____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ April 17, 1994 ____________________________________________________ Shortsuffering by Dan Shipley The coined word ``shortsuffering'' won't be found in a dictionary, but the disposition it pictures is much in evidence, even among God's people. In it is conveyed an idea that is readily apparent to most Bible students. Whereas longsuffering primarily describes patience with people, shortsuffering is the very opposite. He will not long tolerate that which he finds objectionable in others. He seeks hasty retaliation and prompt punishment for all real and imagined wrongs suffered. He is apt to give someone a ``piece'' of his mind or to ``get them told'' with little if any forethought or gentleness--and even take pride in having done so. The shortsufferer not only falls short in his ``suffering with,'' but in many other things at the same time. For instance, the shortsufferer falls short in partaking of the divine nature (II Pet. 1:4). Peter writes of how Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example in that when he was reviled, he reviled not again and in suffering, threatened not (I Pet. 2:21-22). Our Example did no sin to deserve such treatment and neither did he any sin to revenge such treatment. Such conduct was in exact harmony with his teaching. He said ''...do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you'' (Luke 6:27-28). And how much more benevolent ought we to be to those who do less? God's longsuffering ``waited in the days of Noah'' (I Pet. 3:20) and it waits again, enduring vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction (Rom. 9:22). God waits for men to repent. Should His people do less? We need a longsuffering God. Most of us need longsuffering brethren to bear with our weaknesses. How can we afford to be short on what we need them to be long on? The divine nature is longsuffering to all (I Thess. 5:14). In addition, the shortsufferer shows himself to be short on love (I Cor. 13:4). Love sees the objectionable, but loves anyway. On the longsuffering of love, William Barclay says it ``expresses a certain attitude toward people which never loses patience with them, however unreasonable they may be, and which never loses hope for them, however unlovely and unteachable they may be.'' Unlike shortsuffering, love is ever considerate. It is the antidote for this and a multitude of similar sins. Nothing stretches suffering like love. Further, the shortsufferer is short on what it takes to be an effective teacher. Our reproving, rebuking, and exhorting is to be done with all long suffering (II Tim. 4:2). Not all learners are of the Cornelius and Lydia type. Many come to learn with obnoxious habits, warped concepts, sins, prejudices and other things that might be distasteful to teachers. This is no place for the shortsufferer. If we have to get every student ``shaped-up'' before we begin to teach, then what and who will we teach. To be sure, the shortcomings of the shortsufferer are numerous and serious. Wouldn't it be tragic not to recognize such a sin in self; or seeing it not to care? ___________________________________________ Baptism ``In Jesus Name'' by Harry L. Lewis JUST WHAT SORT OF BAPTISM is the baptism ``In Jesus' name''? In a continuing discussion I have been having with a listener to the radio broadcast, this question keeps coming up. He thinks the baptism in Jesus' name is Holy Ghost baptism; and, of course, I know it is water baptism as taught and practiced by the apostles (Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 10:47-48; Acts 19:5; etc.) Friends, this is a case of a person believing something in spite of what the New Testament says instead of because of it. This man is able to believe, at least he says he does, passages which mention baptism in the New Testament are referring to the ``one baptism'' mentioned in Ephesians 4:4, and is Holy Ghost baptism. He is willing to say any time ``water'' is mentioned the apostles made a mistake, and taught what they had learned when they were young and under the law of Moses. It kind of makes you wonder why Paul did not deal with this question in Acts 15 as he dealt with law-keeping by Christians. Friends, we must tie a few passages together here if we are to arrive at the truth. Jesus taught his special witnesses, the apostles (Acts 10:4), to go, preach, and baptize those whom they had taught (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:47). All this was to be done in His name; and the apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit of God, went out and began to do what He had told them to do. Jesus went with them and confirmed what they were doing with the gifts of the Spirit from God (cf. Mark 16:19,20; Acts 15:12). There can be no doubt then that Jesus was putting his stamp of approval upon the activities of the apostles. Check Paul's argument in Acts 15:12. Of course, the problem this man and others are having along this line comes from the idea that baptism ``in the name of Jesus'' is actually ``baptism by Jesus.'' I know that Holy Spirit baptism was to be administered by Jesus Himself. In Acts 2:1-4 there can be no doubt that Holy Spirit baptism is under consideration; for not one word is said about any man doing anything to bring it about. It was miraculous from beginning to end. We find the very same thing being taught in Acts 10:44 as Luke wrote ``While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.'' Neither Cornelius, nor the apostles had one thing to do with what was happening. All those present were surprised when this great miracle occurred upon the Gentiles, including the Gentiles themselves! On the other hand, when baptism was done ``in the name of Jesus'' there was always a word or clue to indicate a man had something to do with it. Just as an illustration of what I am saying, please look at Acts 10:47,48. We read, ``Can any many forbid water, that they should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.'' (emp. mine--hll). Just who did he command to do it in the name of the Lord? Surely none will say he commanded Jesus, the Lord, Himself, to do it! If baptism in the name of the Lord here is Holy Ghost baptism, then whoever Peter commanded to do the baptizing must have had the power to do it. But only Jesus had the power to baptize men in the Holy Spirit; therefore, the baptism commanded by Peter was water baptism! ______________________________________________ THINGS YOU'LL NEVER REGRET by Rick Harlow Many times in this life we look back at certain things which we have done with a measure of regret. Most of the time this regret is the result of poor decision making on our part. I would like to suggest to you that there are some things which you can do which you will never regret. You'll never regret: 1) Showing Kindness To An Aged Person. The society in which we live is one in which very little respect and kindness is shown to the aged. The word of God shows us that we ought to show kindness and respect to the elderly. ``With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding'' (Job 12:12). 2) Offering The Apology That Saved A Friendship. I wonder how many friendships have been destroyed through an attitude in which individuals are both to mule-headed to offer an apology over some perceived or actual wrong? Friends are much too precious to lose over someone being too stubborn to offer an apology. ``Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee: Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift'' (Matt. 5:23-24). 3) Stopping A Scandal That Would Wreck A Reputation. Many a reputation has been wrecked when Christians fail to make an effort to put gossip and slander in its place. A single piece of gossip can destroy a reputation which has taken years to build. ``An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered'' (Prov. 11:9). 4) Taking Time To Show Loved Ones Consideration. ``You always hurt the ones you love.'' These words were the basis of a hit song several years ago. Isn't it interesting and also sad that many times we show consideration and understanding to strangers BUT fail miserably to show the same courtesy to those who we claim to love the most? I firmly believe that these are some of those things which Christians are called upon to ``provide'' to their families. ``But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel'' (1 Tim. 5:8). 5) Feeling Reverence For Your Maker. Many individuals today, including Christians, fail to show a proper reverence and respect for God. Most individuals today show more respect for sports figures and movie stars than they do for the Creator. How can this be? Solomon pointed out that man has a responsibility to have a proper attitude toward God (Eccl. 12:11-13). ___________________________________________ "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men" (Acts 24:14-16; the apostle Paul giving his defense before the governor Felix, while prisoner in Caesarea). ___________________________________________ "Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:5-10). ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________