Wandering Off The Beaten Path

Hacked Accounts

2011-11-15T09:46:00.001-05:00

Facebookand Twitter have both recently had a series of hackers who by their very intentwill take over one’s account and post whatever they want.

On Facebook, it has been a series of nudephotos to tempt people to look at pornography. On Twitter, it seems their intent was to advertise some product. Evidently, in technical terms concerning the twitter hack, itis called a phishing scam. It seems that itis quite effective to get one’s attention by causing concern about the privacyand security of their computer files and personal information. Then, as with some scams, the intent was tolure one in to look at the advertising of a product.

This seems all too familiar! This is exactly how Satan works to tempt us. The devil has his own “phishing scam.”

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am temptedof God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: Butevery man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Thenwhen lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren” (James 1:13-16).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversarythe devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Peter 5:8).

Our attention may be diverted from our faithful walk to lookupon something evil. We must keep ourdesires pure so that we are not drawn to such evil (Matthew 5:8; Philippians4:8). If lusts (desires) conceive, sinis its by-product and ultimately results in our spiritual death and separation from God (Romans6:23).

Just as we must be careful to keep your social accountssecure, we must keep our hearts secure from the devious and deceitfultemptations of the devil. For He is thefather of lies (John 8:44).

Miraculous Mondays?

2011-10-11T06:30:00.000-04:00

Ofcourse, I am not suggestion the age of miracles continues today (1 Cor.13:8ff). However, it does seem almostmiraculous how some brethren so sick on Sunday make their Monday appointmentsand keep their Monday work schedules. Certainly,there are “twenty-four hour bugs” that catch people at the most inopportunetime. Those genuinely sick are certainlyexcused from the Lord’s services. Moreoften than not, it is the case that some brethren get up Monday morning and starttheir weekly work schedules and never “miss a beat.”

Isthis a case of members becoming lax in their service to God? I cannot answer that question. Only each individual can do so. May we consider the following principles asadmonitions to faithful service.

The Seeking God First Principle:

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and hisrighteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mt. 6:33).

Christianity is not a “have to,” but a “want to” religion. We understand by Scripture that God does notforce us to do anything, but we are drawn to the Father by Jesus Christ (Jn. 6:44). This principle references the whole of ourChristianity, not just Sundays and Wednesday nights. Why would we not want to come together forthe purpose of worshipping the God of Heaven who has sent His only Son to diefor us (Heb. 2:9)?

The first converts “continuedsteadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Theidea was that they continued steadfastly. It is easily seen that they were seeking the kingdom of God first andHis righteousness.

The Not Forsaking The Assembly Principle:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselvestogether, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much themore, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).

Forsaking is defined as “leaving, abandoning, or deserting one.” There is the real possibility as there was inthe 1^st century to leave, abandon, or desert the Lord. This is in direct relation to our faith. From the next chapter, we know that it is “impossible to please Him” without faith(Heb. 11:6). We must ever “study to shew thyself approved unto God, aworkman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”(2 Tim. 2:15). In other words, our faithis increased as we study God’s Word (Rom. 10:17).

In Hebrews 10:23, the inspired writer admonishes the readers to “hold fast the profession of our faithwithout wavering,” and verse 24 tells us we are to “provoke one another unto love and good works” as compared to “not forsaking ourselves together…” (v.25).

The Glorifying God In My Body Principle:

“What? know ye not that your body is the templeof the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not yourown? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and inyour spirit, which are God's” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

As a child of God, I realize by this verse that I am no longer myown. I was purchased; I was bought witha price. Therefore, I must now live tobe pleasing unto my Lord. I must live insuch a way that will bring glory unto God. Paul begged the Roman Christians to “presentyour bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is yourreasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). My life’sintended purpose should ever be to “provewhat is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom.12:2).

C.S.Lewis wrote: “[To have Faith in Christ] means,of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying youtrusted a person if you would not take his advice.” If we truly trust in God, we will want to bepresent and accounted and ready to serve at every opportunity. No more of those “laxed” Sundays spentwithout our Lord and His church. No moreof those “wishy-washy” Sundays spent trying to figure out if I’m going to go toworship or not. No more of those “Ican’t get out of bed” Sundays because whatever reason is convenient. But, rather, let us “go on unto perfection”(Heb. 6:1). Let us move forward in ourfaith and trust in God to protect, love and see to our every need. Even more, we will realize this as we cometogether to worship, prepared by our Bible classes (Sunday & Wednesday).

God certainly understands if we are too sick or infirmedto worship, but if it is something else, let us “repent and turn unto God” (Acts 26:20).

Honoring Christ (Part 6 of 6)

2011-06-20T10:23:00.002-04:00

As we come to a close on this series of articles on giving honor to Jesus Christ, we have only seen a glimpse of what it takes to give honor to Christ. To give honor to Christ one must be a member of the church that Christ purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). Today, so many religious groups exist, but how did they come about? If you trace back the history of your religious group, where did it have its beginning? The church was first conceived in the mind of God. Notice Ephesians 3:10-11, the church was part of the eternal plan of God which he purposed in Christ Jesus. God planned only one church, and Jesus built only one church – body (Eph. 4:4; 1:21-22).

The Church that Jesus built has nothing whatsoever to do with a physical building. When the Bible speaks of the church, it is referring to the saved, those who have heard, believed and obeyed the gospel (Acts 2). In order to determine if a religious organization is man-made or God-made, we will examine the scripture to see what is said about when the church was established. From this we should be able to examine the religious body that we are associated with and see if it matches up. If it does, then you have found the New Testament church, but, if not, then you should ask yourself if God would have you continue in error or change to the pattern of the New Testament and His church.

There is Old Testament prophecy concerning the church: Isaiah 2:2-3; Dan. 2:44; Micah 4:1-3. John the Baptist also foretold of the coming of the Lord’s church (Matt. 3:2). Jesus himself began His ministry with this message about the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 4:17). In A.D. 32, Jesus said his kingdom would come in the life of some of those present at that time (Mark 9:1). In Luke 22:18, A.D. 33, before Pentecost the kingdom is spoken of as yet future. But, every time the church is mentioned after Pentecost, it is spoken of as being in existence (Acts 2:47; 5:11; 13:1-3; 20:28).

Prophecy of the time frame and Jerusalem is spoken concerning the establishment of the church. Jesus said there were some that were alive that would see the church come with power (Mark 9:1). In Luke 24:49, before Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his apostles to “wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high.” In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit comes upon the twelve apostles (the power from on high) and they preach the gospel message of Jesus Christ. When the crowd of Jews realized they had slain their Messiah, (v. 37) “they were pricked in their hearts” and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter told them to “repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” In verse 41, they did this and were added together with the apostles. Verse 47 summarizes the occasion, “…the Lord added to the church daily such as were being saved.”

This is the occasion the church is established. If your religious group was not established then and was built by some man later, it is not the church. Give Christ the honor, be a part of the New Testament church by obedience to the gospel, and after submission to the Lord’s plan of salvation, He will add you unto His church.

Wayne Rodgers

Honoring Christ (Part 5 of 6)

2011-06-19T10:21:00.001-04:00

As we continue through our lessons on how to give honor to Christ, we should remember the lesson on fashioning ourselves after the New Testament pattern. This lesson will focus on what the New Testament teaches about worship.

To honor Christ means to follow his word concerning worship. We must learn what the church did in the 1^st century for worship. Jesus, when talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, says “God is a spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John4:24). Worship has to be done “in spirit” which is our spirit, which means the sincerity of our soul being prompted by proper desires. Our sincere desire should be to do that which pleases God. In other words, much different than that of the Old Testament, this would be spiritual worship.

The problem that is present today, as well as in the days of Jesus, is that many believe they can worship God in any way or fashion they want. However, worship is God-regulated and not man-regulated. Worship is praise, adoration, homage paid to God above, and not to man. It is evident from the last part of the verse that it is not left up to us to decide what makes God pleased with us. He has already given us command and examples of how we are to worship Him. “In truth” simply means according to His word.

This tells us that we honor Christ by following the New Testament. We are authorized to worship in the following avenues:

1. Singing (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; Heb. 13:15) – They were commanded to sing.

2. Giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:12; Rom. 12:1, 8) – They were commanded to give weekly, willingly, proportionally, liberally, and sacrificially.

3. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper (communion) (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:26-29; Acts 20:7) – Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and commanded his disciples to partake in the kingdom. We have their example and Jesus’ command to partake.

4. Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13; John 17; Luke 23:34; Phil. 1:9-11; 4:6-8) – Jesus taught his disciples to pray, and we are commanded to pray, as well.

5. Teaching (2 Tim. 2:2, 15; 3:15; 4:2) – Paul said this to the young preacher Timothy. Those who desire Heaven want to be taught the Lord’s will (Ps. 143:10).

These are authorized by the New Testament and must be adhered to in order to give honor to Christ.

Wayne Rodgers

Honoring Christ (Part 4 of 6)

2011-06-18T10:20:00.001-04:00

As we continue our series on honoring Christ. One might consider that one of the most controversial doctrines of the Bible is baptism. Some sprinkle, some pour, some immerse, some baptize infants and some say it is not even necessary for salvation. What does the Bible say?

In each lesson, we have noticed that we honor Christ by our obedience to his commands. We see the importance of baptism by Christ’s own submission to it: Matt. 3:14,15 “But John forbade him saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” In other words, it was the right thing to do, because it was the Father’s will for him to submit to it. Christ commanded all men to be baptized (Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:19).

Notice the following outline. It will make it easier to follow the points of evidence.

Baptism is necessary to be saved.

Baptized for remission of sin – Acts 2:38
To wash away one’s sins – Acts 22:16
Belief + Baptism = Salvation – Mark 16:16

A Bible definition of baptism.

A burial – Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12
A birth – John 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 5:17
Requires much water – John 3:23

Who should be baptized?

Those who have heard the word – Rom. 10:17; Acts 11:14
Those who believe in Christ – Mark 16:15,16; John 8:24
Those willing to repent – Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30-31
Those willing to Confess their belief – Matt. 10:32-33

Examples of Conversion.

Ethiopian Eunuch – Acts 8
Those at Pentecost – Acts 2:36-38
Saul of Tarsus – Acts 9, 22, 26
Philippian Jailor – Acts 16

Result of Baptism.

Remission of our sins – Acts 2:38
Wash away sins – Acts 22:16
Saved / Salvation – Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21
Places one “in Christ” – Gal. 3:27

Baptism is a picture the Gospel – the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 6:4-6). Compare these two passages and notice that baptism is also a death, burial and resurrection. We honor Christ by our obedience to his command of baptism. The promise He gives is salvation. May we all submit to His will and honor the God of heaven with our obedience to Him.

Wayne Rodgers

Honoring Christ (Part 3 of 6)

2011-06-17T10:18:00.002-04:00

As we continue our thoughts on giving honor to God this week, our attention is turned to fashioning ourselves according to the pattern of the New Testament. The title page of our New Testament Bible rightly tells us that it is the “New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Therefore, if we are to give Christ the honor he deserves, then we must honor the New Testament (a.k.a. “his will”) by seeking to pattern ourselves after it.

A beautiful type of this principle is to found in the life and work of God’s servant Moses. God wished to dwell among His people Israel, and to that end commanded them to build the tabernacle. But, even as much as it was to be God’s dwelling place, it must not be of human invention, so God took Moses upon the mountain and revealed to him the whole plan of the tabernacle. “According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it” (Ex. 25:9). Nothing was to be left to the imagination or invention of any man, not even Moses. “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount” (Ex. 25:40). If Moses had deviated from this pattern in one little detail, God would not be pleased with him.

This is how it is with us, as we seek to live a good life, seek to worship Him, and wish to be his children, we must do it according to the pattern that he has given. The apostle Paul mentions this as well in his letter to the Philippians. (Phil. 3:16) “…let us walk by the same rule…” A rule or pattern is what God has provided us with in the Bible, particularly the New Testament, which is our authority today. The apostle also mentions to those who were divided in Corinth, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

We can give honor to Christ by our obedience to the words that he has given, the New Testament, which shows us the rule by which we are to live. The Old Testament is for our learning (Rom. 15:4), but we are to obey the New Testament. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments…keep my words…” (John 14:15,23). Give honor to Christ by fashioning yourself after the pattern of the New Testament. Remember the words of the Father, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5).

Wayne Rodgers

Honoring Christ (Part 2 of 6)

2011-06-16T10:16:00.000-04:00

As we continue in this series of articles on giving honor to Christ, we might ask ourselves how do we give honor? We understand from the first article that to honor Christ is to honor the Father. This should be our goal to honor God in all that we say and do.

In this article, we will learn that we are to honor Christ by making the good confession. Jesus, himself, acknowledged that he was the Christ: (Mark 14:61, 62) “but he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am, and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” It was for this confession he died.

The apostle Peter made this confession in Matthew 16:16. After Christ had questioned his disciples on whom others said He was, and then whom did they believe Him to be, Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John made the good confession. In John 20:30-31, he states: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John wrote a whole book by inspiration to give evidence and support of the fact that Jesus was the Christ.

In Acts 8:36-37, the Ethiopian eunuch made the good confession after being taught about Jesus. He asked Philip, “Here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

As we have noticed how Jesus made this confession and died for it and how his apostles and those who believed on their teaching made this confession, it is imperative to know that to fail to confess Christ before men is to dishonor Christ. (Matt. 10:32-33) “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

Philippians 2:10-11 teaches that every knee shall bow, every tongue will confess the name of Christ. We should give Christ the honor and confess that he is the Son of God before that final day or else it will be too late. This is by no means all one has to do in order to be saved, but it is how we show our allegiance and willingness to be obedient to all of Christ’s commands.

Wayne Rodgers

Honoring Christ (Part 1 of 6)

2011-06-15T11:36:00.000-04:00

This article starts a series of six articles on the topic of honoring our Lord Jesus Christ.

While it is very true that the majority of people want to honor Christ, very few understand what it means to do so. In John 5:23, it is stated by Jesus “that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” We learn from this verse three important points:

1) all men are to honor the Son, even as they honor the Father;

2) he that honors not the Son, honors not the Father;

3) to honor the Son is to honor the Father.

The first two are definitely stated while the third is implied. In John 5:21-22, Jesus claims equality with God. He also claims it in John 10:30: “I and my Father are one.” The apostle Paul makes a similar remark of the relationship between Jesus and the Father in Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.”

To honor the Son is to honor the Father implied in John’s Gospel, but the same sentiment is found in Matthew 17:5, in which the Father says, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.” We have a responsibility to hear the Son’s words and obey them. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Therefore, we need to have a good understanding of what it means to honor Christ, so that we might give honor to the Father as well. How do we honor Christ? We will examine some ways in which we can truly give honor to Christ over the next few weeks. Please examine each article in the series in light of the scriptures. We should wish to have said of us that which was said of the Bereans of Acts 17:11 and how they “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily to see whether those things were so.”

Wayne Rodgers

IN CHRIST?

2011-06-08T23:51:00.000-04:00

In the time of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God’s blessings were predicated upon faith and obedience to God, but the idea of being “in Christ” was unknown except in promise (Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:8). Under the Law of Moses, the Israelites were blessed as they followed the teaching of Moses and the prophets. Today, under the Law of Christ, all spiritual blessings are found “in Christ.”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). “In Christ” is an inspired phrase used by the apostle Paul, which is the equivalent of being in the church (1 Thessalonians 1:1).

Blessings from God such as the sunshine and the rain, cold and heat, day and night, the seasons, the planting and harvest, etc. may be enjoyed by everyone whether Christians or not. “The Lord maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). Therefore, it follows that one does not have to be “in Christ” in order to live and prosper in the material world today. Herein is a great danger. One may assume that material possessions and prosperity shows evidence of God’s approval, spiritually speaking. However, such is not the case. Many prosper and live in luxury that are spiritually bankrupt.

Then one may assume that God will look favorably upon him because he lives morally upright or belongs to some benevolent lodge or civic group. This is also a false and dangerous assumption. The word of God teaches that all spiritual blessings are “in Christ.” These include forgiveness, hope, inheritance (Ephesians 1:7, 11; 2:10), the privilege of worship (John 4:23-34), and many others.

But how does one get into Christ? The Bible is so clear on this matter; yet, so many easily miss it today. One enters Christ when baptized. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). The apostle Paul also states, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

Let us always be obedient unto Christ and follow His commands (John 14:15, 21, 23), proving our love for Him.

Did The Lord Accept You?

2011-05-18T16:08:00.000-04:00

The principle of reciprocity is involved when one accepts another, if there is to be mutual benefit. Many religious people take great delight in accounting the time when they “accepted the Lord as their personal savior.” First, “accepting the Lord as one’s personal savior” is not the language of the New Testament. Second, some questions are in order. What assurance does one have that he has been “accepted” i.e., forgiven, saved, added to the church, by the Lord? Good feelings and an emotional rise will not suffice! Then, what is meant by “accepting the Lord as one’s personal savior? Did Jesus authorize His apostles to preach the gospel with assurance that those who “accept the Lord as their personal savior” would be saved, or did He state the conditions of salvation in more precise language? The New Testament teaches, one “believes and is baptized” in order to be saved (Mark 16:15-16), and that one must “repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” according to the authority of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). Finally, is it possible that one may mistakenly rejoice in the fact that he accepted the Lord as his personal savior, but has no Biblical assurance of salvation, only his feelings? One may feel that he has accepted the Lord Jesus, but has the Lord Jesus Christ accepted him? More precisely, has the Lord accepted you?

Consider some historical examples, Cain accepted God as the object of his offering. “But unto Cain and to his offering he (God) has not respect” (Gen. 4:5). Cain may have reasoned that since he was a “tiller of the ground” (v. 2) that God would accept the “fruit of the ground.” It was not so! Cain accepted God as the object of his worship, but God did not approve of Cain nor his worship.

Another example of God’s rejection is that of two priests. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord which the Lord commanded them not and there when tout fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Lev. 10:1-2). Observe that the priests made their offering before the Lord. They were not idolatrous. They simply offered what God had not commanded. Both priests and the offering were rejected.

Remember: Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Those who have submitted to the Lord by His conditions have been saved from sin and must continue to “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7) in order to remain “accepted” by the Lord.

Show Mercy, Like A Good Neighbor

2011-05-02T14:28:00.000-04:00

Several years ago, there was an ad campaign for the insurance company, State Farm, which stated: “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” If you remember the commercials, you’re likely singing the song in your mind. It was a catchy tune that sticks with you. But, even more than a catchy slogan and song, the thought of being a good neighbor is a Biblical principle that should never be forgotten.

We likely all grew up hearing the Bible lesson of “The Good Samaritan,” which is more appropriately termed “The Good Neighbor” (Luke 10:30-37). The Biblical principle brought forth in this great lesson from our Lord Jesus Christ is one that has been handed down and has taught many through this world that we should truly be merciful to those around us.

After the seeing “the victim,” three passersby made their choice “to help” or “not to help.” The first two pass by “on the other side” (Luke 10:31, 32). Much has been said and written about “why” they did not help this man who had fallen victim to the thieves, but the truth is that we do not know why they chose not to help him. One thing we know for sure from the lesson is that if they would have seen him as “a neighbor,” they would have gone out of their way “show mercy on him” (Luke 10:37).

While the Samaritan did everything for this stranger that he possibly could, used every means available to him to take care of his needs, and while obviously a busy man still even provided for future needs that could arise, ultimately, “he saw him” and “he had compassion on him” (Luke 10:33). While the other two wasted much effort to not even look at this man who had fallen victim, the neighbor immediately saw a need and responded to him.

Also, whether we would get involved or not, this will show others whom we represent. Ask yourself, “What would I do for myself that this neighbor didn’t do for this stranger?” It is clear that our response to our neighbor gives opportunity for others to “glorify our Father who is in Heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

This parable was taught in response to a tempting question to Jesus about what it truly means to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Attempting to justify himself, the lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).

May we consider the spiritual needs of others, also, and not just the physical needs that must be met by those who might be seen as “neighbors.” The world’s hospitals have been built upon the very principle of the Good Samaritan, and if we will build upon this principle, we can help remove racial prejudices, national hatred, etc. and truly be able to evangelize “all the world.” There’s no doubt that the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) is directly connected to the Great Compassion as seen by the Samaritan. We will truly be blessed in the work of God, if we will exhibit this type of mercy shown to our neighbors in both their physical needs and especially their spiritual needs.

~Wayne Rodgers

Concerning Instrumental Music...

2011-04-28T21:45:00.000-04:00

“Now all of you together become a choir so that being harmoniously in concord and receiving the key note from God in unison you may sing with one voice through Jesus Christ to the Father”

-Ignatius (110 A.D.)

“The use of singing with instrumental music was not received in the Christian churches, as it was among the Jews in their infant state, but only the use of plain song”

-Justin Martyr (139 AD)

“Psalmody was the joint act of the whole assembly in unison.”

-Hillary(355 A.D.)

“It was the ancient custom, as it is still with us, for all to come together, and unitedly to join in singing. The young, and the old, rich and poor, male and female, bond and free, all join in one song…All worldly distinctions here cease, and the whole congregation form one general chorus.”

-Chrysostom (349–407 A.D.)

“Though Presbyterian churches have decided to permit the use of organs, yet seeing the apostolic church did not use any musical instruments its practice is of more weight in the matter than all the modern churches in Christendom. Indeed such instruments were not introduced into the church before the seventh century, when it became very corrupt, because it had greatly departed from the simplicity of the gospel. It is only within this present century that Presbyterian, Congregational, Baptist and Methodist churches began to follow this sensuous practice. The supposed unanimity in this matter is of too short duration to have much reasonable weight.”

-D.B. Cameron, Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Vol. 1:517, Toronto: Presbyterian Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd. 1889.

“I am an old man and an old minister, and I here declare that I have never known instrumental music to be productive of any good in worship of God, and have reason to believe it has been productive of much evil”

-Adam Clark (Methodist, and commentator)

“I would as soon as to pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery”

-Charles Spurgeon (preached for the largest Baptist church in England)

“I have no objections to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither seen nor heard!” -John Wesley (founder of the Methodist church)

“Musical Instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the Law”

-John Calvin (Founder of Presbyterianism)

“The organ in worship of God is an ensign of Baal”

-Martin Luther (founder of the Lutheran church)

“The organ is said to have been first introduced into the church music by Pope Vitalian I in 667 AD”

(Chamber’s Encyclopedia)

While our complete concern is not what the majority may or may not believe about a certain subject, it is certainly interesting to note that religious leaders since the 1^st century have been convinced that instrumental music in worship was absolutely wrong. Neither the majority, nor the minority make a thing right or wrong, but rather the authority (standard or rule) by which all are judged (John 12:48; Phil. 3:16; Col. 3:17).

What authority does Christ give concerning our music in worship? Let his word stand alone as the sole judge:

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19).

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

“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Cor. 14:15).

These are just a few verses, not all, that teach us about music in worship as produced by the voice. No verses are found in the New Testament, which authorize such use for the 1^st Century, nor for the 21^st Century. It is also interesting to note that while instruments were used in Temple worship, they were not used in synagogue worship. The early church worshipped in that same setting often and according to that pattern according to the New Testament.

~Wayne Rodgers

Optional or Necessary?

2011-04-21T23:36:00.000-04:00

Many denominations teach that baptism is an optional matter, which in no way affects our eternal destiny. One of the world’s largest denominations, which amazingly use a form of “baptism” for their name, teaches that baptism is not essential for salvation, but is necessary for getting into their denomination. Thus, according to their own doctrine, it is easier to “get saved,” than it is to become a member of their denomination. Strange, isn’t it?

However, the definitive answer to our headline question is not what any religious group teaches, but what does God’s Word teach? Since God’s Word will be the standard of judgment at the last day (Jn. 12:48), we ought to pay careful attention to what the following Scriptures teach:

Mark 16:16 - "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…"

Acts 2:38 - "…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…"

Acts 22:16 - "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Galatians 3:27 - "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Romans 6:3-4 - “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

I Peter 3:21 - "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

According to these passages, baptism is necessary in order to be saved, to have our sins remitted, to wash away our sins, to get into Christ, to put on Christ, and to answer God with a good conscience. How could it be any clearer than that? You literally would have to have help to miss the point that baptism is an essential element of salvation according to the teaching of the Gospel. To those who truly love God and want to “keep his commandments,” this is certainly not even an issue. What will you do in response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Love Perfected

2011-04-11T14:57:00.000-04:00

"for God is LOVE"

I love studying the book of First John. For in it, we see a correlation between the love of God and the love we are to have for our brethren. In chapter four, John wrote: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:7-12).

He has shown His love, “he loved us, and sent his Son…for our sins” (v. 10). The apostle Paul would say to the Romans, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Conditioned by our “walking in the light” (v. 7), He shows His love to us by a continued forgiveness of sins, as stated by John: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The idea of forgiveness is one that is pleasing to the spiritual and emotional side of man. Obviously, the spiritual side of man is pleased because his soul has been cleansed from sin, and the emotional side of man is pleased to know and have assurance that he has been forgiven of the sin against him and the guilt which it has brought. Therefore, He now treats us as righteous.

The love for our brethren is to be shown as well. John writes, “If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (4:11). This is the same type of love that God had for us, which brings about forgiveness. Only true love can allow one to forgive a wrong done against them and let it be as if it has never happened. This is the idea of true forgiveness. Our relationships with our brethren are so important for the work of Christ. John writes in his gospel, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34, 35). This love is to be a recognizable trait in the body of Christ to the world around us. If we are living righteously, then we will show love to one another causing us to forgive one another as God has forgiven us. “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses” (Matt. 18:35).

We can have assurance of eternal salvation in Christ Jesus, if we meet these conditions: being born of God (5:1), walking in the light (1:7), doing His commands (2:3), loving God and loving our brethren (4:20-21). The apostle Peter stated it very simply: “…Love the brotherhood…” (1 Peter 2:17). Let us remember the correlation between the love of God and our love to one another.