Archives for January 2016

The beginning of a “New Year” has always been an enjoyable time for me. One reason is that the previous month has past with all the Paganism attached to it. Why some members of the church think that we can engage in idolatrous practice one season of the year is beyond me. But, mainly I enjoy the New Year because it is a time when people do some inspection of their life resolving to do better from that point forward. Even some Christians use this period to do some serious soul searching using it as a time of beginning anew. However, there is a down side—the resolutions are more often than not short lived.

 

MAKING A RESOLUTION

 

The parable related by Jesus in Luke chapter fifteen tells of a man with two sons, the younger of the family asking that the portion of goods that he would inherit be given him while his father was yet alive, received it and went into a “far country.” Finding some unsavory companions he was quickly relieved of his inheritance squandering it in the pursuit of unwholesome desires. Penniless, he was soon abandoned by those accompanying him previously, who if they had any money would not give him aid. In this sordid state, seeking some way to sustain himself the only employment open to him was feeding swine. To any Jewish man or boy feeding swine was worse than hitting the bottom, greater than plunging to rock bottom, how could he have ever dreamed that he would be helping a creature live that only an uncircumcised Gentile would eat. Not only was his body aching from lack of nourishment, his conscience was sick. To make matters worse he recalled the servants in his father’s house had plenty to eat with some left over and his father’s son was now—right now—perishing with hunger. It was “NEW YEAR’S TIME IN HIS HEART.” He with great thought, made a RESOLUTION. “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” (Vs. 18-19).

 

FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH A RESOLUTION

 

The young man “arose and came (went) to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” (Vs. 20). The heart that had been so joyful when he had left home was now heavy with sorrow. The face that had looked to the sun when going in the opposite direction was saddened and puckered with bitterness. We are not given the precise circumstance surrounding how his father happened to see him when he was “yet a great way off.” I doubt that he spent his days sitting in a rocking chair looking down the road hoping to spy his son returning. If he had done this in the beginning he would have long since ceased. It could be that he just happened to look down the road and observed the familiar gaunt recognizable to his tired old eyes. Or perhaps one of the servants had seen him and reported it to the father. At any rate, when he knew it to be his son, he broke into a run to meet him. Recognizing his shabby and dirty clothes, his bones sticking through his parched skin and the once familiar smile that had graced his face now missing, prompted his “compassion.” Taking his son in his arms he began to “kiss his neck” something he had missed so long. The son with all this affection displayed could have accepted it without further action and all would have been well. But, to the son’s credit, he did NOT forget his resolve. The speech that had run through his mind so many times on his journey home could not be left off—it was long past due—he owed it to his father whom he had wronged by his lack of gratitude for taking what his father had provided and freely given him when all he did was ask for it. Now the father’s love could not be allowed to smother his wrong. He said, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” (Vs. 21).

 

SOME PRACTICAL LESSON WE CAN LEARN FROM THE PARABLE

 

In this case as with everything the Master Teacher presented for consideration, there was the immediate application to be made by those in His presence. Then there is the lesson intended for following generations. Accordingly, as we read this “prince of parables” there are things that we can glean that are applicable to every life—lessons that glow with the power and perception of the guiding of the Divine mind. Some of these lessons I wish to point out trying to apply them to the general subject at hand—resolutions.

 

1. The young man “came to himself” (Vs. 17). This statement indicates that he was apart from himself, a figurative expression connoting the man’s mind had for a season departed. Overcome with fulfilling his desires he had allowed these to take precedence to the point of controlling his life. Everything he had done was contrary to common sense, but if common sense is so common why is it lacking in the multitudes? He had followed a path that is traveled by so many, the destructive path of selfishness. He had set out on a course that was pleasing to himself. Such a mindset puts self first. When allowed to run its course, it ends in habits that gain the upper hand. The terrible problem of selfishness is that seldom do those who are selfish recognize their state. Another case that sheds light upon selfishness is the young, rich, ruler (Mt. 19, Mk. 10, Lk. 18). At first he appears devoted to God, why, he had kept the commandments from his youth, yet, when Jesus opened his heart we see him as he really was, selfish to the core. If his heart (mind) was likened to our physical heart (blood pump) he needed radical surgery demanding immediate bypasses. The young man of our parable came to his senses; his seared conscience revived and sprang into action as he saw himself, as he really was, demanding resolution—the beginning of restoration.

 

2. He said “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned…before thee” (Vs. 18). The first person to come to his mind was the one whose love had never failed him but whom he had sinned against, his father. Since he made the statement we know he had sinned against his father, but just how we do not know. Is it that his father had cautioned him about the wise use of his money that he had wasted? It is apparent that he was ungrateful for the things he had received from his father that he had both squandered and wasted. Surely he realized that he had damaged the good name of his father—the family name. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Prov. 22:1). Presently the young man had neither. His riches were spent and the benefit of his name had blown away with the wind. Rather than give glory to his father, he had discarded, neglected and disgraced him. He saw clearly that his father’s love is what he needed more than ever. This demanded resolution and action. He “arose and came (went) to his father” (Vs. 20), immediately.

 

3. Furthermore, said he, “I have sinned against heaven” (Vs. 18). When he had gone into this “far country” he wished to escape from God. Like Jonah his was an attempt to flee from the presence of God. That does not mean that he thought he could find a place were God was absent or did not inhabit, rather he wished to go to a place where it would be impossible for him to worship and serve God. There are those who attempt this today. Employment is sought in places where one cannot assemble for worship, some youngsters delight to enroll in a college or university away from faithful Christians so that they can unleash the fetters of serving God, finding themselves as did this young man steeped in sin. Adding to this is the fact that he engaged in “riotous living” (vs. 13). Nothing was worth saving or caring for—he lived for the moment, tomorrow would care for itself. His elder brother accused him of devouring his father’s living with harlots. The young man had sown to the wind and was reaping the whirlwind. There was nothing deceptive about it now, he had mocked God and his wild oats had produced an abundant crop. There was but one thing to be done—get back home where God was honored. That he would do starting this moment with a resolution to aright the ship.

 

4. We should neither think nor expect the making or the following through with resolutions will ensure that things will return to the same state they were before circumstance required that resolutions and changes occurred. Jesus attributes wisdom to the son when he decided, I “am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants.” Such a consideration must be accepted physically, morally and spiritually. Some have learned too late that consumption of drugs, alcohol and tobacco take a toll that cannot be restored. Despite warning when the brain is fried on drugs, the nervous system is destroyed by alcohol and the lungs and throat are eaten up by cancer from tobacco, resolving to quit does not bring the body back to the tranquil state it was prior to using these substances. When one gives his life to debauchery of all sorts; finds his body diseased or his family wrecked; bemoaning the effects or making resolutions to change will not reinstate what is lost. When a Christian reverts to the world fulfilling the lust of the flesh, the desire of the eyes or the pride of life, things of the world may be obtained and the praise of men lauded upon him. However, if and when he recognizes that a change must be made to please God, the resolution to do so and the actions necessary to bring it to pass cannot bring back the kindly feeling and influence he once enjoyed. Such lessons learned in “the school of hard knocks” cannot always be shaken off and the former position recaptured regardless of how much they are desired.

 

IN LIGHT OF THIS PARABLE—LET’S THINK ABOUT SOME RESOLUTIONS

 

 

Resolve 1: Get out of the “far country.” The “far country” is the world apart from God, Christ and the church Jesus died for. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” (Eph. 2:1-2). It is important that we take note of time in these passages, “in time past” they were “dead” living as they did “in trespasses and sins.” Their affairs pertained to this life (or course) only. Being a friend of the world means they and you are estranged from God “whosoever…will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (Js. 4:4). But now (mark time) these Ephesians were “quickened” or made alive. They were in Christ (Eph. 1:3, 7), They were set apart (sanctified) by the washing of water by the word” meaning they were baptized Mk. 16:16, Acts 19:5. When one is baptized he is translated from the rule, power, or domain of Satan and is placed in the Kingdom ruled by the Son of God. Col. 1:13; 2:12-13. For further information contact me (BO).

 

Resolve 2: Abandon “riotous living.” Please recall that the younger son had a place in the house of his father, but left it for the attractions stipulated by men. Surely all Christians know of a brother or sister that has left the Lord and returned to an unfaithful life in the world shaming the Cause for which Jesus died. But there is another way we can be “riotous.” We have seen this in our land recently over and again. People who have not abandoned the nation and gone else where but rebel against authority by “rioting.” While such actions are repulsive to Christians some in the church follow the same principle spiritually. When the Lord stipulated singing they have decided that they would have a mechanical instrument play in worship to God without Bible authority. The New Testament teaches that Christians are to assemble in one place to be instructed and edified from the word of God, yet refusing what is written a separating into classes for instruction is done taking the power to make rules upon themselves. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper He used one loaf and one cup containing fruit of the vine commanding us to “this do” in remembrance of Him. Along comes some that say we are NOT going to follow Jesus’ example, pay attention to His statement or obey His command. Churches are divided and a world languishes for the truth while some rejoice in this state of riot. (Jn. 17:20-21). Some Christians point others to the word of God as the only rule of faith and practice, however, they might have the Lord say of them as He did of others, “do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” (Mt. 23:3) Use this as a time to make some resolutions.

Barney Owens 1601

 

Life Lines

Don’t allow the new leaf you turn to be the same one you turn over again.

I have heard people say “show me where I am wrong and I will change. Changing is easy for me.” Due to personal experience, I have difficulty believing that statement, because I have changed when I learned I was wrong, it was not easy. In some cases I wrestled for days and long nights before I could turn from what I had believed to be true. The more important I believed the thing to be in God’s scheme of things the more difficult the struggle within. I have comforted myself by reading or hearing of the difficulties others have had. One such is the Apostle Paul, who had seen and conversed with Jesus Himself, yet required three days of “fasting with prayer” before he was ready for Ananias to approach him with the requirements from the Lord. Baptism is a subject that many honest souls have difficulty accepting. To some the Lord’s will is exceedingly plain, so much so that we are not always as patient as we should be with truth seekers. Rejecting life-long teaching from friends, family, preachers and writings is rather difficult in the best of circumstances, but, when those we love work against receiving the truth revealed about baptism the road to acceptance is harder than ever. In this paper once more the subject is broached with the hope your thinking process is touched. I now continue with false theories advanced erroneously about Baptism:

 

BAPTISM IS A PHYSICAL ACT AND PHYSICAL ACTS
HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SAVING THE SOUL

 

That Baptism is a physical act is conceded. It does not matter where or when a person decides that baptism must be submitted to, it is not an act acceptable to God unless and until one is physically baptized in water. The contention of the statement in this caption is apparent. The confusion comes about due to the New Testament teaching the failure of the flesh (construed to be physical), and the function of the spirit (the inner man). The Gospel of Christ addressed to the inner man is accepted within the heart (Rom. 6:17-18). However, that does NOT negate what must be done physically or with the body for the Lord to forgive us. The body is the instrument that must be used by the mind through physical acts to render obedience to God. Without the physical act we are left in a hopeless state. When Jesus issued the conditions necessary to enter the kingdom of God, He demanded that one be born of water (a physical element), and of the Spirit. There is no other element that has to do with water except baptism. Therefore, the physical act of baptism is a requirement to admittance into the kingdom of God. After resurrecting Jesus commissioned His disciples with the command to preach the Gospel to everyone stipulating what the hearers were to do to obtain the remission of their sins. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, said He (Mk. 16:16). The physical act—baptism—is named in clear and certain terms as one of the requirements to be saved. The mental act of believing cannot be left out, and the physical act of baptism must not be discarded without terrible consequence. Since the Lord said we are to be baptized who are we to say, “because it is physical it is not necessary?” Fact of the matter is, without the physical act there is no way our faith is valid. Hear James on the matter, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (Js. 2:17). It appears to me that we have rose to a position of authority that is not ours to have. Perhaps, by looking at the importance of the physical in another ordinance of the Lord we can see that the physical is an absolute and actually enhances rather than detracts from the ordinance itself. I speak of the Lord’s Supper. When the Lord set forth this spiritual feast He used and asks us to use physical items. Without these it is impossible to remember the Lord as we do when physically eating. The Lord taking bread soon gave it to the disciples saying, “Take, eat.” Later the cup of fruit of the vine was given them and “they all drank of (out of) it.” (Mk. 14:22-23). In Paul’s account we are instructed to “do this”, in remembrance of Christ. (I Cor. 11:23-24). Assembling with fellow Christians when we eat our hearts are carried back to the time of our Savior’s suffering and death in our behalf. There may be a time when we hear a preacher so wonderfully speak of the Cross that our minds are anguished to the point that we feel as though we are present the very hour the Savor expired, yet, this is not eating the Lord’s Supper. It is not and cannot be observed when separated from the physically eating and drinking of those things that represent the Savior’s body and blood that sanctioned the New Covenant. It must be said that the physical act of eating and drinking connects us with the spiritual working of the mind that allows us to remember. The spiritual in this way is dependent upon the physical to the extent that one cannot please God spiritually without the physical acts. Baptism is the same in principle. The heart is cleansed in the physical act. “baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (I Pet. 3:21). The conscience or the spiritual man is purified when the physical man is baptized. That is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:4). The inner spiritual man submits to baptism allowing the physical man to be covered with water. When the physical man is raised from the water it is the spiritual man that is changed and begins a new way of living. The idea that baptism is a physical act and physical acts have nothing to do with saving the soul is not true. Baptism is more than a mere physical act.

 

BAPTISM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

A preacher of a prominent denomination made the above statement to me that give emphasis to Baptism in the name of the institution. I had always thought that baptism was the requirement of that church to become a member of it. The preacher assured me that to become a member of that church one had to be voted in after which baptism was to be administered as an ordinance. Do the scriptures have anything to say about baptism as related to church membership? Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about church membership,  “For as the body is one, and hath, many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body so also is Christ.” (I Cor. 12:12). The one body of Christ contains many members, yet the body remains one. All the members of the one body become members in the same way. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (Vs. 13). We know that the “body” is the church. Speaking of what the Father “wrought in Christ” we are told that He “hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:20, 22-23). An elementary student can understand that statement, “the church which is his body.” The church is the body of Christ. We could transpose the statement and with the same result, “his body is the church.” Since baptism put the Corinthians into the one body, it means they were became members of the church in one way, and that one way is by being baptized. Allow me to add: when one becomes a member of the church that is the point at which he is saved, “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.” (Eph. 5:23). It is incorrect to say, “the church saves one,” it is Christ that saves, but the question is—whom does He save? The answer—the body of which He is head and that body is the church. How does one get into the church or obtain membership? It is by baptism. Who can miss the truth that baptism between church membership and salvation? Furthermore, this truth is given emphasis in the first Gospel sermon preached after Jesus resurrected. The sermon as recorded in Acts the second chapter reveals that Peter stood up with the eleven declaring Jesus whom they had crucified to be “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). At that juncture we are informed, “when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Vs. 37). Their question was immediately answer by Peter, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Vs. 38). Did they understand what they were to do? Apparently they did, as we read, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Vs. 41). Those “gladly receiving” the word of God were baptized. They did not argue about whether baptism was a command or necessary, they were interested in having the remission of their sins, and since baptism was commanded they obeyed. We are told that some three thousand were added that day. ADDED TO WHAT? The answer is supplied by the inspired writer; “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” No unsaved person was added to the church, only those who “gladly received the word” by being baptized were “added to the church.” Baptism is the door to salvation and the door to church membership, at the same time. The doctrine that baptism has nothing to do with church membership is false.

BAPTIZED “INTO”

While you are thinking about “being baptized into the church, it seems to be a good time to notice some other things the Bible says we are baptized into. These show us the importance of baptism as the means of obtaining or securing a place or relationship before God. For instance, we are told that we are “baptized into Christ.” “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:27). From this it is clear that all who have put on Christ did it by being baptized into Him. We know it is in Christ that forgiveness is attained, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph. 1:7). Since forgiveness of sins is in Christ and we are baptized into Christ, baptism is necessary to being forgiven of our sins. Who can dispute it? In addition, we are reminded that we are baptized into the death of Christ, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:3). It was in His death that Christ shed His blood, “one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (Jn. 19:34). It is that blood that was shed for the remission of our sins, as Jesus said, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Mt. 26:28). The conclusion of these scriptures is inescapable. We are baptized in water to contact the blood of Christ when we are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ. At that time we receive the remission of our sins. Failure to be baptized into the death of Jesus Christ means we remain in our sins. We are also commanded to be baptized into the name of Christ. Jesus gave this command to the Apostles when He commissioned them to preach the Gospel to all nations. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Mt. 28:19). It is only in the name of Christ that one can have salvation”

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Since the Apostles were commanded to teach all nations and to baptize all those taught in the name of the Son of God in whom salvation is offered, then the blessing of salvation is obtained when one is baptized, not before nor at a later time. The question that all of us must face and grapple with is “can I be saved or have the remission of my past sins without the name of Jesus Christ and all that His name represents?” The correct answer to that query permits us to see the need as well as the purpose God has assigned to baptism. Baptism has an important purpose in God’s scheme of redemption.

 

Casting our heart back to the day of Pentecost once more demonstrates the power (authority) of the name of Christ as connected with baptism. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38). If this were the only passage in the New Testament on the purpose of baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ” it would be clear enough for all to understand. Every one hearing the words of Peter were to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Whatever “repentance” was for, baptism was for. Is repentance in the name of Jesus Christ necessary for the remission of sins? If the answer is yes then baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is necessary for the remission of sins, for the same reason. We are told “And whatsoever ye do in word (teaching) or deed (practice), do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3:17). If we obey this command we will teach what the Apostles taught “in the name of Christ,” that baptism is necessary to be saved. If we practice what the Apostles practiced we will baptize people “in the name of Christ” for the remission of past sins. When preachers teach that baptism is not necessary to be saved, and baptize others for any purpose other than the remission of sins they are preaching and practicing it in some name instead of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism has a purpose—the question is—what is that purpose? If you know a preacher or someone else that can benefit from this series, send their name and address and we will be happy to send copies to them.

Barney Owens 1512

Life Lines

It now cost more to amuse a child than it did to educate his grandfather