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February 16, 2010

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 Corinthians 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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February 17, 2010

INSPIRATION, WHAT IS IT?
by Russell S. Miller


When "Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary" as recorded in Luke 1:39-45, and "the babe [John] leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice..." (Vers.41,42), uttering the words of verses 42-45, was she inspired?

She was, in fact, inspired. And what she "spake" was inspired because Elisabeth "was filled with the Holy Ghost". Consequently the very words which she "spake out" are the inspiration of God. And if this is not enough to prove that the "holy men of God" were, themselves, inspired, we have the very words that Elisabeth "spake out" recorded for us in the inspired Word of God. Even as Luke was, himself, inspired to write The Gospel According To St. Luke. So, Scripture confirms that Elisabeth, herself, was inspired.

And not only was Elisabeth inspired of God to speak, but her husband, Zacharias, was also "filled with the Holy Ghost" and what he "prophesied" was the inspiration of God, recorded for our reading in Luke 1:68-79.

Just as God "breathed into [man] the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7) so the Lord inspires "holy men of God" to speak and write as they are moved by the Holy Spirit. Would you not agree that to be "filled with the Holy Ghost" is to be, as Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words puts it, "inspired by God".

"ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Thus the Apostle Paul was not only, himself, inspired in the writings of his epistles but he also wrote by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

And those who insist that only the words on the page are inspired, do greatly err "not [rightly dividing] the Scriptures"!

Therefore, "the holy men [and women] of God [who] spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21) were themselves inspired, and not merely their words on the page. When the prophets uttered, "Thus saith the Lord," some 300 times, they themselves were inspired of Almighty God. Since the days of the Apostles and Prophets, however, there has been no such inspiration for with the Pauline revelation came the completion of the Word of God (Colossians 1:25,26). Once again we see that Scripture is a commentary upon itself.

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February 18, 2010

THE FLOOD OF NOAH'S DAY
by Russell S. Miller


During Noah's flood the canopy of Genesis 1:6 that "divided the waters from the waters" converged with "the fountains of the great deep" to become one gigantic ocean (Genesis 7:11-16). And God's judgment upon the wickedness of man "flooded" this globe.

"And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground...and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark" (Genesis 7:23).

Genesis 9:9-17 speaks about a covenant that God made with Noah. In short, the "rainbow" is God's "token of [that] covenant" (9:13) with mankind, that He will never again destroy the earth by a flood. God's faithfulness to His Word, here, has been wondrously demonstrated for over 4,000 years.

"I DO SET MY BOW IN THE CLOUD, AND IT SHALL BE FOR A TOKEN OF A COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THE EARTH. ...AND THE WATERS SHALL NO MORE BECOME A FLOOD TO DESTROY ALL FLESH" (Genesis 9:13,15).

Indeed God has also been faithful to His covenant of "day" and "night" (Jeremiah 33:20,21) since the beginning of time, that's 6,000 years! Though God shall never again destroy the earth with "water", the Apostle Peter declares that after the 1,000 year reign of Christ, earth and space shall be purified with "fire" from all that with which man has polluted it (2 Peter 3:10-12).

Nevertheless before Prophecy is resumed and "that great and terrible Day of the Lord comes" (Joel 2:11,31; Acts 2:20; Revelation 19:11-16) the armies of Heaven shall invade the earth.

"HE THAT SITTETH IN THE HEAVENS SHALL LAUGH: THE LORD SHALL HAVE THEM IN DERISION. THEN SHALL HE SPEAK UNTO THEM IN HIS WRATH, AND VEX THEM IN HIS SORE DISPLEASURE" (Psalms 2:4,5).

Much as He did in the land of Egypt when Pharaoh would not let His people go (Exodus 5:1--14:31). Are you ready for this "Coming" of the Lord Jesus Christ? Probably not, who would be!

But God has some "good news" for you; before His wrath is poured out upon this Christ rejecting world, He shall "catch" us away to Heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ).

First, my friend, God wants to save you from your sins, if you will only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

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February 19, 2010

CAMPAIGN EXCITEMENT
by Cornelius R. Stam


The Republican and Democratic conventions are past and we are in the midst of the 1964 Presidential Campaign. It is bound to get more exciting as election day approaches. We hope our readers are interested in our government and in what policies it pursues, but there is something even more important than this -- important to you and me personally, and for all eternity.

God has put each man on the spot, as it were, by offering justification and eternal life as a free gift, through Christ, who died for our sins. Romans 6:23 clearly states:

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Now the question is: Will you accept this gift, or will you reject it? Perhaps you reply: "I won't do anything about it; I'll take my time and think it over." But you can't; you can't just do nothing about a free gift which God offers for your acceptance "now" (2 Corinthians 6:2). If you do not accept it, you thereby reject it.

God purposely puts us on the spot in this matter, for the consequences are truly great. God's Word says, in John 3:35,36:

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

God does not take it lightly when He offers forgiveness and all the riches of His grace as a gift and this gift is spurned. Unbelievers are not condemned only because they have sinned, but because they have spurned God's grace and rejected salvation through Christ, who died to save them. Thus it is written in John 3:18:

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Which will you do, accept Christ or reject Him and the gift of salvation He purchased for you with His blood?

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February 20, 2010

THE LOVE OF GOD
by Russell S. Miller


“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

If a man is dying, and you have the means to help him, would you let him die? Such was the case when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of “the tree of [the] knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). They fell into sin themselves, and plunged the whole human race into sin. But the Love of God had no bounds when “Christ Died For Our Sins” on that cross. As the wrath of God upon sin was poured out upon Christ at Calvary, so His love toward us is also unfathomable:

“BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US,

“EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved:)” (Ephesians 2:4,5).

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

Shouldn’t we, then, in love, be showing people from the Bible the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord? It is not their “good works” that will save them from their sins, from hell, and from the Lake of Fire, but “faith” alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a matter of whether or not we believe what God has said in His Word about Jesus Christ. It is what Christ did on the cross that God accepts (Romans 3:25), and as we accept Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf (Ephesians 2:8,9), God “accepts” us (Ephesians 1:6). Do you believe the truth of the Word of God or do you still believe the devil’s lie? God loves us, each and every one of us, with an everlasting love, an eternal love. God places a very high value upon all mankind. And because we are of “eternal worth” to Him, He is not willing that any should perish. He sent His “only begotten Son” into this world to pay the full penalty of our sins, Himself, at the extreme cost of His own life’s blood. How MUCH He loves 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?” (Romans 8:32).

Because of Calvary, therefore, and by faith in Jesus Christ, we may now walk in the light of His Word:

“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” (Titus 3:4,5).

As Christians, then, and representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, “…as workers together with Him, [we] beseech you also that ye receive NOT the GRACE of God in vain.

“…Behold, now is the accepted time; Behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Do people ever consider how long “eternity” will last, or where they’re going to spend eternity? Have you ever considered what the consequences of your sin will mean—to you personally—at the “great white throne” judgment of God? Have you ever given any thought as to what “fire and brimstone” really is? Or what your destiny in “the Lake of Fire” will really mean to you for all eternity?

Paul’s words to the jailor at Philippi express the Love of God in His wonderful plan of salvation through our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:

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

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February 21, 2010

WHAT GRACE IS
by Cornelius R. Stam


    Never let the devil deceive you into supposing that God planned sin as "a gracious means to a glorious end," for then salvation from sin would be simple justice, not grace. No, you cannot legitimately charge God with your sin. It is to the guilty, the undeserving, far and wide, that God offers "the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

    There are two significant phrases in Ephesians 2 which shed clear light upon the character, the nature, of grace. They are found in Verses 2 and 3, which speak of the unsaved as "children [Gr., huiois, full-grown sons] of disobedience" and "children [Gr., tekna, born ones] of wrath."

    Meditate for a moment on these phrases: "Children of disobedience" and "children of wrath." It is against this dark, black background of deserved wrath, that we read further:

    "BUT GOD, who is RICH IN MERCY, for His GREAT LOVE wherewith He loved us,
    "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [given us life] together with Christ (BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED),
    "And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
    "That in the ages to come He might show THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Ephesians 2:4-7).

    Somehow it takes a load off one's heart and mind to come to the end of his rope, as it were, and admit that he is a sinner, deserving God's wrath. How sweet to the ears of such is the wonderful message of redemption by grace, through the finished work of Christ at Calvary. We were all the "children [full-grown sons] of disobedience": and therefore "by nature the children [born ones] of wrath": "But God!" When hope seemed gone, He intervened and now offers salvation to all by grace, through faith.

    "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

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February 22, 2010

SIMPLE AS CAN BE
by Cornelius R. Stam


Have you ever heard some preacher say: "There are many things in the Bible which are hard to understand but, thank God, the plan of salvation is as simple as can be."

Well the plan of salvation is simple IF we obey 2 Timothy 2:15, "rightly dividing the Word of truth." Otherwise it is far from simple.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28 ). Yet James wrote: "By works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24).

Again, at Sinai God said to Israel through Moses: "If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people ..." (Exodus 19:5). But our Lord said, as He sent His apostles to witness for Him that, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved... and these signs shall follow them that believe: in My name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues..." etc. (Mark 16:16-18 ). Thus, according to their "great commission" water baptism was required for salvation and miraculous signs were the evidences of salvation.

Confusing? Contradictory? Not if we "rightly divide the Word of truth." It was after "the law was given by Moses," after our Lord's earthly ministry, after the commission to the twelve, that God raised up another apostle, Paul, and sent him forth with "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

It was Paul who was sent to declare: "But NOW, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested..." (Romans 3:21). "To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). "Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

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February 23, 2010

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD
by Cornelius R. Stam


It is not enough to use the Bible as a grand book of wonderful sayings from which we may choose what we wish for our inspiration, nor will one who truly realizes that "God hath spoken" ever hold so shallow an opinion of the sacred Scriptures.

"The Word of truth" must be "rightly divided"; for while it is all given for our spiritual profit, it was not all addressed to us, or written about us. Thus one who truly desires to understand and obey God's Word will seek first to determine what Scriptures are particularly related to him and will study all the rest in the light of these.

Sad to say, however, there are many who fail to give the Book of God the respect and reverence it deserves. They flip it open at random, let a finger light upon the open page and then read the verse indicated to see if perchance they may find leading from the Lord in that way. And if it doesn't "work" the first time they try it again and again until it does "work." They use "promise boxes" in the same way, on the basis that "every promise in the Book is mine." They take passages out of their contexts, "spiritualize" them, and give them "private interpretations." Finding "precious passages" anywhere at all, no matter to whom addressed or when or why, they place their own constructions upon them and claim them as promises of God to them! To take isolated statements from the writings of men and use them in such a manner would be considered dishonest, but even Bible teachers do it with the Word of God!

The Word, rightly divided, is of supreme importance to the Church at large as well as to the individual believer, and it is because this fact has not yet been sufficiently recognized that we have not experienced the true, heaven-sent revival that the Church so sorely needs.

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February 24, 2010

THE SECRET OF SPIRITUAL VICTORY
by Cornelius R. Stam


Believers in Christ have been made "free from sin" by grace (Romans 6:14,18 ) in the sense that they need not, indeed, should not, yield to sin when temptation arises (Romans 6:12,13). Believers have also been made "free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 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" (Galatians 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 (2 Corinthians 3:18 ) and our position and blessings in the heavenlies with Him (Colossians 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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February 25, 2010

"LIBERTY NOT LICENSE"
by Cornelius R. Stam


The fact that we are given perfect liberty in Christ does not mean that we should spend our lives in gratifying our own fleshly desires. Just the opposite is the case. Believers have been delivered from the bondage of childhood and given the liberty of full-grown sons in Christ (Galatians 3:24; 4:1-7), and this advance from infancy to maturity in itself implies the acquisition of a sense of responsibility.

The doctrine of our liberty in Christ does not support, it rather refutes, the false theory that those who are under grace may do anything they please. Paul was "slanderously reported" in this connection (Romans 3:8 ), but there were carnal believers then, as there are now, who actually did use their liberty as license to gratify their own desires. To turn from liberty to license in this way is fully as serious an error as to turn from liberty to law.

Many a believer, motivated only by his own fleshly desires and not at all by love for Christ or others, has indulged in pleasures of the flesh and of the world, justifying himself on the ground that he is under grace and has liberty in Christ. Taking others down with him in his spiritual declension he complains of any who would help him, that, "They are trying to put me under the law".

Such are actually guilty of departing from grace, for "the grace of God...hath appeared":

"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

"Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:11-14).

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February 26, 2010

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHAEA—THE TOMB
by Russell S. Miller


“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?” (Matthew 27:46).

There was “darkness over all the land,” and such darkness as no Egyptian night had ever known, when God the Father turned His back upon God the Son because He could not look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13). And because sin must be judged, the Lord Jesus took upon Himself our judgment—the wrath of God that would have sunk a world to hell—and the judgment of our sins was poured out upon the Lord Jesus Christ. “And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst” (Luke 23:45) and “the earth did quake” (Matthew 27:51) and mountains crumbled.

Our Lord was not even given a fair trial. They brought false witnesses to bear false testimony upon false charges that cruel and wicked men had laid against Him falsely.

“He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken. And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth” (Isaiah 53:8,9).

Joseph of Arimathaea begged Pilate for the body of Jesus that he might “lay it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed” (Matthew 27:57-61).

It was at this same place, in Joseph’s tomb, that “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” came to anoint His body.

“And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

“And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

“He is not here, but is risen; remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee” (Luke 24:4-6).

That the “grave” could not hold Him is manifest proof that He possessed “the Spirit of holiness” (Romans 1:4; Hebrews 7:26). Indeed, the angel rolled the stone away that the disciples, and the women, might see the empty tomb. The Lord came forth and came through that solid stone sepulchre much as He had done, in John 20:19, “where the disciples [had] assembled for fear of the Jews.”

However, there is another very important reason for Christ’s burial that should not be overlooked. Only in Paul’s epistles do we learn that our old Adamic nature has also been buried with Christ in Joseph’s tomb. Yes, our sin, and our sins, have been put away forever out of God’s sight (Leviticus 16:1-34; Hebrews 13:10-14) and we are free! Just as Jesus Christ was actually buried, so our old sin nature has been buried with Christ also.

“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” (Romans 6:4).

We are baptized into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not by a minister, but through the power of God.

Yes, this is true, and because it has really taken place, Paul says that we are to reckon it so, daily, in our service for Christ. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11).Consequently, and therefore, we can also say with the Apostle Paul:

“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” (Galatians 2:20).

[nChrist]

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February 26, 2010

"SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD"
by Russell S. Miller


What is meant by the phrase, "separated unto the gospel of God"? The Word "separated" means simply "set apart" of course. God's children have always been "set apart" as sacred unto Himself. However, we must not confuse Paul (as many do) with the other apostles. Though he considered himself "less than the least of all saints" (Ephesians 3:8 ) he was, nevertheless, "THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES" (Romans 11:13) and "a chosen vessel unto Christ" (Acts 9:15). But "chosen" for what? Ah, this is where our text comes in:

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God" (Romans 1:1).

Since our subject is Paul's "separation unto the gospel of God", we would ask, what is this good news for which Paul is "separated"? And, as always, the Bible is the greatest commentary upon the Bible, because Galatians 1:15,16 answers that question clearly, increasing our light and understanding upon the subject:

"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood."

God chose this man from before his birth, just as "He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4). But wait there's something else--"He called him by His grace." I Timothy 1:15,16 confirms that there, in Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor, was saved and called by the "grace of God" alone (Acts 26:13-19). But more, he is saved that God may "reveal His Son in him." It is this "revelation"--Romans 16:25,26--that he was "separated" unto!

A revelation that was not made known to the prophets! A dilemma that baffled the Pharisees! And frustrated Pilate in his own court room! The disciples did not comprehend it! And neither could the devil figure it out! A Mystery that even "the angels desire to look into"! This "gospel of God" concerned "His Son" and the types and shadows in prophecy regarding the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Galatians 1:11,12,16; 1 Peter 1:12).

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February 27, 2010

"DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES"
by Cornelius R. Stam


"And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles" (Luke 6:13).

Many people fail to distinguish between our Lord's disciples and His apostles. They suppose they are the same. This is incorrect, however, for our Lord had a multitude of disciples while He had only a few apostles. His apostles were chosen from among His disciples, as we learn from the above message from Luke's gospel.

A disciple is a follower; an apostle is a "sent one". A disciple is a learner; an apostle is a teacher. There is a great lesson here for us all to learn.

We must come before we can go. We must follow before we can be sent. We must learn before we can teach. We must listen to the Lord before we can speak for the Lord.

"Thus saith the Lord", was the familiar phrase with which the Old Testament prophets began their messages. But at the head of the long list of Old Testament prophets we find Samuel, a young lad, saying: "SPEAK LORD, FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH" (1 Samuel 3:9).

Before we can do or say anything for God, then, we must listen to God. This explains why the reading and study of the Word of God is so important.

First, salvation itself comes by hearing and believing God's Word, especially about Christ, and His death for our sins. Romans 10:17 says: "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God", and 1 Peter 1:23: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever". Then, having been saved, we can serve God acceptably only by diligent study of His Word. Perhaps the most important passage in the Bible on this subject is 2 Timothy 2:15:

"STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH."

[nChrist]

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February 27, 2010

THE VALUE OF BIBLE STUDY
by Cornelius R. Stam


"From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).

Timothy was a fortunate young man. His father was not a believer in Christ, but his godly mother made up for this lack as, day after day, from his earliest childhood, she taught him the Word of God. As a result he came to know Christ at an early age and later became St. Paul's faithful co-worker and close associate in making known the wonderful "good news of the grace of God."

In his very last letter the great Apostle Paul recalls Timothy's "unfeigned faith... which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice" (2 Timothy 1:5).

If only we had more such mothers and grandmothers today, with husbands to help them! If only our American children were not set adrift on a restless sea of human speculation, but were taught the eternal truths of God's Word, the Bible!

We all need to "know the Holy Scriptures," not only because they teach reverence for God and build moral character, but most of all because they "are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith... in Christ Jesus."

The theme of the Bible, the Old Testament as well as New, is the Lord Jesus Christ, the riches of whose saving grace are unfolded to us in the Epistles of Paul, the chief of sinners saved by grace. It was to Paul that God committed the preaching of the cross of Christ. He it is who tells us about the riches that flow from Calvary. He it is who tells us, by divine inspiration that:

"...WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH [CHRIST'S] BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Ephesians 1:7).

"THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHOW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Ephesians 2:7).

[nChrist]

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February 28, 2010

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” (Titus 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” (1 Timothy 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” (1 Timothy 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” (Galatians 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” (Romans 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…” (1 Timothy 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” (Titus 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” (2 Corinthians 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” (Titus 2:12).