Reaching the Lost
by David Dann Synopsis: Reaching the lost is about helping people hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ so that they came to be freed from their sins. -------------------- Introduction Most people are lost. “Few” are headed in the right direction, in contrast to the “many” who are bound for destruction (Matt. 7:13-14, NKJV). They are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1) and are “alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (v. 18). Separated from God in sin, most people are destined for eternal misery in hell. We should be moved with compassion and a sense of urgency, as we recognize that most of those around us are lost and destined for destruction. If you were lost, wouldn’t you want someone to help you correct your course? It is up to those who are already faithful servants of the Lord to help the lost turn from their sins and obey Him (cf. Matt. 7:12; 2 Tim. 2:24-26). To know this is not enough. We must take action to reach the lost and bring them to salvation. However, a great deal of confusion exists over how to reach the lost. For much of the religious world, “outreach” to the lost involves offering people opportunities for entertainment, recreation, and social activities, hoping they will enjoy themselves so much that they might eventually see the benefits of joining a particular church. As a result, many people remain lost in sin, but are now part of some religious community. In order to reach the lost effectively, we must help people hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ so that they will be freed from their sins (cf. Acts 18:8). How can we go about reaching the lost today? Seek the Lost Jesus is the perfect example for us to imitate in reaching the lost: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Rather than waiting for the lost to find their own way to salvation, the Lord actively sought those who needed spiritual help and direction. The first step to take in reaching the lost is actively to seek those around us who are separated from God in sin so that we can show them the way of salvation. Interact with them, talk with them, engage them in a discussion of spiritual matters, and invite them to learn about the Lord. Let us imitate the Master by seeking the lost in order to lead them to salvation. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). While we may complain that no one seems to be interested in the gospel anymore, there are opportunities all around us. Who are the lost? Our neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, people with whom we do business, those we interact with each week, and perhaps even members of our own families. Some of them are living immoral lives, some are viewed as being good people, some are even religious, while others are atheists or agnostics, and many are just confused. It is up to us to invite them to investigate the message of the cross. We need to imitate the Savior by seeking those who are lost in sin in order to lead them to repentance and salvation (Mark 2:17). Find a Common Foundation with the Lost All lost people need the gospel, but they are not all prepared to start at the same place. Philip could preach Jesus to the Ethiopian “beginning at this Scripture” (Acts 8:35) because the Ethiopian already worshiped the true God and believed the Scriptures. At the synagogue, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead” (17:2-3) because they shared a common foundation in the prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus. On the other hand, when encountering pagans, Paul had to begin with, “God, who made the world and everything in it” (17:24) in an effort to establish common ground—i.e., a starting point. Paul challenged Felix with the reality of “judgment to come” (24:25) as a foundation from which to work. However, when dealing with Agrippa, the same apostle found more of a common religious foundation from which to begin, saying, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” (26:27). The New Testament serves as an instruction manual for finding a common foundation from which to teach the lost. The goal is to take this lost person from where he is to where he needs to be by leading him to believe and obey the gospel so that he will be saved. As Paul puts it, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). If you are trying to reach someone who already believes in God, believes that Jesus is the Son of God, and believes the Bible is the word of God, then you have a very solid foundation to work with as you show what the Bible teaches one must do to be saved. If you are trying to reach someone who isn’t convinced that the Bible is God’s word, then you’ll have to establish that fact before moving on to what the Bible says one must do to be saved. Find out what this individual believes, spend time in prayer, and use wisdom and good judgment in working to bring this lost soul from where he is to where he needs to be in understanding and obeying the gospel. The inspired wise man points out that “he who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30). We need to put forth the effort to start from a common foundation in order to be as effective as possible in reaching the lost. Present God’s Plan to the Lost Paul writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). The message of the loving Savior who laid down His life at the cross in order to redeem humanity from sin is the power that God uses to convert the soul. Reaching the lost is not about catering to man’s physical or social desires, nor is it about helping people experience earthly success so they can live a better, more enjoyable life. Instead, the focus is on presenting a message of salvation from sin to those who are desperately in need of reconciliation with God. For those who are truly seeking, the gospel message is the sword of the Spirit that pricks the heart of the sinner so that he is turned to the Lord. Place your confidence in the gospel to accomplish its work. To reach the lost and bring them to salvation, God’s plan must be presented in a simple manner so that people are led to understand, believe, and obey it. The lost should be shown from Scripture how sin entered the world in the garden of Eden and how God carried out a plan to save man from sin through the sacrifice of His Son. They need to be shown what the Bible teaches about sin, salvation, the church, the two covenants, Bible authority, and man’s eternal destiny. It is our job to help them understand that, in order to benefit from the sacrifice of Christ, they must repent and be baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38). The souls of sinners are purified “in obeying the truth” (1 Pet. 1:22). We need to present the plan of God to the lost so that they will be convicted to comply with the conditions He has set in order to receive salvation. Conclusion Jesus said, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). No work in this world is greater and more urgent than reaching the lost with the saving message of Christ. Seek them out, find a common foundation from which to begin, and present God’s plan in all of its power and simplicity. Will you join in the work?
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Escaping Satan’s Clutches
by Ken Weliever Not long after daylight on July 4th our daughter, Rachél, was attacked by an alligator in the shallow water of the Hillsborough River at her Temple Terrace home. Rachél instinctively screamed but the gator wouldn’t let go of her right leg. After hitting it with a rock, she punched it in the nose with her fist. But the gator held on. Tight. Fearing she was about to be dragged into deeper water, Rachél described to Bay News Nine reporter Matt Lackritz who interviewed her on Friday, how in desperation she reached her hands to either side of the gator’s jaws and pried them open. After crawling back to her yard, Rachél wrapped her leg in a towel, and called a neighbor to take her to the hospital. In describing the rush of adrenaline she felt, Rachél told Matt, “I was not ready to leave my family yet.” By God’s grace, Rachél is home from the hospital recovering after a successful surgery for a fractured Fibula, as well as tissue damage. Thankfully, no major nerves were severed. The prognoses is 6-8 weeks before the bone is healed. Rachél’s spunk, determination, and strong will allowed her to escape the gator’s clutches. In a similar way, we need the same resolve to escape the Devil’s attacks on our soul. While not described as an alligator, the Bible does depict the Devil as an old serpent, a roaring lion, and a great, fiery dragon (Rev. 20:2; 12:3; 1 Pet. 5:8) who seeks our harm. The metaphors are designed to warn us about the danger he poses. The seriousness of his attacks. And the need to be wary of him. The Bible speaks of our struggle against Satan’s schemes and how we wrestle with his temptations. Resisting is not always easy. We must fight against his wiles (Eph. 6:10-17). Satan seeks to ensnare us today with the age old tactics of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15-17). It requires our determination and resolve to resist. To fight against feelings we know that are injurious to our spiritual health and well-being. Today the devil has so many people in his clutches. It may be an addiction. A harmful habit. A destructive relationship. A crippling emotional dependency. Or even spiritual indifference. Unlike the alligator whose grip is obvious, hurtful, and life threatening, Satan employs means that are more subtle. Through delusion, deception, deceit and disinformation, we may find ourselves in his grip. But it doesn’t seem so bad. It might even feel fine. That’s why the Bible warns us to be alert. Be vigilant. Be watchful. And to pay attention to the devil’s attacks. To be ready to fend off his advances. When you find yourself in the devil’s grasp, you need the resolve and courage Rachél possessed in fighting the gator. Are you ready to scream? To punch him in the mouth? To pry away his grip from your heart, mind, and soul? To do whatever it requires to find release and be rescued from certain spiritual death? Like the gator, the Bible says Satan will devour us if we don’t resist and fight against his aggression. The apostle exhorted, “fight the good fight of faith.” That includes fighting against spiritual temptation. Sinful desires. And Satan’s schemes. We are so relieved and grateful that Rachél was spared from this awful ordeal. In the same spirit, we pray that you can fend off the Devil’s dangerous attacks on your soul. That you can be successful in your spiritual struggles. And that you can strengthen your resolve to live for the Lord. “Be strong and of good courage” (Josh. 1:6). — Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, July 2024 “That’s Just Your Interpretation!” By Robert Lupo One of the most common complaints you will hear when trying to teach the Bible to the lost is, “That’s just your interpretation!” Unfortunately, when you hear this, it usually means that they are not interested in listening. But who can blame them for this attitude? When an outsider looks at the thousands of denominations of “Christianity,” it is easy to see why they don’t value one church’s interpretation over another. After all, if there are thousands of ways to interpret the church of the Bible, then how could you trust any teaching from Scripture? The answer to this question is actually very simple. Any division of interpretation on the Scriptures is not the fault of the Bible, but of those who misuse it. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:20 that, “…no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.” There is only one way to interpret the Bible: the way God intended it to be understood. Where, then, do all these interpretations come from? Peter explains in chapter three of that same book. The first explanation is that some things in the Bible are difficult to interpret. In verses 15-16, Peter observes this very thing, “…our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand.” Not everything in the Bible can be understood upon a first reading. This is not the fault of the writer, but the reader. “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” (1 Cor. 14:33). Obviously, God had a message that He wants us to understand. So, it is our responsibility to grow our understanding. If we will examine each saying in the context it was written, we will uncover that message. The second explanation is user error. Peter continues in verse 16, “…which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction…” Here, we see that people will distort the meaning of Scripture either out of ignorance or out of malevolence. Some were taught incorrectly while others intentionally try to mislead. The answer to both false teachers, thankfully, is the same. Peter tells us to “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (v. 18). We need to learn the Scriptures for ourselves. That way we can recognize error. Denominationalism is not the fault of the Bible. God gave us words to live by. These words have meaning. It is our responsibility to carefully handle these words and understand them the way God intended them. My interpretation or your interpretation doesn’t matter. If I Knew I Were Going to Die Tomorrow, What Would I tell My Children Today?
by Bryan Gibson Forgive me for my sins. Maybe you know things I've done against you (Matthew 5:23-24), and if that's the case, I need to be forgiven by you—and by God. I’ve tried hard, but I know my example has been imperfect. I’ve been too harsh at times, other times not firm enough. Please forgive me and make it your aim to improve on the things I did as a parent. I love each one of you. Your mother and I rejoiced the day you were born (John 16:21), but that was nothing compared to the feelings we had when you were born again (John 3:3-5). I’m looking forward to an eternal reward (2 Timothy 4:6-8), but you children have been my reward here on this earth (Psalms 127:3-5). I’ve tried to demonstrate my love in a variety of ways, but I do hope you remember most the love I’ve shown for your soul. Yes, you have spouses and children to care for, but take really good care of your mother, too. She has always been willing to “spend and be spent for your souls” (2 Corinthians 12:15). No doubt she made up for my deficiencies as a parent—when I didn’t have time, she did; when I was too soft, she was firm; when I was too harsh, she provided the softer touch. So “repay” your mom (1 Timothy 5:4), a debt you already know you'll never completely erase. Make sure our precious grandchildren are prepared for the life beyond this one. You already know what’s most important to God (Jeremiah 9:23-24; Galatians 6:14; Matthew 16:26)—make sure they know it too, through what you say AND do. Serve the Lord faithfully, which among other things means daily (Luke 9:23). Jesus died for you so that you would live wholeheartedly for Him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). I pray you have good health, that you are able to provide for your families, but above all, I pray that your souls prosper (3 John 1:2). Whatever you accomplish in this life, whatever happiness you find—it won’t mean a thing if you lose your soul (Matthew 16:26). Study God's word diligently (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:1-3). The times I’ve made a mess of things was when I either wasn’t studying like I should, or when I ignored what I had studied. Bottom line, I shudder to think how dark my life would be without the light of God’s word, the (many more) foolish decisions I would have made without its guidance, how unprepared I would be for "the time of my departure" (2 Timothy 4:6). “Heaven holds all to me,” and I sure hope it’s the same for you. It’s where I plan on going, and it’s been my hope for each of you since the day you were born. This time of sorrow—I wish I could say it’s your last, but it’s not. And that’s okay, because these times of sorrow will make you long for a better place—a place Jesus has prepared for you (John 14:3); a place where you never die, where there is no more pain or sorrow (Revelation 21:4); a place that needs no light, because it is completely lit up by the glory of God (Revelation 21:23; 22:5). Think of the best day you’ve ever had, multiply that joy by 10 million (is that enough?), and then imagine every day throughout eternity being just like that. One more thing—please sing, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” at my funeral. It’s my favorite song, and if you read those words again, you'll know exactly why. It doesn't have to be your favorite song, but you sure better live by its words. Gleanings from a Walk on a Country Road by Tom Edwards NOTE: The following article (with the exception of some slight editing) was written back in early November 2003. Joe and Blanche Thompson had flown me up from Louisiana to their home in Pennsylvania because 86-year-old Joe was in very poor health and nearing death and wanted me to do his funeral, which I was honored to do. Joe was the kind of guy that easily made you feel like his best friend. While the others were away, and just Joe and I were in his home, and he in a hospital bed in their living room, I did my funeral sermon for him so he could hear it. A few weeks later in December, Joe passed away, for which again they flew me back up. So perhaps that gives a little more of the emotional setting for the following article of the comfort we can have in God. -------------------- While staying with the Thompsons up in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, for about a week recently, after my morning Bible studies, I would often then walk about 5 miles down a country road, where I could also spend that time in prayer, in praise, and in meditation upon God and spiritual things. Though this is good for the body and the mind, it is even more beneficial for one's spiritual soul. God's handiwork is often a delight to me, a reminder of the reality of His existence, and physical blessings to be thankful for. To see the rolling and elongated hills, where cows and horses grazed on their grassy slopes; to behold the immense sky with its varietal shapes of clouds drifting by and the v-shaped patterns of geese, honking their way across the blue; to hear and watch the gurgling brook; to see the wind making tall grass undulate like endless waves of the sea; and to observe the towering clumps of woodlands in the distance and those that were near and overshadowing the road and forming "tunnels" for the pedestrian or those in vehicles to pass under, all evoked thoughts of God, the Creator. For how can we not think of the Lord when we see His various wonders abounding everywhere? (cf. Rom. 1:19-20.) God's reality is no less real than that of His creation. And actually, His existence is even "more real," in the sense that He never changes nor wears out as creation does. Therefore, compared to the "durability" of God, creation itself seems to be (in a manner of speaking) gauzy, shadowy, so temporal, a fading reality that will vanish with the wearing down of time. But God, and His spiritual realm of heaven, will never become even one second older, nor diminish in quality to the slightest degree. Instead, God and heaven are eternally "new." The radiance of heaven will never wane. Its brilliance will never become dulled. There will be no rusting, no tarnishing, no decaying, nor no perishing in that perfect place called heaven where nothing grows old, wears away, nor weakens. Corresponding to this, the Hebrew writer states in Hebrews 1:10-12: "And, 'YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT, AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.'" And as he says elsewhere, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb. 13:8). God's "years" do not come to an end; but ours do -- the physical part of us, that is. It is a "going the way of all the earth," as David (1 Kings 2:2), as well as Joshua (Josh. 23:14), refers to it. As I continued on my morning walk, taking in the sights, I soon entered a small cemetery at the corner of Faggs Manor Road and 926, with an interest in finding its oldest grave. Thinking that the first person interred in that burial ground had probably wanted to be laid to rest under a large, shady tree, I walked to what appeared to be just that: the oldest tree in the cemetery. Though there were many tombstones that had been so weathered with the corroding years of time that their inscriptions were no longer legible or only partly so, yet I found one rather large slab that was clearly readable. It lay flat and long, covering the grave site; rather than being an upright headstone. Its inscription said: "Here lyeth the body of Jane the relict [widow] of James Creswell who departed this life the 17 of August, 1749. Aged about 85 years." That means that this woman was born around 1664. Below this inscription, it then read as follows: "Death thou hast conquer'd me. I by thy dart am slain. But Christ hath conquer'd thee And I shall rise again." How true that is. Because Jesus died, was buried, and arose from the grave, we, too, can have hope in a better resurrection (Heb. 11:35). One for which we will be changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet...." When "the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed" (1 Cor. 15:51-53). And it makes no difference in what year we have been laid to rest. The important thing, however, is that we are ready to meet God so that it will be a "better" resurrection. For all shall be raised from the dead and exist forever; but only those who belong to the Lord will receive, as Clarence Johnson refers to it, "the quality life." This is what Jesus came to give, as He Himself states in John 10:10, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." And the Lord also states of this great universal resurrection in John 5:28-29, in which to those who are the saved it will be a "resurrection of life"; but to those who are the lost, it will be a "resurrection of judgment." Christ conquered death by His own death and resurrection (Heb. 2:14-15). Going along with this, Paul states to the Corinthians: "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:20-22). Jesus truly is "the resurrection and the life" (Jn. 11:25); and He continues in this verse by saying, "he who believes in Me will live even if he dies." The inscription on the tombstone also reminded me of the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57: "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Yes, the Christian knows that not even death can separate him or her from the love of God (cf. Rom. 8:35-39). Therefore, the child of God need "...not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul..."(Matt. 10:28); for they cannot separate one from God's goodness and care. Ultimately, the faithful Christian will triumph even in death and arrive in a place more blissful than ever could be imagined. Christ can take the "sting" out of death. For in Jesus, death leads to Paradise and heaven, rather than to Tartarus and hell. But whether we die with that "sting" or not is a choice that only the individual can make. God has shown His great desire toward the salvation of all by giving His Son Jesus to die for every sinner (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:9-10; Rom. 5:6-10), but we must avail ourselves of the power in Christ's atonement by humbly submitting to the gospel plan of salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38; Rom. 6:3,4; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10). Yes, it was a good walk I had that morning; and as I spoke to God through prayer, He also "spoke" to me in these various ways: through His creation and through His words of truth that are found in the Scriptures and can instill within each of us the faith we need, along with hope, comfort, and numerous other spiritual blessings. So let us, therefore, take the time to listen to God and to lovingly respond to His gracious call, so that our walk may always be with Him in our hearts, having His word to lead our way, and our final destination being in heaven itself. Harsh Words
by Doy Moyer Somewhere along the line, it seems our culture has been convinced that insulting people is the way to win others to their way of thinking. Harsh words that disparage intelligence coupled with character-destroying insinuations have become embedded in our arguments and disagreements. This is the way of the world, a path lacking grace and mercy and which can only lead to further division and hatred. In leading up to the point that we need to take on the mind of Christ, the apostle Paul argued, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Phil 2:1-2, NASU). Notice the terms: encouragement, consolation, love, fellowship, affection, compassion, joy, united. These are produced by the Spirit. How could this be accomplished? The answer is given: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (vv. 3-4). The mind or attitude of Jesus is what we are aiming for (v. 5), and this was demonstrated by His self-emptying act of dying for us. And as John would say, “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16). For the child of God, we are to speak with grace (Col 4:6), love (Eph 4:15), and kindness devoid of bitterness (Eph 4:31-32). We don’t revile or insult in return when such is hurled at us (1 Pet 2:21-23). And Jesus is our example in this. I am aware that there were times Jesus spoke more harshly, calling out hypocrites for what they were (Matt 23). Yet Jesus knew hearts in ways we do not. He can judge what we are not capable of judging. Be very careful in trying to justify hard language, especially that which is graceless and insulting. We can be direct and straightforward and still be respectful. We can do better, can we not? I can, and I intend to. If we have arguments to make, make them without rancor and insult. Whether we are talking with unbelievers or fellow saints, we gain nothing by harsh rhetoric that requires us to know the hearts of those with whom we have our discussions. Let the truth be spoken so it can do what the Lord intends for it to do, and let us avoid speaking in a manner that is wrong. THE ADVOCATE By James Baker Minister, Mt.Airy church of Christ There are many people suffering from mental or physical disabilities. These people must go through life trying to survive and they need help to be able to do so. John 5.7. That is why it is important for them to have an advocate. An advocate will serve as an advisor and lookout for such individuals. The advocate will help them live and enjoy life just like everyone else. Mark 2.1-5. Mental disabilities are very difficult, and people can be taken advantage of if the brain isn’t working properly. That is why the advocate job is so Important. The advocate will be there to make sure that harm doesn’t happen. Physical disabilities mean the person has something wrong with the body and it could be walking, sight, hearing, etc. Whatever the physical shortcoming, the advocate will help the person exist in life and be able to live despite that shortcoming. But there are very low down people on this earth. I call them vampires; feeding off the weak among us.For one to do so, is despicable. It is deplorable. We hope that God will punish every individual that practices vampirism. Deut 15.11. Pro 14.31. Psa 37.14. Psa 109.16. Psa 82.3-4. Zech 7.10. Psa 10.2-10. It is a honor to be able to help someone who cannot help themselves. The Bible teaches that helping our fellow man is important because it's the humane thing to do. When you see someone that needs help, do what must be done to help lift them up. Luke 10.33-35. Show them how not to make mistakes because of their disability. Special needs people don’t realize they might be getting ready to make a mistake in action and judgement, but that is where the advocate comes in. If you have the means and the understanding; help your fellow man! Become a advocate. Rom 15.1-4. Holy Spirit Baptism – Is It For Believers Today? By Mike Riley There is great confusion in the religious world regarding Holy Spirit baptism. Some sincere and honest folks believe that when the Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit, they think only of the baptism of the Holy Spirit; others believe that when the Bible speaks of baptism, it must refer to Holy Spirit baptism. In this article, let us look at eight reasons why Holy Spirit baptism is not a requirement for believers today: 1) Christ was the administrator of Holy Spirit baptism and no man can baptize another in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:3-4). 2) Holy Spirit baptism was promised but never commanded (Matthew 3:11). On the other hand, water baptism is a command (Acts 10:48) to every one (Matthew 28:19) and not a promise, though there is great promise connected with water baptism (our sins are remitted and washed away – Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). 3) Holy Spirit baptism was never intended to save anyone (John 15:3; Acts 11:14). 4) Holy Spirit baptism is a figuration baptism because the Holy Spirit is a divine being and not a material substance in which a person can be literally immersed. Water baptism, however, is a literal baptism (Acts 8:35-38). 5) Holy Spirit baptism was given to the apostles for the express purpose of revealing and confirming God’s truth (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Hebrews 2:3-4). 6) Baptism in the Holy Spirit was never commanded for all people, but promised only to the apostles (Acts 1:1-8) for a special mission to the Jews and to Cornelius (a Gentile) to illustrate the fact that Gentiles had also been granted repentance unto life (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 11:15-16). On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were “filled” with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). This “filling” was figurative, not literal. It refers to the endowment power given to them by the Holy Spirit and not a literal infusion of the Spirit Himself. The “pouring out” of the Spirit (Acts 2:17), the “filling” of the Spirit (Acts 2:4), and the “baptism” of the Spirit (Acts 1:5) designated the bestowal of power upon the apostles by the Spirit. These terms are used in a metaphorical sense, and are not literal representations of what occurred. When studying the work and influence of the Holy Spirit, it is vital for the Bible student to remember that the “measures” of the Spirit were measures or degrees of power which the Spirit exercised through those endowed (1 Corinthians 12:11; cf. Romans 12:6; 2 Corinthians 10:13) and not literal effusions of the Spirit’s essence of deity. The Holy Spirit is a Person – not merely an influence. The influence which the Holy Spirit wields today is solely through means – the Word of God which the Holy Spirit revealed to inspired men (Gal. 1:11-12; Ephesians 3:1-6; 2 Peter 1:20-21). 7) The Holy Spirit never made a person jump, run, fall, or act demented. He never knocked a man down, nor made him roll on the floor like an animal, nor made him babble in a mysterious language that man could not understand (Acts 2:2-12; 1 Corinthians 14:32-33). 8) Since we have the perfect (complete), revealed law of liberty, there is no longer any need for inspired men, miracles, or miraculous tongues today (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; cf. James 1:25). Hence, there is no need for the baptism of the Holy Spirit today. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is in the past, Christ having fulfilled His promise to the apostles (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:3-4). Conclusion In closing our brief study, let us note the little key word “is” in Ephesians 4:4. It is in the present tense indicating that water baptism (Ephesians 4:5) is a requirement today, and until Christ comes (Matthew 28:19-20). Today, there is only one baptism (Ephesians 4:5), and that is water baptism (John 3:5; Acts 8:35-39; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:20-21). For those who have not been baptized in water “for the remission of sins”, having your sins “washed away” (Acts 22:16), may we invite you to seriously consider being baptized today, as “now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). by Kyle Pope In 1993 a movie came out entitled Grumpy Old Men. I never saw the movie, but as a thirty-year-old (at the time) I could maintain the assumption that such a description couldn’t apply to me—I was still young. Now the years have rolled on, and as David said, “I have been young and now I am old” (Psa. 37:25a). Sadly, far too often, as I look in the mirror or through the lens of self-examination, the phrase “grumpy old man” describes me all too well. I don’t like that! When I was a young preacher, many hours of discouragement came directly from the carelessness of cranky old men. How I pray that I will never be the source of such discouragement to my younger brothers and sisters in Christ! I must recognize, however, that unless I am careful—unless we all are careful that is exactly what we can become. Why Are Old Men Cranky? They May not Know Why. If I can look to myself as an example, the answer to this question at times may be “I don’t know!” Have you ever just awoke in the morning in a cranky mood? There is nothing that directly seems to trigger it. Nothing specifically has gone wrong—you just feel irritated at the whole world! That’s not just a problem with old men—sometimes “angry young men” grow into “cranky old men.” As Christians, however, we must never tell ourselves, “that’s just the way I am.” If my disposition is not what it ought to be I need to repent! If I can identify the problem I must change it, improve it, or learn to be content with it (Phil. 4:11-13). If I can’t identify it I must not allow it to take control of my life and discourage those around me. We men especially struggle with this. That is likely why Paul taught, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them” (Col. 3:19). I’m sure there are bitter women, but more often we men just let ourselves simmer with a cranky attitude. Solomon wrote, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city”(Prov. 16:32). The Aging of the Body. Health can be a part of this. As the body grows older it is frustrating that things don’t work as they once did. The body aches when it didn’t before. The slightest effort, which the young man could do without a thought, leaves the old man exhausted. There isn’t a cure for this, it is just part of growing older. The wise man described this as when, “the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (Eccl. 12:1b). We should note, however, that just because these are “difficult days” that hold less “pleasure in them” does not grant Christians the right to wallow in misery and self-pity. Paul told Titus to teach older men to be “sound in faith, in love, in patience” (Titus 2:2b). I don’t show love and patience if I have a cranky and bitter disposition. Paul told the Thessalonians to “rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16). Peter urged all Christians in their faith to “rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8). I do not have “joy inexpressible” when I allow my heart to be dominated by crankiness. A Changing World. Every generation observes changes in customs, morality, and attitudes with every passing year that are different from what they once were. The preacher of Ecclesiastes taught, “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (Eccl. 7:10). The reality will always be that some things improve and some things get worse, but change is never easy. This is especially true in technology. About the time I figure out how to use one device it is updated and becomes obsolete. That can be irritating! I don’t learn things as quickly as I once did. In spite of that, if I am not careful I can discourage the young if I make it seem as if “everything new is bad”—“the young are worse than my generation,” or “there is no hope for the future.” As an older man I need to show those younger than me how to “shine as lights” in the “midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15). I won’t do that by crankiness or being overly critical. Not Realizing How They Come Across. Several weeks ago I lost my voice. When it came back, for quite some time my voice continued to be rough and gravelly. During that time we had a home Bible study with the middle, high school, and college age kids. My wife and I joked that with my voice impaired the kids had a harder time knowing when I was joking. Things I said playfully sounded as if I was scolding them. Age can cause the same problems. An older man or woman may say something with the sweetest of intentions, but the voice seasoned by age, or impaired by poor health seems harsher than intended. This calls for consideration on both sides. I need to make sure my tone or manner doesn’t come across in ways that are destructive, but when I hear things that might seem harsh I need to give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Paul taught that love hopes for the best (1 Cor. 13:7), as we act “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2). Grasping for Lost Respect or Influence. As we grow older, younger men step into roles we once held. That’s how it ought to be. In the church Paul told Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). As our roles change in the workplace, in the home, or in the church it can easily cause us to feel unappreciated, neglected, or disrespected. If we aren’t careful this can lead us in some very childish ways to try and demand respect, assert influence, or regain some status we perceive to have been lost. That’s part of what happened to Saul. This once great leader of Israel was so resentful and envious of the success of David that it moved him to petty jealousy and sinful efforts to regain respect (1 Samuel 17-31). Sadly, in many cases our respect and influence have not really been lost—we only imagine that they have. Yet, when coarse, selfish, childish, and abrasive actions are taken, that’s when we truly lose the respect of others. Snapping at a waitress in a restaurant, harshly criticizing the actions of a younger brother or sister, or throwing a fit when things aren’t done our way do not motivate respect. They destroy it. The young are commanded to respect those older than they are (Lev. 19:32; 1 Pet. 5:5), but we who are older are also commanded to act in ways that motivate respect. Paul commanded Timothy to teach that “the older men” should “be sober, reverent, temperate” (Titus 2:2a). What I Must Not Do When I was a young preacher, some of the discouragements brought on by those I perceived as cranky old men concerned things they believed. In some cases, as the years have gone by, I have come to appreciate (and even agree with) some of the things that so troubled them. The wise man taught, “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise” (Prov. 22:17). In other cases, what was so important to them proved to be nothing more than a pet opinion, personal preference, or peculiar perspective with no scriptural foundation. The wise man also said, “Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools” (Eccl. 9:17). I must be careful that in matters about which I feel strongly or in instances in which I choose to offer criticism to those younger than me I offer my thoughts “quietly” without anger, aggression, or assuming improper intent on the part of the one to whom I speak. I must make certain that when I choose to speak, I only push God’s word rather than my own opinions and preferences lest my words prove to be nothing more than “the shout of a ruler of fools.” The wonderful example of Aquila and Priscilla teaches us so much about love and kindness. They did not blast Apollos publicly. They did not assume that he was deliberately avoiding teaching about Christ. “They took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26b). If I must correct or rebuke a brother or sister in Christ, except in the most extreme cases (e.g. 1 Tim. 5:20), I must not do it publicly. Souls can be lost by the thoughtless action of cranky old men like us if we are not careful! As we are so quick to win an argument, young and struggling souls may see our actions as hateful, mean-spirited, and contrary to the cause of Christ. Paul told Timothy, “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient” (2 Tim. 2:24). While I must ever stand for truth, may God help me to always do so with love, and an encouraging tone, never allowing my own struggle with crankiness to harm a soul created in God’s image It’s another Sunday morning, and you are fighting to get everything and everyone ready on time. The kids are screaming, and someone is honking the horn. Most families know the feeling. As you come staggering to the car at the last second, did you forget anything? Do you have a checklist of things you must bring to church? Most of us would do well to ponder every day, and especially every Lord’s Day, what it means to worship God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. If we listen to the word of the Lord reverently, we will find many reasons to be humbled at the very thought of the awesome grandeur of the One who is the object of our adoration. We will not approach Him lightly or frivolously. And when time for worship approaches, whether it is collective or private, we must take certain attitudes with us to His heavenly throne. A Willing Spirit King David wrote, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1). The psalmist’s attitude stands in stark contrast to that of the begrudging priests addressed in the book of Malachi. God charges them with despising His name, offering blemished animals, and saying to themselves, “My, how tiresome it is!" (Malachi 1:6, 13-14). Amos rebukes the Israelites of the mid-7th century BC because of a similar disdain for worship. They couldn’t wait for their religious obligations to be satisfied so that they could get on with business: “When will the new moon be over so that we may buy grain, and the Sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, to make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, and to buy with dishonest scales…?” (Amos 8:5). If you have any inclination to be spiritually minded, read Psalm 63 and make this prayer your own. With these words alive in your heart, you will never be able to permit the service of God to degenerate into a burdensome chore again. Worship time should invoke a spiritual adventure: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law” (Psalm 119:18). Going through the motions without heart involvement produces worship that is “vain” (Matthew 15:8-9). |
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