Two Men Worship God

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

To worship God “in spirit” basically means to do so
with sincerity of heart, for it is an offering of the soul
to God.  In other words, God wants us to worship
Him because we want to, not simply because we
have to.  To worship God “in truth” means to do so
according to His standard of truth: His word (cf. John
17:17).

Two men worship God.  Both men are very sincere in
their efforts to worship and praise Him – and no one
could deny the genuineness of each man’s heart.
However the first man does not fully embrace God’s
truth, for he worships according to his own desires or
man-made traditions – ways that God did not
authorize.  Thus, God does not accept this man’s
worship (cf. Matt. 15:8-9).  The second man respects
the authority of God’s word and only worships Him
according to the way God specified.  Thus, God
accepts his worship (Acts 10:35).  Which man best
describes you?

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Hidden Treasure

Recently there was great excitement among
moviegoers as the latest version of the “Indiana
Jones” series hit theaters this past week.  The series
portrays the main character as a whip-cracking
archeologist who has an uncanny knack for
discovering priceless treasures – usually while facing
formidable foes and danger at every turn.  Doesn’t
that sound exciting?  (It almost makes you want to go
out and buy a fedora hat and bullwhip, doesn’t it?)
Finding something of great value would excite
anyone.  Did you know that the Bible speaks of
finding hidden treasure?

In Matthew 13:44 Jesus said, “Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a
man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and
sells all that he has and buys that field.” Similarly,
He added, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he
had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all
that he had and bought it” (v. 45)

Both of these parables speak of the joy that one has
when they discover the kingdom of heaven.  In the
parables both men made once-in-a-lifetime
discoveries, and each man gladly exchanged
everything he owned in order to obtain the object of
his devotion.  Similarly, salvation in Christ Jesus is of
such supreme value that we should be willing to
sacrifice all just to obtain it.  Jesus said, “If anyone
desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23).

Friend, salvation is priceless.  Have you discovered it
yet?

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Should We Worship on Sunday?

In last week’s article we noted that Sabbath keeping
(commanded under the Law of Moses) was among
those things “nailed to the cross” (Col. 2:14-17) as
Christ fulfilled that old covenant (cf. Matt. 5:17-18;
Rom. 10:4) and ushered in a new covenant (Heb. 8).
We also noted that in the church age (Acts 2 and
beyond) there is no biblical evidence that the early
church ever observed the Sabbath; however, there is
biblical evidence that they did worship on Sunday
(the first day of the week).  But why is this day so
significant?

First of all, Jesus (our Passover, 1 Cor. 5:7; cf. Lev.
23:4-5) died during Passover; He (the Lord of the
Sabbath, Lk. 6:5; cf. Lev. 23:6-8) rested on the
Sabbath (in death); and He arose on Sunday morning
(Mk. 16:1-9) being the “firstfruits” of the resurrection
(1 Cor. 15:20; cf. Lev. 23:9-14).  Sunday is the day
He repeatedly met with His disciples between His
resurrection and His ascension (Jn. 20:19, 26).  The
Day of Pentecost (the day the church was born –
Acts 2:1) also came on Sunday (Lev. 23:15-16).  This
is the same day that the Holy Spirit came upon the
apostles, thus beginning His mission of conversion
through the gospel (Jn. 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4).
Additionally, this is the same day that the first gospel
sermon was preached (Acts 2:22-36).  Also, on this
very day, about 3,000 souls (the firstfruits of the
gospel harvest – cf. Lev. 23:17; James 1:18) were
added to the church (Acts 2:37-41).  The first day of
the week is also when the early church met to
partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), and when
they were commanded to take up a collection (1 Cor.
16:1-2).  Sunday, the first day of the week, is
specifically called “the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10).

These evidences assure us that, under the new
covenant, Sunday is the designated day of worship
for Christians.

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Honest Questions and Bible Answers 6

The question is sometimes asked, “If the old law was nailed to the
cross, including the Ten Commandments, wouldn’t that mean that it is
now alright to murder or steal (etc.)?”  Certainly not!  Though some
may see this as the only logical conclusion, the simple fact is that the
old covenant (the law of Moses) was not just nailed to the cross (Col.
2:14), it was replaced with a new and better covenant (in Christ –
Heb. 8); which was promised to Abraham 430 years before the law of
Moses was given (Gal. 3:15-18).  And since nine of the “ten
commandments” are also supported in the new covenant, we are not
left with any dilemma whatsoever:

Old Covenant New Covenant
1. No other Gods (Exod. 20:3) – – – -(1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:5)
2. No graven images (v. 4) – – – – – – (Gal. 5:19-21; Acts 17:29)
3. Not God’s name in vain (v. 7)- – -(cf. Mt 5:33-37; Jas 5:12)
4. Remember Sabbath (v. 8) – – – – -NOT COMMANDED!!!
5. Honor father & mother (v. 12) – – (Eph 6:1-3; Col. 3:20)
6. Do not murder (v. 13) – – – – – – – -(Gal 5:19-21; 1 Pet 4:15)
7. Do not commit adultery (v. 14)- -(1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21)
8. Do not steal (v. 15) – – – – – – – – – -(1 Cor 6:9-10; 1 Pt. 4:15)
9. Don’t bear false witness (v. 16) – (Eph. 4:25, 31; Mt 15:19)
10. Do not covet (v. 17) – – – – – – – – -(1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:5)

It is important to understand that the Ten Commandments are a part
of the “law of Moses” (Rom. 7:4, 7; 2 Cor. 3:2-11); also called the “law
of God” (Neh. 8:1-8, 18; Lk. 2:22-24).  Christ fulfilled that law (Matt. 5:
17-18; Rom. 10:4) – thus making it obsolete (Heb. 8:6-7, 13) by
nailing it to the cross (Eph. 2:15; Gal. 3:13; Col. 2:14).  Yet, by God’s
design, the moral integrity of many expired commandments is echoed
in Christ’s “new covenant.”  Which covenant do you embrace?

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Honest Questions and Bible Answers 5

Someone once said, “What is Easter but the
resurrection of Christ.  Should we not therefore
observe it?”  That’s an interesting statement, and
obviously there are many people around the world
who believe the same thing.  However, the greater
question is, “What is Easter?”  Before we observe
something religiously we must first determine if it is
Scriptural.  For example, did you know that the so-
called Christian holiday of Easter is never mentioned
in the Bible?   To be sure, the word “Easter” is
mentioned once in the King James Version of the
Bible (in Acts 12:4), but it is not in reference to any
Christian holy day.  In fact, the New Testament Greek
word for Easter is “pascha” meaning “Passover” (a
Jewish holy period).  You see, the context of Acts 12:
4 has no relationship with the resurrection of Christ at
all, but rather deals with King Herod’s persecution of
Christians at the time of the Passover (vv.1-3).  Thus,
the English word “Easter” is a confusing term
supplied by the translators and is of Pagan origin
(originally “Eostre,” an Anglo-Saxon term meaning
“goddess of spring,” or “fertility”).

Certainly Christians are to observe Christ’s death till
He comes (1 Cor. 11:23-26), and we have authority
to do that every Sunday (cf. Acts 20:7).  Furthermore,
His resurrection is the foundation of our very faith
(1 Pet. 1:3).  However, the annual observance of
Easter is a human concept.  Manmade religious
customs do not please God.  Of such Jesus said,
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and
honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from
Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as
doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9).
(Please also read verse 13).

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