ConsiderMagazine

CONSIDER MAGAZINE

Beginning our 12th Year

January 1, 2010

IS IT A GOOD IDEA

DO YOUR OWN THING?

THE CONDITION OF HUMANITY TODAY

The concept inherent in the subject heading at the top; is the theme of the vast majority of people today on earth. When we look at the statistics of crimes such as murder, adultery, theft, breaking and entering the homes of others for criminal purposes, politicians buying votes or selling the position to the highest bidder, the causes of bank failures in America (i.e. failure of banking officials and overseers of banking in America); you have an idea where the ”do your own thing“ has led us in today’s society. Indeed, our prisons are full of law-breakers, our hospitals are overloaded with people with alcoholic problems, drug related problems, emotional problems, and race hatred problems, and this is just a sampling of the conditions that exist in our country and also in other countries.

IS THERE A SOLUTION?

Yes, there is a solution but the population of the world will not accept it and adjust their life (i.e. wants, emotions, morals, self-control, disposition, and general approach as defined in the guidelines of sanity and real hope in this world). The solution to all man’s problems is still contained in one source; that source is the perfect truth (cf. John 8:32 – John 17:17) that is contained in the Bible (i.e. the written Word of God). There can be no earthly solution to man’s problems that we have revealed in the previous paragraph unless they are ready to abandon the worldly life and aspiration apparent in the majority of people currently residing in this world.

The real solution is not a new concept or a new fad of some kind; but is a solution instituted for our original parents, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden some 6,000 years ago. Adam and Eve were placed in a perfect environment in every respect and were instructed to care for the garden and all of the Creator’s paradise that they had for home cf. Genesis 1-2. They choose to listen and follow the advice of the evil one and were dismissed from paradise with all the goodness and benevolence of their Creator (cf. Genesis 3).

MAN HAS BEEN HIS OWN WORST ENEMY FROM HIS ORIGIN

From man’s creation there have been continued rejection of God’s instructions that are (i.e. have been) best for his existence here in the world and for eternity. Yet, today we see man’s desires rejecting from God and the vast majority pursuing worldliness, sensuality, immoral behavior, and insanely dangerous uses of all forms of drugs (i.e. prescription and illegal).

It is possible to trace man’s origins and his habits throughout his history from the only accurate and reliable written history. From the beginning (Genesis 1-3) we see that the very first husband and wife rejected the good that God had intended for them by choosing to follow evil rather than God’s way. It was not very long till man had so degraded himself in mind and body that God sent a great flood upon the earth to destroy all of the human family except Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives cf. Genesis 6:5-9:1).

Again man began to turn away from god after a short while and fell into idolatry and many form of evil, also rejecting God’s instructions. God determined to work out His plan to make it possible for mankind to restore their relationship with their Creator. God selected a man (i.e. Abram) to be the beginning of a national religion through which the Messiah would eventually come –

Reference: Gen. 12:1-5 - 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shall be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran ; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

The seed of Abraham were the Israelites (i.e. Jews). The arrangement with Abraham and his family (i.e. both immediate and future) included

[1] the coming of Messiah through the lineage,

[2] the fulfilling of God’s Plan {including the Law of Moses}, and

[3] the establishment of a new kingdom (i.e.

[4] the church of Christ with

[5] Jesus as its head and

[6] as King of Kings).

References:

[1] Acts 3:18-20

[2] Matt 5:17-18 - 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Rom. 2:27-29 - 27 and shall not un-circumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. KJV

[3] Matt. 16:18-20 - 18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. KJV

Matt. 18:18 - Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. KJV

[4] Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. KJV

[5] Acts 4:10-12 - 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. KJV

Eph. 1:22-23 - 22 and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. KJV

Eph. 5:23 - 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. KJV

Col. 1:18-19 - 18 and he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; KJV

[6] Jesus is reigning now as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus will continue to reign as King until He delivers up the kingdom to the Father at the judgment.

1 Tim. 6:14-16 - 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. KJV

Rev 17:14 - These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

1 Cor 15:19-28

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20 But now is Christ raised from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 for since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 for he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him; it is manifest that he is accepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. KJV

CONCLUSION:

The facts about man’s relationship to God in this present world and the importance of understanding God’s plan is paramount. Without understanding mankind will surely fail to turn to God and seek his good but with wisdom and understanding man may be able to find his/her place in the scheme of all things.

May God bless our study of His dealings with us so that we may understand and seek His Way (i.e. the Bible shows us the way).

glclair@aol.com

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009

CONSIDER MAGAZINE

Beginning our 5th year on the Web!

January 1, 2009

A note from Garreth and Barbara – 2009 …

The wonderful time of the year is surely the beginning of each New Year. The beginning of each New Year is a time to reflect on the past and a time to hope and expect good things to come in the New Year. 2009 is just beginning and there are many things that we all hope for during this coming year. Yet, the old year of 2008 is not out of our memory yet, so I want to remind everyone that Barbara and I are happy to be here and look forward to the coming year with hope and expectation of good things.

We want to thank all of you who visit and encourage us for your kindness, your support and patience you have shown us. We have been her and availabe for the past four years, we will continue as long as we are here.

We often reflect on the large number of brothers and sisters who have passed on to await the resurrection of all. We miss them. Even as we continue to reside here in Hilliard, Ohio; we know that our time may come anytime regardless of our age, sex, or role in this life. I recently ran across a poem read at the services of one of our former friends who have passed on; I want to again share it with you to illustrate the unknown:

Who Names The Day?

We would ask for more time, we say

Lord, give us yet another day, we pray

There is much to do, we must stay

But, alas, it is not we, but HE who names the day

James McFadden

As we enter the New Year of 2009 let us each look to the good of one another as a strong and able people serving God both day and night. While we are here in the world may we exercise patience, kindness, and forgiveness, seasoned with love toward one another and toward all – cf. Galatians 6:10, ”As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.“ (KJV)

”Work for the night cometh when none can work …“

January 1, 2009

The Congregation and its Work

glclair@aol.com

There are a number of organizational errors associated with most established churches throughout the world today. Many of the organizational arrangements and works that many churches are involved in are without Biblical support. The church that the Lord established as recorded in Acts 2 and named in Romans 16:16 has a unique organizational structure as well as a unique assignment of work.

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

The nature of the congregation in the local sense is not to be confused with the organization of the universal church; variously referred to as the Body of Christ (i.e. and the Kingdom of God … Rom 7:4, Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. … 1 Cor 10:16-17, 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. … 1 Cor 12:27, Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. … Eph 4:12, For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: …

NOTE:

In the following two verses the words church and kingdom of God are both used to identify the great family of God both in the graves and on earth (i.e. the UNIVERSAL CHURCH).

Matt 16:18-19, 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (KJV)

FURTHER:

The organizational structure of the UNIVERSAL CHURCH is Christ as head and all the saved of all ages the body. There is no Biblically approved head, or operational structure other than this. To attempt to activate the Universal Church one must invent a structural arrangement for such and to go onward with an invented organization structure is to act without Divine authority and all such action is condemned by Almighty God via the Holy Scripture – cf. 2 John 9-11, 9 Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV)

THE CONGREGATIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

Whereas the Universal Church (i.e. the Body of Christ) possesses no organizational structure to activate it; the congregation (i.e. church in a local/located sense) may organize according to Biblical instruction. The church in its local sense beginning with the church at Jerusalem (i.e. the first congregation) possessed organization structure as indicated in the following Scriptural references:

THE CHURCH ORGANIZED TO CARE FOR WIDOWS:

Acts 6:1-5, 1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM SENDS OUT TEACHERS:

Acts 16:4, and as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

PAUL GIVES INSTRUCTIONS TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS:

Acts 20:28-29, ”28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves.“

THE LEADERS OF THE JERUSALEM CHURCH SEND A LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH MENTIONING THE ELDERSHIP:

Acts 15:22-23, 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:“

PAUL INSTRUCTS TITUS TO APPOINT ELEDRS ( Bishops, shepherds, etc.) TO OVERSEE THE CHURCHES:

Titus 1:5, For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (KJV)

THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE CONGREGATION IN PHILIPPI;

Phil 1:1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (KJV)

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE ELDERS and DEACONS:

Titus 1:5-9, 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (KJV)