Category: Authority

This past week I was handed a small card being used by a local Baptist church in door knocking. The title above was used.

The card points out “The Bible says:”, and makes four legitimate points, citing the relevant scripture

1. “You must understand you are a sinner” (Rom. 3:23).
2. “You must understand there is a penalty for sin” (Rom. 6:23).
3. “We must believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the death to give you eternal life” (John 3:16).
4. “You can have eternal life and go to Heaven when you die” (Rom. 6:23, 10:13).

Continue reading “The Patternists: Are you 100% sure you will go to heaven when you die?” →

Paul warned his protege Timothy of perilous times and evil men in 2 Timothy 3. The characteristics of these men are listed in verses 2-4, but the frightening aspect of that description is the conclusion in verse 5, “having a form of godliness…”

The religious rebel seldom is overt in his ungodliness, which is precisely why so many tend to tolerate and even support him. In verses 8 and 9 of the text, Paul states that such men, “resist the truth”, and are “disapproved concerning the faith.”

Both terms, truth and faith, here refer to God’s revelation to man. There are many religious people who profess godliness, but resist the pattern established by God. Paul assures, “they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all” (9).

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The apostle Paul wrote of ancient Israel in her infancy as a nation. “But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (1 Corinthians 10:5-6).

The reasons for God’s displeasure, both at the beginning and through Israel’s entire national history are myriad. They can be simply summarized in this statement – They did not obey God’s will for them. At turns they were rebellious, prideful and negligent. Regardless, God told them what He required of them, and they did not follow His will.

Today there are religious people who are guilty of the same thing. They give lipservice to God, but do not follow His will. They have not learned from the example of Israel.

The next time someone tells you that the Bible was not intended by God to be a “pattern” for the Christian, remember God’s dealings with Israel. They were “written for our admonition” (11).

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In 1 Corinthians 14:33, the apostle Paul wrote, “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” These words were written at the end of Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians for their failure to conduct an acceptable worship assembly.

In verse 26 he commanded, “Let all things be done for edification.” When teaching is done one person speaks and the others listen, resulting in edification. In the early church, the acts of prophesy and tongue speaking was to bring edification, and the same pattern was to be followed. One person speaks, the others listen, that they may be edified. A cacaphony of voices produces confusion, a lone voice speaking the word of God brings growth.

Many denominations, pursuing emotional gratification, equate spontaneous and multiple eruptions with edification. In this text Paul reveals the two are antithetical to one another. As he concluded, “If anyone think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant” (vs. 37-38).

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The apostle Paul knew of the tendencies of men to depend upon their own ideas and opinions to guide them in life. He also knew that such leads to ruin. He wrote, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

While men seek their own way, that they might receive praise from others, the wise man seeks God’s way to be accepted by Him. This is where Christ comes in, “you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that, as it is written, He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” (vs. 30-31).

This is why it is necessary to study, heed and obey the word of God. It is God’s way, the way to true wisdom and eternal life.

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I read an opinion piece recently that sought to explain Donald Trump’s popularity with Evangelicals. It seems peculiar since his lifestyle and morals are so alien to Bible teaching. The article posited that many identify as Evangelicals even though they seldom go to church, and have little familiarity with what the Bible actually teaches. In other words those who self-identify as evangelical consider it more a political identity than a religious one. Perhaps this is true.

Why is it that there are so few who claim to be disciples of Christ that are familiar with, or even interested in studying the Bible? Scripture teaches the importance of knowing God’s will, and that such knowledge is attained solely through the study of His word. Peter wrote, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as new born babes, desire the pure mild of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:1-3). This is what being a disciple is all about. A disciple is one who learns and adopts the ethics of his teacher.

You can’t successfully claim to be a disciple of Christ unless you know and submit to His will!

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The generation that provoked God to judge the world by water is described by Moses in the Genesis account. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (6:5). It was because of this wickedness that God said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth” (6:7).

Verse six of the text contains a simple definition of wickedness. It is that which grieves the heart of Jehovah. Herein lies a problem with our societal views of right and wrong. They do not take into consideration what grieves God’s heart.

We live in a time where the moral compass is not working. Righteousness too often provokes moral outrage, while heinous things are often championed as good and wholesome. When men no longer “retain God in their knowledge” (cf. Romans 1:28), they exchange “the truth of God for the lie” (cf. Romans 1:25).

Only by reading God’s word can we know what grieves Him, and what pleases Him. Only then can we know what is righteousness, and what is wickedness.

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There is an interesting passage in 2 Thessalonians 3 where Paul describes the unbeliever. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith” (1-2).

He is unreasonable. Faith in God (cf. Romans 1:20-23) is the reasonable response to the testimony of nature. His “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” Too, faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God is firmly established by the eyewitness testimony of His resurrection.

He is wicked. The end of those who do not believe is wickedness. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind…” (Romans 1:28). Without God there is no divine standard of right and wrong. Men are free to determine for themselves what they accept and reject, and most revert to their base instincts.

He oppresses the righteous. We are told that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:13). This at the hands of “evil men.”

The reasonable, righteous man believes in God and His Son Jesus Christ. From him the “word of the Lord” runs swiftly and is glorified. You aren’t reasonable and righteous unless you respect and obey God’s word!

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Yesterday the nation celebrated Memorial Day. The day has been celebrated by tradition since after the Civil War. However, in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The law established the last Monday in May to be the day that our nation remembers all veterans who died while serving the country in the armed forces.

Consider that the last Monday in May is Memorial Day by law. While we can, of course remember and appreciate the sacrifices made by those who gave their life in service to their country, there is only one Memorial Day each year.

As a parallel, we can remember the Lord’s death for us any day we desire. It can and should be on our minds often. However, by Christ’s law, there is one memorial feast (Luke 22:14-23) that He has ordained to be taken upon the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

Anyone who establishes another memorial, or observes the one established by the Lord on any day other than the first day of the week, does so without Christ’s authorization.

Consider going to your employer some random Monday in October and saying you want that day off to celebrate Memorial Day. See what happens.

As Christians, we observe, remember and show our appreciation for the Lord’s death on every first day of the week. We do this in our Sunday assemblies when we partake of the fruit of the vine to remember His shed blood, and of the unleavened bread to remember His body. Our of respect for His Lordship, we will continue to do this until He comes again. That is the pattern He authorized for His people in His kingdom.

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“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).

Paul’s instructions to Timothy are applicable to us as well. Consider the following:

• “hold fast” – the phrase, when applied literally, references something one has in his hands. It carries the idea of clinging to or adhering to something. In this case, the pattern of sound words.
• “the pattern” – a sketch, outline or pattern. Heard from Paul. A exposition by Paul to Timothy of sound words.
• “sound words” – the word “sound” refers to being in good health. As Thayer notes, it is used metaphorically of words that contain no error (contaminants).
• “in faith and love” – faith in Jesus Christ brings fidelity to His teaching. Love is the motivation of those who practically apply that teaching in their relationships to God and others.

Simply put, those who believe in Christ are to take the pattern (scripture) and cling to it. They are to keep it, and apply it to their lives and relationships, refusing to allow any contaminates to change or alter it.

Perhaps this passage will be helpful the next time someone tells you that doctrine does not matter.

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“For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).

This verse reveals two very important things:

First, man’s wisdom does not lead to a knowledge of God. It is not surprising that our secular society denies and ridicules the belief that an almighty and merciful God exists.

Second, God determined to reveal Himself and His will for man. He did this through written scripture (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The truths revealed in that written word are the way God saves man. Paul wrote, “we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).

Any who guide you in a way of man’s devising, lead you to destruction. The way to life is revealed solely by God Himself. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

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“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the ineritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24).

Have you considered that every aspect of your existence here on earth is to be controlled by the Lord? That in every relationship you have – familial, fraternal, civic or business – your words and actions are to accord with the will of Jesus Christ.

The words, “for you serve the Lord Christ” require of you honesty, industry, mercy and love. Respect for authority comes directly from a respect for Christ’s authority. A flouting of any authority, be it the President, a police officer, or your employer, constitutes a flouting of the authority of your Lord.

Remember, whatever you do is to be done, not as to men, but rather “as to the Lord.” You belong to Him!

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Lesson 3 of 8
Speaker: Brantley Gallman

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers teaches the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ, and the end of those who would seek to deny that authority.

Audio

“What is the name of your church?” We are asked that question often. It is a question that often arises from a denominational mindset. The answer they are expecting is something along the lines: the Baptist church, or the Methodist church, or the Catholic church.

In the New Testament, the church is never given a proper name. The greek work (ekklesia) from which the word church is translated has reference to an assembly or congregation. It literally means “the called out.”

The only proper name given to God’s people is Christian (cf. 1 Peter 4:16).

Some are not satisfied with this, and will continue the question. “What is written on the sign in front of your building?!!” To which we answer, “West Side church of Christ.”

In this we designate that we meet on the west side of Fort Worth, and that we are an assembly or congregation belonging to Christ (cf. Romans 16:16). This is eminently scriptural.

Does your church name follow this scriptural precedent? Or does it indicate a denominational mindset?

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There are two models followed in an attempt to attain unity among God’s people. The first is an attempt to have unity amidst diversity. In effect, to go along to get along. Those who follow this model claim that doctrine is unimportant, and will not contend with those who believe differently than themselves. The idea is that God is love, and is accepting of all of us, no matter what we believe or teach.

The second model consists of defending truth. It is the Biblically based model. It certainly excludes those who are unwilling to hold to truth, but allows those who love God and His word to rally around a divine standard. Christians are told to: 1) All speak the same doctrine, and all have the same mind and judgment (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10); 2) Be unified in the same way that the Son and the Father are unified (John 17:20-21); 3) Avoid doctrines which originate in the minds of men (Matthew 15:8-9); 4) And contend for the faith (Jude 3).

In the first model those who contend for the faith are the ones who are castigated as divisive. “There wouldn’t be a problem if you weren’t so contentious!”

In the second, Biblical model, those who contend for the faith are acknowledged to be defending the unity of the Spirit. Those who teach error that are the ones identified as guilty of causing division and strife.

To which model do you ascribe?

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