May 13, 2012    Volume 8 Number 20

Hermeneutics is at the heart of correctly understanding the Bible!  Therefore, it should go without saying, that every person who loves the truth and who desires to understand it must have a great interest in hermeneutics.  Yet, some brethren run from the word itself, like a driver seeing a skunk on the highway does all he can to avoid it.
What does the word “hermeneutics” mean?  The word “hermeneutics” means: 1) the science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures and 2) the branch of theology that deals with the principles of Biblical exegesis. It comes as a shock to some that the word, “hermeneutics,” is a New Testament word. Paul used the noun form of the word in I Cor. 12:10: “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation (herme?neia) of tongues:”  Also in 1 Corinthians 14:26: “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation (herme?neia). Let all things be done unto edifying.”  In each case, Paul is referring to a spiritual gift. However, the verb form of the word appears in the following passages: John 1:38, “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted (herme?neuo?) , Master,) where dwellest thou?” Then, in verse 42: “And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation (herme?neuo?), A stone.”  Finally, in Hebrews 7:2: “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation (herme?neuo?)  King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace.” Therefore, it will not do for one who claims to loves the truth and desires to understand it, to say, “I have no interest in knowing anything about “hermeneutics;” the science of interpretation.  If you have an interest in Jesus, you must have an interest in “hermeneutics;” if you have any desire to know the truth, you must have an interest in “hermeneutics!”
Having now concluded that all those who love and have an interest in knowing the truth must be interested in good hermeneutics, let us notice four simple rules of hermeneutics:
1.  Study the context of the passage.
2. Look up the actual meaning of each word in the original languages
3. Note the verb tenses, the cases, and other grammatical determinants.
4. Check out cross-references to see how the words are used in other contexts.
Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:15 are of interest just here: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Noting here the words, “rightly dividing,” which is the Greek “orthotomeo?,” and mean:” to make a straight cut.” Therefore, in order to handle the “word of truth” correctly the believer must “cut” the truth straight and follow the true path; he must interpret (cut) the Word of God in a manner consistent with the Word itself. Paul, when writing about revelation, penned: “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1Cor. 2:13).
Through the years, I have pointed out to those I have taught, that assumptions are dangerous! The word “assumption” means: a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion is drawn.  Friends, a lover of the truth never makes assumptions part of his faith. A lover of the truth never makes assumptions into a doctrine. And finally, a lover of truth never makes assumptions a test of fellowship!  Yet, some brethren have done all three of these; some brethren have made an assumption about what First Timothy chapter two teaches; some brethren have made an assumption about the context of First Timothy into a doctrine; and finally, some brethren have made an assumption about what First Timothy teaches as a test of fellowship.
In the second article, we will answer the question: “What is the context of First Timothy chapter two?”

                — Frank R. Williams

April 29, 2012    Volume 8 Number 18

    My faith neither stands in the intellectual abilities, nor does it rest on the logical powers, of mortal man.  The church of today neither has living apostles, nor people upon whom the apostles laid their hands, such as prophets, evangelists, or pastors.  The early church, during her first forty years, had all of these (Eph. 4:11).  I will neither submit to the dictates nor the policing, of any mortal, nor of any group of mortals, living today in regard to what I must believe and teach!
Let it be understood, though I have been taught by men whom I love and respect. I was taught and baptized by Clint Lovelady, who was taught and baptized by Foy E. Wallace, Jr., who was taught and baptized by Foy E. Wallace, Sr.; and to the best of my knowledge, Clint Lovelady’s father was taught and baptized by David Lipscomb.  I sat in the old rocking chair on the front porch of the old house where David Lipscomb lived. As we humans go, that is pretty good pedigree!  But my faith does not stand upon what any one of these men, or all of them together, taught.  As each of these and all others were and are subject to the infirmities of the mind of man.
In my thinking no man knew more and understood the word of God more, from cover-to-cover, than did Foy E. Wallace, Jr. The words of the late Hugo McCord express my thoughts well: “A third of a century ago I became convinced, and still am, that Foy E. Wallace, Jr., was committed so to Jesus that he will allow no human to come between him and Jesus.  On a few doctrinal matters, very few, I have disagreed, tremblingly, with his conclusions, but always with the respect and love a son owes a father.” (THE MISSION AND MEDIUM of The Holy Spirit, page 119).  As I have often told those I have taught through the years: “I do not know of any preacher with whom I do not disagree with at some point.” Through the writings of Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, Benjamin Franklin, H. Leo Boles, Foy E. Wallace, Jr., Guy N. Woods, Thomas Warren, Marion Fox and a host of others whose books fill my shelves, I have learned to understand the word of God better; yet, my faith does not yield to any of these. No, my faith is built upon the revealed, inspired, infallible “word of the Lord” which “endureth for ever” (1 Pet. 1:25).
It needs to be understood, that even in the days of the apostles and those upon whom the apostles laid their hands, the church was filled with those who, as Paul wrote: “indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds” (Phil. 1:15-16). Even in those days, there were “some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:7). Men have not changed!  The church today like that of Corinth, are bound  to follow the teacher, rather than Christ: “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ” (1 Cor. 1:12). Yes, Paul, Apollos, and Cephas, by the Holy Spirit preached the same truth; yet, men of “little” minds missed the gospel.  No, I will not yield to those of today who desire to police my faith!
The apostle challenged Timothy; thus, to ever would-be preacher: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).  As Franklin Camp wrote: “We cannot study the Bible honestly when we have a sectarian spirit. Truth alone is the goal of the honest student. He is not concerned with “our position.” My, your, and our position might be unadulterated error. … Instead of searching for ‘our position,’ let us study to find God’s position. The best attitude in which to study the Bible is to have total disregard to what the truth shall be when I find it. The truth will satisfy God and it ought to satisfy me. It will take the truth to please God and it ought to take the truth to please me.” (OLD TRUTHS IN NEW ROBES, page 7).
No my friends, we must not allow the self-appointed “brotherhood police” to regulate our faith! By use of the word “police” is meant: “to regulate what others are allowed to believe and teach.” God has not given that authority to us mere mortals!  Yes, as written in Hebrews, we are to: “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” (Heb. 13:17). Here, it appears to be speaking of local elders.  If so, these men have the most awesome responsibility on earth; but today, unlike in the first century, elders have not had the hands of the apostles laid upon them. Thus, even the local eldership may be in error. However, it must be remembered: “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.  Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” (1 Tim. 5:19-20).

– Frank R. Williams

April 22, 2012    Volume 8 Number 17

    The Bible, the inspired word of God, is such a book that a good student just keeps  learning.  You have read, no doubt, through a chapter many times, then, one day you notice something you had not noticed before.  It was there all the time, but you just read over it, or you read right through it without paying attention to a point in the text.  This may happen for a number of reasons; such as: 1) you have read the text so many times little attention is given to it; 2) you have heard it preached any number of times, thinking if there was anything else in it, the preacher would have pointed it out; and 3) good Bible students have written on the text, so everything in it has been pointed out.  All these things being true, at least in our minds, what is there to be learned from listening to a text read one more time?
Take for instance Matthew 26:26-29: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
It is the practice of the Barnes church of Christ to have scripture read before taking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. It is common that this text is read at least one a month.  However, last Sunday morning as it was read, a point was noticed to which this writer does not remember anyone calling attention.  So, what was it?
Before answering this question, let us notice a few points in the text. First, the event takes place as Jesus is eating the Passover with his disciples (Matt. 26:17-18). Second, as they were eating, Jesus took bread and gave thanks for it, then, he gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Third, following this Jesus took the cup, giving thanks for it, “saying, Drink ye all of it.”  Fourth, he makes this most important announcement, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  Question, what was in the cup?  It was fruit of the vine as stated in verse 29. The apostle Paul wrote about this event: “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, 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 ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26).  Here is what the early church did every “first day of the week” (Acts 2:42 and 20:7). Paul’s words are printed, so we can notice that in the Lord’s Supper, the church is showing “the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26). The apostles of Christ in what Luke calls “the apostles doctrine” (Acts 2:42), put the Lord’s Supper in the assembly of the saints as an act of worship.
So, what was noticed in the reading of Matthew 26:26-29?  It was the words of the Lord when he said: “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (verse 29).  Did you see it?  Jesus said, “I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Question, where is the Lord’s Supper?  It is in the kingdom?!  Every time the Lord’s Supper in taken, it is a declaration that the kingdom has been, not will be, but has been established!  If not, then, the inspired apostles of Christ put it in the wrong institution. God forbid!
Friends, in taking the Lord’s Supper, the redeemed of Christ, are in communion with him; just as Paul wrote: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16). Let not man separate what the Lord has put together; the Lord’s Supper and his kingdom!
Every person, who takes the Lord’s Supper, is confessing, right or wrong, that he is in the kingdom. If a person believes the kingdom has not yet been established, then, he should never take of the Lord’s Supper; for Jesus put that communion in the kingdom!

            — Frank R. Williams

April 8, 2012    Volume 8 Number 15

Do you listen to what people are saying?  Listening is a skill which many fail to practice.  It is, for many of us, a learned skill.  On the other hand, you may know someone who appears to be the best of listeners!  Therefore, it is easy to conclude, at least in this person, it is so natural. It may be!  However, for many of us being a good listener is hard.
No, this article is not going to be written about the skill of learning to listen; though it does deserve attention.  The title identifies the subject of the article.  If we listen to the words of some, the voices seems to be those of the young, more than the older folks; they are expressing anti-organizational religion.  However, the words under which we write and what they express, is not found only in the young, but they have been heard through the years. It is what the words express, that is so appealing to the heart of some of every generation. So, some of the older generation fit right in and are very happy with the efforts of unorganized religion. Therefore, church buildings are springing up with previously unknown “names” appearing on them.
The religion, revealed upon the pages of the inspired New Testament, is that of an organized one.  By the word “religion” is meant the teaching of Christ; by which teaching one is able to have fellowship with God and Jesus and without it, there is no fellowship with God. The apostle John wrote: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).   The association between religion and God, the God revealed to us in the Bible, is the aim of the only religion of which this writer has any interest! If a religion has any other aim, then, it is not one of which any interest will be here expressed. The religion, the teaching of Christ, is so related to the church for which Jesus died (Acts 20:28), that in practice they cannot be separated.  One may set out to study the teaching of Christ and not the church, but it will not be long until it is understood that one leads to the other; the teaching of Christ leads to the church, and the church leads to the teaching of Christ. Why is this true?  Simply because it is the church that lives the teaching of Christ and it is the teaching of Christ that reveals how the church is to live! Therefore, the question: “Is the church built by Jesus, an organized religion?”
First, notice that Jesus did say, “I will build my church” in Matthew 18:16 and Paul wrote: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me ((Paul’s apostleship, FRW), as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereup. But let every man take heed how he buildeth therefore.” Then, the inspired apostle followed with this truth: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:10-11).  Yet, in another place, the same apostle wrote: “Now therefore ye (Gentiles, FRW) are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:19-20).  It should be easy to see that Jesus and his teaching, done by the apostles and prophets of the New Testament, is the means by which the church of Christ is built.
Second, the church that Jesus built is organized!  The New Testament lays out the organization of the religion of Christ and church of Christ as being one.  Jesus Christ is the head, as God the Father gave the headship to him: “And hath put all things under his (Christ, FRW) his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22).  In a study of the teaching of Christ, it will be seen that it reveals, that church of Christ, the one body of Christ, is organized into local autonomous churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16), under the headship of Christ. These churches are then organized under Christ, with the local leadership of elders, which are called by the following terms: pastors (Eph. 4:11), overseers (Acts 20:28) which is the same Greek word translated bishops, and elders (1 Pet. 5:1); then the local church has men who serve as deacons (1 Tim. 3:8). Therefore, Paul wrote: “… to all the saints in Christ Jesus (the church, FRW) which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1).
Friends, you cannot have “religion,” the teaching of Christ without the organization that comes with it: the churches of Christ!  When will we become adults, and “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”? (2 Pet. 3:18) You cannot have Jesus without his revealed organized religion, his teaching is lived in his church!  For there is the saved (Acts 2:47)!

                                — Frank R. Williams

April 1, 2012    Volume 8 Number 14

Every teacher, who puts himself forth as a teacher in the Lord’s church, has the obligation to speak the things which become sound doctrine.  In fact, James warns all would be teachers: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1).  At least three words in the statement of James need attention if we are to understand him.
It is sometimes heard that every Christian, both male and female, must be teachers of the truth. However, James does not teach such!  First, notice the word “masters,” which is the Greek “didaskalos,” which means: instructor, doctor, master, and teacher. All four of these words, by which the Greek is translated, are used in the same manner and all relate to teaching the truth in the text.  So James is giving a warning to all would be teachers, as in give serious thought before you take up the task of being a teacher.  Why the warning? James wrote: “knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”  James includes himself in the pronoun “we,” and points out that all who undertake to teach, “shall receive the greater condemnation.”  Second, the word “greater” (meizo?n) is a comparative term, implying that those who do not teach, will receive less condemnation, but the one who teaches “shall receive the greater condemnation”. Third, in this text, the one who teaches “shall receive,” figuratively, by way of a judicial trial, then, by a decision; followed literally with greater punishment than the one who does not teach.  Not every Christian is prepared to give the necessary study in “rightly dividing the word of truth;” (2 Tim. 2:15); therefore, not all should become teachers! As not all of the body is an “eye,” as Paul wrote: “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?” (1 Cor. 12:17). Just so, not every Christian should be a “teacher!”
With the above understanding well in mind, attention is turned to Titus and Paul’s instructions to him: “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.”  First, attention is called to the word, “become,” which is the Greek “prepo?” and means: to tower up, as in be suitable or proper “sound doctrine.”  By implication, some things which a person speaks may not be suitable, are not proper “sound doctrine.” It is easy to see that great importance is placed on the word “sound.”  The word “sound” comes from a Greek word (hugiaino?) which literally is to be have sound health, that is, be well; but figuratively, to be uncorrupt; thus, in the text, “to be uncorrupt in doctrine.” That which is to be “uncorrupt” is “doctrine,” which is the Greek “didaskalia” and means: instruction, teaching.  The only way a person may speak in teaching, in instructing others the truth is to, as Paul wrote Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).  Knowing truth does not come easy today!  The midnight oil must burn in long hours of digging into the “glad tidings of good things,” which were first taught by the apostles of Christ (Rom. 10:15). Remembering, that “greater condemnation” shall be received by the one who teaches a corrupt, perverted gospel (Gal. 1:7). As Paul wrote: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).  Before concluding just here, notice the word “accursed,” which comes from the Greek “anathema,” and means: ban or (concretely) excommunicate.  Once more, we are able to see the warning given by James: “be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
The church of our Lord is always in need of teachers; be it Bible class teachers, or preachers, but the church only needs those who are willing to: “Study (the Greek “spondao,” to give diligence, be prompt or earnest: endeavour, labour) to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).  Thus, those who are prepared to “speak thou the things which become sound doctrine!”
Soothing words may bring an easiness to the heart, seducing phrases may bring in large numbers, compromising words may produce peace, but only the pure gospel will save!
My friends, may you always demand that those who stand before you to teach are those who love the truth, who have given their bodies to weariness in long hours of study; and who are prepared to “speak” “the things which become sound doctrine!”

                                — Frank R. Williams

March 25, 2012    Volume 8 Number 13

History, as some wise man said, will be repeated if we don’t learn from it. Yet, many are unwilling to study history in order to learn.  Therefore, we keep making the same mistakes and suffering the consequences.  We who know history need to make the effort to teach the young the lessons of history.  Everything is going faster these days, and it seems so is the cycle of history.
The words used to describe the desires of some of our youth today are different than those of “yesterday,” but they express much the same thing.  Forty years ago the expression, Jesus, but not the church, was heard throughout the land.  Today, the expression may be, we want Jesus, but not religion. Another word that is heard coming from the young, we want relationship not tradition. These young do not look for the words, “church of Christ” on the sign.  One expression may seem innocent, but when they are added up, they express a real danger to the spiritual well-being of our young.
Before continuing, encouraging words also come from the lips of our young; such as one young person stated it: “I think people view Churches of Christ as strict and unchanging, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I think they should stick to their guns. I think the Church of Christ follows the Bible pretty literally.” (The Christian Chronicle, April, 2012).  Yet, even here a danger is noticed!  Read the statement with care and look at the pronouns, “they” and “their.” One of the problems of today is that some churches of Christ are separating the young folks from the congregation.  The young have their activities and the “older” folks have theirs.  The young must be part of the local church! They must be taught to worship and work side by side with their “older” brothers and sisters. At the same time, the “older” members must welcome the young into these activities!
The larger danger is in the thinking of some young people today. Let it be put in the form of a question: “Have we, the churches of Christ in general, failed to teach the young the importance of the  Lord’s church?”  Have failed to teach that the church is “according to the eternal purpose which he (God, FRW) purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:10-11).  When Isaiah wrote: “And it shall come to pass in the last days (The last days of the Jewish age, FRW) that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it” (Isa. 2:2).  Isaiah was prophesying of the church!  When Jeremiah wrote: “Behold, the days come (The last days of the Jewish age, FRW), saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah,” (Jer. 31:31), he was prophesying of the gospel of Christ!  When Peter is identifying the events of Pentecost, he said “this is that,” and he was referring to the words of the prophet Joel: “And it shall come to pass in the last days (The last days of the Jewish age, FRW), I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17), he was pointing to the establishment of the church, in God’s eternal plan.  Have we failed to teach our young these grand truths?
When we think of the value of a thing, we look at the price.  Paul told the elders of Ephesus that they were “to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).  So, how important is the church to God?  How important is the church to Christ?  The church of Christ was then and is now as important in value as the blood of God’s dear Son!  Every member has been washed in the blood of Christ, or as Peter wrote, addressing our redemption, it was not with silver and gold, “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
Friends, you cannot have Jesus without the church, as the church is his body (Col. 1:18). A church without the blood of Jesus is worthless. It is Jesus and the church, or it is nothing at all!

                — Frank R. Williams

March 18, 2012    Volume 8 Number 12

Spirituality is a subject of great debate!  No, there have been no public debates on the subject, but there is a debate among religious folks on just what is spirituality.  More and more we hear and read about “candle light” vigils.  These take place, at least often, after a tragic event.  For example, young people are killed a in bus accident, so fellow students have a “candle light” vigil.
First question, just what is a “candle light” vigil?  The Standard College Dictionary gives: “1. The act of staying awake in order to observe, protect, etc; 2) Eccl. a. The eve of a holy day, especially, of a fast day. b. pl. Religious devotions on such an eve. 3. Usually pl. Any nocturnal devotions.” (page 1494, 1966).  From the internet, the following is given: “A vigil may be held on the eve of a religious festival (feast days), observed by remaining awake—”watchful”—as a devotional exercise or ritual observance on the eve of a holy day.[1] Such liturgical vigils usually consist of psalms, prayers and hymns, possibly a sermon or readings from the Holy Fathers, and sometimes periods of silent meditation.”  (Underling in original.)   It appears, we are on safe ground to connect “candle light” vigils to the Jewish religion, from which the Catholic Church borrowed them. In fact, from the same sight, the following is given: “The term “morning” means that the observance begins on the evening before. In traditional Christianity, the celebration of liturgical feasts begins on the evening before the holy day because the Early Church continued the Jewish practice of beginning the day at sunset rather than midnight.” It must be understood by the use of the words, “Early Church,” in the quote, the reference is to time, as in Jewish practice of the day beginning on the evening, near sunset, and not the practice of “candle light” vigils. It does not refer to the church under the oversight of the apostles of Christ and the practice of “candle light” vigils. Vigils are also commonly observed on Holy Days in the Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist Churches. The New Testament church knew nothing of these practices!  Yet, it is easy to see the “spiritual” connection made by those who practice such today.
Second, it must be understood that the practice of “candle light” vigils did not start under the authority of the apostles of Christ.  Therefore, the conclusion is easily reached; “candle light” vigils have nothing to do with spirituality!  All things spiritual, thus, spirituality, are found in the teaching of Christ.  All things that “pertain to life and godliness” were given to the apostles by the Holy Spirit, who in turn gave them to us in the written New Testament (2 Pet. 1:3-4). It is also important to know that the inspired writings, as in “all scripture is given by inspiration of God,” that it has the ability to make the Christian, “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 2:16-17).  It is needful to have knowledge of the meaning of the words, “thoroughly furnished.” These two words come from one Greek word (exartizo?), which means: to equip fully. Friends, there is nothing that a child of God needs that is not in the word of God!
Christians are a people who do not go to the Jewish religion, the Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist Churches, for authority; neither in faith nor practice. In these two words is found all that a Christian does that is acceptable to God. Children of God are “lively stones,” who “are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5).  Nothing that does not go through Jesus Christ is acceptable to God.  The only things that go through Jesus Christ are things authorized in the New Testament.
Friends, spirituality does not include “candle light” vigils!  Candles may be used for light, both for fun or when necessary.  Candles may be good in your bathroom, especially if they are scented; and there are a number of other places that candles may be used.  However, they have no place in an expression of spirituality!  They may give the “appearance” of spirituality, they may make a person feel good, but they should be used separate and apart from anything spiritual!

 – Frank R. Williams

March 11, 2012    Volume 8 Number 11

The personal battle which each person must engage in is between the natural and the spiritual.  The only way not to engage in this battle is to totally surrender to the carnal. Paul described this state of total surrender as people “having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:2). Folks who only think of this  world;  see things as eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.  Their mind never goes beyond the grave!
Paul wrote of those who do not receive “the things of the Spirit of God.” Who is this person? Paul called him “the natural man.”  Who is the natural man? The natural man, in short, is the man who answers every question through natural means.  He never turns toward the spiritual, as all things spiritual are foolishness to him (1 Cor. 2:14). He sees only one side, as he does not believe the spiritual exists!  In his world, neither God nor Satan exist!    He is like the “certain rich man” of Jesus’ parable: “This will I do:  I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” (Luke 12:18-19). Notice, this man gave no thought to spiritual matters; as his conclusion  was:  “eat, drink, and be merry.” He should have heeded the words of Jesus: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).  Nothing is  wrong with building greater barns and making provisions for tomorrow, but he should have taken care of his spiritual life first.
The natural man should understand the truth expressed by James: “Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:13-14). Here was one of the problems of that “certain rich man” of Jesus’ parable; he gave no thought to the truth that life is like a “vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” He never questioned, what then?  Many people live as though there will always be a “tomorrow!”  In the parable Jesus said: “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20).  As Paul wrote: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7).  The natural mind never sees beyond this life!  Thus, the natural mind has surrendered to the things of this world!
However, a good number of people have not given themselves over to the natural mind, the mind that is so seared with a hot iron, that there is no battle between the natural mind and the spiritual mind. Here is the great truth: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). It is better to engage in the battle, than to surrender to the flesh!  It is as Paul wrote: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). But to those who engage in the battle Paul wrote: “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.   For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.   Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.   For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.   For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.   O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom. 7:14-24).  Yes, let each of us must engage in the battle between the natural mind, the flesh and the spiritual mind!
Thank God that Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, did not leave us without an answer to his last question: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” What was Paul’s answer?  “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57).
My friends, as we engage in this very personal battle between the natural and the spiritual mind, me must: “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).  Victory is for those who grow spiritually!

                                    — Frank R. Williams

March 4, 2012    Volume 8 Number 10

Giants have been made; not because they were truly giants, but because of what is here called, “the grasshopper complex.”  As Israel stood prepared to enter the “Promised Land,” Moses sent out twelve spies.  Most Bible students are knowledgeable of the event.  Ten spies came back and gave their report to Moses: “And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature” (Num. 13:32).  Were “all people that” were seen by the ten spies truly “men of great stature?” Even if they were, at this time in the history of Israel  it is a point of no importance at all, as God had given them the land.  All that was required was faithfulness on the part of Israel and the size of the people did not matter at all!  But here the truthfulness of the ten spies is challenged.
The next verse is revealing: “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight” (verse 33). The challenge is not that there were no giants in the land, but that of “all people that we saw,” being giants. Notice that forty years later Joshua sent out two spies and they went into the house of Rahab and she reveals the attitude of the people of the same land: “And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.  For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.  And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9-10).  Does this sound like that “all people” of the land were giants? If so, they were a land of the most fearful giants of which you have ever read!  Please notice that Rahab refers back to Israel’s crossing the Red Sea and “how the LORD dried up the water.”  Was this not true when the twelve spies were sent out? Yes!
It is the attitude of the ten spies versus that of the two spies that is so important. Because of their (the ten spies) attitude, “we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Here is a good question, “How did the ten spies know that the people of the land viewed them as “grasshoppers?” However, notice this important truth, the ten spies saw themselves as “grasshoppers” first, then, they perceived that the people of the land saw them as “grasshoppers!  Of course, this is not the point of this article, so what is?
It is feared that the church of “the King of kings and Lord of lords” has developed “the grasshopper complex!” Could it be that fear fills the hearts of the churches of Christ? Could it be that we are “in our own sight as grasshoppers?” Therefore, is it true that the enemies of truth see the churches of Christ as “grasshoppers” in their sight?” A fearful people will not stand!  The ten spies came back with their “tail between their legs.”  Question: do members of the church of “the King of kings and Lord of lords,” stand before the world with our “tail between our legs?”  Do we not have the same God as Israel of old? Yes we do!  Do we not serve him whom God raised to set at his own right hand: “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all?” (Eph. 1:21-23) Yes we do!  Do we not bow before him wherein God “hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead?” (Acts 17:31)  Yes we do!
So, why should we be a people filled with fear, so that we see ourselves as “grasshoppers?”  Should not the churches of Christ be “set for the defense of the gospel?” (Phil. 1:17) Yes we should!  Should it not be true of us: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain?” (Phil. 1:21)  Yes it should be!  Should we not “be faithful unto death?” (Rev. 2:10) Yes we should be!  As a matter of fact, we must be “faithful unto death,” for only then is there a “crown of life” waiting for us. (Rev. 2:10).

– Frank R. Williams

February 26, 2012    Volume 8 Number 9

World history is filled with tribes, nations, and the people at large, which did not face their enemies head on!  For example, on September 30, 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain gave his well-known speech of appeasement, “peace for our time.” In this speech he said: “The settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine …. We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.” One must know his enemies!  Of course, we all know the end of this story: World War II!
A few words about the meaning of the word “appeasement,” which is: “the policy of settling international quarrels by admitting and satisfying grievances through rational negotiation and compromise, thereby avoiding the resort to an armed conflict which would be expensive, bloody, and possibly dangerous.” So how did Chamberlain’s “rational negotiation and compromise” work with Hitler? In 1939, September 1st – Germany invaded Poland; on April 12th Germany begins occupation of Denmark and invades Norway; then, on May 10th, Germany invades Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.  Of course, we all know the end of this story: World War II!
The church, of “the King of kings and Lord of lords,” may never enter into a “rational negotiation and compromise” with the enemies of truth.  Recalling the words of Jesus: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32); we must know and embrace the truth totally, which is the word of God, (John 17:17), knowing that only truth has the ability to make and keep us free!  There is no time to let up; for Peter wrote: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). So, how does “the devil,” who is always our enemy, walk “about seeking whom he may devour?” The apostle Paul answers the question: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:12-15).  There is no room for “rational negotiation and compromise” with any enemy of the truth!  With every “compromise” truth makes, it  is no longer truth and freedom is lost!
The church of “the King of king and Lord of lords” must know the enemy.  Paul wrote: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12).  Though the battles are not with “swords,” and are not physical warfare, they are no less war with real enemies! The “serpent” began this war when he first changed the word of God by adding just a little “not” into the words God spoke to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:1); the war has not ceased from that time!  Time has marched on, tribes have turned into nations, and nations have changed, and even the law of God has changed, but the enemy has remained the same.  He is a liar “and the father of it” (John 8:44). His servants are of him, as Jesus said: “Ye are of your father the devil and the lust of your father ye will do” (John 8:44).
As the churches of Christ engage in this war, she must be fully aware of the devil’s “false apostles,” his “deceitful workers,” who “transform themselves into the angel (messengers, FRW) of light” (2 Cor. 11:13-14).  Yes, we must know our enemies and confront them face to face!  No false teaching should go unchallenged, no teacher of false teaching should go unchallenged; and no denomination should go unchallenged!  The churches of Christ must be the beacon of light, such as “A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14); the orators of truth; and as Paul charged the church in Ephesus, so he charges the church today: “having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore!” (Eph. 6:13-14).

– Frank R. Williams