Sermon on Complacency

Complacency:  Neglecting Salvation and Drifting Away.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For

since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 2:1-4

1.       Neglecting salvation.

2.       Declared at first by the Lord.

3.       Attested by those who heard.

4.       God bearing witness by signs and wonders and miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

1.       Neglecting salvation.

      Neglect is ameleoo, to be unconcerned about. A lot of religious people show they are unconcerned about their salvation because they don’t bother to thoroughly check what they’ve been taught about it. They just assume that what they’ve been taught must be the truth, and so they must be saved. This despite Jesus’ emphatic warning in Matthew 7:13-27, and the fact that different churches teach different ways of being saved:

•         faith only,

•         sinner’s prayer,

•         believe, repent, be baptized,

•         speaking in tongues after baptism,

                etc., etc.

2.       Declared at first by the Lord.

      Well, Jesus said in His great commission:

      And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  Mark 16:15-16

      So Jesus declared here what constituted salvation under the New Covenant.

Not only did He declare it, he also added in verses 17-18:

      And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

       And then Mark summarised what would take place as this salvation was spread abroad, after Jesus had ascended to heaven to be with God:

      So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

Exactly what our Hebrews 2 passage said about signs and wonders bearing witness.

3.       Attested by those who heard.

      The first people to attest of this salvation were those on Pentecost as described in Acts 2:

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Acts 2:21

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three

thousand souls. Acts 2:36-41

4.       God bearing witness by signs and wonders and miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Observe that miraculous confirming testimony accompanied this salvation:

(i)       The tongue-speaking of the apostles, Acts 2:1-4

Notice that immediately after the tongue-speaking, and the question as to what it all meant (vs.12), Peter proceeds to preach the saving gospel that is then followed by 3000 repenting and being baptized and saved.

(ii)      Apostolic wonders and signs:

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. Acts 2:42-43

What Mark said would happen is recorded as happening - right at the beginning of the apostles’ work in witnessing of Jesus’ salvation in Acts 2.

·     Mark 16:15-20 has Jesus declaring His salvation with the accompanying signs and wonders.

·     Acts 1:8 has Jesus telling the apostles they will receive the Spirit to enable them to be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.

·     Acts 2 shows it happening and those who heard the message of salvation attesting.

·     Precisely as Hebrews 2 said had happened.

Then as we proceed further though the Acts of the Apostles we see the message of salvation going to people who are not Jews, notably the first Gentile – the Roman centurion, Cornelius, who stated: “we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” Acts 10:33.

Peter preaches the gospel. Vss.34-43

God bears witness as Cornelius speaks in tongues and extols God, vss.44-46. Peter then commands the water baptism, vs.47-48, that Jesus had said was necessary for the salvation of Jews and Gentiles without discrimination. Cornelius also attests as one who heard “such a great salvation.”

Whether Jew or Gentile are saved, salvation is the same for all. As Ephesians 4:5 summarises:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:1-8.

One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father over all, through all and in all. And the “gifts of the Spirit, distributed according to His will” that Hebrews 2 had mentioned - the churches at Corinth and Ephesus being further examples of signs confirming the message of  salvation, 1 Cor 1:1-9; 12-14; Acts 19:1-7; Ephesians 4:7-16, as well as gifts for service.

The “calling with which you have been called” (note 1 Corinthians 1:2) is what the hearer must pay much closer attention to - the salvation that must never be neglected. To call upon the name of the Lord is to believe, repent and be baptized. See Acts 22:16 as a clear proof. But also compare Acts 2:21 and 2:37-39, and 1 Corinthians 12:3-13. The Spirit revealed His truth, confirmed it with signs, wonders and various gifts, and was then given as a seal of salvation to those who obeyed. Ac 5:32; Eph 1:13-14.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts“ Hebrews 3:7-8. A warning to those saved, but might drift away, and to those not truly saved in the first place.

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, Hebrews 5:8-9

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:19-23

 

David Carr

 

What is the plan of salvation?

GOD’S WONDERFUL PLAN OF SALVATION

 

From time to time, at least twice a year, I try to present to my readers God’s gracious plan of salvation as set forth in the New Testament.  A number of my readers have never obeyed the gospel of Christ and are therefore in a lost state (II Thessalonians 1:6-10).  I have a deep and sincere love for them and their souls and a compelling desire to share God’s wonderful plan of salvation with them.  I want all of them to hear and understand the pure gospel of Christ, as opposed to a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-9), and I want all of them to know God’s simple plan of salvation as opposed to corruptions of that plan by the doctrines, commandments, and traditions of men (Matthew 15:8-9; II Timothy 4:3-5). The so-called “Sinner’s Prayer,” currently being promoted on television by Franklin Graham, is a travesty of what God’s word teaches about salvation.  I urge all to read all the passages cited in this essay. 

 

Salvation begins with the recognition that one is a sinner, and therefore lost and in need of salvation (Romans 3:23; Titus 3:3).  God, in His matchless grace (His graciousness), gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as the atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead that we might be saved.  This is the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-5).  And it is this gospel that is God’s power to save those who will believe and obey it (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 6:16-18).  Now follow these Bible steps.

 

HEAR THE GOSPEL.  Christ commissioned the teaching and preaching of the gospel in all nations to every creature until the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).  No one can be saved without hearing the gospel.

 

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.  The gospel is God’s power to save those who will believe it (Romans 1:16).  Without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  Christ declared, “For if you do not believe that I am He (the Messiah, the Savior of the world, hf) you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

 

REPENT OF ALL SIN.  God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).  To repent means to change one’s mind, leading to a change of actions and a change of spiritual direction in one’s life.  If one is in Nashville, TN and wants to go to Knoxville but finds himself on I-40 West headed toward Memphis, he must turn around and head in the opposite direction.  Spiritually, one must do this with reference to the direction of his/her life.  That is repentance.

 

CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST.  One must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37 [KJV]).

 

BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN.  Christ made baptism a condition of salvation from sin.  He said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16a).  In the New Testament sinners were told, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin” (Acts 2:38).  Baptism is an immersion in water (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12).  Those who have only been sprinkled or had water poured on them (either as infants or as adults) have not been scripturally baptized.  Those submitting to human substitutes for God’s divine ordinance and those being immersed to “unite with the church” but not in order to receive the remission of their sins (or some biblically synonymous reason) need to make their calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10-11).

 

LIVE A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE.  Add to your life the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-9).  Avoid the works of the flesh and manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).  Always abound in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).  Be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

 

These are the divine actions that every accountable being must take in order to be saved from sin, enter into a right relationship with God, be added to the one church (body) of Christ, and maintain a right relationship with Him.  Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). If I can study with you and assist you in obeying the gospel of our Lord, please feel free to contact me by responding to this message via email.  I want all to understand and obey God’s wonderful plan of salvation.  Remember: “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man given in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

 

Hugh Fulford

 

Did Alexander Campbell found the Church of Christ?

Alexander Campbell and the Church of Christ

Members of the Lord's church are sometimes erroneously referred to as "Campbellites." What exactly is behind such appellation?

It is a tiresome thing to have to respond, again and again, to the same misguided (and frequently dishonest) charges. But one is compelled, from time to time, to do so.

First, Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) never started a church (or claimed such), even though reference works frequently refer to him as "founder" of the "Christian Churches" and "Churches of Christ."

It is a tragedy that the man who Iabored the bulk of his adult life with a view to encouraging others to abandon sectarianism should himself be accused of being the head and founder of the "Campbellite" church. The reformer utterly repudiated the designation. In 1826 Campbell wrote: "Some religious editors in Kentucky call those who are desirous of seeing the ancient order of things restored, "the Restorationers," "the Campbellites". . . This may go well with some; but all who fear God and keep his commands will pity and deplore the weakness and folly of those who either think to convince or to persuade by such means" (The Christian Baptist, Vol. IV, pp. 88-89).

In 1828 Mr. Campbell responded to the question: "What is Campbellism?" in the following fashion: "It is a nickname of reproach invented and adopted by those whose views, feelings and desires are all sectarian - who cannot conceive of Christianity in any other light than an ISM" (Christian Baptist, Vol. V, p. 270).

lt is a matter of historical record that there were churches of Christ - both in Europe and in America - before Alexander Campbell had a clear concept of what primitive Christianity was all about. Leslie G. Thomas has documented New Testament churches in Scotland, England, and Ireland, dating between 1778 and 1810 (The Restoration Handbook, p. 73). Historical accounts reveal that the Old Philadelphia congregation of the Lord's people, which was near Morrison, Tennessee, was organized in the year 1810. Alexander Campbell was not baptized until 1812, and he continued to he affiliated with the Baptistsuntil the 1820s.

Churches of Christ do not owe their origin to Campbell or any other human leader.  The fact that some, therefore, delight in using the term "Campbellite" to refer to those who choose to be called simply "Christians," rather than wearing humanly-devised titles, is more of a commentary upon their characters than anything else.

Why is it that so many religionists have such a difficult time being comfortable with the name "Christian," and that alone (cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16)? The use of human titles is sinful (cf. 1 Cor 1:10ff).

- by Wayne Jackson

 

A Christian lives with sin taken care of: atoned for by Christ's death and resurrection, forgiven by God, and with the sure hope of heaven secure

1.  I believe that Jesus died a death that paid the price for my sin.

2.  I believe that God raised Him from that death as proof that the debt has been paid.

3.  I repent of my sin - knowing it was part of the problem God had to deal with, and I realize that it would be inconsistent to believe Jesus died for my sins and yet not be sorry enough, regarding the trouble they cause me and God, to want to turn away from them.

4.  I confess my faith in the resurrected Jesus as Lord, so that I can be accepted for  baptism.

5.  I will be baptized (immersed) in water in faith …

(i)   so that I can unite with Christ’s death and resurrection;

(ii)  so that my sins can be washed away by Christ’s blood;

(iii)  so that I can become a child of God;

(iv) so that God can forgive my sins;

(v)  so that I can be saved;

(vi) so that I can receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.

(vii) so that my conscience will be clear.

(viii) so that I have a living hope;

(ix) because saving faith is obedient faith and confident faith.

6.  I agree that all that I do above will not earn my salvation and forgiveness, but is done because I accept that God’s forgiveness of my sins is always and only by His grace.

 

* In days gone by, Christ in the Spirit preached his message of saving good news through Noah - a preacher of righteousness. Only 8 listened. So today: Christ in the Spirit preaches His saving  gospel through preachers of righteousness. Am I listening? Will my answer secure me a good conscience?

 

The following Scriptures provide support for all the above points:

Romans 3:23-26

John 8:24

John 14:1-6

Acts 2:22-24

Acts 17:30-31

Acts 2:37-38

Mark 16:15-16

Acts 16:30-34

*1 Peter 3:18-22

Acts 8:26-39

Acts 22:16

Galatians 3:26-27

Revelation 1:5

Hebrews 9:13-14

Hebrews 10:22

1 Peter 1:3-5,18-25

Romans 1:5,16-17

Hebrews 5:8-9

* Romans 6:3-23

Ephesians 2:8-9

Titus 3:1-7

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

John 20:30-31

Romans 10:17

* 2 Peter 2:4-10

Luke 8:10-21

Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:5-19; 4:1-13

*Romans 10:8-18

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

David Carr

Why did Luke Write his Gospel and his Acts of the Apostles?

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4

Eyewitnesses told what they had seen. Luke checked these reports and then wrote his own orderly and accurate account so that Theophilus could see that God's plan – to get the gospel to Rome – worked in history as in His mind . Hearsay – unverified rumour – became Godsay: God-verified truth!

"The things you have been taught" - is "katēchēthēs logōn", which means "words taught orally." This is the word from which we get "catechism". "The prefix kata lends the idea 'exactly,' indicating how oral instruction skilfully brought a subject from one level to another to reach precise and growing understanding." (Strong). Yet Apollos's "katechesis" had left him misinformed. See Acts 18:24-26, and later discussion. Now Luke is giving Theophilus written confirmation of what he had earlier heard through word-of-mouth teaching. Didasko is the other word for to teach, as with Jesus in Acts 1:1.

Was Luke writing to a believer who needed written confirmation of what he had been taught orally, or was he giving a brief to a Roman judicial investigator connected with Paul's upcoming trial before Emperor Nero? Theophilus means "dear to God, friend of God or loved by God"  and we would like to think that Theophilus was indeed a friend of God because he would accept Luke's evidence given to assure him of its accuracy. Compare whom Jesus regarded as his friends in John 15:14.

Peter says in 2 Peter 1:19 that "we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." Compare Acts 18:24-26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Hebrews 2:3-4.

I'm sure Luke wanted Theophilus to "pay attention" with "the morning star arising in his heart"!!

Christian Cheong wrote:

Luke wrote to affirm Theophilus' faith.

• He investigated all that has been fulfilled (meaning from the Scriptures), gathered the evidences from eyewitnesses, and penned down the Gospel for Theophilus, so that he may know the certainty of the things he has been taught.

• Yes, Theophilus 'has been taught'; he is a believer. Luke writes to strengthen his faith in Jesus.

• His identity is not known but likely a man of status because Luke addresses him 'most excellent'.

• Luke himself is not an apostle but a Gentile believer and a travelling companion of Paul. We get to know that he is a physician because Paul mentioned it in Col 4:14.

Luke writes to strengthen Theophilus in the faith, so that he can be 'certain of the things he has been taught', the 'good news' about Jesus.

Acts 1:3 "After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that   he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God."

• Our faith is rooted and grounded in HISTORY, not some "cleverly devised stories or fables". The

apostles were all eye-witnesses of Christ, His death and resurrection (cf. 2 Pet 1:16).

• None of the apostles doubted His death, but they needed some convincing regarding His resurrection.

• Jesus showed Himself repeatedly and gave them 'many convincing proofs that he was alive', over a period of 40 days. They were STRENGTHENED BY THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST.

Theophilus can be assured that Christ is risen and is with them. It is not a spiritual tale or fable,

not some kind of hallucination. Jesus ate with them.

• Luke seems to emphasize this. They had fellowship over meals. 1:4 "On one occasion while

he was eating with them…" he gave them a command (1:4).

• In Luke 24 Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus … and had a meal with them in the

house: Luke 24:30-31 "When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them … and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight."

This is certainly a possible interpretation of who Theophilus is. On "the things you have been taught," compare Acts 18:24-26, where Apollos had been orally taught about Jesus but knew only the baptism of John, until Priscilla and Aquila "explained to him the way of God more accurately." Also compare Ephesians 4:21; Hebrews 2:3-4; 5!12 for the need of being taught and paying attention. Now to Acts:

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:1-8

(Interestingly, Acts 1:2 shows the role of the Holy Spirit in the authoritative instruction given to the apostles after the resurrection of Jesus. Compare Luke 24:44-49; John 7:37-39; 16:12-16; 20:20-23; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16.)

Returning to Luke 1:1-4, in another interpretation, John W. Mauck in his 2001 book, Paul On Trial: The Book Of Acts As A Defense Of Christianity, believes Theophilus, to whom Luke addressed both books, was the Judicial Investigator for all trials before Caesar, and that he wrote them to bolster Paul's defence when he stood before the emperor.

"I contend that Luke investigated, gathered facts, borrowed from other sources, and edited them for a different and definite purpose: He wrote a legal 'brief' to defend Paul against charges of fomenting civil insurrection and, by extension, to defend all of Christianity against the charge that it was an illegal religion. His original reader, Theophilus, was, the evidence will show, the Roman official responsible for the judicial investigation of trials to be conducted before the Emperor Nero. Luke, true to his reputation as an evangelist, crafted his brief to present the gospel so that even the very investigator would come to believe in Jesus."

In Luke 1, Luke says he researched all reports to write "an orderly account" so that Theophilus "may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." What Theophilus had "been taught," if we knew exactly what that was referring to, would no doubt clear up some of the mystery surrounding who he was and what he had heard. Apollos, we learn in Acts 18:24-28, had also first been orally taught, and left with an incorrect understanding of baptism until taught (here the word is not the one for oral teaching) more accurately by Priscilla and Aquila. Also note "instruction about baptisms" in Hebrews 6:2, where the word for instruction, again, is not the word for oral teaching.

Luke's gospel is an account of Christ's birth until His ascension, while Acts is an account of Jesus' promising that the apostles would take the gospel to the "end of the earth" – the biggest portion being about Paul's conversion from Judaism and his defending himself against Jewish accusations as he travelled to Rome to stand trial before Nero. Along the way, as we read in Acts 10, 13 and 16, some Romans became Christians! Paul himself was a Roman citizen. Acts 16:37-38, Acts 22:25-28.  Luke might therefore have been giving corroborating evidence to back up Paul's own defence and ensure that Theophilus – if he was the judicial investigator - had the truth regarding what had happened to Paul, which truth would confirm or correct what he had been orally taught. It is of the greatest importance that in Acts, when Paul is defending himself against these accusations before governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa, his defence includes the Abrahamic connection to Jesus, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and his own conversion. Paul is on trial for what God Himself had originally promised to Abraham and then made happen!! Luke's brief includes the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, which happened in fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 12,15 and 22. Thus Luke verifies what Paul said as he was making his defences.

And as John Mauck wrote, "Luke, true to his reputation as an evangelist, crafted his brief to present the gospel so that even the very investigator would come to believe in Jesus."

And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7

to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this

hope I am accused by Jews, O king … 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God,

and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles." Acts 26:6-7,22-23

As part of his defence, Paul includes truth from the Old Testament - truth that his Jewish accusers, and governor Festus and King Agrippa, should also believe:

But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." 28And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" 29And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains."

30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment." 32And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." Acts 26:25-32

It is also fascinating to read Acts 25 when Paul is brought before Judaean governor Festus and King Agrippa, and Festus then briefs King Agrippa. Note their concern for justice. Here's a bit of that:

So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him." Acts 25:23-27

In his Book of Acts, Luke includes Paul's preaching in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch – which was well before his arrest. His preaching, whether before or after his accusers had him arrested, was always based on the testimony of the Old Testament which all true Jews would know is God's truth:

So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' 23Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised … 26"Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead, 31and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, "'You are my Son, today I have begotten you.' Acts 13:16-23,26-33

  As in that sermon, so everywhere, the resurrection of Jesus is a central theme in Luke's presentations 

to Theophilus:

1.     In his gospel, Jesus is shown to predict his resurrection in 9:21-22,30-31; 18:31-33; 20:9-16; 23:39-43, and then reveals the resurrection itself and some of what proved the resurrection. 24:1-53.   

2.     In Acts 1:3, "he presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God."

3.     Then Jesus tells his disciples they will be his witnesses to the ends of the earth, before he then ascends in a cloud. Acts 1:3,8-9.

4.     The resurrected Jesus appears to Paul on the Damascus road, and Paul is converted. Acts 9:1-21.

5.     All the sermons in Acts, as well as Paul's defences, include the resurrection. Acts 2:22-32; 13:28-31; 17:31; 22:6-8; 23:6; 24:20-21; 25:19; 26:6-8,22-23; 28:31.

6.     In one of Paul's sermons before the Sanhedrin, Luke includes these words from Paul: "Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial." Acts 23:6. The Sadducees deny the idea of resurrection.

The resurrection is crucial to Paul's defence: he includes it in his sermons and defences before the Jews, governors and King Agrippa, and it is the only thing that can explain his own conversion from Judaism to Christianity.

Everything that Luke includes in His gospel, as well as his Acts of the Apostles, backs up Paul's own claim that the resurrected Jesus appeared to him. In one of his sermons recorded by Luke in Acts 13, Paul speaks of God raising David to be king, from whose  "offspring God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised."   David then, in one of his Psalms, predicts the resurrection of Jesus:

And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised.  Acts 13:22-23

 

And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, "'You are my Son, today I have begotten you.' 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'  35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, "'You will not let your Holy One see corruption.' 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Acts 13:32-37

 

Luke records Paul arguing the Psalm is saying that Jesus – not David – did not see corruption! And the argument from Paul is basically the same argument the apostle Peter had earlier used in Acts 2:22-36 when he refers to the same Psalm Paul had. Paul wasn't there to hear Peter's sermon!

 

And so we have Luke, David, Peter and Paul all testifying of the resurrection of Christ. The witness list, in favour of Paul, is growing!! If the investigator is Luke's addressee, he will have to decide if Paul and Luke are more convincing than the Jewish accusers. The things Paul is saying were "nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."

Any intelligent, fair-minded judge – whether Jewish or Roman – would be able to see that Paul was not talking through his hat, and that therefore his Jewish accusers had no case!

If Theophilus is another believer who needs his faith strengthened, then Luke has surely accomplished this for him. Theophilus means "dear to God", or "friend of God,"  and we would want Theophilus to be indeed dear to God because he believed Luke's evidence (and Paul's own defence at the trial if he was the judicial investigator) and perhaps even become a Christian himself if he is not already one!

Remember, Romans worshipped their emperor, the pantheon of gods, and their ancestors and ancestral gods and spirits. For a Roman to turn from his gods to the only true God was repentance indeed.  Repentance is a huge theme in Luke's writings, Luke 3:7-14; 13:3; 15:1―16:31; 24:44-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19-20; 8:22; 17:16-31, just as the repentant turning from idols is found many times in the New Testament. Romans 1:18-25; Galatians 1:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9;  2:13; 1 John 5:20-21 – and especially  God's attempts to turn Romans from their demons, sorceries and idols as in Revelation 9:16-21.

In the 2000 years since Luke and Theophilus lived, Luke's writing was written for all people everywhere interested in the "salvation of God" in  Christ Jesus. Luke began in Luke 3:6 by quoting Isaiah who wrote that "all flesh would see the salvation of God." In Luke 19:9-10, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he [Zacchaeus the tax collector] also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." And it all ended in Acts 28:28 when Paul in Rome said: "this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will also listen." (My thanks to The Role and Function of Repentance in Luke-Acts, by Guy D. Nave, Jr', who brings this salvation truth to light.)

 

Shortly after Luke and Acts were written, Jerusalem was destroyed and Revelation penned. Jesus' life, death and resurrection to save sinners everywhere, and the beginning and growth of the church, all occurred while the Roman Empire was ruling the world, and even with its assistance. It was the Romans who destroyed Jerusalem – but not the church – and the Book of Revelation shows that Christ's kingdom is mightier than the Roman Empire that persecuted Christians late 1^st century. "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22

 

David Carr

 

Find more of my Free Bible articles on authors den!

 

Mississippi family survives tornado inside concrete safe room as storm destroys 'everything'" by Travis Fedschun

The Safe Place

Andrew Phillips and his wife, Amber, were watching an online worship service
last Sunday when a terrible storm hit their community of Moss, Mississippi.
Andrew, a volunteer firefighter, started tracking the weather on his fire
radio and online. When the tornado warning sounded, Andrew hurried his
family - his wife and their two small children, ages 2 and 6 months - into a
closet in their home. Andrew saw the funnel cloud outside, grabbed some
pillows from his bedroom, and rushed into the closet to shield his family.

"I was in there about 20 seconds when it hit," Andrew told the Associated
Press.

The tornado obliterated their home, all except the closet in which the
family had taken refuge. The closet is actually a safe-room, made out of
concrete blocks, that doubles as a closet. The safe-room was one of the
reasons the Phillips had recently purchased the home. The home was equipped
with the FEMA-approved safe-room which, according to the organization, is a
"hardened structure specifically designed to meet FEMA criteria and provide
life-safety protection in extreme wind, including tornadoes and hurricanes."
Because they had taken refuge in the safe-room, the four of them survived
without a scratch. *

There is only one eternally secure place that will survive the storms of
this life and the judgment of God upon sin. That safe place is "in Christ
Jesus." "In Christ" is an often used phrase in Scripture that describes the
saving relationship that one has with God when one has accepted God's offer
of salvation and eternal life on His terms.

"In Christ" is where all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3).
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). "In Him we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace"
(Ephesians 1:7). We are "justified freely by His grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). "But now in Christ Jesus
you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ"
(Ephesians 2:13). "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2
Corinthians 5:17).

How do we get "in Christ," the only eternally secure place? How do we form
this relationship with God through His Son Jesus?

God took the initiative. Sin separates us from God, but God loves us so
much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). If
we accept His offer of salvation and eternal life on His terms, He places us
"in Christ."

We accept God's offer by placing our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ
for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).

The Apostle Paul reminded the Christians in Rome of how they came to be "in
Christ": "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him
through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by
the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life"
(Romans 6:3-4).

Later he reminded these Christians of their security in Christ: "There is
therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. who do not
walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1,4).
As Christians walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus continues to
cleanse them from sin (1 John 1:7-9).

The storms are coming. Are you in the truly eternally secure place in
Christ?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Mississippi family survives tornado inside
concrete safe room as storm destroys 'everything'" by Travis Fedschun,
www.foxnews.com

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ.

The New Way of the Spirit Introduces a New Way of Living

It’s one thing to want to know the truth about reality – even to believe that truth; it’s another thing to want to live that truth. Or as Sheba Hart said in “Notes on a Scandal”: “Mind the gap between life as you dream it and life as it is!” The movie seems to revolve around trying to find life’s meaning through one bad relationship after another! The Bible is about finding the meaning of life through a relationship with Christ who is our life. Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-4. Not in a dream. Not through a tattoo on your arm, or a plaque on a wall, but true life as God meant it to be. The following reveals the reality of living as the true, living God intended – the God who knows what life is all about because He is life and unwaveringly wants us to experience it.

Galatians 5:13-26

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 15But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21envy,d drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

The Holy Spirit isn’t simply interested in our new birth, John 3:1-7, He’s also interested in our new  nature. That’s why we have Scriptures such as that one which tells us how the works of the flesh are to be replaced by the fruit of the Spirit.

Recall Romans 7:4-6,

 

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

So the Holy Spirit introduces for us a new way of living in which failed human effort is replaced by a Spirit-driven, faith-in-Jesus  approach through which we “bear fruit for God.”

 

Colossians 3:1-17 puts it this way:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated

at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on

earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

·     “Raised with Christ”

·     “Seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

·     “Christ who is our life.”

·     “Seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

·     “Being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

When you look at your life in these terms, you can see how much God wants us to behave as heaven does because “our citizenship is in heaven.” Now go and absorb Philippians 3:1-21.

Something “Heavenly” now takes on a totally new meaning, doesn’t it?

Now read Ephesians 5:1-21 to see a further example of the life Christ wants us to live, noting especially “trying to discern what is pleasing the Lord,” (10) and “be filled with the Spirit.” (18)

Right behaviour basically falls into three categories:

 

1)   The way we regard God. There can be no substitute for the true God - no idolatry.

2)    The way we regard ourselves. Sin is soul-destroying. God did not make us pleasure   machines - sin being rooted in selfishness which destroys the person God made us to be.

 

3)    The way we regard others. We are to treat others the way we treat ourselves.

A human is not a programmed collection of atoms, but a very complex person who has a

Soul, a will, intelligence and creativity. From deep within the invisible soul, we can make choices about how life should be lived.

The converted soul lets Christ live in the new heart in the Spirit, making our person even more capable of doing amazing things that will please God – better than our pre-Christian self - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit now-dwelling in us. John 14:12-27; Romans 5:1-21; Ephesians 2:1-22.

“Circumincession” is a theological word that explains how Father, Son and Holy Spirit interrelate. Some of that divine perfect fellowship, unity, will and love is now in us converted humans. Yes really! Read Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:11-14; Colossians 3:10; 2 Peter 1:1-11.

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not

have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not

for tearing down. 11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13All the saints greet you. 14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.   2 Corinthians 13:5-14

 

“Restoration” in the above means “mended and complete” – restored to what we were meant to be all along. That’s Christ’s life in us when it is working properly – obediently in faith.

 

When God doesn’t seem to be Listening, we can rest assured He’s Busily working on our behalf

 

“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,

and backward, but I do not perceive him;

on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;

he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.

But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

My foot has held fast to his steps;

I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?

What he desires, that he does.

For he will complete what he appoints for me,

and many such things are in his mind.  Job 23:8-14

 

His will for each of us is not always what we expect, but it is always for our good. He comes to us when we are hurting. Romans 5:1-11.

 

That’s why we believe in Him … because He knows what is best and is always on our side. Romans 8:28-39.

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,

2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;

3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;

10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,

12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,

13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,

14 who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil,

15 men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. Proverbs 2:1-15

 

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ. Colossians 2:1-15. Satan’s human thinking must be kicked out. God’s thinking must be brought in!  

 

David Carr

What about attending on Wednesday nights?

Above and Beyond

             The United States Congress issues a Medal of Honor to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.”  Many service men and women have received this medal over the years.  Since 1941, over half of them received it posthumously. 

            The idea of above and beyond the call of duty intrigues me.  What would motivate a man or woman to do that, to go beyond the call of duty?  I haven’t researched it, but I doubt seriously if the motivation of those who have received the Medal of Honor was to receive the medal.  Why would someone endanger their life for a medal, especially a medal they might never personally receive?  No, I suspect there’s got to be something more than that! So, as I thought about it, several things came to mind, but they all filtered down to one basic motivation – love!  Those who choose to go above and beyond the call of duty must truly love their country, their unit, and the greater good they are risking their lives to achieve.  Anyone can do their duty out of fear of punishment or reward for performance.  But love will motivate one to stand apart and to go beyond the call of duty.

            People who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength and mind (Mark 12:30) are people who choose to go above and beyond the call of duty.  They are the ones who are willing to step out from the crowd and do whatever it takes to serve God (John 14:15). They are the ones who are willing to take up their cross and follow Jesus every day (Luke 9:23).  They are the ones who give beyond their ability because they have first given themselves to God (2 Cor. 8:1-5).  They are the ones who stop and help those in need along the roadside (Luke 10:29-37).  They are the ones who obey God even when they don’t understand why (Luke 5:4-6).  They are the ones who never look back once they have put their hands to the plow (Luke 9:62).  They are the ones who never ask if Sunday and Wednesday nights are required (Hebrews 10:25).  They are the ones who have the courage to tell others about Jesus wherever they are (Acts 8:4).  They are the ones who refuse to bind themselves in any ungodly relationship (2 Cor. 6:14-18).  They are the ones who choose to worship God in ways that pleases Him, rather than to seek what pleases themselves (John 4:23-24).  They are the ones who walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).  They are the ones who always put God first in everything they do (Matt. 6:33).  They are the ones who are always looking for ways to go above and beyond the call of duty.

            And they do it because they love God more than anyone or anything else! Do you love God that much, to go above and beyond basic requirements?  If so, you will receive from God something far more honorable and valuable than a Medal of Honor!

Joe Chesser