Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin Council. They were commanded not to speak nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter replied: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (v.20). Today, some governments are setting down a strong hand in order to restrict people from freely exercising their faith, especially the Christian faith. As Christians, we know that God has called us to preach the Gospel of Christ “in season as well as out of season” (Mark 16:15; 2 Timothy 4:2). Why do those governments not want the teachings of Jesus Christ to spread? One reason is perhaps they perceive it interferes with their authority. They could not have this Jesus spoken of as King; this doctrine threatens their authority. The citizens should have no king but them. It was the same two thousand years ago when the Jews cried out: “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). Today, those who disagree with or blatantly hate the name of Jesus Christ continue to try to “command us not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus”. Today, the name of Jesus Christ is often banned from graduation speeches, in school textbooks, in government buildings, but it’s OK to use His name as a curse word in the daily conversations in those areas, and in movies and TV shows. It is simply not right! “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (v.20). I love the hymn, I Love To Tell The Story. It is a great hymn. The hymn, written in first person singular, reflects the evangelical fervour in 19th century England and the United States of the spiritual awakening that gave birth to many reformers and later the restoration period in Christian history. The people then were hungry for the word of God. They could not stop talking and teaching in the name of Jesus. The first stanza reads like this: I love to tell the story Of unseen things above, Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love. I love to tell the story, Because I know 'tis true; It satisfies my longings As nothing else can do. Before Jesus ascended to His heavenly throne to take His position as Lord and Christ, He gave His disciples this Great Commission: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The Great Commission is for us too. Jesus commands us to tell others about Him. We live in a country where we enjoy the freedom to practice our faith. Yet, are we telling the story of Jesus? No one will tell the world about Jesus except those who claim to be His disciples. It is our story; no one else will tell it. If we truly believe that Jesus Christ has done great things for us, we should be sharing the good news with others. Jesus once told a man whom he had cast out the demons from him these words: "Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee." And the man did just as he was told: “And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him” (Luke 8:39). The man was grateful that he was healed; he had to tell this good news about His healer to everyone. We have been healed from our sins. Are we telling others how about our Healer?

Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The apostles were once again arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin Council. The High Priest reminded them: “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us” (v.28). But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men” (v.29). What would we do if given the choice of being silent about our faith or going to prison? We know we need to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10). We know we need to obey God rather than men. We know we need to take up the cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). But, I fear many of us would be tempted to cave in to the fear of going to prison. We love our lives too much. Indeed, it is difficult to obey God, but not impossible. How difficult was it for these early Christians to obey God rather than men? They lived and worshiped in a hostile society. They were heavily persecuted for following and preaching Christ. Some were put to death. James, the brother of John was killed by Herod (Acts 12:1, 2). The apostles had already been jailed overnight for preaching Christ. They had been warned not to do so any longer. Still, they chose obedience to God. We are very fortunate here in this country we are not persecuted for practising our Christian faith. But we have brethren in some countries whose governments are hostile to the Christian faith; we need to keep them in our prayers. We thank God we do not need to make a choice on obeying God or men in this issue. Still, there are many areas in our lives we need to make a choice between obeying God or men. It may be issues that concern the truth. It could be issues that deal with our Christian living. We must remember: We must obey God rather than men.                                                    In areas of doctrines, we must obey God rather than men. Many are going around saying that baptism is not necessary for salvation; we must obey God rather than men (Mark 16:15; 1 Peter 3:21). Many are preaching all churches are the same; we must obey God rather than men (Matthew 7:21). Many are preaching that the adulterers can remarried and go to heaven; we must obey God rather than men (Matthew 19:9). In areas of Christian living, we must obey God rather than men. God teaches us to submit to those who have authority over us (Romans 13:1). But, there are times when we cannot submit to governments when they require us to do something that God calls sin! For example, if the government passes a law that approves same sex marriage, we must respectfully refuse to obey the law even if it leads to unpleasant consequences for the Christian who refuses to obey. When those situations come up, we must obey God rather than men. What about other areas in our lives? We know there are so many things in the world that are called sin by God but not by the world; we must obey God rather than men. God wants us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15, 16) and sin is against holiness. These are called sin in the Bible: immodest clothing, wine drinking, fornication, gambling, revelling, pornography, swearing, foul speech, hatred, strife, selfishness, unforgiving, divisive spirit, pride, and the list goes on. We must obey God rather than men: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Obedience to God distinguishes us from unbelievers and denominations. Obey God!

What Matters!

Mary Engelbreit provokes us to think with these words: "If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it." She is talking about what we call in common vernacular, gaining a new "perspective" or point of view. How you look at things – and people – really can make a huge difference. A man was driving in the countryside one day when he came upon an old man sitting on a fence rail. The old man was watching cars go by. Stopping to pass the time of day, the traveler said, "I would never be able to stand living out here. You never see anything, and I’m sure you don’t like to travel as I do. I’m on the go all the time." The old fence-sitting man looked down at the stranger and drawled, "I can‘t see much difference in what I’m doing and what you’re doing. I sit on the fence and watch the autos go by and you sit in your auto and watch the fences go by. It’s all in the way you look at things." 

So how do you look at things? Many people don’t like the view from where they are. They convince themselves their lives would be new and improved and much better if they could change how they look or how much money they have or who they are married to or where they work or live or go to church. Are you really happy with where you are and who you are with and with what you have? And if you aren’t why aren’t you? Is some thing or some other person really responsible for your attitude and why you look at things the way you do? In 1 Corinthians 7 the apostle Paul addressed the physical circumstances his original first century readers were in sometime around 56 A. D. He spoke of a "present distress" they were facing in verse 26. In verses before and after that verse he addresses how his readers should view such things as marriage and being single or even what they should do if they are divorced (see verses 1-16). In verse 17 he directs, "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches" (ESV). In verses 18-24 he refers to the very prevalent practices (in the first century) of circumcision and slavery and in effect tells them that if they can ’t change the circumstance they are in, then change the way they think about it! And exactly what is it he wants them to think? Verses 19-20 answer: "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called." He directs slaves in verse 21 (Christian slaves they were!) that if they can change their status from slave to free, they ought to change it. But whether slave or free, he reminds them in verse 22, they still belong to Christ! If they can’t change the circumstance, "don’t be concerned about it" (verse 21). The truth is, friend, we are sometimes a lot more concerned about changing our circumstances than God is! It’s not that some changes we desire are not important – some surely are. But let us be careful to remember – at the end of the day, "keeping the commandments of God is what matters." God knows where you are and who you are, and He loves you and desires for you to serve Him right there. In the words of 1 Corinthians 7:24, "...remain with God." That’s what matters more than anything else. Won’t you think about it?

– Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN

What Votes Can’t Change!

       Representatives of the United Methodist Church (UMC) met in St. Louis recently and voted on whether or not to continue to oppose same-sex marriage and gay clergy or to change the current policy and affirm and accept these practices in their congregations. The official rules of the UMC currently forbid same-sex marriages and ordaining of gays. According to an online newspaper report many Methodists hoped that the church would amend those rules at the recent meeting of more than 800 "clergy" and lay leaders from around the world (washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/02/26/religion "United Methodist Church votes to maintain its opposition to same-sex marriage, gay clergy"). But when the vote was taken and the dust finally settled, 53 percent voted in favor of upholding the church’s traditional view of sexuality – and to punish those Methodist ministers and officials who perform same-sex marriages and approve of LGBT people as clergy (that is, members). That leaves 43 percent who wanted other options that would have allowed local churches and ministers to choose their stance on sexuality.

I am not a member of the United Methodist Church, nor do I agree with all they teach, including the idea that a governing body which, in itself, is unrecognizable in the New Testament, could presume to vote on and potentially change fundamental Biblical teaching on doctrine and morality. But having said that, I want to unapologetically affirm that I applaud and support the decision of the UMC to to uphold what has been their traditional – and more importantly Biblical – position and policy on human sexuality. Can I say that and not be a "gay-hater?" This issue has become so heated and politicized that some people (on both sides of the issue) cannnot discuss it with civility, gentleness, patience and humility (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Some Christians speak the truth on it, but use the truth as a lash instead of speaking it in love (Ephesians 4:15). Meanwhile, militant advocates of LGBT issues bristle up and charge anyone who dares oppose their ideology and practices of being "homophobic...intolerant...hate- filled...judgmental." We all need reminding a thing is not right – or wrong – just because a lot of people say it is or because a few people say it while pounding the table with their fist and growing red in the face. But both sides of the argument over human sexuality can’t be right. Words from Mike Tanaro have stuck in my mind like chewing gum on a shoe ever since I heard him say them – "If it’s new it ain’t true, and if it’s true it ain’t new." God Almighty speaks to us through His Old Testament prophet Malachi in Malachi 3:6a – "For I am the Lord, I do not change." The Bible says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). The Good Book is old but it is still good, and it says in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Jerry Kulah, head of the UMC African Initiative, stated after the aforementioned UMC vote in St. Louis – "I’m happy to go back to old ladies and old men in villages (in Africa) who received the Bible from missionaries and let them know that the Bible hasn’t changed." The Bible hasn’t changed, and never will. Whether old or young, in Africa or America, there are some things human beings and church leaders can’t change with a vote. What God says about sexual morality and behavior is one of them. 

       Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN

The truth about baptism

WHERE GOD PUT BAPTISM

Pursuant to last week’s essay on “God’s Gracious Plan Of Salvation” I am writing this week about the place of baptism in that wonderful plan.  It is the step in the process of being saved from sin that is the most controversial, even to the point of being denied as necessary.

Many diverse views exist in the religious world about baptism: 1) Its action/“mode” (whether sprinkling, pouring, or immersion), 2) Who it is for (babies, little children, or penitent believers), 3) Its purpose (to “join” a church, because one is already saved from sin, or in order to be saved from sin).  Please consider very thoughtfully the following biblical points about the divine purpose of baptism in God’s gracious plan of salvation.  Read and study each verse very carefully and prayerfully.  (Note: I have used the New King James Version of the Scriptures, but any good English version will show where God put baptism in His plan of salvation, and you will need a lot of “expert help” and jumping through many hoops and loops to misunderstand what the Bible says on this subject).

1. Baptism stands between the sinner and salvation.  Jesus said to His apostles, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).  If it is argued that one is condemned only for a lack of belief rather than for a lack of baptism, let it be observed that a lack of belief is all that is necessary to be condemned and without belief baptism would be of no value.  But if one wishes to be saved, then one must comply with both conditions stated by Christ: belief AND baptism.

2. Baptism stands between the sinner and the remission of sins.  The apostle Peter declared, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).  “For” in this text is the same word used in Matthew 26:28 where Christ said that His blood was shed “for the remission of sins.”  Christ did not shed His blood because mankind’s sins were already remitted, but in order to make such remission possible.  The same is true with reference to baptism “for the remission of sins”—not because of, but in order to!  No reliable version of the Scriptures renders Acts 2:38 as “be baptized because of the remission of sins,” but rather “be baptized for (in order to) the remission of sins.”  Note also that repentance and baptism both are “for the remission of sins,” and clearly one does not repent “because” one’s sins have already been remitted but in order to their remission!

3. Baptism stands between the sinner and having sins washed away.  Ananias instructed Saul of Tarsus (who became the apostle Paul): “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).  To teach that baptism is not essential to salvation from sin is to provide a way of salvation not available to Saul.

4. Baptism stands between the sinner and the benefits of the death of Christ.  Paul affirmed, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3)?  Until one is baptized one does not receive any of the benefits provided by the atoning death of Christ for mankind’s sin.

5. Baptism stands between the sinner and the new life in Christ.  Paul further declared, “Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).  The new life in Christ follows one’s burial with Christ in the waters of baptism and being raised up to that new life.

6. Baptism stands between the sinner and being in Christ.  Paul wrote,
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).  All spiritual blessings (including salvation—II Timothy 2:10) are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), and until one is baptized into Christ that person is not in Christ!

7. Baptism stands between the sinner and being saved and having a good conscience toward God.  Peter wrote, “There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21).

The observant reader of the New Testament will discover many other passages that speak of baptism, its God-appointed place in His wonderful plan of salvation, and the blessings that accompany scriptural baptism.  Far from being in opposition to the grace of God or being a work of human merit, baptism is a divine prerequisite for accepting God’s saving grace and entering into a saved state with the Lord.  It is a beautiful re-enactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Romans 6:1-6). 

Rather than being guided by the opinions and teachings of men or what you have always believed, thought, or been taught, you are urged to read and study the Bible for yourself to see what it says—ALL that it says, not just a single verse or two—about what one must do to comply with God’s conditions for being saved!  Do not write off baptism as being non-essential to your salvation from sin!

 

Hugh Fulford

Do I Want to Worship God?

I just finished up an activity I haven’t participated in for awhile. I helped coach a boy’s "junior-pro" basketball team (grades 5, 6, 7) in our community these past few months, and we recently finished the season. I am thankful I was asked to help and greatly enjoyed helping, but don’t know why I was asked to help! Except maybe to make the other two coaches (both wonderful Christian brothers) look good! The season reminded me people get very excited about basketball! Not pro’s like Lebron James or Kevin Durant or Seth Curry, etc. No, they get very excited about watching "junior-pro" players, and even younger boys and girls! Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and family friends showed up in droves to sit on crowded bleachers! On hard seats! For an hour or 2, even three! Whooping and hollering and dishing out encouragement! These people find time on a Friday evening or Saturday to come to a gym in winter-time weather. And pay money to get in! They take time out of busy schedules and other activities (including rest time) to come. They enjoy it more, of course, if their child or favorite players or teams win. But the point is they come because they want to be there. They have great interest in others who are there, and are excited about being there.They enthusaistically engage in the game. It was exciting and enjoyable to be involved, even in the little part I played. I hope to do it again!

Now allow me, please, to switch to a different and much more important gear. Consider a series of questions (and answer them if you dare). Why do people come (or not come) to worship assemblies? And what determines the level of engagement and participation for those who do come? The pews are (usually) padded and soft. The church building is clean and heated in winter, air-conditioned in summer. The Bible class seldom goes over about 40 minutes and the worship service about an hour or so. And hopefully there is no "competition" or "adversarial" atmosphere. What is the real key to whether or not people invest some time, energy, and money to come and get involved in worship? Why do some get all-in and not only attend but enthusiastically engage in all the avenues of worship (singing, the Lord’s Supper, preaching, praying, and giving of money)? Why do some who are just as busy as anybody else carve out time to prepare to teach a class or be involved in helping in other ministry areas? Why do some return to every service while others who could are content to get by on a single hour of worship with the church each week? I don’t mean to over-simplify and I don’t have an "axe to grind." But I can’t help but conclude that some people just love and are more focused on God than others. Like the apostle John in Revelation chapter 4, they "see" (metaphorically speaking now) "a door standing open in heaven" and they "hear" [God’s] voice calling them to "come up here" and engage in worship to the God John describes as "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty ... Him who lives forever and ever" (verses 8, 10). Who wouldn’t want to be in heaven to worship Almighty God? But wait - if I want to worship Him there in heaven, why wouldn’t I want to worship Him here, any and every time I can? Just asking.

Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN

2Sa 9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

In 2Samuel 7:1-17 David asked: “What can I do for God?” and he proposed to build a temple for the LORD. Now David asks another question: “What can I do for the house of Saul?” For Jonathan’s Sake - David had sworn to his friend Jonathan that he would "not cut off his kindness from his house forever" (1Samuel 20:15-17). David remembers his oath with Jonathan and though Jonathan is dead, he intends to keep the oath he had sworn to his best friend. It was customary in those days for the king of a new dynasty to completely massacre anyone connected with the prior dynasty. It is for self-preservation sake and to prevent an uprising made by someone from the prior dynasty. Hence, what David did was dangerous and out of step from “market” practice when he asked what he could do for the family of his enemy. Has it ever occurred to him that Jonathan’s descendants might take revenge and overthrow him?                                                    But David was a man of integrity. Never mind that Jonathan is now dead, a promise is still a promise. David was a man of his words. His action was not only based on feelings for his good friend, but also on the promise of a covenant. This is a true saying: “You are only as good as your word!” Indeed, people will judge us by whether we are persons of our words. If we say we’re going to do something, then we’d best follow through as people will judge us not only on what we say, but also on whether we keep our words. If we accomplish what we say we’re going to do, then our words hold power in the future; the result is we gain the trust of others. But, if we say and do not, we become liars and no one will trust us anymore. Nothing else in the world will hurt as much as a broken promise. “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:5). Those who do not keep their words are liars. And liars cannot enter heaven (Revelation 21:8). David’s question shows a great love for his dear friend, Jonathan. It’s not just about keeping promises; it’s also about love. Jonathan was his dearest friend. And therefore, any member of Jonathan’s family is his friend too. But isn’t Saul his enemy? Indeed, Saul hated David but David didn’t return with hate. David was kind to Saul all the time Saul wanted to kill him. David had two opportunities to kill Saul but both times he refused to kill his arch enemy (1 Samuel 24 & 26). David did not consider Saul an enemy.                                                                                                                                             Someone does not like you; he considers you an enemy. What about you? How should you consider him? Is he your enemy? Should you love him or hate him like he hates you? Our Lord gives the answer: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). It means that, if Saul were your enemy, you will pray for him and if he is in trouble, help him. It becomes us to follow the example of David and of Christ, and seek out those who may be in need of help. God wants us to love like Him (Romans 5:8). David remembered the kindness that Jonathan had shown to him; he wanted to return in kind. Is there anyone that you should be showing kindness and have not? Here is a warning: “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house” (Proverbs 17:13). People of this world are oftentimes guilty of the sin of ingratitude, of paying kindness with unkindness, and of returning evil for good. The Christian way is to be grateful and always remember a favour! (Colossians 3:15). Did you repay a kindness once shown to you?