Without Offense

The apostle prayed in behalf of the Philippians: “that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment” (Phil. 1:9).  What was his reason for so praying?  Why was it so important that he would pray that their love would abound “in knowledge and in all judgment?”  Before noticing his reasons, we turn our attention to the words knowledge and judgment as used here.

The first word to consider is “knowledge” (Grk. epignosis). It should be of interest to the Bible student that the Greek has a number of words translated know, known, knowledge, and unknown. In all, Vine’s shows fourteen Greek words, which include verbs, adjectives, and nouns.  A Greek verb (ginosko) “signifies to be taking in knowledge” (Vine, p. 637); a second (oida) signifies “to have seen or perceived; hence, to know, to have knowledge of”; a third (proginosko) signifies “to know beforehand” and is used of God in Romans 8:39; a fourth (gnorizo) signifies “to come to know, discover” and is also used in the negative, “not to know” (Phil. 1:22); however, the word used by Paul in Philippians 1:9 is “epignosis” which denotes “exact or full knowledge”  and expresses “a fuller or a full knowledge, a greater participation by the knower in the object known” (Vine, p. 641).  So, Paul’s prayer is that they may have a full knowledge of and a greater participation in love.  It is not just knowing the meaning of the word, but participating in it “more and more.”

The second word of interest is “judgment” (Grk. aesthesis) and here also the Greek has more than one word which is translated “judgment.”  The Greek krisis denotes “a separation, then, a decision, judgment (Vine, p. 621). Second, the Greek krima which “denotes the result of the action” and its general significance is in condemnation (Matt. 7:2). The Greek word used in the text is aesthesis and points to “perception, discernment.”  Therefore, the apostle is praying that the Philippians love “abound yet more and more … in all perception, in discernment.” So, what does that say about love?

The apostle is teaching, and in this case praying, that the Philippians have full knowledge of the teaching of the New Testament on love; such as in 1 Corinthians thirteen: “Charity (love, frw) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things; endureth all things, Charity never faileth …” (v. 4-8).  This requires judgment, the ability to perceive and discern between evil and truth, iniquity and truth.  Love is a long way from the modern thought of “free love” which includes evil and iniquity. It rejoices in such rather than reproving it!

It is here the apostle gives his first reason for the above: “that ye may approve things that are excellent.” The word “excellent” (diaphero) means: “to differ,” pointing to “the excellent things” (Vine, p. 395), in order words, not just the things of normal quality, but things that differ, that reach a higher quality.  His second reason is “that ye may be sincere” (eilikrines) and “signifies unalloyed, pure”  (Vine, p. 913).  It is here used of moral and ethical purity. A full knowledge of love will allow the Christian to discern between the moral and immoral, between the ethical pure and the impure.

What is the reason for all of this? The reason for all the above is so that the Christian may stand “without offence” in the final judgment. The words, “without offence” (aproskopos), expresses the thought of not having occasion of stumbling (The negative “a” plus proskopos, occasion of stumbling.)  The apostle is writing in view of the final judgment and not being found with occasion of stumbling, but standing in judgment “being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ.” There will be no forgiven as one stand before the judgment seat of Christ. At that time every one will receive “according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SPEAKERS

Marion Fox

Frank Williams

Pray for our campers!

Pray for our counselors!

Pray for our sanity!

Elder Nominations

The following men have been nominated to serve as elders:

Marion Fox • Jerry Gore • Rick Sumner • Frank Williams

Please consider these names and review the qualifications. Please provide any reason why you have concern about any of these men’s qualifications or ability to serve. Please be detailed and clear. Contact Dewayne Ashford or John Bellah who will pursue discussion of any issue you have raised.

Strangers and Pilgrims

It is easy to get caught up in the things of this world.  After all, we need such things to keep us alive and healthy.  We need houses to live in, we need food to eat to keep our bodies healthy, we need schools to educate our children, and we need cars to get us to work to make money to support our families.  Then, we need what might be thought of as less important things, such as recreation for body and mind.  We need times for families to be together for support.  Yes, it is easy to get caught up in the things of this world!

Yet, Peter wrote: “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11).  The two words “strangers” and “pilgrims” are interesting words.  First, the word “stranger” (Grk. paroikos) refers to folks near others but who are foreign to the land.  Spiritually, it refers to those whose citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20), but who are now living in this world.  God’s children need to understand that we live in this world, but we are not of this world.  We do not belong to this world, but we belong to heaven. We are sojourners here!

The second word, “pilgrims,” (Grk. parepidemos) signifies “sojourning in a strange place, away from one’s own people” (Vine, p. 865).  We are like Abraham, who “sojourned … in a strange country …” (Heb. 11:9), and we must have the same attitude, confessing as did those Old Testament worthies “that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” for they desired “a better country, that is an heavenly” (Heb. 11:13, 16).  So must we.  As that beautiful song, “Here We Are But Straying Pilgrims,” declares: “Here we are but straying pilgrims; Here our path is often dim;  But to cheer us on our journey, Still we sing this wayside hymn; Yonder over the rolling river, Where the shining mansions rise, Soon will be our home forever, And the smile of the blessed Giver Gladdens all our longing eyes.” Yes, in the world but not of the world!

Keeping the right perspective will help us from being caught up in things of this world.  If we keep before us at all times that we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth, it will help us put first things first!  Jesus said: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt.   6:33); true, these words were uttered before the kingdom came and the righteousness of the gospel had been preached, on the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection; nevertheless, the priority remains the same.  The kingdom is the place of the saved, and the righteousness of God is the means by which we remain saved.  They must hold first place in our lives. For it is the kingdom that Christ will deliver up at the end: “Then cometh the end, when he (Christ, frw) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (1 Cor. 15:24). Knowing that we are but strangers and pilgrims on this earth will help us keep our eyes on the objective of our lives: our eternal home!

We might become disappointed when things change, but let us not become discouraged!  Disappointments need not discourage us but for a moment; for we have the ability to see the eternal objective.  Our salvation and the salvation of others!  We have on the “harness of work,” so let us tighten it up, and put our hands to the work of our God. Will we need to make some changes?  Yes, but the work and mission have not changed; the church purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28) must edify in worship and teaching the saved, help those in need, and teach the lost the gospel of Christ.

Elders who are appointed according the terms of revealed in 1 Timothy 3 and elsewhere, will aid the church in her efforts in fulfilling her works and mission.  But it will, as it always has, take a willing mind working with one accord!  May it be so!

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SERMONS

MORNING:

Studies in Philippians

EVENING:

More Studies in Philippians

Remember:

First Sunday Business Meeting & Potluck

Evening Worship Moved to 1 PM

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS

(1 Timothy 3:1-7)

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

A Conscience Seared

A young man takes a .38 pistol in hand and puts a bullet into the head of a store clerk.  A young woman makes her way to an abortion clinic and allows a person to take the life of her unborn baby.  A husband beats his wife day after day until she loses all identify of being a wife.  In this we have but touched the evil that has invaded our land.  The question: “How does one human being do such to another?”

There is no claim here to have all the answers, but there are two things to which attention is called.  First, a person who engages in evil has in his own mind devoiced himself from being accountable to law.  But, one may object, abortion is legal in our nation!  True, but it is to a higher law that is referred; a law that transcends all national laws — the law of Almighty God!  Jesus said: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last days” (John 12:48).  Yes, all mankind is accountable to the words of Jesus, to the law of Christ; those who receive and those who reject his words are both amenable to the law of Christ.  The person, who so divorces himself from this law has in his own mind freed himself to live lawlessly.

Second, attention is called to the words under which this article is written: “A Conscience Seared.”  These words were written to Timothy by the apostle Paul (1Timothy 4:2).  These are interesting words, in any context, but may be more so as they relate to the subject of this article.  The word “conscience” (Grk. suneidesis) means: “a knowing with” (Vine, p. 230) and the idea is a knowing within oneself. Conscience is the result of being taught. Few if any can reach an age of responsibility without having learned the general, basic rules of right and wrong to some degree. Thus, few people if any who interact with others live without a conscience, a “knowing within.” Conscience is the part of the mind that allows us to sense guilt when we violate what we believe to be wrong.  Therefore, when this ability is removed, a person may feel free from the law of right and wrong.

The next words are: “seared with a hot iron” (Grk. kausteriazo) and mean: “to burn in with a branding iron” (Vine, p. 147).  We know of branding cattle and the hot iron sears the skin to the point that it has no feeling.  So it is with the words before us and they express the idea of the conscience being so seared that it has no sense of right and wrong.  The result of searing the conscience to right and wrong as revealed by God is that such a person has freed himself to all evil.  He is free to put a bullet in the head of another human being without remorse, and a woman is free to abort her unborn baby without any guilt. We must understand, evil begets evil.  It feeds upon itself, and calls for more and greater evil.

So how does it work?  The person who has been taught God’s law of right and wrong but then violates it, must live daily with a conscience that tells him of his guilt.  Such a person has two choices: 1) he may repent and confess to God (Acts 8:22 & 1 John 1:9) and have his sins forgiven, or 2) he may continue to commit evil, while searing his conscience with a hot iron to the point he frees himself (in his own mind) from the law of God.  Such a person is now on a course of self-destruction.  The evil will feed upon itself, getting worse and worse.  The conscience being made more and more insensitive to right and wrong is now free to “wallow in the mire” of sin and separation from God. But the rejection of Christ and his word does not free one from the final judgment: “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according ot his deeds … For there is no respect of person with God.” (Rom. 2:5-11)

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SERMONS

MORNING:

Everything Beautiful In Its Time

EVENING:

Studies in Philippians

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS

(1 Timothy 3:1-7)

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Appointing Elders

Barnes church of Christ is now working in the direction of appointing elders. The appointing of elders is one of the most important decisions a local church will ever make. It is not the intent of this article to deal with the qualifications, but to simply look at one area of responsibility of the men who serve as elders.

The men who are appointed to serve as elders will have the most awesome responsibility on earth. They will have the responsibility to watch over the spiritual well being of each member and the local church as a whole. So, after being convinced that these men meet the qualifications as revealed upon the pages of the New Testament, attention should be given to a most important area: “Is this a man you want watching over your soul?” Does this man know how to see that you will get the teaching you need to grow spiritually? Does this man know the difference between teachings that are false and the truth? In other words, does he know the teaching of Christ well enough to understand when a teaching is false? Does he know the truth?

Paul wrote to Titus that an elder must be “able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9). Paul followed those important words with these: “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” (Titus 1:1011) Attention is here called to a few of the words in the text.

First, the word “able” (Greek, dunatos) refers to having the power, whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or through a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances; it signifies powerful (Thayer, p. 14 and Vine, p. 15). In another place, Paul giving the qualifications wrote: “apt to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2, the Greek, didaktikos) which means: “skilled in teaching” (Vine, p. 1135). Clearly, an elder must know the truth well enough and be skillful enough in handling it “to convince the gainsayers.” It is important that the congregation give men the opportunity to grow in teaching, so they may also grow into being skillful in teaching! We at Barnes have not done well in this area, and we need to correct this weakness.

Second, the word “convince” (Greek, elencho) which signifies: “to convict, confute, refute, usually with the suggestion of putting the convicted person to shame” (Vine, p. 241). This requires a man who is well versed in the truth! A man who has the ability to open the Bible and point out the truth, thus, bringing a honest heart to conviction and shame in what he has taught! This man does not have to be a great orator, but one who can simply bring forth the power of the truth.

Third, the word “gainsayers” (Greek, antilego) means: “to contradict, oppose,” literally “say against” (Vine, p. 480). It is understood in the text that Paul is writing that the “gainsayers” are those who speak/write against the truth. Understanding that the church’s fellowship with God the Father and the Son is determined by “abiding in the teaching of Christ” (2 John 9). “Gainsayers” are a danger to the local church, and their “mouths must be stopped!” It is up to the eldership of the local congregation to take such action.
Of all the work and responsibilities of the eldership, the one of which this article addresses is near the top of the list! It is also one that some elderships give little attention and this is sad indeed. It needs to be kept in mind, the eldership speaks with one voice; yet, Paul wrote: “a bishop … as the steward of God” (Titus 1:7). The word “steward” (Greek, oikonomos) refers to a “manager of a household” (Vine, p. 1097). The eldership serves as manager of the local household of God and they must keep it safe!

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SERMONS

SPEAKERS:

Marion R. Fox

Frank R. Williams

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Proverbs 10:7

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS

(1 Timothy 3:1-7)

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Using Enticing Words

The word “enticing” under which this article is being written, comes from a Greek word (pithanologia) that means: “persuasive speech” which “signifies the employment of plausible arguments in contrast to demonstration” (Vine, p. 376).  In order words, it sounds nice, it appears plausible, but one cannot demonstrate that is it true.  The old beloved preacher is heard to say: “As goes the proposition, so must be the demonstration.”

So, what are some “enticing words?”  Some try to make the argument that “heart religion is better, is surer, than mind religion.”  First, they are mistaken about the two words used.  A study of the New Testament will reveal that these two words are interchangeable.  Hebrews chapters eight and ten will demonstrate this truth.  The writer quotes the prophet Jeremiah 31:31-34 in both chapters.  However, he changes the words in two phrases: 1) “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts” (Heb. 8:10); and 2) “I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Heb. 10:16).  Please notice the first phrase in both quotations: 1) “laws into their mind” and “laws into their hearts;” and 2) “write them in their hearts” and “in their minds will I write them.”  It is most clear the words are used interchangeably, meaning that “heart” religion is “mind” religion and “mind” religion is “heart” religion!  The person trying to make a difference is appealing to so-called “feelings of the heart” against the intellect of the mind.  Yet, the apostle commanded: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).  Appealing to the feelings is “persuasive speech” – enticing words – but it does not demonstrate truth. One may win the emotions of those who hear the “enticing words,” but he has not led the hearer to truth which may be “demonstrated” with the word of God.

Second, some may use “enticing words” as they turn to “fables.”  The Greek word (muthos) refers to things which are “fiction.”  However, with the use of “enticing words” these “fables” turn the heads of many.  The apostle writing of the church wrote: “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:4).  Fables also appeal to the feelings of the hearer.  Peter wrote of himself and the other apostles: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitness of his majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16).  Notice his use of the words, “cunningly devised fables.”  The Greek word (sophizo) means: “to devise cleverly” (Vine, p. 309).  This means that it is done deliberately, while using one’s worldly wisdom with the aim to deceive the hearer.  It is not an appeal to the truth, which may be demonstrated, which may be proved through the use of the inspired word.

This brings us to the Greek word “katasophizomai,” which means: “to circumvent by fraud, conquer by subtle devices” (Vine, p. 277).  Stephen used this word when referring to the king “which knew not Joseph:” “The same dealt subtilly (katasophizomai) with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end that they might not live” (Acts 7:18-19).  It is easy to see the king which knew not Joseph “circumvented by fraud” the children in Egypt, and took them into bondage; thus, he conquered them by subtle devices as he went back on the promises of the king who did know Joseph. The result was slavery for those who had been grated freedom in the land of Egypt.

Enticing words are used to take away our salvation which is in Christ, and they are most powerful when we “have itching ears” for things other than the pure gospel of Christ.  Friends, the gospel of Christ is God’s only power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SERMONS

Morning

“Difficult Questions About Elder Qualifications”

Evening

“Studies in Philippians”

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Proverbs 15:3

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS

(1 Timothy 3:1-7)

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Is Baptism In Order To?

The world of Christendom is much divided over why a person should be baptized or if one should be baptized at all. Some sprinkle babies while calling it “baptism,” which the New Testament proves it is not, but this article is not dealing with that area. Others immerse, which the New Testament clearly reveals is baptism, but do it for a number of reasons. It is the purpose of this article to study and reach a conclusion based upon the teaching of the New Testament.

First, let us deal with the statement made by Jesus to the apostles. Jesus said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). At least three things may be learned about baptism in Jesus’ statement. First, believing, faith in the gospel, is necessary before one is a proper subject to be baptized. The required faith comes from and is produced by the gospel of Christ. Paul wrote: “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Therefore, babies are not subject to baptism as taught by Jesus and his apostles, as they do not have the ability to believe. Second, baptism stands before and between the one who believes the gospel and being saved. Therefore, the words of Jesus clearly reveal that baptism is before being saved. Third, the statement of Jesus proves to the one who believes that baptism is necessary to being saved. Therefore, the words of Jesus do not teach “baptismal regeneration;” meaning baptism by itself saves, but that it comes before being saved.

Second, let us deal with the question: “Does baptism look forward or backward?” The words of the inspired Peter need to be heard here: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Here, it is the word “for” that has our interest. The Greek word translated “for” is “eis,” and means: “with a view to” (Young’s, p. 362); and “into, to, towards, for, among” (Thayer, p. 183). Now, does this word look forward or backward? It must be of interest to those who believe the word of God that the same Greek phrase appears in Matthew 26:28 as it does in Acts 2:38. These two phrases are here given so the reader is able see it: Acts 2:38, “eis aphesin amartion” and Matthew 26:28, “eis aphesin amartion.” The reason for doing this is that the phrase in Matthew appears in the context of Jesus speaking of his blood: “which is shed for (eis) the remission of sins.” Now, was the blood of Jesus shed looking forward or backward? Was Jesus’ blood shed because our sins had already been forgiven or in order that they could be forgiven? If our sins had already been forgiven, then why was Jesus’ blood shed? Clearly, Jesus’ blood was shed looking forward to our sins being forgiven! Therefore, Peter said that repenting and being baptized is in order to have our sins forgiven.

The same apostle wrote: “The like figure (Noah being “saved by water,” v. 20) whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21). In the likeness of Jesus being buried and resurrected, so those who are saved have been buried in water and resurrected out of the water; in order to have their sins forgiven. One goes into the water, in baptism, separated from God because of sin, but comes out of the water having fellowship with God, his sin having been forgiven.

As Paul wrote, in another figure, one is “baptized into Christ” (Gal. 3:7). “Therefore if any man be in Christ (by being baptized into Christ, frw), he is a new creature: …” (2 Cor. 5:17). Baptism is in order to, with a view to, having sins forgiven. It looks forward and not backward.

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SERMONS

Morning

“The Work & Role of Elders”

Evening

“Studies in Philippians”

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS

(1 Timothy 3:1-7)

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

The Sermon That Produced Death

Preachers sometimes talk about “a moving sermon,” meaning if you preach it you may be moving to another location.  Of course, these words could mean that the sermon moved those who heard it to become better, more like Christ.  Few sermons that are preached today, at least in America, would ever produce death.  However, there was once such a sermon.

Not much is known of Stephen, but what is known is most revealing about his love of the truth and those who heard him preach.  He is introduced to us in the setting of the first “major” problem in the young church of Christ.  When “the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of Grecians” that their “widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1).  The apostle’s answer to this problem was to have the church look among them and select seven men that the apostles would appoint to handle it.  Stephen is one of the seven (Acts 6:5).  It is interesting that Luke, the church historian, wrote nothing about how the seven handled the problem, but one is left to conclude that it was handed and that it was handled well!

Stephen is then introduced as one “full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8).  Next, there arose some of “the synagogue of the Libertines” disputing with him (Acts 6:9).  The word, “Libertines,” more than likely refers to Jews who had been made captives by the Romans and who had been freed; thus “Libertines,” freemen who had built a synagogue in Jerusalem at their own expense (Thayer, p. 377).  The subject(s) of their “disputing” is not given, but the result is: “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” (6:10).  It is here that their character is revealed: “then they suborned men” (verse 11).  The word “suborned” refers to those who “whisper” and “instigate” (Vine, p. 1110), here by their words: “We have heard him (Stephen, frw) speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God” (verse 11).  Through these words “they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes” who then “came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council” (verse 12).   These “Libertines” then produced “false witnesses” before the council.  At the hearing of these false witnesses the “high priest” asked Stephen, “Are these things so?” (Acts 7:1).  What follows is the sermon that produced death!

Stephen, in answer to the charges, covers the history of the Hebrews starting with these words: “The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham,…” and he continues for the next forty-nine verses.  No doubt their attitude changes when Stephen says: “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:51).  Then, he says, speaking of the prophets: “which showed before the coming of the Just One: of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers” (Acts 7:52).  Here, Luke gives the reaction of those who heard him: “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth” (Acts 7:54).  Stephen speaks a few more words, but “they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him: …” (Acts 7:57-58).

Friends, well could have Stephen asked, as did Paul: “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16)  As hearers, we must understand that truth has the ability to set us free! (John 8:32)  Do you love the truth enough, to respond toward it, even when it hurts?  Even when it demands that you must change what you believe, and what you do?

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SERMONS

Marion Fox

Frank Williams

“Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.”

Blaise Pascal, Mathematician/Philosopher, (1623-1662)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

THE ATHEIST AND THE BELIEVER

There’s a little old Christian lady living next door to an atheist. Every morning the lady comes out onto her front porch and shouts “Praise the Lord!”.  The atheist yells back, “There is no God”.  She does this every morning with the same result.

As time goes on the lady runs into financial difficulties and has trouble buying food. She goes out onto the porch and asks God for help with groceries, then says “Praise the Lord”.  The next morning she goes out onto the porch and there’s the groceries she’s asked for, of course she says “Praise the Lord”.  The atheist jumps out from behind a bush and says, “Ha, I bought those groceries – there is no God”.  The lady looks at him and smiles, she shouts:

“Praise the Lord , you made Satan pay for the groceries!”