Put the Lord First

I will be forever grateful to a lady by the name of Gertha Alston. Why? Because she said something to me before I obeyed the Gospel that still resonates in my ear when we are discussing certain passages of Scripture.  Without going into the word-for-word, she said to make sure that the person you are interested in puts the Lord first.

I thought about this again, not just in the context she addressed (which would only make perfect sense that a faithful Christian would look first at the spiritual personality as a primary consideration for a mate), and then put some other things we think/do that should demand the same conscientiousness:

1. Do I think of my responsibility to the Lord when considering a job? Will it interfere?
2. Do I think of the Lord first when considering my vacations? Do I make sure that I will be able to worship with sound congregations and not just whoever is available?
3. Is God first when I look for a place to live (or relocate), or does the place and salary determine what I do?
4. Am I often too sick for worship or Bible class, but up bright and early for work the next day?
5. Are my best friends strong Christians or are they in the weak and non-Christian category?

You could easily add more, but the point is hard to miss. Mrs. Alston spoke of the importance of putting the Lord and church first, and we have certainly seen how the Lord emphasized that many times.

Johnny Oxendine

Does Bear Valley Bible Institute Care About Brad Harrub's Fellowship Issues? No!

Below is the opening section of a much larger two part piece in the Contending For The Faith revealing the types of “associations” Brad Harrub has when not visiting “your” congregation. We feel that this is important information for brethren who do not normally inform themselves with publications like CFTF and Defender, where error is exposed along with the truth being defended. Harrub is a well known and often used brother on lectureships, at workshops, and universities. He is not one that has been accused of teaching anything erroneous that I am  aware of, but this brother does not concern himself at all with the Biblical doctrine of fellowship. How shameful that so many will embrace someone who carelessly trots about with no discerning powers and finds himself in the laps of liberals, dancing to their tunes.

Recently it was called to our attention that Brad Harrub, PhD in anatomy and neurobiology from the College of Medicine at the UT, Memphis, TN, co-founder and Executive Director of Focus  Press, and co-editor of Think magazine, has teamed with the singing group “Acappella” of “Acappella Ministries” to present what is being billed as “Creation Science In Concert With Acappella.” The event will be held at the Helena Montana Civic Center. According to the brochure advertising the program, the “promoter” of the event is Rocky Mountain Christian Institute.

Dr. Harrub primarily addresses topics concerning Christian evidences. He regularly conducts weekend seminars advertised as “Truth About Origins” and has written extensively regarding the same. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member of Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, CO. The singing group “Acappella” is advertised as “believing in the awesome versatility and flexibility of the human voice.” It is also billed as “the renowned vocal group” that can ... “fill a large concert hall with beautiful, intricate music without ever plucking a string or beating a drum.” They are also promoted as a group “with passion for God and hearts for music ministry.”

Their “ministry” accomplishes its “work through high energy concerts all of over the world.” The Rocky Mountain Christian Institute is an association of Churches and was formed in May of 1998 for the following purpose: To provide support materials, services, facilities and software for Christian Churches, Christian Schools, Christian Activities and Christian Individuals. 

Preceding the Helena Montana Civic Center event with Brad Harrub (9/20/13), Acappella will perform at the First United Methodist Church in Stanton, TX (9/11/13), and Abilene Christian University (9/15/13). Clearly bro. Harrub is in fellowship with Acappella and Acappella has no problem being in full fellowship with denominational churches. In view of the fact that Dr. Harrub is in fellowship with those who are not in fellowship with God, how can faithful members of the Lord’s church scripturally fellowship him?

[Editor’s note: Thanks to Johnny Oxendine for the opening paragraph above and for brother David Brown for the remainder of the article. It is high time for the church to wake up and recognize the God-given limits of fellowship.]

Encouraging Others to Become Christians: New Testament Lessons

Every generation has to come to grips with a very real need/problem: there are people in the world who need to obey the gospel of Christ, and that responsibility fails on the Christian to provide the instruction (rightly divided) that is from God, found in the scriptures. One of the questions is: how do we do that? (Is there a guide or example of how to convert our sin-filled generation to Christ? Of course there is: in the New Testament itself. The New Testament gives us many examples of people being taught the good news of salvation, and we can utilize those for the benefit of those we study with today.    

Since there are so many examples in the Bible and I am selecting just a few, no doubt there are others that you might think of as well - and that could be just as useful - but here we are highlighting these because they are familiar and easily remembered. One might want to begin with Stephen in Acts (6,7), or the first recorded gospel sermon by Peter on the Pentecost after the Resurrection (Acts 2); however, we might also look at those instances where quite a bit was at stake for the messenger of the good news (that may not have been such good news to the hearer at the time).    

Paul showed great courage when he was preaching before various officials, as he could only have created a more dangerous environment for himself. Look at the conversation he had with Felix in Acts (Acts 24:24). Here was a man married to someone who could not lawfully be his wife, and Paul did not back down or hesitate to bring the necessary truth to him. The Bible says he spoke of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come. Imagine how such a message must have sounded to Felix - it caused him to tremble with fear. He was given an opportunity to change his life (repent) and to walk a path of righteousness, but he seemingly refused to do so. He told Paul the same thing that many have told us over the years - they need a more convenient season. He was not willing to change, but Paul spoke to him on that sore subject anyway.    

This is an example for us: to preach the word, whether those in the world want to hear it or not. It is no shame for us to preach the truth of God, even if no one wants to hear it. We might also remember the study we just concluded on Wednesday night from Matthew 14. Though the focus was on Jesus and the feeding of the multitudes, we glanced back toward the beginning of that chapter and noticed the courage of John. He had been imprisoned and then killed because of his stand for truth. He had spoke to the authorities on matter relating to morality. "For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her." (Matthew 14:3,4)    

Is that the type of courage we have in standing up for the gospel? It is that degree of selflessness that we should embody in our defense of the scriptures, which are our guides to eternal salvation. Would we really be willing to put our lives on the line for the Lord, or would we run and seek shelter from others (as Peter did when the arrested our Lord). Shall we deny him before men, or confess Him. Our salvation is dependent on that choice.    

Johnny Oxendine

Islam’s View of the Bible

The regard and view of the Bible from the standpoint of Islam needs to be understood on several fronts. First, it does not matter how men view the Scriptures, they are the inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 1:20-21). The Qur’an was written by a man who claimed to be a prophet, just as other religious organizations were born of men who claimed to have received some additional insight from God (Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, et al.). The generic view/claim of the men who attempt to perpetrate these frauds is that something in the Bible needs to be corrected or altered for their newly emergent system to come into prominence. Of course, God has instructed them of this necessity (as this validates their mission). Their obedience to Scripture is only insofar as it serves their purpose and agrees with what they are proposing. 

Islam is no different in this respect, only so from the assertion that the Bible has many corrupted passages (which coincidentally are those that contradict the teaching or contrived “prophecy” of Muhammad), which in many instances is more evidence that the Qur’an is filled with self-contradictions. This is no clearer than in the efforts of Muslims to deny Biblical credibility while at the same time the Qur’an says that the books of Moses, Psalms, and the Gospels were all revelations from God. 

If Muhammad (a.d. 570-632), while alive, claimed to have received the revelation (the Qur’an) from Allah (which he did claim), it would logically force us to conclude that the Holy Scriptures (already in existence) could not have been subject to corruption at that time. Ask a Muslim when the Bible (which the Qur’an claim is from Allah) became corrupt if, since the Qur’an (which they also claim is from Allah) states that Allah’s words cannot be changed? 

The Word of the Lord is to last forever, as Jesus stated: “the scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). The Greek word, luo, for broken here means “to loose, dissolve, sever, break (or) demolish.” This same Greek word is translated broken in Acts 27:41 and used of the breaking up of the ship in which Paul was a passenger. A ship may be broken up (destroyed, dissolved, dissipated) but not the Word of God. 

The works of the devil can be destroyed but not the Scriptures: “To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:8b—luo is translated “destroy” in this passage).

Johnny Oxendine   

Neither Ignorance nor Arrogance Is Pleasing/Acceptable to the Lord

Our thoughts in this essay will examine some reasons that men might not obey the Gospel, and also why some in the Lord’s body ought to reconsider the attitudes we might have unconsciously developed. Given the conditions of our (and every) society, Biblically uninformed Christians will undoubtedly find themselves with the same difficult task of repelling the considerable dualities of ignorance and/or arrogance that so many in the world will display with reference to God. The Scriptures certainly speak of both as unacceptable with regard to (and in light of) the Day of Judgment.

In II Thessalonians 1:7–9, the Scriptures speak of those who “know not God” and those who “obey not the gospel.” Clearly there are two distinct classes of people being discussed to be judged: those who have no knowledge of the heavenly creator (resulting from any variety of reasons), and those who have had the opportunity to hear the Gospel and have (for whatever reason) rejected it.

In Romans 10:3, the apostle Paul writes of those who are ignorant (not having information) of God’s righteousness. In the very next chapter he mentions that the brethren should not be ignorant of the mystery, and in the I Corinthians epistle (chapters 10, 12) Paul states that he does not want the believers to be ignorant of important revelation.

Paul says in Philippians 3:10 that one of the most important things in his life (and we hope our lives as well) is to know God (“that I might know Him”). We are also exhorted to grow in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:8; Colossians 1:9; to name a few). This we can do through a continual study of the Scriptures.

It will not be an acceptable excuse on the Day of Judgment to tell the Lord that we did not have/give/take time to know (learn of, about, and from) Him. We will not be able to lay the blame to anyone else. We will all have to give an account to Jesus for our own actions. Paul summoned the elders of Ephesus to Miletus (Acts 20:28–30) so that they might not be ignorant (unaware) of grievous wolves that would not spare the flock. Paul no doubt surprised them when he told them that some of those “wolves” would come from among themselves.

Jude likewise warned against the ignorance that was allowing false doctrine to seep in among them. God wants us to “rightly divide the word of truth.” Knowing the Lord’s Word does not give us the prerogative to be arrogant (or full of pride) with or about it. Our Christian responsibility is to “search the scriptures,” making certain that the things that are said (preached and taught) are in accord with divine truth (Acts 17:11). In order to discern truth correctly we must “study” the inerrant Word of God diligently, so we might “rightly divide” it (handle it properly—for ourselves and others).

Arrogance is a characteristic of pride. The word means to have an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities. God resists such people (James 4:6; I Peter 5:5). When we impart the engrafted Word that saves souls (James 1:21), it is to be in the spirit of meekness and humility. Humility is also warranted when we find that our own opinions or biases are not consistent with (or have the authority of) the holy and Divine Scriptures.

Johnny Oxendine

Just Some Logical Answers to Some Very Unusual Questions: What Saith...?

Because people are often looking for a way into something without having to do what is actually required for entrance, many have asked me the question: “Can you be taught wrong and baptized right?” In response, I have thought (and sometimes asked), “Can you be taught wrong and hear right?” “Can you be taught wrong and believe right?” “Can you be taught wrong and repent right?” “Can you be taught wrong and confess right?” If we cannot do these things, then what makes us think that we can be taught wrong and baptized right? The bottom line is that God has clearly identified the purity of purpose for baptism. There is no reason for someone not to know what the purpose of baptism is when they are baptized, and if they are not following the purpose that God has clearly set forth, they are just getting wet.

When we really get down to the truth of the matter baptism is an act of faith. When a person is baptized, they must believe that baptism is for the remission of their sins—that is the act of faith. In Colossians 2:12 the Bible says, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Without that act of faith involved in baptism, one is merely getting wet. If a person is just baptized “to obey God,” what is the act of faith? Where are you putting your trust when you are baptized “to obey God?” One might say, “I am putting my trust in God.” Great! So what are you putting your trust in God to do? When faith trusts God, it trusts God to do something (Romans 4:20-22; Hebrews 11). Baptism does not need to show that one merely believes God; confession accomplishes that. Baptism is not just a restatement of one’s confession. It is much more than that.

Notice what Peter says on the matter of baptism. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”Please notice what is said in that (1 Peter 3:21) passage: (1) Baptism saves us. (2) Baptism is not merely taking a bath. (3) Baptism is the response to God of a good conscience. (4) Baptism saves by the resurrection of Jesus. Notice item number three. When we are baptized, we have to have a good conscience about it — we must do it with the right purposes in mind. The good conscience when taught properly is going to understand that baptism is necessary for salvation and is going to motivate the individual to take the appropriate action. To say that one can be baptized correctly without understanding the purpose of baptism denies the role of the conscience in baptism.

There is nothing magical in the waters of baptism. The water is just water. So dunking a person under the water just for the sake of dunking someone under the water is not going to cut it. If the proper motive and purpose is not present, it is meaningless, just like all the other steps of salvation. If a person is not baptized for the proper motives and purposes, he is just getting wet. The Bible clearly teaches that the purpose of baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

This is why we must insure that those we teach clearly understand the purpose of baptism. One cannot feel safe just because they went through the motions, and we should not feel that this has somehow relieved us of the need for more thorough and detailed teaching before baptism. We do no one any favors by putting them in the baptistery if they have no real appreciation for the fact that their sins are being forgiven.

Johnny Oxendine

JUST SOME LOGICAL ANSWERS

Because people are often looking for a way into something without having to do what is actually required for entrance, many have asked me the question: “Can you be taught wrong and baptized right [sic]?” In response, I have thought (and sometimes asked), “Can you be taught wrong and hear right?” “Can you be taught wrong and believe right?”

“Can you be taught wrong and repent right?” “Can you be taught wrong andconfess right?” If we cannot do these things, then what makes us think that we canbe taught wrong and baptized right? The bottom line is that God has clearly identified the purity of purpose for baptism. There is no reason for someone not to know what the purpose of baptism is when he is baptized, and if one is not following the purpose that God has clearly set forth, he is just getting wet. When we really get down to the truth of the matter, baptism is an act of faith. When a person is baptized, he must believe that baptism is for the remission of his sins — that is the act of faith. In Colossians 2:12, the Bible says:

Having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Without that act of faith involved in baptism, one is merely getting wet. If a person is just baptized “to obey God,” what is the act of faith? Where are you putting your trust when you are baptized “to obey God”? One might say, “I am putting my trust in God.” Great! So what are you putting your trust in God to do? When faith trusts God, it trusts God to do something (Romans 4:20–22; Hebrews 11). Baptism is not needed to show that one merely believes God; confession of one’s faith accomplishes that. Baptism is not just a restatement of one’s confession. It is much more than that. Notice what Peter says on the matter of baptism:

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Peter 3:21).

Please notice what this passage says: (1) Baptism saves us. (2) Baptism is not merely taking a bath. (3) Baptism is the response to God of a goodconscience. (4) Baptism saves by the resurrection of Jesus. Notice item number three. When we are baptized, we have to have a good conscience about it — we must do it with the right purpose in mind. The good conscience, taught properly, will understand that baptism is necessary for salvation and will motivate the individual to take the appropriate action. To say that one can be baptized correctly without understanding the purpose of baptism denies the role of the conscience in baptism.

There is nothing magical in the waters of baptism. The water is just water. So dunking a person under the water just for the sake of dunking someone under the water will not suffice. If the proper motive and purpose are not present, it is meaningless, just like all the other steps of salvation. If a person is not baptized for the proper motives and purpose, he is just getting wet. The Bible clearly teaches that the purpose of baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

We must therefore insure that those we teach clearly understand the purpose of baptism. One cannot feel safe just because he went through the motions, and we should not feel that this has somehow relieved us of the need for more thorough and detailed teaching before baptism. We do people no favors by putting them in the baptistery if they have no real appreciation for the fact that their sins are being forgiven by Jesus’ blood in that act (Acts 22:16).

Johnny Oxendine