| August 9, 1998 |
Vol. I, No. 15
|
We know how much the church meant to Christ, for He gave Himself for it, Eph. 5:23-25.
We know how much the church means to God the Father, for He gave His only begotten Son to die for it, John 3:16; Acts 20:28.
But what does the church mean to you? To some, the church is used as a fire escape. They find no particular joy or significance in membership, but hope to avoid the fire of hell by their half-hearted service. To many, the church has about the same meaning as a spare tire. They don't think much about it and dread to ever have to use it, but they are afraid to be without it.
To many, the meaning of the church is like that of the "Sunday" shirt or dress. It should be handy to use on special occasions, but not frequently resorted to.
To a few, the church is the kingdom of God and membership in it means accepting the responsibility of being faithful, obedient children of the heavenly Father. To these, the church is not an outward something to be used in case of emergency. The kingdom of God is within them, and every day of their lives is lived in the realization that their primary citizenship is in heaven, and their first loyalty is to Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Say, brother, or sister, what does the church of Christ Jesus mean to
you? Can you say with the Psalmist, "I was glad when they said to
me, `Let us go into the house of the Lord.'" (Psa. 122:1)?
--CRJ
Joel prophesied, “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved...” (Joel 2:32). Peter quoted this passage in Acts 2:16-21, showing that the time had come for the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Of course, students of the New Testament must realize that there is more to calling on the name of the Lord than simply crying out, “Lord, Lord.” See Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46. In fact, when those who heard Peter’s speech asked what to do (to call on the name of the Lord and be saved) Peter told them 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). Of course, they first had to hear the gospel, vs. 14, and believe it, vs. 36. This they did before they even asked their question. Faith, repentance and baptism. There is no other way to properly “call on the name of the Lord.”
As Saul of Tarsus had been instructed in the gospel, Acts 22:6-10, and showed evidence of faith and repentance, he was told, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (vs. 16). One cannot properly call on the name of the Lord without faith, repentance, and baptism.
As Paul discussed the method God uses to save folks from their sins, he also quoted from Joel 2:32, saying in Rom. 10:13, “For ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” In the context, he shows that calling on the name of the Lord involves hearing and believing the gospel, vs. 14, as well as having such a change of heart (repentance) as to publicly confess faith in Jesus as the Christ, vs. 9-10, followed by obeying the commands of the gospel, vs. 16, 19-21. Again, we note that there is no other way to properly “call on the name of the Lord.”
Dear reader, you today may call on the name of the Lord in the same way Peter’s audience did in Acts 2:36-41. The same way Paul did in Acts 22:6-16. As Paul taught others to do in Rom. 10:9-16. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
--CRJ
Question: “Who changed the Sabbath Day from the 7th to the first day of the week, and where can I find it in my Bible?” --P.H.
Answer: No one CHANGED the sabbath day. Jesus ABOLISHED the entire law of which the sabbath was but a part, and you may read it in 2 Cor. 3:7-14 and Eph. 2:11-16.
In 2 Cor. 3:7-14, Paul writes that the ministry of death (Old Testament law) that was written and engraved on stones (see Ex. 31:18) was so glorious that Moses’ face shone as he made it known to Israel. See Ex. 34:29-35. But this glory was to be done away, 2 Cor. 3:7. The glory of the New Testament exceeds that of the old (vs. 9-11). That which came by Moses has been abolished, has passed away (vs. 13).
In Eph. 2:11-16, Paul writes further, reminding those who were not FLESHLY descendants of Abraham that there had been a time when they were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise because of the law of Moses which had served as a wall separating Jews from Gentiles, but that law has now been abolished (vs. 15).
Finally, in Col. 2:14-16, Paul speaks specifically: “Having blotted out the handwriting [see Ex. 31:18] of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross... Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths.”
But what about the first day of the week? It is not a “Christian Sabbath.” There is, however, Bible authority for meeting upon that day to observe the Lord’s supper, study His word, and give into a common treasury in accordance with how we have prospered, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
--CRJ
In Matt. 5:9, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” This declaration is in harmony with the prophecy of Isa. 9:6 that Jesus would be called the “Prince of Peace.” In fact, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a multitude of angels appeared saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). And yet it might be noted that Jesus did not view His responsibility as a political one. He never staged protest marches to Herod’s palace or to the seat of government in Rome. When His followers tried to force Him to become a worldly king, He refused, and hid Himself from them, John 6:13. He clearly informed Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He knew there could never be peace among the nations till there was first peace in the hearts of the men and women who make up all nations. It was THIS peace that Jesus came to make possible.
Sin has alienated men from God, Isa. 59:2. Jesus died to make reconciliation possible, that men might have peace with God. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin, Heb. 9:22. Jesus died to pay the price for our sins, so that we might experience the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). Those who come to know this peace through faith in Jesus and faithfulness to His cause are blessed in being children of God.
A second and very important aspect of peace, is peace with one’s self that can come only through possessing a clear conscience in the sight of God. As long as a person continues to do things he recognizes as wrong, he cannot experience the inner peace that God wants each of us to possess. Thus Paul wrote, “Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Rom. 14:22). To begin to experience the peace that God wants us to have with ourselves and with Him, we need to put our trust in Jesus, His Son. We need to repent and turn away from that which we know to be contrary to His will, and submit to New Testament baptism that we might stand before Him with clear conscience, 1 Pet. 3:21. Then truly, we will be at peace, and having made peace, we will be children of God.
Finally, to those who have become God’s children, Paul admonishes, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18).
--CRJ