Watchman Archives

Back to the movie. I haven’t seen it, and do not plan to go. As a Bible believer, I have what I believe to be the inspired account of Jesus’ crucifixion, and it is sufficient for me and my family. My faith is not dependant upon Hollywood (a fact for which we can all be grateful!). I have a vivid enough imagination to picture the suffering of my Lord, and do not need my senses assaulted by special effect wizardry. Besides, it seems to me the physical suffering, (the primary focus of the movie) is secondary to the spiritual. The key, according to the apostle Peter, is the fact that Christ “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).

The doctrine of premillennialism has no basis in fact or in Scripture. Let us not be swept away in fanciful or fictitious notions. Rather, let us remain faithful to the old paths and not stray from God’s word. We do not know when Christ is coming back. Therefore we should always be ready. Our prayer and petition should be that of the apostle: Maranatha! Even so, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Far better to have a church “unorganized scripturally” without elders that to have one that is “unscripturally organized” with men serving as elders who do not meet the things laid down by the Holy Spirit. My dear reader, I only ask that you study this short article on a subject that needs close study.

In the church, Christ must always come first. If we have truly counted the cost, we know this. Our lives should mirror this recognition. It should be evident in our own actions, and in our instructions to our children, as we seek to bring them up “training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

We are to seek and destroy error. Why? Because error condemns the souls of men to an eternal hell and is an affront to the Holy God of heaven. If we will be blessed, we will confront and expose evil. If we fail, God will curse us. Therefore, be determined to “destroy…break down…cut down…[and] burn” all that is contrary to the will of God.

Be of the same sentiment as the Bereans of old who “searched the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Truth has nothing to fear from honest investigation. We remain open to brotherly discussion of these issues. May we hear from you?

The Gospel is simple. It takes no great intellect to read the story of Jesus, and realize that after His resurrection, He had a message for the entire world that needed to be and would be carried across the lands. “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned'” (Mark 16:15-16).

Much of the book of Proverbs is one man’s attempt at teaching his children to be good and wholesome. The Proverbs are a good place to start if you have never done much in the way of training your child in the way he should go. But if you have not started yet, it is already later than you think and one day soon, the cradle is going to be empty and you won’t be able to put the cat back in it.

A good friend and brother in the Lord, Don Craven, wrote concerning a Baptist preacher, James O. Newell, who was baptized recently during a Baptist service. Several Baptists were confused about the matter and thought their preacher was being saved. One Baptist approached Don and asked what he thought about it. Don wrote the Baptist preacher and asked for an explanation. Below is the explanation from the Baptist preacher and my comments on it.

It is wrong and dangerous to interpret the Bible in light of the popular scientific theory of the day. The Bible is inspired and infallible, men are not. Our understanding of nature should be influenced by scripture, not the other way around. Some may claim such is anti-science, unscientific, ignorant and superstitious. But, as Christians we must remember that we are primarily people of faith. “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar…” (Romans 3:4).

The gospel is yet sufficient today in meeting all the needs of all who seek the Lord (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). As preachers of the gospel let us cast all our cares upon the Lord and make his ways our ways (1 Timothy 4:16). The examples reviewed in this article of first-century preachers helping Christians to both overcome mistaken ideas and repent of error are lessons for us today. May they encourage us as we seek to serve God no matter where we may find ourselves today.

Think about the place of government ordained by God and it really becomes very simple (Romans 13:1-7). Does God desire the government that He ordained as “a minister of God to thee for good” to raise money through the same means that organized crime has used for years? Or does He expect a higher standard from those whom He authorized to praise good and avenge evil? That is the bottom line! When we seek for God’s answer to the question, we will see that gambling is not an effort approved by God for gamblers or the bookmaker — whether organized by the Mafia or the government.

Love is the foundation of all that is Christian. It is the reason for our hope of redemption, (“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” John 3:16); It is the reason we serve God, (“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15); It is what motivates us to preach the gospel to the lost, (“I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the barbarians, both to the wise and the unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel…” Romans 1:14-15); It is the foundation for our relationship as brethren in Christ, (“And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” 1 John 4:21).

The nature of the hope is sure because it is God who reserves it for us. Because of God’s faithfulness, we can know that what He promised we will receive. The object we hope for is of inestimable value, “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven” for each of us. It is this hope which motivates us each day as we live for Jesus.

Faith is inextricably tied in with the word of God. Scripture gives us everything we need to be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). If we wish to have that faith, without which “it is impossible to please Him”, then we must immerse ourselves in the hearing of His word. May we all do this very thing.

Without going into detail concerning John Calvin’s theories on the sovereignty of God, or Martin Luther’s rejection of James 2, we will simply state that Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9 affirms salvation by grace, but does not intend to deny the necessity of man’s obedience to God.

The concept of obedience to law is rather controversial among the religious today. Because of the Holy Spirit’s teaching regarding the Law of Moses, as contrasted with salvation by Grace through Faith, some equate the idea of obedience to God’s law with the concept of meriting salvation. This is not so.

And so the entirety of Bible history, from the creation of man, to God’s promises to Abraham, to the sojourn of the children of Israel in Egypt, to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, to the habitation of the land of Canaan by Israel, to the judgments, captivity and restoration of that nation, to the birth and life of Jesus of Nazareth, all point to the cross, and the subsequent victory over death in Christ’s resurrection.

Every aspect of our lives is impacted by God’s holiness. The perfect sinlessness of the Son of God should ever be before us. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’” (1 Peter 2:21-22). The holiness of God is awesome, and should inspire in us a quiet reverence, and a holy life.

God is longsuffering, loving, merciful, wise, omnipresent, perfect, righteous, unchangeable, and unsearchable. As the Psalmist said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalms 139:6).