____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ July 23, 2006 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Filthy Rag Righteousness (Tom Roberts) 2) Making All Things According to the Pattern (Warren E. Berkley) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- Filthy Rag Righteousness by Tom Roberts "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..." (Isa. 64:6). Among some brethren today who have become enamored with (and tainted by) aspects of Calvinism, the above passage is being used as a proof-text that man is passive in the plan of salvation due to his depraved character. While there are some who are not consistent on this subject and will not adopt the entire Tulip theology of Calvinism which includes "total hereditary depravity," others are preaching that man is indeed depraved to the extent that he cannot "do" anything to be saved -- God must do it all. Quotations can be given from brethren who are insisting that any attempt to have man "doing" anything with regard to salvation is equal to salvation by works or trusting in ourselves and not God. Such brethren are proceeding ever further into the quicksand of denominational theology and are already "over their heads" without realizing it. Try to understand, if you are unfamiliar with this error, just what is being taught by the use of this passage. Calvinism teaches that all of mankind has become depraved in body and soul due to the inheriting of sin from our fathers (from Adam until now). Because of this depravity, no man is able to think good thoughts, understand the Bible, perform any good works, etc. If man (any man) is to be saved, this salvation must come wholly, totally and exclusively from God because, in this view, man's depravity has made him incapable of doing anything good. Standard arguments among denominations reject baptism on the grounds that it is a "work" and that man is depraved and cannot "do" anything to save himself. This is the basis for the doctrine of "salvation by faith alone." Adherents teach that salvation is wholly of grace and that the "faith" of Ephesians 2:8,9 is a gift of God (rather than salvation itself being a gift). Thus God brings about salvation by His own power and grace without any action on the part of the man. Faithful brethren have always rejected this error. There is nothing in the obedience of faith that nullifies the grace of God. Such passages as John 6:29; 8:39; Acts 10:34,35, etc., show that man is required to "work out your own salvation" (Phil. 2:12) by obeying the conditions of God's grace. Yes, man can freely choose to do right, understand the truth and obey it (Rom. 6:16-18). He can do the works which God has appointed him to show faithful obedience just as Abraham did for his own justification. This "doing" is not the "worketh" that is condemned in Romans 4:4ff. The Jews were condemned for trusting in works for salvation and not trusting in God. But they were never condemned for faithful obedience. When anyone takes the passage in Isaiah 64:6 and uses it to teach the depravity of man and an inability to obey God because of that depravity, they have committed at least two evils. First of all, they have violated the context. Secondly, they have arrayed one Scripture against all the other Scriptures which show the free morality of man. Context. Isaiah was a prophet sent to a people who had rebelled against God, were hypocritical, and yet who still claimed to be faithful servants of God. A quick reading of Isaiah will show this to be the case: 1:2-9,10-17 is but one example. Under these circumstances, every act that Israel did was an abomination to God. The very things required by the law (observance of sabbaths, sacrifices, etc.) became acts of hypocrisy because of the rebellious attitude of the Jews. It is for this reason that Isaiah could truthfully say that "We are all as an unclean thing" (64:6). It is for this reason that he could charge that all the "righteousness" (their lawful deeds) were as "filthy rags." Friends, it was not that the Jews were depraved due to inheriting Adam's sin that caused this charge against them. It was because they had willfully rebelled against God and God would not receive their hypocritical worship. For those of you who think otherwise, let me pose this question to you: Was there ever a time when worship of man was anything other than "filthy rags"? If so, what made it so? Was Isaiah condemning the Jews because they were depraved by birth or because they were hypocritical? I suggest a careful reading of Isaiah to see the truth. Arraying Scripture Against Scripture. No greater sin can we commit than to suggest that one Scripture teaches something that other Scriptures condemn. To do so is to charge God with something less than honesty and to accept that the Bible is not consistent with itself. Yet those who would use Isaiah 64:6 to state that man is depraved and unclean from his birth are guilty of this very thing. There are too many Scriptures that show the innocence of a child at birth, the ability of man to choose good from evil, the reflection of man of his Creator (made in His image), and his free morality than to take this one Scripture out of its context and use it deceitfully. In the light of the truth, it makes me not a little angry for some person, let alone a brother in Christ, to suggest that man is totally passive in the plan of salvation and that whatever he does (faith, repentance, baptism, etc.) are as "filthy rags." Think, brethren! The very obedience that God has asked us to do which is patterned after the faithful obedience of Christ (Heb. 5:8,9) is filthy rags? Never in a million years! In the words of Peter, "in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:35). Can a sinner work? Yes. Are sinners' works acceptable to God? Yes, when they show the trust of the sinner toward God. Does the sinner have something to do in his own justification? Yes, as he righteously works those things which God has assigned as conditions of grace. This is the proper relation of "salvation by grace through faith" (Eph. 2:8,9). -- Via Guardian of Truth XXIX: 6, pp. 178, 182, March 21, 1985 ____________________________________________________ -2- Making All Things According to the Pattern by Warren E. Berkley Many features of the Old Testament system (law of Moses) were put in place by God, to picture what would eventually become reality through the work of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. For instance, various details in the Jewish tabernacle served to foreshadow the good things God would eventually confer upon believers. The good things to come were pictured by various elements of the Mosaic system. The law, therefore was a shadow of the good things to come, (see Heb. 9:11 & 10:1). This is one reason why, when Moses supervised the building of that tabernacle, it was crucial for him to make all things according to the pattern which came from the perfect mind of God. Even the detailed furnishings had to be made exactly like the pattern the Lord had shown Moses, (Num. 8:4). Various features of the old Jewish system were designed by God to foreshadow gospel blessings; these institutions served as the copies or shadows of the heavenly things, so Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. God said to him: see that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. (Heb. 8:5; Acts 7:44; Ex. 25:9,40; 26:30; Num. 8:4.) We have not been instructed to build, or rebuild that Mosaic tabernacle, but when we study these things we must carefully explore for any underlying principles that pertain to us. Just as God expressed His mind to Moses and gave instructions to Him, He has expressed His mind to us, and given us instructions to follow (Heb. 1:1,2). We're to "hold fast to the pattern of sound words" (2 Timothy 1:13). I am convinced there is such a principle, and I can best express it this way: God's purpose is carried out when His pattern is followed! The tabernacle is an excellent example. In having the Jews build that tabernacle, we know that God had a purpose in mind. He didn't do this accidentally, nor was this an exercise to keep the Jewish laborers and artisans busy. God had a purpose in mind, when He had the people build the tabernacle; an immediate purpose [Jewish worship], and an ultimate purpose [symbolic of the New Covenant blessings, see Heb. 9:9]. The pattern, or blueprint God gave to Moses was designed to implement God's purposes, both immediate and ultimate. The principle is: God, in His perfect mind, forms a purpose; then He reveals His pattern, with admonitions to follow His instructions. Only when men follow God's pattern, is God's purpose carried out. Stated negatively, if I don't follow God's pattern, I fail to carry out His purpose! In the case of the tabernacle, if Moses had ignored God's pattern and followed a human plan -- the tabernacle would not have fulfilled God's purpose; it would not have effectively functioned in foreshadowing the new covenant and the high-priestly ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary (of which the earthly was only a replica)! Only as we follow God's pattern, can it be said that we have performed His purpose. We need to acknowledge how purpose and pattern go together. Behind every pattern revealed by God, there are divine purposes, which are fulfilled when we follow His pattern. Applications Follow: MARRIAGE. God had certain purposes in mind by instituting the marriage relationship: (a) companionship, (b) reproduction, (c) the nurturing of children, and (d) the foundation of the social order. God had these good purposes in mind. To accomplish these purposes, God revealed a pattern (instructions, law). If we ignore God's pattern for husband and wife, God's purposes are not carried out. THE LORD'S SUPPER. All anyone knows about the Lord's Supper is from the Bible. What about the elements we use ... the significance we attach to this feast ... the regularity with which we partake ... Where did we come up with all this? The Bible. When I take everything the New Testament says about the Lord's Supper, and use that as my pattern, is there anything wrong with that? Does that make me a radical, a Pharisee, or a conservative or anti? I think it makes me a Christian. This is what being a Christian is all about: letting Christ be the head of the church, and following the instructions given by Christ through His apostles ... making all things according to the pattern, in order for the purposes of God to be fulfilled. THE LOCAL CHURCH. God, in His wisdom, set up the local church. That's why, when you read the New Testament, you read about local churches (Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, etc.). Christians got together. They formed themselves into local groups, to worship together, to edify one another, and to join together for the preaching of the gospel. Now, when God set up the local church, through the preaching of the apostles, let there be no doubt, God had certain purposes in mind! I submit, if we want a local church to fulfill the purposes intended by God, we need to follow the pattern given by God. Is that difficult or complicated? Is that an expression of human tradition? NO, it is entirely reasonable, and in keeping with everything the Scriptures teach. So, when it comes to things like ELDERS AND DEACONS; the preaching and teaching we do; the way we use our resources; the worship we provide for; the support of gospel preachers; the assistance given to needy saints, and all other matters that have to do with the local church, we should follow the pattern given by God! This is not a matter of being conservative, it is a matter of being right. This isn't just about continuing to do what those men believed in, who started a local church in a community, it is about continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42). When we follow God's pattern, because we love God, want to honor Christ and carry out divine purposes -- this is not the mentality of a Pharisee, this is the mentality of a servant who wants to obey the Lord. Hebrews 8:5 may not call upon us to build a tabernacle, yet the underlying principle is trans-dispensational. It has always been necessary to follow any pattern given by God. This is the only way we can carry out His purposes. -- via Exton Exhorter ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Evelyn Williams who passed away recently at the age of 89. She was the mother of Lee Mayfield, who attends with her husband Jim at the Southside church of Christ in Gonzales. Let those of us who are Christians be remembering, in prayer, the bereaved. (Mrs. Williams and the Mayfields had been former members of the Lake Villa Drive church of Christ in Metairie; but, since Katrina, the church no longer meets there.) ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________