May 14, 2009 | Articles
I admire many things about our Baptist friends and neighbors. I appreciate their zeal, their respect for the Bible as the inspired Word of God, and their defense of religious freedom, among other things. Some of their acknowledgements have given me hope that they may one day seek to be true to New Testament teaching in all matters.
Church Succession
In former years, Baptist friends argued that John the Baptist baptized Jesus and that made him a Baptist, therefore, the first church was a Baptist church. Of course, that was a ridiculous argument. According to that logic, when a mechanic worked on my car that made me a mechanic, which I can assure you, I am not! John was called the Baptist because he baptized people.
This view of Baptist church succession was set forth in a book published by G.H. Orchard in 1838 entitled, ‘A Concise History of Baptists.’ In attempting to show that Baptists had experienced a continuous existence from the days of John the Baptist until his time, he concluded that all those groups that dissented from Roman Catholicism were Baptists! Walter B. Shurden, in a book about Baptists and their controversies entitled ‘Not a Silent People’, states:
“The popularizer of Baptist successionism in America was J.R. Graves, a man who may have had more lasting influence on Southern Baptists than any other single individual in our 125 year history.”
Graves died in 1893, but before his death he saw Baptist church succession enthroned by most Southern Baptists as unquestionable orthodoxy. It was the only ‘right’ thing to believe.” Apparently the prevailing view among Baptists was that they could “rattle the chain all the way back to John the Baptist.” They thought, as Shurden said, that “to prove that you are the oldest is to prove that you are the ‘onliest.” But in 1880, H.H. Whitsitt, professor and president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, wrote some articles challenging such claims. According to Shurden, Whitsitt argued:
“…Baptists began in 1641 when they recovered the practice of believer’s baptism by immersion in England and that it is historically inaccurate to trace the Baptist denomination back beyond that date.”
Shurden quotes W. Morgan Patterson, a contemporary Baptist historian, who said that Whitsitt:
“arrived at these conclusions after a thorough sifting of the primary sources and through the application of critical methodology.”
Shurden very candidly states:
“Southern Baptists are learning gradually that successionism is neither historically demonstrable nor theologically necessary. We cannot prove it nor do we need to do so. Valid church life is not based upon historical lineage but upon adherence to the Bible.”
We commend our Baptist friends for their honest acknowledgment of past errors in this respect.
Remission of Sins
Another error that some Baptist preachers still maintain is that alien sinners are saved before and without baptism. When others point out to them that on the day of Pentecost, Peter commanded sinners to “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (or forgiveness) of sins, they argue that “for” in that verse means “because of.”
They argue that it is like saying, “A man was put in jail for stealing,” in other words, because of stealing. Therefore, they say, men should be baptized because of the forgiveness of sins.
There are several reasons why that argument does not work. A very simple one is that the command to be baptized is joined to the word “repent.” That means whatever baptism is “for” is also what repentance is “for.” Thus, if we are baptized because of the remission of sins, we also repent because our sins are remitted. In that case, a sinner would be saved before and without either baptism or repentance. But, the word translated “for” can have another meaning and does have that meaning in Acts 2:38. Someone might say, “A man went to the store for a loaf of bread,” that is, in order to obtain a loaf of bread. In the same way, we are baptized in order to obtain remission or forgiveness of sins.
The Greek word “eis” translated “for” always looks forward in the New Testament. Some Baptist scholars have been honest enough to acknowledge that. J.W. Willimarth, a Baptist scholar of unquestioned credentials and holder of D.D. and LL.D degrees, wrote in the Baptist Quarterly, July 1877, pp. 304, 305:
“We are gravely told that if we render eis in Acts 2:38 in order to, we give up the battle, and must forthwith become Campbellites; whereas if we translate it on account of or in token of it will yet be possible for us to remain Baptists.”
He continues:
“Such methods of interpretation are unworthy of Christian scholars. It is our business, simply and honestly, to ascertain the exact meaning of the inspired originals, as the sacred penman intended to convey it to the mind of the contemporary reader. Away with the question:” What ought Peter to have said in the interest of orthodoxy?” The real question is: “What did Peter say, and what did he mean, when he spoke on the Day of Pentecost, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit?”
Now, read his conclusion:
“The truth will suffer nothing by giving to eis its true signification. When Campbellites translate in order to in Acts 2:38 they translate correctly. Is a translation false because Campbellites endorse it?” (I am not a Campbellite, but whoever they are, I agree with them on Acts 2:38.)
H.B. Hackett, Professor of Biblical Literature and Interpretation in Newton Theological Institution and one of the greatest scholars the Baptist Church has produced, wrote in his commentary on Acts 2:38, p.54:
“In order to the forgiveness of sins (Matt. xxvi. 28; Luke iii. 3) we connect naturally with both the preceding verbs. This clause states the motive or object which should, induce them to repent and be baptized. It enforces the entire exhortation, not one part of it to the exclusion of the other,”
Edgar J. Goodspeed, another Baptist, in his translation of the New Testament renders Acts 2:38 thus:
You must repent, and every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, in order to have your sins forgiven.”
When he was questioned about the lack of Baptist orthodoxy in his translation, he is quoted as saying: “I am first a Greek scholar, and then a theologian.” Our Baptist friends teach salvation by faith only, but as we can see, some of their scholars are honest enough to admit that baptism must be for, that is, unto, or in order to the remission of sins.
– Johnny Elmore
Like this:
Like Loading...
May 11, 2009 | Articles
There are a lot of folks today talking about Pharisaic behavior. It is interesting to see what is most commonly labeled with this title. Typically it is used to refer to a perceived over ambition to follow the “letter of the law.” Legalism, if you will.
There is no doubt that the Pharisee’s view of the law was seriously flawed, and their rejection of Jesus was rooted in this self-righteous view of the Law. They reasoned that because they possessed the law in written form, and because they were children of Abraham, they should be able to attain complete righteousness on their own merit and had no need of a savior. Jesus corrected them of this view by showing them that they, though following many of the ceremonial laws very closely, had still sinned in other areas. They had neglected the moral laws and the principles of kindness, love and decency toward their neighbors and in doing so they had “swallowed a camel while straining out gnats.” Notice then, that the Lord’s condemnation of Pharisaic Legalism was not that they tried to follow the law as closely as possible, Jesus never failed to emphasize the importance of obedience, but that they thought they could attain personal righteousness without a savior, by adhering to a few ceremonies and rituals. (Matt. 23:23)
Does this attitude exist in the church today? I suppose it may. There may be some who feel that simply because they were raised in a faithful church and have family in the Church and follow a few important ordinances that they don’t need a savior, but that is a pretty serious charge. Jesus could read the hearts of those Pharisee’s; I cannot read the hearts of my brethren. I am inclined to believe that there are not many in the Church today that are like those Pharisee’s of old. Most with an attitude like they had would probably not see the need for the emphasis we place on the Gospel and would feel that their own goodness would be sufficient to save them in the last day.
But, even as I doubt that many in the church today really have that “pharisaic” view of self-righteousness obtained through the law, I do see many who certainly demonstrate Pharisaic Behavior, and it is troubling. There was something else about the Pharisee’s which was frequently rebuked and condemned by Jesus, and that was their arrogance and ostentatious religion. Notice the showiness of the Pharisee in a familiar parable of the Lord, “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
Notice the contrast? The Pharisee loudly, flamboyantly declared all of his goodness and greatness, while the tax collector quietly, personally prayed to God. In this case we find the Pharisee boasting in his accomplishments, but occasionally we find them boasting in their HUMILITY! What a definition of the “false humility” spoken of by the Apostle Paul. (Col. 2:23) “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matt. 6:1-4) “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (16-18)
When I see people posting (or, should I say boasting) their prayer schedule on the internet, or constantly making quips, jabs and subtle indications that they are so much more spiritually minded than their frivolous brethren, I see pharisaic behavior. I certainly believe that we should demonstrate Christ in our lives, but isn’t it enough to just live the life of a Christian, will this not be perceived by those around you as godly, and yet not as arrogant, giving glory to Him and not to you? I suppose that those who seek to abandon the aspects of Christian living that so visibly distinguish us from the world (modesty, gender distinction, shamefacedness) are forced to “speak and post” their religion in order to make it known, perhaps that should serve as an indication. Can folks not identify you as a Child of God without a verbal introduction as such? If so, that is a shame friend. The Lord said that we may know what manner of person a person is by the “fruit they bear.” When men and women go about judging the hearts of their brethren with clever, sarcastic insults while at the same time bragging of their leaves to hide their barren branches, the church will suffer!
If you have a legitimate concern for the souls of your brethren, and honestly feel that they might be seeking to attain righteousness by some other way than the Way, you should go to them and guide them back to the truth, but before you start branding people “Pharisees” “remove the beam from your own eye.” – CED
Like this:
Like Loading...
May 1, 2009 | Articles
Consider the winsome figure of Abigail who fleetingly flashes on the pages of the Bible as a peacemaker and mediator to the beloved David. The scripture affords her glowing words of praise as a “woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance” (1 Samuel 25:3) who was pleasant and humble despite being married to a nasty and brutish husband. That wicked man, Nabal, is depicted as one “harsh and evil in his doings.” Like many desperate housewives Abigail must have often asked God why her marriage was unfulfilled and empty. How many sorrowful tears ran down burning red cheeks still stinging from the hostile slaps of a heartless husband?
Somehow in the midst of persecution Abigail maintained a gracious God-seeking attitude not embittered by a seemingly pointless existence. However, one remarkable day the question ‘why?’ was answered unexpectedly: her destiny was to be a godly restraining influence upon anointed future king David.
Let’s review the events of 1 Samuel 25: David has been endlessly running from the murderous hand of Saul. He is exhausted, mentally fatigued, and just a little bit testy. Months in the wilderness have ground down his tolerance and patience. Living in the pressure cooker had reduced David’s capacity to think spiritually and react morally. Indeed, in this account David does not come across as an enlightened spiritual servant of God; rather he is shown as a typical man– flawed, arrogant, and presumptuous.
Abigail’s graceless spouse Nabal provides a catastrophic flashpoint for Satan’s attempt to destroy David’s future. For some time David and his men have been protecting the wealthy Nabal’s flocks and herds. Tired of the dusty wilderness, David decides the moment had come for a little social reimbursement. David is ready to sleep in a comfortable bed with sheets and ruffled pillows, eat his food with utensils, and enjoy a hot shower. It’s time to wash off the dust and enjoy some merrymaking, revelry, and festivity. Surely Nabal will listen with reason to David’s messengers and respond with gratitude!
Waiting with anticipation for the news of acceptance and invitation, David is instead shocked to hear words of rebuff and rejection. Like a match to gasoline, David’s expectancy instantly morphs into hysterical rage. The affront of Nabal mandates aggressive action! Swearing that Nabal and all his males will die by morning light, David girds on his sword. With livid tunnel vision David mounts his horse and leads 400 warriors against the hopeless unsuspecting camp. Only minutes of time separate David from a murderous rampage which will forever mar his righteous standing with God the Father.
Then, at God’s prompting, beautiful Abigail enters the pathway of the vengeful David. Bearing many gifts she bows down before David and beseeches him to turn from his ruthless route of rage. She cries: “On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be!” She begs David to spare Nabal and to accept her oblation. Consider the future, she entreats, and the days that are to come— will this violence and bloodshed be a reproach to David in later years? She reasons:
“And it shall come to pass, when the Lord has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel, that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself.” (vs. 30-31)
David’s wrath evaporates like moisture on noontime August concrete and he immediately recognizes the danger of his uncontrolled fury. He says: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.” (vs. 32-33)
Isn’t it wondrous that David recognizes the words of truth that are spoken to him? What a gift to be insightful enough to change course before irreparable damage is done to self and others! We can learn from David’s near miss of willful fury. Spiritual though we may be, precarious is our position. We must take heed that we do not fall into presumptuous sin (1 Cor 10:12). God grant each of us an Abigail when we are set and determined upon a very human path of vengeance and retribution.
Pray for the insight of David to recognize the graceful intervention of one who comes across our expressway of hate and bows down with gifts. We should also reflect upon the truth that the number of divine intercessors sent into each person’s life is limited. Sorrowfully, like David, the day may come when rather than a restraining Abigail bowing before us in our path of lust, dishonesty, and murder, an accusatory and rebuking Nathan darkens our door.
And if you are an Abigail, God bless you! May God give us all grace to resist Satan.
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing…” Psalm 144:3-4
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.” Romans 12:15
Bart Shaw, tbartshaw@hotmail.com, 5/09
The image at the top of the article is by Dutch artist Jacob Willemsz de Wet (1610-1675) “The Meeting of David and Abigail”.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Apr 24, 2009 | Articles
The Apostle Paul gives the Philippians some practical and amazing admonition:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7, NKJV)
Back in the 50’s Charles Schultz adapted Paul’s teaching and placed it in the mouth of Peanut’s resident theologian Linus van Pelt. The often crabby and cranky Lucy is anxious that the never-ending rain might flood the whole world. Linus reminds her of a promise from God in Genesis and Lucy is comforted. The comic strip ends with the affirmation “Sound theology has a way of doing that.” In short, Bible knowledge has the side-benefit of reassuring the believer about the various anxieties of life.
My father taught me a similar lesson back in 1983. I was 17 years old and the USSR was still very powerful and threatening during the administration of President Reagan. Our family had gathered to watch a nuclear doomsday TV movie called “The Day After.” I was greatly distressed by the pathetic wandering of Jason Robard’s disfigured character through the post-holocaust radioactive wasteland. I asked Dad (who was sitting in his favorite recliner) if he was worried such a horrible scenario might come to pass. He said:
“It isn’t going to happen because the Bible tells us how the world will end. Nuclear war isn’t on the table. The Lord will return like a thief in the night and THAT will be the surprise that shocks the world. But, in truth, if the Lord determines that nuclear war was going to happen, no one on earth could stop it. So don’t worry, leave it to God to work out.”
Those words from my father had an immediate salutary effect upon me and have been formative in my thoughts about the faux-emergencies of the day. While nuclear war with the USSR is no longer greatly feared, other scary bogeymen are continually propped up by the media to terrify a theologically unsound populace: Will a gigantic asteroid hurtle from outer space and smash the earth with the force of countless hydrogen bombs? Could be! Perhaps a local galactic supernova will bathe the earth in harmful radiation and destroy our precious atmosphere! Or the super-volcano that lies under Yellowstone will erupt and cause wintry famine that kills billions! Will carbon dioxide-induced global warming melt the ice caps and cause global flooding?
On and on the fear-mongering speculators work an insidious web of anxiety, promoting unease and discomfort about the future. But God’s still and quiet voice commands us to be ‘anxious for nothing’ and my father’s words echo in my mind. “…don’t worry, leave it to God to work out.”
That is the job of the Christian, isn’t it? Our spiritual avocation is not to prevent climate change, or to promote green technology, or to dig nuclear bunkers, or to stockpile guns and ammo, but rather to be about our Father’s work. We don’t have to spend priceless time fretting about the fantasies of faithless men fashioned to cause confusion and panic. The scripture assures us that the world will come to an end at the time and place of God’s choosing. Before that happens, the seasons will continue unaltered as witness to God’s love and mercy. When Noah climbed down out of the ark, God said:
“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22, NKJV)
It is thought-provoking to consider that thousands of years before the global warming scare, Noah understood that the passing of the seasons will never again be disrupted by a natural disaster! God has given us the seasons as a demonstration of His love and provision for man. Paul told the Lystrans:
“Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17, NKJV)
So, faithful Christians, we know that man-made global climate change is not coming to devastate the planet. Rather, God will send divine fire to melt the planet in His own good time and on His timetable! (2 Peter 3:12) Meanwhile, fortunately for us, God has given us a witness and He does good by providing us with the fruitful seasons. As long as the earth lasts God will ensure that they do not cease. We can rest in the peace that passes understanding that God has this world firmly in control. Like Lucy we can let scripture take a load off our minds. Let us be about the Father’s work.
“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35, NKJV)
Bart Shaw, tbartshaw@hotmail.com, 3/09
Like this:
Like Loading...
Apr 8, 2009 | Articles
Concerning the resurrection, the Bible states, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”—1 Corinthians 15:20.
The term ‘firstfruits’ is first mentioned in Exodus 23:16 when God demands the first ripened fruits as an offering. This offering was to represent the bounty that God would bless them with in the final harvest days. The principle is first commanded in Exodus 22:29-31 which showed total devotion to God. So, the ‘firstfruits’ were 1) Dedicated to God, 2) Offered to show what was to come.
The fact that Jesus Christ is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep should be of importance to us BECAUSE HE SET THE PATTERN! What did Christ do that those who have fallen asleep will do? When will it happen? How will it happen?
WHAT DID CHRIST DO THAT THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP WILL DO?
Assuming the reader knows the story, we’ll begin at Golgotha/Calvary.
* Jesus died on the cross – Matthew 27:31-50, Mark 15:24-37, Luke 23:33-47, John 19:17-30
* Jesus’ body slept – Mark 15:43-45, John 19:33-34
* Jesus was buried – Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:31-42
* Jesus’ spirit went to Hadean realm of Paradise – Luke 23:43
* Jesus was resurrected– Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-7, Luke 24:1-8, John 20:1-10
* Jesus was recognizable though different – Luke 24:13-31, Luke 24:36-39, John 20:14-16, John 20:18-20,
* Jesus ascended – Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-3, Acts 1:9-11
Since Jesus is the firstfruits it stands to reason that others will follow. We will also die, our bodies will sleep, our spirits will go to the Hadean realm (some to Paradise others to Tartarus), our bodies will resurrect, we will be recognizable though different (new body), and we will ascend – the righteous will pass the judgment seat to life eternal, while the unrighteous will be given the sentence of eternal death.
It was long understood that there WAS to be a resurrection of the body. The Pharisees believed this, Acts 23:8; Martha believed this, John 11:24; Job pondered it, Job 14:14; Hannah prayed about it, 1 Samuel 2:6; the Psalms testified of it, Psalm 16:10, Psalm 30:3, Psalm 49:15; and prophets declared it, Hosea 13:14.
WHEN WILL THE RESURRECTION TAKE PLACE?
According to the scriptures the resurrection will take place “at the last day…” when the Lord comes again:
- John 6:39-40 “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
- John 6:53-54 “Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
- John 11:24 “Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
- John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
Proponents of realized eschatology say the resurrection is passed already! Yes, they declare that it happened in A.D. 70 at the destruction of Jerusalem. While the destruction of Jerusalem was a great and important event, Jesus was using the greatest event (the end times) to describe it. Jesus plainly refers to the “ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION” in Matthew 24:15 and follows with directions on how people should handle the disaster. Because some descriptions of death and the “coming of the Son of Man” are used, the A. D. 70 theorists assume this was the figurative/spiritual end of Judasim and that the scripture is ALWAYS referring to that event whenever and wherever end times are discussed, while other extremists use the passage to conjure “rapture.” This is why Paul told Timothy to “rightly divide the word of truth.”
HOW WILL THE RESURRECTION HAPPEN?
The Bible teaches that the resurrection will happen at the last day when the Lord comes again. When the Lord does come, the scriptures teach that everyone will be raised from the dead, every eye will see Him, everyone will hear Him, everyone will be changed (including those who are already alive), the dead in Christ will rise toward Heaven first and the righteous living will go with them, the unrighteous will face judgment and enter into the lake of fire.
- John 5:29 “…and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
- Acts 24:15 “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.”
- Revelation 1:7 “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”
- John 5:28 “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice…”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17 “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
The previously mentioned events speak of what happens to every individual. The A.D. 70 theorists say they too believe in a bodily resurrection, BUT that it is the body of the church being described, such as when used in Romans 12:5 “…so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” This simply cannot be. Too many scriptures deal with the subject of bodily resurrection. The scripture does not teach that the resurrection is just a “spiritual” significance as the A.D. 70 theorists proclaim. Perhaps Romans 6:1-13 is about as close to “spiritual resurrection” as we can go (this passage discusses the relation to being baptized into the death of Christ and being raised in the likeness of His resurrection).
If the resurrection is symbolic of the body of the church, then the church was dead! However, Jesus said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” To hold the A.D. 70 view would make Christ a liar.
The A. D. 70 theorists contend that the Jewish covenants were put to “death” at the destruction of Jerusalem, but in the resurrection it was the church that came forth! Wait a minute! Hold on here. If the resurrection described in scripture says that both the just and the unjust are raised—then the Jewish covenants are still in force! How can you hold this doctrine and the Bible too?
No, the resurrection as taught in the scriptures is a bodily resurrection of ALL people. If there is no bodily resurrection then we must face what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:12-18, “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”
To hold that the resurrection is not bodily, or has passed already, is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS because it rends the integrity of the inspired writ; as Paul has also said, “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”–2 Timothy 2:16-19.
SSM
Like this:
Like Loading...
Mar 27, 2009 | Articles
There are few themes more central to the religion of Christianity than the doctrine of Christ’s second coming. It is the hope and comfort of all believers, “Let not your heart be troubled; you 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3) It is the driving force in the Christian’s service and holy life! From that awesome day when the disciples watched the Lord ascend into the heavens and disappear from their sight, when the angels appeared before the bewildered host and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) It has been the watchful, earnest expectation that any day, Christ could split the eastern sky and appear for the second time. For such a central and vital doctrine to the Christian faith, it would be safe to say that there is no other subject that the modern religious world is more divided on. Ideas and theories about the Second Coming of Christ have driven some to cultic extremism, some to infidelity and others to every imaginable idea in-between.
Two of the most prominent theories regarding the second coming are those of the A.D. 70 Theory, which places all matters dealing with the second coming and related themes in the past and Pre-millennialism, which places almost every prophetic utterance in the Bible in the future and directly relates it to the second coming of Christ. It is my belief that both of these theories and many ideas in-between them do not mesh with the teachings of scripture. We propose to offer a brief explanation of what the Bible teaches about the second coming of Christ. And why some of these commonly accepted theories cannot possibly be true.
This is an important question to ask and to answer because it might be established that since his “first coming” Jesus has “come” again at least twice already! In some sense it is certainly true the Jesus “came” at Pentecost when He established His kingdom. And many others believe that He “came” in the destruction of Jerusalem in another sense, but are these the events that are being referred to by the second coming? In Hebrews 9:27-28 the Bible says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” This statement, made many years after Pentecost, is teaching something very important about the “second coming.” Very few would deny that in a sense Christ came at Pentecost, but it was very different from his first coming, as it was neither personal nor visible, and it was obviously not the second coming because the Hebrew writer speaks of that as being a future event. Most would also agree that in some sense Jesus came at the Destruction of Jerusalem, but this was much more like the coming on Pentecost than his first coming. No, when the Hebrew writer says that He will “appear a second time” it must be referring to something like the first time! It is speaking of a personal, visible coming that is taught many, many times in the scripture.(2 Pet. 3:10; 1 Thess. 4:17; Matt. 25:31-32)
Christ’s statements about His coming in Matthew 24, and its parallels in Mark 13 and Luke 17, are among the most controversial of all statements regarding the matter. There are many statements which seem to have an unquestionable reference to the coming of Christ, the end of the World and the judgment of the Nations and yet Jesus says very forcefully, “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (Mark 13:30) How can this be? Some, like Albert Schweitzer and Bertram Russell, claimed that this proved that Christ was not the son of God because here were prophecies that didn’t come to pass. Others, like the A.D. 70 advocates claimed that it did come to pass in the Destruction of Jerusalem, and everybody has been interpreting the second coming totally wrong for the past 2000 years. Still others tried to make the whole discourse regard future events by claiming that the word “generation” means the Jewish race. And finally we find those who say that this verse divides the chapter into two parts, the first part dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem and the last part dealing with the Second Coming. There are problems with all of these theories. I believe that what Jesus said would happen, did happen, and what he said will happen is going to happen. I do not believe that the A.D. 70 theory is Scripturally plausible but neither do I believe that Premillennialism is Scripturally plausible.
And finally, while the last idea, of verses like Matthew 13:30 serving as a dividing mark sounds good on the surface, their great weakness is in the fact that they are preceded by verses like, “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” (Mark13:26-27)
I suggest another alternative. In Ezekiel 37 there is an interesting prophecy made about dry bones coming to life and being clothed again with flesh and blood. To the Jewish reader this would have brought to mind the great doctrine of the bodily resurrection, something that all Jews would have been familiar with and would have believed. (Job 19:26; 1 Sam. 2:6; 2 Sam. 12:22) But, a close examination of the text will show that the bodily resurrection was not the primary focus of Ezekiel’s message! The message was regarding the restoration of Israel from Babylonian Captivity to their homeland, but this was a difficult notion for the Jews to accept, so the prophet pictured it with something they had no trouble believing in. (Ezekiel 37:1-14) I believe that we see the same thing in Matthew 24 and its parallels. The disciples had already accepted Christ’s divinity and his promises for his returning and judgment on the world, but they had great difficulty is understanding that God was going to destroy Jerusalem and was finished with his specific work with the Jewish Nation, as is evident in Acts 1:6, “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
So, Jesus, like Ezekiel of old, used something believed and accepted (His second coming and the Judgment of the World) to illustrate something that was not understood nor believed (the Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of the Jewish Age). Ezekiel’s comments are not a literal account of how the resurrection will occur, but they do teach us something about it in a secondary manner, the same goes for Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24. There are some things in Matthew 24 which might teach something about the second coming, but primarily, these comments serve as a picture of the destruction of Jerusalem. Above all things, it is important to remember this: 1) Although the resurrection was used to picture the restoration of Israel, the restoration of Israel is not the bodily resurrection and 2) although the Second Coming was used to picture the Destruction of Jerusalem, the Destruction of Jerusalem was not the Second Coming!
The fatal flaw of the theories of Premillennialism and A.D. 70 is in their teaching that the world will continue to exist and function after the second coming. If it could be established that this is an impossible notion, then these theories would fall. There are several things which serve us to this end. The ascension of the living and resurrection of the dead, the judgment of all the world and the destruction of the material universe, all of which are connected to the second coming, seem to me to be strong enough reasons to establish that the world will not continue after the second coming, even for a brief moment, the idea that the world and the affairs of men could go on for 2000 years is utterly preposterous! But there is more evidence to this end.
It is interesting to note that there is a time limit put on the ordnances of worship. Notice what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:26 regarding the Lord’s Supper, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” That the Lord’s Supper was the centerpiece of all first century worship services is evident by the wording of Acts 20:6, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” The conclusion? If the Lord’s Supper was “until He comes” then after He comes there will be no more precedent to assemble for worship. If so where is the scripture for it?
In the mid 1800’s James White and his wife Ellen began to travel across the United States preaching the Miller Prophecy Chart which predicted the Second Coming of Christ in October 22, 1844. When this did not occur the “Adventists adopted the view that probation for sinners and all the unconverted world ended in 1844.” Mrs. White stated, “Christ’s work as man’s intercessor before God had ceased.” Over time, of course, this idea was abandoned, but it brings to mind the very real biblical doctrine that one day the “door of mercy will be shut.” One day the opportunity for gospel obedience will end! Now, we read in Revelation 14:6 that the gospel is “everlasting.” But this statement is made to teach that as long as this world stands, the gospel will be available. Notice the words of Christ as he gave the Great Commission:
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
What does this mean? Are we to imagine a world where Jesus is no longer with his people? If we imagine that the world continues after the second coming (the end of the age) this is our predicament. After the Second Coming there is no mention of salvation, only judgment. In Romans 14:11 the Bible says, “For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” Now this is not to suggest universal salvation at the second coming, such would be in gross contradiction to countless other passages, rather this passage refers to the fact that at the second coming there will be a universal acknowledgment of Christ’s divinity.
A world with no salvation and no worship! Could there be anything more preposterous? And yet such would be the case if the theories of Premillennialism and A.D. 70 were true! Even if you were to “spiritualize” the resurrection, the judgment and the end of the world, you are still faced with the fact that the world could not possibly continue after the second coming. Jesus Christ is coming back my friends! And with him come the end of this world and this system and the beginning of the eternal system. When He comes the second time walking on the water will be child’s play, for He will come stepping on the clouds! May our daily prayer be, “Come quickly Lord Jesus!” Amen. – CED
Like this:
Like Loading...
