Barnes church of Christ

Most of you will recognize the words under which this article is written as being from the old song: “There’s a message true and glad, For the sinful and the sad, Ring it out, ring it out; It will give them courage new, It will help them to be true; Ring it out, ring it out.” The “27th Annual Oklahoma City Lectures” did just that! In today’s world, it seems that satan has the upper hand, but in this lectureship, for four days, truth had the upper hand!
Subjects that have been twisted, in an effort to teach what they never taught, were set forth in their truth! It was done in an open forum while the public was invited to attend. Those who spoke, stood up in public and spoke; they did not hide behind the smoke screen of “facebook,” as the unseen and unknown! No, these twelve men spoke in the open for all to see and hear! They stood up for the word of the God, they put forth the physical evidence for to test. Just as the apostle of Christ did, when he declared the existence of God: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). The evidence of the “invisible things” of God are clearly evidenced by the things that are seen! Just how “clear” are the “invisible things” seen? The Greek word used by Paul is kathoraō and it means: “to behold fully, that is distinctly apprehend.” The “invisible things” of God are so distinctly apprehended that Paul concluded with these words: “so that they are without excuse.” There is no justifiable excuse for not reaching the honest conclusion; God is!
Let me here give the words from an interview between “SKEPTIC” magazine and Ann Druyan (the wife of the late Carl Sagan):
SKEPTIC: “I want to get down to where the rubber meets the road in the ontological question of god’s existence. What did Carl call himself— atheist, agnostic, non-theist…?’
DRUYAN: “Carl really was an agnostic, truly. He felt that people who say that they know how the universe came to be, who made it or didn’t make it, are kind of foolish in a way, whether they are believers or atheists. Carl believed that in a universe that is so vast, and for a species as young and ignorant as we are, the only reasonable position to take on these ultimate questions is agnosticism.’
SKEPTIC: “What most people mean by “atheist” is “belief that there is no God,” whereas agnostic means that we just don’t know?”
DRUYAN: “Literally yes, we do not know. Not that we can’t know, but at the moment in the present state we know so little about the universe. We’ve only been at this exploration of the universe in any sort of systematic way for what, four centuries? That’s such a tiny fraction of history. Carl would say “we just don’t know,” and the more we acknowledge how much we don’t know, the less chance we have of assuming things that turn out not to be true.” (The interview was done by Michael Shermer of SKEPTIC).
Nevertheless, the words from the Psalms: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psa. 19:1). Thus, the evidence is overwhelming! Therefore, Paul’s words, “so that they are without excuse!”
Those who are blind, generally lead those who are blind! Their eyes are closed to the evidence, because the evidence leads them to a conclusion that God exists and this is unacceptable to them! But, why is God so unacceptable? If God exists, then, there is life after death and if there is life after death, then, there is a judgment! It is my firm belief that it is the judgment that the atheist and the agnostic fear the most! You see, they desire to live as they please without having to give account for it.
Finally, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). As surely as death, there is the judgment! God as also give us the assurance of the judgment in another way: “… God … but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31). The atheist and the agnostic scoff at the idea of a resurrection. Why? Because it means life after death: God! God exists and there is going to be a judgement; therefore, let us “ring it out!”

Frank R. Williams

Yes, “It is time” to clear all the events and activities from your calendar and mark April 28th – May 1st in bold print: “27TH ANNUAL OKLAHOMA CITY LECTURES!” We have been working on this one event for nearly a year and we are only four days away from the first lesson on Thursday night at 7:00 P.M. If you have not told your family and friends, do it now! Give them one of the printed advertisements, talk to them, encourage them, and tell them you will come by and pick them up and take them to and from the lectureship. You may not believe it, but people come to gospel meetings and lectureships because they have been invited by someone they know!
Did I hear someone say, “Oh, I have asked my family members and friends a hundred times and they never come”? Do you remember how many times someone asked you to come with them to a gospel meeting before you gave in and went? Oh, you were one of those “raised in the church!” So your dad, or mother, just said, “Get up, it’s Sunday morning!” Or, “We are having a gospel meeting this week and yes, you are going!” How blessed you were to have such parents, or grandparents! They introduced you to God, Jesus the Savior, to the gospel which is God’s power unto salvation, and the church which Jesus purchased with his own blood! Well, your family members and friends have not yet really heard the pure gospel of Christ; so what does this mean to you? Is it worth one more try one more invitation from you?
So what if every effort fails? Have you ever read: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66)? Think for just a moment, here is the Master Teacher, he has taught the truth, but “many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Have you ever thought about how many times Jesus “failed”? When Jesus looked upon Jerusalem, he said: “… how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matt. 23:37). If you can, look at the face of Jesus as he utters these words; can you see tears in his eyes? Have you ever “failed” like this?
Of course, right here is a good place and a necessary time to express the meaning of the word “failed” as used in this article. Generally, the word “failed” is used to express unsuccessfulness! We might say: “Having undergone failure: we have new economic policies intended to replace the failed ones of the past administration.” This means that the efforts of the past administration did not reach their goals; therefore, new economic policies were necessary! In the case of Jesus, his teaching was truth, not subject to change; therefore, it was not the subject that failed; it was not the teacher who failed, as Jesus was the Master Teacher; but the failure was on the part of those who would not accept, would not believe, the truth! So, no matter how many times you invite your family and friends, and they do not accept the invitation; it does not mean you have failed!
To help with this understanding, take the Apostolic Commission: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Now, were the apostles responsible for people “believing,” or not “believing”? Notice where Jesus put this responsibility: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Verse 16). It is the responsibility of the one who hears the gospel to “believe”; if he does not, then, he has failed! So, let me say once more, when you invite family and friends and they do not come; you have not failed, but they have!
“Yes, it is time” for you to personally invite family and friends to the “27th Annual Oklahoma City Lectures” on April 28th – May 1st!

Frank R. Williams

It has been said, that time has a way of getting away from you. This is truly the case with the “27th Annual Oklahoma City Lectures!” Of course, some of us have been working on it for nearly a year and a year is: 365 days! It did take us some time to get our theme and the subjects put together; then, there were the speakers to line up. It is generally the case that some contacted are unable to speak, due to one reason or another; so new speakers are looked for. We are always looking for one or two new speakers each year as we keep reaching out to other congregations. This was the case this year!
Unlike in years past, no speakers had to drop out somewhere during the course of preparing the lesson. This was a great relief to the lectureship director! Each lectureship has its own problems, however! Someone’s computer stops working, or there is internet problems; therefore, there are problems in getting the manuscripts to us; and this happened this year but each was a little different. One was able to use a second speaker’s computer as he was nearby; while the second one had his daughter type his lesson into her computer and send it to us. Now this may sound easy, but it was not, as the daughter lives in another state! She went to visit her father, typed his hand-written notes into her computer, then, sent it to us. And you thought getting the lectureship lessons was easy! Well, this is not all. There is always one or two who are always late getting their manuscript to us late. By “late,” I don’t mean the last day allowed, I mean a week after the last day allowed. This is why the director may appear to be walking a “tight rope” for the last few weeks!
It is time to look at what is needed to be done in the remaining time! Ads will be printed so you can give and mail out to your family members and friends. Sorry that we are late in getting the ads prepared. Without writing the reasons for our being late, it is understood that the Barnes congregation is fully aware of the reason; therefore, space will not be used here for such. Confidence is placed in the members of the Barnes church that you will do your best to get the word out that we are having the “27th Annual Oklahoma City Lectures” on April 28th – May 1st.” That we have twelve speakers, who will cover twelves subjects related to our theme: “Attacks against the Bible!”
The purpose of this lectureship is: “… to point out the dishonesty, the foolishness, and the ignorance of those who reject the Bible as the inspired word of God, as they make their so-called claims to prove the Bible is full of contradictions and errors, and that it was written by humans in an ignorant, superstitious and a cruel age.” If you search the internet, you will learn that the charges being made against the Bible, for the most part, fall within the words used in our theme! It is not uncommon for such people to take the words they use out of context, then, try to cover themselves, by saying: “Don’t charge me with taking the words out of context.” In other words, they know what they have done!
Now back to the time factor! Ladies, as we have always done, we will have two lunches during the lectureship; 1) the first one on Saturday at 11:30 A.M. and 2) the second one on Sunday at 11:30 A.M. No effort will be made to “micromanage” your work, as you have always done a great job in this area! Please talk it over, work it out among yourselves; and if you need help, just let the elders know. The hospitality of the Barnes congregation is well known and its largely due to our lovely ladies! Allow me to be so brave as to thank you beforehand!
Now to the men, we have always given Mark and Barbara Mills a hand in getting the building ready for our visitors who will join us during the lectureship. Jerry Gore, one of the elders, generally addresses this subject the Wednesday night just before the starting date: Thursday, April 28th.
Finally, there is the subject of song leaders. Dewayne Ashford and John Bellah who serve the Barnes congregation as song leaders have worked this out in the past. Therefore, no reason for change this year. You can keep an eye open for a visiting song leader, you might call upon.

—Frank R. Williams

All the way from Ghana a question was received inquiring what I knew about a certain story. The person asking the question was Robert Lord Jackson, a preacher who works with the church of Christ in Asemasa, Ghana; he was wondering about a story he had heard about the apostle John. The story is not new, but dates back to Cerinthus who was a gnostic of the first century.
A little information about Cerinthus is helpful in our understanding, as a background to the story. He is said to have taught: 1) “that the world was not made by the supreme God, but by a certain power which was separated and distant from the supreme authority, which is over all, and which was ignorant of the God over all;” 2) “that Jesus was not born of a virgin, but was the offspring of Joseph and Mary, born like all other human beings, and that he was juster and wiser and more prudent than all;” and 3) “ that after his baptism the Christ came down into him in the form of a dove from the Lord, who is above all, and that then he proclaimed the unknown Father and performed miracles, but towards the end the Christ flew away from Jesus, and that Jesus suffered and was raised up, but that the Christ remained impassible, being spiritual.” It is easy to see how such teaching would relate and attempt to contradict the inspired writings of the apostle John, who wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1) and “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Verse 14). John clearly taught that God was in human flesh! Cerinthus taught that Jesus was but “the offspring of Joseph and Mary; thus, he was a gnostic!
John also wrote: “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:3). Then, he wrote in Second John: “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 8). Not surprising, it is in this context that he wrote these most forceful words: “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. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (Verses 9-11). As you think on these words, remembering that Cerinthus was one who denied that Jesus was God in the flesh; we come to the story that “Sounds like something John might do!”
Here is what our brother Jackson asked me: “What about the story of John, the disciple of the Lord, when in Ephesus went to bathe, and when he saw Cerinthus inside, he leapt from the bath without bathing, crying out, “ Let us flee, lest the bath fall, for Cerinthus the enemy of the truth is within?” Well, needless to say, I had never heard of the story. I wrote back that it was more than likely a made up story. One thing for sure, it is not an inspired story! However, after reading the above; is it something you could see John doing? Does it sound like something John might do?
After a little research, here is what I found. “Irenseus (A.D. 130 – 202, FRW) relates a story which represents him as a contemporary of the apostle John (Contra Hcer. iii. 3, 4). He says that John, the disciple of the Lord, when in Ephesus went to bathe, and when he saw Cerinthus inside, he leapt from the bath without bathing, crying out, ‘Let us flee, lest the bath fall, for Cerinthus the enemy of the truth is within.’ Ireuaeus heard this story from some people who heard it from Polycarp, who may have heard it directly, or more likely at second-hand, from some of the friends of St John. The same story is told in regard to Ebion, but not on so good authority. We know nothing of the death of Cerinthus.” Truly the story is not inspired! But, does it sound like something the apostle John might do and say within his character?
Here is a little “food for thought!” What if someone reported that you had said, or done something; let us say that it was not so nice, would someone say, “Well, that sounds like him!” Or, on the other hand, if someone said something nice that they had heard about you, would others say, “Yes, that sounds just like him!”

— Frank R. Williams

At this time of year, most Americans are preparing for their taxes; papers are gathered up, the forms are filled out. The dead line is April fifteenth and many of us are hoping that we don’t have pay any more taxes. Money having already been taken out of our hard earned income with every pay check.
Taxes are not new! Looking back through the years to the time of Caesar Augustus, who ordered that a census be taken for the purpose of taxing, our study begins. This was done when Cyrenius was governor of Syria and while Herod the Great (also known as Herod I) served as king of Judea. The Hebrews had to return to their “home” city and Joseph (the supposed father of Jesus) and Mary were of “Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)” (Luke 2:4). They lived in Nazareth of Galilee which is between seventy and ninety miles from Bethlehem. If they traveled twenty miles a day, it would have taken them just over four days, but one must remember Mary was with child; thus, traveling twenty miles a day over difficult terrain may not be the most likely. A more reasonable time would be seven days, or longer. Nevertheless, they traveled to Bethlehem to pay their taxes to the Roman government!
It was at Bethlehem that Mary gave birth to the male child, whom the angel that appeared unto Joseph had said: “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). In this name his mission was announced, “he shall save!” The Greek word “Jesus” (Iēsous) means: “Jehovah is salvation.” The apostle Matthew tells us this was done in fulfillment of what Isaiah had written: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Isa. 7:14 and Matt. 1:23). However, almost from the time of his birth; not from the time of his birth, but almost from the time of this birth; his life was in danger! The one who came to save us was in danger of losing his life!
There were “wise men from the east” that came to Jerusalem asking: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” (Matt. 2:2). Please notice they did not go to Bethlehem! They were not seeking the birthplace, but they were seeking, “he that is born King of the Jews?” They did not ask, Where is he to be born, but “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” So, who asked about the birthplace? It was Herod! Here is what Matthew wrote: “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born” (Matt. 2:3-4). He was told: “In Bethlehem of Judaea;” (Matt. 2:5; Michah 5:2). It is here that Herod, “privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared” (Matt. 2:7). What was in the mind of this evil man? He desired to kill the baby! Of course, this is not what he told the “wise men,” but he said unto them: “when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also” (Matt. 2:8).
The “wise men” being guided by “the star” followed it “till it came and stood over where the young child was” (Verse 9) “and fell down, and worshipped him” (Verse 11). Then, “being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way” (Verse 12); but, what about Herod? “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men” (Verse 16). The fear of Herod’s evil did not end here, but God warned Joseph: “the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” (Verse 13). Thus, Joseph did not take his family back to Nazareth, but into Egypt and there they would remain unto the death of Herod the Great!
However, first after eight days Joseph would take his family to Jerusalem and a most beautiful event would take place. There was a man in Jerusalem, who had been promised by the Holy Spirit: “that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26). Thus, “He came into the temple and the parents of Jesus brought him into the temple,” Simeon “took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation” (Luke 2:28-30).
There you have it, from taxation to the faith of Simeon, and to our salvation! Think of it, holding the babe in his arms, and based upon the word of God, this man said: “now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation!” Faith based upon evidence!

— Frank R. Williams

In reply to a question put forth by Thomas, Jesus answered: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”(John 14:6). In this answer, Jesus has given three areas which he personifies: 1) “I am the way,” 2) “I am the truth,” and 3) “I am the life.” Here Jesus is using what is called a figure of speech called “personification;” where a thing is given human attributes. To help us understand this figure of speech, the following is given: “The sky weeps;” in this expression we are giving the sky the ability to cry, which is a human quality. Therefore, we can say that the sky has been personified in the sentence. This is what Jesus has done with the words: 1) “the way,” 2) “the truth,” and 3) “the life.”
When Jesus concludes with: “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” he is saying that one comes unto the Father by means of “the way, the truth, and the life” which he is! The word “cometh” is in the present imperfect tense in the Greek, and means a continuous kind of action, or action in progress. In other words, it started in the past, is going on at the present, and will continue in the future. Another way of saying it, it is a state of persistence! At some point a person, if he is to come unto the Father, must start, continue, and finish the course. Here is a good time to recall the words of Paul: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8). The apostle is writing about the middle and the end, but we know about his beginning; as he was asked by Ananias: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). So, Paul started, he continued, and he finished the course; and while he did so, he “kept the faith!”
Paul was baptized “into Christ” and by doing so, he also “put on Christ;” as this is what he was taught by the Holy Spirit: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Therefore, as Jesus personified the terms: “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” Paul was in “the way, the truth, and the life!” Paul was one who was doing just what Jesus had said; he had started, was at any point in his life continuing to do, and at the end of his life he had finished his doing; therefore, he “cometh unto the Father,” by Jesus! We are not surprised at his words: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness!” But, Paul did not stop here, however, it is so important that we read on; for it is in Paul’s final words that we also find joy; that is, if we have started in Christ, continued in Christ, and finished the course in Christ: “a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8). It is the case that only those who “cometh unto the Father” by Jesus; who is “the way, the truth, and the life” will “love his appearing!”
John, who is known as the apostle of love, wrote these very strong words: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). Our love of God is expressed in one way, and one way only: that we keep his commandments!” The word translated “keep” is the Greek “tēreō” and means: “to attend to carefully, take care of.” This is done by keeping the eye upon the commandments, in order that they do not escape our attention!
It is sheer folly, the highest type of foolishness, to think that one can continue in Christ and “cometh unto the Father” while not keep on keeping the commandment of Christ! Being in Christ is equal to being in “the way, the truth, and the life;” which is equal to keeping the commandments of Christ! How sobering are the words: “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” and be “in Christ” requires being baptized “into Christ!”
Yet, so many folks laugh, and make fun of the idea of baptism being necessary unto salvation! Do they not understand that they are laughing at and making fun of being “in Christ?”

— Frank R. Williams

Salvation is one of the sweetest words in the English language. It is enriched even more when we identify from what one is saved. Merriam-Webster gives this meaning: “preservation from destruction or failure; deliverance from danger or difficulty.” Of course, the meaning becomes even greater, as the degree of the danger is increased. If one is merely saved from stumbling, with little danger of being hurt in the fall; then, there is little rejoicing. However, if one is saved from a building that is on fire and one’s life is in danger of being lost; then, when saved there is great rejoicing! Therefore, it is easy to understand that the greater the danger, the sweeter the word salvation becomes!
When the word salvation is attached to the word eternity, as in eternal salvation, it has reached its sweetest state. The word of God is described: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psa. 119:103). This being true of the word of God, how would we describe salvation; as being saved from eternal damnation? Eternal damnation being the worst loss that a soul can experience and being saved from such a loss; well, maybe we just don’t have the to words describe it. But, just a little taste of it would be sweeter than honey to our mouth, for sure!
Jesus at the house of Zacchaeus, who was little of stature, made this announcement: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). So, just what did this mean to Zacchaeus? Zacchaeus was “the chief among the publicans” (verse 2), and at best was not thought of as being very good. First, tax collectors were hated and despised because they were usually fellow Jews who worked for Rome. Just to give you an idea of the taxes (As this is being written we are in tax preparation time.) Judea was in the province of Syria and every man was to pay 1% of his annual income for income tax. But that was not all, there were also import and export taxes, crop taxes (1/10 of grain crop and 1/5 of wine, fruit, and olive oil), sales tax, property tax, emergency tax, and on and on. Then, just to make things worse in the eyes of the Jews, it was actually a Roman official who was ultimately responsible to Rome for collecting the revenue of the province, but he sold the rights to extort the tax to the highest bidders. The text also reveals that Zacchaeus was rich (verse 2) which would not help his being in favor with the folks! With this information before you, take another look at Zacchaeus.
The context reveals the following as Jesus was going to the house of Zacchaeus and the folks were not very pleased about it; the text reads: “they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner” (verse 7). Right or wrong, this is what they thought! It is to this that Zacchaeus replies: “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (verse 8). So, here is Jesus, on the one hand, he has those who are charging Zacchaeus as being “a sinner;” and on the other hand, he hears the words of self-defense, “the half of my goods I give to the poor; …if I have taken any thing… by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” of Zacchaeus. What does Jesus do?
Jesus does not justify nor condemn the man of “little of stature,” but he announces, “This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He introduces them to one of the sweetest words in their language, in any language: salvation! In doing this, he stated his mission into this world, “he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). His death was not just any death, but “even the death of the death.” Upon his cross, he shed “the precious blood,” “as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19) of our redemption; of our salvation!
How sweet the word salvation! Let it ring throughout the land as we teach the gospel of Christ!

— Frank  R. Williams

The spirits of untold millions upon millions have been uplifted by the words of Jesus to his troubled disciples after he told them of him death. He said: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (John 14:1-4). Upon hearing this, Thomas had a natural question: “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (verse 5) If you do not know where a person is going, it is only natural that you do not know the way!
It is here that Jesus uttered the words under which we write: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (verse 6). The clear and unmissable truth taught here by Jesus is that, as he said, “I am the way … no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This is not to say the other words are unimportant, for indeed they are, but we are going to make a point that is generally over looked using the words, “I am the way.”
Jesus being “the way,” and he used the definite article, as he did with all three words, “the way, the truth, and the life;” thus, making the point there are not ways, but “the way,” as in one way! Jesus is one, not two or three, so there is one way, not two or three. We would be amiss just here, if we did not also make the point there is but one truth, not two or three, as there is but one life, not two or three! However, the subject of this article are the words of Jesus, “I am the way,” and the implication of these words.
Jesus being “the way” unto the Father; thus, eternal salvation; does it not occur to anyone that it is most important to be in him? As the reader thinks about this question, how about these subjects: 1) the blood, as in the song, “Nothing but the blood; 2) the cross, as in the song, “The old rugged cross; 3) the death, as in the song, At Calvary; and 4) the resurrection, as in the song, He is Risen. Where do we find all these points? Take a look at the words of Paul to the church at Rome: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). Did you notice the words” 1) “baptized into Jesus Christ;” 2)” baptized into his death;” 3) “baptism into death;” and 4) “that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life?” Did you get it? Jesus said, “I am the way,” the way leads us: 1) “into Jesus; 2) “into his death;” and 3) “in newness of life!” And each one is by baptism! Yet, many teach that baptism is not necessary! Thus, by implication they are teaching that: 1) Jesus, 2) his death, and 3) his resurrection; are not important!
Yet, Paul did not stop here, but wrote: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). Now get this! The word “form,” “that form of doctrine” (teaching, frw) is the Greek “tupos” and means: “the mark of a stroke or blow, print.” Where is there a print, of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, but in baptism? Read once more the words of Paul: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” There is that “form of doctrine” which had been delivered unto those who were the church in Rome as Paul wrote.
Now, we must not forget the final words Jesus said to Thomas in our text: “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Is there anyone, who claims to be a Christian, who believes that they can come “unto the Father” without the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus? Is there one who believes that he/she can come “unto the Father” without baptism? If so, you have a contradiction! When Jesus said, “I am the way,” he fully understood it lead through this death, burial, and resurrection; and it is baptism that is the “form of doctrine” where we come into his death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Yes, Jesus is the way!

— Frank R. Williams