September 16, 2001

In this lesson, we will look at one of the most interesting, most quoted from, and yet most misunderstood passages in the New Testament -- Matthew, chapter 24. Chapter 24 of the book of Matthew parallels Mark chapter 13 and Luke chapter 21. This speech of Jesus, as He sat on the Mount of Olives, took place on Tuesday before He was crucified on Friday. When He had entered the city for Passover week on Sunday a few days before this speech, He had looked down upon the city and wept audibly. Jerusalem, the city that had killed the prophets and stoned those God has sent to lead them, was soon to crucify God’s Son. Consequently, within that generation, Jerusalem itself would be leveled to the ground, temple and all. A similar lament is found in Matthew chapter 23, leading up to the chapter we will now examine.

"Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came to Him to show Him the beautiful buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately saying, ‘Tell us when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Take heed that no one deceives you, for many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matt. 24:1-14).

Note the occasion for this speech. The disciples called the Lord’s attention to the buildings of the temple. He indicated that the time was coming when all those buildings would be demolished. In their Jewish minds, they associated the destruction of Jerusalem with the end of the world. They wanted to know, when it would happen, and how they could know when it was about to occur. Keep in mind that this is their question -- and that this question about the destruction of Jerusalem is what Jesus is answering.

There are many religious groups today that proudly declare they are Pentecostal. Is this desirable? Are we or should we be Pentecostal? What is meant by it?

There are different ideas that enter into what is called "Pentecostal", but they all seem to involve special direct workings of the Holy Spirit or an effort to continue the same manifestations of the Spirit that took place on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus, as is set forth in Acts 2.

Many believe in a special baptism of the Holy Spirit for all believers which they call a "baptism of fire." There are two things wrong with this. The baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was not for all believers and it was not called a "baptism of fire." Acts 2:3 makes it clear that there were "divided tongues, as of fire." Those who pray for a baptism of fire should desire that their prayers are not answered. The reference to Jesus baptizing with fire is found in Matthew 3:11,12 and is associated with punishment in "unquenchable fire." The baptism of the Holy Spirit never was for all believers. It was a promise to the apostles. Acts 1:4,5. Those who were overwhelmed with the Spirit on Pentecost were the apostles. This is seen by looking at the last word in Acts 1:26-apostles and by looking at Acts 2:1-4, 14. This is further confirmed by Peter's rehearsal of what happened at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-47; 11:15-"and as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning." The baptism that is commanded of all involved water (Mk 16:15,16; Acts 8:36-38) and came before removal of sins, Acts 2:38; 22:16.

Many of those who claim to be "Pentecostal" believe in "ecstatic utterances" or speaking in other languages which they believe is directed by the Holy Spirit. In practice, this often involves speaking in a gibberish that is not understood by those present. It is not even claimed to be a known language. If someone claims to interpret it, the interpretation is subjective and if it is taped and given to several claiming the gift of interpretation, there will be a variety of contradicting interpretations. Is this what took place on Pentecost? Were the languages known and understood? There were people there from about fifteen nations representing some nine or ten languages, Acts 2:5-11. Notice verse 11- "…we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

Those who say they are "Pentecostal" object that we are not "Pentecostal." I submit we are the ones who are truly "pentecostal." We teach and practice those things which began on Pentecost. We stress believers should repent and be baptized (in water) for the remission of sins, (Acts 2:36-38; 10:47,48). We teach the Holy Spirit convicts by His word as on Pentecost. We recognize that the terms of salvation are those which added them to the church, Acts 2:47. We maintain the need of continuing "steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42) The "breaking of bread" is understood to refer to regular observance of the Lord's Supper each first day of the week. (Acts 20:7). We teach we are no longer under the Old Law, but are under the New Testament of our Lord which was announced first on Pentecost. We are members, not of some earthly denomination with earthly headquarters, but are members whose names are registered in heaven, (Hebrews 12:22,23). We believe preachers should not wear special clerical titles like "Reverend" even as Peter, James, John and Paul. We want to be known as "Christians" (Acts 11:26) not some hyphenated human name.

[Editor’s Note: We have no information on this exchange except as made known in this news item, written by Floyd Chappelear. --crj]

Lynn Trapp, formerly the preacher at the Glen Burnie, Maryland, church of Christ and Floyd Chappelear, preacher at the Annandale, Virginia, church of Christ will be having an exchange of "papers" on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16 and 17, 2001.

Each speaker will be given 30 minutes to present his material and then each speaker will be given an opportunity to respond to what was given. Additionally, questions from the audience of both speakers may be entertained.

The topics to be discussed will be "What is Denominationalism" on Friday night. On Saturday, at times not yet determined, the topics will be "Are There Christians in the Denominations?" and "Instrumental Music."

The first lesson of each speaker will have been prepared in advance so this will not be a debate in any sense of the word. Responses may, of course, be rebuttals of what the other speaker had to say but a strict debate format will not have been followed.

Lynn and Floyd are friends, having worked together in debate in the past, and will conduct themselves accordingly. Those who are suspect of exchanges on religious topics should find this brotherly exchange worthwhile.

UPCOMING GOSPEL MEETING SCHEDULE
Dates	Congregation	Speaker
September 16-21	Hyde Park, Pennsylvania	Clarence Johnson
October 1-2 & 4-5, 2001	Susquehanna	Scott Smelser
November 12-16	Annandale, Virginia	different speakers

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