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FREE BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE
The FREE Bible study consist of four lessons that you will receive through the mail. The course is absolutely free to everyone who will contact us. We will then send you lesson one and following lessons as you complete them and send them back to us for grading. glclair@aol.com or glclair@sbcglobal.net
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:
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
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 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].
Consider Magazine is an independent work by Garreth L. Clair Garreth has over 46 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/ Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved. (Please contact us for permission to reprint.) Please help us show up on search engines, by putting a link to http://www.considermagazine.com on your website!
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