In Pursuit of the Right Church

In the world today there are many churches each one claims to be ok with God and most of them are doing good works in the community and are attracting good, honest, people as members. So, what is wrong with this picture; why would anyone criticize such an apparent good thing? It seems, that many churches are doing good for the community and there are many good people that belong to them. As we look at these many different churches from a purely humanistic point of view, it seems that everyone would be content with what is being done religiously in the world and go along with the situation. I believe that many people look on the religious scene in the world today through rose colored glasses; they only see the good works being done in secular society and miss the greater and more important aspect of true religion. There is nothing wrong with any institution that does good works and advance man’s physical well being. Yet, a failure to advance the principles of true religion while accomplishing these humanistic goals is a total failure in God’s plan.

PLEASING GOD:  The greatest failure of the kind of religious diversity that exist in the world today is the fact that God does not approve of division (i.e. a plurality of diverse philosophies on the doctrine of the Bible, etc.) religiously and that He never has approved of it – cf. John 17:21, “that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, (art) in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.” (ASV) Since the Lord does not approve of religious division, it behooves man in his religious pursuit to work diligently for its eradication from all religious pursuits, To eliminate religious pluralism  is to object to the religious division that is acceptable to most of the world’s population today. You see; there are literally thousands of religious people in all nations of the earth practicing some kind of religion, many of these religions are completely in contradiction one with the other – they cannot all be practicing true religion. The only religion that has God’s approval is authorized by His Book and His Book’s doctrine the Bible.

HOW IT IS REVEALED:  God has provided mankind with three major dispensations of true religion (i.e. each possessing its unique doctrine and actions – each being established for those that lived under the 3 contrasting religious concepts.

The Patriarchal – This period began with Adam and continued to be binding upon mankind until the – SECOND – The Law of Moses was instituted.

The Law of Moses – This period began with God’s giving of the Ten Commandments and subsequent laws and rituals – this law was binding upon those that lived and died under it. This law of God was in vogue until Christ established His Church on the first Pentecost after His resurrection.

The Law of Christ – This period began at Acts 2:1-47 and brought to an end the Law of Moses. This new law united both Jews and Gentiles in to one Body (i.e. the church of Christ). This law will be binding upon all humanity until the trumpet of God sounds and time will end as we know it.

1 Cor 15:22-29, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming. Then (cometh) the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.  For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.  And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.” ASV

As is surely apparent to even the casual reader the first two periods of God’s dealings with mankind are no longer in vogue (i.e. are unacceptable to God for establishing and maintaining an acceptable relationship with HIM)

As we have established God requires obedience from man in order to receive the benefits of God’s grace. Since the grace of God is already available to man, he ought to do whatever is necessary to acquire its benefits. NOTE THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

Acts 2:37-38, “37 Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? 38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (ASV)

John 6:66-68, “66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? 68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (ASV)

In the passage just answered, we see the great question that is on the heart of each person sometime in his/her lifetime. Indeed, that question is; “What shall I do to be saved from my sin?”

THE TRUTH IS SALVATION FROM SIN IS AVAILABE TO EVERYONE TODAY

Even though everyone in the world may be saved from their sin, all will not be saved because they will not come to Jesus Christ on His terms.

Hebrews 5:8-9, “8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;” (ASV)

Mark 16:15-16, “15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.”

Acts 2:38, “And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (ASV)

WHAT CHURCH?  We have already stated that there is only one true church (i.e. religious movement), that one true church is found in the New Testament.

Its origin:

Isaiah 2:2-4, “And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.  And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (ASV)

Its Builder:

Matthew 16:17-20, “ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall  bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.” (ASV)

Its beginning:

Acts 2:37-47, “Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?  And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, (even) as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added (unto them) in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them (i.e. the church) day by day those that were saved.” ASV

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Why Do Churches Meet Every Week?

It is remarkable how a simple question can help give greater insight into deep spiritual matters. Jesus showed this when He asked the Jews two simple questions. “The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matt. 21:25). In a similar manner, two questions can be given to those who ask, “Where does the Bible say we should have the Lord’s Supper every Sunday?”

The first question is, “Where does the Bible teach that we should worship every Sunday?” There is no question that almost every denomination meets every Sunday and expects members to assemble. By what authority? Where does the Bible teach this?

It is true that three major events happened on the first day of the week. Sunday was the day of His resurrection as He described as happening on the third day. His disciples said that Sunday was the third day (Luke 24:1, 21). The second event was the beginning of the church on Pentecost. Pentecost always occurred on Sunday (Lev. 23:15-16). The third major event was baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, the fact these events happened on Sunday does not demand a regular weekly Sunday gathering.

There are only two references which show the early church met on Sunday.  Acts 20 shows that Paul, while hurrying to get to Jerusalem, delayed his journey seven days in Troas and preached to the church on Sunday (Acts 20:16 and Acts 20:7). This shows that, at least in that city, the church assembled to worship on Sunday. Is this proof enough for most churches to assemble on Sunday?  There is more proof.

Look at the only other reference which shows the church assembled on Sunday. Paul mentions that he commanded the churches in Galatia to gather money for the poor on Sundays and gave orders to the church in Corinth to do the same (1 Cor. 16:1-2). The Greek indicates these orders involved doing this every Sunday, and several translations show this.

The point has been established. The church did assemble every week. That second question is, “Why did they meet?” The answer—it was to eat the Lord’s Supper. Acts 20:7 says they assembled to eat the Lord’s Supper. The church at Corinth assembled every Sunday and the expressed reason they assembled was to eat the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:22-33, especially verse 33).

When we establish that the Bible demands a weekly assembly, the same verses establish the fact they assembled to eat the Lord’s Supper. The Sunday assembly is mentioned only twice and both times the Bible shows the primary reason they assembled was to have communion!

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Why Become a Christian?

Why did we all get up today and come to worship?  What is it about Christianity that compels us to take time out of our busy lives and come together on each Lord’s Day, and to offer our worship to God?  What is it about Christianity that compels us to live our life in adherence to a higher purpose?  What is it about Christianity that compels us to seek to mold our lives around that which is good and right and just and to shun behavior which is opposed to all that is right?  In short, why did we choose to be Christians and why should those who are not Christians choose to become one? 

There are a lot of reasons why I became a Christian but the main one which drove me above all the rest is that I recognize that we are living in a material world that could only have gotten here as a result of the will, actions and purpose of a creator.  In short, I recognize and acknowledge that there is a creator God who is powerful enough and intelligent enough to bring about what we can see in the observable universe.  It’s a big and complex universe we live in so the creator has to be bigger and more powerful than our universe and He has to possess the intelligence to accomplish it.  With this acknowledgement of a creator naturally comes the realization that there was intent and purpose connected to this creation.  In short, what does our creator expect out of His creation?  The writer of Revelation penned this in chapter 4:11, “…thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”  Isaiah wrote in 43:7, “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”  Yes God has expectations of His creation and according to Isaiah’s inspired words, mankind figures prominently in God’s purpose. 

The Bible is a composite work containing 66 books written over a period of about 1700 years by about 40 different authors who were separated by centuries of time and countless miles of territory.  Numbered among the writers are people from every walks of life.  The Bible was written by such people as David and Solomon who were kings; James, the brother of Jesus, who was a carpenter;  Peter and John who were fishermen; Paul who was a Pharisee; Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel who lived lives of poverty and hardship; and Daniel who was a slave in a foreign land for most of his life.   These writers made prophetic statements by the thousands all of which have come to pass in their due time.  The only prophecies in the Bible that have not been fulfilled to the letter are the ones regarding the end of time as we know it and the final judgment of mankind.   Mankind is incapable of the ability to look down the road of time and predict with such pinpoint accuracy events that we see prophesied in scripture that were fulfilled.  Thus we know this book could not have been written solely by the intent and purpose of man because it contains things in it that man cannot achieve.  

Throughout the pages of this remarkable book, there is a single theme.  The entire book is about one thing, which is the salvation of man.  It contains within it a historical account of how man came into existence, and then how man came to fall from God’s favor, thus earning for himself eternal separation from Him.   And finally, the Bible contains what man has to do in order to be forgiven of sin and be reconciled to God so that we can live with God forever. 

The Bible has one major division in it.  We have the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Those who lived under the old testament for the most part lived under the Law of Moses which was given to Him on Mt. Sinai after the Israelites were freed from Egyptian bondage.  Those who did not live under the Law of Moses lived under what we today call the Patriarchal law where God dealt with fathers, or the Patriarchs, of families on a more individual level.  Job lived under the Patriarchal law.  The law of Moses was given to the Israelites both as a national law governing them as a people and a religious law which provided a means of atonement for sin through the sacrifice of animals, worship of the one true and living God and the promise of a coming savior who would put down sin and provide a means of complete reconciliation to God.  Complete reconciliation to God is something that the law of Moses could not provide because the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin (Hebrews 10:4).

With the coming of Jesus we see the beginning of this new system of reconciliation to God.  Luke 16:16 reads “The law and the prophets were until John: (speaking here of John the Baptist), since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”  With the coming of John the Baptist and then Jesus and His disciples came the ordinance of baptism we read of in Luke 3:3, “And he” (John the Baptist), “came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

That’s not how sins were forgiven under the law of Moses. Things were changing with the arrival of John the Baptist and Jesus.  Jesus was the mediator of a new covenant which Jeremiah prophesied of centuries earlier. Jeremiah 31:31-32, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt…”  This new covenant, this good news was being revealed to the Jews first and then later to the Gentiles.  We learn later that this new covenant was ratified and came into full force for all mankind at the death of Jesus on the Cross which accomplished the redemption of sin for both those living before and after the cross.  Hebrews 9:15 “And for this cause he (meaning Jesus), is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance“. 

Today, two thousand years later, we live under the terms of the new testament.  Under the New Testament all mankind can be totally reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.  Where the law of Moses pertained to the Israelites, the New Law, the “Law of Christ” as it’s called in Galatians 6:2 pertains to all mankind on earth, Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men“.  Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.“

We live under the New Testament today and because of it and what Jesus Christ did for us, we can all be Christians.  So why become a Christian?  It’s very simple. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”.  So that we can come to the Father, our creator.  So that we can be forgiven of our sins and be reconciled to God.

Why is this a good thing to have our sins forgiven and be reconciled to God?  Because without forgiveness and reconciliation to God, we are dead people walking.  Ephesians 2:1 reads, “And you hath he” (speaking of Jesus), “quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins“.  While writing to Timothy about widows, Paul had this to say about widows who decided to live in pleasures of the flesh, 1 Timothy 5:6, “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth“.  When we sin, our lives are forfeit.  We don’t die in our flesh immediately when we sin, but our souls are lost, condemned, doomed to everlasting darkness and separation from God to spend an eternity in the torments and agony of hell fire.  We are dead while we live and those who are spiritually dead are living without hope. 

Who has sinned?  In Romans 3:23, Paul wrote, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God“.  And what is the consequence of all sin? Later in this same letter, Paul tells us in 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death“.  No exceptions, no loop holes, no allowances.   When we sin, we are dead even though we are still alive in the flesh.  So why become a Christian?  Because Christians are people who were once dead and were born again.  The only way the dead can become alive is to be reborn, to be resurrected, to be born again.  Those who are born again are alive again.  There is hope where before there was only hopelessness.  There is salvation where before there was only condemnation.  There is life where before there was only death.  That is a real good reason for becoming a Christian. 

When speaking to Nicodemus, Jesus said in John 3:3, “…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Jesus concluded His conversation with Nicodemus by saying, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).  How does one become born again?  What does one who is dead have to do in order to become alive again?  How does one become a Christian? 

That is a question that in this day and age can have a whole host of answers.  Depending on with what group one associates themselves with, one is liable to get all kinds of different answers to the question of how to be born again.  Some will tell you to pray a prayer and invite Jesus into your heart and you will become a born again Christian.  It’s called the sinners prayer and those who advocate such a thing will tell you all you have to do is pray that prayer and you got it made.  Is this true?  Let’s go back to Jesus discussion with Nicodemus and see if we can find a clue there about being born again that has a bearing on this sinner’s prayer.  Recorded in John 3:5, Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”   This process of being born again involves water.  We must be born again and we must be born of water and the Spirit if we want to enter the kingdom of God.  Now one has to ask, where’s the water at in the sinner’s prayer? 

So when we look around us at all the different denominations out there, how can we be sure that we are getting the truth about how to be born again?  This is important and we don’t want to make a mistake.  We’re dead and we want to become living again so that we can have hope, so that we can have life, so that we can be reconciled to God. 

There were born again Christians written about in the New Testament.  If we can search the scriptures and find out everything they did to become Christians then that would surely work for us.  If we were to do everything they did to become Christians, then doesn’t it make sense that we would be just what they were?  There is no way we could go wrong if we do what they did, not part of what they did, but all of what they did.  So let’s take every example there is in scripture of Christian conversions, put then all together and we will be absolutely sure of being just what they were then. 

Let’s look at the very first example of Christian conversions.  After Jesus ascended back to heaven, on a day known as Pentecost which was a Sunday, we see Peter preaching to the Jews in Jerusalem.  In Acts 2:36-39, we read the words of Peter as he preached, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”  Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit“.  There are four things there that need to be focused on.

1)  They heard the word of God preached to them by Peter (V 37).
2)  They were pricked in their hearts, meaning they felt guilt for their sin of killing Jesus (V 37).
3)  They were told to repent which means to change their way of living.
4)  They were told to be baptized for the remission or forgiveness of their sins.

OK, so we have hearing the word of God, guilt over sin, repentance and baptism all listed in this first example of Christian converts.  Is this everything we need to do?  Let’s look at the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch to Christianity and see what was required in it. 

Acts 8:35-39
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”  Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.“

1)  The Ethiopian Eunuch heard the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ, preached to him by Philip.
2)  He requested baptism.
3)  He had to confess that he believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
4)  He was baptized in water.

In Acts chapter 8 we read of the conversion of the Samaritans.

1)  They heard the word, Acts 8:5-7, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”
2)  They believed the word of God and were baptized, Acts 8:12-13, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.“

Simon the sorcerer also a Samaritan:

1)  Heard the gospel, Acts 8:5-7
2) Believed the gospel and was baptized, Acts 8:13, “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip…“

Lydia, a woman of the city of Thyatira

1)  Acts 16:14, “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us.”
2)  Lydia believed, Acts 16:14, and gave “…heed the things spoken by Paul.”
3)  Acts 16:15, “…she and her household were baptized…“

Cornelius, Roman Centurion heard, believed and was baptized (Acts 10).

The Philippian jailor heard, believed, repented and was baptized, (Acts 16).

The Romans
1)  Heard, (Romans 10:14-17)
2)  Believed, (Romans 10:9-11)
3)  Repented, (Romans 6:17-18)
4)  Confessed,  Romans 10:10, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation“.
5)  Baptized, Romans 6:3-4, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.“

We also should walk in newness of life.  Before we were Christians we were dead while we are yet alive.  Here a newness of life is mentioned.  Here’s a new life that Paul says we should walk in.  It happened when we were buried with Jesus Christ into His death through baptism and then raised from the dead.  When we go under the water of baptism, we are buried with Jesus Christ into His death.  When we rise up from that water, we are resurrected from our former dead state to a new life.  Baptism is much more than a burial, it is also a resurrection.  Those who were dead in their sins are resurrected to a new life; born again of water.

Paul went in to say in the next verse concerning baptism, Romans 6:5, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection“.  Jesus Christ was dead and was resurrected.  Through baptism in water, we are likewise resurrected from the dead. 

Remember what Jesus said to Nicodemus: John 3:5, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God“.  Born again, of water, through baptism.  Baptism is the original language means immersion. 

OK, so now we see how to be born again, how does this make us a Christian?  Going back to verse 3, we read the words again, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus“.  We see similar words concerning the conversion of the Galatians to Christianity in Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ“.  So those who have been born again to a new life are therefore in Christ.  

What does it mean to be living in Christ?  What do you call someone who is born in America?  You call them an American.  What do you call someone who is born in Canada?  You call them a Canadian.  What about someone who is born in Christ?  Would we not call such a person a Christian?  Of course we would.  A Christian is someone who has been born again out of death and into life and who lives in Christ. 

So what are the advantages to being a Christian?

1)  Christians have the forgiveness of sins, Colossians 2:12-13, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses“.

2)  Christians are alive again, Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ”.

3)  Christians are reconciled to God, Romans 5:10-11, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.“

4)  Christians have Fellowship with God, 1 John 1:3, “…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ“.

5)  Christians have their citizenship in the Kingdom of Christ, Colossians 1:13, God “who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son“.

6)  Christians are the children of God, John 1:12 “but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name“.

7)  Christians are secure, Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord“.

8)  God hears His children’s prayers, John 9:31-32, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him“.

9)  Christians have eternal life, 1 John 5:11-13, “…God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life“.

Those are just some of the benefits of being a Christian.  What about the opposite?  What are the disadvantages of not being a Christian?  What lies in store for those who remain dead in their sins? Paul answers these questions with sobering words written to the Christians in Thessalonica in  2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, “and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.“

Every accountable person has a choice to make.  We are either going to choose to be Christians, or we won’t.  We will either willingly choose to follow Jesus and serve Him as our Lord and savior or we won’t.  The benefits far exceed the consequences.  God wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).  He wants me to be saved, He wants His children to be saved and if you have not been born again, He wants you to be saved.  He wants it badly enough that He sent His only Son down here to die in your place for the sins you committed.  All we have to do is obey Him and we can live again to serve Him in this life and be saved to live with Him forever in Heaven.

I do not want to spend my eternity with Satan who hates and despises me and seeks to destroy me.  I want to spend my eternity with someone who loved me enough to give Himself to die for my sins so that I can have a hope of life.  Jesus died so that I might live.  I did nothing to deserve it.  I can never be worthy of it, nor can I ever repay it.  All I can do is honor it, accept it, do what it takes to receive it and be eternally grateful for it. 

Jesus became the author of eternal salvation unto all them who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).  We saw earlier what the 1st century disciples did to become Christians.  How about hearing how to become a Christian directly from the one died for us?  We’ll let the one who loved us enough to die for us do the teaching.

Jesus said, John 5:24-25
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”

Is that all we have to do is mentally believe and we are saved?  Is “belief in and of itself the ticket to heaven?  There are many out there that proclaim that belief is all we have to do, that we are saved by faith alone.   Let’s just see what Jesus says about that in Matthew 7:21-22, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Those who cry Lord Lord believe in Jesus Christ for who He is.  Jesus emphatically stated that they won’t be entering the kingdom of Heaven based on that alone.  Obviously to believe entails more than a mental acceptance of who Jesus Christ is.  Apparently to believe in Jesus the way He expects us to believe in Him is to believe everything He taught and everything He said to do pertaining to our salvation and obey Him.  We want to become Christians according to what the Bible says and not according to what men say.

So we have hearing and believing.  The New Testament Christians were told to repent.  Jesus talked about repentance in Mark 1:15
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” And in Luke 13:3, Jesus says, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish“.  Repentance is a sorrow of heart over one’s sin that leads to a change in behavior.   We have to be sorrowful over our sin just like the converts on Pentecost who were pricked in their hearts and said, “men and brethrens, what shall we do?” Jesus says we have to change our behavior.  This is a lifelong process.  Repentance is a requirement before one becomes a Christian, but after that, we spend the rest of our lives striving to finish what we started the day of our rebirth.  Repentance is the hardest command of them all to obey.   

Jesus commanded us to repent and said that those who do not repent will perish.  Do we believe Jesus meant this or not.  Do we believe Jesus teaching about repentance or do we believe that we can make it to heaven without it.  What a sad thing to be standing at one’s judgment, giving an account of their life to hear Jesus say, “I guess you didn’t believe me when I said you had to repent”.

Remember the Ethiopian Eunuch who confessed His belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God at his rebirth?  Jesus teaches about this in Matthew 10:32-33, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven”.   Do we believe Jesus teaching about confessing Him as the Son of God or do we believe that we can make it to heaven without it.  What a sad thing to be standing at one’s judgment, giving an account of their life to hear Jesus say, “I guess you didn’t believe me when I said you had to Confess me before men”.

In every single conversion account we have in scripture they were baptized, immersed in water.  Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned“.  Remember that Jesus told Nicodemus that unless “one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” in John 3:5.  Do we believe Jesus teaching about baptism or do we believe that we can make it to heaven without it.  What a sad thing to be standing at one’s judgment, giving an account of their life to hear Jesus say, “I guess you didn’t believe me when I said you had to be born again of water”  Those who do not obey, do not believe. 

So now we have done everything that the new testament Christians did in order to be born again and become a Christian.  Being Christ means we are saved.  What then? Jesus tells us in John 15:4-6, “Abide (meaning live), in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”  John went on to tell us exactly how to abide, to live, in Christ. 

John 15:9-10
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”  How long does Jesus expect us to abide in Him?  He teaches us in Revelation 2:10, “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.“

That is how we are born again as Christians and live as saved individuals who at the end of our earthly lives can inherit from our God and Father eternal life and a home in heaven with Him.  Hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, born again, resurrected to walk in a new life, back alive from the dead, living in Christ, a Christian, saved from sin and on the road home. 

If you have been born again but have not remained faithful, then there is no good reason to leave here this day a slave to sin.  You can leave here free from condemnation and back in a saved state.  Being saved while still on earth means living in such a spiritual condition that if you were to die, you would be in a position to inherit eternal life. 

If you are not a Christian and have not been born again, there is no good reason to remain dead.  There is no good reason to leave this place of worship today dead.  You can take care of that today.  Please do not delay.  If you do not want to walk down that aisle in front of everybody at the singing of the invitation but still want to become a Christian, then see me after services.  I will study with you, I will help you in any way I can and if it is your desire to become a Christian, and be born again to walk in a new life, in a new hope, as a Christian and be added to the brotherhood of the saved, then let that need be known, either now or after services.   2 Corinthians 6:2 reads “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation“.

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Arms Elbow Deep in Calvinism (III): Justification

Brethren With Arms Elbow Deep in Calvinism (III):

Justification

In my previous articles I have discussed “Grace and Law” and “Faith Versus Works.” Now I shall show, in this last article, how the things mentioned serve to bring God and man together, showing the part each has in man’s “justification.” The teaching of some brethren on this worries me in many ways. For instance: (1) “. . . that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in Christ; by means of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God . . . .” (The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches, by Edward T. Hiscox on “Justification,” page 62.) This is pure Baptist Doctrine. It is wrong to assume that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to man without effort on man’s part. (2) Men do not realize the danger in getting off on these tangents, for when they decide they are wrong and will admit it, some of their converts that are more militant and radical will not change. There is also the danger when the champion of a cause defects and admits he was wrong that those who had faith in him may become disillusioned and quit altogether. Brethren, I plead with you to return ‘to the Scriptures before the damage is irreparable.

“Justification” is defined by Webster as: “Act of justifying or state of being justified: vindication; A being accepted by or made acceptable to God, as righteous or worthy of salvation.” In Vine’s Expository Dictionary of N.T Words we read the following: “Justification,” “a noun from Gr. dikaiosis, denoting the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, acquittal: it’s precise meaning is determined by the verb dikaioo (justify) meaning primarily, to deem to be right, signifies in the N.T. (B) To be righteous, to pronounce righteous.” (pages 284, 285, Vol. 2) Many make the mistake of making “justification” synonymous with eternal life. However, eternal life is a result of “justification” rather than being a part of it. Hear Paul on the matter, “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7). The only way we have eternal life is in promise. (cf. Mark 10:29-30, “. . . he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time;” “. . . and in the world to come eternal life.”)

I believe all can agree that we are “justified by Christ” which is the same as to say we are “justified in Christ.” Paul affirms, “there is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus . . . .” “. . . the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:12). It is utterly impossible to separate Jesus from “justification.” Yet many today take one part of “justification,” build a fence around it, and ignore other passages. It is my purpose to pay due respect to all essentials active in our “justification.”

Four Essentials Of Justification

1. Grace: Rom. 3:21-24. In the context we see that “justification” is apart from the law of Moses or ourselves. Note especially verse 24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Also, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Eph. 2:5).

2. Blood: Rom. 5:9-10. Notice the contrast in verse 9 of “now”and “shall be.””. . . being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” From this we again see that “justification” is one thing anal salvation from wrath, or eternal life, is another. We also read, “. . . we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son . . .” (vs. 10). His blood required His death.

3. Faith: Rom. 4:18-25. Of this faith Paul said, “. . . if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification” (Verses 24, 25). In Rom. 5:1 we read, “Therefore being justified by faith . . . .” Likewise in Gal. 3:26, “For ye are all the children (K.J.), sons (A.S.) of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

4. Works: Jas. 2:24, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” Jas. 2:21-23 tells of Abraham being justified by works, and verse 25, of Rahab.

The question now arises, “Are there four different ways of obtaining `justification,’ or are the four essentials mentioned above a part of the whole?”

Analysis

On “justification” by grace we read the following, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). From this we learn that grace brings us righteous instruction from God on how to obtain salvation. From Rom. 1:16-17 we find from Paul that in the gospel are the instructions given by the grace of God. Leaving the elders of Ephesus, Paul said, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God and the word of his grace . . .” (Acts 20:32). God’s grace has given us through His favor and love, all that is, “. . . profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (adequate, equipped) unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The parenthesis is taken from NASB. Peter proclaimed,

. . . His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness . . . .” (2 Pet. 1:3).

Grace is the divine part given by God.

On “justification” by blood Paul wrote, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past . . . .” “. . . that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:24-26). Christ by His blood made a propitiation (from the Gr. hilasterion, a noun, meaning appeasement, that which satisfies the demands of justice – Vines, page 224, Vol. 3). The phrase “by His blood” is to be taken in immediate connection with “propitiation.” In that the blood was shed for us freely after His death we shall again see that the blood used in our “justification” is by the divine power, not human. It is interesting to notice here that in Rom. 3:24-25, grace, blood and faith are all mentioned.

On “justification” by faith the Hebrew writer tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Heb. 11 is recognized by all Bible students to be the chapter on faith. Paul joined grace and faith together when he penned, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not by works lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). We shall deal with works shortly, so let us at this time keep our attention on grace and faith by again hearing Paul, “By whom also we have access by faith into his grace . . .” (Rom. 5:2). “Access” is from the Gr. prosagoge, Lit., a leading or bringing into the presence of (pros-to, ago-to lead), denotes access, with which is associated the thought of freedom to enter through the assistance or favor of another. (Vines, page 21, Vol. 1). In our passage the door (access) is faith to get into the grace of God. Faith is an act of the human toward “justification.” Paul said, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

On “justification,” we now turn to that which is least accepted by men and give our thoughts to works. From my previous articles, we have shown that in the Bible there are different kinds of works. The works of man that he might think would earn his salvation, and the works of God to which through our obedience we can have salvation. There is at this time much controversy among sectarians and some brethren over works, but the works I am speaking of in this article involves a doing of all that God commands. The confusion arises through their effort to pit the works mentioned by Paul and the works mentioned by James. The passages being Rom. 4:3-5 and Jas. 2:21-23. It is a strange thing that those who advocate from the passage in Romans ‘that Abraham was “justified by faith” and not works (while James states the kind of works that save and couples them with faith) do not read a little further in Rom. 4:12 and see how one can be “justified” like Abraham. Paul affirms in this passage that one must walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham. What were these steps? They are mentioned in Gen. 12, 15, 17, 22, the last thing he did being the offering of his son. God then and never before then, called him His friend. James said the same in Jas. 2:21-23, that Abraham was “justified” when he offered Isaac on the altar, the last thing he was commanded to do, and that it was by works. So we likewise are “justified” by the same faith as Abraham when we have done the last thing we are commanded to do to obtain pardon. Then and only then shall we be saved by God, that is, as God’s works are manifested in our lives by our obedience to His commands. Works are important and, like faith, make up the human part of “justification.”

Conclusion

Which of these four essentials can we set apart and refuse to accept and be “justified” by God? Picture man, if you will, as being separated from God by sins and iniquities. (Isa. 59:1-2). “How can man be reconciled with and justified by God?” The answer is simple. On God’s part, grace and blood; on man’s part, faith and- works. It is an intriguing, fascinating thing to see God and man working together to bring about “justification” by grace through faith. One act of man in bringing him in contact with the blood of Christ is baptism. “. . . that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death” (Rom. 6:3). Rom. 6:4-5 carries the same thought. Why is baptism into His death of importance? This is where the blood is contacted, for it was after death that the blood of Christ was shed, “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:33-34). If the blood is not contacted in baptism, “How do we contact it?” We have noticed also in this article faith and works complementing each other. In Jas. 2:17-26 it is stated time and again. The reader might like to mull over another thought as we close: works are always plural, not singular, establishing the truth that man does more than the work, singular, of faith of John 6:28-29.

If we are not “justified,” it is not God’s fault. He supplied grace and the blood; therefore, the fault would lie in man’s not accepting his responsibility to manifest in his life faith and works. Without faith and works, the grace of God and the blood of Christ have been in vain

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Arms Elbow Deep in Calvinism (II)

Brethren With Arms Elbow Deep in Calvinism (II)

Faith Versus Works

In my first article, I used, the term “Neo-Calvinism.” Realizing some are not familiar with the term “Neo” I shall define it. According to Funk and Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary of 1961, Vol. 2, page 850, it is a combining form defined as new; recent; modern or modified form of that with which it is combined. In short, brethren today are teaching what is known as “Neo-Calvinism.” In reality it is the same old Calvinism with a new dress to make it appealing. It is new only to those in the church who are now teaching it. As the writer of Ecclesiastes said, “. . . and there is no new thing under the sun.” (Eccl. 1:9). A check of the tenets of Calvin goes back hundreds of years. Recently we have laid this teaching at the feet of the young preachers, but now many older men believe it or lean toward it also, or else they are trying to protect and/or defend their proteges. Whether they are young men that do not know better, or older men that should know better, both are hesitant to be scrutinized when directly confronted with the issue as to what they actually believe on the matter. They will say, as we shall see, that they believe something, then deny the implications or maintain they have been misquoted or misunderstood. Actually, it is hard to tell what some believe because they will vacillate like a sectarian affirming and denying the same proposition. We see brethren touring the country trying to convince brethren on “faith only,” “grace only,” etc., saying they do not believe these tenets, but that they can tolerate them with no serious consequences. I believe, as David of old, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (Psa. 119:104). Amos stated, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3). 1 know this refers to man and God walking together, but it is also applicable in any endeavor. The Lord said, “No man can serve two masters . . .” (Matt. 6:24). “He that is not with me is against me . . .” (Matt. 12:30). The above could not, or would not, compromise or tolerate error and neither can I.

What Prompted This Series?

In the Spring of 1973, after a gospel meeting, the preacher holding the meeting, my wife, a young preacher and I were discussing some of the present issues. During the course of the conversation, the young preacher made the statement that what the church needs today is scholars from its own rank, and that proponents of new interpretations, the young preachers of today, would be the recognized scholars of tomorrow. He stated that in attending Florida College he gained nothing except from Homer Hailey, who he said taught him to think for himself. I do not believe his conception is what Brother Hailey had in mind. The boy talked for some time and then we began to question him. When he longer held the floor, he became deathly quiet and in a short time bid us farewell and departed. About a month later, in another state, he preached from the pulpit “Faith Only” and was questioned from the audience as to whether he believed in “Faith Only” and he admitted twice publicly he did. Upon the conclusion of the evening service, arrangements were made by brethren who questioned him to have a meeting and discuss the teaching. This meeting was held and the following is a part of the discussion, from a tape, that was not obtained from any in disagreement with this young preacher.

The Discussion

At the beginning of the discussion, the young preacher asked if it was to be a discussion about his sermon. When informed it was, he wanted a show of hands as to who questioned his teaching. His desire was to discuss these matters privately with those who openly opposed him and not discuss them with, or in the presence of, those who were undecided or who agreed with him. The brethren wanted a meeting for this discussion rather than a hassle in the assembly while visitors were present. At the beginning one brother wanted to know if Jesus taught His disciples that works were required? (Matt. 25). He accused the preacher of ignoring him or brushing him off at the evening service. The preacher would not commit himself on this question other than to say he had many Scriptures on the board and had covered the point. He then added he handled it as best he could and made a play on the fact that he was alone in the pulpit and questions were coming at him from several in the audience. The brother again confronted him with the fact he did not get an answer, and the preacher said, “I know you didn’t but I wasn’t ignoring you or brushing you off.”

The brother then tried to get on grounds that they were in agreement on. Eph. 2:8-9 was read and the brother commented that they could agree when one obeyed and was baptized his salvation was by the grace of God, not of one’s merits. The preacher agreed. The preacher was then asked, did he say that it was not necessary to have any works? He answered, “Did I say that?” Pressing the preacher further the brother asked if the preacher was preaching “faith only” and did he believe it as taught by Calvinists that one is justified by faith only and it is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort? The preacher said he believed we lay up good works in heaven, but that none of these good works have any efficacy toward the forgiveness of sin. Asked to state it again, these are the exact words of the preacher, “I believe that my faith in the blood of Christ forgives my sins, on the basis of that blood I believe there is not one work I can ever do anywhere that will ever have efficacy toward the forgiveness of any sin or toward the purifying of my soul through the forgiveness of sin.” He was then asked, “Then you don’t have to do any works?” The preacher then stated any man that was a man of faith would work because he was saved and that the new birth or new life is a certainty he is going to work. He stated there is no such thing as a living faith that does not work.

Writer’s Comments

I agree in and of itself there is no efficacy toward the forgiveness of any sin by a single work, but neither is there efficacy in “faith alone” toward the forgiveness of sin. By efficacy I mean power. Compare the above discussion to the Methodist Articles of Religion in the Discipline of The Methodist Church, Article 10, page 29, 1956 Edition. “Of Good Works” – “Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.” Again, in The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches by Edward T. Hiscox, on Articles of Faith, Number 5, page 62, we read on “Justification” – “. . . That it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in Christ: by means of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.” .Sounds familiar brethren, doesn’t it? If not Calvinism, then what is it?

Baptist And Mormon Quibble On Baptism

Next question asked the preacher was this: If a man received faith and was killed before he was baptized would he go to heaven? The preacher answered, “I don’t know, do you?” When given Mark 16:16 to consider, the preacher said he did not believe anyone properly taught and having faith would refuse baptism, at least not in any quantities. He then proceeds to use the worn out Baptist and Mormon quibble. Suppose a man is in the pew and believes, the invitation is extended and he steps in the aisle to be baptized and drops dead of a heart attack, can we send him to hell? Then states judgment is up to the Son of God, and He did not have that purpose in mind in coming to earth, but rather His purpose was to save. Then goes into a lengthy discussion that there is an exception for every rule, and these vary with circumstances. He feels rule could be broken, but then turns and states baptism is where the blood of Christ is. Asked if a man should be baptized, he says he believes there is no salvation apart from baptism for the man who has every opportunity. A lengthy discussion follows this and the preacher being questioned states a man cannot be saved without baptism. He then uses the old Baptist argument on Titus 3:5, but, as the Baptist, neglects to tie in Titus 3:8, 14. He next refers to Col. 2:12 and believes this to teach a man’s faith causes him to be baptized, then he will arise in a new life of thankfulness and gratefulness and gratitude, a life in which certainly he will work. Concludes there is no gratitude unless that gratitude is demonstrated, and that there is no life of faith unless it is demonstrated. He again stresses the importance of the blood of Christ and that it is only the blood of Christ that washes away sins. The preacher then asked again for a show of hands of any that disagreed with him up to this point. A brother said he did not agree with him and asked him if at the last Lord’s Day evening service when he was asked by another brother if he believed in “faith only,” he answered the brother twice and said “Yes, I believe in ‘faith only’.” The preacher did not deny the statement or in any way try to refute the accusation. He later in the discussion came back to the question and said, “The Bible pictures salvation as a product of faith and faith alone,” and that he believes salvation is the product of faith and “faith alone.” Later the preacher was asked if he believed baptism was an outward sign of an inward grace and he answered in the affirmative.

Confusing, isn’t it? In this young man’s lack of exegesis and common logic in this discussion, -it is extremely difficult after listening to him to know what he actually is saying and truly believes. Let us again turn to the Baptist Manual on Church Ordinances, page 20, Note 8, and see the similarity in the doctrine presented by the young preacher and by Edward Hiscox. “Baptism is not essential to salvation, for our churches utterly repudiate the dogma of ‘baptismal regeneration’: but it is essential to obedience since Christ has commanded it. It is also essential to a public confession of Christ before the world and to membership in the church which is his body. And no true lover of his Lord will refuse these acts of obedience and tokens of affections.” (Emp. mine. MLA). The statement “essential to a public confession of Christ before the world,” is to say it is an outward sign of an inward grace. That “no true lover of his Lord will refuse these acts of obedience” is comparable with the young preacher’s statement that gratitude is not gratitude unless demonstrated, and that there is no life of faith unless it is demonstrated. Also in the terms “if the opportunity” and “considering various circumstances” he is on the ground occupied in Fletcher’s Situation Ethics. “Exceptions depending on various circumstances.”

Faith Is A Work; John 6:27-29

The young preacher was twice asked if this passage did not teach that `faith” was a “work?” He ignored it the first time and then gave one of the most feeble illustrations I have ever heard. There was no logic to his reasoning whatsoever. Those who teach that men are not saved by any kind of works invariably back themselves into a close corner from which it is impossible to escape. While they state man is saved without any kind of work, they contend that man is saved by “faith only.” Yet as one brother brought out concerning John 6:27-29, the Bible emphatically teaches that faith is a “work. “Note verse 29 where Jesus, in response to their question, says that, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” Faith is a work of God. So when this young brother teaches man is saved by “faith only” without any kind of works, he denies his own affirmative by man being saved by that which he says man cannot be saved. For the fact remains Jno. 6:29 states that believe, the verb, of faith, the noun, is a work, and who will deny that a verb denotes action. Twist the passage any way you so desire, you cannot change this fundamental fact: faith is a work.

But let us hear the young man’s answer to Jno. 6:27-29. He states if you place it in its context, that Jesus treats these people precisely as I might treat a young child that comes to the kitchen and says, “What can I do that I can do a work to help you?” And I say to him in response, “the work you can do is lo get out of my way and go into the other room.” He then goes further to explain his reasoning and says, “You are placing yourself in a position to respond or to answer the question of this child in the same words or phrase which he has spoken it.” The interpretation of the passage is, so he says, because Paul places “faith” and “works” in complete opposite directions, one of the other. But gentle reader let me ask a question here: “What does the Bible teach?” That man is saved by God’s grace with man appropriating that grace by his faith in working or obeying what the grace of God teaches him to do.

Justified By Faith Without Works

As all who lean toward Calvinism or “faith only,” our young friend now runs to the golden book of the Bible, according to their reasoning (Romans), especially chapter four, verses 2-5, and states that according to verse 3, Abraham was justified when he believed, and that he was not justified by works. Here he makes the mistake made by many today that are proponents of this view. He fails to understand the context of Romans four and that it is dealing with the works of the law of Moses and that there are also in the Bible works of God, and works of man. Now the passage used in Rom. 4:3 is in reference to Gen. 15:6, where Abraham is promised a son. He fails to recognize Abraham manifested in faith in Genesis 12, when he left the Ur of Chaldees as mentioned in Heb. 11:8-10. Also, if Abraham was an alien sinner at this time of Gen. 15, it seems peculiar that in verse 1 of .Gen. 15, God said to Abraham, “. . . I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” Strange words to an alien, isn’t it? Back to Heb. 11, we see everyone’s faith mentioned there is related to his actions on God’s obedience, that is works. The young preacher attempted to evade the issue, saying it (Romans) could not be talking of the law of Moses because Abraham lived and died before the Law was given at Sinai. But any honest Bible student that can see through a window will admit the Roman letter is dealing with the law of Moses versus the law of Christ which is by faith.

The fourth chapter of Romans has always been a popular text of those who argue “faith only.” In this chapter Paul is discussing Abraham and the justification of this patriarch of God ages before the law of the Jews was given to them. He is proving that Abraham was not justified by works but rather by faith in God. If you will read this chapter carefully, you will find there that Paul has in mind the works of the law of Moses – the deeds of the law of the Jewish nation. Rom. 3:20 says, “For by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. ” The law of Moses is clearly the law Paul has in mind. Paul says that Abraham was not saved by the old law. He died centuries before that law was given. So the fourth chapter ‘of Romans does not give any encouragement or comfort to those who propagate the false Calvinistic doctrine of “salvation by faith only,” then or now. Commentary on Romans by R. L. Whiteside, page 96, states, “Reference to Abraham is used to show salvation is by working faith that was demonstrated by Abraham.” It is strange that these super-exegetes do not see that if works of faith destroy grace, then the works which they say a Christian must perform to be justified destroys all grace from the life of a Christian. They need to tell us how, according to their judgment, there can be any grace in the justification of a Christian by works.

James 2:17-26

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (Jas. 2:17). If “faith alone” is the means of justification, what about the following, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know O vain man, that faith without works is dead” (Jas. 2:19-20). “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect” (Jas. 2:22). It is easy to see in this historic incident, that Abraham’s faith wrought (exercises itself) with his works in offering up his son, Isaac. “Wrought with,” is from sunergei, imperfect active of sungergeo, to cooperate with; hence, faith and works kept on cooperating with each other to produce the result C Abraham’s justification. In the statement, “and by works was faith made perfect;” it was “by” (Greek, ek, out of) works that faith in Abraham’s case, was “made perfect.” The phrase, “made perfect,” is from eteleiothe, aorist passive indicative of teleio, to consummate, to complete, to finish. The tenses in this verse are highly significant. Faith was continually exercising itself (imperfect tense) with works (the command to offer up Isaac on the altar), and out of these works faith was perfected at once (aorist tense). Neither works, nor faith operating alone can justify; each in cooperation with the other produces that status wherein God justifies. (Gospel Advocate Commentary on James 2:22, pages 144-145). Faith and works are component parts that, put together, constitute the whole. Neither of itself and alone has the efficacy toward the forgiveness of sins. Next, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (Jas. 2:26). Faith that saves is the faith we read of in Galatians, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” (Gal. 5:6).

Concluding Remarks

If this is not Calvinistic teaching, please tell me what it is. One minute it sounds like brethren are straight, the next they turn completely in the opposite direction. This I am told led to a dividing of this small group, and thus it is a serious problem. All arguments used in this discussion were the time-worn ones of those who have advocated “faith only” in the past. Perhaps my conclusions are not fair to this young preacher. I am unaware of the internal problems that may have existed in the congregation prior to the lesson being taught on “faith only” and the discussion we have mentioned. It may well be that extenuating circumstances caused those who left with this young preacher and the one who regularly preached there, who held the same positions, to consider starting another congregation to be the lesser of two evils. However, I can say without fear of contradiction that this “faith only” brought to a head the differences that existed and split the church. At any rate, if the young preacher will tell the true facts, and if I am wrong, I will make public apology and ask for forgiveness in the pages of this publication. If, on the other hand, my analysis is correct, I plead with those of this persuasion to use their ability to help extend the borders of the kingdom rather than cause division and hard feelings one toward another. I was young once and was mixed up on passages, but I never pressed these to the point of division in the church. Much can be accredited to your youth, but when you know you are in the wrong and continue to tread this path, “brethren you are without excuse.” Man is a free moral agent and capable of making his decisions to obey or disobey God, but man, as a free moral agent, does not have the right to legislate where God has not legislated.

I am not trying to be mean, nasty, egotistical or abusive, but I do believe we are entitled to ask men of this nature to tell us plainly, if this is not what you believe, then “What Do you believe?” If brethren do not believe the error that is here mentioned, “How can you tolerate it?” Do you not see that you are compromising truth and righteousness?

In conclusion, let me state this young preacher has a tremendous amount of talent, and is very zealous and ready to sacrifice for that which he believes to be true. I have known him for several years, and even after the discussion held in my home, mentioned at the beginning of this article, he was in my home again during this meeting we were having, but the opportunity never arose to talk further on our differences, nor was I aware how far off he was on basic issues. I was told that he was, but I did not want to accept it on the testimony of others as this would be hearsay. Now with the tape on this, I do not believe it to be hearsay, but it is from his own testimony.

Brethren, it is later than you think, and the problems we are discussing are a lot more serious than some brethren would lead us to believe them to be. Who are the most .susceptible to this false teaching? The young and weak in the church, and we cannot tolerate this sort of teaching, or those who teach it, without serious consequences resulting.

My last article on “Brethren With Arms Elbow Deep in Calvinism” will deal with “Justification.”

This article written by a friend and childhood mentor Milton Anderson

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