Sometimes popular opinion is built upon good reasoning and evidence. At other times it has upheld foolishness. Within the last 150 years some of these latter embarrassments have been: Belief in the theory of ether; The promulgation of human zoos by the educated elite; The confident assertion that Urey’s and Miller’s amino acid synthesis experiment confirmed the naturalistic feasibility of life arising from non-organic material.

What this suggests is that what “everybody knows to be true” cannot be a reliable standard of truth. To discover what is most likely true requires examining the available evidence, and not merely absorbing popular ideas. So what are popular assessments today regarding the Bible’s reliability? Where does the evidence point? Here’s a brief sampling of what we know.

The Bible is a collection of documents written over a vast period of time. As the following examples reveal, its stories contain details revealing that its authors were familiar with the historical events they recounted. In some cases, if writers had tried to fabricate these stories at a much later time, they would not have known these details.

1 Samuel 13 depicts events in the 11th century B.C. In 1 Samuel 13:21, the Hebrew text uses the word pîm in association with the sharpening of tools. Archaeological digs have revealed that pîm, two thirds of a shekel, were only used for about 150 years. What this means is that to have known about pîm, the author(s) who wrote about king Saul and king David needed to have lived within that ancient historical window, not hundreds of years later.

Going even further back in biblical history to the era of the patriarchs in Genesis, these stories are filled with names and the suffixes of names we know were common at that time, but which ceased to be common at later periods of time. The names we find in Genesis fit the historical context of their timeframe.

Even the story about the Garden of Eden correlates with a discovery within the last decades. Scripture provides some geographical landmarks placing the Garden of Eden somewhere near Kuwait or Iraq. Genesis 2:10-14 describes four rivers associated with Eden and says that the Pishon river began where there is much gold. Satellite imagery now confirms a dried up riverbed running beneath the sands of Arabia from “The Cradle of Gold” (Mahd adh Dhahab) to Kuwait. It dried up sometime between 3500 and 2000 B.C. No one inventing this story in even 1500 B.C. much less 800 B.C. would have known such a topographical detail.

Furthermore, ancient monuments, clay seals, cylinders, and tablets attest to the names of kings, prophets and other highly significant individuals mentioned in the Bible. In some cases, we even possess stories told from both a biblical perspective as well as the viewpoint of a foreign power.

Isaiah 36-37 recounts how the Assyrian king Sennacherib laid siege to Lachish and then prepared to attack Jerusalem during king Hezekiah’s reign. A wall mural in Sennacherib’s palace depicts the overthrow of Lachish, while the Taylor Prism preserves the Assyrian record of his assault on Jerusalem. While Sennacherib boasts on his prism that he shut up Hezekiah like a bird in a cage, the Bible explains why this powerful king’s attack on Jerusalem was limited to being an unsuccessful siege. In one night, before Assyria could launch its assault, the LORD killed 120,000 Assyrian soldiers thus causing Sennacherib to break off the siege and go home.

Until 1961 A.D. no archaeological evidence corroborated Pontius Pilate’s existence. Then, an engraved stone with his name upon it was discovered in Caesarea’s ancient theatre. A ring discovered at the Herodium decades ago, but just recently cleaned, also appears to bear his name.

Neither the Bible nor archaeology can tell us everything that happened in the past. However at times they do overlap. What we discover is that biblical narratives contain details that correlate with what we can ascertain about ancient history, culture and geography. It is reasonable to understand that the Bible’s stories depict events occurring within those ancient historical time frames. We have good reason to believe the stories in the Bible recount historical events.

 Barry Newton

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. ‘Follow me,’ he said to him. So he got up and followed him. As Jesus was having a meal in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this he said, ‘Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. Go and learn what this saying means: “I want mercy and not sacrifice.” For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” (Matthew 9:9-13 NET).

Have you noticed those whom Jesus spent time with? He wasn’t concerned to appear politically correct and only spend time with the movers and thinkers of his day. His concern was the everyday, normal people.

Even those he chose to train and follow him are good examples of this. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen. And then there is Matthew. Matthew was a tax collector.

Tax collectors were not liked. They were viewed as traitors of the Jewish people because they were working for the hated occupation government, the Romans. To make matters worse, tax collectors were notoriously dishonest in their tax collecting, often extorting more than was required so that they would have a very healthy income.

Matthew had a tax booth on the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps he charged taxes on the fish that were caught or goods coming into the town of Capernaum (Matthew 9:1-8 indicates that this took place on the shore of Capernaum). Capernaum was on a major trade route which went from Damascus in the north to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, and then on to the Mediterranean Sea. Taxes were charged for the movement of goods through this area.

If we saw someone in a similar position today, hated by the populace because of what they did, would we want to be seen to be around them? Yet Jesus called Matthew to “Follow me.” Matthew left the tax booth and followed Jesus.

We don’t know when Matthew heard of Jesus. As Capernaum was Jesus’ base, he very well could have heard Jesus teaching in the area. Whatever the case, he knew who Jesus was and was so convinced by him that he immediately followed him. He also wanted his friends to know Jesus. So the first thing he did was to organize a meal at his house and invited his friends.

Notice who his friends were: other tax collectors and sinners. These sinners would also have been outcasts from Jewish society and often included prostitutes. The religious elite could not fathom what Jesus was doing: why would he choose to spend time with known sinners and tax collectors? Surely he would have been better off spending time with them.

Jesus response was simple: “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do.” The Pharisees did not think they needed Jesus or anything he had to offer. The tax collectors and sinners knew why they were outcasts and realized that Jesus offered what they needed. The religious leaders needed to learn what mercy was.

What about us? When we look for people we can talk to about Jesus, do we go to the outcasts of our society? Or do we think more like the Pharisees: what would people say if we were to spend time in the company of known sinners and especially prostitutes?

We need to learn from the example of Jesus. No one is outside of God’s grace. No one is too much of a sinner to not need Jesus. Jesus came to bring grace and mercy to sinners. Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

May we learn what true mercy is.

Jon Galloway

Spiritual inertia

The one talent man did not commit adultery, embezzle or murder. All he did was to bury his talent (Matthew 24:25).

It was the easy thing to do.

God’s call is not to rest, retire or retreat; it is to resist and to grow, to fight on, to overcome obstacles. Significantly the Christian life is compared to a long distance race (Hebrews 12:1-3), and spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-12). I don’t know of a Christian retirement plan. Oh, of course there’s our hope of heaven, but when do we retire from serving God in this life? I am fascinated by those who say, “The time of my teaching or serving is over.” Just about the time a saint has learned the hard lessons of life he decides to hang up his spiritual spurs?

“Inertia” is defined as the tendency to do nothing, or remain unchanged.

Forgive me for saying so, but that definition describes a whole throng of church attendees!

It’s easy to hold a grudge; it’s hard to forgive. It’s easy to remain the same; it’s hard to grow. It’s easy to enjoy the benefits of church membership; it’s hard to contribute our time and effort. It’s easy to stay home; it’s hard to go take the Gospel to other nations.

God calls on us to repent, grow and go (Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:18; Matthew 28:19,20). He never calls on us to jog in place, to tread water. An object that is inert is usually mistaken for dead.

And there, beloved, lies the deadly danger. If we don’t grow, we die.

Stan Mitchell

If we were to hypothesize some sort spiritual hierarchy, where would Satan be on that list? For whatever reason, we have the tendency of making him inferior only to the Godhead and no one else. A popular train of thought might put satan second to God, then angels, and humans as last. What this ideology accomplishes is a handicapped perception of our ability to fight back against the devil and break free. A false illusion of power can create a real submission by the subject.

Revelation 12:8 reveals an angel that gives us a glimmer of hope. The angel’s name is Michael and he has some sort of army. The following verse notes that the dragon was defeated by Michael’s militant force and the later text reveals the dragon to be Satan. This angel is never given the title of deity, yet he was strong enough to defeat Satan. Rev. 20:1-3 is another scene where Satan is being bound up by an angel and thrown into a pit. This further indicates that angels can have strength over Satan.

The book of Job reveals a man who is able to overcome Satan’s tactics. In the first two chapters of the book, Satan is given permission by God to test Job. Satan’s energy and focus was entirely on Job at that point. Literally every aspect of Job’s life fell to pieces. Yet, when you fast forward to chapter 42, Job is seen as triumphant and is further blessed by God. Many lessons can be gleaned from Job, but perhaps one of the greatest of all is the reality of victory over Satan.

Matthew 4:1-11 reveals a Savior who is stronger than Satan. In this popular scene of Jesus vs. Satan, Satan tries every form of deceit (lust of flesh, lust of eyes, lust of pride; cf. 1Jn 2:15-17). Yet, the Messiah was able to come back with arguments against Satan and further resist him. This eventually caused the devil to flee (James 4:7). One might think that this example is a no-brainer since Christ is God. However, keep in mind that He emptied himself and took on the form of man (Ph. 2:5-8). This meant that He was tempted and tried just as we are (Heb. 2:18).

So then. If angels can have strength over Satan, and man can have strength over him, and the Savior can too, what’s preventing us? I want to encourage you — though Satan may be adequately equipped to make our lives miserable, he is not omniscient, omnipresent, nor is he omnipotent. His energy and abilities are limited. But I know a God without limits, and a God who yearns to help us. I don’t know what temptation you’re dealing with and I don’t know your situation, but remember that you have the opportunity to be stronger.

Tyler King

In almost 43 years of full time preaching, followed by 16 years of part-time preaching, near the beginning of a new year I would sometimes preach about New Year’s resolutions.  One sermon that I occasionally preached had the above title.  I do not know from whom I got the idea or the points for the sermon, but they were not original with me.  I am using the sermon’s points for this week’s News & Views with the hope that they will stir us and spur us to a closer walk with God as tomorrow we enter a new year and a new decade (or at least the decade of the 2020s).  In the coming new year I resolve to …

Work Less – That is, I want to work less for myself and more for the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).

Think Less – This next year, I want to think less of myself and more of others (Philippians 2:3-4).

Call on Friends Less – I want to be more responsible for myself and less dependent on my friends (Galatians 6:5; Philippians 2:12).

Drink More – Not of alcoholic beverages (of which I do not imbibe and which I would not encourage anyone to drink), but more of the beauty of nature and my surroundings (Psalm 19:1), and more of God’s word, the fountain of spiritual knowledge (Psalm 42:1-2; Matthew 5:6; John 4:13-14).

Watch More TV – That is, I want to watch more TV programs of an educational and uplifting nature (Philippians 4:8).

Spend More Money – I want to spend more money on really good and worthwhile things and less on myself.  I want to give more to the cause of Christ, the work of His kingdom, and those who are in need, and to remember that I am not the real owner of anything but only a steward of that which really belongs to the Lord (Acts 20:35; I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 9:7; Galatians 6:10).

Stay Up All Hours – To help a friend, a neighbor, or a fellow Christian in their time of sickness, death, or any other need (Galatians 6:2).

Listen To No One – I want to listen to no one gossip, run down another person, tell dirty jokes or stories, or who teaches that which is contrary to the will of God as set forth in scripture (II Corinthians 6:16-7:1; Philippians 4:8; II Timothy 1:13).

Argue More; Be Stubborn – Where moral issues and issues of right and wrong are involved (I Corinthians 16:13-14; Ephesians 5:11; Jude 3).

Worry More – Not about myself and my problems, but about the future of my country, the world, and the church of our Lord (Proverbs 14:34; II Corinthians 11:28).

Ignore My Conscience – That is, when I find it in conflict with the plain teaching of God’s word.  I must realize that my conscience can become seared and calloused and not at all a reliable guide for my life (Acts 26:9; I Timothy 4:1-3).

Live It Up – This next year I plan to try to live each day to the fullest, realizing it could be my last day, and that one day will be my last day (Ecclesiastes 12:1-14; John 10:10).

Will you join me in making these wild resolutions for tame living in the New Year?

Happy New Year!

Hugh Fulford

I don’t know the number of times I have thought about the story that appeared in the Guideposts magazine. Many think about this story at Christmas time. But really, it fits any time of the year.

The story takes place in Africa about 30 miles from the coast. The man writing the story is a Peace Corps worker teaching English in a school in the village. He is a very kind and gentle person, and the pupils love this man because he genuinely cares about them.

On Christmas Day, the teacher hears a knock on his door, and when he opens it, there stands one of his students, and he knows this boy lives on the coast about 30 miles away.

The student wishes the teacher a Merry Christmas and hands him a beautiful shell from the beaches near his home. Astonished, the teacher admires the delicate shell; then he says to the student: “But you have walked 30 miles to give this gift to me. “And to that, the boy replies: “But teacher, long walk is part of the gift!”

When you think about your work and service to the church, do you ever think it is so small no one sees or notices the things you are doing for the cause of Christ? Make no mistake; every act of service is needed. The things you are doing allows others to do the work they are doing. There is no act of service that is small in the sight of God; He sees all.

Jesus makes it clear; it is our attitude that makes all the difference, instead of our act of service, rather great or small.

In the case of the widow, Jesus said this recorded in Luke 21:1-4, “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”

Again in Mat.10:42, Jesus makes the point, “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

Then in Mat. 25:40,”The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”

A couple of coins, a cup of water, or a piece of bread; yes all seemingly very small acts of service and kindness, but not unnoticed by our Savior. I have no idea what opportunities of service you have, large or small. But I know this all are needed!

Just as in the account of the giving of the seashell, by the student, to his teacher, the “Long walk part of gift.” Let us recognize that our every action is service to God is needed. Let me note just two verses regarding His promises to us regarding our service to Him.

    I Cor. 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

    Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Day-by-Day Let Us Work Together To His Glory

Dick Brant

Are you ready for eternity?

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. But at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus whose body was covered with sores, who longed to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. In addition, the dogs came and licked his sores” (Luke 16:19-21 NET).

Jesus told a story about two men, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had all that this life had to offer. The poor man had nothing. It would appear that he was not well, as his body was covered with sores and he lay at the rich man’s gate. He would have been happy to have had just what fell from the rich man’s table.

“Now the poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades, as he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far off with Lazarus at his side. So he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this fire’” (Luke 16:22-24).

Death comes to everyone. The poor man seems to have died first and later the rich man. Their destiny at death was totally different. The poor man was “carried by the angels to Abraham’s side,” referring to the rest that awaits those faithful to God. The rich man, in contrast, was in torment. He could see Lazarus with Abraham. He longed just to have a drop of water to cool his tongue because he was in anguish. Their roles had been reversed from what they had in life.

“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus likewise bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish. Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us’” (Luke 16:25-26).

Abraham explained to the formerly rich man that there was no way that Lazarus could help him. Although it seems they were able to see each other and converse, there was no way from where they were to the torment Lazarus was in. The man seems to have accepted this, although he was concerned about his family who was still alive.

“So the rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, father – send Lazarus to my father’s house (for I have five brothers) to warn them so that they don’t come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they must respond to them.’ Then the rich man said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He replied to him, ‘If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead’” (Luke 16:27-31).

The man did not want his five brothers to join him in this place of anguish. He seems to have known that they were living just like he had lived. He asked that Lazarus be sent back to warn them. Abraham replied that they had “Moses and the prophets” – they had God’s word. If they wouldn’t listen to God’s word they wouldn’t be convinced even if someone came back from the dead!

What can we learn from this story? Although this is a story, keep in mind that this is from Jesus – the stories he told were true. One lesson we can learn is that we only have this life to prepare for eternity and to help our loved ones to be ready.

Are we living so that we will be with Jesus in eternity?

Jon Galloway

Everyone in their right mind wants to go to heaven. Folks may have a distorted view of what heaven is and who will be permitted to go there, but they indeed want to go.

However, it seems to be an altogether different matter when we ask the question, “Who wants to go to heaven, now?” Not as many, even Christians, would raise their hand on that one! Here is an interesting question, “If we don’t want to go to heaven now, do we really want to go?” Is going to heaven just a “worst case scenario?”

The world has done a good job teaching us, haven’t they? They have taught us that death and life after death is evil and should be shunned in every way. The bad thing is, to a large degree, we have believed them!

The apostle Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Paul, of course, was inspired by God. He was perfectly aware of what he was saying and had great reason for saying it. He understood that heaven was an unimaginable place prepared by an All-powerful God.

The same apostle said in 2 Corinthians 5:2: “For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.” For Paul, going to heaven was the best case scenario, but he realized that if he lived on in the flesh, it would be an opportunity to help more people get where he wanted to go (see Phil. 1:22-24).

Let us work on our attitude toward heaven. May we understand that if we are living faithfully to our Lord (not to be confused with perfectly), eternity will be the greatest thing that ever happens to us!

Daren Schroeder

    Let’s take a look at Paul’s thoughts from Philippians 3:20-21 where he reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven and we are looking for the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN – 3:20a:

    The pronoun “our” is emphasized. Paul wants to remind us that we do not belong to this world. We have a higher calling, a more important nation to be concerned about.

    The word “citizenship” is found only here. It means “commonwealth” or “state.” The word often referred to a colony of foreigners or relocated veterans which was to secure the conquered country by spreading abroad its customs, culture, law, and so forth (Hawthorne, 170).

    Each local assembly of believers is a colony of heaven, enjoying full membership in the heavenly city. This “heavenly city” is called “Jerusalem from above” in Gal. 4:26.

FROM WHICH WE EAGERLY AWAIT – 3:20b:

    At a wedding, the groom eagerly awaits to see his bride coming down the aisle. Why doesn’t God tell us when He is coming? Because he wants us to: #1) trust His word; #2) Be ready all the time for Jesus to return.

    Consider the people in the Bible who also had to wait:

1. Noah had to wait for the rains to begin.
2. Abraham had to wait for the promise of the son. Hebrews 6:15
3. Jacob had to wait for the fulfillment of the promise.
4. Joseph had to wait to see when God would help him understand his circumstances.
5. Moses had to wait forty years to enter the promised land.
6. Israel had to wait 70 years in Babylonian captivity.
7. The Jews had to wait 400 years until the coming of Christ.
8. The apostles had to wait 50 days until the coming of the Holy Spirit

Waiting challenges us to grow, to mature. It tests our faith and our perseverance. Luke 18:8 is the question which has echoed through the corridors of time for the last 2,000 years: “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Are you anxiously awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ? Does it reflect in your daily lifestyle? 

What do you do when you are waiting at the doctor’s office? Here are some answers I received once when I asked that question: Read, play games, wonder why people are there, play with kids, talk to people, prepare a Wednesday night Bible lesson, read the Bible, visit with friends, word puzzles, count things in the waiting room. In Romania, when I paid our bills, I would spend a lot of time standing in line. So, I always had a Reader’s Digest magazine with me. The articles were short and shallow and easy to read while I  stood in line.

Paul Holland

You might be forgiven for believing that I believe that, when Jesus says we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, he is not talking about self-love (Matthew 22:39), that I believe God does not love us.

This is distinctly not so!

While Jesus’ statement on the greatest commandment does not teach self-love, you should know that the Lord values you profoundly, far more deeply than any sappy pop-psychologists might indicate. Allow me to reassure you of the deep biblical teaching of God’s love.

The Bible speaks frequently of the high value God places on us. God created us “in his image” (Genesis 1:16,27). We are a reflection of the very God of heaven! I have always been impressed with the personal pronouns in Paul’s proclamation that he has been “crucified with Christ.” The life he now lived, he explained so beautifully, he lived “by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). David did something similar in the shepherd Psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restored my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1,2). The Lord was not “Israel’s” shepherd or “our” shepherd. The Lord was, David emphasized, “my” shepherd.

Be certain of this: When you compare the love of God towards us with our love toward each other, there is no comparison! “God so loved the world “that he gave his only son” (John 3:16). That little word “so” is as meaningful as the ocean is deep. It is the little word that drove the great God of heaven to act on our behalf. While we were still sinners, Christ still died for us (Romans 5:8). God loved us when we were anything but loveable. This is because he is a God who is “rich in mercy, ” so it is “by grace [we] have been saved (Ephesians 2:4). The problem with self-love is that it is at times unwarranted. The great thing about God’s love is that it was unmerited, yet given all the same. John was so overwhelmed by this truth that he cried out: “See what kind of love the father has given to us, that we should be called children of God,” then he adds in astonishment, “and so we are …” (1 John 3:1).

We should never cease to be stunned by the thought that God loved us. And if we ever feel the need for self-affirmation, perhaps we should consider that the Lord of heaven and earth went to extraordinary lengths to love you and save you!

So we return to the actual point Jesus was making when he declared that we were to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” It means – wait for this – that we are supposed to love our neighbor. It’s easy to love ourselves; it’s hard to love others. To love one’s neighbor as oneself does not teach self-love, it teaches us to extend to others the same kind of personal consideration that we already and naturally give to ourselves. Jesus assumes, rather than commands self-love.

Stan Mitchell

No physical remains

A couple traveled recently to another continent and toured a famous religious building, still under construction after almost 100 years. They were awed by the edifice, which used new techniques for the time, with a unique style. They shared their photos online of both the exterior and interior.

A friend of theirs who didn’t belong to that religion claimed to feel the presence of God there. The couple wrote that they hoped others might be inspired and convinced by the stories written on its walls. They saw the building as a way to make converts to their religion.

Thirteen men once traveled to a capital city where another famous religious building had been under construction for decades. Some of them pointed out the building’s impressive form to their leader. They saw the building as representing the grandeur and glory of their religion. It would be the centerpiece of the great restoration.

But their leader did not share their enthusiasm. He told them,

“Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on another. All will be torn down!” Mark 13.2.

It is not unimportant that Jesus Christ left no physical remains of the Way. No building, no relics, no sacred site, no objects of veneration or special meaning. Not even a snip of his hair.

The location of his crucifixion and of his tomb is unknown. No edifice can be pointed to as the place of his birth, boyhood, or residence. No one has any object that he wore or handled. No plaque can truthfully proclaim that Jesus ate here, or taught on this spot, or died on this hill.

Such uncertainties are caused by divine design.

Jesus did leave behind, however, some permanent structures. A Testament. A people. A message and mission.

We have the Bible, but not a copy of Scripture that Jesus himself held, read from, or wrote.

We have the church, formed by the word of God, fashioned into the shape of the Master’s design, animated by the invisible power of the Holy Spirit.

We have the stories of how God worked among men, of how he took human form, of how he brought his eternal plan to fruition, of how he continues to spread the news of salvation through his chosen people.

Nothing of what God built can be destroyed. No bombs will smash the work of God. No earthquake will shake the foundations of his church. Sun, rain, wind, or storm will never wear down the living stones of his building, 1 Peter 2.4-10.

What God left upon this earth after the ascension of Christ saves eternally and edifies spiritually. Hearing the word of truth brings people to confess their sins and be immersed for salvation. Witnessing the worship of his people can cause the visitor to exclaim, “God is really among you” 1 Corinthians 14.25.

God’s work is spiritual, because he is spirit, John 4.24. His work lasts into eternity, because he is eternal, Psalm 90.2. All that he has left for man on earth, in order to partake of the fullness of his presence, bears his nature.

Let us never glory in physical things, in inanimate objects, or in impressive buildings, especially in the name of Christ, as if these could promote his cause or glorify God.

Let us rather glory in his plan that provides, invisibly and spiritually, for all our needs, for the salvation of the world, and for the preparation of each one to enter into the wide-open portals of heaven.

J. Randal Matheny

“HE TOOK WATER AND WASHED HIS HANDS”

I once read an imaginary story about Pilate in his old age. He was now retired and congratulating himself on the apparent success of his political career. As the story unfolds, Pilate is visiting with some of his guests, and one of them asks the former governor about an itinerant preacher by the name of Jesus, who many years previous had caused a considerable amount of commotion in the city of Jerusalem. The guest specifically asks Pilate if he could tell them something about this ‘Jesus of Galilee.’ Pilate supposedly leaned back and quietly mused, and then said: “Jesus! Jesus? No, I don’t remember.”

Legends and fables often distort the facts for various reasons. Rather than present an accurate picture of how things really are, the story is embellished and exaggerated. The imaginary story makes for interesting reading, but in such cases, history tells a different story. Pilate did not retire with honors. He was deposed by Lucius Vitellius and was sent to Rome less than a decade after his conviction of Jesus and died shortly thereafter around 39 A.D. On a side note, archaeologists uncovered a ring bearing the name of Pontus Pilate in the 1960. But it was not until recently (2018) that researchers, analyzing those objects with advanced photography, were able to decipher the ring’s inscription. It reads “of Pilates,” in Greek letters set around a picture of a wine vessel known as a krater and is said by archaeologists to be only the second artifact from his time ever found with his name.

Pilate is probably best known for his involvement in the trial of Jesus, which trial ended in the Lord’s crucifixion. When Pilate realized that he could not pacify the crowd’s demand for Jesus’ crucifixion, he “took water, and washed his hands” (Matt. 27:24). That act was a symbolic gesture by which Pilate thought he could exonerate himself from his pathetic behavior and judicial indecision. He thought that he could simply be indifferent toward Jesus and thereby sooth his conscience. In this, he made a fatal blunder.

No man can ignore the Christ, for in so doing, he makes the same fatal mistake that Pilate made. It is not a question of whether men are ignoring Christ, but whether they can ignore Him without serious repercussion. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24). The Lord was not giving men a choice void of serious consequences. When a man rejects Christ the spiritual void in his life will be filled with something, for no man can live in a vacuum. Pilate was granted his position by the grace of God (John 19:11). With that blessing came the responsibility to render fair and equitable justice. Evidently, Pilate thought he could rid himself of giving answer to the Almighty by merely washing his hands in water. Pilate may have cleared his conscience by rubbing his hands under water, but what he failed to understand is that the conscience is not properly cleansed unless it is properly regulated by the divine will. When one grasps that truth, he will treasure a good conscience above all the promises that might come with compromise. History is replete with examples of those who so treasured their conscience, and who would be willing to die rather than “wash their hands in water.” Here are some examples of such godly men.

“Racoon” John Smith was one of the giants in the restoration movement of the 17th and 18th centuries. When he learned the truth, he made a clean break from Calvinism. His friends told him that he would lose his farm and go hungry. Smith replied: “Conscience is an article that I have not brought into the market; but if I should offer it for sale, Montgomery County with all its lands and houses would not be enough to buy it, much less that farm of one hundred acres.”

Barton Stone was another pioneer preacher who would not sell out his conscience. Though some of his close associates left the restoration movement to go back into denominationalism, Stone maintained his integrity and loyalty to the truth. He refused to “wash his hands” in order to maintain favor in the sight of God.

Moses Lard is said to have been in financial straits most of his life. He once refused to write for an annual fee of $5,000 because it would call him away from his work as a preacher.

T.B. Larimore once said about his former teacher, Tolbert Fanning, “He preached as if he believed the temporal and eternal salvation of the whole human race and all the holy angels depended upon the discourse as then and there delivered.”

Abraham Lincoln is credited with having expressed his sentiments like this: “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.” Don’t you wish politicians today had the same convictions as Mr. Lincoln? How sad that so many government leaders in this 21st century have “washed their hands” at the fountain of compromise and worldly lusts, thinking that they, like Pilate, could excuse themselves from their great responsibility by simply running a little water over their hands.

I will close this article with the following quote attributed to the late T.B. Larimore: “Some sweet day I will breath my last. When you tell the world I am gone, please tell them I was ready, willing, and anxious to go; that I dreaded not death; that I fought and fell believing I was on my journey to the best and brightest place. My conscience is clear always – never an exception. While I have often come short of duty’s demands, and frequently gone beyond the limits of right, I have never done so intentionally. I have never done what I believed to be wrong, never refused to do what I believe duty demanded. Without a clean conscience I could not endure to live, and I could not dare to die” (as quoted by Bobby Key, Four State Gospel News, August 1995).

All such noble men have one thing in common. They refused to wash their hands at the fountain of compromise and cowardliness.

By Tom Wacaster

Get off the grass

I don’t want to be the old guy who yells at the kids to “get off the grass.” I don’t want to grow into old age speaking in negative terms of the church, succeeding generations, and how everything was just peachy in my day.

To begin with, things weren’t just fine when I was younger. As is true of any generation, the people of God had their struggles against false teaching, arrogance, and apathy. Furthermore, there are many great young people being trained to serve the cause of Christ today. Many are already doing so with distinction. Urging young people to go back to the Bible and follow it completely is not the theological equivalent of yelling at them to “get off the grass,” however. It is sound, urgent advice. It is the theological equivalent of begging people to refrain from polluting the water supply.

I am concerned that young people begin to pick up the mantle of leadership soon. I welcome the freshness of their ideas and the eagerness of youth. But I want to caution them that when they see something that has been built over the decades they not automatically assume it was built without cost, without love for the Lord, without thoughtfulness. Some activities today are the result of tradition, it is true. Some traditions should be removed, like a gardener cleaning a rosebush in winter. No tradition, of course, is the equivalent of divine command (Mark 7:3-9).

Beyond tradition, however, is something more foundational. I have fought for more than 40 years for the people known as churches of Christ. I guess some would say that makes me a conservative. In reality, the term conservative does not completely describe who I am. As a biblical conservative, I am not a heartless, graceless legalist. I am aware that many devotional talks and blog entries depict me that way, but these are caricatures, not realities.

Please take note: My love for the Lord, for the lost and for my brethren is deep and steadfast. I have a track record to show for this. We built on the foundation of Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11). It is hard to be on the scaffolding, continuing to build, when people below hurl criticisms and innuendo at us.

Believe me, baby boomers weren’t (and are not) perfect. Many of the seeds of our discontent were scattered by baby boomers. Young folk are idealistic and want visual evidence of the church’s advance. Remember two things; not every advance in God’s sight is visual (the heart, the spiritual nature of a person is unseen, not seen). Second, just because you don’t see the service others render, please don’t assume they have not rendered any. Only God is omniscient.

Young person, if you feel the church is lacking, don’t leave; climb up the scaffolding and help us build!

Stan Mitchell

Blameless. How can I possibly live in such a way to be considered blameless? After all, I know all that I have done.  Unworthy. The more I study God’s word, the more I realize how unworthy I am to come into His presence. However, David tells us through Psalm 15. Keil-Delitzsch called it “Conditions of Access to God.” G. Campbell Morgan called it “Jehovah’s Friend Described.” A Gospel Advocate article from 1972 called it “The Man God Approves.” If Psalm 23 is the description of the Shepherd from the sheep’s perspective, Psalm 15 is certainly the description of the sheep from the Shepherd’s perspective.

The Psalm is easily divided. There are two synonymous questions in verse 1. 11 answers given in verses 2-5a. Finally, a comforting conclusion is found in the last part of verse 5.

The Question (v.1)
These questions are asked of the Lord. Man cannot prescribe what is good and proper, much less lead one to a right relationship with the Lord. Only He can answer. “Abide” comes from the root for sojourn and CHALOT says it means to “live as a stranger; be a guest.” Dwell carries a more permanent setting, as Brown-Driver-Briggs says it is to settle down permanently. The tabernacle was a moving, temporary house. The temple in Jerusalem was a more permanent structure. As the tabernacle is a figure of the church, there is excellent application. How do we come into a right relationship with the Lord for our short time here on this earth? How do we live forever with Him after this life is over?

The Answer (vv.2-5a)

• v. 2 – Walk with integrity. This means living “entirely in accord with truth and fact” (BDB).
• v. 2 – Works righteousness. The blameless think right, speak right, and prefer right actions and deeds. We must do what is right.
• v. 2 – Speaks truth in his heart. “What appears in his lips is what the purity of his heart dictates” (Woods).
• v. 3 – Does not slander with his tongue. Literally this is “He foots not upon his tongue.” He refuses to “kick someone” with his tongue. He will not be a backbiter, a whisperer, a slanderer, a gossiper.
• v. 3 – Does no evil to his neighbor. He won’t hurt them in any way.
• v. 3 – Does not take up a reproach against his friend. He won’t listen to people talk badly of others.
• v. 4 – Despises reprobates. He has nothing to do with the works of darkness (Psa. 1).
• v. 4 – Honors fearers of the Lord. These are the ones with whom he has fellowship (Psa. 1).
• v. 4 – Swears to his own hurt and does not change. His word is as good as any document he might sign. He keeps that word even at personal sacrifice.
• v. 5 – Does not put out his money at interest. “Interest” comes from the Hebrew word for “bite.” “Put out” comes from the word meaning “to give or hand down.” He is not a “loan shark.” He is not someone who takes advantage of the unfortunate situations of others.
• v.5 – Does not take a bribe against the innocent. The blameless man would never stoop so low as to cheat justice for personal gain.

The Conclusion (v.5b)
No one will move him away. His faith will not be shaken. He will not leave the truth. He will not apostatize because doing these things will keep him on the straight and narrow path.

As the Shepherd looks at those who may enter His fold, this is the kind of sheep for which He is looking. Indeed, we are unworthy, but we are made worthy by Him. And so, a blameless life is attainable when we follow the Lord’s plan for our lives, deal with sin in a way approved by Him, and continue to put our trust in Him. Then and only then, He says, may we dwell with Him!

Corey Sawyers

What is it that pulls you through stressful times as well as the routine? Consider these snippets of scripture providing words of hope in distress, as well as purpose within the mundane and guidance for the road ahead.

• God tells his people, “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
• “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20
• “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
• The Christian is encouraged to embrace: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 11:6
• “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
• “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
• “Do not be anxious about tomorrow.“ Matthew 6:34
• “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.“ 2 Corinthians 5:10
• “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
• “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved … I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.“ John 10:9,10
• “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
• “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
• “For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
• “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things (basic necessities) will be given unto you.” Matthew 6:33
• “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.“ Matthew 22:38
• “Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.“ Luke 6:31
• “God … comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.“ 2 Corinthians 1:3,4,5
• “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.“ Matthew 28:19-20
• “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.“ 2 Timothy 3:16,17
• “Do not go beyond what is written.” 1 Corinthians 4:6

I hope these verses for us are not merely isolated beads, but rather they recall for us the rich contexts from which they arise and which give them meaning. These only scratch the surface. What verses would you include?

Barry Newton

Joe and Mike had not seen each other in many years.  After meeting, they had a long talk trying to fill in the gap of those years by telling about their lives.  Finally, Joe invited Mike to visit him in his new apartment.

“I’ve got a wife and three kids and I’d love to have you visit us.”

“Great.  Where do you live?”

“Here’s the address.  And there’s plenty of parking behind the apartment. Park and come around to the front door, kick it open with your foot, go to the elevator and press the button with your left elbow, then enter!  When you reach the sixth floor, go down the hall until you see my name on the door.  Then press the doorbell with your right elbow and I’ll let you in.”

“Good.  But tell me… what is all this business of kicking the front door open, then pressing buttons with my right, then my left elbow?”

“Surely, you’re not coming empty-handed!”

As we approach God, surely we do not attempt to come to Him empty-handed. Listen to these instructions given to the Jews in the Law of Moses:

“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.” (Deut. 16:16-17)

God has blessed us richly in so many ways.  He wants us — no, He expects us — to bring a gift when we come to Him.  We should not appear before the Lord empty-handed.  Are your hands full?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

    A man joins together with his wife; he contributes one cell to their baby and she contributes one cell. Those two cells join together and then they split into 4 cells, then into 8 cells, then 16 cells, then 32 cells… At some point (and we don’t know when), God sends a spirit into those cells and that mass of physical matter turns into a human being. As incredible as it sounds as that baby is multiplying and growing, it also has within it, within its own DNA, an appointment with death.

    Human beings are born to die. It is as much a part of life as anything is. Yet, we still fear death. The Hebrew writer nails it in Hebrews 2:15 when he says that human beings are slaves to the fear of death. Ever since biblical times, no one has ever come back from the dead. We do not know what it is like. How does it feel when you breathe your last breath? We don’t know. What’s it like to cross over the Jordan River? We don’t know. Nobody ever comes back to tell us. 

    What happens when we die? How do we deal with death ourselves? How can we help someone else who has to deal with death? That’s the topic of our study this evening.

    Here are some basic skills we need in order to effectively counsel others:

    Listen well

    Patience

    Wisdom

    Open-mindedness

    Confidentiality

    Be neutral

    Don’t ever say, “I know how you feel.” I’ve lost my mom and dad but that doesn’t mean I know how you feel about the loss of your parents.

    Compassion / love

    Empathy

    Education – knowledge (of Scripture)

    Willingness to learn

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT DEATH?

    Genesis 5 – the phrase “and he died” appears eight times. Relative to Enoch, the phrase “for God took him” replaces this phrase “and he died.” The patriarchs knew that life existed beyond the grave. The statement “and he was gathered to his people” used half a dozen times in the Law of Moses shows that they understood you lived beyond death. They did not know about a resurrection but they believed in life after death. 

    Genesis 35:16-20 illustrates to us that the spirit leaves the body at death. In fact, the text sounds like it is a process of leaving, not necessarily instantaneous. 

    The spirit of Samuel was able to speak to the living from Sheol in 1 Samuel 28. There are a few resurrections in the OT. Elijah raised the widow’s son in 1 Kings 17. Elisha raises a young boy from death also, in 2 Kings 4. When Elisha died, he was buried and then another dead man was being buried in the same cave and the dead body inadvertently contacted the bones of Elisha and the dead man came to life. 

    Job asked the question in Job 14:14, “If a man dies, will he live again?” And he answers his own question in 19:25: “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God.”

    Of course, the nature of death and the afterlife become much clearer when Jesus comes to earth. Then we learn in Acts 9 that Dorcas was alive, even though her body was dead, specifically verses 37 (the body was laid in the upper room) and 39 (“while she was with them”). We are familiar with James 2:26 that the “spirit without the body is dead.” 

    So fundamentally, death happens with the spirit leaves the body. But, when does the spirit leave the body? I had lunch with a Christian medical doctor a few years ago, down in KY, and I asked him that: How do you know when someone is dead? When the spirit has left the body? There are a series of things that doctors look for: obviously, the heartbeat, breathing, checking the eyes to see if the pupils are large and unreactive. Tests can be done to determine if there is any brain activity. I have been in the hospital room twice when patients have breathed their last breath and the spirit left the body. In both those occasions, the person took one last breath, noticeably, and then relaxed. 

What can we do / say to help someone cope with their own death?

    Share with them the teachings of the Bible.

    Help them get spiritually ready for death.

    Help them get their other affairs in order. Help them understand that their family will be able to adjust and continue with their lives.

    Death is scary for most people; yet, it comes to every one of us. Jesus came to relieve us from the fear of death. We need to do what we can to share His relief. 

Paul Holland

Winston Churchill said, “Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.” A less remarkable person reportedly said, “If you try to catch two rabbits, you’ll catch none.”

The help-wanted ads clamor for a person who has “multi-tasking skills.” Do those exist? It seems as though a person may do more than one thing at a time but may make a mistake because attention is diverted.

Israel had only one purpose: it was to serve the Lord God. Nothing else mattered. God led Israel through the wilderness and promised to defeat its enemies. All it had to do was serve him. The people became distracted trying to do unnecessary things.

Ezekiel, by the inspiration of God, tried to teach Israel it only had one thing on which to concentrate its efforts. In Ezekiel 15, the prophet used the figure of a grapevine. He asked what could be made from the wood of that vine. The answer was obvious. Nothing can be made from it because it is unsuitable. It has no straight surface and it is not large enough for anything except for maybe a tent peg.  It had only one purpose and that was to grow grapes.

The vine returned to prominence in John chapter 15 in a figure Jesus used in almost the same way. We must abide, or remain, in him (John 15:4). The little word “in” is important here because it means we are to remain within the sphere of Christ’s influence. As long as we live within the commandments and influence of Jesus’ teachings, we will remain faithful workers in his kingdom. This is the only focus we should have.

There is a second reason why Jesus used the vine as an example. If one severs a branch from the vine, the branch dies. Grape vines are mostly wood. It has been estimated that almost 70 percent of an unpruned grapevine is useless wood. So, in late winter or early spring, each vine must be pruned. The pruned wood is discarded.

If we do not remain within the sphere of influence of Jesus and therefore bear fruit as his disciples, we risk becoming discarded. Jesus, in John 15:14 repeats what he told them in John 14:15, “You are my friends if you do what I command you,” (John 15:14 NET). We cannot call ourselves faithful Christians and useful in the kingdom if we do not obey the commands of Jesus. If we don’t, we face being discarded from the vine.

Israel failed to remain faithful to God because it allowed itself to lose its focus on what was important. Will we suffer the same fate? We will if we don’t remember to concentrate on obeying Christ by keeping his commands.

John Henson

Why Jesus? Why must we believe in Jesus? Why must we accept Jesus? Why must we follow Jesus? Why obey Jesus? Why wear the name of Christ? Why belong to His church? In the first chapter of Ephesians, we see the answers to those questions. “When we consider the repetition of the ‘in phrases’ (in Christ, in Him), Paul makes it abundantly clear where one must go to receive spiritual blessings” (Denny Petrillo, Ephesians notes, In Him!). Note all that Ephesians 1:3-14 shows us we have available in Christ.

1. IN HIM WE RECEIVE EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING (v.3). What spiritual blessings would you like to receive? God’s love? His forgiveness? His mercy and kindness? Only in Christ can they be had.

1. IN HIM WE ARE CHOSEN (v.4). This should prove they are special. This should prove they have God’s confidence. This should prove they have a future reward. This shows God has expectations of those chosen. They are to be holy – separated from the world. They are to be blameless – forgiven and with no sin “on account.”

1. IN HIM WE FIND GRACE (v.6). It is only by this grace that we can be accepted, forgiven, and saved!

1. IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION (v.7). We have our sins washed away and God has bought us back with the precious price of the blood of Jesus!

1. IN HIM WE FIND GOD’S KINDNESS (v.9). His “good pleasure” (NKJV) was shown in the plan – a plan He had in place from before the first sin was committed!

1. IN HIM GOD’S PLAN IS SUMMED UP (v.10). That plan was in a word, Jesus! Jesus was the central cog of the “Good News” God has had in store for us.

1. IN HIM WE HAVE AN INHERITANCE (v.10). Regardless of whose son we might have been, regardless of our bloodline, as part of God’s family we have a home waiting!

1. IN HIM WE HAVE HOPE (v.12). Sin gave us none, but God, in Christ, gave us hope! That hope is not merely a wish. It is an earnest expectation to receive the inheritance prepared!

1. IN HIM WE ARE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (v.13). We are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. What promise? The promise of Galatians 3:14 – that is the promise of Abraham that comes to even the Gentiles.

Only in Jesus do we have these great blessings! So, if we want these blessings, we must also be “in Him.” That is why we must be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27) and walk in the light as He is the light! Won’t you accept God’s blessings He offers to you in Him?

Corey Sawyers