By Jimmy R. Mickells
“For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17).
Do you think that Paul would be permitted to preach the things that he taught in the New Testament in churches throughout the world today? I don’t think so. I know there are things taught by various denominations that would contradict what the apostle taught on various subjects. Let me suggest just a few for your consideration.
What about baptism? Did you know that this apostle said that in baptism one can wash away his/her sins? When speaking of his conversion, in Acts 22, he told his audience what Ananias had instructed him to do. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Could he teach such a doctrine as this today in many of the churches across this land? No! They would not let such be taught. Many teach that you should be baptized, but that it has nothing to do with the forgiveness of sins. It is only an outward sign of what has already taken place inwardly. Paul said that the old man who is buried in baptism was dead in sin and that the one which comes forth from this watery grave was a new creature in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:1-18). Denominational baptism buries a man that they say is already alive (he has already been saved), not one who is dead. The Bible teaches us to baptize those who are dead in sin so that their iniquities can be forgiven (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, etc.). We better listen to Paul.
What about singing? Paul taught that one is to sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19 & Colossians 3:16). There was no instruction given about the use of instrumental music in our worship service to God. Yet the vast majority of churches today use some kind of instruments as they attempt to serve the Lord. Would the apostle be allowed to preach the truth on this subject, tell them they were just to sing, and then be welcomed back to preach at the next assembly? I suppose that some of the leaders would call him aside and say, “Now Paul, you know they had instruments in the Old Testament. If they could use them, surely it is alright for us to have the same. Above and beyond this, we like the way they sound and if we don’t have such we are going to lose our young people. We just can’t have such preaching here. You will have to find some other place to teach your opinion.”
What about the church? This great apostle said that there is only “one body” (Ephesians 4:4), and that the body is “the church” (Ephesians 1:22,23); Could he teach and preach that every where today? Such a message would not be very popular among the masses. It is generally believed and taught that there are many different churches today and that they are all pleasing to the Lord, though they advocate a host of different doctrines contrary to each other. Someone would probably tell Paul, “You and your kind think you are the only ones going to heaven.” Such truth is much to narrow for many.
What about purity of life? Do you think the apostle’s message against homosexuality would be well received in our society today? Notice what he said in his first epistle to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9,10). He not only condemned the life style of the homosexual but also the fornicators, adulterers, drunkards, etc. There are some churches today that not only condone such immoral behavior but also encourage such by allowing their leaders and members to practice these very things. Paul you can’t preach such here, we’re open minded and willing to accept all regardless of their sexual preference and their choice of life styles.
I’m convinced that Paul would not be welcomed in the pulpit of many churches today simply because of what he preached everywhere he went. Would he be welcomed here? I certainly hope so. We had better listen to what the Lord has said to us through the writings of such men like Paul. He revealed the mind of God through the direction of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 1:11,12).
By Jimmy R. Mickells
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5).
Those who teach and try to prove that one inherits the sin of Adam use this verse as a proof text. Does it really say that David was born a sinner because of what Adam did hundreds of years before his birth? Are you and I sinners because of the action of another man? I believe with all my heart that the Bible answers these questions very clearly.
In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet plainly says that the son does not bear the guilt for his father’s sin, nor is the father held responsible for the iniquity of the son. “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20). We suffer the consequences of the sins committed by others on occasion, yet we are not guilty before God because of their sins.
The nature of sin itself denies the fact that we are born sinner because of the action of someone else. Sin is a transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4). It is not something that is transferred from one person to the other simply because they are descendants. Did Jesus inherit the sin of Adam when Mary gave birth to Him? The Bible says that He was without sin (1 Peter 2:22). To avoid the logical conclusion that Christ was born a sinner like all other babies, the Catholics teach the immaculate conception of Mary. Merriam-Webster define this expression (immaculate conception) as, “the conception of the Virgin Mary in which as decreed in Roman Catholic dogma her soul was preserved free from original sin by divine grace” (Online Version). This is how they try to avoid a very apparent contradiction in their teaching. The truth of the matter is, that no one is born a sinner, he becomes such when he violates the law of God and is accountable to Him.
The Bible tells us that the God we serve is holy and just (Psalm 7:11; 1 Peter 1:16). How righteous and good would the Lord be if He condemned a child to the fires of hell for an eternity because of what Adam did? Do you think a judge and jury in the United States of America would find a son guilty of a crime that they knew was committed by his father? I think not! It is hard for me to imagine that someone would make such a charge against a loving, caring, and compassionate God. Yet those who teach this false doctrine do just that!
When we stand before Jehovah in judgment, every man will answer for his own misdeeds, not the sins of someone else. Paul said, “who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:6-11). The apostle didn’t say that God would render to each one according to what Adam did. No, we’re held accountable to God because of our own failures or good deeds, not because of what mom and dad did or didn’t do.
What was David saying in Psalm 51:5? Robert Taylor said, “He was born into a world where sin abounds and where all ultimately do sin. He was born into a world where temptations to sin run strongly and to one of them – fleshly passion – he had surrendered in a moment of weakness” (Studies in Psalms, Robert R. Taylor, Jr. p. 56). Sin was all around him, yet he became a sinner when he yielded to his desires and violated the will of the Lord.
Notice these two passages; “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:15). “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29).
By Jimmy R. Mickells
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:1-5).
There are a number of things that we can learn from this text that can benefit us as the people of God. Let me suggest a few things in hopes that each can draw closer to our Lord and be of greater services to Him.
The disciples wanted to know who was greatest in the kingdom. Jesus didn’t say that you had to be a great general like King David. Neither did He say that one had to posses the wisdom of Solomon. He does not need to build an ark, cross the Red Sea, fight the Philistines, nor rebuild Jerusalem. Yet he must humble himself and become as a little child if he is going to be a part of the kingdom. Greatness, in the eyes of God, involves service (Matthew 23:11). Those that will be a part of the kingdom, achieving greatness before the Lord, are those that will humble themselves and be the servants of others. It is not about exalting self and others serving me.
Humbling one’s self and becoming as a little child is a part of true conversion to the Lord. The word “converted” is defined as “metaphorically to turn one’s self from one’s course of conduct, i.e. to change one’s mind” (Thayer, p. 591). Vincent, in his word study, says, “The word converted has acquired a conventional religious sense which is fundamentally truthful, but the essential quality of which will be more apparent if we render literally, as Rev., except ye turn. The picture is that of turning round in a road and facing the other way” (Word Studies in the New Testament, p. 103). Instead of one looking for greatness, at least in man’s eyes, he seeks to serve and the Lord will exalt him. Are you humble enough to recognize the need you have for salvation that is offered only through the Lord? If you are meek and lowly, through faith, repentance, confession, and baptism God by His grace will save you.
These verses expose the false doctrine that one is born a sinner. One would not need to be converted and become as a little child (if the child is born a sinner); he would already be like the child (a sinner). The wise man said, “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Sin is a transgression of the law. Listen to the words of John, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4; KJ). For one to become a sinner, he must first transgress the law of God. Which law has a new born baby transgressed? A child is not guilty of sin because his father disobeyed God. “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20). Every man, woman, and child suffer the consequences of the sin committed by Adam, but none bear his guilt. Let me illustrate what I mean with an alcoholic dad and his family. The family of such a man suffers because of the choice that he made to be a drinker of alcohol. They are not guilty of his sin because of his choice, but suffer because of it. The same is true with each of us; we are not sinners because of Adam’s sin, but we do suffer because of his choice. We become sinners when we violate the commands of God.
Every person that is accountable before God is a sinner and is in need of forgiveness (Romans 3:23). We need to turn from our sinful course of conduct and be obedient to the will of the Lord (Acts 3:19). May we humble ourselves, be converted and become as a little child, serving God and our fellow man the rest of our life. Want to truly be great? Then serve!
By Jimmy R. Mickells
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
There are a good number of things that are said to us in these three verses about reconciliation. The word reconcile is defined as “properly denotes to change, exchange (especially of money); hence, of persons, to change from enmity to friendship, to reconcile” (Vine, p. 942).
Man’s need of reconciliation is obvious. His sins have separated him from his God (Isaiah 59:1,2), making him an enemy. Paul said, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:8-10).
This reconciliation or making of peace between God and man comes only through Christ; “…who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Notice in the book of Colossians, the writer says, that it was what Jesus did on the cross, the giving of His life and the shedding of His blood, that through this means we can be reconciled. “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:19-22).
God’s chosen method to instruct mankind about this offer of peace and reconciliation is through the preaching and teaching of His word. Paul said that the Lord had given him and the apostles “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). In verse 19, he said that God “has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” The gospel message is God’s power to salvation (Romans 1:16). When preached in its purity and simplicity, it will move men and women to be obedient to it, thus they can be reconciled unto our Heavenly Father (Acts 2:36-41).
Reconciliation is only accomplished by man being forgiven of his sins; “that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them…” (2 Corinthians 5:19). The word imputing is defined as “to take into account, to make an account of; metaphorically to pass to one’s account, to impute” (Thayer, p. 379). Whose sins are not imputed or charged against them? It is the person who has been forgiven of those sins and reconciled unto our Lord. Look at the words of Paul in the book of Romans, as he quotes Proverbs 32:1,2, “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:7,8).
For one to be reconciled unto God there is something that the individual must do. Paul said, “…we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). God did His part, through His grace, in the sending of His Son to die on the cross to reconcile us to Himself (Romans 5:8-10). Yet there are some things that we must do to be saved as well. There was a preacher in Nashville, who wrote an article in the local paper, which said there is nothing for one to do to be saved, Jesus did it all two thousand years ago. He certainly did His part; but He did not do ours. Peter was asked by those in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, “…Men and brethren what shall we do” (Acts 2:37). They were told to, “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Do you want peace? You can be reconciled to God just like those men and women in the New Testament. Why not humbly submit to the Lord’s will and be saved. He is the source of salvation to all those who will obey Him (Hebrews 5:8,).
By WAYNE JACKSON
In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter declared: “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). In view of this statement, folks sometimes ask: Why do members of the church of Christ insist that baptism is a requirement for being saved?
One should not assume that calling upon the Lord’s name, and being baptized, are mutually exclusive obligations. The two expressions complement one another.
Consider the following:
All who wish to enjoy the remission of past sins will call on the name of the Lord by obeying the gospel plan of redemption. In no other way is one promised pardon.
Underline “calling on the name of the Lord” in Acts 2:21 and in the margin note: Not mere words; see Matthew 7:21. Also note the harmony between 2:21 and 2:38 and write the following graphic somewhere.
calling on name—saved
repent and be baptized—remission of sins
By WAYNE JACKSON, ChristianCourier.com
”Why do some insist that Christians are ‘under law’ today? We are not under law, but grace. The law came by Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus (Jn. 1:17).”
We must respectfully point out that the question recorded above reflects a serious misunderstanding of the nature of both law and grace. And it misrepresents the nature of the religious system to which men are amenable today. It is a tragedy of enormous magnitude that some, waving the banner of “grace,” argue that they are free from the constraints of sacred law, and thus are at liberty to forge their own route along the religious terrain. One cannot but be reminded of Jude’s indictment of certain persons who pervert God’s “grace” to accommodate their own sensual goals (v. 4).
The terms “law” and “grace” are employed in John 1:17 to designate the predominate systems of divine, written revelation—namely the two covenants. The first covenant was that given through Moses at Sinai, commonly known as the “law of Moses.” The second was a universal covenant for mankind that issued from Jesus Christ, and was ratified by the Lord’s death (Mt. 26:28).
Jeremiah referred to these respective systems as “the covenant” that Jehovah made with the “fathers” when he brought them out of Egyptian bondage, and the “new covenant” which later would be world-wide in scope (Jer. 31:31-34). The writer of the book of Hebrews referred to these laws as the “first” and the “second” (Heb. 8:7), or the “old” and the “new” (8:13).
In the text under review (Jn. 1:17), the two covenants are designated respectively as “law” and “grace.” And there is a very logical explanation for these appellations. It has to do with the prevailing themes characteristic of these systems. The function of the Mosaic “law” was as follows: (a) to demonstrate that the violation of divine law separates the perpetrator from God (Isa. 59:1-2). (b) To declare that written law is needed to define sin (Rom. 7:7); and, (c) To show, by recorded precedent, that sacred justice requires that a penalty be paid for law-breaking (Rom. 3:26; 1 Cor. 10:5ff).
On the other hand, the dominate design of the New Covenant is to stress the redemptive mission of Christ as the only remedy for the human sin problem (Mt. 26:28; 1 Cor. 15:3). The wonderful plan of salvation is the result of Heaven’s grace (Eph. 2:8-9), not human merit. No richer term, than that of “grace,” could be employed as a synecdoche (the part put for the whole) for the summation of God’s thrilling scheme of redemption. It is entirely reasonable, therefore, that these two systems should be set forth in a contrasted fashion, such as “law” and “grace.”
It is a baffling mystery as to how anyone, with even a cursory knowledge of Scripture, should not understand that there was an abundant measure of grace under the former regime. Noah found “grace” in the eyes of the Lord long before the Mosaic system was birthed (Gen. 6:8), but it was not the modern sort of cheap grace that disavows obedience (6:22; cf. Heb. 11:7). Scores of Old Testament passages stress the pouring out of Jehovah’s grace in ancient times upon those who responded to his will (cf. Ex. 33:13; Dt. 7:12; Jer. 31:3).
It is no surprise that many today are ready to repudiate the idea that man is responsible to sacred law. Outlaws eschew law! The reality is, this irresponsible suggestion—that folks today are “under grace” as opposed to law—is so trifling that it would scarcely be worthy of a rebuttal were it not for the fact that it is so common. The notion has absolutely no sanction in Scripture.
(1) Were it the case that man is not under law in this era of time, then it would follow necessarily that no such thing as sin would exist today, for sin is a transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4). As Paul once noted, where there is no law, there is no sin (Rom. 4:15). By way of contrast, since it obviously is the case that men (even Christians) do sin in this era (1 Jn. 1:8—2:2), the compelling implication is that there is a divine law to which men now are amenable.
(2) The Old Testament prophets, in previewing the coming of the Christian age, spoke of the current dispensation as one where the law of God would be obligatory. Isaiah, for instance, spoke of the days of the new covenant, when Jehovah’s “law” would go forth from
Zion (2:2-4). The term “law” renders an original term suggesting “instruction” considered as a “rule of duty” (E.J. Young, The Book of Isaiah, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965, I.106). Similarly, when Jeremiah spoke of the “new covenant” (31:31ff), he made it the equivalent of God’s “law,” which would take up residence in man’s heart (v. 33).
(3) When Jesus Christ is repeatedly depicted as a “king” in the biblical record, clearly the concept is set forth that he exercises an authority to which men are expected to comply. If this is not “law,” there is no meaning to such terms as king, rule, reign, submit, obey, etc. (see Mt. 2:2; 28:18; Lk. 19:14,27; Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:9-10; Heb. 5:9; Rev. 1:5; 19:16).
(4) The inspired writers of the New Testament viewed the authority of the regime of Christ as one of law. Our freedom from the condemning effect of sin is the result of our submission to the “law of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:2). The expression “law of the Spirit” is the same as the gospel, the new covenant system. It is “of the Spirit” because it was conveyed by the Spirit’s direction. It is designated as law because it is an “expression of the divine will” and a “rule of conduct” (Moses Lard, Commentary on Romans, Cincinnati: Standard, n.d., 247).
Elsewhere, Paul acknowledged that he was “under law to Christ” (1 Cor. 9:21). Additionally, to the Galatians he gives this admonition: “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
Finally, if the inspired James is not referring to the present order of things, when he alluded to the “perfect law” (Jas. 1:25), of what was he speaking?
A consideration of the foregoing facts ought to enable the conscientious Bible student to see John 1:17 in a balanced light. Furthermore, it should forever banish the absurd notion that our modern world is exempt from the restraints of sacred law.
By Jimmy R. Mickells
The word “outreach” is an expression that has been coined in recent years. If I understand what is meant by its use, it means an effort by a local church to reach out to those that are lost to save them from sin. That certainly is the work of the church. Paul, in writing to the young evangelist Timothy, said that the church is the pillar and the ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). It (the church) is to defend and preach the truth to a world of lost sinners. This same apostle commended the church at Thessalonica for doing this very thing, sounding forth the word of God (1 Thessalonians 1:8). When persecution arose against the church at Jerusalem, the saints that made up that church went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4).
In recent days, one was asked about a local church of Christ having a gym. The answer that was given, “It is just an outreach tool to reach the lost.” What was the means that the New Testament church used to reach those that were lost in sin? Was it not the simply gospel message that was preached by its members? That is all they used to appeal to the inner man to respond to God’s calling. Paul, in his epistle to those at Rome, said that he was ready to preach the gospel to them (Romans 1:15). The very next verse says, that it is the gospel of Christ that is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16). When he wrote his first epistle to those at Corinth, he said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:1,2).
The New Testament church never built any kind of structure to draw or attract people so that they then might share the gospel with them. They didn’t have soup kitchens, offer medical care, give away free vacations nor did they have church sponsored basketball or softball. Actually, what has happened when a church has built a gym is that they have involved the local church in a work that God never gave her to be engaged in. At least a part of its work would then be recreation. Where would one find authority in the New Testament for such a work? If a local church can build a gym and justify having such by simply stating that it is outreach program, could they not build a hospital, a nursing home, a retirement community, etc. and find just as much authority for one as the other? Sure they could! The problem is that none of these things are authorized in the scripture.
In my limited travels in this country and abroad, I continual see a need for gospel preachers that is not being met. Part of the problem is that men cannot find enough financial support to go to these areas to preach the gospel. While local churches are spending thousands of dollars to build gyms to play in, men and women are dying lost because there is no one to share the gospel with them. Are they really concerned about saving the lost or are they more concerned about entertaining their members? They will need to answer that question for themselves.
I have had a good number of people through the years ask me, “What do you offer at the church where you preach?” Usually what they want to know is, do you have entertainment, will you take my children on various outings, etc. The only thing that the Bible permits us to offer those that are lost in sin is the gospel of Christ. If that is not enough, then I’m just as sorry as I can be, but that is all I’m authorized to extend to you. We will do our very best to teach you and your children the Bible; to help in whatever way we can in your obedience to our God so that you can go to heaven when this life is over. We will encourage you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and help equip you so that you might use your talents or abilities to better serve the Lord.
May we each be busy doing our best to use the gospel of Christ to reach out to those that are lost and in sin. This is the outreach program that God is interested in.
By Stan Mitchell
The boisterous crowd fell silent. They had gathered in the summer of 1536 to witness an execution, a man burned at the stake. He was just a little over 40 years old, an Oxford scholar, and a felon facing the death penalty. So what had he done?
All eyes were on the victim. Flames snapped and crackled as the wood at his feet began to be consumed. Soon the man, too, would perish in its flames. So what was his crime?
William Tyndale (1494-1536) had a simple ambition. He wanted to make the Bible available to the common man. You would have thought it was an innocent enough ambition, too, but powerful forces did not want just anybody to read the Bible. So what was at stake?
At stake was the power and position of many clerics and churches whose practice differed too radically from scripture. A plain reading of God’s word would reveal that these shepherds of the people had led their flocks astray. A measure of the clerics’ fear can be seen in the ruthless way they sought his life. When one cleric objected to Tyndale’s proposals, he stood and declared: “If God spares my life, before many years pass, I will make it possible for the boy behind the plow to know more scripture than you do.”
Such undiplomatic language did not endear him to the powerful and the entrenched. He had to flee to Holland, where he began to translate the Bible into common, plain-spoken English. Copies of his precious work began to seep back into England, and the authorities, incensed, set a bounty on his head.
In 1536 Tyndale was betrayed, and fell into the hands of the Church authorities. At his trial he was convicted with the death penalty. As the crowd watched with the fascination of horror, the great man had something to say. His last words were a prayer: “Lord,” his voice rang all around the courtyard, “open the King of England’s eyes.”
Do me a favor, if you would please. Take out your copy of the Bible, and hold it for a moment. Do you own anything more precious? There was a time when only the rich could own a Bible, so expensive was its manufacture. That changed with the invention of printing by Johann Gutenberg in 1456. Of course, the first thing he printed was a German Bible.
Tyndale’s English Bible was so dangerous, so “revolutionary” that he lost his life for publishing it. But it should not escape our notice that it was so precious that thousands of Englishmen risked their lives in order to obtain it, and read its truths.
Have we taken something for granted?
You can pick up a Bible at Wally World for less than five dollars. And you won’t have to smuggle it home. The biggest danger you face by owning a Bible is a changed life!
Tyndale’s Bible was valuable enough to die for. Is your Bible important enough to read? Tyndale’s Bible was important enough to smuggle across the gray English Channel. Is it important enough for you to obey? Tyndale’s Bible was responsible for lifting the spirits of thousands of Englishmen–carpenters, lawyers, doctors, and yes, the boy behind the plow. Is it important enough for you to live?
No fire burned hotter the day Tyndale died than the fire and power of God’s word. Will it burn in your heart too?
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).
By Jimmy R. Mickells
We often encounter or hear of people who simply do not believe that baptism is a part of God’s plan to save man. They usually say that it is a good thing to do, Jesus was baptized you know. It is certainly a good thing to do because the Bible tells us to be baptized. But does it have any connection with the forgiveness of sin? To answer this question one must go to the Scriptures to see what is taught there. It is my hope and prayer that any who will read this article will remove any prejudices that they have, regardless of whether they have been baptized or not, simply accepting what the Bible says.
In Mark 16:16, Mark quoting our Lord, said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Jesus plainly says in this verse if I believe and am baptized I will be saved. Am I saved at the point of belief or is baptism necessary as well? Faith is an absolute necessity in the plan of salvation (Romans 5:1 & Hebrews 11:6). Yet the Bible teaches that faith only will not save (James 2:24). In John 12:42, we are told, “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.” Jesus said that if we would not confess Him neither would He confess us before the Father (Matthew 10:32, 33 & Romans 10:9, 10). These men were not saved at the point of faith; there was something else that they needed to do to be saved by the grace of God.
I have had some to say, “This verse says if you do not believe you will be condemned, but it does not say if I’m not baptized I will be condemned? If I don’t believe in Jesus as the Christ why would I be baptized in His name to begin with? Why would I submit to Him if I don’t believe in Him? There would be no need. I would simply be getting wet. Some have contended through the years that they can find the negative aspect of faith, repentance, and confession, but there is no verse that says if I’m not baptized I would lose my soul. Such is not the case. Look at this verse, “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). What is the water that Jesus refers to in this text? “That water points definitely to the rite of baptism…” (Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament vol. II, p. 91).
When Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:35), that obviously included the need to baptized. Notice this exchange, “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:36, 37). The very next verse says that he baptized him (verse 38). He was born of the water and of the Spirit. Water when he was baptized and of the Spirit when he did what the Holy Spirit instructed him to do through the teachings of this man of God.
Notice these verses along with the two we have already read (Mark 16:16 and John 3:5).
“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
“There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).
How could these verses be any plainer? What would one need to change about these verses to show that baptism is not needed to save man from his sins? Peter would have needed to say, Repent and don’t be baptized for the remission of sins. Ananias should have told Paul to arise, no need to be baptized, because your sins have already been washed away. Then in Peter’s epistle, he would have needed to have said, there is an antitype which does not save us, baptism. How sad it is to see people who refuse to do what the Lord tells them so that they can receive the remission of their sins.
Let me remind you of the words that the servants of Naaman spoke to him when he had refused to do what the prophet Elisha told him about the cleansing of his leprosy. The writer said, “And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (2 Kings 5:13). The Lord has told us to do something simple as well. We are to believe (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3, 5), confess (Matthew 10:32, 33 & Romans 10:9, 10), and be baptized (Mark 16:16 & Acts 22:16). If we will do what He says, then like Naaman of old, we will have been washed and made clean.
By Ben May
God has a lot to say about fools and foolishness. In fact, some form
of the word “fool” is used 189 times in the King James Version of the
Bible. In our society, we have several expressions about being a
fool. One of them is “I’m nobodies fool”. None of us want to be
considered a fool or foolish. I invite you to consider some of the
things that God says that “any fool can do.”
God says that any fool can start a quarrel. “It is honorable for
a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.” (Prov
20:3 NKJV) Which takes more strength of character, walking away from
an argument or starting one? It takes an honorable man to break the
cycle of strife and contention. Any fool can quarrel. “A fool’s mouth
is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” (Prov
18:7) Be a person of honor, not a fool.
Any fool can declare himself to be right. “The way of a fool is right
in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.” (Prov 12:15) If
we are our own standard of right and wrong, God says that we are
fools! Wasn’t this the problem that the children of Israel had during
the time of the Judges? “…everyone did what was right in his own
eyes.” (Judges 17:6) If you are wise, listen to God, not yourself.
Listen to others who love you. Any fool can go through life thinking
that he needs no one but himself. It takes a wise man to admit that
he needs good counsel.
Any fool can get in over his head! Have you ever known someone who
didn’t know when to admit that he didn’t know? You see, some things
are just too lofty (over the head) for a fool. “Wisdom is too lofty for a
fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate.” (Prov 24:7) A fool does
not grasp the greatness of our Lord. “O Lord, how great are your works!
Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, Nor
does a fool understand this.” (Psalms 92:5,6)
Any fool can make evil his past time. “To do evil is like sport to a
fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.” (Prov 10:23) Is this
not a sad commentary on the very society in which we live? One does
not have to look very far to realize that evil has become the past
time for many. Whether it be gambling, drinking, drugs, pornography,
fornication or just plain selfishness, our society has very little
understanding of God’s ways. How sad. Be a person of understanding.
Any fool can do evil.
Any fool can say that there is no God. “The fool has said in his
heart, There is no God.”…” (Psalm 14:1) How foolish it is to think
that we will escape the judgement of God. “Yet they say, the Lord
does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand. Understand you
senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise?”
(Psalm 94:7,8) Many will face a “great awakening” but it will be
too late. Any fool can do as they please, ignore God, and think that
they answer to no one but themselves.
Remember Christians, we were once foolish. Thanks be to God we have
turned from that vain way of life. “For we ourselves were also once
foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures,
living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when
the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared…He
saved us…” (Titus 3:3-5) Any fool can reject Christ but if you
heed His call,you will indeed be wise. “but we preach Christ
crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks
foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1Cor 1:23,24) Don’t
be a fool! Accept God’s invitation, heed His counsel.