CONTEXT & RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE BIBLE

The importance of CONTEXT, as it relates to "rightly dividing" the scriptures may be seen from the following application:

1 John 1:9 says, `"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

This statement by the apostle John, is NOT a part of the new birth that Jesus spoke of in John 3. It was written to Christians.

There is a "good confession" that the sinner must make, and it is just that, a CONFESSION!

It is not an ADMISSION of the sinner about himself. Why is this important?

Would not teaching the sinner that his CONFESSION is an ADMISSION of being a sinner, make his salvation dependent on own works (i.e., his own merits); rather than upon Christ?

Doesn't this rationale seem a little odd, in view of the prevalent mindset toward Ephesians 2:8, that salvation is NOT by "works"? Do these views harmonize, or contradict?

The "good confession" is about JESUS (cf. Acts 2:36); NOT an admission of a sinner, that he is a sinner.

Context is VERY important as it relates to rightly dividing God's word (2 Timothy 2:15).

One passage, if properly taught, will not "combat" another passage. Truth harmonizes, it requires diligent study.

1 John 1:9 must harmonize with Ephesians 2:8. Both were written to Christians; not sinners. To apply 1 John 1:9 to a sinner, rather than a child of God, is a huge error in the matter of salvation, both for the teacher, and the pupil!

11/282018

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"TRUE" THANKSGIVING

Giving thanks to God is characteristic of His people. It is an acknowledgement of God's salvation, and as such, is natural for them. But 'how' this thanks was expressed was not left up to man, any more than 'how' salvation occurred. Both were as God purposed and instructed. God, in His grace, offers to man a covenant relationship, stating the terms, while man, accepts the relationship by complying with the terms of that covenant. Salvation occurs as God's offer of salvation is accepted upon God's terms. So also is this the case in the giving of thanks. God has revealed in the covenant, 'how' His people express their giving of thanks.

There were many ways that thanksgiving was expressed under the Old Covenant. Whether by a sacrifice (Lev. 22:29); through song (Psalm 69:30); or by prayer (Phil. 4:6), it was always as God had commanded in the covenant terms. Another important characteristic in the giving of thanks, is that it was 'willingly' offered (cf. Lev. 22:29).

Under the New Covenant, we also find that the giving of thanks was always in connection with their salvation. As such, it would be as God, who had provided their salvation, decreed in the terms of the new covenant. So, again, it was not as "they saw fit", or guided by emotions, but as commanded of God. Also, it was not to be under compulsion, but willingly.

~ "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving" (1 Tim. 4:4).

~ "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 4:15).

~ “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18).

God has not left us “in the dark” as to how to ‘thank’ Him anymore than He has left it up to us as to how to worship Him (see Deut. 12:30-32; Matt. 15:1-9; John 4:24 etc.); or how to live godly in Christ (2 Peter 1:3). He has revealed and taught us by His grace (Titus 2:11-12) how to do both.

Thankfulness is really a discipline that needs to be valued, for its spiritual benefits. But like anything that is of value, it needs to be exercised (i.e., nurtured AND expressed). That it is to be expressed, is clear, but it needs to be equally clear that it MUST be expressed in an obedient way. This is seen in that God has declared that our zeal must be “according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:1-3). Thus, the ‘nurtured’ aspect of giving thanks must be by our obedience. Being truly thankful begins with recognizing how entirely dependent we are upon God’s mercy and provision, His ability to provide, and our confidence that He will (James 1:17ff).

When our thanks is expressed in obedience, an ‘on-going’ benefit is that pride will be rooted out of our life. If not, pride will dominate in our life (James 4:6). The Bible teaches that thanksgiving and obedience are inseparable, for TRUE giving (expressing) to God thanks, is ONLY acceptable by God when it is in obedience to His will. This is seen from the 50th psalm. In condemning His own people Israel, God said: “Offer…a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High; call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” But to the wicked God said, “What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you.” It is clear that obedience and thankfulness are inseparable.

The only acceptable expression of thankfulness is in giving God what God most desires, and that, according to His own declaration, is obedience. Through the prophet Joel, God said in chapter 2:13, “…rend your heart and not your garments.” In Psalm 51:17 we read, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

THIS is what God wants from man. Let us return to Him in obedience, and recognize His rightful authority to rule over us. What He promised (and did for) Judah, He will do for all who will ‘trust and obey’. God said He, “let them find Him”. (2 Chron. 15:15) Jesus taught in John 7:17, “If any man’s will is to ‘do’ the Father’s will, he shall know of the doctrine…” (John 7:17).

Obedience will always be blessed of God. As Moses told them, “The Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes…for our good always…and it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment…” (Deut. 6:24-25). Let us give ‘true’ thanks…”trust and obey”.

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The BIBLE: the best loved and most hated book on earth.

In AD 303 the Roman Emperor Diocletian issued an edict to destroy Christians and their Bibles. The persecution that followed was brutal. Over a burned and extinguished Bible, Diocletian built a monument on which he wrote these triumphant words: “Extincto nomene Christianorum” (the name Christian is extinguished). Diocletian fashioned a medal with the engraving. “The Christian religion is destroyed and the worship of the gods restored.”

Diocletian’s boast was premature—to say the least. Twenty-five years later Diocletian was dead, and the new Emperor Constantine dedicated himself to put the New Testament in all of the churches of his empire.

In fact, Constantine offered a sizable reward to anyone who would deliver a copy of the Scriptures to him.

The next day Constantine was offered fifty copies of the word of God. He then commissioned fifty copies of the Bible. He then commissioned fifty copies of the Bible to be prepared at government expense. Can you imagine Diocletian’s stunned countenance if he returned to the earth today to discover that more had been written about the Bible than about any other-thousand volumes combined? The Bible has been translated into more languages than any other volume, and it has been sent into more regions of the earth than any other book.

French philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) declared in 1776: “One hundred years from my day, there will not be a Bible in the earth except one that is looked upon by an antiquarian curiosity seeker.”

One hundred years later Voltaire was dead, and his own house and press were being used to print and store Bibles by the Geneva Bible Society. In 1778, Voltaire bragged, “It took twelve men to start Christianity. One will destroy it.” He called Christ ‘the cursed wretch.’

Geisler and Nix observe that “only fifty years after his death the Geneva Bible Society used his press and house to produce stacks of bibles.” Moreover, approximately two hundred years after Voltaire’s prediction that the Bible would be eliminated from the earth, a first edition of Voltaire’s work sold in Paris for eleven cents.

On that very same day, December 24, 1933, the British government purchased an ancient New Testament manuscript, Codex Sinaiticus, fro the Czar of Russia for $500,000. This ancient manuscript, dating about 350 A.D., is still highly prized and is on display in the British Museum.

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The "Obedience of Faith"

What does the phrase, "obedience of faith" mean? (Rom. 1:5; 16:26) It is WHY the Lord and the apostles, preached...i.e., THAT was the aim, the goal, the purpose for which they labored. They taught; they preached to bring about this result: AN OBEDIENT FAITH! Just look at those 3 words for a few moments....it means that you are obedient! But obedient to WHAT? What is it that you are to obey? Would your answer be "Jesus"? Well, in obeying "Jesus", what are you going to "obey"? Can you answer? Do you "obey" Jesus, by believing in Jesus, or by believing that He died for you? Is this all there is to "obedience"?
Jesus said of "belief", "... unless you believe that I am "He", you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24) This word "HE" makes a huge difference. Read this statement of Jesus without this word. It defines WHAT is to be believed about Jesus. Jesus said that except we believe that "I am 'HE'." What did this mean? Jesus had explained earlier what it meant (see v. 12, "“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”)
Please notice that Jesus did NOT just say "I am the Light of the world". What ELSE did Jesus say, in connection with this? It will explain the phrase "obedience of faith". Do you see what word corresponds to obedience? Notice some other statements that relate to "obedience of faith":
- Exod. 20:6 - showing loving-kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
- 1 Kings 9:6 - if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes
- 2 Kings 17:13 - Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes
- Neh. 1:9 - if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them
- Psalm 143:10 - Teach me to do Your will
- Luke 6:46 - why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
- John 3:36 - He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life
- John 14:15 - If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
- John 15:10 - If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love
- 2 John 1:9 - Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son
What does the phrase, "obedience of faith" mean? (Rom. 1:5; 16:26) It is WHY the Lord and the apostles, preached...i.e., the aim, the goal, and the purpose for which they labored.  They taught; they preached to bring about: AN OBEDIENT FAITH!

It is why DOCTRINE MATTERS when speaking of salvation from sin.  We may teach the words of Jesus in John 8:24, without explaining the significance of "that I am HE" as it relates to "obedience of faith". We may also teach the words of Jesus in John 8:12 without explaining the significance of "he who follows Me" as it relates to "obedience of faith". But if we do, we will not bring about, or lead to, an obedient faith. While it may lead to, or bring about faith...will faith, without obedience, save?

11/23/2018

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WHEN THERE WAS BUT ONE CHURCH...

Edward T. Hiscox, in his book, Standard Manual For Baptist Churches, says on page 22, under the heading of “Church Membership”:
“It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but ‘one Lord, one faith, and one baptism’ AND NO DIFFERING DENOMINATIONS EXISTED, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, ‘baptism was the door into the church.’ Just let that sink in...

Have you ever asked yourself, or considered WHY is there no longer JUST ONE CHURCH? HOW and WHY have, "differing denominations" come to be? The answer is found in "differing messages" being preached. The apostle Paul saw and condemned this in writing to the churches of Galatia (Gal. 1:1-2). He spoke of "ANOTHER GOSPEL" being preached: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:6-9).

WHY was "another gospel" preached by some? The apostle Paul said it was because of the desire to be please men, rather than please God" in verse 10, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." In Gal. 6:12, we also find that those who preach "another gospel" are afraid to suffer persecution for preaching "THE GOSPEL", so, they pervert, Jesus' message. This is WHY there are now DIFFERING DENOMINATIONS. Such will continue as long as DIFFERING GOSPELS are preached...such will continue as long as THE GOSPEL is PERVERTED...
The "churches of Galatia" in Gal. 1:2...were not "differing" denominations of the church that Jesus built (Matt. 16:18). They were all local congregations of THE SAME KIND. They were "of Christ", because the SAME GOSPEL was preached in all of them. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 4:17, "For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, AS I TEACH EVERY WHERE IN EVERY CHURCH." What Paul taught in the churches of Galatia, he taught to the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Paul told Timothy to make sure that "no other doctrine" was preached (1 Tim. 1:3). Teach "NO DOCTRINE" OTHER THAN WHAT? In 1 Tim. 6:3, Paul said it was, "...does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness...".
When the message was changed, "differing" churches began. If the same message that was preached by the Lord's apostles will be preached, "differing" churches will begin to cease, for people will be encouraged to become "ONE". This is exactly what the Lord wanted and prayed for in John 17:20-21.

Let us all pray for, and labor to return the religious climate to what Mr. Hiscox stated, once existed: WHEN THERE WAS BUT ONE CHURCH...

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"APPROVED UNTO GOD"

During the 400 years between the Old & New Testaments, the Jews became divided into various sects. Two of these sects that we often read of in the gospels are the Pharisees & the Sadducees. Jesus warned against their teaching (leaven) because of a most crucial reason. It would cause all who believed in it to be lost.In Matt.23:15, Jesus not only called the Pharisees ‘children of hell’, but he said that those who believed and practiced their teachings would become twice as much a ‘child of hell’ as themselves. Jesus also said in Matt. 16:6, 11-12, to watch & BEWARE OF THEIR TEACHINGS. In Matt. 15, Jesus said that these ‘traditions’:

~ transgressed the “commandment of God” (v. 3). ~ were contrary to the Law of Moses (vv. 4-5). ~ they “made void the word of God.” (v. 6), ~ they caused worship to be “in vain” (v. 9).

Their doctrines were the “commandments of men”; NOT the Law of Moses. They sought to bind this tradition of the elders, upon the multitudes rather than what the Law of Moses taught. When Jesus’ disciples were observed not keeping these ‘traditions’, the Pharisees and scribes came & asked Jesus “…why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat” (v. 2).
NOTE: The ‘traditions of the elders’ here mentioned consisted of laws and regulations ORALLY TRANSMITTED from Moses and the prophets. On account of the SUPPOSITION that these traditions originated with inspired men, they were REGARDED AS EQUAL IN AUTHORITY with the written word. Mark 7: 3-4 lists some of these ‘traditions’ herein referred.
We see then, what constitutes a doctrine that is only a ‘commandment of men’. [It is any doctrine that is based upon a ‘SUPPOSITION’ that it is ‘inspired’, yet ‘regarded as equal in authority with the written word’.]
The oral traditions of the elders were NOT a part of written law (of Moses), yet they had come to be regarded as equal in authority with it by the scribes and Pharisees. Such ‘commandments of men’ are not founded on the written word. They made “void the word of God” (Matt. 15:6), because they were contrary to that which was written and inspired. Moses had commanded, “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord you God which I command you.” (Deut. 4:2) This oral ‘tradition’ of the elders “added to” the written word.
WHAT IF SUCH WERE DONE TODAY? Would not the results be the same? The commandment of God be broken, the written word made ‘void’ and worship be ‘in vain’. There are a number of SUPPOSED, inspired doctrines that are in reality only “commandments of men” yet are regarded as equal in authority with the Bible by those who teach and practice them. Today, one cannot become a member of any existing denominational church without submitting to that particular denomination’s ‘statements of faith’. You will not be accepted into their ‘fellowship’ without submitting to their particular commandments, whether by ‘vote’, ‘letter’, or by ‘baptism’ as their statement of faith declares. Protestant denominations were founded on just such writings. These ‘statements of faith’ or ‘creeds’ are NOT the inspired word of God, YET THEY ARE THE CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THEIR FELLOWSHIP. They are held up as authoritative as the Bible.
The problem with creeds (as with ALL uninspired writings of men), is seen from the fact that THEY DON’T AGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER. For example, the Methodist Discipline, p. 410, reads: “let every adult person, and the parents of every child to be baptized, HAVE THE CHOICE OF SPRINKLING, POURING, OR IMMERSION.” On the other hand, the Hiscox manual for the Baptist denomination says on p. 20, Note 8: “BAPTISM IS AN IMMERSION…” These statements are clearly contradictory. ARE BOTH DOCTRINES REVEALED IN THE BIBLE? Why does the Methodist ‘creed’ stated there is a CHOICE in how one is baptized, yet the Baptist ‘creed’ stated that baptism is ‘by immersion’ ONLY? These ‘creeds’ clearly define the differences of belief between each denomination. They are also undisputable evidence of division. At best, they can only serve to ‘proselyte’ an individual much as did the scribes & Pharisees of Matt. 23 by their teaching of the traditions of the elders.
Obedience to the gospel, not “commandments of men”, will result in salvation. The gospel alone provides a standard by which there can be unity and “one-ness” in the sense that Jesus meant in His prayer in John 17:20-21. Creeds promote a ‘unity in diversity’. Are we to understand the unity between Jesus & His Father as an “agreeing to disagree”?
The Bible states that God wants all men to be saved and to “come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). CANNOT TRUTH BE KNOWN WITHOUT A DENOMINATIONAL CREED? Furthermore, which creed is right? Can they all be right and accurate and yet contradictory?
It is possible to: “corrupt the word of God” (2 Cor. 2:17); to “pervert the gospel of Christ” Gal. 1:6-9; “wrest the scriptures” (2 Peter 3:16); and to “handle the word of God deceitfully” (2 Cor. 4:2). How so? By teaching doctrines and commandments of men!
Any doctrine taught today must conform to what was taught through the Holy Spirit by revelation. The Holy Spirit guided the apostles into all truth. HOW DID THEY TEACH SALVATION? That is how it must be taught today. If we teach it the way it was taught by them, we will not only be correct, we will be ‘one’ in the sense that Jesus meant in John 17:20-21. Paul said in 1 Cor. 4:6, “…that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written…” The apostle John wrote in 2 John 1:9-10, “Everyone who…does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
Many people who are friends, sadly are divided in their religious beliefs. They can be with one another in many walks of life; they can be involved in many functions, working together, and agree on many things, yet they do not worship God together! I emphasize that they “DO NOT”, rather that they “CANNOT”. The reason for saying “DO NOT”, is because they COULD assemble together, IF their teachings were the same. They have been taught different things, and so they cannot worship alike. The Methodist and Baptist creed wordings on baptism bear this out. The Bible does not teach both, nor does it contradict itself.It takes courage to question and investigate our personal convictions to see if we have been taught inspired doctrine, or a tradition of man. But, if one is sincere in his desire for truth, he will do so. The exhortation of Paul in 2 Cor. 13:5 to “examine yourselves, whether ye are in the faith”, appeals to such a person. The apostle Peter gave a similar exhortation in saying “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10-11),
What about you? Do you have just such a desire to examine, and even re-examine what you were taught on salvation? Are you willing to see if your church has/supports a ‘creed’? Is that creed the same as the Bible? If so, why does it need to exist? Were you taught the same doctrine as people in the book of Acts? Your soul’s salvation is God’s desire. However, your soul’s damnation is Satan’s desire. Choose wisely, that you may be "approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15).

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