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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" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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August 31, 2014
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Contents:

1) If Any Man Is In Christ He Is A New Creature (Brooks Cochran)
2) Doing It Willingly (Robert F. Turner)
3) News & Notes
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-1-

If Any Man Is In Christ He Is A New Creature
by Brooks Cochran

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (NASB).  

Paul, in answering the charges made against him by false teachers and brethren in Corinth, declares that, "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature"; the old things have passed away and "new things have come" (2 Cor. 5:17). The particular change, of which he had just spoken; i.e., knowing "no man according to the flesh" (2 Cor. 5:16), is one indication that a transformation has taken place in "any man" who is "in Christ." At one time, in the days before his conversion, Paul judged Jesus by external standards in the light of the teaching he received from Gamaliel and thus concluded that Jesus of Galilee was not the Messiah (Acts 22:3; Phil. 3:4; Acts 26:9). Now he no longer judges Jesus by such standards. He is a "new creature" old things have passed away and all things have become new. Likewise, it was time for the Corinthians to quit judging him in much the same way. They were placing too much emphasis on externals and should have been emphasizing the spiritual. They were Paul's "letter, written in" his heart, "known and read by all men; ...written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God" (2 Cor. 3:2-3).  

Many, as the Corinthians, fail to grasp the significance of what it means to be in Christ and the transformation of life and character that goes with such change. Upon examination of this passage one can learn some truths that will help him appreciate and understand what it means to be "in Christ."

The text emphasizes: 1. The Universality Of The Gospel ("If any Man"); 2. The Location Of The New Life And Relationship ("In Christ"); and 3. The Standard One Is To Follow Once He Makes The Decision To Come Into Christ ("He is A New Creation; The Old Things Have Passed Away; Behold New Things Have Come").  

"If Any Man"

Though Paul is directing his remarks to a specific group of individuals, those designated as being "in Christ," his words infer that any person can become a member of this group. The group may be limited in number, but the invitation to join is universal. This invitation was extended by the apostles in their "ministry of reconciliation" as they preached the "word of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18- 19). Today their word has been left for us in permanent form on the pages of the New Testament.  

While the invitation is extended through the "word of reconciliation" one must make a conscious choice as to whether or not they will accept the offer to "be reconciled to" and "receive the grace of God," namely, the forgiveness of their sins (2 Cor. 5:20; 6:1). In Romans 5:1,2 one is said to obtain their "introduction by faith into this grace" and as a result has "peace with God." Such actions on the part of an individual infer a change of heart.  

But more than a change of heart is involved. There must also be a change of relationship. I.B. Grubbs, in Exegetical Analysis of The Epistles, states that, "It is a very prevalent error to regard a change of heart as constituting the whole of regeneration. It is, indeed, a fundamental requisite apart from which there can be no new creation. But more is embraced according to the conception of Paul in this and other passages.  ...A change of position or spiritual relationship must follow a change of disposition" (110).  

"Be in Christ"

This change of relationship occurs when one comes "into Christ." When one submits to the will of God and is immersed in water for the remission of his sins he is brought into this union with Christ and enters a new relationship (Gal. 3:26,27). He is now reconciled to God "through the death of' Christ and no longer considered an "enemy" (Rom. 5:10).  

Reconciliation with God is possible only for those "in Christ," since he is the means by which one is made acceptable to God the Father. They will be "saved from the wrath of God" that will be poured out on all unbelievers at the judgment (Rom. 5:9; John 3:36; 1 Thess. 5:9). It is this latter group that has been "destined" for this fate.  

One chooses his destiny; either by electing to be among those "predestined to be conformed to the image of" Christ and "glorified" (Rom. 8:29-30), or those that will experience God's wrath. God allows men to exercise their free will; but they will have to accept the consequences of their choice. That is why the apostles extended the invitation to "be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20).  

"A New Creature"

When one has been reconciled to God he is described as being "a new creature" or "a new creation." He is now a product of God's "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works" (Eph. 2:10). Old things have passed away, new things have come. In the words of Isaiah: "Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new" (43:18-19). In commenting on this passage, Hailey states that "the people are urged to cease looking to and appealing to the past (except to learn from its examples and warnings), and to look to the future instead" (Homer Hailey, Commentary On Isaiah, 365).  

There is the tendency for many "new creatures" in Christ to look back to the past and long for their former manner of life. Such thoughts and desires must be expelled from the mind. Paul forgot what was behind him in his life in the Jews' religion and reached "forward" and pressed "on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14). So too, the "new creature" must not entangle himself in the defilements "of the world" of which he has "escaped" (2 Peter 2:20). Such a step backward indicates a lack of love and appreciation for the new found blessings "in Christ."

Conclusion

The world, being under the power and control of Satan (1 John 5:19), does not and cannot make a man "new." It is the desire of Satan for a man to keep "the old self' and continue to be "corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit" (Eph. 4:22). One day there will be "new heavens and new earth" (2 Peter 3:13), but it will only be populated by those that are new creatures in Christ. Therefore, it would be in the interest of our soul to become a new creature in Christ and remain faithful to him during the time of our stay on this earth so we might inhabit the "new heavens and new earth" (heaven) with him.  

-- Via Guardian of Truth XL: 1 p. 17-18, January 4, 1996
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Doing It Willingly
by Robert F. Turner

This is "old hat," so much so that I would not repeat it but for a "new generation" that needs reminding a fallacy does not become valid argument by virtue of its age.  

"We are very sorry that you have felt that the Highland elders have misused their authority and are taking the oversight from other congregations. This is simply not true. There is not a congregation supporting the Herald of Truth work that cannot withdraw their support anytime they wish, they can begin anytime they wish, they are kept informed of the way the programs are being operated and the things that are being accomplished" (From actual letter).  

The basic issue, in H.O.T. and all other church-hood projects, is collective action of churches (a plurality of churches acting as a team) versus each church acting independently. Congregational independence is the operational structure and polity of New Testament churches, to which most brethren agree -- in word if not in practice. Operating via some different structure (and collective action is "opposed" to independent action, as defined in dictionary) is without divine authority. There is no authority for a plurality of churches to pool funds in the treasury of one church, or of some human organization, and allow the elders of that ''sponsoring church" or the board of directors of the human institution to oversee a work on their behalf.  

Whether they do it willingly or not is not the issue. The thing they are doing is wrong -- they have no NT authority to function as a team of churches, willingly or otherwise. In fact, willingly doing so puts the sin in a worse light, not better. If they were being "forced" to operate collectively we could at least be understanding and sympathetic. But the letter ignores the issue, and assumes a thing is right because it is done "on purpose" or deliberately.  

Sometimes defenders of collective projects argue churches acted collectively in assisting needy brethren in Judea (2 Cor. 8, etc.). Concurrent action (at the same time, having the same purpose) is not collective; but if it were, then how claim congregational independence and autonomy as the N.T. way of organization? What is to prevent our organizing State and National conventions of churches -- on a "free-will" basis, of course -- not a single shot fired to "force" anyone into line? Are we to understand that if all churches agreed to put all of their evangelizing in the hands of a single church, or an executive hoard of some national organization, it would be acceptable to God? Of course each church would have to do it willingly, and would have to get monthly reports of "the way the programs are being operated and the things that are being accomplished."

This "doing it willingly" is about the weakest excuse for argument to come out of the institutional debacle of our generation. I am continually amazed that it is still used, and apparently some brethren are taken in by it. It does prove one thing, viz.; brethren on both sides are still unaware of the true issue in the case.  

-- Plain Talk, July 1981
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News & Notes


It was good news to hear how well Myrna Jordan's surgery went for her September 2.  Let those of us who are Christians continue to remember her as she is now healing.  

Norma Burton recently began receiving hospice care.  Please be remembering her and her family in your prayers.  

Danielle Howard is now back at Jesup Health and Rehabilitation.  Let us also pray that her calcium level will keep where it should and that her bones will continue to grow strong.  

Dexter Roberts has been receiving treatment for esophageal cancer for several months.  Let us pray that they will soon be able to cure him of that. 

Though we will miss them, let us also be praying that all will go well for A.J. and Pat Joyner who will soon be moving to Texas.   

Others on our prayer list: Virginia Fontenot, Ronnie Davis, Rex and Frankie Hadley, Jewel Wilson, Mary Vandevander, Deborah Medlock, Shirley Davis, Sue Wooten, and Colleen Henson.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21)     
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street

CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501
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