Category: Reflections Articles
Articles printed in the weekly bulletin of the West Side church of Christ
Accommodation and Principle
Acts 16 details the decision Paul made to take a young man named Timothy with him on his preaching journey. Timothy was the “son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a Greek” (1).
The scripture says that since Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, he had this 50% Jewish man circumcised. The reason given in the passage, “because of the Jews there in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek” (3). Continue reading “Accommodation and Principle”
A Weird Definition for Diversity
Kirk Cameron, a well known actor has just published a children’s book. Cameron is an outspoken evangelical, and because of his relative fame has become a divisive social figure. I have not read the book, and can’t personally attest to his the claim that, “It teaches biblical wisdom and the value of producing the fruit fo the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.”
Interestingly, Cameron’s publisher has contacted over fifty different public libraries to set up a story-hour for the reading of his book. He has been outright rejected, or ignored by every single library. Many of these same institutions have commonly hosted story-hours for children that have LGBTQ+ themes, some of them put on by drag-queens. Continue reading “A Weird Definition for Diversity”
Lessons Learned from Job
As the book of Job begins, we find the man to be extremely blessed by God. He had ten children, and was very rich by the standards of the day. It is said that he was “the greatest of all the people of the East” (1:3). More importantly, he was a man of good character: “that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (1:1).
But, all of this was taken away by the devil. It is interesting that so many have a problem with what happened to Job. They do not have a particular problem with Satan’s work, as they expect such from the adversary. Their problem is with the fact that God allowed it! “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person” (1:12). “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life” (2:6). Continue reading “Lessons Learned from Job”
Five Questions About Christmas
On Thursday I was given the honor of participating in a video program that is being produced and hosted by Samuel Omaka, a preacher in Nigeria and friend of Kyle Campbell. Samuel sent me five questions, which I share below. I hope the material answers some questions you may have.
What is Christmas?
The simple definition is that it is a festival, observed each year on December 25th, intended to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is observed by billions of people the world over, many religiously. However, many secular people and even some who claim to know Christ, do not celebrate it religiously. They may, however, use it as a time to be with family, eat together and exchange gifts.
Was Barnabas an Apostle?
The question is an interesting one, as Luke uses the Greek term apostolos in Acts 14:4,14 to describe both Paul and Barnabas. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out” (14:14).
However, it must be noted that the Greek term is a general term, defined by Thayer: “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.” As a general term, it is necessary to go to the context of any passage to determine the way in which the term is used.
For example, there is a specific way the word apostle is used to establish the office of apostle in Ephesians 4:11, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” In this sense, there is a distinction between the office held by some, and the description given to Barnabas in Acts 14.
The Jerusalem Summit Meeting
In Acts 15, the Holy Spirit reveals the first major doctrinal conflict that troubled God’s people. The question to be answered was, “Do you have to be circumcised according to the custom of Moses to be saved?” The conflict came about because of the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas, which was opposed by some from Judea who claimed that such circumcision had to take place. In other words, one had to become a Jewish proselyte to be saved.
The disagreement reached a head at Antioch, and it was determined that Paul and Barnabas should go to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders about the question, which they did.
Kindness and Respect to the Elderly
There is a short passage in 2 Samuel 19 about the blessing that David showed to an older man named Barzillai. The King had just survived the attempt of Absalom to usurp his throne. Men who had betrayed David had come to him to prostrate themselves in the hope that David would spare their lives. David’s mercy and kindness on this occasion is laudable. Shimei the son of Gera, and Mephibosheth the son of Saul were among those pardoned by the King. David said, “Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I know know that today I am king over Israel?” (2 Samuel 19:22).
Barzillai the Gileadite was “a very aged man, eighty years old” (32). He was rich, and had helped the king with supplies during a stay in Mahanaim. David wished to repay Barzillai by bringing the man back to Jerusalem with him. Consider Barzillai’s response:
Paul’s Appeal to Philemon
It is important to learn how to get along with brethren. This is an effective skill that helps to maintain unity among God’s people. It is especially important when there is any hint of trouble—whether disagreements or other potentially challenging circumstances.
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Paul had such a sticky wicket to deal with when he converted an escaped slave, and had to petition the slave’s owner for mercy. Fortunately, the slave owner was himself a Christian, and so there was common ground that could help in resolving the potential conflict.
The Preeminence of Jesus Christ
Early in his epistle, Paul encouraged the Christians in Colosse to “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him” (Colossians 1:10). A question to be asked, “Why are the Father and His Son Jesus Christ deserving of such faithfulness?” Paul answers the question in this text.
Jesus strengthens His disciples with His own glorious power, giving them might, patience, longersuffering and joy (11). Other passages confirm this same truth. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). He affirmed in Ephesians 6 that by utilizing the protections afforded by the Lord (the armor of God), we can “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (16). Having done all, the Christian can stand with Jesus’ help (cf. 13).
Lessons from a Millstone
We speak of God’s word as sublime. In this we acknowledge both that the word of God is understandable, and that it is unfathomably deep and productive as we study it each day. The simplest of babes can derive from it the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68), and yet the ablest of students can spend a lifetime of learning from it each day.
Lessons can be learned from unexpected places. For example, we can learn much from the Bible’s reference to the millstone. The millstone was extremely important in ancient times. To turn grain into flour, the grain would be crushed into powder between two heavy stones. Smaller versions of such stones were found in the homes of the people. Larger stones were fashioned in ancient societies to increase production. Regardless, as the Bible refers to such millstones, there are three thoughts to keep in mind. First, they were necessities. Second, they were hard. Third, they were heavy. With this in mind, consider the following truths:
Glorifying God
The Bible clearly teaches that those who seek to please the Lord are expected to glorify Him. Some may not be fully aware of what that entails. First, consider a definition of the term. The Greek word doxázo is found numerous times in the New Testament, and is defined by Thayer in an illuminating way. It means “to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate.” It has the idea of holding the object in honor, and to “cause the dignity and worth of some person to become manifest and acknowledged.”
In 1 Corinthians 6:20 Paul wrote, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Here we see the responsibility of the Christian, in response to His redemptive efforts on our behalf. Because of what He has done for us, we should praise Him, and celebrate His righteousness and preeminence.
The Christians Identified in Paul’s Letter to the Colossians
It is sometimes interesting to learn about the names we read of in the Bible. I was looking through the list of names in Paul’s closing comments in his letter to the Colossians, and it occurred to me that lessons are to be learned here.
So, here is the list, with comments included:
First in the list is Timothy. He is mentioned in (1:1), and was a close associate to Paul. Because of his relationship with the apostle, and the letters Paul wrote to him, we know much about Timothy. His mother and grandmother were Jewish, and taught him the scriptures. His father was a Gentile. Paul had Timothy circumcised to avoid any unnecessary conflict (Acts 16:3), and considered him to be a “son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). Interestingly, Titus was considered the same by Paul (cf. Titus 1:4). The young evangelist Timothy was perhaps Paul’s closest and most beloved companion.
Continue reading “The Christians Identified in Paul’s Letter to the Colossians”
“Things which are proper for sound doctrine”
The phrase that begins the second chapter of Paul’s letter to Titus is important. “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (2:1, NKJV). Here are a few other versions: “But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine” (ASV); “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine” (ESV); “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (KJV). Consider the word used in each version to translate the Greek phrase (hos prepo): which are proper for; which befit; what accords with; which become.”
The word (prepo) is defined by Thayer as: to be becoming, seemly, fit (as it is used in our context).
So what did Paul tell Timothy to say to the disciples, things which would be becoming to, to be seemly or appropriate, as it regards sound doctrine or teaching? Interestingly, his words were about the characteristics and actions of those who belong to the Lord.
Continue reading ““Things which are proper for sound doctrine””
Do We Really Love Our Brother?
I saw this quote on Facebook this past week, and thought it was worth examination. I state for the record that I have not read the book, and know nothing of the author. So, I have no way of knowing whether I would approve of the overall work. But, this quote has much to commend it.
“A close-knit society with shared ideals and goals frequently finds it relatively easy to foster love, tolerance, and inner cohesion. … Ideally the church is different. It is made up of people who are as varied as can be. … The *only* thing that holds such people together is their shared allegiance to Jesus Christ, their devotion to him, stemming from his indescribable love for them.
“This is why it is always wretchedly pathetic when a local church becomes a cauldron of resentments and nurtured bitterness. This pitiful state of affairs may erupt simply because there is very little at the social, economic, temperamental, educational, or other levels to hold people together. Therefore, when Christians lose sight of their first and primary allegiance, they will squabble. When social or racial or economic or temperamental uniformity seems more important than basking in the love of God in Christ Jesus, idolatry has reared is blasphemous head. When protestations of profound love for Jesus Christ are not mirrored in love for others who profess to love the same Jesus Christ, we may legitimately ask how seriously we should take those protestations.” (Carson, “Praying with Paul,” 24)
There is a wide divergence in background, culture, economic standing, race, and age in the church. Paul made this clear as he acknowledged the tension between Jews and Gentiles in the first century. Some Jewish Christians were teaching that Gentiles had to become Jewish proselytes to be accepted by God. In response to this he wrote, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).
A Change in Circumstance
On the night of Jesus’ betrayal, many memorable words were said, that we speak of often. There is a short discussion Jesus had with his apostles, recorded in Luke 22:35-38, is less familiar to many.
“And He said to them, ‘When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?’ So they said, ‘Nothing.’ Then He said to them, ‘But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” For the things concerning Me have an end.’ So they said, ‘Lord, look, here are two swords.’ And He said to them, ‘It is enough’” (Luke 22:35-38).
The previous occasion mention here by the Lord is the limited commission He gave to His apostles to go the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to preach to them “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (cf. Matthew 10:5-15). As the apostles affirmed, they were well cared for as they witnessed and preached to a largely accepting audience. At that point in his ministry Jesus and His ministry was very popular, though even then He predicted a time when they would be persecuted for being His apostles (cf. Matthew 10:16-26).
