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Birdwell Lane Church of Christ Big Spring, TX |
Weekly Thoughts - August 2008
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03 - BIBLICAL INSPIRATION 10 - PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD 17 - AS FOR THE LORD 24 - BAPTISM AS A FIGURE 31 - THE ONE BODY |
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BIBLICAL INSPIRATION Due to the inexhaustible depths of this subject, this article will limit itself to the discussion of only three main passages of Scripture: (1) 2 Timothy 3:16, (2) 2 Peter 1:19-21, (3) John 10:34. In Timothy’s record, the apostle Paul is asserting with as much energy as he could employ that the Scripture is the product of a specifically Divine operation. The Greek word (theopneustos) from which our English word (inspiration) is translated has, however, nothing to say of inspiring or of inspiration: it speaks only of a “spiring” or “spiration.” What it says of Scripture is, not that it is “breathed into by God” or is the product of the Divine “inbreathing” into it human authors, but that it is breathed out by God, “God breathed,” the product of the creative breath of God. C.f. Psalms 33:6. The apostle Peter in his record gives as direct an assertion of the Divine origin of Scripture as that of 2 Timothy 3:16. But there is more here than a simple assertation of the Divine origin of scripture. The “how” of scriptural production is explained by the fact that it was through the instrumentality of men “who spake from God.” More specifically it was through an operation of the Holy Spirit on these men which is described as “bearing” them. The men who spoke from God are declared, therefore, to have been taken up by the Holy Spirit and brought by His power to the goal of His choosing. The things which they spoke were therefore His things, not theirs, and that is the reason which is assigned why “the prophetic word” is so sure. It was of supreme trustworthiness. How far the trustworthiness of Scripture extends may be conveyed to us in John 10:34. Jesus adduces the Scriptures as law. “Is it not written in your law?” and the He strengthens His argument by stating, “And the scripture cannot be broken.” V. 35. Due to the fact that He was quoting from the Psalms shows that He was not only talking about the Pentateuch but the whole of the Old Testament. In 1 Corinthians 14:21 and Romans 3:19, Paul assigns passages from the Psalms, Prophets and the Pentateuch to “the Law.” We therefore conclude that God is the origin of His word, and that the Scripture is the product of His Divine creative breath. The Holy Spirit was the bearer of the word and men were the instruments that recorded the word being borne along by the Spirit. Thus Paul’s statement “all scripture is breathed by God.” See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD One of the most remembered challenges in the history of Israel is recorded in the Old Testament book of Amos. This challenge states; Therefore, this will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel" (Amos 4:12). As man stands on the brink of eternity in modern times, the same challenge lies before him, with even deeper meaning, since Christ has lived upon this earth. Here are some key questions in regard to this sobering theme. First, what is the meaning of the word "prepare" as used in this text? According to Strong's concordance, the word "prepare" in this connection means to be in a state of readiness. Second, what kind of preparation is the most important? It is the preparation that concerns the heart. The mind of man which is centered in the brain. If the heart is not ready to meet God, there is o part of the individual that is prepared. Third, what are the characteristics of the prepared heart? In looking at the Bible you find four: A) Dedicated (I Sam. 7:3). B) Loves God supremely (Matt. 22:37). C Submissive (I John 5:3). And D) willing (I Chron. 29:17). Fourth, when do we make preparation to meet God? Preparation must be made during our physical life. Physical death is the dividing line between the short home and eternity. Each individual must use his short home for getting better prepared. If one allows the secular to hinder preparation, then this is a foolish decision. Amos warned Israel about being prepared to Meet God. Amos gave the warning and Ezra gave the type of preparation that must be made. May this warning be just as strong to us, and may we be willing to search and obey the scriptures. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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AS FOR THE LORD
Our service then should always be “as unto the Lord,” for it is indeed the Lord whom we are serving. The truly dedicated Christian is doing service that no man would do who was not motivated because of Jesus. Try it! Concerning the things you already are doing, stop and say to yourself before you continue in them: The service I am about to perform is unto the Lord. No one else may ever know about it. “But Jesus knows about it, for I am dedicating it to Him. He appreciates it and will reward me.” You will find that you have never labored so heartily before or enjoyed it so much. Why not assure yourself of a reward? You can if you are serving the Lord. When you have succeeded in attaining this attitude, go to work to convert those whom you now influence so strongly by zeal, love, and devotion of your new lifestyle. May God bless you as you go forth, a winner. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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BAPTISM AS A FIGURE
Peter clearly states baptism does also now save us. Baptism is not the Savior. Christ is the Savior. In 2 Kings 5, it was God's power that saved Naaman from leprosy, but in a very real sense, the Jordan played a part, for he had to dip seven times in it. Baptism is an indispensible part of the human response to God's grace. Without it we do not accept His grace. Biblical baptism, then, is necessary. Peter says it is "not the removal of dirt from the flesh." It is the answer, the interrogation, the appeal to God for a good conscience. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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THE ONE BODY "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as, you are called in one hope of your calling, One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, and through all, and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6). The very same writer tells us "And he has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). Since there is one body and the church is said to be the body we must reach the conclusion that the Lord established but one church. "But now are they many members, yet but one body" (1 Cor. 12:20). "So, we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Rom. 12:5). Certainly all the contradictory denominations do not form the one body. If this were the case then the body of Christ would be divided. We must remember that Christ is not divided (1 Cor. 1:13). It would be a happy day for all believers if unity could prevail. This can only be achieved by following the same Christ, obeying the same commands from the same book. Ever sincere person who believes in Christ and turns away from his sins may be "baptized into the one body"(1 Cor. 12:13). Being in the same body means being in the same church the one Jesus established on Pentecost day (Acts 2). See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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