Two Minutes With The Bible

[nChrist]

July 18, 2008

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
by Cornelius R. Stam

The last great book of the Bible opens with the words: "The revelation of Jesus Christ," and from these words it derives its title: "The Revelation." In this book St. John deals largely with the return of Christ in glory to judge and reign.

II Thessalonians. 1:7,8 tells us that one day "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven... in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that... obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is what the book of the Revelation is basically about. But this phraseology is also used in Paul's epistles, for in Galatians 1:11,12 he says:

"I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Surely this is not the same "revelation of Jesus Christ" of which John wrote. St. Paul refers not to "the revelation of Jesus Christ" in glory, but to "the revelation of Jesus Christ" in grace while He delays the judgment; not His revelation to the world in person, but His revelation to the world through Paul the chief of sinners, saved by grace. In Verses 15,16 of Galatians 1, the Apostle says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His Son in Me." What a revelation of grace to a sin-cursed world when God saved Saul, His bitter, blaspheming enemy! He tells about it in I Timothy 1:13-16, where he says:

"I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious... Howbeit, FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING."

This is why Paul says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His Son in Me." By saving the chief of sinners (as Paul calls himself in I Timothy 1:15), God would show us that He is willing to save any sinner, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

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Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

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July 19, 2008

THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL
by Cornelius R. Stam

Twice in Galatians 2 Paul speaks of "the truth of the gospel." In both cases the Apostle had been forced to speak out to defend the purity of "the gospel of the grace of God."

In Verses 4,5 he refers to his contest with those at Jerusalem who would have brought the Gentile believers under the law of Moses. Among them were "false brethren," he says, "unawares brought in... to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."

In the second case he refers to a controversy with Peter who, having enjoyed blessed fellowship with Gentile Christians, had been intimidated by some of his Jewish brethren into separating himself from the Gentiles. Concerning this, Paul writes: "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed" (Ver. 11). Why was Peter to be blamed? Verse 14 answers: Because he "walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel," i.e., "the gospel of the grace of God," in which believing Jews and Gentiles are "one body in Christ."

How we should all thank God for Paul's vigorous defense of the gospel of grace, under which all who trust in Christ as Savior are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the one true Bible Church (I Corinthians 12:13).

Doubtless Paul's stand for "the gospel of the grace of God" stemmed from the fact that he himself had experienced the truth of this blessed message. As the chief of sinners he had been gloriously saved. All his power and prestige as a Pharisee, all his intellectual achievement, all his rigid Law observance meant nothing now, as in the presence of the glorified Lord he saw himself a sinner, the chief of sinners, and was saved by the matchless grace of God.

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Two Minutes With The Bible
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July 20, 2008

I HAVE SET THEE A WATCHMAN
by Cornelius R. Stam

The Prophet Ezekiel was appointed by God as a "watchman" over the house of Israel (Ezek. 33:7). He was held responsible to warn the wicked from their way, for while God must deal justly with sin, He had declared: "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live" (Ver. 11).

If Ezekiel failed to warn the wicked, they would die in their sins, but their blood would nevertheless be required at his hand. If he faithfully warned them, however, and they refused to heed the warning, they would die in their sins, but he would be absolved of all responsibility (See Vers. 8,9).

Would some Christian reader remind us that we are living under another dispensation and that our message is one of grace? True enough, but this does not diminish, it increases our responsibility toward the lost.

If we believers carelessly allow the lost to go to Christless graves are we not morally responsible for their doom, and will we not be held accountable at the Judgment Seat of Christ? (See II Cor. 5:10,11). This is why we find Paul reminding the Ephesian elders that he had not ceased to warn men "night and day with tears" (Acts 20:31).

As the Apostle looked back over his ministry among the Ephesians he could say: "I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men" (Ver. 26). And this had been true of his ministry in general. Indeed, it was now his desire that, whatever the cost, he might finish his course with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify "the gospel of the grace of God" (Ver. 24).

God give us who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, a greater sense of our responsibility toward the lost!

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July 21, 2008

BIBLE TEST
by Cornelius R. Stam

A Bible test was sprung recently on five classes of college-bound 11th and 12th graders in an American public school.

Some thought Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers; that the Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther and John; that Eve was created from an apple; and that the stories which Jesus told were called parodies.

Eighty to ninety percent of the students could not complete the most familiar quotations from Scripture.

The teacher, Thayer S. Warshaw, was understandably upset and rightly asked: "Is the student to study mythology and Shakespeare and not the Bible? Is it important for him to learn what it means when a man is called an Adonis or a Romeo, yet unimportant for him to be able to tell a Jonah from a Judas?"

This writer's heart is with that teacher and all who are awake enough to see that the Bible is disappearing more and more from American life. How can we expect anything but juvenile delinquency, the rapid general rise in the crime rate, the growing divorce rate, increasing dishonesty at every level of business and social life --- how can we expect anything but these conditions when the Bible is flaunted and despised? This departure from the Word of God is bound to get us deeper and deeper into trouble.

But whatever the conditions about you, you may have the joy and peace and light that comes from that Blessed Book. The Bible tells us frankly that "all have sinned" (Rom.3:23) and that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom.6:23) since a just God must deal with sin. Ah, but it tells us also that "Christ died for our sins" (ICor.15:3), and that the believer may have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.5:1).

Read the Bible, especially the Epistles of Paul, who was raised up to proclaim "the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). You will never cease to thank God for having given your attention to this wonderful Book.

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July 22, 2008

THE CHURCH THAT PAUL PERSECUTED
by Russell S. Miller

"For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
"And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers" (Galatians 1:13,14).

"And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
"But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
"And they glorified God in me" (Galatians 1:22-24).

These are the words of the Apostle Paul concerning his former lifestyle in the religion of the Jews. However there is much that is misunderstood these days concerning "the church of God" that Paul persecuted. Some are teaching that Paul persecuted "the Church, which is the Body of Christ" (Eph.1:22,23).

The word "church" simply means a "called-out assembly," not the local building in which many attend Sunday services. God has always had His "called-out ones", His saints. In Acts 7:38, for instances, there is "the church in the wilderness" that great congregation that Moses lead out of Egypt. The "church" of Matthew 16:18 refers to His prophesied "congregation" (Psa.22:22). However, the Greek word for church--"ekklesia"--is translated "assembly" in Acts 19:32,39,41 and refers to those who worship idols. So, just because "church" appears in our Bibles it does not mean that it is the "Body of Christ."

If we say that "the Body of Christ" was not in existence until Paul's conversion, then which "church" did he persecute? The solution to this is found in Paul's epistles.

Colossians 1:24,25 states that Paul was "made a minister" of the Church, which is "the Body of Christ." He surely did not persecute members of this Church. Paul ministered God's love and grace and peace to these saints. This is the Church which, historically, began when God, in grace, saved Saul, "the chief of sinners," on the road to Damascus and made him its charter member (ITim.1:13-16).

Saul of Tarsus persecuted the church of Matthew 16:18--Messiah's "Little Flock" (Luke 12:32)--and those "added" to that church in early Acts (Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1,3). It was this Pentecostal church, these are the believers that Paul refers to in Acts 22:19,20:

"And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on Thee:
"And when the blood of Thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him."

And Luke adds these words: "At that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem" and "the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen..." (Acts 7:58; 8:1). This Messianic Church is the church that Paul had persecuted.

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July 23, 2008

IS INSPIRATION THE VOICE OF A DUMB ANIMAL?
by Russell S. Miller

“Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet” (II Peter 2:15,16).

Since our subject today has to do with the inspiration of the Scriptures, we must ask, is inspiration the “voice” of a dumb animal?

“Virgin births” are impossible. “Resurrection” is impossible. “Healings”, from death-like sicknesses to physical health and strength again in a moment of time, are impossible. And the “raising of the dead” is also an impossible feat for man. But God can do all these things and more. Did I fail to mention the Creator and His universe!?

The Scriptures to which Peter alludes, here, in regards to “Balaam the son of Bosor” are clear enough on the events of that morning in history:

“And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou has smitten me these three times?” (Numbers 22:22-27).

Of course there is much more that was said in that discourse between Balaam and his donkey, as well as those words which the angel of the Lord spoke to Balaam, but the beast may not have been so dumb after all, for she saw the glitter of that angelic “sword,” and Balaam, well, he sure looked silly arguing with his donkey (Nu.22:23-35).

Now “the Lord opened the mouth of the ass” and she spake unto Balaam. Only God can cause a “dumb” animal to speak with “man’s voice,” and this may well have been a female voice that “she” spake with. Interesting. What do you think? Is inspiration the voice of a dumb animal? Probably not! Scripture does not indicate that the deaf and dumb, whom our Lord made to speak and hear, were inspired (Matt.15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37; John 5:1-9). Inspiration is rather the voice of those “MEN” whom God “INSPIRED” to write the Bible.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:20,21).

Moses was not there when this event between Balaam and his donkey occurred. But regarding this event Moses was inspired of God to write the very words with which this beast of burden “forbad the madness of the prophet” (IIPet.2:16), and we have those very words upon the pages of our Scriptures. These words were not uttered 400 years ago, nor were they uttered 2000 years ago. Rather, 1,500 years before Christ, Balaam’s donkey spake those words. If Moses had not been “inspired” (IIPet.1:21) we would not have a record of that most interesting conversation, nor the resoluteness of God Almighty to keep His promise of blessing upon the children of Israel (Genesis 12:1-3).

Which brings us back to the credibility with which Scripture speaks of the “holy men” who spake and wrote “as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (IIPet.1:21).

So, inspiration in the original autographs is NOT MERELY the words on the page, but the men who SPAKE those Words were also inspired of God to WRITE the very Words of God, for without the one you will never have the other.

“ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS:
“THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS” (IITim.3:16,17).

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July 24, 2008

WHO'S BEEN GOOD TO WHOM?
by Cornelius R. Stam

As I once left a restaurant, the cashier and part owner asked how "the pastor" was feeling. I replied: "Fine. The Lord has been very good to me."

With this she began to tell how good the Lord had been to her. She had come to America from Greece and had raised a family and prospered here until now, with her family, she owned and operated a good-sized restaurant. "So", she said, "the Lord has been good to me", and after a moment's hesitation, "but then, I've been good to Him too!"

Imagine! How He needed her! It is sad, but this is the low conception of God held by many religious, but unsaved people. They entertain the strange notion that if they put a few dollars into the Church, God ought to bless them -- or the still more foolish notion that if they are good to others, He ought to be good to them!

But He owes us nothing just because we may have been good to others! And even if we sought only to please Him, this would not make Him our debtor. He does not need us. There is nothing we can do to enrich Him. This is why Ephesians 2:8-10 declares that salvation is "not of yourselves", and "not of works, lest any man should boast".

No, we cannot gain His favor by "being good to Him". Yet, it is true that His children will be rewarded for faithfulness to Him. This is not a dispensational matter; it is a promise that God has always held out to His people (Dan.12:3; Matt. 25:21; ICor.4:5; IThes.2:19; IITim.4:7,8; IPet.5:1). But such rewards are "rewards of grace".

Let us who know Him, then, seek above all else to be faithful in our service to Him, not to gain acceptance with God, for He has already "made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph.1:6), but rather out of love and gratitude to Him who gave Himself for us.

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July 25, 2008

"CEPHAS" AND PAUL'S GOSPEL
by Russell S. Miller

The name "Simon," and this phrase, "whose surname is called Peter," is found some six times in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. But "Cephas," this name, is found only in Paul's epistles, and John 1: 42:

"...And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."

Having established that Peter's name was to be changed to Cephas, we can now consider the subject before us, "Cephas" and Paul's Gospel. Thus it is essential that we realize that when Paul speaks of Cephas in his epistle to the Galatians, he is actually referring to the Apostle Peter:

"And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision" (Gal.2:9).

This is most significant because, although our Lord had changed Peter's name to Cephas, he is referred to as "Simon Peter" some nineteen times in the Gospels. However, it is also interesting to note that the Apostle Paul refers to Peter as Cephas four times in First Corinthians (ICor.1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5). And these are the only passages where this name Cephas is found. But what's more interesting about the gospel that Paul preached is that in the context of I Corinthians 15:3,4, the Apostle of the Circumcision, "Cephas" (ICor.15:5), had come to understand that salvation today is "through faith" in Christ's shed blood -- Romans 3:25; I Peter 1:18,19. In early Acts, Peter had only preached the resurrection of Christ to sit upon the throne of David's prophesied kingdom (Acts 2:25-31). He did not know what the crucifixion of Jesus Christ had accomplished (Luke 18:34). There he only knew that "by wicked hands [Israel] had crucified and slain" the Son of God (Acts 2:23). Even as late as his visit to see Cornelius in Acts 10, the Apostle Peter had not understood the preaching of the cross. It is through Paul's Gospel that Peter came to see what the finished work of Christ actually accomplished, and through this knowledge he became a stalwart for the truth. And this is why he is called Cephas in Paul's epistles, a "PILLAR" for the truth of God's Word "rightly divided."

According to the Apostle Paul then, Peter and all believers, Jews or Gentiles, are instructed to leave the so-called Great Commission with its repentance and water baptism, and come on unto "perfection" through the Pauline revelation (Hebrews 6:1,2). And having seen this, Peter obeyed, and gave to Paul and Barnabas "the right hands of fellowship" (Gal.2:9). Again Peter's own words later written in his first epistle:

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1:18,19).

Again, in the context of I Corinthians 15:3,4, Paul goes on to say: "Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed" (ICor.15:11). In Acts 15:7-11 Peter had declared that Jews are saved exactly the same way Gentiles are saved today. No longer does the law, nor repentance and water baptism save.

Would to God that all our Baptist friends would come to see the truth of the Mystery as Peter had. These are not the words of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:31, but Peter's own inspired words, to his own countrymen at that Jerusalem Council:

"BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THROUGH THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WE SHALL BE SAVED, EVEN AS THEY" (Acts 15:11).

Paul not only "received" this Gospel from the Lord Jesus, but he also "delivered" that same Gospel, which he had "received" to the Corinthians.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you... For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES; And that He was buried, and that He ROSE AGAIN the third day ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES" (ICor.15:3,4).

And this, beloved, is consistent with the Apostle Paul's words in Romans 16:25,26, that Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (ICor.15:3,4) was "according to his gospel, AND THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN, But now is made manifest, AND BY THE SCRIPTURES OF THE PROPHETS, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to ALL NATIONS for the obedience of faith" (Rom.16:25,26).

This also explains how John 3:14-16 is so greatly used of God today. Peter and John had both come to see "the grace that was given" to the Apostle Paul in all the types and shadows of Calvary's cross (Gal.2:7-9; IIPet.3:15-18; I John 1:7).

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:14-16).

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July 26, 2008

NOT ALWAYS SO BAD!
by Cornelius R. Stam

Have you heard the story of Honus? Honus was a wicked old renegade who lived in a small country town. When he died his body lay in the funeral parlor for three days without anyone even taking notice. Finally, on the day of the burial, a few of his old cronies did stop by to at least pay their respects.

As they gathered, the funeral director said: "Now fellows, we can't bury Honus like a dog. We've got to have some kind of service for him. Won't somebody here take charge?" But the silence was profound, so finally the funeral director himself agreed to take charge.

He began by asking whether there wasn't someone who had some good word to say for Honus before they buried him. Again there was a deep silence, until finally one old man stood up and said: "Well, I can say this much for Honus; he wasn't always as bad as he sometimes was."

To be honest, isn't this true of all of us? Some people take offense at Rom. 3:22,23, which says: "For there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." They think there is a difference, and that they have not been as sinful as others. Ah, but while there may be a difference in the nature or the degree of our sins, Romans 3 is right when it says that there is no difference in this: that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." A person may put up a good front, feeling that he is not nearly so great a sinner as others, but whether a bridge is ten feet or a hundred feet short of spanning the chasm, it is still useless, so don't try crossing it.

This is why we all need "the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of [God's] grace" (Eph. 1:7). And we may have this by trusting in the Christ who died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3). "For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8 ).

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July 27, 2008

THE SECRET OF SPIRITUAL VICTORY
by Cornelius R. Stam

Believers in Christ have been made "free from sin" by grace (Rom.6:14,18 ) in the sense that they need not, indeed, should not, yield to sin when temptation arises (Rom.6:12,13). Believers have also been made "free from the law of sin and death" (Rom.8:2) for Christ, in grace, bore the death penalty for them.

But no believer is free from what Paul calls "the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom.7:23), that is, the old Adamic nature, with its inherent tendency to do wrong. Nor is he free from the conflict with the new nature which this involves. If the Christian would be truly spiritual and deal in a scriptural way with the sin that indwells him, he must clearly recognize its presence; he must face the fact that while, thank God, he is no longer "in sin", sin is still in him.

But this conflict should not discourage us, for it is one of the true signs of salvation. It is unknown to the unbeliever, for only the additional presence of the new nature, along with the old, causes this conflict, for the Bible says about these two natures: "these are contrary the one to the other" (Gal.5:17).

But not only is this conflict within the believer a sure sign of salvation; it also creates within him a deep and necessary sense of our inward imperfection and of the infinite grace of a holy God in saving us and ministering to us daily in helping us to overcome sin. And this in turn gives us a more understanding approach as we proclaim to the lost "the gospel of the grace of God".

Paul's epistles show clearly that there is nothing that will so help us to overcome sin and live pleasing to God as an understanding and an appreciation of what He has done for us in Christ. As we are occupied with these "things of the Spirit" we find ourselves "walking in the Spirit", and Galatians 5:16 says: "WALK IN THE SPIRIT, AND YE SHALL NOT FULFIL THE LUST OF THE FLESH". How much better to have our lives transformed by occupation with Christ (IICor. 3:18 ) and our position and blessings in the heavenlies with Him (Col.3:1-3), than to assume the hopeless task of trying to improve the "old nature"; always engaged in introspection; always occupied with the flesh!

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July 28, 2008

THREE BILLION WILLS
by Cornelius R. Stam

As long as man remained obedient to the will of God, his Maker, all was well with him. His life was perfectly balanced because it was centered in God. As soon as he listened to Satan, however, and set his will against God's, all began to go wrong. His life was now off center and out of balance. It was no longer subject to the one central will. Alienated from God, man now reaped the fruit of his rebellion, not only in his banishment from Paradise, but in the self-will of his offspring.

Of the first two children born into the world, one bludgeoned the other to death, and this was but the beginning. Whereas God had originally created man in His own "image" and "likeness" (Gen. 1:26,27), we read later that Adam begat Seth "in his own likeness, after his image" (Gen. 5:3). And so parents down through the ages have begotten children like themselves, with fallen natures and wills of their own, until now we have some three billion wills operating in the world instead of the one central will of God.

This does not mean, however, that God has abdicated, or that the future of the world is now subject to the wills of three billion fallen creatures. Nor was God forced to formulate new plans because of the fall of man. Far from it, for despite man's rebellion -- even through it -- God has been carrying out His plan and every true believer rejoices that God "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph. 1:11). While He does not rule directly in the affairs of men, He very definitely overrules, and as a result "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28 ).

All glory to that blessed One of whom it is written:

"Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O God" (Heb. 10:7).

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July 29, 2008

DOES GOD INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN TODAY?
by Russell S. Miller

There is a teaching these days, that the Lord does not answer the prayers of His saints; that He is not interested, nor does He care about His people today, nor what they do. Since this age of grace is a timeless, signless age, it is argued that God does not intervene in the affairs of men today.

It is, of course, quite true that as far as tongues, signs, and miracles are concerned God has laid aside the Faith Healer in favor of dispensing "grace" through "faith" in this dispensation. But to say that God does not intervene today is in grave error.

The Apostle Paul, and those who have followed his ministry down through the centuries, would tell you that God is very much alive today, and that He is still on His throne.

God is looking for "faithful" men and women to equip for the ministry (ICor.4:1,2). Men whose one desire is to know the truth, and to make it known. Men who will not be drawn away by false doctrine, but who will point the saved, and unsaved alike, to the Scriptures, and the heavenly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Pauline epistles.

"And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph.3:9).

But this error, that the Lord has set the age of grace in motion, only to take His hand away, allowing us to drift without any moorings (Heb.6:19), is unthinkable of God.

That the conversion of Saul of Tarsus was an unexpected event in history as far as prophecy was concerned is obvious (Acts 9:1-6). It certainly took Paul by surprise. And the devil has not yet gotten over the shock of it. But what is most important about Paul's encounter with Christ is the fact that for 2000 years now, the Gospel of Grace has shined brightly in this dark world. In short, this is the greatest intervention of God into the affairs of men to date, when He physically appeared to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-11). A surprise of grace that even the Prophets had not predicted (Col.1:26).

Beloved, God intervenes in the affairs of men every time a sinner trusts Christ as his Saviour. Every time the Gospel is preached God intervenes to "edify" His saints; to save men and women, boys and girls, from sin's degradation--from a Christless eternity, and conform lives to the image of His Son (Rom.8:29; 12:1,2; Eph.1:18; Phil.3:10). And, by faith alone, to delivers us from this present evil world system (Gal.1:4). Question: Are you ready for the next event in God's "mysterious" program, the "catching away" of His Church?

"And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, [who] delivers us from the wrath to come" (IThes.1:10).

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July 30, 2008

GRACE FROM CALVARY
by Cornelius R. Stam

If you want to enjoy a real spiritual feast, take a concordance to the Bible and look up the word "grace." First notice how often this word is found in the four Gospels: only four times and only once in a doctrinal sense. Then notice how often it is used in Paul's epistles (less than half the size of the four Gospels). Here it is found well over one hundred times and practically always in a doctrinal sense, about the love and mercy of God toward sinners and toward His own. Think of it: only once is grace referred to doctrinally in the four Gospels, yet in Paul's epistles, less than half as large in volume, it is used more than one hundred times.

This is because St. Paul was God's chosen apostle to make known His grace to sinners. In Acts 20:24 he speaks of "the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

But on what basis could God, through Paul, proclaim salvation by free grace to sinners? Ah, now take your Bible and begin looking up those passages which refer to the cross, the death and the blood of Christ, again noticing that while Paul does not actually relate the story of Christ's death, he has more, far more, to say about that death, and what it accomplished, than any other Bible writer. It would thrill the heart of any sincere Christian to go through the Epistles of Paul and see how much good news Paul proclaims on the basis of the death of Christ. This is why his message is called "the preaching of the cross" -- God's good news about what Calvary has accomplished for us (1 Cor. 1:17-23).

In Paul's epistles we learn that through Christ's death for us at Calvary believers are "justified," "accepted" by God, and pronounced "complete in Christ." By His death they are reconciled to God in one body, given a position at God's right hand in the highest heavens and assured "the exceeding riches of His grace" in "the ages to come" -- this and more! Riches of grace flowing from Calvary; this is the very essence of the glorious message which Paul was raised up to proclaim. Read his epistles and see.

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July 31, 2008

THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST
by Russell S. Miller

It was a dismal day indeed when they crucified the Son of God. And that night of His arrest, and judgment, He was not even given a fair trial. And what treachery! Under cover of darkness, Judas Iscariot betrayed our Lord into the hands of wicked men for "thirty pieces of silver" (Matt.26:14-16). Our Lord said to those priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, "...this is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:53), yet He held that entire mob under His complete control.

Those Jewish priests, who were ordained to "offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins", should have been "compassionate" (Heb.5:1-4). Instead they had become proud and arrogant, strutting about with their "phylacteries" and "salutations" and "chief seats in the synagogues," and for a "pretense" they made "long prayers" (Matt.23:1-12; Mark 12:38-40). In their hatred of the Lord Jesus they showed themselves to be not one wit better than their fathers (Matt.23:31-35!). And all their boasting about the law brought them not one inch closer to God.

To crucify an innocent man, a righteous man, a holy man shows how wicked men can be when ambitions, and traditions, and politics, are placed above the Word of God. Judas "repented" that he had "betrayed the innocent blood," but it was a selfish repentance (Matt.27:4). And in their hypocrisy the chief priests and elders took the blood money from Judas and declared that it was "not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it was the price of blood" (Verse 6). But they could not wash the guilt from their hands, no, not from one of their fingers.

And Pontius Pilate, try as he might that night, could not "release" this Prisoner even though "he knew that for envy they had delivered Him" (Matt.27:18 ).

"And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified" (Mark 15:15).

Nor was the Governor innocent in his deliberations that night as he passed sentence upon Jesus Christ and his whole band of Roman soldiers "mocked" the Lord. They "spit upon Him", and "platted a crown of thorns" upon His head, and "bowed the knee" before Him. They "smote Him on the head" with the "reed" they had first put in "His right hand", and they "mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" So both Jews and Gentiles are guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They made Him carry that heavy wooden cross until He could no longer bear up under its weight. They drove spikes into His hands and feet and they "crucified" Him in a place called "Calvary" (Matt.27:27,31,33; Mark 15:16-20). The chief priests "mocked" Him also (27:41-43). Our Lord's words in John 15:25 could not have been more true; "They hated Me without a cause."

"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matt.27:46).

Yes, there was "darkness over all the land" when God the Father turned His back upon God the Son because He could not look upon sin (Hab.1:13). It was your sins, and my sins, that also nailed His hands and His feet to that cruel cross. And because sin must be judged, God's wrath was poured out upon Jesus Christ when He suffered and bled and died on the cross for our sins.

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, have obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb.9:12).

Here, another type, "the scapegoat," is fulfilled as our blessed Saviour bore our sins on Calvary's cross when He was forsaken of God on our behalf (Lev.16:10,21,22). This is how God can now save you from your sins, by faith alone, in the Lord Jesus Christ. And He will save you from the wrath to come if you will just believe in Jesus. As the Apostle Paul explains in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians:

"For [God] hath made Him to be sin for us, [Christ] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (IICor.5:21).

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August 1, 2008

THE INFLUENCE OF PAUL'S GOSPEL
by Russell S. Miller

The Gospel which the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul extended throughout the Roman Empire as Paul preached “the Gospel of the Grace of God” to saint and sinner alike. It affected the Hebrews, the Twelve Apostles, and Jews and Gentiles every where. His ministry influenced all the Churches of Gentiles; bishops and deacons; pastors and teachers; and households everywhere.

“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom.1:7).

Paul’s gospel has reached down through the corridors of time to such men of God as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wycliffe, John Hus, and John Knox, in the days of the Reformation. Paul’s gospel shook all of Europe and England as these truths were being recovered. By the grace of God, such dispensationalists as John Darby and C. I. Scofield also furthered the cause of Christ. And in our day, J. C. O’Hair, Cornelius R. Stam, and Pastor Win Johnson have been used of God in the Grace Movement to increase our understanding of God’s Word, rightly divided, retaining the integrity of the gospel of grace. Paul’s gospel, “without works,” has also affected you and me. Would to God that all America could remember her roots, and why, and where it is that she has come from! This is why Paul declares that his epistles, and Jesus Christ, establish believers today:

“NOW TO HIM THAT IS OF POWER TO STABLISH YOU ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL, AND THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN,
“BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST, AND BY THE SCRIPTURES OF THE PROPHETS, ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT OF THE EVERLASTING GOD, MADE KNOWN TO ALL NATIONS FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH” (Rom.16:25,26).

But if you’re not saved, my friend, I want you to know that salvation is full and free today, with no strings attached. It is based upon the virgin born, Son of God, and His shed blood on Calvary’s cross. This is why God will not accept your “good works” as substitutes for Christ’s finished work. You must believe that Christ’s death on that cross was for you. “…CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS…” (ICor.15:3). It is our “SINS”, your sins and mine, for which Christ died on that cruel cross. God wants to save you from your sins, and He will save you, if you will only believe. Won’t you just now place your faith in the Lord Jesus, and be saved for time and eternity? Oh, my friend, Jesus will save you from hell and the lake of fire, if you will only believe.

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