOTES:

So far as I can understand these are the events that will occur when a person dies. These events are listed by GLC in the order in which they will occur when a person dies [i.e. Numbered as 1-4].

glclair@aol.com

THAT WHICH IS UNCHANGEABLE

by Garreth L. Clair

Each person in the world has the innate ability to choose between good and evil. This characteristic is possessed by all races of man and extends into each area of man's environmental circumstance. That is, in whatever situation a person finds themselves, whatever human relationship (i.e., husband-wife, boyfriend-girlfriend, parent-child, friend-enemy), a work relationship (i.e., either employee or employer), governmental relationship (i.e., as the governed or those that govern), a religious relationship (i.e., un-churched or churched). In all of these situations (i.e., named above), the personal must establish a mode of personal morality and ethics in their conduct - this applies to both men and women of accountable age and capabilities (i.e., the mentally handicapped excused).

The ability of every person to make a choice about his or her personal morality and ethical standards is important to understand as a first step to acquiring and accepting personal responsibility for our actions. Each person must come to terms with the personal responsibility that they have in each fact of existence here in this world. Once the individual understands this fact about themselves they will then be in a position to adapt themselves to a personal thought out standard of morality and ethics or to adapt their actions and attitudes to some other acceptable standard. The Biblical standard of right is unchangeable for eternally!

ANARCHY DEFINED:

"Anarchy,

1. Absence of governmental authority or law.

2. Disorder and confusion,

Greek, [< anarkhos, without a ruler.]"

The American Heritage Dictionary, THIRD EDITION.

CONSIDER GOD'S INSTRUCTION:

Jeremiah 10:23,

23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Since man cannot direct his own steps in the matter of human and divine relationship and in his interaction with other humans and his environmental circumstance without Divine assistance. Every person is doomed to fail in establishing order without Divine guidance - "Fact!" It is of the greatest importance to understand this principle as the only way to avoid anarchy (i.e., "disorder and confusion") in human interaction and division between God and mankind.

WRANGLING, ANGER, WARFARE:

All of the problems of the human family reside in man's unwillingness to accept the instruction from God. There are many different religions in existence today, most all of them are at variance with each other and yet they all claim to be from God or from some Divine source. Yet, God is not a God of disorder, anarchy, etc.

Malachi 2:10,

10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Mark 12:30-32,

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

Romans 3:30,

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

1 Corinthians 8:6,

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Ephesians 4:1-6,

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 Timothy 2:5,

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

James 2:18-20,

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (KJV)

glclair@aol.com

Consider Magazine is an independent work by Garreth L. Clair

Garreth has over 50 years experience as a preacher, and is currently the preacher for the church that meets at 4840 Cemetery Road, in Hilliard OH.

http://www.cemeteryroadchurchofchrist.org/

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Count since April 5, 2008