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GRAFT INTO WHAT?

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HOW GOD WILL GRAFT IN THE GENTILES

business couple looking at each other angrily

By Ken Blue

“Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:” 1 Corinthians 10:32.

When it comes to right divisions, the reader should notice that God classifies three distinct groups in Scripture. They are Jews, Gentiles, and the Church of God. Although a Jew and a Gentile may be in the Church of God, the context of Romans 8-11 shows that God is speaking about them as different groups.

Failure to rightly divide these three has caused many in the Church of God to fear being “cut off” and “cast aside.” All manner of mischief can develop when we ignore the context. The believer in Christ discovers in chapter 8 that nothing can separate him from God’s love. Then, he turns the page and reads that he must fear lest he be “cut off.”

The key is to follow the context, and see that all three groups are dealt with in these chapters. For instance, in Romans 8 we read, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39. It is clear that chapter 8 is speaking to the Church of God.

When we come to chapter 9 and 10, we see that the Jew is the subject. There, Paul explains why the Jews have been temporally “cut off,” and that God would save Gentiles. Prior to Israel being “cut off” and their “fall,” they held a favored place in God’s plan. Notice what Paul says about their special status. “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 9:4-5.

However, as a result of Israel’s rejection of their King and the kingdom, they have been temporarily “cut off,” and they “fell” from being favored among the nations. “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” Romans 11:12.

Today, Israel is like all other nations, and each Jew must come to Christ just like the Gentile. Gentiles, now, have the same standing and privileges as the Jew. They have been placed, or “grafted,” into a new place of privilege and opportunity, without the national conversion of Israel. Chapter 11 is not talking about the Church of God, but rather the Gentile nations.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Many Christians erroneously think that Israel has been removed from her covenants and promises and that the church of God possesses them and has replaced the Jew.[/pullquote]

No one is grafted into Israel, nor does the Gentile or the Church take the Jew’s place or promises. The text is clear; Gentile nations now have the same privileges and standing as the Jew. All are sinners and must come to Christ the same way. The time will come when the Gentile nations will be removed from this status, and the Jews will be “grafted” once again into the favored position with God. They will become head of the nations.

When God begins to graft Israel back, the following will be true for them. “1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. 5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.” Micah 4:1-7.

Many Christians erroneously think that Israel has been removed from her covenants and promises and that the church of God possesses them and has replaced the Jew. Nothing could be further from the truth. The illustration of “grafting” simply shows that the Gentile nations need not look to the Jews for God’s favor or salvation. All are on equal ground. This is a new privilege for the Gentiles.

DEBATING WITH FOOLS (ATHEIST)

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THE ATHEIST ILLUSION

By Ken Blue

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” Psalms 53:1.

Recently I watched a debate on TV between an atheist and a Christian. The atheist demanded proof that God exist. He was asked what proof he would accept. He said, “Just any proof you have.” The Christian said, “No, I see no need to go through a list of proofs that you have already made your mind up to reject. So, to save time, tell me what proof you would accept, and I’ll see if I have it.” He said, “OK, show me God.” The Christian said, “You got me on that one. I can’t do it.”

Next, the Christian asked the atheist to prove that God does not exist. The atheist responded, “Since you can’t provide the proof demanded, I am not required to prove that God doesn’t exist.” The Christian asked, “Since I cannot give the proof you demand; are you so dense you think your lack of proof gets you off the hook?”

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The atheist has faith in his blindness and his personal reasoning about what he cannot see.[/perfectpullquote]

The believer should understand that the atheist operates with two sets of rules. One, you must present “proof,” which none of them will accept. Secondly, since they don’t believe God exist; they reason that they aren’t required to prove anything. Their ignorance drives their arrogance.

The problem is not that proof for God’s existence is lacking. The issue is, the fool has made up his mind to reject any and all arguments you present. They pretend they follow science, yet they can’t prove one point of their argument with established scientific evidence.

Don’t be intimated. The atheist does not have any proof for his argument. He cannot explain the origin of life, and he doesn’t KNOW for sure if his argument is valid; he merely believes it is. The Christian and the atheist both operate from the platform of faith. The Christian has faith in the Scriptures and the evidence he sees. The atheist has faith in his blindness and his personal reasoning about what he cannot see.

Any Christian struggling with this issue should read The Evolution Cruncher, by Vance Farrell.

Now, there are only four possible answers to the argument.

1. Matter is eternal.
2. Matter came from nothing.
3. Matter came from an eternal, intelligent Creator.
4. Nothing matters; all is an illusion, and we aren’t really here.

TWO STEPS TO SLAVERY

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By Ken Blue

The Word of God teaches that man has the freedom to prepare for and work at the occupation of his choosing. He is permitted to earn all the money possible, as long as he does it honestly. He also has a moral obligation to pay a living wage, if he has employees, to help the poor, and to save for his future. Two principles are taught: He has a right to do with what he earns, as he chooses; and a responsibility to help the poor. Perhaps, if families worked together to take care of each other, and the church cared for the poor, we would not be sliding into a communist dictatorship.

Cap•i•tal•ism n. “An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market.”

So•cial•ism n. 1.a. “A social system in which the means of producing and distributing goods are owned collectively and political power is exercised by the whole community. b. The theory or practice of those who support such a social system. 2. The building of the material base for communism under the dictatorship of the proletariat in Marxist-Leninist theory.”

Com•mu•nism n. 1. “A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members. 2. Communism.a. A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people. b. The Marxist-Leninist version of Communist doctrine that advocates the overthrow of capitalism by the revolution of the proletariat.” The American Heritage Dictionary.

Remember, once a communist government is in place, the next order of business is to purge out all who disagree and are unprofitable to the state.

The following is from The Distributed Republic. It calculates the number killed under Stalin. “The figure comes from the book by Robert Conquest, The Great Terror: Stalin’s Purge of the Thirties (Macmillan 1968). In his appendix on casualty figures, he reviews a number of estimates of those that were killed under Stalin, and calculates that the number of executions 1936 to 1938 was probably about 1,000,000; that from 1936 to 1950 about 12,000,000 died in the camps; and 3,500,000 died in the 1930-1936 collectivization. Overall, he concludes: “Thus we get a figure of 20 million dead, which is almost certainly too low and might require an increase of 50 percent or so, as the debit balance of the Stalin regime for twenty-three years.”

NEW PASTOR ASSUMES LEADERSHIP OF CHURCH IN WALLA WALLA, WA.

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ordination

By Pastor Tim shanks

On Sunday, November 1st God’s Word Baptist Church had the privilege of hosting the ordination service for Kevin Congrove. Brother Congrove answered the Lord’s call to pastor the Heritage Baptist Church in Walla Walla, WA. Shortly after the ordination service Pastor Congrove moved to Walla Walla with his wife (Heidi) and three children (Sam, Ruthana, and Katie).
It is clear that God has been molding brother Congrove for this area of service. He has been a faithful deacon, song leader, adult Sunday School teacher, prison ministry preacher, Rescue Mission leader, pulpit fill-in (when I was out of town) and Youth Pastor while in GWBC. Heidi was also very active as a Sunday School teacher, Nursery leader, Juvenile Detention leader etc. Both Kevin and Heidi are very excited about the work in Walla Walla.
Obviously, we are greatly saddened to see the Congrove family go, but extremely excited to see what the Lord is doing. God has greatly blessed the Heritage Baptist Church in the few short weeks they have been there and we praise the Lord for it! Please pray for Pastor Congrove, his family and the Heritage Baptist Church. When you do, ask the Lord to do something mighty for his pleasure and glory.

Tim Shanks
I Timothy 1:12

NOTE: Brother Shanks was trained at Open Door Baptist in Lynnwood, WA. He currently pastors God’s Word Baptist Church in Ridgefield, WA. It is wonderful that God is using his church to train and send out new pastors and missionaries. Praise the Lord!

THE GOSPEL SOME CHRISTIANS CAN NOT SEE

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By Ken Blue

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” Mark 1:1.”Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,” Mark 1:14.

The story is told of a family who had a litter of new puppies. A sign was posted which read, “Catholic puppies for sale; $10.00 each.” A few days later, a new sign replaced the older one, it read, “Baptist puppies for sale; $20.00 each.” A man stopped and said, “Last week you called them Catholic puppies, now you call them Baptist; Why the change?” “Well,” said the owner, “This week they got their eyes open.”

When we hear a word, certain pictures come to mind. For example, when I say automobile, airplane, baptism, or gospel; you get a mental equivalent. Try it; you will see. However, your image may not match my intended use of the word. Only by understanding the context in which I use it, can you see what I mean.

For example, the word “gospel” in our text, means “good news.” But, what is the message of that good news?

I. WE KNOW THE DEATH OF CHRIST IN NOT PART OF THIS GOSPEL-

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” Matthew 16:21-22.

a. Notice that Jesus began to teach His disciples that He must die. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples…” This shows that Jesus had not taught it till then, nor did anyone understand it.

b. Notice that Peter sees this teaching incompatible with their gospel. “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee”

c. Notice that they did not understand Old Testament prophecies of Messiah’s death. “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death:.” Luke 18:31-33.

d. Peter’s denial shows their ignorance of His upcoming death. “But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. Mark 14:68.

So, we know John, Jesus and the Twelve preached the gospel; we also know that it did not contain one word concerning His dying for man’s sin. That ought to be evident, But most Baptist never understand its implication.

II. WE KNOW HIS BURIAL AND RESURRECTION WAS NOT PART OF THEIR GOSPEL- Again, our text makes it clear that John, Jesus, and the Twelve preached the gospel in the four gospels.

a. Notice that His resurrection was not part of their gospel. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Matthew 16:21.

b. Notice that they had no knowledge of his upcoming death, burial and resurrection. “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” Luke 18:31-34. Notice carefully verse 34. They could not have been preaching what they did not understand or believe. Yet, they preached a gospel.

c. Notice that the preparation of His body showed that they did not believe His upcoming resurrection. “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” John 19:40. They would not go to the effort if they expected His resurrection. Yet, they had heard His gospel.

d. Notice that the concern of the women was who could roll the stone away from the tomb. “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. ..3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” Mark 16:1,3. If they expected His resurrection, they would not be coming to anoint His body or be concerned about the stone.

c. Notice the unbelief of the eleven when the Mary Magdalene brought news of His resurrection. “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.” Mark 16:9-11. Now, we can’t expect that the Twelve preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and then all of them changed their theology! Yet, they preached the gospel.

d. Notice that Thomas did not believe the report of the other disciples. “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:24-25. Are we to believe that Thomas preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for sin, and now he is an unbeliever?

e. Notice that Jesus rebuked sharply the eleven for their unbelief. “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”. Mark 16:14.

SUMMATION: 1. We know that no one understood or preached that Jesus must die. 2. We know that none understood or preached His resurrection. 3. We know that their reaction to His death was one of discouragement, and to His resurrection; doubt and unbelief. 4. We know from Luke 18 that He explained it and they understood none of it. Therefore, we know that none of them preached the gospel of His death, burial, and resurrection in any manner.

Now the key is in the context as used by John, Jesus, and the Twelve in the four gospels and early Acts period. Notice the text again. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” Mark 1:1.”Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,” Mark 1:14.

The “good news” was that the King and the Kingdom was at their doorstep. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:1-2. “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17. Have you ever wondered why no Baptist preacher gives this kind of invitation? The reason is clear; the kingdom is not at hand. It has been rejected by Israel and is now in abeyance.

Finally, notice the very first question by the Twelve, after Jesus resurrection. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. Were they wrong to expect the Kingdom? No; they had every right to expect it. He spent 40 days with them; do you think He explained to them that Israel would reject their message of the resurrected King? The answer is no. Did He explain that He would build a new thing, called the church, the body of Christ? Again, the answer is no. Did He commission them to go and start Baptist churches? Our final answer is no. He spoke only of those things concerning the coming Kingdom.

So, you see. The Word of God must be rightly divided and so must the words. The good news we preach today, is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and is alive to save all who come to Him in faith. That is GOOD NEWS! Sadly, most Christians are led to believe that the gospel in four gospels and early Acts is the same gospel preached today. It could not have been.