Thank you very much for sending the Gospel Gazette monthly. It is a prized resource with a variety of spiritual uses. Here is how I use Gospel Gazette. Thank you again, very much. [Editor’s Note: We are humbled by the laud above and extremely pleased that our efforts and expense prove so useful, not only to brother Carnagey but also, we hope, to countless other Christians and non-Christians, too. Such is our purpose and committment for making Gospel Gazette available for over 20 years. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]

The Sadducees were jealous of the apostles because the people regarded them highly and large numbers were being added to the church. The apostles had continued to preach in Jesus’ name despite an earlier warning, so they were seized and placed in common prison. God sent a messenger to release them, again proving to be more powerful than any earthly authority. The messenger commanded them to go to the Temple and preach the words that give eternal life. The high priest called for the council to assemble and sent for the apostles. The officers came back, reporting the jail was secure but the apostles were missing. Someone came to tell them they were in the Temple teaching the people (Acts 5:17-25). The captain and his officers brought the apostles back to the council, but without violence because they feared the people. The high priest asked why they continued to preach in Jesus’ name, which they had been strictly told not to do. The council was particularly concerned that the apostles were portraying them as responsible for the death of the innocent, despite the fact that they had earlier been willing to have that very blood on their hands (Acts 5:26-28; Matthew 27:25). Peter and the other apostles answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” The implication, even for Christians today, is that no law should be considered greater than God’s law. The limits of the authority of the Sadducees had already been demonstrated by the Almighty in the resurrection …

On March 30, 1981, when President Ronald Reagan was shot and Vice-President Bush was out of communication, Secretary of State Alexander Haig repeatedly insisted that he was in charge of the Federal Government. He was wrong. This lack of understanding of who was in charge may have seriously ended Haig’s career, and certainly it ended hopes he had of running for President. We have to know who is actually in charge to please God. If we get that wrong, it won’t just cost us a career, it will cost us eternity. I have said, over the years, that I believe the idea expressed by some bumper stickers is totally incorrect: “God is My Copilot.” The fact is that God must be the Pilot, and I must be the copilot of my life. I believe that this is the problem for many who profess faith in God. They have the order mixed up. While this statement implies an involvement by God, it fails to recognize the preeminence of God in one’s actions. I need to make sure that God is in charge. Another saying I have talked about is “God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It.” I would correct that to say, “God Said it, That Settles It, I must believe it.” The point here is the authority of God. God’s Word is “settled” (Psalms 119:89). It is true regardless of whether I believe it or not. I must submit to His will, which is truth (John 17:17). The prophet …

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Jesus Christ is our Hero, our Defender, our Guide and, most of all, our Savior. In looking to Jesus, as we are told by the writer of Hebrews, what can we expect to find in Him? Seven very vital things are found when we look to our Lord Jesus. Look to Jesus for Life: In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We must be one with Jesus. There is no other way but in unity with our Lord Jesus to live life on Earth and truly anticipate everlasting life in Heaven. Look to Jesus for Aid: Hebrews 2:18 reads, “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” There is no other source of real help for us except Jesus the Son and God His Father. Look to Jesus for Love: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 reads, …

God’s incredible love for man surpasses all our understanding. We can substitute our feelings for what we think God might have felt. We can imagine what we would do for our child to save him, and we can imagine what we might do for other people’s children to redeem them. However, we cannot reach the level of understanding necessary to comprehend what God did and has done for us. Jesus told Nicodemus, “…even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:14b-17). The atoning sacrifice could neither be an angel nor any other member of the heavenly host. All were insufficient. It could not be a man—all humanity is flawed by sin. It could not be an animal, for the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin. The only propitiatory sacrifice had to be God Himself, but it wasn’t enough for it to be God. Not only was there a need for a sacrifice, but there was also need for a Mediator—someone who could bridge the separation between humanity and the Father. The sacrifice had to be the Son (Matthew 20:28; Mark 9:12; John 1:14; …

When we read the majestic Word of God, filled with the accounts of creation, along with great battles and wars fought across physical and spiritual planes, when we consider the deep things of reality and the greatness of God, is it any wonder that we may ask, “Where do we fit into all of this?” Indeed, do we fit in the narrative at all? Well, since what the Holy Bible says is what matters, it is the only authority on which we base our beliefs. The Word of God reveals that we are, indeed, a part of the story of the ages. In the Gospel, we are told that the Son of man came to save that which was lost (Matthew 18:11). These words alone show God’s practical concern for His creation. It matters to Him that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God, in His wisdom, compassion and love, through the apostle Paul, warned of the consequences of sin. “For the wages of sin is death.” Yet, He does not leave us without hope, for “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God’s Word says, “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world; but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive …

Mankind has individual authority to choose many things. The following thoughts are guided by western culture and general USA standards of right and wrong. Further, Christians hold that the Bible is the complete authority over the dictates of mankind. A few examples will help us understand. A young person may consider becoming a doctor or any other honorable profession. We understand such things, and we also make judgments concerning such choices. For negative unprincipled pursuits, one could choose to be a killer for hire, a bank robber, a child molester or a rapist. Such are not acceptable and are sinful. There are restrictions and guidance to what I can do and cannot do. It is never right to do wrong.  During September 2015, the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church visited the USA. He was well received by great numbers of people and heads of government. He made many speeches. The television news networks covered his travels, speeches, etc. in an excellent manner. The masses of people were delighted to view and to hear the Pope. Throughout the Pope’s visit, much emphasis and discussions were aimed on Roman Catholic doctrines and teachings. If I understand rightly, I would like to address only one recent Catholic Church teaching. I am talking about homosexuality and related moral issues. The Catholic Church seems mixed-up or is struggling to gain former gay Catholics back to previous relationships with the Catholic Church. There is a great difficulty to accept or find some way to solve the …

In an effort to understand a passage of Scripture, two questions among others should be considered, namely, “Who is the speaker?” and “To whom is he speaking?” This will contribute greatly to the right exegesis of a passage of Scripture. We have no problem in understanding that it was God who was speaking to Noah instructing him to build an ark (Genesis 6). It was Abraham that God directed to offer up his son Isaac upon an altar (Genesis 22), and it was the rich young ruler that Jesus required to sell all that he had and give to the poor (Mark 10). This principle would be true in the study of the epistles that men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote to various congregations and individuals. Some of the most misunderstood passages in the New Testament regarding the Holy Spirit are found in the Gospel according to John (chapters 14-16). It is plain to see that the setting of these particular chapters in John is the occasion when Jesus was eating the Passover Supper with His twelve apostles (Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14). So, Jesus was the Speaker and the twelve apostles were the ones whom Jesus was addressing when He spoke of the promise of another Comforter, who would be sent to help and assist them in the preaching of the Truth after His departure. Religious leaders of various denominations often apply what Jesus said to the apostles about the Holy Spirit to all believers …

Acts 7 gives the account of the stoning of Stephen, one of the original deacons chosen in the previous chapter. At the end of the chapter, there is a passing reference to a man named Saul, who was present at the stoning. He was holding the coats of those stoning Stephen and watched with approval. Saul then continued to persecute the church, which led him to the high priest to request official authority to persecute Christians (Acts 8-9). Saul was on the road to Damascus when he encountered Jesus, after which his life changed forever. He immediately began proclaiming Christ in the synagogues, and then Saul began traveling throughout the Mediterranean world preaching Christ and Him crucified. In so doing, he endured countless hardships and dangers along the way. Saul went from being Christianity’s biggest enemy to its biggest envoy, which serves as a powerful apologetic point. His education in Tarsus and Jerusalem as well as his status as both a Jew and a Roman made him the perfect missionary to carry the message of the Messiah to the world, both to Jews and Gentiles. His influence is still with us to this day because of his contribution of several New Testament epistles as the apostle Paul.

In the year A.D. 404, a Christian man named Telemachus visited Rome for the first time. While in Rome, someone persuaded him to attend a gladiator fight in the Coliseum. Telemachus was so shocked at the cruelty he was witnessing that he jumped over the rail into the arena and tried to stop the gladiators from fighting by saying, “In the name of Christ, Stop!” The Christian man stood his ground and tried to stop the contest, but the gladiators would not stop, and in the fight,  they also killed Telemachus. Do any of us have the courage of that Christian man? Telemachus did not die in vain. The Roman witnesses to his sacrifice were moved in their consciences and put pressure on the emperor to end the bloody gladiatorial contests. In that instance, it took one man’s courage to move a nation away from wickedness. Courage ought to be found in every Christian. In fact, Jesus’ apostle Peter says that Christians should add to their faith, and the first thing to be added is “virtue.” “Virtue” in 2 Peter 1:5 means “courage.” Peter knew that it would take more than faith to help the Christian obtain Heaven. That’s right! A Christian must not only believe in the Lord, but he must live for the Lord, and that takes courage. Jesus predicted the spiritual fight that Christians would have. In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, He predicted that some Christians would be like seed sown in rocky soil. The seed …

Who is a righteous man? Certainly, someone who practices what is right before God in his behavior is a righteous man (1 John 3:7). However, there is more to it. Since perfect righteousness is beyond us, there is the need to be in a state of righteousness, which comes by faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 10:12-14, 38). So, the righteous man believes God and believes he is heard by God (James 5:16). He works righteousness, which means he seeks to do good and not harm toward all (Romans 13:8-14). Most of all, he understands righteousness to be the behavior God has ordained in His Word. This right-doing does not come from himself. It is obedience to the Word of God as he has learned it (Psalm 19:7-9). Who is the righteous man? It is the Christian who admits he is a sinner before God but seeks the will of God in his life, with all his heart. Is this you?

During invitations offered today, preachers often say, “Let us know if there is a way that we can help you” or “If you have a need, let us know.” How are people being informed in our assemblies about the help that can come? What needs do those in the assembly have, and what does the recipient have to do? What about the plan God has for salvation? What application do we make to those who have the need of salvation? How are people able to reason about needs versus salvation if they don’t hear what to do? Their need is salvation. In our sermons and teaching, we may take some things for granted that we feel others should know. When I was a teenager, preachers would place on a blackboard or transparencies charts with these letters: H+B+R+C+B = Salvation. It went like this: Hear the Word (Romans 10:17), Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24), Repent of sins (Acts 3:19), Confess faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son (Romans 10:9-10) and be Baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Nowadays instead, the ‘plan of salvation’ frequently has been reduced to, “Hear the Gospel and believe it,” and then, the other items in the plan may be mentioned. That is okay, provided all in our audiences understand what the Gospel is all about. Do we believe the average person knows what we are talking about? I’m not sure they do, unless we have explained it to them. When one believes the Word, what does that involve? …

Why do we attend worship? First and foremost, our worship is to Almighty God. He is our Creator, Sustainer and Savior. As the church, we must direct our worship to Him, for He alone is worthy of praise. The church is not a place we go, but instead it is a family to which we belong. It is who we are. In John 4:24 it says, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” So, as the church, we are to worship God in the ways that He authorized rather than in the ways of man (Matthew 15:9). We are to worship Him in the right frame of mind and for the right reasons. We do not just gather together to worship just because we are supposed to worship, but instead, we come together because we love the Lord. It is out of that love that we are to offer true and sincere worship so that our worship is never in vain (John 4:23). Our hearts and our minds are to be prepared to worship, and we should always examine ourselves before we worship the Lord our God (1 Corinthians 11:27-32). However, why else do we gather together to worship? While it is true that our worship is primarily to God, our worship is also very beneficial to one another. In Hebrews 10:24-25 we see the necessity for us to come together to worship as well as the encouragement that can be offered to …

Second Timothy 2:9-12 is a passage many people do not like. In a culture where people think gender differences do not matter in any area of life, the very idea that women (or anyone, for that matter) have certain restrictions placed on them by God is unbelievable, they think! However, God, who instituted the church, knows what is best. In matters of conducting worship where both men and women are present, Paul wrote, “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8). The word translated “men” is gender specific for males. Adding to his teaching on dressing a woman’s heart (1 Timothy 2:9-10), Paul then gave teaching concerning the subjection of a Christian woman’s heart. Silence & Subjection Paul wrote, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission” (1 Timothy 2:11). The word translated “silence” (“quietness” ASV, “quietly” ESV) (from esuchia) means quietness, restfulness, gentleness (Acts 22:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:12). Here it is used as a disposition that underlies action. It obviously cannot mean total silence (“not a peep out of her mouth”). If that were true, she could not participate in congregational singing, which requires “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). The term translated “subjection” in “all subjection” (“entire submissiveness” NAS) (from hupotago) refers to entire submission (1 Timothy 3:4; 2 Corinthians 9:13; Galatians 2:5). Submission may be defined as the …

The following are some prophetic references to Jesus that the Jews recognized as referring to the Messiah for whom they were looking. The New Testament shows the references to be fulfilled in Jesus. Genesis 3:15 says, “and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Galatians 4:4 is one of the several references that indicate that Jesus was the seed of the woman who was to “bruise the head” of the Old Serpent, who is known as Satan. In Genesis 18:18 God said, “Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him.” Acts 3:25 indicates that it was through the Jewish nation that the Messiah was to come Who would bless all nations. “Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” Among many other passages, the Messiah was shown to be an heir to the throne of David in Isaiah 9:7, which reads, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish …

In listening to the news this week, part of the time it all seemed like “doom and gloom.” There were stories of murder, corruption and mayhem. One story that particularly struck me was about a man driving off the street and down the sidewalk, intentionally running over people. He gunned his vehicle and headed straight at his victims, killing one person and injuring eleven others. There seemed to be no connection to him or any of the people who were his victims. When the newsman was preparing to show the clip of the tragedy, he cautioned that people watch with care because of the horror of viewing it. I believe that some of those folks, particularly the adults, had plans not only for things they were planning to do during the rest of their day, but they also had plans for what they wanted to do tomorrow. Yet, because of this man’s actions, plans went awry, and one life was cut short. The Wise Man said, “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1 NKJV). What a truism that is! An old saying that we’ve all heard is that “the best laid plans of man often go awry.” We all make plans and look ahead to what we need or want to do with our time tomorrow, and there’s nothing wrong with that. James handled it this way: “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is …

This past week I was watching a denominational preacher on one of the various religion channels available on cable and satellite. What interested me in this particular lesson was how he addressed the use of the Old Testament. He acknowledged how he had been accused of taking Old Testament Scripture out of context to prove a point. As he tried to explain how the Old Testament fit into his New Testament theology, he explained, “We only make use of those teachings from the Old Testament that are repeated in the New Testament.” This got my attention. He seemed to be saying that if there is no authority for it expressed in the New Testament, they did not use the Old Testament for doctrine. What I wondered, then, was why does his group appeal to the Old Testament in their use of instrumental music in worship? Yes, it was used in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 25:1-7). However, there is no command, example or implication of its use in the church. Some would point to the book of Revelation where harps are mentioned (Revelation 5:8), but Revelation is a book of figures and symbols. As the bowls of incense mentioned in this passage are to be understood as the prayers of the saints, most likely the harps are symbolic of praise. However, what transpires before the throne of God in Heaven (Revelation 4:2) is not the same as what God has ordained for the worship of the church on earth. In …

Over the years there have been many distortions of the biblical doctrine of the Trinity, which is the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as three distinct spiritual Persons in one Godhead. The word “Godhead” or the “Divine Nature” appears in the New Testament three times in Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20 and Colossians 2:9. It simply means “that which is divine.” There are various Bible references that indicate that there are three divine Personalities Who are eternal and are identified as God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. The English word “God” is the translation of the Hebrew word “Elohim,” which is a plural of the Majesty. The plural form “Elohim” carrying with it the actual meaning of the Godhead appears more than three thousand times in the Old Testament. This means that in most cases when the English reader reads the word ”God” in the Bible in the singular sense, the Scriptures are actually referring to the Godhead, in the plural sense. For instance, when in Genesis 1:1 we read, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” translated literally from Hebrew, in the language Moses wrote, it would read, “In the beginning Gods created…” This is how the plural word “Elohim” would read. There was a plurality of divine beings in the beginning when this creation was perfected. This is evidently clear as we read in Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’”—a plurality of persons being used. …