Study 1

THE BIBLE IS ALWAYS A PERFECT SOURCE FOR FINDING OUT ABOUT LIVING LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN – Number 1

A person begins to learn about the first steps in acquiring salvation from sin by studying the Bible, cf. Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith" (NKJV).

A person will recognize the need to grow as a Christian after they have become a child of God through faith and obedience to the gospel instructions,

2 Peter 3:18, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and forever.

Acts 2:38-40, “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. 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” (ASV).

Phil 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (NKJV).

James 2:24, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (NKJV).

A person is to remain faithful to God throughout their life to gain the heavenly home,

Revelation 2:10, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8, “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Rom 6:21-22, “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end , everlasting life.”

1 Peter 1:6-9, “6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls” (NKJV)

THE BIBLE IS ALWAYS A PERFECT SOURCE TO FIND

THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT – Number 2

It is not difficult to search the Bible and find out the marks that identify the church Jesus built if one really is honest about the matter. There is no mention of a church that Jesus built in the Old Testament, during the 400 Silent Years (i.e. between Malachi and Matthew), or in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the first chapter of the Book of Acts. The first mention of the church Jesus built is found in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (NKJV).

CONSIDER THIS:

The word “church, Greek > “ekklesia” is used interchangeably in many places with the word “Kingdom.” The word church is “an assembly” and the word Kingdom of … refers to the nature of the church as a government – Christ is King over the Kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20).

The first time the church Jesus promised to build is mentioned as being in existence is found in Acts 2:47, “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (NKJV). In this passage of Scripture we can see from the wording of the verse that the saved were being added to the church (i.e. the Body of Christ) by Jesus Christ. Consequently the church must have started somewhere between Matthew 16:18 where Jesus promised to build the church and Acts 2:47 where it is stated that the saved people were being added to it.

CONSIDER THIS:

According to Acts 2:37, after Peter and the other eleven apostles preached the first gospel sermon, the people wanted to know what they needed to do to be saved from sin. To their cry, Peter announced to them in verse 38 that they were to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. We find that 3,000 of those Jews present there in Jerusalem on Pentecost day responded by being baptized for the remission of their sins. This event is the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus made back in Matthew 16:18. From this time until this very day the church of Christ has existed in this world. Everyone is invited by the Lord to become a part of it, for He says, cf. Matt 11:28-30, “28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (NKJV).

Will you come unto the Lord and allow Him to make your life better by forgiving you of your sins as you obey the gospel and then continue to live faithfully the rest of your life? Why not visit us at 4840 Cemetery Road in Hilliard, Ohio this coming Sunday morning at 9:45, 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM – YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE!

THE GOD OF A NEW START - Number 3

Somewhere I saw a caption that is the title of this article, “THE GOD OF A NEW START.” From this title I will attempt to show that the God of the Bible is a good and patient God, not a God of impatience. Today there are many people that do not know about God’s goodness toward mankind. God’s goodness is documented in the Bible, but many people do not read or study the Bible so that they might know this fact is true. Let us look in the Bible at some of the descriptive terms that give us a good look at the quality of being that God really is, it is not fair to describe God in ways that are not established by the only book that really is authorative in such matters.

GOD IS LOVE:

1 John 4:8, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

1 John 4:16, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (NKJV).

GOD IS PATIENT:

Romans 15:4-5, “4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus” (NKJV).

GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE OR DESERT US:

Hebrews 13:5-6, “5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me” (NKJV)?

GOD IS WORTHY OF MAN’S ADORATION:

Exodus 34:14, “14 you shall worship no other god,” (NKJV).

Rev 4:11, “11 "You are worthy , O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created” (NKJV).

Rev 5:12-13, “12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever” (NKJV)!

GOD IS ALWAYS CONSISTENT:

Hebrews 13:7-8, “7 remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (NKJV).

THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES – Number 4

The days of a person’s life pass with great rapidity, to think that we have unlimited time here on the earth is a serious mistake. Many people live as though they have forever to get the most mundane things done, when the things could be done very quickly if the person put the task first in their priorities and began to do it. The great problem that hinders too many people is the willingness to put off (i.e. procrastinate), rather than take a task, beginning it, and following through to its conclusion. Indeed, some things require planning and thoughtful consideration before they are undertaken but the putting off indefinitely the commencement of a useful project is a contributing factor to an unproductive life and an old age full of regret. Because people have different levels of ability each person must decide for themselves if their approach to living life is productive or unproductive to good, only then can one begin to tackle projects within the range of their ability and proceed to finish them one by one. This concept is also effective at building a Christian life (i.e. a life for God) and a satisfied and fulfilling existence while one lives out the years of their life here on earth.

CONSIDER THIS:

The Bible has several very pointed statements about our pursuits here on the earth and what our priorities in life ought to be in order to live a successful life (i.e. successful by God’s standard). Please read the following truths, found in God’s Book, think on each reading and consider the ideal of “considering, seeking, and following through to completion.”

Matt 6:31-34, “31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (NKJV).

Luke 11:9-13, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (NKJV).

John 5:41-45, “41 "I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God” (NKJV)?

Rom 2:11, “1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds": 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God” (NKJV).

Col 3:1-4, “1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (NKJV).

Heb 11:6, “6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV).

Heb 11:8-10, “8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (NKJV).

CONCLUSION:

So, as the wise man so adequately states the case - Psalms 90:10-12, “10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom” (NKJV).

YOUR-MY VIEW OF THE BIBLE IS IMPORTANT - Number 5

[Think about it my friends]

If the Bible is from God as I believe it is, everyone in the world will personally be responsible for the way that they respond to it.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe that it is, everyone in the world will be judged by its contents someday.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe that it is, everyone in the world should look at its contents and make a life choice about how they will react to it.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe that it is, everyone will one day bow to Jesus Christ who is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

If the Bible is from God, as I believe that it is, whatever God has said about any subject named in it must be followed by all of humanity unless there are exclusions contained within the instruction.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe that it is every statement and every thing in it is absolutely the truth and cannot be contested by any man or any group of men.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe that it is, the first two verses in the Book of Genesis is true, therefore, mankind is simply created beings that God has blessed beyond expression.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe that it is, I will obey, live accordingly, love God, love my neighbor, do whatever He instructs me, and thank Him continually for my life, for my health of mind and body, for His great gift of Jesus Christ for my sins, indeed, for everything.

I WILL BE A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE BIBLE, AND EVERYTHING ABOUT GOD’S BOOK:

If the Bible is not from God, I will live out my life as a Christian not knowing it, I will eventually die and be buried somewhere, and my memory will finally subside so that one-thousand years from today no one will ever know that I have lived.

BUT:

If the Bible is from God, because I have made a personal choice to believe and obey Him for my life, someday all the promises that God has made to me will become a reality, Glory to God in the highest – I will gain the victory that so encourages me to continue faithfully day by day seeking to do God’s will, cf. 1 Cor 15:50-58, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will 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 has put on incorruption, and this mortal has 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 your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (NKJV).

Check the following hyperlink about Bible study titled "WISDOM."

http://journals.aol.com/glclair/TRUEWISDOM-versus-SOPHISTRY/

GOSPEL (i.e. revival) MEETINGS ARE IMPORTANT - Number 6

In recent years it has become fashionable by some to down-grade the gospel meetings that many congregations have and relegate them to past history, telling us that gospel meetings do no good today. The Gospel meetings that are conducted by many congregations throughout the land today are not as successful as they were 100 years ago but they still are successful in many places, even where the numerical growth is not attendant to today’s gospel meetings they are still an opportunity for the church to get together and do personal work in their area while planning for the meeting to began. The gospel meeting also encourages the surrounding church members to attend for personal growth, as some will want to attend the meetings if they are aware of the dates and times of the meeting. The gospel meeting of today is probably announced as much if not better in the area than meetings of the past, yet the attendance and interest of the people in the community is not as zealous as in past years. The gospel meeting is an opportunity to do as the Lord has instructed the church to do, “to make disciples of all nations,” - Matthew 28:18-20, “18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (NKJV). For the church to “be the pillar and support of the truth” - 1 Tim 3:15, “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (NKJV). For the members to go “everywhere preaching (i.e. teaching) the gospel” - Acts 8:4, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (NKJV). To give every member of the local congregation opportunity “to do good” – James 4:17, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (NKJV). For members of the congregation to “grow in grace and knowledge of truth” - 2 Peter 3:18, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (NKJV).

QUESTION ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT – Number 7

Acts 2:38 -- Mark 16:17 -- Acts 5:22-32

A BROTHER SENDS US A QUESTION:

The question that you sent me is a good question. I will give you something to read and consider as I have considered your thoughts. I appreciate you and the good thoughtful material that you present. I pray that you will continue to work faithfully and hard regardless of problems or hardships. Barbara and I thank God for you and your dear wife. Keep up the good work.

QUESTION:

If one were to take the position that Acts 2:38 is supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of the apostles, would that violate scripture?

Scripture:

Acts 2:38-39, 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. 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 (ASV - 1901).

Answer:

he question is sincere and deserves an honest answer.

The gifts of Acts 2:38 cannot possibly be the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit that were given by the laying on of the hands of an apostle because they are promised (verse 39 -- "… to you (i.e., the Jews) is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off (i.e., the Gentiles), even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.").

Since all that seek salvation must be baptized for the remission of sin-- cf., Acts 2:38 -- all that are baptized will receive this gift mentioned here in Acts 2:38, consequently those that are saved from sin in any age will receive this promised gift. It cannot be miraculous today.

CONSIDER THIS:

The answer does not negate the possibility of the apostles of Christ laying their hands on some in the audience there on Pentecost day (i.e., Acts 2), although there is no indication that they did. After the apostles received the baptism on Pentecost, they were in possession of power to lay their hands on one to impart a spiritual gift. It does not follow that the gift of Acts 2 is the baptism of the Holy Spirit or a miraculous gift, but must be something other than these two (i.e., baptism or miraculous gifts), because the promise is perpetual to all those baptized for the remission of sin.

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In Mark 16:17, 17And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

CONSIDER THIS:

The signs mentioned here would include the baptism of the Holy Spirit and those on which the apostles laid their hands. I see no problem with this text that would alter the thought that the gifts of Acts 2:38 promised to those that are baptized for the remission of sins is non-miraculous.

These signs listed in Mark 16:17 to the end of the chapter were common during the period that the apostles of Christ were with the infant church of the first century. Wherever the apostles worked, the Holy Spirit working through the apostles provided these signs and upon those they had laid their hands on.

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ACTS 5:22-32, 22 But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told, 23 saying, The prison–house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. 25 And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, we must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. 31 Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

CONSIDER THIS:

Verse 32 is a part of greater context that begins with the possible first church treasury, the one to which Ananias and his wife gave a portion of money into, then lied about the amount they had given. This context is summed up by Peter in the verse 32 where he says we are witnesses of all of this as was the Holy Spirit. Indeed, we know that the Holy Spirit told the apostles that Ananias and his wife had lied because they could not have know this if the Spirit had not revealed it to them This particular time in the infancy of the church of Christ many wonders were common by and through the miraculous working of the apostles as is evident in this chapter's context. I do not know whether the gift mentioned here are miraculous but the gift that these people that were being baptized for the remission of sins received freely was not the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps later, one of the apostles imparted one or more of the miraculous gifts to some but not necessarily to all.

EXAMINING CURRENT RELIGIOUS TEACHING - Number 8

TEXT:

Romans 14:23, “But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because (he eateth) not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (ASV).

NOTE -- “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” This statement is important to the individual that would be acceptable to God. God determines a person’s faithfulness by that person’s compliance to Divine Instruction (I.e., following God’s instruction), which instruction is found only upon the pages of the Holy Book. To live by faith is simply to live according to the teaching of God’s Written Word today. Today many people get their standards for religious practice and action from sources other than the Written Word of God, please note the following:

1. Many people tell us that we may use musical instruments in worship to God.

God says that Christians that offer worship to Him are to sing,

1 Corinthians 14:15, “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (NKJV).

Hebrews 2:12, “saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You” (NKJV).

2. Many people say that there are many ways to please God and become acceptable to Him for salvation. God says there is only one way, John 14:1-6,

1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, (there) ye may be also.

4 And whither I go, ye know the way .

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto he Father, but by me” (ASV).

3. Many people teach that a person can go to heaven by being a good moral, fair, kind, and peaceful person. God says that is not so, let us look at the case of Cornelius the Centurion:

Acts 10:1-8, "1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius , a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius !" 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord? So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do." 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa” (NKJV)

4. Many people tell us that their worship is interesting, that they do different things for different kinds of people. Many people worship where there is traditional worship and contemporary worship (I.e., two kinds of worship for the preference of two kinds of people).

God says that all worship regardless of the desires of man, must be offered a certain way, according to a Divine pattern, please note the following:

God says that acceptable worship if offered in spirit and in truth,

John 4:23-24,

23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (NKJV).

God has given us a pattern to follow so that we can worship Him correctly:

*** Lord’s Supper each week,

Acts 20:7,

7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (NKJV).

*** Lay by in store (give money into a common treasury),

1 Corinthians 16:1-2,

1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:

2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (NKJV).

*** Pray together,

James 5:15-16, “15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (NKJV).

Romans 12:12, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (NKJV).

*** Preach (I.e., teaching),

bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (NKJV).

2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (NKJV).

*** Sing spiritual songs,

Hebrews 2:12, "12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You” (NKJV).

1 Corinthians 14:15, "15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (NKJV).

5. Some religious people tell us that the situation may determine what is right that we cannot always depend on the Bible in every situation to have the answer. This teaching is called Situation Ethics. The father of modern Situation Ethics is Joseph Fletcher, publisher of the book, “Situation Ethics” in 1966, Westminster Press, Philadelphia, PA. Some glaring mistakes of Fletcher’s reasoning follow:

Is Situation Ethics Biblical?

There are those who actually claim that the Bible endorses the concept of situation ethics. Some, for instance, cite the case of the Canaanite harlot, Rahab. She lied in order to save the Israelite spies; and yet, she is commended in the New Testament record (Heb. 11:31; Jas. 2:25). This, they allow, is a clear argument in defense of situation ethics. Moreover, it is claimed that even Christ sanctioned the principle of situationism when he appealed to the circumstance of David and his men eating the showbread, normally reserved for priests only, in an emergency situation (Mt. 12:1ff). Actually, neither of these cases provides the coveted justification for the practice of situation ethics.

The case of Rahab does not bestow divine sanction upon the practice of situation ethics. First, Rahab’s lie is never condoned in the Scriptures. The fact that the episode is recorded in the Bible does not mean that it is approved. All lying is condemned (Rev. 21:8). The narrative regarding Rahab merely provides an example of where God honored a woman due to her obedient faith - in spite of her character flaw. This woman was a harlot in a pagan environment, but she had developed a budding faith in Jehovah (see Jos. 2:9ff). Accordingly, she received the Israelite spies with peace (Heb. 11:31). Her motive was right, even though her method was wrong. There is not a word in the Scriptures that endorses the false story she told in concealing the spies, and it is utter desperation that grasps at this narrative in an attempt to justify situation ethics.

SIMILAR, CONNECTING STORY FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

John 8:1-12,

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them," He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more ." 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (NKJV).

The record in Matthew 12 is very interesting. On a certain Sabbath day the Lord and his disciples were traveling through a grain field. The disciples, being hungry, began to pluck grain and to eat. Certain Pharisees saw this, and charged these men with breaking the sabbath regulation within the Mosaic law. The fact is, the disciples had violated only the uninspired traditions of the Jewish elders; they had not transgressed the law of Moses (see Edersheim, p. 56). In order to silence their baseless objection, Christ employed an ad hominem argument (a procedure whereby an proponent’s inconsistency is exposed by an appeal to his own position). Jesus cited the case of David (1 Sam. 21:6), who along with his men, once ate of the temple showbread, which “was not lawful for him to eat” (Mt. 12:4). The essence of the Lord’s argument is this: “You gentlemen revere David as a great king and Hebrew hero. David once clearly broke the law by an illegal consumption of food. Yet, you never condemn him! On the other hand, my disciples have violated only your human traditions, and yet you charge them with sin. How very inconsistent you are!” This incident contains not a vestige of support for situation ethics. Jesus plainly said that what David did was “not lawful.” Those who attempt to employ this narrative in defense of situationism simply have missed the force of the Master’s argument (cf. McGarvey, p. 104).

Situation ethics is a popular belief in a world bent on departure from God. But it does not have the sanction of the Holy Scriptures, and, if persistently pursued, will ultimately result in social chaos. The Bible clearly teaches that man is responsible for his own sin, his own choices:

Jeremiah10:23, “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).

1 Peter 2:21-22, "21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps : 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (KJV).

WHY SOME CHRISTIANS LEAVE THE FAITH - Number 9

TEXT:

INTRODUCTION:

1. The Bible clearly teaches that Christians can fall from grace.

Galatians 5:4,

4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.

2. The People of God under the Law of Moses had the same problem,

Jeremiah 8:5,

5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. ASV

WHY DO THE FAITHFUL LEAVE THE FAITH?

1. MANY ARE DECEIVED:

2 Timothy 3:13,

"But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." ASV

James 1:16,

"Be not deceived, my beloved brethren." ASV

2. NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING THAT GOD HAS DONE:

James 1:14-18,

14 but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is full-grown, bringeth forth death.

16 Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. ASV

3. FEAR OF MAN:

John 12:42,

"Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess (it), lest they should be put out of the synagogue:"

4. RECREATION:

Matthew 6:33,

"But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." ASV

5. WRONG COMPANIONS:

1 Cor 15:33,

"Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals." ASV

6. LOVE OF THIS WORLD:

Matt 13:22,

"And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." ASV

Demas is an example:

2 Tim 4:10,

"for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ASV

7. LOVE RELATIVES MORE THAN THEY LOVE GOD:

Matthew 10:37

"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." ASV

Each person is responsible for his or her own sins:

Ezekiel 18:20,

"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."

8. THE CARES AND PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD DRAW SOME AWAY:

Luke 8:14,

"And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of (this) life, and bring no fruit to perfection."

9. EXPECTING SOMETHING FROM THE RELATIONSHIP THAT DOES NOT MATERIALIZE:

A. Because their problems with human relationships are not solved.

B. Because their problems with raising their children is not resolved.

C. Because physical sickness is not cured.

D. Because they are not entertained enough.

10. HAVEN'T COUNTED THE COST:

Luke 14:28-30,

28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have (wherewith) to complete it?

29 Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him,

30 saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. ASV

11. WILL NOT RESIST TEMPTATION:

Luke 8:13,

"And those on the rock (are) they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." ASV

Man does not have to give in to temptation:

1 Cor 10:13,

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it." ASV

2 Peter 2:9,

"the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;" ASV

WILL YOU REMAIN FAITHFUL UNTIL THE END?

IF ONE COULD NOT BE FAITHFUL,

HE LORD WOULD NOT HAVE ENCOURAGED IT.

Revelation 2:10b

"… Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." ASV

SIN - Number 10

A constant problem faced by everyone is the problem of sin. Sin is the great separator between God and man today as in all ages past. The reality of sin plagues the man that never attends religious services as well as those that do attend religious services. To this great problem that mankind continues to confront in daily life we direct the following comments.

DEFINING SIN:

SIN (Heb. hatta'a; Grk. hamartia, a falling away from or missing the right path). Also numerous other Heb. words.

General. The underlying idea of sin is that of law and of a lawgiver. The lawgiver is God. Hence sin is everything in the disposition and purpose and conduct of God's moral creatures that is contrary to the expressed will of God (Rom 3:20; 4:15; 7:7; James 4:12,17).

The sinfulness of sin lies in the fact that it is against God, even when the wrong we do is to others or ourselves (Gen 39:9; Ps 51:4).

The being and law of God are perfectly harmonious, for "God is love." The sum of all the commandments likewise is love; sin in its nature is egotism and selfishness. Self is put in the place of God (Rom 15:3; 1 Cor 13:5; 2 Tim 3:2,4; 2 Thess 2:3-4). Selfishness (not pure self-love, or the exaggeration of it, but in opposition to it) is at the bottom of all disobedience, and it becomes hostility to God when it collides with His law.

All sin therefore has a positive character, and the distinction between sins of commission and those of omission is only on the surface. In both cases, sin is actual disobedience (see Matt 23:23).

COMMENTARY (glc):

People in the world becomes amenable to the law of Christ whenever they reach the age of accountability. Now, the age of accountability may be different in people, some people who are born are born with brain damage so that they never in life will be able to make a choice between good and evil, still others that may be born with the ability to choose between good and evil are damaged in auto accidents, etc., so that they too, are unable to choose between good and evil --- all such people will not be amenable to God. Only those that develop normally with normal intellect in place will attain to the age of accountability (i.e., having the ability to choose good and/or evil whenever the choice is made available to them). The individual that chooses to disobey God will be considered by God as transgressor (i.e., sinner), cf., James 2:8-12,

8Howbeit if ye fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: 9but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one (point), he is become guilty of all. 11For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty. ASV

CONSIDER THIS:

Here in James 2:8-12 the subject of sin (i.e., transgression) is considered from both the Law of Moses and according to the "law of liberty" (i.e., the law of Christ). In both cases one is considered to be sinful even though he/she may keep part of the commands but fail to keep other parts of the same law. In this contexts we can surely see, man's sin will separate him from the God that will eventually be his judge even though he might keep some law faithfully. The important point in this context is, man cannot keep part of the law of God and fail to keep other parts of the same law and expect God to reward him. Again, man cannot consider the good deeds he does as more important than keeping all of God's law --- cf., 1 Samuel 15.

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 from November 2008 to the present.