Dan S. Shipley wrote this article which appeared in the November 1970 edition of Plain Talk. The paper was published monthly by the Oaks-West Church of Christ in Burnet, Texas. Robert F. Turner was the editor.
Through John, God teaches us that in loving our brethren we show our love for Him and prove ourselves to be His children (I John 3:10; 4:7). "If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us" (4:12). "...he who loves God must love his brother also" (4:21). Love for God cannot bypass the brethren. As our standing with God is made dependent upon loving our brethren, every Christian needs to understand what this love involves.
Since love for brethren is easier professed than practiced, John says, "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth" (I John 3:18). Here is a vitally important principle. Love for brethren is expressed in DOING and not SAYING! We recall how Peter said he would lay down his life for Jesus but in the same night denied Him three times. Like Peter, may brethren would do that which they will not do! Many WOULD lay down their lives for a brother but will not lay down a five dollar bill to help feed them. Others who would "go all the way" for a brother will not go across town to visit him in the hospital. "How does the love of God abide in him?" The most careful aim avails nothing when the shot is not fired; neither the best of intentions if not fulfilled. The true measure of love for our brethren is not to be found in what one WOULD DO, but rather, in what one IS DOING!
Children of God can and must demonstrate love for brethren now! "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). There are brethren among us who could benefit from the expressions of such love today. In addition to the poor and sick, our ministration of love could included the aged, lonely, widows, babes in Christ, the weak and unfaithful and those who are distressed and bereaved. Opportunities for demonstrating love are limitless!
But this love cannot be manifested by merely, "bumping into each other" at Bible class and worship. Loving in deed means in act and fact. It requires a personal, face to face involvement. Only in this way can we express the care, concern and tender affection that we are to have for all brethren.
The requirements of this love makes debtors of us all (Romans 12:8). Loving brethren is an ever owed, never satisfied debt. The exercise of it strengthens us, it helps the brethren and it glorifies God. By this love the family of God is cemented together. Without it, he who claims love for God is twice wrong.
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). Here is the simple antidote to many complex problems that plague God's people. Love the brethren in deed and truth! Failure here could make our unloved brethren the biggest obstacle between us and Heaven!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Time and Truth
Dan S. Shipley was the author of this article which appeared in the May 1970 edition of Plain Talk, a publication of the Oaks-West Church of Christ in Burnet, Texas. Robert F. Turner was the editor.
Early in the first century, Christ sent the Spirit of truth to guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13; Acts 2:1ff). The New Testament records that truth which these inspired men wrote and taught. This gospel truth was being preached, believed and obeyed before the middle of that first century. Over 1900 years ago souls were being saved from sin through the knowledge of this truth. The implications of this simple fact are profound.
Think if it! A sinner could be saved in obedience to this gospel over 250 years before the Nicene Creed was formulated; long before there was a Catholic church to establish "Divine Tradition" or "interpret" the Scriptures. It was over 500 years before Catholicism had a universal Pope; before Catholic doctrine of celibacy, sprinkling for baptism, instrumental music in worship, transubstantiation, purgatory, extreme unction, holy orders, Mary-worship, confession before priests and over 1800 years before the doctrine of Papal infallibility.
Think of it! An individual could be reconciled to God through Christ over 1450 years before the Catholic monk Martin Luther made his historic protest; before he advanced the false notion of justification by faith only, before his name was worn by anyone except his family.
Think of it! Men and women could become CHRISTIANS, live and die with the hope of Heaven, over 1450 years before there was a Church of England (Episcopal) or a Presbyterian church; before John Calvin and his false teaching on predestination, direct operation of the Holy Spirit and infant baptism!
Think of it! Men were being redeemed by the blood of Christ over 1500 years before John Smyth began his work which resulted in the establishment of the first Baptist church; over 1650 years before John Wesley and the Methodist church; over 1750 years before Joseph Smith, the father of Mormonism, received his alleged revelation, which was was about the same time the Adventist group had its beginning under the leadership of William Miller. It was over 1800 years before Mary Baker Eddy's "revelation" and Christian Science, over 1800 years before there was a Jehovah's Witness sect to knock on the door or distribute the Watchtower paper!
Think of it! The simple gospel of Christ was providing men with ALL THINGS pertaining to life and godliness over 1,900 years ago! (Second Peter 1:3) It was furnishing men completely unto every good work at that early date (Second Timothy 3:17). That gospel truth provides the basis for man's becoming, being and doing ALL that God requires of him. It is further evidenced by the fact that men will one day be judged by this very gospel (John 12:48).
Think of it! If all of the combined religious creeds, ideas, doctrines, concepts, opinions, "revelations" and traditions of the past 2000 years should perish, men could STILL know how to serve God and be saved! Is it not time you considered uncluttered, unadulterated New Testament Christianity?
Early in the first century, Christ sent the Spirit of truth to guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13; Acts 2:1ff). The New Testament records that truth which these inspired men wrote and taught. This gospel truth was being preached, believed and obeyed before the middle of that first century. Over 1900 years ago souls were being saved from sin through the knowledge of this truth. The implications of this simple fact are profound.
Think if it! A sinner could be saved in obedience to this gospel over 250 years before the Nicene Creed was formulated; long before there was a Catholic church to establish "Divine Tradition" or "interpret" the Scriptures. It was over 500 years before Catholicism had a universal Pope; before Catholic doctrine of celibacy, sprinkling for baptism, instrumental music in worship, transubstantiation, purgatory, extreme unction, holy orders, Mary-worship, confession before priests and over 1800 years before the doctrine of Papal infallibility.
Think of it! An individual could be reconciled to God through Christ over 1450 years before the Catholic monk Martin Luther made his historic protest; before he advanced the false notion of justification by faith only, before his name was worn by anyone except his family.
Think of it! Men and women could become CHRISTIANS, live and die with the hope of Heaven, over 1450 years before there was a Church of England (Episcopal) or a Presbyterian church; before John Calvin and his false teaching on predestination, direct operation of the Holy Spirit and infant baptism!
Think of it! Men were being redeemed by the blood of Christ over 1500 years before John Smyth began his work which resulted in the establishment of the first Baptist church; over 1650 years before John Wesley and the Methodist church; over 1750 years before Joseph Smith, the father of Mormonism, received his alleged revelation, which was was about the same time the Adventist group had its beginning under the leadership of William Miller. It was over 1800 years before Mary Baker Eddy's "revelation" and Christian Science, over 1800 years before there was a Jehovah's Witness sect to knock on the door or distribute the Watchtower paper!
Think of it! The simple gospel of Christ was providing men with ALL THINGS pertaining to life and godliness over 1,900 years ago! (Second Peter 1:3) It was furnishing men completely unto every good work at that early date (Second Timothy 3:17). That gospel truth provides the basis for man's becoming, being and doing ALL that God requires of him. It is further evidenced by the fact that men will one day be judged by this very gospel (John 12:48).
Think of it! If all of the combined religious creeds, ideas, doctrines, concepts, opinions, "revelations" and traditions of the past 2000 years should perish, men could STILL know how to serve God and be saved! Is it not time you considered uncluttered, unadulterated New Testament Christianity?
Monday, August 5, 2013
Simon Says...
Jim R. Everett wrote this article which appeared in the November 1972 edition of Plain Talk, a publication of the Oaks-West Church of Christ in Burnet, Texas. Robert F. Turner was the editor.
When I was a boy, we played a game called, "Simon Says." One person was selected who had the authority to direct the game but what he said was to obeyed only if he said, "Simon says." It didn't matter what Simon said, if you were going to play the game you had to do it. Therefore, one could be put out of the game by failing to do what Simon said, or by acting when Simon hadn't said to do it.
Simon Peter says to people who believe in Jesus and want to be saved from their sin, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). In the game, pretend Simon might have said, "Take two steps forward for a soda." Every child playing the game would have obeyed that command carefully.
While every little boy and girl would know exactly what "for" meant, some claim today that "for" doesn't mean "for" and refuse to do what Simon says, that they might be saved. Jesus said, "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for (eis, same Greek word as in Acts 2:38) many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). And we understand that His blood had to be shed in order that sins be forgiven.
Years later, Simon wrote to the elect scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, etc., and said, "There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism..." (I Peter 3:21). Someone says, "Baptism is only a figure." Indeed it is, but Simon says it is a figure of Noah's salvation by water. As Noah was saved by water, we are saved by baptism. Don't presume that Simon said that baptism was a figure of OUR salvation.
Simon explains the Scriptural baptism that saves by saying, "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21). Baptism that saves is that which Simon said was, "for the remission of sins."
One lady said that Simon could not have been teaching that baptism saves (even though that's what he said), because peter knew that men were saved by the grace of God. But that is exactly what Simon said; hence, the baptism of which he speaks must be in complete harmony with God's grace.
In the game of Simon says, the difficulty was not in understanding what Simon said, but rather in a willingness at times, to condescend to the commands of the leader. Simon says that we must repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and some pretend that it is too hard to understand. I suspect that it may be too costly for them to obey.
Do not think however, that Simon originated such teaching. Jesus commanded Simon and the other apostles to go and preach the gospel to every creature. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16).
When I was a boy, we played a game called, "Simon Says." One person was selected who had the authority to direct the game but what he said was to obeyed only if he said, "Simon says." It didn't matter what Simon said, if you were going to play the game you had to do it. Therefore, one could be put out of the game by failing to do what Simon said, or by acting when Simon hadn't said to do it.
Simon Peter says to people who believe in Jesus and want to be saved from their sin, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). In the game, pretend Simon might have said, "Take two steps forward for a soda." Every child playing the game would have obeyed that command carefully.
While every little boy and girl would know exactly what "for" meant, some claim today that "for" doesn't mean "for" and refuse to do what Simon says, that they might be saved. Jesus said, "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for (eis, same Greek word as in Acts 2:38) many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). And we understand that His blood had to be shed in order that sins be forgiven.
Years later, Simon wrote to the elect scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, etc., and said, "There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism..." (I Peter 3:21). Someone says, "Baptism is only a figure." Indeed it is, but Simon says it is a figure of Noah's salvation by water. As Noah was saved by water, we are saved by baptism. Don't presume that Simon said that baptism was a figure of OUR salvation.
Simon explains the Scriptural baptism that saves by saying, "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21). Baptism that saves is that which Simon said was, "for the remission of sins."
One lady said that Simon could not have been teaching that baptism saves (even though that's what he said), because peter knew that men were saved by the grace of God. But that is exactly what Simon said; hence, the baptism of which he speaks must be in complete harmony with God's grace.
In the game of Simon says, the difficulty was not in understanding what Simon said, but rather in a willingness at times, to condescend to the commands of the leader. Simon says that we must repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and some pretend that it is too hard to understand. I suspect that it may be too costly for them to obey.
Do not think however, that Simon originated such teaching. Jesus commanded Simon and the other apostles to go and preach the gospel to every creature. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16).
Friday, August 2, 2013
Note From the Margin of My Bible (God's Free Gift)
This is another installment from the series of short articles by Wayne Jackson. This appeared in the Christian Courier in January 1989. Jackson was also the editor.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul declared that, "the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (6:23). Similarly, the apostle wrote, "For by grace have you been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians 2:8).
There are many who read these precious words and, focusing upon the term "gift," conclude that redemption must be wholly dependent upon God, and that man therefore, is utterly without responsibility in the matter of his salvation. What these folks fail to realize of course, is the fact that a "gift" can be conditional, without there being any meritorious effort on the part of the recipient. Consider the following passages, making appropriate notations in the margins of your Bible at Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8.
1. Jehovah promised to give the city of Jericho to ancient Israel (Joshua 6:1ff). Observe the use of the verb "given" in Joshua 6:2, 16. Clearly however, they did not receive the victory until after they had completed their obedience to the divine instructions for taking the city (6:20; Cf. Hebrews 11:30).
2. In that perilous voyage to Rome, when Paul and his shipmates appeared to be in danger of losing their lives, an angel spoke to the apostle and said, "Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and lo, God has granted (given) you all them that sail with you" (Acts 27:24). Yet, this gift was not unconditional for Paul warned the soldiers, "Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved" (27:31). Even so, though salvation is God's gift, "Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Obedience to the gospel is essential for salvation.
3. Jesus plainly taught that we are not to work primarily for the bread which perishes. Rather, we are to work, "for the food which abides unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you" (John 6:27). This context makes it wonderfully clear that working the works of God (i.e., obeying His will) and receiving His gift of salvation, are not mutually exclusive propositions. They complement one another. Christ is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Learn these valuable points and teach them to your friends.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul declared that, "the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (6:23). Similarly, the apostle wrote, "For by grace have you been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians 2:8).
There are many who read these precious words and, focusing upon the term "gift," conclude that redemption must be wholly dependent upon God, and that man therefore, is utterly without responsibility in the matter of his salvation. What these folks fail to realize of course, is the fact that a "gift" can be conditional, without there being any meritorious effort on the part of the recipient. Consider the following passages, making appropriate notations in the margins of your Bible at Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8.
1. Jehovah promised to give the city of Jericho to ancient Israel (Joshua 6:1ff). Observe the use of the verb "given" in Joshua 6:2, 16. Clearly however, they did not receive the victory until after they had completed their obedience to the divine instructions for taking the city (6:20; Cf. Hebrews 11:30).
2. In that perilous voyage to Rome, when Paul and his shipmates appeared to be in danger of losing their lives, an angel spoke to the apostle and said, "Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and lo, God has granted (given) you all them that sail with you" (Acts 27:24). Yet, this gift was not unconditional for Paul warned the soldiers, "Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved" (27:31). Even so, though salvation is God's gift, "Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Obedience to the gospel is essential for salvation.
3. Jesus plainly taught that we are not to work primarily for the bread which perishes. Rather, we are to work, "for the food which abides unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you" (John 6:27). This context makes it wonderfully clear that working the works of God (i.e., obeying His will) and receiving His gift of salvation, are not mutually exclusive propositions. They complement one another. Christ is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Learn these valuable points and teach them to your friends.
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