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August 12, 2010

GRACE, AND HOW THIS AFFECTS US
by Cornelius R. Stam

Ask the average believer what the Bible word "grace" means, and he will doubtless reply, "unmerited favor".

Actually, however, grace is much more than this.

Subjectively, it is that loving attitude, or disposition, on God's part, from which all His kindness toward us flows.

Objectively, it is all the kindness that flows from His love toward us.

Thus we read in Ephesians 2:2-6 that we were "the children of disobedience" and therefore "by nature the children of wrath, even as others".

"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;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Note: This passage begins with those who were "children of disobedience" and "children of wrath" and, saving them "by grace," gives them a position in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus!

God's grace to us as sinners was great indeed, for:

"In [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS [God's] GRACE."

But now, having given us a position in His beloved Son, God's grace goes out to us in still greater measure.

Ephesians 1:6 declares that God has "made us accepted [Lit., ‘engraced us'] in the Beloved".

Beholding us in Christ, God loves us and delights in us more than any father ever delighted in his son, or any grandfather in that precious grandchild.

Thus, while in Ephesians l:7 we read that we have "redemption...the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace", in Ephesians 2:7 we see these riches of grace increased to us "exceedingly", now that we occupy a position "in the Beloved":

"That in the ages to come He might show THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE..."

How?

"...in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus"!

What a prospect! Through the ages of eternity God will lavish His loving kindness upon us to demonstrate to all the universe "the exceeding riches of His grace"!

"What a prospect, child of glory,
  Doth the future hold in store!
By the wildest flights of fancy
  Thou couldst never ask for more.
Heir of God; joint heir forever
  With His own beloved Son
God could not to you have promised
  More of bliss than He has done!"

-Author Unknown

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August 13, 2010

ARE YOU READY?
by Cornelius R. Stam

I wonder what finally became of Molotov? Most of us know only that he was expelled from the Communist Party and was later recalled to Moscow to answer for what Kruschev, of all people, called "barbarous crimes"! Molotov, "the hammer," was active in the Communist Revolution since 15 years of age. A close friend of Stalin, he served Soviet Russia variously as Secretary of the Central Committee, Premier of USSR, its Foreign Minister and its Representative to the UN.

But in 1957 Kruschev, jealous of Stalin's popularity, dismissed Molotov from the Presidium and sent him away as ambassador to 'Outer Mongolia'. Now disgraced along with his old friend Stalin, this once popular hero of the Soviets was discarded by the system he championed. Pathetic, but he deserved it.

Contrast this with the Apostle Paul. He had been great, prospering in his religion above many of his equals, being "more exceedingly zealous" of the traditions of his fathers (Gal. 1:14). But he gave all this up and counted it loss for "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." Serving Christ amid unceasing persecution, he said:

"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).

Yes, and in his last recorded words before Nero beheaded him, Paul said:

"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown..." (II Tim. 4:6-8 ).

What a triumphant way to go! And you, my friend, can go that way too -- if you can say with Paul, "I am ready."

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

[nChrist]

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August 14, 2010

WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE 1909?
by Cornelius R. Stam

In 1909 Dr. C. I. Scofield wrote the following passage in the Introduction to the Scofield Reference Bible:

"The last fifty years have witnessed an intensity and breadth of interest in Bible study unprecedented in the history of the Christian Church. Never before have so many reverent, learned and spiritual men brought to the study of the Scriptures minds so free from merely controversial motive. A new and vast exegetical and expository literature has been created...."

Even the years that followed the writing of this passage produced many great Bible expositors, but their number has since dwindled fast, until today evangelistic-revival campaigns have all but replaced the great, thrilling Bible conferences of some decades ago.

Regardless of the popularity of such campaigns, however, the Church will not make true progress, either in spiritual power or in the number of genuine converts to Christ, until it once again places due emphasis on the Word of God, both in private study and in public ministry.

Unpopular but vital Bible doctrines have stopped many preachers and Bible teachers short and have hindered them from bringing to the Scriptures "minds free from merely controversial motive," largely because the price of standing for these truths has seemed too great. But until it is the sole passion of men of God to know THE TRUTH and make it known, true revival will not come, for the Church has never made one step of progress apart from progress in the study of the Word.

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August 15, 2010

FAITH AND HEARING
by Cornelius R. Stam

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17).

This important passage of Scripture is, sad to say, little understood. Many people think of faith in the abstract, as though it had some mysterious power in itself. They speak of faith, but what do they mean? Faith in what? or in whom? Surely it is not possible just to have faith, without something or someone to have faith in.

Faith is not wishing hard, or feeling confident. It is not optimism or presumption or imagination. Faith must have a basis, a foundation. Thus the Christian's faith is founded on "the Word of God" -- on what God has said in the Bible.

The above passage explains: "Faith cometh by hearing." Isn't that simple? Isn't it true? Some have said that "seeing is believing," but a moment's reflection will reveal that, like the phrase: "I'm from Missouri," this saying is an expression of unbelief. When we have seen a thing we need no longer believe it; it has been demonstrated to us. But when we hear [or read] a matter reported, we may either believe or doubt it. "Faith cometh by hearing." And likewise hearing comes through what has been said. We believe, or doubt, what we hear and we hear what has been said. The Christian's faith, then, comes by hearing (God) and hearing by the Word of God. All true Christian faith is founded on the Word of God.

Actually the word "hearing," in Romans 10:17, however, has the idea of heeding -- paying attention, listening eagerly. This is why Galatians 3:5 speaks of "the hearing of faith." And thus Ephesians 1:13, referring to Christ, says: "In whom ye also trusted, having heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation." Thus, too, we read in John 5:24 the words of the Lord Jesus:

"HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO JUDGMENT, BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE."

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August 16, 2010

BETHLEHEM AND CALVARY
by Cornelius R. Stam

"Sweet Name come down from Heav'n above,
To win our heart's deep tender love;
As Bethlehem and Calv'ry prove:
My Jesus."

How true this old hymn is! Bethlehem and Calvary do indeed prove that the Lord Jesus Christ came from heaven to win us to himself.

St. Paul's declaration that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15) takes in both Bethlehem and Calvary. At Bethlehem Christ showed His love for man, not merely by coming to be with us, but by becoming one of us.

Luke, "the beloved physician," wrote the famous "Gospel According to St. Luke" to show how truly man the Lord Jesus Christ was. Apart from sin, our Lord experienced all the emotions, the sorrows, the joys, the pains, the pleasures that we do. The Son of God actually became the Son of Man that the sons of men might become the sons of God.

But His life alone could not save us. His holiness would only expose our sin and condemn us. This is why the Apostle Paul declares that "Christ DIED for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3), and that "WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Ephesians 1:7).

Those who believe this and trust Christ as their personal Saviour rejoice in the truth of the above poem. Their hearts have been won to the Blessed One who came from heaven to Bethlehem and Calvary because HE loved them.

[nChrist]

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August 17, 2010

THE PROMISE GOD MADE TO HIMSELF
by Cornelius R. Stam

"In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world [or, "ages"] began" (Titus 1:2).

"The Cretians are always liars" (Ver. 12). "God... cannot lie" (Ver. 2). What a contrast! And how reassuring to know that our salvation depends upon the Word of God, who cannot lie!

Our opening passage, above, however, states that God made this promise "before the world [or, "ages"] began. How can this be? There is no indication that He made this promise to the angels, and there was no one else to whom He could have made it -- except Himself, and this is exactly the truth of the matter. Have we not all made earnest promises to ourselves?

Before God ever made one promise to any man, He promised Himself that He would provide salvation and all the riches of His grace for sinners through Calvary's finished work, and the promises later made to men were but progressive revelations of a firm purpose He had already made in His own heart of love. Paul, the apostle of "the mystery," refers to this blessed fact again and again in his epistles:

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery... the hidden... WHICH GOD HATH ORDAINED BEFORE THE WORLD UNTO OUR GLORY" (1 Corinthians 2:7).

"According as HE HATH CHOSEN US IN HIM [CHRIST] BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD..." (Ephesians 1:4).

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, BEING PREDESTINATED ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE OF HIM WHO WORKETH ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS OWN WILL" (Ephesians 1:11).

"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to HIS OWN PURPOSE AND [HIS OWN] GRACE, WHICH WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN" (2 Timothy 1:9).

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August 18, 2010

THE CHARACTER OF A NATION
by Russell S. Miller

"Truth is on the scaffold, and wrong is on the throne."

This statement has more accuracy to it than any of us care to realize, when men in high places lie under oath, lie their way through the courts, across the country, and around the world; and the populous at large does not care enough to stand up and be counted, just so long as the economy is not upset. But this mentality is to be expected, I suppose, in the ungodly world in which we live.

It matters not what the evidence is, just so the villain manages to get away with his sin. Honesty, integrity, and uprightness are unimportant, apparently, in the character of a nation.

God doesn't look at it this way, however, and will bring every sin into judgment. He has brought great empires down to the dust because of pride and arrogance in the peoples of those nations. And regarding these who insist upon perpetrating lies, the words written in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians apply:

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a [the] lie:
"That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12).

Here, the Apostle speaks of the end times, after the Church is caught away and just before Messiah returns to set up His long prophesied Kingdom on earth. During that great tribulation the world shall believe the big lie of antichrist---that he can successfully rule the world without Christ.

The book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ explicitly describes the outcome of his, and the world's, contest with God in Twenty-Two detailed chapters.

"IN FLAMING FIRE TAKING VENGEANCE ON THEM THAT KNOW NOT GOD, AND THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" (2 Thessalonians 1:8 ).

Clearly, current events affirm that the Coming of the Lord is much nearer today than it has ever been. Are you ready for this moment of "truth"?

"BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED..." (Acts 16:31).

[nChrist]

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August 19, 2010

The Path of a Good Soldier
by Paul M. Sadler

"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." -- 2 Timothy 2:1,2

If we were to ask the average Christian to write down what they expect in a spiritual leader the list would probably read something like this: A man of God must have completed college and seminary. He should be eloquent and be able to articulate his thoughts well, enthusiastic, insightful, creative, and have a good sense of humor. In addition, he should not have too many shortcomings, and be well dressed.

Interestingly, just the opposite was true of the spiritual leaders found in the Scriptures. Most of the giants of the faith in biblical times were unlearned and ignorant men by the world's standard. The Bible is a who's who of shortcomings: Noah's drunkenness, Moses' speech impediment, David's adulterous ways, Peter's denials, Paul's repulsive appearance, etc. Nevertheless, God used these souls mightily to the pulling down of strongholds. As it has been said, "God took a handful of nobodies and made somebodies in His sight."

While we are an advocate of higher education, intellectualism is not a prerequisite to be used of the Lord. God has accomplished great things through those who merely had a willing heart. Timothy, for example, wasn't educated at the Ivy League Schools of Jerusalem, nonetheless, God chose him to carry the torch of grace after Paul's martyrdom.

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August 20, 2010

FOUR KINDS OF MEN
by Cornelius R. Stam

According to St. Paul's inspired epistles, the human race is divided into four categories:

1. The natural man, i.e., the fallen son of Adam, as he is, without God. Of him the Apostle says: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

2. The babe in Christ. When a person sees himself as a sinner and trusts Christ as his Saviour, he is "born again" and becomes a "babe in Christ". But babes can and should grow, so these are exhorted: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere [pure] milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).

3. The carnal Christian is one who, though perhaps a Christian for years, has not grown, due to indifference and neglect of the Word of God. He still has to be treated as a babe in Christ. The Corinthian believers were examples of this. Paul had to write them: "I...could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear [digest] it, neither yet now are ye able" (1 Corinthians 3:1,2). Everybody loves a baby, but the joy that fills the hearts of loving parents turns to bitterest sorrow if their baby fails to grow.

4. The spiritual Christian is one who, through prayerful study of the Word of God, has grown to spiritual maturity. He is no longer merely a child of God; he is a "man of God". We should all "desire the sincere [pure] milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2) -- "THAT WE HENCEFORTH BE NO MORE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO, AND CARRIED ABOUT WITH EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE" (Ephesians 4:14). Let us then heed St. Peter's inspired exhortation: "BUT GROW IN GRACE, AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST" (2 Peter 3:18 ).

[nChrist]

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August 21, 2010

ASLEEP IN A STORM
by Cornelius R. Stam

What a disappointing scene! A terrifying storm, souls in danger of death, but Jonah, the man of God, fast asleep.

Sailors are not soon frightened in a storm, but this time the fury of the gale was so great that "the ship was like to be broken" and even the sailors were driven to their knees "and cried every man unto his god" (Jonah 1:4,5).

Can it be that Jonah, the only man aboard who knew the true God, was sleeping? Sleeping while souls were perishing? This was the shameful truth, and not one of us would blame the terrified captain for rudely awakening him and crying: "What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!" (Verse 6).

But let us not be too ready to condemn Jonah, for we may be more guilty than he. Surely the world today is passing through a fearful storm and souls all about us are in peril of their lives. If they do not accept God's way of salvation; if they do not trust in Christ, they will perish. And what are we doing about it? Are we pleading for them in prayer? Are we doing what we can to reach them for Christ? Or are we fast asleep?

"What meanest thou O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!" And when you have cried to God in behalf of your unsaved relatives, friends, and business associates, He will send you to witness to them of Christ and His love. Not until you have talked to God about them will you be ready to talk to them about God.

Politically, morally, spiritually, the night is dark, the storm is raging and souls are perishing, but "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 4:6). "...We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others" (1 Thessalonians 5:5,6).

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August 22, 2010

THE ABUNDANT MERCY OF GOD
by Russell S. Miller

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).

Upon several different occasions in the Gospels our Lord spoke of His coming death and resurrection (Matthew 12:39-42; Matthew 16:21-26; Mark 8:31; Mark 9:31; Mark 10:33-34), yet His disciples did not understand that He would die, much less that "CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS" as Paul later wrote to the Corinthians. Luke clearly states that all the disciples were totally ignorant of Christ's approaching death:

"And they understood NONE of these things: and this saying was HID from them, NEITHER KNEW THEY THE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN" (Luke 18:31-34).

The Apostle Peter had believed Christ to be the very Son of God in his affirmation: "Thou art the Christ [Messiah], THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD" (Matthew 16:16). This is what was "revealed" unto him of "My Father which is in Heaven" as the Lord states in Matthew 16:17. And Peter's reaction in Matthew 16:21-26 to this announcement of Christ's approaching crucifixion confirms that he most definitely did not understand Calvary's cross!

It was those "fifteen days" with the Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:18, as well as the light and understanding which that Jerusalem Council afforded this beloved brother (Acts 15:7-11; Galatians 2:7-9), combined of course with the Spirit's working as recorded in Acts 10, 11, that opened Peter's eyes to see the truth of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Until Peter had met the Apostle Paul, he did not know what could free him from the law, "which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (Acts 15:10).

This is why Peter now writes concerning "the abundant mercy of God" and "the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." Hear what this Apostle has to say to his brethren about the very subject of "obedience" in their salvation today:

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (1 Peter 1:2).

This is very different from any thing he had ever preached before. A far cry from his "repentance and water baptism" on that momentous Day of Pentecost in Acts 2! At Pentecost he did not offer the death of Christ, and His shed blood, as the payment for sin. Rather he brought a stunning indictment against his own nation for having "killed the Prince of life" (Acts 3:14-15). The "remission of sins" was there based upon their repentance and submission to water baptism (Acts 2:38 ). Nothing was said in Acts 2 about the shed blood of Christ for salvation.

It is not until we come to Paul's epistles that we learn about Christ's shed blood "for the remission of sins":

"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

"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 He might be JUST, and the JUSTIFIER of him which BELIEVETH in Jesus" (Romans 3:24-26).

"NEITHER BY THE BLOOD OF GOATS AND CALVES, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD HE ENTERED IN ONCE INTO THE HOLY PLACE, HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US" (Hebrews 9:12).

Brethren, "propitiation" is a Pauline concept of the Old Testament "mercy seat." Jesus Christ became the mercy seat, sprinkling His own blood upon Calvary's cross. And this is FIRST made known in the Pauline revelation. If God is therefore "satisfied" with Christ's redemptive work, shouldn't you be satisfied with His finished work also?

In Galatians, Chapters One and Two, we see that the Apostle Peter had comprehended this aspect of the "mystery" which had been "committed to his trust" through the Apostle Paul. In this he most assuredly came to see the grace message through Paul's ministry. This does not mean that God has changed His mind about the Kingdom promises to the "Little Flock" of Messiah's followers (Luke 12:32; Romans 11:29; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:16). Don't worry. When He shall come, "at the revelation of Jesus Christ" with all His holy angels, the Twelve Apostles "shall sit upon Twelve Thrones, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel" (1 Peter 1:7; Matthew 19:28; Matthew 25:31). However, it does mean that Peter "stood" in the very same position where all believers "stand" today, in "THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD" (1 Peter 5:12)! The Apostle of the Circumcision had become well acquainted with "the present truth" as he writes in 2 Peter 1:12-13:

"Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in THE PRESENT TRUTH. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance."

The Apostle Peter had forsaken his Pentecostalism for "THE SPRINKLING OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST." Thus he could write to "the strangers scattered" throughout Asia Minor:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT MERCY hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).

Thus in his first epistle, Peter's own words reveal his understanding of Paul's gospel and the grace message:

"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" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

[nChrist]

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August 23, 2010

CONFESSING CHRIST
by Cornelius R. Stam

"...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" (Romans 10:9,10).

In these sublime words the Apostle Paul sets forth God's simple plan of salvation. He calls it, in the preceding verse, "The word of faith, which we preach."

But often babes in Christ are urged to get to their feet in public testimony on the basis of the words: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth . . . thou shalt be saved." Thus new Christians are given to feel that a heart faith is not enough to make them secure; that not until they have risen in public testimony are they saved and safe.

But what, then, does the Apostle mean by these words? Does he not plainly say, "If thou shalt confess... thou shalt be saved?" Yes, but here again, as with so many other passages, a traditional meaning has been superimposed upon the actual words of Scripture. What does the English word "confess" mean? Why, nothing more than to "acknowledge," to "admit." And this is exactly what the original Greek word means too, nor does Romans 10:9,10 say anything about confessing before men.

The trouble is that the idea of confession has been changed to profession --- even public profession --- and multitudes have followed the tradition of the fathers instead of examining the Word to see what it actually says. And so "the Word of faith" has been corrupted.

But does not the Apostle clearly say "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth... thou shalt be saved?" Indeed! And he adds, "and shalt believe in thine heart!" Now let us ask: Is it with that physical organ which pumps blood into our veins that we believe on Christ as our Savior? Oh, no! You say that is merely a figure of speech; somehow the heart is associated with believing. Exactly! Then you would insist that it is with the physical mouth we must confess! Can mutes not be saved then?

As if anticipating the misinterpretation of his words, the Spirit-inspired Apostle adds:

"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" (Vers.11,13).

This is "the Word of Faith, which we preach."

[nChrist]

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 August 24, 2010

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 (Galatians 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 (Galatians 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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August 25, 2010

BETHLEHEM'S BABE EXALTED
by Cornelius R. Stam

The Bible accounts of the birth of Christ are touching indeed. The angelic announcements, the virgin with child, deeply embarrassed, yet highly honored; the holy Babe in a stable because there was no room in the inn, wrapped in swaddling bands and laid in a manger; the night suddenly turned to day, the multitude of the heavenly host praising God!

Surely it is fitting that we remember all this and celebrate it, especially since our Lord thus humbled Himself that He might die for our sins. Yet here we must be careful not to be led astray, lest we know Him only as a sweet babe in a manger rather than as the mighty Savior that He is. As Americans we celebrate the birthdays of great men, but we do not emphasize their babyhood! We rather honor them for what they have accomplished, rejoicing that such men were born into the world.

Our Lord is no longer a babe and He does not wish to be thought of as a babe, but rather as the One who, having died for our sins at Calvary, now lives to dispense to a world of lost sinners the riches of His grace.

It was from His glory in heaven that He revealed Himself to St. Paul and instructed him to write: "Henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him [so] no more" (2 Corinthians 5:16).

And again in Hebrews 2:8,9, the Apostle declares: "Now we see not yet all things put under him, but we see Jesus.... crowned with glory and honor" as the One who "tasted death for every man."

It is wonderful to remember our Lord as the Babe born at Bethlehem, but still more wonderful to know Him now as the One who is "able to save unto the uttermost all them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews  7:25).

[nChrist]

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August 26, 2010

THIS IS FOR JESUS
by Cornelius R. Stam

Visiting a young pastor and his family some time ago I observed a touching example of true Christian stewardship.

It was nearly time to go to church, when the pastor's wife reached for a small box containing a few coins and handed it to her little boy. The coins represented the boy's earnings received for jobs done, good behavior, etc.

Seriously the boy contemplated the contents of the box and took from it two dimes -- a substantial portion of the whole. Then looking up at me he said earnestly: "This is for Jesus".

Several Scriptural lessons about Christian giving came to mind as we observed this simple incident.

This little lad had already been taught the responsibility of participating systematically in supporting the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 16:2). He gave "as he purposed in his heart"; no one suggested how much he ought to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). After thinking it over carefully, he gave sacrificially (2 Corinthians 8:7,9). He "proved the sincerity of his love" (2 Corinthians 8:8 ), for it was with sincere, childlike affection that he said: "This is for Jesus".

Most of all, perhaps, his gift was a living demonstration of Paul's exhortation in Romans 12:8: "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity". There was no fanfare, no boasting, no evidence of any feeling that he was doing a lot for the Lord; just an attitude of simple, humble satisfaction that he could join others in supporting the work of Christ.

How much we, who have too often been hardened through the years, can learn from children!