Victory in Christ

God's Word clearly teaches that each one of us can triumph over Satan and his snares. However, even those who understand and believe this sometimes err greatly in their conception of the means by which the victory will be accomplished.

Let us notice some ways in which it will not be accomplished. We will not overcome Satan and evil by carnal, fleshly, or material means. We are indeed engaged in a war, but not one with physical/material weapons (II Corinthians 10:3–4). Our struggle is a spiritual one, originating with invisible, yet very real, forces (Ephesians 6:12). As Christian “soldiers” we are commanded to “be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might” (6:10). Be strong is in the passive voice (literally, “be made strong”), implying submission to the avenues of spiritual strength the Lord has provided. Our strength does not come through some direct profusion of Holy Spirit power enabling us to resist temptation, understand His written Word, and be victorious in our personal spiritual struggles. Rather, the Lord provides us with all of the “weapons” and resources we need through His inspired Word (Ephesians 6:13–17; II Tim. 3:16–17).

Selfishness causes casualties among rank and file Christian soldiers, resulting in simple neglect of spiritual duty on the one hand and/or rebellion toward His authority on the other. This self-will often manifests itself by opposing those who faithfully preach God's Word. Many saints are not as wise or as spiritually mature as were those sinners in Thessalonica who became saints. When they heard the Gospel, they “…accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God…” (I Thessalonians 2:13). Tragically, many who would like to be known as “soldiers of the cross” accept the Word of God as if it were the words of men, despising its authority if it in any way reproves them. Often such seek to silence the messengers who faithfully deliver that message of Truth.

Note that spiritual strength is “in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10), as opposed to “outside” the Lord. In the Lord or its equivalent appears several times in the New Testament. This phrase indicates fellowship with Christ, attained by coming into the spiritual sphere where the Lord and salvation are. It is equal to being in the church/kingdom/body of Christ and to being saved, redeemed by the blood of Christ. Outside of Christ and His church, men deprive themselves of spiritual strength sufficient for their struggles with Satan. Regardless of how sincere, pious, or morally good one outside of Christ may be, salvation and spiritual strength are found only in Christ. Our labor avails “in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). Two passages tell us plainly that baptism in water is the point at which the sinner enters into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27).

Further, our hope of victory is not in the devices and inventions of men, but “in the Lord.” “…The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh… (II Corinthians 10:4), either in the sense of physical military weapons or the philosophies, reasonings, and gimmicks of men, “…for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, …but against the spiritual hosts of wickedness… (Ephesians 6:12). If we overcome Satan, it will be through reliance upon the Lord's way, not the ways of men.

Dub McClish

Are Women Permitted to Teach?

What may women Scripturally do in the worship and work of the church? This question over which there has been much contention. There are some who say that a woman has no place in the active role of teaching in the church while others go to the opposite extreme and say there are no limitations on the women’s work in the church. But the question is: What does the Bible teach?

There was confusion in the church at Corinth, and Paul wrote to correct it. He admonished the prophets to speak by two or three, and that by course, whereas, they apparently had been all speaking at one time and causing confusion; and the brethren were forbidden to speak in tongues which the audience did not know unless they had an interpreter, for Paul said, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (I Corinthians 14:33). In reference to the women in the church at Corinth, Paul said, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church” (I Corinthians 14:34-35). Apparently they were asking questions during the worship, also causing confusion. Paul told them if they would learn anything to ask their husbands at home.

In Paul’s instructions relative to women in the church at Corinth, he said, “But they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.” He referred to the Old Testament law that women, as a result of Eve’s sin in the garden of Eden, would be ruled over her husband. However, women were permitted to teach in certain capacities under the Old Testament law, but not over the man. Moses’ sister, Miriam, was a prophetess (teacher) (Exodus 15:20); but when she tried to usurp authority over Moses, she was smitten by God of leprosy; not because she was teaching, but because she usurped authority over the man (Numbers 12:1-2).

In I Timothy 2:12, Paul discussed the question of women’s teaching. He said, “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” Over the man modifies both infinitives, to teach and to usurp. She cannot teach over the man; she cannot usurp authority over the man. We might illustrate it this way: An officer of the law, placed at a bridge which was needing repair, would tell a motorist, “I don’t allow you to drive nor to tow a car over the bridge.” Would the motorist assume that he could not drive the car anywhere? Of course not. He would readily understand that over the bridge modified his driving.

We know that the apostle did not forbid women’s teaching in every capacity, for they did teach. Philip “had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy” (Acts 21:9). Those daughters of Philip were teachers of the Word of God. But the Bible forbids women to usurp authority over men. That does not mean they cannot teach man, for Priscilla helped her husband teach Apollos, a mighty man in the Scriptures.

Women have a Scriptural right and duty to help in the work of the church in teaching children and women. But their teaching must be in subjection to the elders, and they must not usurp authority over the men. Let us not try to deprive them of their Scriptural rights.

W. L. Totty

February 20, 1972

The Church Is Different

God has always taught His people to be different. One of the major problems of His people has been forgetting this truth and losing their distinctiveness. The nation of Israel wanted to become like the other nations around them (I Samuel 8). They became like them and God cast them off. Surely there is a warning for the church.

The Church Is Different From the World

The church is different from the world in its attitude and ambitions. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). The values of Christians are different from sinners. Sinners live for self. Christians live to glorify God and serve others (Matthew 16:24; Mark 10:45). Are we losing this distinctiveness today? Are the attitudes and ambitions of Christians different from non-Christians?

The Church Differs From Judaism

Judaism was carnal, the church is spiritual. “Then verily thefirst covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldlysanctuary...which stood only in meats and drinks, and diverswashing, and carnal ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:1,10). Look carefully at the word, carnal.The church is spiritual (Ephesians 1:3). It is heavenly (2:6). Its worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24; Romans 1:9). This is one reason that mechanical instruments of music have no place in Christian worship. If one granted that it was right in the Old Testament it does not suit the spiritual worship of the New Testament. Christian worship must be from the heart. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).

The Church Is Different From Catholicism

The church differs from the Catholic church in that it accepts the authority of Scriptures. Catholics do not accept the authority of the Scriptures. Consider the following quotation. “One must keep the commandments of God and the church” (Catechism of Christian Doctrine, No. 1, pl. 31). The Scriptures are an authority but not the only authority. In truth it is no authority since the pope must interpret it. Catholics teach that II Peter 1:20 denies the right of individual interpretation. This is a perversion of the passage. Peter is speaking of how Scripture was given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (1:21). Paul commanded the Thessalonians to “prove all things, hold fast to that which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21). He did not say prove all things by what Peter said. The church differs from Catholicism by “speaking as the oracles of God” (I Peter 4:11). The church urges all to have an open mind and “search the scriptures daily” to see if what is heard is in harmonywith what they have read.

The Church Is Different From Protestantism

The church differs from Protestantism in that it accepts the completeness of the Scriptures. The church has no creed but Christ and no book but the Bible. All teaching is based upon the Book. All questions are decided by what the Bible teaches, not a manual or discipline. It also differs from Protestantism in accepting the completeness of the Scripture and denying the need for a direct operation of the Holy Spirit in order to be able to understand it. Protestants generally misapply I Corinthians 2:14. They think the natural man is the sinner without a direct operation of the Spirit he cannot understand the Bible when he reads it. It has always been strange to me that even though the Bible is made of words just like one finds in the school books or the newspaper on can understand them in the book or paper but not in the Bible.

The Church Is Different From the Christian Church

The church differs from the Christian church in its respect for the silence of the Scriptures. The Christian church teaches that where the Bible is silent we may speak or act. This opens the door for anything that is not specifically forbidden. This is a real difference between it and the church.

Conclusion

We should not be afraid or ashamed to be different from the world, from Judaism, from Catholicism, from Protestantism, and even from the Christian church. Without a doubt one of the greatest problems we are facing in the church today is the fact that most people are afraid to be different.

Franklin Camp

1915-1991

UNITY — Can It Be Had In the Modern Religious World?

Yes, if we respect the wishes of Christ. He prayed for unity: John 17:20-21.

Yes, if we believe there is one God. The Ephesians were told to keep unity on the basis of this truth: Ephesians 4:3-6.

Yes, if we realize the dangers of division. Paul taught against religious division: I Corinthians 1: 10- 13.

Yes, if we are willing to yield human opinions to the authority of God’s Word.  Jeremiah urged that man’s wisdom is not a safe guide: Jeremiah 10:23.

But unity does not now exist! The modem religious world is divided into several hundred denominations who war over names, creeds, practices, organizations, worship and ritual.

Unity can be had when creeds are discarded in favor of the Bible. The world can have the blessings of unity when all people accept the Holy Scriptures as the sole authority in religion. The Bible only makes Christians only! If all are just Christians, nothing more and nothing less, all will be united!

William S. Cline

What Is Acceptable Worship?

Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). 

First, notice that according to Jesus our worship is to be directed toward God. We are to worship Him. Only Deity is worthy of worship. Men are unworthy of worship. Cornelius knew that Peter had been sent by God to tell him the Word of God through which (if obeyed) he and his household would be saved (Acts 11:14). When Cornelius first saw the apostle Peter he “fell down at his feet, and worshiped him”(Acts 10:25). Peter was a great man, an apostle of Christ; but Peter made it clear that men were unworthy of worship. “But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man” (Acts 10:26). Twice (Revelation 19:10; 22:9) it is stated that John, the apostle, when beholding the glories of heaven fell down to worship at the feet of an angel. He was forbidden to do so. He was told, “Worship God.” When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He stated, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). 

Second, observe that man is the one whose responsibility it is to worship God. In the previous verse Jesus had stated, “...for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23). Clearly God desires worship from man. The primary purpose of man is to glorify God. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:5). 

Third, this worship must be “in spirit” for it to be accepted by God. God demands that our worship be offered from the heart sincerely. God rejects worship that is not sincere. Jesus described some who offered such worship to God. He stated, “This people draweth nigh to me with their mouth and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8). Scripture speaks of those who are acceptable to God as “them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (II Timothy 2:22). Worship is to be sincere expressions of praise and adoration of God which come from the genuine thoughts and intents of the heart. 

But, sincerity is not all that is necessary to make worship acceptable to God. Fourth, acceptable worship must be “in truth.” Truth is God’s Word (John 17:17). Our worship must be according to God’s instructions. When man injects his own ideas into worship, his worship becomes worthless. “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).  

There are certain acts of worship that God has approved. All other acts are thereby condemned by God for worship. Prayer is worship (Acts 2:42; James 4:8; 5:16)), singing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” is worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), preaching God’s Word is worship (Acts 2:42; 20:7); giving financially of our means on the first day of the week is worship (I Corinthians 16:2), and partaking of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week is worship (Acts 20:7). It should be clearly observed that acceptable (i.e. acceptable to God) is not everything that man might want to do and call it worship. Acceptable worship follows the parameters set forth by God in His Word. God determines what acceptable worship is. He has revealed to us in His Word what acceptable worship is. Everything else is NOT acceptable worship. 

Regardless of what man may call it, the playing of mechanical instruments of music is not worship because God has not authorized it. Even if man suggests that burning incense is worship, it is not worship because God has not authorized it. Man might suggest that everything that man wants to do is worship if his heart is sincere. God’s Word tells us that this is not so. Some might suggest that all that man does is worship to God, but according to God’s Word this is NOT the case. Doing righteous acts are service to God, but “good works” are not worship. Dedicating one’s life to God is right, good and proper; but Christian living is never spoken of in the New Testament as worship. If all of life is worship, then worship is possible without the person realizing that he is worshiping (The person’s heart, according to this view, at the time may not even recognize that worship is taking place. How can such worship be “in spirit”?) Such is absurd! God has authorized only five acts of worship. Those are the acts that are engaged in when worship takes place; worship only occurs when one or more of these acts are done. 

Fifth, only two of those five acts are restricted in time. God has specified when we are to take the Lord’s Supper–the first day of the week. God has specified when we are to give financially to support the work of the church (local congregation)–the first day of the week. With God’s approval we can engage in these acts of worship only on the first day of the week (i.e. the first day of every week). We can worship God through singing (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs), praying and the preaching of His Word at any time. If God has regulated these acts in some way, then we must follow those regulations when we engage in that action. For example, God has given us guidelines for prayer (i.e. addressed to the Father, in the name of Jesus, etc.). Prayer must be offered according to those instructions of God wherever and whenever we pray. 

Worship is an activity on the part of man to praise God and to reverence Him and His Word. Worship is according to God’s pattern if it is acceptable to Him. Almost from the beginning of man’s presence on this earth, man has tried to ignore God’s Word, do his “own thing” and call it worship expecting God to be pleased. A study of the New Testament and a review of the cases of Cain and Nadab and Abihu ought to cause us to know that what we offer to God in worship is not always acceptable to Him just because we think what He has not authorized is okay, or better. 

Lester Kamp

The Silence of the Scriptures

Surely one of the most effective, and most scriptural, arguments the  saints have made down through the years is that of the authority of the SILENCE of the scriptures. In hundreds of debates with proponents of  every kind of error, audiences were shown that when God legislates in a  certain area, making clear his requirements, then man has no authority  to go beyond that, adding similar or like things to what God has  specified. We have correctly used the gopher wood, the pitch, the  dimensions of the ark in the case of Noah (Genesis 6), and we have  used the fruit of the vine and the bread on the Lord’s table (Matthew  26:26-28) on the same point.  

Of late, men are stating that there can be no argument based on “the  silence of the scriptures.” As one recently put it, “Man is free to do any  and every thing that God has not specifically forbidden.” And one other  man, in the kingdom, said that “any matter falling within the silence of the  scriptures should be treated as options, based on the rule of Romans  14.” In correspondence with one in another state, and when the matter of  dancing in worship was brought up, and our having no specific  condemnation in the New Testament of such, his answer was that if the  congregation’s elders gave approval, and if they then could see some benefit to be gained, it would be proper! Thus, the end to which one will  be taken if he feels there can be no legitimate argument based on the  SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES!  

We know the argument we now are supporting is a legitimate one, for we  find it used in the Word! In Hebrews 7, as the writer speaks of the  priesthood of Christ under the New Testament, he states that there has  been a change of the law, thus necessitating a change in the priesthood  (v. 12). He speaks of our Lord coming from the tribe of Judah (v. 14), and  in making then the point that the Lord could not be a priest if the law of  Moses were still in effect, the writer states, “…of which tribe Moses  spake nothing concerning priesthood.”  

Thus, the argument is made that Jesus could not be a priest under the  Old Testament law, because THE SCRIPTURES SAID NOTHING about  one of Judah being a priest! Let us, as we continue to stress Biblical  authority, and the right handling of the Word (II Timothy 2:15), also  continually stress the SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES!

Bill Jackson  

Lessons from Genesis One

Genesis 1 is intended as an introduction to God: 

1. Genesis 1 is an introduction to the wisdom of God. This becomes a background of the wisdom for the rest of the Bible. There is not anything that is short or lacking in God’s creation. God did not have to ask anybody about His methods of procedure in creation (Romans 11:31-36).
2. Genesis 1 is an introduction to the power of God. If God had the power to bring the worlds into existence then why should He have any problem with any other miracle that is recorded in the Bible? This includes the Virgin Birth or resurrection!
3. Genesis is an introduction to the eternity of God (Isaiah 57:15—ASV).
4. Genesis 1 is an introduction to the goodness of God. All that is needed for man’s happiness is provided for him. The goodness of God becomes the background for our redemption. God has an interest in what happens to man. His grace has ever provided what man has needed (Deuteronomy 8:18; James 1:17; Titus 1:17).
5. Genesis is an introduction to the love of God (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-9).
6. Genesis introduces us to the spiritual nature of God. The spiritual nature of God becomes the background of man’s fellowship with God. Faith is a spiritual principle. Love is a spiritual principle. These have to do with our responses to our Creator (Genesis 1:26-27; Deuteronomy 6:5-6; Matthew 22:37; I John 5:3; John 14:15).
7. Genesis is an introduction to the authority of God. When God delegates authority that does not diminish God’s authority. Note Jesus and the apostles (Matthew 28:19).
8. God’s method of operation is through His Word (And God said). Notice the number of occurrences in Genesis 1 of: “And God said.”
9. Genesis is an introduction to the perfection of God. The knowledge of God is fundamental to all correct knowledge. Error is based on a misunderstanding of the character of God. God will not overlook false doctrine (Matthew 15:9, 13; Galatians 1:6, 9).
10. Genesis 1 gives emphasis to the unity of God. The unity of God opposes Denominationalism. The New Testament teaches the necessity of unity based on truth (I Corinthians 1:10; John 17:20-21). Each denomination has its own distinctive name and doctrines. This would be foreign to II John 9-11. False teaching is filled with poison. We must not follow after that which is crooked and perverse. We must see righteousness as the solution to all our problems. Sin is the root of all of our problems. Sin creates was in the soul. This being the case, the only solution for us today is the Gospel of Christ (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15; 1:16- 17; Mark 16:15-16). 

The Gospel must be believed and obeyed if we want to be saved.

Franklin Camp