IN THIS ISSUE...
IN THIS ISSUE...
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When I was in college, I had a friend who engaged in sexual relations with many different women. At the time, I was not a Christian, and I had little thought of ever becoming such. I was a very shy young man, so I naturally admired my friend's ability to strike up and maintain conversations with young women. It never occurred to me that there was anything wrong with his having sexual relations with these women, since they were consenting adults. I do not believe he was ever forceful or manipulative. In fact, I do not think he ever used anything but his natural charm and wit to win over the women's affections; nor am I aware of any woman who felt that he had "used" her. On the contrary, he maintained very friendly relationships with most of them for long periods of time. However, I now realize that what my friend and these women did was wrong. The reason that I can say with such confidence that what he and the women did was wrong, is because God's word says so: Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and idolaters God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4)To "fornicate" is to engage in sexual activity outside of marriage. The word is sometimes rendered "sexual immorality" or "immorality". It usually refers to a situation between two consenting adults, but it is not limited to that context. Scripture has much to say about fornication, none of it good. Here are a few more examples: For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within and defile a man. (Mark 7:21-23)There are many more passages that deal with this subject, but these will suffice to make the point. When I say that fornication is wrong, I am not speaking according to my own judgment. On the contrary, back in the days when I used my own judgment, I saw nothing wrong with fornication. When I say that fornication is wrong, I am merely agreeing with the word of God: I am letting God judge. My circle of friends at college also included some homosexual men. Again, as long as their behavior involved consenting adults, I saw nothing wrong with it. However, God's word is not silent on this subject, either. As noted above, fornication consists of sexual relations outside of marriage. With that in mind, let us look to see how Jesus defined marriage. When some Pharisees tested Him with a question regarding divorce, Jesus answered: Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning "made them male and female," and said, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh"? (Matthew 19:4-5)Marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman. The expression "homosexual marriage" is a self- contradiction. By its very nature, homosexual activity is sexual activity outside of marriage: it is fornication. Among the ancient idolaters, various fornications were common, including homosexuality. In discussing the depravity of idolaters, the apostle Paul wrote: For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:26-27)Clearly, homosexual behavior is not what God intended. It is indeed sinful: Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (ICorinthians 6:9-11)As is the case with any other sinful behavior, those who practice homosexuality are excluded from heaven. However, if they repent of it and quit doing it, they can be forgiven: just like any other sin. Notice that scripture does not command the homosexual man to become attracted to women; it merely requires him to quit engaging in his illicit activity. Homosexuals and their sympathizers can and will call me a "homophobe". They can and will call me a bigot. But it really does not matter whether they throw out insults and epithets until their faces turn blue for want of breath. They cannot change the simple fact that homosexual activity is contrary to the will of God. It does not matter how many states decide to recognize "homosexual marriages", because the will of God is not affected by the decrees of human government. Regardless of whatever rights and privileges are gained for homosexuals in our society, they will not get any closer to heaven until they repent and obey the gospel. Indeed, when viewed in this light, it is clear that passing laws to "protect homosexual rights" can only harm the homosexuals. By validating homosexual behavior, and thereby making homosexuals feel more comfortable with their sin, we take away some of their incentive to quit practicing it. And if they do not quit practicing it, they face the same consequences as those who continue practicing any other sin.
Part Two In last month's issue, we began our study of the organization of the local church by noting that in the New Testament certain men in each church were appointed to serve as elders. We noted that the elders are associated with their own local churches, and that there is never an instance of an elder serving more than one local church at a time. We also noted that there is never an instance of any church having one elder; each church has more than one elder, or it has none at all. Finally, we saw that churches appoint elders by choosing men who fit the qualifications laid down by Jesus through His apostles. In this article, then, it remains for us to see what work the elders were appointed to do, and what qualifications they were required to possess. To understand the work of elders, we may begin with the same passage which launched our study last month. In the twentieth chapter of Acts, as you may recall, the apostle Paul called to himself the elders of the church at Ephesus. He then begins to address them by reminding them of the example he had set for them. He reminds them of his humility and his compassion (verses 18-19). He reminds them that he diligently proclaimed the gospel both publicly and privately, to all who would listen (verses 20-21). He then tells them that he knew he was about to be arrested and suffer tribulations, but that these things did not matter, so long as he was able to serve Christ faithfully (verses 22-24). He then adds that this was to be the last time they would see him (verse 25). He sums up as follows: "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:26-27)Paul can confidently say that he is not guilty of anyone's death, because he has proclaimed the whole counsel of God: clearly indicating that he would not have been guiltless if he had neglected to preach any part of God's message. What does all of this have to do with the elders? Clearly, Paul wanted them to learn from his example and do likewise, as the very next sentence indicates: "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)Notice that Paul describes the elders as overseers: they are responsible for watching over their brethren. The elders' job is to care for the church wherein they serve, much as a shepherd does for his flock. Because the elders' flock is defined in spiritual terms - i.e. by the individual member's faith in God - the elders must feed them spiritual food: the word of God (cf. John 1:1-14; 6:26-63). And, just as Paul did not hold back any part of God's word, so also the elders must be sure that the flock given into their charge receives a complete diet. Every bit of God's word is vital, and nothing is to be left out if we are to grow to spiritual maturity (Matthew 4:4). No one has the authority to "pick and choose" which parts of God's word will or will not be taught. Those parts which are unpopular in today's society must be preached and obeyed, even if this means that some members of the congregation will leave to find a more comfortable church. Moreover, the elders are to follow Paul's example of humility, compassion, diligence, and selflessness - even in the face of persecution. In this way the elders not only teach their brethren in words, they also lead them by their own examples. Just as a shepherd leads his flock by walking in the direction he wishes them to go, so too the elders lead the local church. Also, just as a shepherd must protect his flock from predators, so too the elders are to protect the churches: For I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves." (Acts 20:29-30)In the case of elders, however, the same article that serves as food for the flock, also serves as the weapon against the wolves. The wolves are those who would lead people astray with their false teachings, and so
the way to defeat them is with an accurate knowledge of the
truth. This is reflected in Paul's letter to the
evangelist, Titus. We will look at this in more detail when
discussing the qualifications of elders. Before Jesus ascended to heaven He commanded the apostle Peter, "Feed My sheep." (John 21:17). In light of what we have been studying, then, it should come as no surprise to us that Peter was to serve as an elder himself: The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (IPeter 5:1-4).Here we see again several of the points which Paul made to the Ephesian elders. Elders must be humble, serving as leaders by their examples, not ruling as lords: they have no authority in themselves to make rules, but Christ has delegated to them the responsibility of leading people in the paths which He has already clearly marked out. They must also be willing and zealous to do their work. And they must do their work selflessly, and not for the sake of personal advancement.
There is one more very important observation to make in
connection with the work of elders, and that is
the different words used to describe them and their work. For
example, the Greek word for an older man
(i.e. elder) is "presbuteros", from which we form our
word "presbyter": a presbyter is an elder, and an elder
is a presbyter. Also, both Paul and Peter use the expressions
shepherd and overseer to describe the elder's
responsibilities. In the passages we will study in connection
with the elders' qualifications, we will see the
word bishop. The English words "bishop" and
"overseer" are used interchangeably to translate the
Greek
word "episkopos" ("epi" = over,
"skopeo" = to watch). The word
"bishop" is simply an old-fashioned
English word for an overseer. Likewise, the word
"pastor" (found in a list of servants in Ephesians
4:11) is
nothing more than on old-fashioned English word for a shepherd.
So then, as far as scripture is concerned
there is no difference between an elder, a presbyter, a bishop,
and a pastor: all of these words refer to the
same men and the same work. If you know someone who is referred to as a pastor, a bishop, or a presbyter, check to see if he is serving according to the scriptural pattern: If he is called a bishop or presbyter, is his oversight limited to his own local church? If he is called a pastor, is he one of a plurality within his local church, or does he hold the title by himself? Whatever he is called, is he willingly and zealously standing for the whole counsel of God, or does he seem to feel that some issues addressed by God's word aren't that important? Does he put more emphasis on standing for the truth or on increasing the size of his congregation? Does he willingly fight against false teachers, or does he seek to have "unity" with those who "believe differently"? Does he serve humbly and selflessly? Does he lead by example, or does he wield great authority? If he does not follow the scriptural pattern, then where does he get the authority to act contrary to the very words of the apostles of Jesus Christ? These are important questions, but not the only ones that need to be asked. We will see more questions arise next month, as we study the qualifications of elders as outlined in scripture. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork."
"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the
world are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; . .
."
These two verses from Psalm 19:1, and
Romans 1:20, respectively, tell us that we can learn much
about God from what is created. However, we cannot learn from
this source alone all we need to truly
"know" God as He expects; in order to know how to
please God, we must consult His written word. We
are also cautioned to worship the Creator and not the creature
(Romans 1:25).
The simple substance we call
"water" gives us much evidence of the existence and
power of our
Creator. Both the physical and spiritual attributes of this
powerful part of God's universe demonstrate to us
that a Supreme Mind is indeed responsible for everything that
exists. Let us consider some of these
attributes as points of evidence regarding our Heavenly
Father.
Water is such a simple and plentiful
substance that we truly "take it for granted" in
practically all
of its uses. While it is true that water is scarcer in some
parts of the world than in others, it is available
wherever there is life. This is the first of the physical
characteristics of water to consider: life as we know
it here on earth cannot be sustained without water. Water is the
major physical "ingredient" of a living
human body -- approximately 80 percent as measured by weight.
Medical journals can tell us that
dehydration of the human body is more imminently fatal than
hunger.
It is intriguing that God did not choose
to reveal to us when He created water. We find references
to water in the account of creation in Genesis 1, but the
implication is that water was present even before
God said, "Let there be light." (see Genesis 1:2). We
often make the point that all three Persons of the
Godhead were present at (and before) creation. It seems safe to
conclude that water was also present "in
the beginning" -- along with the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. God continues the account of
creation by telling us that He created space (firmament) and seas
by separating ". . . the waters from the
waters . . ." We often sing a song based on Psalm 148 about
". . . the floods above the sky . . ." Whether
this is referring to some "mass" or "supply"
of water beyond our comprehension of space, or if this simply
refers to clouds is really not important. What is important is
realizing the basic significance of the
existence of this powerful substance -- a molecule of which is
made up of two hydrogen atoms and one
oxygen atom.
This brings us to an examination of the
technical or scientific evidence associated with water. This
article will not include a rigorous explanation of the many
technical characteristics of water. However, it
has been the experience of this author that technical knowledge
about this simple substance dispels any
and all doubt about the existence of our Supreme Designer. How
do these physical characteristics provide
proof of a Creator? They show us that water was specially
designed to function in certain ways. Let us
consider first the heat transfer properties of water. This seems
like a highly technical term, but it simply
refers to the ability of water to cool us when we are hot, and to
heat us when we are cold. The proof that
exists in this characteristic is that the behavior of water in
changing from a solid to a liquid to a vapor and
the reversal of this cycle is completely predictable. Far from
being a randomly behaving material, water
can be fully controlled to do what we expect of it. This
attribute alone would be adequate proof that the
existence of water is clearly the work of a Designer. Another physical property that provides evidence of a Creator is its mass. For purposes of this article, we will use the terms "mass" and "weight" interchangeably, even though they are not technically the same. Generally speaking, water at 60 degrees Fahrenheit "weighs" approximately 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. This converts to about 7.5 pounds per gallon. Again, the importance here is that we rely on
this information. One major example of how we depend on such
information is in building dams to
harness water's energy, and control the release of this water to
generate electricity. Using the weight of the
water, and the distance that it "falls," we can
accurately and repeatedly calculate the work achieved by
the
"falling" water, and the amount of electricity
that is produced in the process. So, we can calculate the
amount of work that water does for us, and rely on
it to do its work.
One need not be a mechanical engineer to
understand this evidence: that man can perform
calculations that fully describe the behavior of water in a
mechanical process, and then perform
measurements to confirm the calculated conclusions. If water was
part of a universe that came into
existence by "accident," this predictability would
not exist. Any honest scientist, whether he believes in
God or not, should be able to tell you that predictability and
experimental repeatability are complete
opposites of "randomness." That same scientist is
forced to admit that the universe came into existence
randomly or it was designed and created. These are the only two
possibilities. The two physical properties
of water that we have considered -- heat transfer and mass -- are
enough to show us that the behavior of
water is certainly not random. Therefore, it cannot be
part of a randomly existing universe. Not only did
God create water, but He also made it readily available to serve
us reliably and perfectly in so many ways.
Now that we have concluded that water is
a physically designed creation, we can also recognize its
spiritual significance. We have seen that water is vital to
support physical life. We can also find Biblical
truths that show the importance of water in supporting spiritual
life. However, we need to understand
immediately that the very important physical properties of water
that we have considered have absolutely
nothing to do with the spiritual significance of water as
seen in the scriptures!
Consider Naaman (II Kings 5:1-19). How
could anyone make a reasonable argument that the
muddy waters of the Jordan River would cleanse a leper? But
cleanse they did indeed! Was it because
water is such a good cleansing agent? Was there something
"magic" in the Palestinian mud that was
profusely suspended in the Jordan River water? "No" on
both counts. The power that cleansed Naaman of
his leprosy was not to be found in the watery substance, but in
his obedience to God's Word.
Jesus Himself used the fact that water is
important to support physical life to teach a lesson
regarding spiritual life. He said that quenching physical thirst
is temporary -- one drinks water, and will
thirst again later. We read this in John 4:5-14, as Jesus
enlightened the Samaritan woman regarding
"living water" -- water that quenches thirst eternally.
This "water," of course, is the Word of God.
Finally, consider the penitent believer.
When the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) saw the water
in which he wanted to be baptized, did he see something physical
about this particular water that got his
attention? The necessary conclusion is that Philip's
"preaching Christ" to the eunuch involved instructions
that included water baptism. The eunuch acted upon what he had
been taught, and "went on his way
rejoicing." Maybe some would argue that this water had some
special ingredient from which one could
obtain "joyfulness." If this had been the case, I
venture to say that this body of water would have become
very crowded with people in a short period of time. It's very
probable that its popularity would have been
similar to the Pool of Bethesda at the time that Jesus healed the
lame man (John 5:2-9).
Is it reasonable that God would make
something as simple as being immersed in water a
requirement for salvation? When we think about the fact
that water must be available to support physical
life, it is not at all unreasonable to consider its vital role in
enabling one to obtain eternal life! Hopefully,
the few points we have considered regarding water provide
additional insight regarding our Creator.
C. B. Heard is a mechanical engineer working in the field of nuclear energy. |