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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 7 * Number 46* November 11, 2007
Abiding in the Love of the Father
What does it take to abide in the love of God? To remain in the Father’s benevolent care? Our answer is found in John 15:10 “If you keep My commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.
There simply is no way to have the deep abiding love of the Father, without keeping the commandments of His Son. Jesus kept His Father’s commandments, therefore He abode in His Father’s love. John 14:31 says “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise let us go hence.” The Father commanded Jesus to give His life and that is what Jesus did to demonstrate to the world His love for the Father.
If we keep the commandments of Jesus then we also will abide in His love, and if we love Jesus, the Father will love us also. John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father and I will love Him and will manifest Myself to him.”
It is extremely difficult to by-pass the truth that our love for God is directly tied to our obedience, but multitudes do it every day. “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23 Stacy Crim
Baptism "Now Saves Us"
--Mike Noble
No, not baptism alone. The word “baptize” means “to immerse, to dip, to plunge,” and if someone were merely “immersed” in water without faith in Jesus Christ, he would be doing nothing more than getting wet. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16) -- thus, our baptism must be as a result of our faith.
However, our baptism has just as much to do with our salvation as our faith. The Bible gives the believer no reason to think he will be saved without being baptized into Christ. To the contrary, the scriptures are replete with illustrations of the necessity of baptism. Consider one such passage: “There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism...” (1 Peter 3:21). How can anyone read this scripture and conclude that baptism is not necessary?
The apostle had just written about how “a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water” in the days of Noah (v.20). Only those on Noah’s ark (he and his seven family members) were saved from a wicked world “through water.” Then the apostle says, “There is an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism...” Mark this down: there are no more assurances given to people today of salvation without baptism than there were assurances in Noah’s day of salvation outside the ark. Read the two passages already cited, as well as others (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:26-27). Water baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of our sins and, consequently, salvation. Have you been baptized into Christ?&
Test The Preacher
Phillip Mullins
"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" - I John 4:1
Watch out! The Bible tells us plainly that there are religious teachers and preachers who are false. Unless you keep your guard up, they will deceive and lead you away from the true ways of God.
How can you tell if a preacher is a threat to your soul? How do you know whether or not the preacher you listen to on a regular basis is truly on God's side? Not from his looks. "Beware Of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). A man may look harmless while on the inside he is trouble. So, how can you tell? "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16). In time their speech and behavior will show their true colors. Their motives will eventually become apparent.
In the New Testament there is a preacher we read about that was a true and faithful servant of God. His name was Paul and by his example we can learn what the fruits are of a true preacher for Christ. Note these passages about his work from I Thessalonians 2:
Vs. 4 - "...even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts". If a preacher adapts his message to what people want to hear, he is not a true messenger of God. A preacher who is only concerned about pleasing other men will not help you to become pleasing to God. If a preacher is not willing to stand against immorality and doctrines not based on God's word, then his loyalty to God is weak and he is not to be trusted.
Vs. 5 - "For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness - God is witness." A preacher who is covetous is one to avoid. In recent years we have seen many religious teachers and preachers who adorn themselves with very expensive clothes, drive the most luxurious cars, and live in magnificent mansions. All which are paid for by the "ministry" that is in constant need of our contributions. What are we to make of this? It should be a sign to us that this man's goal is to lay up treasure on earth and not in heaven. Covetousness is a sign of a false teacher (I Timothy 6:5).
Vs. 6 - "Nor did we seek glory from men." Another tip off that one is a false teacher is that they seek to be honored and praised for their work from men. The using of clergy titles such as "Reverend" and "Father", the wearing of special garments, and the acceptance of things such as being kissed on the hand or bowed down to are all acts that show a person is seeking glory from men. A religious preacher or teacher is no more important than anybody else is in God's sight. Their role is to serve and not to be served.
Vs. 13 - "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God..." The best and ultimate test is whether a person's message is the truth of God's word or merely the teachings of men. To determine that you must examine a preacher's message with the Bible. If what he is saying is not found in the Bible, then his teaching is to be rejected. No matter how sincere, kind, or friendly he may be, if he is not proclaiming the truth from God's word, he is going to lead you astray from God.
What about those who regularly preach and teach to you? Are they like the example of Paul? Are they accurately proclaiming the word of God? Examine them and their message closely. If their words and example are not in harmony with the Bible, then beware. Seek for teachers and preachers that are in harmony with God's word. It is a serious matter, your eternal destiny depends on it.
Kingsport, TN
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