The Kingdom of His Beloved Son

The Kingdom of His Beloved Son

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

The church of Christ is the kingdom of Christ.  We know this for several reasons:

Are you a citizen of His kingdom?

Are you a citizen of His kingdom?

  1. It had been prophesied that God would set up a kingdom during the days of the Roman Empire (Dan. 2:1-44).
  2. During the days of the Roman Empire, John the Immerser and Jesus preached that the kingdom “was at hand” (Luke 3:1-2; Matt. 3:1-2; 4:17, 23).
  3. Jesus prophesied that the kingdom would come during the lifetime of his followers (Mark 9:1).
  4. When asked about the kingdom after his death and resurrection, Jesus talked about his apostles receiving power from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8).
  5. This occurred ten days later on the Jewish holiday of Pentecost, the day the church of Christ began (Acts 2:1-47).
  6. From that point on, the kingdom is always referred to as having already come and presently existing, and is referred to interchangeably with being a part of the church (Acts 8:12; Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:12; Rev. 1:4, 6, 9).

Having established that the kingdom is manifested in the church, let us examine the high honor and privilege it is to be a part of the kingdom of Christ, his church.  Today’s Scripture shows us how blessed we are to be a part of his kingdom, in that God took us out of the darkness of our sins (Eph. 2:1-10) and put us into his Son’s kingdom, thus redeeming us and forgiving us.

He did this when we obeyed the gospel, when we acted on our faith by obeying his commands to repent and be baptized into his Son’s kingdom which is his body, the church of Christ (Acts 8:12; 3:19; 2:38-41; 1 Cor. 12:13; cf. Col. 1:18).  We remain in this kingdom by being penitently obedient (1 John 1:7-10; Matt 13:41-43; 2 Pet. 1:5-11), and thus will be a part of it when it is returned in glory to the Father for all eternity (1 Cor. 15:24).

Are you a citizen of the kingdom of Christ?

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Acts 5:12 and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Acts 5:12 and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Outside of any specific argument from Acts 2:38, there are three significant passages to which appeals are made to exclude prophetic or miraculous components to the gift of the Spirit: Acts 5:12; 5:32; and 6:3-6.  In the name of any semblance of brevity this article will examine only the first of these passages as they appear in the order of the text – Acts 5:12. The other passages will be examined in subsequent articles.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit by how and who?

The Gift of the Holy Spirit by how and who?

According to those that see no prophetic component to the gift of the Spirit, the most common construction of events following Pentecost is as follows:

  1. The Gift of the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost and so all believers possessed it.
  2. All of those who obeyed the gospel were given the Spirit (Acts 5:32).
  3. Yet, no one outside of the apostles was able to use any spiritual gift (Acts 5:12).
  4. The seven men chosen in Acts 6 were “full of the Spirit” (Acts 6:3).
  5. They were the first people upon whom the apostles laid hands (Acts 6:6).
  6. It is only after Acts 6:6 (in the person of Stephen) do saints outside the apostles use spiritual gifts (Acts 6:8-10; 7:55).
  7. Therefore, one receives the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism (Acts 2:38). At which point God gives him the Spirit (Acts 5:32). He is then “full of the Spirit” (Acts 6:3). That filling of the Spirit or indwelling of the Spirit does not grant one spiritual gifts. It is the same gift that all Christians are given to this day.

The role in which Acts 5:12 is used to support this argumentation is to prove that prior to Acts 6:8-10, no saints outside the apostles possessed any spiritual gifts.  It reads: “Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico” (Acts 5:12).

Admittedly, at first reading, it appears this verse does confirm the needed supposition. It draws a distinction between the apostles and the rest of the believers in that signs and wonders “were regularly done by the hands of the apostles.”  It seems to prove that only the apostles had access to spiritual gifts.

However, a closer examination of the verse shows this conclusion to be an assumption, at best. Consider the following elements of the verse:

  1. The Verse Makes No Direct Statement that Only the Apostles Worked Signs and Wonders.

It does affirm that the apostles worked signs and wonders.  It does not state that “only” the apostles worked signs and wonders.

  1. The Verse States that “Many” Signs and Wonders were done by the Apostles.

Is it not possible that a “few” signs and wonders were done by other saints?

  1. The Verse States that “Signs and Wonders” were done by the Apostles.

Not all the spiritual gifts need be characterized as “signs and wonders” – (ex. Wisdom – 1 Cor. 12:8. Compare to Acts 6:3). Is it not possible that other saints had access to these gifts?

  1. The Verse States that Signs and Wonders were done “Regularly” by the Apostles.

Is it not possible that signs and wonders were done occasionally or infrequently by other saints?

  1. The Verse States that Signs and Wonders were done “Among the People” by the Apostles.

“Among the people” means that the apostles’ signs and wonders were public events. Is it not possible that other saints used, for example, the gift of prophecy to teach the apostles’ doctrine while breaking bread in some of the daily meetings taking place in the homes of the saints (Acts 2:46)?

  1. The Verse States that Signs and Wonders were done “By the Hands” of the Apostles.

“By the hands” suggests acts of power such as the healing of the lame man at the temple gate in Acts 3:7: “He took him by the right hand and raised him up. . .”  Many of the spiritual gifts (tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, wisdom, etc.) cannot fairly be characterized as being done “by the hands.”  Is it not possible that miracles such as Acts 3 were reserved only for the apostles, while other saints had access to the numerous other spiritual gifts?

The needed distinction in the supremacy of the apostles’ authority does not necessitate the absence of all spiritual gifts in other saints.  If it does before Acts 6, why would not their authority be diminished after Acts 6 when supposedly those powers begin to be shared with the other saints?

Understand the importance of even one of these objections being true. Acts 5:12 is seen as definitive in proving the limited distribution of “gifts” among the saints.  We are told that from Acts 2:38 to Acts 6:6, only 12 men were gifted.  After that point only 19 were gifted and so on.  The consequence of establishing this limited distribution of gifts is to establish that the “universal” statements about the Spirit in Romans 8 and elsewhere, simply cannot be prophetic. In turn, Romans 8 is seen as the “proof” that the “universal” statements of Acts 2:38-39; 5:32, etc. cannot be prophetic.  Acts 5:12 is the glue in this circle of argumentation. Yet, if even one of the six listed points has the possibility of being true, the claimed logical adhesion claimed from Acts 5:12 loses its grip.

The above objections show that the language of Acts 5:12 is simply too qualified, limited and precise in its presentation to exclude all other saints from having access to every spiritual gift.It may not be correct that all six points listed are true. However, it is also true the text simply will not invalidate all six points. Acts 5:12 does not support the burden placed upon it by proponents of the non-prophetic “gift of the Holy Spirit.”

If even one point of the six above is possible, then it would also be possible that any/all saints from Acts 2:38 forward were given spiritual gifts. That would mean that the “giving” of Acts 5:32 could be prophetic.  Without the certainty that Acts 5:32’s “giving” excludes the miraculous or prophetic, then no clear distinction between it and the “giving” of Acts 8:32 can be drawn. Further, no distinction between the “gift of God” in Acts 8:20, the “gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 10:45 and Acts 2:38’s “gift of the Holy Spirit” can be sustained. Nearly all admit that the “gifts” of Acts 8:20 and 10:45 are prophetic.  If no textual reason exists to exclude “gifted” saints between Acts 2:38 and Acts 6:3-6, why not simply allow all the expressions in these three passages to have the same meaning.  Doing so would create a much simpler, clearer, and more understandable exposition of these texts. The only problem it would create is to force people to reexamine their understanding of Romans 8 and other texts. While inconvenient, that reason is insufficient to nullify the argument made in this article. The most common construct for understanding the spread of the prophetic gifts among the saints cannot be sustained without the support of Acts 5:12.

To make the challenge of this article clear as possible, one question is offered: “Which phrase of Acts 5:12 would exclude the possibility that Stephen’s being ‘full of the Spirit and of wisdom’ was a product of the prophetic influence of the Holy Spirit?”

We know that every reference to being “Full of the Spirit” prior to Acts 6:3 is a statement of inspiration (please see this author’s article entitled – “Full of the Spirit”).  We know that “wisdom” was one of the gifts given by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8). We know that Stephen’s speaking with wisdom and the Spirit in Acts 6:10 is a reference to his empowerment by the Spirit.  So then, specifically, how does the language of Acts 5:12 prohibit Stephen from being a gifted saint from any point from Acts 2:38 onward?

If no specific answer can be found, supporters of the non-prophetic “gift of the Holy Spirit” must acknowledge the challenge that he and the other six men of Acts 6 create to their position.

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Clothing and Biblical Worldview

Clothing and Biblical Worldview

Every now and then there is a push on the part of some advocating for little or no clothing. Whether advocating, in the name of liberty, for the right for females to walk around topless, or for individuals to wear as little as possible, whether at the beach or elsewhere, there are those who think modesty is an artificial construct which goes against nature. Even in the church, one will sometimes find those who think that the more “natural” you can be, the better. For these reasons, it seems appropriate time to say a few words about modesty.

What you wear is based your worldview.

What you wear is based your worldview.

Yet, before we deal with the specific issue of modesty, let’s say a few words about world-views.

Many of the great social battles boil down to competing world-views on the stage of ideas. While it is to be hoped that those who hold different view-points strive to get along with each other, oft times different philosophies are simply incompatible.

One popular world-view held by a great number of people at this moment in history is that of Darwinian-humanism: a belief that man is nothing more than a highly evolved animal, and that there is no entity higher than man to which man must answer. Contrasted with this are those theistic world-views such as Christianity, Judiasm, or even Islam.

When discussing issues such as modesty, these different world-views are going to clash rather handily. To the humanist, clothing is an artificial sort of thing, obviously not found in nature, and is therefore completely a matter of personal choice. There is no practical difference, in such a world-view between a person walking around without a stitch of clothing on, and a horse, dog or cat walking around likewise unclothed. In a debate about clothing, this sort of thinking will have no problems pointing to various times and places where little to no clothing was (or is) worn by certain cultures or individuals, and say, “see, if they did it, we should be allowed to as well.”

A theistic thinker should, if true to their believes, approach the subject quite differently.  One whose world-view is shaped by the Bible, for instance, should consider first whether God has anything to say on the subject.

Biblically speaking, man is not an animal. While we certainly, share biological features in common with animals, man was always meant to be something more. We are created in the image of God, and were given dominion over the earth. Only man, of all the creatures on earth, can be called sons of God. (cf. Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8; Matthew 5:9) To relegate man to the level of a mere animal is to denigrate God and the gifts God gave to man.

It is somewhat interesting, that following the fall of man in the Garden, one of the very first issues God deals with is that of modesty. As they grew more spiritually aware, Adam and his wife realized they were naked and tried to do something about it (cf. Genesis 3:7). They sewed some leaves together, making clothing which could best be described as aprons, or loin-clothes. When God saw the clothing they had made, He replaced their leaves with garments of leather. (cf. Genesis 3:21) The word used to describe the garment God provided denotes a tunic which extended from the shoulders to at least the knees.

Tellingly, we might note that God did not apply one standard for women, and another for men, but rather clothed them both similarly. While the Bible has one especial warning directed at women concerning the need for modesty (eg. 1 Timothy 2:9) there is no double standard concerning what is modest for men or for women. Indeed, in the Old Testament, the ones who were warned most severely about the need for modesty were the priests of God, who were uniformly male. (cf. Exodus 28:42-43) If caught being immodest in the tabernacle worship, the implied penalty was death. Clearly God took the issue seriously.

If God took the issue seriously, then those who take God seriously should do likewise. Obviously, those who reject God as being relevant to their philosophy and point of view are going to have a very different opinion on the subject, but that is only to be expected. When listening to various arguments, pro and con about issues such as modesty, we should be mindful of where those arguments originate, that is – what world-view is shaping the arguments. And, for the believer, arguments based on culture, biology and current events should always take a back seat to the simple question: what does God think about the issue?

 

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Aged Preachers – “Seeking an Answer”

Aged Preachers – “Seeking an Answer”

Baptisms and burials, over a lifetime the preacher performed a great number of these.  From Genesis to Revelation, his words carefully uttered the precepts of God.  His hair was once full and his face youthfully smooth.  Now the hair sports only grey and wrinkles outline his face.  God called him through the gospel and the preacher answered.  He knows spiritual peace as every day brings him closer to his Heavenly Father.  Yet, the preacher seeks answers.  How long will he be able to continue preaching?  He feels strong now, but for how much longer?  His wife believes in him, but she moves slower these days.  How will he provide for her when he can no longer preach?  Still, God watched over them all of these years and the preacher knows He will continue to do so.  He grabs his Bible and begins a new day.

Is your aged preacher unsound? Is he unable to preach? If not, why would you dishonor him and disservice the Church by seeking a replacement

Is your aged preacher unsound? Is he unable to preach? If not, why would you dishonor him and disservice the Church by seeking a replacement?

 Psalm 71:18 – “Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.”

“We need a young preacher who can relate to the teenagers!” “I asked him a question the other day and it took him a long time to respond, I think his mind is going.”  “We need a preacher who can go up and down the street knocking doors.”  Words such as these pop up in congregations around the land.  Regardless of motive, accuracy, or wisdom, they represent a body of believers who believe the aged preacher is lacking something.  That perceived lack may cause them to pursue the preacher’s replacement.  An alarming number of Sound gospel preachers have been abruptly dismissed from a congregation because they were “too old”.  Eventually, everyone ages.  Does this make them worthless?  Understand this, the only factors that matter when considering a preacher should be:  Is this a sound man who can deliver a sound message?

Proverbs 20:29 – The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

What does a sound, but aged preacher lack?  He does indeed lack youth.  A number of cultures prize youth above old age.  A person’s energy level certainly does change as they get older.  Appearance transforms, hearing and eyesight dull, and the bone structure weakens.  Response times cannot compare in most cases with younger people.  A preacher may also lack modern vernacular.  In other words, not only the terms or meanings have changed between the age of the preacher and the youth, but the topics of conversation are different as well.  Most likely, the preacher also lacks knowledge of the latest gadgets.  This particular preacher is one of them.  I-pad, i-phone, tablet, kindles, Blue Ray… no clue.  I know aged preachers who cannot operate a basic computer, let alone consider the newest technology.  It might be asked by some: “How can the old preacher possibly relate without this knowledge?”  Yes, the aged preacher may indeed lack some things that others prize.  The greatest question to be asked is:  “How much does God prize the preacher despite what he lacks?”

It seems a fair examination to note things an aged preacher lacks that might concern some people.  Logic also appeals to the need to examine what a sound, but aged preacher does not lack.

An aged preacher does not lack experience.  A preacher sees the good and the bad over the years.  Bickering members, doctrinal disputes, debates, firings, church discipline, church takeovers, church splits, rebukes, adulteries, fornications, abused children, homosexuality, pedophilia, sermon interruptions, members storming out, weak elderships, overbearing elderships, elderships asked to step down, false teachers, addictions to drugs, gambling, sex, pornography, … the list of what a preacher has seen could go on and on.  He has dealt with innumerable spiritual “catastrophes”.   An aged preacher should be thought of as a spiritual warrior (Ephesians 6:10-18).  He fights battle after battle in service of his king.  He should not become a forgotten hero.  Understand sin does not change!  Yes, it tries to take different forms, but a man who knows the Word, knows when transgression occurs.  An aged preacher does not lack experience fighting spiritual battles.

An aged preacher does not lack wisdom, he fears God for he has spent his life coming to know him (Proverbs 9:10).  The preacher studies the Word, the mind of God, and imparts it to others.  As the years go by he becomes not simply an “old man”, rather, he is a sage.  An aged preacher friend of mine noted this last year that his mentors have all died off.  Now, the mentored had become the mentor.  While a preacher may not be an elder, quite often elderships confide in him to avoid difficulties and strengthen weak areas of a congregation.  Knowledge gathered and applied over forty to fifty years of preaching must be respected.  It cannot be replaced by good hair and a Powerpoint projector.  A man who has likely raised children and seen thousands of others raised knows something about youth that a twenty year old kid with a Bible degree does not.  Christians need to take time to listen to their aged preacher.  They need to reach out to them while slowing down in their lives enough to pay attention.  Biblical understanding trumps the emotions of members often letting the world have too much pull in their lives.

Finally, an aged preacher does not lack leadership.  Early on, the feelings of fatherhood develop in him as he shares the Word of God to the Church.  He begins to view the Christians as his children more and more.  This can even be seen in the words of the apostles as they write to the Christians, calling them “children” or “my child”.  They understand that as they appear before the congregation each week and interact in their daily lives, others will try to emulate them.  Thus, they work to set a standard.  They try to lead souls to Christ by living godly lives.  Everyone desires to see their children grow.  No less does the preacher with the Christians not only in his location, but in the others he visits or reaches through recordings or writings.  Yes, the preacher rebukes at times.  He warns.  He chastens.  He exhorts Christians to avoid all forms of evil.  Unfortunately, some may just view him as an overly cautious worrier.  This conclusion comes not from the scriptures, but from congregants viewing the preacher as an old man rather than a speaker of God’s truths.  That problem lies not within the preacher, but within the Christian.  Christians would do wise to consider this leader of men (Proverbs 23:22).

Aged preachers do lack in some areas, but they more than make up for it in others.  However, when considering an aged preacher, consider two items a congregation should not lack:  honor and compassion.  A congregation should behave in an honorable manner toward aged preachers.  If a preacher can preach soundly don’t you dare hinder him.  If due to age, he is struggling, elders talk about how you can help.  Perhaps he would appreciate doing a few things differently or would like to preach only part time.  Work with this man who has given his life to God.  Do not pull his life line or passion out from under him.  Again, act honorably and treat him well.  Even if he is no longer able to preach full time, find ways to engage him in shorter venues or upon special occasions.  Compassion is something Jesus demonstrated throughout his earthly life.  Compassion goes a great way when dealing with an aged preacher.  We are to treat all of our brothers and sisters well.  If a preacher reaches the point he steps down, do not forget him.  Do not fail to care for him as he has cared for so many over the years.  Do not give him a chance to regret any service.  Show him that his children loved him and learned from him.

A sound, aged preacher is worth more than gold.  He may be lacking, but not as a Christian.  He is experienced, wise, and a leader of generations.   Have honor and compassion upon him.  Pray that he finds the answer to his life of service as did Abram: “But thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.” (Genesis 15:15)  Give him peace by providing him opportunity to preach until the end.  Give him peace by caring for him and his wife.  Give him peace by knowing you heard the Word he shared and the Word he lived.

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Prepared for Eternity

Prepared for Eternity

Paul admonishes his readers that the life of a Christian is one that seeks to be pleasing to the Lord. This is true because we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive life or death according to the lives we have lived her on earth. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” to live in such a way as to be prepared for that day (2 Corinthians 5:9–11). Here are some suggestions Paul makes to ensure we are prepared.

Are you prepared for the road of eternity?

Are you prepared for the road of eternity?

BE A NEW CREATURE. This means putting away our old ways and following the ways of the Lord (5:17).

BE RECONCILED. Sin separates us form God but the blood of Christ reunites us with Him (5:20–21).

WORK TOGETHER. There is much to do and we need to be working, with God, to bring as many souls to Christ as we can (6:1–2).

BE NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED. Being in fellowship with God and His children means being separate from those who walk in darkness. Remember you cannot serve both God and worldliness (6:14–17).

HAVE GODLY SORROW (7:9–10). There are a lot of people who are only sorry for their sins when they get caught. Godly sorry, true sorrow, will move one to make the necessary changes in his life.

CLEANSE YOURSELF (7:1).
Obedience to the gospel through faith, confession, repentance, and baptism is the beginning of our cleansing. Walking in the light and preparing for eternity allows the blood of Jesus to continue to cleanse us (Acts 22:16; 1 John 1:7) and keep us unto that day. Be faithful!

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