Strong Meat

What is Sin?

2009-10-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

Spiritual Strong Meat

2009-06-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

This section is dictated to Spiritual Growth and involves deeper studies of God's Word to learn those truths that sometimes are not evident with a superficial reading of the Scriptures --- that take prayer, focused meditation and study to discover.

CAN A CHILD OF GOD BE LOST ETERNALLY?

2009-06-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

by A.G. HOBBS
This question has occasioned much discussion, both in private conversation and in public debates. It, therefore, merits a careful study.

As we begin, there are a few clear-cut facts blazoned across the pages of the Bible that should make it easy to answer. Before we go into a more detailed study, let us notice these broad outlines of the subject

First

Revelation 2:10

Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good

Romans 12:21

Revelation 3:5

Second: We are told that if we add the things outlined by Peter
(2 Peter 1:5-11) we “shall never fall.” This certainly teaches that one can and may fall, and that entrance into the “everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” is conditional.

Third: We have teaching and prophecies where some would fall away. (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:13)

Fourth: We are admonished to restore the fallen (Galatians 6: 1; James. 5:19-20); and we are told what to do in order to be restored back into God’s favor. (Acts 8:22; James 5:16). If one can not fall, there would be none to restore; and those who depart from the truth are certainly in a lost condition.

“My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know. that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20).

(1)

brethren

(2)

(3)

Hence, it is evident that children of God can be lost. How can one face these facts and not see it?

WHY THEN THE CONFUSION?

A failure to consider ALL THE BIBLE REVEALS ON THE SUBJECT.

Surely God’s people can never be lost

Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9

Because of not understanding WHEN and WHERE one receives eternal life.

unto us a child IS BORN, unto us a son IS GIVEN

Isaiah 9:6

I have delivered it into thy hand

Judges 7:9

in the world to come eternal life

Mark 10:30

render to every man according to his works: to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life.

Romans 2:6-7

in hope of eternal life

Titus 1:2; 3:7

Galatians 6:6-7

But now being made free from sin and become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification and the END ETERNAL LIFE

Romans 6:22

lay hold on eternal life

1 Timothy 6:12

John 3:36

5:24

We are saved by faith — but:

(1)

1 Timothy 5:8

(2)

1 Timothy 1:19-20

(3)

1 Timothy 4:1

We are saved by the gospel — but one may be moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23).

We are saved by grace — but we may fail or fall short of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15), and fall from grace (Galatians 5:4)

We are saved by love — but we MUST KEEP OURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD (Jude 21). nothing can separate us from the love of God BUT OURSELVES.“For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3).

We are saved by the blood of Jesus --- but AFTER one has been saved “once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift” and “made partaker of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come”; he may count the “blood of the covenant where with he was sanctified an unholy thing” and so despite to the Spirit of grace and be lost (Hebrews 6:4-5; 10:29).

I. The Possibility Of Apostasy Is Evident From The Word “IF”

IF that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye shall abide in the Son, and in the Father

1 John 2:24

IF ye live after the flesh, ye shall die ...

Romans 8:13

Hebrews 9:27-28

But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin

1 John 1:7

“IF ye abide in My word, then are you truly My disciples

John 8:31

“IF we faint not— we shall reap ..

Galatians 6:9

“IF ye do these things, ye shall never fall

2 Peter 1:8-11

“IF we hold fast

Hebrews 3:14

“IF he shrink back, My soul hath no pleasure in him

Hebrews 10:38

Certainly these passages teach the possibility of apostasy. The final entrance of the child of God into that everlasting kingdom is conditional. If not, how can all these “if” passages be explained to teach otherwise?

In reality, we could even now write, PROPOSITION PROVED!

In addition to all the “if” passages, there are many in which Christians are warned and admonished to “take heed” and “beware” lest we depart, fall away, and miss the final reward.

II. Some Parables Of Jesus Teach That The Saved Can Be Lost.

The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:13

And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who FOR AWHILE BELIEVE, and in time of temptation FALL AWAY

The Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

Parable of the Net.

Matthew 13:47-50

in the end of the world

The Vine and Branches.

John 15:1-8

in Christ

Every branch IN ME ...

Already ye are clean..

Parable of the Talents.

(Matthew 25:14-30

his own servants

unprofitable servant

Parable of the Unfaithful Servant.

Luke 12:41-48

cut asunder

with the unfaithful

the unbelievers

III. APOSTASY WAS PROPHESIED.

But the Spirit saith expressly that in the latter times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons

1 Timothy 4:1

I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you not sparing the flock: and from among yourselves shall men arises speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them

Acts 20:29-30

Does this sound as if it is impossible or possible for the saved to be lost? Just as sure as the prophecies of inspiration are true, that sure it is that the saved can apostatize and be lost.

IV. EXAMPLES OF APOSTASY PROVE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE.

1 Corinthians 10:1-12

John 8:21

(Continued after the chart)

ISRAELITES AN EXAMPLE AND WARNING TO CHRISTIANS
(First Corinthians 10:1-12)

ISRAELITES

THEY BELIEVED

Exodus 14:31; Psalms 106:12

ALL BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES

1 Corinthians 10:2

ALL WERE SAVED

Exodus 14:30

WERE CHILDREN OF GOD

Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:1

ALL ATE SPIRITUAL FOOD

1 Corinthians 10:3

ALL DRANK SPIRITUAL DRINK

1 Corinthians 10:4

MANY COMMITTED FORNICATION, AND
FELL,

1 Corinthians 10:8

SOME COMMITTED OTHER SINS AND PERISHED

1 Corinthians 10:9-10

SAVED AFTERWARD DESTROYED

Jude 5

CHRISTIANS

CHRISTIANS BELIEVE

1 Corinthians 8:6

ALL BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST

Romans 6:3, 4; Galatians 3:27

ALL SAVED, SANCTIFIED

Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2

ARE CHILDREN OF GOD

1 John 3:1,2

ALL EAT SPIRITUAL FOOD

John 6:51; 1 Corinthians 3:2

ALL DRINK SPIRITUAL DRINK

John 7:37; Revelation 22:17

WE CAN COMMIT FORNICATION AND FALL

1 Corinthians 10:8

WE CAN COMMIT OTHER SINS AND BE LOST

1 Corinthians 10:9-10

SAVED, MAY BE DESTROYED

Matthew 10:28; James 5:19, 20

“Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

“Wherefore Let Him That Thinketh He Standeth Take Heed Lest He Fall”
(1 Corinthians 10:12)

2. Judas fell “by transgression” (Acts 1:25). Judas was not a devil from the beginning. He received his apostleship along with the other Apostles, and he also could cast out devils (Matthew 10:4-5, 8). “How can Satan cast out Satan?” (Mark 3:23). Satan entered into Judas.

“And SATAN ENTERED INTO JUDAS who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve” (Luke 22:3). “And after the sop, THEN ENTERED SATAN INTO HIM” (John 13:27).

3. Ananias and Sapphira sinned and died liars and hypocrites (Acts 5:1-10). “And all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brim stone; which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

4. Simon the Sorcerer. (Acts 8:13-24).
“And Simon also himself believed . . .” It is emphasized that he had the same kind of faith, baptism, and salvation that the Samaritans had that are mentioned in v. 12. He “continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.” He later sinned by trying to buy the gift of transferring miraculous power to others as the Apostles had. (vv. 18, 19). And Peter said to him:

“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray the Lord if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:22,23)

If he did not repent and pray and was not forgiven, could he have gone to heaven in his sin, unforgiven?

5. Some of the Galatians. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4). They had obeyed the gospel of Christ, but had quickly removed from Christ to a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). They ran the Christian race well for a short time. Paul said to them:

“Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?”(Galatians 5:7).

The Greek of Galatians 5:4 is significant and forceful in sustaining the fact that children of God — can and did fall from grace. Prof. A. T. Robertson, for a long time teacher of Greek in Southern Baptist university, Louisville, Ky., says:

“Ye are severed from Christ” (katergethete apo Christou). First aorist passive of katargeo, to make null and void as in Romans 7:2,6.” (Word Pictures in the NT).

The Expositor’s Greek Testament, says:
“This verb is applied with comprehensive force to any destruction of growth and life, physical or spirituals beneficial or deleterious. Joined with APO it denotes loss of some essential element of life by the severance of previous intimate relations, e. g., annulment by death of a wife’s obligations to her husband (Romans vii.2), and emancipation from the control of the law by spiritual death (Romans vii.6). Here, in like manner, it denotes paralysis of spiritual life by severance of union with Christ.” (Vol. III, p. 184).

It cannot be successfully argued that if one falls from grace he never was saved in the first place. Note carefully the remark that this verb “Joined with apo it denotes loss of some essential element of life by severance of previous intimate relations.” How could “union with Christ” be severed UNLESS there had been such a union? On this verse, Prof. Robertson further says:

“Ye are fallen away from grace" (tes charitos exepesate). Second aorist active indicative of ekpipto (with A variable vowel of the first aorist) and followed by the ablative cage. ‘Ye did fall out of grace,’ ‘ye left the sphere of grace in Christ and took your stand in the sphere of law’ as your hope of salvation” (op. cit., p. 309).

The ablative case is the case that shows separation The verb ekpipto is made up of pipto, to fall, and ek the preposition that shows coming from within, from the inside to the outside. The Galatians could not leave the sphere of grace unless they had previously been in it. Here, as Prof. Robertson points out, they “did fall out of grace.” Yes, some with previous intimate relations with Christ, in the sphere of grace, actually FELL OUT OF GRACE; and lost their “spiritual life by severance of union with Christ.” This settles the question. We can now write, “case closed”— proposition proved!

LAST STATE WORSE THAN FIRST
Not only is the evidence conclusive that those once saved can and. some will be lost; but we are told that the last state is worse than the first.

“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:20-22).

The force of this cannot be side-stepped by saying that the sow was still a sow.
She was dirty; she was washed and made clean; and AFTERWARDS she went back to wallowing in the mire. Man is a sinner; he can be cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus in believing and obeying the gospel; and AFTERWARDS he may return to a life of sin. If and when he does, the last state is worse than the first.

This is a nauseating but graphic picture But it is no less nauseating than the “once saved, always saved” doctrine Those who so contend say that the outer man can sin and does sin, but that the inner man cannot sin, and is not responsible for what the outer man does. Take a look at this doctrine in its true light. If the alien sinner lies, steals, murders, and commits adultery, he will be lost in hell eternally if he dies in this state of sinfulness. But if a child of God lies, steals, murders, and commits adultery, he will sweep right into heaven because merely the outer man did these things and the inner man was not responsible.

No wonder we are warned against those who would turn “the grace of God into lasciviousness.” (Jude 4).

We hasten to say that we are not charging all our friends who teach “once saved, always saved” with the consequence of this doctrine. Some do not realize the logical end of it; and others would not carry it maybe so far. But the consequences and logical end should be considered. It will help those who are honestly seeking truth to give it up.

The nauseating consequences should help all who have espoused this doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy, “once saved, always saved” to renounce it.

IF it is impossible for a child of God to so sin as to be eternally lost, THEN

lead us not into temptation

IT IS ABSURD
To teach that God commands men not to do things that it is impossible for them to do. Children of God are commanded:

Colossians 3:9

Ephesians 4:28

Ephesians 5:18

1 Corinthians 6:18

Matthew 5:22

Therefore, it is possible for them to commit it. Therefore they can lie, steal, get drunk, commit fornication, and call their brother a fool.

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling . . . “ (Hebrews 3:1) are admonished (there is no doubt but that they were saved — they were “holy brethren, and partakers of a heavenly calling”).

“Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in ANY ONE OF YOU an evil heart of unbelief, IN FALLING AWAY FROM THE LIVING GOD: but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called Today; lest ANY ONE OF YOU be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: for we are become partakers of Christ, IF WE HOLD FAST the beginning of our confidence firm UNTO THE END” (Hebrews 3:12-14)

“GIVE DILIGENCE TO ENTER INTO THAT REST”
(Hebrews 4:11)

The Lord's Day

2008-08-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

by Irvin Barnes
Introduction
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10)
The term Lord’s is translated from the Greek word Kuriakos. Vine defines the word as “pertaining to a lord or master” Thayer says, “of or belonging to the Lord.” Thayer also states that in Revelation 1:10, the Lord’s day, is “the day devoted to the Lord, sacred to the memory of Christ’s resurrection.”

The same term is used in 1st. Corinthians 11:20, regarding the Lord’s supper or communion. The church at Corinth had defiled the Lord’s supper to the point that Paul in so many words says, “You should be coming together to eat the Lord’s supper, but because you have defiled it, what you are doing when you come together can not even be called the Lord’s supper.”

Most Christians have a clear understanding of the relationship between Christ and the Lord’s supper. To separate Christ from the supper would render the supper void and useless. The connection or attachment between Christ and the communion cannot be overstated.

According to the statement made by the apostle John, (Revelation 1:10)there is also and inseparable union between Christ and one of the days of the week for it is called the Lord’s day. Lord’s day, Lord’s supper --- they are equal as far as relationship to Christ is concerned. Just as the supper pertains and belongs to the Lord so does the Lord’s day pertain to and belong to the Lord.

The Sabbath Is GoneWhen John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day could it be that he was in the Spirit on the 7th day of the week which was the Jewish Sabbath? The answer is no! The Sabbath is gone according to the scriptures. There is no Sabbath. There is no 7th day Sabbath, no 1st day Sabbath, no Sabbath at all!

“When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn?
and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat” (Amos 8:5).

At the time of this writing by Amos the prophet, Israel had a mind for rebellion and disobedience. They desired to “buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes.” They wanted to cheat in the weights and measures for selling grain and other produce. They hoped for a time when they would not be restricted against selling or doing business on the monthly feast days and on the Sabbath. So, they asked, “When will the Sabbath and the new moon be gone.” Amos tells them that the land shall tremble for this evil. He warns that great destruction will come upon the people as a penalty for their sins. However, he also answers the question, “When will the Sabbath be gone?”

“And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day,” (Amos 8:9).

When will the Sabbath be gone? When the sun goes down at noon and the earth is darkened on a clear day. Did this ever happen and if so when? The words of the prophet were fulfilled at the crucifixion of Christ.

“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour...” (Matthew 27:45).

The sixth hour, Jewish time, corresponds with our 12 o’clock noon. The ninth hour corresponds with our 3 p.m. Therefore, when Jesus was on the cross the sun went down at noon and the earth was darkened on a clear day. From that moment forward the Sabbath was no longer binding on God’s people, for Jesus took it out of the way and nailed it, along with the rest of the law of Moses, to his cross.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross” (Colossians 2:14).

The Sabbath Will CeaseThe prophet Hosea also foretold the end of the Sabbath.

“I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts,” (Hosea 2:11).

Feast days, refers to yearly festivals such as the Passover, Pentecost, feast of atonement, feast of tabernacles and of the trumpets (Leveticus 23). New moons refers to the monthly observances and Sabbaths refers to the weekly Sabbaths. All these the writer
says, will “cease.”

After Paul, in Colossians 2:14, explains how that Christ took the ordinances of the law of Moses out of the way and nailed them to His cross, he went on to say:

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holiday, or of the new moon, Or of the Sabbath days,” (Colossians 2:16).

Meat and drink refers to the daily sacrifices, holiday refers to the yearly feasts, new moon the monthly feasts, and the Sabbath days to the 7th day observance.

Hosea said all these observances would cease. Paul says since Christ died on the cross, they have ceased. Since Christ nailed these ordinances to his cross no man has a right to judge a Christian because he no longer observes these old Jewish holidays.

What Day Is the Lord’s Day?Since the Sabbath is gone, the Lord’s day spoken of by John in Revelation 1:10, cannot be the 7th day Sabbath. The only other day of the week upon which importance is placed in the scripture is the first day of the week. The first day of the week has a unique
relationship to Christ as set forth in the following points of scripture.

Jesus Resurrected on the First Day of the WeekThe first day belongs to, and pertains to, the Lord because he was resurrected on the first day of the week. The importance of the resurrection of Christ cannot be overstated. The resurrection of Christ is called, “the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,” Ephesians 1:19.

“When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons,” (Mark 16:9--NIV).

This passage should settle the question as to what day Jesus was raised from the dead. However, since the KJV says, “Now when Jesus was risen,” some who desire to keep the 7th day claim that Jesus was already risen when the women came to the tomb and therefore, they say, he was raised from the dead on the 7th day of the week.

Luke 24 offers absolute proof that Jesus was raised on the first day. Jesus himself stated that he would be raised on the third day following his crucifixion (Luke 24:46). While walking on the road to Eminaus, Cleopas told Christ, “today is the third day,” since Jesus was delivered, condemned to death, and crucified (Luke 24:13-21). Verse 13 declares that the journey to Emmaus was on the same day the women went to the tomb. So Jesus was raised the day the women went to the tomb, the same day Cleopas went to Emmaus which was the 3rd day since Jesus had died. What day was it? Luke 24:1, says the women went to the tomb on the first day of the week. The women did not go to the tomb on the Sabbath day nor was the Sabbath the 3rd day following the death of Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, which is our Sunday.

The Church Started on the First Day of the WeekAccording to Acts 2:1-4, the baptism of the Holy Ghost came upon the 12 apostles. This was on the first Pentecost day after the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus had promised that the Holy Ghost would come to the apostles Acts 1:2-9. The Holy Ghost could have been dispatched from heaven on any day. It is significant that Christ saw fit to send the Holy Ghost to the apostles on the first day of the week.

When the Jews heard the preaching of Peter and the other apostles on the day of Pentecost, 3000 responded in repentance and baptism and the Lord added to the church such as should be saved (Acts 2:36-47). This is the first time in the new testament that the word church is used in the existing sense. Previous to this time you will find the word church mentioned in the future tense, such as; “upon this rock I will build my church,” Matthew 16:18. Upon the obedience of the penitent Jews the church was thus started.

Pentecost was one of 5 Jewish celebrations commanded in Leviticus 23. Beginning, at a specific Sabbath, the Jews were to number 7 Sabbaths complete. Seven dines 7 equal 49 days. The day following the 7th Sabbath was the “fiftieth” day which is the exact meaning of the word Pentecost. Since Pentecost or the 50th day ‘followed a Sabbath or 7th day, the day of Pentecost always fell on the fist day of the week. The church, then had its beginning on the first day of the week.

First Day WorshipThe first day of the week is also distinguished from the other days of the week in as much as Christians are taught to assemble for the communion on the first day of the week (Hebrews 10:25 & Acts 20:7). It should be remembered that as the Lord’s supper pertains to the Lord, the Lord’s day also pertains to and belongs to the Lord.

Paul commanded a collection to be taken on the first day of the week (1st. Corinthians 16:1-3) Those who practice Sabbath keeping claim this was a special collection that would not be continued after Paul came to take it to Jerusalem. Please note the passage does not say, “that there be no more collection ever gain, after I come,” but says simply that they were to take a collection each first day so the funds would be ready when Paul or others arrived. Nothing is said to prove that they would not continue the first day collection every first day of the week after Paul departed Corinth for Jerusalem. The first day is distinguished by this act of giving in the assembly on each first day of the week.

ConclusionIt is my sincere hope that this short publication will renew in those who read it a greater appreciation for the first day of the week. Let us as Christians put the Lord back into the Lord’s day. Let us use the first day of the week for worship, reflection, thanksgiving, Bible study and visiting. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it,” Psalms 118:24.