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The Cornerstone
This is the Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Conerstone." Acts 4:11
Pulbished to Support the Work of the West End Church of Christ, Richmond, Virginia
Volume 9 * Number 15* April 15, 2007
God’s Gospel Plan for Salvation
Since sin first entered into the world, (Genesis 3) man has had a desperate need to be saved from sin. (Romans 6:23) God’s forgiveness of man’s sin is found in the blood of His crucified Son. And God’s answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?”, is found in the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There is no great difficulty in being obedient to Gospel. We are not all asked to swim a mile, make a journey to Jerusalem, climb the highest mountain, or walk through fire. I am called upon to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus. (Matthew 16:24) Because… there is salvation in no other name. (Acts 4:12)
So what did Jesus say we must do to be saved?
· “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:15
· “…Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” Luke 13:3
· “Whosoever therefore shall confess before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32
· “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned” Mark 16:16
· “…Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Have you been obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Stacy Crim
“Go Up, You Baldhead!”
By Mark Reeves
If you have ever been the brunt of jokes about baldness, then you can sympathize with the central character of this article. Some youths were mocking this particular prophet saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” (2 Kings. 2:23, NKJV). But the prophet was a model of composure; he would not be deterred from his course.
In short, this chapter in the Bible deals with the exit of Elijah from this world and the transfer of authority to his successor, Elisha. More importantly for us, the chapter holds some valuable lessons. Consider the following three.
Knowing when to hold on
In this text in 2 Kings, Elijah knows he is about to depart from this earth (2:1). He appears to be making a tour of the schools of the prophets to bid them farewell, perhaps to give them a parting exhortation. Three times Elijah asks Elisha to stay behind (2:2, 4, 6). Several times the “sons of the prophets” pester Elisha about his master being taken away from his that day (2:3, 5). But each time Elisha says he will not leave Elijah, apparently wanting to take advantage of every final moment of spiritual edification that he might receive from his master. Elisha knew when it was time to hold on.
Many of us would do well to learn to stick to other brethren who could edify us spiritually. They will not always be with us. They may move to other places one day. They may pass on from this life soon. It is important to take advantage of the opportunity today!
Unfortunately, however, that which is close by we tend to take for granted. Some members regularly miss assemblies of the local church where there would be brethren with good Bible knowledge and solid character whose influence would “rub off” on us. We miss other opportunities when we don’t show up to gospel meetings or home Bible studies or prayer meetings. Some of us simply prefer to spend more time with friends in the world than with these good brethren. But above all, we need to learn to hold on to the Lord (John 6:66-68). Even the best of men will disappoint us from time to time, but never Jesus Christ.
Knowing when to let go
But finally came the moment of Elijah’s departure. The separation had been inevitable, and the Lord forced it with a chariot and horses of fire that came between the two (2:11). Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven and Elisha saw him no more (2:11-12).
It is ironic that, while Elijah was still alive, the other prophets showed none of Elisha’s dedication in wanting to be with him. Yet went God takes Elijah away, then they want to go searching after his body (2:16-18)! Elisha on the other hand knew that it was time to let him go (2:16, 18). This separation was the will of God.
Today separation is inevitable – the death of friends, loved ones, and brethren in Christ. We have to learn to let these go. We have to learn not to live in the past (Ecclesiastes 3:2, 6, 1). We have to learn not to allow the death of a loved one to hinder our work and service for the Lord today.
Knowing how to remain on track
At this point in the account Elisha begins his ministry and that’s when the incident with the aforesaid youths occurred. Perhaps the idea of their taunt was something like, “Your master has gone up to heaven. Why don’t you go on up after him!” At any rate they were a reflection of their idolatrous society which continued to reject God’s spokesmen, and therefore they were worthy of the curses of the covenant which Elisha called down upon them (2:24; cf. Leviticus 26:21-22).
The salient point is that Elisha could not be deterred from his work. In all of these accounts we see his determination. Wicked young people could not discourage him, nor could well intentioned men like the sons of the prophets. The loss of a good friend and companion could not dishearten him. Elisha just kept right on going!
How the people of God today need this kind of resolve! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
&
“Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.”
I Timothy 5:1-2
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