Salvation & Discipleship

Objectives:

I. What Did The Apostles in the First Century Teach That One Must Do To Be Saved?

II. Forgiveness of Sins after Becoming a Christian

III. Discipleship

Lesson:

I. What did the Apostles in the First Century Teach That One Must Do To Be Saved?

The Conversions in the book of Acts Confirm God’s Way of Saving Us

What chapters in the book of Acts contain a conversion account?

1. Acts 2:21-47

Notice Peter begins his sermon by quoting Joel 2:28-32 in order to explain why the Holy Spirit had fallen on the Apostles.

Joel had spoken of the following:

-          The outpouring of the Spirit

-          The judgment on Jerusalem and the Jews

-          An encouragement for all to “call on the name of the Lord” in order to be saved

It is the last point (Acts 2:21) that Peter uses as a springboard for the rest of his sermon. Since one must call on the name of the Lord in order to be saved, Peter must first establish that Jesus is the Lord. In verses 22-36, Peter offers a number of proofs to confirm this fact.

Notice verse 37. Why would these people ask Peter what they must do?

Has not Peter already told them to “call on the name of the Lord”? The problem is that the phrase, “call on the name of the Lord,” is not specific enough for a person to know how to go about calling on the Lord’s name. In the Greek language this phrase would literally mean, “invoke the power of the Lord and you will be saved”. Well, how does one go about doing that? This is the question being asked.

Verse 38 is the answer to the question of what must be done in order to be saved.

What does Peter says is necessary to do in order to have “forgiveness of your sins”?

How is this different from what religious leaders teach today?

Should religious leaders today be teaching something different than the Apostle Peter?

Remission is the same as forgiveness and forgiveness is based on the blood of Christ, that is, the death of Christ on the cross for our sins. Receiving forgiveness of sins from the Lords it the same as receiving grace from the Lord. God’s grace is applied to us when we repent and are baptized for the purpose of our sins being forgiven. Matthew 26:28 uses the same phrase, “for remission of sins,” and tells us Jesus shed His blood for the remission of sins. Therefore, Peter is telling us how to receive the grace of God.

Notice verse 41.

How long did these people wait before they were baptized? Why was baptism so urgent?

Compare this verse with verse 47.

What did the Lord do when they were baptized?

2. Acts 4:1-4

Notice that Luke only counts male believers and that the number has now come to be about 5000.

Why doesn’t Luke mention baptism in this verse?

If many who heard the Word “believed,” do you think these people did anything different than the people we read about in Acts 2?

Luke uses the word “believe” to include or encompass all that the Lord required of a person to have his sins forgiven. This would include an acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God and a belief in His promises. It would include repenting, confessing Jesus (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized. In the New Testament, to be a believer means you have done, and are doing, all the things required by the Lord to be considered His disciple.

3. Acts 8:5-13

What did these people do in order to become Christians?

Were any babies or children baptized? Why or why not?

4. Acts 8:26-40

Notice that Philip “preached Jesus” to the eunuch. Since after hearing Jesus preached, the eunuch asked to be baptized, what must be included in “preaching Jesus”?

What did the Philip say the eunuch had to do before he could be baptized?

Based on this, who is not a candidate for baptism?

5. Acts 9:1-19; 22:14-16

In order to know the full story of the conversion of Saul, it is necessary to also read Acts 22 where Saul (Paul) repeats his conversion story and reveals some other details about his conversion.

Most religious leaders today say that Saul was saved on the road to Damascus.

After reading Acts 22:16, is that true?

When were Saul’s sins washed away?

Notice also that Saul had (1) seen the Lord, (2) heard the Lord’s voice, (3) been blinded by the Lord, (4) fasted three days and nights, (5) prayed for three days, and (6) was healed of the blindness by the Lord.

And yet, after all this, Saul did not yet have his sins forgiven.

Most churches today accept people on the basis of simply saying they believe. If that is so, why does the Lord require Saul to “arise and be baptized and wash away his sins, calling on the name of the Lord”?

6. Acts 10:44-48

Cornelius was the first Gentile convert. Since Jews did not have dealings with Gentiles, it was necessary for God to give Peter four miraculous events in Acts 10 in order to convince him that God had authorized that He wanted Peter to accept these Gentiles.

Once Peter was convinced, what did he command Cornelius and his household to do?

7. Acts 16:11-15

What did Lydia and her household do to be saved?

8. Acts 16:25-34

What did Paul tell the jailor to do in verse 31?

Unfortunately, many religious leaders today will have you stop after this verse and not read the rest of the story. When you read verse 32, what also did Paul tell the jailor?

How urgent was it for the jailor and his household to be baptized?

When does Luke tell us that the jailor rejoiced, before or after baptism?

When does Luke tell us that the jailor “had believed,” before or after baptism?

9. Acts 18:8

What did the Corinthians do to become Christians?

Read 1 Corinthians 2:2, and notice that Paul said he had determined not to teach them anything other than “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Since this was Paul’s determination, baptism must be a part of preaching Jesus and Him crucified.

10. Acts 19:1-5

“John’s baptism” was exactly the same as Christ’s baptism as far as the action of immersion was concerned. But with John’s baptism there was a different belief since it was only valid prior to the death of Christ.

Since both baptisms look the same, why was it necessary for these men to be baptized a second time?

What role would “faith” (that is, what they believed about baptism and its purpose) have in their baptism?

11. Read Colossians 2:11-12

Look carefully at verse 11. Who is the “surgeon” in this verse?

What is He cutting off?

Would you say this was a salvation by grace since it is made “without hands”?

According to verse 12, when does the Lord cut off our sins?

In other words, what must we do to get on the “surgery table”?

What part does faith have in this “surgery”?

Based on this verse, would you say that baptism was man’s work or a work of God that we must submit to?

Part II – How Do I Have My Sins Forgiven After Becoming a Christian?

Read 1 John 1:5-2:5

You will notice in this text that there are a number of contrasts. In 1:6, we cannot “walk in darkness” and still be in fellowship with God, but in verse 7, if we “walk in the light,” we will have fellowship with Him and the blood of Jesus will cleanse us of all sins.

Remember, John is writing to Christians. Christians are not allowed to walk in darkness (live a sinful lifestyle), but instead must walk in the light (live a righteous lifestyle).

But notice also that Christians do sin, even Christians who “walk in the light”. Walking in the light is not perfection, else the Lord would not need to “cleanse us of our sins”.

 Notice verses 8-10 present another contrast. This is a contrast between one who denies that he sins (and therefore cannot be forgiven), and one who admits he sins and is forgiven. This Christian, who walks in the light and admits when he sins to God through Christ, will be forgiven.

Finally, notice 2:1-5. Though we will not live perfectly, we must keep His commandments if we expect to have fellowship with Him.

Part III – Discipleship

Discipleship is following Jesus, which is learning from Him, obeying Him and molding your life to be like Him.

We have previously learned in our study of the Bible what one must do to be saved and the Lord adds those to the church (body of Christ).

We have also previously learned that the church is the vessel of salvation under the New Testament (as compared to the vessel of salvation that Noah created to save people from the flood). You have to be in the vessel of salvation in order to obtain salvation.

After one has done what the Lord requires of them to be saved they must continue to “walk in the light” being disciples of Jesus. This is absolutely necessary in order to stay in the vessel of salvation, the church (body of Christ).

Matthew 16:24 says: If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 19:28-30 says: You who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne…And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

Matthew 10:24-42 (more of Jesus’ teaching on discipleship)

Luke 9:23 (1) deny self (2) take up your cross (3) daily (4) follow Me

Have you obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ in the same manner as the first century Christians? Remember these Christians were taught by the Apostles who were given the Holy Spirit by Jesus to guide them into all truth (John 16:13).

It is not wise to put one’s confidence into the words of men today that would teach that one can be saved in a different manner than those Christians were saved in the first century.

And if you have obeyed the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this manner are you living as a true disciple of Jesus? Do you know the teachings of Jesus and are you striving to abide in them? Are you striving in your daily life to walk by the Spirit and grow into the image of Jesus?

The Church that Belongs to Jesus

Learning Objective:

We will obtain an understanding of the church that we read about in the Bible and what God expects from a member of His church (the body of Christ).

Lesson:

Is there a relationship between salvation and church membership?

Jesus told Peter He would build His church (Matthew 16:18).

Acts 2:38 says: Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verse 41 says: So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Not everybody received what Peter said. How many received his word?

 With approximately 1 million Jews present that day in Jerusalem on Pentecost ________ received what Peter said.

Acts 2:36 says: Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ---this Jesus whom you crucified.

Peter proclaimed Jesus Christ to the entire house of Israel, but only about 3000 souls gladly received Peter’s words.

Then what did those that gladly received Peter’s words do?

After having been baptized, verse 41 says: there were added unto them.

Who added them?

Verse 47 says: Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

It is God that adds to the church.

Who did God add to the church?

The people that gladly received Peter’s words as he proclaimed Jesus Christ.

What did those people do to receive his words?

They repented and were baptized.

And what were they called?

Verse 47 says: those who were being saved

God added the saved to the church.

So, the church is made up of the saved and the saved make up the church.

The church was called many things (The body, the bride, the kingdom, the household of faith, the pillar and ground of truth and a spiritual house).

Colossians 1:18 says: He (Jesus Christ) is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Paul said that Christ is the head of the body, the church. The body and church are one in the same.

So God added the saved to the church and the church is the same thing as Christ’s body.

Ephesians 4:4 says: There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling.

Now, if the church is the body and Paul said there’s only one body, how many churches are there?

There is only one church. That church is made up of the saved and it is God alone that adds the saved to that one church.

Furthermore, Ephesians 5:23-25 says: For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.

And if Christ is the Savior of the body, the church, then it is impossible to be saved outside of the church because that’s the very thing He is going to save.

So when people say, “join the church of your choice” is that good advice?

It’s a common phrase that comes from good intentions, but it’s rooted in ignorance of God’s Word.

The Bible has shown us that when people obey God’s instructions to be saved, they don’t choose the church of their choice. God adds them to the one church that belongs to His Son.

As shown earlier, the one church is described by several different descriptions in the Bible (the body, the bride, the kingdom, the household of faith, the pillar and ground of truth and a spiritual house).

The description church of Christ is just one of those descriptions used in the Bible to describe the one church.

Romans 16:16 says: Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

A lower-cased ‘c’ is used in the word church because the church of Christ is not a proper name. It’s simply a description of Christ’s body, His blood-bought church. It’s a descriptive term of Christ’s church.

You cannot find the Catholics, the Baptists, the Methodists, the Presbyterians or the other denominations in the Bible. They cannot be found in the Bible by name or by practice. That is because they did not exist in the first century.

But, you find the church of Christ in both name and practice.

The description could be any of a number of descriptions we read of in the Bible describing the one church that belongs to Jesus, but identifying it by practice is of great importance. We will approach that later in our study.

The church that belongs to Jesus Christ was born as we have read in Acts 2 on that Day of Pentecost in the first century.

So, is there a relationship between salvation and church membership?

The church is essential to salvation. The saved are members of the church and the church is made up of the saved. The two cannot be separated.

Illustration

God had Noah build a vessel of salvation, the ark.

Noah said to get into the ark to be saved. Get into the vessel commissioned by God to have salvation.

It’s your choice to get in the ark. Don’t get in if you don’t want to, but if you don’t get in you won’t be saved.

Was salvation found outside the ark?

Furthermore, God commissioned another soul-saving vessel. The perfect soul-saving vessel, Jesus Christ. The principle from the Old Testament was brought forth and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We have the choice.

Get into the vessel of Jesus Christ which is the church, the body of Christ to be saved. You don’t have to get in if you don’t want to, but if you don’t get in you won’t be saved.

Is salvation found outside the ark of Christ?

The ark of Christ is the body of Christ, which is the church. That is why one must be in the church that belongs to Jesus for salvation. It’s the soul-saving ark of God today just like the soul-saving ark of God during Noah’s day.

The ark was the antitype of the church and Noah was the antitype of Christ.

The church of Christ is not a denomination.

Denominations are divisions from the original.

The church of Christ is the original that began on the Day of Pentecost around 33 A.D.

Secondly, denominations have an earthly head, an association, a committee, a board of directors, conventions, etc.

HOW DO I FIND a group of Christians that are meeting together and striving to be a member of the one church that belongs to Jesus Christ?

Examine what they teach and practice!!!

• The church belonging to Jesus has no earthly head of any kind because Jesus is the head.

• The church belonging to Jesus is completely autonomous because this is the example set forth from the beginning of the establishing of local bodies of Christ as read about in the book of Acts by the Apostles who were given the Holy Spirit from Jesus to “guide them into all truth” (John 16:5-15).

• The church belonging to Jesus is self-governed by Elders as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Deacons assist in the service of the church as instructed in 1 Timothy 3:8-12. This is done for the same reason as above. Everything that is taught or practiced is done by the authority of Jesus Christ. Not man because man has no authority in these matters. All was given to Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

Christ is the only Head. He is seated at the right hand of God, Acts 2:33, and governs over His kingdom, the church. Jesus governs His kingdom at this very moment. That kingdom is His church, Colossians 1:18, and the idea is explained in Ephesians 1:20-23, which says:

Which he brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The local bodies of Christians meeting together and striving to be a member of the one church that belongs to Jesus Christ are bound together through brotherly love and the Word of God.

The Word unites us into one faith (Ephesians 4:3-6).

We have no man-made statements of faith, no denominational creed-books, no associations, no conventions and no board of directors.

The Bible is our only rule of faith. God’s Word. It is all man needs to do the will of God and doing God’s will is essential to salvation (Matthew 7:21-23).

 AGAIN, HOW DO I FIND find the church that belongs to Jesus Christ from every other church on the planet?

Religions usually identify themselves by their names, but what if you removed all of the names from all of the churches today? How would we know one from another?

In other words, how can you tell the difference between one church and another?

BY WHAT THEY TEACH AND PRACTICE!!!

The way you identify the true church that belongs to Jesus today is by the same method. You find out what they teach and practice.

The church that belongs to Jesus in the New Testament was commanded to worship God in truth and in Spirit (John 4:24).

If we read all the way through the New Testament we’ll find that Christians gathered together upon the first day of the week to worship God through five acts of worship:

1. They partook of the Lord’s Supper

2. They prayed together

3. They sang songs, hymns, and spiritual songs

4. They gave as they’d been prospered

5. And they were exhorted by preaching

That is it. No robed choirs, no formalities, no liturgical prayers. Just worship to God as taught by the apostles.

Many churches today are doing all sorts of things outside of the authority of Jesus Christ and His Apostles (the New Testament) and are the subjects of Matthew 15:9, which says:

But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Remember Matthew 7:21 says: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

We must seek to do the will of God. The apostles were divinely guided by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that they would be guided into all Truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

So when the apostles led the early church they were being guided into all Truth and we are to follow that Truth today.

Further study…

If you are one that has responded appropriately to God’s instructions to be saved and therefore He has added you to the church then you are a member of the body of Christ, the church.

The next step in this study would be to discover in God’s Word what He desires of you in the body.

Ephesians 4:11-16 is a good place to start. Paul is writing to the Christians in Ephesus.

Understanding God According to His Word

Learning Objectives:

1. We want to understand God’s strictness as to the way we worship Him.

2. We want to distinguish between traditions of men and commandments of God in regard to our worshiping God.

3. We want to discover how Jesus originally established His church before men added their traditions.

Lesson:

Since the Old Testament is to be used for examples for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11), we will note the example of Nadab and Abihu.

A. Read Leviticus 10:1-3

The New American Standard Bible version says they offered “strange fire” and New King James Version says “profane”.

The word “profane” means “common, not sanctified or set apart,” or simply put, Nadab and Abihu offered a different kind of fire than what God had commanded. Fire that was not taken from the altar of burnt offering was profane.

Notice that Nadab and Abihu were offering worship to God, but it was not accepted by God because they did not worship God the way He had commanded.

What lesson should this teach us about our worship?

B. Read 1 Chronicles 13:1-10

In this passage King David is moving the ark of the covenant.

God had three rules concerning the ark.

(1) It was never to be touched.

(2) Handles were provided so that it could be carried on the shoulders (not on a cart).

(3) Only the family of Kohath of the tribe of Levi were to transport the ark.

What things were done wrong by David and the Israelites?

Notice that the only reason Uzzah touched the ark was because he did not want it to fall. Uzzah’s good intentions did not excuse him for violating God’s law!

C. Read Mark 7:5-9

What did Jesus call their worship?

What were they doing wrong?

Do religions of the world today do the same thing in their worship as did these Jews? What will Jesus think of our worship if we do this?

It should be very clear at this point that Jesus is not pleased with us when we worship with the traditions of men rather than according to the way God commanded us to worship Him.

II. We will now examine how Jesus originally established His church before men added their traditions.

A. Read Romans 6:3-4 and Acts 8:35-39

How were people baptized in the Bible?

What did the Ethiopian eunuch have to do before Philip would baptize him?

If a person is supposed to do this before being baptized, can infants be baptized?

Read Ezekiel 18:20

Are children born inheriting the sins of their parents?

B. Read Acts 2:37-38

What did these people have to do in order to be saved?

What purpose was baptism for?

According to this verse, can a person be saved before he or she is baptized?

C. Notice the other characteristics of the church as Jesus originally established it:

1. The description of the church as being owned by Christ (Romans 16:16).

2. The description of the disciple as being owned by Christ (1 Peter 4:16).

3. The organization of the church was very simple with the elders overseeing the flock among them and deacons serving as distinguished servants (1 Timothy 3:1-13).

4. The Lord’s Supper was taken on the first day of the week and on the same day the disciples gave of their money as they had been prospered (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

5. There was no instrumental music in their worship. They only sang and made melody in their heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).

6. They taught that hell was a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth and that it was eternal, lasting just as long as heaven (Matthew 13:42; Matthew 25:46).

D. Compare the characteristics of the church as Jesus originally established it to the way you see some churches today operating.

Can you find scripture that gives us the authority from God to do any of the following things practiced by churches today?

1. Teach people they have been saved before they have been baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

2. Teach people they can be saved by simply praying to God and telling Jesus you accept Him as your personal savior.

3. Take the Lord’s Supper once a month.

4. Baptize infants.

5. Worship God with instrumental music.

6. Use money from the Lord’s treasury to give to non-Christians.

7. Use money from the Lord’s treasury for entertainment purposes.

These are just a few to consider, but I challenge you to examine the practices of churches today and see if you can find scripture that gives authority from God for the practices you notice (Remember God is very serious in His desire for us to worship Him the way He commands us to).

Read Matthew 7:13-14

What should we be doing?

Overview of God's Plan for Man as Revealed from Genesis to Revelation

Learning Objectives:

Obtain an understanding of the overall book of the Bible and how the Old Testament fits in with the New Testament.

Obtain an understanding of the three periods of law, which one we are under today and why we are under that law today.

Lesson

1. The Bible is divided into three periods of time indicating three ways that God dispensed law to His people:

(1) Through the patriarchs or heads of certain families

(2) Through Moses and the prophets

(3) Through Jesus Christ

2. How many years did each of these periods last and in what books of the Bible are these periods covered?

B. Notice the following important points in the Patriarchal age:

1.      Adam and Eve were forced to leave the garden of Eden because of sin. 1656 years later the earth was covered with people who were involved in widespread wickedness.

God promised the flood giving Noah 120 years to build an ark and preach to the people. No one repented and therefore only eight people were saved with the animals that were brought into the ark.

What should the story of the flood teach us about God?

2.      When Abraham comes on the scene 500 years after Noah, God begins to build the Jewish nation. Abraham has Isaac and Isaac has Jacob whose name is changed to Israel which begins the Israel Nation.

After moving to Egypt, the families of Israel are taken into bondage by the Egyptians. During their 215 year captivity they grow to be a large nation of 2-3 million people.

At about 1500 BC is when God sends Moses and delivers Israel out of captivity and brings them to Mt. Horeb (Sinai).

C. This begins the Mosaical Age. Notice the following important points during this period:

1.      Read Deuteronomy 4:10-14

What are the contents of the covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Horeb?

Note that from now on when God refers in the Bible to the covenant He made with Israel, we know what the main content of this covenant is.

2.      Read Deuteronomy 5:1-3

Who did God make this covenant with?

Note that this covenant was not made with those who were before them or any of the Gentiles.

3.      After Israel left Mt. Horeb they came to the land of Canaan and after conquering the land God led them by the means of Judges (military leaders) for 350 years.

The people then desired a king, and God gave them Saul, David, and Solomon.

When Solomon died the kingdom of Israel divided into a northern and southern kingdom (925 BC).

The northern kingdom (Israel) was very wicked and therefore God allowed the Assyrians to take them away into captivity (721 BC).

The southern kingdom (Judah) eventually became as wicked as the north and were taken away captive by the Babylonians (606 BC). These, however, were allowed to return to their land 70 years later and rebuild Jerusalem. It is their descendants who are the Jews today and through whom Christ came.

This concludes the history of the Old Testament.

4.      The prophets did their work during the time of the two divided kingdoms mentioned above. They warned the people of their wickedness and also prophesied of a new covenant to come in the time of Christ.

Read Jeremiah 31:31-34

What will the new covenant not be like?

What is the main benefit of the new covenant?

D. This brings us to the Christian age.

1.      The passage in Jeremiah is quoted in the New Testament by the Hebrew writer to show its fulfillment.

Read Hebrews 8:6-13

God provided a better covenant through Christ and it is better because this covenant provides for the forgiveness of sins by the once-for-all sacrifice Jesus made of Himself on the cross. The first covenant which is now referred to as the old covenant did not provide this.

Was the first covenant perfect as far as man was concerned?

What does verse 13 say has become of the first covenant?

Read Hebrews 10:9-10

When Christ came to do God’s will, what did He do?

Through which will (covenant) can we be sanctified?

E. It should be very clear from our study so far that we are no longer under the first covenant, which is found in the Old Testament.

    We are now under the law of Christ, which is found in the New Testament. Some of the commandments of the Old are repeated in the New and therefore unchanged, but many of the laws of worship are not repeated (such as keeping the Sabbath holy).

    We must understand that when we seek to do God’s will today we look to the New Testament and therefore the law of Christ. Not the Old Testament. It is called the old for a reason. It has been made obsolete by Christ.

    This is one of the main reasons there are so many denominations today: many people don’t understand this and they pick and choose laws from both the Old and the New.

Whoever Speaks

"Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God…" (1 Pet. 4:11). We have no right to speak about spiritual matters unless we can do it with the authority of God so that "in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 4:11b).

Whatever authority we are using is the standard by which we measure whether an act is right or wrong. Elders and preachers who equivocate on issues, express doubt about the veracity of any Scripture, or who rarely let the Scriptures speak in their actual decisions, produce spiritually weak members. Spiritually weak members nearly always become morally weak members.

Religious acts must be measured by God’s authority – His is the only authority that counts. He has the authority and so His word is authoritative: "sanctify them in truth, Your word is truth," said Jesus in His prayer to His Father (Jn. 17:7). Peter added that "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (2 Pet. 1:3). Those who say it doesn’t matter what you believe are fundamentally misguided and confused. For, if it doesn’t matter what you believe, does it matter whether you believe?

The right to say a thing or to do a thing must come from God. "Authority," from man’s perspective, means the right to act. We don’t "establish" this authority, in the sense of instituting it. That’s the Lord’s business and He’s done it already. Our job is to ascertain or discover the authority He has established. We must discover God’s authority before an act can be right.

There are seven things that hinder the discovery of authority, and keep us from speaking as the "utterances of God."

1. A low priority for Bible reading. We let too many things distract us from the regular reading of Scripture. If the Bible contains "all things that pertain to life and godliness," we can ill-afford to ignore it, even for a day. Churches are stronger where daily Bible reading is encouraged and where the public reading of Scripture is practiced (1 Tim. 4:13).

2. Lack of personal, objective knowledge. In Hosea 4:6, God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." It was always a lack of applied knowledge that caused Israel to commit spiritual suicide. When you hear the following, you can be sure there is a lack of solid Bible knowledge:

·         When opinion is put in the place of solid Bible study. Instead of saying, "As Paul says…" we say, "I think…" There is a place for opinion, but not when it comes to discovering God’s authority.

·         When we rely on past teaching instead of fresh study. There is nothing wrong with remembering good teaching in the past, but we need to constantly review and refresh our minds.

·         Emotionalism is substituted for faith: we say "I feel…" instead of "I know…"

·         OPK: "other peoples’ knowledge." Our knowledge is from borrowed viewpoints, instead of learning for ourselves. I’ve actually heard people say, "I believe anything brother ____ says on the subject." It is dangerous and foolish to put such faith in any man.

·         Views adopted, but never personally confirmed. "I don’t know, but my preacher says…" "My dad taught me…that’s good enough for me!" "If it was good enough for dear old mom." There is no authority in man; it all rests in God.

3. Satisfaction with pat answers, fill-in-the-blanks, "pigeonhole knowledge," instead of thinking issues through. In Mk. 12:24, Jesus told the Sadducees that they understood neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. If a preacher in an average Bible class in the average church asks what "grace" means he will probably get the answer, "unmerited favor." But what is unmerited favor? And is that all it means? Is our speech to always be with "unmerited favor" (Col. 4:6)?

4. Putting tradition in place of truth. Jn. 5:39-40; Mt. 15:1-8. What would happen if a church decided to eliminate mid-week Bible classes in favor of home studies, as Berry Kercheville suggested in the April 1999 issue of Focus? Some actually believe that doing so would be wrong, but by what authority? There is nothing at all in Scripture that pinpoints a certain time or place during the week that we must meet, other than the first day of the week.

5. Taking comfort in "packaged religion"; denominational thinking; affiliation with the "right church" instead of personal faith. Many will go to hell because they gave finding "the right church" little or no thought (they ignored authority on this issue). On the other hand, not one soul will enter heaven because he was in a strong church. The local church is designed to assist you in your effort to satisfy your longing for personal righteousness (Mt. 5:6), not to become a substitute for it.

6. Arrogance & pride. There are some who think they know it all. They are above studying their lessons, because they’ve "arrived." They justify a lack of study and participation in extra classes because they are "experienced." No class or teacher has skill enough to teach them, because it’s all old hat. They are proud to the core and that pride will lead to their personal destruction (Pr. 16:18; 18:12). Arrogance quickly turns to ignorance (Hb. 5:11-12). How can anyone look at the Bible and say, with a straight face, "I’ve got nothing more to learn." That is utter ignorance.

7. Dishonesty: Hidden agendas, ulterior motives. The Scribes and Pharisees were notorious for trying to trap Jesus. They came on several occasions to "test him." There are brethren who are born of the same spirit. When they ask a question, it is to gain advantage, to win the point, but not to discover truth. If our main aim is to win an argument, make a point, justify a position, validate an act or feel good about ourselves, we will never discover what God wants us to do.

Conclusion

Our aim in understanding authority is to understand that Christ has all of it. Jesus said, "all authority has been given to Me in heaven and in earth" (Mt. 28:18). That’s the point. When we speak, we must speak as the very utterances of God because only when we speak in this manner are we speaking "with authority."

The Church Belonging to Jesus Christ: What is the Church of Christ?

What is the church of Christ? The answer to this question depends on who you ask. Many would say that the church of Christ is just one among many denominations that exist today. In fact, most who seek to find spiritual fulfillment within a denominational church would give this answer.

Our purpose in this article will be to offer a Biblical answer to this question. Why take this approach? The answer should be obvious. If the question concerns a Biblical subject then the best place to go to find the answer is the Bible. Scripture itself points us in this direction: “Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God” (1 Peter 4:10). We should speak of Bible things in Bible ways!

So, what does the Bible say about the church of Christ? Let’s begin by addressing the question from the negative. That is, what does the Bible not say about the church of Christ? Many will find the answer to this question somewhat disconcerting.

The Bible does not teach that the church of Christ is a denomination. What is a denomination? In mathematical terms, what is the function of the denominator? It divides. A denomination, therefore, is a part of the whole. It is the result of division. In religious terms, it is simply one church among many that differs from the others based upon variations of doctrine.

Why do differences of doctrine exist in the religious world today? The differences are based upon denominational creeds. These creeds define the various doctrinal views of those within the particular denomination. The creeds, therefore, produce the division that exists in Christendom today.

Such division is contrary to the desire of Jesus. Prior to His death, Jesus prayed for those who would believe in Him through the preaching of the apostles. His prayer was “that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me” (John 17:21).

Note in the verse cited Jesus’ reason for desiring unity. It was so that the world would believe that God sent Him. It has been said that denominationalism is the atheist’s strongest argument against Christianity. Arguably, denominationalism actually produces unbelief!

Now, let’s get back to our question. What is the church of Christ? Note the following points found in Scripture concerning the church. Other passages could be cited but these should be sufficient to develop a good understanding of the church of Christ.

The church was established by Jesus. Based upon the apostle Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Son of God, our Lord responded, “upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). This is a very important point. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that it would be His church. The church is the called out who belong to Jesus. Given that the church belongs to Jesus, we must not change the nature of it in any. This happens when men impose the tenets of human creeds upon the revelation of Scripture.

The church is the body of Christ. Consider carefully the words of the apostle Paul as recorded at Ephesians 1:22-23:  “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” God placed His Son as the head of the church. The church is the body of Christ. The analogy is that of the human body with Jesus as the head and those who believe in Him as His body. Christians look to Christ for guidance and instruction. He established the church and we, therefore, respect Him as our head when we submit to His will only (not human denominational creeds).

There is only one church. Many are uncomfortable with this point because it contradicts what is so readily embraced in religion today—the denominational concept of the church. In the Ephesian letter, Paul wrote “there is one body” (Ephesians 4:4). Remember, he defined that body at Ephesians 1:23 as the church; therefore, there is only one church. Not many, but one. Continuing his emphasis on unity (i.e., “oneness”), Paul stated that there is “one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). If we can accept what Paul taught about “oneness” in each of these other areas then we should be able to accept what he taught about there being only one body (church).

The church is comprised of the saved. The author of the Hebrew epistle referred to the saved as “the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23). Those who have rendered obedience to God’s plan of salvation are the saved. The saved are members of the Lord’s church. Upon their being saved God adds the redeemed to the church. Note the language of Acts 2:47:  “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

In conclusion, let’s summarize what we have learned in our study of the Bible’s teaching on the church of Christ. First, it is not a denomination. It is a body of individuals who belong to Jesus. There is only one body, which is the church. The church is made up of those who have been saved. Are you in the Lord’s body? Are you a member of the church of Christ? Why not submit to God’s will and allow Him to add you to that church today?

Appendix A:

Link below is a helpful article that deals with the false assumptions that detour many from understanding the church that belongs to Jesus Christ:

http://focusmagazine.org/my-problem-with-having-a-problem-with-the-church-of-christ.php

A Disciple of Jesus

In what has come to be known as “the great commission,” Jesus admonished the apostles: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . ” (Matthew 28:19). In this passage, the phrase “make disciples” comes from the Greek word matheteusate. It is defined “to make a disciple; to teach, instruct” (Thayer). The passage could be literally translated “disciple all the nations.” To “disciple” and “make disciples” is essentially the same. The apostles of Jesus were given the responsibility to teach and instruct others for the ultimate purpose of making them followers of Jesus Christ. This is also to be the aim of biblical teaching and preaching today.

What does it mean to “disciple” others? It means to mold and fashion an individual into conformity with God’s standard as revealed through His word. In His own teaching, Jesus placed great emphasis on making disciples. If He were here today, what would He teach as the pattern of discipleship?

First, Jesus would teach that His disciples must seek a manner of living patterned after His own: “A disciple is not above his teacher . . . it is enough for a disciple that he become as his teacher” (Matthew 10:24-25a). A disciple of Christ must constantly examine his life and make appropriate correction. Of course, the objective of this correction is to conform oneself to the image of Christ. Jesus was dedicated to doing the will of God, he placed great emphasis upon aiding those in need, he was humble in spirit, and he acted with an attitude free from selfishness. The disciple of Jesus must become like the Savior in all these areas.

Second, Jesus would teach that His disciples should “abide” in His word: “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine” (John 8:31). This is essential to becoming like Christ. It is through continuing in Jesus’ word that we develop character consistent with that of our Lord. This is why Christians are admonished to “long” for the word (1 Peter 2:2). Daily bible study must be a top priority. This study should be an intense effort to learn the “perfect law . . . of liberty” (James 1:25). Proper bible study seeks to discern God’s word with precision (2 Timothy 2:15).

Third, Jesus would teach that His disciples should possess a deep love for their brethren: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Division and contention plague Christianity. It seems that we have forgotten this simple test of discipleship. The actions of one disciple toward another will reveal whether or not he is a true disciple. The disciples’ love for his brethren should be without limit and free of hypocrisy (1 Peter 1:22). As we seek to increase in love for our brethren, we will be willing to give our lives for them demonstrating God’s own love working in us (1 John 3:16-17; 4:7-13). How many professing Christians in our time have the depth of love for their brethren demanded by God?

Finally, Jesus would teach His disciples that they must bear fruit in His kingdom: “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). This is another sign of discipleship. In the parable of the sower, those hearing God’s word (i.e., the “seed”) preached are characterized as “soil.” Each Christian should strive to be “good soil.” Such is the one “who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty” (Matthew 13:23). A Christian not producing fruit in the vineyard of the Lord will not inherit eternal life; those bearing fruit will be “pruned” and thereby bear even more (John 15:2).

Have you truly become a disciple of Jesus Christ? Are you seeking to be Christ-like, consistently abiding in His word, deeply loving your brethren, and bearing fruit in your service to the Lord? Why not firmly resolve today to become a disciple of Jesus in the truest sense of the word!

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

The terms "scribe" and "lawyer" sometimes referred to the same person. A lawyer was a teacher of the law of Moses. Many of them were concerned with arguing the fine points of the law, but were unconcerned about practicing what they taught others. 

10:25 "And a lawyer stood up and put Him [Jesus] to the test, saying, 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'"

Jesus: "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"

Lawyer: "You shall Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

Jesus: "You have answered correctly; Do this and you will live."

Lawyer (wishing to justify himself): "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus answers the lawyer's question by telling him the parable of the good Samaritan (10:30-37). 

Background

The distance from Jerusalem to Jericho is about 18 miles. In that relatively short distance, that altitude drops from about 2500 feet above sea level (a little higher than the highest point in Alabama) at Jerusalem to about 800 feet BELOW sea level at Jericho, near the north end of the Dead Sea. Two miles out of Jerusalem lay the village of Bethany, then the rest of the road passed through winding ravines and mountain passes. The area was a common hideout for bands of thieves who would often attack and rob travelers. 

The traveler from Jerusalem was beaten and robbed by a band of thieves, wounded, and left half dead. Here was a man in great trouble and unable to help himself at this moment. 

Two men that held important religious roles and titles within the Jews, a Priest and a Levite, saw the man in trouble, and passed by on the other side of the road. 

But then a Samaritan came upon the man, saw him, and "felt compassion." 

Read John 4:9. This gives a little insight into the fact that the Jewish lawyer listening to Jesus tell this parable would have been shocked to hear Jesus use a Samaritan as the hero of his story (read at the bottom for further explanation of why Jews typically had no dealings with Samaritans).

The Samaritan having felt compassion for the man bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and put the man on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. He then gave the innkeeper two denarii (two day's wages which was a great sacrifice) and told the innkeeper whatever more you spend I will repay you when I return. 

Jesus then asks the Lawyer: "Which of these three (Priest, Levite, Samaritan) do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"

Lawyer: "The one who showed mercy toward him."

Jesus: "Go and do the same."

Lessons

1. Practical Religion

In Matthew 23:1-4, Jesus spoke of the scribes and Pharisees sitting in Moses' seat as teachers of the law, but being unwilling to practice what they taught others that they must do. Jesus said of them, "they say and do not." 

It is not enough to know what the will of God is, we must also put it into practice. The lawyer knew what the law said about loving one's neighbor as one's self, but he did not practice it. 

2. Personal Responsibility

The Samaritan did not go and try to appropriate some money to help the man in trouble. This was his opportunity and his responsibility. He had compassion. He poured oil and wine from his own supply. He bound up the wounds. He set the man on his own beast. He paid the innkeeper and assumed responsibility for any additional expense.

This was not an example of the church relieving a needy man. The church had not yet been established. It was simply a case of one man meeting his personal responsibility to a fellowman who was in great need. We must be careful not to shirk personal responsibility by putting it off on another person or group of people. 

3. Glorifying God

God is glorified when the church ( the body of Christ ) does the work God gave it do. But God is also glorified when each Christian does good in his personal life. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8).

Conclusion

Where are you?

Like the lawyer, wishing to test Jesus? If so, good. But I ask that you do it with an open and honest heart. If you will seek truth honestly you will come to light for the truth does not reside in darkness, but rather in the light where it is and where it will always remain. 

--

Further explanation of why the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans:

In some ways, it dated all the way back to the days of the patriarchs. Jacob (Israel) had twelve sons, whose descendants became the twelve tribes. Joseph, his favorite, was despised by the other brothers (Gen. 37:3-4), and they attempted to do away with him.

But God intervened and not only preserved Joseph’s life, but used him to preserve the lives of the entire family. Before his death, Jacob gave Joseph a blessing in which he called him a “fruitful bough by a well” (Gen. 49:22). The blessing was fulfilled, as the territory allotted to the tribes of Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim (“doubly fruitful”) and Manasseh, was the fertile land that eventually became Samaria.

Later, Israel divided into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom, called Israel, established its capital first at Shechem, a revered site in Jewish history, and later at the hilltop city of Samaria.

In 722 B.C. Assyria conquered Israel and took most of its people into captivity. The invaders then brought in Gentile colonists “from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim” (2 Kin. 17:24) to resettle the land. The foreigners brought with them their pagan idols, which the remaining Jews began to worship alongside the God of Israel (2 Kin. 17:29-41). Intermarriages also took place (Ezra 9:1-10:44;Neh. 13:23-28 ).

Meanwhile, the southern kingdom of Judah fell to Babylon in 600 B.C. Its people, too, were carried off into captivity. But 70 years later, a remnant of 43,000 was permitted to return and rebuild Jerusalem. The people who now inhabited the former northern kingdom—the Samaritans—vigorously opposed the repatriation and tried to undermine the attempt to reestablish the nation. For their part, the full-blooded, monotheistic Jews detested the mixed marriages and worship of their northern cousins. So walls of bitterness were erected on both sides and did nothing but harden for the next 550 years.

The Parable of the Tares

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

The parable of the sower shows God's plan to reach good and honest hearts with His word. The parable of the tares shows the plan of Satan to hinder God's purpose by sowing false teaching in the world.

What are tares? "a kind of darnel, the commonest of the four species, being the bearded, growing in the grain fields, as tall as wheat and barley, and resembling wheat in appearance" (Smith's Bible Dictionary, IV: 11D). It was difficult to tell the difference between the wheat and tares until near the time of harvest when the wheat began to head. It was common for farmers to wait until near harvest time to begin separating them. Therefore, Jesus was using a well-known fact from common experiences to teach a very important spiritual lesson.

Breaking the Parable Down

The Son of Man sowed the good seed.

"Son of Man" being a reference to the coming Messiah. Jesus used this phrase in describing himself (Mark 14:62) as it is a reference going back into the Old Testament concerning the coming Messiah (Daniel 7:14-15). 

The good seed are the sons of the kingdom (the righteous).

The Devil sowed the tares.

In the parable, the tares are the sons of the evil one.

"The field is the world."

"The harvest is the end of the age."

"The reapers are angels."

At the time of the harvest the tares are thrown into the furnace of fire and the wheat enters into the kingdom of God (vv. 30, 42-43). 

What Can We Learn From This Parable?

1. Satan works in the world to defeat the purposes of God. The teaching of error carries out the will of Satan and leads souls to destruction. 

Read 2 Peter 2:1-10

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.

2. We must be on the alert. "While men slept" (Matthew 13:25) Satan sowed the tares. "For certain men crept in unnoticed" (Jude 4). 

Read Paul's warning to the elders at the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:29-30). 

Read 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. Wow Satan will even appear as an angel of light to deceive people as will his servants disguise themselves. And false teachers often deceive the hearts of the simple with smooth talk and flattery (Romans 16:18). 

3. Error is very serious. It does not always appear evil until its time of fruit has come. That is why attitudes and principles are so important. The reality of the difference between wheat and tares does not always appear until the harvest time. While tares endanger the health of man, so false religious teaching threatens the soul of man as false teaching leads one to being lost eternally (v. 42). 

Great departures from the truth begin with the tiny seeds of sin and error which might appear harmless at the beginning. 

4. It is our responsibility to test religious teaching by the word of God. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

The word of God is the rule by which all teachers and doctrines are to be measured. Regardless of how pleasant a teacher may be, or how reasonable his words may sound, we are to test his words by the Bible (God's word). 

"Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Ye will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:15-16). 

Two Errors To Be Avoided

Some people have wrongfully concluded from this parable that they cannot withdraw from unfaithful members in the church as we are taught to do in the New Testament elsewhere (Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-7; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). Paul's writing don't contradict Jesus' teaching. In this parable, Jesus is describing two classes of people IN THE WORLD, and not two classes of people in His church. 

"The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, bu the tares are the sons of the wicked one" (Matthew 13:38). 

Another lesson to be learned is that it is not the duty of the faithful children of God to punish the children of the Devil. God will tend to that at the judgment. "Holy" wars or religious "crusades," such as have been carried out at various times to force religious faith on others, are displeasing to God. We may try to teach the word of God to the "tares," but we have no right to bring any kind of pressure or punishment upon them. The only sword we have to use is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). 

Examination

What class of people in the world are you? Faithful or unfaithful? Are you living to abide in the will of God according to His word? Or are you living a life focused on fulfilling your own desires? 

The parable teaches us the end result of each class. If you want to become a child of God or have some questions you are pondering then reach out. Request a Bible study. There is no matter more urgent than the condition of your soul. 

The Parable of the Sower

+Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23; Luke 8:4-15

Very common to the audience of Jesus was the practice of sowing seed, contending with rocks or thorns in the soil, and then waiting for the harvest from the good soil.

The work of the kingdom of God is like that of the sower. There can be no harvest of souls until the seed of the gospel is sown. And then the hearts of men will receive the seed and respond differently just like the different soils. 

"The seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11).

The seed is sown in the heart (Luke 8:12).

"Having been born again, not of perishable seed, but imperishable, through the word of God, which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23).

Every seed brings forth after its own kind. Therefore, if we sow the pure word of God into the hearts of honest people, it will produce the same thing it produced in the first century when the apostles of Jesus Christ planted and watered the word of God. 

The Sower: little is said in the parable about the sower. Perhaps, it's because his work is much more important than he is. Sometimes humans have a tendency to become attached to the sower instead of Jesus Christ. Be careful here. Draw near to Jesus. Notice 1 Corinthians 3:4-7. The Christians at Corinth had made this very mistake. Paul corrects them and shifts their attention and allegiance rightfully to God. 

The Soil: Seed must be planted before it will bring forth a harvest. Notice the four types of soil and examine yourself. Which one am I? If I am the wayside soil, rocky, or thorny soil how do I become good soil?

Lastly, the good and honest heart will bear fruit with perseverance. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8).

A person with a wayside, stony, or thorny heart can become a good and honest heart. Do you need this help? Reach out today. Use this site. Request a Bible study. 

Do you have a good and honest heart, but want to know more about what it means to bear fruit with perseverance? Just ask. Request a Bible study.