Barnes church of Christ

Many among us believe that the Holy Spirit’s being, his person, dwelled within the apostles and even us today. However, is this true? Is it necessary for the Holy Spirit to personally dwell in one for person to have spiritual power? Is it necessary for the Holy Spirit to personally dwell with the Christian for the Christian to know that he is saved? These are most important questions that need to be answered!
First, let us take the apostles of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Did the Holy Spirit personally dwell within them? Here attention is called to the promise Jesus made to them. It is recorded by Luke in Acts one, verse eight; which reads: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Is Jesus promising the personal Holy Spirit to dwell within the apostles or is he promising something else? It is my firm belief that Jesus is promising something else, which he names within the text. The Holy Spirit was and did come upon the apostles is not a question of debate. But other than the Holy Spirit coming upon the apostles, just what did Jesus promise?
Jesus said they would receive “power” and that from the Holy Spirit coming upon them. Just what was this “power?” This power would be that they would speak by inspiration as they delivered the gospel, that they would confirm the words which they spoke by miracles, and that they would be able to import spiritual gift to others. These three things the apostles did through the action of the book of Acts and which they wrote about in the letters to the churches. We will look more at this in a few moments. But first, all one has to do is reason with the text written.
We have spent so much time in trying to prove that the Holy Spirit personally, bodily, dwelled within the apostles that we have overlooked the facts given in the text. Did Jesus promise that the Holy Spirit would come upon the apostles, yes! But what did this do for the apostles? Read what Luke wrote in Acts: “And they were all filled with the Holy spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). Being “filled with the Holy Spirit” is equal to having “power” to speak with “other tongues” in this case! This was necessary so they could speak to each group present that great Pentecost day. The lost were going to be saved on that day, having heard the gospel, and seeing it confirmed by the “tongues” which the apostles spoke. Was it necessary for the Holy Spirit personally to dwell within the body of the apostles for them to speak the gospel and confirm it with “tongue” speaking? No! Not in any way! This is to demean to Holy Spirit and his power, which he imparted to the apostles just as Jesus said he would (Acts 1:8, 2:4).
Here is a good question: “What was the purpose of the apostles being filled with “power,” if it was not to preach the soul saving gospel to the lost, while confirming it with “signs?” Those on the day of Pentecost needed proof that the apostles were in fact, preaching with “power” of the Holy Spirit and this required the supernatural. In this case, it was their speaking with “tongues!” One might ask, if present on that day, how do we know that you (the apostles) are speaking the word of God? It was not the “tongue” speaking that enabled the lost to be saved but what was spoken in “tongues:” the gospel. Remember, it is the “gospel of Christ” that is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). It was not the Holy Spirit filling the apostles with the words alone, but also confirming it with signs, in this case, the tongues in which they spoke.
This would be repeated many times throughout the book of Acts of the Apostles! The apostles would speak the gospel and confirm it with signs; both coming from their being filled with “power” which came from the Holy Spirit. This would result in near 3,000 souls being saved on that great Pentecost day, as Luke wrote: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41)
Therefore, the question: “Was it necessary for the Holy Spirit to dwell personally, bodily, within the apostles for them to do their work?” The answer is “no!” To demand that the Holy Spirit must personally, bodily, within us today, is to question the power of the gospel of Christ! It is the gospel that converts us today and not the personal Holy Spirit dwelling in us! Don’t demean the gospel of Christ and the power within it!

Frank R. Williams

There is no greater subject that gets the attention than that of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is said to do many things, even today. However, the Bible does not reveal such! The greatest activity of the Holy Spirit was seen in the apostles of Christ. But, this is not his first activity, as he was active in the creation. He appears first to us in the opening statement of the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). It is not seen in English but in the Hebrew text, in the word “God,” which is the Hebrew word, “elohıym” which is translated God which appears to be singular but in Hebrew it is plural. It is all that is God, as we might say, the Godhead! His activity is seen clearly in creation of man, where Moses wrote “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.” (Gen. 1:2) Here is the first action of the Holy Spirit, “And the Spirit of God moved.”
However, this would soon be followed with these words, which once more includes the Godhead: “And God (Elohiym) said, “Let us make man in our (plural) image, after our (plural) likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Gen. 1:26). Notice it was the Moses who wrote: “let us (plural) make man in our (plural) image.” This is followed with: “So God (plural) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” It is important that we notice this is not the action of the Holy Spirit alone but there are members of the Godhead, acting as one, which the Godhead is one!
With the above information in our minds, let us move to the New Testament as this is the place of much debate! There are at least two major questions before just here: 1) did the Holy Spirit dwell in the apostles personally and 2) does the Holy Spirit personally dwell within the human body? That the Holy Spirit acted in the first century is without debate! Here attention is called to the apostles of Christ as they are prepared to fulfill the apostolic commission. Luke recorded it this way: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). It was the Spirit that gave the apostles “utterance” as they begin to speak on that great Pentecost day. It was unlike any other Pentecost! The gospel of Christ was preached for the first time in the age of Christ. Let me say a word about why I use the phrase, “age of Christ.” It is because it is the beginning of the rule of Christ and he will continue to rule as King over his kingdom until he returns to take his people home! Now to the question, were the apostles full with the literal Holy Spirit or were they filled with what the Holy Spirit gave them? The evidence is that they were filled with what the Holy Spirit gave them to speak, the gospel of Christ! The Holy Spirit does not have to literally dwell within in order to impart the gospel or for that matter, to give the power to do miracles of another nature, such as raising the dead! No, the only thing necessary is for the Holy Spirit to impart the ability to do things of an unhuman nature! The grand scheme of things was the written confirmed New Testament, which was as Jude wrote: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Notice that “the faith which was once delivered,” the idea of “once for all time delivered!” This was the primary work of the Holy Spirit in the “age of Christ!”
To reduce the subject to question, “Does the Holy Spirirt personally dwell within the human body today is simple to miss the mark!” God dwelt within one human being and that was Jesus of Nazareth and no one person is such. As John wrote of Jesus: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18).

Frank R. Williams

The general pattern of our law today follows the same as the case of Jesus Christ. He lived, he died, and here is where the case of Jesus is so drastically different; he lived again and his ﾓlast will and testamentﾔ was put into force, it became law and unchangeable law!
Here we will follow the word of Hebrews, as the writer put it: ﾓAnd for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.ﾔ (Heb. 9:15). Before continuing, it is necessary, that we ask, ﾓfor what cause?ﾔ You see, Jesus had a greater ﾓcauseﾔ than anyone else in all times; ﾓthat by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament.ﾔ Without the blood of Jesus, without his death, the sins committed from Adam and Eve, though the writer is not addressing these sins here, as he wrote: ﾓtransgressions that were under the first testament,ﾔ Adam and Eve were not under the ﾓfirst testament,ﾔ but before it! Nevertheless, the point the writer is makingﾔ is that ﾓthe transgressions that were under the first testamentﾔ were forgiven by means of the blood of Jesus, just as well as the sin committed during the second testament, the last will and testament of Jesus, may be forgiven by the same blood!
Now, let us return to the text, as it reads: ﾓFor where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator livethﾔ (Heb. 9:17-18). Now our writer returns to the normal state of affairs, a man lives and writes a ﾓlast will and testament,ﾔ then he dies, the will is read and only then, is it put into force. Many people desire, for some reason of their own, to have the terms of the ﾓlast will and testamentﾔ to be enforced before becomes law! It is true, that the person who makes a will, is totally free, to have some of the terms enforced before he dies, as it all belongs to him! He is free to do with it, the things that belong to him, as he pleases! He can give out that which is his at anytime but once he dies, the terms of the will are then law and cannot be changed!
As Jesus when introducing the Lordﾒs Supper, ﾓFor this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sinsﾔ (Matt. 26:28). The New Testament was sealed with the blood as it runs through it from beginning to the end! It covers all those who are baptized into it. Paul wrote: ﾓFor as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christﾔ (Gal. 3:27). Some people, denominational people, question the necessity of baptism in order to be saved, while Paul teaches that it is in baptism that we ﾓput on Christ,ﾔ that we have our sins forgiven (Acts 22:16) when Paul was told: ﾓAnd now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.ﾔ It is in baptism that our sins are washed away and in so doing, we are ﾓcalling on the name of the Lord.ﾔ
Oh yes, this is part of the ﾓlast will and testamentﾔ of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God! It was not enforced before his death but after his death and no man, nor group of men have the power, the right, to change even one word of it, not now, not ever!
So, you desire to be saved! The blood of Jesus is within the his ﾓlast will and testamentﾔ just as his teaching is! Hear John once more just here: ﾓ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ﾔ (2 John 9). One last verse in conclusion: ﾓAnd hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in himﾔ (1John 2:3-4).

–Frank R. Williams

The will or testament of the now dead man is to be read but not changed! The terms of the will is to be put into force; in other words, action to see that everything written in the will is now law. The ones in charge of this were at first the twelve apostles as identified by Luke: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. “ (Acts 2:1-4). This is the beginning of the Apostolic Commission as outlined in Matthew 28:20, Mark 15:15, and Acts 1:8).
Jesus had promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them “into the truth.” Let us take the time to make a point that is so often overlooked. Generally speaking, our good brethren has gotten this correct. Jesus told the disciples this truth, before his death: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 15:26). What is my point? The pronouns “You and Your” in this context does not have you and me in it! It is to the apostles and only to the apostles! The Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth, starting on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts two, when Peter stood up the eleven and began to speak as the Holy Spirit gave him utterance! Thus things Peter and the other apostle spoke the term of the last will and testament of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! This went on through the history recorded in Acts of the Apostles. Thus, the apostolic commission!
The books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are in part the “last will and testament” of Jesus. Many people have trouble determining what is and what is not part of the “last will and testament” of Jesus and what is not. Generally speaking, it is not all that hard. Clearly when Jesus says, “ye have heard” he is not going to talk about something that is part of the old law, as he concludes with, “but I say unto you!” When Jesus is looking forward, these things are part of his “last will and testament.”

Frank R. Williams

It is good to prepare a will before death, as this is the only sure way to get your life’s belongings parted as you wish! I have reached the age that I need to prepare a will, or in my case, a trust. It is hard to face the fact that is going to happen, and the older we get, it is sooner than later. As we look at what we have to whom we want things to go, we realize that many of these things we have, the things we have collected, and that are dear to our heart, no one really wants them! This is a sad state to think on such things. Time is running out and death will come, like it or not. The document we are talking about may be summed in one word, a testament.
What is a testament? Here is one definition I found and it seems to cover the subject: “a person’s will, especially the part relating to personal property, ‘father’s will and testament’, synonyms: last will and testament – last wishes – bequest(s).” As it relates to the Bible, the following is given: “in biblical use) a covenant or dispensation. a division of the Bible. See also Old Testament, New Testament. a copy of the New Testament.” Almost everyone who knows anything about the Bible, knows there is a both an “old” and “new” testament! They may not handle the Bible with this knowledge but they do know that one is the “old” while the other is the “new.” If I were to write a will/testament, it would be called the first, that is, if I wrote a second one, which would be called the new one. A lawyer might ask, “Is there a new testament?” Does this not remind you of the Bible itself? Yes, right there in bold print are the words “Old” and “New” Testamentss. Do people, in general, give heed to these two words? Not really! Yes, they know that the two words are there, and they may in fact, read them but do not handle the two parts of the Bible in this manner. If you were to tell them to turn to the New Testament and read a passage, they will do so. Let us say, you tell them to turn to First Peter chapter two, and verses two, through five. Then you call upon them to read it, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Oh, such a beautiful passage, so full of meaning, but it relates only to those who follow the New Testament. They would not turn to the Old Testament thinking they would find the passage, that is, unless they know nothing about the Bible. This reminds me of my own earliest years, I knew nothing of the difference, and I would just let lthe pages turn between my fingers. So, I never found out that the writings of Peter were in the New Testament. I truthfully might not have known just where I could find it, as it relates to the other books. In my youth, we had what were called, “Bible quotes” and teacher would call a passage, and those in the class could find it first and would read the passage. Needless, to say, I never was the first one to read the passage. Sadly, there are many today who are much like me in my youth. This is so sad!
Nevertheless, we do have an old and new testament in the Bible; yet, it is one book! Never has any two books worked together as does the old and new testaments. The new Testament puts light upon the darkness of the Old Testament. We sometimes say, and correctly so, that the Old Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. If this were not truth, how would we know who Isaiah fifty-three refers to? How would we know that the kingdom passages found in the Old Testament point the kingdom of the New Testament? This brings us to this point, some people have little to no idea what they are teaching when they say, yes, it is true, the Old Testament promises a new kingdom and the New Testament starts out the view that the kingdom is ready to be established but then, because the Jews rejected Jesus as the Christ, God established the church in its place. Now sadly, these people do not understand just what they have done to the New Testament. They destroyed the inspiration of the Old Testament; thus, the New Testament as well. If God foretold, and he did, that he would establish a new kingdom better than that of David but could not do it mainly because of the failure of mankind! Let man be found a liar and God be true! And so, it is! God did establish his kingdom and he crowned Jesus as king and put him at his own right hand in heaven.
Peter, on the day of Pentecost by the Holy Spirit, “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also known, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance” (Acts 2:22-28). Did it take place? Let Peter answer: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know,”
Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance” (Acts 2:29-33). It was not David of whom Peter spoke but Jesus! There is the new kingdom, of the New Testament; there is Christ and not David; and there the people of God find themselves after being born again!
Let us here start with the words of Hebrews: “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.” (Heb. 9:16). Before you can put a “new testament” in force, the one who wrote it, must of necessity die! Otherwise, he is free to change any part of it, so long as he lives! Now, notice the next words: “For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth” (Heb. 9:17). Upon the death of Jesus, just as Peter preached on the first Pentecost after the death of Jesus, it was Jesus that David wrote and not of himself. It was Jesus who sits at God’s own right hand and from here he rules over his own kingdom! It is here, in the new kingdom, that his servants serve God in Christ.
Yes, there is an “old” testament and there is “new” testament and it is the second one that is is force today! It is the New Testament that we must go to get the answers of life; hear Jesus: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). This is nothing more or less, than saying, New Testament is “the truth, and the life: and no man cometh unto the Father, by it!”

Frank R. Williams

Is the plan of salvation really a subject of debate? Most all members of the Lord’s church are aware of this plan and can give it. True, the words “plan of salvation” are not a New Testament phrase, but it identifies something that is true in the simplest terms. Brethren may give it differently, as some will give the five points as follows: 1) believe, 2) repent, 3) confess, 4) be baptized, and 5) live faithfully; others my say it is: 1) hear, 2) believe, 3) repent, 4) confess, and 5) be baptized; while still others may say: 1) hear, 2) believe, 3) repent, 4) confess, 5) be baptized, and 6) live faithfully. There may be others who express it a little differently, but it all comes out just about the same and when not expressed in the correct terms, when someone gives it in any way, if it is generally agreed upon. Therefore, it may come as a surprise to hear that someone really disagrees with the whole subject!
True the words, “plan of salvation,” are not in the New Testament and we are big on “speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent;” but there are areas that need a means of identification, such as “the five acts of worship,” which the same people do not like. There are some who just do not like anything that is organized. For instance, no one has come up with six acts of worship, of course, we can leave one off, but we would be short is expressing the worship. There are some “highly intellectuals” who are “born in the negative mood” and they have a dislike for anyone to disagree with them!
If someone were honestly asking you, “What must I do to be saved?” what would you tell them? You might say, “Well, you have to believe, in other words, you to have faith.” Would you be wrong? No, not as far as you went. When you teach them and are sure they now believe, you then, tell them the next “step” is to repent of your sins. This could go on through the whole plan itself was given. If I recall correctly, it was Walter Scott who was the first one to hold up five figures and give the plan as he had come to understand it. However, it was not as given today and there are reasons for this. If you have studied history of the churches of Christ in America, who are fully aware that those first preachers were working their way out of denominationalism, and they did so one “step” at a time. They had to change what they taught from time to time. Remember, they were coming out “the darkness of false teaching” and had to study their way out. Earl West said it best, “It was a search for the ancient order of things.” Those who object to the word “order” also object to West’s use of the word “order.” But God is an organized being! With these few words before us, we are now ready to dive into our subject.
It is always best to see how the apostles answered or addressed a question or subject. So, here was the question coming from those who were lost: “Men and brethren, what shall we do? “(Acts 2:37). This is the first time such a question had been asked and the first time an answer had been given; therefore, it is the best place to start our subject: “Is there really a plan of salvation?” As we look at Acts two, and hear the words of Acts two, verse thirty-seven, let us understand they were believing lost people! Therefore, Peter was addressing, he was answering a question, coming from the lips of those who believed what he had just preached. This is seen in Luke’s words, “Now when they heard this….”. Peter was to answer their question as directed by the Holy Spirit which had just been given him and the other apostles as recorded in Acts two, verses one through four. All we must do is let Peter answer ours and their question, which he did in verse thirty-eight: “Then Peter said unto them, 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.” This is the first time after Jesus had given them, the apostles, orders to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Then, Jesus addressed the responsibility of those who heard the gospel: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (verse 16). Was there order to Jesus words? Yes, of course, Jesus had order to his words; he gave a plan, if you will, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” and no others! Peter gives the same plan in Acts two, though in different words as he was dealing with the reality of the lost; therefore, “repent and be baptized.” It must not go without noting, that Peter said, “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for (unto) the remission of sins.” The subject was the forgiveness of sins, as they understood, that they were lost! If, we should so find that other words are given in answer to the same question, asked or unasked, does it mean that Peter was wrong in Acts two, verse thirty-eight? Of course, not!
With the above in mind, we shall let Peter answer for himself. In Acts three, verse eighteen, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Did Peter make a mistake? No, not in any way! Once more he was addressing those who understood that believeth came first; therefore, he starts with “repent” and then he threw us a curve. He uses the word “convert.” This is the Greek “epistrepho” and means: “to revert” to a former state, and “turn (about, again) (Strong). Some people have in their mind that “repentance” is a turning but this is not the case! Repent means: “to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider” and is the Greek, ‘metanoeo.“ So no, repentance is not a turning but the determination to turn seeing we have been wrong! Once more we ask, was Peter wrong in giving this answer? No, and no, again! In the case of Saul, he was told by the inspired Ananias to “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Here baptism stood by itself! There was no belief, repentance, or confession! Does this mean that Saul did not have to believe, repent, or confess? No, not in any way! He already believed and had repented and would make the good confession. I can just hear some saying, ,”Oh Frank, you have started putting things into the text that are not there!” To which I say, Once there, always there! God did not play with us about the “plan of salvation!” We must not over look Lydia, as she: “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul:” And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized,…” (Acts 16:14-15). She was “baptized” and not one word is said about her believing, repenting, or confessing! Did she do these things? Of course, she did! One more case! He is referred to simply as the jailer: “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Here it is! Just “believe” and you are saved! No, this is no different than the other cases and if we should read of a hundred more cases, they would all be of the same kind!
Let the “intellectuals” spew forth their wild venom but it will not change what the inspired preachers said in the first century and what faithful gospel preachers say today! Just think of this way. What greater question is there, than the one about the salvation of our souls? Preachers today sure do not stand above those inspired preachers of the first century! What is the answer to the simple question: “What must I do in order to be saved?” Will the “intellectuals” speak where the New Testament speaks or not, that is the question!
No, in the above we did not cover the confession! Let Paul handle this problem, that is if it be, a problem! Paul addressed this subject: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10). Please, notice that “confession” is made “unto salvation!” This is not a confession of our sins, but that Jesus is Lord, Lord of my life! With this I am prepared to put on the Lord Jesus Christ in baptism! Confession is an announcement to all the world, “Jesus is Lord of my life and I bow before him, and his will is supreme in my life!
So, is there a “Plan of salvation” given in the New Testament? Yes! Can it be found? Yes! It is if binding on us today? Yes! Get yourself in a place so you can hear the gospel!

Frank R. Williams

After having written on heaven, it seems only natural to write on “hell!” There is some misunderstanding on this subject to say the least! Part of this confusion comes from the King James Version of the Bible. It translates three Greek words, Hades, tartaroo, and Gehenna, into the one English word. My computer recognizes the Greek word Hades Gehenna but not tartaroo, with this it is much like the general public. A “little” light on the subject is, therefore, in order!
Let us take up the word Hades first. The word appears eleven times and is translated “hell” ten time and the grave one time. The use of the word helps us understand the meaning, better. Allow me to start with the Greek “hades,” as it is used the most. The King James Version would have served us better had it transliterated the Greek into the Greek “hades”; thus, we would have read “hades” and not “hell.” This would have separated the two Greek words! We have often heard that Jesus went to “hell” and gave those within the opportunity to leave. Now really, how many souls would have stayed in place fill with treatments?
The best place to get a better understanding is Luke sixteen, where the story, not a parable is told. It is not like something; it is really something! As you read the story of the “rich man” and the “beggar” and where they went following death. All Bible readers have come across these events. The “rich man” was really a man” of much and the “beggar” was also really a man but of “nothing!” Both die, but here, the story changes, as the “rich man” is in “torments,” while the “beggar” is comforted. The difference being the way they lived while on earth. To keep it simple, the “rich man” does not share his riches with those in need. While the “beggar” would eat the things that fell from the “rich man’s” table. He ate with the dogs and who do you think got the best of this food that tell from the “rich man’s” table? However, all this would change upon the death of each. The “rich man” would find himself in “torments” while the “beggar” was “comforted.” Get this now, both were in “hades”, but they were not together. In this reality, the “rich man” would learn that there was a “gulf” between the two which could not be crossed as they had no such freedom! The “rich man” desired that Abraham would allow the “beggar” to come across this great “gulf, a divide which no soul could cross! This was not within Abraham’s power! The “rich man” upon learning this, having brothers yet on the earth, he desired that the “beggar” be allowed to go back to earth and tell them of the “torments” he was in and warn them. He would also learn that this was also impossible. Here is a point that is often overlooked, even though the “rich man” was totally aware of his own “torments” and aware of his brother’s spiritual state but in there was nothing he could do to change this; no, it was up to them! Is there any reason to believe that the “rich man’s” brother would change while they remained on earth?
Now, the place that the “rich man” and the “beggar” were located was “Hades!” Yes, that is right, both were in “hades” but in totally difference parts of it! Hades is not the final place of the dead; neither the righteous or the unrighteous! But it is the place all the dead go upon death! If we can understand this, it will help us understand what Peter says about Jesus being in Hades! Jesus being the perfect righteousness, would have gone to the same place the “beggar” went upon his death, which was Hades! Peter quotes the Old Testament in Acts chapter two. Peter starts with the command, which each person would be totally aware of; as he said: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know” (Acts 2:22). Next, he reveals what they all knew to be the truth: “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ”Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (verses 23-24). Then, he moves to the one man, the one king, which they all believed; and he said: “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope” (verses 25-26). Here is Peter’s answer: “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” What was that? Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell.” There it is! Jesus, who is the subject of David’s words, Jesus’, soul was not left in hell, but the word here is “hades.” Now you tell me; being in “hades” what part do you honestly think Jesus’ soul was in: “the paradise part! It helps us, just here, to recall the words of Jesus to the man who was sacrificed with him, to who Jesus said: “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Yes, Jesus went to the place of “comfort,” and known as “paradise!” Yes, Jesus went to Hades but to the part of “comfort!” This being the same place of the “beggar!” To conclude this part of our article, let us return to the words of Peter: “Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance” (Acts 2:28). From here Jesus returned to earth and competed his work as he talked with the apostles! (Mark 16:14 and Acts 1:8).
Finally, we must recall that Peter in Second Peter two, verse 4, wrote this: “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” Does this not sound like hades, as it is a place where souls are waiting for the final judgment?” The Greek word is “tartaroo.” Please note, that those who sinned (and who did not obey God) were “cast down to hell” (Tartarus) to wait for the final judgment!
The third and final word Greek word translated “hell” is the Greek “Gehenna.” It is most interesting that Jesus is the one who used this word each time it appears in the New Testament. It is also most interesting that the one who speaks of “Gehenna,” is the one who loves us and gave himself for us! This is the final place of those who do not obey the gospel and is “Gehenna” ( 2 Thess. 1:9). You might make this point about eternal hell and everlasting heaven they are the same Greek word and mean the same thing! (Matt. 25:46). The Greek word is “aionios!”
Therefore, in reading the New Testament keep in mind that there are three Greek words translated “hell” know the difference and know where the different Greek word is used. It will help you better understand the New Testament!

Frank R. Williams

How sweet the word, how beautiful the thought, of heaven. As the old song rings out, “How beautiful heaven must be;” then the words of another song comes to mind: “Sing To Me Of Heaven!” As the old preacher had reached the end of his sermon, he walked across the podium and as he did so, he talked about heaven and as he spoke so gently of heaven he looked up and it was as though he was actually looking into heaven itself! I also heard L. O. Sanderson preach on heaven and concluded that such a subject should be left to older preachers. L. O. Sanderson was such when I heard him. The words of the songs just written fit well into brother Sanderson’s sermon.
Another song addresses heaven, in these words: “Don’t think me poor or deserted or lonely — I’m not discouraged I’m heaven bound — I’m just a pilgrim in search of the city — I want a mansion, a harp and a crown.” It is a song of encouragement. We may not have much of this world’s good but we are just passing through. As a pilgrim I am truly in search of that city that Jesus told the disciples, “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, if it were not so, I would have told you” (John 14:2).
Years ago, I went to India to teach the word of God to them. The last thing we did was visit the Taj Mahal and saw it’s beauty and it is truly a thing to see. There are a number of stories about how it was built as it was built for a burial place of the king’s wife. It is one of the ten wonders of the world but it falls to ashes when put beside heaven. The wall of China is nothing to behold when put beside heaven! The beauty of heaven has yet to be told because words we have nothing that truly can compare with heaven! God has given us word pictures but words can only relate to things of this world and heaven is not of this world!
Sometimes we use the Book of the Revelation of Christ to tell us about heaven, but many times words have no relationship to heaven. For instance, many times these words are used: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 20:4). But these words are describing a victory for the church over the Romans. How welcome it must have been when the church that had been battered first their countryman, then, by the Romans; how sweet at taste the words of Revelation twenty-four must have sounded when they first heard them from the pen of John, the apostle. It does not take away from the beauty, nor, the sweetness, of heaven. No, heaven is above and no man, nor, any army of men can touch heaven and what we have waiting for us!
Between now and heaven is the place called Abraham’s bosom, which is “paradise” part of Hades. Even here we are blessed. Hear the word of Jesus to the “rich man,” who desired that the poor man touch his lips with drops of water; Abraham said unto him, there was no way to have the “begger” to cross “great gulf” between them. However, in the end of time, Paul lifts our hearts with these words: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:13-17). Heaven is on the other side of these words. Let us notice what the apostle pointed out for us. First however, allow me to point out that believing is absolutely necessary. Here is what Paul wrote on this: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again.” Now to our points: 1) we are not to sorrow as others, 2) Jesus will bring with “them which are asleep”, 3) “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,” 4) this will be done “with the voice of the archangel,” 5) also “with the trump of God,” and 6) “the dead in Christ shall rise first;” and secondly: 1) then we which are alive “shall be caught up together with them (the dead in Christ) in the clouds,” 2) then, we shall “meet the Lord in the air,” and finally, 3) the grand conclusion “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” How many times have we read and heard read these beautiful words?
But, Paul had one more verse for us. In verse eighteen he wrote: “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” And this we have done! Heaven, beautiful and sweet, and on and on we could go but we can never get better than the inspired word.

–Frank R. Williams

The above words are fully above my “pay” scale but just a little light that shines on it might be helpful. I am sure, that you have thought about this major problem in today’s world. There is not a day that goes by, that someone has not killed another. First, is there a reason for this badness, for this insanity? Why does a ‘man’ murder another?”
We live in a world that is filled with murders, with homicides, which are in every “news” report; it may even be a family member but it is reported where someone has killed another. Many times, this news report is of someone they know, or someone that they work with. lt is in the evening news where someone has murdered a “friend,” In other words, no one, no relationship is beyond the age of being too old or too young, to be murdered. Now, get this, one or two men go into a house and kill the whole family which includes a baby! Not all of these murders use a gun though many times it is a gun! But we need to be aware that other items are used to murder!
Second, let us now address the subject: “Why do men kill each other?” murder is a much better word than “kill” as in some cases the “killing” is justified. If someone breaks into your house, you have the right to kill them and it should not be called “murder.” The word “murder” is used when the killing is not justified! It generally helps any study to use the best words in such a study! It is also best to use Bible words when addressing a Bible subject. This is the case of God’s words on the subject as used in the ten commandments, where Moses wrote: “Thou shall not kill” as in what is generally called the “ten commandments” as though God only gave ten commandments to Isreal. Nevertheless, the state has the right to put a person to death who has murdered another. Such action is not murder!
So, why do some people murder another human being? It is not all the case that so many murdered so many others. Every weekend brings on more murders than is reported during the week. Such murders included babies who have not done anything to anyone. The simple answer to why some people murder others is that they do not respect human life. Human life is not the same thing as bug life! We step on bugs nearly every day and such a person would never even think of murdering a human being! However, some people have grown to think that killing a human is no more than murdering a bug! Why such thinking?
May the “reason” be that so many humans are murdering others, because they have been taught that all life is of equal value? If we came from the same thing that “monkey” came from, if we would kill a “monkey,” then we can murder a human being. After all, just look at “monkey” and the likeness to humankind! They are, after all, related to us, they just did not grow into humans! Yes, this is what has been taught in our schools for years. Of course, such teaching is not done by all teachers but some.
This is called evolution! In the animal world, it is the “survival of the fittest” The stronger the animal, the bigger the creature, more likely is it to kill the smallest. We see this all the time in the animal world; the bigger or the fastest may kill the slowest, the biggest may kill the smallest. If evolution is true then this is the way humankind would also be! Just look at our streets and cities is this not what we see and hear of every weekend? There is no guilt, no tears, it is just the one who is willing to murder and who has the biggest gun, or who has the largest gang murdering the smaller gang!
It may also be the case, that evolution has taken the reason for living out of the equation. The Christian believes that all human life is equal; no one person is more important than another; that is, unless we are looking at “money” and “power” are our rule for living. As sad as this may sound, I fear that some humans think in such terms!
If a person would abuse another, would this person think, that he has the right to take the life of another? We may be seeing the results of teaching evolution!! This article is written to produce thought in the mind of the reader!

Frank R. Williams