____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ November 26, 1995 ____________________________________________________ The New Testament Is God's Complete Will! by Michael Garrison That the Bible is incomplete and contains errors is believed by some. In "What The Mormons Think of Christ," on pages 2-3 we are told, "But as is well known, the Bible does not contain all the doctrines and truths taught by the prophets and apostles, nor have the teachings preserved in it come down to us in an absolutely perfect form." We are also told in The Question Box, by Bertrand L. Conway, "No, the Bible is not the only source of faith." He continues with, "The Bible itself is but a dead letter...calling for a divine interpreter...." (page 337). If the above statements are correct, then those who claim to speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where it is silent (see 1 Peter 4:11) are following an incomplete guide. Let us see what the Bible claims for itself in regard to its completeness. Jesus' Promise To The Apostles Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to His apostles to direct them into all truth after He returned to heaven (John 16:13). From the apostle Peter we learn we have "...all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue...." (2 Peter 1:3). So, Peter taught that we do have all that we need in regard to life and godliness. This being true, we need go no further for God's will than the New Testament. In Acts 20;27, apostle Paul told the elders from the church in Ephesus, "...I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." It did not take another 1775 years or so for the disciples of Christ to have all of God's counsel. It was fully revealed in the first century. We are taught in Jude 3 that we "...should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." There is only one faith we should contend for (see Ephesians 4:5), and it is the faith once given unto the saints in the first century. The word once "is used of what is so done as to be of perpetual validity and never needs repetition, once for all Jude vs. 3" (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon, page 54). So, the New Testament claim is that the faith was completely revealed in the first century and never needs to be repeated or updated. Do you believe this fact? Peter said we purify our "souls in obeying the truth...being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible seed, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:22-23). Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). So, the word delivered in the first century was valid for all time and is God's complete will for man. Is The New Testament Reliable? But, what of the accuracy of the New Testament? Frederic Kenyon, authority on manuscripts, wrote: "The interval then between the dates of original composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt, that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written, has now been removed. Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the new testament may be regarded as finally established" (Those Extra-Ordinary Documents by W. L. Beasley and J. A. Thompson, page 26). As one reads the New Testament scriptures, it becomes apparent that no "divine interpreter" is needed. Paul wrote, "...When ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ...."; and "Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 3:4 & 5:17). If we will read and study the Bible as we ought to, we can understand it and we will all agree on its teaching. Let us put our faith in God's Holy Book. It is Truth! -- via Gospel Guide, Vol. XXV, No. 1 ___________________________________________ Are You On A Diet? by Steve Hardin There are different kinds of diets. We have all heard of the "starvation diet" and the "crash diet." Some people are actually fortunate to be on diets to gain weight. Actually the word diet refers to all the food and drink we eat, whether it is in smaller or larger portions. We most often use the word when we think of trying to cut back on food to lose weight. In reality, all of us who are living are on some kind of diet. Have you thought about lately what kind of diet your soul is on? I do know many people who are on a "starvation diet" when it comes to the way they feed their soul. Many feel that one meal a week, on Sunday morning, is all they need to live spiritually. Multitudes of Christians are starving themselves to death spiritually and do not know it. The have a problem of spiritual anorexia. The problem is not a shortage of spiritual food. Jesus taught for righteousness can be filled. Food for the soul is readily available in God's word. We have three periods of public Bible classes and two worship services offered by this congregation every week. Also, every member is encouraged to use his own Bible and study the Word of God privately at home. Man's soul lives by God's Word (Matt. 4:4). The problem is not a shortage of food, but a poor appetite. In Acts 20:28, elders are given the responsibility by God to feed the church spiritually. Our responsibility as members is seen in I Peter 2:2. Peter said, "Desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby." Ask any mother how hard it is to feed a baby that doesn't want to eat. Have you ever tried it? It is equally difficult, if not impossible, for an elder of the church to feed a Christian who does not desire spiritual food. If we hunger and thirst for spiritual food the way Jesus was talking about in the sermon on the mount, no one will have to beg or coax us to attend Sunday evening services or Wednesday Bible study classes. When the desire is there, the appetite will follow. When we are healthy physically, we have no problem with our appetite. Yet, when we are sick, the appetite is one of the first things to go. I don't have to beg either of my two sons to eat a brownie for dessert. The desire is there! Instead, I have to watch lest they eat it before their meal. If only all Christians had such an appetite for the pure Word of God. How strong would our Faith be if our appetite for spiritual food equaled our desire for physical food? Have you ever wondered, "Why doesn't the church grow more?" By way of comparison, how much will your children or grandchildren grow if they eat one meal a week? If we think we can live and be strong spiritually on one meal a week we are deceiving ourselves. Try to put in a long hard day at work without eating. Food gives us strength. That is true whether we are talking about physical or spiritual food. When we fill ourselves daily with a healthy portion of the Word of God we will grow spiritually and be strong in the Lord. Likewise, when we deprive ourselves spiritually of the food we need, we will die. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). What we all need to do is put ourselves on a diet to gain weight spiritually. Never have I run across a Christian who is "too fat" spiritually. We need to fill our minds with the good things found in the Word of God regularly, daily, as we do our bodies. Have you looked in the mirror of God lately? Is there a spirit there that is only skin and bones? "All things are ready come to the feast!" -- via, The Plain Truth, Jan. 1995 (slightly edited for space by Lynn Wessel) ___________________________________________ Selected Sentence Sermons Some church members are like a tire with a slow leak--it takes a lot of pumping to keep them inflated. Some church members are like wheelbarrows--they go only when they are pushed. What is it that really keeps you going to church--and doing God's will? Let's give ourselves an honest, spiritual examination--and make whatever changes necessary. ___________________________________________ If its members were baptized into Christ... And it obeys the law of Christ... And teaches the gospel of Christ... And its worship is through Christ... And its work is authorized by Christ... And it wears the name of Christ... Is it not simply...a "church of Christ"? WHEN THE GOSPEL, AND GOSPEL ONLY IS PREACHED, IT WILL MAKE CHRISTIANS, AND CHRISTIANS ONLY, AND MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. -- Selected ___________________________________________ Controversy and Judging by R. J. Evans There are some who believe that all controversy in religious matters is wrong. Those who hold to such a position overlook such passages as Jude 3 and I Timothy 6:12. Of course, we are to maintain the proper attitude in any controversy (Eph. 4:15; I Pet. 3:15), but it must also be observed that the life of Christ was a series of religious controversies. (For example, read Matthew 22 & 23.) Those who believe that all controversy in religion is wrong and must be avoided, usually believe that it is likewise wrong to do any judging whatsoever. In defense of their position, they generally refer to Matt. 7:1: "Judge not, that ye be not judged." This position, however, is founded upon a misunderstanding of Matthew 7:1-5. After giving careful consideration to the first five verses of this chapter (especially verse five), it is obvious that Jesus was here condemning harsh, censorious, illegitimate judging--judging that is hypercritical or too hasty and without evidence. The scriptures specifically command believers to make judgments (I Cor. 5:3, 12-13; 6:1-5). In fact, we are told how to judge: "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). In Matt. 7, after warning against "false prophets" (vs. 15), Jesus gives us the basis of judging--"Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matt. 7:16). We are told to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). Moral judgment is the very essence of counsel in the book of Proverbs. Sin and error in the lives of others must be pointed out. The word of God must be taught! -- Via The Old Path II, October 8, 1995 ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________