____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ June 27, 1993 ____________________________________________________ Me A Sacrifice? by Phil Roberts In Rom. 12:1, Paul instructs us to ``present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.'' Stop and think. This is a strange verse! The Bible teaches us that we are saved by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus, which was offered once for all (Heb. 10:10). And if that is so, how can Paul here ask us to present our own bodies as sacrifices? The answer to this question is found in the O.T. When we turn to the book of Leviticus, we find that there were many different kinds of sacrifices offered by the Israelites. But nearly all of those sacrifices fell into one of two categories. The first category is composed of all those sacrifices which were offered to obtain the forgiveness of sins. These were sometimes called propitiatory sacrifices. Such sacrifices were the sin-offering, the trespass offering, and the yearly atonement offerings. The second category is composed of all those sacrifices which were offered after sins had been forgiven. These were offerings which were made in thanksgiving to God for his mercy and blessings. Frequently they were made in thanksgiving for forgiveness of sins. Such offerings were called thank-offerings, peace-offerings, and freewill-offerings. Now the sacrifice offered by Jesus supplied us with the first category. He is the one who offered his own body once for all to obtain the forgiveness of our sins. It was his blood that was shed for a propitiation for our sins (Rom. 3:25; I John 2:2). Jesus offered this sacrifice for us because we could never have offered it for ourselves. Our bodies were too stained with sin to ever be an acceptable sacrifice for the cleansing of sin. So God gave us the unblemished body of his only begotten son to use instead. But we must still offer the second category of sacrifices for ourselves. As a thank-offering for the mercy and love with which God has blessed us, we are instructed to present our bodies as living sacrifices. No sacrifice of our bodies could ever be worthy to obtain the forgiveness of sins, but thanks be to God that he gave the body of his son for us. The least we can do is return our own bodies--worthless though they be--in thanksgiving. But notice, also, that most of the thank-offerings in the O.T. were whole-burnt offerings. The body of the sacrificial animal was totally consumed upon the altar. So also, we should offer our bodies to God so that they may be totally consumed in the work of the Lord. Any holding back bespeaks an ingratitude on our part, and an incomplete sacrifice. We become like the Jew who wanted to offer only one leg of his lamb, and keep the rest for himself. Finally, Paul instructs us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. We are to be dead to sin, but alive to Christ (Rom. 6:11), and thus living, we are to present the members of our bodies as instruments of righteousness unto God (Rom. 6:13). God does not want dead carcasses for sacrifices. Under the O.T. law, offering a dead animal would have profaned the altar. So also, dead Christians profane the church. ``I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service'' (Rom. 12:1). -- Via Plano Provoker, 5/74 ___________________________________________ Who Received Holy Spirit Baptism in Acts 2? by Carrol R. Sutton Most serious students of the Scriptures will agree that the Apostles received Holy Spirit baptism on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Some people say that ONLY THE APOSTLES were baptized with the Holy Spirit and others contend that the 120 disciples received it also. Without question, the APOSTLES received Holy Spirit baptism. In Acts 1:5 Jesus promised the Apostles that ''...Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.'' A few days later on Pentecost in Acts 2:4 we read, ``And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.'' So, it is evident that the APOSTLES received Holy Spirit baptism in Acts 2. What about the multitude in Acts 2 and the 120 disciples of Acts 1:15? Did they receive Holy Spirit baptism? To learn who were recipients of the Holy Spirit baptism on Pentecost we must allow the Scriptures to be our source of information. What saith the Scriptures? First, did the multitude in Acts 2:6 receive Holy Spirit baptism? Were they ``filled with the Holy Spirit'' as the apostles were? No, because we read in Acts 2:6 that ''...When this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.'' NOTE: The multitude came together after the apostles ``were filled with the Holy Ghost.'' It is evident from this that the multitude did not receive Holy Spirit baptism on Pentecost in Acts 2. There is NO evidence that anyone except the apostles received Holy Spirit baptism on the day of Pentecost! A careful reading of Acts 1 and 2 will indicate that ONLY the apostles received Holy Spirit baptism on Pentecost. Please consider the following facts: 1. The antecedent of ``they'' in Acts 2:1-2 and ``them'' in verse 3 and ``they'' and ``them'' in verse 4 is ``apostles'' of Acts 1:26. 2. All who spake in other tongues (i.e., languages) were Galileans. (cf. verse 7). All the apostles were Galileans! There is no evidence that all of the 120 disciples were Galileans! 3. Peter stood up ``with the eleven'' (Not the 119) and defended them! (See Acts 2:14). 4. The hearers inquired of Peter and the rest of the APOSTLES!! (See Acts 2:37). There is no evidence that the hearers made inquiry of the 120 disciples! 5. We learn from Acts 2:43 that ``Many wonders and signs were done by the apostles!'' We also learn from Acts 3, 4 and 5 that miracles were done by the apostles! NOTE: There is no indication that the 120 disciples could perform miracles as could the apostles. 6. In Luke 24:48-49 Jesus said to the Apostles: ``And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high...'' 7. A few days before Pentecost Jesus was assembled together with the apostles and He commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, ``Which, saith He, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.'' (See Acts 1:1-5). On Pentecost the apostles received what Jesus had promised in Acts 1. The evidence points to the conclusion that only the twelve apostles received Holy Spirit baptism in Acts 2! ___________________________________________ BIBLE QUIZ: Bible Baptism by Tom Edwards 1. Jesus shows in Mark 16:16 that the one who will be saved is the one who does what? 2. The Lord taught Nicodemus that in order for one to be born again and enter the kingdom of God that person must be born of ____________ and the ________________ (see John 3:3-5). 3. What two conditions are mentioned in Acts 2:38 that must precede the remission of sins? 4. Though Paul had met the Lord on the road to Damascus, was made blind, and fasted for three days while he prayed unto God, his sins were not washed away until he obeyed the command to ``arise and be baptized'' (Acts 22:16). By so doing, Paul was '' _____________ on the name of the Lord.'' 5. According to Romans 6:3,4, baptism is for which one of the following reasons: a) to show our sins have already been forgiven, b) to be able to walk in newness of life (which is when one becomes a Christian), or c) to become a member of a particular denomination. 6. According to Colossians 2:12, is baptism to be a sprinkling, a pouring, or a burial? 7) The ``wherein'' in ``WHEREIN also ye are risen with him'' (Col. 2:12) is referring to what? a ) baptism b) faith c) the Spirit 8) How many baptisms does Paul teach there are for today in Ephesians 4:5? 9) Must one understand the correct purpose for baptism prior to being baptized or does it not really matter? (See Acts 19:3-7. Also, cf. 1 Cor. 11:17-34) 10) How many examples do we have in the Bible of those who wanting to become Christians took the time to eat or sleep before they were baptized? 11) At about what hour was the Philippian Jailer baptized? 12. What did Peter say baptism does in 1 Peter 3:21? 13. When Peter said that ``whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved'' in Acts 2:21, is this referring to prayer? If not, how were they to call? 14. As we consider these passages, baptism is shown as being something one must do for which of the following reasons: a) to have sins forgiven and become a Christian, b) to join a particular denomination, or c) to show that sins have already been washed away, prior to being baptized. 15. Have you been baptized for the right purpose of contacting the blood of Jesus so that your sins may be forgiven and you may become a child of God? Answers: 1) believes and is baptized 2) water; Spirit 3) repentance and baptism 4) calling 5) b 6) a burial 7) baptism 8) one 9) Yes. It does matter. 10) None 11) Around midnight 12) It saves. 13) No. They were to ``call'' by believing (Acts 2:36), repenting, and being baptized (Acts 2:38). 14) a 15) If so, that's great! But if not, you need to in order to be saved. Baptism is part of the plan. As we have seen, you must also believe, repent, confess your faith in Christ, and continue loyal unto God throughout your life. ___________________________________________ 66-36-20 by John R. Madrigal What do the above numbers represent? They represent the difference between Sunday AM worship period (66), the Sunday PM worship period (36), and the Wednesday worship period (20) one particular week in the recent past at a congregation I am acquainted with. The sad thing about it is that this is no isolated case. In far too many congregations of the Lord's people throughout the country we see these same differences reflected and the numbers represent something else as well: 1. They represent a lack of kingdom priorities. Jesus Himself said: ``Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness...'' (caps mine, jm; cf., Matthew 6:33). 2. They represent a sad deficiency in ``total love'' for the Lord. Jesus also stated: ``You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind.'' God's people certainly don't reflect this kind of love when they regularly miss Sunday (pm) and/or Wednesday evening worship when they are able to be there and aren't! 3. They represent something less than ``total commitment'' to Jesus Christ! In teaching His disciples of the necessity to ``count the cost,'' Jesus said, ``So likewise, whosoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple'' (Luke 14:33). 4. They represent a form of idolatry! W. E. Vine defines idolatry as ``the sin of mind against God.'' When anything secures the affections (our love, enthusiasm, gratitude, dedication, etc.) which properly belong to God, it is idolatry. For example, the ``covetous man'' is called an idolater because his mind (heart) is centered more on material gain than on God! Isn't this why Jesus demanded the rich young ruler of Mark 10 to part with his riches before he could be in a proper position to serve God? His riches would have come between him and his loyalty to God--this is idolatry! Question: What is it that's standing between you and your attending Sunday (pm) or Wednesday evening? In other words, what is your idol? Won't you part with it that you might have ``treasure in heaven?'' 5. They represent ``shortsightedness'' (cf. II Peter 1:9). Those who regularly miss services when they're physically capable of being somewhere else have failed to set their affections on ``things above'' and are evidently more concerned with the ``here and now''--that is being shortsighted! 6. They represent the ``thorny ground'' in the parable of the sower. Jesus said: ``He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful'' (Matthew 13:22). 7. They represent disobedience to an explicit command of God: ``And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching'' (Heb. 10:24-25). What is especially distressing about the above numbers (66-36-20) is that they are no exception! In far too many congregations across the land, they are the rule! How much better it would be if, instead, we would GROW to reflect the following: 66-66-66! ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, 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 ________________________________________