Genesis chapters 1 and 2 give the account of creation.  God, over six days of twenty four hours periods of time, created the world (Exodus 20:11).  The Lord took rest on the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-2).  After creation man was expected to look upon what God had powerfully formed and determine that he is the Lord.  The Psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament shows his handiwork” (Psalms 19:1).  God simply spoke and by his authoritative voice the world was formed (Psalms 33:6-9).

Man is awestruck by the power of the Lord’s creative abilities (Psalms 33:8).  The prophets of old condemned the unbelieving due to creation (see Jeremiah 5:22-24; Isaiah 40:18-28).  The apostle Paul said that no man will be excused for unbelief due to God’s creation (Romans 1:18-20).  Today, we too have God’s creation to examine.  We see the moon, sun, stars, and this beautiful planet we live on.  We see the aged trees with their twisted branches and canopy that reaches into the heavens.  We see vast oceans with waves that powerfully crash upon the sea shore.  We see the mountains with their waterfalls and jagged peaks.  We look our our marvelous human bodies and we conclude that God is.

God’s Creation Establishes Man’s Faith

The author of Hebrews defines faith by saying, “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).  Breaking down the meanings of the original Greek words we may paraphrase the verse as follows.  “Now faith is a mental conclusion that God’s promise of salvation is true… Faith is evidence that I believe in the things not seen (i.e., God, eternity, heaven, hell, Hades).  But what brings one to these mental conclusions?  The author of Hebrews writes, “By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of the things which appear” (Hebrews 11:3).  The “world” (Greek aion) is the “material universe (i.e., the stars, planets, moon, sun, etc)” (Moulton’s Analytical Greek Lexicon page 11).  Creation brings man to faith in God.

God’s Creation Establishes the Authority of Christ

The Psalmist speaks of God’s creative powers and then concludes, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne: lovingkindness and truth go before thy face” (Psalms 89:11-14).  The standard of righteousness and justice are the components of Christ’s authority over man (see Isaiah 28:17; Romans 1:16-17).  Seeing that the Lord created man he has the sovereign right to rule over us as he pleases (see Acts 17:24-28).  No man has the right to question God’s predetermined mold of righteousness and justice because he made us (see Romans 9:6-24).  No matter who or where one lives we all are subject to Christ’s authority.  Christ’s authoritative laws reach the individual in the home, at work, in the church, in government, and even at play.  The preeminence of Jesus Christ over all creation exists because he is creator (see Colossians 1:16-18).  All are subject to his divine will (Jeremiah 32:27).

God’s Creation Establishes Revelation

Righteousness and justice are the foundation blocks of the throne of God.  These foundations blocks are confirmed as truth by the creation (again, see Psalms 89:11-14).  The Apostle Paul and Isaiah reveal the equivalences between righteousness, justice, and the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Isaiah 28:16-17; 52:7; Romans 10:11-17).  The gospel, confirmed as truth by creation, was presented to the world by revelation through the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:1-7).  The Lord, through the Holy Spirit, moved men to speak divine revelation (see 2 Peter 1:21).  Gospel truths were also confirmed as divine revelation through miracles in the early church days (Mark 16:20).  When revelation was complete miracles ceased to exist (1 Corinthians 13:1ff).  The creation; however, continues to testify to the truths of the gospel.

God’s Creation Establishes Man’s Responsibility to Obey

The Apostle Paul writes, “Faith comes of hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).  Creation and preaching the gospel produce faith.  Faith alone is not the Lord’s final objective for mankind.  Creation confirms the reality of God and his divine revelation.  The confirmed scriptures teach us that faith without works is dead (see James 2:14-17).  Faith and obedience are actually equivalent.  Abraham is a principal example.  The scriptures teach us that Abraham was justified by faith in God.  Genesis 15:6 reads, “And Abraham believed God and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.”  James explains the equivalence between obedience and faith by telling us that Abraham was justified by faith when he obeyed God’s command to sacrifice his son Isaac.  James concludes, “Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of god.  Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith” (James 2:22-24).  The author of Hebrews explains that man’s faith is manifest by his obedience (Hebrews 11:1ff).

Conclusion

Faith, throughout history, has been produced in man by creation (Romans 1:18-20), revelation (Psalms 89:11-14), miracles (Mark 16:20), and eye witness accounts of events God said would happen that did (Isaiah 46:9-10; John 20:30-31; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8).  All eye witnesses have passed from this life.  Miracles have ceased to exist.  We are left with creation and revelation to establish our faith.  The next time you have a study with an unbeliever begin at the creation.

In most of his letters, the first thing Paul would do would be to identify himself as an apostle and state the source of his apostleship. In this article, we will consider exactly what Paul was saying about himself when he claimed to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, why he had the right to make this claim, and what the claim says about the letters that he wrote.

An Apostle

The word apostle simply means “one sent forth.” More specifically, an apostle is one sent with a special message or commission. While the word “apostle” could properly apply to any person sent forth on any mission, we understand that the Bible primarily uses this term to refer to those men who Christ chose to bear witness of Him to the world.

Christ’s apostles had a specific mission, or work, to accomplish. First, He commissioned them to spread the gospel into the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). Second, they were to bear witness of Christ and His resurrection to the world (Acts 1:8; 2:32). Finally, the apostles were instrumental in the establishment of the church. Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:18), but each apostle played an important role in its construction. The moment that they are saved, Christians enter a spiritual structure (the church), which is being built upon “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

To enable them to do this important work, the apostles received a special measure of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guided them into all truth, revealed the things given by Christ, and reminded them of the things He had taught them (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:12-14). This particular promise of the Holy Spirit was made to only the apostles. No one else received this measure of the Holy Spirit.

The apostles also received authority to execute the Lord’s will and testament. After Peter made the good confession (“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”), Jesus told him, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:16; 18-19). Lest we think that Peter was the only apostle given this privilege, Jesus later made the same promise to all twelve (Matthew 18:18).

Possessing “keys” or “binding and loosing” is acting with authority. One who has a key to a door has power over when that door opens or shuts. As they preached, the apostles were making known the blessings and stipulations of the Lord’s will, thus “unlocking” the door of Christ’s kingdom to all of mankind. No one else received this authority.

In addition, the apostles were also ambassadors for Christ. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador is a representative, one who speaks on another’s behalf.

“An ambassador acts and speaks not only on behalf of but also in the place of the sovereign from whom he has received his commission. It is his duty to proclaim faithfully and precisely the message entrusted to him by his sovereign. Accordingly there is a real sense in which the voice of the ambassador may be said to be the voice of the sovereign he represents” (Philip E. Hughes, Commentary on Second Corinthians, pp. 209-210).

The apostles were Christ’s ambassadors, authorized and empowered to speak and act on His behalf. When an apostle spoke, it was as if Christ Himself were speaking. No one else has the right to be considered an ambassador for Christ.

Paul’s Claim to Being an Apostle

Because of his effectiveness as an apostle and evangelist, Paul’s work was opposed by Satan. Judaizing teachers were often all-too-ready tools for Satan to use in his efforts to frustrate Paul and destroy his efforts. These false brethren would follow Paul, entering into an area after he had left, and undermining his efforts by binding circumcision and the Law of Moses upon Gentile converts (Acts 15:1). One tactic used by these Judaizers to influence those whom Paul had taught was to deny that he was an apostle. Because of these lies, Paul had to spend time defending his apostleship. Much of the book of Galatians deals with this matter, as does the entire book of Second Corinthians.

It is clear from reading these epistles that Paul did not enjoy defending his apostleship. He did not do so in an effort to vindicate himself. He defended his apostleship because any attempt to undermine his authority as an apostle could destroy his labor in the gospel.

Paul’s divine calling as an apostle is emphasized in his introduction to the book of Galatians: “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)” (1:1). From this statement, we see that Paul did not attain his position as an apostle through personal aspiration or usurpation. He was not made an apostle by the means of men; nor did any man seek him out to be an apostle. Paul became an apostle through the calling and will of God Himself.

Paul was not one of the original twelve apostles. While they were busy preaching Christ, he was opposing their efforts. Paul referred to his late calling and conversion as being “born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8). The Lord called Paul when He appeared to him on the road to Damascus.

15 So I said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,

18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

Acts 26:15-18

Although “born out of due time,” Paul did not consider himself to be inferior in authority or power to any of the other apostles (2 Corinthians 11:5).

There is no doubt that Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals the fact that he bore the characteristics of an apostle.

1. Paul saw the risen Lord. As the eleven apostles were securing a replacement for Judas Iscariot, Peter indicated that this was a qualification. “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22). The book of Acts satisfies this requirement on Paul’s behalf by recording in three different places the fact that Paul saw the risen Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9, 22, 26). Paul also indicated that he had seen the risen Lord (1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8).

2. Paul was taught by the Lord. Just as the twelve apostles spent three years learning from the Lord, so also Paul received his knowledge of the gospel from the Lord Himself. “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12).

3. Paul possessed a power held only by an apostle. The Scriptures reveal that the apostles alone had the power to give others the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 8:18-19). Paul claimed to have this power (Romans 1:11) and apparently had used it on Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6).

4. Paul did the work of an apostle. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for allowing others to deny his apostleship. They had seen his power and authority firsthand, and they should have come to his defense when false teachers came into their midst and denied that he was an apostle. “I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:11-12). In an earlier epistle, Paul had told the Corinthians that they were the proof of his work as an apostle and the seal of his apostleship (1 Corinthians 9:1-2). A church existed in Corinth because an apostle had come into their midst and preached to them.

5. Paul possessed the humility of an apostle. Although the apostles possessed great power and authority, the Lord taught them to be humble. They were to be as “harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Even though they were doing a great work, and would reign with Christ in His kingdom, they were to consider themselves as “unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10). Paul was humble in his dealings as an apostle. He reminded the Thessalonians, “Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7). Even when Paul had to talk about his qualifications and defend his apostleship, he did so reluctantly. He called it “foolish boasting,” and even reverted to speaking of himself in the third person (2 Corinthians 11:16-21; 12:1-6).

6. The other apostles accepted Paul’s apostleship. While some may have denied that Paul was a genuine apostle because he was not one of the original twelve, the twelve themselves accepted his apostleship and gave him the right hand of fellowship. “But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised” (Galatians 2:7-9). According to the apostle Peter, Paul’s writings are Scripture and must be accepted as having equal weight with the rest of Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16).

One cannot be an apostle of Jesus Christ if he does not meet these qualifications. Many people today claim to be apostles, but we must reject their claims. There is no indication in the New Testament that the apostolic office or authority was transferable to others. When the apostle John died, the office of an apostle ceased to exist. No man living today can claim to be an apostle, because no man today has seen or been taught by the risen Lord. No one today possesses the miraculous power held by the apostles. Those who claim to be modern-day apostles are liars (Revelation 2:2), and those who are Christ’s true followers must reject them. However, there can be no doubt that Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. The New Testament goes to great lengths to verify his claim to be “an apostle of Jesus Christ.”

Letters Written by the Apostle Paul

While apostolic authority could not be conferred upon other individuals, this authority did extend beyond the men themselves. For instance, an apostle’s authority was not limited to those whom he had personally converted or local churches that he had personally established. All Christians and all churches had to respect the authority of all the apostles. The apostles were not acting on their own; they were working together to carry out Christ’s will.

One way in which an apostle could exercise or extend his authority was by writing an epistle. When Paul began his epistles by identifying himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, he was not trying to impress the readers with a personal title or office that he held; he was saying something about the nature of his letter. A letter from an apostle was not the same as a letter from a friend or mentor. The apostles were ambassadors, or representatives, of Jesus Christ; and they spoke by His authority. Thus, when one received a letter from an apostle, it was as if he had received it from Christ Himself.

When Paul introduced himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, he was setting the stage for everything else that would follow in his letter. By introducing himself as an apostle, Paul would thrust the authority of Christ to the forefront of his epistles, thus calling upon the reader to consider everything that followed as the doctrine and commands of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:37).

It is the authority possessed by the apostles that upholds the continued use of their writings as Scripture today. The epistles are not “love letters” sent to the first century churches. They are not to be dismissed as “someone else’s mail.” They are authoritative documents, written by the ambassadors of Christ, which set forth the doctrine and pattern for us to follow today.

When we read the epistles written by Paul, we must acknowledge them as being written by the authority of Christ and containing His commandments. To despise and reject the New Testament epistles is to reject the authority of the apostles, and rejecting the apostles is rejecting the Lord who sent them (Luke 10:16).

Both the wise and foolish have a choice in the direction of life they choose.  When we read a proverb we understand that each man will read that piece of information and do with it what his heart desires.  Family and friends have a great deal of influence upon the decisions one makes in life.  The final decisions and direction one chooses; however, belongs to the individual.  The proverbs are often termed “general truths” for this very reason.  God delivers his divine expectation for man yet he leaves man with the choice as to whether or not he will follow the instructions and receive the eternal benefits. 

One may describe a general truth as the “natural order of things.”  Solomon writes much about what God’s expectations are for man in the form of natural order.  Consider these examples.  It is the natural order of things that man gain understanding and knowledge yet not all men do (Proverbs 8:9).  It is the natural order of things that a beautiful woman have discretion yet not all do (Proverbs 11:22).  It is natural for kings to rule with justice and equity yet not all do (Proverbs 8:15; 16:10).  It is the natural course of life that a gray headed man be righteous yet how many times have you personally witnessed a perverted gray haired man (Proverbs 16:31)?  It is the natural course of life for a man to have children and those children have their own children (Proverbs 17:6).  Sometimes; however, a man’s children have no children.  It goes against nature for the wicked to be justified and the righteous condemned (Proverbs 17:15) and punished for their good deeds (Proverbs 17:26) yet how many times has the opposite occurred?  It goes against the natural order of things for those who are due punishment to be spared the chastening rod yet this happens quite often (see Proverbs 19:5).  Again, it goes against nature for the fool to have luxury and the servant to rule princes yet it happens (Proverbs 19:10).  Are we beginning to see the point?

A beautiful proverb depicting the natural order of God’s divine expectation is found at chapter 22:6.  Solomon writes, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Some; however, have erroneously concluded from this passage that if a child grows up to be a wicked and foolish man the parents failed to properly “train him up.”  While this may be the truth in many cases it cannot be the truth in all cases.  Like the general truths above we see that it is God’s expectation that such a child remain faithful but that is not always the case?

It is Jehovah’s divine intention and consequentially the natural course of events for the young man or woman that was raised in a Godly home with Godly expectations to hold on to those divine principles all their lives.  Unfortunately some choose not to follow divine council even though they were raised properly.  Such a one goes against Jehovah’s standard and the natural course of this life.  They choose to sin.

Consider the fact that if a parent is reproving a child they are inferentially trying to bring them up in the way they should go (see Proverbs 15:5, 31-33).  Consider also the fact that if a son is bringing “shame” (Proverbs 17:2; 19:26-27), “sorrow” (Proverbs 17:21), “grief” and “bitterness” to his or her parents that this inferentially states that the parents are obviously concerned with spiritual matters and are trying to raise the child in the way they should go.  Such parents understand their God ordained roles in the home (see Proverbs 4:7; 7:1-4; 19:18; 23:23).  The parent’s hope is that by taking the rod to the child he or she will be changed for the better (Proverbs 19:18).  Unfortunately, many are not men or women of Biblical integrity even though they were taught to be so.

The book of Proverbs illustrates that there are few who follow through with their spiritual integrity.  Jehovah’s divine expectation for all man is to be saved from their sins yet many will reject Him (2 Peter 3:9).  Just because it is Jehovah’s expectation of man to do right does not mean that all men will do right.  Let us not be simple users of God’s word but rather spiritual engineers and mathematicians who know the proof of our faith (see Acts 9:22). 

Are the parents unquestionably the fault of any and all children who reject truth and wisdom in this life?  Solomon answers the question and Ezekiel confirms the truth.  Solomon writes, “Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Proverbs 20:11).  Will the son be wise or foolish?  Solomon writes, “A wise son hears his father’s instruction; but a scoffer hears not rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).  The wise hear and give heed yet the foolish do not.  Each individual has his own choice to make.  A parent can do all that is possible to make their child godly yet in the end it is up to that child.  Ezekiel writes, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins it shall die… the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20).

Those who would charge ALL parents who have a wicked son or daughter with erroneously bringing up their children based on Proverbs 22:6 have made a grave error.  Such a person convicts Adam of sin for producing a wicked son in Cain (see Genesis 4:1-8).  Cain chose to be wicked.  Adam did not make Cain wicked (1 John 3:11-12).  Those who charge all parents with error for having a wicked son or daughter convict Noah (Genesis 9:20-27), Isaac (Genesis 25:27-34), Aaron (Leviticus 10:1-6), Eli (1 Samuel 2:12), Samuel (1 Samuel 2:12), and the loving father of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) with sin.  Furthermore, to draw such a conclusion is to point a condemning finger at Jehovah our Almighty God.  The scriptures often depict Jehovah as a father to his people.  He trained them in the way they should go (Jeremiah 10:23).  The Lord’s children; however, chose the sinful directions they took (see Jeremiah 6:16-19; Malachi 1:6).  The Father’s words often hardened their hearts rather than bringing about their obedience.

Dear brethren, some will give heed to God’s laws and some will not (Romans 9; John 12:37-43; Matthew 13:10-16; Acts 18:5-6).  As a parent, we do all within our power and responsibility to see to it that our children love the Lord God with all their heart, mind, and soul.  Their lives; however, are just that, it belongs to them to do what they will.  Though a parent’s heart may be broken, due to their child’s wickedness, it is not always the parent’s fault.  General truths reveal God’s divine expectation and the natural order of things.  Unfortunately, many take the road of fleshly desires (see Romans 8:5-8).

Watchman Magazine began in January of 1998, and continued a regular publication schedule, for the most part, through 2004.  Toward the end of this initial iteration of the magazine, publication became more sporadic, as I personally dealt with a bad case of editor/publisher burnout.  After a hiatus of several years, publication resumed in January of 2010, with several changes.  Primarily, the magazine took on a blog format, rather than maintaining a monthly schedule.  With the advent of social networking, and powerful blogging software platforms, I believe this change to be a positive one.  It has made it possible for the Watchman writers to post articles on their schedule, and my editorial responsibilities have lightened.  It is nice to no longer be responsible for coding HTML, and fighting the compatibility problems of earlier years.

This new format has allowed the magazine to continue, despite the fact that my personal circumstances in the past two years have been rather challenging.  In addition to my local responsibilities as an evangelist for the West Side church in Fort Worth, TX, I spent much time helping my mother care for my ailing father.  Dad fought a long and hard battle with chronic leukemia, which evolved into a more aggressive cancer in the middle of 2011, taking his life in October.  Throughout his illness, trips were made to Dallas so that specialists could treat him.  Most often these were weekly trips, sometimes bi-weekly. On occasion a complication or infection would necessitate daily trips for a week or more.  My dad was a special man, and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve him by driving him to these appointments.  I will always treasure the time, conversations and companionship those trips afforded us.  Even in the midst of trial, God’s blessings flow.  If you haven’t read my tribute to my father (A Quiet Man of God), I would consider it a special favor if you would take the time.  He was a quiet man, but his goodness and kindness as a child of God is worthy of praise, and the grace he exhibited throughout his illness is worthy of emulation.

Though the magazine continued through this period, I was certainly not satisfied with it.  Watchman is not everything I want it to be, and it is my desire for it to improve in the future.  Articles have been relatively scarce for two main reasons:  1) I have not written as much as I have intended to write; and, 2) I have not done enough to solicit articles from other writers.  It is my intent to improve on both fronts in the coming year.

My thanks to the men who have written in the past couple of years.  There are some “self-starters” among them who have been diligent in making contributions to the magazine.  Men such as Jeff Smith, Heath Rogers, Marc Smith and John Robertson have written even when I was unable to do so.  Others have contributed as well.  For these efforts I am thankful, and I intend to search out others who are willing to contribute their pen to this worthy cause.  We have several young men who have expressed a desire to write.  Though their efforts may not be as polished as their more experienced brethren, I am anxious to give them a voice.  Writing is a wonderful discipline for the preacher, and the written word serves as a permanent and enduring witness for Christ.  Few works are more rewarding.  They will surely grow in scholarship and ability, and their efforts will greatly benefit you, the reader.

I recently read an article poking fun at the call for distinctive preaching.  Though the criticism raised in the piece was subtle, and though there were some valid points made, the general attitude expressed was disturbing to me.  I find that it is mirrored by many of my brethren today.  I have been preaching the gospel now for 34 years.  I have been in full-time local work for the past 27 years.  I have worked with the West Side congregation here in Fort Worth for over 22 years, and have edited Watchman since 1998.  I am less than four months shy of my 50th birthday.  I may not be the most perceptive among us, but I can say that I have seen a change in attitude toward God and His word in the brotherhood in that time.  Especially in the last several decades.

I have personal knowledge of brethren who do not respect the parameters God has established regarding spiritual fellowship.  I know of gospel preachers who defend the concept of stellar evolution, in advocating the Big Bang Theory as reconcilable with the Biblical account of creation.  I have heard and read teaching on the subject of grace that exhibits very little difference from classic Calvinism.  There has been an obvious drift toward the social gospel among some.  I fear that too often young Christians are pandered to, rather than challenged in their faith.  Emotionalism is being confused with spirituality.  Some are equating reverence with raised hands and lowered lights, and decry the respectful worship practiced in many congregations as dry and boring.  The list could go on and on, but it is obvious to experienced observers that there is a deleterious trend that can be seen in this generation.  Yes, I went there… a trend.  The term is most appropriate.  It means, “the general course or prevailing tendency; drift” (dictionary.reference.com).  Other shades of meaning include:  “to emerge as a popular trend; be currently popular”, and “to veer or turn off in a specified direction.”

The very fact that I mentioned a trend makes me objectionable to some brethren.  The phrase, “trend toward apostasy” has become a joke among some, and a sure sign to others that you are paranoid, a “watchdog”, and one of those judgmental types who are always spoiling for a fight.  Does it not matter that the Hebrew writer exhorted, “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (2:1)?

The most destructive tactic used against those who are concerned about this present trend is rather passive in nature.  It is simply the view that these complainers are irrelevant.  The warnings are shrugged off, and the complainers are ignored.  If complaints are made about such treatment, it serves to establish that such are merely wanting attention, and are throwing a tantrum precisely because they are not relevant.  It is possible that this article and my voice will be considered a prime example of such petulance.  So be it.

I ask, however, that you consider Noah, whose preaching was ignored by all mankind.  Or perhaps Elijah, who in delivering the message of God to a largely uninterested nation, despaired to the point where he cried out to God, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:14).  In fact, all of the prophets of God, though their message was His, were rejected by rebellious Israel (cf. Acts 7:51-53).

Consider our own history in this nation.  The majority in the 19th century clamored for the instrument, and determined those who stood for truth to be irrelevant, and unworthy of serious consideration.  Those who opposed the innovation were marginalized.  The same thing happened in the 20th century.  In December of 1954, Gospel Advocate editor B.C. Goodpasture called for a “yellow tag of quarantine” to be placed upon all congregations and preachers who objected to the institutional practices that were gaining a foothold among brethren.  As time progressed, the calls for authority for such practices were ignored as irrelevant by the majority.

Was Noah irrelevant?  While he most certainly was ignored, his warnings were true.  What about Elijah?  The man who was charged by Ahab as being the “troubler of Israel” is acknowledged as one of the greatest of the prophets.  During the two great divisions in the restoration movement, were the faithful relevant or not?  It is a mistake to equate relevancy with popularity.  Relevancy has nothing to do with how many are listening.  It has to do with who is proclaiming the truth!

Consider the words of Paul, “As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:9-10).  Our purpose is to serve Christ.  Any who does so successfully is relevant, whether he is heeded or not.

Perhaps the problem among some is that they confuse relevance with acceptance.  The popular way is seldom the way of God.  “…wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).  I fully understand that popular is a relative term.  Even the most ear tickling preacher among us does not approach the popularity of a Joel Osteen, for example.  Please remember, though, that the standard for relevance and true acceptance is God and His word; not men.

So, we will continue to write, and invite others to do so.  We will write on myriad topics, seeking to declare the whole counsel of God.  We will not be hobbyists, but we will address the issues that trouble brethren, and we will deal with the error that endangers the souls of men.  We will not concern ourselves with how many deem us relevant.  We will try to get as many people as possible to read and listen.  We will soldier on in the spirit of Noah and Elijah.

I have heard that some believe my magazine to be the center of an effort to control the brotherhood.  If so, it is a miserable failure!  But no, it is not, and never has been.  Watchman Magazine is one person’s effort to edify and teach.  I sit in my office, and write about things that I believe to be important.  I invite others to write as well.  That is all that it is – but that is enough for me, and I hope for the Lord.  I pledge to you that I will try to do it better in the months and years to come.

Motivation Matters

In making our arguments about authority and love, we do not want to risk going to an opposite, but equally sinful, extreme–that neither motivation nor love matter to God so long as one goes through the right pious motions.

In Malachi’s day, for instance, the prophet scolded the people who went through worship motions, but with an attitude of contempt toward them, and God was neither placated nor praised (see Malachi 1:1-14). In the New Testament, we find that motivation is precisely as important as method and means when it comes to serving the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 13:1-8).

Jesus predicted that some otherwise religious people would find themselves on the outside looking in at Judgment Day, arguing that their good works should suffice for their salvation, but he would deny them access to heaven because their other deeds were evil–their motivation was not sincere love of truth, but the hope of earning enough leeway to indulge a little on the side–and God was not mocked by that either (Matthew 7:21-27).

The word “love” is used all the time these days to refer to everything from one’s mate to his new golf club and thus it begins to have multiple meanings and degrees of intensity. For some, anything that can be described with love is justifiable, even if it contradicts the will of God; there is an unspoken assumption that God’s word has become flawed or did not anticipate the complexity of our circumstances and thus we are practically required to alter his ethics and adopt our own.

God is love and our duty to behave godly depends greatly upon our treatment of others (1 John 4:7-11, 16-21). The emotional and subjective argument is therefore constructed around an extreme misinterpretation of these words–anything that can be attached to love is justifiable, even without a positive command, approved example or divine implication. It is almost as if the one making this argument is saying that Scripture is not sufficient to anticipate and resolve the issues that arise among men–it is a liberal argument in its purest that when God’s word won’t sanction our intentions, it is because the word failed, not that our intentions are somehow misguided.

Love Is The Fulfillment of Law

It becomes clear that authority is communicated everywhere by means of commands, examples and implications (First John 2:3-6).

When, after years of taking her, a mother instructs her teenage daughter to go by herself to the store ten miles away to purchase bread and milk, she has expressed parental authority by the command to go, the cumulative approved example of years of doing the same thing, and the implication that she may drive the family car because the store is too far away to walk. If, while at the store, Daughter writes a check and buys not only the milk and bread, but also a $3,000 plasma television for Mother out of love, she has violated her authority in spite of her pleasant intentions, and she will learn a new lesson on how long the returns line at Wal-Mart is these days.

Bible authority is not some unique animal that uses different rules, no rules at all, or rules made up by “Campbellite preachers.” Noah learned to build his boat because he was commanded to build, had examples of how to do the work and inferred the necessary use of tools. The early church learned to observe the Lord’s Supper through Christ’s command, the apostle’s example, and the divine implication that every first day of the week was intended. Regarding the work of the church, the plan of salvation, and our own personal responsibilities, we discern authority the same way, and just because we may love an alternative, we are not justified in casting away God’s commands and approved examples or making unnecessary inferences where no divine implication is present.

There seems to be a growing belief that law and love are antithetical, that some are more disposed to one or the other, and that the two have little in common. The Bible, however, makes this point–that love is the fulfillment of the Law; it is the reason for the law and the result when the law of God is obeyed (Romans 13:8-10). All those commandments could be summarized simply by saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” When the will of God is assembled and active, it should become apparent that love is the reason behind it–love of God and love of neighbor will find expression when God’s will is heeded. If ever we find ourselves yearning to do something on which God’s will is either silent or prohibitive, you can be sure there is a flaw in our reasoning and what looks like love really is something less.

The Law of Moses was fulfilled at the cross and taken out of the way so that the covenant of Christ could reign supreme in believers’ lives, and that testament does even more to codify the expression of divine and human love in a constructive way (Galatians 6:1-2). The strong disciple’s interest in the restoration and preservation of his brother is an integral component of what the apostle calls “the law of Christ” (Galatians 5:13-15). Far from getting in the way, this law is the vehicle by which love travels!

It cannot be argued that having a carnal mind does only damage to one’s relationship with God, for it finds its way into drunkenness, lewdness, lust, malice, and violence that destroys families, neighborhoods, churches, and countries (Romans 8:1-7). Here is the law of the Holy Spirit that absolutely forbids such things and many others, not because the Holy Spirit opposes enjoyment, but because destruction should not be enjoyable. Moreover, the Holy Spirit defines the qualities elders and deacons must have, describes the work of the preacher and the local congregation, and exemplifies ways in which churches may cooperate and how widows, orphans and the needy should be cared for. Who are we to dismiss Scripture by claiming that we are more possessed with love than was the Holy Spirit who gave it? How dare any man endeavor to improve upon the communication of the Holy Spirit, even in the misnamed notion of love?!

The New Testament is a perfect law of liberty, even as it restricts our behavior and defines right and wrong for all time (James 1:22-27, 2:8-17). When you are overwhelmed with a sense of love for your fellow man and yearn to do good by him, the Scriptures will not get in your way, but will show you a still more excellent way. It is only when you lay them aside to follow your own wisdom that you will discover your love is not really having the effect you intended.

When Love Is Absent Authority

Still, we hear love as authority for things obviously evil all the time. How often is adultery justified on the basis of finding new love beyond a loveless marriage; doesn’t God want me to be happy and enjoy love?

The mission of the church in Scripture is spiritual, concerned with preaching the word to convert the lost and edify the saved, but a misguided sense of love causes some to want to make the church over into a relief organization, consumed with other, less eternal goals. Also, the church is targeted as a social and recreational organization to be sold with coffee, doughnuts, hot dogs, playgrounds and gymnasiums out of love for children and the weak who cannot be won with the mere word of God and promise of spiritual redemption. Fornicators are overcome with love; we fund the alcoholic’s habit because we love him and he begs for money; we refrain from rebuking the sinner because we don’t want him to think we don’t love him anymore–but that is not love!

Conclusion

What we find, then, is simmering discontentment with the word of God. It seems to be a 2,000-year-old document that is unsuited to modern times and thus we are fully justified in inserting our own authority whenever Scripture conflicts with our intentions. Love is wrapped around the situation to give it the scent of validity, but it is not love to cast aside God’s will in any pursuit (1 Peter 1:22-25). Be content to know that God’s law is the full expression of love; love is the objective of God’s law, so how could it ever get in the way of real love?

Love simply is not a fourth track of authority when commands and examples have failed to support our wishes and we are left to infer anything and everything we want on our own. Anything that is right will fit under a command or example or divine implication.

“Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth”

2 Timothy 2:15

Context and associated passages are a must to consider when defining a Bible term or topic.  To examine the statement, “For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that no of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory” (Ephesians 2:8-9) will certainly bring about the wrong conclusions without a basic understanding of context and associated passages.  The diligent student of God’s word will also consider “the law of equivalences” to determine the meaning of words and topics.  Remember, the Bible is its own best commentary!

Let me explain what I mean by the phrase, “law of equivalences.”  Divine revelation is often written by way of using synonymous terms that connect Bible principles together and thereby make the terms equivalent.  Consider these two examples.  The apostle Paul writes, “Wherefore I make known unto you that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3).  While this verse teaches that man would know nothing about the Lord Jesus Christ without divine revelation it also teaches through the law of equivalences.  Note the equivalent terms “Spirit of God” and “Holy Spirit.”  I know that when Paul speaks of the Spirit of God he is speaking of the Holy Spirit.  Another example is found at Isaiah 53:6.  Isaiah writes, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  Again, we learn what “iniquity” is by using the law of equivalence.  The two equivalences are “iniquity” and “turning to one’s own way.”  When we do things that we want to do rather than what God wants us to do it is termed “iniquity” and this is against God’s laws (see 1 John 3:4).

A modern day example may be used to further illustrate the point.  Follow this line of thought in relationship to the law of equivalence. 

I bought a new motorcycle last week.  I plan to take my new bike on a road trip next week.  All my friends have been impressed with my new hog.

 The three equivalent terms are motorcycle, bike, and hog.  They are three different words but all three mean the same thing. 

 The value of equivalences is that it helps us to rightly divide the word of God rather than drawing faulty conclusions. 

 I know that I cannot separate Christ from divine revelation because of their analogous connection to one another.  Paul refers to the “word of God” as the “mystery” which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory: … even Christ” (see Colossians 1:25 – 2:2).  The value to acknowledging the equivalent terms in this text is that no one can lawfully separate the “man from the plan.”

Another equivalent text is found at Ephesians 1:7.  The apostle Paul, speaking of Christ, writes, “in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”  Paul equates “redemption” with “forgiveness of trespasses” and God’s “rich grace.”  The three are inseparably connected by the Holy Spirit’s use of equivalent terms.  When I turn to Acts 2:38 and see that Peter inseparably connects baptism to the forgiveness of sins I draw the right and only conclusion.  God redeems the man who is baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.  The baptized man has tapped into the rich grace of God, through the blood of Jesus, when he complies with the Lord’s divine instructions (see Romans 5:1-4).  Now our example of misunderstanding Ephesians 2:8 is better understood.

There are many such equivalences in the Bible.  When you study God’s word be aware of these analogous terms and texts and rightly divide the word of truth.

Remove the guilt right now! Here is the solution: Let us attempt to clear the cobwebs of misunderstanding brought on by the practices of the religious world and focus right now only on what the word of God actually says. Go with me step by step so that you can follow what God has told us is the truth about this subject. About 15 minutes of your time is really all you need. If you want to avoid any confusion DO NOT Google this subject! Your New Testament is the only source you will need to establish the truth of God’s word in your understanding.

A. It all starts with Jesus and His original purpose in coming in the way He did, born as a human being (declared by God – Matthew 17:5, Jesus is to be heard – remember, Jesus is the “Word” – John 1:1-5; 1 John 1:1-7, He came into this world to save mankind from being lost in sin. He is also the Creator who spoke all things into existence in Genesis 1, and amazingly, at the judgment He is to be our judge as well – John 5:22). Enduring the same temptations as any man, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15), He was to be the perfect sacrifice, ending the old law which required animal sacrifices every year to put away the sins of the Jews under the old law (the law of Moses which was for the Jews only but is “nailed to the cross” and a new law is now in effect – Colossians 2:11-14). This is also why the New Testament is THE ONLY LAW to which all of mankind is now responsible. The old law, i.e. the Old Testament is only for our learning and is not applicable for law or prophecy in our age.

B. By His death, burial and resurrection from the dead, Christ had accomplished His goal to save the souls of all of mankind by the means of hearing the word of God, having faith in Christ, to turn from sins, confessing the name of Christ and be baptized for the remission of sins. – Acts 2:36-41; 8:35-39; 1 Peter 3:21. In this way the mission of Christ has been achieved: the only way for the souls of man to be saved from eternal damnation – Acts 4:12; 14:27

C. The beginning of the Church of Christ – Acts 2:42-46.  Once we have met the conditions to receive salvation we are added by the Lord Himself – Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 2:5.

D. Membership in a local church is required, following the example of Saul of Tarsus – Acts 9:27-29. We are to worship every first day of the week with the local church – Acts 20:7, and we are to submit to the leadership of the local church we are members of and help in this way to maintain the discipline of the church – Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3

E. Many of us are constantly amazed at the way religion in the name of Christ is shown all around us. The religious world of our time evidently does not know what the mission of the New Testament Church is to be. What is now the established order and what we see everywhere we look are denominational groups enthusiastically being involved in and funding literally everything they can imagine and doing these things in the name of God without ever seeming to worry about whether their efforts are actually of God or not. Without the authorized will of God from His word, such religions (invented at the whims of men), still claim that “their God” would endorse them – Colossians 2:20-23.

F. But what IS the mission of the church of Christ? Flying in the face of contemporary denominational religions is that the Lord wants the work of the local church to be limited and focused on just three things. The apostle Paul set out to inform the congregations of God’s people what the mission or work of the Lord’s church was to be.
The Mission of the Church is:

1. Preach the Gospel – Ephesians 3:10-12
2. Perfecting the Saints – Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10
3. Caring for the Needy – 2 Corinthians 8:4

G. How Long Do We Continue This? This might be the simplest of all of these points: Jesus said, “..occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13)! Christians have been doing this since the church was established in Acts 2. Christ will return someday in the same manner as He departed – Acts 1:9-11, “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

In 2006 the small group wearing the moniker “Spring Church of Christ” in Spring, Texas hosted their annual “Contending For the Faith Lectureship.”   In that year the topic under consideration was “Anti-ism—From God Or Man?”   In conjunction with the lectureship series, a lecture book was printed to help further the spread of their intended message.     I came into possession of this work, and spent some time at the wearisome task of examining the teaching therein.   What will follow is a series of articles reviewing portions of that lecture book.

Why only review portions?    As is so often the case, when those few institutional brethren who will discuss these issues take time to discuss them, they make attempts to tie them into some inane and obscure doctrines that are present among churches of Christ.  For instance, they will attempt to liken brethren who oppose the use of the collection to support human institutions such as orphans homes, preaching schools, etc., with those who oppose the use of separate Bible classes or who bind the idea that Christians must only use one container when partaking of the Lord’s supper.   Thus we see no reason to review articles that condemn ideas that we agree are not biblical.

Also, there is a great deal of repetition of arguments from lecture to lecture.  This is certainly expected in a lecture series with a topic such as this one.  Many of the issues which were discussed overlap to some extent, and this tends to produce the overlap in argumentation and explanation.  So if we simply reviewed articles, there would no doubt be a great deal of repetition in this series of reviews.  Rather than deal with one article at a time, we choose to look at  each position offered and consider them as a cross section of the lectures that were presented.

Further, a sizable  portion of the publication is dedicated to the review of polemic discussions that took place between brethren during the height of these issues.  They review such works as “The Cogdill-Woods Debate,” the “Britnell-Woods Debate”, and the “Highers-Bingham Debate.”   While we would disagree with what these brethren believe to be the outcome of such discussions, it would not serve to “review a review” because that would inevitably lead to an attempt to impugn motives.  It is not our intention to run an ad hominem campaign against  these brethren, but rather to consider some of  the arguments that they offer in light of divine scripture (cf. 1 John 4:1).

Also at the outset of these considerations, I will offer both my respect and commendation to these brethren for attempting to deal openly with these issues that have divided the Lord’s people.  Having grown up in institutional churches, my parents even serving as house-parents in one of the church sponsored children’s home institutions, I had never heard a discussion or lesson which considered the practice in light of the scriptures.   It was not until my family left the institutional position that we even had any real knowledge of the issues surrounding the division.   Thus, I am thankful for these brethren who have the willingness to endeavor to present a biblical case for that which they believe and practice.

By way of introduction to these articles, we will begin by considering the introduction in the book written by its editor brother David P. Brown.

Brother Brown notes in his introduction regarding the terms “anti-ism,” “liberal,” and “institutional” are used to designate the different factions and divisions among churches of Christ.  He notes:

…The fact that we are forced to seek terms in an attempt to identify each other’s errors as each one of us sees them in the other, implies that somebody is wrong somewhere.  For if we were what we ought to be in or relationship to Christ (What the  New Testament of Christ authorizes us to be, there would be no scriptural reason for us to refer to one another by any other terms that the Scriptural term such as brethren, members of the church, Christians, and so on. (p.2).

With this point we agree whole-heartedly with brother Brown!  The prophet Amos wrote “Can two walk together unless they are agreed” (Amos 3:3)?    Of course the answer to the question in implied by the question itself.   There obviously is some basis upon which we disagree on matters of doctrine and Biblical interpretation that preclude us from “walking together.”  The reason that men must manufacture such terms to designate the division among us is because some of us have neglected to use the Bible as our sole guide in religious matters (2 Timothy 3:16-17).    Brown would say, “These brethren have bound where God has not bound,” thus arguing that it is those of us whom he deems as “anti” who are operating outside of God’s authority.   Of course we would argue that the wedge of division was driven by some “loosing where God has not loosed” and taking liberty where God has restricted.  Only a careful examination of the scriptures can show the truth.   It is with that fact in mind that we attempt to examine the argumentation in the series of lectures under the microscope of divine truth.

Brother Brown further states “it must be understood that from our perspective we have no problem with those who are labeled “antis” practicing what they believe if they do not bind on us as an obligatory matter their particular views” (p.3).    He then lists two of the issues that divide us,   limited benevolence, and   the sponsoring church arrangement.    He notes that if those he has labeled “anti” would not bind these doctrines then we could have fellowship.   This assumption is based upon the fact that he believes these items to be optional.  He states plainly “thus, they[those he deems as "anti"] have made obligatory that which we firmly believe is optional…”(p.3).     We do not deny that these doctrines, as well as some others, divide us.  However, it is incumbent upon those brethren who claim that they are optional  to show that the Bible authorizes the things which they defend as acceptable practices for the local church.    Let us consider it from another angle wherein Brown and his brethren would be considered as “binding where God has not bound.”   A member in the Christian Church may say the same thing of them with regard to instrumental music.   “They have made obligatory that which we firmly believe is optional.”   Would Brother Brown and his brethren accept it and say, “Well, we’ll consider it optional as well so that we can be in fellowship”?    Of course not, because they believe (and rightly so) that there is no authority for instrumental music found in the scriptures, and to add  it is to operate outside of the divine pattern to which we are to hold fast (c.f. 2 Timothy 1:13).   We will argue the same, and on the same basis, regarding the issues of the sponsoring church arrangement, limited benevolence, and support of human institutions from the treasury, etc.  We will note that we must have Bible authority for all that we say and do religiously (Colossians 3:17). Where is the scriptural authority for such things?

Brother Brown correctly notes that all churches that he would label as “anti” are not in fellowship with one another.  It is in the same manner as churches that choose to support human institutions, employ the sponsoring church arrangement, practice general benevolence, etc. are not in fellowship with one another.   He writes “primarily this is the case with those who are not respecting the authority of the Bible, tolerating brethren who have not repented of sin in their lives, error on divorce and remarriage (the “anti” churches have their own problems with error on MDR, but have not formally divided over it), who declare that the church of Christ is a denomination and who are adopting various denominational doctrines” (p.4).   We agree entirely with the stated premise!   When people do not respect the authority of the Bible and depart from it, division is the natural result.

Let us deal briefly with his parenthetical statement “the anti churches have their own problems with error on MDR, but have not formally divided over it” (p.4).        This is a somewhat arbitrary and obviously un-researched statement.   The fact is, he speaks of the Lord’s church within the framework of a denominational concept. When he says “…they have not formally divided…”   Who is “they”?     In as much as the Lord’s church does not have a central organization or denominational hierarchy, we are left with the largest and smallest organization provided by the Lord for  His church–the local church (cf. Philippians 1:1).   Thus, while it may be true that some churches that Brown would label “anti” may tolerate, practice, and/or  preach error on MDR that certainly is not true of the local churches that I have been associated with through the years.   Sermons have been preached proclaiming the truth on the matter, those who have held false doctrines have been noted, and local churches have withdrawn from them according to the divine pattern (1 Corinthians 5, Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-14).   Thus to argue that nothing has been done “formally” is both absurd and patently false.

As brother Brown continues, he states “If we do not have the right attitude toward God and his word and/or we do not intensely desire Bible authority for all we believe and practice, then at some point we will become caught up in some kind of error”(p.5).      We could not have stated it better!  The lack of concern for ascertaining authority from the scriptures will inevitably lead to the practice of error.    It is then imperative that we devote our hearts, souls, and minds to a love of the truth that we not be lead away (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:10).

Brethren and friends, we submit this series of articles to you in the hopes that you will “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1), and like the noble Bereans “search the scriptures…to see whether these things are so” (Acts 17:11).    We do not submit these articles with the purpose of being combative, insulting, or demeaning to any person, group of people or local church.  Our desire is to consider what the scriptures say on these matters under consideration and “… sanctify the Lord God in [our] hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us] with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).   We submit them to you with that thought and idea in mind, and hope that you will consider the arguments in the light of divine truth.   Each of us is given the charge to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).  We hope that you will consider them in that light, test them against God’s word, and make your conclusions based upon God’s revealed will.

History of Evil Spirits

From a historical standpoint, possession of evil spirits has been around as long as civilization itself. Ancient Mesopotamia believed and recognized bad fortune, diseases, and all other sicknesses as the work of evil spirits prevailing in a person. Ancient Babylonian priests carried out the ritual of melting a clay statue in the figure of a demon to disconnect the evil spirit from the body. The Persians, Greeks, Hindus, and even the Romans all looked at demon possession as real, all having spiritual leaders and rituals to cast out these demons.

From a biblical standpoint, the mentioning of demon possession has a far shorter history than the world perspective. The Old Testament mentions nothing of “free will” demons attaching themselves or possessing human beings. The only mention of any kind of spirit occurs with the case of Abimelech (Judges 9), and Saul (1 Samuel 16).

Abimelech was the son of Gideon, the great judge who defeated the Midianites with only 300 men (Judges 7:7, 21 8:30-31). It was coveting of power that led Abimelech to kill all of his brothers save one, that he could become ruler. The Lord sent a “spirit of ill will” (evil spirit-KJV,ASV) upon Abimelech and the people of Shechem. This was not the Lord tempting Abimelech, (1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:13-14) but rather allowing Abimelech to pursue his own evil desires. This made the people of Shechem rebel against him, and he ended up dying as he had lived, a prideful man (Judges 9:53-55).

King Saul had disobeyed the Lord on two occasions, both of them cost him his right to be king and his kingdom (1 Samuel 13:11-14; 15:10-26). It was during this time that the Lord sent a “distressing spirit” upon Saul causing him to be swallowed up in his own grief (1 Samuel 16:14-15).

The nation of Israel under the Law of Moses was forbidden to have anything to do with pagan spiritists or diviners (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27). This is why the exercising of demon possessed souls does not show up in Jewish history until around the 1^st century A.D. The dybbuk is considered a demon possession which causes a person mental illness, and changes in their personality.

Unclean Spirits of the New Testament

The dawning of the New Testament era brought with it a new wave of demon possession across the lands of the bible. This shows an interesting contrast between the times that demon possession pops up and the purposes God has for mankind. All during the 400 years of silence (the time period which God had no verbal interaction with man), no possession of demons are mentioned in the secular history of mankind within these lands.

When the time for Christ to come into the world approached, God allowed spiritual things to take place, and demon possession was one of them. It is interesting to find that nearly all of the mentions of demons possessing people happen within the three year span of Jesus’ life covered in the Gospels. Only three instances occur outside of the gospels; Peter cast out unclean spirits from the people surrounding Jerusalem (Acts 5:16), Phillip in Samaria as he preached the gospel there (Acts 8:7), Paul did it twice during his travels preaching the gospel (Acts 16:16-18; 19:12). This is to show the point that demon possession was not at random, but rather was planned and calculated so that the Messiah would be glorified through the miracles He would perform.

Consider the whole purpose for God to work miracles through man to begin with, it is to prove a message that was spoken (Mark 16:20). When we answer the reason why Jesus cast out these unclean spirits in this particular point of time in history, we understand the reason for demon possession in the first place. Jesus cast out demons from people so that they would know He was the Messiah (John 5:36). Consider his first time casting out an unclean spirit, from the man in the synagogue at Galilee. As Jesus cast it out, He had to rebuke it because it was testifying of Him as the Son of God. After this spirit had come out, many people were curious of Him, this was exactly the point! The people wanted to know by what authority Jesus did this, what doctrine this was, and who this man is?! Such a reaction was exactly what Jesus expected. In many other instances this is also the case; (Matthew 4:23-25; 8:29; Mark 3:11, 22; 5:7-8, 20; Luke 4:41).  So God’s whole purpose of allowing demon possession in the times of the first century was to prove Jesus as the Messiah, whether by Jesus Himself, or later on His apostles and disciples.

If Jesus gave this power to His apostles and disciples (Matthew 10:1; Luke 10:1, 17), does this mean that everyone could possibly have this power also? No greater example exists in answering this question than that of Sceva and his sons (Acts 19:13-17). Practice of magic and incantations was common in the days of the first century, and the Jews were no exception. Ephesus in particular was a popular place for magic, shown with the vast number of people coming and confessing of these deeds (Acts 19:19). Jewish practitioners of magic were highly esteemed, as they only were known to have the correct pronunciation of the sacred name of God. The ancients misunderstood this and looked to it as a prestigious magical incantation. The priests especially were looked upon as higher, being they had closer contact with God. However, the account with Scevas’ sons shows quite the opposite as far as what God thinks of them. As these exorcists looked to use the name of Jesus as an incantation, seeing the effectiveness Paul had with it, were overpowered by this demon and humiliated along with it.  The name of Jesus was not to be misused, something these men learned firsthand!  Not everyone using the name of Jesus is going to have success, but only those who carry with it the approval and authority of God! These sons found themselves in the same circle as Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:20-21). If an exorcism is going to take place, than it must first have the power of God, and second the authority of God, this does not happen by merely saying the name of Jesus, but only happens to those who whom it has been given!

Exorcisms Happening Today

This leads us to our final question. In order for exorcisms to be valid today, demons must still be free to roam the earth and possess whom they please, but is this the case? Demons are spiritual beings (Matthew 8:16), they are not simply changes in personality that develop in a person, but enact a distinct and sudden change, foreign to the person. These are spirit beings that were able to leave the human body and enter into swine (Mark 5:12-13). Demons no longer exist today in this sort. The fact is God no longer needs demon possession to exist, because He has completed His message to mankind, and has given us a complete word that needs no addition, making demon possession no longer valid in proving Jesus as the Messiah.

God from long ago had a timeframe in which demons would operate in the way we read about in the New Testament. But, this time frame was not to carry on forever. God prophesied through Zechariah that demon possession would end and not last forever (Zechariah 13:2). For exorcisms were a miracle that God performed through Jesus and the hands of men, and Paul wrote to us that miracles also were not to last forever, but only be here until the perfect came, which is the completion of the word of God (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). Demon possession was indeed a miracle, for it involved something that is supernatural (not of this world). So the need for demon possession does not exist in our modern day time, for they no longer serve God’s purpose.

Biblical Exorcisms vs. Modern Exorcisms

A comparison of the way modern exorcisms are carried out reveal quite a bit of difference from the way that those in the bible were carried out. When Jesus or any other person in the New Testament cast out a demon, the response was immediate (Acts 8:7; 16:18). The demon would go out, and never do we hear of it entering another person. The only subject a group of demons would enter were swine, and this was still under Jesus’ authority (Mark 5:12-14). Once the demons were cast out, they were gone, never to return; this shows the true power that Jesus and His ministers had over demons!

However, this is a far stretch from how modern exorcisms are performed today. The Catholic system of exorcism exists in what is called The Rituale Romanum (The Roman Ritual).  This consists of a series of prayers, reading of scripture, and then while laying hands on the victim, the priest calls for the demon to succumb to the power of Jesus Christ. Catholic exorcists never work alone, but generally have three other people to “assist” in this ritual. The first person is normally another priest who is in training, the second is a medical physician, and the third is usually a physically strong member of the victim’s family to hold them down. If the victim is a female, then another female is chosen for this position, to avoid scandal. Perhaps the most famous exorcism of our modern day time was that of Anneliese Michel. Her eventual death from malnutrition came after a period of 10 months performing exorcisms and over 76 exorcism sessions.  As one can clearly see, the performance of exorcising demons has changed drastically from the days of the first century.

Conclusion

Exorcism and demon possession in our modern day does not exist. In fact, nearly all of the cases of supposed demon possession have been diagnosed with normal human disorders by psychiatrists and medical doctors. The bible teaches that demon possession has served its purpose, and therefore no longer has a point to be around today. When comparing the modern practices to those of biblical times, the difference is obvious. If God could cast out demons instantly back then, why would the same God take months to do the same thing today? The purpose of demon possession was to show that Jesus is the Christ, and without a faith in Him, there is no hope for your soul (Acts 4:12).

Review of Establishing Bible Authority from the Old Testament

A study of the Old Testament leaves an unforgettable impression upon our minds of Jehovah’s will for mankind to establish Biblical authority for all that is practiced.  All mankind must understand and keep his place before the awesome power of Jehovah God.  Jehovah’s words are absolute truth and never are they subject to man’s change agents (Zechariah 1:5-6; Malachi 3:6).  All flesh is to silence their minds of personal conviction, opinions, and conscience and give a fearful ear to Jehovah’s divine will (Habakkuk 2:18-20; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13).  We have absolutely no right to invent even one spiritual law or change the minute details of God’s laws (Zechariah 8:16-17).  Man is to greatly respect, reverence, and fear the awesome name of Jehovah God (Psalms 119:161).  God has given the great responsibility of absolute perfection and holiness to mankind (Leviticus 11:44; Galatians 3:10).  The Lord will hold the erring accountable and will unleash His furry, wrath, fierce anger, and indignation against those who take liberties with His divine will (Isaiah 11:4; Lamentations 2:20-22; Amos 4:12-13 etc.).  Those who attain unto holiness and perfection will be rewarded with eternal peace (Proverbs 8:20-21).  Seeing that so much is at stake the Old Testament people were encouraged to live by the authority of Jehovah God.

The Sovereignty of Jehovah in the New Testament

Once again we must lay the groundwork for establishing Bible Authority.  Matthew tells us that there are two sources of authority.  First there is the authority of man’s opinions, personal conviction, and conscience and then there is divine authority (Matthew 21:23-25).  Man has the foolish tendency to establish his own ways (Matthew 15:7-9).  There is; however, a clear distinction between the teachings of Jehovah God and that of man (Matthew 16:17).  To move man from looking to self for answers to life’s questions to looking to God’s word we must gain a proper respect and reverence for Jehovah.  Too many today are asking, “What gives God the right to determine which way I take in life?”

The Lord is creator of all things and thereby all flesh is to obey his every word (Revelation 14:6-7).  One may look to the life of Christ and take note that all aspects of human existence was subject to his will.  Jesus exercised authority over the devil (Matthew 4:10), demons (Matthew 4:24; 8:16-17, 30-32 etc.), sin (Matthew 9:2-8), life and death (Matthew 9:23-25; Luke 7:12-16), eyesight (Matthew 9:27-29), animals (Matthew 17:27), plants (Matthew 21:20), sickness, diseases, epileptic, and palsied (Matthew 4:24; 8:5-10, 14-15), heaven, earth, and hell (Acts 13:40-41; 14:15; 17:24).  Man’s natural conclusion is that Jesus has authority over all which includes mankind (see Luke 7:2-10; Romans 13:1; 14:11-12).  Indeed Jesus is preeminent (Colossians 1:18).  The Lord is identified as the potentate, Lord of lords, and King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15-16).  Not one person or thing is exempt from his authoritative laws (Ephesians 1:18-22; 3:14-15; 4:6).  Jesus is the only means whereby man can be saved (Acts 4:12; 13:38-39).  With the preceding scriptures before us we see how futile it is to attempt to guide one’s self through life without God and His divine will for man.

The Standard of Truth as Depicted in the New Testament

The complete sovereignty of the Lord is depicted in the scriptures in that his name is directly associated with the standard of truth (John 14:6-7; Acts 4:7-12; Colossians 1:25-2:3, 8; 1 John 1:1-2; Revelation 19:13-16).  The very name of Jesus identifies the standard by which all mankind is measured by (1 Peter 2:21-25).  No man may opt out of the subjection that he was brought into this world to be under (John 5:26-28).  The Apostle Paul thereby writes, “Whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).  Said parameters of divine direction for man equate to a law (Romans 3:27; 8:20; 2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 8:6-7; James 1:25).

The standard is identified as the “Word of the Lord” (Acts 8:25).  This word is thereby of a divine origin (Galatians 1:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16, 20-21).  The “word of the Lord” is absolute truth (Ephesians 1:13) that is not subject to man’s change (Acts 26:14; 1 Peter 1:24-25).  Jude refers to truth as, “The faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3).  Truth is not a personal faith or a faith of one’s choice as though there were many acceptable faiths.  Truth is “The faith.”   This faith stands alone as the standard that identifies Jehovah’s assessment of right and wrong (Ephesians 4:4; 5:11-14).  No human opinion (John 16:2-4; Acts 26:9; Colossians 2:8, 22), personal conscience (Acts 23:1; 26:9-11), personal conviction (Acts 15:10), personal reasoning (Romans 1:21; 2:1-3; 11:25; 13:11), nationality (Matthew 3:8-9; John 8:31ff; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:27), human traditions (Matthew 15:1-3), personal ignorance (Matthew 22:29; Acts 3:17-19; 17:23, 30), or a popular preacher (Galatians 2:6; 5:10) have any power at all to change the words of absolute truth.

Though men attempt to suppress the truth (Acts 4:17-19; 5:24), change truth to their own human ideas (1 Thessalonians 2:13), or even argue with God about how they made choices in this life (Matthew 25:44) the firm foundation of God will always stand (2 Timothy 2:9, 13, 19).  Truth continues to say the same thing year in and year out.  The objective of truth is never to make friends, bring personal glory to the speaker, or to tickle the ears of no man (see Matthew 6:1-2; John 12:43; 2 Corinthians 3:1; 10:12; Galatians 1:10; 2:6).  Truth is rather concerned with the spiritual health of men’s souls (1 Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:9; 2:1).

The Nature of Man as Revealed in the New Testament

The sovereign position of Jehovah places the identity of the natural order of things upon His divine being (1 Peter 1:15-16).  One may naturally expect God’s divine revelation to be an instruction manual on how man may obtain the nature of the divine creator (2 Peter 1:4).  Seeing that Jehovah God alone is Lord there is no other to establish the way in which man is to be.  Man will naturally seek after this one true God (Acts 17:24-29) rather than seeking other gods or standards of living (Acts 17:28:29).  God has thereby created man with the innate ability to understand his natural responsibility to know the acceptable and unacceptable ways of life (Romans 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 11:14).  Those who go against the natural order of creation sin against their created purpose (Romans 1:26-27).  To take a direction in life that opposes one’s nature and God’s standard is to act as an animal (2 Peter 2:12; Jude 1:10).

Man’s Responsibility Toward Divine Authority in the New Testament

Our Bibles, the standard of truth, paints pictures of absolute perfection of life as God would have us live.  Man is left with the responsibility to fulfill God’s expectation of his created beings (Romans 12:1-2).  God demand’s man’s perfection of life and obedience seeing that He is perfect (remember, He is the standard that we must meet).  There are at least thirty four New Testament passages that command man’s absolute perfection (see Matthew 5:19, 48; Luke 1:6; 8:14; 11:36; 16:10-11; Ephesians 4:24; 5:1, 27; Philippians 1:10; 2:15; 3:12-15; Colossians 1:28; 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 13; 4:7; 5:22-23; 1 Timothy 5:22; 6:13-14; Hebrews 7:11, 18-19, 25; 8:12; 10:1-2, 14; James 2:10; 1 Peter 1:13-16, 22; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 1:6-7; 2:6; 3:3; 4:17).  The instructions of God’s divine standard reveal the efficacy of the blood of Jesus Christ whereby man may obtain and maintain this state of perfection (see Hebrews 9:22 and Revelation 1:5; 12:11).  The objective of absolute sinless perfection must continue until the day we die (Hebrews 3:6, 14; 10:23, 39; 12:1-2; Revelation 2:7, 10-11; 3:2-3, 15-16; 18:4).  Christians are thereby some of the most rugged people.  We have stamina, drive, and purpose to obtain and maintain said perfection.  When we fail we pick ourselves up and keep pressing forward (Philippians 3:12-14).

Christians also have the responsibility to put all doctrines to the test seeing that God expects our absolute perfection as defined by His name (the standard of truth) (see Matthew 24:4-5; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1-3, 6; 2 John 1:10; Revelation 2:14-16).  Those too naive to observe the possibility of being deceived or swayed from the standard are often those who fall from grace (Galatians 3:1; 5:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Hebrews 2:1; 3:12-13; 4:11; 12:14-16; 13:9; 1 John 2:26; 3:7; 2 John 1:7-8; Jude 1:4-8, 14-16).  We know that no matter what man tries to do he will not succeed at changing the efficacy of one law written by God.  This being the case it does not stop man from such attempts.  False teachers will be prevalent in every generation (Galatians 1:6-7; Ephesians 4:14; Philippians 3:18; 2 Peter 2:1ff).

Christians are to be ready to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3).  Christians are to never tolerate erroneous teaching (Revelation 2:20).  Christians are to guard the purity of truth and never permit another to pervert it (1 Timothy 1:3-4; 6:3, 12, 20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13-14).  Christians are to identify and name the erring teachers and their erring doctrines (1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; 3:8; 4:14-15; 3 John 1:9; Revelation 2:6, 15, 20).  Let the Christian stand the post of truth (Ephesians 5:11; 6:14; Colossians 2:4-5).  Wage war against human reason and the tendency to permit personal opinions and convictions stand in the way of truth (2 Corinthians 10:3-7, 12).  Stand in silence and listen to the word of the Lord rather than one’s opinions or personal ideas (Matthew 17:5-8; Acts 3:22-23).  The Apostle Peter said, “If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man ministers, ministering as of the strength which God supplies: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever.  Amen” (1 Peter 4:11 see also 2 Corinthians 2:17).

Man’s Attitude Toward Divine Authority in the New Testament

The Lord is the standard that we are to meet (Romans 8:28-30).  The faithful child of God will know his or her place before Jehovah and seek to humbly serve him (Matthew 15:21-28; Acts 8:24).  Such a one will “honor” Jehovah is all areas of life (1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15-16).  The saint of God is thereby identified with the characteristic of “godliness” (i.e., exhibiting reverence, respect, and profound awe) (see 1 Timothy 6:6).  All teachings or practices that illustrate disrespect toward his holy name are to be viewed as filthiness and wickedness (James 1:21).  The Christian’s attitude toward sin is abhorrence (Romans 12:9) and to,  ”Hate even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 1:22-23).  Righteous indignation will take the place of deception and tolerance toward erring practices and doctrines in the mind of the faithful (Acts 7:51ff; 8:20-21; 13:8-10; 16:37; Ephesians 4:26; Revelation 2:6).  Only the daring despise and show disrespect for the authorized standard of truth (2 Peter 2:1, 10).

When establishing Bible authority for any practice such a one will demand book, chapter, and verse (Matthew 4:4-10; 19:4; 21:13; 8:17; 10:34).  The saint of God will be on guard against permitting their personal convictions or opinions lead them to binding where God has not bound and loosing where God has not loosed (see Matthew 16:19; Luke 13:10-17; Galatians 5:6; 6:15; Colossians 4:11).  Such a humble disposition will never be angry with a brother who tries to point up error in their lives (Galatians 4:16).  This godly man or woman is never “grieved” by performing the Lord’s commands (1 John 5:3).

Man’s Approach Toward Divine Authority in the New Testament

The Christian’s right approach to divine authority is knowing that it is God’s standard alone that saves (Matthew 1:21; John 6:68-69; 10:7-18; Colossians 2:16).  Our approach to God’s divine standard is a confident spirit of knowing that we can understand all that God has delivered for us to be perfected (Ephesians 1:17-18; 3:3-4, 18-19; 5:17).  I am to endure all things rather than drinking the wine of Satan (i.e., persecution, worldliness, and false teachers) (Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:32-39; 1 John 2:16-17; Revelation 14:9-10, 19-20).  The spirit of antichrist is alive and well today as it was during the days of the apostles.  The approach of antichrist is to deny the authoritative words of Jesus Christ and thereby establish their own opinions, convictions, and things of their personal conscience (1 John 2:18, 22-23; 4:3).  Said men set themselves up as gods in that they deliver law that supersedes Jehovah’s sovereign laws (2 Thessalonians 2:4).  The approach; however, of the saint of God is to identify sin as “lawlessness” (1 John 3:4), “unrighteousness” (1 John 5:17), and a trespass against God that causes one to be viewed as spiritually dead (Colossians 2:13).  The battle for the souls of men rages on until the day when the Lord Jesus shall come to judge the world (Revelation 16:16; 17:14; 19:19; 20:7ff).

The Consequences of Godliness or Rebellion against the Authoritative Word of God

God has appointed a day in which all who ever lived upon the earth shall be judged for their attitude and approach toward God’s divine standard (Acts 17:31; 1 Peter 4:17-18).  The just and unjust who have died shall be raised from the dead to stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Acts 24:15).  The standard itself shall be that which man is measured by (John 12:48; Romans 2:5-11).  Each of us will reap what we have sown upon the earth (Galatians 6:7-9).

The consequences for rebellion against the authorized words of Jehovah God is that such a one will be cast into the eternal fires of hell (Matthew 7:22-23; 13:39-43, 49-50; 25:31-46; Luke 13:27-29; John 12:48-50; Acts 3:23; Revelation 20:10ff).  Hell will be a place where God’s fierce wrath will be unleashed upon the wicked (Colossians 3:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).  Not one rebellious man or woman will escape God’s wrath (Hebrews 2:3; 9:27; 10:26-31; 12:25).

The rewards for a faithful life of reverence and respect for Jehovah’s sovereign will is an eternal home of glory and peace (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:9; 2 Peter 1:11; 2:9, 17; 3:7, 10-13; 1 John 5:13; Revelation chapters 21 and 22).  Much is at stake in the lives of man.  We all have one shot at life.  The direction we choose will determine our eternal abode.

The Importance of Establishing Bible Authority for all that we Say and Do

After laying the groundwork for Bible Authority we are left to say that it is no wander that Paul wrote, “Whatsoever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).  Seeing that God demands that I measure up to his standard of being I most certainly want to say and do all things as God would.  We do not want to be as the foolish who participate in an activity and afterwards wander if it was the right thing to do (see Proverbs 20:25).  How then does the Christian go about establishing Bible authority for all that is said and done?  Let us note seven components of authority that have been revealed in both the Old and New Testaments.

First, to know if an event is right or wrong we may look for direct statements or commands in the word of God regarding the subject (for examples of such statements see 1 Corinthians 5:4-5; 9:14; Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:18-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 3:10; Hebrews 13:17; James 2:9; 5:12; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 3:1; 3 John 1:11 and so on).  Sometimes these commands will be stated explicitly as the case of 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 and sometimes the commandment may be given in a general fashion (see Matthew 28:18-20).  General commands leave the Christian with the liberty to perform the will of God with an expedient (i.e., an aid or help to achieve the command) (John 16:7; 1 Corinthians 6:12).  Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19).  The Christian is left with the liberty to use an automobile, airplane, bicycle and so forth as an expedient to get this command accomplished.  Our church buildings, song books, pitch pipes, and trays on the Lord’s table are all expedients that help us achieve God’s given commands.

Secondly, if there are no direct commands to direct us in answering our question we may examine the authoritative examples of Jesus and the apostles (see the following passages -  John 13:12-17; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; 14:37; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; 1 Peter 2:21-22).  If we find the Lord Jesus or the apostles commending or condemning the questioned practice we will know what we are to do.

Thirdly, if there are no explicit commands or examples to look to regarding our question then we may find a necessary inference to answer our question.  The New Testament delivers many divine principles through implication.  Jesus inferred that guilt is established in the Matthew 18:17 passage.  Luke infers that the Christians assembled to partake of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week at Acts 20:7.  The apostle Paul infers that man is under a law to follow at Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:1-2; 4:1-4; 5:6.  Paul infers that this law can be handled incorrectly at 1 Timothy 1:8.

Finally, when we find the authorized will of God through direct command, example, or inference we must accept the answer.  Many have been guilty of saying, “Well, God didn’t say we could not do that.”  Let us learn that an important principle of establishing Bible authority for all that we do and say is God’s silence.  When God delivers His divine will through command, example, or inference we must be content with the command and not look to some sort of loop hole out.  When God commands all other options are made null and void (see Acts 8:20-21; Hebrews 7:12-17).

Remember, God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).  Answers to all your spiritual questions of life will be found by the diligent.  The apostle Paul wrote, “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

As one studies both the first and second covenant laws an interesting fact comes to the surface.  Though the laws change God’s founding principles revolving around authority remain the same from Genesis to Revelation.  No matter what my approach or attitude is toward those founding principles they remain.  The Apostle Paul wrote, “Howbeit the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, the Lord knows them that are his: and, let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness” (2 Timothy 2:19).

To properly understand how to establish Bible authority for all that we practice and teach we must lay some groundwork beginning with the Old Testament.  First, the solid rock of our faith, Jehovah, does not change.  God’s expectation of man does not change either.  Man is to be perfectly aligned with Jehovah’s standard.  Those not in line with that divinely revealed standard are in sin.  Man has been given a divine responsibility to reverentially fear and obey the words of God.  My attitude and approach to the Lord’s commands must be “Not my will but thine.”  Those who reject God’s divine standard, for whatever reason, will face the fierce anger, wrath, and indignation of the Lord.  Those who align themselves perfectly with God’s divine standard will be saved.  Once these founding principles are laid we are ready to establish Bible authority.  Please remember that this first article is dealing with establishing authority in the Old Testament!

Jehovah God

The word authority is defined as, “The power to command, enforce laws, exact obedience, determine, or judge” (AHD 142).  One may foolishly asks, “What gives God the right to exercise supreme authority over me?”  Jehovah God occupies the supreme position within all that man knows and does not know.  Inspired writers proclaimed Him to be the creator and potentate ruler over all creation (Joshua 3:11-13; Jeremiah 10:12; Nahum 1:1-6).  There is absolutely nothing that is not subject to His divine will (Genesis 18:20; Exodus 5:1-2; Joshua 3:11-13; Jeremiah 32:27; Ezekiel 18:4).  There is no other divine creator that mankind is to give answer to (Isaiah 43:11; 45:18).  God created man and the universe by His divinely spoken word (Psalms 33:6-9).  The entire physical universe is subject to His divine will (Joshua 10:12-13; Psalms 24:1-2; 90:1-2).  The Bible tells us how that even the plants (Haggai 2:18-19) and animals (Jonah 2:10) obey His divine will.  Jehovah’s name is the seal of highest authority that demands man’s absolute obedience (Leviticus 18:30; 19:4, 10-12, 14, 16, 18; Deuteronomy 28:58-59).  All flesh must thereby be silent before the Great Jehovah God and listen to His divine will (Deuteronomy 27:9; Isaiah 41:1; Habakkuk 2:18-20; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13).

Jehovah’s Standard of Truth (Divine Revelation)

When all flesh is silent they are ready to receive divine guidance for their lives that they may be just, holy, and absolutely perfect as God (Leviticus 11:44 / 2 Peter 1:4; Psalms 82:6 / John 10:34; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8).  God speaks absolute truth that is not subject to change (Psalms 111:9; Zechariah 1:5-6; Malachi 3:6).  God’s standard is identified as a pattern (Exodus 25:9, 40), a scale (Daniel 5:27), landmark (Hosea 5:10), and plumb-line (Amos 7:7-9).  Jehovah’s standard gives man an exact spiritual direction to follow (Jeremiah 6:16-17; 10:23).  Isaiah records, “I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place” (Isaiah 28:16-17).  Those who do not follow the exact pattern, landmark, or plumb-line are weighed in God’s balance and found to be in sin (or transgression) (Genesis 18:20-22; Leviticus 5:17; 16:16, 30; 18:30; 22:9, 21; Joshua 7:10-13; etc.).

Created Man

Jehovah God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:26).  Man is created “upright” (Ecclesiastes 7:29), with an understanding that eternity exists (Ecclesiastes 3:11), to naturally be receptive to truth (Ezekiel 12:1-2), and to pick ourselves up when we fail to do as the Lord commands (Jeremiah 8:4-7).  Man’s created or natural place in this universe is to be in subjection and perfect obedience to Jehovah’s divine will (2 Peter 1:4; Genesis 6:8; 17:1; Exodus 19:4-8; Leviticus 11:44; Deuteronomy 18:13; 27:26; Judges 2:1-5; 1 Samuel 6:19-20; Micah 6:11; Habakkuk 1:4; Zechariah 3:6-7; 6:15; Malachi 3:8-10; Galatians 3:10).  Man’s objective is to obtain unto a divine nature as God (Leviticus 11:44).  We are, thereby, representatives of His divine image on this earth (2 Samuel 12:14).

Man’s Divinely Appointed Responsibility

Man is to know his divinely created place in this universe.  Man’s highest priority in this life is meeting Jehovah’s authorized standard (Exodus 10:3; Leviticus 11:44; Job 4:12-21; 38:1ff; Proverbs 2:1-9; 3:13-18; 4:7; 8:7-9; Psalms 9:20; 119:72; Jeremiah 6:16-20).  To sin against Jehovah’s divine will is to transgress against one’s own nature (Ezekiel 14:12-13).  Man; however, was never designed by Jehovah to create spiritual laws to follow (Jeremiah 10:23).  Those individuals who do not follow the natural God appointed life of perfect obedience are deemed rebellious, polluted (Zechariah 3:1), and hard hearted (Exodus 5:1-2).  Such individuals forsake all God’s mercy (Jonah 2:8).

Man has absolutely no right to create even one law in relationship to his spiritual direction (see Leviticus 10:1ff).  Jehovah is clear regarding His divine will for man.  He has set the standard for man to meet.  No other way of life will be acceptable to Jehovah (Hosea 5:11; 11:6).  No other person (even a king or a nation), no amount of riches, no personal conscience, no amount of personal conviction, confidence, opinions, reasoning, ignorance, or deluded belief can change or create spiritual laws (Hosea 4:12; 5:13; 7:11; 10:3, 13; 11:2; 12:8; 13:10 etc.).  Man ought to be terrified to say, “Its my opinion that the church should do this that or the other…”  “I personally believe that the qualification of elders is this that or the other…”  When matters of our faith are involve man has one directive, “Thus saith Jehovah.”

When man speaks he has the responsibility to speak truth alone (Zechariah 8:16).  Those who dare to speak words contrary to Jehovah’s standard seek to change God himself.  History reveals such daring men identified as false prophets (Ezekiel 13:1-8).  Such work is not tolerated by Jehovah God and is not to be tolerated by man (see Balaam – Numbers 22 compared to 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14; Deuteronomy 13 all; 20:16-18).

Man’s Divinely Appointed Attitude

Again, if man is to obtain unto God’s divine nature he must share God’s attitude toward His divine standard.  Jehovah’s view of sin is clearly documented.  God hates sin (Zechariah 8:17).  Often the word “abomination” is used regarding God’s passionate hatred for sin (see Proverbs 15:26 etc.).  God’s people are to have the same view of sin.  Man is to “utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it” (Deuteronomy 7:26; see also Leviticus 20:23; Joshua 7:24-26; Psalms 119:104; Proverbs 8:13; Jeremiah 15:16-18; Ezekiel 36:31; Amos 5:15).  Our natural response to sin is to be shame and embarrassment (Ezra 9:5ff; Jeremiah 3:25; Hosea 9:10; Zephaniah 2:1).  Sin is to be viewed as a “horrible” thing (Hosea 6:10) and thereby it should bother me if I have participated in it (Ecclesiastes 7:4, 19-20).  Seeing that man is created in the image of God, knowing God’s view of sin, and knowing what God expects of me I ought to have a since of righteous indignation against sin (Exodus 32:20; Numbers 25:6ff; Joshua 7:24-26; 1 Samuel 15:10-11; Jeremiah 15:16-18) rather than indifference (Zephaniah 1:12-13).  Man’s attitude toward those things that violate Jehovah’s authorized word should be that of humble sorrow (Numbers 21:1-9; Psalms 51:1-17; Isaiah 57:15; 66:1-2; Joel 2:12-14).

Man’s Divinely Appointed Approach to serving God

All mankind must understand that it is God alone that sets the standard and has the sole power to save man from the consequences of sin (Hosea 13:10; 14:3).  My approach to Jehovah God, as creator of all things, is nothing less that great respect, awe, reverence, and fear (Psalms 119:161; Proverbs 1:7; 2:1-5; Ecclesiastes 12:13).  The prophet Ezekiel summarizes man’s approach to God by the word “just” (Ezekiel 18:5-9).  Each man is to purpose within their hearts to know and do all that God commands (Ezra 7:10).  The greatest mistake man can make is to look to self for divine authority in spiritual matters (Proverbs 16:2, 25; 23:4; 24:21 etc.).

Consequences for Disobedience

There are terrible consequences to the person who does not follow God’s laws exactly as He delivered them (Judges 2:1-5).  Sometimes man partially obeys God yet this divided service is due awful punishment too (1 Samuel 15:3, 13; 1 Kings 18:21; 2 Kings 17:33, 39-40).  Those who simply reject God’s standard and make up their own way of life will not go unpunished (Judges 21:25; 2 Samuel 6:6ff; 1 Kings 12:25-33; 2 Kings 5:11).  The Lord God Almighty is not only a loving and merciful God but a God of great wrath, fierce anger, and indignation against those who trample His divine standard under foot (Isaiah 11:4; 66:24; Lamentations 2:20-22; 4:13; Ezekiel 7:1-8; 18:4; Joel 2:1-2; Amos 4:12-13; Micah 5:10-14; 6:13-16; Zephaniah 1:8).  The Lord will “return” all that man has done against His authorized standard back upon their own heads (Hosea 12:14; Obadiah 1:15; Micah 3:4; Zechariah 7:13-14).  There will be no amount of silver or gold to appease Jehovah’s wrath in this great day (Zephaniah 1:18).

Establishing Bible Authority for all that we Practice and Teach

Now that we have the unchanging foundation of God’s divinely authorized standards laid it is time to examine how authority is established.  Whatever my spiritual question I must take into consideration who God is, who I am as God’s created being, and what my responsibilities, attitude, and approach to serving God is to be.  Once I establish these founding principles I will look for nothing more or less than God’s divine will.  The Lord’s standard of justice and righteousness is delivered in seven components throughout the Old Testament.  Those who desired to be just and righteous were to recognize these and act in obedience.

• First, we find Jehovah delivering direct commands to the people (see Exodus 20:1ff; Ezra 1:1-2; 6:14; Nehemiah 12:27; Jonah 1:2; 3:1-2).
• Secondly we find divinely revealed examplesin the Old Testament.  There were examples of people that ought to be emulated as Able (Genesis 4:1ff / Hebrews 11:4), Jacob (see Hosea 12:3-6, 12), and many others as listed at Hebrews 11.  There are also those we would take note of as having made grave errors such as Adam (Hosea 6:7 / Romans 5:12), the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19 / 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7), Balaam (Numbers 22 and 25 / 2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14), Korah (Numbers 16 / Jude 11), and so forth.
• Thirdly, we find authority in inference within the Old Testament.  Inference is defined as “to draw a conclusion by evidence, facts, or premises” (AHD 659).  One valuable inference used in the Old Testament is found at Genesis 4:1ff.   Cain forever goes down in history as being of the “evil one” (1 John 3:12) because he despised the authority of God (Jude 1:11).  God set the mark with his law of sacrifice and Cain missed it.  Though not stated it is inferred that Cain and Able were given a specific command to make a sacrifice of their first fruits.  Able obeyed and Cain disobeyed God’s law of sacrifice (see Heb. 11:4).  When Cain brought the “fruit of the ground” God had no respect for it (i.e., Cain’s sacrifice had no value to God).  Cain should have respected God’s command and brought the first fruits (see also Nehemiah 10:30-31 for another example of inference).
• Fourthly, we find authority through God’s commands were at times given in a specific manner (see Genesis 2:16; 6:14; Numbers 7:9 / compared to 2 Samuel 6:6ff; 19:2; Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Revelation 22:18).  Man was not at liberty to add or subtract even a fraction of what the command said.
• Fifthly, we find God’s authority through commands at times were given in a general fashion.  God specifically commanded Noah to build the ark yet left Noah the liberty of choosing the tools to get the job done (Genesis 6).  Noah worked at his own pace and completed the ark in the space of 100 years (Genesis 5:32; 7:6,11; 1 Peter 3:20).
• Sixthly, we find authority in God’s silence.  God delivers a specific command and all other activities are excluded (that is, God does not have to say, “Thou shalt not do this thing other ways…” He said what he wants) (Leviticus 10:1ff; Deuteronomy 4:2, 12-16; 12:32; 29:29; 2 Samuel 7:1-7).
• Lastly, we find authority in expediency(things that are helpful or useful in achieving God’s will).  The fire that Nadab and Abihu put on their censers and brought to the altar of burnt offering was not a helpful or useful thing in achieving God’s will.  It was thereby identified as “strange fire” (Leviticus 10:1).  Secondly, it was not expedient for David to have the Ark of the Covenant transferred from one place to another on a new cart being pulled by oxen (2 Samuel 6:1-11).  Though it may have appeared to be helpful God had already commanded how the ark was to be transferred (Numbers 7:9).  It would be expedient for Noah to use various hand-tools and set his work schedule to achieve God’s command to build the ark out of gopher wood (Genesis 6).

Conclusion

This study illustrates the importance of having authority for all that is practiced.  Divine authority is delivered through the seven components mentioned above.  Those who do not “live by faith” in accordance with the one divine standard will forever experience the wrath of God (see Habakkuk 2:4).  God will receive no excuses for disobedience.  Those who do not meet His standard perfectly will be due His fierce anger, wrath, and indignation.  The Old Testament bares out the fact that both the ignorant (Jeremiah 5:4; Hosea 4:1) and all out rebellious (Genesis 11:4; Exodus 32:1) will be equally measured by the standard of truth.  No amount of personal opinion (2 Kings 5:11), personal conscience, sincerity, and honesty (Job 33:1-3; Proverbs 14:12, 16; Ezekiel 5:5-8), and no matter how lovingly, confident, forceful, or firm I speak (Job 36:1-4; Proverbs 14:16) if I do not speak and teach absolute truth as revealed by God’s standard I stand condemned.  God is no respecter of persons.  No man is above the law of God.  Neither Moses (Numbers 20:1-12), David (1 Samuel 21:1-6; Matthew 12:3-6; 2 Samuel 12:10-14), or even Solomon (1 Kings 11:1ff) were excused from meeting Jehovah’s standards perfectly.  No matter what man’s approach and attitude his divinely appointed responsibility remains the same.  Man is to know his place in this creation.  We are created by God and must humbly and fearfully submit to His every standard.  Those who do so have ever been promised a beautiful and peaceful eternity (see Proverbs 8:20-21).

Let me say clearly from the beginning that there is biblical example for elders.  In Paul’s letter to Titus Paul wrote, For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you (Titus 1:5).  The indication here is that one of the things that was lacking was the absence of elders.  This is also an indication that a church can function without elders; it is just lacking.  In Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul gives the young preachers the qualifications for elders.

Why would Jesus gives us these qualifications if we do not need or cannot have elders today?

The reason I bring this up is that recently I heard a sermon where it was taught from the pulpit that elders were a spiritual gift to the church of the first century and not applicable to the church today.  In Ephesians 4:7-11 the preacher said that this passage refers to spiritual gifts to the church and that these spiritual gifts were no longer present today.  His reasoning went to the extent that he said, “if we don’t have apostles today, we don’t have elders today”.  He tried to justify his position by turning to Acts 20:28; Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. He said that the Holy Spirit made them overseers and since the Holy Spirit does not do that today we don’t have elders.  This is just a fundamental lack of knowledge and application of the word first to think that these are spiritual gifts and second to think that elders are not appointed by the Holy Spirit.

We have the same apostles and prophets today just as they had in the first century, they are just not physically alive.  We have evangelists and elders today just as they had in the first century.  All of these were for a spiritual purpose and in that respect they were and are a gift from Jesus.

We do not have the direct intervention and guidance of the Holy Spirit today as they had in the first century church, but we do have the complete word before us.  In Romans 8:9-11 Paul speaks of the Spirit dwelling in us, 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. This dwelling is not how the world describes and wishes for an indwelling of the Spirit, but it is through and by the word.  In John 16:12-13 Jesus said, 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. The Holy Spirit would guide them into the truth.  Peter writes concerning the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit would guide into truth and speak the things He hears.  And if He would inspire and move holy men of God to write these things down, how does He move and work in us today?  It is through and by the word.  The miraculous work of the Holy Spirit has ceased but His guidance through and by the word continues.  As elders are appointed according to the qualifications that Paul outlined, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, these elders are in every respect appointed by the Holy Spirit.

The example we see from the New Testament is that the local church needs elders.  These men offer a service to the church that emulates the role of Jesus to His body.  Peter wrote, 1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (1 Peter 5:1-4).  The elders are overseers and shepherds of and for the local church.

This is not a position in the local church to be taken lightly.  It should not be entered into without much thought and prayer and prejudice.  Unfortunately some may come to the conclusion that we should not have elders as they see men who serve who are obviously not qualified.  When one serves as an elder and is not qualified he brings a stain on that office and the church who appointed him to serve.  In Hebrews 13:17 we read concerning elders, 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. We are to obey the elders but if the elders are not qualified, yet they serve, it can be a situation such as Jesus described in Matthew 23:1-4, 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

It is a shame to the preacher and the hearer when any false doctrine is taught.  We must be diligent in our study, 2 Timothy 2:15, that we might stand approved in the sight of God not taking anything for granted but prove and test all teaching from the scriptures, Acts 17:10, 1 John 4:1.  One of the responsibilities of elders is the ability to stop false doctrine before it gains a foothold in the church.  In Titus 1:10-11 the apostle tells us that elders have this responsibility, 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.  Even though this is a responsibility of the elders every Christian ought to take this passage seriously and realize that with or without elders if error is being taught we must stand against it.

Shall we have elders?  Absolutely, but only those men who are qualified, and continue to be qualified, according to the scriptures.

It should also be noted the the church did not tolerate this false teaching.

We are not going to be able to rely on our smooth words or lavish looks when it comes to entering into heaven, it is going to be how well we followed God’s commandments for us. Obedience to the things God has spoken is an absolute must! Jesus would say in His conclusion to the sermon on the mount, “Therefore whoever hears these saying of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock, and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” Now who does this reckon to? It is the person who hears of the things of God and obeys them. Now listen to what Jesus says of the disobedient. “But everyone who hears these saying of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand, and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27). To all those who do not adhere to what the bible says, there will be no room for them in the kingdom of God.

God’s word in this country has become something that can be compared to what the Athenians of old used to take hobby in. To them, everything was discussion and philosophy. When Paul spoke boldly at the Areopagus in Athens, preaching the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the reaction to his sermon was one of mockery and unimportance. They wanted to take Paul’s words and discuss them, think to themselves what kind of doctrine this was, and assign a philosophy to it. Such was their nature being Epicureans and Stoics. (Acts 17:18) For them there was no conviction within Paul’s words, no necessity to obey these things, just another doctrine to philosophy about. Yet this attitude towards God’s word remains even today. More and more are falling into the trap that the bible is discussible, and we are all able to reach different conclusions on it. Such is not the way we should ever approach the instructions of the Almighty God! The prophet Isaiah reads, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are My ways your ways, says the Lord.” We as human beings are on a totally different level than God, for the prophet goes on to say, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways.” When we take on the attitude that the bible is something that is discussible in such a way that we can all have differing views on it, putting our own human intuition into it, we bring the Lord and the things He has commanded us and bring them down to our level. We make ourselves equal with God when we think we need to change what He has said, or take on a disrespectful attitude with the scriptures, turning it into theology and not authoritative commands. That is not our place! Nor has it ever been, it remains with God’s word as Peter once told Simon concerning spiritual gifts, “you have neither part nor portion in this matter.”

When we take the bible and turn it into a common book of this world, we have sinned and not given the proper recognition to God. Jesus says, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He come in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). Taking a look at the bible and breaking it up into sections of what we want to follow and what we want to steer clear of puts one into the category of those who are ashamed of Jesus. We have in our modern bibles two colors of font. For the words of Jesus, a red font is used, and for everything else the standard black font is used. But there are those that want to have the red words be more authoritative than the black words. They take the words of Christ and say we have to agree on those, but everything else is up for discussion. They turn parts of the bible into theology and not the written word of God! Yet, Paul states that all scripture is given by inspiration, and also that all scripture is profitable. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Therefore, our attitude toward towards the scriptures must always remain in such a way where our deep respect for God’s authoritative word never turns into something where human intuition enters into the picture. Let us all take on the attitude of Samuel, who was called by God at night, and when called for a fourth time, Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” Samuel was ready and willing to do all that the Lord commanded him, let us strive to have the same thought in our lives.

Modern Christianity has done much the same thing to its king, Jesus Christ. While people still recognize his crown, they do not attach much significance to his exercise of authority in all matters of faith. Hence, various denominations proudly boast doctrines and missions growing out of their own interpretation of the Bible, most generally not a literal interpretation at all.

The last will and testament of Jesus Christ contains his decrees for his brethren, the redeemed, and the conditions placed upon them should they wish to attain the inheritance he left for them, a mansion in heaven for all eternity. As the monarch of a great universal kingdom, he and his ministers, the apostles, set down the law for his subjects in the New Testament.

To disregard a single word of Christ’s will is to invite displeasure and disinheritance from a king whose crown of thorns is more valuable and powerful than all the golden diadems on earth. The matter of silence in Bible authority is just as important as the matter of God’s voice. What God says will not matter if we do not respect his silence equally. As many religious errors result from abusing God’s silence as result from disregarding his voice.

God’s Voice

In Exodus chapter three, Moses was impressed by the voice of God emanating from that burning bush which was never consumed by its flames. That ground on which the man stood was holy and important because there he began to receive the word of God. The remainder of this man’s life would be affected by these few moments, in which he stood barefoot and listened and prepared to become submissive out of a reverent heart. Today, we say as Christians, that we make our stand upon the word of God, seeking a “Thus saith the Lord” for all we do in the name of the Lord, striving to speak only as the oracles of God in humble deference to the apostolic ideal (see First Peter 4:11). If we are impressed with the setting at the burning bush, we must be even more impressed to learn that this event was but a foreshadowing of the divine communication to come (Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:1-4).

Reverence is Not Terror or Legalism

Jesus is a king and the church is a monarchy; before the servants can act, they must have his authorization and He gives that good word through the scriptures. His own last will and testament designates him as the church’s legislator (see Matthew 28:18-20, James 4:12), judge (see John 12:48, Second Timothy 4:8) and executive (see Second Thessalonians 1:6-10). In the minds of some, discussions of Bible authority strip away the message of love and grace that is at the heart of the New Testament, but it was Jesus himself who stated he would judge love by submission (John 14:15, 15:11-14).

The apostle John passed this principle on to his readers many years later, establishing the fact that law and love are no enemies (First John 2:1-6). True love for the king will compel you to seek to understand his will and to follow it in every regard (see Colossians 3:17). Paul stated that he delighted “in the law of God according to the inward man” (Romans 7:22) as he began to define genuine spirituality (Romans 8:1-8). To establish what is the will of God, we must consider both what he has said and what he has not said. The silence of the scriptures is just as important as their voice.

How Authority is Expressed

It is generally recognized that a parent has authority over a child while that child lives in his parents’ home. This exercise of this authority is like Christ’s. Suppose a woman and her daughter go grocery shopping, but forget one item and the mother sends the girl back by herself to pick up some bread. Her authority and instruction have been expressed in three ways in that simple example. She gave the girl a direct command to go to the store. She taught her by example how to buy things just before and the girl may infer that anything necessary to fulfilling the command is authorized as well (she can take some money with her and she can walk down the street by herself). She was not authorized to buy anything but bread, nor go anywhere but the store, nor obtain the bread by any other means than purchase. Her mother’s silence about these issues is not treated as permission, but rather prohibition, and if she comes back with candy bars instead, she will have violated the authority.

Everyone understands these rules of communication and authority in worldly matters, but in spiritual matters, they become confused and end up at the wrong place. Christ’s last will and testament is communicated to us the same way we communicate with our children – by command, example and implication.

We partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday because of Christ’s authority, expressed in command, example and implication. Jesus commanded the observance of the Lord’s Supper in the night he was betrayed (see Luke 22:19-22) and Paul taught that all disciples should mark the feast (First Corinthians 11:23-26). The early disciples, directed by inspired apostles, show us by example that the Lord’s supper was taken on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

We learn by the implication of the scriptures that this must be every first day of the week. Leviticus 23:5 prescribes the date of the Passover with the obvious implication that it was to be observed on this date each year. Numbers 28:11 commands an observance of the new moon and implies it was for each month. Exodus 20:10 commands the observance of the Sabbath and by implication, we know that the Sabbath was every Saturday, not just some, every other, or a quarterly or annual Saturday. So we learn the frequency of the Lord’s Supper through the implication of the scriptures. The Lord’s Supper, then, is taught by command (eat and drink), example (on the first day of the week) and divine implication or necessary inference (every first day of the week).

Every choice we make should be tried in the crucible of God’s word to see if it is explicitly commanded or prohibited, if it is approved by example, or if it is necessary to the fulfillment of some command or example. The church is authorized, for example, to own a meeting house, because it is necessary to fulfill the command to assemble (see Hebrews 10:25). It is not authorized to build a gymnasium or banquet hall, for these are not necessary to any command given the body (see First Corinthians 11:34).

God’s Silence is Golden

Before the Protestant reformation, John Wycliff was a very influential reformer of the apostate church. Among his followers was Bohemian John Huss (1373-1415), who earlier than Luther opposed the papal sale of indulgences and use of armed force. Huss’s own followers, though, were deeply divided into two camps.

One group known as the “Utraquists” forbade only those practices specifically condemned by the Bible, thus tolerating anything without explicit condemnation. The other group, known as the “Taborites,” rejected all practices for which express warrant in the Bible could not be found, thus rejecting transubstantiation, the worship of saints, prayers for the dead, indulgences, priestly confession, dancing, and other such amusements. In a war that broke out between the two factions, the Taborites were defeated in 1434 and almost swept away. The Taborites, though, had been on the right track, regarding the importance of the silence of God’s word.

When Martin Luther came along and made forceful objections to papal tradition, he validated by his influence the idea that the silence of the scriptures on any given matter was implicit authorization. Luther was reacting to the apparent excesses of his more radical supporters in declaring that, “What is not contrary to Scripture is for Scripture and Scripture for it.” The application of this principle was that anything which was not expressly prohibited in the Bible was therefore implicitly authorized. That influence continues to be felt today in almost every Protestant denomination.

There was a third reformer, however, who stands out. Huldreich Zwingli, the foremost leader of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, was born January 1, 1484, seven weeks after the birth of Martin Luther. While a student at the University of Basel (1502-06), an instructor impressed him with the sole authority of the Scriptures. Zwingli’s approach to Bible authority was far narrower than Luther’s; he believed that authority existed only for that which clear authorization could be identified in the scriptures. As a result, he rejected the papacy, mass, intercession by the dead, monasticism, purgatory, clergy celibacy, relics, images and instrumental music.

Luther and Zwingli agreed on many points, but the silence of the scriptures in authority was not one of them; to Zwingli the will of God as set forth in the Bible, and conformity to it, was the central feature of religion, while Luther tended more toward emotionalism and subjectivism. Some of Zwingli’s followers did not believe even he went far enough in applying the principle of the silence of the scriptures. They began to doubt also infant baptism and started practicing full immersion as they saw in the scriptures. Their views spread and they became known as “Anabaptists,” or “re-baptizers. They also supported a common observance of the Lord’s Supper and congregational autonomy, in deference to the silence of the scriptures concerning the usual practices of their day.

Two Viewpoints

Thus two viewpoints emerged through the reformation, with one of them continuing to this day to define denominationalism, while the other caused people to tend toward restoration instead. The first perspective on scriptural silence, held by Luther and Calvinists, is that silence is implicit authority. The second perspective, held to varying degrees by Zwingli and later by Campbell, Stone, et al., is that scriptural silence is no authority at all. The only question that matters, however, is what do the scriptures say?

Silence is the absence of authority

“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests” (Hebrews 7:11-14).

In discussing Christ’s priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek, the Hebrew writer concedes that under the law of Moses, Jesus could never be a priest, for the Old Testament only expressly authorized descendants of Levi to serve in that office. Verse 14 is then an argument from the silence of the scriptures that authority was absent and liberty extinct. Moses spoke nothing concerning a priest from Judah; thus it was unauthorized and impossible. Today, people demand to see an explicit condemnation of any act to which someone objects and yet the Hebrews were satisfied that God’s silence was the lack of authority.

When a school teacher today tells a student he may be excused to go to the restroom, his silence regarding a trip to the cafeteria, pay phone and parking lot is not considered authority to do all those things, but is considered to be the lack of authority and ground for punishment on the basis of presumption.

Pious intent is no excuse

“Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.’ And Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.’

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar’”’” (Second Samuel 7:1-7).

David’s intention was to build God a temple, and his plans were noble, but misguided and presumptuous. God’s reply is an appeal to silence – “When I have ever spoken a word” regarding this project. Folks today will defend their projects and intentions against accusations they are unauthorized by boasting of their good intentions and even results. You cannot object to church sponsored orphanages, old folks’ homes or colleges without hearing this refrain. Trouble is, good intentions have never been a substitute for Bible authority and God’s silence on any matter is an invitation to abstain, not presume.

Worship innovations are unwarranted

“Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the Lord has said, “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace” (Leviticus 10:1-3).

All these priests wanted to do was offer God something different; perhaps they were weary of the same old worship and figured that God must be as well. God did not want their worship innovations, for man’s creativity was not evidence of growing piety, but shrinking reverence for God’s explicit revelation and his thundering silence. The innovation of New Testament worship – emotionalism through testimonies and dimming of lights, instruments in music and applause, etc. – is supported today as evidence of a filling with the spirit and a deeper feeling of love and praise for God. Nadab and Abihu would testify that God has no desire for man to improve upon the divine pattern and approaching him with innovations is regarding him as unholy.

Speak as the oracles of God direct

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God” (First Peter 4:10-11).

If we limit ourselves to speaking only as God’s recorded oracles reveal, we will eliminate much of what passes for religion today. Everything that intrudes upon God’s silence will be done away with and only those things with firm foundation in book, chapter and verse will remain. Instead of standing on thin ice or shifting sand, we will be founded upon a rock of certainty. We must learn to speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent.

We must have no creed but Christ

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).

The creeds of men are designed to clarify the confusion of God’s word and improve upon his communication to us. Like the traditions of the Jewish elders and opinions of the scribes and Pharisees, however, they erect a wall of doctrinal disunity that is not easily shattered, a wall which God did not build. To invade God’s silence and speak in its place one’s opinions is to invite a dismissal from the Book of Life.

Don’t go beyond or stop short of God’s standard

“Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him s takes part in his wicked works” (Second John 9-11).

Not abiding in Christ’s doctrine is going beyond it; going beyond what is revealed to that which is not and asserting that one can take advantage of God’s silence to authorize anything not specifically condemned.  The principle is clear – going beyond what we can read is sinful; God’s silence is golden and must be revered and not broken.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (vs. 16-17)

The Greek word used in verse 16, translated “inspiration of God” is found nowhere else in scripture.  It is the term theopneustos. Vine gives the etymology of the word: (Theos, God, pneu, to breathe) and says that it, “is used in 2 Tim. 3:16, of the Scriptures as distinct from non-inspired writings” (Vines, Volume II, page 263).

In my view, this term is poetic.  God Breathed.  The document that we call the Bible is not the product of men, but of the Almighty.  As such it should be recognized as unique in the world, and worthy of our undying respect and careful scrutiny.

It may be that familiarity breeds contempt.  The Bible is ubiquitous.  You can find a copy in every motel room.  It is found on coffee tables or in bookshelves of most households in the United States.  It is believed that up to 6 billion copies of the Bible have been printed, making it the most widely distributed book of all time.  The Bible is available to 98% of the world’s population in a language with which they are fluent.  It was the first major work printed by Johannes Gutenberg on his newly invented mechanical printing press, in 1455.

Yet, most are ignorant of its contents.  They either have only a superficial knowledge of God’s word, or they lack the ability to “rightly divide” it (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15).  Occasionally I have watched the game show Jeopardy!, when the Bible was used as one of its categories.  It is always interesting to note that these contestants, who are chosen because they have shown an aptitude for answering questions on a wide variety of subjects, consistently are thwarted by the simplest of Bible queries.

While an abject ignorance of God’s word is the norm in our society today, it certainly ought not to be so among God’s people.  It seems inconceivable that those who claim to be disciples (learners) of Christ have little awareness of or interest in His philosophies, desires, objectives or will for them.

The nation of Israel was likewise, in its history, cursed by an ignorance of God’s word.  The people of Hosea’s time were guilty of disregarding His instructions.  God described their abject state and gave them a severe admonition, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).  The prophet Isaiah records a similar description, “Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst” (Isaiah 5:13).

Though infrequent, there were times of great zeal in Israel’s history.  It is interesting that one characteristic of this zeal was their respect for and interest in the word of God.  For example, when Joshua read the law of Moses to the people at Mt. Ebal, (Joshua 8:30-35), and when Ezra read the Law to the remnant who had returned from Babylonian captivity (Nehemiah 8:1-8).

During the reign of Josiah in Judah, the young king led such a renewal.  Apparently, the law of God had been lost completely.  The people were ignorant of God’s word, and had been led into ungodliness by Josiah’s father, Amon, and his grandfather, Manasseh.  But Josiah “…did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2).

When Josiah was 26 years old, while the Temple was being repaired at his command, the high priest Hilkiah reported that the Law had been found.  Josiah was immediately aware of the significance of the find, and grieved that the Law had once been lost.  He said, “…great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us” (2 Kings 22:13).

Consider what the young king did next:

“The king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, and with him all the inhabitants of Jerusalem-the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD.  Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took a stand for the covenant”  (2 Kings 23:2-3).

Because of the influence of this good young king, the people “took a stand.” During the rule of Josiah, it is recorded that “…All his days they did not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 34:33).

From his example we can learn two important things:

1. God’s law must be respected. The veneration shown for the book of the law by King Josiah is wonderful.  These were not the words of men, but the words of God.  The people listened intently to His commands, and were moved to obedience.  May we have the same attitude toward God’s word as that expressed by the Psalmist, “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).
2. God’s law must be studied. It is not enough to venerate His word.  In order for us to please God we must obey His word.  In order to obey His word, we must be familiar with it.  The Hebrew writer criticized his readers for being slack in their study of God’s word.  He described them as having become “dull of hearing”, and admonished them, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).

The Bible contains the words and will of the Almighty God of heaven.  It is the product of inspiration, being literally, “God breathed.”  We are so blessed that God has expressed Himself to us.  It is through this we know what He expects of us, and also of the reward He has promised to those who “obey Him.” (cf. Hebrews 5:9).

What about you?  What is your attitude toward the Bible.  Have you looked at it as a dusty old book filled with ancient stories written in antiquated English?  Has it served more as a repository of family memories (cards, letters and pressed flowers) than as a daily guide for you in your life?  Or, do you count it as precious, and study and meditate on it daily.  Consider the words of the prophet Jeremiah:

“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

We must know God’s will to prosper in this life, and in the one to come.  How privileged we are to have access to the mind of God, revealed in His holy Scriptures!

In addition, we should follow God’s Powerful Standard. Just as the GPS has to make choices as to which road to go on, we also make decisions as to our eternal destination. God has created us in His image without sin when we are born, but at some point in our youth we choose to sin (Ezekiel 18:20; Jeremiah 3:25; James 1:13-16; Romans 3:23; 1 John 3:4). When we make choices based upon our feelings without divine revelation, the GPS tells us that it will eventually lead to eternal condemnation (Proverbs 14:12; Revelation 21:8). We cannot guide our own footsteps in righteousness (Jeremiah 10:23). Thankfully, through the power of His blood and resurrection from the dead, we can be born again to a living hope through the reliable standard of the Scriptures (John 11:25-26; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 19, 22-25). If you are not on the right road that leads to heaven (through God’s Powerful Standard), you will not escape the righteous judgment of God (Hebrews 4:12-13).

We must also avoid the Great Prowling Schemer (Satan). Realizing God’s Powerful Sight and following God’s Powerful Standard will put us on the right road, but through our journey, we will encounter many traffic snares, construction delays, and road blocks that we must detour around or persevere through. We also can be honestly and sincerely thinking we’re going the right way but still be wrong. An example of this is following a man made GPS and taking the wrong turn. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and uses those who appear to be righteous in order to deceive others (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Even though he appears innocent, we must not let our guard down, because the Bible describes Satan as a roaring lion seeking to devour souls (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is always scheming in order to get people to curse God and disobey Him (Job 1:11). But how does he get people to do that?

Satan can use families.

Satan took away everything Job had but allowed his wife to live so that she would do Satan’s bidding when she told Job to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). What if your loved one told you to quit serving God when you were suffering through trials? Would you do it? Job overcame the great prowling schemer and did not curse God (Job 1:22; 2:10). You must love Jesus more than any other family member and not give in when they tell you to sin; discourage you from doing what is right; or become your enemy; otherwise you are not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:34ff; Luke 6:46). Will you put on the whole armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm and overcome the schemes of Satan (Ephesians 6:10ff)?

Satan can use friendships.

The Bible warns about bad company corrupting good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33). But in an attempt to be popular, or get along with others in order to avoid persecution, many will decide to hang out with the wrong crowd. If you do this and continue to be their friends, ultimately, you will think, talk, dress and act like them. But if you delight in God’s word, you will overcome the GPS (Satan) by saying no to their enticements to sin (Psalms 1:1ff; Proverbs 1:10ff). Even if you have faithful friends, Satan can use them to lead you astray. They may judge you by appearance, traditions, or assumptions (Job 4:8; 8:8; 11:5-6; 19:14; 32:3; 42:7). Will you say no when your friends entice you to sin or will you give in to the great prowling schemer?

Satan can use ministers.

Satan disguises himself as a minister of righteousness so that he can deceive people into believing a lie. “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Satan can use his ministers to tell people… that “all roads lead to heaven”; “just accept Christ as your personal Savior and you will be saved” ;“once you’re saved, you’re always saved”; “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are honest and sincere”; etc. We must not think of any man above that which is written (1 Corinthians 4:6), and we must test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1) so that we will not fall victim to the deceptions of the Great Prowling Schemer.

Finally, we must obey God’s Plan of Salvation. With the man-made GPS, the mileage will change as you get closer to your destination. Even though there are different answers along the way, it is still accurate (unless it has malfunctioned). It is the same way concerning God’s plan of salvation. In the book of Acts, different answers are given to people depending on where they are at spiritually. They are not told everything they need to do at one time. Remember that the sum of God’s word is truth. (Psalms 119:160)

An unbeliever should examine the facts of the gospel so that he might believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God or he will die in his sins (John 20:30-31; 8:24). The only way anyone can have faith is by hearing God’s Powerful Standard (Romans 10:17), not by a vision, miracle, feeling, or strong conviction.

A person who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God must have the conviction to obey everything Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:15; Hebrews 5:8). A person who does not obey God’s plan of salvation will be punished forever in torment (2 Thessalonians 1:7ff).

The Ethiopian eunuch heard preaching about Jesus and asked what hindered him from being baptized. He was told if he believed with all his heart he could. Then he said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37). This was in accordance with Jesus’ command to believe and be baptized in order to be saved (Mark 16:15-16).

Those who were pricked in their heart that Jesus is Christ and Lord on the Day of Pentecost were told to repent and be baptized. Why? So that they could have the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38) A penitent believer was told to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Why was he baptized? So that his sins would be washed away. Then a Christian is told to learn to obey everything Jesus commanded and grow in the grace and knowledge of His will (Matthew 28:20; 2 Peter 3:18).

In conclusion, you will need to use your spiritual GPS (God’s Powerful Standard) everyday of your life so that you will be able to overcome the Great Prowling Schemer and obey God’s Plan of Salvation so that you can eventually go to heaven. Satan is trying to deceive people into believing that the way to heaven is broad and easy and many will go there. Do not be deceived! God’s Powerful Standard is narrow, difficult, and few will actually go to heaven. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

In the New Testament, we read of the following examples of monies from the church treasury being used for benevolent work. Physical needs.

In Acts 2:42-45 when Christians were in need of physical help, they divided their possessions with each other and shared. This was sharing with one another as Christians. Later (Acts 4:32-37) there was need among some Christians and this time the money was given through the church treasury (distributed by the apostles). Still later, (Acts 6:1-6) there was a need that arose of needy widows, and men were appointed to see that steps be taken to administer what was lacking.  Again, in Acts 11:27-30, Christians were made aware of a great need that would come to pass in the near future, and agreed to send funds to help those who were of God’s family. "Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea" (Acts 11:29).

Later still, when there arose a similar need among God’s people in Jerusalem, many brethren from all over sent material aid to help the needy saints.

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:  On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come"  (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his second letter he commended the faith and commitment of those of Macedonia for sending help to the needy saints.  "Imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints" (2 Corinthians 8:4).  Again we see  who Paul is speaking of who was to be helped, in the following:  "Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you" (2 Corinthians 9:1).  When Paul was on his tour of collecting these funds to take to the needy saints in Jerusalem he wrote to those of the church at Rome the following: "But now I am going to Jerusalem to  minister to the saints.  For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in  Jerusalem.  It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if  the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is  also to minister to them in material things.  Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of  you to Spain" (Romans 15:25-28).  Again I say, as individual Christians, we are to help everyone we find in need who is worthy.  But from the church treasury, in the area of physical needs (benevolence) the pattern God has given is for the money from His treasury to be used to for His people.  Brethren went with Paul to help in this task and each church sent its own messenger along (2 Corinthians 8:16-23). There was no "central control" or organization set up by some local "sponsoring" church or individual.  The monies gathered were either sent or carried directly to the needy church. It was placed in the hands of the elders for distribution to every person who had need.  "This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul" (Acts 11:30).

Though sincere, misguided brethren have been guilty of spending the Lord’s money to build and maintain homes for the aged and homes for homeless children without giving a thought as to whether or not the Lord has given His blessings to it. What does God say about taking care of the aged and homeless children? Does He have a pattern revealed to us as to how it is to be done? Let us look once more into the pages of Divine inspiration for the answer.

Regarding the care for the aged. The following is the pattern God has for caring for the elderly in need.  "Honor widows who are really widows.  But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God" (1 Timothy 5:3-4).

"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8).

"If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows" (1 Timothy 5:16).

It is obvious to the reader of these passages that God’s pattern for caring for the elderly needy is for the kinfolk to care for them that the church be "not burdened". Of course, if the elderly has no one who can care for them or will not, the church then has the authority to take care of their needs. (1 Timothy 5:16) "…that it may relieve them that are really widows." The church "relieving those who really are widows" simply means to provide for their needs whether groceries, rent, utilities or whatever the need is.  However, there is no authority found here for the building and maintaining of a "home for the aged" to take care of their needs.  Brethren are mixing up the "Who" with the "How".  The "Who" belongs to the kinfolk and the "How" is determined by what is the best way to do it. That’s called "expediency" or the best way for it to be done.

Regarding the care for homeless children.  Misguided brethren for years have used James 1:27 to prove that the church should care for these children who have no home.  Thus they claim to have the authority to build and staff a home for these children and pay for it out of the Lord’s treasury. For the very life of me, I have never been able to understand where they get such an idea. Look at the passage.  "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." If we would learn to study the Word of God and leave things in their proper context, we would have very few problems. Obviously, the entire chapter is dealing with individual responsibility.  In verses 2-8, James writes of the responsibility of the individual regarding adversity and the part it plays in our faith. In verses 13-16 the text admonishes us about personal responsibility regarding temptation and sin. Verses 21-27 contains admonition regarding refraining from sinful things and the admonition to understand personal responsibility as a Christian.  Involved in that context is the kind of life that produces pure religion. This includes the caring for widows and orphans but in it all, it belongs to the individual and not the church.  I admonish each to read and re-read the chapter.  You will see clearly that the text in James 1:27 is speaking of the individual’s responsibility and not the church.

Some would argue, "The church is made up of individuals and thus what the individual can do the church can do". Indeed, the church is made up of individuals, but there are things that are assigned to the individual that are not assigned to the church.  Look at Matthew 18:15-17. You will note that after you have gone, been rejected and then took witnesses with you it still must be taken to the church if you are then rejected. The group you had with you, though members of the church, did not make up the church for it then had to be carried to the church.  Look again at 1 Timothy 5:16.  The first responsibility of caring for needy parents is to the individual and in fact the text says for them to do is "and let not the church be burdened." If the elderly needy has no one who can or will care for them, then the church can do it.  But it first starts with the individual believer.

Does God have a pattern for carrying out His commands to care for the needy? Yes, indeed He does, and let us never forget what happens to those who ignore or reject His pattern and go about doing things in their own way. It will always bring the wrath of God upon them.

There are three areas of work, commissioned by God for the church.  The church is to preach the gospel to the lost in the world (evangelism), to engage in works of physical and material charity toward needy saints (benevolence), and to encourage and build up those of the household of faith (edification).

As with all things, we must let the scriptures define for us the work of edification, and the extent of that work, as authorized by God for the church.  The Bible is clear on this matter, and we can be sure of our standing before God by adhering to the Bible pattern in the work we do in building up the body of Christ.

First, the terms edification, edify and edifying are defined by Vine as denoting "(a) the act of building… this is used only figuratively in the N.T., in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth (lit., the things of building up)." (Vol. 2, page 17-18).  In the context of spiritual gifts, Paul wrote, "…Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:26).

Though the concept of edification (or, building one another up), can have many facets, we need to understand what the apostles meant when they called Christians to edify one another.  In other words, terms such as church, fellowship, gospel, etc., were common terms that had special meanings for God’s people.  Not all assemblies are the "church", not all sharing is Christian "fellowship", not all good news is the "Gospel", and likewise, not all building up is "Edification" as defined by God.

In recognition of the spiritual nature of the "building up" which is to be done, the apostle Paul wrote:

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; 16  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:11-16).

You will notice that such offices as apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher were commissioned by God to accomplish the spiritual growth of His people.  Such stand in stark contrast to those who seek to "edify" by departing from God’s pattern.  Not mentioned in that list are: social directors, chefs, recreation directors, etc.  The reason is simple.  While people indeed can be encouraged and benefited by such social activities, the work of edification, as defined by God in His holy scriptures, is of a higher, spiritual order.

It is interesting to note that the work of edification is inextricably linked to communication with God.  Whether it be by prayer, where we communicate with God; or through singing, preaching and teaching (apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher), where God through His word communicates with us; scriptural edification is a spiritual matter, not a social one.  If you want to be "built up", you need to meet with those of like precious faith in worship to God, not on the softball diamond.  Note: "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" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Some churches have built kitchens and halls for common meals, claiming that their authority falls under the work of edification.  Others have gone further, building gymnasiums, game rooms, and even bowling alleys with money taken from the Lord’s treasury, all under the guise of edification.  Where will it end?  I suppose that some churches may one day follow the example of Jim and Tammy Fay Baker, and build a theme park, complete with roller coasters and a midway, all in the name of edification.  Some may say, "Well, it does encourage me to be engaging in recreation in the presence of fellow Christians!"  Maybe so, but this "encouragement" falls far short of the biblical definition of edification.

More to the point, there is no pattern for gaining such spiritual growth through recreational or social means.  When works defined as "edifying" are related in scripture, they invariably are spiritual works.  We are edified through worship to God, prayer, singing, the preaching of the gospel of Christ.    As we are admonished to, "…see that you make all things according to the pattern…" (cf. Hebrews 8:5), such silence precludes our participating in such social activities as the church.

Do you want to follow God’s pattern for benevolence?  Then put off the trappings of the social gospel, and return to the pure efforts of edification as revealed in the Bible pattern, so that "the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16).

One example of this is found in the Israelites disregard for God’s pattern for transporting the ark of the covenant. God had directed only the house of Kohath was to carry the ark of the covenant, (cf. Numbers 4:15), but no one was to touch it. When the Israelites decided to move it on one occasion and did not follow the pattern God had set up, they were cursed in their efforts.  When Uzza reached out to keep the ark from falling, God struck him dead (1 Chronicles 13:7-10). Later, King David recognized his error (1 Chronicles 15:1-2), and corrected it. David also acknowledged his wrong. "For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order."  So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.   And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD"  (1 Chronicles 15:13-15).

As we look at the pattern or order that God has for supporting those who preach the Gospel, we see that many today are not following the divine pattern God has set. Today, among those who have chosen the wisdom of men above what God has said, "sponsoring churches" have been set up to receive funds from other congregations and, (the sponsoring churches), in turn send money to preachers. This may sound like a good way to take care of the preachers’ needs, but we must ask ourselves if this is in accord with the pattern set by God.  How were preachers supported in the first century?  How did the men in the days of the apostles receive their support in regard to money needed?  Let us look to the pages of divine inspiration and see how it was done so that we will have full assurance that if we do it the same way today, we will be following God’s pattern and thus be pleasing to Him.

When Paul was in need of support did several churches send to one church and have them send the funds needed to him? Look at the scriptures. "Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.  For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.  Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:15-18).  When Paul was at Corinth he received his support from several churches but they sent it direct to him and not through another church.  "I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.  And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself" (2 Corinthians 11:8-9). 

Money for the support of an evangelist was not only not sent through another church, it was sent direct to him and not through any church. Compare that today to those who are practicing the "sponsoring church" arrangement where one church collects money from several churches and then sends the money. One may say, "What is wrong with that?" and the answer comes from Holy script, It does not fit the pattern! Remember what happened to Uzza who, no doubt in all good conscience, touched the ark to keep it from falling? He was struck dead! May we get back to respecting and observing God’s order or pattern in all things. If you are a preacher, does your support come to you direct from a contributing church?  Or does it come from a church that has been used to collect funds from other churches and then send those funds on to you?  Are you worshiping with a church that is involved in such a sponsoring church arrangement?  If so, that church is not following the divine pattern.  Think about it.