Two Minutes With The Bible

[nChrist]

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Two Minutes With The Bible
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December 6, 2008

RED LIKE CRIMSON
by Russell S. Miller

"Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you" (Heb.9:18-20).

There are three different Hebrew words for "crimson" in the Old Testament with 41 occurrences translated by four different English words in our King James Version of the Bible. Of these Hebrew words one is always rendered "crimson" in the English (IIChron. 2:7,14; 3:14). Another is rendered by "scarlet," "scarlet thread," and "crimson," in 35 passages. While the third Hebrew word is translated "worms" in Exodus 16:20, "like crimson" in Isaiah 1:18, and "scarlet" in Lamentations 4:5.

Another interesting Hebrew word, "worm," so rendered seven times, used of the color from it and of the cloths dyed therewith, is also translated "scarlet" twenty-nine times. Under the law, in David's day, a sacrifice was required for sin. The Psalmist, therefore, uses the same word in Psalm 22:6 to describe the Lord's sufferings on the cross as your sin, and mine, twisted and wrenched His body: "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people" (Psa.22:6). Not only was there the shame and disgrace associated with that accursed cross, but these words also speak of the writhing agony that His soul bore for the sin of the world (IICor.5:21).

"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).

The prophet Isaiah also described our Lord, and His appearance, as He suffered there for your sins and mine: "His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men" (Isa.52:14). They "scourged" the Lord, and 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 Golgotha--a place of a skull" (Matt.27:27-35). The Lord's words in John 15:25 could not have been more true; "They hated Me without a cause." Yet from that cruel cross, our Lord prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), and still the Father pleads:

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isa.1:18 ).

In the revelation that was given to the Apostle Paul, he further confirms these things concerning the sufferings of Christ and His death on Calvary's cross: "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). That "scarlet thread" (Jos.2:18,21) that followed Joshua, and Israel, throughout their history answers to the blood-stained cross of Calvary, and we must also look to Jesus Christ, and Calvary's cross for salvation from sin today. The blood that flowed from the crown of His head, from His hands and feet, and from His side that was pierced with that spear, was NOT tainted with sin. The Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ, died, that day, to redeem the creature from his sins.

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal.3:13).

"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation THROUGH FAITH in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that [God] might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Rom.3:25,26).

Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Won't you trust His finished work of redemption on your behalf? Won't you believe on Him who died for you on that cross to save you from your sins? Believe, and be saved, today.

[nChrist]

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December 7, 2008

GRACE ABOUNDING
by Cornelius R. Stam

In a letter to his spiritual son, Timothy, Paul wrote, some 1900 years ago, about his conversion:

"I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDING ABUNDANT..." (I Tim. 1:13,14).

And he follows this with the now-famous declaration:

"THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTATION, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF" (Ver 15).

Upon reading this statement by Paul, those who know their Bibles will immediately recall the words of Rom. 5:20,21:

"...the law entered, that the offence might abound, BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND; THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED... SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN..."

These two passages from the pen of Paul have a closer connection than may appear on the surface. The Apostle Paul, once Saul of Tarsus, had led his nation and the world in rebellion against Christ. "As for Saul," we read in Acts 8:3, "he made havoc of the church," and he himself testified to the Galatians: "Ye have heard... how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and laid it waste" (Gal. 1:13).

Yet God, in infinite mercy, had saved Saul, not only for Saul's own sake, but to make him the living demonstration of His grace. Thus in writing to Timothy, the Apostle goes on to explain:

"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" (I Tim. 1:16).

Let us, then, take our places with Saul, the sinner, and find salvation by grace through Christ, the Savior. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

[nChrist]

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December 8, 2008

"THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD"
by Russell S. Miller

It was "the acceptable year of the Lord" for Israel when our Lord preached the gospel of the kingdom during His earthly ministry. But because of their unbelief He had to add these words regarding their works: "Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country," and thus predicting the very rejection of Himself in the "acceptable" year of the Lord (Luke 4:19,24; Matt.23:1-39; Luke 13:34,35)!

But His rejection was not confined to the three years of His earthly ministry. Even the following year after His resurrection, Israel refused to repent until finally God had to set the nation itself aside in unbelief (Luke 13:6-9; Acts 2:14-38; 4:11,12; 4:23-31; 7:54-60; 9:15; Rom.11:11-13,25) and consequently we hear the words of the Apostle Paul:

"FOR THIS CAUSE I PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU GENTILES,

"IF YE HAVE HEARD OF THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD: HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY...WHICH IN OTHER AGES WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, AS IT IS NOW REVEALED UNTO HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS BY THE SPIRIT" (Ephesians 3:1-5).

In this dispensation of God's "long-suffering," Paul, the Apostle of the Nations, in declaring "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27), made it unmistakably clear that salvation is solely by the grace of God alone. But the Apostle Peter also declared "that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you" (ITim.1:15,16; IIPet.3:15).

Thus the conversion of Saul, also known as Paul, is the pattern of salvation today:

"Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the GRACE of our Lord was EXCEEDING ABUNDANT with FAITH and LOVE which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING" (I Timothy 1:13-15).

In II Corinthians 6:2 Paul wrote the Corinthians concerning salvation and this long-suffering of God, and His attitude toward the unsaved today:

"For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

So for us Gentiles, God, in grace, has extended the acceptable year of the Lord for these 2000 years. And like Paul, my friend, your so-called "good works" won't save you any more than they saved Paul; you must believe in Jesus. If God could save "the chief of sinners," He can save you:

"FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED" (Rom.10:13).

And He will save you, my dear friend, just now, if you will simply ask Him. So why don't you ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Saviour, and to save you from your sins, right now. God will hear you, if you will just ask Him, and He will save you for time and eternity.

"For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: Behold, now is the accepted time; Behold, now is the day of salvation" (IICor.6:2).

[nChrist]

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December 9, 2008

CREATION AND REDEMPTION
by Cornelius R. Stam

In Romans 1:18 the Apostle Paul declares that ungodly men are "without excuse" because they are surrounded by the evidence of the Creator's "eternal power and Godhead."

Our Authorized Version calls the creation, in this passage, "the things that are made," but in the Greek it is called literally, "the poyeema," from which we get our word poem.

The Apostle refers, of course, to the harmony of God's creation. And is it not indeed amazing how billions of heavenly bodies can continually revolve in the vastness of space and never collide! And are not the flowers, the seasons, and the sunsets all part of a harmonious creation, which God alone could have conceived and set to music?

But very interestingly, this word poyeema is used just once more in Scripture. We find it in Ephesians 2:10, where it is translated "workmanship." Let's consider this passage in its context:

"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 [Greek, poyeema], created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph.2:8-10).

The Epistle to the Romans speaks of the poem of creation, the Epistle to the Ephesians, of the poem of redemption, and the latter is the more wonderful. An old hymn says: "Twas great to speak a world from naught; ‘tis greater to redeem."

In this poem of redemption which God has composed, we believers too often want to change some word or phrase. We would like this or that in our circumstances to be different. Ah, but this would destroy the meter and the meaning of God's new creation.

Thank God, when we who trust Christ some day go to be with Him, we will see the beauty and glory of the poem of redemption. Then we will rejoice that He did indeed "work all things together for good" for us.

[nChrist]

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December 10, 2008

NO TIME FOR GOD?
by Cornelius R. Stam

Those who have no time for God should consider what their circumstances would be if He had no time for them; no time to paint the sunsets, no time to send the warm sun's rays or the refreshing showers, no time to make the crops and flowers grow. We doubt that any thinking person would actually want nothing to do with God.

Cain despised God's authority and finally murdered his brother, but when he was driven from the presence of God he said: "My punishment is greater than I can bear" (Gen. 4:13).

One of the saddest sentences in the gospel records is our Lord's prediction that He would have to say to some: "I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:23).

Just what it will mean to be "cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15), we pray God none of our readers will ever find out, but the Scriptures do clearly indicate that those involved will be cast forever out of the presence of God.

Thank God, it is not He who desires this. He paid for our sins at Calvary to reconcile us to Himself (Eph. 2:16). St. Paul declares that God has called believers "unto the fellowship of His Son" (1 Cor. 1:9) and that at His coming for them they shall "ever be with the Lord," adding: "wherefore, comfort one another with these words" (1 Thes. 4:17,18 ).

"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" (II Cor. 5:20).

God has demonstrated His love for us in Christ. Why not respond by gratefully trusting Christ as your Savior?

[nChrist]

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December 11, 2008

HAVE YOU HEARD?
by Cornelius R. Stam

"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward" (Eph. 3:2).

Could it be that those to whom Paul addressed his Ephesian letter had not yet heard that God had committed to him "the dispensation of grace"?

Next to the death and resurrection of Christ, the conversion of Paul and his commission to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" was the greatest event in history . The apostles at Jerusalem had recognized the importance of Paul's part in the divine program. They themselves had at first been sent by Christ into "all the world," yet in Gal. 2:9 we find James, Peter and John publicly shaking hands with Paul in a solemn agreement that he should henceforth be the apostle to the nations.

Could it be that some twelve years later, when he wrote the Ephesian letter, there were any who professed the name of Christ who had not heard of Paul's special place in the program of God as the apostle of grace? Little wonder his words "if ye have heard" carry with them a touch of reproach.

It is possible, of course, that there were some among them, but recently brought into the Church, who had not heard, but what seems utterly incredible is that there should be even one believer at this late date who has not heard that after Christ and His kingdom had been rejected and the world was ripe for prophesied judgment to fall, God intervened, saving Saul, His chief enemy on earth, and sending him forth with "the good news of the grace of God."

This good news is based, of course, upon the fact that since Christ was the spotless Lamb of God, His death is accepted by God as full satisfaction for the sinner. Thus Paul, by divine inspiration, declares that believers are "justified freely by His [God's] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

[nChrist]

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December 12, 2008

REWARD OR LOSS
by Cornelius R. Stam

Fortunately, salvation is by grace, through faith, and we do not doubt that even in the dark ages many were saved in spite of their blind leaders and their limited knowledge.

However, we fear that the spiritual leaders of our day will fare little better than the leaders of their day when they appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ, for they have certainly not taken heed to build according to the plans and specifications committed to Paul as God's appointed "masterbuilder" of the Church (I Corinthians 3:10).

Just think a moment. Is the Church today mostly composed of "gold, silver and precious stones" (morally and spiritually), or of "wood, hay and stubble" (I Corinthians 3:12)? Surely many a man who enjoys prominence and popularity today will weep in that day to see his works go up in flames, as it were (I Corinthians 3:13). It will be a dreadful thing to "suffer loss" when the rewards for Christian service are given out (Verse 15).

Christian ministers, missionaries, evangelists, Bible teachers, we appeal to you in behalf of a stricken Church. They are God's building -- we are the builders (Verses 9,10). "We are laborers together with God." What a calling! Paul, as an instructed "masterbuilder," has given us the plans and specifications in his epistles. We should be intelligent workmen; workmen whom God can approve, who will not need to be ashamed when the divine Building Inspector examines our workmanship.

There is only one way. Take your hand off the public pulse (Galatians 1:10), cease giving so much attention to organizing and advertising -- and compromising -- and begin to diligently, prayerfully obey II  Timothy 2:15:

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."

We will not always be praised for teaching the Word of God, rightly divided, but God's blessing is worth far more than human acclaim.

[nChrist]

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December 13, 2008

THE "RIGHTNESS" OF GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam

St. Paul's great Epistle to the Romans has much to say about "the righteousness of God"; in fact this is the theme of the Book of Romans. Sad to say, however, the Bible is so little read and studied of late that many people do not even know what the word "righteousness" means.

Actually, every man, woman and child should know about the righteousness of God -- or, to simplify the word -- the rightness of God. It is most important to understand that God does always and only that which is right. He can do nothing and will do nothing that is not right.

Thus God cannot and does not merely forgive sinners and smuggle them into heaven, for this would not be right. As Job 8:20 rightly says: "Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man; neither will He help evil doers", for neither would be right.

It was Bildad who said this to Job, and Job replied, almost exasperated: "I know it is so of a truth, but how shall a man be just with God?" In other words, how can a holy God look upon a sinner and pronounce him righteous?

With this background let's consider Paul's great declaration in Romans 1:16,17:

"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth...for therein is the righteousness [i.e., the rightness] of God revealed...."

True the love of God is revealed in the gospel, but what made Paul so proud to proclaim the gospel is the fact that it tells how God dealt "righteously", or rightly with sin, paying its just penalty Himself at Calvary so that He might offer salvation to all by free grace.

Thus the Apostle declares in Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is death [this is its just penalty]; but the [free] gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord".

[nChrist]

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December 14, 2008

FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam

Man, by nature, is afraid of God. When Adam first sinned, he should have gone immediately to God to beg for mercy and forgiveness. Instead he did just what millions are doing today: he ran and hid from God so that God had to come and look for Him, as it were, calling: "Adam... where art thou?" (Genesis 3:9).

Many people who consider themselves as good, morally, as those about them, or even better, nevertheless feel utterly ill-at-ease in a place of worship, where believers pray and praise God together. This is because in their heart of hearts they know that they have "sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Such, however, may come to know, love and enjoy God through faith in Christ. He was Himself God manifested in the flesh, come to earth in love to pay for our sins on Calvary's cross, so that we might have "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

Concerning those who respond in grateful faith and trust in the crucified, risen, glorified Lord for salvation, the Apostle Paul says:

"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).

Peace with God, and the fellowship which naturally results from this is the most precious treasure the human heart can contain. Yet our fellowship with Him here on earth is but the beginning. Read carefully Ephesians 5:25-27 and see how He took upon Him human form, and died, that He might have us for Himself forever:

"...Christ... loved the Church, and gave Himself for it... that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

[nChrist]

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December 15, 2008

DEAD WORKS
by Cornelius R. Stam

Twice in Paul's epistles he refers to "dead works". In Hebrews 6:1 he writes about "repentance from dead works", while in Hebrews 9:14 he declares that the blood of Christ avails to "purge the conscience from dead works to serve the living God".

Mark well, these references are not to wicked works but to dead works. These "dead works" are the so-called "good works" (whether moral or ceremonial) which men did -- and still do -- to make themselves acceptable to God. They are "dead" because they are not the product of regeneration or spiritual life, but the mere attempt on the part of unregenerate sinners to justify themselves before God.

Paul himself, once zealously religious, but wholly unsaved, had to repudiate his "dead works" and count them "loss" to find salvation in Christ, through whom alone he could produce good works which God could accept. (See Philippians 3:4-9).

This is why he later declared by divine inspiration: "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..." (Ephesians 2:8-10).

"Dead works" are not only unacceptable to God, but an evil substitute for the faith He desires, "for without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). But "he that believeth on the Son of God hath life" and this life is bound to bear fruit -- the good works with which God is truly pleased.

The difference between the "good works" of the unregenerate man and the "good works" of a true believer, then, is that the former are "dead works" while the latter are the precious fruit of life possessed.

No man can please God while he denies the truth of His Word or rejects His Son, so graciously given to die on the cross as our Saviour. To try to win His favor by "good works" while rejecting Christ is like sending a gift to a man whose beloved son you spurn and despise.

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hands. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:35,36).

[nChrist]

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December 16, 2008

TRUE PRAYER
by Cornelius R. Stam

Let us suppose that I have just had the joy of leading a soul to Christ. He was a godless, wicked creature until lately, but now, suddenly, a great transformation has taken place in his life. He is overwhelmed with the joy of sins forgiven. Nevertheless a few things still trouble him.

As he stands there, touched by the love of Christ, he says: "I don't look very much like a Christian. Look at my clothes. And I ought to get a job and work like other people do. Then too, I've been a wicked blasphemer. Swearing seems to be part of my nature. I don't know how I'll ever stop it."

I suggest that we pray about it, but he says he has never prayed in his life and doesn't know how, so I teach him. I tell him how simple prayer is -- that he should simply talk to God and say, "Lord, I need a decent suit of clothes and a job, and oh, please help me to stop swearing. I ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."

We arise from prayer, and feeling for the man, I myself get him a suit of clothes and a job and he goes on his way rejoicing.

Now let us suppose that I return ten years later to find that he is happily married, has three children and is living a consistent Christian life. Calling at his home, however, I find that one of his children is seriously ill. We get on our knees to pray for the child and he begins: "Lord, I need a decent suit of clothes and a job, and oh, please help me to stop swearing."

Ridiculous! you say. No man would be so foolish. Yes, ridiculous indeed, yet many people simply repeat prayers in the same way. The so-called "Lord's Prayer" is, of course, a perfect prayer, but it is significant that in giving this very prayer, our Lord cautioned His disciples: "When ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do... Be not... like unto them... After this manner therefore pray ye..." (Matthews 6:7-9). Yet this very prayer is repeated word for word at funerals and weddings, in storms at sea, before meals and at church services -- on practically any occasion, whether it applies or not.

Thank God for those who know God through the Lord Jesus Christ and can truly enter into His presence in prayer "to obtain mercy and to find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

[nChrist]

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December 17, 2008

IS WATER BAPTISM A TESTIMONY?
by Cornelius R. Stam

Let us suppose that you have been saved, but live a careless life and bear a poor testimony before the world. Would water baptism change this? What would it be worth?

But suppose you have been saved and live a godly, consistent life before the world. Is a water-confession necessary? How much is it worth? Don't be afraid to answer this question honestly. How many "baptized converts" there are who cannot even give a word of testimony for their Lord among the lost!

In a sense, however, the baptism of believers by water in this age is a testimony -- a bad testimony. When the Galatian believers submitted to circumcision it was a bad testimony (Gal.5:2,3). Circumcision, while a part of Peter's "gospel of the circumcision" had no place in "the gospel of the uncircumcision" committed to Paul (Gal.2:7). And just as circumcision was connected with "the gospel of the circumcision" so water baptism was connected with "the gospel of the kingdom" (See Matthew 3:2,6; 10:5-7; cf. John 1:31; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 3:19-21).

We solemnly declare that the present day practice of water baptism is a reflection on the grace of God and a confession of a lack of appreciation of the finished work of Christ, and the believer's completeness in Him (See Ephesians 1:6; Colossians 2:10). Furthermore, it betrays a poor understanding of the heavenly character and position of the Church of this age (See Ephesians 2:6; 1:3; Colossians 3:1-3).

Be a Berean. Search the Scriptures and see whether these things are so.

[nChrist]

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December 18, 2008

PAUL NOT ONE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES
by Cornelius R. Stam

Occasionally the Lord's apostles are charged with acting arbitrarily in choosing Matthias to take Judas' place. It is said that they first chose two candidates and then asked God which of these two He would have to fill the vacant position. Paul, according to some, was actually God's choice for Judas' place. But this charge is not based upon the record of Scripture.

   1. The apostles, with Peter as their chief, had been given authority to act officially in Christ's absence (Matt.16:19; 18: 18,19).
   2. They acted upon the Scriptural declaration that another apostle should be chosen to fill Judas' place (Psa.109:8; cf. Acts 1:20).
   3. Their action was bathed in many days of united prayer (Luke 24:49; cf. Acts 1:12-15), and when two candidates were found they again prayed and left the final choice in the hands of God (Acts 1:24-26).
   4. Probably only two (Matthias and Joseph Barsabas) were eligible, for only those could qualify who had followed Christ continuously from the day of His baptism by John until His ascension to heaven (Acts 1:21,22; cf. Matt.19:28, "Ye which have followed Me").
   5. Paul would not have been eligible, for he had not even seen Christ during His earthly ministry (ICor. 15:8 ).
   6. The conclusive proof that the eleven acted in the will of God in this matter is found in the fact that the Scripture clearly states that Matthias "was numbered with the eleven apostles" (Acts 1:26) and that "THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT" (Acts 2:4). Men out of the will of God are not filled with the Holy Spirit.

Thus Paul stands separate and distinct from the twelve as the apostle of the present dispensation of grace (Eph.3:1-3).

[nChrist]

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December 19, 2008

THE SON OF A VIRGIN
by Russell S. Miller

In the Book of Leviticus God revealed to Moses how that life itself is in the chemistry of the blood; and that only "blood" can atone for sin:

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I [the Lord] have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Lev.17:11).

The blood of Old Testament animal sacrifices, however, could not reconcile God and man, as the Apostle Paul says: "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:2-4).

This is where the Son of God enters the stream of humanity, and Mary is the real mother of the humanity of Christ, and a true descendant of David, whom God used to bring His Son into the world to save sinners. As Isaiah the prophet predicted: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." This is the quote in Matthew 1:23 concerning "the birth of Jesus Christ." But how can a "virgin" give birth to a child? This is a total impossibility with man, but God is not bound with man's impossibilities:

"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:34,35).

Consequently none of Adam's tainted and sinful blood was coursing through His veins. The blood of Jesus Christ was divine. The Lord Jesus Christ did not inherit that old Adamic nature. There was no sin in Him, not a chance! And what we could not do because of the corruption that Adam's sin brought upon mankind, Christ accomplished through "the blood of His cross" (Col.1:20). Thus the blood of Christ is efficacious to save us from our sins, as the many references in the Epistles of Saint Paul declare:

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

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph.2:13).

And in Hebrews, Chapter Ten, Paul writes these words concerning the perfect humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His deity, and virgin birth:

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD....For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Heb.10:12,14).

And the Apostle Peter also makes this same declaration:

"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).

God simply wants us to believe the Truth of His Word, placing our faith and confidence in what God has said about His Son, and upon believing, God's Word declares that He will save us for time and eternity. It's simply a matter of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

[nChrist]

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December 20, 2008

THE GRACE OF GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam

In the Bible, the grace of God is His loving favor toward fallen man. St. Paul has more to say about grace than any other Bible writer, opening every one of his epistles with the declaration: "Grace be unto you and peace."

Little wonder, for he himself was God's greatest demonstration of salvation by grace. In I Tim. 1:13,14, he says:

"I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious; but I obtained mercy... and THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDING ABUNDANT...."

After years of service and suffering for Christ, he declared:

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify THE GOSPEL [GOOD NEWS] OF THE GRACE OF GOD" (Acts 20:24).

Salvation is wholly by God's grace, not partly by man's works, for in Rom. 11:6 we read: "...if [it be] by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace."

And in Rom. 4:4,5: "...to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Thus salvation is "not of works" but "unto good works" (Eph. 2:8-10). Good works is the fruit, not the root.

"All have sinned," says Rom. 3:23 but, thank God, all may be "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

Thus it is God's purpose "that in the ages to come He might show THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7).