____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ September 21, 2008 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) A Tower to Touch the Sky (Trevor Bowen) 2) A Tough Act to Follow: Elymas the Magician: "Now he sees you, now he doesn't" Acts 13:6-13 (Jon W. Quinn) ____________________________________________________ -1- A Tower to Touch the Sky by Trevor Bowen In our present age, unity seems a laughable goal to the cynical. Admittedly, division seems to surround us, both in our immediate circle of fellowship, but especially in the broader circle of all who take up Christ's name. Passages that warn of division, even its necessity, quickly stamp out any dreams of long-term unity among all, who call themselves Christians (I John 2:18-19; Romans 16:17-18). But, does this mean that God has asked something of us, which cannot be achieved (Ephesians 4:1-6; Matthew 19:26)? The Basis of Unity Unity can be extremely powerful, but its goal is crucial to the success of a united effort. If we unite in error, then the failure of our striving is certain. This principle can be seen in the results of the construction of the Tower of Babel, which occurred near the dawn of civilization: "Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. ... And they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.' "But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, 'Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them'" (Genesis 11:1-6). Please note that the purpose of this tower was two-fold: It was built to make a name for themselves, for their own glory, and it was built to avoid being scattered over the earth. God had previously commanded this people to spread, multiply, and "fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). Their intentions were to disobey a direct command. Moreover, their attitudes were in direct conflict with the humble spirit, which seeks God's glory, not its own (I Peter 5:5-6). Consequently, God frustrated their efforts and fulfilled His own purpose by confusing their languages. The lesson is that if we seek to unite ourselves under a banner that is contrary to God's will, we should not expect God's approval; moreover, we should expect Him to move against us. One Language, One Mind Another powerful point that we can glean from this Old Testament passage is that a common language is also essential to the success of a united effort. Once their languages were confused, the people quickly disbanded and scattered themselves. But, while they had one language and one mind, nothing would be withheld from them. In the New Testament, Paul notes this same principle: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. "... Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (I Corinthians 1:10-13) As having one mind and language empowered the children of Babel, not having one mind and being divided crippled the Corinthian church. The Corinthian church had divided into groups, which were named after men and built upon men. Paul points out two fundamental flaws in their "denominations." First, Christ is not divided against Himself, so why should His body be (Luke 11:17-18; Ephesians 1:22-23)? Second, the leader of a group must be able to save the group. If the men these groups followed were not their savior, and if they were not baptized in their name, then why were they dividing and wearing these men's names instead of the One in whose name alone is salvation (Acts 4:10-12)? If it was unacceptable and erroneous for the Corinthian church to be divided, wearing the names of men and following men, then will we be found acceptable before God if we divide into similar denominations today? The Potential of Unity Finally, this passage from Genesis offers divine commentary on the potential of a united human effort. Regarding their effort, God said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them." If we seek the same unity as the children of Babel, but we seek God's will and His glory, then what will be the limit of our achievements? God said even the sky would not be a limit. -- from the Cedar Park church of Christ, 2003 ____________________________________________________ -2- A Tough Act to Follow Elymas the magician: "Now he sees you, now he doesn't" Acts 13:6-13 by Jon W. Quinn There follows a text of Scripture which records some events of the first missionary journey into Asia Minor undertaken by Paul and Barnabas with John Mark. There are several statements that sum up the event very well: 1. Elymas was "a magician, a Jewish false prophet." 2. The "proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence... summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God." 3. Elymas the magician sought "to turn the proconsul away from the faith." 4. Elymas was not successful, and the proconsul believed. Consider now the passage: "When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. "But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, 'You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.' And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem" (Acts 13:6-13). Elymas -- The Crooked Path Paul rebuked Elymas for his sinfulness. By the power of God, Elymas was struck with temporary blindness. This is the only recorded miracle wrought by an apostle to the injury of a person (and even this was not a permanent loss -- and certainly did more good than harm). Paul summed up the spiritual state of Elymas accurately. He said that the magician and false prophet was: 1. Full of "all deceit and fraud" 2. A "son of the devil" 3. An "enemy of righteousness" 4. He makes "crooked the straight path of the Lord" Being Like Elymas I would hope that few would want to be like Elymas. But to oppose the things taught by Paul and teach something different is to "make crooked the ways of the Lord." This is because Jesus chose Paul to teach the truth, and gave Paul the message of truth which he was to teach by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and Paul taught the message that Jesus gave Him by the Spirit, the "Spirit of truth." Paul wrote, "For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11,12; see also Luke 10:16; John 14:16-17,26; 16:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 4:1-8; 2 Peter 3:2; 1 John 4:6). As you see by these references, this principle of apostolic authority is stressed repeatedly. Yet some today think Paul missed the boat on some of his teachings; that his teaching was influenced by culture. While his teaching reflected the culture in which he lived (i.e. when with idolaters, he would teach about idolatry versus serving the living God), the teaching itself is from God and to reject it is to reject the Lord Himself! When today some change the teaching of Paul concerning the role of women in the church, or homosexuality, they are, in fact, doing what Elymas did. To do so is to "make crooked the straight path of the Lord." Some seek to turn others from the faith, just like Elymas did. Perhaps not all are as dishonest as Elymas was, but such activity made Elymas "a child of the devil" and "an enemy of righteousness." Sometimes deceit is used. Sometimes persecution. Sometimes encouragement to do evil. Either way, the goal is to destroy the faith of those who have believed or to keep those who might believe from doing so. The Scriptures warn: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority..." (Colossians 2:8-10; see also 1:21-23). Sergius Paulus -- "Amazed at the Teaching of the Lord" Sergius Paulus, a Roman proconsul of Cyprus at Paphos, was a man of understanding. He wanted to examine the things taught by early Christians about Jesus, and so he summoned Barnabas and Saul (it is at this point that Saul began using his Roman name "Paul" since his ministry would primarily have to do with reaching out to the Gentiles, of which Sergius Paulus was one -- note verses 2 and 9). Also, it is here that Paul is recognized as the leader of his company. When this event begins, it is "Barnabas and Saul" (vs. 7) but by the time they leave Paphos it is "Paul and his companions" (vs. 13). The miracle assured the proconsul that the word Paul and Barnabas taught was being delivered to the world from God through them; "...how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will" (Hebrews 2:3,4; see also Jude 3). Sergius Paulus was "amazed at the teaching of the Lord." Grace is amazing. By grace we are permitted to extend the same gospel to the world today that Barnabas and Saul taught, that Elymas opposed, and that Sergius Paulus believed. It is truly a great salvation which we have in Jesus! -- Via Expository Files 15.5; May 2008 ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn) Denham Springs, Louisiana 70726 (Though previously at 1022 Myrtle Street, we are now meeting at the Hampton Inn, due to Hurricane Gustav's damage to our building. We began meeting there September 14, and will continue to do so for, at least, 6 months.) Our Sunday services are at... 9:15 AM (Bible Class) 10:00 AM (worship) 4:00 PM (worship) Directions: If coming on I-12, take the Denham Springs exit (exit 10) and head north at the end of the exit ramp, which will put you on Range Avenue. Then go about a stone's throw to Rushing Road. (You'll see a Starbucks, Circle K, a Shell station, and a Chevron station on the corners of that intersection.) Turn left (west) on Rushing Road. Then go slightly less than 0.3 of a mile. Hampton Inn will be on the right. We are assembling in its meeting room. Please feel free to come and be with us. We would be glad to have you. evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go __________________________________________________