True Faith

True Faith

When I was much younger, probably a decade ago, my dad did a youth class while the youth minister was away. I feel ashamed to say, that I don’t remember the class very well, but I do remember one thing. He started the class with a question: “What does God mean to you?” Most people, myself included, answered with a very generic “everything.” “Well, God means everything to me! He is my life!”

If I remember right, the class was about this topic: If God means so much to you, what are you doing for Him? It’s an important question, one that we ought to ask ourselves. Today, I want to ask the same question, in a similar light. What does God mean to you? More specifically, what does your faith in Him mean to you? Do you have faith in Him, or do you just hope that God is real, just hope to slide by into Heaven?

True Faith

True Faith

Heb. 11:1 defines faith like this: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In other words, faith is that on which our belief in the invisible, the spiritual, is built. Why do we believe in God, trust in God, do what He says? Because we have faith. Our faith is built on evidence, based on the Word (Rom. 10:17). It’s not something magical, something fantastical. We don’t just have HOPE God exists, that’s not faith. Rather faith is proclaiming: “I KNOW God is real, and the things in His Word are true!”

So what does that faith mean to you? What does your faith look like? Is it a dead faith, or is it a living faith? Is it perfected? What did God want James’ audience to know about faith? James 2:21-22: “21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”

What does perfect faith look like?

Friends, I want a true faith. I want a faith that God is proud of. If somehow there was a situation similar to the book of Job, I wish my name could replace Job’s. You might remember in Job 1:6-12, and Job 2:1-6, where Satan came before God one day. Job 1:8: “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” I want that kind of faith, the faith that makes God say: “That’s My child, have you considered My servant Cannon?” The kind of faith that makes Jesus marvel, like He did when speaking to the centurion in Mat. 8. In Mat. 8:10: “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” I want that kind of faith.

So what does it take? What do I need to have such a faith? For one, I can find out what that faith is NOT. We’ve seen it over and over in this chapter we’re studying, but James 2:20: “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” But secondly, I need to know what true faith looks like, faith that has works.

So first, I cannot have a dead faith. That kind of faith that does not show itself, that never seeks to please God by doing His will, but thinks everything is alright when in reality, it is far from alright. Faith without works is… a faith. But it is a dead faith, James tells us. If I want to have faith in God, and expect Him to bless me as He said He would, I have to make my faith mean something, it can’t be dead.

A faith without works doesn’t work for me. If I have faith, but do no good works for God, how can I expect my faith to do anything for me? That’s not a faith built on evidence, Heb. 11:1.  That’s not a faith built on the truth of the Scriptures, Rom. 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” That’s wishful thinking, that’s hope that will disappoint me greatly. Because a faith without works is dead; a faith without works doesn’t work for me, and it doesn’t work for you.

Second, I need to know what a living faith looks like. Verse 21: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” Why Abraham? What’s special about his example? There’s plenty of examples to pick from. We could take examples of Joshua, or David, or Moses, many others. But why Abraham? I think for two reasons.

James’ audience was primarily Jewish Christians; notice he writes “Abraham our father…”. This was their father of the faith, the Jewish faith. They learned about him since they were children, and learned to love him. He was a powerful example of love for God, deep, abiding trust, etc. Even for Gentiles who would read this letter, Abraham meant something to them too. He was a well-loved man by all. In Rom. 4, Paul talks about the fact that Abraham was blessed before he was circumcised. His blessing was not because he had the same physical characteristic as a Jew. The Gentiles could relate to him.

But another reason comes to my mind: because of who is the next example. First, James uses Abraham, a dearly beloved figure; verse 21: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works…”. Then he uses Rahab, who we would consider having a very low reputation; verse 25: “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works…”. She used to be a harlot; she didn’t continue in this practice, or she could not have been justified. But in the minds of people then, and even us today, she was associated with that practice. From the highest of reputations, to the lowest of reputations, from “our father” (father in the faith) to “the harlot”, faith and works can go together to do something special.

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works…”

Justified: pronounced or declared just. He was counted, reckoned, pronounced, declared, to be in a right relationship with God. It is a sense in which nothing separates him from God. That’s what I want, don’t you? I received that same condition Abraham has, when I was baptized. 1 Cor. 6:11: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” I can be sanctified, set apart. I can be justified, if I only have a faith that cares. A faith that truly believes in God and obeys what He would have me to do.

Justified by works: “BY” works, meaning this is the source of Abraham’s being justified: works. Now let’s be clear about something. Eph. 2:8-9: “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” NOT OF WORKS, let any man should boast. Is it my works that justify, save me, or is it not? In the end, God justifies me, plain and simple. But HOW am I justified? Not in works that I can boast of, and act like God owes me salvation, but works that God demands so that I can obtain salvation!

“…when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”

I want us to turn to Gen. 22, and see what Abraham did, how his works combined with his faith to perfect that faith. Gen. 22:1-2: “1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”

If you have studied James 1 recently, you might remember that James tells us: God does not and cannot tempt anyone. James 1:13: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:” Rather this was a test of faith.

Why did God test him in this way? Why ask him to sacrifice “his son, his only son, who he loves?” What did God get out of it? I don’t think God really got anything out of it; rather, this was for Abraham’s sake. This is a test of HIS faith in God, and if he goes through with this, then he can be, as James says in James 1:4, spiritually mature and whole, lacking nothing. But why the sacrifice of his son? Perhaps because of the land Abraham was in. One could ask Abraham: “Abraham, God has given you this land in prospect, this land of Canaan. Do you know how they prove their faith, their love and devotion to their gods? They sacrifice their children; Abraham, do you have as much faith as a Canaanite?”

Could we do something like that? If God asked us to do the same thing, could we sacrifice a child of ours? I don’t even have children, and I know I couldn’t.

Gen. 22:3-5: “3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the donkey; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.”

He rose up early; he didn’t delay, he didn’t put it off, he rose up early to do the Lord’s will. He went on for three days, knowing what he was about to do! As far as he was concerned, Isaac was a dead man walking for three days. But notice what he said in verse 5: “I and the lad will go yonder to worship, and come again to you.” He believed that even if he sacrificed his son, God would bring him back.

How do we know that? Heb. 11:17-19: “17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” Gen. 22:8 is even more proof of that.

Gen. 22:10-14: “10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”

Abraham was willing to go through with it. He was willing to bind his own son to the altar, to kill him, to give him up to God. But God didn’t want Isaac.

God wanted Abraham. Rom. 12:1-2: “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Abraham became that living sacrifice when he was willing to offer up his son. And Abraham showed his faith, through his works, that he trusted in God, he believed in him. And Abraham called that place “Jehovah-Jireh”, which means “The Lord will provide.”

Now back in our text, in James 2:22: “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” Faith was made perfect, spiritually mature. What would Abraham’s faith look like if he had not offered Isaac? What kind of faith might he have? In overcoming this ordeal, his faith in God grew. A faith not tested is a faith not worth having. And as hard as it is to say sometimes, thanks be to God that God allows our faith to be tested, so that we can be tried, and come out more faithful to Him.

Faith alone doesn’t save, it’s a dead faith. But faith with works is something to behold indeed. We can overcome trials, we can overcome the difficulties of life, if we have faith in God. And our actions can show just how much faith we have, and cause our faith to grow even more.

When faith combines with works, it is a faith that works. Not just a living faith, that does good works for God, but a faith that works for us. A faith that can bless us, a faith that can help to save our souls. What kind of faith do you have? Do you have a living faith? Do you have a faith that seeks to please God?

What does God mean to you; and what does your faith in Him mean to you? Only you can determine the answer, only you can decide if it is a living faith! But if it is a dead faith, if it is a faith that does not seek to serve the Lord, then friend, as much as I love you, I have to tell you, a dead faith belongs to a spiritually dead person. A spiritually dead person is lost, is not headed for Heaven, is not going to make it on the Day of Judgement. God doesn’t accept those who “just slide by,” they have to be willing to put in the effort, Mat. 7:21.

What does God mean to you?

Posted in Cannon Taylor | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on True Faith

Saints Assembled

Saints Assembled

The early church/ekklesia regularly assembled regularly.  The purpose of this article is to examine whether there is sufficient evidence within God’s word to draw the conclusion that Christians/Believers regularly assembled in the early church for the purpose of worshiping God.   This study from God’s Word is in response to those who seek to deny the reality of assembled Christians for the purpose of worship toward God in the early church.

To begin, we will examine the original Greek word translated as church in the New Testament.  An accurate understanding of this word in the original language is useful in a study of Christian assemblies.

The Greek word for church in most cases is Ekklesia

NT:479

General dictionaries define

ekklesia

as 1. “assembly” and 2. “church.” NT lexicons then distinguish between church as a. the whole body and b. the local congregation or house church.

(from Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged edition, Copyright © 1985 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)

The Greek word ekklesia is primarily a reference to a group of individuals.  In all cases, this word refers to people and not material objects such as buildings.  In all cases, the word is a reference to a plurality of people either locally or universally.

Additionally, scripture specifically associates the “ekklesia” with the body of Christ which is understood as being either a local group of Christians or the universal company of all Christians / Believers.  (Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18; 24).  Any time the word ‘Ekklesia’ is used in God’s Word in the context of Christians/Believers, it must be understood as being associated with the body of Christ.

Letters To The Churches

Paul addressed several of his epistles to churches or groups of Christians.  His epistle/letter to the Romans was addressed to “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.” Romans 1:7.   His letter to the Galatians, “unto the churches [ekklesia] of Galatia”, Galatians 1:2.  His letter to the Ephesians, “saints which are at Ephesus”, Ephesians 1:1.  His letters to the Corinthians, “Unto the church [ekklesia] of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”, 1 Corinthians 1:2.

It was the customary practice for these letters to be read to the entire congregation.   Notice Paul’s words in Colossians 4:16, “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”  A letter read “among” the members had to be done when they assembled.  So when we see a letter addressed to a church/ekklesia in God’s Word, we know it was meant for the entire congregation, or the entire church it was addressed to.  It is a necessary deduction from logic that these groups of Christians/believers assembled to hear the letters read aloud to them.

In Acts 2:42, we have a record of the early church on Pentecost.  The disciples continued steadfastly in praying and breaking of bread.  The breaking of bread in this context is in reference to the Lord’s Supper.  Continuing steadfastly establishes their meeting together on a regular basis.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV)

The term “breaking of bread” is used to refer to both the eating of a common meal together or the observance of the Lord’s Supper.  The context is used to determine which usage is intended.    Acts 2 has an example of both within the same narrative.  Verse 42 uses this term in the context of prayers and doctrine (teaching).   The Greek in this passage employs the use of the definite article “ho” which as translated by nearly all English translations as “The breaking of bread”.  This lends weight to this usage being in reference to an important event everywhere known and thus understood.

In verse 46 we see this term used in the context of eating common meals together in their homes.   Acts 2:44 refers to them having “everything in common,” and this no doubt included sharing meals together, each one receiving from the others what they needed.   The NIV translation captures the intent of this passage quite clearly, “…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts”.

The church assembled:

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church [ekklesia], and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church [ekklesia] together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church [ekklesia], I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church [ekklesia] which is in his house.

Philemon 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the churc [ekklesia] in thy house:

The Greek word for the ‘church’ in all the passages cited is ‘ekklesia’ which means the assembly or the local body of Christians meeting together.   A church/ekklesia cannot be in someone’s home together unless they are assembled. They were assembling in their homes.  An assembly of Christians is a logical necessity.

There is no doubt the early church/ekklesia assembled together.

Activities done in the early assemblies as recorded in God’s Word:

Each of these activities falls within one of the three categories of the work of the Lord’s church as a whole, i.e. Benevolence (Galatians 6:10), evangelizing (Matthew 28:18-20), edification (Ephesians 4:12-16, 1 Corinthians 14:26).

  1. Reading God’s Word aloud to the church/ekklesia: [edification]

Colossians 4:16   “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”

  1. Singing:

Hebrews 2:12, “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church [ekklesia] will I sing praise unto thee.”  Singing in the midst of the church/ekklesia requires them to be assembled.

Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  (teaching and admonishing one another requires an assembly, group activity, group worship)

  1. Praying:

Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Christians praying as a group.

Acts 12:12, “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”   This is an example of group prayer.

  1. Praising God:

Luke 24:52-53, “And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:  53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”

  1. Giving:

1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” (NASU)

Romans 15:25-26, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.  For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”

2 Corinthians 8:1-5, “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

  1. Lord’s Supper:

Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”

Luke 24:33-35, “And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.” (NASU)

Acts 2:42, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (NASU)

1 Corinthians 10:16-18, “Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.” (NASU)

1 Corinthians 11:20-22, “Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, 21 for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink?” (NASU)  (Partaking The Lord’s Supper is what they should have been doing.  Chastized for not doing what they should have been doing.)

  1. Preaching/Teaching:

Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”

1 Corinthians 4:17, “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”

All the above activities during assemblies of the Saints are forms of worship to God.  Therefore the assembly was done for the primary purpose of worshipping God.  These assemblies where God was praised, songs were sung, preaching was heard, contributions and prayers were offered and the Lord’s death remembered and honored are by logical necessity a worship service.

Instructions within God’s Word for the Christian assemblies:

        Instructions for conduct during assemblies implies an assembly

1 Corinthians 14:23-26, “Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.  26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (NASU)

James 2:1-4, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”

Ephesians 5:19-20, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

They have to be assembled together to speak to one another.   They also have to be assembled to partake of the Lord’s supper together:

1 Corinthians 11:20-29, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (KJV)

Instructions for how to partake of the Lord’s supper implies an assembly.  Christians must assemble to do this.  Notice Verse 20, “When ye come together”.  This is absolutely an action performed within an assembly of Christians.

 References / Instruction within God’s word Addressed to Christian Assemblies:

        Instructions directed to assemblies implies an assembly.

Hebrews 12:23, “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect…”

Forsaking the assembling of the saints carried the consequence of losing the benefit of the sacrifice of Christ:

Hebrews 10:24-26, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.”   The command to not forsake the assembling of  Christians together carries the necessary implication that assemblies are mandatory.  The sacrifice for sin here can be none other than Christ’s blood.  God’s word here pronounces the consequence of the loss of the saving power of Christ’s blood for failure to assemble with other Christians.  There can be no doubt this assembly just be the Lord’s Day worship assembly where the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross is remembered and commemorated each Lord’s Day through the observance of the Lord’s Supper.   Opponents of this reasoning are thus forced to produce another regular assembling of Christians for which the consequences for forsaking mentioned in God’s word are appropriate. In other words, what other regular, expected assembling of Christians could this be referring to?  If it is not the regular Lord’s day assembly, what then is it?  It’s important because deliberately and habitually forsaking it forfeits the saving benefit of Christ’s blood in their life.

The phrase “worship assembly” may not appear in that form in God’s word, but what does appear in God’s word are mandatory assemblies of Christians who”

  1. Worshipped/praised God
  2. Gave of their means to God
  3. Praised God in Song
  4. Offered Prayer to God
  5. Were edified (preaching & teaching) by the Word of God
  6. Commemorated/Remembered the death of Jesus (Lord’s Supper)

It makes sense that since mandatory assemblies were something required in God’s word, this logically applies universally to all the churches/congregations, therefore a record of when these assemblies occurred in any church would be binding to them all:

The Frequency of the assemblies of Christians:

The Christians in Troas assembled on the first day of the week to break bread.

“Acts 20:7, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (NASU)

The Christians in Corinth were commanded to give of their means to a central assembly on the first day of every week:

1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come” (NASU)

Assembling was mandatory per God’s word in Hebrews 10:24-26.  The Lord’s Supper, Giving, Praying, Singing, Preaching, Praising God were all done during assemblies of Christians in God’s Word.  Regular assemblies happening on the first day of every week are recorded in God’s word.  It therefore follows that the church/assemblies gathered every first day of the week to engage in worship to God.

Conclusion:

God’s inspired Word directly references assemblies of Christians/Believers.   God’s word references activities engaged in during assemblies of Christians/Believers.  God’s Word contains instructions for activities in the assemblies of Christians/Believers.   God’s Word directly addresses assemblies of Christians / Believers.  God’s Word directly and conclusively condemns willful failure to assemble with Christians/Believers.

Given the overwhelming evidence of the presence of assemblies of Christians/Believers with directions to them, it is a logical necessity that Christians/Believers assembled regularly on the first day of every week to participate in Worship to God.

Posted in David Hersey | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Saints Assembled

Confusion in the Scriptures

Confusion in the Scriptures

Confusion is something everyone goes through at some point in their lives.  Whether young or old, we have moments when we just don’t understand what we are seeing or are hearing.  I remember as a boy, I was walking at night toward my house.  There, 60 feet from the house, was a lightning ball.  A lightning ball is exactly what it sounds like.  It is a ball of lightning hovering off the ground, in this case, about three feet above the ground.  My curiosity was electric.  I crept closer and closer to this rare occurrence.  Then, I realized what I had seen as a lightning ball was just light brightly shining off of a large shiny tin container.  My confusion was based on a lack of knowledge about what I was seeing and a predisposition to wanting to see a lightning ball which I had previously read about.  In addition to our lifetime moments, there are a number of occasions within scripture where confusion occurred.

The book of John in chapter 6 retells the history of Jesus to a crowd and his disciples near the sea of Galilee.  Picking up in verse 31 the crowd mentions the Israelites in the wilderness and how they were given bread from heaven to eat.  Jesus declares He is the true bread from heaven.  He is the bread of life.  The people grumbled about his statement.  They certainly understood His claim of Deity.  Jesus declared that “the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world… I say unto you, except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, he have no life in you.  Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.”  By verse 66 it is read, “From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.”  It appears as if there was confusion in regard to what Jesus wanted from those who would follow Him.  Can you imagine hearing these words firsthand?  Not only is this Jesus claiming Deity but is Jesus talking about cannibalism?  Well, no he wasn’t.  He was speaking of the Lord’s Supper by which Christians would partake of the fruit of the vine and unleavened bread to remember Jesus (I Corinthians 11:23-27).

After his death and resurrection, Jesus instructed the disciples remain in Jerusalem waiting for the promise of the Father which was the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  “When the day of Pentecost arrived… they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”  These disciples, the twelve apostles, were telling people from different countries and different languages (tongues) “the mighty works of God”.  What was the response to this?  “And all were amazed and perplexed [confused], saying to one another, ‘what does this mean?’ But others mocking said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’”  This interaction recorded in Acts 2 demonstrates how confusion can occur.  These “Galileans”, men who were not educated in the speaking of different languages, were doing so!  The foolish explanation of drunkenness certainly would not apply.  One does not get drunk and develop an ability to speak coherently in language.  What sounded like gibberish to the Hebrew speaking Jew could very likely have been Greek or Aramaic or any other language.  Of course, the apostle Peter lends his voice to these assertions and declares that they were definitely not drunk, but that this was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel.

The apostle Paul visited the Thessalonians in after passing through the area of Amphipolis and Apollonia.  He shared the scriptures with the people there but met quite a bit of persecution and moved on quickly.  However, the Church would grow from his visit and it would flourish.  Paul would later write to the Thessalonians to encourage, strengthen, and instruct them.  Part of his discussion would cover the final judgment of mankind with the return of Jesus in the clouds.  The faithful alive and dead would meet Jesus in the sky and be with him forever.  What great news and blossom of Hope!  Yet, there was confusion.  People were under the impression that Jesus would be returning very soon.  So, people stopped working.  They just waited for the return of the Christ and the blessing of their eternal home.  However, Paul did not mean that the return was imminent.  He wrote another letter a few months later discouraging idleness.  Additionally, he spoke of other things which must come before the return of the Christ.  Simple confusion had created a problem that needed to be taken care of quickly.

Confusion is nothing new.  It has happened in the past.  It is happening today.  It will happen in the future.  When possible, take time to consider how your words or actions might be interpreted.  Also if something seems odd or confusing, seek for clarification.  Communication and inspection is a quick remedy to faulty conclusions.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Confusion in the Scriptures

The Life of Cain

The Life of Cain

Cain is the first son recorded to be born of Eve the wife of Adam.  He is mentioned in 17 verses in the Bible from both Old and New Testaments.  14 of the verses mentioning Cain come in Genesis 4.  The life of Cain is one of tragedy.  It speaks heavily to disobedience, a lack of self-control, jealous anger.

Cain worked the ground.  Thus, he appears to be a farmer of some sort.  There came a time when he brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. God did not have respect for Cain’s offering. Cain became angry and this disposition showed.  God spoke to Cain and asked him why he was angry and why did he look the way he did.  He asked Cain if he did well wouldn’t he be accepted?  He then instructed Cain that when he didn’t do well that sin would be near.  He told Cain sin wanted him, but he must rule over it.

Critical in understanding the life of Cain is understanding the authority of God.  Without all the information, it is easy to point the finger at God by our not understanding.  How could God punish Cain, someone who had brought him a gift offering?  Would it not seem that Cain wanted to please or be pleasing to God through his action?  Believe it or not, this same behavior is occurring throughout religious bodies today.  Individuals are offering up gifts they believe will be pleasing to God, but are not.  How can this be said?  Where is the proof of this comparison?  Consider the rest of the story, then one of the three verses not found in Genesis 4.  The rest of the story of the offering is that the brother of Cain, Abel, “also brought of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.”  Of this the author of the book of Hebrews, writes, “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts…”.  “By Faith” what does this mean?  Fortunately, we do not have to guess.  Romans 10:17 tells us “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”.  In other words, acceptable offerings “by faith” to God come from what He tells the hearer.  For Cain, the words came directly to him from God.  For mankind today, they come from the Bible itself.  So, if God commands a specific offering and exactly what He requested is not offered, the offeror is outside of given authority.  Bottom line, God will not be pleased.  This was the failing of Cain and the reason God had no regard for his offering. Cain did not offer what was requested.  His offering was not righteous – not right.  This type of action is also the reason God is not pleased by much of modern day worship.  They offer what God did not request nor in the manner He has requested.

Sadly, this is not the last failing in the life of Cain.  Cain spoke to his brother out in a field and then killed him.  The text of Genesis 4 does not specifically say why he killed his brother.  However, the New Testament gives us an answer we might have supposed. “We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.”  Cain killed his brother because of his own jealous anger.  God had warned Cain that sin wanted him.  He told him to rule over it, that is to have self-control.  So many things flash through our minds as we experience the different feelings of this life.  Anger, sadness, desire, lust, joy, exhilaration, envy, jealousy, greed, hunger, and other aspects of living in human flesh all have their potential pitfalls.  Solomon wrote that “There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way of death.”  Cain’s solution to his evil disobedient behavior and his brother’s righteous behavior was to eliminate his brother.  What could be wrong with this plan?  Kind of like David eliminating Uriah (the husband of the wife with whom David committed adultery and impregnated).  Cain was jealous of his brother receiving the praise of God.  This jealousy led to his lack of self-control.  The lack of self-control added another sin on top of the first one.Cain jealousy

Sobriety is often associated with alcohol or drugs.  If you are sober, many consider this to be the absence of the influence of these substances.  However, sobriety is being clear headed, self controlled, vigilant with your thoughts and actions.  It means that despite how you feel, you put yourself in the right state of thinking.  Cain failed mightily in both his offering and his killing of Abel because in neither case did he exert control over his thoughts or actions.  Cain may be a bad example of how to conduct your life, but he is an excellent example of how not to conduct your life.  Walk in obedience and self-control by the authority of God and not by your own feelings, and your life will be an offering that is pleasing to God.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Life of Cain

Thoughts by the Fire

Thoughts by the Fire

Recently, I wrote an article entitled, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and I discussed the occurrences of cold in the Bible.  Well, it is still cold here in Missouri (below freezing).  So, I am keeping the fire blazing to stay warm!  I want to share with you my “Thoughts by the Fire”. The scriptures speak of keeping warm by the fire.  Peter warmed himself by the fire in Mark 14:54 and the inhabitants of Melita as a show of kindness kindled a fire to warm Paul and those who had been shipwrecked (Acts 28:1-2).  Fire can be such a blessing.  I have good memories of being around it with family and friends.  I am certain that the disciples never forgot being near the fire with Jesus and sharing fish and bread (John 21:9).  Today, let’s take a gander at a few of the instances where the Bible speaks of fire.

Thoughts by the Fire

Thoughts by the Fire

The Bible itself is referred to as a fire.  Jeremiah, sharing the Word each day in a Jerusalem soon to be destroyed came to be mocked and treated poorly because of his proclamations.  He decided not to share God’s revelation anymore, however, it was a “burning fire shut up” in his bones.  Jeremiah couldn’t keep it in!  God later says through Jeremiah “Is not my Word like as a fire?”  I think the prophet would agree.

Fire was actually used to communicate in at least two occurrences within scripture.  First, Moses was drawn to a burning bush, in which an angel of the Lord spoke to him. Second, the voice of God came from fire upon Mt. Sinai with Israel fresh from Egypt camped below.  Of course, communication by fire is not the norm.  That being the case, the fact that fire can also cause great fear is not surprising.  When Israel saw and heard the voice from the fire on Mt. Sinai they were terrified and did not want to see that fire anymore for fear of death.

On the other side of fear, fire for many is a form of comfort.  When the children of Israel were led out of Egypt, by night they could see the presence of God in a pillar of fire.  You could literally say that God was their light.  Throughout all their journeys in the wilderness, God was there.  When Solomon built the temple, though it was not God’s intention for it to be built, fire came down and the Glory of the Lord filled the temple.  This caused Israel to bow faces to the ground and worship and praise God saying “For He is good; for his mercy endureth forever.”  How comforting to know that God was among them.  When the servant of Elisha was concerned about being surrounded by horses and chariots, Elisha prayed that the servant’s eyes be opened.  God answered that prayer, and the man could see the Lord’s chariots of fire filling the mountain.  Now that is assurance!  Fire is even used in the New Testament as a sign of comfort.  The apostle Paul speaks of providing food and drink even to an enemy.  Additionally, he mentions providing coals of fire (which were carried in a ceramic container upon the head) to care for that person in giving them a source to create their domestic fire.

The Old Testament speaks frequently about the fire used for the many sacrifices of Israel.  The fire upon the altar consummating the offering to God.  Outside of the camp of Israel, the sin offering of the bull would be carried and then in a clean place burned with fire.  Within and outside of the walls of Jerusalem, the fires reminded the people of God and His Graciousness toward them.  The thought of fire and sacrifice harkens back to the second mention of fire in the Bible.  Abraham was instructed by God to offer His son Isaac upon an altar.  Scripture says ”And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand and a knife; and they went both of them together.”  Of course, God would provide another offering in this type through the sacrifice of Christ for all mankind; but what a powerful initial example to Israel about devotion to God this example sent.

The first mention of fire in scripture was used to show God’s judgment.  Due to the sinful state of Sodom and Gomorrah, God rained fire and brimstone down upon them from heaven.  God’s judgment is often shown in scripture by the use of fire.  Fire was utilized in the plagues upon Egypt.  Nadab and Abihu were destroyed with fire from heaven due to their disobedience to God.  Complaining from Israel fueled God’s anger toward them, and many were consumed by fire.  God commanded frequently throughout the Old Testament that idols and false Gods were to be destroyed by fire as well.  Significantly, Jerusalem was destroyed by the fire of the Chaldeans in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:9, Jeremiah 37:8) and it was prophesied to be destroyed in the same manner in 70 AD (Zephaniah 1:18, Luke 3:16).  Both occurrences could have been avoided if Israel would have clung to God and honored him through deeds of repentance, but they refused.  Though these earthly judgments are terrifying displays of God’s power, a greater judgment waits for all mankind.  Matthew 18:8, 25:41, and Jude 1:7 all speak of an eternal fire to come punishing those whose hearts would not turn to God.

There are many uses and instances of the word fire in the Bible.  Its impact can range from the pleasant to the horrifying.  Its flame can be a blessing or an eternal curse depending on the heart of man.  The wrath of God burns like a fire, but he will not hide it forever (Psalm 89:46).  This fiery anger of God will come upon those whose heart has departed from Him (Jeremiah 17:4-5).  Let’s let our thoughts by the fire examine whether our hearts are turning dark and cold.  May we all kindle a flame of repentance, love, and honor to God before it is eternally too late.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Thoughts by the Fire