Luke 20:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

“By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?” (Luke 20:2). That was the question posed by the chief priests and scribes to Jesus. Their purpose was to ensnare Christ. Should He say that God gave Him the authority to do those things, they would charge Him with blasphemy and stoned Him to death. And if He should say that He had His authority from men, they would brand Him a false teacher for teaching contrary to the Law and one not worth listening to and therefore not the Christ. They would still stone Him to death too for blasphemy because He said He was the Son of God.

Christ had given proof of His Divine authority and established His claim to be the true Messiah. The chief priests and scribes could not deny that the miracles He performed came from God. It was not therefore because they lacked evidence of His authority, but because they hated it (John 11:48). Their purpose was to entangle Him with this question and charged Him with blasphemy.

Christ countered their question with another question: "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" It put them in a fix. They dared not repudiate the baptism of John for all the multitude considered John to be a prophet from God. And if they were to admit that John’s baptism was from God, then, why didn’t they submit to John’s baptism (Luke 7:29-30). Moreover, John repeatedly borne testimony of Jesus that He was the Christ. Hence, if John’s baptism was from God, then, his testimony about Jesus was true. They could not accept this conclusion.

The subject of authority is not often mentioned these days. If it was considered and applied, there would be a lot less heresy and confusions in Christianity. Denominations would be a bygone word if men would heed to the authority of Christ and the scriptures. They would only be just one church and one doctrine if all men were to abide by the authority of the scriptures.

Unfortunately, men do not always stick to authority. Eve was the first human to disrespect the authority of God and ate the forbidden fruit which He commanded her not to (Gen 2:17; 3:6). She thought her action would not do any harm after all, it was just a fruit. But her action brought sin into the world and eternal death to all mankind.

Naaman, captain of the Syrian army and a leper, thought Elisha was mocking him when he asked him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. He thought that command from a prophet was God was madness and silly. It was only after he had learned to obey authority that he was healed (2 Kgs 5:1-14).

Does Christ have authority both in heaven and on earth? Of course He does (Matt 28:19). Is the Bible the sole authority we should have in religion? Of course it is (2 Tim 3:16-17). Do men believe that Christ and the scripture have authority in their doctrines and practices? Yes, they do; at least that is what they professed. But, in practice, they don’t!

If you ask one who is from a denomination: “The baptism of the New Testament: is it from heaven or from men?” They will tell you it is from heaven. They will tell you they believe in baptism and they baptise their members. But their baptism is not the same baptism as practiced by the apostles and the first century Christians. They are like Naaman who did not think that the waters of Jordan River could cleanse him. It was only after he learned to obey the command to wash and be clean that he was cleansed. Denominations need to abide by the same authority which says: “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet 3:21).

Examine the doctrines and practices that you were taught; are they from men or from God? The purpose of God giving us the Bible is so that we can examine any doctrines they have been going round in this world (Acts 17:11). The Bible shows us the truth and it is the truth (John 17:17). Let us take heed to the authority of the written word and stick to this slogan: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

Meditating On God’s Word

 The first chapter in the Psalms is a wonderful description of the “blessed” man in contrast with the pitiful plight of the ungodly. In the first verse the Psalmist tells us that the righteous man is careful in his daily walk. He refuses to listen to the counsel of the ungodly. If he finds himself being inundated with unholy advice, he refuses to stand in the way of the sinner who gives such advice. In addition he will not sit with the scornful, knowing that fellowship with such individuals is forbidden by God’s word. 

On the positive side of the ledger, the Psalmist tells us this regarding the righteous man:  “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psa. 1:2). There are some wonderful lessons to be drawn from this short verse.  Consider the following.

First, the righteous man has a single delight that far exceeds all other joys in his life.  There are many things we delight in. Some delight in golf; others in fishing; some in their jobs or their families. And while these things certainly can bring joy and cause us to delight, there is one thing in which we should delight that excels the pleasures of these mundane things. The Psalmist’s delight was bound up, not in the counsel of the wicked, but the law of the Lord.

Second, it should be noted that the Psalmist uses a term to refer to God’s word that most people today find repulsive. It is the word “law.” The political correctness and pluralism that has infected the thinking of many disdains any reference to law. The word suggests an absolute standard. It suggests that there are some things that are “negative” insofar as our responsibility to God is concerned. Unfortunately too many people turn a deaf ear to any command of God that even hints at law. Consequently our generation is, to a large degree, antinomian (against law). But not all “law” is bad. What would society be like if we did not have laws?  Chaos would rule supreme.  Society would, in fact, be “lawless.”  We should be grateful that our nation is a nation of laws. We should be even more grateful that our God has, in His Divine wisdom, chosen to give us laws that protect us and guide us in our daily life.

Third, it is said with regard to that law that the Psalmist does “meditate night and day.”  There are three words in the Bible that convey the thought process and its involvement with the word of God. The first word is “read.” Paul told Timothy, “Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13). Reading is the assimilation of facts.  As sergeant Joe Friday used to say, “Just the facts, sir; just the facts.” The second word we find is “study.”  Paul also wrote to Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God” (2 Tim 2:15). Study is much more than reading. Study calls for investigation, determination of the meaning of words, and careful harmonization of the words to determine the meaning. Study is hard work. The third word we find is this word “meditate.” It is the word that a Jewish farmer might use to describe a cow that chews its cud. Once one has read, and carefully studied to determine the meaning of the words thus read, he then meditates upon that word to determine how this applies to his life. 

Now please consider this. Very few in our generation ever get around to reading the Bible.  I read this week that only 1% of adult Americans read the Bible more than once a day, and less than 15% read the Bible on a regular and consistent basis. Of those who do read, fewer still ever take the time to seriously study. They are satisfied with looking at the facts, with little concern about the meaning of what they are reading. Of those who may happen to read and study, fewer still take the time to meditate on how that word applies to their life. Take a look at any congregation of the Lord’s body and you may find those who are very strict in their doctrinal stand but whose lives are in shambles, morally speaking.  

Until one takes the time to read, and study, and meditate upon God’s word, he will not profit from the message of God’s word as he otherwise might. Let me present a challenge to each of us. Keep up your daily reading of God’s word. Then, in addition, select one passage a week (say a chapter), and seriously study that chapter. Spend some time researching dictionaries, commentaries, and reference books to help you get a good understanding of what that passage really teaches. Then at week’s end, spend the same amount of time you spent each day in research simply meditating on what you have studied. If you studied on the passage for fifteen minutes each day, take fifteen minutes to meditate on what you have learned. It may surprise you how your life will change and how much more you will enjoy the riches of God’s word. 

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I make a concentrated effort each morning to spend about an hour in the reading of God’s word, personal prayer, and meditation. These private moments provide me with strength for the day, and serve as a reminder that the day granted to me, and which now lies before me, is given by God. A few days ago it was my opportunity to read and meditate on the 46th Psalm. It is a Psalm of peace and tranquility. “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth do change, and though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas” (Psa. 46:2). While that verse is certainly comforting, there is another one that particularly caught my attention: “Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psa. 46:10). Someone once suggested that one of the chief hindrances to really knowing God is the rush of modern life. We are so busy doing something we don’t see what God is doing.

When I was in the Coast Guard I served two years on board a weather cutter. I enjoyed taking a blanket and pillow from my bunk and lay out on the fan tail at night (that is seaman talk for the deck on the back of the ship), and gaze up at the stars. It not only reminded me of the power of God and His constant watch-care over me, but it gave me opportunity to meditate on many of the spiritual truths that I had learned in my youth. It is an undeniable fact that our world is changing, and not for the better. It would be easy to be anxious, to fret and fear over what shall become of our culture and our nation. If you are tempted to do so, go back to the 46th Psalm and read verse 7: “Jehovah of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” In fact, go back and read and meditate on the whole of this Psalm. Then follow God’s advice: “Be still, and know that I am God!”

On the lighter side: Pancho was a well-known outlaw to Texans. A lesser-known story involves his demise in a Mexican bar. A tough Texas Ranger had trailed him through the desert and caught up with Pancho in a small village. With both guns drawn, the ranger approached the criminal and ordered him to turn over the one million dollars he had recently robbed from a train. From the other side of the bar a small man said, “Señor, Pancho does not speak English. I am his translator.” The ranger growled, “Tell Pancho I came to get the million dollars he robbed from the train. If he doesn’t hand over the money, I’ll fill him full of holes.” The man translated. Frightened, Pancho told the interpreter the money was two miles outside of town buried thirty paces east of an old abandoned well. The translator turned to the armed ranger and said, “Pancho says, ‘I’m not telling—go ahead and shoot.’” “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…” —Prov. 17:22

by Tom Wacaster

Give an account of thy stewardship

Luke 16:2  And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

A steward is one who is placed in charge over the household of his master. He himself owns nothing. Yet, all the goods and possessions of his master are entrusted to his hands to care for and to use to the best possible advantage of his master.

But, some stewards are dishonest. Some steal from their masters. Some did not manage well the master’s possession and incurred losses for the master. Here is the parable of a dishonest steward. He was wasting his lord's goods. The word “wasted” in verse 1 is the same Greek word used in Luke 15:13 where the younger son was said to waste his substance with riotous living. He wasted his father’s money by careless spending.

This dishonest steward’s master heard of his servant’s mismanagement of his goods and called him to question: “Give an account of thy stewardship.”

We are God’s stewards. Nothing that we have belongs to us. We read in Haggai 2:8: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts" And in Psalm 24:1: "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Indeed, all things, even our bodies, they belong to God. And, all will be called to such an account when we meet Him on the Judgement Day (2 Cor 5:10). 

All our TIME belongs to GOD. He will hold us accountable as to how we have used it. If God were to say today: "Give an account of your Time." Would it be time well spent or wasted? Think about it, how did we use our time yesterday? We will be accountable for every minute God has given us. Are we redeeming, that is, making the best use of the time that God has given to us? (Eph 5:16). Or, have we been wasting away the time?

The Psalmist wrote: "So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psa 90:12). He is asking God to teach him how to use his time wisely. Let us use our time wisely, and for God too.

All our TALENTS belong to God. He will hold us accountable as to how we have used them. If God were to say today: "Give an account of your TALENTS." What would be our answer?
“I am busy with my work.”
“I have done my share over the years; I don’t have time right now.”
“My family needs me.”

Brethren, God is looking for ACTION, not EXCUSES. God gives us talents so that we can make a living and also to serve Him. Many use the talents that God has given them to make a living and excel in it; but few use those talents to serve God. God will call us to account for the talents on the judgment day.

Our POSSESSIONS belong to God. He will hold us accountable as to how we have used them. If God were to say today: "Give an account of your POSSESSIONS." What would be our answer?
“I have used the money to build a bigger house and buy a bigger car.”
“I have used the money on my vacation.”
“I am saving up for my children and grandchildren.”

God will reply: “Is there anything for me?” God is not satisfied with the crumbs that fell on the table. Yet, some are giving God the crumbs. Our monies and possessions belong to God. He wants us to take care of the poor saints and pay the preachers and missionaries (Gal 6:10; 1 Cor 9:14).

Let us be diligent. Let us use our time, our possessions, and our talents, to His service. God is worthy of our service. Those things belong to Him. We are to use them to serve Him: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matt 4:10).

When God comes and asks you to give account of your stewardship, may you hear with grace the Lord say: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee inherit the true riches of glory. Enter into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt 25:21).

Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19

For our lesson thoughts today I’m going to address a problem that many of us have in our lives.  Something that many of us have to guard against.  I’m speaking of our propensity to sometimes let “anger,” whether real or imagined, cause us to say things we wish we hadn’t. 

All of us who have children can relate to these thoughts, but not only just parents but also other situations in our lives.  How many times have we “flew off the handle” and then rued having done so?  Then often having to “eat our words.”  Sometimes referred to as dining on a certain “proverbial” bird.  Speaking for myself, too many times and I don’t like the taste of crow.

As an aid to this lesson, I’m going to recite a little story, said to be a true incident. It’s a very sad example, but still, very fitting with Bible teachings on this subject.  Without further ado here’s the story.

    Sometime ago their was a faithful dog who was a constant companion of a small child.  One day both the dog and the child disappeared.  A diligent search by parents, friends and neighbors proved to be fruitless.  The child could not be found.

    After several hours the dog returned home, but he was covered with blood.  The father jumped to the conclusion that the dog had become vicious and had killed the child.  The dog must be destroyed, so he got his gun and killed the dog.

    A little later the child was found in the woods unharmed, nearby was the body of a panther that the dog had killed in his struggle to protect the child.  How do you suppose the father felt after learning that his hasty judgment resulted in the death of the dog that saved his child from death?

    What is the moral of this story?  So often we are guilty of conclusion jumping.  We take actions or express our opinion before consideration of all the facts.  The result is usually unpleasant and at times irreparable damage is done.

I told you that it was a sad story, but I believe that it starkly shows just how devastating a hasty action can be.  Just as the moral of the story said, “at times irreparable damage is done.”  Many times it can cause separation in families, both earthly and spiritually, that never healed.  As the “father” in the story must have felt after his hasty action, how will we feel if we, by some hasty action on our part, cause someone to fall away from the church and lose eternal life?

Well, let’s look at what God says about actions of this sort.  And, a little study will show us that the philosophy seen in the words of James is constant and steadfast throughout the Bible.  Of course I’m referring to our propensity to speak hastily or in “anger” and then when the facts become known, wish we had kept our mouth shut.

First off, let’s look at the nature of God in regards to our lesson.  In Nehemiah 9:17 we read that He is “slow to anger” and of “great kindness.”  Then in Psalm 103:8 the Psalmist tells us that He is “merciful and gracious” and is “slow to anger.”  Then when we turn to Psalm 145:8 we read there that God is “compassionate” and (still) “slow to anger.”

Why is it important for us to know the nature of God?  Because scripture tells us that we are to strive to be like Him.  To be of His nature.  In Romans 15:5 we read that He is the God of “patience and consolation” and that we are to be “likeminded.”  The Greek word for “likeminded” means to be of “similar spirit.”  And 1Peter 1:16 simple says: “...be ye holy as I am holy.”

Then we can read some passages that relate to our nature.  Proverbs 14:29 tells us that if we’re “slow to wrath” then we’ll have “understanding.”  But, if we are “hasty of spirit” then we’re “foolish.”  In Proverbs 15:18 we learn that, if we’re “slow to anger” we will “calm strife.”

As regards one of the main points of the lesson today is seen in what Solomon penned in Proverbs 16:32.  If you turn there you’ll read that a person who is “slow to anger” is the one who “rules his spirit.”  Earlier I used the phrase about “flying off the handle” and that precisely reveals someone who has lost control over his spirit.

In closing, and to paraphrase James’ words, “Brethren” we need to strive to control our “spirit” in the realm of speaking in “anger” and thereby possibly creating “irreparable damage.”  And his advice, which is God’s advice, says that, in order to avoid causing such “damage,” then we should be “swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger/wrath.”

“Swift,” as used by James, means to be “ready” to hear.  Of a nature to be willing to “hear” the “whole matter” before we “speak” or engage our mouth.  And when we possess those attributes - when we “rule our spirits” then we’ll be “slow to anger.”  Thus not having to regret a harmful action.

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey

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Ron Covey