LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

Jesus Ate with Publicans and Sinners BY ERIC OBENG ASANTE . There is no doubt that Jesus was among publicans and sinners and ate with them. What was He doing? Was he gambling with them? Was He smoking with them? Drinking intoxicating drink with them? Cursing and laughing at dirty jokes? Was He being complicit with them as they sinned more? One thing that we know Jesus was not doing is practicing sin with them or “approving of those who do such things” (Romans 1:32), which would also be a sin. When Jesus was eating with sinners it was to “call them to repentance.” Sinners that Jesus ate with were those sinners that were looking for a better way of life and had invited Jesus to eat with them so that they could learn from Him. The kinds of sinners Jesus did not waste time with were sinners who were hardened in sin and who “hated the light and would not come to the light lest their deeds be exposed” (John 3:20). There are sinners that you cannot help. ...

Can We Trust Our Feelings About Salvation? BY ERIC OBENG ASANTE Some people claim to rely solely on their feelings for assurance of personal salvation. They may say, "I know that I am saved because I feel that I am." They will often ignore very plain passages in the Bible about salvation because of a "feeling" that they have. Some are heard to say, as they pat their chest, "I would not give up this feeling that I have in my heart for all of the Bibles in the world." Are our feelings the correct way to determine if we are saved or not? Suppose we were to ask the attendant at a delicatessen for a pound of sliced ham. What would we do if the person got some meat and said, "This feels like a pound, four dollars please"? We would probably ask the person to weigh the meat. Further, many people have felt fine just prior to the time that they died. Thus, feelings are not always reliable as to our physical health. There are many examples in secular ma...

It's Not How You Feel BY ERIC OBENG ASANTE . Does it "feel good?" Does it feel "right?" If so, today's culture says, "go for it!" Thus, we make "right" what our feelings say it is, rather than what it really is. Somehow, we have reached the point in contemporary reasoning that most say that one can pursue his individual dream without having to confront the consequences of bad or wrong choices. Believe in God, or not; accept Christ, or not; live morally, or not--to those people, it is all the same. Do what you want to do, what you feel like doing, what you think is right in doing, and God will just set aside His rules to approve of you regardless. We confuse civic freedom with divine approval, and so long as it is "legal" (and some are not too "picky" about that), it is seen as acceptable. The question is, "Is our standing with God determined by our feelings, or by the rule of divine law?" Is it a matter of...

All Feeling, No Proof The current rash or tongue-speaking, miracle-sanctioning, and the far more common errors concerning direct Spirit indwelling, that infects many institutional churches of Christ, was not brought to earth in the Apollo 11 moon dust. It sprang from causes within the ranks. Last month we suggested that reaction to coldness may have triggered some of this error. As an interrelated cause, some sought to promote “genuine worship” with material props, such as dimmed lights, mood music (a cappella, of course) and other “devotional” clap-trap; and the resulting emotionalism was glibly assigned to the Holy Spirit. Serving God “from the heart” involves the emotions, to be sure — but such emotions as proceed from knowledge of God’s will, and desire to serve Him. The “art work” and parties of the popular Young People’s Classes produce only a superficial knowledge of the Bible, (“doctrinal” studies, y...

Paul’s Condemnation of Will-Worship The church at Colossae was troubled by a heretical movement that seriously compromised the integrity of the Christian gospel. It was a conglomerate mixture of Judaism, asceticism (radical self-abuse), and proto-Gnosticism. For an extended discussion, see Lightfoot (1892, 71-111). One aspect of the heresy depicted by Paul was this: Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility [falsely motivated], and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh" (Col. 2:23). Of special interest for this study is the term “will-worship.” It is from the compound Greek word ethelothreskeia, which has two roots, ethelo, “to will,” and threskeia, which has to do with “religious worship.” First we focus upon the term ethelo, “to will.” Some suggest that it conveys the impression of “to seize with the mind,” to have resolve or determination r...

What About Mechanical Instruments of Music in Christian Worship? “Why don’t we use instruments of music in our worship?” Tragically, so many members of the Lord’s church these days appear to be untaught as to exactly why churches of Christ refrain from instrumental accompaniment in their worship. The simplest, most concise answer is this: It is a matter of authority. There is no authority for the use of a mechanical instrument in Christian worship. We are not concerned with how the ancient pagan worshiped his gods. Nor is the Hebrew method of worship germane, since that system was abrogated by the death of Christ (Rom. 7:4; Gal. 3:24-25; Col. 2:14). For this age, the crucial question is: How is the Christian authorized to worship? In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote: “And whatsoever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus . . .” (3:17). The expression “word or deed” encompasses two realms — teach...

Clapping as an Accompaniment to Singing in Worship The practice apparently has its origin in the youth-devotional phenomenon of a few years back, but now is gaining some mainline defense. It is argued that clapping as a rhythmic form of accompaniment to singing in Christian worship is not an “addition” to the singing (as is a mechanical instrument); it merely is an aid — comparable to a song book. Aid or Addition This is the argument the Christian Church has made for years regarding a tuning fork or pitch pipe. These folks contend that the musical instrument is equivalent to the pitch pipe — just an aid; thus, both are permissible in the worship. In essence, N. B. Hardeman responded to the rationalization in this fashion. The pitch pipe is not parallel to the piano because the pitch pipe has “enough sense to shut its mouth” before the singing begins; the piano “blabs” all the way through the song! A pitch pipe aids in obtaining the p...

What Is the Church of Christ? The New Testament is the only place to which we can turn to learn about the church of Christ. We recall that the church is described as the eternal purpose of God (Eph. 3:9-11). It is obviously very important. It is necessary, therefore, that we are educated by the New Testament and not by the ideas of men. The New Testament teaches us what the church is, and what the church should be today, according to the plan of God. First, the church was built and purchased by Christ (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28). No one has the right to start a church as a divinely approved institution (cf. 1 Cor. 1:10-13). Christ, the Son of God, is the only one qualified, and he has established his church (cf. Eph. 4:4; 1:22-23). After religious division arose within the church at Corinth, Paul asked some probing questions. “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:13). The church belongs to Christ on the basis o...

The Establishment of the Church of Christ The precious organism, known in the common versions of the New Testament as the church of Jesus Christ, is a unique entity. Its pristine integrity must ever be preserved, and its beauty valued by every genuine Christian of the modern world. The church is a body of baptized believers who have been called—through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14)—into a special relationship with God. That it shares a bond with the workings of Jehovah throughout the history of the Old Testament era will scarcely be denied. It is not surprising, therefore, that the nomenclature applied to the people of God in the New Testament should find some parallel in the literature of the Old Testament. The Lord’s people under the former regime were designated as “Israel.” The church is the new “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16; Romans 2:28-29). As the church is now God’s ekklesia (the called out), so there was an ekklesia (congr...

Was Cornelius Saved Without Baptism? “Was Cornelius, the Roman centurion of Acts chapter ten, saved before and without baptism?” Some so claim. They reason in this fashion: Cornelius received the Holy Spirit prior to being baptized (Acts 10:44-48). But only a child of God receives the Holy Spirit. Thus, Cornelius was a child of God before his baptism. The argument is invalid for several reasons: First, Cornelius’ reception of the Holy Spirit represented a very unique situation. He was the first Gentile to be offered the gospel. This was a revolutionary step in the unfolding of God’s scheme of redemption. The fact is, the supernatural work of the Spirit in this case had nothing at all to do with Cornelius’ personal salvation. The outpouring of the Spirit was to persuade the Jews that Gentiles had a right to the kingdom of heaven, as well as Jews. Note these passages: “And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with P...

120 Received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-4? I have been told, by many preachers of the United Pentecostal persuasion, and many others, that the 120 in Acts 1:15 received the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit!" All one has to do is look at the context of Acts 1-6 and he can see clearly that the 120 did not receive the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit." In Acts 1:2 the word Apostles is used and the "them" in Acts 1:3 refers to the apostles. So, also, is the pronoun "you" found in Acts 1:4. It is said to the apostles, Acts 1:5, "for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence." This promise is made to the apostles — it is a promise and not a command, Acts 1:4. Acts 1:3 says, "to whom he showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God." There were fifty days from t...

21 Reasons Why You Should Be Scripturally Baptized 1. Because God commands it. Acts 10:48 2. To fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:15 3. To be a friend of Christ. John 15:14 4. Because you love God. I John 5:3; John 14:15 5. Lest you reject the council of God against yourself. Luke 7:30 6. To COMPLETE the “new birth.” John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5 7. To enter the kingdom. John 3:5 8. For remission of sins. Acts 2:38 9. To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 10. In order to be saved. Mark 16:16 11. To wash away your sins. Acts 22:16 12. To get into the death of Jesus where blood was shed. Romans 6:3 13. To be buried with Christ. Romans 6:4 14. To be raised with Christ. Romans 6:4; Colossians. 3:1; 2:12 15. To rise to walk in the newness of life. Romans 6:4 16. To be a child of God by faith. Galatians 3:26-27 17. To get into the body, which is the Church. I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18 18. To have a good conscience. I Peter 3:21 19. To get INTO Ch...

Can Man Be Saved Without Baptism? Brother Lipscomb: Do the Scriptures say that no one can be saved without baptism, or is it only an inference? If an inference, are not all creeds founded on inferences? I have been reading your paper [The Gospel Advocate] some time, and I like it very well. Inferences are of different degrees of certainty. A necessary inference is regarded but little, if any, short of a positive declaration or command. Whatever is necessary to the attainment of an end is necessarily inferred as embraced in the command. It is a necessary inference that he must do all these things requisite to obtain an end, because the thing commanded cannot be done without doing these necessary things. We, on the other hand, infer things on slight unnecessary grounds. Nothing save a necessary inference should be regarded as authoritative. While it is not said in the Scriptures no one can be saved without baptism, it is true that the only plan for saving sinners that God has revealed ...

Baptized but Not Converted Years ago in a home Bible study, the couple with whom we were studying complained that the words I was using were too big. Being somewhat inexperienced in home Bible studies, I was surprised by their complaint. The words about which they were complaining were all words found in the Bible. I offered to try to explain any word I had used which they did not understand. One of the words they asked me to define was conversion. That very week the local newspaper had reported the construction of a sea-water conversion facility to begin near San Diego, California. I asked if they had read that article. They had. They understood the facility was to remove the impurities from the sea-water entering it and produce pure water. Working from this understanding, I pointed out that the facility was called a conversion facility because it converted impure water into pure water. Returning to biblical usage of the word, we noted that conversion involves the removal of the imp...

Born Again Into The Kingdom The church is the people who are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9). The kingdom includes only those who are "delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13). One enters the kingdom by the birth of water and of the Spirit and not by a physical birth (John 3:5). Among religious people it is almost universally accepted that one must be "born again" in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is the means by which one gets into the kingdom of God. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and acknowledged him to be a great teacher from God. Jesus came directly to the point by saying unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Tha...

The Bible Puts Baptism Between the Sinner and His Salvation! I am not responsible for the place baptism occupies in God's plan of salvation. Nor was I consulted in the matter. Had the Lord taken the matter up with me, I suppose I would have very strongly advised against it, because it has proved to be such a stumbling block to so many of weak faith. And, too, I have never had any faith in baptism for salvation. But I do have sublime faith in the One who said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). It is because of Him that I set it forth. Baptism seems to be a supreme test of faith for so many people, maybe that is why the Lord set it in the plan of salvation. The idea of the ark during the days of Noah probably didn't stack up as such a brilliant idea to those folk before it began to rain (Genesis 6-8). And raising a brazen serpent in the wilderness wouldn't have been featured in my medical journals as a remedy for snake-bite (Number 2...