And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was
a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and
he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for
the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and
climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and
said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must
abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received
him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he
was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood,
and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the
poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I
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restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation
come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For
the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because
he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of
God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain
nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and
to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten
pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated
him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to
reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having
received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called
unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how
much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying,
Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well,
thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have
thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy
pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou
also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is
thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee,
because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not
down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out
of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest
that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping
that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the
bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give
it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath
ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall
be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken
away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I
should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to
Jerusalem.
29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and
Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his
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disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which
at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose
him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose
him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32
And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said
unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said
unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need
of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments
upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread
their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the
descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began
to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that
they had seen;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord:
peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him,
Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I
tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would
immediately cry out.
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things
which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43
For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench
about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44
And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee;
and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou
knewest not the time of thy visitation.
45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold
therein, and them that bought; 46 Saying unto them, It is written, My
house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes
and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48 And could not find
what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Let us continue with Revelation 20:4.
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Rulers sat –
“… and judgment …”
Privilege to make decisions
“…was given unto them: …”
“… and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded …”
These had been martyred during the
tribulation –
“…for the witness of Jesus, …”
Because they testified for Jesus
“…and for the word of God, …”
They had believed the Word of God –
“… and which had not worshipped …”
Had not paid homage to
“… the beast, …”
The anti-Christ
“… neither his image, …”
The statue made to his honor
“… neither had received his mark …”
His name or his number (666)
“… upon their foreheads, or in their hands; …”
As was demanded at one time (Rev 13:16) –
“…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
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They had been given new life and positions of leadership in the kingdom of God. Amen!, just as it was promised by our Lord! (II Timothy 2:12)
VERSE 5
“But the rest of the dead lived not again …”
Those who died without Christ were not
raised
“… until the thousand years were finished. …”
Until the end of the millennium
“… This is the first resurrection.”
There are three orders of resurrections. (I Cor. 15:22-24)
‘For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own ordre:
1) Christ the firstfruits; (Matt 27:51-53)
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”
2) afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Commonly called the ‘first resurrection’
3) Then cometh the end, … sometimes called ‘the second death’ when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.’
VERSE 6
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“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, …”
‘The second death’ is thought of as the final casting away of unregenerate souls of men into the eternal lake of fire. Those who are SAVED and RAISED in the first resurrection will have NO FEAR of that place, neither will they have or shar ANY PART of it.
“… but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
The next reference is Revelation 20:11-15.
Revelation 20:11-15 KJV 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that
sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there
was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great,
stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was
opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those
things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And
the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered
up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man
according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake
of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written
in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Again, from Studies in Revelation, pages 261-263.
VERSE 11
“And I saw a great white throne, …”
The seat of the final judgment before eternity
begins
“… and him that sat on it, …”
Jesus Christ Himself
“… from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; …”
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‘Heaven’ and ‘earth’ shall pass away, according to the Scriptures and Simon Peter said it like this:
‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’ II Peter 3:10)
“… and there was found no place for them.”
Again, according to Simon Peter’s inspired writings:
‘Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.’
(II Peter 3:13)
VERSE 12
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; …”
The final resurrection and the ‘ rest of the dead’ are about to be judged. (Ref. verse 5)
“… and the books were opened: …”
What kind of books are these? Possibly one book was the record of the birth and death and every man while another book was the record of every man’s deeds.
“… and another book was opened, which is the book of life:
…”
No doubt, this book was the record of all those who had accepted Jesus Christ as his/her personal Saviour and had been ‘born again.’ (See John 3:3)
“… and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, …”
These were being judged, not according to
their faith, they had none, but, -
“… according to their works.”
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The ‘lost’ can find no relief in this because their condemnation has already come, even when they rejected Jesus as their Saviour. Neither there any hope that God will skip over anybody. No one will be overlooked. (Romans 2:5)
VERSE 13
“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; …”
Those buried at sea were raised-
“… and death …”
The ‘last enemy’ to be conquered
“… and hell …”
“Hell’, that is ‘Hades” – the place of departed spirits, the abode of the dead awaiting judgment – The sea, death and Hades –
“…delivered up the dead which were in them: …”
All graves were opened and emptied
“…and they were judged every man according to their works.”
VERSE 14
“And death and hell …”
The last enemy and his ward
“… were cast …”
Were thrown
“… into the lake of fire. …”
‘Gehenna’
“… This is the second death.”
VERSE 15
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“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
What more can I say? Every unbeliever, every soul who rejects Jesus, will be cast into the eternal lake of fire. There is absolutely no reason for you or anyone else to be lost. As long as one has life there is hope but after one dies there is no turning back. Think about this seriously. If you should die today, WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY?
And one last reference, Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 KJV 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the
abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and
idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Once more from Studies in Revelation, pages 268 and 269.
“But the fearful, …”
Those who dread service to God; the timid
and the faithless.
“… and unbelieving, …”
The non-committal
“…and the abominable, …”
Those who cause disgust, the detestable
“…and murderers, …”
Those who hate children of God (See
Matthew 5:22)
“… and whoremongers, …”
The prostitutes and sexual perverts
“…and sorcerers, …”
The drug abusers
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The worshippers of false gods
“… and all liars, …”
Those who have no respect for Truth and
deny its existence
“… shall have their part …”
Their portion, their reward
“… in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: …”
This is the eternal lake of fire. It is not the imaginary
‘purgatory’ where one might have hopes of getting release.
THERE IS NO HOPE after this. THERE IS NO RESCUE
from this place…
“… which is the second death.”
God’s plan of salvation calls for faith before death, a resurrection after death and everlasting life after the resurrection. Once an unbeliever is condemned and sentenced to death in the lake of fire, there is no way out.
THERE IS NO RESCUE. There is no ‘PLAN B.’
This is the part of the Bible men disagree with. Men want to deny this part of God. Listen! SALVATION IS GOD’S
REWARD to those who trust and believe His Word. Don’t wait for ‘proof.’ The ‘SAVED’ live by FAITH. (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 10:9, 10)
Conclusion
There just isn’t any simplifying this declaration. We believe in the premillennial, personal, bodily return of Christ as the crowning event of the Gentile age. This event will include the resurrection of the righteous to eternal heaven, and the Millennium will be followed by the resurrection of the unrighteous unto eternal punishment in the lake of fire and that the righteous shall enter into the heaven age.
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I want to close this declaration with this:
PLEASE SEARCH THE BOOK AGAIN
(Jerry Goff) (1975)
Greg Watson
I dreamed that I had died and gone to heaven,
I stood just outside the eastern gate;
The Man from within said, "Have you been born again, And is your name written in the Book of Life?"
CHORUS:
Please search the book again; I thought my name was there!
I went to church on Sunday, tho' I never knelt in prayer; Please search the book again; it's too late now, I know, Please search the book again before you make me go!
I told Him all the deeds that I had done,
I told Him all the trophies I had won;
But the Man said to me, "Have you been set free, And is your name written in the Book of Life?"
CHORUS
And then He turned and left me standing there,
I knew it was too late now for prayer.
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Oh, my sinner friend, if you want to make it in, Your name must be in the Book of Life.
CHORUS
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Declaration #14
14. We believe that the depraved sinner is saved wholly by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and the requisites to regeneration are repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that the Holy Spirit convicts sinners, regenerates, seals, secures, and indwells every believer.
This declaration should actually be divided into three different parts. Part 1, We believe that the depraved sinner is saved wholly by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; Part 2, the requisites to regeneration are repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; and, Part 3, the Holy Spirit convicts sinners, regenerates, seals, secures, and indwells every believer.
With this breakdown in mind, let us consider the first part of this declaration: We believe that the depraved sinner is saved wholly by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We have several passages of Scripture that are used as proof texts for this first part.
The first reference to which we will refer is found in Luke 13:3-5.
Luke 13:3-5 KJV 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,
and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt
in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.
To establish the setting of this passage, we must go back to the last part of Luke chapter 10. Here we find Jesus in the village of Bethany in the house of His friends, Martha, and Mary. We also know from other sources that Lazarus (the one whom Jesus would later resurrect) was their brother.
When we go into chapter 11, we find Jesus with the disciples, probably not far from Bethany. Luke does not always give the names of the locations as other of the Gospel Writers do. Luke does not name the village as being Bethany, so we must find it from other references in the Gospels. We do know that He was still in Judea.
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Up to the time of the exchange found in this text reference, Jesus was in a
“back and forth” with the Pharisees. Jesus had much interchange with the multitude that was gathered there where He was.
Chapter 13 opens with an interesting statement. There were present at
that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had
mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them,
Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans,
because they suffered such things? Then Jesus continues with our referenced text: 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,
and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt
in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish. Jesus seems to be making a reference to incidents that were well known to those in the crowd around Him. What He is really saying that those who died in these two incidents were did not die necessarily because they were great sinners. He uses this to illustrate the point that except anyone repents as sinners, they will also likewise perish. Howbeit, Jesus is making a spiritual application there where the crowd was concentrating on the physical deaths of those who died in the incidents.
Let us look at a bit of history concerning these two events to give us a little more understanding of these verses. This article was written by a retired pastor by the name of Dan Carr who lives with his wife, Barbara, in Flat Rock, Alabama. He uses Barnes Commentary in his article about The Bloody Galileans and the Tower in Siloam.
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans,
whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus
answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners
above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you,
Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1-3)
[Emphasis with bold and italics mine. JFR]
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“THAT IS, WHILE THEY WERE SACRIFICING at Jerusalem, Pilate came suddenly upon them and killed them, and “their” blood was mingled with the blood of the animals that they were slaying for sacrifice. It does not mean that Pilate “offered” their blood in sacrifice, but only that as they were sacrificing he killed them. The fact is not mentioned by Josephus, and nothing more is known of it than what is here recorded.” (Barnes)
THE GALILEANS WERE GENERALLY LESS CIVIL,
less cultured and less educated than the more refined Jews living closer to Jerusalem. The High Priest in Jerusalem was a vassal of Rome and was on a Roman leash in doing his work. A hundred Roman soldiers lived in special quarters that towered above the Temple. These soldiers were the
“first responders” of Rome to quell any uprising that might occur against Rome. Galileans would be more likely to buck Rome than citizens of Jerusalem.
A DISTURBANCE CAME ABOUT AT THE TEMPLE
while some Galileans were there to offer their animal sacrifices. Roman soldiers who lived only a few yards away, immediately moved in and killed some of the Galileans.
That’s what Jesus was referring to. As Jews mingled and discussed the blood bath of the Galileans, some concluded that the Galileans were worse sinners than most and God let this happen to them because of it. Jesus countered that by telling them that they were in as much need of repentance as the Galileans Pilate killed at the Temple.
JESUS DID NOT SAY HERE THAT ALL SINS IN THE
WORLD are of the same weight. Obviously, killing someone is not on the same level of sin as stealing a lawn mower. Our law system addresses different levels of 134
transgression such as misdemeanor, felony, manslaughter, 2nd degree murder, 1st degree murder, etc. The Bible talks about “righteous judgment.” That is what God is looking for.
Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgment. (John 7:24)
THE BIBLE USES "ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS"
twenty-three times. The reason for that is that all the works of men are not the same. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12) IN OUR TEXT TODAY, JESUS WAS NOT IMPLYING
THAT ALL SINS ARE ALIKE, of the same weight or of the same consequence. He was pointing out that a public calamity does not prove that God was pouring out judgment on them. He was saying that everybody needs to repent of their sins and walk in the light of God’s word and under the control of the Holy Spirit.
THERE WAS A STRONG BELIEF AMONG JEWS THAT
GREAT CALAMITIES were a sure sign of great sin among the victims of calamities. After all, Jewish literature and custom informed the Jewish people of Noah’s flood and of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Jews also knew that they did not get their land until the “wickedness of the Amorites was full” and God destroyed them in order to give the land to Abraham’s seed. (Genesis 15:16)
JESUS
CONTINUED
AND
GAVE
ANOTHER
ILLUSTRATION to put down the perceived judgments of 135
the Jews. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in
Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners
above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay:
but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:4-5) [Emphasis again mine, JFR]
APPARENTLY, THE TRAGEDY OF THE TOWER IN
SILOAM was a recent accident that everyone knew about and had thoroughly discussed among themselves. Siloam had to do with water. There was the Pool of Siloam and there was also the system that brought water to the pool. The reason for a tower in connection with a water supply is interesting. A tower foundation has been found that is circular in shape and about 18’ across. It is believed by some scholars to be the foundation of a second tower that replaced another tower that fell.
WHETHER THE TOWER WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF
POSTING GUARDS or if it was built in supporting a water conduit is not known for sure. Husband and wife writers of Bible fiction books, Thoene (Toe-nay?) who do a lot of research about Israel, write of the tower as being part of a water system coming into Jerusalem. This part of the system was above ground and thus the need for the tower to support the weight. It was being constructed and was not stable when it fell. Workers were all around it, so it killed 18 of the workers. Josephus, the Jewish historian mentions Siloam several times in connection with a water supply coming into Jerusalem….
http://www.biblewalking.com/blog-morning-minute/the-
bloody-galileans-and-the-tower-of-siloam
The subject of Pastor Carr’s article was the nature of sins and how that people thought, and many still do today, that because something 136
catastrophic happened to individuals, they must have been great sinners.
Job’s friends, in the book of Job, had the same belief. I leave these thoughts in the article because it does tie into what Jesus was trying to illustrate to the crowd around Him. He seems to say, “Except you repent also, you will likewise perish.”
The next reference that is used as proof-text for this declaration is found in John 3:16-18. I am sure that these passages are well-known to us, maybe even in our memory.
John 3:16-18 KJV 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
As any learned Bible student knows, these verses are part of a conversation Jesus had with Nicodemos. Again, Jesus is using a well understood physical fact to illustrate a spiritual truth.
Many want to believe that a person is not condemned until he or she dies without Jesus as Savior and then stands before Him in judgment. Jesus said, however, they do not have to wait until that point to be condemned, they are condemned already because they have not accepted Him as their Savior. As we know that condemnation does not have to stand. It can be removed by simply trusting Jesus as Savior.
Since we divided this declaration into parts, let us move on to the second part, the requisites to regeneration are repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us consider Acts 20:21.
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Acts 20:21 KJV 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks,
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
This verse is the last part of a much larger sentence that encompasses verses 18 through 21. Let us look at the entire sentence:
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from
the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with
you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and
with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of
the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,
but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to
house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
The background to these verses is this: Paul has determined that he wants to be in Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost. Thus, he and his party are on their way to Jerusalem. Paul wants to make a stop at Ephesus before they continue on their journey. From Miletus he sent a message to the brethren in Ephesus that he wanted to meet with them. Verse 18 begins with Paul addressing the elders of Ephesus. He relates to them how he had been all the time while he was in Asia. He was serving the Lord as best as he could. He had many tears and temptations because of the Jews who were always trying to get him. He stated that he kept back nothing from them that was beneficial to them and had taught them publicly as well as in their homes. He witnessed both to Jews and to the Gentiles. His message to both groups was they had to repent to God and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we well know, this is still the way for salvation today.
The next reference is Romans 6:23, which is part of what many known as the “Roman Road.”
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Romans 6:23 KJV 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“Wages” is something that is earned or deserved. Those “wages” are the result of sin. The end result of the “wages” is thantos, death. Not only does sin bring about physical death, without Jesus, it also brings about spiritual death. In contrast to this, the last phrase of this verse gives the remedy for the spiritual death, eternal life. The verse affirms to us that it is a gift of God and that gift is eternal life. That gift is made available to us through Jesus Christ.
Just to be sure, let us examine the word “gift.” The Greek word is charisma. Strong’s gives five meanings to the word, three of which specifically apply to the usage in this verse. “1) a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own; 2) the gift of divine grace; 4) the economy of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed to sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith.” The other two meanings do not relate directly to salvation but to the “gifts” that God gives to each believer in their service to and for Him.
The last reference in this particular part is found in Ephesians 2:8.
Ephesians 2:8 KJV 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man
should boast.
Once again let us do a word study of this passage.
The first word to consider is the word “grace.” The Greek word is carij (pronounced as khar'-ece). Here are the meanings: “1) grace; 1a) that 139
which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; 2) good will, loving-kindness, favour; 2a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; 3) what is due to grace; 3a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace; 3b) the token or proof of grace, benefit; 3b1) a gift of grace; 3b2) benefit, bounty; 4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward.”
The next word is “saved.” The Greek word is swzw (pronounced as sode’-
zo). It means “to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment; to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance.”
The word “through” simply means “by means of.”
“Faith” is the next word to consider. The Greek word is pistij (pronounced as pis'-tis). It means “1) persuasion in or conviction of moral truth; a firm belief in the truthfulness of God or religious truth, particularly reliance upon Christ for salvation; 1a) relating to God; 1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ; 1b) relating to Christ; 1b1) a strong unwavering conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.”
The word “gift” again appears. We might think that it is no difference from the word “gift” that we considered in Romans 6:23, but that thought would be wrong. This “gift” is a completely different word in the Greek. It is dwron (pronounced do'-ron). Here is the meaning: “a present; specially, a sacrifice:--gift, offering.”
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We go into verse nine which has the first word to consider, “works.” I like the way Eric Lyons of Apologetics Press, puts it in his article concerning works as is given in Ephesians 2:9.
“Through Faith…Not of Works”
Although critics of Scripture often make the “contradiction”
claim about Ephesians 2:8-9, most people seem unaware of what actually constitutes a real contradiction. The Law of Contradiction is one of the most fundamental principles of logic. It states, as Aristotle noted, “that the same attribute cannot at the same time belong and not belong to the same subject and in the same respect. ”10 In other words, if the same thing is said both to be and not be (1) for the same person, place, or thing, (2) at the same time, and (3) in the same sense (or respect), then a genuine contradiction exists. However, if one of the three aforementioned variables is untrue or is unknown, a person cannot logically contend that a contradiction necessarily exists.
So what does this have to do with Ephesians 2:8-9? Simply this: most people seem to believe that the word “works”
(Greek ergon) is used in one (and only one) sense in the Bible; however, the word is used in at least four different ways in the New Testament.
1. There are “sinful works,” which Paul calls “works of darkness” in Ephesians 5:11 and “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19. The Ephesians obviously were not saved by
“works of darkness.”
2. Paul often refers to “works” in the sense of “deeds of the law” of Moses (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16)—the old, annulled Law of Moses (Hebrews 8:7-13), which Paul mentions in Ephesians 2:15 as having been abolished.11
3. Paul occasionally addresses righteous works by which we are not saved (Titus 3:4-7), since, as noted earlier, sinful 141
man could never “earn” salvation and spiritual blessings from our perfectly holy and just God.
4. Then there are works resulting from obedience of faith (James 2:14-24; Acts 26:20; Luke 17:10). These “works” are the active faith of those who trust in the gracious, saving plan and power of God.
Which “Works”?
In addition to Christians not being saved by the works of the abolished law (Ephesians 2:15), Paul said in Ephesians 2:8
that salvation “was not of yourselves.” The apostle stressed this to Titus when he wrote that we are saved, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” (3:5). Then he highlighted to Timothy the fact that we are saved by the “power of God,” and “not according to our works” (2 Timothy 1:8-9). Man neither orchestrated nor carried out God’s one, acceptable scheme of salvation from sin. We don’t earn salvation; it’s impossible. The overall and immediate context of Ephesians seems clear that these meritorious works (and possibly the works of the law of Moses) are the kinds of works to which Paul was referring in Ephesians 2:8-9.
Self-Contradictory?
Many skeptics assume that the “not-of-works” salvation of Ephesians 2:8-9 is an indictment on all Christian “works” or
“actions,” including faith, repentance, and baptism. Skeptic Dennis McKinsey called Ephesians 2:8-9 “contradictory within itself” because (a) salvation is not of works, yet (b) salvation is through faith. He asked: “How…can it be called a gift completely divorced from any works on your part?...
How can it be a gift when it must be earned?... [Y]ou must do something…in order to receive” salvation. 12 McKinsey is exactly right that “you must do something” to receive 142
salvation, but that “something” is not the kind of faith works Paul alluded to in Ephesians 2:8-9. McKinsey (like many others) simply confuses two different “senses” of the word “works,” and in the process wrongly assumes that there is a contradiction where none exists.
The first three aforementioned works certainly do not lead to salvation, but the last category (works resulting from obedience of faith; cf. Romans 1:5; 16:26) can be rightly called the “works of God.” This phrase does not mean works performed by God; rather, the intent is
“works required and approved by God. ”13 Consider what Jesus taught in John 6:27-29: “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life…. Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” Within this context in John 6, Christ made it clear that there are “works” that humans must do to receive eternal life. Moreover, the passage affirms that believing itself is a work (“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent”)….
(http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&
article=5870) The last word to consider is the word “boast.” The Greek word is kaucaomai (pronounced as kow-khah'-om-ahee). Here is the meaning: 1) to glory (whether with reason or without); 2) to glory on account of a thing; 3) to glory in a thing.” In other words, By God’s merciful kindness we are saved by means of faith and nothing that we ourselves have done, it is of the sacrifice of God. Not of any type of works that we have done so that we do not have any reason to glory. (Roberts’ translation) 143
The last part of our three-part division of this declaration is the Holy Spirit convicts sinners, regenerates, seals, secures, and indwells every believer.
We have several different references that serve as proof-texts for this final part of this declaration. The first is John 3:6.
John 3:6 KJV 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Once again, we note that this is part of the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemos. Here Jesus explains the simple fact that that which is flesh is flesh. We are born as flesh and that birth is nothing else but flesh, physical body. Jesus then goes on to say that that which is born of the Holy Spirit is spirit. Sometimes we tend to forget that man is a triune being, just as God is a Triune Being. Man is physical (flesh), soul (intellect and emotion—that which is who and what we really are), and spirit (that which has to be redeemed). The soul and spirit are the parts of our being that do not die, whether we be saved or lost. The flesh dies, never to rise again.
The flesh goes out of existence never to be used again, even though the soul and spirit continue to exist, or live.
Earlier in this work, I referred to the fact that even though the flesh goes out of existence, there is still a “form” or “body” in which the soul and spirit are housed. I again call your attention to Luke chapter 16, and various other passages found throughout the Scriptures that bear this out.
Even though the flesh of the lost perished at death, the lost still possess some type of “form” or “body” that still has all the senses that the physical body had. For the saved, that new body is a glorified body, like Christ’s upon His resurrection. Quite different from the physical one.
The second passage to consider is found in John 16:8, 9.
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John 16:8-9 KJV 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,
and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not
on me;
Jesus is speaking concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. The Holy Spirit has never been absent from this world since it was created by the Trinity, but this was a brand-new capacity that the Holy Spirit would undertake, specifically designed to comfort, lead, and direct the New Testament saints and the later saints (us) in and through the New Testament church. This passage lists the functions that He would undertake after the ascension of Jesus. Beginning with the world the Holy Spirit would convince (reprove) the world (that is, humanity) of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He would reprove the world of sin because of their unbelief of Jesus.
The third passage of consideration is Romans 8:9-11.
Romans 8:9-11 KJV 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so
be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit
of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead
because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if
the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by
his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
As before, let us do some word study of these passages.
The first word to consider is “flesh.” The Greek word used is sarx (pronounced sarx). There are several definitions that apply according to its usage. In this case, this is the definition that would be applicable: “the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from 145
divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.” This is precisely what Paul was intending to mean when he wrote these verses.
The next word is “Spirit.” The Greek word is pneuma (pronounced pnyoo'-
mah). The meaning is as follows: “1) the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son; 1a) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his personality and character (the Holy Spirit); 1b) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his work and power (the Spirit of Truth); 1c) never referred to as a depersonalized force.
Here is the caveat to verse nine: If the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we are then not in the flesh—with the definition given previously—but dwelling in the Holy Spirit. This is different than the “indwelling” of the Holy Spirit. This is simply referring to the fact that if a person has been saved, the Holy Spirit dwells within. If that person does not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within, then that person has never been saved—never as yet known Jesus Christ as Savior. The end result of the body is death—
physical death. It comes about because of sin. This does not mean that the individual is a “great sinner” and dies because of it, it means that the flesh—physical flesh—is contaminated with sin and will die, or cease to exist.
Let us consider the “life” that is found in the latter part of verse 10. The Greek word is zwh (pronounced dzo-ay' ). It means “2) life; 2a) of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the
"logos" put on human nature; 2b) life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last forever.”
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This “life” is because of “righteousness.” The Greek word in verse 10 is dikaiosunh (pronounced dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay). Here is what it means: “1) in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God; 1a) the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God; 1b) integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting; 2) in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due.”
Verse 11 informs us that the Holy Spirit raised up Jesus from the dead and because that He dwells within us, He will also make alive our bodies. It will be a new body that will be given to us by the Holy Spirit. All because we have trusted Jesus Christ as our Personal Savior and as a result, the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
The next reference is I Corinthians 6:19, 20.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV 19 What? know ye not that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye
are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify
God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
In researching these two verses, I found something that I had not before realized. The usage of the word “temple” indicates that not only is the physical body the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, but also that the usage puts it on the same level as the temple that was in Jerusalem. We, Gentiles, may not put much stock of the temple that was in Jerusalem, but to the Jews, it was a “big deal!” For the Holy Spirit to have Paul to use it in the sense that he did, our physical bodies are particularly important to Him.
Why? The condition of our physical body will largely determine just how much service we are able to do for God. The indication here is that we are to treat our physical bodies with the same respect that we would for the temple for the Jews, or, to bring it closer to home, we are to treat our physical bodies with the same care as we would the physical building that 147
has been dedicated to God’s service as the gathering place for a local New Testament Church. Verse 19 also proves that when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we no longer belonged to ourselves, but to God. We were purchased with a price that was paid by Jesus Himself. Because of all this, we are to glorify God in our spirit and our body.
The next passage for our proof-texts is found in Ephesians 4:30.
Ephesians 4:30 KJV 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye
are sealed unto the day of redemption.
This passage teaches us that we should not grieve, make sorrowful, offend, the Holy Spirit because He has sealed, secured, set His mark upon us, unto the day of redemption, the day when either Jesus comes back or when we die and go to be with Him.
The last passage is Titus 3:5. Titus 3:5 KJV 5 Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved
us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
There are no works of righteousness, good works that are right, that we might do that has saved us. Only by the regeneration, the new birth, and the renewal, renovation, complete change for the better, by the Holy Spirit.
There is nothing even suggestive of anything that we could do to bring this to fruition.
Conclusion: We believe that the depraved sinner is saved wholly by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and the requisites to regeneration are repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that the Holy Spirit convicts sinners, regenerates, seals, secures, and indwells every believer.
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Declaration #15
15. We believe that all who trust Jesus Christ for salvation are eternally secure in Him and shall not perish.
This all-important declaration has several proof-texts which we will consider for it. The first is found in John 3:36.
John 3:36 KJV 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and
he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him.
Let us do a word study on some of the words in this verse. The first word to consider is “believeth.” The Greek word is pisteuw (pronounced pist-yoo’-o). Here are the meanings: “1) to have faith in, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; 1a) of the thing believed 1a1) to credit, have confidence; 1b) in a moral or religious reference; 2) by implication, to commit or entrust, i.e. to entrust your spiritual well-being to Christ; 2a) to make a commitment (to trust); 2b) to put in trust with or place confidence in.”
The next word to consider is “everlasting.” This word is an adjective that modifies the word following it, “life.” It tells what kind of life. Thus it is important to understand the meaning of this adjective. The Greek word in aiwnioj (pronounced ahee-o’-nee-os). It means “1) without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be; 2) without beginning; 3) without end, never to cease, everlasting.”
This word modifies “life.” We have considered this word in another declaration but it is good for us to review it again. The Greek word is zwh 151
(pronounced dzo- ay’). There are two different meanings, but only the second applies to this verse. The meaning is, “2) life; 2a) of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the
"logos" put on human nature; 2b) life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.”
The next word to consider is the word wrath. The Greek word is orgh (pronounced or-gay’). Here are the meanings: “1) anger, the natural disposition, temper, character; 2) movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger; 3) anger, wrath, indignation 4) anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment itself.”
The last word to consider is “abideth.” The Greek word is menw (pronounced men’-o). It means “1) to remain, abide; 1a) in reference to place; 1a1) to sojourn, tarry; 1a2) not to depart; 1a2a) to continue to be present; 1a2b) to be held, kept, continually; 1b) in reference to time 1b1) to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure.”
With these important words being defined, we can see that those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior will endure God’s wrath for eternity,
“to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure.” Not a pretty picture without Jesus.
The next passage with which we will consider is from john 5:24.
John 5:24 KJV 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not
come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
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Most of the words used in this verse has already been considered, as far as a word study is concerned. Only two words will be considered. The first one is “heareth.” It is especially important that we understand the meaning of this word. It goes beyond just listening to something. The Greek word is akouw (pronounced ak-oo’-o). You will understand what I mean when you see the meaning. “1) to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf; 2) to hear; 2b) to attend to, consider what is or has been said; 2c) to understand, perceive the sense of what is said; 3) to hear something; 3a) to perceive by the ear what is announced in one's presence; 3b) to get by hearing learn; 3c) a thing comes to one's ears, to find out, learn; 3d) to give ear to a teaching or a teacher; 3e) to comprehend, to understand.”
The second and last word to consider is “condemnation.” The Greek word is krisij (pronounced kree’sis). It means “decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law):--accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.”
Thus, we see that Jesus is saying in this verse that those that hear and understand His word and believes on God Who sent Jesus, has eternal, everlasting life and will not be condemned but has gone from being dead in sins to a new life in Jesus Christ.
The next reference is found in John 10:27-30.
John 10:27-30 KJV 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and
they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father,
which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck
them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
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Many times, Jesus refers to His own as sheep. These verses are part of those times. Jesus states that His sheep know and here His voice. He knows who His sheep are, and His sheep follow Him. He gives them eternal life, which means that they will never die. There is no man that is capable of taking His sheep away from Him. He states that His sheep are in His hand. God the Father gave His sheep to Him and He, God the Father, is the greatest of all that exists. No being is able to get them out of His Father’s hand. He then makes a statement that the Jews hated Him for, “I and my Father are one.” The Jews never questioned Jesus’ lineage, but they vehemently denied that He was the Son of God, and that He and God the Father were One.
One of my early instructors, Dr. William M. Brown, the President of the Eastern Baptist Institute and Seminary—long since gone out of existence—once told of a shepherd he observed in Jerusalem. Bro. Brown had conducted many tours of the Holy Land, and on one of those tours he was at the Sheep Gate in Old Jerusalem. A shepherd had purchased a new sheep that was giving him a hard time. Sheep cannot be driven. They will scatter to the four winds. They must be lead. This particular sheep did not know his new owner. The shepherd caught up the sheep, knelt down and whispered into its ear. After a few moments, the shepherd stood up and walked away. The sheep followed closely behind. Dr. Brown said this was a live illustration of John 10:27-30.
The next passage to consider is Romans 8:35-39.
Romans 8:35-39 KJV 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or
peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day
long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I
am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor
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depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love
of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am not going to do a word study of these verses because the purpose and intent of these verses written by the Apostle Paul to the church that was located at Rome, are quite clear in their meaning. Basically, Paul writes that there is absolutely nothing that can separate the child of God from God, and Jesus Christ our Lord. There is nothing in the universe that is capable of doing this. This also means that there is nothing or any being that is capable of causing us to be separated from God. These verses go hand-in-hand with John 10:27-30.
Let us consider a practical explanation of the security of the believer. True Missionary Baptists believe that once a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, that salvation is permanent and secure. That is what the verses we have considered mean. There is nothing that can take away salvation from a child of God.
Ponder on this: If we could lose our salvation after we had accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, then Satan would be more powerful that God Himself. After all, Jesus said that He and the Father were One.
Jesus also said that those that had accepted Him were in His hand and the Father’s hand. This would mean that the creation would be stronger than the Creator. Lucifer, who became known as Satan, was a created being.
This created being rebelled against God, taking one third of the created angels with him. How could Satan become stronger and more able that God Who had created him? He would only have the power and ability that God would allow him to have.
Another thing: We believe that salvation is also by the grace of God. Now if, just imagine, if Satan could get the saint’s spirit, causing the saint to lose salvation, but does not, then all saints would go to heaven as much by 155
the grace of the Devil as by the grace of God. We do know that this is ludicrous.
Another example that I have used many times while I was a missionary on the island of Jamaica. Everyone will agree that regardless of any situation, everyone has a biological mother and father. That is easy to understand for anyone. The Bible instructs us that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we become children of God. God the Father then becomes our Spiritual Father. That is also easy to understand. Do we ever, regardless of what happens in life, cease to be the child of our biological mother and father? No. We could say that is ridiculous, and we would be correct. Just as we can never stop being the son or daughter of our mother and father, once we are a child of God, we can never stop being a child of God. One is just as permanent as the other.
The next passage is Hebrews 10:39.
Hebrews 10:39 KJV 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto
perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Let us consider one particular word in this verse. That word is “perdition.”
The Greek word is apwleia (pronounced ap-o’-li-a). The meaning is “1) destroying, utter destruction; 1a) of vessels; 2) a perishing, ruin, destruction; 2a) of money; 2b) the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell.”
What the writer of the Hebrews is doing is drawing a contrast between two groups of people: those who have refused to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and those that have believed on Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Hebrew saints, those Hebrews that had accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and were members of a New Testament Church, were saved because they believed on Jesus Christ as Savior, unlike those who did not believe.
The last passage to consider is I Peter 1:5.
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1 Peter 1:5 KJV 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation
ready
to
be
revealed
in
the
last
time.
To properly understand this passage, it is necessary to go back a few verses and see to whom Peter is writing.
I Peter 1:1-5: 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 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. 3 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, 4 To an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in
heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In his letter, Peter establishes that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ, and address his letter to the saints that are located in Asia and Asia Minor. He states that they were elected to salvation through the foreknowledge of God the Father through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. As we know, God did not take away the saints’ capability of deciding for themselves if they wanted to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior or not. Because God, in His foreknowledge, knew that they would accept Jesus as their Savior, chose them to salvation. It they would not have accepted Jesus; God would not have chosen them to salvation. Election and predestination all have to do with God’s foreknowledge of knowing who would accept Jesus as Savior and who would not.
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Peter then begins to list what God had done for them. He then, in our text proof, states that those who have accepted Jesus as Savior are kept by the power of God unto eternity.
Conclusion: There really is not a way to simplify this declaration without taking away some of its meaning and intent. Therefore, we let it stand as it is.
15. We believe that all who trust Jesus Christ for salvation are eternally secure in Him and shall not perish.
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Declaration #16
16. We believe that God deals with believers as His children, that He chastises the disobedient, and that He rewards the obedient.
Once again, this declaration has several proof texts for us to consider. The first
is
in
Matthew
16:27.
Matthew 16:27 KJV 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his
Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according
to his works.
This simple passage leaves nothing hard to understand. In quite simple language, Matthew states that Jesus will come in the glory of the Father along with His angels. He shall reward, or recompense, all men according to their works. In this verse there is no distinction whether the individual is saved or lost. From other passages we know that both the saved and the lost will receive according to what they have done here on the earth. The time element in this passage is not considered. We know that there is much time space between these two events of the saved and the lost. We should not read more into this verse than there is in it. It is a simple statement that Jesus will come with His angels and when He comes, He will reward all men.
The next passage is Matthew 25:14-23.
Matthew 25:14-23 KJV 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man
travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered
unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another
two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability;
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and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five
talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his
lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and
reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came
and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me
five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His
lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two
talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents:
behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto
him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over
a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the
joy of thy lord.
Jesus is using a parable in these passages to explain some of the details of how He will reward the saints when He returns. I, personally believe, that He is explaining part of the details concerning the Millennium, His thousand-year reign on this earth.
There are three servants that are called before the lord. The first is given five talents. The second is given two talents, and the third, one talent.
There is an indication that the talent was a unit of money. The first took the five talents and invested it somehow, we are not told how. We are just told that he, and the second servant, traded. However, the trading was, they each doubled the talents that they had been given. You will note that they had been issued what they were capable of handling. The third servant was afraid of losing the one talent that had been entrusted to him, so he stowed it away in a safe place.
After a long period of time, the lord returned and called for an accounting of the three servants. The first was called and his report was that he had gained another five talents to go with the original five. He was commended and was rewarded by being given rule over many things. The same was 161
with the second servant. He had doubled the two talents that had been entrusted to him and he had increased it to four talents. He was also rewarded in the same manner as the first.
When the third servant was called to give an account of what he had done with the one talent that had been given into his keeping, he had to confess to his lord that he was afraid of the lord and the way that he took gain, so instead of putting the talent to trade, he had stored it away for safe keeping.
He probably thought that he had done a good thing because the talent was safe and had not been lost but could be safely returned to its rightful owner.
No doubt he was not expecting the reaction that he received from his lord.
He was scolded and rebuked for not putting the talent out to trade so that there would be two when he was called into account for it. In fact, the one talent that was given to him was taken away and given to the one servant that held the ten talents.
As some might say, “What is the moral of this story?” Very simply, the first two servants took what they had each been given and took whatever action was needed to be able to increase what they had been given responsibility. In other words, they were busy during the absence of their lord. They were ready to give an account of their actions when he came.
The third servant did nothing while the lord was gone. We are not told why he did nothing; he just did not take any kind of action with the talent that had been entrusted into his care. That was the reason that he received severe rebuke. Therefore, he lost even the one talent that he had been given.
We are to be busy for the Lord until He returns. We each have certain talents (not money) and abilities that we are to use for the glory and honor for the Lord. Each has what the Lord has provided them to use. Some people are exceptionally talented and have great abilities, while others do not have as much. Whatever we have, what the Lord has given to us be it great or small, we are to use to the best of our ability as we work for Him.
The third servant did not do anything. He represents those of God’s 162
children that even though they are saved, they do not make any attempt to serve Him. Unfortunately, this is probably the biggest part of the saved.
The point here is, we are rewarded as to how we have served the Lord here on this earth.
The next passage to consider is found in John 1:12.
John 1:12 KJV 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
This passage is also quite simple to understand. It literally states that as many people that believed on Jesus to save them, to them was given the ability to become the children of God. The last phrase clarifies to whom this ability was given, to those that believed on Jesus.
The next passages for consideration are found in Hebrews 12:5-11.
Hebrews 12:5-11 KJV 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which
speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the
chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For
whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons;
for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without
chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not
sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected
us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in
subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a
few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that
we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the
present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it
yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are
exercised thereby.
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These passages address a subject that none of us like, that of discipline.
There are some words on which I want to do a word study. The first word is “chastening.” The Greek word is paideia (pronounced pahee-di-ah).
The meaning is: “1) the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment). It also includes the training and care of the body; 2) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions. 2a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue; 2b) chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment).”
The next word is “scourgeth.” The Greek word is mastigow (pronounced mas-tig-o’-o). It simply means “to flog (literally or figuratively): scourge.”
This means that God has to give us a whipping sometimes. My pastor is fond of saying when he was growing up that many times, he did not get a spanking, he got a “whipping.” Meaning, it was hard and not to be forgotten! Sometimes that is what God has to do with us when we have been stubborn and rebellious, He has to give us a whipping that is hard and not to be forgotten.
The Hebrews writer reminds us that we all have had earthly fathers (or parents—sometimes it was the mothers that carried out the whipping) that disciplined us accordingly. It was for our own benefit. It was to teach us, to help us learn right from wrong. They did not have to teach us wrong, we did enough of that on our own, but sometimes it was difficult to learn the right. He goes on to say that if we do not receive discipline from the Lord, then we do not belong to Him. In other words, we have not been saved. These verses do not leave any doubt: God disciplines us when He feels we need it. He does it for our benefit, not His. Our parents did not discipline us for their benefit. It was strictly for us.
The writer concludes in verse eleven that it may not feel so good when the discipline is being extended on us. In fact, it may seem that we are not 164
going to survive this, but take heart, the peace that comes when it is all over is worth it. It is called “the peaceable fruit of righteousness.”
2 John 8 is the next passage.
2 John 8 KJV 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which
we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Because of this verse, I have had to change my thinking concerning losing rewards. My thinking now is we need to be careful concerning the work that we have done for the Lord because if we are not careful, we might lose some or all of them because of unconfessed sin in our lives. John says be careful so that we might receive a complete reward.
The last passage to consider is found in Revelation 22:12.
Revelation 22:12 KJV 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward
is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
This verse is a good closing for this declaration. Jesus said that He would come and His reward for each of us is with Him according to our work. I will not receive any reward for anything that you may have done, and you will not receive any reward for anything that I may have done. To each our own.
Encouragement is that we do all that we are able to do for the glory and honor of the Lord.
Conclusion
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16. We believe that God deals with believers as His children, that He chastises the disobedient, and that He rewards the obedient.
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Declaration #17
17. We believe that Jesus Christ established His church during His ministry on earth and that it is always a local, visible assembly of scripturally baptized believers in covenant relationship to carry out the Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ, and each church is an independent, self-governing body, and no other ecclesiastical body may exercise authority over it. We believe that Jesus Christ gave the Great Commission to the New Testament churches only, and that He promised the perpetuity of His churches.
Once again, we have several passages of Scripture to consider as proof-texts for this declaration. The first reference is found in Matthew 4:18-22.
Matthew 4:18-22 KJV 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw
two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net
into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow
me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their
nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two
brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with
Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And
they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
The calling of these four men by Jesus, constituted the beginning of His church. Many would have you believe that the church started on the Day of Pentecost, but there is no evidence of that. The church was already in existence at that time. In fact, the first two chapters give us a lot of evidence that there was already a church body that was already busy for the Lord. There were at least 120 members in that first church. The very first ones, the ones later called apostles, had received their baptism at the hands of John the Baptist. These apostles then would baptize those had accepted Jesus as their Savior. Jesus did not baptize, but the disciples did.
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The point is this was quite some time before the Day of Pentecost. This church was empowered on the Day of Pentecost, not started.
The next passage to consider is Matthew 16:18.
Matthew 16:18 KJV 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.
The Catholic Church loves to use this passage to prove that Peter was the first pope and that he was the foundation of the Catholic Church. However, a close examination of this verse reveals to us that this is not the case. The name Peter means “pebble” or a “little rock.” The “rock” that is mentioned refers to Jesus Himself.
One of the most important parts of this verse is that Jesus makes the bold statement that His church would never go out of existence. Some individual churches in some locations might cease to exist, but Jesus said with this phrase that He would have at least one Scriptural church somewhere in the world. It might not be visible, it could be underground because of circumstances, but it would be in existence regardless. Satan will be unable to completely stamp out the New Testament Church. He might get some, but he will never get them all.
The next consideration is in Matthew 28:19, 20.
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
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We know these verses as the Great Commission. A close look at the verses before these two and others, reveal to us that Jesus was about to go away.
He was giving His church its “marching orders.” This and only this, was what His church was to until He came back again. The church, and I use this word in the institutional sense, was not commissioned to start hospitals. The church was not to sent to start pantries, although there is nothing wrong with that. The church was not sent carry out many of the various activities that are seen in many of today’s churches. The ONLY
job that was given to the church was to fulfill the Great Commission.
That commission in its entirety was to first make disciples. That is the meaning of the first word “teach.” To make disciples of all the peoples of the world, ethnos is the word for “nations.” Secondly, the church was/is to scripturally baptize those disciples. Thirdly, those baptized disciples were to then be taught what they need to serve the Lord. You will notice the order: first, salvation; second, baptism; and third, instruction. You cannot teach a person that is lost the things of the Bible. You can only use the passages concerning salvation first. You cannot teach them until they are saved. Strictly speaking, we are not to engage in teaching them until they have been strictly baptized.
In leading someone to salvation, you may be forced to answer many questions in order to get them to the point where they will accept Jesus. I remember one lady, her name was Margret, who visited the mission church that I pastored in New York State. She would come and come but not respond to the gospel message. Finally, one day, a day that we had lunch after the morning service and just hung around until the evening service.
As I sat with her and several around our dining room table, she began to ask questions. Her background was Methodist. As I explained the gospel, she stated that she had never heard it before. She always thought that the Methodist doctrine and teachings were all she needed to get to heaven. For two hours I answered her questions about salvation. Finally, after everything had be talked about, I looked at her and said point blank,
“Margret, are you going to believe the Bible or the Methodist church?”
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She looked back at me just as straight and said, “I am going to believe the Bible!” At that point, she bowed her head and accepted Jesus as her Savior.
My point in giving this illustration is you may have to answer many questions in order to get them out of the way so that the message of salvation can be directly pointed where it is needed.
There was no doubt that Margret had accepted Jesus as her Savior. We baptized her and she did not wait to tell others about Jesus. She lived in an adult home with many others. One elderly man, he was 79 if I remember correctly but I cannot remember his name, also lived there. She got him to come to church as well. He came many times but never made a move to accept Jesus. One afternoon I got a call from Margret. She named the man, and then said, “He wants to be saved right now.” I said okay but it would take me about twenty minutes to get there. She said that was okay and hung up. I got there as quickly as I could. When I went in, Margret met me at the door and led me to his room where he was waiting.
I called him by his name and asked him if he was ready to be saved.
Margret and some of the others that had been saved and living there as well, had done a thorough job in explaining the gospel. I honestly did not have to do anything. She could have done it herself, but she was afraid that she would say something wrong. He bowed his head and asked Jesus to save him. We never got to baptize him because the home transferred him to another home far away. I have always suspected that the administration moved him to another home just to get him away from our influence.
Jesus promised that He would always be with us as we carry out His Commission.
The next passage is found in Mark 1:14-20.
Mark 1:14-20 KJV 14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came
into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying,
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The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and
believe the gospel. 16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw
Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were
fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make
you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets,
and followed him. 19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he
saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in
the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they
left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went
after him.
This passage is the same account as Matthew 4, with one major exception, Mark adds the tidbit that it was after that John was put in prison. He also indicates the generalities of Jesus’ message as He reached the sea of Galilee.
The next passage for consideration is found in John 1:35-51.
John 1:35-51 KJV 35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his
disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the
Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they
followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith
unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say,
being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them,
Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him
that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard
John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have
found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he
brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art
Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by
interpretation, A stone. 43 The day following Jesus would go forth into
Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now
Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth
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Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in
the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of
Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael
coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is
no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus
answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou
wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto
him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus
answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under
the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51
And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall
see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon
the Son of man.
This account is John’s rendition of the same account as Matthew’s and Mark’s. Additionally, John gives the details of the calling Philip and Nathanael.
The last passage to consider is Ephesians 3:21.
Ephesians 3:21 KJV 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
This verse is highly neglected by many in the field of religious ministries.
The majority of “ministries” do not pay any attention to this passage. They may do much good but unless they are accountable to a local, New Testament church, God does not get the glory. God only gets the glory if the “ministry”, mission, etc., is authorized and responsible to a local, New Testament church.
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Ephesians 3:21 KJV 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Conclusion
17. We believe that Jesus Christ established His church during His ministry on earth and that it is always a local, visible assembly of scripturally baptized believers in covenant relationship to carry out the Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ, and each church is an independent, self-governing body, and no other ecclesiastical body may exercise authority over it. We believe that Jesus Christ gave the Great Commission to the New Testament churches only, and that He promised the perpetuity of His churches.
No other church or organization is over any other church. Each church is independent of all others, and she can decide to do what she wants. The local church is completely self-governing, answerable to no one except to the Lord. Only local, New Testament churches are authorized to carry out the Great Commission. No one individual or organization has the responsibility of fulfilling the Commission.
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Declaration #18
18. We believe that there are two pictorial ordinances in the Lord's churches: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Scriptural baptism is the immersion of penitent believers in water, administered by the authority of a New Testament church in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Lord's Supper is a memorial ordinance, restricted to the members of the church observing the ordinance.
We have several passages that are used for the proof texts for this particular declaration. The first that we will consider is what is commonly known as
“The Great Commission” found in Matthew 28:19, 20.
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
Just before He ascended, Jesus gave the disciples, His first church, her marching orders which we know as The Great Commission. He said to go, and as you are going, teach all nations. This word “teach” means to make disciples. One thing that is understood in these passages, and therefore, is not mentioned. That one thing that is to be understood and accepted to be such a common thing that it does not need to be mentioned. It means this one thing should be an automatic action to do for those who are undertaking the task. That one thing is to witness to those who are lost as the Holy Spirit gives the opportunity. The church member is to do that just as he/she would draw a breath. As the Holy Spirit leads, the church member is to share the Gospel. Then and only then, are we to make disciples. A person has to have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior before becoming a disciple. A disciple is a learner, a follower, an imitator, of Jesus Christ. Not all who accept Jesus as Savior follow Him or become a disciple. Those who do become disciples are to be scripturally baptized.
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Baptism is the first command that a believer has to follow in order to receive all the blessings that the Lord has for him/her. If someone cannot be obedient to this first commandment, they will not be obedient to anything else that God has for them to do. They must be obedient and submit to water baptism as the first step in service to God.
Once that scriptural baptism has been exercised, the disciple is then to be taught the “all things” that Jesus has commanded. First, this word
“teaching” is a completely different word that the first “teach.” This word means:
1) to teach
1a) to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses
1b) to be a teacher
1c) to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one's self as a teacher When Jesus gave the commission, the “all things” would have been everything that He had taught them during His time on this earth. Today, the “all things” is everything found in the Bible, especially the New Testament. I am not saying that the Old Testament is not important, it is.
However, our guide of rule, of faith, and of practice is the New Testament.
That being said, the New Testament is not complete without the Old Testament. Without a knowledge of the Old Testament, a thorough understanding of the New Testament is not possible. Some might not agree with that statement, and that is okay. I have found that to be true in my own learning of the Bible. Never exclude the Old Testament. There is a saying that goes somewhat like this: “The New Testament in the Old is concealed. The Old Testament in the New is revealed.” For Bible learning to be complete, it needs an understanding of the Old Testament.
Jesus makes a promise that He will be with us until the end of the world.
The “end of the world” literally means to the end of this age, the church age. We may lose some battles, but we will never lose the war in which we are engaged. That is the reason there will never be a world without at least one scriptural New Testament church in existence.
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Acts 8:12 KJV 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women.
The background of this passage is this: Saul, his name would be changed to Paul, began a great persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The disciples became scattered, with the exception of the Apostles. Philip, one of the deacons that was ordained earlier, found himself in Samaria. He was preaching, teaching, and performing miracles. When they believed, Philip baptized them. His authority was the Church in Jerusalem. Note that they first professed Jesus and then were baptized.
Acts 8:38 KJV 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they
went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him.
When God was finished with Philip in Samaria, he was led by the Holy Spirit to Gaza where he would meet with a eunuch. The eunuch was an immensely powerful man from Ethiopia. Apparently, he was a Jew. The Scriptures relate to us that he had been to Jerusalem to worship. He would not have done that if he were not of Jewish descent. He also had a copy of the book of Isaiah, and he was reading it when Philip approached the chariot. In the course of the conversation, Philip led him to Jesus. It is also apparent that Philip had also introduced the subject of baptism to him.
When they came upon a body of water, he queried Philip of he could be baptized. Philip stated to him that if he believed, he could. He ordered the chariot to stop. He and Philip went down in the water and Philip baptized him. As soon as they were finished, Philip disappeared because the Holy Spirit took him away and put him in Azotus. (Azotus is more commonly known as Ashdod. This was in the Philistines region.) The Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing.
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Romans 6:4 KJV 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Any time the word “therefore” is used, it is a signal to check the verses that precede it. When we look back at the context at the beginning of Romans 6, Paul is asking the Romans, how is it that we should continue to be sinners when we are supposed to be dead to sin. Paul was saying that we should respond to sin as a dead person would, that is, no response at all.
He then goes on to say that because of that (therefore), every child of God that submits to scriptural baptism, is buried with Jesus by baptism into death. The symbolism continues that just as Jesus was raised from the dead, when we come up out of the waters of baptism, we should walk in
“newness of life.” “Walk” means,
to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary):--
go, be occupied with, walk (about).
“Newness” means,
1) newness
1a) in the new state of life in which the Holy Spirit places us so as to produce a new state which is eternal life.
“Life” means,
1) life
1a) the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate, 1b) every living soul.
2) life
2a) of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature,
2b) life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in 179
Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last forever.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13 KJV 11 But now I have written unto you not to
keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or
covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner;
with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them
also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them
that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among
yourselves that wicked person.
Paul, in his first letter to the Church at Corinth, gave some extremely strict instructions concerning fellowship in the church and the observation of the Lord’s Supper. Apparently, he had already written to them (also it is apparent that that particular letter has been lost in history) that they were to not maintain fellowship with a member who was doing the things that he describes in verse 12. The idea is they were not to fellowship with that brother nor is he to partake of the Lord’s Supper. He forwards the principle that the membership has the authority to determine the lifestyle of itself.
If a member is doing any of the things mentioned, unless there is repentance on behalf of that wayward member, that member cannot observe the Lord’s Supper. That person was to be put away from the remainder of the membership. In other words, that person was to be excluded. Church discipline is very vital to a New Testament church. If there is sin in the midst, that church is not going to be blessed as well as it would if she were “sin free.” That does not mean that the members are to be sinless because that would be impossible. It simply means no member should commit a public sin that is known within the church and without the church. That sin should be confessed by the wayward member and be restored to fellowship. Without that, God could be justified withholding blessings to that church as a whole. If there is no repentance, Paul said put that wicked person away from the rest, in other words, that member is to be excluded.
Another principle is given by Paul in these passages. The church membership has no authority to “judge” anyone who is not a member of 180
the church. They, however, have all authority to “judge” the individual that is a member of the church if they have been wayward.
1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV 1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ.
Paul simply tells the Corinthian Church to follow him as he follows Christ.
The principle of this is that we are to follow the leadership of the Pastor as he follows Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:2 KJV 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember
me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Paul’s simply instructions in this passage are for the Corinthian Church to remember what they had been taught and to “keep” (observe) the ordinances just as he had taught them.
1 Corinthians 11:17-20 KJV 17 Now in this that I declare unto you I
praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there
be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also
heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest
among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is
not to eat the Lord's supper.
The Corinthian Church had at least three major problems: divisions, allowing heretical teachings to take place, and taking the Lord’s Supper in vain. The church was not practicing church discipline with its members.
This allowed divisions to take place in their midst. Some were siding with Apollos, some with Paul, and still others with Jesus. This was causing 181
them to be divided. Having divisions in the church is one reason for not observing the Lord’s Supper.
The lack of church discipline was also allowing the teaching of heresies to be taught among them. Later on in time, this is what would happen in the church at Rome and would eventually bring about the formation of the Catholic Church. The problem here was that not only were they divided, but they were also allowing heresies to be taught, both of which should have prevented them from observing the Lord’s Supper. Therefore, Paul wrote, they were not to observe the Lord’s Supper at all. Their coming together was not good, it was bad.
1 Corinthians 11:26 KJV 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink
this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Paul writing to the Corinthian Church instructs them that as often as they observe the Lord’s Supper, they show forth Jesus’ sacrifice until He returns. He does not give a timeframe with the exception that it is to be done until the Lord returns, meaning it is to be a perpetual observation as long as that church is in existence. Since there are conditions placed upon the observation of the Lord’s Supper, Paul does not say how often.
Whenever an individual church decides to observe the Lord’s Supper, they must be sure there is no “sin in the camp,” there are no divisions, there are no allowed heresies being taught, and there is the right purpose of observing the Lord’s Supper. It is not a “fellowship” supper, there is a specific reason for it being observed: to show forth the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ in partaking the bread and the fruit of the vine.
Conclusion to Declaration 18
This declaration could have been divided into many different subjects that would stand alone. This is just an overview of the subject.
The next declaration will address the offices of the pastor and deacon.
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Declaration #19
19. We believe that there are two divinely appointed offices in a church, pastors, and deacons, to be filled by men whose qualifications are set forth in Titus and 1 Timothy.
Introduction to Declaration #19
More and more, as time marches on, this declaration is becoming extremely unpopular. We believe that only God can call a person to preach, and that person must be a man. The Bible sets forth the qualifications for a man to preach. We do not set the qualifications among ourselves, they come from the Lord. Let us examine what the Bible has to say about pastors and deacons.
The offices
There are two offices that are mentioned for the church and those are the office of pastor and deacon. We want to look at the scriptural proof that causes us to believe this way. We maintain anyone who will be different from what the scriptures teach, either are very ignorant of the Bible on this subject, or willing reject the clear teaching.
Let us first consider the office of Pastor.
I Timothy 3:1-7: 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a
bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the
husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to
hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of
filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth
well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take
care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride
he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a
good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the
snare of the devil.
In order to understand this doctrine, we must examine key words that are given which will leave no doubt as to what they mean.
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Paul, in writing to the young preacher Timothy, states that what he is about to say is a true (completely trustworthy), statement. If a man (the male species, opposite of female), desire (to reach out after, long for, covet after), the office of a bishop (oversight, overseership, office, charge, the office of an elder), he (a masculine pronoun whose antecedent is “man”)
desireth (to have a desire for, long for, to desire) a good properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use)) a good (better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy) work (deed, doing, labor, work).
Verse 2
When we look at a bishop, we are looking at a man who is a pastor. This is borne out by the definition of the word “bishop.”
A bishop (an overseer, a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent)
then must (it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper)
be blameless (not apprehended, that cannot be laid hold of that cannot be reprehended, not open to censure, irreproachable) , the husband (a man (properly as an individual male) fellow, husband, man, sir) of one (only one, someone) wife (a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow, a wife: a woman bound in marriage, a betrothed woman, a married woman) , vigilant (sober, temperate, abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use) , sober (of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses, curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate) , of good behaviour (well arranged, seemly, modest) , given to
hospitality (hospitable, generous to guests) , apt to teach (apt and skillful in teaching) ;
Verse 3
Not (no, not lest [this is an extraordinarily strong “no”]) given to wine
(given to wine, drunken) , no striker (bruiser, ready for a blow, a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person) , not greedy of filthy lucre
(eager for base gain, greedy for money) ; but patient (seeming, suitable, equitable, fair, mild, gentle) , not a brawler (not to be withstood, invincible, 185
not contentious, abstaining from fighting) , not covetous (not loving money, not avaricious) ;
Verse 4
One that ruleth (to set or place before, to set over, to be over, to superintend, preside over, to be a protector or guardian, to give aid, to care for, give attention to, profess honest occupations) well (beautifully, finely, excellently, well, rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame, well, truly, excellently, nobly, commendably, honorably, in honor, in a good place, comfortable, to speak well of one, to do good) his own house (the inmates of a house, all the persons forming one family, a household) ,
having his children in subjection (the act of subjecting, obedience, subjection) with all gravity (the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity, honor, purity) ;
Verse 5
This verse is a parenthetical verse that clarifies the previous verse, verse 4.
This qualifies the inclusion of verse 4 as a qualification for a pastor.
(For if a man (same as the word in verse one) know (have knowledge of, understanding) not how to rule his own house [if a man does not know how to control and oversee his own home) , how (in what way) shall he
take care of the church of God?)
If a man is unable to control and oversee his own home, how can he expect to be able oversee the Lord’s church? Of course, we know that the answer is that he cannot.
Verse 6
6 Not a novice (newly planted, a new convert, neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian) , lest being lifted up with pride (to envelop with smoke, i.e. (figuratively) to inflate with self-conceit:--high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud) he fall into the condemnation
(judgement) of the devil.
Verse 7
Moreover he must have [it is a definite requirement] a good report (record, report, testimony, witness) of them which are without [those who are not 186
part of the church] ; lest he fall into reproach and the snare (snare, trap, noose) of the devil.
Now let us consider the qualifications found in Titus 1:5-9.
Titus 1:5-9: 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set
in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I
had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife,
having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop
must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry,
not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of
hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding
fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by
sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Verse 5
Paul addresses Titus, another younger preacher, to tell him that he left Titus in Crete to complete those things that had been left undone. We are not told what those things were. Titus was also to ordain elders, or pastors, overseers, in each city, as Paul had given to him. It appears that there was prior communication between Paul and Titus that we do not have today.
This conclusion is drawn because Paul seems to be referencing some things that are not made clear in this writing.
Verse 6
Paul begins to give the same basic qualifications to Titus as he did to Timothy. Once more we have confirmation that marriage is between one man and one woman. The words used in this verse do not leave any doubt as to the gender of either one. His children must be trustworthy, not given to an abandoned, dissolute life. They must not be ones that cannot be subjected to control, disobedient, unruly, or refractory (Showing or characterized by obstinate resistance to authority or control).
Verse 7
Paul continues to say that a pastor, overseer, must not be one that could be accused of being dishonest or having any kind of accusation laid against him, because he is a steward (a caretaker, a preacher, an overseer of things placed under his authority of care) of God. This means that he is a steward 187
of the Gospel. He must not be self-pleasing or arrogant. He must not be one that has a “hair-trigger” temper that is easy to get angry. He must be one that is not prone to take any alcoholic beverages. He must not be a bruiser, ready for a blow, a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person.
He must not be eager for base gain, greedy for money.
Verse 8
Paul continues on. The Pastor must be hospitable, generous to guests. He must be fond of good and good things, i.e., a promoter of virtue, a lover of good men. He must be sober, of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses, curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate. He must be just, i.e., righteous, observing divine laws. He must be holy, i.e., undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious. He must be temperate, i.e., mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining, controlling oneself, temperate, continent.
Verse 9
Holding fast (adhere to; by extension to care for, hold fast, hold to, support) the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by
sound doctrine (teaching, instruction) both to exhort (exhorting and comforting and encouraging, to instruct, teach) and to convince (to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove, to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation) the gainsayers (those who speak against, gainsay, contradict) .
Deacons
There are those who would teach that a church should not have deacons because the King James Translators put them in to enforce the Church of England doctrine. The fallacy of this teaching is that the church at Jerusalem elected deacons to help the Apostles in the physical tasks that had to be done in the church. The concept of “deacon” is that of a servant.
Let us look at what Paul wrote to Timothy that is found in I Timothy 3:8-13.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave (honorable, honest) , not
doubletongued (saying the same thing twice, repeating, double tongued, 188
double in speech, saying one thing with one person another with another (with the intent to deceive)) , not given to much wine [the same qualification as with pastors] , not greedy of filthy lucre [the same qualification as with pastors] ; 9 Holding the mystery (a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding) of the faith (persuasion in or conviction of moral truth; a firm belief in the truthfulness of God or religious truth, particularly reliance upon Christ for salvation;) in a pure
(clear) conscience (co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness:--conscience) .
10 And let these also first be proved (to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy) ; then let them use the office of a
deacon, being found blameless [the same qualification as the pastor] . 11
Even so must their wives be grave [the same qualification as her husband has] , not slanderers (prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely) , sober
(temperate, abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use) , faithful in all things [this phrase is self-explanatory] . 12
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and
their own houses well [If we understand this concept for a pastor, we will understand that it is the same for deacons.] . 13 For they that have used
the office of a deacon well (beautifully, finely, excellently, rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame truly, excellently, nobly, commendably, honorably, in honor) purchase (to make to remain for one’s self, to preserve for one's self, to get for one's self) to themselves a good degree
(of a grade of dignity and wholesome influence in the church) , and great
boldness (freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech) in the faith
(system of doctrines or teachings) which is in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion to Declaration 19
God’s Word is very plain in giving the qualifications of both pastors and deacons. It is also very plain that the occupants to each respective office must be men, male in gender. There is no hint that a woman, female in gender, is qualified to hold either office. I also do not find any room in the proof texts for a deaconess. Godly women certainly have their prominent places in the Lord’s church, but just not in these two offices.
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Declaration #20
20. We believe that all associations, fellowships, and committees are, and properly should be, servants of, and under control of the churches.
Matthew 20:25-28 KJV 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye
know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and
they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be
so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your
minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your
servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but
to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
This declaration is short. No church, ecclesiastical body, or board has any control over any of the Lord’s churches. A church—spiritually speaking—
is the highest authority there is on earth. No man has the authority to dictate to a Scriptural Church what she can or cannot do. Jesus states in the above reference that no man should exercise dominion, or control, over the Lord’s Body, the local church.
Pastors who exercise such control that they are dictators over the local church, are sinning not only against the Lord’s Church but also against the Head of the Church Body, Jesus. Such a pastor will face great judgment at the Judgement Seat of Christ.
Scriptural, New Testament churches are completely independent, answerable to no one or anything except to God Himself. It is guided by the Holy Spirit Who is the Administrator of said church. Anything else is not scriptural.
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There is no way to shorten this declaration and maintain its meaning and intent. We believe that all associations, fellowships, and committees are, and properly should be, servants of, and under control of the churches.
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Declaration #21
21. We believe in freedom of worship without interference from the government and affirm our belief in civil obedience, unless the laws and regulations of civil government run contrary to the Holy Scriptures.