THE PLAN OF SALVATION

At the end of Matthew's Gospel are what most in the Church consider Christ's marching orders for the church. Matthew 28:18-20 read, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded ...”. In fact, all four gospels and the Book of Acts contain some words of instruction concerning what the Church was to do until Christ would return. Mark 16:15 adds, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”. Luke has this to say in chapter 24:47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations”. John chimes in with chapter 20:21, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”. Finally Luke also records in Acts 1:8, “"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”. With His Great Commission to Teach, to Preach, to Witness, just what is we are to tell.

Getting people to agree on what the gospel or good news is is like trying to get three blind men to agree on what an elephant looks like. Three blind men are brought up next to an elephant. The first is put back near the tail, the second next to a leg, and the last near the trunk. The first man thinks an elephant is like a rope, its long and skinny, even a little frayed on the end. The man near a leg thinks the elephant is like a big tree. The last man thinks the animal is like a snake wrapping itself around him. That is a good description of how the Church describes or explains the gospel. Several answers for the same question – How does one get saved.

The first thing we need to address is WHY do we need saving? Simple, we are all sinners, and being such, all bound for damnation if left in that state. Consult Romans 3:23 and 6:23 on this. What is a sin some may ask? I John 5:17 defines a sin as, “ All unrighteousness is sin...”. Any action that goes against God or His Word is a sin. James 4:17 says this, ““Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”. In other words, to NOT do what God has I instructed us is a sin. Finally there are sins that do not involve any action just a thought or contemplation. Jesus said in Matthew 5:27 and 28, “"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”.

The good news is we can be saved. A fairly clear explanation of mankind's situation is found in Ephesians 2:1 to 8. Verse 8 reads, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”. God offers a free gift to all who will accept, that gift is grace. A couple of easy definitions of grace we need to remember and share are, Grace is the unmerited (unearned) favor of God. Another is to take the letters forming the word GRACE. God's Riches At Christ;'s Expense. This is predicated on the fact we will accept that gift via our faith (trust, belief) in His offer and its existence. Without these two, Grace and Faith, anything else we do is a waste of time. There are other directions given in Scripture which we here cited as the way of salvation. But Grace and Faith are the starting place.

Many cite Romans 10:9 and 10, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”. A profession of one's belief in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Another form of profession or confession is found in I John 1:8 to 10, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. “. This confession of sin doesn't have to be made in public or to a clergy member, but only to God.

Repentance is also cited as an action based on one's faith. Acts 3:19 says,”Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,”. To repent is to renounce your former life, to turn away from any sins that may have plagued you. Water Baptism is often coupled with repentance. Acts 2:38 and 39 state, “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.". Immersion for the remission of sin.

Some stop at grace and faith. Others add verbal confession or profession to the mix. Some advocate saying a “sinner';s prayer” as the way of salvation. I leave you with a simple question, whose idea or opinion counts more? Man picks a piece here and a piece there, and says that enough to be saved. Maybe they are right, we do have a merciful Father. However, our Father has laid out relatively clearly what His Word says we must do to be saved. Who;'s word carry s more authority or weight?

Dr. O

WHAT I DID ON SUMMER VACATION

Early this summer I left the church I had been attending for over a year.  I won't go into details as to why I left.  What this did was give me an opportunity to attend and observe a variety of congregations as they celebrated worship each Sunday.  It was an eye opening experience.

The first congregation I visited is part of a larger group, don't dare call them a denomination, that is known for its ultra conservatism.  These churches have a reputation for believing and openly preaching that they are the only ones who have gotten it right.  My visit to this particular congregation only served to confirm the reputation.  Even though I was trained in a loyal institution of higher education related to this group, I was left with a feeling of distinct inferiority to the true faithfulness of this group.  I did not return for a second visit

The second week I visited another congregation not from the same group as the first, but one related by heritage and history.  They do consider themselves a denomination, and an open minded one at that.  It was interesting to see both the similarities and stark differences between these two related churches.  This congregation is liberal in theological, spiritual, and even political thinking.  The service was fairly typical.  They mixed traditional hymns lead by a song-leader and organist with contemporary choruses lead by a praise team and small group of instruments.  It felt as if the worship portion of the service was obligatory and devoid of emotion.  Here my presence was noted and even announced by the Pastor from the pulpit.  The liberalism was evident in the fact that the lay leaders listed in the bulletin were predominately female.  I have no problem with women taking appropriate leadership roles, but to have them in the majority in the Elders and Deacons is very telling.  The most revealing event came during the Pastors prayer time.  His prayer was to, "God our father, Mother of us all".  I did not return to this church for a second visit either.

A third congregation I visited is a part of what most would call an old mainline denomination.  This church was interesting in that it has four worship services each Sunday morning.  They have a Traditional Service geared for the older generation.  There is the "Blue Jean" service with a generally contemporary design.  The third service is a blending of the first two.  The fourth service is held at the same time as the blended service, and it is designed for those in their late teens and 20's.  Due to transportation restrictions I attended the traditional service, the old folks service.  The worship folder lists the order of worship for the three main services.  The messages are the same, but the order and content is different.  I am unsure if the Pastor does a wardrobe change, but in the traditional service he is in a robe and stole.  Many similar churches may see the Pastor change from a robe, to a blazer with shirt and tie, and finally to a sweater.   What I felt was a division in the body.  I did attend here more than once, but probably will not return.

Next I attended a modern "Cookie Cutter" Charismatic service. This service began with a large rock band performing a set lasting roughly thirty minutes.  I use the term performing a set rather than leading worship because that was the feeling I got during the show.  It was a show, it wasn't worship.  The message left little or no impact.  The thing I came away with was he neat I Pad pouch the church gave out to first time visitors.  I probably will not be a second time visitor.

This past Sunday I returned to the church I had left approximately three months earlier.  It is a small congregation from a Baptist heritage.  I was welcomed back by the members of the church, and by the Pasto who was the only one who knew why I left in the first place.  A church I believe has genuine worship, a loyalty to the Word of God, and a love for sinners and saints alike.  This congregation, in my opinon, cme the closest to fitting what I consider God's model or plan for his church found inActs 2:42, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."(NKJV).  This little church held to the Word of God, welcomed both old members and strangers into the group, prayed earnestly for God's will to be manifest, and even though communion was not served, Christ was not only an after thought but the main attraction.  To this church I will return.

DEBUNKING THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

            The week preceding Easter is traditionally referred to a Passion Week or Holy Week in many churches.  It begins with Palm Sunday which is celebrated as the Christ made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  He was greeted by the people who laid palm branches and even their own clothes on the path before Him.  Then we move to Maundy Thursday.  Traditionally the day He celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples.  Later He would be handed over to the temple guards to be tried by the High Priest, and by Pilate, and by Herrod.  The results of these kangaroo courts would be his humiliation and torture culminating in His crucifixion and death on Good Friday.  His dead body would lay in a borrowed tomb until that first Easter Sunday when He would be miraculously raised from the dead  -  Raised to Die No More!

                I have no problem with any of the events we list as having occurred that first Holy Week.  However, the chronology of when they occurred is another matter.  Matthew 12:40 gives Jesus’ own words concerning these events.  It reads, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”(NKJV).  Jesus tells his audience this in response to their demanding from Him a sign.  He is very specific about three days and three nights.  There is no way to reconcile the traditional chronology and Jesus’ words in Matthew.

               First, when He says three days and three nights He is referring to any portion of a day, or any portion of a night.  With a Thursday through Sunday scenario you can fit three days well enough, but there are only two nights.  Definitely different from Christ’s own words.  To fulfill Christ’s own prophecy, the Last Supper, and the other events traditionally ascribed to Thursday, would need to take place on Wednesday.  His crucifixion would take place on Thursday, and He would lie in the tomb part of Thursday as well as Friday and Saturday.  Day #1  -  The remaining daylight portion of Thursday.  Night #1  -  Thursday night.  Day #2  -  The daylight portion of Friday.  Night #2  -  Friday night.  Day #3  -  Saturday, and Night #3  -  Saturday night.  Three days and three nights just as He said.

                Many are asking, “What about Easter Sunday morning?  Wouldn’t that be a fourth day?”  John 20:1 says, “On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” (NKJV Emphasis added).  Mary discovered Jesus resurrection before sunrise.  Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Luke 24  all add varying, but reconcilable, accounts of Jesus’ resurrection being DISCOVERED.  None has Him actually exiting the tomb.

                        

               Let me conclude with these thoughts.  An alteration of the chronology of these events in no way alters the TRUTH of these events.  Christ died as the sacrificial lamb of God.  John the Baptist is quoted in the Gospel of John as saying, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29  NKJV).  Of course who hasn’t memorized John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJV).  He was laid in a borrowed tomb.  He rose from the dead.  Paul gives the following thoughts on the resurrection.  “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.  After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.  Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.  For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (I Corinthians 15:1-9  NKJV).  Later in chapter 15 Paul adds, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15:20-22  NKJV).

               

                 Altering the traditional chronology does not alter another set of facts.  For us to be saved by Christ’s sacrifice and to be raised to eternal life, we must do something ourselves.

                1.            Accept, by faith, the gift of grace offered us by Christ  -  Ephesians 2:1-9

                2.            Confess you are a sinner  -  Romans 3:23;  I John 1:8-10

                3.            Confess Jesus is your Lord  -  Romans 10:8-11

                4.            Repent and Be Baptized  -  Acts 2:38 & 39  

 

Dr. O

Political Correctness vs Biblical Correctness

 

            Paul tells us in Galatians 5 of an ongoing battle within each person.  The battle is between the flesh and the spirit.  One way this battle manifests itself is in the decision we face to live Politically Correct or Biblically Correct.  The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines political correctness (PC), “…agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.”  (m-w.com).  You compare this to Biblical Correctness, which I define as following the teachings of the inspired and inerrant Holy Bible.

            This conflict is nothing new.  In the Old Testament the children of Israel demanded from the Prophet Samuel that he find them a king to rule them.  Samuel tried to dissuade them, but to no avail.  The reason they so wanted a king is telling.  I Samuel 5:8 says, “…Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.".  They wanted to be like everybody else.  In the New Testament Jesus encountered Political Correctness in the form of the religious leaders of the day.  Several time in the Sermon on the Mount we read Jesus’ words, “You have heard that it was said”.  He is dealing with the political correctness demanded from the people, by the religious leaders, that they comply with the various opinions and interpretations forced on them..

            The main problem I see with political correctness is its tendency to change almost daily.  It is a perfect example of the lack of wisdom expressed by James.  In James 1:5-8, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (NKJV).  Biblical Correctness represents “Wisdom”, where Political Correctness represents “Doubt”.  The first is rock solid, the second is unstable, wavering, wind-blown.

            Consider the example of civil rights in the United States.  In 1760 it was PC for primarily white people to OWN black human beings as they would cattle and horses.  By 1860, the PC winds were shifting, and the Union would soon be divided and at war over this very idea of human ownership.  Move up to 1960 and blacks were more than welcome to walk into Woolworths and spend their hard earned money on what they could purchase at such an establishment  -  Just don’t try and buy something to eat or drink at the lunch counter of one of these stores.

            Biblical Correctness is rock solid.  Psalm 119:89 says, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” (NKJV).  Also consider I Peter 1:22 to 25, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.'' (NKJV).

            Political Correctness is front page news.  Consider the question of homosexuality and same sex marriage.  Both are currently accepted and defended as simply an alternate life style choice.  Several states have already, or are considering, codifying the defense of these into law.  Many business owners, against their own moral standards, have been legally forced to serve same sex couples with such things as wedding preparations.  However, as late as 1973 homosexuality was recognized as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders produced by the American Psychiatric Association, and used by mental health professionals as their primary criteria in diagnosis and treatment.  In 1975 the first homosexual couple was featured on national television in a weekly series. 

            The BC response to this is found in Romans 1: 18 to 27, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things.  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  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.”(NKJV)

            The Bible also gives the answer to homosexuality, and all sexual immorality.  I Corinthians 7, verses 1 to 3 says, “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.  Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.  Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.” (NKJV).  Sexual Immorality includes any sexual activity outside the bonds of holy matrimony, both homosexual and heterosexual.  The answer to the problem is marriage between a man and a woman, pure and simple.

            Consider the ongoing debate on abortion, or a woman’s right to choose.  Prior to 1973 abortion was legal in many states, many of which set limits on the reasons for the abortion.  In 1973 the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade gave the right to all women to decide to terminate their pregnancy.  From then on a woman was given the right to choose any course of action.  She could have the baby.  She could have the unborn baby torn limb from limb.  She could choose to have the baby poisoned, virtually burned alive, by having saline solution introduced into the womb.  In a worse-case scenario, she could give birth to the baby’s body, but while the head was still in the womb have a sharp instrument rammed into the brain cavity.  The result has been 55 million abortions in the USA since 1973.  The possible impact of this staggers the imagination.

            The BC point of view says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you;…”(Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV).  Psalm 139:13-16 expands on this, “For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”(NKJV).

            A third PC subject is religious liberty in the United States.  Our constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”.  In some Florida public schools Muhammed is taught to be God’s Messenger  -  my question is Where Is Jesus?  In Indiana Muslims are allowed to evangelize and proselytize in the schools  -  Where Is The Gospel?  In Maryland special accommodations are made for the Muslim Prayer time  -  When Can Christian Kids Pray?   In Tennessee children, not just Muslim children, are taught the five pillars of Islam  -  Where Is The Ten Commandments?  Frankly, we have to defend the rights of Muslims, and other religions, to practice and promote their faith.  But shouldn’t we be afforded the same rights?

            The BC point of view is simple.  John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (NKJV).  In the Old Testament the shrines and idols of other religions were torn down and destroyed.  Paul offers us this advice, “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (I Corinthians 10:31ff  NKJV).  In other words, we don’t have to participate in or condone these other religions, but we should not go out of our way to offend those who do.  We are called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ; to plant the word and trust the Father for its coming to fruition.  Ezekiel 33:8 and 9 say, “When I say to the wicked, `O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.  Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” (NKJV).

            I would be remiss if I did not offer some reminders to those who consider themselves to be Biblically Correct already.  First of all, Paul reminds us of a couple Biblical truths in the book of Romans.  Romans 3:23 says bluntly, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” NKJV).  He also tells us in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(NKJV).  We are NO BETTER than the homosexual, the abortion provider, the one who chose abortion, or anyone from any other faith.  They have the same opportunity to be saved that we have already taken advantage of.  Ephesians 2:1-8 tells us, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”(NKJV).  God offers to ALL that gift of grace, and our responsibility is to pass on that invitation as witnesses to the miracle of salvation in our own lives.  We have to get our own hose in order by believing, confessing, repenting, and obeying in baptism.

 

Dr. O