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WHO’S ON FIRST? THE CHURCH?

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WHEN DID THE CHURCH BEGIN?

The ChurchBy Ken Blue

“Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” Romans 16:7.

One’s view of when the Church, the body of Christ, and the dispensation of grace started will determine how the verses in the above context are interpreted. A few examples of the differing views of when the church began will clarify that point. However, the fact that there are many views on the birth of the church is another issue altogether.

There are those who hold that the church has existed from the time of Adam. They argue that all the people who follow God are the people of God and constitute the church. Thus the church of today is simply a continuation of a long line of believers.

Some believe the church began in Matthew 4 when John the Baptist called his first disciples. Others view Matthew 10, Matthew 16, Acts 2, Acts 9 and after Acts 28! So, there is little wonder as to the confusion about this matter. The position one takes will of necessity determine how all other scripture will be interpreted.

Those who question that the church started with Paul, site the above verse to show that there were those “in Christ” prior to Paul’s conversions. Thus, they choose an earlier date for the birth of the church. However, the above verse does not say anything about anyone being in the church; it speaks of being in Christ. One could have been in Christ, redemptively; without being in the Church which was a mystery; but one cannot be in the Church, which is His body without being in Christ.

If we accept the idea that being in Christ was synonymous with the Church, then we must concede that one can be cut off and loose his salvation. John 15 is clear that Christ is the vine and certain believers are the branches. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:1-8.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Church revealed to Paul was a mystery from before the foundation of the world and was revealed to him.[/perfectpullquote]

If being in Christ is the same as being in the Church, which is His body, then the brethren must do some Biblical gymnastics with the above verses to maintain an eternal security view. Now, don’t pretend that the above verses do not say He was in them, and they in Him. It won’t work.

The Church revealed to Paul was a mystery from before the foundation of the world and was revealed to him. “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:” Ephesians 3:2-9. Note the bolded words.

Finally, we ask, why Paul? If the Church which was the mystery was prior to Paul, and the commission was given to the Twelve to take this gospel into the entire world and to every creature, why was Paul saved, commissioned, given the gospel by divine revelation, and used to write the Church epistles? Why not use the Twelve who were given the great commission in Matthew, Mark and Luke, and Acts 1:8? In addition, they had over three years of personal training by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believers, prior to Paul were in Christ by identification with Him in John 15. After His death, believers were in Him by redemption of His blood. But, none were in the Church which was kept a secret until it started with the Apostle Paul. The church, which is the body of Christ, is made up of Jews and Gentiles who lose their distinction in the one body. Paul was both a Jew and a Gentile, and no doubt, the first in the Body of Christ. It seems evident to me that the dispensation of Grace and the Church, which is the One New Man and a New Creation, begin with Paul. This in no way nullifies the practice of water baptism.

PHASE THREE

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Phase ThreePhase Three-Old Age

By Ken Blue

This morning, Joyce and I woke up at about 3:30 am. We decided to get up and have a bowl of cold cereal. After about an hour, she went back to bed. I stayed up and have heartburn. It is now 7:17 am.

I title this article Phase Three because there are three phases to our lifespan. There is youth, adulthood and old age. As I pray, I am reminded of most of my friends who are within a decade on either side of me. I turned 72 in July. I cannot think of one who is not battling some physical problem.

In fact, I recently called a dear friend in California and told him the only reason for the call was to check up on him. I said all my peers were dead or dying. I wanted to know about him.

He assured me he was not dead, and as far as he knew, he was in good health. A year later I was in Los Angeles and had lunch with him. He said he had just returned from the doctor’s office. He explained that he had been having mini seizures. He now lives on blood thinners, and the doctor says there is nothing else to do but wait for the “big one.” So I have added him to my list of Phase Three friends.

These years remind us how short life is, how fragile we are, and just how dependent we are on God and others. It is also a time when we covet the prayers of the saints and are prompted to pray for them.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″]Whoever called them “the golden years” was not there when they did.[/pullquote]

Whoever called these “the golden years” wasn’t there. However, they are years of learning. First, we learn about ourselves. How real is our faith? What is the depth of our patience and grace? How thankful are we for the little things of life? Ah yes, it is a time of learning!

As we approach the end of Phase Three, our prayer list will increase and decrease at the same time. Some will be added and others can be deleted. As we face each new day, let us remember that most of our friends are fighting the same battles and in need of our prayers. Most importantly, don’t lose sight of God’s grace, mercy, and goodness.

Joyce is still in bed, I still have heartburn, and I think I’ll go back to bed. God is so good!

DIE HERETIC!”

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Die Heretic“DIE HERETIC!”

A man was walking across a bridge one day and saw another man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So he ran over and said “Stop! Don’t do it!”

“Why shouldn’t I?” the man on the bridge said.

“Well, there’s so much to live for!”

“Like what?”

“Well… are you religious?”

“Yes.”

“Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?”

“Christian.”

“Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?”

“Protestant.”

“Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?”

“Baptist.”

“Wow! Me too! Are you Independent Baptist or a Convention Baptist?”

“An Independent Baptist!”

“Me too! Are you an original Independent Baptist, or are you a reformed Independent Baptist?”

“Original!”

“Me too! Are you a Universal Church, Independent Baptist, or a Baptist Bride Local Church Only ?”

“A Universal Baptist!”

“Die, Heretic!!!”

THE BLESSEDNESS OF BARRENNESS

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By Ken Blue

“And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: an d Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.” 1 Samuel 1:2.

Scripture and experience confirm that empties and despair provide God’s greatest opportunity to work through us. The story of Samuel is during the latter period of the Judges and was during Israel’s darkest days.

Elkanah had two wives; Hannah and Peninnah. These events show us something about the blessedness of barrenness. The record states that Peninnah had several sons and daughters, whereas, Hannah had none. (v.4). However, there is no record of her ever praying or displaying any spiritual interest.

Hannah, on the other hand, was empty, and broken in her overwhelming grief because she did not have a son to dedicate to the LORD. In chapter one, we see her sorrow, her tears, and her promise. She privately prayed to the LORD, and vowed that she would dedicate her son to Him for the rest of his life, if He would only give her a son.

God saw Hannah’s heart and heard her prayer. He gave her, her request, and Hannah honored her vow. She brought Samuel to the temple to be trained and used of God. God use Samuel mightily. His was a transition ministry from a Theocracy to a Kingdom. He anointed, both Saul and David as kings of Israel. In addition, he became a circuit preacher and founded a school for the prophets.

But, I want to call your attention back to Hannah. It was her barrenness that brought her to her knees. She knew she loved God and wanted something of value to give Him. This emptiness was the kind that made everyday life miserable, and nothing else could fill this void.

Oh, blessed barrenness! What it can do for the Christian or Pastor who cannot be content to live there. Hers was a famine of the soul for which there was only one cure. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6. “And he said, …I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Genesis 32:26.

Poor Peninnah; she was full and was dead while she lived. She made no such commitment or sacrifice. “The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” Proverbs 27:7. This verse describes both, Peninnah and Hannah. The full soul has no appetite, whereas, to the hungry, everything is sweet.

Christian, let your barrenness and emptiness be the goad that drives you to the One who can fill you. Desire things you can dedicate to Him. Hannah did not request a son so she could gloat over him. She was broken because she had nothing to give the God she loved. What greater gift can one give God than sons and daughters who will live for Him and make a difference in the world? It was Hannah’s barrenness that led to her blessedness; so can yours.

THE BOSWELL BOYS

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By Ken Blue

These are some of the friends I grew up with in Boswell, Arkansas. We attended a one room school house together.

In the background is Grandpa Byler’s house. About one hundred feet to the right of the picture is the White River. I have many wonderful memories of these years and my friends.

From left to right in the back row are Eldon Neel, Lowell Sneathern, and Johnny Byler.

Front row: Ronnie Hill, Jim Byler, Ken Blue with Bobby Byler, and Rayburn Sneathern
Ronnie Hill, Johnny, Jimmy, and Bobby Byler are my first cousins.

Ronnie lives in Mountain Home, Arkansas and owns a locksmith business.

Bobby Byler lives in Connecticut and works for a nuclear power plant. Jimmy Byler lives in Mountain Home, Arkansas and owns a large ice manufacturing company.

Rayburn Sneathern lives in Marion, Arkansas and works for a Chevrolet dealership. Lowell Sneatheren lives in Virginia and is retired. He was an airplane pilot. He is in bad health.

Johnny Byler was about a year older than me. He lived in Springfield, Missouri and went home to be with the Lord at about age 31. My dear friend, Eldon Neel lived in Mountain Home and went home to be with the Lord in November of 2009. What great memories of have these boys from Boswell. I’m glad to report that most of them know the Lord Jesus as their Savior!