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THE GOSPEL OBSERVER
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20).
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September 17, 2000
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$5 Religion
by Steven F. Deaton
The other day we were handed material sent out be
the local Seventh Day Adventist church. It tells of ``An
Amazing Prophecy Seminar,'' and invites people of the
community to attend. Also, included, was a letter of
invitation which was closed with the following P.S., ``Bring
this invitation, come each of the five nights and fill out a
critique form and you will receive a $5.00 bill. Feel free to
bring your family and friends.''
Well, we hate to tell our Adventists friends, but their
price is too low. There are ``churches'' who pay more than
$1 a service for people to attend, with or without a critique.
For instance, in the Houston Chronicle, a story appeared
about a man in Bryan, Texas, paying people $10 to attend
one service (July 16, 2000, p. 1A). He did this every service,
and so, it was reported, that a woman with five children
went twice one Sunday, receiving $120. Another man said he
planned to spend the money on cigarettes! You see, $5 for
five nights is just not enough.
Folks, when will men understand that the kingdom of
Christ is not carnal, nor is the attraction to be carnal (cf.
Rom. 14:17). The kingdom of Christ is a spiritual kingdom,
one not of this world (Jn. 18:36). Yet, men try to offer
worldly allurements to get people interested in the kingdom.
They will shamelessly offer cash money, secular
entertainment with a religious twist, food, and recreation.
This is an abomination.
That which ought to draw people to the Lord is God
through His word. ``No one can come to Me unless the
Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at
the last day. It is written in the prophets, `And they shall
all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard
and learned from the Father comes to Me'' (Jn. 6:44-45). If
men are attracted to Jesus because of a worldly offer, then
when a ``bigger and better'' offer comes along, they will
usually go with it. However, if men are attracted to the
Savior by God's power unto salvation, the Gospel, then they
will usually stick with it because the offer never changes
(cf. Rom. 1:16; Jas. 1:21).
The religion of Jesus Christ is worth much, much more
than $5 or $10, gold or silver, or any other worldly thing.
It is built upon the blood of the Son of God, nothing less (1
Pet. 1:18-19). Offering cash only cheapens it.
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Knowing God's Will
by Robert F. Turner
Epistemology, the methods and the grounds for
``knowing,'' is particularly important when our concern is
with knowing God's will. Since the very nature of God
necessitates self-revelation, ``how to know'' God's will is a
study in how God imports, and how man receives information
from a divine source. There are four chief answers.
Modern theologians, reasoning that ``God'' transcends
(rises above) man, have their ``existential'' doctrine. We
know material things via our senses, reasoning, etc., they
say. But ``transcendental'' matters are known via the heart
-- feeling, inner response, etc. Of course this makes each
man his own ``receiver and interpreter'' with no point of
reference save himself. Authority is determined subjectively,
so man becomes his own God. Excuse me.
The second concept is that of Roman Catholicism --
the ``church'' (meaning the clergy) become the repository of
truth. God spoke, but must have an infallible interpreter to
be understood. However Peter, the ``first Pope'' who wrote 1
& 2 Peter, cannot be understood without additional
interpreters. I don't know why I should be expected to
understand a later-day interpreter, if I can't understand
the first in line. But we would not be fair if we failed to
mention that others also filter truth through ``the church.''
Creed, Confessions of Faith, and ``Baptist usage'' -- as well
as ``the great middle section of the Churches of Christ'' --
adopt the same error, when they allow such human
standards to become their rule of faith and practice. ``Thou
which teacheth another, teachest thou not thyself?''
The third concept might be called Calvinistic, although
it is found in all ``evangelical'' churches. God's word can
only be understood by those whose hearts are touched
directly by the Holy Spirit. It is not enough that the Spirit
delivered the words of the Bible (1CO. 2:13), that the word
is the cutting instrument of the Spirit (EPH. 6:17; ACT.
2:37; 7:54); we must have the Holy Spirit before the Holy
Spirit can effectively reach our understanding. 1COR. 2:14 is
taken out of context to make it say man cannot understand
the Spirit's work. It really says that man must accept the
revelation of truth (through inspired messengers) instead of
relying upon human ability to fathom things of God apart
from revelation (See ``Natural Man'' Vol. 11, No. 7).
If direct operation of the Spirit must precede
understanding, then all must have this operation, or we
must accept the concept of particular election. We believe
the gospel is for all (1TI. 2:4), and those who accept its call
in trusting obedience will receive its blessings (1TI. 4:10;
MAR. 16:15-16).
The fourth concept, and the one we accept, is stated
rather clearly in EPH. 3:2-5. God revealed, through His
Spirit, hithertofore unknown truths. He revealed these unto
chosen messengers (Apostles and prophets), who then wrote
them (2PE. 1:15; 3:1-2, 15; LUK. 1:3-4; JOH. 20:31), confident
that we could understand and believe them. ``Faith cometh
by hearing, and hearing by the word of God'' (ROM. 10:17).
We trust not the ``word alone,'' but the Spirit-filled word, to
lead us to God.
-- Plain Talk, December 1975
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Not Exactly
by Al Diestelkamp
Perhaps you've seen the TV commercial in which
businessmen are walking through an airport terminal on
their way to an important meeting. The one who had made
the travel arrangements is questioned by his superior about
their car rental.
``Did you go with Hertz?'' he is asked. A timid, ``Not
exactly'' is the reply. This is followed by a series of
questions related to efficiency and comfort, each evoking
the same, ``Not exactly'' reply.
Finally, the boss asks the man if he's expecting a
promotion. You know the reply: ``Not exactly.''
Suppose we were to pose the same type of questions
to members of various sectarian churches:
``Is the Bible your only guide?'' would be one
question to ask. If they were honest they'd have to say,
``Not exactly.'' Though they might give lip-service to the
authority of the scriptures, they'd have to admit they rely
on creeds, manuals and constitutions. Some rely on church
leaders or scholars, others on tradition, feelings or human
logic. The apostle Peter showed us the true guide (2 Pet.
1:2-3). Exactly!
``Is your church organized like the churches in the
New Testament?'' would be another question. Again, they'd
have to admit, ``Not exactly.'' Some have the minister in
charge (called the pastor system). Often women exercise
authority over men. Many have regional, national or
international headquarters. The Lord's will is to have elders
in every church (Tit. 1:5; Ac. 14:23). Exactly!
``Is your church's work the same as we see in the
New Testament?'' With churches involved in social causes,
recreational activities, educational ventures and day-care
businesses, they'd have to say, ``Not exactly.'' In the New
Testament we find the church's primary mission in the area
of evangelism and edification, and a secondary work in
benevolence toward needy saints in emergency situations.
Exactly!
``Is your worship the same as it was in the New
Testament?'' Here again, ``Not exactly.'' Everything from
unauthorized ritualism to unrestrained emotionalism is the
norm. Additions such as the use of instrumental music
(sometimes full-fledged bands), rhythmic clapping and
performances are common. Many have abandoned weekly
communion. On the other hand, the New Testament requires
``worship in spirit and in truth'' (Jn. 4:23-24). Exactly!
``Do you teach the same plan of salvation as did the
New Testament Christians?'' Once again, if honest, ``Not
exactly.'' They teach faith only, grace only, the ``believer's
prayer,'' and shout that water baptism has nothing to do
with salvation. Then they declare that once you're saved,
you can't fall from grace. The Bible tells us how to be
saved (Jas. 2:24; 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 Cor. 10:12). Exactly!
Even the appeal that many make to sinners to ``join
the church of your choice'' is not exactly what Paul had in
mind when he wrote about ``one body'' (Eph. 4:4).
Before we get too smug, perhaps we ought to examine
our own beliefs and practices (2 Cor. 13:5). It's possible a
list of questions could be drawn up to which we might be
embarrassed to have to reply, ``Not exactly.'' Remember 1
Pet. 4:11--Exactly!
-- Via Think on These Things, July-August-September,
1999
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You've Only Done Your Duty
by Jim R. Everett
When Jesus had used an illustration about that which
is expected of a servant (slave) in the normal course of his
duties, He explained that the master owed the slave, not
even so much as thanks, for he had done what was his duty
to do. By comparison he said, ``So likewise ye, when ye shall
have done all those things which are commanded you, say,
We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was
our duty to do'' (Luke 17:7-10). ``Command'' from a master is
his inherent right while ``obedience'' conveys the necessary,
positive, slave's response in the relationship between a
master and his slave.
A centurion came to Jesus asking that his servant be
healed. Jesus said, ``I will come and heal him.'' But the
centurion felt unworthy of Jesus' presence and, based upon
his profound respect for Jesus and a clear understanding of
authority, said, ``Speak the word only, and my servant shall
be healed.'' Jesus commended his great faith (Matthew
8:5-10). However, when the centurion explained why he
believed that the word of Jesus was sufficient, he paralleled
it with his own circumstance. He was under authority, hence
understood what it meant to obey commands. He was also
over soldiers and they obeyed his commands. That is the
very nature of such relationships -- the master commands;
the servant obeys. It is inconceivable that slaves would
ever entertain the thought that they could earn the things
given them by their masters -- as slaves they can only do
that which is their duty.
Christians are slaves -- Jesus is the master (Acts
16:17; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 2:16. Christians have been made
free from sin in Christ but they are not free from obedience
to Christ's commands. They want to obey their master for
they know that the Master said: ``If ye love me keep my
commandments'' (John 14: 1 5); ``If ye keep my
commandments, ye shall abide in my love...'' (15:10); ''This is
my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved
you'' (15:12); and, ``Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I
command you'' (15:14).
And John, who wrote so much about love, also had
much to say about keeping God's commandments: ``He that
saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him'' (1 Jno. 2:4); ``By this we
know that we love the children of God, when we love God,
and keep his commandments for this is the love of God that
we keep his commandments'' (5:2-3). From which command
are we slaves exempt? Which one may we choose not to do?
Nary a one!
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Avondale
CHURCH OF CHRIST
P.O. Box 421
1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311
(610) 268-2088
Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class
11:00 A.M. Worship
6:00 P.M. Worship
Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567
e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com
web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale
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