Is Your Preacher A False Teacher? Part 15

“…that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” - 1 Timothy 1:3, 6-7

The Bible “character profiles” a false teacher

A false teacher teaches “another doctrine” (1 Tim.1:3-4). The apostle Paul told Timothy to “...charge some that they teach no other doctrine”. He also told Timothy to charge them not to: “...give heed to fables and endless genealogies...”. He said that the result of giving heed to fables will “minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith…”. What does this phrase mean? It means to preach something other than what Jesus taught the apostles. Doing so will cause disputes rather than godly edification; it will promote controversies. The apostle Paul warned Titus: "there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers...they must be silenced…teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” (Titus 1:10-11). One thing is clear from these passages; there are certain things being preached that OUGHT NOT be preached. These are perversions to what the apostles taught in our New Testament! What was Titus to do with such false teachers?  "…rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith..." (v. 13). Remember Paul told Timothy to “...charge some that they teach no other doctrine”.

Consider what Paul meant here: “Teach NO OTHER DOCTRINE”… other than WHAT? Can you not see that it meant to teach nothing other than what Jesus had commanded the apostles to preach! This is the ONLY way that all churches will be united in the doctrine of Christ! (2 John 1:9-11) This is what must be done in order to unite people who are currently divided in THE faith (Jude 1:3). I must preach the same thing that the apostles preached. This is how I can be held accountable and proven to be in error. Compare what I preach to what the Lord and His apostles preached. It is also how I can defend my preaching and show that my preaching/teaching today is identical to Jesus. In Acts 2:42 we read of early disciples, “they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine…”. What was the “doctrine” of the apostles? It was what Jesus commanded them to teach. Jesus had said in His prayer to His Father, “I have given unto them (the apostles) the words which thou gavest me”(John 17:8). But, as Paul told the elders in the church of Christ at Ephesus in Acts 20:29-30 “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” False teachers would come.

The apostle Paul warned of those who preach to “draw away disciples after them”. That is why there are denominational churches! Multiple denominations differing in their doctrines is not the same as multiple congregations of the SAME church teaching the SAME doctrine! Christ promised to build ONE church. Christ taught the apostles ONE way to respond to His offer of salvation. They preached this to sinners consistently throughout the book of Acts and NEVER told a sinner to pray a “sinner’s prayer” or to come and kneel down at an altar! Were they told to “call upon the name of the LORD?” Yes, indeed, but not by praying a prayer! Prayer is a privilege for one who HAS BEEN born again (John 3:3, 5). Prayer does not make you a child of God. Solomon even acknowledged this in regard to the Ten Commandment law, stating, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.”

The blind man that Jesus healed acknowledged also that “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” (John 9:31). Because of false teachers, we find Paul stating in Gal. 1:6-9, “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.”

The end result of preaching a gospel that is after ‘man’ is that it produces man-made churches. This is exactly the situation we have today. Human denominations exist because of preachers preaching perversions of the ONE TRUE GOSPEL. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote in Gal. 1:11-12 of his preaching. He stated, “…the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” In 1 Cor. 14:37, he stated, “the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” In 1 Cor. 4:17 he stated – “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 wherein every church.” If the same things were taught in every church today, there would be only ONE church; a church “OF CHRIST”.

The picture of the religion of Jesus Christ that many people are confronted with is one of confusion and division. There are so many religious denominations wearing different names, teaching different and contradicting doctrines, having different forms of worship, and presenting different plans by which one might be saved. Yet they all claim to recognize the same God and Father, and profess to follow the same Bible. Such a system is confusing. If the same message was being preached in all of the churches in this country, then why do they not call themselves by identical names? All of the congregations in the New Testament were simply churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). They were of the SAME FAITH. There were no denominations as we see today. How do I know that? Because the same thing was preached in the first century! It wasn't until men began to pervert the apostles’ message that human churches began to arise. God planned and purposed ONE Kingdom, ONE Flock, ONE Way, ONE House, ONE Temple, or ONE Church. Jesus built ONE church.  All Christians in the first century were members of that ONE church, and that ONE church still exists today.  Are you a member of that ONE Kingdom?  Study to make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).

3/29/2011

rdb

Is your preacher a false teacher? Part 14

“…that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” - 1 Timothy 1:3, 6-7

The Bible “character profiles” a false teacher

The only way to hide from the truth is to hide the truth!  This is what a false teacher does.  There are several tactics utilized by one who does not preach truth to avoid answering any questions as to what is preached.  False teachers have always followed a pattern of evasion.  The characteristics of false teachers that we have noticed thus far have been:

They operate by smooth and flattering speech (Romans 16:18). 

The method of introduction is “secretly” (2 Peter 2:1 –‘ privily’).

There are no solid personal demands placed upon the hearer (1 Kings 12:28 – Jeroboam – “It is too much for you to go up”)*

They discredit the truth by smooth and flattering speech. (Genesis 3:4-5 – the serpent’s seduction was not by force)

They hide behind the “smoothness” and play the victim (Stephen, (Acts 7)

They falsely accuse the one who questions their teaching (the Jews called the apostle Paul a “pestilent fellow” in Acts 24).

How do you tell the difference between someone “causing dissention” or “defending the truth?”  Who runs from a public “real” discussion and who stands ready to make their defense?  Let us notice in this article the difference between the apostle Paul and Tertullus, who opposed him. “When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: ‘Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense’.” (Acts 24:10)  Note the difference in Paul’s speech here versus Tertullus’ in vv 2-8.  Paul stated, “I’ll be happy to discuss what I believe and why!”  How many do you know today who run from honest open debate over truth?  This simple difference in demeanor is a big clue to exposing which side is telling the lie.  In the religious realm, always remember one thing: Truth never fears exposure…after all, it is the truth.  A Christian’s loyalty must always be to the truth (wherever it leads).  Paul goes on to say, "Nor can they prove to you {the charges} of which they now accuse me.  But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.”  (Acts 14:13-14)  Take note… false teachers “cannot prove.”  That is why they run.  Note also Paul wasn’t whining here.  He was falsely accused and it would take him a couple years to straighten out the mess.  But He didn’t wish to get off on a technicality. 

There is a fundamental difference between Tertullus and Paul.  A false teacher is more manipulative in the manner that he slices and dices the truth.  Paul won’t do that.  His loyalty is to the truth…all of the truth!  He who preaches truth will absolutely state his faith and then he will defend it.  He will volunteer even the offending portions of his faith.  A false teacher will do neither! 

False teachers like to become the “harmless victims.”  Their hope (and it is too often realized) is that folks around them will, cry “out with a loud voice, and cover their ears and rush at purveyor of truth with one impulse.”  Again, remember the example of Stephen in Acts 6 & 7.  The false teachers of the law,“…were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” (Acts 6:10)  So what did they do? Notice from Acts 6:11-13:  Then they ‘suborned’ (secretly induced) men, to twist his words; they “stirred up the people”; and they “set up false witnesses”.  If Stephen was wrong, why didn’t these Jews just appeal to the Law of Moses to expose him?  Because Stephen was right in what he preached!  Thus, not being able to “resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake”, they resorted to dishonest measures!  

But Stephen did not run or falter.  He continued to teach what he had always taught even though it wasn’t smooth!  He said, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” (Acts 7:51)  Stephen told them the truth, and he told them the truth applied to them!  They had to change or die in their sins…it wasn’t just their ungodly neighbor that needed the gospel.  They needed it!  All of it!  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” (Rom.1:18)  What false teachers have actually taught (or said) becomes a moving target.  It is bounced here or it is bounced there.  Like our modern day politicians…their hope is to have it the way “everyone” wishes it to be.  The problem with this approach is that when you stand for everything…you end up standing for nothing!  Lot tried this approach and lost his family!

Which brings us to a fact that must be remembered in regard to a false teacher.  The apostle Paul said to the elders of the church of Christ in Ephesus, "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.”  (Acts 20:29)   This is a direct reference to the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.  False teachers desperately need to make themselves to appear to be something different than they really are.  Do you see the wolf in the picture?  You must always look twice in order to see clearly!  Note that this particular scripture refers to elders in this position.  The key motivation here is when they are breaking away from scripture.   These disciples are not steered toward scripture but toward each other.  They are to become disciples of men…i.e. deciding what they want instead of what they need to be.  This has become a very common situation.  A modern standard in many churches today is that relationships are more important than doctrine.  We have a blatant application of Paul’s warning that Christians would become more loyal to each other than to God.

A good example of this is when the young demand to go a different direction (toward worldliness) and the old are 'drug along'.  Leaders within the very liberal churches often try to have it both ways by virtually setting up two churches.  They have a “contemporary service”  When this process starts it becomes clear that many people really are more in love with each other or the building than they are with the leadership of Jesus.  So…generation after generation leaders are allowed (by the willing) to lead them away from the truth…slowly at first, and then with increasing speed.

Paul admonished the young preacher Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)  A preacher of righteousness is more than happy to give you scripture for his teaching.  You won’t have to pry what he truly believes out of him.  His motivation will be evident to all around him…unless it is obscured by the smooth deception as God’s motivation was in Eden.  In a nutshell…when you must decide between truth and error, if the scenario playing out is one where one side of a controversy is operating with smooth words and fair speeches.  i.e. where “they secretly induced men to say” (Acts 6:11); or they must operate behind the scenes; versus the other side that is very willing to come out into a public arena and defend their actions, speech, and teaching.  The reality is that you generally have your answer.  Truth breeds confidence… error will not stand direct scrutiny. 

to be continued...
RDB
copyright 2011

Is your preacher a false teacher? Part 13

“…that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” - 1 Timothy 1:3, 6-7

The Bible “character profiles” a false teacher

The apostle Paul warned of false teachers in all of his epistles.  He said in Romans 16:17-18, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

Have you noticed that when doctrinal disputes take place among the leaders within the realm of Christianity their doctrinal points are sometimes hard to follow?  Sometimes people can get so lost that they can’t make their decisions on the truths or errors being discussed.  Consequently, they make decisions on the basis of where they “wish” to go… or what they “want” to do.  Normally that means taking the easy route, or just following the crowd.

Part of the reason for all of this is that the offer made by the false teacher is normally “easier” than the narrow road.  Today, there is a drive to relax God’s teaching on a variety of things ranging from the way the church is run to throwing out His morality laws in a variety of areas … particularly marriage.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” (2 Peter 2:1-2).  Based on Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, if the majority is going one direction…normally as a Christian you need to run the other way. I wish to provide you another (similar) tool to help determine the difference between truth and error.

The Bible gives us “identification marks” of a false teacher.  There are certain characteristics that are unique to false teachers in their methods.  So let’s take a close look at the common manner in which people are led astray.

The first characteristic is that they operate by smooth and flattering speech (Romans 16:18).  Open confrontation is avoided at all cost (as long as possible) as the method of introduction is “secretly”.  The apostle Peter stated this in 2 Peter 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”

There are no solid personal demands placed upon the hearer.  Recall that even in the garden the seduction was not by force.  The real danger lies in discrediting the truth by smooth and flattering speech.  “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

When challenged for this approach to things…the common practice is to hide behind the “smoothness” and play the victim.  It works effectively.  Recall the story of Stephen, (Acts 7) the backdrop is that the “poor helpless priests” were just trying to keep the social order of things.  “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.”   (Acts 6:10).  Note how that they started mixing what was true with what was not true…an impossible scenario for a bystander to sort out.  The important thing though is the manner in which Stephen responded.   Your average false teacher responds with smoothness and flattery.

Note how the Jews responded when trying to stop the teachings of Paul before Felix; “And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes...”  (Acts 24:2-5).  When you read Tertullus’ speech…you’d think that Felix and the high priest were bosom buddies.  The truth was that they hated each other!  The priests (council) had found Paul’s preaching…(the truth) to be a real pain to the way they wanted things to be.  Their nest was already feathered!  He was called a “pestilent fellow.”  The truth is always a pain to the world.  The only way to hide from the truth was to hide the truth.   The problem for them was that Paul believed in what he was doing and he welcomed the debate.  They would rather to have just killed Paul and not have to answer for themselves.  Note also that 2000 years ago…they considered preaching the truth to be “stirring up dissension.”  It is this simple fact that causes discernment to be difficult for folks that are not in the middle of a discussion.  They considered Paul to be causing dissention when he led the seekers of truth out of Judaism.

How do you tell the difference between someone “causing dissention” or “defending the truth?”  That is the point of this article…look at how these men operate…do they run from a public “real” discussion or do they yearn for it?  

to be continued... 

rdb
copyright 2011

Is your preacher a false teacher? Part 12

“…that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” - 1 Timothy 1:3, 6-7

The Bible “character profiles” a false teacher

What does the Bible reveal about false teachers and false teaching?  The bible makes mention of Satan and of his ‘messengers’ (2 Cor. 11:14-15).  The context in which this statement is made of Satan and his efforts is dealing with false teachers and false teaching.  Religious convictions are directly related to that which is taught in religion.  There are several warnings from the Bible about how and why false doctrine would arise.  These provide us with an accurate picture of the moral status of people as well as the answers to why there is religious division today.  In regard to the Bible, it does not “read” one way to you and another to me.  Neither do not have the ‘right’ to interpret it as we see fit.  In order for the Bible to benefit, our attitude toward it must be that is infallible and inspired of God.  Most everyone who believes the Bible to be from God claims this; yet when a passage is presented that contradicts their preconceived idea, they make the claim that, that particular text or passage ought ‘not’ to be a part of the Bible.  In reality, they create a proverbial “loophole” so that their preconceived idea can be retained.  I have heard people make the statement along this line of “that text is unreliable because it is not in the ‘oldest’ manuscripts.  Therefore it cannot be trusted and ought not to be in the Bible.”  To those who may be of this persuasion, please consider:

What are the “oldest” manuscripts?  Can you provide the names of the “oldest” manuscripts?  How did you come to know about ‘oldest’ or ‘youngest’ manuscripts...what is your source of information on this?  Further, at what point does a manuscript cease to be a part of the “oldest”, and by what means is this determined?

Do you not see that your faith must be placed in some uninspired person’s testimony in order to hold to this position?  This is how Satan operates.  He wants man to doubt the authenticity and inspiration of the scriptures.  It is in this way that Satan succeeds in preventing us from accepting the fact that truth can be determined.  If Satan can convince us that we cannot identify truth, then no one can label anything as sin.  If we cannot determine sin, then Satan has accomplished his purpose.  How has Satan gone about to do this?  He has convinced man that “the faith” (Jude 3) cannot be determined.  He has gotten people to accept that we cannot agree on what the Bible teaches, and that therefore the many differing churches are all just pursuing their own understanding of the Bible, and no one ought to question the other, or “pass judgment”.  Satan wants men to just accept sincerity without any emphasis upon the doctrine.  Thus we hear such phrases as “there are many different roads to heaven and that we are all traveling a different road, but they all head to the same place”.  Consider the following passages and see if sincerity without regard for doctrine will suffice. 

Matt. 7:13-14 – “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  If it doesn’t matter which ‘way’ you travel, as long as you are sincere, why bother trying to “find” the narrow way?  Does this suggest that it matters what one believes and practices in religion?   

Hear the apostle Paul’s warnings to Timothy in 1 Tim. 1:3-4, “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” 

Notice the phrase, “…teach no other doctrine”.  If doctrine doesn’t matter, why did Paul tell Timothy to charge some “…that they teach no other doctrine?”  What “doctrine” did Paul want Timothy to teach?  For example, what was Timothy to teach about how one “calls upon the name of the Lord”?  Was Timothy to teach the same pattern of ‘calling’ that Paul taught?  Did Paul and Peter preach the same pattern?  Later in this same epistle in chapter 6:3-5, Paul gave this warning, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” 

Did you notice again, Paul’s statement to “IF ANY MAN TEACH OTHERWISE…AND CONSENT NOT…”?  Teach other than what?  He said, “…even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.”   Does this mean anything other than to teach the same thing that Jesus taught?  More importantly, could Timothy know what Jesus taught?  Could Timothy teach the same thing?  How could this warning be carried out if Timothy could not distinguish “the truth” from “the fables”? 

Paul wrote to Titus in Titus 1:11-16, of false teachers saying, “Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.”  What things were not to be taught?  Paul went on to tell Titus how to deal with false teachers.  “Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth”  How can you turn from the truth if you can’t define what truth is?  Paul also warned Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:1-4, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...”

What about people’s attitude toward ‘sound doctrine’ today?  Do people want ‘sound doctrine’ preached?  Do they refuse ‘sound doctrine’ on how to be saved; on divorce & remarriage, only upon the basis of fornication?  What about ‘sound doctrine’ on abortion, homosexuality, gambling, drinking, etc.?  Does the Bible contradict itself on these matters?  Are there those today who want a preacher who will not condemn their ungodly lifestyles?  Are there also preachers who are afraid to preach ‘sound doctrine’ on these matters for fear of loss of employment?  These passages clearly teach that truth can be known, and if it can be known, then it can be understood, and if it can be understood, it can be agreed upon! 

But Satan has deceived many into accepting the “broad way”; the ‘one church is as good as another’ concept.  Such was done in the first century, and the apostle Paul called them what they truly are…false & deceitful.  He said in 2 Cor. 11:13-15 of false teachers, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 

Notice that Paul by inspiration of the Holy Ghost said that their end will be according to their “works”.  Their “works” refer to their false teaching.  What if error is believed and obeyed?  If error is believed and obeyed out of ignorance, will ignorance excuse in the Day of Judgment?  How would this affect one’s salvation?  Does doctrine matter?  What if one was preached error in regard to what to do to be saved…would he be saved?  In view of the fact that Satan does not want anyone to be saved, we have warnings such as the apostle Paul’s about how Satan’s ministers transform themselves into apostles of Christ.  False teachers existed in Jesus’ day, they existed in the apostles’ day, and they exist today.  That is why doctrine matters!  It is why we must teach only what Jesus commanded to be taught in order for sins to be forgiven.  Yes it is true that all must come to Jesus, or ‘call upon the name of the Lord’, but the question that needs to be given careful study is, HOW DO YOU CALL?  What does the Bible teach…by sincere prayer or by faith and obedience?  Which of the two is ‘sound doctrine’?  Which do you find taught and followed in the book of Acts?                   

to be continued...

rdb
copyright 2011

HOW does God ‘call’ man?

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the “high calling” of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.3:14).  Much is said in the Scriptures regarding the “calling” mentioned in this verse.  A lesson of this nature is valuable because it affects our salvation.  Any subject involving the salvation of men’s souls is valuable and worthy of prayerful consideration.  Though much is stated regarding the subject, there still exists considerable confusion over the subject.  In regard to being “called” by God, the most frequent usage is of being “called” to preach.  The statement usually made when someone begins to preach is: “The Lord called him/her into the ministry”.  Often being ‘called’ is stated as “I felt led by the Lord here”, when a preacher re-locates.  Decisions in the religious realm are often related to being “felt led by the Lord” in that decision.  What is the basis for being called by God?  Does God speak to man in some sort of ‘small still voice’ or in a dream/vision?  Exactly HOW does God ‘call’ man?  Is the ‘calling’ common to all, or is it unique to the individual?

Let it first be noted from the passage cited above that the scriptures designate this calling as being a “high calling” (Phil.3:14).  It constitutes nothing higher for man!  It involves the highest and holiest of honors ever conferred upon man by God.  Paul said:  “I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Phil.3:8). That this calling is a ‘holy calling’ is seen from 2 Tim. 1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began”.  He who calls is holy and man is called to a holy way of life.  We do not merit this call.  It is not according to our works or design, but according to God’s purpose and grace.  This calling is also designated as being heavenly.  “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” (Heb.3:1).  Those who make it possible are from heaven.  If we accept the call and work worthily, heaven shall be our eternal home.  The calling is as lofty as heaven itself.  The subject involves:  (1) How God calls; (2) How we accept or answer the call; (3) The calling or profession that is the consequence of this calling. 

How does God call man or how is this call extended to man?   At times, God has called man directly or personally for a particular work.  Such a call was given Moses (Exodus 3:10), Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2), and Paul (Acts 26:19).  In all these calls, God respected man’s volition.  Man could have refused, but in doing so, one could not be pleasing unto the Lord.  Let it be noted that these direct and personal calls were not unto salvation or the call itself did not constitute salvation.  So many contend that a direct call is needed for salvation, but such was never so!  The Scriptures reveal how God calls us to this heavenly calling:  “whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:14).  God does the calling.  The medium is the gospel of Christ.  The end is the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Wherever the gospel is preached; there goes the call of God!  Why?  Because the gospel is God’s power to save!  We are told that the gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom.1:16).  The call is given in the gospel message.  The failure with most people is that they have not realized that they have been called through the gospel!

How does one accept this call?   Man must realize that he is being called.  So many hear the gospel and never realize any obligation to it.  Man accepts the call by obeying the commands of the gospel that are a part of the new birth (faith, repentance of sins, confession of faith in Christ & immersion in water).  (Mark 16:15-16 – “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”  Acts 2:38 – “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”) 

A good example of God’s call and man’s acceptance is found in Acts 8:26-39.  The angel of the Lord tells Philip where to go to find one who needs to hear the gospel of Christ.  Philip preaches Jesus to this officer of Queen Candace of the Ethiopians.  “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest.  He answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.” 

"Jesus" was preached to the eunuch and this involved the call of God to salvation.  In his obedience, this man accepted the call of God and became a part of that high, holy and heavenly calling which is available to man today.  Circumstances may differ, but the ‘how’ of God’s call and man’s acceptance remain the same.

What is involved when this call is accepted?  We are ‘called’ to be saints. (1 Cor.1:2).  Having answered the gospel call, we are known as ‘the called’ of Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:6).  We are then to ‘walk worthy’ of the vocation wherein we are called. (Eph.4:1).  We are exhorted to make the calling ‘sure’. (2 Pet.1:10).  Have you responded to God’s call in the gospel?  Are you faithful to your calling?

RDB
copyright 2011

A Cinderella Story

The term “CINDERELLA” is being spoken again as the collegiate basketball season enters its final days. The schedule for the NCAA tournament has been announced and speculation has been frantic as to who will become the new champion. “March Madness” is what it’s called, and for good reason. In the next few days dreams will be shattered for most, and out of the rubble will emerge the new conquerors. “CINDERELLA” in this context refers to teams who are given little chance of winning any games, let alone the championship. But every year there seems to be two or three teams that pull major upsets, attracting tons of attention to their small and overlooked programs.

Most of us don’t expect to ever wear glass slippers. We know our lot in life and have come to accept it. To dream of something better is simply that -- a dream. We have convinced ourselves that it’s best to just trudge on and expect little. The Bible, however, tells of an exciting story that is true and that involves us. It’s the story of a King from heaven who happened to notice us. He, for some inexplicable reason, took an interest in us and offered us the fantasy of living with Him. But the most amazing part of the story, perhaps, is that so few take Him up on His offer. An early version of this wonderful story was told in Ezekiel 16. God spoke of Himself as a traveler who happened to find an abandoned baby: “As for your nativity, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you... No eye pitied you, to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you; but you were thrown out into the open field...” (Ezekiel 16:4-5).

This ‘baby’ was referring to the nation of Israel, and according to this analogy, had been cast off as undesirable...a reference to the early years of Egyptian slavery. Like Cinderella who served a wicked stepmother, Israel had little hope of finding happiness in life -- of even surviving. GOD, however, changed all of that: “And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful” (Ezekiel 16:6-7). God provided all the resources and love that Israel had lacked. Because of His grace, she grew to be a powerful and glorious nation. It was all due to the King who pitied her in her desperate condition.

But it’s not just an historical oddity; it’s also a present promise. God took on flesh and came down to earth for the purpose of raising us out of our hopeless condition. Because He loved us, we were given an incredible opportunity to move out of the slums of sin into the palace of purity. Paul described it with these words: “For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8). Note that little word “us” in that passage. It’s a word that means you and I both are included. Anyone who reads or hears that passage is included. The King has come and has invited us to move into His heavenly palace. Why would anyone refuse such an invitation as this? The main reason is stated in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

There’s an evil figure in our story, too, one far worse than even Cinderella’s stepmother. Satan, the “god of this age”, does everything within his power to pull us away from the Savior King. He wants to see us destroyed. Israel forgot God’s goodness to her and her ‘roots’ (Ezekiel 16:22). Will you and I? Continue reading the sad story of Israel and of her end in Ezekiel 16. Will this be how we end up? There’s no magic required to rise from our ashes (cinders). The grace and love of God is ready to provide the lift we need. It’s the message we’ve often heard: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17). What will we say to such an invitation?

Is your preacher a false teacher? Part 11

“…that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” - 1 Timothy 1:3, 6-7

The Bible “character profiles” a false teacher

In Part 10 there was a statement from the words of Alexander Campbell written in the year 1830, which said, “exposing sin is what got our Savior killed”.  Only when the true gospel (truth) is proclaimed will sin be exposed.  Truth exposes error; it’s that simple.  A false teacher will NOT do that in his preaching.  He follows in the steps of Jeroboam, of whom we have used for a “character profile” to identify a false teacher today.  Jeroboam was a false teacher because he changed God’s commands.  This is still the criteria whereby one can properly be called a false teacher today. 

There have always been false teachers for we read of Satan’s ministers who disguise themselves as ministers of light. The apostle Paul described them as follows: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

A false teacher behaves as Jeroboam.  He follows the same progression in departing from the pattern that God has authorized.  He makes things easy and convenient to gain a footing and popularity, (which is his motive).

The apostle Paul spoke of those who preached out of false motives as follows: “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife...of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds...” (Phil. 1:15-16).

Truth will NOT be popular with most religious people, for truth calls upon people to change and conform to God’s pattern.  Truth reveals your sin to you; exposing any and all evil in your life, while demanding of you to repent of it in order to be forgiven by God thru Christ.  Whether you love sin or hate sin is shown in how you react to hearing the truth.   

Jesus taught, "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God" (John 3:19-21).

Jesus’ preached for the purpose of exposing sin: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:22).

This was why Jesus was hated and killed...because he exposed man’s sin thru His teaching.  This was commanded of Him by His heavenly Father. Notice Jesus’ words on this matter from the following passages:

John 7:16 - “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.”

John 14:24 - “…the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”

Jesus taught the 12 apostles these words, with the command to preach them throughout the world, after His ascension.  Notice from His prayer in John 17 of the specific and repeated references to the 12 apostles:

John 17:6 – “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.”

John 17:8 – “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them...”

John 17:14 – “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them...”

John 17:18 – “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”

John 17:20-21 – “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
 

The apostles were hated and persecuted for the same reason as Christ: exposing sin when they preached; calling upon men to repent and obey the commands God gave to them thru Christ.

This is why we appeal to all who preach today, to preach the same things as the apostles preached!  They preached what Christ preached.  Jesus taught the will of the Father to the apostles; they went “into all the world” and taught the same; being guided by God’s spirit.  (see Jn. 14:25; 15:26; 16:13)

Notice how uniform teaching was from God to Christ…to the Holy Spirit…to the apostles… to our Bible (the written word):

The apostles Peter & John said:

Acts 4:20 - “for we (the apostles) cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (FROM JESUS)

The apostle Paul said:

Rom. 2:16 - on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

1 Cor. 14:37- the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

The apostle Paul said:

Eph. 3:3-5 - “…the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

 

The apostle John said:

1 Jn. 1:1-3- “that which was from the beginning, which we (the 12) have heard, which we (the apostles) have seen with our (the apostles) eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our (the apostles) hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we (the apostles) have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us (the apostles) — that which we (the apostles) have seen and heard we (the apostles)  proclaim also to YOU, so that YOU too may have fellowship with us (the apostles); and indeed our (the apostles) fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

If all who preach today, would preach the same gospel as Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the apostles did, there would be only congregations of the SAME church – Christ’s church, the church would wear the name of Christ collectively.  Any greetings from one church to another church would be the same as in Romans 16:16, “The churches of Christ salute you.”

There would be true unity, and such unity among the saved would be the most powerful drawing tool to those still lost in sin, to come to Christ.  Jesus said in a prayer that if the same doctrine was preached in all churches, the world would, “...believe that thou (the Father) hast sent me” (John 17:21).

Do you desire what Christ prayed for?  Do you believe that such unity in doctrine/preaching can occur?  If so, we earnestly plead with you to unite with us in such an effort to preach the same message as Christ and His apostles preached.  Does your preacher condemn/expose sin?  Does your preacher call upon you to repent and be baptized for the remission of sin?  Jesus did...the apostles did...and all who preach here at Mill Street do.  Why not visit with us and see for yourself the difference in preaching when sin is exposed, and lives are changed thru repentance and living in submission to the will of Christ.  You will see this difference if you attend.  

to be continued...

 

RDB
copyright 2011