Barnes church of Christ

While the above question is one of which we might have asked ourselves in matters pertaining to religion, it is certainly a question that others have asked of us. How CAN we be sure we are right? Consider the following:
First, there IS that which is right (truth, God’s Word, the Gospel), and there IS that which is wrong (error, falsehood, false doctrine). Acts 13:10 speaks of one who would cease not “to pervert the right ways of the Lord.” Thus, there is that which is right. These “right ways” are the Word of God” (v: 7).
Also, 2 Peter 2:15 speaks of those “which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray.” Thus, there is that which is right, and that which is wrong. That which is right is described in verse 21 as “the holy commandment.”
Second, human beings CAN come to know that which is right. One verse will suffice: “Then said Jesus…If ye continue in my word…ye shall know the truth…” (John 8:31,32. Compare: Eph. 3:3-4). Young’s Concordance lists some 1600 verses which teach about things that can be known. 1 John 2:3 even states that we can “know that we know.” Thus, human beings can come to know what is right (that is: the truth, the commandments, the Word of God).
Third, HOW can we come to know the truth? One can come to know the truth on any Bible question by following the divinely approved example of Acts 15. The brethren had a question, they gathered all the relevant evidence of God’s revelation to them, then they drew only the conclusions which were permitted by the evidence.
This is the inspired principle put forth in Psalms 119:160 “The sum of thy word is truth.” In taking the sum of a census (Num. 1:2), all are to be counted.
Revelation 22:19 teaches the same principle. We are not to take away from the Word. Thus, for example, in studying the topic of prayer, since we cannot take away from God’s Word, we must gather and consider all the relevant verses on prayer, then harmonize their teachings and come to the conclusion of the teaching on prayer. Granted, it is easier said than done, but God makes clear that it can and is to be done (John 8:31-32).
Fourth, there are ways to check our conclusions. (1) If our conclusion is altered by the clear teaching of another verse, then our conclusion is in error (Mt. 4:6,7). (2) If our conclusion is involved in absurdities, then our conclusion is false (eg., The contention that the book of Revelation is literal, Rev. 1:14,20). (3) If our conclusion necessitates the knowing of that which cannot be known, then our conclusion is unsubstantiated (Consider God’s questions to Job). (4) If our conclusion implies that which is false, then our conclusion is in error (1 Cor. 15:12-20). (5) If our conclusion is involved in self-contradictions, then our conclusion is false (1 John 2:21). (6) If our conclusion involves a denial of major undisputed facts, then our conclusion is wrong (Mark 3:22-23).
Conclusion. Yes, we can be sure we are right. God expects us to be right, and He would not have us attempt that which is impossible (1 Cor. 10:13).

Gary Henson

“Blessed are…”
MATTHEW 5:3-11; REVELATION1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 22:14.

1. “Blessed is he that reads” (Rev. 1:3). The one who reads and understands (Mark. 13:14) will gain soul-saving knowledge (John. 8:32). Those in Antioch rejoiced after reading the epistle (Acts 15:31). We walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7) which comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). So yes, “Blessed is he that reads.”
2. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (Rev. 14:13). We are comforted by the words of 1 Thessalonians. 4:13-18 in which we learn that those “which sleep in Jesus” and are “dead in Christ shall rise first” “to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 adds, “the dead shall be raised incorruptible.” Truly “blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
3. “Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments” (Rev. 16:15). Jesus admonishes us to watch for the second coming (Matt. 24:42). Then, in the verses following that warning (:45-51), He speaks the parable of the unwise servant who thinks that his tarrying master delays. Thus, the servant, with spotted and blemished garments, is caught by the master’s quick arrival. Jesus continues (and thereby stresses the point) in chapter 25 with the parable of the Ten Virgins. Five were slack in watching and were unprepared–and were left. The other five were ready–and were taken. “Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments.”
4. “Blessed are they that wash their robes” (Rev. 22:14). One washes his robes (i.e., washes away his sins) in baptism (Acts 22:16). After this, one continues to wash his robes by walking in the light (truth) (1 John. 1:7) and confessing his sins (1 John. 1:8,9). Since sin separates one from God (Isa. 59:1,2) and will cause one to be cast into hell (Gal. 5:19-21), then “blessed are they that wash their robes.”

Truly, blessed are they who read, who die in the Lord, who wash their robes and who watches and keeps his garments. Are you one who is blessed?

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

“And besides all this, giving all diligence, add to you faith, virtue…knowledge…self control…patience…godliness…brotherly kindness…love…. Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, ye shall never stumble.” 2 PETER 1:5-10.

In order to become saved, one must follow the five steps of salvation: hear, believe, repent, confess and be baptized. In order to remain saved, one must live a life in faithful, loving obedience to the Word of God (Gal. 5:6). It could be said that one must now follow the seven steps to remain saved (2 Pet. 1:5-10).
In 2 Peter 1:5-10, we find seven general principles which, when followed, will “make your calling and election sure.”
1st: VIRTUE. Virtue is moral goodness (Vine’s); It is “conformity to a standard of right” (Webster’s). Thus, virtue is the determination to do that which is right . Our lives are filled with clashes between doing that which is right or wrong. In order to make it to heaven, the Christian must make and keep the resolution that when such conflicts come, he will do that which God wants him to do.
2nd: KNOWLEDGE. After one has made the determination to do that which is right, he then must learn what is right. Thus, the Christian must learn God’s Will; and God’s Will is revealed in the Bible. 1 Timothy 3:14-15 states, “These things I write unto you that ye may know how to behave in the church.” Yes, we are to read and study the Bible so we can know how to live as a Christian.
3rd: SELF CONTROL. After one comes to know the Will of God, he must then exercise self control to follow His Will. When one learns, for example, that it is sinful to lie, then, when he is tempted to lie, he must control himself to refrain from lying. Exercising self control applies to all of God’s Will.
4th: PATIENCE. To control yourself in overcoming temptation is noble, but one must not let down his guard. Rather, the Christian must continue to exercise self control in all the temptations and trials yet to come. Truly, one must add to his life steadfastness/patience– the ability to endure.
5th: GODLINESS. As one patiently overcomes trials with self control, such must be done with the proper motive. Instead of resentfully obeying God, one is to do God’s Will with reverence and respect to God. The Christian is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” (Matt. 22:37). And as we do that, we will lovingly keep His commandments (John 14:15).
6th: BROTHERLY KINDNESS. The Christian is not only to refrain from doing that which is sinful, he is also to do that which is good and kind to others. Remember the “Golden Rule” says: Do unto others…(Matt. 7:12).
7th: LOVE. The Christian is to love God, His Will (the Bible), the church and the lost. Love is the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37-40), and is that without which, all our deeds are meaningless (1 Cor. 13:1-3).
May each Christian be diligent in growing daily in these general principles which make up the steps on the sure way to heaven.

Gary Henson

“Compliment,” as defined by Webster’s is “an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; esp: a flattering remark.”
The Bible makes clear that the compliments of a flatterer are nothing. In a condemning manner, the Psalmist remarked that the wicked “flatter with their tongue” (Psa. 5:9; Cf. I Thess. 2:5).
However, Jesus never issued a vain compliment for He was perfect (I Jn. 3:5) and He knew what was in man (Jn. 2:25). Thus, we can learn from the compliments which He gave to others (who can be examples to us).
Compliment #1. Jesus complimented Nathaniel for his guilelessness (Jn. 1:47). Although the Jews were God’s chosen people, they had (under the guise of appearing devout) become quite corrupt by “changing” God’s laws to fit how they wanted to serve God (Mt. 15:9). Yet, in the midst of such people, was one who was without deceit, fraud and hypocrisy. Let us dare to be such in our time.
Compliment #2. Jesus complimented the Roman Centurion for his great faith (Matt. 8: 5-10). The stress which the Bible puts upon the role of faith is immense (Heb. 11; Rom. 3:25; etc.). This centurion was not even a Jew, yet, Jesus said that his faith was greater than He had found in Israel. Let it not be said of you that the faith of someone in denominationalism is greater than yours.
Compliment #3. Jesus complimented the poverty stricken widow for her liberality (Mk. 12:41-44). As Jesus “called unto him his disciples” (v.43) to observe her example, so does He call His disciples today to learn about giving of oneself first.
While it is nice to be complimented by others, what a special honor these three had by being complimented by the Lord Himself! However, if you are one without guile, and/or who gives of yourself–would you no less receive the same compliment?
Think on these things.

Gary Henson

In the Old Testament days, actually up to one-hundred fifty years ago, the existence of Deity 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 more than one-hundred 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 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), and on and on.
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

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 need 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 need 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

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