Two Minutes With The Bible

[nChrist]

August 18, 2008

THE PRIMARIES AND CHRISTIAN FAITH
by Cornelius R. Stam

The presidential primaries are now in full swing, with nearly all the candidates talking confidently about winning, but it has long been a question just how much these primaries mean. Some, indeed, have started by winning in the primaries and have gone on to become president. But others have done well in the primaries, yet have never even come close to being nominated by their own parties.

It's something like this with faith. The primaries are like mental assent, or intellectual faith. Before a person can be saved he must, of course, know about sin and salvation and must give mental assent to what the Bible says about these things. He must agree that Christ died for man's sins.

But while intellectual faith is a good start, it is not enough to save you. You must go on from there to trust yourself to Christ, who died for our sins (I Cor. 15:3), otherwise your intellectual faith has done you no good.

God wants our heart trust; it is this kind of faith that honors Him, and it is this kind of faith that saves. In Romans 10:9-13 He says:

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith: Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

If Christ is not a risen, living Savior, He is no savior at all. We must believe this in our hearts if we are to call upon Him for salvation.

Thank God that "He showed Himself alive, after His passion, by many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3) and that millions have indeed found the peace and joy of sins forgiven through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His redemptive work at Calvary.

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 19, 2008

Cremation
by Paul M. Sadler, President

Scripture Reading: "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." -- Psalm 90:10

With the rising cost of funerals these days many families are faced with the decision as to whether or not cremation should be considered as a viable option to burial. Many have concluded that this is an acceptable alternative since the matter is not addressed in Paul's epistles, and we are living under grace. While there does seem to be liberty here, perhaps it is the better part of wisdom to consult the whole counsel of God.

In Biblical times cremation of the body was primarily identified with the pagan nations of the world. According to the Old Testament there were a few isolated occurrences of this practice, although they always seem to be associated with judgment or cases of emergency rather than merely disposing of the body (Josh. 7:25,26; I Sam. 31:6-13).

Consequently, cremation was more the exception than the rule.

Throughout the Scriptures it is said that they buried their dead.

"Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah..."

"Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury."

"And the young men arose, wound him [Ananias] up, and carried him out, and buried him."

In keeping with the Word of God, we believe it is preferable to bury our loved ones even though we may have liberty to do otherwise. Of course, the additional financial burden can be eased by planning ahead for our inevitable departure. The services that normally accompany a funeral bring the unsaved face to face with their own mortality.

Thus, the occasion, heartbreaking as it may be, has often been used of the Lord to bring many sons to glory. Whatever your conviction may be on the matter, it is important to heed the words of the Apostle Paul:

"Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" (Rom. 14:5).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 20, 2008

THE MINISTRY OF GODLINESS
by Russell S. Miller

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness” (Tit.1:1).

It is most inspiring to know that God’s Word is producing “godliness” in the hearts and lives of believers today. This is the subject and theme, the very heartbeat, of the Pauline revelation. He wrote to Timothy regarding the Body of Christ:

“And without controversy great is the Mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (ITim.3:16).

In his letters to Timothy, Paul exhorts us to pray, “For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour” (ITim.2:2,3). In his letter to the Galatians, Paul explains exactly how godliness in an ungodly world can be achieved today, he writes:

“I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: NEVERTHELESS I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: AND THE LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME” (Gal.2:20).

This is what our baptism into Jesus Christ has accomplished in our lives. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom.6:3,4). We are to make Christ known in our PERSONAL daily lives that we are living for Him, showing men and women how to be saved; and how to walk worthy of the Lord.

And this brings us to Paul’s exhortations for those in leadership, and for those in the pew: “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A Bishop then must be blameless…” (ITim.3:1,2).

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, THAT THEY WHICH HAVE BELIEVED IN GOD MIGHT BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Tit.3:8 ).

So God’s Word For Today is not the Epistles of Saint Paul only, as inspired as he was, but YOU and I, as members of the Body of Christ, are LIVING EPISTLES of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are the word of God today in all that WE say and do:

“YE ARE OUR EPISTLE WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS, KNOWN AND READ OF ALL MEN:

“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly DECLARED TO BE THE EPISTLE OF CHRIST MINISTERED BY US, written not with ink, but with THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD; not in tables of stone, but in FLESHY TABLES OF THE HEART” (IICor.3:2,3).

Paul therefore exhorts clergy, and laity, to yield themselves to God:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).

And in his letter to Titus he further exhorts all believers concerning “the truth which is after godliness,” and the importance of pleasing God:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit.2:12).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 21, 2008

PARDON vs. JUSTIFICATION
by Cornelius R. Stam

Did you read, recently, about the man, named Zimmerman, who spent nearly twenty-five years in prison for a murder which, it is now clear, he never committed! The mistake was discovered two years ago, and he was released, of course, but only after spending almost a quarter of a century in prison for a crime he did not commit!

This was a grim mistake, but even at that, it must be wonderful in such a case, to be free -- and to have people actually sympathize with you! Yet, after two years of liberty, Zimmerman says he still feels a bit numb. Waking up mornings he still imagines he hears the harsh sound of the prison bell, and looking about he still thinks he sees bars on the windows.

Things could be worse, though: Suppose he were guilty of the crime, merely pardoned and released. Then everyone would be saying: "There goes that murderer. They pardoned him. Don't get too friendly with him." The stigma would always remain - -as long as he lived.

Let us thank God that believers in Christ are not merely pardoned. Rom. 3:24 declares that we are "justified freely by [God's] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Christ died for our sins and satisfied the just claims of the Law, and more: through the Holy Spirit He revolutionizes our lives and makes new creations out of us, for "If any man be in Christ," says II Cor. 5:17, "he is a new creation."

"For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:8-10).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 22, 2008

"THE WRATH OF GOD REVEALED"
by Russell S. Miller

How and why is God's wrath "revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Rom.1:18 )?

It is revealed "because that which may be known of God is manifest in them...". Even the "invisible things of...creation...are clearly seen..." (1:19,20). They did not want a Creator!

It is revealed "because ...[they] became vain in their imaginations... and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image..." (1:21-23). If you insist upon believing "a lie...and worship and serve the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever" (ver.25), God will send you "a strong delusion"--the devil's "lie" (IIThes.2:9-12).

We have seen why God's wrath is revealed, but how is it revealed? "...GOD ALSO GAVE THEM UP TO UN-CLEANNESS through [their] lusts..." (Rom.1:24).

And because man has "changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator" (ver.25): "...GOD GAVE THEM UP UNTO VILE AFFECTIONS..."(Rom.1:26).

"For even their women did change the natural use [of sex] into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet [fitting]. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge..." (1:26-28 ),
"...GOD GAVE THEM OVER UNTO A REPROBATE MIND, to do those things which are not convenient" (Rom.1:28 ).

And because they had "filled" themselves with "all ungodliness and unrighteousness" (1:29-31) the judgment of God is revealed in such things as venereal disease and AIDS.

"Who knowing the judgment of God, THAT THEY WHICH COMMIT SUCH THINGS ARE WORTHY OF DEATH, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Rom.1:32).

"THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man..." (Rom.2:1).

But no matter what your sin, big or little, as we described or otherwise, God "LOVES" YOU and wants to save you, AND HE WILL SAVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS, if you will simply believe in His Son, who died for our sins on Calvary's cross, and arose from the dead. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.5:1).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 25, 2008

THE KINDNESS AND LOVE OF GOD
by Russell S. Miller

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

“Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:4-6).

If a man is dying, and you have the means to help him, would you let him die?

Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of “the tree of [the] knowledge of good and evil” (Gen.2:9), and falling into sin themselves, they plunged the whole human race into sin (Rom.5:12). Having been warned of God, “for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen.2:17), they were disobedient, and so we are no longer perfect, but sinful, and in need of the Saviour. While it may take 70 or 80 years from the moment we are born, we begin to die, and “dying thou shalt die.” Consequently, mankind, that’s all of us, were blinded by Satan’s lie, and as such, walk in darkness.

“In whom, the god of this world HATH BLINDED THE MINDS OF THEM WHICH BELIEVE NOT, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (IICor.4:4).

God is the God of eternal values, His principles are the standards by which the universe was created, and by which the universe is held together. Whatever the Eternal God does it shall be for ever. Thus our first parents were created with an eternal soul. The soul of man shall either live forever with Christ, or shall be lost in an eternal hell without Him. And since God cannot compromise His eternal principles how was man to be redeemed? There was only one way. In eternity past the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit counseled together that God the Son would offer the sacrifice that could redeem mankind. Since we are of “eternal worth” to Him, the “Eternal God” sent “His own Son” to pay for our sins, Himself, at the extreme cost of His own life’s blood that we, by faith in Christ, might know the kindness and love of God our Saviour:

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, yea rather, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom.8:31-34).

It’s not “good works,” then, but rather a matter of whether or not we believe God’s Word. Why else would God have sent His “only begotten Son” into this sin cursed world to die on a cruel cross? It is what Christ did on the cross that God accepts, and as we accept Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf, God “accepts” us in His beloved Son:

“To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved [One].

“IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE” (Eph.1:6,7).

Therefore God cannot, and will not, accept your good works as substitute for Christ’s “finished work” of redemption on Calvary’s cross. Do we believe the truth of the Word of God or the devil’s lie? God loves us, each and every one of us, with an everlasting, an eternal, love. How MUCH He loves us.

“BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US” (Rom.5:8 ).

“Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: WE PRAY YOU IN CHRIST'S STEAD, Be Ye Reconciled to God.

“For He 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.5:20,21).

“BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED, and thy house” (Acts 16:31)

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 26, 2008

SALESMEN AND SOLDIERS
by Cornelius R. Stam

It is true indeed that salvation is bestowed by grace and received through faith -- entirely apart from works, religious or otherwise. But it is equally true that it costs to embrace the truth and costs even more to stand for it, rather than selling out. This is why Proverbs 23:23 exhorts us to "buy the truth and sell it not". In this sense we are not to sell the truth. Yet in another sense we are salesmen of the truth, urging men to buy it.

As we do this we find that there are those who would actually seek to hinder men from buying the truth. Yet it is not primarily they who oppose our efforts, but Satan and his hosts.

"FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD [age], AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS [wicked spirits] IN HIGH PLACES" (Eph.6:12).

This is why God's salesmen must also be "good soldiers of Jesus Christ" (IITim.2:3). We must make the glorious message known despite the opposition. We must "put on the whole armour of God" and meet our adversaries with "the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Eph.6:11,17). When they would shut our mouths we must pray for ourselves and each other:

"...that utterance may be given unto me, THAT I MAY OPEN MY MOUTH BOLDLY, to make known the mystery of the [Paul's] gospel.
"...THAT THEREIN I MAY SPEAK BOLDLY, AS I OUGHT TO SPEAK" (Eph.6:19,20; Rom.16:25, 26).

This, by the grace of God, is our prayer and our resolve.

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 27, 2008

AN OLD-FASHIONED DOCTRINE
by Cornelius R. Stam

How many there are whose hearts would be thrilled if they understood the old-fashioned Bible doctrine of sanctification!

Sanctification is not a negative matter: "Don't do this" and "Don't do that." It is rather the positive truth that God wants us for Himself as a sacred possession, much as a bridegroom considers his bride his very own in a special, sacred way.

Bible sanctification is a twofold truth, affecting both our standing before God and our spiritual state. In one sense every true believer in Christ has already been sanctified, or consecrated to God, by the operation of the Holy Spirit. Thus we read:

"...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit..." (II Thes. 2: 13).

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit..." (IPet.1:2).

This has nothing to do with our conduct. God did it. Sanctification begins with Him. Thus Paul could write to even the careless Corinthian believers and say: "Ye are sanctified" (1 Cor. 6:11; cf. Acts 20:32; 26:18 ), i.e., "God has set you apart for Himself." This phase of sanctification is based on the redemptive work of Christ in our behalf, for Heb. 10:10 says: "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

But now God would have us appreciate this fact and conduct ourselves accordingly, consecrating ourselves ever more completely to Him. This is practical, progressive sanctification. "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (I Thes. 4:3). Hence Paul's benediction: "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (I Thes. 5:23), and his exhortation to Timothy to be "a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet [fit] for the Master's use" (II Tim. 2:21).

How can believers be more wholly sanctified to God in their practical experience? By studying and meditating on His Word. Our Lord prayed: "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17), and Paul declares that "Christ... loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word" (Eph. 5:25,26).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 28, 2008

WHO'S TO BLAME?
by Cornelius R. Stam

This writer was a bit irked, recently, to read the following paragraph in one of our leading Chicago newspapers:

"Professional thieves and joy-ride-happy teen-agers are not to blame for most auto thefts. It's true that they are the ones who do the stealing -- but the careless motorist must bear the blame... When not in use, cars should be locked."

Just think this through: More than 1,000 cars stolen every day throughout the nation, but those who steal them should not be blamed -- the owners should be blamed for not making it impossible for the thief to steal his car!

Man has always been a master at "blame shifting." Adam said to God, in effect: "It's not my fault; it's that woman you gave me." Eve said: "Don't blame me. The serpent deceived me," and ever since, the descendants of the first couple have been adept at shifting the blame.

But now it's getting so that the courts defend and protect the criminals and even blame the innocent for not making it impossible for the criminal to act! It is a shame that we have to lock our cars against theft -- and it is a stigma on our society. Some judges don't see it that way, but God does. Read Romans 2:2:

"But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who commit such things."

We may all be grateful, though, that it was the very justice -- as well as the love -- of God, that caused Him to take on Himself human form and pay for our sins at Calvary. God cannot overlook sin, yet He loves the sinner. This is why He paid for all our sins at Calvary, and this, too, is why we may now be "justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 29, 2008

Creation
by Paul M. Sadler, President

Scripture Reading:

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."
-- Genesis 1:3-5

I am a creationist. I personally believe that God created all things in heaven and earth in six literal 24-hour days. A proper understanding of creation is essential, since it is the foundation upon which all the doctrines of God rest. Sadly, some in Christendom have sought to erect an elaborate system known as the day-age theory to accommodate the geologic timetable of billions of years. But does this position pass the Berean test?

Those who subscribe to the day-age theory believe that the Hebrew word "day" (yom) can refer to a 24-hour day or a long period of time. This is true! For example, the day of the Lord is an extended period of time which covers well over one thousand years. Consequently, the context must always be consulted to ascertain the duration of time under consideration. Of course, those who defend this position teach that the days of the Genesis record quite literally cover millions and millions of years, which conveniently accommodates evolution.

Interestingly, when the Hebrew word yom is used with a number, it always refers to a 24-hour day, without exception. In regard to the Passover God instructed Moses, "Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel" (Ex. 12:15).

Would we conclude otherwise that the "first day" here is anything other than a normal day? Furthermore, when perimeters are set on the term yom, such as "the evening and the morning," as found in Genesis 1:4, this limits the day to 24 hours.

But perhaps the most conclusive evidence that each day was 24 hours is found in Exodus 20:11: "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." Here Moses uses the term yamin, the Hebrew plural for "days," which exclusively speaks of 24-hour cycles.

If the Holy Spirit had intended to convey that the days of creation were "eras," He would have used the used the Hebrew olam, which is defined as "indefinite time." We accept by faith that God is sovereign and all-powerful; therefore, it was a small matter for Him to speak all things into existence in six days (Psa. 33:6-9).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 30, 2008

WHICH GOSPEL?
by Cornelius R. Stam

A friend asks: "Have you heard the good news?" and you reply: "What good news?" Naturally! All good news is not the same. Yet few people follow this procedure when they read in the Bible the phrase "the gospel" -- which simply means "the good news." They have been taught that "the gospel is the gospel" and "there is only one gospel," but this is simply not so in the light of the Bible itself.

God has not proclaimed only one gospel, one item of good news, down through the ages, but many. He has qualified the word "gospel" by distinctive titles, just as a woman labels her preserves to distinguish the different goodies she has put up for the winter.

The "gospel of the kingdom" and the "gospel of the grace of God" are not the same, and certainly the "gospel of the circumcision" and the "gospel of the uncircumcision" are not the same.

When we come upon the phrase "the gospel" without any qualifying title, we should immediately ask: "Which gospel?" and invariably the context will provide the answer. Luke 9:6, for example, simply states that the twelve disciples went about "preaching the gospel," but Verse 2 of the same chapter explains how the Lord had sent them "to preach the kingdom of God" -- not the cross, but the kingdom, since He, the King, was in their midst. These disciples could not have engaged in "the preaching of the cross," as Paul later did, for it was not until at least two years later that the Lord "began" to tell them how He must suffer and die (Matt. 16:21) and Peter "began to rebuke Him" (Ver. 22) and none of the twelve even understood what He was talking about (Luke 18:34).

But whereas "the gospel of the kingdom" had been committed to the twelve while Christ was on earth, "the preaching of the cross" (as good news) and "the gospel of the grace of God" was later committed to the Apostle Paul and to us (1 Cor. 1:18; Acts 20:24).

Today we do not proclaim the kingdom rights of Christ. Rather we proclaim "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

August 31, 2008

THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S WORD TO THE BELIEVER
by Cornelius R. Stam

The Bible will always have first place in the life of the spiritual Christian.

It is of utmost importance that we understand this, for some who feel themselves quite spiritual give much time to prayer, but little, if any, to the study of the Word. Such have actually fallen for the subtle trick of the adversary to play upon their natural human pride and cause them to exalt self and push God into the background.

In saying this we do not for one moment minimize the importance of prayer; we only stress the supreme importance of the holy Word of God. In this we are surely Scriptural, for David says, by inspiration:

"For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name" (Psa. 138:2).

Of those who would still object and place first emphasis upon prayer rather than upon the Word, we would ask one simple question: Which is the more important, what we have to say to God or what He has to say to us? There can be but one answer to this question, for obviously what God has to say to us is infinitely more important than anything we might have to say to Him. Our prayers are as fraught with failure as we are, but the Word of God is infallible, immutable and eternal.

Yet some, having fallen for one of Satan's "devices" and feeling quite spiritual about it, are like the talkative person to whom one listens and listens, occasionally nodding his head, but receiving little or no opportunity to "get a word in edgewise." They do all the talking, but give little time listening to what God has to say to them.

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

September 1, 2008

THE VALUE OF ONE INDIVIDUAL PERSON
by Cornelius R. Stam

Just imagine! It had been three weeks since a big Air Force plane had disappeared over the Pacific with a crew of eight and a Navy enlisted man.

Now, in that general vicinity, the pilot of an Air Force cargo plane reported sighting a raft with one man standing up in it, waving for help.

Almost immediately the Air Force dispatched sixteen planes to the area and called upon all ships nearby to help, in the hope of finding this one man.

Again and again we have witnessed the almost unlimited effort and expense that men will go to to rescue even one of their fellowmen from death. This is as it should be, for it is only in this life that we can prepare for eternity and it is important that each of us should have the greatest possible opportunity to prepare, in case through carelessness we may have put this important matter off.

It was with eternity in mind that the Lord Jesus Christ paid the greatest possible price to save men from judgment to come, and what the Bible calls "the second death."

"Christ also hath once suffered for sins," says I Pet. 3:18, "the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." Tit. 2:14 says that "He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity." I Pet. 2:24 declares that He "bore our sins in His own body on the tree," and in Gal. 2:20 St. Paul exclaims: "He loved me and gave Himself for me."

After three weeks alone on the ocean, the man referred to above was keenly conscious of his need. He stood up and waved frantically, in the hope that someone on the plane might see him and bring help. Some people, adrift in this world of sin and trouble, go on for many years before they become aware of their need-or at least, before they will acknowledge it. But not until we do acknowledge our sin and our need, can we expect help or salvation. "Christ

Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15). Good people do not need a Savior, but who is really good? Rom. 3:23 says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," and our consciences bear witness. But let us rejoice that "Christ died for our sins," and trust Him for salvation.

"He that believeth on the Son [of God] hath everlasting life" (John 3:36).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

September 2, 2008

THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD
by Russell S. Miller

“Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph.1:2).

The above verse is the theme of all of the Epistles of St. Paul. The words of this verse are found at the beginning of every one of his letters. Even in Hebrews we find “grace” to be the theme of the Epistle.

So, which would you rather have the “grace” and “peace” of God, or would you prefer to see the Lord Jesus Christ on that “white horse” of the Book of the Revelation?

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war” (19:11-16).

It is on account of the wickedness of men in seeking to run the world without the Lord Jesus Christ that He judges the earth and makes war.

However, since we are living in the Day and Age of Grace, we may enter His presence without fear of the wrath of God upon sin. This does not mean that even the people of God have a license to sin, far from it. It simply means that “He hath made us accepted in the Beloved [One]” (Eph.1:7). And Ephesians 3:12 states: “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him” (Eph.3:12). He rules from “the throne of grace” (Heb.4:16) don’t you see? Now that we are “made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph.2:13), "draw nigh unto God, He will draw nigh unto you" (Jas.4:8 ). Just as our “walk”, as Christians, is one of faith so salvation is received "by grace through faith" in the finished work of Calvary's cross. Paul therefore declares in his Epistle to the Corinthians with regards to “the gospel by which ye are saved…” (ICor.15:1,2):

"…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).

This redemption that is in Christ Jesus is ours by simple faith in Him.

"We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph.1:7).

Therefore we can, and should, "draw nigh" unto Him, through faith His blessed Word, the Bible. Read especially the epistles of St. Paul. Herein is the grace and peace.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.5:1).

There is no peace in this world, so worth having, as "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.5:1).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________

[nChrist]

September 3, 2008

THE KINGDOM REIGN OF CHRIST
by Cornelius R. Stam

The Kingdom Reign of Christ, often called the Millennium, is, of course, still future, but even this dispensation will commence with a clear indication that our Lord's beneficent reign will not change the unregenerate heart. Man is still a failure.

This will be evident from the fact that to put the rebellion down our Lord will have to "break" the nations "with a rod of iron" and "dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel" (Psa.2:9). Indeed, He will have to "rule them with a rod of iron" (Rev.2:27). It is not strange, then, that we read in Revelation 20:7-9:

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

"And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."

This final rebellion is followed by the casting of Satan and all unbelievers into the lake of fire and the bringing in of the new heavens and the new earth in which all the reconciled find their all in Christ (Rev. 20:10-21:1; Eph.1:9,10; Col. 1:19,20). It is interesting and instructive to see in the book of Revelation how the Lamb slain occupies the center of the glory of the universe. Not one saint from any age will ever boast of his own righteousness in that day. All will acknowledge their own unworthiness and proclaim the praises of the One who died that they might live and be justified and gloried. And even the unsaved and all demons and angels will acknowledge Jesus as Lord in that day. Because He humbled Himself and submitted Himself to "even the death of the cross... God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:

"THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THINGS IN HEAVEN, AND THINGS IN EARTH, AND THINGS UNDER THE EARTH;

"AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER" (Phil.2:8-11).

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
_________________________________________________