There’s Only One

In Ephesians chapter four the apostle Paul is addressing a real problem that existed in the church of the first century. The problem was division among the brethren. As it was with his letter to the Corinthian church he wanted the Christians to be united. He encouraged them to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (v 3). We do this, he says, by walking worthy of the calling with which we were called “with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love” (vv 1-2).

Sure, they all had different individual callings but they were to be used together for the edification of the whole church, not just for individual glory and honor. The goal was unity, maturity and steadfastness. The church was meant to be a group of individuals “called out” of this world to supply love, strength and encouragement to all the other “called out” (vv 11-16).

However, in verses 4-6 Paul speaks of some things in which we have no freedom as Christians to our own personal ideas, interpretations, or indulgence. Some contend that these things Paul speaks of are so unique in nature that there cannot be another (real or imagined); while others teach that these things (more or less) are open to individual interpretation and live in accordance to his ideal. But what exactly is the apostle Paul saying here? He says there is:

One Body – Are there not many different bodies? Yes. But there is only one body that belongs to Christ and to which true Christians are added. Since the church of Christ and the body are one and the same thing (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18; Eph 5:23) and since there are many different denominational bodies that claim Christ as their head what is Paul talking about? The one “true” body belongs to Christ (Col 2:17) and every other, while it may claim to be His (and is indeed a body of some type), is not the one “true” body. 1 Corinthians 12 is a great study of this subject.

One Spirit – While the Bible speaks of many different “spirits” (i.e. spirit of an unclean devil, spirit of infirmity, spirit of bondage, spirit of adoption, spirit of slumber, spirit of the world, spirit of your mind, spirit of fear, spirit of antichrist, spirit of error) there is only one true Spirit from above that is able to teach us and guide us to heaven. And while most of the spirits spoken of throughout scripture are those that come from the world and individual selfishness, many claim that these spirits are the one “true” spirit.

One Hope – Do people place their hopes and dreams on many things that the true Christian recognizes as being hopeless dreams? There are many hopes that men have but only one that will result in what we really want and need (Rom 8:24).

One Lord – Do people serve many different lords? Do people call on lords to save them? The world is filled with idolatry, service, and worship to lords that cannot save. Paul means here that there is one “true” Lord in whom we have hope. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). He even spoke of those who would call Him Lord but not obey Him (Matt 7:21-23; Luke 6:46).

One Faith – How many faiths are there? The dictionary defines faith as “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” The Greek word means to have a “persuasion” or “conviction.” The Muslim has a faith; so does the Buddhist, the Jew, the Hindu, the Spiritualist, the humanist, the Atheist, the Deist, the Pantheist and so on. So what does Paul mean here? There is only one “true, saving” faith (Rom 1:5)!

One Baptism – Are there and have there been many baptisms? The Bible speaks of no less than seven (i.e. John, Jesus, Fire, Moses, Cross, Holy Spirit, for the remission of sins). While there was a time when all these baptism were valid and had a purpose by the time of Paul’s epistle to the church at Ephesus there was only one valid baptism and it was the one that would save them (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-40; Acts 19:1-5; 1 Pet 3:21).

One God and Father of All – Here is the culminating statement! For the Christians at Ephesus they needed to remember that their heavenly Father was the one true and living God (1 Thess 1:9). He was above all, through all and in them all. So they needed to be united on these truths and work together for edification and eternal life.

Aren’t you glad there are no divisions among us today? Oh yeah, right! Why are there divisions among us today? Because people are following or are a part of many different bodies, spirits, hopes, lords, faiths, baptisms, and gods. Let us take a moment for honest introspection and ask ourselves who are we serving, what do we believe, is it helping to unify the brethren, am I contributing to the edification of the saints? Am I on the right path to heaven? Think about it!

Posted in Tim Dooley | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on There’s Only One

How to Rightly Divide the Word

We are commanded to rightly divide the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). Today, much confusion and all false religions are based on the failure to divide the Word correctly. Therefore, instead of looking within ourselves or looking to some scholar as to how to divide the Word, since God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), we should seek the wisdom of God.

Now, there are many Bible references that teach us how to rightly divide the Word. But, one chapter especially needs to be read and studied above all, which is Galatians 3. This chapter gives the right divisions of the Word based on the three grand divisions of the Bible commonly called Patriarchal, Jewish, and Christian Dispensations. These divisions are Scripturally known as the promises, the law, and the Gospel. The promises were made to Abraham 430 years before the Law of Moses came into existence. This law was “added because of transgression” (Galatians 3:19) until Christ should come with the
Gospel to fulfill the promise to Abraham.

Now, the Law of Moses was not added to the promise which God made to Abraham. The Bible says it came in besides, meaning, between the promise and its fulfillment (Galatians 3:23). This promise was that Christ, the seed of Abraham, should come, and
through Him all nations would be blessed (Galatians 3:8-14, 17, 19). Now, since the Law of Moses was added only until the seed should come, and the description of that seed is, “which is Christ” (Galatians 3:16), it follows that the Law of Moses automatically ended with the coming of Christ. The apostle wrote, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Galatians 3:24-25). The “us” as referred to there are the Jews.

In Galatians 3, when read and studied, it will make clear the right divisions of the Word of God, unless one stubbornly refuses to see. With this plain and proper division of the Word, Paul in numerous other references affirms the official cancellation of the Law of Moses. Some of the references in which Paul affirms the cancellation of the Law of Moses are as follows:

1. “We are not under the law” (Romans 10:4).
2. We are dead to the law and delivered from it (Romans 7:6).
3. Jesus Christ is the end of the Law of Moses (Colossians 2:14-16).

How much clearer could language be to prove to all mankind that no one is under the Law of Moses today? All who want to be saved today, are subject to the Gospel conditions of salvation which is only found in Christ (Acts 4:12). Thus, the Great Commission, recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John is the key to understanding the preaching of the apostles in the book of Acts.

Posted in Robert Notgrass | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on How to Rightly Divide the Word

Eliminate 90% of the Human Race?

Eliminate 90% of the Human Race?

In elementary schools, it often begins with a crush. During the rebellious years of high school, we try to act as if we dislike all of them—even though we still have our favorites. Then, in college, we respect them for their education, and in graduate or professional school our respect oftentimes turns into loyal admiration. Most of us can look back through our educational years and remember teachers who really stood out—teachers that made a difference in our lives. These are the ones who made an imprint on us—and as such, we often pattern our own values, beliefs, and ideology accordingly.

That’s all well and good when teachers maintain integrity and adhere to a strong moral code. But what happens when students worship a professor who suggests that we humans are no better than bacteria? And that the world would be a better place if we had an airborne version of Ebola that would wipe out 90% of the human population—a virtual holocaust to cleanse the Earth? To make matters worse, what message are we sending when we designate such a man as the “2006 Distinguished Texas Scientist?”

What does it take to earn the title of “Distinguished Texas Scientist”? Well, obviously, it does not hurt to do research in Texas. But since when is suggesting the human race needed to be wiped out a good thing? This is precisely what Dr. Eric Pianka did at the 109th meeting of the Texas Academy of Science at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. The meeting, held March 3-5, 2006, honored Pianka, an evolutionary ecologist and lizard expert, as the 2006 Distinguished Texas Scientist.

In describing the event, attendee Forrest Mims observed:

Something curious occurred a minute before Pianka began speaking. An official of the Academy approached a video camera operator at the front of the auditorium and engaged him in animated conversation. The camera operator did not look pleased as he pointed the lens of the big camera to the ceiling and slowly walked away. This curious incident came to mind a few minutes later when Professor Pianka began his speech by explaining that the general public is not yet ready to hear what he was about to tell us. Because of many years of experience as a writer and editor, Pianka’s strange introduction and the TV camera incident raised a red flag in my mind. Suddenly I forgot that I was a member of the Texas Academy of Science and chairman of its Environmental Science Section. Instead, I grabbed a notepad so I could take on the role of science reporter (2006).

In his recounting of the wicked speech, Mims noted that one of the first planks Pianka laid was that humans were no better than animals. Recounting the story of a neighbor who questioned his interest in lizards, Pianka responded: “What good are you?” He then felt compelled to announce: “We are no better than bacteria!” (Mims, 2006).

From there, the speech took a decisively wicked turn, as Pianka insisted the Earth would not be able to sustain life without drastic measures. He proposed the only solution was to eliminate most of the world’s population. Reflecting back on the conference, Mims noted:

Then, and without presenting any data to justify this number, he asserted that the only feasible solution to saving the Earth is to reduce the population to 10 percent of the present number. He then showed solutions for reducing the world’s population in the form of a slide depicting the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. War and famine would not do, he explained. Instead, disease offered the most efficient and fastest way to kill the billions that must soon die if the population crisis is to be solved (2006, emp. added).

If Pianka’s words do not send chills up your spine you need to check your pulse. How does it feel knowing that this man is idolized, to the point that one of his students was heard to say, “I worship Dr. Pianka” (Mims, 2006). One wonders how many young graduate students currently enrolled at various universities “worship” this man and would be more than willing to work on creating an airborne strain of Ebola.

One of the saddest parts of this story was the audiences’ reaction. Instead of being outraged or standing up against Pianka, his own colleagues gave him a standing ovation. Mims observed:

When Pianka finished his remarks, the audience applauded. It wasn’t merely a smattering of polite clapping that audiences diplomatically reserve for poor or boring speakers. It was a loud, vigorous and enthusiastic applause (Mims, 2006).

This account should be a sobering reminder as to why there should be restraints on scientific research. Most scientists do not want any restrictions on their research, and in many cases their research has out-paced ethical laws. They contend that they should be a “self-governing body,” and yet we find them giving a standing ovation to a man who suggests that “billions must soon die” in order to solve the “population crisis.” In an article titled “Scientists Cheer Holocaust Wish,” the World Net Daily noted:

During a question-and-answer session, the audience laughed approvingly when Pianka offered the bird flu as another vehicle toward achieving his goal. They also chuckled when he suggested it was time to sterilize everyone on Earth. “What kind of reception have you received as you have presented these ideas to other audiences that are not representative of us?” asked one member of the audience. “I speak to the converted!” Pianka replied (see “Scientists Cheer…,” 2006).

Converted from what? Sanity?! Here is a man who is willing to press atheistic evolution to its logical conclusion. This is the same man who approves of the Chinese “one-child” policy and proclaimed that smarter people have fewer kids. As a society we must quickly acknowledge the fact that our children and grandchildren are placing many professors on pedestals. It’s time we hold those professors accountable for the seeds they are planting in the hearts and minds of our young people.

REFERENCES

“Scientists Cheer Holocaust Wish” (2006), World Net Daily, [On-line], URL: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49555.

Mims, Forrest (2006), “Meeting Doctor Doom,” The Citizen Scientist, [On-line], URL: http://www.sas.org/tcs/weeklyIssues_2006/2006-04-07/feature1p/index.html.

Copyright © 2006 Apologetics Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=1821

Posted in Brad Harrub | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Eliminate 90% of the Human Race?

Leo Lane is not a Dead End Street

[Editor’s note: I found this to be an excellent article.  There are many congregations which meet at the end of the road such as described in this writing about Leo Lane.  I believe it would be a top notch piece to put in your local bulletin.  Good day!]

It bothers me every time I see the sign.  Turn east off Military Trail into Leo Lane and there is that sign which says, “Dead End.” Nothing could be farther from the truth! Drive to the end of Leo Lane and you will readily understand that the street that leads to Palm Beach Lakes is not a dead end road, it is one that leads to life.

There is death at the end of Leo Lane. Over 100 people have died and been buried in the building at the end of the road. In fact over 100 people have been crucified there. In Romans chapter six, Paul described it this way, “Our old man was crucified with Him” (v. 6). We were baptized into His death (v. 3) and ours (v. 4). Then the most amazing thing happened—we were raised to walk in newness of life. There is death at the end of the road, but the wonderful news is that there is also life. Leo Lane is not a dead end street!

A living God is found at the end of Leo Lane. “For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them’” (2 Cor. 6:16). He has taken each of us and made us part of His holy temple. Peter described what He is doing with us in these words, “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices” (1 Pet. 2:5).

Living bread and living water is found at the end of Leo Lane. Jesus said, “I am the bread of God who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” and “. . . He who feeds on Me will live because of Me” (John 6:35; 57). Our Lord told the woman at the well about water so satisfying that one never thirsts who drink of it. That water is found at the end of Leo Lane.

Living rivers of water flow forth from Leo Lane. The prophet Joel figuratively described the coming the church in these words. “And it shall come to pass in that day that . . . all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; a fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord” (Joel 2:18). That house is the church! Jesus described the impact of the coming of the Spirit on the church, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 8:37-38).

What’s at the end of Leo Lane? “The Spirit and the bride way, ‘Come!” And let him who hears say, ‘Come.’ Whosoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). What’s at the end of Leo Lane? His bride saying “Come.” Freedom from sin. Liberty in Christ. His temple of living stones. Christians living for Him—both young and old.

The sign which says dead end is simply traffic information. It doesn’t describe the church. Come and see!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Leo Lane is not a Dead End Street

Is the Preacher Too Old?

Occasionally someone with a need to become important begins to spread a rumor that the preacher is too old to do his work and the congregation is suffering because of his age. This is just one of those tactics that the Devil uses to undermine the truth and the peace in a local congregation. Remember you will never see the Devil in person; the Devil appears in human form sometimes as a brother in Christ or even as an “angel of light” – cf. 2 Cor 11:14-15, “14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

There are no age limits for the ministers of the gospel; the New Testament and early  traditions indicate that there were good men preaching the gospel into their very old age. We may also see in the Old Testament that most of the great heroes of the 11th chapter of the Book of Hebrews were old men who continued until they died.

PLEASE LOOK AT THE WORK OF MOSES:

Deut 34:1-8, And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shall not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knows of his sepulchre unto this day. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.”

 PLEASE CONSIDER CALEB:

Joshua 14:6-13, Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.  As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.  Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.  And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.” (KJV)

Indeed, we would do well to set at the feet of the aged ministers to learn of the great experiences that the older men have had with regard to their work over long years of faithful service. Therefore if a man is faithful, mentally alert, and able to speak clearly — why should he stop teaching and preaching the gospel message to the lost and dying in this world and also in the pews of many church-buildings throughout the land?

I have known of preachers with one arm, in wheel chairs, in their 80s, grey headed, and sometimes bald headed who worked harder and longer each day than most Christians half their age. As long as they are mentally and spiritually capable to perform, encourage them to keep up the good work.

MORE INSTRUCTION REGARDING OLDER CHRISTIANS:

Lev. 19:32, Thou shall rise up before the hoary head , and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. (KJV)

Prov. 16:31, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.”

Prov 20:29, The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

Prov. 23:22, Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.”

THE BEST WAY TO FORM REBELLION AMONG THE PEOPLE:

(Seek the advise of the young –  and – do not listen to the aged faithful)

1 Kings 12:6-19, And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spoke unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spoke unto him, saying, Thus shall thou speak unto this people that spoke unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shall thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; And spoke to them after the counsel of the young men , saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. (KJV)

A LETTER FROM AN AGED PREACHER:

I have Reached A Milestone. Now What? Ill health has forced retirement and so now what shall my life be – Shall I whine and complain a lot since my voice is taken from me? For some fifty years He allowed me to proclaim the salvation “in Christ:” And so I thought that’s what I’d do for the remainder of my natural life! But I have other talents as well – abilities not requiring a voice I can still read and I can write – So writing is another good choice! “The pen is mightier than the sword” Someone wrote long ago it’s so true God committed His word to written form – So why can’t I do the same thing too? Paul wrote “when you read you may understand.” Writing of the salvation of the Jew & Gentile too some say I have the ability to teach via poetry so then that’s at least something that I can still do. — Ephesians 3:1-6,1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;6 That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (KJV) — By Kenneth E. Thomas – 2008

Posted in Garreth L. Clair | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Is the Preacher Too Old?