Barnes church of Christ

The Bible bursts with passages verifying the truth: When we follow Jesus, He gives us back a better you. Here are few such passages in only the book of Proverbs.
My son, hear the instruction of your father…for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. (1:8-9.)
Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil. (1:33.)
Receive my words, and treasure my commands within you…for the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. (2:1, 6-8.)
Let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. (3:1-2.)
The Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. (3:26.)
Keep my commands, and live. (4:4.)
For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. (6:23.)
Blessed are those who keep my ways… blessed is the man who listens to me…for whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death. (8:32-36.)

Gary Henson

In the old Testament days, actually up to one-hundred years ago, the existence of God was not questioned. People in general believed in God or in gods, and it was the social outcast who disbelieved. A person may have been disobedient, but he still believed in a deity.
However, the opposite seems to be the case today. With the onslaught of evolution, entire governments reject and forbid worshipping deity. Also, in countries such as our own where there is freedom of belief, (which includes the freedom to believe that there is no God) multitudes reject the notion that there is a God.
This is unfortunate, but even more so is the fact that this is rubbing off on members of the church. Throughout her existence, the church seems to have always absorbed some of the false philosophies, doctrines, and lifestyles of which she lived amongst.
Such is no different today. As afore mentioned, we (the church) exist today within an atmosphere of skepticism of the existence of God. This leads to other doubts. If one disbelieves in God, then one will naturally disbelieve that the Bible is God’s Word. Thus, if they reject the Bible, they will also reject any teachings of the Bible, such as: the Deity of Jesus, the coming judgment, heaven, hell, truth and error, and the Bible as the standard by which to live.
Thus, it can easily be seen that if people live with a lack of conviction of the above truths, then they will live “freely,” worldly and sinfully.
Now, since the church faces a danger of absorbing the philosophies of her surroundings, then the church is in danger of adapting (1) skeptical views toward the Bible and it’s teachings, and (2) adapting some of the sinful ways of life while thinking that such is not wrong at all.
Brethren, we need, we must, avoid this pitfall. And such can be overcome by simply taking inventory of that which we CAN KNOW. If we know something, and we know that we know it, then no outside influence should be able to move us.
First, (where the trouble all started) we can know there is a God and the Bible is from Him. The feat of the fulfillment of the multiplicity of prophecies concerning Jesus simply demands an act of God. Such an accomplishment is beyond the ability of man.
Thus, since God exists, and the Bible is His Word, then whatever the Bible teaches is a truth that we can know. The Bible teaches that we can know: Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 20:30,31), there is a coming judgment (Mt. 25:31-46), there is a heaven (Jn. 14:1-4) and a hell (Rev. 20:12-15), we will be judged according to our loving obedience to God’s laws (Deut. 8:1,2), etc., etc., etc.
All of which the Bible teaches is that which we can know. Let us not be deceived by the great deceiver (2 Cor. 11:3). Rather, let us constantly examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5) to determine whether or not we are absorbing the philosophies and standards of the world.

Gary Henson

In PURSUIT, a Christian is a follower of Christ. “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). Thus, our ultimate and primary ambition of life is to follow Jesus.
In KNOWLEDGE, a Christian is a disciple or learner. “And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). We today, must also learn of the Word.
In CHARACTER, a Christian is a saint. “Paul…unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” (1 Cor. 1:1,2). Those in the church are expected to live a sanctified, a saintly life. This means that a Christian has been set aside from the rest of the world in that we are to be specially used for God. We are to serve Him, live for Him, and do His will.
In RELATIONSHIP of Him whose name we wear, each Christian is a branch in the vine. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: For without me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). As the branch lives off of the vine, we too, must get our spiritual nourishment from Jesus.
In TRANSFORMATION, a Christian is a new creature. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Many miserable and aching lives have been blessed with a new life. Some of which are seen in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
In ILLUMINATION, a Christian is light. “Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). Thus, as Christians, we are a light. One aspect of a light is to show the way to those who are lost. By the way we live, we can show those around us that there is a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Pet. 3:15).
In COMBAT, a Christian is a soldier. “Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3). Jesus gave us a weapon and a full suit of armor of which He said that we need in our battles with Satan (Eph. 6:11-17). Thus, we are expected to fight.
In ALERTNESS, a Christian is a watchman. “But watch thou in all things” (2 Tim. 4:5). We must be watchful for Satan’s encroachment into all facets of our lives. He probably will not advance in the areas in which we are strongest, but will attack where we are weak, and do just as much damage. “Watch therefore” (Matt. 24:42).
Certainly, there are many other ways in which the Bible answers the question: “Who is a Christian?” But truly, a Christian is one who is a follower of Christ, a learner of the Word, a saint, a branch in the vine, a new creature, a light, a soldier and a watchman. Since these are what describe a Christian, let us constantly examine ourselves to see if we fit the description.

Gary Henson

After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, declared to be the Son of God, had the Holy Spirit descend upon Him, and was about to begin His public ministry, “Then was Jesus led up of the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matt. 4:1).
The time was Satan’s. He would give it his “best shot.” He tempted Christ in the three classifications of sin (1 John 2:16) as he had done with Eve (Gen. 3). However, the outcome was different; Jesus fell back on the Scripture and responded with “it is written” and turned neither to the left nor to the right. (A lesson in how we must fight Satan’s temptations.)
But what was meant by Jesus’ response to the second temptation? Of a certainty it was correct; Jesus Himself spoke it, and even Satan understood that he had been answered.
The account and the dialogue went as follows:

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he saith unto him, “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Jesus said unto him. “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.“

Satan was saying: “Prove that you are the Son of God. It is written in Psalms 91:11-12 that God will so protect you that you will not even have to stump and hurt your foot upon a rock. I do not believe that you are Him. Prove to me and all the world that you are this Great One. [Satan was tempting Jesus’ pride of life.] If you jump off of the pinnacle, the angels will catch you as God promised.”
To this, Jesus responded. “Again it is written. Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God” (from Deut. 6:16). How does this reply apply to and answer Satan’s challenge? It is this: True, God would protect Jesus as He said he would; Satan did not misquote nor misapply it. Rather, Satan misunderstood it!
Jesus pointed out that while God gave Him (and us) protection, we are not to daringly test God! We are not to be reckless and without caution! For example: One would be making trial of God if he prayed for a safe journey and then, with a book in his face, drove down the wrong side of the road.
Yes, God makes promises to us, but we cannot be reckless about it, and we cannot daringly test God. This applies both physically and spiritually.

Gary Henson

It is erroneously advanced by some who are pro-instrument that the Greek word for “making melody” in Ephesians 5:19, inherently means to play an instrument. In other words, they say that psallo is defined as, “to touch the chords of a musical instrument.”
Reply. While it is true that many lexicons give psallo such a definition, it is NOT the case that this is the only definition given, NOR is it the case that this was the definition of this word during the time of the writing of the New Testament! Words change meanings throughout the years. One needs only to look at some of our English words to see that such is the case. For example, in the past “prevent” had meant, “to go before; to precede;” however, that word now means “to hinder.” For one to argue that we can use mechanical instruments because that is what psallo meant numerous years before the New Testament was written, is like a man arguing that he does not have to pay taxes because Americans did not have to pay taxes in 1780.
Psallo has carried five different meanings at five different times. One of those meanings is “to touch the chords of the human heart.” One only needs to look at Ephesians 5:19 to see which definition was in use during the time of the writing of the New Testament. God knew what the word for a stringed instrument was (Rev. 5:8) and would have used it if “touching the chords of a musical instrument” was what He meant.
Furthermore, notice the difficulty involved in that position if psallo means to play an instrument. Ephesians 5:19 is a command, not an option; and, it is a command to each and every individual. Thus, if psallo means to play an instrument, then each and every individual is commanded to play an instrument while they sing!
It should be observed if psallo means (and thus demands) the use of mechanical instruments when singing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” then (1) Paul and Silas sinned when they only sung (humneo, not psallo) a hymn without the instrument (Acts 16:25), and (2) the early church never obeyed the teaching for they never sung to the accompaniment of a mechanical instrument.
Conclusion. Those who appeal to the “Psallo Argument” appeal to evidence which is not there. In the first century, psallo meant to sing with your heart. Consider the parallel verse of Colossians 3:16 (which does not use psallo) which puts it this way: “singing with grace in your hearts to God.”
Brethren, no matter who may utilize the instrument, may we never be found offering up “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1,2), but do only what God has authorized (Col. 3:16).
Gary Henson

God has given unto us the words of life—words that give us peace and happiness and a state of blessedness, and heaven in the hereafter. As a thirsty man desires water, so a lover of God yearns for His words. God, for our own good, wants His people to be a Bible reading people: “Give attendance to reading” (I Tim. 4:13; see also: Col. 4:16; I Thes. 5:27). Below is an estimation of the time required to read each book of the New Testament. It would be good to schedule a daily time to read. Yet, if “too busy,” then the next time you “find time on your hands,” pick a book to fill the gap—it could be no more wisely spent.

Matthew  –  1hr., 23 min
Mark  –   46 min.
Luke  –   1hr., 25 min.
John  –   1 hr.
Acts  –   1 hr., 20 min.
Romans  –   35 min.
I Corinthians  –   28 min.
II Corinthians  –   23 min.
Galatians  –   13 min.
Ephesians  –   13 min.
Philippians  –   8 min.
Colossians  –   8 min.
I Thessalonians  –   7 min.
II Thessalonians  –   4 min.

I Timothy  –   10 min.
II Timothy  –   7 min.
Titus  –   3 min.
Philemon  –   1 min.
Hebrews  –   26 min.
James  –   8 min.
I Peter  –   10 min.
II Peter  –   7 min.
I John  –   8 min.
II John  –   1 min.
III John  –   1 min.
Jude  –   2 min.
Revelation  –   41 min.

Gary Henson

Gambling is “the act of risking what is yours in order to get what belongs to another with nothing given in return.” Two men betting $10 on the outcome of a flipped coin illustrates what is meant by the word “gambling”–as does poker, slot-machines, horse-racing, lottery and hundreds of other activities (yes, even pitching pennies).
Gambling is not the Stock Market. In this, one purchases something of value. All buyers, as well as the company, stands to profit. This is economics—not gambling. Gambling is not farming. The farmer does not expect something for nothing. He does not profit at another’s expense. His success benefits everyone and harms no one. This is enterprise—not gambling. Life is not a gamble. The crossing of streets and the driving of cars are not “flips of the coin”—there is control and such is in the effort of work (driving to work/market). The Stock Market, farming, life and other such activities are often appealed to in attempt to “muddy the water,” confuse the unsuspecting and to soothe the conscience of those who want to justify gambling. But all such activities are not gambling—the act of risking what is yours in order to get what belongs to another with nothing given in return.
Others make the incredulous objection by stating: since the word “gamble” in not found in the Bible, then the Bible has nothing to say about it, and thus, gambling in not condemned. Those who make this objection are not aware of even the most simple and foremost principles of Biblical interpretation. Question for the objector: Since his name is not found in the Bible, does that mean that the Bible has nothing to say to him how he may be saved, and thus, he has no means of being saved?! This objection fails to understand that the Bible not only teaches by explicit statements (i.e., a word or sentence in the Bible), but the Bible also teaches by implicit statements (i.e., “whosoever” of John 3:16, “he” of Mark 16:16, etc. applies to everyone). What the Bible teaches implicitly about gambling is abundant and clear.
GAMBLING VIOLATES THE “GOLDEN RULE.” “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12). “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” But, in gambling you are doing something unto another that you do NOT want them to do unto you! Such is a direct contradiction to God’s over all rule of conduct for the Christian (as well as any human being). The gambler’s motto is: “I hope I can do it unto you before you do it unto me.” The gambler’s motto and the Golden Rule are directly opposed. One is of God; the other is of Satan. No Christian can gamble and obey the Golden Rule! The Bible is clear: gambling is sinful!
GAMBLING VIOLATES THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT (in relation to fellow man). “And the second (greatest commandment, v:38) is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). In the Greatest Commandment (to fellow man) there are TWO loves: (1) yourself and (2) others. But, in gambling there is ONE love—yourself. The Greatest Commandment says “Love others as you love yourself,” but the gamble’s motto says “Love yourself—period.” These two are incompatible. One is of God; the other is of Satan. No human being can gamble and obey the Greatest Commandment! The Bible is abundantly clear: gambling is sinful!
GAMBLING VIOLATES ROMANS 13:10. “Love works no ill to his neighbor” means you do not do anything harmful to others; you do not do anything that is not in their best interest. But, the whole superstructure of gambling is working ill to others—you win at their expense; your good to their ill. No human being can gamble without transgressing Romans 13:10.
There is no question about it—gambling is an act of sin. And sin is that which separates you from God (Isa. 59:1,2) and condemns at Judgment Day.

Gary Henson

Today, man is confused as to what authority he should base his religious views. He asks, “Does the authority lie with the church?…the Pope?…councils of men?…conscience?…tradition? Jesus taught that everything men do in religion, they do either by the authority of God or by the authority of men (Matthew 21:23-25).
Since the Bible is the only written revelation which God gives of Himself, and is that from which all Christianity (in the broad sense of the word) springs (no matter what authority is claimed), one needs to go back to the Bible to see what IT says as to what we must base our authority.
THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST. God, in times past spoke through fathers and prophets, but now speaks through Christ (Heb. 1:1,2). Today, we are not to follow the fathers and the prophets, but Christ (Mk. 9:2-8). The Father gave Jesus ALL authority upon heaven and earth (Mt. 28:18).
THE AUTHORITY OF THE APOSTLES. Before Jesus left, He promised the Apostles that He would send the Holy Spirit who would guide them into all truth (Jn. 14:26). Such was fulfilled on the first Pentecost after the crucifixion (Acts 2). The Apostles (and later the prophets, Eph. 3:5) would not speak from their own thoughts or will, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 2:6-13; Mt. 10:19,20).
THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE. Although Jesus wrote no letters, the Apostles wrote several. These writings are as equally inspired as were their own oral words (I Cor. 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:16). The Gospel is declared to have the authority to save our souls (Jas. 1:21; Rom. 1:16; Lk. 8:5,12). If any man goes beyond this written authority, he acts upon authority other than that of God (Rev. 22:18,19; Deut. 4:2).
What is our authority in religion? It is the Bible. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by inspired men, who were given authority by Christ, who has all authority.
Although there are various authorities claimed, there is only one true authority. We must adhere to it, for by it we shall be judged (Jn. 12:48; Rom. 2:16).Gary Henson