When Is A Good Time To Obey The Gospel?

At what age should a person be baptized? When they are old enough to have sinned, and when they can fully understand and accept the gospel of Christ.

Infants and young children should wait. The Bible does not teach infant baptism. The Great Commission says, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk 16:16). Faith must precede baptism, but infants and small children do not yet have the ability to understand,  much less believe the gospel.

At some age, we reach an understanding of right and wrong and we have the ability to make a moral choice between the two. It is not merely a matter of choosing to obey our parents, but it is a matter of making a moral choice between right and wrong. When a person reaches that age of responsibility and chooses to break the commandments of God, he becomes guilty of sin. Thus, the Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

Christ died to save us from the guilt and condemnation of our sins. His death provided a perfect sacrifice for sin. He died for our sins, yet he did no sin. This is the basis of salvation rather than any merit in ourselves (Jn 3:16 ff; Rom. 5:6-8).

Salvation is offered to all men but not forced upon anyone. The conditions upon which we make the choice to receive or to reject salvation include believing in Christ in our hearts and confessing Jesus as the Son of God (Rom 10:9,10), and repenting of our sins and being buried with Christ by immersion (Acts 2:38 f; Rom 6:3,4). Having done these, if one remains faithful unto death, they will receive a crown of life (Jam 1:12 f; Rev 2:10).

When we accept the truth of the gospel in our mind, should we delay our baptism until later? No! We should be baptized immediately! Just accepting the truth in our hearts will not save us, for we are not saved by faith alone (Jam. 2:24). We must immediately obey the full gospel of Christ before it is everlasting too late! There is no place in heaven for the almost saved, but not.

In Acts 2:40-41, the sinners were baptized “the same day” when they believed the truth. They did not wait. In Acts 8:35-38, the eunuch was baptized as soon as he believed the gospel and confessed Christ. He did not wait. In Acts 16:32-34, the jailer was baptized “the same hour of the night”. He did not wait. In Acts 22:16, Ananias told Saul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” He did not wait.

Why did they not wait? Because until they were baptized, they were still lost in their sins. If they died before being baptized, they would have been lost forever! When a person learns his house is on fire, does he leave immediately or does he wait for a more convenient time to leave (Acts 24:25)? He leaves immediately because he does not want to risk his life or lose all of his possessions! When a person learns the truth of the gospel and knows he is lost in sin, (his spiritual house is on fire!), he needs to obey immediately, without any delay! We do not know when our life may end through disease or sudden accident, nor when the Lord will return. To obey the gospel is the most urgent thing mankind needs to attend to!

The denominations delay baptism because they teach that a person is saved the moment he believes in Christ, but such teaching is false doctrine. We are saved by faith, but only when faith acts to receive forgiveness in baptism. We are not saved by faith only (Jam. 2:24). If you are a member of any denomination, get out ASAP! Why? Because their “faith only” doctrine or their “infant baptism” doctrine, is not contained in the doctrine of Christ or his apostles (Acts 2:42 f; 2 Jn 9). Obey the unadulterated gospel of Christ today and live forever with Christ (2 Cor 6:2).

Sin Is Deceitful

Sin is very deceitful and can harden your heart. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). It can harden the heart so badly that the gospel has trouble converting a sinner from the error of his ways.

For every alcoholic, there of necessity had to be the first drink and then a second and so on. The same is true for the drug addict and the chronic gambler. It all had to begin somewhere and almost always innocently. It is easy to be deceived when the temptations are subtly slow. Most never consider the consequences of their sinful actions (Gen. 3:1-23).

What Sin Can Do

First, sin will take you further than you wanted or ever intended to Go. The first drink of alcohol, the first “high,” the first bet, is as far as many planned to go! Most just want to experience something different and take an adventure. None of them ever considered that the first involvement with sin could ever destroy their very soul. (2 Sam. 11-12).

Secondly, sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay. Those who fall, the victim, are blinded by the pleasure of the first drink, the first high, or the first win (Heb. 11:25). The pleasure was so intense that they are sucked into going after it over and over again. Many think, “just one more time won’t hurt.” They only intended to drink alcohol to be social, or smoke marijuana socially or to place a bet just “once in a while,” then find themselves entangled and overcome by it (2 Pet. 2:20).

Thirdly, sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay. How many alcoholics planned on killing an innocent person with a motor vehicle? How many drug addicts planned on contacting AIDS or stealing to support their habit? How many look further down the road to all the damage sin can cause? More important than all the physical damage sin can cause, consider the fact that their souls are at stake (Acts 5:1-10)?

Conclusion: Most think that it can’t happen to them, but much too often it does. We might think that we are being blessed by God and not consider that we are being tempted with fornication, adultery, or some other work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). Sin can verily take you farther than you wanted or intended to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay.  They can cost you your very soul! Let us take heed to the words spoken by Solomon who wrote: “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Prov. 4:14, 15). Brethren, “Be not deceived”, evil is all around us and is waiting for the right moment to trip you up and steal your very soul (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Let us keep our eyes on the prize and put on the whole armor of God that we might be able to stand against the trickery of the devil ( 1 Cor 9:24-27 ff; Philip 3:14; Eph 6:11-18).

The Value of a Christian’s Soul

Jesus said unto his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:24-26 ff; Mk 8:27-37; Lk 9:18-29). This is a very imperative question in relation to your soul. What do you want here on planet earth that you value as much as your eternal soul? Before you leave this earth you will have to answer that question.

What Has Genuine Value?

In the “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus reasoned, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, . . . For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). He went on to say, “. . . take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:31-33). The “Gentiles” represented the carnally minded who value and seek after earth’s treasures. Like Martha, the majority of humanity is, “troubled about many things: but one thing is needful . . .” (Lk 10:41). The “seed” of God’s word is “planted” in every heart. However, like a seed planted among thorns, it is “. . . choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection” in the heart of one who values temporal treasures over godliness (Lk 8:14). “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” The answer is absolutely nothing whatsoever!

A Christian’s Value Is Based On How Much
We Follow After Christ

The value of being a Christian is that when we follow him we “find our life”; that is the true purpose and nature of our life. However, we must realize that following Christ requires that we lose ourselves entirely. It is important to note that in every context where Jesus speaks of the necessity of us losing our life to find our life, he has been speaking of the point that in order to fulfill his earthly mission he would lose his life. In John 12:23-28, we find Jesus speaking of his hour to glorify his Father’s name. But in the midst of this statement, he speaks of the universal principle that those who “love their life” must “hate” and “lose their life” and “follow him.” Losing our life to follow Christ honors the Father and is rewarded with the Father’s honor. A few chapters later, we read of Jesus saying, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13). Jesus laid down his life for us, proving his friendship toward us while demonstrating God’s assessment of our value. Even so, we are to lay down our lives for him if we desire to reciprocate his friendship and demonstrate our appreciation of our own true value. In the next verse he tells us how to “lay down our life for him”: “You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you” (Jn 15:14). Christians “follow Christ” by keeping his commandments. When we keep his commandments, there will be changes in our character and conduct that manifest the conviction that we are living to the praise of his glory.

What Will Man Trade for His Soul?

Jesus revealed the value of the soul with the questions, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Nearly every generation has seen people who seemingly desire to “gain the whole world” for themselves. They want to be healthy, attractive, rich, and powerful and will stop at nothing to get it and keep it until death takes it away from them. Much more common are those who “sell short” their souls; “what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Most, without giving it serious thought, is “too busy” pursuing minuscule treasures of this present life to have time to read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures. Yet God, in the Scriptures, instructs us to be sober; therein are revealed the eternal treasures of godliness and righteousness (Tit. 2:12).

When we “lose” our self-centered will and do the will of Christ, we “find” our life. God designed us to be selfless vessels. Experience teaches us that the pursuit of self- gratification brings emptiness and a sense of unfulfillment. God’s revelation teaches us that if we exchange our will to please the will of God, we find the abundant life he intends each of us to experience and enjoy (Jn 10:10).

Conclusion: There is genuine value in being a Christian. In fact, for us to be of any value to God, we must follow Christ in the performance of his will (Matt 7:21). Paul articulated the transformation involved in “losing our life to find our life” with these Spiritual guided words: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). The value of his transformation is articulated in these words: “. . . the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-9).

Let every Christian prioritize the treasures of godliness, holiness, and righteousness above the over-inflated “treasures of life.” If it is heaven we seek, let us seek it first and all the needs of this world will be added unto us (Matt 6:33).

The Last Thing Written About Faithful Christians

What do you want to be written in your obituary? There are many glowing descriptions of a man’s life that can be written once he has died, but none better than the one Paul wrote to Timothy concerning himself. The apostle Paul concluded his life with these words: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7).

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” “Hope” is desire plus expectation. Studying the examples given in Hebrews 11, we find every one of them greatly desired and fully expected fulfillment of God’s promises and rewards. This was the function of their “personal faith”. Paul, also, had this kind of faith, but that is not the faith Paul was speaking of when writing to Timothy.

The “faith” Paul was referring to was designed by the Almighty, that which produces personal faith, the “gospel of Christ”. Paul had been true to this faith through all the conflicts and dangers to which he was exposed. He confessed it even in the face of death, and he never corrupted it to meet the views of Jews or Gentiles (Gal 1:6-9).

What did Paul do that enabled him to say, “I have kept the faith”?

He Became A Christian

The process by which Paul became a Christian is contained in Acts 9:1-6; 22:16. So, how, when, and where did he become a Christian? Paul did not determine his salvation. He asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do? (v 6)” The “how” was up to God and Paul was ready to follow his instructions. The “when” was immediately, and the “where” was in Damascus. His undelayed obedience is the beginning of his, “I have kept the faith.”

He Immediately Was Recognized As A Christian

Paul boldly and immediately went to work for the Lord. The record of those first events are found in part in Acts 9:19-28 and Galatians 1:16-17. He did not wait until he got back home. He was so zealous and so effective that when he got ready to leave the city, he had to be let down by a basket over the wall in order to escape with his life. This was just another experience attributed to his, “I have kept the faith.”

He Preached The Gospel To Others

Paul was no pacifist! He told it just like it was and like it had to be. He began his preaching in the city of Damascus shortly after his baptism. He was to bear the name of the Lord before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15), and later he says, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:18-19). Acts 13 through 28 is almost filled with his efforts to preach the gospel to others, and his fourteen epistles offer further proof of his determination to preach this message to everyone. He declared, “The gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12). All these efforts were an essential part of his, “I have kept the faith.”

He Lived By the Gospel

Romans 1:9 asserts his intent, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son.” Paul practiced what he preached! Paul made it clear for every Christian to follow his example in serving the Lord (1 Cor 4:16 f; 1 Cor 11:1). He also wanted every preacher and teacher of the Word to follow his pattern of teaching. In his letter to the Romans he wrote, “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? (Rom 2:21-22). “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).

Many today are willing to serve God if they can determine for themselves how, when, where, and by what standard they shall serve. Paul neither added to or took from that which was written and wanted us to learn to do the same (1 Cor 4:6). No doubt, this, too, was part of Paul’s “I have kept the faith.”

He Suffered For Others

Listen to him, “Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours; but you: . . . and I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Cor. 12:14-15). What an attitude! What a man! Here, again, “I have kept the faith” is borne out.

He Suffered For Christ

Paul declared that all who live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution for the cause of Christ (2 Tim 3:12). Paul was definitely no exception to this fact of life for a Christian. Take note of Paul in his own words: “In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;  in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness — besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Cor 11:23-28). Paul endured all of these dreadful things and thus could boldly say, “I have kept the faith”!

He Was Faithful To The Lord

In Acts 23:1, he says, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” How could this be true if he was not faithful to the Lord? Paul never regretted his decision to follow the Lord, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Tim. 1:12). Just one verse before our text, Paul said, “I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” The Lord laid nothing to his charge; thus, he could say, “I have kept the faith.”

Conclusion: “I have kept the faith” is what every Christian wants God to say about them on the judgment day. Whatever charges God places upon us, whatever burdens we have to bear, whatever sacrifices we must make, we must be able to say in the end, “I have kept the faith.” How sad it will be for those who cannot honestly and accurately make this statement! Woe unto those who hear the words of Jesus come that day, “. . . I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt 7:23)! Blessed are those who hear the joyous words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord”. (Matt 25:21).

Paul was assured of his own ending and all those who love the second coming of the Lord. “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim 4:8). Only faithful Christians look for and hasten for the coming of the Lord. “Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (2 Pet 3:12-14).

Why The Churches Of Christ Don’t Use Instruments of Music

Why don’t the churches of Christ use instruments of music in praise to God? It is not because members of the churches of Christ dislike music. It is not because they believe that musical instruments are innately evil. It is not because they think instruments are not entertaining or don’t sound good. It is not because they think A Cappella is superior to instrumental music. It is because we believe that the New Testament contains therein the law of Christ and that we must abide by what Christ and His apostles commanded us to do. Thus, the New Testament didn’t command instrumental music and neither do we! Please read further to understand why.

God’s Unchangeable Pattern

God has appointed a pattern for how people are to worship and serve him (Jn 4:23,24). We cannot change this pattern in any way and have his approval. Moses stated that if anyone added to or took away from the Law that God had given to the Jews, that they would no longer be keeping the commandments of God (Deut. 4:2 cf; 5:32; 12:32). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul states that we must do all things in the name of and by the authority of Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17). Paul stated that we are not to go beyond that which was written (1 Cor 4:6). Subsequently, he stated that anyone who changed the gospel of Christ would be condemned (Gal 1:6-9).

When Satan sought to pervert the Scripture, Jesus reminded him that we should listen to all that God has revealed on any given subject (Matt. 4:5,7). Jesus tells us that those who do things in religion without his authority will be eternally lost in hell (Matt. 7:21-23). John warns his readers that those who refuse to abide in the teachings of Christ have forfeited their fellowship with God (2 Jn 9) and goes on to forbid them to receive these individuals into their local fellowship (2 Jn 10,11). By inspiration, John closes the Bible with a warning against adding to or taking from what God has revealed (Rev. 22:18,19).

The New Testament Is God’s Pattern Today

The law of Moses contained in the Old Testament no longer serves as a pattern for how people should worship and serve God today. When we teach this, we are not saying that the Old Testament is not inspired by God. Peter said that men who were moved by the Spirit of God wrote the Old Testament (2 Pet. 1:21). Nor would we dare to say that the Old Testament has no value for us today. We can learn many valuable lessons from the principles and examples contained in the Old Testament (1 Cor. 10:1-11). It is by the Old Testament that we know what sin is (Rom 3:20). It is by the Old Testament that we discover the prophesies of Jesus (Jn 5:39). It is by the Old Testament we learn not to err as did Israel before God, thus breaking His covenant He made with them in the wilderness (1 Cor 10:6-11). The Old Testament is for our learning while the New Testament is for our obedience (Rom 15:4 f; Heb 9:15).

However, the New Testament contains the teachings of Christ and constitutes the final revelation of God to man (Heb. 1:1,2). Paul writes by inspiration that Christ is the “end” of the Old Testament Law (Rom 10:4). The same apostle told the Colossians that no one should judge them by the precepts of the Old Law since Christ’s death on the cross had abolished that law (Eph 2:14-17 f; Col. 2:13-16). He warned the Galatians that those who sought to be justified by the precepts of the Law of Moses had fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4). Earlier, Paul had taught that the Law was a guardian to protect the Jews until the faith of Christ came. Now that faith has come we have no need for the guardian (Gal. 3:24,25).

The New Testament and Music

The New Testament is our authority for what God desires in worship. The New Testament does not authorize instrumental music in worship. Even though the Jews used instrumental music to worship God in the Old Testament, they did not use them when they became Christians.

There are several passages in the New Testament which tell about the worship of the church and all of them authorize singing while none authorizes using instrumental music. Note the passages below which speak of singing:

Eph 5:19: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.“

Cols 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Jam 5:13: “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”

Read also: Rom 15:9; 1 Cor 14:15; Heb 2:12; 13:15.

Conclusion: Why not instrumental music? Because it is not authorized by New Testament doctrine. We have established that God has a pattern which we cannot change and that the New Testament contains that pattern for us follow today. We are to walk by faith which means we walk by the instructions which God gives and not by the commandments and traditions of men (Rom. 10:17 ff; Mat 15:7-9; Tit 1:14). Where God has not spoken we do not have the authority to do so (1 Pet 4:11).

Real Christians Don’t Celebrate Christmas Religiously

It is rare to hear public debate about Christmas among Christians these days. Some gospel preachers are publicly teaching that observance of Christmas is a “liberty” and a “matter of judgement.” Thus, many members of the Church of Christ openly participate in Christmas in some limited fashion, while others commit wholeheartedly to the spirit of the season.

CHRISTMAS AND THE EARLY CHURCH

Both the New Testament and secular history testify that early Christians did not celebrate Christmas. The holiday was unknown to them. There is a simple reason for the absence of Christmas in the early Church: the scriptures are silent concerning any authorized memorial of Jesus’ birth. Christians are not instructed to commemorate Christ’s birth by any type of celebration. Scripture and secular records tell us that rather than celebrating Christ’s birth they remembered His death and resurrection every first day of the week.

THE BATTLE OVER CHRISTMAS

Most Americans are unaware of the fact that there has been a lengthy conflict over Christmas in American history. Christmas was first criticized in the modern era during the Reformation. Martin Luther suggested that the many Catholic holidays such as (Lent, Pentecost, Ascension, Easter, Rogation Days, Epiphany, Mary feasts, archangel feasts, etc.) were not scriptural. He felt that every holiday except the Lord’s day should be eliminated. Many orthodox religious groups adopted this policy as they struggled to separate themselves from the profane accretions of the Catholic Church.

The reformers carried their doctrine of religious purity to the shores of the new continent. The anti-Christmas forces consisted of orthodox Protestants or “Puritans.” Many of the Protestant immigrants rejected Christmas as a Catholic heresy.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT CHRISTMAS?

Should Christians engage in the Christmas holiday? There are several reasons that Christians should have nothing to do with Christmas.

The Silence of the Scripture is Prohibitive

The New Testament records the events of the Lord’s birth in a concise but glorious fashion.  However, not one word of scripture directs the Christian to revere the story of the birth of Christ. The Bible teaches that the servant of the Lord is not to go beyond what is written: “…That you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other” (1 Cor 4:6. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Pet 4:11). This was true both in the law of Moses and in the law of Christ (Deut 4:2 cf; 5:32; 12:32 ff; Josh 1:7; Prov 30:6).

Christians are to Remember Christ’s Death

Christians are not commanded to celebrate the Lord’s birth. However, Christians are commanded, to commemorate our Lord’s death and resurrection from the grave.

“Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me” 1 Cor 11:24-25).

The apostles partook of the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Thus, we have the command, the how, and when to remember the Lord’s death. However, when it comes to a holiday like Christmas, we neither have the command, the how, or the when.

Christians are not to adopt the religious customs of the world

By refusing to allow the world to corrupt our hearts and minds with false religion, we can demonstrate the true religion of God. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:2).

Christmas is a worldly religious custom and is often used by society as a litmus test for Christianity. When told that a person does not participate in Christmas, many in the world react “I thought you were a Christian!” Christmas has become the standard of conduct for “believers” in the world. Thus, when we participate in Christmas we conform to the religious expectations of those outside the Lord’s Church. We fail to prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Christmas Is Idolatry

It is impossible to deny the pagan aspects of Christmas. Some, however, would argue that there is nothing wrong with indulging in “harmless” pagan customs. Christmas is by its very nature religious and associated with false (and unauthorized) worship of Christ.

Even if the Christian tries to separate all religious elements from the holiday and doesn’t believe that they are taking part in a “religious” event, the denominational world will still view his participation as a religious celebration. A Christian who takes part in Christmas is, in a sense, dragging Christ through an ancient idolatrous custom.

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols…” (Acts 15:28)

“Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.” (Josh 24:23).

“As for you, O house of Israel,” thus says the Lord GOD: “Go, serve every one of you his idols-and hereafter-if you will not obey me; but profane My holy name no more with your gifts and your idols.” (Ezek 20:39)

Conclusion: For many Christians, the idea of forsaking Christmas is devastating. Brethren, we should ask ourselves where our affections lie. We must give up everything to gain the prize that is in Christ Jesus. Jesus admonishes us in Rev 18:4 that we should “come out of her, my people…” As servants of God, we have a solemn duty and responsibility to live by the Book and forsake heresy and blasphemy. If we find ourselves enmeshed in Christmas tradition, we must “come out.” Christians should realize that the holiday season is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the truth to those trapped in damnable denominational and Catholic false doctrine. What better way to begin a conversation with friends and co-workers about true religion than during the Christmas season?

Christmas is a tradition of false religion and for the true servant of the Lord to participate in any way is a betrayal of all that we hold precious. We should not go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of our own will. What the Lord says, that we should speak. God help us hold firm to the traditions that we have been taught from inspired scripture and have nothing to do with Christmas!

Every Church Needs Qualified Elders!

It may be true that a local church can exist for a short time without elders is self-evident knowing that the churches established by Paul and Barnabas existed for a space of time without them (Acts 14:21-23). However, it is also clear that it was God’s will that in due time every church, without exception, should appoint elders. Even so, eldership is truly lacking among many churches of Christ today. Obviously, something is lacking in our teaching when we fail to measure up to the pattern of elders in every church (Tit. 1:5).

It is certain that we can’t appoint men to this office who are not truly qualified in accordance with 1 Timothy 3:17 and Titus 1:5-9.  However, we must not be content to allow this condition to continue without special efforts to correct it. If the apostles were able to appoint elders in the infancy of the church, we should be able to appoint elders in every church some two thousand years later. If not, why not?

Obviously, there must be reasons for so many churches not having elders. Perhaps the answer is found among the ones preaching to these same congregations? Perhaps the answer can be found among the men who are falsely ruling the church because of their wealth and prestige in the community? Perhaps the answer can be found within the society we have become?

Perhaps preachers are failing to teach men the need to prepare themselves for this office by obtaining a good knowledge of the Scriptures. Some preachers don’t like to work under qualified elders and thus neglect to encourage men to qualify themselves for this office. There are some preachers who feel they know the Scriptures better than most elders and thus would like to change God’s divine arrangement of a plurality of qualified shepherds over the flock. Some preachers are ruling the churches they are hired to teach and thus are neglecting their duties as a preacher for monetary gain.

Some men feel they really do not have to meet the qualifications given in the Scriptures, and thus make no serious effort to qualify themselves for this spiritual office. Some who are very successful in business leadership seem to feel they should be appointed on this basis without the need of the scriptural qualifications and therefore make no genuine effort to qualify themselves for this spiritual office. Some desire the office thinking this gives them recognition within the congregation as its rulers rather than providing the needed spiritual leadership that God intended they should provide. Having scriptural qualifications don’t seem to have entered their mind.

Some men who would be qualified to rule the church can’t because too many Christian women are choosing to have careers today rather than being housewives and mothers (Tit 2:4,5) One of the qualifications for being an elder is to have a faithful wife who obeys her husband and teaches her children to reverently submit to their parents (1 Tim 3:4,5 f; Eph 6:1). It is factual to say that without faithful wives the church cannot have qualified elders!

All local churches need elders, but it needs qualified elders and not novices in the Word. Nothing will enhance the growth of a local church more than godly elders. However, nothing can hurt the cause of Christ more than appointing men to the office who have neither the qualifications nor the proper concept of what this office places on their shoulders as spiritual leaders. Yet, I have never attended a church of Christ which has been in existence for ten years or more who didn’t have men who could qualify as elders. So what is the real problem going on here?

It is self-evident that something more heinous is happening right before our eyes. All churches who don’t have qualified elders have a group of unqualified men ruling the church. The men and women who give the most are ruling the church without the qualifications to do so. Thus, it is hypocritical for anyone to contend that having no elders is better than unqualified elders because the only alternative is to have unqualified men and women rule the church without the title.

The answer to the problem is to take away the power of these unqualified men who are ruling the church without qualifications or title and actively educate faithful men of the congregation who desire the office and appoint them to rule the church. Brethren, it is not an option to not have elders, but rather a commandment of God! And if a congregation refuses to appoint qualified elders, it is self-evident that this church has already been taken over by those savage wolves the apostle Paul warned us about in Acts chapter 20:28-30: “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. For I know this, 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”.

The Joy Found In Winning Souls

The most valuable possessions in the world that we will ever have is our own soul. Jesus asked  2 pivotal questions which affect our soul, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26) This more than implies that we can exchange our soul for the possessions of this world. Yet, as Jesus points out, what if you gained everything this world contains, and then you lose your eternal soul? What would that accomplish you? As the old saying goes, “You can’t take it with you”. As the Hebrew writer revealed, “It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27), and as Paul said, “We brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim 6:7). If we truly recognized the value of our own soul and the value of the souls of others, we would want to spend every waking moment saving the souls of others!

The reason many churches are dying, or have already died, is because Christians have forgotten how to win souls to Christ and back to Christ. Many have not experienced the joy found in winning souls.

Leading souls to Christ takes love for God, love for the souls of others, and love for our own soul. This love will cause us to examine the Scriptures and find the secrets of soul-winning. The apostle Andrew led a soul to Christ. “Again the next day after John stood and two of his disciples, and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus” (Jn 1:35-42). Andrew led his brother to Christ by his enthusiasm in finding Christ, his joy in discipleship, his determination to find his brother, and his urgency in bringing him to Jesus.

Enthusiastic converts to Christ are the best soul-winners in all of the world. Do you remember when you first became a Christian and how you wanted to go out and save the world? This light within us must never dissipate or diminish. It’s refreshing to see new converts joyfully give up a life of sin and ask, “What else does Christ want me to do?” A disciple is a follower or one learning. Disciples want to work and the best time to begin working for Christ is immediately upon one’s conversion.

Andrew didn’t wait for his brother to ask about Christ. He went out to find him. Too many are waiting in their offices for sinners to come and find them. Too many churches put an ad in the paper and look for the building to be full.  Paul declared, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent” (Rom 10:14-15). Too many Christians expect the preacher to find the lost and too many preachers have limited their teaching to the walls of a building. The Gospel message is a message to be taken to the world (Matt. 28:18-20 f; Mk. 16:15-16). A lot of men would do well to put down the denominational commentaries and lexicons and take up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, and seek the souls of sinners.

As we seek that which is lost we need to remember the words of Paul, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). Notice also the admonition of Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2. “For he said, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you: behold, now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation” We all need to get busy teaching others about the gospel of Christ. Time waits for no man and no man should wait until their time has ended to teach others about Christ.

No man can lead another to Christ unless he has already obeyed the gospel and is continuing in the doctrine of Christ (Acts 2:42 f; 2 Jn 9). Paul gave this admonition to a young Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim 4:16).

Are you presently doing your best in leading others to Christ? Have you joyfully told your friends, family members, and fellow workers, what Christ means to their eternity? Have you studied God’s word with them? Don’t be ashamed of Jesus Christ lest he also will be ashamed of you come the day of judgment. Remember the words of the preacher who wrote, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Prov 11:30). And never forget the brother or sister who has been led astray. “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (Jam 5:19-20).

What Are Christians Thankful For?

The world is thankful for all of the blessings given to the wicked. They are thankful for another year to sin and to reap havoc upon God’s chosen people. They are thankful for their fine houses, sporty cars, huge bank accounts, and the health and longevity to enjoy them. If only the wicked knew that their time is limited and what awaits them come the day they die, they might not be so thankful.

The apostle James warned the rich when he wrote, “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.  Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you” (Jam 5:1-5).

Christians, on the other hand, are thankful but what they are thankful for is completely different than the sinner. Let us take a view at a few things all Christians are thankful for every day of the year.

Thankful For The Word of God

Christians are thankful for the Word of God. Thankful for all who sacrificed their lives that it was printed and translated for our benefit. Thankful for all who wrote it, and preached it, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4 cf; Acts 4:19,15 f; 1 Pet 4:11) Christians love the Word of God for it gives them strength to endure the hardships and persecutions they must endure (Ps 103:20 f; 2 Tim 2:3).  God’s Word imparts to Christians the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding as they read and study it (Col 1:9,10 ff; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Tim 4:13). The Word gives Christians armor to fight against the trickery of the devil, and this present evil world (Eph 6:11-18). It gives them solace and peace which passes all understanding (Philip 4:7,9 f; Acts 10:36). Most of all, Christians are thankful for the Word of God, the gospel of our salvation because without it we would all be lost in our sins (Eph 1:13 ff; Mk 16:16; Jn 8:24).

Thankful For Jesus Christ

Christians are thankful for God’s gift of Jesus Christ, for by Jesus Christ we have the hope of eternal life (Jn 3:16 ff; Tit 1:2; Tit 3:7). It was Christ who gave meaning to the Word of God. As Jesus gathered his 12 disciples around him to partake of the very first Lord’s Supper, all Christians are called together each Lord’s day to keep in remembrance of our Lord’s great sacrifice for us (Acts 20:7 f; 1 Cor 11:24-26). Though God gave Christ to mankind, it was Christ’s obedience to God’s will, even unto death, that ultimately gave us salvation Philip 2:8  Christ had to bear our sins all by himself by dying on the cruel cross of Calvary. (Heb 1:3). Every Christian is saved by God’s grace, God’s unspeakable gift, through his unspeakable gospel, giving us unspeakable joy (Eph 2:8f f; 2 Cor 12:4; 1 Pet 1:8).

Thankful For The Church

Now if God had only given to man his Word and Christ, mankind would still have been lost. Just as God gave the world his Word to Noah, without the ark all would have perished. Jesus as well built our ark of salvation, the church of Christ. Jesus built it, died for it, and paid for it with his own blood (Matt 16:18 ff; Eph 5:25; Acts 20:28). All Christians are added to it, attend it, and are members of it, for the church is the bride of Christ (Acts 2:47 ff; Heb 10:15; 1 Cor 12:27; 2 Cor 11:2). As Noah was saved by water, even so, we are saved by baptism into one body, the church (1 Pet 3:21 f; 1 Cor 12:13).

As Paul said, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body (the church); and be thankful.” Col 3:15

Conclusion: Christians have many things to be thankful for in this life, but even more in the life to come (1 Tim 4:8). All Christians suffer greatly for the cause of Christ, but we are thankful even more knowing that we have a crown of life awaiting us if we remain faithful (Jam 1:12 ff; 1 Pet 4:16; Rev 2:10). Rejoice my brethren and shout for joy for “our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Philip 4:4 ff; Psa 32:11; Rom 13:11). All Christians are looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord (2 Pet 3:12). And the promise of living eternally in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the anchor of the soul of every Christian (Heb 6:18,19).

As the psalmist David wrote, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psa 100:4).

Christian Growth

Spiritual growth begins with a spiritual rebirth. Sinners are “born again” and purify their souls “in obeying the truth” (1 Pet. 1:22-23). “. . . And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Pet 1:25). This happens when they believe in Christ and confess Jesus to be the Christ (Rom 10:10), repent of their sins and are immersed in water (Acts 2:38). Since we reach the atoning blood of Christ when we are baptized, the Bible says that “baptism does also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). At that moment, we become new creatures in Christ and begin to grow spiritually “as newborn babes” (1 Pet. 2:2).

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen all at once but is an ongoing process. Those who “grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 3:18 cf; 1:4). Such growth is a struggle requiring dedication and great sacrifice. Faith in Christ is the foundation for growth. “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:5-8).

Spiritual growth requires resisting the sinful desires of the flesh. We must learn to live “as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance” and we must “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 1:14 cf; 2:11). As partakers of the holiness of God, God’s people shun such things as sexual immorality, profanity, pornography, gambling, alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, dishonesty, malice, spousal abuse, immodest dress, dancing, lying, and all kinds of evil.

Spiritual growth requires resisting false doctrine. God often warned of “false prophets” and “false teachers” who promise greater “liberty” but lead men into bondage to sin (2 Pet. 2). Many souls are misled by evolution and modernism which deny the Biblical account of creation and other miracles. Moral relativism denies the moral absolutes of Scripture, making every man a law unto himself. Multitudes are deceived by the liberal philosophy that allows men to replace Bible teaching with their worldly theories on feminism, homosexuality and lesbianism, and unscriptural divorce and remarriage.  Denominationalism deludes men with human doctrines and practices. False doctrines of sprinkling and infant baptism, instrumental music, women preachers and elders, faith only and once saved always saved. The apostle Paul warned us against such when he wrote, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col 2:8).

All Christians have to beware of being led astray in the ways of the world. Peter wrote, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17-18). As young Christians, we grow by reading and studying God’s Word (1 Tim 4:13 f; 2 Tim 2:15). “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa 1:1-2). As we mature in the faith, we are able to become teachers, preachers, and reach places of leadership (Elders and Deacons) (Heb 5:12-14 f; 1 Tim 4:16; 2 Tim 2:2; 2 Tim 4:2-5; 1 Tim 3:1-13). Those who grow in Christ will receive “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4).