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Tag Archives: Bible

The Bible?

18 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

baptist preacher, Bible, preaching

             It was early in the 19th century; a young Baptist preacher and his friend were on a preaching tour, that is, they were going from community to community to preach what they believed to be the Gospel of Christ. Both young men were preachers; one said to the other, “Brother Sewell, I am sorry to see you carry the Book with you to church. Young Sewell asked: ‘Why?’ His companion replied: ‘I am afraid the people will think we learned our sermons out of it.’ This was exactly what young Sewell had done” (Biographical Sketches of Gospel Preachers, H. Leo Boles, p. 181). 

What was “the Book”? It was the Bible.

From that time, Jesse Sewell set his mind in a more diligent fashion to see what “the Book” truly said; he was determined that from it only would he preach. This did not go without a response from the church of his heritage. They responded when they gathered: “The vote was put, about half a dozen of the forty members present voted to exclude him from the Baptist Church; the others did not vote. The announcement was made that he was excluded, and the assembly arose and left the house in confusion” (p. 183). One man wanted it to be said about Jesse Sewell that he was excluded from their fellowship because “it was for teaching heresy.”

Imagine that! Teaching heresy when one uses only the Bible from which to preach and teach!

I remember when I was much younger my mother saying something to me that was similar. It was her thinking, at the time, that I should not have learned to preach from the Bible, but that I should have been preaching what the Lord’s Spirit gave me, apart from the Bible. Evidently, she learned from others this way of thinking (she later rejected that way of thinking). Since that time, I have not come across too many people who think this way, though I have read of preachers who believed they were guided by the Holy Spirit to say what things they were saying, apart from what the Scriptures actually said.

When a person preaches from the Bible, there is going to be a response. A good many people will like it and like it very much. There will be many more, however, who stand opposed to one’s firm resolution to preach what the Scriptures teach. One does not have to look far, as in our socially conflicting society, to see that. Paul said of himself, For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith (Rom. 1:16-17). What did it get him? It got him much in the way of trouble! He was stoned, flogged, ostracized and incarcerated. Still, he would not change what he did, For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed (15:18).

            There are many who say what Paul did, but as one looks around, all saying the same thing Paul did, there is still much confusion. Who and what are we to believe? It was John who wrote to the saints, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). How can this be done? In Berea, the Scripture teaches us: Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so (Acts 17:11). The Bible is The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple (Psa. 19:11). RT

Call No Man Father (Catholic.com)

08 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Bible, catholic.com, papacy, trinity

Through the years many have taken in hand the effort to address whether or not there is biblical sanction to the papacy as taught by the Roman Catholic Church. I recently located an article where such an effort was made to justify its biblical origin. The effort by the Catholic writer is an effort to address two myths on the topic, the first presented here.

September 21, 2015 (www.catholic.com)

Refuting Papal Myths ­ “The Papacy is Unbiblical and Unhistorical”

As Pope Francis travels through the United States during his visit to the World Congress of Families in Pennsylvania, expect critics of all stripes to be denouncing him and his office. That’s why this week we will be publishing a series of posts that refute these pernicious myths about the office of the Papacy as well as those who have held that office.   

Myth #1 ­ The papacy is not found in the Bible.

It’s true the word papacy is not in the Bible, but neither are the words Trinity or Bible found there. This argument assumes that all Christian doctrine is explicitly described in the Bible, even though this teaching itself is not found in Scripture. Catholics believe, on the other hand, that divine revelation comes from God’s word given to us in written form (Sacred Scripture) and oral form (Sacred Tradition), both of which testify to the existence of the papacy.

To acknowledge that a word pertaining to Christian doctrine is not in the Bible is rather significant. To compare that lack of mention with two other words is to be somewhat expected, and I would say it is a reasonable approach. The two words that are used as a point of comparison, however, fail to live up to the intended desire. Those two words are “trinity” and “Bible.”

It is worth our time to consider these three words, papacy, trinity and Bible.

PAPACY

The word “papacy” is a word that describe a system of ecclesiastical church government, wherein the pope is the supreme head of the particular religious institution so governed. Britannica.com says this with regard to the papacy, “the pope (Latin papa, from Greek pappas, “father”), who presides over the central government of the Roman Catholic Church, the largest of the three major branches of Christianity.”

In a context where the Lord is speaking firmly against the religious leaders of His day, He says this: “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ” (Matthew 23:8-10, NKJV, underscoring added, RT). Compare what the Lord said with regard to the word “father” in relation to how the Catholic Church uses the word.

BIBLE

What about the word “Bible”? Is the word “Bible” found in the Bible? This seems to be a strange comparison to me. The word “Bible” simply refers to a collection of sacred writings in one “bound” volume. Thus, it stands to reason that “Bible” would not be in the sacred writings called the Bible! Since the word is not found in the Bible, what about the sacredness of “oral tradition,” is that something that should be held as authoritative?

New Testament Christians look upon “oral tradition” as lacking the qualities of sacredness and authority because the Holy Spirit revealed to Jude and Peter the following words:

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:2-3).

Catholics believe in “oral tradition,” but the Lord regards nothing authoritative about “oral tradition.” What He does regard as authoritative is His would that He commissioned to His apostles.

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13)

This promise applies only to the apostles, and not to any other man after the lives of those chosen by the Lord in His earthly ministry are over.

TRINITY

Is the word “trinity” in the Bible, and if not, why is it a significant teaching accepted in Christianity? It is true the word “trinity” is not in the Bible. Since it is not, then should the doctrine taught by so many be held suspect? Not if the concept of the trinity is biblically based. The word “trinity” refers to the teaching that God is one, but consists of God – the Father, God – the Son and God – the Holy Spirit. This is known as the “Godhead.” The English word “trinity” simply conveys the idea/teaching in a single word. Catholics accept this as do Protestants.

It is a New Testament teaching?

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God”. (Acts 5:3-4)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

From the foregoing passages we learn that the Holy Spirit is God and that the Logos (the Son), who is God, was with God (the Father) at the very beginning. Thus, the “trinity” is a scriptural idea, though the actual word is not located within the pages of the New Testament.

Thus, the comparison between “papacy” and “Bible,” and “trinity” fails. In this portion of the author’s effort to say the papacy is both biblical and historical fails – at least with regard to the Bible.

Why Churches Grow

17 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Bible, growth, love, preaching, purity, unity

It seems that each generation thinks of itself as being smarter than the previous generation. This applies in just about every area of life. Congregations, or many of them anyway, of the Lord’s people think they are more spiritual than previous generations because they spent time in prayer, studying the Scripture, and coming to learn that the previous generation might have been mistaken in their understanding of Scripture.

Thus arrogance!

I bring this up because that which encourages a church to grow today is the same that encouraged a church to grow over 50 years ago. In the February 1957 issue of 20th Century Christian, Mont Whitson offered 6 contributing factors to a church growing. I would like to speak of two of those he mentioned.

First, the local church will grow when people within and without see the spirit of love, unity, and understanding amongst those attending at, in our case, the Highway Church of Christ. The word love pertains to one’s response to God first and foremost (cf. 1 John 5:1-3). The word unity is associated with that which Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, that is, keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). The word understanding, in my view, is in understanding that we are not all at the same level of spiritual knowledge/understanding (cf. Romans 12:3-8; 14:1-13).

Second, the church grows when the members within are willing to work. That means they are all willing to work. It is not the “job” of the elders, the “job” of the preacher, or the “job” of someone else. It is my job, and yours also (perhaps it is better to say it this way: “It is my privilege and responsibility.”). What is it that you are doing to make a difference in the growth of the congregation? Are you teaching others?

Third, though not mention by brother Whitson, it is certainly worthy of mention – the local church that belongs to the Lord must (not optional) preach and teach the purity of God’s word. There is no room for opinions that correspond to a “thus saith the Lord.” If any man speak, Peter said, let him speak the very words of God (1 Peter 4:11).

A Famine

13 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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Tags

Bible, famine, nourishment

A famine in the land of that which is necessary for sustaining the body is as heart-breaking as any image one will see on a television screen. Children famished and crying because of a need not met makes one want to turn away from the image. I hate the image! The image, however, portrays an impression that is not soon forgotten.

In the days of God’s prophet, Amos, the Lord spoke to a people who were in such rebellion that the Lord had had enough. Amos spoke to a nation who did not want to hear the Lord’s word any longer (Amos 7:10-13); the Lord was going to accommodate them concerning their desire! In due time there was going to be a famine in the land with regard to the Lord’s word (8:11).

“What is so tough about that, especially in comparison with a famine of food?” someone might shout out. There is an immediate food famine with its anguish, and then there is a famine that is much longer lasting. The immediate famine weakens the body and might very well bring it to the dust. The latter famine removes hope. When hope is gone, the purpose for living is likewise gone. If the immediate famine is harsh in experience, but there is still hope, then one can endure. But when hope is gone….

Because a famine of God’s word is so devastating to the individual soul the Lord constantly reminded them (in Amos’ day), and those of us today, there is a constant need for nourishment. Not only is there need for physical nourishment, but there is, more importantly, a need for spiritual nourishment.  When there is a famine of the Word of God in the pulpit (and I hear it often that there is in some locations), then those who love the Lord begin to wither and die. If it is not for the fact they have enough strength to get up and leave they would, in fact, die!

Some, however, don’t leave. While it is easy to blame the preacher for his lack of preaching a “thus saith the Lord,” the fault actually resides with the one who does nothing about it. What can one do? Demand the preacher preach only God’s word (thoroughly) and if he does not, leave!  RT

A Shipwrecked Bible

22 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bible, library, missionary

The story is told of a missionary traveling to a distant land with his library on the ship. Shortly before arriving the ship crashed and the passengers lost all their possessions (though they were saved). As they stood on the beach, the missionary saw one book afloat; he waded into the water, retrieved it, and took note that it was his Bible. He took this as a token that no matter the size of one’s library, the one book worth saving was God’s library (of 66 books). This new education motivated him to teach with enthusiasm what God saved and what God wants saved. (This adapted story came from The Voice, January 1949)

Faith Comes by Hearing

01 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bible, faith, hearing, missionaries

The power of God’s message is in His word (Rom. 1:16) as it is proclaimed by men (2 Timothy 2:2). When men, or people in general, take the word of God, allowing it to reign in their individual hearts, then that which is within is going to make its way out.
Peter said, “for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20, ESV). For the apostles, It was not merely a matter of having seen and heard, but they lived the message of Christ for at least three years. Having proclaimed this message, people’s lives were changed. Because of this, the value of getting the word of God into the hands of any and all is invaluable. Thus, when missionaries come, give them your attention, and when the Bible can be given, let us give that some attention also.

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