ANTI-BIBLICAL VS UN-BIBLICAL

by

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “ANTI” AND “UN.”

By Ken Blue

In an attempt to justify one’s personal decisions, Bible believers have resorted to terms such as anti- biblical and unbiblical. Anti-biblical means, the decision, or action taken is against the Bible. Verses will be cited to demonstrate this anti-biblical violation.

However, where the Scriptures are silent, (un-biblical), anything we approve may be protected. To illustrate the point; I might show that the Scriptures are anti-alcohol at a stock car race. But, going to the race is acceptable, since nothing in Scripture speaks against auto racing. Racing is un-biblical and acceptable because nothing is said against it. It is also not anti-biblical for the same reason. Another example would be the Sunday school. Since the Bible says nothing about it, it is un-scriptural, (Not in the Scriptures), but not anti-scriptural, therefore acceptable.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]This is the word game some of the brethren are playing to justify themselves and their friends while condemning others.[/perfectpullquote]

Now that these two standards have been established only one more authority remains. And who would that be? Why, it would be the person who approves or disapproves that which is un-scriptural, (not in the Bible). Since there are no Scriptures to make it anti-biblical, I may choose as I please. The problem is, others may not be pleased with what I choose.

This is the word game some of the brethren are playing to justify themselves and their friends while condemning others. Once you see how it is played, you too can play it. However, you should not be the hypocrite when playing it. If you are going to justify your actions on the basis that it is not in the Scriptures, (un-scriptural), you should at least give others the same courtesy.

FASTING

by

TO FAST OR NOT TO FAST

By Ken Blue

“Fasting humbles the soul before God (Psalm 35:13); chastens the soul (Psalm 69:10); and crucifies the appetites and denies them so as to give the entire time to prayer (2 Samuel 12:16-23; Matthew 4:1-11).  It manifests earnestness before God to the exclusion of all else (1 Cor. 7:5); shows obedience; demonstrates the mastery of man over appetites; aids in victory over temptation; helps to attain power over demons; develops faith; crucifies unbelief; and aids in prayer (Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 17:14-21). —Dake’s Topics.

The doctrine of fasting, like many others, can become a form of legalism and bondage to God’s people. That one should fast and pray, there is no doubt; but when it is taught as a regimented practice, it leads to self-righteousness.

There is no rule as to when and how often one should fast. The Bible demonstrates that fasting was practiced when some great decision, feat, danger or testing was being faced. We see that some fasted one day, three days, seven days, fourteen days, 21 days, and forty days. The doctrine should be taught, but never set as a routine or habit. It should spring from a soul in desperation.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Fasting can become a form of legalism or a source of power.[/perfectpullquote]

There is no magic in fasting. Unless it is understood and practiced according to Scripture, it will have an adverse effect on those who practice it. Jesus says that fasting should not be to impress others. “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:16-18. Note also, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” Luke 18:11-12. Fasting did not help this crowd. In fact, it added to their inward problem. It might be best if no one knows when you are fasting.

The old Negro song says, “Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.” That is the right approach to fasting. As we have said, when you are facing a great need in your life, and the Spirit of God is moving you to prayer and fasting, that is the right time to do it. Like many doctrines in Scripture, it can become a form of legalism or a source of power. We need not fear that God’s people will fast to often; the warning and concern is stated above.

Bible Boasters

by

By Richard Sandlin [mailto:[email protected]]

I held a meeting for a pastor once who boasted of the fact he had read the Bible through over seventy-five times; he later ran off with a woman in his church. I’m acquainted with a dear man, of a different sort from the above mentioned, a godly man, who has read the Book over one hundred times; he believes bell-bottom pants, wire-rimmed glasses, and cowboy boots are wrong to wear. Then there is another Bible consumer that I know of who has gone through the Holy Writ close to two hundred times; he has been married five times.

What am I saying? Simply that reading vast amounts of scripture does not necessarily make one morally clean, doctrinally sound, or able to subdue the flesh. Satan knows and quotes the Bible, and yet is not helped, but remains a devil. It is not how many times we have gone through the Bible, but how many times it has gone through us. Putting a notch on your Bible each time you read it does not make an individual a better Christian, but I do strongly suspect it will make one more accountable to God.

The question is not so much how many times we have read God’s Word, but rather, how many times has it read us? Certainly we are to know the “Letter,” but not in the absence of the “Spirit.” There is nothing magical in Bible reading, but something does happen when we obey it. Charles Spurgeon said it best when he wrote, “Some people like to read so many (Bible) chapters every day. I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather lay my soul asoak in half a dozen verses all day than rinse my hand in several chapters. Oh, to be bathed in a text of scripture, and to let it be sucked up in your very soul, till it saturates your heart!”

WHO’S ON FIRST? THE CHURCH?

by

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

by

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!