Barnes church of Christ

The word “fail” means to let down or to be unsuccessful in accomplishments. A student may fail a class; a dog may fail to heed its master; a hunter may fail to get a deer. Jesus Himself was failed by others. Consider two and the lessons they present.
HEROD failed Jesus. Herod sought the life of the infant. He failed Him because he thought Jesus was a threat to his own interests. Today, there are many who attempt to kill Jesus by attempting to kill the church—not literally, but intellectually or academically. Atheistic philosophers, evolutionistic scientists, movie script writers and lawmakers have moved a nation away from God and against the church. Why? God, and that which pertains to God is against their interests. The light is painful to the dark (John 3:19-21).
However, Christians can likewise regard Jesus as a threat to their own self interests. So, they spend money they ought to be giving; be elsewhere when there is an assembly; think upon things below instead of things above (Col. 3:1-3).
Yes, Herod failed Jesus because He was a threat to his own interests—and so have many others.
His OWN PEOPLE failed Him. In John 1:11 it is said, “He came unto his own and his own received him not.” They received Him not, and thus failed Him, because they thought He was too common place (Mat. 13:54-58). Today, many people fail Jesus because the life He asks of us is too low-keyed, humble and simple. Thus, they go for the ear tickling promoters of present day miracles, Armageddon and sensationalism.
Yet, Christians can likewise fail Jesus by viewing Him as common place. There are those who view the church which Jesus established as just another man-made denomination. Others view it as just another organization among the many in which they participate: Garden Club, athletic organizations, bowling league, etc. The church is just on a list of things “to do”. However, the church is not common place (Acts 20:28; Mat. 16:18; Eph. 5:23).
Yes, Jesus’ own people failed Him because they thought He was too common place—and so have many others.
Brethren, may we not be among those who fail Jesus today. Rather, let us exalt Him as Lord God and Savior in our minds and souls.
Gary Henson

Attention has been called to the fact that numerous Christians, as well as entire congregations are falling away from the faith. Such is a result of the work of false teachers (2 Thes. 2:1-12). Currently, and for the past several years, there have been false teachers who have graduated beyond the initial stage of advancing false doctrines (by teaching secretly in homes and small classes) to the stage of bold openness.
Concerning false teachers, God tells us to mark and avoid them (Rom 16:17). That you may know who some of these men are and what they are teaching, a few quotations are provided here which were made years ago that set the groundwork and reveals the reason for the erroneous beliefs of many today.

“Under grace, you can only be justified by faith. Our salvation arises entirely and only from grace…not by one act of duty, not by one deed of obedience, not by one righteous thing we do. It is entirely of grace through faith.” –Rubel Shelly, “A Christian Antinomy” at the 1991 Jubilee, “Room at the Cross.”
“We do not contribute one whit to our salvation.”—Rubel Shelly, Love Lines (Woodmont Hills bulletin, 10/31/90).
“I’m not sure there is any sense in which the law of Moses is abrogated.”—Rubel Shelly, Ibid.
“I reject pattern theology…I am not looking for a pattern;…Acts and the epistles have been core documents in our restoration project. I think this is a mistake…we do not need to start in Acts and the epistles. If we start in Acts and the epistles, we are copying a copy…We are not trying to reproduce the first century church…eccentricity, a foolish thing to do…the church has never existed…true church–an arrogant claim…the one thing that will cut us off from God is to make that kind of arrogant claim.”—Rubel Shelly, Missouri Street, West Memphis, AR, April 20-21, 1990.
“Let’s not limit the kingdom of God to the size of our brotherhood…this is what I heard…the only people that could go to heaven were in churches of Christ…I’m going to suggest to you not only is that not Biblical, but it is in fact a violation of the very restoration plea to which we are heirs.”—Rick Atchley, sermon entitled “Don’t Bother Your Brother” preached at Richland Hills Church of Christ, Ft. Worth, TX on 10/14/90.
[I am from] “the non-instrumental group of our fellowship…I don’t go around the country preaching against instrumental music…” –Jeff Walling, speech at Ozark Christian College (a Christian Church school) at Joplin, MO, 1987.
“I really hesitate to do this on tape. Turn the tape off. I have preached and believed, I believe deeply that the New Testament teaches that salvation is a free gift of God, period. You are saved by grace alone.” –Randy Mayeux, sermon “The Church of the 90’s Will Celebrate Genuine Diversity” delivered at Lubbock Civic Center, Oct. 16-19, 1990, Jubilee speaker 1991.
“I pray that God will bless the preaching of Billy Graham behind the Iron Curtain. I pray that unashamedly…” –Randy Mayeux, Lubbock sermon, 10/90.

Accepting mechanical instruments of music, the church of Christ is not the true church, God accepts all people who only believe, fellowshipping those in denominations, helping denominations grow, praying for the success of false teachers behind the Iron Curtain, rejecting the Bible as a pattern to follow—such are devilish false teachings!!! And the writings and speeches of such teachers are to be avoided!!
Gary Henson

Discussions about salvation between members of the church of Christ and those of denominations eventually (if not initially) focus upon the subject of baptism. Since virtually all in denominationalism object to the statement: “Baptism is essential for salvation,” they will usually have some objection to offer. One such objection is this: “Since Jesus was baptized to fulfill righteousness, and since Jesus did not have sin, then He was not baptized to have His sins forgiven. Thus, since we are to follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21), then we are not baptized to have our sins forgiven.”
However, reasoning like that would also make the following to be true: (1) Since Jesus had no sin, and since Jesus confessed that He was the Son of God, then He did not have to confess faith in Jesus as the Son of God to be saved—and neither do we! (2) Since Jesus had no sin, and since Jesus never repented in order to have His sins forgiven, then He did not have to repent in order to be saved—and neither do we!! (3) Since Jesus had no sin, and since Jesus believed that He was the Son of God, then He did not have to believe in order to have His sins forgiven—and neither do we!!!
The truth of the matter is, Jesus is different in regard to sin. He NEVER had any sin; He NEVER had to be saved. We cannot follow His example in salvation because there is no example of Him being saved—He was never lost!
How, then, are the lost saved? By belief (Mark 16:16), AND repentance (Acts 2:38), AND confession (Rom. 10:9-10), AND baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
Gary Henson

The letter entitled, Hebrews, was written to Christians who had been converted from the Jewish religion. These Christians were beginning to cast their eyes back toward Judaism, and away from Christianity. After all, heavenly angels had a hand in revealing Judaism; the incomparable Moses was its mediator; legendary Joshua conquered their land of rest; and honorable Aaron initiated the high priesthood. Yes, Judaism was certainly tempting—especially since it had long been their way of life. To them, Christianity was new, uncomfortable, unglamorous.
However, their problem was: they had either never heard, or had never understood, or had forgotten what the letter of Hebrews was about to tell them. True, angels helped in revealing Judaism (2:2), but they were only servants whereas Jesus was the Son of God (1:5-14). Thus, as a revealer of religion, Christ is superior (1:4). So why go back?! (2:1) . Yes, Moses was the great mediator of Judaism, but he too was only a servant in the house of Jesus (3:5-6). Thus, as a mediator, Jesus is superior (3:3). So why go back?! (3:12). Yes, Joshua conquered and delivered unto them their promised land of rest, but even Joshua spoke of a greater rest (4:8) that came by Jesus (4:3). Thus, as a provider of rest, Jesus is superior. So why go back?! (4:11). Yes, Aaron and his descendants served as high priests, but Jesus is the high priest with a better priestly order (7:1-28), a more excellent ministry (8:1-13), a greater and perfect tabernacle (9:1- 28), and a much better sacrifice (10:1-18). Thus, as a high priest, Jesus is superior. So why go back?! (4:14). Yes, why go back to that which was vastly inferior?!!
It is easy for us, is it not, to shake our heads in bewilderment at these Christians for leaving the inexhaustible riches and blessings of Christ for the death-inducing, unforgiving, miserable way of their former life. Yet. Does God shake His head in bewilderment when we miss the point and become those “Hebrew-like Christians” of today? Do we, in like manner, cast our eyes back to a former way of life: the world? denominationalism? philosophies? Have we never heard, or have we never understood, or have we forgotten that Jesus and the life that He offers now on earth as well as in eternity is far, far superior than that which we previously had? So why? Why ever go back?!
Brethren, “let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (10:23,39).
Gary Henson

We are told: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). This means that every single benefit to one’s soul is obtained and realized by being in Christ. What, then, are these spiritual blessings?

Those who are in Christ are REDEEMED. The Bible teaches that it is Jesus “In whom we have redemption” (Eph. 1:7). “Redemption” means “a releasing for (i.e., on payment of) a ransom” (Vine’s, vol. 3, p. 264). Thus, the one who is in Christ has been released from sin and the clutches of Satan because Jesus paid the ransom price with the crucifixion.

Those who are in Christ have become a NEW CREATURE. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17). To be a “new creature” is to be a new person (Eph. 4:25) and to have a new life (Rom. 6:4)–no matter how evil a life one had been living.

Those who are in Christ have no CONDEMNATION. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). To be condemned is to be disapproved of God. It is to have His judgment pronounced against us. But, at Judgment Day, to those who are in Christ, there will be no condemnation.

Those who are in Christ have FORGIVENESS OF SINS. Colossians 1:14 reveals, “In whom we have forgiveness through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” “Forgive” literally means to send away. Thus, those who are in Christ have had their sins sent away from the mind of God–there is no sin on their record.

Those who are in Christ have SALVATION. The apostle Paul wanted others to “obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:10). Awaiting each person is either God’s reward in heaven or God’s wrath in hell. Every human being is either saved from God’s wrath, or he is lost. The only way to be saved is to be in Christ.

HOW THEN DOES ONE GET IN CHRIST? Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27 both state that one is “baptized into Jesus Christ.” It is clear then, one gets in Christ by being baptized for the purpose of getting into Him. Thus, if you were told that you were in Christ before you were baptized (such as, at the moment you believed), and then were later baptized for some other reason, then you were never baptized for the purpose of getting into Christ, and these blessings (which all occur in the mind of God, not ours) have never been obtained. We would that all men be in Christ and enjoy these spiritual blessings, but it can be achieved only by the means by which God has decreed.
Gary Henson

Since we are to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) to the extent that we do not teach nor practice error (Rev. 22:18-19), then we must correctly interpret the Bible. While there are many principles involved in proper interpretation, the following will certainly help.
FIRST: Who was the speaker? Was he inspired or not? The statement, “All that a man hath will he give for his life” occurs in the Bible (Job 2:4), but it is an inspired recording of the words of Satan. The statement was a falsehood. So determine who is speaking.
SECOND: Who was addressed? When God gave the Ten Commandments, He was giving them to those whom He brought out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 20:1-2)—not you or me (cf., Rom. 7:1-7). When Jesus promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit, He was speaking only to the apostles (Acts 1:1-5). To fail to consider who was addressed can easily lead to a serious misinterpretation.
THIRD: When was it spoken/written? Many people point to the thief on the cross as proof that one was saved without baptism. However, “Today shall thou be with me in paradise” was spoken before the Old Testament was replaced by the New (Heb. 9:16-17). Furthermore, while Jesus was still on earth, He had the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). So, consider when it was spoken.
FOURTH: Where was it spoken or written? To realize that the statements “I rejoice” and “I have all things” were written by Paul while he was in a Roman prison will make a deeper impression concerning true joy and true needs. So determine where it was spoken.
 
These four principles are small but significant considerations which help us to “rightly divide the word of truth.”
Gary Henson

Our life as a Christian is a plea to the world on behalf of Jesus Christ. We do so by our words (Phil. 2:16; Mark 16:16) and our manner of life (Mat. 5:1; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 3:2-3). What, then, is it we are to plea?
When we plea for Christ to the world, we are pleading for His DEITY. The apostles made this the central fact of their proclamation (Acts 2:36; 5:42; 17:2-3; etc.). We, too, are to plea that Jesus was God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:1,14).
When we plea for Christ to the world, we are pleading for His WORD–THE BIBLE. We are to proclaim that the Bible is inspired by God: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Tim. 3:16). We are to proclaim that the Bible is all-sufficient (we do not need addition, man-made creed books): “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Pet. 1:3).
When we plea for Christ to the world, we plea for His AUTHORITY. We must proclaim that any other religion or any philosophy of life has no authority nor validity, for: “All authority is given unto me, in heaven and on earth” (Mat. 28:18) and “There is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
When we plea for Christ to the world, we plea for His NAME. A follower of Christ is a Christian–that’s all! God said He was going to name us (Isa. 62:2), and the name with which He named us is “Christian” (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). We plea to the world that God did not name us with all the various names which are used today.
When we plea for Christ to the world, we plea for His CHURCH. We plea for unity (singularity) because Jesus “pray[ed] that they all be one” (John 17:20) and division is condemned (1 Cor. 1:10). Such unity can be achieved only by (1) rejecting the divisive creed books, and (2) following precisely what the Bible authorizes (John 8:32; Rev. 22:18-19).
May each Christian, by his words and by his manner of life, plea to the world on behalf of the Deity, the Word, the Authority, the Name and the church of Christ.
Gary Henson

Of a truth, miracles were performed in the first century during the writing of the New Testament, but to claim that miracles are being performed today is to claim that which no longer occurs. God Himself told us there would come a time when miracles would cease–and He also told us when.
First Corinthians 13:8-13 gives us that information. Follow along with your Bible and with the chart as these verses are considered. Love never ends – – it continues on throughout eternity (:8). Miracles were to end (:8). Miracles were referred to as that which was in “part” (:9). Miracles (the partial) were to end when the perfect came (:10). The condition of immaturity (child; see darkly; know in part) will change to the condition of maturity (man; see clearly; know fully) when the perfect comes (:11-12). Faith abides (:13) but will end in sight when one is in heaven (2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:1). Hope abides (:13) but will end when heaven is obtained (Rom. 8:24-25).
From this it is clear that miracles were to end when the perfect came. The crucial question is: What is the perfect? Could it be heaven or Christ when He comes the second time? No, because there is a time span between the arrival of the perfect and the second coming of Christ: the miracles were to cease, but faith and hope were to continue until heaven came; furthermore, Christians could become mature at a time before heaven (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
What, then, is the perfect? The perfect is the finalized and completed revelation of the 27 books of the New Testament. Romans 12:2 identifies it as the “perfect will of God,” and James 1:25 describes it as “the perfect law of liberty.”
Thus, miracles existed at the beginning of the church for the purpose of proving that God was speaking through the men (Mark 16:17-20; John 3:2; 1 Kings 18:36-39), and were to end when the revealing of God’s Will had been completed (the NT) which would enable man to become mature (v:11-12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Miracles? Not today!
Gary Henson