Author: Majola K
Majola K is a dedicated bible student and teacher from South Africa.
Every Saturday from 19:10 to 21:00 SAT, he teaches online sessions for Polishing the Pulpit (PTP), a platform that provides biblical education and training for preachers.
Majola is a devoted family man. He is the father of three children - Agape, Anita, and Aleta - and the husband to Nikeh Majola. The family worships together at the uVongo Church of Christ, where the Sunday services are held from 09:30 to 12:00.
In addition to his Saturday PTP teaching sessions, Majola also leads a weekly Bible class at his church on Tuesdays from 19:00 to 20:00 SAT, again conducted online for remote participants.
Majola maintains an active Facebook profile under the name "Majola K" where he shares his teachings on a variety of biblical subjects. His online presence allows him to reach a wider audience and share his knowledge and insights with students of the scripture across the globe.
Through his roles as a bible teacher, family man, and active membe
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Are sins Equal Before God’s Eyes?
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A Study on Romans Chapter 9
Romans exegesis
Chapters 9-11 return to the theme of defending God’s steadfast faithfulness, described as “the righteousness of God” in the early chapters of Romans. The righteousness of God, that is, God’s covenant faithfulness has been revealed through the faithfulness of Jesus for all who believe (Romans 3:23). Turn back to Romans 3:1-8 and recall that there was a discussion there about God’s faithfulness. The question Paul rhetorically asks is, “What advantage did Israel have?” “What was the point of being a Jew?” “What was the value of circumcision?” Paul gives only one answer in Romans 3. One advantage was that Israel was entrusted with the oracles of God. Israel was given the will and word of God and they were to teach God’s will and word to the world. We mentioned in Romans 3 that Paul stops describing the advantages and purposes of Israel at that point but returns to that thought in Romans 9.
Paul’s Anguish (9:1-5)
After such a powerful conclusion of Christian hope and assurance in chapter 8, the ninth chapter can easily catch us off guard. Rather than announcing his personal joy because we are children of God awaiting the glory to be revealed in us, Paul shifts to great sorrow and unceasing anguish. Notice the emphasis Paul wants to impart in these words. Three times he says something as a testimony of his feelings. Paul says, “I am speaking the truth in Christ,” “I am not lying,” and “my conscience bears witness in the Holy Spirit.” Three times Paul says that he is not lying about the great pain he has when he thinks about his countrymen, the Jews. It is interesting to notice that Paul never states what exactly his great sorrow is over, but it is fairly easy to deduce. Israel’s rejection of Christ greatly pains Paul. Paul would do anything to save his kinsmen. Paul wishes that he could be the one cut off so that his people would not be cut off from these great blessings in Christ. Paul appears to be tormented because so many Jews are not saved.
Application: Do we have this kind of love for lost souls? Do we experience the same anguish when we think about how many people who live in this city are going to eternal punishment? Do we have great sorrow when we think about all the people in this county who are separated from Christ? Even more, are we moved to do something like Paul is moved to do? Are we so moved for the lost in our area that we wish we could be cut off if it would bring about the salvation of thousands or millions? Paul is declaring a powerful love for Israel to be saved. I think it is worth mentioning at this point that if in chapter 11 Paul teaches that every Jew is going to be saved, then why is Paul in so much anguish now for their souls? Clearly we will need to carefully consider how all Israel would be saved and reconcile it to Paul’s unceasing anguish for Israel
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Verses 4-5 reveal that Israel had all the advantages and privileges for success. Israel had everything going for them and given to them. They had spectacular privileges and blessings. To Israel belonged adoption, the glory, the covenants, the Law of Moses, the worship and sacrifices, and the promises. They had everything. They had the patriarchs, like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and more. Finally, they had the Messiah, the anointed one, who came through their lineage, who is God over all. Israel had it all. Israel had everything promised to them. Blessings and privileges were within their reach. So what happened? This is the question of verse 6. Did the word of God fail? Did God not bless Israel? Did God not fulfill his promises and covenants to Israel?
Not All Who Descended From Israel Are Israel (9:6-13)
Paul establishes the answer for what happened. It is not that the word of God failed. That is not the answer at God. God has kept his promises. God has kept his covenant. God has offered the blessings and has fulfilled his word. God’s righteousness (his covenant faithfulness) has been revealed. Rather, the answer is that not all who descended from Israel are truly Israel. This must have been shocking words. Put yourselves in the mind of the person who belonged to Israel. They thought they would be justified because they were descendants of Abraham. They had circumcision, Sabbath, separation from the Gentiles, clean and unclean foods, and the like to show that they were the people of God. They are Israel and the blessings and promises were to come to all of them. But Paul tells them to wait just a minute. Not all who are Israelites by blood are the true Israel, the people of God. Paul says that the Jews were in error for thinking that God’s promises applied to the whole of physical Israel. This is not the first time Paul has said something like this. But this is the first time that he has said it quite like this. Notice where Paul already mentioned this truth in passing.
For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (Romans 2:28-29; ESV)
Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. (Romans 4:9–12; ESV)
Notice that Paul was saying the same thing earlier in Romans. Not all who are physically circumcised are the people of God, the true Israel. In fact, those who are not circumcised can be recipients of the promises and those who are circumcised can miss out on the promises. The prophets had spoken of a remnant of Israel. It had become obvious that the nation as a whole was not responding to God’s leading. It was a smaller group within the nation of Israel that was really God’s people. Therefore, it was foolish to think that since the whole nation had not entered the blessing that the promise of God had failed. Romans 9:6 is a very important text to understanding the fulfillment of the promises found in the first covenant. Most scholars and churches teach that the promises that we read about in the prophets have not been fulfilled. Therefore, Israel must be a political nation to inherit God’s promises. Paul’s words here defeat such a thought. God’s promises were not to physical Israel, but to true Israel. The rest of Romans 9 is to prove this point to be true.
Proof #1: Abraham’s children. The first proof used by Paul is the children of Abraham. Paul points out that Abraham had other children (like Ishmael and the many children with Keturah), but the promises would only come through Isaac. God’s promises were not to all of Abraham’s children. Being descendants of Abraham does not make them children of promise. I think the NLT does a good job here: This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children (9:8: NLT). You are not children of promise just because you are descendants of Abraham. Being Jews does not mean you are people of God.
It is useful to observe that the contrast is between being children of promise and children of the flesh. Paul makes the same distinction in Galatians 4 and is worth reading for yourselves to grasp the point Paul is making. Recall that when Paul speaks about something “in the flesh” it has been a reference to the works of the Law (circumcision, Sabbath, defilement laws, clean and unclean foods, etc). I believe the other point Paul is making is that keeping the works of the Law does not make one children of promise. You may be children of the flesh (by blood and by works of the Law), but neither make you the children of promise.
Proof #2: Isaac’s children. Paul goes further to use the example of Isaac’s children, Jacob and Esau. Jacob and Esau were both children of Isaac, but only one of the two would receive the promises of God. Even within Isaac there is a distinguishing that must occur. Even within Isaac there has been a winnowing process. The point is that this winnowing process has been in effect since the inception of Israel.
So how did God choose between Jacob and Esau? It was not by human works. God did not select Jacob to be the nation through the promise based upon Jacob’s works. Israel did not merit its selection. It was not by works of the Law or by any action that Israel was selected. God elected Israel of his own plans and purposes. This was God’s doing. This was God’s choice, even before the children were born. Humans could not thwart God’s purpose. God would use Jacob (Israel), not Esau, as his nation
Now here is where some make a big mistake. Some take this passage to mean that God chooses which individuals will be the elect (saved) and which will not be the elect (condemned). This greatly misses the point that Paul is making. It is important to see the context and the text to defeat this false teaching. First, the context has not been about individuals but about the nation of Israel. Go back to Romans 9:6. Not all of Israel are truly Israel. Paul is explaining the destiny of the nation of Israel, not each individual. The context also reveals this as Paul is in great anguish over the nation (9:2-3), not for each individual. Second, the text also reveals that Paul is talking about the nation, not individuals. Look at the quotation in verse 12, “The older will serve the younger.” However, Esau never served Jacob. Instead, Esau was trying to kill Jacob for most of his life. Esau and Jacob are not being referred to as individuals, but as the nations that came from them. Esau’s descendants were the Edomites and Jacob’s descendants were the Israelites. Edom served Israel. Edom did not have power, but Israel did have power over Edom and the surrounding nations.
Therefore the text and the context reveals that Paul is talking about Israel as a nation. When we understand this, then we do see God’s electing purposes. God selected Israel to be the nation before Jacob was born. God chose Israel. We could even use the Calvinistic term, unconditional election. God chose Israel to be his people without any works or acts on Jacob’s part. The choice was made before Jacob was even born. Thus, verse 13 concludes the thought: God chose Israel, but rejected Edom.
Is God Unjust (9:14-18)
Is there an injustice on God’s part to select one people to be his chosen nation and not another? Is God unfair to elect Jacob to be the one through whom the covenant blessings would come, and not Esau? Notice Paul’s answer to this question. Verse 15 quotes Exodus 33:19, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” This does not seem to answer the question, but press the problem deeper. How can God have mercy on whom he desires to have mercy? Isn’t this an injustice on God’s part?
We need to understand the context in which these words were original stated. Exodus 32 is the incident of the golden calf. Moses is angry and breaks the tablets of stone. God is angry that he says he will not go with the people to the promised land because if he did, he would consume them. Moses goes into the tent of meeting and intercedes on behalf of Israel. Moses says that if God does not go, then he will not go either. If God is not going to go, then there is no point for anyone going. At this moment Moses asks the Lord to reveal his glory. The Lord says that no human can see the full face and glory of the Lord and live. However, God says he will make his goodness pass before Moses. Then God says these words, “And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
God, rather than consuming the nation in his anger, would spare the sinful nation. God’s mercy came in spite of our human will and human exertion to rebel against him. The point is that God is free and does not have to show mercy at all! No one deserves mercy. No one works for God’s mercy! Is God unjust? Not at all because everyone deserve God’s wrath. We are crazy to ask for justice from God! We are losing our mind when we want to demand that God is being unjust. God is acting in mercy not to snuff out our lives. In this context of Paul’s point to the Christians in Rome, God is acting in mercy to choose his people (true Israel), not unjust. The stunning thing for Paul was not that God rejected Ishmael or Esau, but that God chose Isaac and Jacob, for they did not deserve to be included in God’s merciful and gracious purposes. Human effort leaves us in condemnation. We cannot clear ourselves of sin. God shows mercy because God chooses to do so, not because of us.
This is the point Paul is making with Pharaoh. Again, just as Jacob and Esau represent their corresponding nations, so Pharaoh represents Egypt. Egypt as a nation deserved judgment and wrath for its oppression and rebellion. But God spared the Pharaoh and the nation up to a particular point in history so that God’s glory could be revealed. God in his mercy spared Egypt to bring about his own purposes.
The parallel to Israel is strong. God kept the nation of Israel intact and showed mercy toward it, not because of the human effort or will of the people, but because God chose Israel to be the vehicle to reveal his glory.
The point is powerful. The Jews thought that they were privileged and deserved justification because they were Israel. Is it unjust that not all Israel is the true Israel? Is it unjust that the conditions to belong in the family of God is more than simply the works of the Law or being Jew? Absolutely not. Who can complain at God’s conditions for mercy in who will be his people? No one can question God’s purposes because all of us deserve wrath, not mercy.
Conclusion:
What a merciful God we have who decided in advance that he would have a people who would receive mercy rather than condemnation! The people who are recipients of this mercy are not those who are physical descendants of Abraham. The people who are recipients of this mercy are those who are spiritual descendants of Abraham. Paul has described who are spiritual descendants of Abraham: Circumcised in the heart (2:28-29), walk in the footsteps of faith of Abraham (4:12), joined with Christ in baptism (6:4), dead to sin and alive to God (6:11), slaves of righteousness (6:18), live according to the Spirit (8:5), Christ lives in us (8:10), and conformed to the image of his Son (8:29).
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Respect For the Silence of the scriptures
Both the OT and NT show us that the silence of the scriptures have been reverenced throughout the ages
In the Old Testament
Cain and Abel present the first case for consideration. We are told that Cain’s sacrifice was rejected, while Abel’s was accepted. We are not privy to what God told them, but we know he did reveal his will. Hebrews 11:4 informs us, “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain.” Since “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ,” (Romans 10:17), we know that God did give instructions. (That’s what is called a “necessary implication,” another way by which we can ascertain God’s will for us.)
We know God revealed his will to both brothers. We do not know that he listed all kinds of sacrifices that would not be acceptable. If God had to deal with us in that manner, then the Bible would be so big we would need a wheelbarrow to carry it around with us.
The same reasoning applies to God’s word to Moses concerning a certain sacrifice. “This is the statute of the law which Jehovah has commanded, saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed’” (Numbers 19:2). Where, in all of the Bible, is Moses told not to offer an ant, a bedbug, a horse or a zebra? How many different species of animal life live on the earth? The point is clear. God spoke about what he wanted, but did not need to specify everything he did not want. Man’s nature is such that Moses might have searched the earth over to see if he could find one animal God did not name in his list of “do nots.”
Consider Noah and the ark which he built in preparation for the flood. “Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood …” (Genesis 6:14). I don’t know how many different varieties of trees there were on the earth at that time, but I suspect there were several. Notice that God did not say, “gopher wood,” and then go on to say, “But do not use apple tree wood, birch, cottonwood, dogwood, elm, fir, hickory,” ad infinitum. If Mrs. Noah had insisted on paneling the master bedroom with golden oak, could Noah have reasoned that since God was silent about golden oak, it would be OK to use it? You know the answer.
“If Noah had used one plank of any other wood, the ark would have sunk like a rock.” Afterwards, a good sister challenged him. He insisted that Noah’s disobedience would have sunk the ark. She responded, “No, it never would have floated in the first place.” Point well taken!
The sad fate of Nadab and Abihu is another good example of respecting the silence of the Scriptures. God had instructed about fire, incense and offerings. “He shall take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before Jehovah and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil” (Leviticus 16:12). The story of these sons of Aaron is related in Leviticus 10:1-2: “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of Jehovah and consumed them, and they died before Jehovah.”
The operative phrase in the story is “which He had not commanded them.” Evidently God had been silent about the source of the fire they used. He had specified which fire he wanted, but was silent about fire from any other source. What do you suppose these brothers reasoned as they secured their fire? Were they thinking, “Well, if we use this fire, we are going to be roasted alive”? I doubt it. They must have thought, “One fire is as good as another. They all burn. And it is more convenient to use this fire than the one the Lord specified.” The NIV says, “They offered unauthorized fire before the Lord” (emphasis added—jdt). The RSV says it was “unholy” fire.
The tabernacle (later the temple) was the repository of the sacred Ark of the Covenant. When it was moved when Israel traveled, those to carry it were specified. “At that time Jehovah set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, …” (Deuteronomy 10:8). Furthermore, even the mode of transport was given. “You shall cast four gold rings for it and fasten them on its four feet, and two rings shall be on one side of it and two rings on the other side of it. You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark with them” (Exodus 25:12-14). There is no reference to things being forbidden concerning these two matters.
The ark had been captured by the Philistines, and was now being returned to its rightful resting place in Jerusalem. David gave command concerning its transport. “Now David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim. They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart” (II Samuel 6:1-3).
This method of transport seemed sensible. They had considerable distance to cover, and how much more convenient and modern to place it on an ox-cart rather than having men bear this burden on their shoulders. What harm could come from this? After all, they were helping with God’s work and wishes — to return the ark to its rightful place. Is this not the argument that is made many times when some practice is called into question? “We are doing a good work.” But good in the eyes of whom? Man or God?
But we know harm did come. “They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark. Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals. But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God” (II Samuel 6:3-7).
Why did Uzzah die? Wasn’t he trying to help? Wasn’t he doing “a good work?” But good in whose eyes—God’s or men’s? He died for violating a clear prohibition. “When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die” (Numbers 4:15). The holy things were not to be touched, under penalty of death.
David realized the sin that had been committed that brought about the untimely death of this sincere man, who was only trying to be helpful. He spoke to the Levites, and said: “Because you did not carry it at the first, Jehovah our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance” (I Chronicles 15:13). David said they had not considered what God had said, but evidently assumed “silence gave consent.”
The priesthood was an important part of Israel’s relationship with God. Priests were to come from the tribe of Levi. “You shall thus give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the sons of Israel. So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that they may keep their priesthood …” (Numbers 3:9-10). Thus genealogical records were scrupulously kept.
When the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity, they were setting things in order and reestablishing the priesthood. There arose a problem with certain ones who could not prove their ancestry. “Of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was named after them. These searched among their ancestral registration, but it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood” (Nehemiah 7:63-64). What was the problem? The records were “silent” about these men, therefore they were not authorized to serve. Silence did not give consent.
In the New Testament
“Going beyond” was something on Paul’s mind when he wrote to the church at Corinth. “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other” (I Corinthians 4:6). The ASV says they were “not to go beyond …” Paul referred to himself and Apollos as ones authorized to speak with authority. To “go beyond” is to enter the realm of silence, which was not to be done.
Colossians has Paul’s warning against certain practices that were not acceptable. “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with use) –in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence” (Colossians 2:20-23).
How should we define this “self-made religion” (NASV) or “will-worship” (ASV)? Paul says these things have “the appearance of wisdom … but are of no value …” Many practices in the worship of denominations are justified because they are entertaining and draw large crowds. Some of the popular preachers are described as “Dr. Phil in the pulpit,” referring to their practice of taking a verse of scripture and delivering a “feel good” sermon.
“Going beyond” is also mentioned in II John 9: “Whosoever goes onward and abides not in the teaching of Christ, has not God: he that abides in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.” There has been much speculation about whether “the teaching of Christ” involves just the teaching about Christ, or the teaching that Christ did. But in the end it makes no difference. It would be absurd to claim we must adhere to the teaching about Christ, but then do not have to abide within the boundaries of what Christ taught.
“The priesthood and superiority of Christ” is a much-discussed topic in Hebrews. The letter opens with Christ’s superior position over the angels. “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?” (Hebrews 1:5). Why could angels not be considered as equal to the Son? Because God was silent about the matter, and so should we be silent, and not ascribe to angels an equality with the Son.
If all the foregoing reasoning is not convincing concerning the fact that silence does not give consent, please consider carefully the matter of the priesthood of Christ. “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests” (Hebrews 7:13-14). Then in Hebrews 8:4, this statement is made: “Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law.”
Why did the Law have to be changed? Why could Christ not be a priest under the Old Testament? Because Moses “spoke nothing” about those from the tribe ofJudah serving as priests. In other words, the law was “SILENT” about this matter. Question: If “silence gives consent,” then why could not one from Judah be a priest? Nowhere does the Old Testament forbid one from Dan, Simeon or Judah from the priesthood.
Those favoring “silence gives consent” to allow instrumental music counter that God was not “silent” about Noah’s wood, Moses’ sacrifice or Nadab and Abihu’s fire, because God “specified” what he wanted. Agreed! But then they want to use instrumental music in worship because God is “silent” about instruments. Wait a minute. God did specify about music! He said “sing.” Surely the legs of the lame are unequal. (Cf. Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19, etc.) An examination of the history of the early church will confirm that no instruments were used in worship for over 600 years.
Conclusion
If we apply the concept that “silence gives consent,” then what rule would apply when someone wants to borrow my bicycle? I authorize that, and then find the borrower has taken my car instead. When questioned by the police and charged with theft, his plea is, “But he didn’t say not to take the car. I found it suited my needs better to use the car, and since he was silent about it, I saw no reason not to take it.”
How far do you think that argument would get in a court of law? Not very far! And how far will that reasoning get in the Court of the Last Day — Judgment Day? I don’t want to risk it, and I trust that what has been written will encourage us to remain within the guidelines given in the revelation written by the inspired apostles and prophets. The only way we can do that is to respect the silence of the Scriptures.
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Instrumental music in the praises of God
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name,” (Heb 13:15). God created humanity with the ability to use voices to sing praises to Him. The clapping of hands, guitars, etc is not the fruit of the Lips
“Why do churches of Christ not use musical instruments in worship?” is that the churches in the New Testament never used musical instruments when they worshiped in song. Christ, his apostles, and prophets only commanded singing for worship in the New Testament.[1] This is why the churches of Christ maintain singing only. Christ, his apostles, and his prophets instructed singing for the church to make melody together by teaching one another and thanking God. Why did the first churches not use musical instruments to worship God?
Jesus and True Worship
As most Christians realize, worship changed from physical to spiritual. Jesus revealed that worship is now in spirit and truth, and no longer in Jerusalem. David brought the old temple worship to Jerusalem and enhanced this worship with musical instruments. Jesus professed, “the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. […] But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:21–24). The churches of Christ see that Jesus set true worship apart from the worship that David established in Jerusalem.[2] True worship is with the right spirit and by the Truth of God’s Word (cf. John 1:17; 17:17).
The Change to True Worship
Jesus taught that God seeks true worshipers, and Jesus revealed that true worship is in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24). For that reason, Jesus distinguished true worship apart from temple worship in Jerusalem (John 4:21–24). The Temple of God changed from that physical edifice to the spiritual church (1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:21), and worship also changed from physical symbolism to the spiritual reality (1 Pet 2:5). Christ became the atoning sacrifice for sin (Heb 9:22–26). All Christians are now the priests of God’s spiritual Temple, the church. Christians are the ones who God blessed to make melody in the heart and upon the lips. Thereby, true worshipers offer spiritual offerings of praise unto God (Heb 13:15; 1 Pet 2:5). The priesthood of Levites and their physical worship with David’s instruments have ceased (Heb 7:12).
Shadows of True Worship
Old Testament worship foreshadowed and symbolized true worship, and the substance has always been Christ (Col 2:16–17; Heb 8:5; 10:1). Christ fulfilled the Law of the Old Testament, so that Christ has led believers to true worship (Heb 9:9–10; 1 Pet 2:5). Revelation’s symbolic references to Old Testament worship with incense, an altar, sacrifices, and harps are all symbols in Revelation. These physical symbols foreshadow true worship in the New Testament. Incense symbolized prayer and the harps symbolized praise (Rev 5:8–14). Harps are never played in Revelation. However, John described the praises of the faithful sounding like thunders, many waters, and harps (Rev 14:1–3; 15:1–3). The New Testament describes the ordinances of Old Testament worship as obsolete, carnal, and fleshly (Rom 7:1–7; Gal 3–5; 2 Cor 3:7–18; Eph 2:14–22; Heb 8:13). This is why the churches of Christ believe in observing all of Christ’s commands — unaltered, because Christ’s words are perfect and greater than the Law of Moses (Matt 28:18–20).
The churches of Christ refrain from musical instruments in worship because these are contrary to the Spirit of the New Covenant (cf. 2 Cor 3:1–6). If God wanted Christians to worship with instruments in the music of the church, God would have commanded instruments in addition to singing for Christians to use. However, the New Testament specifies that Christians praise God in song with their hearts and lips (Eph 5:19; Heb 13:15).
Changing the Substance of Worship
Jesus’s word are perfect, and no one should add or annul his teachings about worship. Do Christians not have any liberty to express worship in any different way from true worship in the New Testament? God specified the true worship that is best for believers. Christians can no more change the music that Christ commanded than change the elements of the Lord’s Supper (Matt 26:26–29; 1 Cor 11:17–34). Christ specified “the fruit of the grapevine” for the Lord’s Supper, and His Spirit specified “the fruit of the lips” for praise (Heb 13:15). The church of Jesus Christ can no more change “the fruit of the grapevine” in the Lord’s Supper than change “the fruit of the lips” in praise to God (Matt 26:29). Christians cannot change anything that Jesus commanded regarding marriage, baptism, and church elders. Christians cannot change Christ and alter the Gospel. Christ is infallible and so are His words (Heb 4:14–15; 1 Pet 2:22). Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). Therefore, no one can change Jesus’s words.
Jesus declared about the Lord’s Supper, “Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the grapevine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25). The cup of the Lord’s Supper is “the fruit of the grapevine.” Who can change “the fruit of the grapevine” into anything else? Who can add anything to the Lord’s Supper that Christ established? Likewise, who can change Christ’s music and Christian praise? The apostolic writer expressed in Hebrews 13:15, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” As New Testament Christians, the churches of Christ see the blessings of praising God only by lips, and Christians plead with all to reconsider the simple beauty of speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Vocal Worship
Words are the most important part of singing to worship. Christ’s music is vocal and verbal for the church, and singing in worship is the most beautiful, pure, and sublime form of music. The apostolic Scriptures describe musical instruments as “lifeless” and “without soul” (1 Cor 14:7). Lifeless instruments are very much in contrast to one being filled with the Spirit. However, the apostle Paul exhorted, “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:18–19). The Scriptures depict meaningful and spiritual worship where Christians gather together singing to God and to one another without relying on a select group to enhance any display of worship. Worship in spirit and truth is God-enhanced worship (John 4:23–24).
Meaningful Praise
First Corinthians 14 explains that verbal worship edifies worshipers in the assembly. In 1 Corinthians 14:15, Christ’s Spirit uses the Greek word psallo to describe how making melody with the spirit and the mind requires words. Meaningful music in worship relies upon understandable words (1 Cor 14:7–19). Furthermore, Christians complete the act of psallo by making melody in the heart (Eph 5:19). Music consisting of anything other than verbal singing is an addition to God’s Word and contrary to the heart of meaningful worship.
By seeking to worship in spirit and truth, Christians can find that singing is the only form and the highest form of musical worship in the New Testament. Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is a God-given way for Christians to teach and admonish one another (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). Therefore, thousands of churches follow the Scriptures to merely sing and yet avoid foot-stomping, hand-clapping, and musical instruments as additions to Christ’s words. These additions are nit useful for meaningful worship to God. Worship invented by people apart from God’s Word can only hinder Christians from drawing near to God.
Historical Worship
The word acapella means “of the chapel” in Latin and comes from the ancient form of Christian praise when apostolic churches worshiped by singing without instrumental music. For fourteen centuries following Christ, almost all churches sang and opposed the use of musical instruments. During the Reformation, the reformers led the churches in France and England to remove the recent additions of musical instruments added by the Roman Catholic church in the fifteenth century.[3] This effort to reform Christian worship continued through the nineteenth century among many of these churches. Throughout these times, “nonconformist” churches found that true worship is free of the innovations and amusements of society. In the Restoration, the restorers made the same stand for true worship and still do.1
The Perfection of True Worship
True worshipers find that Christ is perfect and complete, and so are His words (John 6:63; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22). Adding to the words of Christ and His Spirit is wrong (Gal 1:6–9; 3:15; 1 Cor 4:6; 2 John 9; Rev 22:18–19). When believers consider the complete perfection of Christ’s words, then Christ’s institutions of the Lord’s Supper, baptism, prayer, music, and the like are complete in presenting His ideals. Few people would consider adding lamb’s meat to the Lord’s Supper even for the purpose of presenting Jesus as the Passover Lamb. Few would consider adding incense to prayers and ashes to the waters of baptism, since such additions are contrary to Jesus’s infallibility. A true worshiper will not add to true worship.
Because God specified only singing in the New Testament Scriptures, alterations are contrary to the heart of meaningful worship. For Christ’s Spirit teaches that every Scripture is God’s breath to make the person of God complete and fully equipped unto every good work (2 Tim 3:16–17). Christians are not lacking any good work in the Scriptures. True worshipers listen to Christ’s Spirit through the Scriptures, and by loving Christ, they see the complete purity of singing over all other musical forms. This is why the churches of Christ do not use musical instruments.1
God Judges Hearts
True worshipers will not add or annul from true worship. As far as true worship being a matter of salvation, God judges the hearts of those who worship for whether they love God and keep His commands (John 14:21–24). Some Christians in ancient Corinth were condemned for not discerning the Lord’s Supper, and yet some also misused the gifts of tongues and there is no mention of condemnation (1 Cor 11:17–34; 14). This writer must defer for God to judge on these matters, and yet he warns all to worship as God has revealed in the Scriptures.
Churches for True Worship
The churches of Christ do not use musical instruments for worship to God, because Christ commanded singing for worship in the New Testament and the New Testament churches sang and never used instruments. The words of Jesus compel churches of Christ to maintain the purity of true worship. Neither Christ, his apostles, nor his prophets used or commanded musical instruments for worshiping God. The New Testament writers affirm that singing is the most edifying, meaningful, and spiritual form of music. Because the New Testament commands verbal music for praise and spiritual teaching, the church of Christ will not use musical instruments while singing in worship (1 Cor 14:9–19).
Understanding Hearts
May God bless us all to sincerely consider the music that God desires for believers to worship in spirit and truth. To understand true worship, a believer must think spiritually and not carnally (1 Cor 2:14). A person must also have an honest and good heart who does not dismiss Christ’s teachings (Luke 8:15). Therefore, a believer needs to be saved through the Gospel (1 Cor 15:1–5). God saves believers who have risen with Christ from burial in baptism (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12). The believer must die with Christ to one’s sins to rise with Christ from baptism (Rom 6:1–7; Col 2:12–13). In this way, the Scriptures teach that God saves believers by grace raising them alive in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:4–7).
Categories
Understanding the Holy Spirit
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS
The subject of the Holy Spirit is one of the most misunderstood of all religious topics. Many people claim to have the gift of the Holy Spirit, but don’t know in what measure they have it. Others say that it is impossible to get it all, and still others that only a select few can obtain it. And then there is disagreement about how one will react if he does have it. For that reason, we propose to review it with you now.
I. The Gift Through The Laying On Of Hands
This gift of the Spirit is entirely distinct from the one just noticed. The above gift always immediately followed baptism. The laying on of hands always imparted supernatural power; the gift just discussed never imparted supernatural power. Only Apostles could impart this gift of supernatural power. It was imparted through the laying on of the Apostle’s hands. There were nine such gifts. Please turn in your Bible and read I Cor 12:8-12. The nine gifts may be outlined as follows:
1. THE GIFT OF THE WORD OF WISDOM.
2. THE GIFT OF THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE.
3. THE GIFT OF SUPERNATURAL FAITH.
4. THE GIFT OF HEALING.
5. THE GIFT OF THE WORKING OF MIRACLES.
6. THE GIFT OF PROPHECY.
7. THE GIFT OF THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS.
8. THE GIFT OF TONGUES.
9. THE GIFT OF THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES.
Let us now find an example of this type of gift of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. In Acts 8: 14-19 it reads,
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was not fallen upon any of, them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid their hands. On them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostle’s hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power thalt on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.”
This example of laying on the apostles laying hands on people and imparting the power of the Holy Spirit unto them. Realizing the possible gain from such, Simon wanted to buy the power. But of course he couldn’t. We need to emphasize the fact that nobody, other than the apostles, had this power of imparting these gifts.
II. Baptismal Measure of the Holy Spirit
Now we wish to study the highest form of spiritual gifts. This is the ultimate gift of the Spirit. It was never imparted through the laying on of the apostles’ hands to anybody at any time, but always came directly from God. It was never commanded of anyone, but was merely a promise to the apostles. Thus, those who claim that a reception of it is necessary to salvation, just do not understand the teaching of the Bible on this subject. There are only two cases of it in the entire Bible. Let us notice both of them carefully: Acts 2:1-5,
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.”
This case of Holy Spirit baptism is given to the apostles only. It enabled them to preach and perform miracles in spreading the gospel of the kingdom. They also spoke in “other tongues” which happened to be other languages. However, this speaking in tongues was not some non-sense which could not be understood. It was not some jabber incoherent to both speaker and hearer. The next case of Holy Spirit baptism is in Acts 10:44-48 and takes place at the conversion of Cornelius and his household. The purpose is to show that God has accepted the Gentiles, and given them every right and privilege to obey the gospel of Christ, as given to the Jews. In fact, Cornelius was told by the angel, as referenced in Acts 10-11, to send for Peter “…who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” Notice Acts 10:44-48,
“While Peter yet space these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
This covers the two examples of Holy Spirit Baptism in the New Testament. To confuse this gift of the Holy Spirit with the other two is a very serious mistake that is responsible for much of the confusion in the world today.
Since the apostles, and those in Acts 10, are the only ones who ever received Holy Spirit Baptism, we have no reason for supposing that it still exists today. No one, except the apostles, Was ever promised it. It never was a general promise to all people. Also, since the apostles were the only ones who could lay hands on a person and impart spiritual gifts, it logically follows then that when the last apostle died, this power ceased. When the last man died upon whom an apostle had laid hands, then there were no longer miraculous manifestations of the Spirit in existence. This leaves only the common gift of the Spirit in existence today. That gift which every obedient baptized believer receives. However, remember that even in the days of the apostles, this common gift carried no miraculous power with it. Thus, there is no reason to assume that it carries any with it today, regardless of the fact that some people claim to do miracles that are just an illus ional shadow of what Jesus and the apostles did.
In John 16:7-14, we have a list of things set forth that the Holy Spirit would do as a part of His work. The following things are mentioned: l)He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; 2)guide the apostles into all truth; 3)bring to the remembrance of the apostles all that Christ said; and 4)He will glorify Christ.
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS NOT GIVEN TO MAKE PEOPLE BRAG or BOAST OF THEIR POWER.
Simon in Acts 8:9-12 is a case in point. This man was somewhat of a magician. He dazzled people with his works and power. He was, however, converted to Christ. As he followed the Apostles around he saw not only their miracles, but their power to lay hands on people, thus imparting to them the power to work miracles. Simon wanted that power so much that he offered the Apostles money in order to receive it. His motive was wrong. He was told, “Thy money perish with thee.” Today, we see and hear many who boast of their power to heal the sick, raise the dead, etc. Some even write books about their “Greatest Miracles.” The Holy Spirit doesn’t make people boast of their ability to work miracles. The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ, not Himself (John 16:14).
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS NOT GIVEN TO KEEP PEOPLE ALWAYS WELL.
The idea that God never allows His people to get sick and does not want them to seek medical help when they are sick, is against Bible teaching. Paul told Timothy to “drink …a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” – 1 Tim. 5:23. Paul did not say “just have faith” or “the Holy Spirit will heal you.” Notice also that Paul left Trophimus at Miletum sick (2 Tim. 4:20). Why didn’t Paul heal Timothy? The answer is simple, the power,of the Holy Spirit was never for the purpose of just making sick people well. Even Paul himself had infirmity of the flesh, according to Gal. 4:13. Why then does the Bible speak of people being physically healed by the power of God? The answer lies in the purpose behind miracles. Notice John 11:15, “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe.” The real motive was to produce faith. Today God’s Word produces faith according to Rom. 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We do not need miracles today to produce faith since we have the Bible. But, miracles also confirmed the truth. In Hebrews 2:3-4, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?” In short, the scripture says that miracles certified the message by authenticating the messenger. Thus, by means of miracles Jesus was shown to be “…a man approved of God unto you…” – Acts 2:22. We are told in 2 Cor. 12:12 that Paul’s miracles were the “sign of an apostle.” Those today, who claim to have power to make sick people well, fail to realize why the apostles healed people in the first century. It was not just for the purpose of making them well, but served to confirm the word of God and produce faith in people’s hearts, and then obedience.
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT CAUSE YOU TO FALL AND ROLL AROUND ON THE GROUND OR INJURE YOURSELF.
With many, excitement is the name of the game. They run, shout, jump church pews, roll on the ground, get dirty and often injure themselves. Some even teach that rolling on the ground and getting dirty shows submission to the Holy Spirit. Others claim that rolling and jumping are actually a sign that the Holy Spirit has come upon them. However, note the behavior of the Apostles when they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46), there is no hint of this type of behavior. If we examine such behavior as it is given in scripture, we learn its true source. In Acts 19:13-16 and Mark 5:1-5 we find people hurting themselves and jumping on others. What caused them to act in such a way? The Bible says it was an “evil spirit”, not the Holy Spirit.
4. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT SAVE YOU SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE WORD OF GOD.
Some teach today that the Holy Spirit must work on you from within before you can be saved. They say, “It’s an experience better felt than told.” They claim that it is impossible for a man to come to God unless the Holy Spirit directly calls him. This teaching has led some to claim they have seen “bright lights,” or had “visions,” “heard voices in the night,” etc., all of which prove that the Holy Spirit has called them. However, in the matter of salvation, pardon comes from and takes place in the mind of God. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7. This being the case, any evidence of pardon must come from God and not from within ourselves. For me to say that “I have been saved because I saw a bright light”, means nothing since God has said nothing about such an experience being evidence of my pardon. Hence, the only way I can know that I have been pardoned is to comply with God’s laws that offer pardon.
5. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT PROTECT YOU FROM TEMPTATION, OR KEEP YOU FROM SINNING, WITHOUT YOUR HELP.
Some people claim to be immunized from temptation and sin by the Holy Spirit. And yet, many of us know people today who have, in time past, claimed the Holy Spirit’s leading and who are living in sin; some are even serving prison terms. We have Bible accounts of men like Peter and Barnabas, who received the Holy Spirit, who were tempted and sinned. However, this did not protect them from sinning. They, as we, have to cooperate with God by obeying His commands if we are to live above sin. Paul writes in 1 Cor. 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” There is no magical wand that the Holy Spirit waves over people to protect them from Satan. (See Gal.2:11-14 for reference.) To so teach is to mislead people and offer them hope that is false and unfounded.
6. THE HOLY SPIRIT DID NOT COME TO MAKE PEOPLE RICH.
There are some who teach “prosperity doctrines.” The idea is that God intends for none of his children to be poor. The promise of riches lures many of these men and their false doctrines. People who can ill-afford it often send in their last dollars, believing that their donation will somehow return making them rich. They are told to “plant a seed of faith.” This interprets into “send me some money.” The truth is that the only ones getting rich are the preachers of this false and misleading doctrine. They prey upon the innocent and unsuspecting. What a tragedy! Peter spoke of false teachers like these in 2 Peter 2:3, “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…” These false teachers were motivated by personal gain. They used words artfully and skillfully forged for the occasion. Many are active in the same field today. The Holy Spirit did not come to earth to make people rich, and those who so claim misrepresent God’s Word.
May we all respect this third person of the Godhead. May we honor Him for revealing the blessed word of God, for the fact that He inspired the apostles and guided them into all truth.
Majola K
Categories
What must I do to be saved
Listening to preachers, pastors, and priests today, one wonders if they could answer the question, “What must I do to be saved?” in a manner similar to the apostles.
What Must I Do to be Saved?
In the very first sermon recorded, Peter convicted the Jews of participating in the death of the Messiah. “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). How would the religious leaders you know answer this simple, but vital question? I suspect the answer would not be like Peter’s. “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).
How did the people respond? “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41). And the result? “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
But what are people told today? “Salvation is by faith alone!” If that were true, why did Peter give a different answer which resulted in people being saved?
Consider another time when two Christians were locked up in a jail. The Lord released them by means of an earthquake and the jailer feared he would be blamed. He almost committed suicide, but Paul and Silas stopped him, noting that no one had left the jail. Here were unusual men and the jailer asked of them that vital question: “And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”” (Acts 16:30). This man was at a different point than those in Acts 2. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The jailer had yet to hear the gospel message. Thus the answer to his question: “So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household”” (Acts 16:31). Were Paul and Silas saying that faith alone would save him? Well, no, because the man and his household had nothing at this point to believe in. “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house” (Acts 16:32).
So now they were saved? You might be given that impression if you stopped reading at verse 32, but continue to verse 33. “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized” (Acts 16:33). Like the people in Acts 2, hearing the gospel resulted in a response. A response that people don’t mention much these days.
An early Gospel preacher met a man traveling down a road. The man was reading from the Bible. “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:30-31). Starting with the passage the man was reading, Philip taught the man about Jesus (Acts 8:35). Much more than just Jesus’ life was discussed. “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.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him” (Acts 8:36-38).
There is a consistent message found in the Bible. People heard the Gospel message, believed what they heard, and responded to that message with a desire to be baptized. Is that what your preacher, pastor or priest teaches?
What Must I Do to be Saved?
They have been told so many times that salvation is not of works a person does. Perhaps you have been told, “Salvation is by grace alone!” that there is nothing you can do. But in the very question of “What must I do to be saved?” is an understanding that there are things I must do in order to gain salvation. When people asked this question in the Bible, they weren’t told that there was nothing to be done.
Imagine that you are facing a closed door. You are told that a million rands is on the other side. All you have to do is walk in and claim it.
Now where did that money come from? Someone obviously must have put it there. Your opening of the door doesn’t put it there; it was there already. Your opening of the door doesn’t earn the money. You’ve opened hundreds of doors and have gotten nothing for it. Yet, if you don’t open the door and walk in, you won’t gain the money that is there. If you don’t really believe the money is there, then you won’t bother to open the door. But if you say you believe the money is there, but don’t open the door, can you truly claim that you believe?
Salvation is much the same. Salvation is a gift from God (Romans 6:23). The reason it is offered is because Jesus paid the price of sin on our behalf (Romans 5:15-18). That gift is freely offered to every person who lives. But the offer doesn’t mean everyone will receive the gift. God expects us to do something about the offer. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Being obedient to God doesn’t earn the salvation God is offering (Ephesians 2:1-9). We could never do enough to earn such a great gift. But that fact doesn’t relieve us of the need to obey God. “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10).
The truth of the matter is that the effort God requires of us proves our claim that we believe God. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:17-18).
What Must I Do to be Saved?
Salvation is a personal issue. No one can make you be saved or lost. It is a choice that you alone must make. “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). You won’t be saved because your parents were good Christians. You won’t be saved if you’ve raised good children. Your salvation depends on who you are. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
God offers the gift of salvation freely to everyone (II Corinthians 5:14-15), but He does not force anyone to accept the gift. When people ask, “What must I do to be saved?” they realize that God is waiting for them to do something to accept His offer. God doesn’t want any to perish (II Peter 3:9), but not everyone wants to be saved.
What Must I Do to be Saved?
The other day I got a free sandwich at a fast food place. It didn’t cost me a cent. All I had to do was buy one sandwich and they gave me the other one for free. Now some of you might argue that the second sandwich wasn’t really free – I had to met a condition that cost me something before I could get the second sandwich. True, but I still only paid the cost of the first sandwich. The price I paid for the second sandwich was still zero.
God offers salvation freely to all men (Romans 5:18), but God placed requirements which must be met. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (I John 5:3). The existence of those requirements doesn’t make the gift any less free. Nor does the free gift mean there isn’t anything necessary for me to do in order to be saved.
Despite all of God’s effort on our part, Paul noted, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel” (Romans 10:16). The failure to be saved is varied but it all comes down to the fact that each lost person failed to so what God required of him to be saved. “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” (Romans 2:8-9). There are things God says you must do in order to be saved by Him without cost to yourself.
What Must I Do to be Saved?
Saved from what? When people ask, “What must I do to be saved?” they admit they need rescuing, but just what is it we are being saved from?
The problem is sin. Everyone of us has sinned (Romans 3:9-23). It isn’t because we started out sinful. It is because we choose to seek out sin. “Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). It isn’t because sin is inherited, but because every one of us succumbs to sin. “Thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).
Sin is breaking God’s law (I John 3:4), it is action on our part, and it carries the penalty of death (Romans 6:23). The reason you cannot save yourself is because you have already sold yourself into sin. The reason no one else can save you from your sins is because they are sold into sin as well. That is why it took the Son of God to come into this world, live a sinless life, and die on your behalf in order to pay off your debt (I Peter 1:17-25).
Isn’t it past time to accept the answer to your question? “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).
Majola K
Categories
The one true Church
WHAT IS A CHURCH?
The word “Church” is a translation of the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia). Greek is the language in which the New Testament was first written. Ἐκκλησίαmeans “a called out assembly,” “a congregation.” It refers to God’s people who are called out of the world into fellowship with Him (I John 1:3; Acts 26:16-18;Colossians 1:13, I Peter 2:9-10). The church is God’s redeemed people (Acts 20:28; Titus 2:14; I Peter 1:18-19). It is a holy nation (I Peter 2:9). Members of the church are citizens of a heavenly kingdom (Colossians 1:13; Philippians 3:20-21). The church is part of God’s eternal purpose in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:8-11). When Jesus said: “I will build my church,” He meant to establish His redeemed people who would be a holy nation, citizens of his heavenly kingdom (Matthew 16:18).
Since Jesus Christ Himself established His church, then no man on earth has a right to establish a church. Jesus said: “But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.” (Matthew 15:13). The Psalmist wrote: “Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1).
WHERE CAN ONE FIND SALVATION?
Since no man has a right to establish any church, it follows that only in the church which Jesus established is salvation to be found. Then Jesus promised, “I will build my church,” note that He was promising to build one church, not many. This one church began in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost day after His resurrection. Three thousand people heard the gospel. They believed and were baptized and the Lord added them to His church (Acts 2:36-38, 42, 47). Jesus Christ is the Saviour of His body, which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23).
According to Acts 4:4, the church soon grew to number 5,000 souls. Jesus meant for His church to continue and to overcome all opposition. It was to go to the whole world (Matthew 8:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). But he intended for His church to be one (John 17:20-21). He intended that all believers should be of the same mind and the same judgment (I Corinthians 1:10).
HOW CAN WE KNOW THE CHURCH THE LORD BUILT?
This is an important question for one who wants to be saved. Jesus said: “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). No man can bring any truth today except that which is revealed in the Bible. The Lord only speaks to us in His Book (John 12:48; Hebrews 1:1-2). The Bible is a complete book. It has everything needed for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16-17). Speaking to the Father, Jesus said: “thy word is truth” (John 17:17). We must measure a church by the Word of God to see if it is the true church of Christ!
Please note the following:
- The church which did not begin in Jerusalem is not the true church (Acts 2:5;Isaiah 2:1-2; Micah 4:1-2).
- The church which has women in authority, or allows them to preach, is not the house of God (I Timothy 2:9-15).
- The church which sprinkles or pours water instead of immersing or dipping in water for baptism cannot be the Lord’s church (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:38-39).
- The church which has elders who are unmarried, and who do not have well behaved children who believe, is not the Lord’s church (I Timothy 3:2-5; Titus 1:5-9).
- The church which permits a man to marry more than one wife at a time is not the church of Christ (Matthew 19:4-6; I Corinthians 7:2).
- The church which uses instruments of music (such as drums, guitars, organs, etc.) in its worship cannot be the church of Christ (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 13:15).
- The church which requires its members not to eat certain foods is not the church of God (I Corinthians 8:8; I Timothy 4:1-5).
- The church which calls its preachers “Reverend” or “Father” cannot be the bodyof Christ (Matthew 23:-12).
- The church which baptized babies and little children cannot be the church which the Lord built. Only those old enough to hear, believe, repent, and confess Christ can be baptized (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19 Romans 10:8-10; Acts 2:37-38;8:12, 36-38.
- The church that teaches it has the power to pray so that its members can receive miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit is not the church of Christ. The Bible shows that only the apostles had the power to impart the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This was done by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14-21; 19:5-6). Since the apostles are all dead, we know this does not continue today. When the complete New Testament was revealed and confirmed, the need for miraculous gifts ceased (I Corinthians 3:8-13).
The Bible teaches that if one is wrong on one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10). Therefore, any church which is wrong on any of the above points is not the true church of Christ! Do not teach the doctrines and commandments of men, but follow the Bible. Only those who do the will of God will be saved (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46). Obey the truth today and be added by the Lord to His one, true church (II Corinthians 6:2; Acts 22:16).
Adapted from the church of Christ site Majola K
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God’s standard of authority
Concerning religion, there are only two sources of authority — God or man. Of these two sources, only one is the rightful source — God. The right standard of authority is important because when our authority is men, our worship is vain. Jesus said, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). Thus, whatsoever we do in word or deed, we must do all in the name of (or by the authority of) the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17).
The Bible is from God
Since God is the only rightful source of religious authority, then how does God communicate with man? The answer is the Bible and only the Bible. Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). “Inspiration of God” literally means “God breathed.” Just as we breathe out words, God breathed out the words of the Bible. How did God accomplish this? Peter wrote that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). God is the originator and source, and holy men of God wrote His words as the Holy Spirit guided them. Thus, God is the author, and holy men of God such as Moses, the prophets, and the apostles were the writers.
Therefore, when we study the Bible, we are studying the creator’s will for His creation. We are studying God’s word. The Bible is not simply a book of words in which it does not really matter whether we read them or not. The Bible does not contain “words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth” (1 Corinthians 2:13). Paul further explained, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-6). The Bible is as David said, “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Bible is God’s authority, and to be approved of God, we must give diligence to the study of the Bible, handling it accurately as the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
The Bible Is the Complete Will of God
The Bible does not simply contain the will of God. It is the complete will of God. It is God’s standard of authority. The Bible, and it alone, is God’s communication with man. Peter wrote, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Since God has provided “all things that pertain unto life and godliness,” then there is nothing beyond what is found within Scripture that we need for spiritual life and godliness. The Bible is, therefore, God’s complete revelation.
Furthermore, since Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth would teach them all things, bring all things to their remembrance, and guide them into all truth (John 14:26; 16:13), then the apostles had all truth and revealed unto us all truth. The rejection of the apostles’ messageis a rejection of Jesus and God, the Father. Jesus said, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Luke 10:16). Also, consider Paul’s instruction to the church at Corinth, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37). Since, the apostles received and recorded all truth, the Bible is, therefore, God’s complete revelation to man.
Additionally, since the Scriptures will thoroughly furnish the man of God unto all good works and bring him unto perfection (2 Timothy 3:16-17), then what more is needed? What more could something beyond scripture furnish us? Why would we need any more than that which can bring us to perfection? The Bible is, therefore, God’s complete revelation to man.
Even further consider this: In Revelation 22:18-19, God commands that we not add to nor take away from His word (see also Proverbs 30:5-6). If we do either, God will punish us by adding to us plagues or by taking away our inheritance. Why are we not to add to nor take away from the Bible? Because the Bible is the complete word of God and to change it by adding to or taking from it either adds more than what is necessary or takes away from what is necessary. To change perfection is to defile it and make it imperfect.
Since the Bible is from God and is complete, we must also understand that it is authoritative. Authoritative means that the Bible should be the standard for which all is done in matters pertaining to religion. To the church at Colossae, Paul wrote, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). What does it mean to do something “in the name of the Lord Jesus”? To do something “in the name of ” another is to do it by his or her authority. In Acts 4:7, the priests and elders of the Jews asked the apostles, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” These Jews were asking about the source of the apostles’ strength and their authority to do miracles. Peter answer, “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth . . . this man stand here before you whole” (4:10). The apostles’ authority was Jesus. So, it should be with us. The Bible should be our source of authority.
In order to avoid chaos, a standard of authority is essential. This is true in our homes, our schools, our government, and in the church. An organization with too many chiefs is a “jumbled up mess.” There needs to be a head. In the church, Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22-23) and His word, the Bible, is the standard of authority. A failure to recognize this authority will result in division. This was the very problem in Israel during the time of the judges. “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). Rather than recognizing the right standard of authority — God, their standard of authority was themselves. Sadly, such is too often true today.