Divine Breathing In the creation of the universe, “By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6). “The Spirit of God was hovering above the waters” (Genesis 1:2). In the creation of the “first man Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), God as a potter “formed” (yasar, “molded”) some “dust” (`aphar, “clay”) into the shape of a human being, and “breathed” (naphah) “the breath of life” into the dead clay, “and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). In the creation of the Bible, “every Scripture” was “God breathed” (theopneustos, 2 Timothy 3:16) into selected authors “guided by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21) to write “words taught by the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:13). The Greek word theopneustos, “God breathed,” the lexicons (Thayer, B-G-D) translate as “inspired by God,” which means divine breathing. In anticipation of the day of Pentecost, May 28, A.D. 30, the birthday of the church and of the kingdom, Jesus “breathed on” the apostles, “and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22). The ASV translation of 2 Timothy 3:16, “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable,” leaves the impression that some Scriptures are not inspired by God. The apostle Peter affirmed that all Scriptures are inspired by God: “Know this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of anyone’s own origination (epilusis, “unloosing,” “release”), for no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men, being guided by …

(West Virginia Christian, Vol. 7, No. 9, September 2000, p. 1.) Churches of Christ occupy a unique position in the religious world in making a plea that is unlike any other. Ours is a call for a complete return to first century New Testament Christianity in every particular. Many have sought reformation of existing religious orders. We do not. We seek restoration. To “restore” is to “bring back; make restitution of; re-establish, reinstate, reconstruct.” In the New Testament, Jesus promised to build his church (Matthew 16:13-19). His church was established and those who became Christians were added to it by the Lord (Acts 2:47). Congregations of Christ’s church spread throughout the Roman Empire in the first century world. However, just as the apostles predicted a departure from the Lord’s way (see Acts 20:28-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Peter 2:1-2), history records the details of that departure. Men over time changed the doctrine, practice, organization and mission of the church from what Christ intended it to be; and human names, creeds, doctrines and traditions brought continual division to those professing Christianity. People of faith became aware that the solution to this dilemma was to return to the New Testament pattern for the church in name, creed, organization and practice. This is restoration! And this plea continues! It calls people back to the Bible, and it alone, as our sole authority in religion. Ours is a plea to “speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible …

The word tongue is used in the Bible to refer to an organ in the human body (Lamentations 4:4; Ezekiel 3:26; Mark 7:35; Luke 1:64). Tongue is used in the Bible many times to refer to what is done with the tongue. Here is an illustration: “He that hath a forward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief” (Proverbs 17:20). Obviously, “perverse tongue” in this passage refers to the wrong kind of speaking, or the wrong use of one’s tongue. Many times, tongue is used in the Bible to refer to a language or dialect (Daniel 1:4; Acts 1:19; 2:8). Speaking in Tongues When the Apostles Lived The apostles of Christ and some who lived when they did were endowed by the Lord to speak in tongues or languages which they had not studied. Sometimes, this is referred to in the King James Version as speaking in an unknown tongue (1 Corinthians 14:13-14). The word unknown in such passages in the King James Version is italicized which means it has no corresponding word in the Greek text of the New Testament. The translators supplied the word unknown to emphasize that some spoke in languages that were unknown to them, languages they had not studied. To do so was a miracle. Granted Two Ways The miracle or spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues were granted two ways. These were: (1) baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts Chapters Two and Ten, and (2) the apostles laying their hands on others as in Acts 19:6. Accompanied …

Armageddon is mentioned only once in the Bible, in connection with the sixth bowl of wrath in Revelation 16:16. “And they [the three unclean spirits of demons that came out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet at the sixth bowl of wrath, 16:12-14] gathered them [the kings of the whole earth, 14] together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon [or mountain of Megiddo, or mound of Megiddo, a fortress-city in the Plain of Megiddo/Jezreel/Esdraelon during the times of Kings Omri, Ahab, and others].” This quotation is from the American Standard Version. Being in the center of the “Fertile Crescent” and being one of the few places level enough to use chariots in fighting, the Plain of Esdraelon or Megiddo was a major battlefield of the ancient world. Armies from Egypt or Ethiopia would meet armies from Syria or Assyria or Babylonia in the Plain of Megiddo. The Plain of Megiddo was the place where Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera and Jabin; where Gideon and his 300 defeated the Midianites; where Saul and Jonathan lost their lives in battle against the Philistines; where Sennacherib’s 185,000 were slain; and where King Josiah was killed in battle against Pharaoh-necoh. So, it is easy to see how Megiddo became known as the battleground of the middle eastern world, and how it, therefore, would be an appropriate term to use in describing a spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil. Frank Pack in his …

“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look…” (Proverbs 6:16-19). Pride is a “respectable sin” with man, but it is an abomination with God. “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord…” (Proverbs 16:5). Pride is antithetical to the very nature of God. He says, “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the spirit of the contrite one” (Isaiah 57:15). What is a “proud look”? How do we identify it? Three factors are prominent. 1. Pride looks highly on self. 2. Pride looks lowly on others. 3. Pride looks falsely on God. Jesus said, “Two went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess’” (Luke 18:10-12). The Pharisee had a proud look, because he looked highly on self. He confessed his own goodness rather than his evil ways. He had his eyes lifted up in prayer, not on God, on himself. He was so thankful he was not like others. Everyone who exalts himself will be abased (Luke 18:14). The world looks at the self-promoter as ambitious, aggressive and a go-getter, but …

Another example of churches trying to give people what they want instead of what they need is the advertising of “casual dress — come as you are to worship God. It’s okay to wear cutoffs and sneakers.” Not far from here, a young man served communion while wearing a T-shirt advertising a particular brand of beer. It is interesting that the word “profane” means “to take what is holy (such as God and the things of God) and treat them as common.” What a disgrace! Outrageous! What in the world was he thinking? We appreciate it when you wear clothes that are appropriate for the occasion. When asked what is appropriate to wear, I responded, “Just wear what you would wear to your best friend’s funeral.” Jesus is our best friend and we assemble to commemorate his death (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20-26). Though we are not under the Law of Moses, it is interesting that the priests were not to have a casual attitude in their dress while engaged in worship (Exodus 39). We have a better covenant, based on better promises (Hebrews 8). Today, all Christians are priests (1 Peter 2:9). The clothing we wear is dictated by our attitude toward the occasion. We dress respectfully when attending a funeral. It is a solemn occasion. We choose appropriate attire when attending a wedding. I have never seen shorts, sneakers and T-shirts at either a funeral or a wedding. We wear casual clothes when working in the yard because we have …

“Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” The previous quotation is couched in Psalms 119:89 and was written by the sweet singer of Israel, King David, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 119 is a Psalm of David, which no doubt was written during his darkest hour. King Saul was consumed with jealousy, making every effort to find the young man to destroy him for the people’s love of David was greater than their love for King Saul. Psalm 119 is permeated with warnings and exhortations for us to soberly consider when facing adversity. David was facing his darkest hour and the one place where he could find peace and solace was in the law of God. David said “teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments” (Psalm 119:66). Facing trials and difficulties in this life demands that we consult God and his revealed Word. David also said “thy law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (Psalm 119:72). This young man wise beyond his years attached great value to the law of God showing that it superseded “gold and silver.” There is a marked lack of value attached to the Word of God, and far too many in our modern age fail to take advantage of this great artesian well of truth. David frightfully said, “the wicked have waited for me to destroy me, but I will consider thy testimonies” (Psalm 119:95). This young man facing his enemies and fearful of his own mortality was confident in the testimonies of God. We too, when facing trials and tribulations of any magnitude, will find God’s Word to be helpful and soothing to …

The greatest of all the miracles associated with the life of Jesus is his resurrection from the dead. Jesus himself said that this would be his ultimate miracle in Matthew 12:39 and 16:4 when he told the Jews that the sign that he would show them would be that of the prophet Jonah. He went on to say that as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the whale, so the Son of Man would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. No story of the life of Christ could be complete that does not tell of his resurrection from the new tomb of Joseph. One of the sources we have of the resurrection of our Lord from the grave is found in the 28th chapter of the Book of Matthew. Here we have recorded the story of the great earthquake and an angel of the Lord descending from heaven. After arriving upon the earth, this great angel rolled the stone back from the door of the tomb and sat upon it. He is described as being as white as snow and having a countenance like lightning. What a sight that must have been to have seen! This creature from heaven, more beautiful than anything any of us have seen came to testify regarding the empty tomb of Jesus. It is no wonder that the Sacred Volume records that the guards who had been appointed to keep watch on the tomb of the …

A recent trip to a McDonald’s restaurant was a pleasant experience for me. It is not the food of which I speak. I am rarely moved one way or the other on that count. It was an older gentleman, an employee, whose job it apparently was to greet and service customers, who gave my day a good start. I had to look up from my magazine and coffee and just watch him, a master at the craft of friendliness. The old gentleman was apparently “in his element.” He moved about the room graciously and provided a wide range of services. He greeted customers as they entered the door. He spoke to everybody with a friendly, “How are you, this morning?” He went around warming up people’s coffee. He gassed up balloons for the children, and even some adults. He wiped off food trays and straightened up all around. The man enjoyed what he was doing and I enjoyed watching him. It felt good to be there. It was a welcome sight in a cold and crazy world. I was transfixed for a few minutes of watching friendliness in action. I hope that McDonald’s pays him well, but even if they don’t I have an idea that he is well rewarded. It served to remind me that Christians have the best reasons in the world to exemplify friendliness. Here are two of those reasons, as I see them. First, we have the inspired Old Testament reminder that, “A man who has …

I don’t know how many times I have heard interesting sayings preceded by the words, “Mark Twain said…” Now, I enjoy a good old Mark Twain quip as much as anybody does, but I am made to wonder if he actually said everything that is attributed to him, especially in the absence of documentation. The same is true of the beloved Marshall Keeble. The very mention of his name sparks interest among old timers, but did he really say all that is credited to him? Who really knows? More important than what either Twain or Keeble may have said is what God has said. We have a popular saying, “God said it. I believe it. That settles it.” Someone has revised that saying to read, “God said it. That settles it whether I believe it or not.” Truthfully, all religious controversy turns on two questions: man said or God said. We follow one way or the other. How much of religion turns upon what God said? “God said” is the basis of Bible inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16-17). “God said” is the basis of divine revelation (Deuteronomy 18:18; Galatians 1:11-12. “God said” is the basis of true worship (John 4:19-20, 22). “God said” is the basis of saving faith (Romans 10:17). “God said” will be the basis of the judgment to come (John 12:48). In religion nothing matters but what God said. No one has to be in doubt about whether or not God said a thing. It’s in the Bible!

You’ve heard it. And discussed it. And argued about it — until you ran out of words and patience. But, you know, they may be on to something. Baptism does not do any good — in some cases. For centuries, unbelievers and denominationalists have argued against the necessity of baptism. Many see it as a useless ritual or a superstitious relic from a dark past. Others divorce it from any saving power. On the other hand, some see baptism as a “cure all.” To them, baptism is a magic action through which one passes which immunizes him against any danger of future spiritual disease. The truth lies somewhere in between. Baptism Does Not Do Any Good If …if it is not preceded by correct understanding. “And many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized” (Acts 18:8b). Scriptural baptism requires that one hear and understand that Jesus, the Son of God, died for all (John 3:16; 8:24) and that all sinners must obey him in order to be saved (Hebrews 5:8-9). It is possible to be immersed without understanding the reasons for it. For instance, many babies are “baptized,” but do not have a correct understanding, so their “baptism” does no good. …if it is not preceded by proper faith. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be” (Mark 16:16). One must believe that Jesus is Divine before his baptism is Scriptural. Further, one must believe that he is lost without baptism for it …