Barnes church of Christ

The year 2017 AD is upon us; therefore, it seems good that we take advantage of the time to look at something that has taken place, which has largely gone unnoticed by the majority of us. If you have not noticed, you should notice that a change has taken place without much “fanfare,” but it identifies a major change in the way the world is thinking! The change of which I write is at the heart of time and the way it is identified! Here is what the “Wise GEEK” – clear answers for common questions”– says about this subject:
“The term BC is short for “Before Christ.” Historical dates before the birth of Christ become smaller as they approach the theoretical but non-existent Year Zero. Historical dates after the birth of Christ are classified as AD, short for the Latin phrase Anno Domini, or “in the year of our Lord.” Contrary to popular belief, AD does not stand for “After Death.” The BC/AD system for identifying historical dates has been in continuous use ever since the earliest part of the Middle Ages, at least.” (The Middle Ages or medieval period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century.)
Then, this important information is given to aid our understanding as it relates to the subject:
“Several centuries after the AD/BC identification of historical dates became popular, a new movement developed among scientists, historians and some religious leaders. The time following the birth of Christ was now referred to as the “Vulgar Era” in some circles. The meaning of the word vulgar actually meant ‘common’ at that time, not distasteful or obscene. Eventually many areas of the Western world adopted the less Christ-centered term “Common Era.” Historical dates occurring before the year 1 CE would be considered BCE, short for “Before Common Era.”
So, what is the point? The point is that the change from “BC” and “AD” to the modern terms “BCE” and “CE” is an effort to remove the birth of Jesus as the turning point in time! Once more a quote from “Wise GEEK” will help our understanding:
“The relatively new BCE/CE reference for historical dates has had its share of supporters and critics. Critics view the new system as an attempt to remove the religious significance inherent in the BC/AD system. The BCE/CE method of assigning historical dates also fails to fix the BC/AD system’s lack of a practical Year Zero. Modern scholars believe the actual birth of Christ would fall around 7 to 4 BC, which renders the actual year of 1  AD relatively meaningless historically.”
“Supporters of the BCE/CE method of identifying historical dates say the removal of Christian references works as a bridge between different religions and cultures. The BC/AD system appears to endorse Jesus Christ as the superior world religious figure, which could be viewed as disrespectful of other religions and belief structures. Although the birth of Christ is still used as a reference in the BCE/CE system, the Christian influence is not as apparent.”
This is given for your consideration, to help you understand how the world we live in is changing before our eyes, and many of us have failed to notice it!
The “world” will not miss any opportunity, nor will it miss any area, to remove Christ from the minds of the peoples of the world. One such effort is to change the terms by which time is identified! The funny thing here, is that those who are promoting this effort, are still recognizing the same “point” in time, “the birth of Jesus,” as the point time changed! The BC and the AD was before the birth of Jesus and the after the birth of Jesus. The modern terms, BCE and CE still use the birth of Jesus at the point that time changed! From the birth of Jesus, the arrow points backwards and the years get larger the more one moves away from it; while on the other hand, the arrow points forward and the years get larger the more one moves away from the birth of Jesus.
It is a change without change, but nevertheless, it is an effort to change the thinking of the peoples of the world! It is an effort to remove Jesus from the center, the point at which time changes! The use of CE in Jewish scholarship was historically motivated by the desire to avoid the implicit “Our Lord” in the abbreviation AD. “Our Lord,” of course, refers to Jesus, the Christ. A point which is not hard to understand as the Jews deny that Jesus of Nazareth is “Jehovah’s” Lord (Psa. 110:1)!

Frank R. Williams

(Editor’s note: We will return to the subject: “THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” in the first or second article of 2017, the Lord willing.)

The title under which these articles are written pre-supposes that the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Here are two questions that might help with the subject: Is the Holy Spirit more of a mystery than God the Father; or, Is the Holy Spirit more of a mystery than “the Word” which became flesh? It is surprising that some, maybe many, would answer these two questions with a ‘yes’! Therefore, another question comes to mind; why is this the case in the mind of so many?
One of the major considerations of the mystery about the Holy Spirit is a failure to understand what can rightly be called: “The modus operandi of the Holy Spirit.” There you have the only “big” words in the vocabulary of this writer! Just what do they mean: “a method of procedure; especially: a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates how the Holy Spirit works.” Once this is determined, most of the “mystery” is removed! Keep in mind, once a truth is learned, it is always truth.
Just what does that last statement mean? It means, once you learn that repentance is necessary to be saved; it is understood that every time a person is saved in the age of Christ; the age when the authority of Christ is the law, then it should never be taught that anyone is saved without repentance. This is the case even when the word repent(ance) is not in the text! Luke wrote of some: “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand” (Acts 4:4). The word, saved does not even appear in this text, but it is understood that those who “heard the word” and “believed” were saved! So, is it necessary to repent before one is saved? Peter said: “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). Two things are clearly established here: 1) repent and 2) baptized, both come before “the remission of sins!” If this is true one time, and it is, then, it is true every time! Therefore, once a truth is learned, it is always truth and must be understood in every context of salvation! It is true that many do not like this; in fact, some deny it and will go to their graves unwilling to accept it!
With this in mind, let us turn our attention to the “modus operandi” of the Holy Spirit. Once we learn “the method of procedure; especially: a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates how the Holy Spirit works” in one case of conversion; this truth must then be understood in each case of conversion! When this is done, the so-called mystery is removed in regard to the Holy Spirit and his work in conversion. Jesus said: “And when he (Holy Spirit, frw) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, …” (John 16:8). The word “reprove” is the Greek “elegchō” and means: “to convict …; 1a) generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted 1b) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose.” Therefore, the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict, while bringing to shame the person so convicted. The question, how does the Holy Spirit do this; what is “the modus operandi” of the Holy Spirit in conviction? Here is what one writer said: “No amount of preaching, pleading, or pointing of fingers will bring about the conviction of sin, unless the Holy Spirit is at work in the sinner’s heart. It is the Spirit’s job to convict.” However, this is not what we learn by studying what Luke wrote! Notice in the case of the first convictions: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:36-37). Did you notice the words: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart?” The “pricked in their heart” is equal to “conviction of sin” and repressing “shame!” The Holy Spirit was speaking through the apostles and it was to the apostles that their question was addressed: “and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Finally, Peter answers their “conviction” in these words: “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” (verse 38). There is the Holy Spirit’s modus operandi in conviction!
Frank R. Williams
The title under which these articles are written pre-supposes that the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Here are two questions that might help with the subject: Is the Holy Spirit more of a mystery than God the Father; or, Is the Holy Spirit more of a mystery than “the Word” which became flesh? It is surprising that some, maybe many, would answer these two questions with a ‘yes’! Therefore, another question comes to mind; why is this the case in the mind of so many?
One of the major considerations of the mystery about the Holy Spirit is a failure to understand what can rightly be called: “The modus operandi of the Holy Spirit.” There you have the only “big” words in the vocabulary of this writer! Just what do they mean: “a method of procedure; especially: a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates how the Holy Spirit works.” Once this is determined, most of the “mystery” is removed! Keep in mind, once a truth is learned, it is always truth.
Just what does that last statement mean? It means, once you learn that repentance is necessary to be saved; it is understood that every time a person is saved in the age of Christ; the age when the authority of Christ is the law, then it should never be taught that anyone is saved without repentance. This is the case even when the word repent(ance) is not in the text! Luke wrote of some: “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand” (Acts 4:4). The word, saved does not even appear in this text, but it is understood that those who “heard the word” and “believed” were saved! So, is it necessary to repent before one is saved? Peter said: “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). Two things are clearly established here: 1) repent and 2) baptized, both come before “the remission of sins!” If this is true one time, and it is, then, it is true every time! Therefore, once a truth is learned, it is always truth and must be understood in every context of salvation! It is true that many do not like this; in fact, some deny it and will go to their graves unwilling to accept it!
With this in mind, let us turn our attention to the “modus operandi” of the Holy Spirit. Once we learn “the method of procedure; especially: a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates how the Holy Spirit works” in one case of conversion; this truth must then be understood in each case of conversion! When this is done, the so-called mystery is removed in regard to the Holy Spirit and his work in conversion. Jesus said: “And when he (Holy Spirit, frw) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, …” (John 16:8). The word “reprove” is the Greek “elegchō” and means: “to convict …; 1a) generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted 1b) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose.” Therefore, the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict, while bringing to shame the person so convicted. The question, how does the Holy Spirit do this; what is “the modus operandi” of the Holy Spirit in conviction? Here is what one writer said: “No amount of preaching, pleading, or pointing of fingers will bring about the conviction of sin, unless the Holy Spirit is at work in the sinner’s heart. It is the Spirit’s job to convict.” However, this is not what we learn by studying what Luke wrote! Notice in the case of the first convictions: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:36-37). Did you notice the words: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart?” The “pricked in their heart” is equal to “conviction of sin” and repressing “shame!” The Holy Spirit was speaking through the apostles and it was to the apostles that their question was addressed: “and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Finally, Peter answers their “conviction” in these words: “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” (verse 38). There is the Holy Spirit’s modus operandi in conviction!

Frank R. Williams

One of the failures of the readers of the Old Testament is not knowing that the word “God,” more often than not, is the Hebrew word “el-o-heem’” which appears over 2,500 times in the Old Testament. This is a plural word which is translated into the singular and is used in the opening statement of the Bible: “In the beginning God (el-o-heem’) created the heaven and the earth.” If this word had been translated into the English, “Godhead,” no harm would have been done to the text and would have in fact made it more clear! For it is not one member of the “Godhead” who created “the heavens and the earth,” but all three members!
John, the apostle, in his opening statement in “The Gospel According to John” wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3). Thus, the “Word,” which was “made flesh” as stated in verse fourteen; which we commonly refer to as the second member of the Godhead, was active in the creation of Genesis one, verse one. Also, in the second verse of Genesis, Moses wrote: “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” There is no doubt that the “Godhead,” known in the New Testament as: 1) the Father, 2) the Son, and 3) the Holy Spirit, were active in creation; but not only in creation. The Godhead was active in most of the activity throughout the Old Testament when the word “God” is used. While in the New Testament, the action is more individual action. This is not to say, that the three of the Godhead did not have different activities, even in creation, but the word used is “el-o-heem” which identifies the three: the Godhead!
As noted in the first article, the word “Godhead” appears three times in the New Testament. A few words about the three different words used by Paul, as he is the one who used the word, “Godhead.” First, Acts 17:29: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead (theios) is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” This Greek word was used in two ways; first among the Greeks: “a general name of deities or divinities as used by the Greeks; and second, as Paul used it: “spoken of the only and true God, trinity.” The Greeks, those in Athens to whom Paul was speaking, made their “theios” out of gold, silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device, but Paul was teaching that THE Godhead was no such! For he had just said: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (verse 28). Did any of their gods give them life and being? No! But the “Godhead” of which Paul spoke did!
The second Greek word used in Paul is letter to the church at Rome, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead (theiotēs) ; so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). Here the apostle is writing about the eternal power and Godhead; and the word is nowhere else used in the New Testament. The word he used means: “divinity, divine nature.” It is the divine nature, or essence of all that is God and it is revealed “by the things that are made,” which are seen; and get this, it is important here to notice Paul’s next words: “so that they are without excuse!” The things that shout out to all that will hear, God exists!
The third Greek word is used by Paul in his letter to the Colossians: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead (theotēs) bodily (Col 2:9). The Greek used here means: “Deity 1a) the state of being God.” It might help, to say Christ “the infinite attributes essential to such a nature” (Adam Clarke). This word also appears nowhere else in the New Testament!
So, what do we learn from this? We learn that each of the three, better known in the New Testament, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are all that is God; and when viewed as one, they are the “Godhead.” This prepares us for a more fuller study of our subject: “THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!”

Frank R. Williams

The Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead which throughout the Old Testament is known as the One God! However, the word “Godhead” is never used in the Old Testament to identify this One God! God is known as One God, even though a plural word is used throughout the Old Testament. In fact, the first sentence in the Bible uses a plural Hebrew word, which is translated into English using the singular form. Moses wrote: “In the beginning God (el-o-heem’) created the heavens and the earth.” The Hebrew word translated “God” appears more than 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible. Therefore, more than likely, when you read the word “God” in the Old Testament, it is the Hebrew word “eloheem!” You can see the plural nature of the word as Moses wrote: “And God (eloheem) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: …” Notice the plural pronouns used with the word “God,” (el-o-heem’) “us” and “our” in the text! Thus, we have the Godhead, without the use of the word itself!
Therefore, throughout the Old Testament it is the “eloheem,” the “Godhead” that is being addressed! It is most important to understand that the relationship of Father and Son, common in New Testament, is not present in the Old Testament and this is a most important point to keep in mind! This relationship is a New Testament relationship and not an Old Testament one! However, it is prophesied of in Psalms: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psa. 110:1). Jesus quoted this verse in Matthew 22:44. Jesus was David’s LORD (Jehovah) as Deity and David’s “Lord,” and son as fleshly descendant; therefore, Jesus while on earth was both flesh and Deity and the Father and Son relationship is also established in the fulfillment of this great prophecy! In the Old Testament, the word “eloheem” refers to the “Godhead” and is the force in most of the action! It is not the action of one member of the “Godhead,” but the “Godhead” itself that is being written about throughout the Old Testament! This means the Holy Spirit is active in the action of the Old Testament!
To help our understanding of the Godhead and the Hebrew words used, let us turn to Moses giving the Law to Israel in Exodus twenty: “And God (el-o-heem’) spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD (yeh-ho-vaw’, better known as “Jehovah”) thy God (el-o-heem’), which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Ex. 20:1-2). First, notice Moses, by the Holy Spirit, used two Hebrew words: 1) “eloheem” translated “God,” which is a plural term and is the same word used in Genesis chapter one, verse one. Second, notice the word “LORD” is in all capital letters in the King James Version and is the Hebrew “yehhovaw,” but in the American Standard Version is “Jehovah.” The Hebrew word “eloheem” is, as noted above, the word most often used by Moses in the Old Testament in the first five books, then, by other writers throughout the other books also. This Hebrew word, “eloheem,” a plural translated into a singular, might be better understood, had it been translated into our English word “Godhead” as it includes the three that are better understood in the New Testament relationship: 1) Father, 2) Son, and 3) Holy Spirit. The first statement in the Bible could read: “In the beginning the Godhead created the heavens and the earth” and verse twenty-six would read: “And the Godhead said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:…” Finally just here, as Moses gave the Law, it would read: “And Godhead spake all these words, saying.” The action of the Old Testament is that of the Godhead, and it is not just one member acting alone! Therefore, the Holy Spirit is included in this action!
The word Godhead appears but three times in the King James Version of the Bible and is in the New Testament: 1) Paul used the word in Athens when he said: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead (theios) is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device” (Acts 17:29); 2) when he wrote to the Romans: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead (theiotēs); so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20); and 3) in his letter to the Colossians: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead (theotēs) bodily” (Col. 2:9). It must be noted that Paul used three different Greek words in the three verses: 1) theios, 2) theiotes, and 3) theotes. These three words are related and this relationship will be noted in the second article.
If one is to understand the Holy Spirit, it is necessary to have some knowledge of the Godhead. It is hoped that this first article has built a foundation upon which to build a better understand of the subject: “THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.”

Frank R. Williams

It should be one of the easiest things to do, to just be thankful; for the abundance this nation has, but it appears that not all are so grateful. We have so much national health, that our poverty is above the national level of many nation’s average income! People are leaving their home counties, traveling many miles through dangerous lands, all to cross our borders and live in the United States of America! If we do not think we have a land of abundance, these folks sure do!
We may or may not like the people who are elected to the highest offices of our nation, but at least we get to vote; while much of the world’s people have little to say about who dictates to them in matters of everyday life! We are about to witness a change in national leadership and the power of the President will be handed over without a shot being fired (at least we trust this is the case); for we live in a country founded by the wisdom of our “fathers” who established a federal republic. For those who may not understand just what a “federal republic” is, the following is given: “a country that is governed by elected representatives and by an elected leader;” then, “there is a division of powers between the federal government and the government of the individual subdivisions. While each federal republic manages this division of powers differently, common matters relating to security and defense, and monetary policy are usually handled at the federal level, while matters such as infrastructure maintenance and education policy are usually handled at the regional or local level.” We should be thankful for the wisdom of our “founding fathers!”
However, for those who will take the time to read this article, we are more concerned about spiritual matters! If we are a member of the Lord’s church, which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28), then, we are members of the greatest, most precious institution on the face of the earth, bar none! Read as Paul describes her: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her; That he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, That he might present her to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:25 – 32). Is there a greater love, than that which Christ has for the church which wears his name and purchased with his blood? We should be, no, we must be thankful that we have been allowed to be part of this body so loved by Christ!
Then, give some thought to these grand truths! As a child of the Heavenly Father, we can go to him at any time; when our heart is broken and our eyes are filled with tears, because of events that are beyond our control; when we realize that we have yielded to sin and we need forgiveness from him seated on the throne and we remember: “for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16). Here the spirit finds peace; the peace of which Paul wrote: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). Here is a peace that stands in the face of war, natural disasters, manmade tragedies, and personal sins; for God has the answer, as Jesus said to the troubled disciples: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3)
So, what about Thanksgiving? To the child of God, every day is a day of thanksgiving; for so many reasons! Yet, it is good that our national leaders saw fit to set aside one day of the year and call it Thanksgiving Day! The following are the words of President Abraham Lincoln, October 3, 1863, in his Proclamation “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

Frank R. Williams

The days of the week are numbered, but many people fail to understand that Sunday is “the first day of the week.” The reason for this is easy to understand. Our thinking is centered around the work week and Monday is the first day of the week for most people; therefore, it is easy to think of it as the first day of the week. However, for the spiritually minded “the first day of the week” has an entirely different meaning. It is the start of the new week!
This is the day Jesus was resurrected; as Mark wrote: “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, …” (Mark 16:9). It is the day of victory; victory over the grave, victory over death, and it is the evidence of victory over sin, for Paul wrote: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (I Cor. 15:17). “The first day of the week” is the day Christians assembled to worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24); under the oversight of the apostles of Christ: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, …” (Acts 20:7). It appears that John, the apostle, called “the days of the week” “the Lord’s day” in “The Apokalupsis of Jesus Christ,” (Rev. 1:1) for he wrote: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, …” (verse 9). Though some may desire to debate what day John has reference too, what other day is more identified with Jesus than “the first day of the week?” It is the day those who have been purchased by “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19) come together in local assemblies to worship the heavenly Father through Christ! Yes, “the first day of the week” is the Lord’s day!
It may seem unusual to some, but for others it is not unusual at all, for they have assembled with the saints on “the first day of the week” so long and so many times, it has become a natural part of life. It does not even require any thinking, for just as surely as Sunday follows Saturday, these saints have prepared and gone to worship on “the first day of the week” it is a natural part of life! Long ago, as they grew out of childhood these saints left behind such words, “do I have to go;” and it has become a blessed honor, a natural act of life to worship the One True God on “the first day of the week!” To these adult saints, the words have changed from, “do I have to go,” to “do I have to miss?”
You see, worshiping the Heavenly Father on “the first day of the week” has become the first important act of the new week: “the first of the week!” The whole week is out of order, Monday is not Monday; the event of the week is missing and cannot be made up, and it cannot be replaced! The words of the Psalms “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psa. 122:1). If we put these words into New Testament language, it might read like this: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go to the assembly on the first day of the week and worship God!” These words express the heart and spirit of the saint, who is preparing himself for a new week! Life is missing a life-giving spirit when for some reason, not an excuse, for missing the assembly of worship; but a reason which requires that he miss “the first day of the week” assembly of worship; the time when the spirit is refreshed and he is ready to face the world for another week!
It sounds strange to most of the world and some members of the Lord’s church, to write about how negatively it affects one’s life to be forced to miss “the first day of the week” assembly of worship. When this day has been the beginning of a new week for nearly fifty years; when one has enjoyed seeing the faces of brothers and sisters in Christ, rain or shine; when one has added his voice (though some question the quality) to fellow saints in singing praises in spiritual songs and adding his amen to the prayers spoken to the Heavenly Father through Christ; yes, it is not easy to get used to missing!
Some of the more common words are: “What day is this?” Is this Monday or Tuesday?” You see, “the first day of the week” is just that, “the first day of the week” and to the Christian other days follow it in a natural order. But miss “the first day of the week” worship assembly and the whole week is out of order and so is a lot of other things!

Frank R. Williams

The title is a relative question as it has within it the word “too” which is defined by the young to mean one age and the older folks to mean another age. Some years ago, when teaching a Bible class, I pointed out just how old “old” is keeps changing. When I was fifteen, forty years old was “old;” but when I got to be forty, it was no longer old. So, I stated that I was not sure just how old one had to be to be old! A little “old” lady in the class quickly replied: “76, I am 76 and I am old!” I was just old enough and wise enough not to object! By her standard, I am now an “old man!” But the point is, “too old” is a movable age and it depends a lot on your own age. Should I live to be hundred and five years old, which has been my goal for many years, seventy-six will not be so “old!”
The title of this article, “Do you ever grow too old,” is a reference to a time in your life when you have gone beyond the point of something! In other words, you reach an age when something is not going to happen to you; therefore, you are not in need of another something. Yes, these are vague but deliberately so. The reason is to give you time to think before we get to the real subject, but we have now arrived at the point for the real subject.
The real subject of this article, “Do you ever grow too old,” to be tempted, and sin; therefore, in need of forgiveness? First, tempted does not imply that one has sinned; for Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Therefore, being “tempted” does not imply sin! The word “tempted” (the Greek – peirazō) means: “2b, in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments 2c) to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin 2c1) to solicit to sin, to tempt.” This larger definition is given so the reader may get a fuller view of the subject. It should be easy to see, that every effort is being made to produce sin by means of temptation! Temptation does not mean sin, but it is the effort to produce sin! And no, we never “grow too old” to be tempted!
Second, seeing that we never “grow too old” to be tempted, it should be easy enough to see that we never “grow too old” to sin! By the malicious, crafty enticement of the nature of sin, sometimes we yield to it even though we have grown “old!” It may be true, that the nature of the malicious, crafty enticement has changed as we get older, but it does not stop. Therefore, it may not be the same group of temptations that are set before the “older” folks, but another group of temptations. Nevertheless, the end result of all temptation is the same; therefore, let us no matter our age remember Peter’s words: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Us “older” folks are just as required as the young people, to “be sober, be vigilant” as our “adversary” (antidikos = opponent, enemy) never gives up and he has many agents! We must be fully aware of Satan and his agents: “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. 11:14-15). No, we “never grow too old’ to be tempted, nor to sin!
This naturally brings us to a third point, if: 1) we “never grow too old” to be tempted; 2) we “never grow too old” to commit sin; then, 3) we “never grow too old” to be in need of forgiveness! Give thought to these words, now that you are “older:” “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain” (James 4:13); as “older” folks these are not our thought as they belong more to the young. However, James continued with: “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” (verse 14); wherefore, we should understand that we are in the “vanisheth away” stage of life! This Greek words (aphanizō) means: “to snatch out of sight, to put out of view, to make unseen.” Do these words describe the “older” age or what? We become less and less seen, less viewed, and so we are finally unseen!
However, we “never grow too old,” in fact, we are at the prime time in life to heed the words of James as he concludes his thought: “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (verse 15). Our time is growing nearer, temptations will come, sins will be committed, but thanks be to God: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)!

Frank R. Williams

You know, as you read the title under which this article is written, you may be thinking, “We do have but one life to live!” The thought is, so many folks live as though they believe that they have many lives to live! In other words, if we do not get it right this time, if there is such a thing as right, we will get it right the second or third time; “So eat drink and be merry!”
Of course, the truth is we have but one life to live! It is not that we don’t have opportunities, however. For the most part we all have days, weeks, months, and years, and these all give us the opportunities to improve and correct mistakes we make. However, James did write to those who so thought otherwise: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain” (James 4:13). James then wrote these sobering words: “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” (verse 14). Clearly, we have no promise of tomorrow; therefore, James would have us know: “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (verse 15). The fact is, we do not know what tomorrow holds, or if there is going to be a tomorrow for us! This puts a new light on, “If I only had one life to live!”
More than likely you have read or heard, “eat, drink, and be merry.” We may not know who said them nor where we may have read them; but most have heard them. Generally the word that gets all the attention is the word “drink” and it is read as though it refers to alcohol. However, the Greek word used here is “pinō,” not “methuskō.” The difference in these two words may be seen in the following: “And be not drunk (methuskō) with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). This word means: “1) to intoxicate, make drunk 2) to get drunk, become intoxicated.” On the other hand, the word “pino” means “to drink” and has nothing to do with alcohol. Give thought to the following: “For John came neither eating nor drinking (pino), and they say, He hath a devil” (Matt. 11:18); this was said of John, the one who baptized. Now, consider the following, and the same Greek word is used: “The Son of man came eating and drinking (pino), and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children” (Matt: 11:19). What was the difference between John and Jesus? John did not socialize and his “meat was locusts and wild honey” (Matt. 3:4); while Jesus was in and out among the people and he did socialize even with “publicans and sinners” as the Jews regarded them! Yet, the text does not mean that either was drinking alcohol. Therefore, the words “eating and drinking” refer to life in general!
Now, let us take up these words: “And he saith unto them, Ye (the apostles, frw) shall drink (pino) indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father” (Matt. 20:23). Here the word “drink” is used figuratively and is related to the figurative “cup.” Jesus is pointing to his death and yes some of them would “drink indeed of” that cup. James is the first that comes to mind, as Herod had him put to death, and is recorded in Acts 12. Tradition of men has all the apostles, other than John, being put to death. Therefore, the word “drink” (pino) is used to refer to death!
For the most part the words “eating and drinking” just refer to everyday life! This is the context of Jesus’ words as he addresses his second coming: “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking (pino), marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark” (Matt. 24:38. Jesus is not speaking of the moral state of the time, as so many think. He is just saying that at his second coming people will be doing what people generally do, “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage!” So, what are people doing today? It is understood that some generations are more immoral than others, certainly this was true of those in the time of Noah. It is generally regarded that the 1920’s were highly immoral and known as the “roaring twenties!” We think of our time as a very immoral time; we generally start this time with the 1960’s.
So, this brings us back to our question, “If you only had one life to live?” Of course, we all know that we do have “only one life to live!” Question, what would you do different? Would you do anything different? Or, would your life be summed up in these words: “they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage?” Or, would we live more closely to this: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4)?
One thing for sure, we must be aware of this truth: “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Pro. 2:1). Keep in mind, you have but one life to live! So, how are you living it?

Frank R. Williams

Over the last year we have heard and read more than desired about the election that is only days away as you read this article. So, at the beginning let it be known this article is not about any party candidate. This article is about the Christian and our relationship to those in authority in this world: government! Unlike the world of Jesus’ day, and unlike a number of nations today, in America we have freedoms which they did and do not have. Those who left other nations to come to this land, did so for the most part, to be free! There were a number of freedoms they had in mind but one stood out above others and it was religious freedom! They desired to be free to worship and live according to what they believed the Bible taught! That they were wrong in what they believed the Bible taught in some areas, does not change their desire; it does not change the foundation upon which they determined to build a new nation!
It is good to remember Paul’s words to the Christians about the government of his day, the Roman Caesars! Here are his inspired words: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:1-4). If we understand only a little about the cruelty and wickedness of this “government,” we will see the hardship the Holy Spirit has put upon the Christian when he commanded them to “be subject unto” it! That government fails its responsibilities does not change the responsibilities given to it by God, nor does it change the responsibilities of the Christian to it! For even in the “name” of Christianity have those in authority been just as evil! However, this evil did not change the relationship, nor did it change the responsibility of the Christian to the government!
With these few thoughts in mind let us here recall Paul’s words to Timothy about the Christian and government: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). In the first set of verses (Rom. 13:1-5), we learned that the Christian is to be subject to the government and in this second set of verses we learn that Christians are to pray for those in authority. Now get this, the reason for the prayers are, as we put the two passages together; we are able to learn, on the one hand, it is the responsibility of government to protect its citizens and the citizens, which includes Christians who are to be subject to (obey its law, while keeping in mind Acts 5:29) it; then, on the other hand, in the second passage we have learned that Christians are to pray for those in authority: “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty!” Therefore, we are to do and to pray!
In the middle of this, the doing and the praying, we are also able to learn from the actions of the apostle Paul, that we can appeal to government; yes, even an evil and wicked government. The case is well known how false charges were made against Paul, a number of “trials” were gone through, and no justice was found for Paul; therefore, Luke informs us that Paul appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Yes, even to this most evil and wicked government Paul appealed for justice! He desired, he prayed, for that he might live “a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty;” therefore, he used government to this end!
In this world, let it be understood, we will always have an “evil and wicked” government to one degree or another! Christians are always going to be in the minority; therefore, we must pray and as we pray we must work in harmony with our prayers, which requires that we do the best we can with each opportunity we have!

Frank R. Williams

To those who understand, there is no name sweeter than that of Jesus! John Henry Newton (July 24, 1725 – December 21, 1807) in 1774 (or 1779) wrote the words to a beautiful song entitled: “How sweet the name of Jesus Sounds.” Some of the words are:
“How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds, In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear, … It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast; ’Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary rest,… Dear Name! the Rock on which we build; Our shield and hiding-place; Our never-failing treasury, filled, With boundless stores of grace, … Jesus, our Savior, Shepherd, Friend, Our Prophet, Priest, and King; Our Lord, our Life, our Way, our End, Accept the praise we bring,… Weak is the effort of our heart, And cold our warmest thought; But when we see Thee as Thou art, We’ll praise Thee as we ought, … Till then we would Thy love proclaim, With every fleeting breath; And triumph in that blessed Name, Which quells the pow’r of death,..”
No wonder the name Jesus is the “Sweetest name on mortal tongue!” We are thinking positive, of course, from the Christian point of view! It might be of interest that John Newton also wrote the words to the song: “Faith’s Review and Expectation.” Of course, you have never heard of the song, but wait a moment; you have not only heard of it, it is one of the best known and most favorite songs the world over! It is just not known by the original title, but it is known as “Amazing Grace!” It was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year’s Day of 1773. However, it debuted in print in 1779. These songs have appeared in at least 1,377 hymnals!
Nearly a thousand years before the birth of Jesus, David wrote by means of the Holy Spirit: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psa. 110:1). These words express total victory to the one David calls his “Lord,” the one who was said to “sit thou at my (Jehovah’s, frw) right hand,” while of speaking “Jehovah’s “right hand!” The age old question, “How could Jesus be both David’s Lord and son?” In Deity he is David’s Lord and in the flesh he is David’s son; therefore, when it was time, “in the fullness of the time” (Gal. 4:4), at the birth of Jesus, “The sweetest name on mortal tongue,” it was said of Mary: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1;23). In this announcement the answer is given why the name is so sweet. The name Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation.” He came to save that which was lost!
This brings us the question, just who is lost? We shall allow Paul to answer the question; first, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23); and second, “For the wages of sin is death; …” (Rom. 6:23). Death equals being lost, separated from God! This requires that we cover a third point; just what is sin? John will answer here: “All unrighteousness is sin:..” (1 John 5:17). This means by implication, that doing “righteousness” is not sin! But, what is righteousness? Let us hear the words of the Psalms: “My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness” (Psa. 119:172). The commandments of God are righteousness! If one is to be righteous, he must keep the commandments of God! With these truths in mind, let it be noted just here, that Paul turns to “the sweetest name on mortal tongue:” “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Once more we have come to why the name Jesus is so sweet, “eternal life” is “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” These words can be written of no other; not in truth, as they can of Jesus of Nazareth; who was both David’s Lord and son! Yes, the words of the song express it so well, “the sweetest name on mortal tongue … It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast; ’Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary rest!”
Yes, eternal “rest” comes only through “the sweetest name on mortal tongue!” “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). Friends, no one did, as no one else could, die for you as Jesus did! What does his death mean to you?

Frank R. Williams