Can a Non-Christian Baptize a Person?

A correspondent inquired, “Can a non-Christian baptize a person?” Perhaps if we pose some questions, at least some of which may appear to be rhetorical, a logical or a reasonable answer will be apparent. Most members of the Lord’s church doubtlessly realize that the Restoration Movement in the 19th century describes a widespread exodus from denominational churches by religiously sincere people who desired to be merely members of the church established by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. Furthermore, generally, Christians understand those thousands of souls were not petitioning existing congregations of the Lord’s church for membership, but instead, they went about to reestablish the presence of the Church of Christ (Romans 16:16) in various communities, mainly in North America and in Europe. Almost universally if not altogether universally, there were no Christians or members of the Lord’s church to baptize those masses fleeing denominationalism and desiring to return to undenominational, pre-denominational, pure Christianity discernible upon the pages of the New Testament. Initially, they were baptized by non-Christians in the biblical sense. Usually respected as a leader in the Restoration Movement, Alexander Campbell was baptized by a Baptist minister named Matthias Luce, howbeit, according to New Testament teaching rather than according to Baptist doctrine. It is true that Christians have the responsibility to herald the Gospel to “all the nations, baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19) or to “all the world…to every creature” (Mark 16:15). However, it is the responsibility of lost souls to submit to baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; …

Prayer in Jesus’ Name

Someone asked, “In our private prayers, is it necessary to say, ‘In Jesus‘ name’?” The principle of praying to the Heavenly Father in the name of or through Jesus Christ is firmly established in the address of our Lord to His apostles. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16 NKJV). “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus spoke directly and only to His apostles in John 14-16, and so, many things in those three chapters were pertinent only to the apostles. However, the principle of prayer directed to the Father through Jesus Christ applied not only to the apostles, but it applies to all disciples (i.e., today—Christians). We know this because passages of Scripture pertaining to non-apostles about prayer exhibit the same principle—to the Father through Jesus Christ. “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). These passages and others treating other subjects that refer to “in the name of the Lord” tell us what to do and not necessarily what to say. “Go therefore and make disciples …

Under His Wings

There is the beautiful, thoughtful, contemplative and comforting song, “Under His Wings,” that brings solace and strength to the soul of the believer. Here is the first stanza, along with the chorus. Under His wings I am safely abiding;Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;He has redeemed me, and I am His child.Under His wings, under His wings,Who from His love can sever?Under His wings my soul shall abide,Safely abide forever. No doubt, the lyrics of this hymn were based on some of the Scriptures as found in the Book of Psalms. In Psalm 91:1-6, we read, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” There are two perils that are mentioned in this passage, but the one that I want to emphasize is “perilous pestilence.” The brief definition of “perilous” is “full of …

Is COVID-19 from God?

Over the last several weeks, I have heard and seen discussions take place that attempt to relate the COVID-19 pandemic to the Bible. On one hand, some have suggested this is similar to the plagues of Egypt, and God has taken away the things we worship: Hollywood, athletes, money, etc. On the other, some are outright saying this is a sign of the end of time. While the first idea has more credibility than the second, neither are true. First of all, this virus is attacking the entire world, not just one small section. The entire world is not consumed with the things mentioned earlier. It is one thing to say that we can reflect on what has been taken away and re-prioritize now that distractions have been removed, but it is entirely different to matter-of-factly say that we are being punished. Second, people really need to stop trying to predict the end of the world: this is about the 10th end-time prediction in my lifetime alone. After discussing the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple, Jesus said no man would know the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36) when the world would end. God can and does still act in our world today, but let us tread carefully when we speak of God’s actions and always support it with book, chapter and verse from God’s Holy Word. [Editor’s Note: Only indirectly, as far as man can know today, is God in any way responsible for any disease or catastrophe in …

Hope by which We Are Saved

We are saved by hope (Romans 8:24), and we have the way of life described by Jesus that we practice to maintain this hope. Matthew 7:21-27 teaches us to be wise builders rather than foolish builders. What is the difference? The one who hears and makes the application is wise! The same storms came to each builder, but only the wise builder had built upon doing the will of God. What is hope? It is built on faith and practice. When we find hope, we have had a challenge of faith that has resulted in success in Christ. What a blessing to know we did not have victory in and of ourselves, but rather the blessing of God was involved in our struggle. As we ask God’s help in prayer, do we ask believing He hears us and is thoughtful about the best answer possible for us to be served and to grow as well? He listens in a different way than we do; for you see, God knows the ideals and dictates of the heart of the speaker. He knows what we really mean by our request. What if we speak a glowing set of words and fail to have the effort in our hearts? Is this not an act of hypocrisy? We really didn’t mean it; thus, we ask if God is obligated to give us what we ask. [Editor’s Note: Though sincerity alone is not sufficient, sincerity must accompany every  aspect of our obedient response to the Word …

Wearing Out

Things get used up and worn out. Our clothes get old and sometimes have holes, tears, etc. for which they must be thrown away; they are no longer fit to be worn. Food that is stored has a shelf life on it, and sometimes the food gets old enough that the taste makes one sick and that food must be discarded. Tools get broken and used up, and what was once a valuable tool asset is no longer worth anything. As Alice and I made a trip this week, we noticed several houses that were falling down; some appeared to be maybe 100 or more years old. They wore out and fell in, and they were no longer of any use. More than all these material things, our own bodies wear out. When we’re young, that lifetime before us seems to be forever, but before we know it, we’re getting old and wearing out. That happens more quickly than we ever want to think! Job said, “You shall come to the grave at a full age, As a sheaf of grain ripens in its season” (5:26 NKJV). Just as the corn and other grains of the field come of age and must be harvested or die, so it shall be with man. Some don’t get to make it to a ripe age, but whenever one dies, he has lived to his allotted time, so that is his season. All of God’s earthly creation will come to an end. We know …

When Family Stands Against You

The prophet Isaiah led a school of prophets (Isaiah 8:16-18). Two of his students were Nahum and Micah. I say this because the phrasing in these two books is very similar to Isaiah’s use, and their ministry is in the appropriate time frame for Isaiah’s graduates. Micah was well-known in Judah, and his writings were used in Jeremiah’s time to show the lawfulness and legitimacy of Jeremiah’s work (Jeremiah 26:16-19). Micah was a champion for the poor and oppressed. He railed against the false teachers of his day. He gave further prophecy of the coming Messiah; it was Micah’s writings (Micah 5:2) that indicated to Herod where Jesus was born (Matthew 2:4-6). Yet, Micah did all this without the support of his wife. Micah was a man with a family, but his text at the end strongly indicates that, rather than support him, his wife actually worked against him in his efforts to spread God’s Word (Micah 7:5-10). Jesus quoted Micah to let His disciples know that, as with Micah, so it can be with us in our service to the Father (Matthew 10:34-37). Sometimes, even as you seek to do your best, and surrounded by family, yet you may find yourself all alone in devotion to God. The Lord says that this should not discourage us. Instead, be prepared to walk alone hand-in-hand with God. We must love our family and always seek their welfare, caring for them and being the examples they need. However, they must never be …

No Greater Life Than This

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, even as He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3-14) If God the Father has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, and has chosen us before the …

Little Samuel’s Coat

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. (Samuel 2:18-19) Looking closely at this passage, we see several important things. Primarily, we see Samuel was serving the Lord in the Temple at a very young age. Other passages about the life of Samuel tell us how Hannah prayed earnestly for him and vowed to give him back to the Lord if He would grant her a son. Samuel’s birth, training and life were the direct results of Hannah’s love for God and her faithfulness to that vow made several years before. Not only do we see Hannah’s love in training her son for that purpose, but we also see a further demonstration of a mother’s love in her yearly gift of a coat when she came to offer sacrifices with her husband at the feast. Samuel wore an ephod, as did the priests with Ahimilech (1 Samuel 22:18). There is no question but that the ephod was at least closely associated with the priesthood. Apparently, it was not limited to the high priest. Later in Samuel’s life, he was a judge, a seer and a prophet, but not a priest at this age. However, as a descendant of Levi through Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:38), the same tribe through which Aaron was descended, Samuel was the …

Gossip

Why do we as humans feel the need to always be speaking about something new or interesting and have itching ears that long to hear some alluring piece of information? Maybe that is a question for psychology, but it certainly plays a part in our spiritual walk on this earth as God’s people. One cannot go through a checkout aisle without seeing the gossip magazines the media produces. Maybe as Christians, we are not concerned with that type of gossip as much as the everyday hearsay of a coworker, neighbor or a fellow Christian. Many times, we can get caught up in what others are saying about someone or a particular situation involving another, and even if we do not have all the facts, we feel compelled to give our “two cents” worth. How often do we stop before we speak to think: “Will this help or hinder?” “If the person in question were here, would I say this to his face?” “Am I trying to be sincerely helpful or unfairly judgmental?” In other words, before we join in a conversation about another person who is not present, we need first to examine our own motives. How we use our tongues every day reflects upon the church of which we are a part and the God whom we serve. The Dictionary of Bible Themes defines gossip as, “Idle talk, which foolishly or maliciously spreads rumors or facts” (“5000-HUMANITY”). Webster’s Dictionary explains it as “information about the behavior and personal lives of other people.” Gossip …

The Elephant-Nose Fish

In the creation of the fish, God showed a great deal of innovation in giving them amazing abilities. The fish that we will look at in this article is the elephant-nose fish, which has a unique ability to detect electrical fields that are very faint and even use those fields for talking. Let’s look at this amazing fish. The elephant-nose fish (or more properly the freshwater elephant-nose fish), are freshwater fish native to Africa. It is a large family with around 200 members in the species. These fish are also known for having a large brain size and unusually high intelligence that seems to give it special talents. The elephant-nose fish is a diverse family, with a wide range of different sizes and shapes. The smallest adults of this group are just 2 inches in length while the largest reach up to almost 5 feet long. All of them do, however, have a number of unique features in common. First, the cerebellum is greatly enlarged, giving them a brain to body size ratio similar to that of people. This is likely to be related to the interpretation of bio-electrical signals that living things give off. Some of the species possess modifications of the mouthparts to facilitate feeding upon small invertebrates buried in muddy bottoms of streams. The shape and structure of these mouthparts are part of what leads to the popular name of elephant-nose fish. The extensions to the mouthparts usually consist of a fleshy elongation attached to the lower …

A Wise Son Versus a Foolish Son

Every righteous father looks for opportunities to direct his children down the path of righteousness. He sees them growing up and imagines that one day they will walk a path of faithful obedience to the Lord. His heart rejoices each time that a child makes a choice displaying an inward man of thoughtfulness, godliness, love and righteousness. These things and many more point to the growth of a child who will be wise. In Proverbs, there is one thing intended by the word “wise.” It is being “obedient to God.” Proverbs 9:10 reads, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (NKJV). If wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, one will never reach true wisdom while being in opposition to the Lord. James further illustrates this. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18) The …

Propaganda and Programming

I turned eighteen years old in November 1950. The 1930’s and 1940’s were my growing up period for rearing that included ethical and moral instruction. No generation is free of sin and social nonsense. With that said, I have pondered and wondered about the changes in the way average Americans view morality. Older folks can see a considerable change in our society. I am sure I will simplify many of the workings of why we have changed, and you may find me judgmental. However, I am trying to explain the changes from my generation to the present. I believe it is the programming via propaganda—brainwashing of the masses—since the early 1960’s that is responsible for the changes in society we see today. From the 1960’s, movies, TV and general entertainment began to become vulgar and in your face. A type of bohemianism developed. Old standards of morality, dress and appearance changed. For example, men’s haircuts went from the traditional neat, short cut to girlish long hair. Many men now have an unshaven, scruffy look. Recently, I saw tattoos on a guy’s baldhead. May I ask, why the abundance of body piercing? How do they eat or talk properly with a pierced tongue? Neatness in dress has almost vanished. Remember the idiom, “Sunday go to meeting clothes”? Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see boys and young men come to worship on Sundays in T-Shirts or similar clothing. Since I am a Christian gentleman, I will refrain from any comments concerning …

Cybele and the Colossians

The Gentile population of Colossae had several false gods and goddesses that they worshipped. One of the goddesses was Cybele. Cybele was the Phrygian goddess of fertility. She represented the principle of life and reproduction. She was considered by many as the Mother of the Gods. Her crown was a miniature city wall. She was worshipped with cries and shouts associated with clashing cymbals and drums. The Romans introduced an interesting rite to her worship. An initiate was placed in a pit beneath a wooden floor. A bull was sacrificed on the wooden floor. The blood would run through gaps in the floor and drench the initiate. This was thought to cleanse the initiate of sins and signified a rebirth. Cybele became associated with the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth due to having been involved with resurrecting her lover Attis. While Paul did not name any false gods in the letter to the Colossians, some of what he wrote does address false beliefs. In 3:16, Paul gave the proper musical worship toward God. In 1:4-6, Paul made the point that the faith, love and hope of Christ and His church is what produces spiritual fruit. In 1:9-10, he stated that it is the knowledge and wisdom of Christ’s will that makes one fruitful. In 1:14, Paul taught that it is Christ’s blood which gives forgiveness of sins. In 1:16, he said that Christ created the world, and in 1:17, by Christ all things stay together. In 2:12-13, Paul told …

Lessons from an Empty Tomb

Man is neither pleased nor happy when he finds certain things empty. He is not happy when he finds the gas tank on his vehicle empty. He is not happy when he finds his bank account empty. He is not happy to find the cabinet or refrigerator without food. While man is not pleased or happy with these events, man can be pleased and happy that the tomb in which Jesus was buried was found empty. Jesus came, died, was buried and rose again. What can we learn from this empty tomb? The empty tomb teaches us that man is going to live again. Job asked the questions recorded in Job 14:14, “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time, will I wait until my change comes?” Man has always asked the question about life after death. Some believe that man does not live after death (Sadducees). There is a saying that expresses this idea: “Dead like Rover, dead all over.” However, regarding humans, this is a false idea. There is life after death for man. The Bible teaches this in John 5:28-29, where it reads, “Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” The empty tomb teaches us that man has a Living …

Good Morals or God’s Morals?

Whose morals are we following: God’s morals or ones we deem are “good?” Remember this exchange between the “Good Teacher” and an inquiring student: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God” (Matthew 19:17 NKJV)? It appears Jesus was refocusing this student’s attention on the fact that God is the one who sets the standard for what is truly “good.” Jesus was pointing the student to His Father as the source of good. Of course, Jesus being the Son of God is good as well. Perhaps the student had lost sight of the Creator of goodness and where the standards of goodness were found. Perhaps Jesus was reminding the student without denying His relationship to the Father. Perhaps the question was one to wake the student up to the connection between the Father, the Torah and the Messiah. Perhaps we need to be reminded in our day that certain areas of society may claim to be good, but without God, their standard of goodness becomes their preferences and is subjective, whereas God’s standard of goodness is righteousness and immutable. I was watching video advertising “MasterClass” sessions. One of these “masters” stated, “You are driven by your heart. You are driven by your talent. You are driven by your instinct.” This master is a part of the same publishing house that produces Teen Vogue which features articles that continue to promote sexual deviancy in our youth in such ways I hesitate to even mention. One has …

Small Things

Jesus likened the kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed and leaven (Matthew 13:31-33). The mustard seed is incredibly small, smaller than many other seeds, yet it grows into one of the largest plants in the garden. When making bread, very little leaven is needed. Reaching back to the Book of Daniel and thinking of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the statue was destroyed by a stone, but that stone grew into a great mountain and filled the earth. Looking through the New Testament we can see this came to pass. John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near.” Peter was given the keys to the kingdom, the church (Matthew 16:18-19), which he used to open the door to Jews (Acts 2) and Gentiles (Acts 10). By the time of the writing of Colossians, the kingdom, whose coming arrival was preached in Judea, had come and had been preached in the rest of the world (Colossians 1:3-6). So, remember that when we evangelize, it is rare to convince people immediately. Rather, we plant a small seed inside their minds, and, if watered and tended, it has the potential grow and to transform lives.

Lessons from a 1st Century Worship Service

Worship was an important aspect of the church’s life from the outset of the church’s existence. We read of the new converts in Jerusalem continuing steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers (Acts 2:42). We read of singing also being something in which the early church engaged as a part of its worship together (Ephesians 5:19). We are to follow the pattern set by the inspired apostles and prophets of the New Testament and acknowledge that the things they wrote to us are the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37). In Acts 20, Luke gave insight into a 1st century worship service. As Paul and his traveling companions came to Troas, we see a window into a worship service (Acts 20:4-6). There are lessons for those of us who live in the 21st century both to learn and to apply. Prioritizing the Assembly The Christian’s daily life is to be one of sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). The Sunday assembly is not all that there is in living for Jesus, but it is an important part of life in Christ. We are encouraged in the assembly (Hebrews 10:24). We teach and instruct each other (Colossians 3:16). We pray for each other (1 Thessalonians 5:25). We know that Paul desired to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost so he could preach to a large number of Jews (Acts 20:16). Yet, Paul and his companions waited seven days in Troas in order to worship with the brethren …

Why?

Most parents know that there are at least two ways to ask a “why question.” When my oldest son was small, I would say, “Frank, it is time for you to go to bed.” If he replied, “Daddy, why do children have to go to bed before older people?” I would take him on my lap and explain. But if he whined, “Why do I have to go to bed before you?” he got a different response! We may not be as conscious that there are at least two ways to answer a “why question.” One is with reference to a backward look that deals with “because of” something(s), and another is with reference to a forward look that gives a purpose for which the thing is done. We need to understand the value of both. A question debated by Lipscomb and McGary many years ago has not died, but Lipscomb, Srygley and many good and brilliant brethren of today overlook one or two very important principles that we want to notice today. Almost 40 years ago I read everything I could find in the Gospel Advocate and Firm Foundation in the running debate concerning the question of baptism for the remission of sins between Lipscomb and McGary, but I do not recall Lipscomb adequately addressing the specific points we want to consider today. Both Lipscomb and Srygley were right in their conclusions that man can have no higher motive than to obey God and that one does not have to understand all the results, designs …

The Mother of Timothy

Solomon wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Do you know the name of Timothy’s father? Neither do I. In fact, all that the Bible tells us about him is that he was a Greek—a Gentile. If his father played any part in the rearing of Timothy, the Bible is silent on the subject. Who, then, was Timothy, and why should Christians today be interested in or concerned about him? Let us notice the following. We first meet this young man in Acts 16. Here it is recorded, “Then he [Paul] came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, a son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a Greek.” We are further told that this young man was well spoken of by the Christians at Lystra and Derbe. Now, a question. From whom and by whom had this young man been trained or brought up, and what was the material used in his training? In his second epistle to Timothy, Paul wrote, “…when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and you mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5). Later on in his second epistle, he wrote, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom …

God’s Declarations of His Lordship

The author of the Truth for Today Commentary on the Book of Isaiah made a strongly thoughtful statement on the numerous prophecies of God’s judgment on nations other than Israel and Judah. He wrote, “We must look closely to see the practical value of these predictions for the twenty-first century reader. How can they help us? …As we read them, let us watch for pictures of God’s nature, depictions of His mercy, implications of His involvement in the lives of all people, and the declarations of His Lordship over His creation.” Adam and Eve were the first of God’s creation to feel the full weight of His lordship. After their disobedience in eating of the forbidden fruit, Genesis 3:22-24 reads, “Then the LORD God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever’— therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” God’s irrevocable lordship was declared. When men began to multiply on the earth, the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thought of his heart …

Building Our House

How would you build a house? Would you build on sandy ground or on solid ground? A foolish man builds his house on the sand. The wise man builds his house on a rock, a solid foundation. We are told in Matthew 7:23-26 to build on a firm foundation. How would you build your house—everything all at one time or one stone, brick or board at a time? When building a physical house, we want it to be on a firm foundation. We should want the same with our spiritual house. When we become Christians, we build our lives one step at a time on Jesus and His Word. Jesus is our standard—not anyone or anything else. Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 11:1 to imitate him as he imitated Christ. This is how we build a house on a solid rock. Let us build our houses on the Rock of our salvation. We are to build our lives on Jesus and His Word. Jesus is the pattern to be followed, just as a builder has a blueprint to erect a house. If the plans are not followed exactly, the dwelling will not come out right. If we do not follow the plan of salvation as has been set before us in the Scriptures, we will not be saved. The pattern is to hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17), to believe it (John 8:24), to repent of our sins (Luke 13:3, 5), to confess Christ as the Son of God …

With Freedom Comes Responsibility

With the abundance of information in the news and on social media of late surrounding the coronavirus, a great debate also wages concerning the freedoms imposed on by the government, especially in America. I have no intention here of discussing my political views on the subject. However, the debates and arguments on this topic of freedoms has brought to mind a spiritual application that deserves consideration. The Freedom to Choose Since the beginning of time, God has always allowed man to make his own choices. Adam and Eve were given instructions about the available food in the Garden of Eden, and it was up to them to make the right choices when picking fruit to eat (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6). The people of Noah’s day had the choice to repent after hearing Noah preach as he built the ark (Genesis 6; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5). Daniel and his three friends had choices to make while in captivity (Daniel 1:3-21; 3:1-18; 6:3-11). Jonah had a choice to make when given an assignment by God (Jonah 1:1-3). Joshua presented one of the best-known choices to the Israelite nation as it prepared to enter the Promised Land. “Choose ye this day” (Joshua 24:15). Many examples of men and women making choices abound in the New Testament, also. Consider the choices presented to the men Jesus called to be His apostles (Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9; 10:1-4; John 1:43-51), the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11), Pilate at the trial of Jesus (Mark 15:1-15), the three …

More Than a Babe in the Manger

While exiled on Patmos, John saw “in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back,” and an angel proclaimed, “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:1-2). John was told, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll,” and John looked, “and behold, in the midst of the throne…stood a Lamb as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:5-6). This description of Jesus is nothing like the baby Jesus so commonly seen in December of each year. The main danger with the “babe in a manger” is that people confine Jesus to nothing more than a harmless baby, when instead they should make Him their King! Note these three descriptions of Jesus. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah Lions are symbols of kingly power and majesty. This kind of power and majesty was prophesied about the tribe of Judah, from which Jesus came (Hebrews 7:14). When Israel blessed his children, he said, “Judah is a lion’s whelp…He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Genesis 49:8-10). While every minute detail is not given, this prophecy affirms that all should be obedient to this descendant of Judah! Jesus is more …

Man’s Responsibilities

In view of Solomon’s warning in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 to “fear God and keep His commandments,” it seems prudent for us to consider what responsibilities he has given man throughout the book. First, Solomon instructed man to enjoy life. While many today have an “it’s all about me” and a “go for the gusto” philosophy, Solomon offered a legitimate reason to find joy in one’s life. There is much to enjoy—food, companionship, work—but all based upon a positive relationship with God. This theme occurs seven times in the book (2:24-26; 3:12-13, 22; 5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7-9; 11:8-9). This joy cannot be hedonism (i.e., pleasure and joy are the chief goals of life) because God gives it. Second, Solomon instructed man to be wise. There are some definite negatives to wisdom (1:18; 2:12; 4:13-16; 9:13-16; 10:1). However, there are numerous advantages. Wisdom itself is good (2:26) since it improves the quality of life (7:11-12) and gives strength (7:19). It even can help a person in a difficult situation (8:1). It is important to wise men that they help others to become wise (12:9-12). Third, Solomon instructed men to worship God acceptably. Men throughout the centuries have foolishly approached God in ways that were unacceptable (Leviticus 10:1, 2; Isaiah 1:10-17; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 15:8-9; John 4:23-24). Proper worship involves a recognition of God’s presence (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2). It also includes careful consideration of one’s words and promises (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). Fourth, Solomon instructed men to remember God. He specifically noted that God should be remembered as Judge (11:9; 12:13-14) and …

Hannah, a Woman Who Dedicated Her Son to God

Hannah grieved because she had no children. Her deep sorrow made her husband miserable (1 Samuel 1:2, 7-8). She took her grief to God in prayer (1 Samuel 1:10-11). Her request for a son was an acknowledgement that children are a blessing from God (Genesis 33:5; Psalm 127:3). Recognizing children as a blessing from the Father should cause us to realize the importance of bringing them up in the way He desires. Hannah named the son God gave her, Samuel, meaning “heard of God.” She gave him to God, committing herself to maintaining that gift for life (1 Samuel 1:20, 28). Dedicating children to the Lord involves intentionally choosing throughout a child’s life to put God first in every part of his or her life. God blessed Hannah for making such choices in the rearing of Samuel (1 Samuel 2:10-21). Like Jesus, Samuel “grew in stature, and in favor with the Lord and men” (1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52). Timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him Scripture starting from infancy, just as we should (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Eli’s sons were to be cut off because they did not honor God. The Almighty said He would raise up for Himself a faithful priest who would do according to what was in God’s heart (1 Samuel 2:27-35). Eli served Israel as both a priest and judge, and Samuel assumed that role after Eli died. His efforts resulted in Israel serving only the Lord (1 Samuel 7:3-4). Clearly, Hannah’s dedication of her son to the Lord …

A Mother’s Worth

A study reported that if the typical stay-at-home mom in the US were paid for her work, she would earn $138,095 a year. The study listed 10 jobs as comprising a mother’s main work, which were housekeeper, cook, day care center teacher, laundry machine operator, van driver, facilities manager, janitor, computer operator, chief executive officer and psychologist. A mother who holds a full-time job outside the home would earn an additional $85,939 for the work she does at home, in addition to the salary she receives for her job. In reality, what mothers are worth, whether she stays at home or also has an outside the home job as well, is beyond estimate. Hopefully mothers view the work they do in the home as more than just a “job” but as the greatest labor of love. The bond between a mother and her children is special indeed, in which she is willing to place their needs above her own, to provide for them not only when they are not able to provide for themselves, but to love and care for them throughout the number of her days. It is the highest calling, then, when Paul asks Titus to remind mothers to love their children and be workers at home (Titus 2:4-5). In addition to the physical and emotional care they provide in the home, there is the spiritual influence mothers offer their children. Who can put a price tag on one’s soul? Scripture reminds us of how important a mother’s …

Walking with God

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). In my estimation, there is no better place to “see” the heart of God than through the Psalms. The Psalms, which fall into the poetry section of our Bibles, are made up of 150 Psalms, divided into 5 different books. The Hebrew word for Psalms means songs of praise, and many of the Psalms are just that. The entire 150 Psalms are thought to be composed over a 1,000-year period. While God is ultimately the Author (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), He used several different human penmen to record His Words. David is attributed with writing 73 psalms in this collection, while Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Heman, Ethan and Moses are the other penmen of this great assortment. Each of the five books of the Psalms has a unique literary structure. Every book begins with our relationship to the Lord, and each book ends with a doxology (expression of praise) to the Lord. As we briefly note each of these five books, we shall see a unique place that God occupies in our everyday affairs. Firstly, in Book 1 (Psalms 1-41), we see God beside us. A great example of this is found in Psalm 1. Here the man who walks beside God is like a “tree, planted by the rivers of water.” This man is flourishing, prospering and growing because he walks beside …

The Signs of the Times

There’s nothing like a catastrophic event to capture the imagination of people and fuel prognostications of fiery pulpiteers regarding the end of the world. The signs of the times are thought by many to signify the imminent return of Jesus Christ and end-times. These assumptions are based on a misunderstanding of or, in the case of religious leaders, sometimes the outright abuse of Scripture, namely Matthew 24:6-7. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places” (NKJV). Though the apostles did not realize it yet, they essentially asked Jesus Christ two different questions in Matthew 24. “…Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). They could not perceive of the massive Temple in Jerusalem being so utterly demolished that not one stone remained upon another except that the entire world would be destroyed also (Matthew 24:1-2). Nevertheless, our Lord answered the two questions posed by the apostles, first regarding the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and secondly about the end of time when Jesus’ Second Coming would occur. It is important to observe that Jesus repeatedly cautioned His disciples not to be fooled by pretenders—false christs (Matthew 24:4-5), “false prophets” …