____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ October 27, 1991 ____________________________________________________ Looking Beyond The Curvature of Space by Tom Edwards It was Albert Einstein who introduced a theory that radically differed from man's former concept of the universe: He proposed the curvature of three-dimensional space. According to his theory, if a space-journeyer were traveling in a straight line from point A to point B and beyond this last point in the same continuous line, he would eventually arrive at point A again. Though I will not deny the possibility of this, the result would indicate the space he is referring to as being a mere hemmed-in area or, in other words, finite. But as we considered last week, what about the great infinity surrounding this vast region -- regardless of how many light years this ``hemmed-in'' area spans? The concept of an enclosed universe overlooks the endless space on the outside of that closed system. Even as a child, I can remember imagining the foolishness of viewing the universe as some type of limited vastness that eventually ended -- after one's having traveled through it for billions and billions of light years -- and there at the end was a large brick wall on which a sign was posted that informed the long-distance voyager, ``Dead End. Turn Back. You Have Reached the End of the Universe.'' Of course, according to the curvature theory, one would never reach the end because one would keep going in circles through this enclosed system, just as a pilot might try to fly in a straight line parallel with the earth and in the process make a revolution that ends where he started -- a conterminous route, you might say. But what if man takes into consideration this curvature of the universe and makes the necessary adjustment in his course for a true straight line --even though his gages might indicate the contrary? By remaining straight and not following the previous ``straight'' line (which had appeared straight in relation to only the curvature of space), there could be no returning. In leaving point A, point A would never be returned to again -- providing one remain on the straight course (which would most likely appear arched through the curvature of space because in this, even light itself is bent). Ignoring this infinitely vast outer region beyond the enclosed area is similar to those who view the universe as beginning ten to twenty billion years ago, but wanting to overlook the ETERNITY prior to that time. Maybe this is just too great for some people to handle when they start thinking about the infinite and the eternal -- especially if their lives are showing that they are not heading for that everlasting country called heaven. The choice of a timeless bliss or a non-ending disappointment is ours to make while we dwell within this realm of fleeting days, transitory months, and years soon past. In our temporary world with its physical limitations, we normally view areas as being able to have just ONE center. No room, circle, or ball could have more than one; but this is not so in God's infinity -- He is not limited. Actually, any point in the universe, whether point A (representing the earth) or point B (representing the farthest star from earth, many light years away), would be equally centered with the same distance of infinity around it as any other designated point would also have. Thinking about such things causes me to marvel even more at God's greatness. While we are accustomed to limited times and finite measurements, the Lord is acquainted with time that has no end and measures without limit. In addition, Jesus sums up the awesomeness of the Deity by tersely saying, ''...with God all things are possible'' (Matt. 19:26); and Paul, writing to the Ephesians, speaks of the Lord as being ``able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Eph. 3:20). In view of this, it seems so irrational that anyone would say, ``I don't think I would really like heaven,'' when that individual does not even have the mind to comprehend how glorious heaven is. Only by our faith in God can we accept the truth about it and look forward to it with eager expectation. The expression ``beyond one's wildest dream'' -- in the sense of being ``a blissfulness far surpassing'' -- is that which only God can ultimately fulfill; and this, therefore, would be a paradise far greater than any you could ever dream or materialize for yourself. Isn't it also odd, though, that many people act as if heaven will be some type of dull place with nothing to do but ``be good all day.'' If it were merely some type of drab, monotonous habitation, don't you think God would have left long ago and found something else more ``exciting'' to do? Yet, he has ALWAYS been there and hasn't moved out yet. This above thought reminds me of the story I once heard about a chirping bird that was enjoying a beautiful, invigorating day and a grouchy, old ground hog that could not understand why the little bird was so happy. The bird said something similar to the following remark in answering the ground hog's question: ``Well, I am glad because of the warm, soothing sunshine; the endless blue sky; the pretty flowers that smell so sweet and dance in the gentle breeze; and for this peaceful tree on which to perch. All of this contributes toward the making of a lovely day. Oh, it is great to be alive!'' But the mean, old ground hog could only complain and say something to the following effect: ``Nonsense. I've been in this earth longer than you, and I've dug deep into it and have bored miles and miles of tunnels through it, and I know what I'm talking about. And I tell you there is nothing in it but earthworms, roots, and dirt.'' Unfortunately, the ground hog had never looked high enough to see the beauty of the day that was just right above him. We, too, must take the time to look above. We need to see beyond the temporary and the physical to the eternal and the spiritual. As Paul exhorts in Colossians 3:1,2, ``If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.'' And as he informed in Colossians 1:13, ``For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.'' The Christian is already classified as a citizen of heaven (Phil. 3:20), and he is in this world as a pilgrim or sojourner that is just a passin' through. There is as much more to the wisdom, beauty, and greatness of God as there is to this unfathomable universe that reaches beyond our awareness. We can begin ``tapping in'' to the Lord's wisdom and greatness through His word if we will read it, believe it, and obey it. Don't go into eternity without the power of God on your side; learn of Him today and commit yourself to Him by your faith and obedience. For whatever the shape of our universe, one day it will be no more (2 Pet. 3:10-12); and we will then take up our residence in one of two eternal realms. Now is the time to become a citizen of heaven. ___________________________________________ Figurative Washings by Tom Edwards Jesus Himself connects baptism with regeneration in John 3:3-5 wherein He declares that one must be ``born again'' of ``water and the Spirit.'' Peter also shows that it was real ``water'' that was to be used in baptism (1 Pet. 3:21), and this was the element that the penitent believer was to be ``buried'' in so that he could then be raised up to ``walk in newness of life'' (Rom. 6:3,4). As the Bible commands, however, repentance is to precede baptism (Acts 2:38) if one wants to be born again (John 3:3-5), have sins washed away (Acts 22:16), be saved, and have a clear conscience (1 Pet. 3:21). In view of these scriptures, the Bible does refer to a literal water that is to be used in baptism, just as it is a literal fruit of the vine and a literal unleavened bread that make up the two elements used in the Lord's Supper. Though the bread and grape juice is not the real body and blood of the Lord -- nor does it become this through transubstantiation -- this in no way minimizes the importance of the observance, in which one could actually ``eat and drink damnation unto himself'' if he makes a common meal out of it (1 Cor. 11). The water of baptism -- though real -- does not literally wash away sins as in a likened manner to dirt being scrubbed off by a good washing; but by so submitting to baptism one is responding with an obedient faith to God's plan of salvation; and by that obedient faith, the blood of Jesus can be reached, which can cleanse of sin. But even in this, does the blood of Jesus LITERALLY WASH away sins? Does one really feel some type of an internal ``scrubbing effect'' when this occurs? Is not forgiveness really something that takes place in the MIND OF GOD or is sin something like harmful bacteria or unhealthy germs in the body that need to be eliminated through some kind of purifying agent? I think we have to admit that even the phrase ``washed by the blood of Jesus'' is used figuratively. Also, is it really man's faith that cleanses him of sin? Is the washing away of transgression effectuated by one's ability to believe? Or perhaps is it because man has willingly turned from wrongs through repentance that his sins are washed away? Actually, the real source is neither of these two proposed ideas. By far, it is much more accurate to say that faith and repentance only lead toward the washing away of sins just as baptism also does. This is because, though it is true that one has to believe in order to benefit from the blood of Christ, the atonement is not in one's faith; it is in the sacrifice that Jesus made for the sins of the world!!! This, however, does not make that faith any less necessary; and this same principle holds true with repentance and baptism. Though the Bible says we are saved by faith (John 3:36) and baptism (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21), these are merely steps on the stairway that lead to the atoning blood of Jesus Christ; and when we meet these conditions, we obtain forgiveness that takes place in the mind of God. One's "cleansing" follows baptism -- not before (1 Pet. 3:21; Rom. 6;3,4; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; etc.). After having obeyed the gospel, God will "remember" one's sins no more (Heb. 8:12). The "washing of regeneration" in Titus 3:5 pertains to baptism and is parallel with John 3:3-5 in which the Lord speaks about the need to be born again -- which is the meaning of "regeneration" -- and refers to it as being ``born of water and the Spirit.'' The person who has been raised up from the watery grave of baptism in order to walk in ``newness of life'' (Rom. 6:3,4) is this one who has been born again. And according to John 3:3-5, being born of water in order to be born again falls in harmony with the water of baptism that one comes up out of so that one may walk in ``newness of life'' (Rom. 6:3,4) -- Receiving this ``newness of life,'' therefore, is when one is ``born again.'' All the passages that show baptism as being something that precedes the remission of sins also implies that baptism is part of what one must do in order to be regenerated or spiritually cleansed. Yes, it is the blood of Jesus that atones for our transgressions, but in order to benefit from that blood there are certain requirements that must be met first: believing, repenting, and being baptized are necessary; and, therefore, they serve to lead one to the benefits of the Lord's propitiatory sacrifice. Though Jesus has already died for every sinner, not one sinner will ever be saved until he responds by his faith and obedience to the soul-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. May we each do this promptly, humbly, penitently, and gratefully that we might be figuratively cleansed or washed of our sins and literally forgiven in the mind of God. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________